SHAWWAL 16, 1441 AH MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2020

20 Pages Max 47º Min 32º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18150 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Kuwait Red Crescent distributes Worker exodus plunges Libya govt moves on Sirte; UFC superstar McGregor 2 food packs in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh 9 India factories into crisis 16 Haftar offensive collapses 20 announces retirement

Assembly panel seeks ban on new expat recruitment

Kuwaitization, quotas, residence curbs eyed • MP warns finance minister

By B Izzak implemented. He said the crisis has snowballed and now poses security, economic, social and health KUWAIT: Head of the Assembly’s human resource risks to the society of Kuwait. development committee MP Khalil Al-Saleh said HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled yesterday the panel will propose a ban on new Al-Sabah said last week that expats form 70 per- recruitment of expat labor into the country during cent of the population against 30 percent of a meeting with the government this week. Saleh Kuwaitis and that the ideal composition is by said on Twitter that resolving issues related to reversing the percentage to be 70 percent for expatriate manpower and the imbalance in the citizens against 30 percent for expats. Achieving demographic structure requires “draining” the the premier’s vision requires getting rid of at least sources of visa trading and a “ban on the recruit- 2.5 million expats from their existing number of ment of new expat labor”. 3.35 million. It also requires Kuwaitization of jobs, imposing MPs have already submitted legislation calling to certain quotas on expat communities and limiting impose quotas of foreign communities and to the duration of residence of expats, he said. The replace all expat jobs in the government within one lawmaker said these issues will be raised during a year. The two bills have not yet been debated by KUWAIT: Cuban medical personnel arrive at Kuwait International Airport on Saturday to assist the coun- meeting with the government later this week, Assembly panels. Meanwhile, MP Riyadh Al- try’s effort in the fight against COVID-19. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat adding that resolving the imbalance in the popula- Adasani yesterday warned Finance Minister tion structure requires strong decisions that are Continued on Page 16

the epicenter, as thousands of people World rallies – black, white and brown – flooded downtown streets surrounding the OPEC, Russia White House, which was barricaded against George with black metal fencing. “This fight to extend cuts, has been happening for many, many Floyd’s death decades, hundreds of years, and at this point it’s time for a change,” said Mexico refuses WASHINGTON: Taking a knee, Washington native Christine VIENNA: OPEC members, led by Saudi banging drums and ignoring social Montgomery. “I’m here so my son is Arabia, and other key oil producers agreed distancing measures, outraged pro- not the next hashtag that is circulating Saturday to extend historic output cuts through testers from Sydney to London on worldwide,” she added, indicating her July, as oil prices tentatively recover and coron- Saturday kicked off a weekend of 10-year-old child standing next to her. avirus lockdowns ease. The 13-member cartel global rallies against racism and On a sunny but oppressively hot and its allies, notably Russia, decided to extend police brutality. Tens of thousands of day, many people wore masks because by a month deep May and June cuts agreed in peaceful protesters rallied for racial of the coronavirus pandemic. April to boost prices, the Organization of the justice Saturday in cities across the Volunteers gave out water, hand sani- Petroleum Exporting Countries said in a state- United States following the death of tizer and other supplies as the area ment. African American George Floyd at the took on a block party vibe, with music, But Mexico, which had already made clear hands of police. mural painting, food trucks, and ven- Protests took place from New York WASHINGTON: Demonstrators hold placards at the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday dur- ahead of the talks that it “could not adjust... dors selling Black Lives Matter T-shirts. ing a peaceful protest against police brutality and the death of George Floyd. — AFP production further”, announced that it would to Los Angeles but Washington was at Continued on Page 16 not be complying. Oil prices have plummeted as a result of falling demand as countries around the world impose strict lockdowns to stop the ized, while the rest were treated at spread of the new coronavirus. Dozens hurt the scene, the Lebanese Red Cross “All participating countries... agreed the said. It was the first major anti-gov- option of extending the first phase of the pro- as protesters ernment rally attracting demonstra- duction adjustments pertaining in May and June tors from across the country since by one further month,” the OPEC statement authorities relaxed a lockdown said. Under the terms of the April agreement, flood Beirut imposed in mid-March to fight the OPEC and the so-called OPEC+ pledged to cut spread of the coronavirus. “We came output by 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) from BEIRUT: Protesters poured into the on the streets to demand our rights, May 1 until the end of June. The cuts were then streets of the Lebanese capital call for medical care, education, jobs to be gradually eased from July, to 7.7 million Saturday to decry the collapse of the and the basic rights that human bpd until December. economy, as clashes erupted between beings need to stay alive,” said 21- Algerian Oil Minister Mohamed Arkab, who supporters and opponents of the Iran- year-old student Christina. currently holds OPEC’s rotating presidency, told backed Shiite group Hezbollah. Many protesters wore face-masks AFP that the agreed cut for July was 9.6 mbpd, Hundreds filled the streets in and as part of hygiene measures imposed just slightly below the 9.7 mbpd for May and around the protest hub of Martyrs to fight the pandemic, which has June. Oil ministers from key producers will meet Square in the center of Beirut, with severely exacerbated an economic monthly to assess the agreement, he added. US skirmishes also between protesters crisis, the worst since the debt-bur- Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette welcomed the and security forces, who fired tear gas. dened country’s 1975-1990 civil war. BEIRUT: Lebanese riot police fire tear gas at protesters in central Beirut on Continued on Page 16 Forty-eight were wounded in the But Saturday’s protest turned violent violence, 11 of whom were hospital- Continued on Page 16 Saturday. — AFP

have been handed down from generation Ahmed Driouch said in his store cluttered Morocco artisans to generation, the clay has dried up, the with copper lamps, ceramics, daggers, oven is turned off and the nine employees jewelry, inlaid chests and carpets. Business no longer turn up for work. The last order, has been “two hundred percent affected fear ‘knockout for a customer from France who called off by the virus”, he said, grimly forecasting it her visit because of border closures, is would take “at least two or three years” to punch’ from virus gathering dust in a corner. return to normal. “We were already struggling to survive Upstairs, employees dusted some RABAT: Pottery, basketwork and because lifestyles have changed,” said 10,000 carpets in stock, one by one. “We wrought-iron furniture pile up in the Mohamed Touel, a master carver of “gebs” must clean everything even if, for now, deserted stalls of the Oulja arts and crafts decorative plaster. “Traditional trades are nobody’s coming,” one of them said rueful- complex in Sale near the Moroccan capital being lost because young people don’t ly, vacuum cleaner in hand. Minister of Rabat. Artisans have been starved of want to take over.” The enterprising 62- Tourism and Handicrafts Nadia Fettah has income for almost three months because of year-old had added a small restaurant to proposed ideas such as exhibition spaces the COVID-19 pandemic. “Coronavirus is his shop but it closed because of lockdown in supermarkets to revive a sector that the knockout punch: without help, without measures imposed since mid-March. provides employment to two million peo- support, our profession will disappear,” Foreign tourists have vanished, the ple. That includes about 230,000 tradi- said Youssef Rghalmi, a 49-year-old potter. lockdown has paralyzed economic life and tional artisans. SALE, Morocco: A Moroccan rug weaver creates a carpet at a workshop in this city In the family workshop, where skills local customers “have other priorities”, Continued on Page 16 north of the capital Rabat on June 3, 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. — AFP 2 Established 1961 Local Monday, June 8, 2020 Kuwait Red Crescent Society distributes food boxes in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

Priority in food distribution to areas under lockdown

KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) distributed Saturday 1,000 food boxes to workers and people living in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, which has been under lockdown to curb spread of coronavirus. KRCS gave priority for the distribution of food boxes to areas under lockdown: Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Mah- boula, Farwaniya, Khaitan and Hawally, Society’s Sec- retary General Maha Al-Barjas said in a statement to the press. She said KRCS continued to support all segments of the society and alleviate their suffering caused by the pandemic. The box, she added, in- cluded rice, oil, sugar, tea and canned ready-made food which was enough for a month. KRCS, said Bar- jas, was distributing food boxes in the isolated areas in order to prevent movement of people living there in line with health authorities’ instructions to restrict movements in those areas. KRCS also delivers food boxes for needy families nationwide, she said, and urged the private sector to contribute to KRCS’s pro- gram to curb the pandemic. She thanked the volun- teers who were serving their country and participating in the society’s programs. — KUNA

In my view coronavirus. The government also allowed super- • 51592515 (Services Department) Coronavirus in markets, restaurants and shops to host a maximum • 51594544 (Public Relations Department) of five people at a time and in case there are lines, All men are Kuwait: What we the distance must be at least one meter between Medicine delivery people. The Ministry of Commerce launched a web- Kuwait’s Ministry of Health (MOH) launched a created equal site (www.moci.shop) to enable people to book ap- new medicine delivery service for people in Kuwait, know so far pointments to shop at co-operative societies in their which they can use to order medications to be de- areas. The Public Authority for Industry also an- livered during curfew hours. The medications will KUWAIT: Kuwait has recorded 31,131 cases in- nounced that companies can apply to evacuate their be delivered within 72 hours after the order is sub- fected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as of workers from Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Mahboula. To mitted. To place an order, patients should send a Saturday, in addition to 254 deaths. With the excep- do so, they must fill a ‘workers evacuation form’ WhatsApp to the numbers for the hospitals and By Abdellatif Sharaa tion of 180 cases in intensive care, all infected cases available on www.pai.gov.kw, and send the form via medical centers as listed below. The patient should are in stable condition and are recovering in quar- email to: [email protected]. include their name, Civil ID number, hospital or antined locations designated by the government for clinic file number, mobile phone number and the this purpose, while thousands have been discharged Precautions medicine needed to the following numbers: [email protected] from quarantine after exhibiting no symptoms dur- Kuwait halted all commercial flights until further Amiri Hospital: 50880699 ing their 14-day quarantine period, the Ministry of notice, and has sent special flights to repatriate Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital: 50880755 Health confirmed. Meanwhile, 20,205 people have Kuwaitis back home from countries affected with Farwaniya Hospital: 50880852 acism - what a heinous act and an ugly recovered completely after previously being in- the virus’ spread. Kuwait took all measures to test Adan Hospital: 50880908 word. It is a subject that is full of contro- fected with the virus, while there are 10,672 people Kuwaitis repatriated from infected areas for poten- Jahra Hospital: 50881066 Rversy - in the past and present. I cannot receiving treatment and 23 quarantined. tial infection. Kuwait had required all expatriates Sabah Hospital: 97632660 believe that there are still those who believe that who arrived from travel on March 1 and beyond to Jaber Hospital: 96992079 they are better than or supreme to others or Curfew visit Kuwait International Fairground where the Ibn Sina Hospital: 99613948 consider others as less than human because of Kuwait imposed a three-week partial curfew Ministry of Health has set up a center to test people Chest Hospital: 99258749 skin color, language, customs, place of birth, re- starting May 31, as part of a five-phase plan for a for possible infection. Meanwhile, the Cabinet an- Razi Hospital: 97633487 ligion or any factor that supposedly reveals the gradual return to normal life, brought to a standstill nounced on April 9 the operation of all airline flights Kuwait Cancer Control Center: 96735242 basic nature of that person. Islam fought racism by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The first for expats who are wishing to return back to their Psychiatric Hospital: 97350113 head on and did not leave any doubt about con- phase also includes a total lockdown on Farwaniya, countries. Authorities also announced a public hol- Physiotherapy Hospital: 99824037 demning this behavior, and declared that in the Khaitan, Hawally, joining Mahboula and Jleeb Al- iday in the country from March 12 to May 28, with Maternity Hospital: 98559531 religion of Islam there is no racism and all people Shuyoukh which were put under lockdown earlier. work resuming on May 31, while entities providing As’ad Al-Hamad Dermatology Center: 98514508 are equal. Activities to resume in first phase included home vital services will remain open. Meanwhile, the Min- Zain Hospital: 97552031 This was confirmed by the Messenger of deliveries of restaurants, telecommunication com- istry of Education has suspended classes for March NBK Hospital: 96931761 Allah Muhammad (PBUH), who said there is no panies, food retailers, companies’ transportation of at all public and private schools (for both students Al-Rashed Allergy Hospital: 94162470 difference between an Arab and non-Arab and employees, gas stations, private clinics and car and teaching staffs); first from March 1 to March 12, Infectious Diseases Hospital: 96989164 between white or black but except in piety (be- workshops. The second phase will see the curfew and later extended it until March 29, before even- Palliative Care Hospital: 94024786 lieving in God and doing good deeds and to shortened to be between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am, tually suspending schools until August for grade 12 Sabah Al-Ahmad Urology Center: 90952469 move away from evil ones, obedience to Allah, while resuming work in the government and private and October for other stages. State departments KFH Addiction Treatment Center: 94169363 etc). The quotation “all men are created equal” sectors with the workforce being less than 30 per- have been on high alert to take precautions against is part of the US Declaration of Independence, cent, in addition to resumption of constructions, the potential spread of the virus. The Ministry of Meanwhile, all licensed pharmacies in Kuwait which is supposed to have given a solid founda- banking sector, malls opening for eight hours and Commerce and Industry has taken measures to delivering medicine are allowed to continue their tion for the creation of a new nation and the according to special instructions, parks and pickups make sure that facial masks, hand sanitizers and services 24 hours a day. The Ministry of Health is country kept going and became the strongest from restaurants. other goods remain accessible to the public. also asking doctors and nurses affiliated with the country in the world despite a devastating civil The third phase would see an end of curfew, and Kuwait suspended issuing entry permits and private medical sector to volunteer in order to con- war, but this is not the point. health authorities would be assessing situation of visas unless those issued through diplomatic mis- tribute to the fight against the virus. Volunteering is History tells us that we are in the 21st cen- areas under lockdown. It would see increase of sions. The Interior Ministry issued an amnesty al- available through the link: http://volunteering.q8- tury, when everything has moved further and workforce to less than 50 percent. Visits for social lowing residency violators to leave the country ehealth.com. The ministry had closed all private man has made so many advancements and care homes would be allowed, reopening of hotels, between April 1 and April 30 without paying any clinics and medical centers effective March 22, 2020 added to his knowledge and should act in ac- resorts and hotel apartments. Taxis will be allowed fines or airfare with a chance to return to Kuwait until further notice. cordance with that. In the US, George Floyd later. The amnesty was issued in view of the circum- to operate with only one passenger, and Mosques was already under control and could be hand- would be allowed to perform Friday prayers. stances the country is currently going through and Mental health assistance cuffed and placed in the police car, but the as part of the precautionary measures taken to fight Phase four would see an increase in workforce, The Kuwait Psychological Association (KPA) is stubbornness of the police officer lead to his restaurants would be receiving customers but with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). During the providing consultation through the phone for peo- death, or so it was alleged. What happened to restrictions, and public transportation resumed but amnesty period, individuals desiring to procure ple suffering from the psychological impacts of him can happen anywhere around the globe be- with distancing. All activities would resume in phase valid residencies in Kuwait and were willing to pay cause of an individual’s behavior. What is also five, government and private sector returned to nor- the fines without being subjected to investigations coronavirus. Different doctors are working on the alarming is that the other three officers at the mal, families could gather, weddings and graduation were allowed to pay the fines and legalize their sta- hotline in different timings as follows: scene were being trained by this officer, which ceremonies, health clubs and gyms to reopen, as tus if they meet the required conditions. Dr Rashed Al-Sahl: on Monday and Wednesday makes it more alarming and scary. well as cinemas and theaters. 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. Call 9797-6168. We must learn from our behavior and re- Earlier, Kuwait imposed a total curfew from May Hotlines Dr Fahad Al-Tasha: daily from 8:00 pm - 12:00 member our mistakes very well so that we do 10 to May 30, allowing room for people to walk out The Ministry of Health has set the following hot- am. Call 9904-8258. not make them again. The tragic events that for daily exercise between 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, and lines to receive inquiries about the coronavirus Dr Othman Al-Asfour: daily 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. took the life of Floyd in the United States, to shop at co-ops and supermarkets once every six 24/7: 24970967 - 96049698 - 99048619. Call 9938-5350. though unwarranted and uncalled for, can be a days during the curfew hours by making an ap- The Education Ministry set the following hotlines Dr Mohammed Al-Khaldi (head of this team): great lesson we all can learn from and hopefully pointment through www.moci.shop. Before that, to receive inquiries on school closures related to the daily 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Call 9903-6470. it will be the last such act, although there were Kuwait enforced a country-wide partial curfew anti-coronavirus measures: Dr Ahmad Al-Khaldi: daily 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. many like it in before. Let us restore our hu- from 5:00 pm to 6:00 am, which was later extended Call 9910-7965. manity and go back to basics and act as God to start from 4:00 pm until 8:00 am during Ra- • 24970967 (24/7 hotline) Dr Muneera Al-Qattan: Monday and Wednesday wanted us to act, or at least as our human in- madan, while allowing restaurants and food stores • 51575591 (Capital Educational Zone) 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Call 9953-3108. stinct of loving and good deeds wants us to be. to make home deliveries from 5:00 pm until 1:00 am. • 51576117 (Hawally Educational Zone) Dr Zainab Al-Saffar: Sunday and Thursday 7:00 Rest in peace George Floyd. The government also locked down Mahboula and • 51576576 (Farwaniya Educational Zone) pm - 9:00 pm. Call 9954-9908. Final Word: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh in a bid to contain the spread of • 51577055 (Jahra Educational Zone) Dr Sameera Al-Kandari: Tuesday 9:00 pm - “No one of you becomes a true believer until he the virus and enable health workers to test inhabi- • 51577655 (Ahmadi Educational Zone) 12:00 am. Call 6770-9434. likes for his brother what he likes for himself”. tants. Earlier, the government decided to close all • 51577951 (Mubarak Al-Kabeer Educational Zone) Dr Kawthar Al-Yaqout: Monday and Wednesday PS: Please note that the word MAN for me shopping malls, beauty salons and barber shops as • 51578171 (Religious Studies Department) 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Call 5521-0088. means both genders, and there is no difference part of its measures to prevent the spread of the • 51588599 (Private Education Department) whatsoever between the two. For information and other concerns, call 9401-4283. 3 Local Monday, June 8, 2020 Oil markets witnessed remarkable improvement due to OPEC+ deal: Kuwait Kuwait urges Libyan parties to cease hostilities

KUWAIT: Oil markets have witnessed a meeting will result in continued cooperation fattah Al-Sisi’s initiative to bring warring Al-Sabah phoned on Saturday Iraqi coun- remarkable improvement recently due to among all the signatory countries of this Libyan parties to table of negotiations. terpart Fuad Baki to congratulate him on the the historical OPEC+ agreement, said agreement because of the common interest The negotiations, it said, aimed at reach- new post. During the phone call, Sheikh Dr Kuwait’s Oil Minister and Acting Minister of of the countries concerned and the global ing a political solution on basis of relevant Ahmad conveyed the sentiments on behalf Electricity and Water Dr Khaled Al-Fadhel. oil industry in general in order to reflect UN Security Council’s resolutions and out- of His Highness the Amir, His Highness the This came in a statement Fadhel made after these positive effects on the global econ- come of UN-sponsored Berlin Conference Prime Minister, and His Highness the Crown his participation online, Saturday, in the omy. On April 13, the OPEC + group agreed in order to preserve unity, independence Prince after the completion of formation of Ministerial Meeting No. 179 of the Organi- to reduce oil production rates by 9.7 million and territorial safety of Libya, as well as the Iraqi cabinet. The foreign Minister also zation of Petroleum Exporting Countries barrels per day as of May 1 for an initial pe- meet aspirations of the Libyan people. Sisi expressed best wishes to the minister and (OPEC). The minister indicated that there riod of two months ending on June 30, announced the initiative during talks in the Iraqi people and government. are positive signs of a relative increase and 2020. Cairo with Libyan military commander Earlier, Iraq’s parliament approved the a gradual improvement in global oil demand Khalifa Haftar. The initiative calls for a remainder of Prime Minister Mustafa Al- during the last period. Libya hostilities ceasefire starting June 8, holding UN-su- Kadhimi’s cabinet and passing the candi- Fadhel affirmed that Kuwait played a In other news, Kuwait, which supported pervised election of a Libyan presidential dates for seven government posts. A total of prominent role in reaching this historic UN Secretary General’s global ceasefire ini- council and drafting a constitutional decla- 247 MPs approved the seven ministry posts agreement, stressing Kuwait’s commitment tiative to focus efforts on combating coro- ration to regulate elections for later stage, that had remained vacant since Kadhimi to reduce its production according to the navirus, called Saturday on Libyan warring as well as ending foreign interference. was sworn in last month. The new posts in- terms of the agreement, which have a sig- parties to cease hostilities to end bloodshed clude oil, trade, foreign affairs, justice, mi- Kuwait’s Oil Minister and Acting Minister nificant impact on the improvement wit- of Libyans. The Foreign Ministry, in a state- Iraqi FM gration and displacement and culture and of Electricity and Water nessed in the oil markets during the past ment, called for an end of fighting in Libya Separately, Minister of Foreign Affairs agriculture ministries, completing the pre- Dr Khaled Al-Fadhel. weeks. He also expected that the OPEC + and welcomed Egyptian President Abdul- Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad mier’s 22-member cabinet. — KUNA

Kuwait 100% on govt response stringency index US Ambassador congratulates Kuwaiti graduates of US universities

By Alina Romanowski, a world-class educa- US Ambassador to Kuwait tion, but also valuable life experiences and an n behalf of the US Embassy, I would like to opportunity to build congratulate the Kuwaiti students who grad- even more connections Ouated from US universities as part of the between our great na- class of 2020! In addition, I welcome all Kuwaiti stu- tions. dents who are back from universities in the United We are ready to States, and extend my greetings to the Kuwaitis who support anyone inter- are still studying in America. All of you have achieved ested in studying in the a great milestone during a challenging time, and you United States. We and your families should be proud. You are joining know that the college generations of Kuwaitis who studied in the United application process this States and used that education to become leaders in year will be affected by their fields. the COVID-19 situa- Thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Higher Ed- tion. Nonetheless, we ucation, the Kuwaiti Cultural Office, and the National US Ambassador can help make the to Kuwait Alina Union of Kuwaiti Students, Kuwaiti students in the process easier. Please US were able to receive food, financial support, and Romanowski contact our Education visa information during the COVID-19 crisis. My Adviser at KuwaitC- staff at the US Embassy have been in frequent con- [email protected] for help with finding the tact with students and their parents to answer their questions. The US Department of Homeland Secu- right school for you. rity helped students by allowing them to maintain I know that many students have questions about their student status through online classes, and ac- their visas and student status. We have a video on cepting electronic signatures on their I-20 forms. US our Instagram account (@USEmbassyQ8) that an- universities are providing high quality online educa- swers frequently asked questions, and you can also KUWAIT: Kuwait scored 100 percent on the Oxford ments in healthcare. Most of Kuwait is under a partial tion options and enabling international students to contact [email protected] with any other ques- University’s Government Response Stringency Index curfew from 6pm to 6am and several areas including complete their academic year prior to departure. tions. The Embassy’s visa officers will prioritize re- for its fight against the coronavirus. Kuwait scored Khaitan, Hawally, Mahboula, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and We take great pride in having Kuwaitis study at turning student visa applications when we resume perfect on almost all indicators including school clo- Farwaniya are completely isolated. The infection rate top schools in the United States. If you choose to visa operations. Once again to those returning, wel- sures, restrictions on movement, economic policies, has seen a decrease in recent days, although it re- study in the United States, you will not only receive come back. We wish you a safe and healthy summer! COVID-19 testing regimes and emergency invest- mains unclear if this trend will continue.

News in brief

Six suicides in five days

KUWAIT: An Indian man was found dead in a Khaitan Park Saturday in an apparent suicide, po- lice say. The victim’s body was found hanging in the park, before police were called. The latest case is the sixth suicide reported within five days.

Scam calls

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior urged the public to avoid responding to scam text messages, international calls, or emails that they may receive and in which they are asked to update their bank accounts.

Medicine delivery

KUWAIT: Health Ministry Undersecretary for medicine and medical supplies Dr Abdallah Al- Bader said that total medicines that were delivered to the home by fire department reached 5,356 medical prescriptions last week, while a total of 46,572 prescriptions were delivered since the service was launched.

13 flights

KUWAIT: The Directorate General of Civil Avi- ation announced that 13 flights departed Kuwait International Airport yesterday, carrying a total of 2,430 passengers. They include eight flights to Egypt, one flight to Qatar, one flight to India, one flight to Bhutan, one flight to Thailand, and one Flight to the UAE.

Curfew breakers

KUWAIT: Nine people were arrested for violat- ing the curfew on Saturday, including eight Kuwaitis and one expatriate. The arrests were made as follows: two in Hawally governorate, one in Mubarak Al-Kabeer, and one in Al-Ahmadi. 4 Local Monday, June 8, 2020

KUWAIT: A delegation of Cuban medical personnel arrives at Kuwait International Airport early on June 6, 2020, to assist the country’s effort in the fight against COVID-19. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Three fire stations battle Mangaf blaze

By Hanan Al-Saadoun open area in Mangaf. A nearby building had to be evac- uated after the flame spread to nearby properties. The KUWAIT: Mangaf, Fahaheel and Sabhan fire stations fire was put out swiftly and no injuries were reported. An rushed to tackle a blaze that started in garbage left in an investigation was opened to reveal the cause of the fire.

KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality workers clean up the Mubarakiya Market in Kuwait City as part of periodic cleaning up measures taken at public places to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 5 Local Monday, June 8, 2020 Ooredoo branches reopened with extra safety precautions, social distancing Following decision to resume operation at telecom, internet companies

KUWAIT: Ooredoo Telecom, the first to introduce innovative digital services in Kuwait, reopened more than 30 branches to receive customers starting Sunday May 31st. This comes in re- sponse to the cabinet’s latest decision concerning the “five-phases reopening plan”; the first to include the resumption of telecom operators and internet providers operations After being well disinfected and san- itized before reopening, more than 30 Ooredoo branches were all up and ready to receive customers from 9:00 am to 04:00 pm; while safety procedures were greatly considered and social distancing signs were demonstrated. Ooredoo em- ployees were guarded with masks and face shields when interacting with cus- tomers. Customers’ temperature were measured and they were asked to main- tain social distancing and keep their masks on. Ooredoo Kuwait Acting CEO and a number of precautions to ensure cus- and we made sure signs and posters are employees. through the self-service kiosks. Chief of Operations Fadi Kawar and tomers and Ooredoo sales agents are up to indicate where customers should The company stated that customers Customers can also view Ooredoo’s some management executives paid a safe. “We have provided masks and face wait or stand before they are served by can also use one of the company’s 63 services as well as exclusive offers and visit to a number of branches across the shields for our employees while making one of our sales agents”. self-service kiosks which are available in their subscription data online through country earlier this week to ensure op- hand sanitizers available and continuing Ooredoo Kuwait is committed in en- several locations for customers. Cus- the MyOoredoo application and the erations are running smoothly and safety increased cleaning and sanitization suring that all precautionary measures- tomers are able to manage their lines, re- Company website Ooredoo.com.kw in measures are implemented. throughout all stores. We continuously provided by the health authorities- are place their SIM cards, view their addition contacting our call center In an official statement, Ooredoo advise our customers visiting the implemented thoroughly to ensure the accounts, subscription data, pay bills, through 121 around the clock for all en- Kuwait ensured the fact that it is taking branches to interact at a safe distance well-being of its customers as well as its recharge and many other services quiries and services.

condition of coral reefs in territorial waters de- small numbers around the monitored 13 settle- one million species of living creatures facing ex- Divers brave spite extraordinary conditions prevailing in the ments of reefs where temperature peak these days tinction. The fishermen had in the past lifted vari- country due to the coronavirus crisis. Mahmoud to no more than 30.5 degrees under the surface. ous objects harmful to the reefs, such as Ashkanani, in charge of environmental ventures at While scouring the chain of reefs, the divers abandoned heavy anchors and dumped nets. The coronavirus crisis to the foundation, said in a statement yesterday that lifted stuck nets close to Umm Al-Maradem Island reefs off the Kuwaiti coast had also suffered from the divers monitored the coral reefs skirting Umm and freed stranded alive creatures and fish. bleaching in the peak of past summers. The foun- check on corals Al-Maradem Island. Color of some reefs turned Ashkanani renewed the call on fishermen to ab- dation along with state authorities have repeatedly relatively pale and some covered with tunicates. stain from fishing near the reefs. He further noted urged sea goers and seamen to refrain from litter- The divers recorded growth of seagrasses and theme of this year’s World Environment Day, that ing the sea surface and bottom and dumping ob- KUWAIT: Kuwait Dive Team of the Environmen- plants, zooxanthellae, algae, leafy and flowering was marked Friday, was “Celebrate Biodiversity.” jects that hurt the reefs and other marine tal Voluntary Foundation is regularly examining plants, Ashkanani said. Moreover, fish circle in The logo is intended to address threats against creatures. — KUNA

way since those early days behind the OMEGA goes steering wheel. In fact, it’s even been to the moon six times. So, if your dad wants to play it cool with some nostalgic astronaut classic for style, you can pick up the Speedmaster “First OMEGA in Space” which first orbited Father’s Day the Earth in 1962. If you want to keep your choice focused on four wheels, then take a close look at the Racing models within the KUWAIT: For dads who love fast cars, the Speedmaster collection. These pieces have OMEGA Speedmaster has always been a borrowed classic features from the past, perfect front seat passenger. Born for rac- such as the distinctive racing minute track, ing in 1957, the original models were not which first appeared in 1968, and even car- only used to time laps on the track, but also ried through OMEGA’s Formula One years to create a distinct sense of style on the in the 1990s. wrist. Finally, if you want to get as vintage as In tribute to that motoring heritage, possible, why not journey back to the start OMEGA is putting its famous chronograph of the story, with the Speedmaster ’57 on a in reverse, with a vintage spin on its Father’s golden brown Novonappa leather strap. Day choices. Most notably, each Speed- The design take inspiration from the very master model is set on its own leather strap, first pioneering design, but has been up- adding a classic and sophisticated edge to dated with a precise new engine and a the look. Crafted from the finest material in modern silvery dial. differing tones of brown, each strap delivers When it comes to Father’s Day, there are not a smooth retro spirit, while working in per- many timepieces more appropriate than the fect harmony alongside the Speedmaster’s Speedmaster. A good-looking watch, with iconic stainless steel case. timeless appeal and unrivalled heritage? Any The Speedmaster has travelled a long dad will love it. InternationalEstablished 1961 MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2020 Fears for UK homeless as virus hotel scheme Virus, dire economy, unrest upend US presidential race draws to a close Page 7 Page 8

TOKYO: People wearing face masks amid concerns over the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) walk at Futako Tamagawa neighborhood in Tokyo yesterday. — AFP Global virus deaths approach 400,000

US largely through crisis; EU to reopen borders

PARIS: The global death toll from the coronavirus back of subdued consumer demand and weakness in through this horrible pandemic, largely through, I opened without the US and Chinese tourists that usu- neared 400,000 yesterday with fatalities accelerating key overseas markets. Analysts say a deeper down- think we’re doing really well,” he told reporters. ally make up a third of its visitors. in Latin America, as oil-producing countries agreed turn in exports is looming for the world’s manufactur- As the country reels from a second weekend of The country also marked the anniversary of the to extend output cuts to offset a collapse in prices ing powerhouse, where the virus first emerged late massive protests against racism and police brutality, 1944 D-Day landings with a fraction of the big caused by the pandemic. last year. Trump—facing re-election in November—reiterated crowds seen in previous years, owing to strict social Brazil now has the world’s third-highest death toll Factories in India are his calls to further ease distancing restrictions. Elsewhere, the golf’s Asian from the virus, but President Jair Bolsonaro has also struggling to restart stay-at-home measures. Tour became the latest international body to an- threatened to leave the World Health Organization because of labor shortages, It followed surprisingly nounce plans for a restart, after the pandemic threw (WHO) over “ideological bias”, following the example as the country slowly upbeat employment num- the world sports calendar into disarray. of the United States. He is among those arguing that emerges from a strict na- Fatalities bers that showed the Play is expected to resume in September, although the economic damage lockdowns are causing is tionwide lockdown that sent country gained 2.5 million organizers said lingering flight restrictions may force worse than the virus itself—and the oil industry has millions of migrant laborers accelerating jobs in May. competitors to travel without support staff. Signs that been hit particularly hard. back to their far-flung home in LatAm life was beginning a return to normal in Europe and OPEC agreed on Saturday to extend an April deal villages. EU to reopen borders Asia were tempered by the bleak numbers streaming to cut production through July, aiming to foster a re- In Europe, badly-hit in from Latin America. Brazil’s death toll passed covery in oil prices after they were pummeled by US ‘largely through’ countries slowly continued 35,000 as Bolsonaro echoed criticism of the WHO by slumps in demand caused by virus restrictions. Gov- The worst health crisis in on a path toward a post- Trump, who has said the US will defund the organi- ernments are also increasingly focused on repairing more than a century has in- pandemic normal, also zation because it is too close to China. “The United the economic damage, and even hard-hit European fected nearly 6.9 million globally and forced tens of seeking to revive key tourist sectors in time for the States left the WHO, and we’re studying that, in the countries are now opening their borders and allowing millions out of work just in the United States, the summer. future. Either the WHO works without ideological people to return to work. world’s hardest-hit nation. The European Union said it could re-open borders bias, or we leave, too,” the far-right leader told jour- But gloomy data from Asia’s two largest But President Donald Trump said his country was to travellers from outside the region in early July, after nalists. Tolls are also rising sharply in Mexico, Peru economies highlighted the long road to recovery. bouncing back. “We had the greatest economy in the some countries within the bloc re-opened to Euro- and Ecuador, while in Chile, deaths have risen by China reported a plunge in foreign trade on the history of the world. And that strength let us get pean visitors. In France, the Palace of Versailles re- more than 50 percent in the past week. — AFP

cases, pay cuts will also be deepened, ‘It’s suffocating Emirates, Etihad with some basic salaries reduced by 50%, the email to Emirates Group em- extend salary ployees said. The decision was made to be a black after reviewing all possible options to preserve its cash position, it said. man in the US’ cuts to Sept State-owned Emirates Group, which employed 105,000 as of March and in- cludes the airline among its assets, did WASHINGTON: “I couldn’t stay home”: DUBAI: Gulf carriers Emirates and not immediately respond to an emailed Moah Pollas, an African American recent col- Etihad Airways are extending the pe- request for comment. Emirates had lege graduate, explained why he was com- riod of reduced pay for their staff previously reduced basic wages re- pelled to spend days demonstrating in the until September as they try to pre- duced by 25 percent to 50 percent for streets of the US capital against systemic serve cash during the global coron- three months from April, with junior racism, despite the fear of being arrested, or avirus pandemic. employees exempted. worse. The aviation industry has been Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways has ex- As a victim of racism himself, Pollas simply among the worst hit by the outbreak, tended its salary cuts of between 25 could not stay home. It started early. When which has dented travel demand and percent to 50 percent to September, a he was just seven or eight years old, walking forced major airlines to lay off staff and spokeswoman said, as it considers all down a sidewalk one day after a school field seek government bailouts. State airlines options to protect jobs and preserve trip, he heard someone yell at him from the Moah Pollas, a political science graduate, has joined in the continued protests in the US Emirates and Etihad have operated lim- cash. he airline originally reduced window of a passing school bus. “Take your capital over the death of George Floyd in police custody. –—AFP ited, mostly outbound services from the salaries for the month of April. black ass back to Africa!” a boy yelled, as United Arab Emirates since grounding Etihad last week laid off some cabin others on the bus laughed raucously. “It passenger flights in March. crew and its not planning any further didn’t hurt as much as the reaction I got from should probably do my best to look at the cer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for They are due to restart some con- crew redundancies, according to emails my white teacher when I told her,” he told ground. I probably do my best to stay quiet.” nearly nine minutes. The death of the father necting flights this month after the seen by Reuters. The spokeswoman said AFP. “She basically told me to get over it.” of five, in a horrifying video now seen by UAE last week lifted a suspension on there have been redundancies across “I’m not sure if she really believed me, to ‘The fear in him’ millions, sparked protests of historic dimen- services where passengers stop off in several areas of the airline, and last be honest.” “That experience,” added Pollas, One day when he was 13 years old he was sion across the United States as well as in the country to change planes, or for month sources told Reuters Etihad was a 21-year-old political science graduate, “has in a car with his father, who works in the phar- many cities abroad. refuelling. planning to lay off 1,200 employees. colored every experience with white people maceutical business, when police pulled them “When I saw that video... I didn’t just see Dubai’s Emirates told employees Like other airlines, Emirates and Etihad or other people of color for the rest of my over. “Police officers pull people over just be- George Floyd. I saw my father’s face. I saw yesterday it would extend a three have laid off staff due to the impact of life.” Born in the Haitian capital Port-au- cause they’re black all the time,” he said. my uncle’s face, my brother’s, my cousin’s, month wage cut due to end this month its business. Fellow Gulf carrier Qatar Prince, Pollas was two years old when his “When my dad was stopped, I could my friends’. “I saw my own face,” Pollas said, until September 30, according to an in- Airways has said it could lay off up to family immigrated to the United States. His sense the fear in him. A fear that I’ve never not hiding his emotions. “I saw how easily I ternal email seen by Reuters. In some 20 percent of its employees. — Reuters parents, who were fleeing political persecu- seen in the man who was protecting me and could have been in that situation and the tion, settled in the predominantly white Cal- my family my whole life. That fear transferred people I cared about could have been in that ifornia city of Burbank. onto me in that moment. And honestly, has situation.” “I grew up knowing that based on my skin never left me.” African Americans are three A recent graduate of Howard University color, people were going to perceive me in a times as likely to be killed by police as whites in Washington, a prestigious predominantly more threatening way, perceive me in a more or Hispanics, according to data from the spe- black school, Pollas had long dreamed of a dangerous way and perceive me to be more cialized website mappingpoliceviolence.org. career in politics. But lately he is thinking in- violent. “It causes you as a black person to In one egregious example, a 32-year-old stead of a job in education. His change of police your actions on a daily basis, 24/7,” he black man named Philando Castile was shot heart likely came when worked in the city as told AFP, sitting in the backyard of a home he and killed by police in the state of Minnesota a substitute teacher. shares with other students in northeastern in July 2016 after the officer stopped him be- “I’ve seen first-hand the effects of under- Washington. cause of a faulty brake light on his car. funding that really affects predominantly Being black in the United States, he said, black schools in DC,” said Pollas. Having is “suffocating.” It means that if he is walking ‘I saw my own face’ studied Russian, he is planning to travel to DUBAI: An Emirates Airlines flight takes off from Dubai International Airport in down the street “and if there are white peo- Then on May 25 came the death of a 46- Ukraine to teach English. But when he returns this file photo. Gulf carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways are extending the period ple walking in the same direction as me, I year-old black man named George Floyd, to the United States he hopes to work to help of reduced pay for their staff until September, it is reported. should probably step out of the way... I who was suffocated when an arresting offi- change the system. —AFP Established 1961 7 Monday, June 8, 2020 International Virus, dire economy, unrest upend US presidential race Crises prompt reflection over racial inequality in America

WASHINGTON: Three concurrent crises scarring household wealth of whites, and are more likely to Trump’s provocative walk from the White House the United States—a deadly health pandemic, eco- face police brutality. “I can’t think of a (modern- to a nearby church for a photo opportunity min- nomic despair and widespread social unrest—have day) period where blacks have experienced such utes after the area was forcibly cleared of protest- reframed this year’s presidential contest and strife, such pain, such hardship,” Gillion said. ers contained clear signals to conservative and prompted national reflection over racial inequality Among COVID-19 victims, a disproportionate evangelical voters in his base: security and faith in America. number are people of color. While Trump on Friday remain paramount. Is the country on the cusp of a transformation, touted a surprise drop in the overall jobless rate While Trump has trafficked in division, his or will systemic inequalities exacerbated by the from 14.7 percent in April to 13.3 percent in May, November election rival has blasted him as “dan- coronavirus crisis persist, allowing alienation and black unemployment actually rose, to 16.8 percent. gerously unfit” to lead. Biden, 77, was largely marginalization to fester? The injustice that erupted into ugly view when a absent for two months, hunkered down in his In weeks, the unprecedented strain has become white police officer pressed his knee onto Floyd’s Delaware home as the pandemic played out and the focal point of the ferocious White House cam- neck for almost nine minutes is the latest manifes- Trump used his bully pulpit to push to re-open the paign between President Donald Trump and tation of a systemic country. Democrat Joe Biden, two politicians approaching racism that has persisted But the veteran the disasters with very different strategies. for generations. Democrat is eyeing an It has been several generations since the coun- “There’s been a knee opening by embracing a try has experienced such a sharp and rapid conflu- on the neck of black Nearly 110,000 message of conciliation ence of major emergencies, a national low point America since slavery and reform—something This combination of file photos shows US President that philosopher Cornell West has branded was abolished,” 30-year- Americans that could unite the mod- Donald Trump (left) and Democratic presidential hopeful “America’s moment of reckoning.” old Minneapolis protest- erate and liberal factions and former Vice President Joe Biden.—AFP Nearly 110,000 Americans have died of er Kayla Peterson said died of COVID of the Democratic Party COVID-19, and tens of millions are jobless due to from behind a pandemic and draw independents re-election: elderly voters and evangelical pandemic-prompted lockdowns. At the same time, face mask. “We’ve never appalled by Trump’s Christians. And his failure to tackle the pandemic unrest has gripped dozens of US cities where pro- really been free.” strongman style. “It is long early and his threat to unleash the military on pro- testers demand justice over the killing by past time we made the testers is repelling female voters. Minneapolis police of unarmed black man George Law and order promise of this nation real for all of our people,” White women “are upset with Trump’s handling Floyd. Trump could have delivered an Oval Office Biden tweeted Friday. of the pandemic” and his lack of leadership, said Repeated episodes of police brutality caught on address to the nation this week to smoothe ten- Nadia Brown, associate professor of political sci- camera, even as most demonstrations have been sions. Instead he has exploited discord and ‘Teflon man’? ence and African-American studies at Purdue peaceful, have further laid bare the nation’s deep launched a “law and order” crusade. Trump has Experts say that despite the recent chaos, University. “Women are also watching the protests social wounds. walled off the White House from protesters and Trump does have a path to victory. “If the presi- and they are having empathy” with demonstrators. “It’s a pretty bad moment,” said Daniel Gillion, a launched fiery accusations that do little to calm the dent is able to talk about race in a meaningful way, The persistent inequalities, snapshots of a shat- political science professor at the University of storm. and if he’s able to ride the recovery in health and in tered economy and how leaders respond “will def- Pennsylvania and author of “The Loud Minority.” “The problem,” he tweeted Thursday about the economic crisis, he’s going to look like the initely be on the mind of voters in five months,” The crises, he told AFP, have been “horrific” for recent controversial tactics deployed in Washington, Teflon man,” Gillion said. “Nothing will stick to Brown added. It doesn’t mean Biden romps to vic- African Americans, who traditionally have poorer “is the arsonists, looters, criminals, and anarchists, him.” Trump however has seen his poll numbers tory, either. “A cat has nine lives,” Brown said, “but health care outcomes, have just a fraction of the wanting to destroy it (and our Country)!” erode, particularly among two groups vital to his Trump has 12.” —AFP

severity of the current crunch has sparked calls for Virus crisis government bailouts—with private papers in Cameroon even holding a “dead press” day to denounce a lack of action. piles pressure Authorities in some countries have heeded the Generation Z: pleas for help. Kenya’s national regulator on Friday on Africa media unveiled what it called a “historic” fund worth just creative and under $1 million to help some 150 broadcasters LAGOS: Collapsing revenues, rising layoffs: the weather the storm. coronavirus crisis is battering media outlets across “This challenge of COVID-19 has squeezed life committed Africa that were already struggling for cash and from television and radio stations,” said David often facing pressure from hostile authorities. Omwoyo, the head of the Media Council of Kenya. PARIS: With their art, technology know-how, creative The news of cutbacks was sudden and painful Officials from Nigeria’s journalist union said it had social networking skills or political commitment, post- for journalists at two of Nigeria’s most popular appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to pro- millennials, known as Generation Z, have found their independent newspapers when bosses from The vide emergency aid to distressed media. But there own ways to help others through the coronavirus Punch and Vanguard made their announcements are fears that state aid would only increase political LAGOS: The coronavirus crisis is battering media out- lockdown. last month. “It was a rude shock for me because I interference in sectors around Africa that are lets across Africa that were already struggling for cash From Colombia to Senegal, Malaysia to North didn’t do anything wrong to warrant such treat- already often dominated by powerful vested inter- and often facing pressure from hostile authorities. Macedonia, AFP talked to a group of 15- to 24-year- ment,” one Punch veteran told AFP, asking not to ests. “The government has been harassing the media. olds, who put their energy and skills to use within their be named as he was still owed a “token” payoff. Several journalists are facing trials for frivolous equipment has added new costs. communities, contributing perhaps to shaping the The redundancies were just the latest to hit offences,” University of Lagos lecturer Olubunmi On the streets there have been reports of post-virus world. Only history will tell if they’ll Nigeria’s press—one of the most vibrant on the Ajibade said of the situation in Nigeria. “Collecting security forces harassing journalists trying to do become the “Coronavirus Generation”, forever continent—as the economic fallout from the pan- bailout funds from government at this time will com- their work. marked at a formative time in their lives by the pan- demic has sent sales and advertising income plung- promise their independence and freedom.” In Ghana—one of West Africa’s most open demic, which brought more than half the planet to a ing. “What is happening in Nigeria is not peculiar democracies—soldiers enforcing virus restrictions standstill. to us. The whole world is feeling the impact,” said ‘Disseminate propaganda’ “assaulted” two reporters in April, the Committee Qasim Akinreti, the chairman of the Lagos Union of Just as the spread of the virus has caused rev- to Protect Journalists said. Solidarity beyond the smartphone Journalists. “For us in the Nigerian media, the story enues to dwindle, it has also posed unprecedented A raft of countries including South Africa have “If I don’t volunteer and those like me don’t vol- is the same—we have lost hundreds of jobs in the logistical challenges to media outlets. While the introduced legislation criminalizing the spreading unteer, then who will?”, asks Malak Sabah, 24. In her past four months.” official figures—more than 170,000 infections and of disinformation about the pandemic. Authorities high visibility vest, she has been the linchpin of an 4,700 deaths across the continent—have risen insist the measures are needed to tackle a flood of initiative to sanitize the streets of Lebanon’s over- Calls for state aid slower than elsewhere on the planet, governments dangerous falsehoods surrounding the virus. crowded Wavel Palestinian refugee camp, where she In Kenya some media houses slashed wages by have still imposed tough restrictions. Lockdowns But media professionals say journalists are grew up. Worried that some were not taking the risk up to half, in Uganda a leading weekly halted print- have hampered reporting, social distancing has already trying to do the job of combatting seriously enough after the first COVID-19 case in ing, and in Namibia hours have been reduced and forced journalists to work remotely with poor “fake news”—and such laws could be used to the camp, an awareness campaign was launched, redundancy schemes fast-tracked. The speed and internet or electricity supplies, and protective muzzle them. —AFP Sabah said. “It’s a hidden virus, you can’t deal with it with physical strength, it requires awareness, knowledge If their children have nothing to eat “the mother working in brothels that are now closed. What can and protection,” she said. Having always known a Sex workers in despairs, and I have three girls who’ve given birth they do? How can they support their families?” world connected by the likes of Google, Facebook and during the quarantine,” added Portales, of the said Portal. Amazon, this generation understands the power of Miluska Life and Dignity network. In a large house “There are colleagues that have their little social networks in getting a message across, Walid Peru sharing in the historic center of Lima, a group of prosti- rooms and live there with their children. They sell Badi, a French professional handball player, said. tutes prepare huge pots of cooked food for their themselves to get food for their children and them- Not only that, but these young people also real- food to survive colleagues and families. selves. ize they’re best placed “to help the most vulnerable”, People in their profession have faced a worry- “Then there are other colleagues in other places the 24-year-old, who lives in Ivry-sur-Seine near ing and uncertain period since Peru enforced a who come to work the streets who will also come Paris, said. The health crisis demonstrated that “we’re LIMA: Prevented by the lockdown over the coron- lockdown on March 16. Wearing red face masks, here for their food.” Peru, a country of 33 million, not just good for staying at home, hooked to our avirus pandemic from earning a living, Peru’s sex and some in high heels, the women arrive carrying has recorded the second-most coronavirus cases smartphones, but are deeply rooted in reality,” he workers have had to organize soup kitchens sup- their children in their arms. in Latin America with more than 187,000 and over added. While competitions were off the cards during plied by food handouts to feed themselves and “Miluska Life and Dignity is my organization, 5,000 deaths, the third most in the region. confinement, he used the time to step up action their children. our organization and everyone’s organization,” As well as running the soup kitchens, the group through his Solidaritess association in aid of the “We have 70 meals we’re going to make on Leida Portal told AFP. The 53-year-old is president has been distributing food in various districts of homeless, distributing clothes to the “forgotten” in the Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, because most of of the network fighting the criminalization of and the capital thanks to donations and from the sale capital’s suburbs. the girls work on the streets and there’s no work,” violence against prostitutes, and their right to of masks and syrups they made themselves. The 61-year-old Lidia Portales, who helps run a founda- access health care. group, founded in 2004, helps around 1,000 sex Drones and 3-D printing tion that represents sex workers in Lima, told AFP. “We have extreme cases of women who were workers. —AFP Jose Otero, a 22-year-old Venezuelan living in Colombia, has come up with what he describes as a low-cost drone to beat the travel restrictions by car- foothold in the war-torn country or delivering advanced rying medicine and test results around the northern weaponry to Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. East Syria air city of Barranquilla. “They used to tell us that we had Iranian and Iraqi armed groups backing the regime to separate ourselves from technological devices or of Bashar Al-Assad have deployed across swathes of telephones because that separated us,” he said. raids kill 12 Deir Ezzor, a large desert province bordering on Iraq. “On the contrary, right now it is what unites us.” The Observatory said the latest strikes came after In Senegal, engineering student Ibrahima Cisse, 23, Afghan forces brought in reinforcements from near the pro-Iran fighters and his friends at Dakar’s ESP Polytechnic Higher Iraqi border to a large Iranian base near the town of Al- School built a special bicycle equipped with a rear- Mayadin on the Euphrates river. Two waves of similar BEIRUT: At least 12 pro-Iranian fighters died in strikes end loud speaker for sharing preventative information strikes in May killed 12 pro-Iranian fighters, according by unidentified aircraft on eastern Syria late Saturday and a hand sanitizer dispenser. He said that they were to the Observatory. evening, a war monitor said. “Eight air strikes before learning how to be useful through initiatives that take Syria’s complex, almost decade-long war has midnight on Saturday night targeted a base of pro- into account the environment, people’s needs and killed over 380,000 people, devastated the country’s Iranian forces in rural eastern Deir Ezzor (province), reducing costs. infrastructure and forced millions of people to flee killing 12 Iraqi and Afghan fighters and destroying “We’re in a poor country and you shouldn’t think their homes. A Syrian boy looks at Russian and US military vehicles equipment and ammunition,” the Syrian Observatory for of extravagant projects,” he said. At 15, Romeo Meanwhile, a Turkish soldier was killed in Syria’s in the northeastern Syrian town of Al-Malikiyah Human Rights said. Estezet, a Paris high school student, has made his Idlib region after an attack on an armored ambulance, (Derik) at the border with Turkey. —AFP The Observatory did not identify the aircraft respon- bedroom into a 3-D printing workshop and is turn- the defence ministry said. Two other soldiers were sible, but its head Rami Abdul Rahman told AFP that ing out 80 protective visors a day. “My dream is to injured, it said in a statement, adding the army retaliated Israel was likely responsible. The Jewish state has car- show other young people the usefulness and, above by hitting specified targets. The ministry did not give ians since December and displaced close to a million ried out hundreds of strikes targeting regime and all, the ease of this technology, which puts the pro- further information. people. A ceasefire between rebel-backer Turkey and Iranian-backed forces, notably in Deir Ezzor. duction of objects within everyone’s reach” espe- A Russian-backed Damascus offensive on the last regime-ally Russia was agreed for Idlib and came into The Israeli military rarely claims responsibility for cially in a crisis, he said. —AFP such attacks but has vowed to prevent Iran gaining a rebel bastion in the country has killed hundreds of civil- force on March 6.—AFP 8 Established 1961 Monday, June 8, 2020 International Fears for UK homeless as virus hotel scheme draws to a close Charities fear they could soon be back on the streets

LONDON: Thousands of homeless people in Britain of infection and looming economic crisis, more were given hotel rooms to protect them from coro- needs to be done. Getting this right is critical for the navirus but as the outbreak slows, charities fear health and economic security of tens of thousands they could soon be back on the streets. of people and families.” Lisa was among 15,000 people in England given emergency accommodation as part of an unprece- Seize this opportunity dented government scheme in March to get Charities had warned that people living on the “Everyone In” as COVID-19 spread. She has a chron- streets or in crowded hostels were particularly vul- ic health condition and had been living on the streets, nerable to coronavirus, which has killed around relying on temporary shelters run by the charity Glass 40,000 people in Britain so far. Door, which helped her onto the hotel scheme. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government “I was elated,” the 30-something told AFP by responded with an extraordinary effort, housing telephone. “To be able to sleep in a bed, it was like 14,610 people sleeping rough or at risk of doing so sleeping on cloud nine!” But her room in a London in England — 4,450 in London alone. Many were hotel is only confirmed given rooms in shuttered until the end of June—and hotels, providing a safe as the government eases a and comfortable environ- nationwide lockdown, she ment that some people is getting increasingly Virus claims had not experienced for anxious. years. The scheme “does give 40,000 lives “We’ve heard some me some glimmer of hope incredible stories of peo- that things can go forward. in Britain ple really seizing this When you are on the opportunity and showing street it feels never-end- they can hold down a ten- ing”, she said. ancy,” said Balbir Chatrik, “I have faith that the of the youth homelessness LONDON: Charities has warned that people living on the streets were particularly vulnerable to charities are not going to put us back on the street. charity Centrepoint. “But many more require the coronavirus. —AFP “But if it’s a case of going back into the kind of tem- sort of intensive support that can only be provided porary accommodation I was in, I know the cycle in tandem with stable accommodation.” will be repeated.” Campaigners are demanding the available in the coming year. help them move people out of hotels”. government urgently clarify what happens to peo- Moral mission “This government wants to end rough sleeping Campaigners say people are already falling ple like Lisa when the hotel contracts run out. There is a major shortage of public housing in for good, and we now have a real opportunity to through the gaps. Some who became homeless “Returning people back onto the streets should Britain and local authorities, which have responsibil- deliver on this moral mission,” he said. On Friday, since March, such as newly released prisoners, have not be an option, but time is running out to find ity for homelessness, have suffered years of cuts in Jenrick also extended a three-month ban on evic- not been able to access the hotel scheme, one case alternative solutions,” said Glass Door chief operat- central government funding. tions proceedings until August, to help people worker told AFP. ing officer Lucy Abraham. There are also calls for Research by charities suggests rough sleeping struggling to pay the rent. There are also concerns that rules restricting wider action amid warnings that homelessness will has risen by 141 percent in the last decade. In government help on the basis of immigration status, increase as the economic impact of the outbreak December’s election, Johnson’s government Still dangerous which were suspended, are also being reimposed in bites. pledged to end rough sleeping within five years, David Renard, housing spokesman for the some areas. “There are people being turned away “The government’s actions and support so backed up by a £650 million package. Last month, Local Government Association (LGA), welcomed from that support despite the fact that the pandem- far are welcome, but there is still a long way to go,” Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said he would the extra funds for councils. But he asked for ic continues,” said Jasmine Basran, from housing said a joint letter to ministers from leading home- accelerate delivery of 6,000 new “housing units” “clarity from government on what additional charity Crisis. “And that is putting people in a very lessness charities. “With the risk of a second wave with support staff on hand, with 3,300 made practical support will be available to councils to dangerous situation.” —AFP

Delhi’s virus dead. Crematorium in Authorities have ordered victims be incinerated in modern furnaces as a pre- caution against infection as anxiety Nigerian girl, Delhi struggles grows over the spread of the disease. But only three of six furnaces at lover held for with virus dead Nigambodh Ghat are working, so for the past week, wood pyres, the traditional NEW DELHI: Traditional funeral pyres structures used in Hindu funeral rituals faking own kidnap have been drafted in to burn the bodies for thousands of years, have been of coronavirus victims in the Indian cap- allowed to help clear the backlog. LAGOS: A 17-year-old girl in southwestern ital as crematorium furnaces struggle to Furnace or tradition - Nigeria who allegedly faked her own kidnap to keep up with the mounting death toll. Suman Kumar Gupta of the cremato- demand a ransom from her mother has been Smoke from the open-air blazes stings rium management committee said fami- arrested, police said yesterday. Seun Adekunle is the eyes of waiting mourners and workers lies arriving for a funeral had to queue to accused of conspiring with her boyfriend to at Nigambodh Ghat, New Delhi’s biggest pass through a “sanitation tunnel” at the stage her abduction in Abeokuta, the capital of and oldest crematorium. The rising num- entrance and then wait hours for the Ogun state and asking for 500,000 naira (1,388 ber of bodies arriving from hospitals has ceremony, prompting anxiety about the dollars). forced the facility, situated next to the risk of infection. “The two lovers were arrested on Thursday city’s historic Red Fort, to extend its “They want it to be faster, but we NEW DELHI: In this photograph, relatives prepare the cremation pyre for a following a report by the girl’s mother that she opening hours. Funerals start at 8.00am have only the three furnaces working,” person who died from the COVID-19 coronavirus, at the Nigambodh Ghat cremation ground in New Delhi. —AFP had not been seen since June 1,” state police and go on late into the night. said the official. Pressure is being felt all spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi told AFP. He said India is one of the hardest-hit coun- around. Some ambulances are bringing the girl’s mother got a call from someone two tries from the coronavirus with about four or five bodies at a time from hospi- days later claiming to have kidnapped her and 240,000 cases and more than 6,700 tals where mortuaries are reportedly longer on the pyres, which are fed by a “It has not been easy,” he said. “We demanding 500,000 naira for her release. dead. According to official figures, about overloaded with virus victims. constant stream of cartloads of wood had to keep asking them to hurry it up.” “The caller also warned her against reporting 650 have died in Delhi, but media and An ambulance driver told AFP there pushed by dozens of crematorium work- Before the virus crisis, tradition-lov- the abduction to the police if she still needed her cemetery officials say there have been had been times when he was forced to ers. In front of the furnaces, the mourners ing Indian families were wary of modern daughter,” Oyeyemi said. He said police detec- hundreds more victims in the city. leave his vehicle with bodies inside stand behind a screen, their masked faces furnaces. Now they are scared of the ill- tives were able to trace the girl and her lover to The committee that runs Nigambodh parked overnight at Nigambodh Ghat, revealing only eyes brimming with tears. ness and want a quick and efficient end. their hideout. Ghat says the crematorium has handled after the facility failed to cremate them Narendra Vashisht, 68, waited two “We used to get only four or five bodies “They were caught hibernating, yet passing more than 500 coronavirus funerals in and they could not be returned to the hours before he could peer through the a day for the furnace. We had to con- themselves off as victims of abduction. They two months. Three other crematoria and hospital. It takes about two hours to glass at his brother’s body being pre- vince people to use it. Now things are were promptly arrested.” Oyeyemi said the sus- at least two cemeteries also handle incinerate a body in a furnace and even pared for its final moments. different,” Gupta said. —AFP pects would be taken to court after investigation. Kidnapping for ransom is common in southern Nigeria where oil workers, prominent Nigerians, the second week of May, and left including relations of sports stars, have been Man arrested them near the plantation boundary. abducted in recent years. The victims are usually Officials said it was unclear when released unhurt after ransom payments. —AFP exactly the 15-year-old elephant con- in India over sumed the rigged fruit but it was found injured on May 25, two days elephant death before it died. India, China Forest officials said the explosion NEW DELHI: Indian police have caused severe damage to its mouth, arrested a plantation worker and are leaving the creature unable to eat or seek to resolve hunting two others after a pregnant drink for days. Villagers across India elephant died after eating coconut often use explosive or firecracker- border face-off filled with explosives, officials said filled fruits—which act like pressure- Saturday, in a case that shocked the activated landmines—as bait to target NEW DELHI: India and China have agreed to country. The elephant died in agony wild animals that threaten crops and “peacefully resolve” a latest border flare-up that has last week in the southern state of homes. A similar incident was report- heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed Kerala, the latest casualty of a grow- ed last month in a nearby Kerala dis- neighbors, New Delhi said yesterday after a high-lev- ing conflict in South Asia between trict, when a female pachyderm was el meeting between army commanders. nature and humans as ever more for- found with serious mouth injuries. If CHENNAI: A woman takes a picture with her mobile phone of a painted Tensions have flared in recent weeks between the est is lost to urban expansion. convicted, the men could face up to poster of an elephant and its calf in the belly lit up with candles by school two regional powers over their 3,500-kilometre Footage of the animal standing in a seven years in jail for killing an ele- staff to pay homage after the recent killing of a pregnant wild elephant in (2,200-mile) frontier, which has never been properly river for hours with its badly injured phant, a protected animal under the southern Indian state of Kerala, in Chennai. —AFP demarcated. Thousands of troops from both countries mouth and trunk in the water as it Indian wildlife laws. are involved in the face-off concentrated in India’s slowly weakened went viral, triggering Ladakh region, just opposite Tibet. horror online. Lord Ganesh Many right-wing Hindu figures (50 miles) away. India is home to “Both sides agreed to peacefully resolve the situation P. Wilson was arrested on Friday The latest incident caused wide- alleged online the creature was nearly 30,000 elephants, equivalent in the border areas in accordance with various bilateral after he allegedly placed fruits filled spread outrage on social media, specifically targeted because the ani- to 60 percent of the world’s wild agreements,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. with explosives to keep creatures— including from several sports and mal is an embodiment of Lord Asian pachyderms. The ministry added that the commanders agreed an mainly wild boar—away from his rub- Bollywood celebrities, who con- Ganesh, the elephant-headed Hindu But urban expansion has put the “early resolution” was “essential” for bilateral relations ber plantation. demned the “inhuman act” and called deity. Members of Prime Minister animals in conflict with humans. About between the world’s two most-populous nations. “The man has admitted that they for harsh action against the perpetra- Narendra Modi’s party, including 2,360 people were killed in elephant “Accordingly, the two sides will continue the mili- used the explosive-filled coconuts to tors. environment minister Prakash attacks between 2014 and 2019, tary and diplomatic engagements to resolve the situa- target the wild animals,” Surendra But it stirred another controversy Javadekar and parliamentarian according to Indian government data. tion and to ensure peace and tranquility in the border Kumar, Kerala’s chief wildlife warden, after several Hindu right-wing figures Maneka Gandhi, also claimed the In the same period about 510 ele- areas,” the statement said. There have been numerous told AFP. on social media turned the death into event happened in Malappuram, a phants died, including 333 from elec- face-offs and brawls between Chinese and Indian sol- Two of his associates were still at a hate campaign against Muslims, Muslim-majority district. trocution and roughly 100 from diers at the frontier, but they have become more fre- large, the officer said. Kumar said the falsely claiming that the community The incident took place in poaching and poisoning, the figures quent in recent years. men made several “coconut bombs” in were behind the incident. Palakkad district, some 80 kilometers stated. —AFP Established 1961

MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2020

Malaysia plans to borrow its Air travelBusiness may take 2 to 3 years to Zynn brings Chinese 10way out of economic downturn 11 return to 2019 levels: Boeing exec 11 video app rivalry to US

MUMBAI: Migrant workers queue outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station to return to their hometowns after the government eased a nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Mumbai.—AFP India’s factories plunge into crisis Manufacturers struggle as migrant workers flee amid virus

BAHADURGARH, India: An acute shortage of background. In Gujarat state’s Surat city—where 90 tributing to an estimated 10 percent of GDP—across Invisible workers workers has turned the roar of machines to a soft hum percent of the world’s diamonds are cut and pol- the nation of 1.3 billion people. The economy is forecast to grow at its slowest pace at a footwear factory near New Delhi, just one of thou- ished—many factories have been unable to open after Many are employed as cheap labor across a vast in 11 years, and analysts are bracing for a severe con- sands in India struggling to restart after an exodus of more than two-thirds of workers fled, Surat diamond range of sectors including textiles, construction, mines traction in the current quarter. The government has migrant workers during the virus lockdown. association president Babu Kathiriya told AFP. and small businesses. But when the lockdown was sud- announced a 20 trillion rupee ($266 billion) stimulus India is slowly emerging from strict containment denly imposed by the government, many found them- package but observers do not expect much of a boost, measures imposed in late March as leaders look to Jobless and hungry selves almost immediately out of a job and unable to at least not in the short term, while there are fears the revive the battered economy, but manufacturers don’t Meanwhile, the state’s pay rent. exodus of migrant workers may have set the economy have enough workers to man the machinery. salt refineries have started Without public trans- back by 15 years. The big cities—once an attractive destination for doubling salaries to lure port after interstate trains “Their departure itself has been traumatic. They workers from poor, rural regions—have been hit by staff back. But experts say India GDP and buses were halted, have gone through many indignities,” said Mehrotra. reverse migration as millions of laborers flee back to the workers may not return some embarked on long “Some of them may come back, but many of them will their far-flung home villages, some uncertain if they anytime soon. “A lot of the grows at its journeys home on foot in look for work not in metro cities but in small towns will ever return. “Sixty percent of our laborers have manufacturing industry is the scorching heat, with close by which are less impacted by the virus.” gone back. How can we run a production unit with just actually located in the very slowest pace around 200 dying from It is unclear if they will find jobs back home, with one-third of our workforce?” asked Sanjeev states where the pandemic’s in 11 years exhaustion or accidents the rural economy already in distress owing to low Kharbanda, a senior executive with Aqualite impact has been great (such according to the non-profit crop prices and yields. Industries, which owns the footwear factory in the as) Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Save Life Foundation. But Mohammed Naseem Aktar, who lost his job northern state of Haryana. Maharashtra, Delhi,” The government eventu- as a worker at an export house in New Delhi, told Kharbanda said the company’s sports shoe unit had Professor Santosh Mehrotra ally organized special train AFP he was willing to take the risk. “I had no work been sitting idle as there were no skilled workers to at Jawaharlal Nehru University told AFP. services to take millions stranded in cities back to their for two months here and I faced a lot of problems,” operate the high-tech machines. “We are running just “Now these are the areas where naturally workers home states. Experts say India’s economy—Asia’s the 21-year-old said as he queued up to register for one shift now. The cost of production has gone up and have left in large numbers... They will not return in a third-biggest and already stuttering before the pan- a train seat. our profits are going down,” he said, a conveyor belt hurry.” There are an estimated 100 million migrant demic—will be badly hit in the short-term at a mini- “The disease is showing no signs of a let-up. Now I carrying semi-finished flip-flops running slowly in the workers—nearly a fifth of the labor force and con- mum by the lack of workers. just want to be with my family in the village.” —AFP

Customs data released yesterday also showed a But he noted the Purchasing Managers’ Index, a China imports larger than expected drop in imports on-year, key gauge of factory activity, still pointed to “a which were down by 16.7 percent and at a four- deep downturn in exports that has yet to material- year low. Part of the plunge in the value of imports ize” as activity in China’s major export markets plunge and could be explained by falling commodity prices remains subdued. worldwide, said Rajiv Biswas of IHS Markit. Exports would likely take a further hit in June exports fall Iris Pang, ING chief economist for Greater and July, said IHS Markit’s Biswas, before recover- China, told AFP another reason was likely a drop in ing towards the end of the year supported by lock- BEIJONG: China’s exports and imports fell in May parts bought for re-exports—imported goods that downs ending across Europe and the US and the as the economic slowdown abroad started to take are shipped out after further processing—due to Christmas season. Cities in China have been rolling its toll, and after a surprise jump driven by the uncertainty of global demand. out measures to boost local demand, with Beijing increased demand for anti-epidemic supplies, offi- announcing last week it would offer coupons worth cial data showed yesterday. Deeper downturn ahead 12.2 billion yuan ($1.7 billion) to spur consumption, With consumer demand muted and key overseas Medical exports supported Chinese shipments according to state news agency Xinhua. markets suffering downturns, imports saw their in April and May, with shipments of textile yarns, Meanwhile, China’s trade surplus with the US sharpest on-year fall in over four years, even as the fabrics and products rising 21.3 percent for the first was up by 3.7 percent to $27.9 billion in May, from country worked to restart its economy after bring- five months on-year. Analysts expect this boost to last year. ing activity to a standstill to curb the coronavirus. fade however, as the virus situation improves This was also higher than the $22.8 billion sur- Exports from the manufacturing powerhouse fell 3.3 worldwide. plus in April. US-China tensions have risen again in percent on-year last month, better than the 6.5 per- “Export growth rebounded in March and April, recent months as both sides trade barbs over the cent slide expected by a Bloomberg poll of analysts. even as lockdowns came into effect abroad, pandemic and other areas. But the return to negative territory came after a because of a backlog of orders that had piled up With both economies hit by the virus, analysts surprise 3.5 percent jump in April, which was partly while Chinese factories were shut in February,” said have called into question their ability to meet ear- Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics in a lier commitments from a partial trade deal signed BEIJING: A vendor wearing a face mask sells vegetables at due to medical exports. Analysts have warned of a market in Beijing yesterday.—AFP signs that a larger downturn awaits. recent report. in January. —AFP 10 Established 1961 Business Monday, June 8, 2020 Malaysia plans to borrow its way out of economic downturn Fiscal deficit approaching 6% after stimulus measures

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia aims to borrow its sis)? It was 6.7 percent. So we have room if we way out of an economic slump brought on by the want to borrow,” he said, referring to the country’s coronavirus pandemic, and the finance minister told peak annual deficit in 2009. The region’s Reuters it will nearly double its fiscal deficit this year largest economy, Indonesia, said last month that it while keeping open the option of raising the public expected its budget deficit to swell to 6.27 percent debt ceiling. due to virus-related stimulus. Southeast Asia’s third-biggest economy has an- Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia’s outstanding public nounced incentives worth 295 billion ringgit ($69 bil- debt now stands at 52 percent of GDP but that “if lion) to soften the impact of the coronavirus we need to, then we should increase the ceiling” be- pandemic, with the government vowing to directly inject 45 billion ringgit of that into the economy, mostly raised through domestic borrowings. Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz told Reuters the fiscal deficit would rise to around 6 percent of Central bank annual economic output this year because of the stimulus, and that a direct fiscal injection of 10 billion unlikely to cut ringgit announced on Friday would be raised through domestic borrowing. “There is only so much mone- interest rates tary policy can do,” Tengku Zafrul said in an inter- view in his office. “So you need fiscal policy to come into play, as long as you have the discipline and the commitment in the longer term to go back to where KUALA LUMPUR: People walk inside a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur as sectors of the economy are being you should be in terms of the deficit.” yond the current 55 percent “to help the people and reopened following restrictions to halt the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. — AFP Tengku Zafrul, who was chief executive of lender the economy”. CIMB Group Holdings Bhd before joining the three- He declined to say how high the government month-old government, said the goal was to narrow might seek to raise the ceiling, a move that would the next one. the currency is going and where we are we as the fiscal deficit back down to less than 4 percent of require approval from parliament. Neighboring Tengku Zafrul, 46, said there was no immediate an economy”. gross domestic product (GDP) over the next three Thailand said in April its latest borrowing plans need for the central bank to cut its benchmark inter- Bank Negara Malaysia’s monetary policy commit- years or so. It was 3.2 percent last year. would increase its public debt to 51.84 percent of est rate further from its decade low of 2 percent, tee next meets on July 7, and some analysts have “How bad was it during the (global financial cri- GDP in the current fiscal year and 57.96 percent in “given the liquidity in the country and given where predicted another cut. — Reuters

with cases continuing to climb in the Sweden didn’t Fed to weigh United States, home to the world’s worst outbreak with more than 108,000 unemployment, dead—meaning life and commerce are lock down, but not yet back to normal. Powell has warned of the dire state of economy plunges reopening the US economy, and said economic data in the April-June quarter “will be WASHINGTON: The Federal Reserve very, very bad”—potentially falling 20 STOCKHOLM: Unlike most countries, will meet next week for the first time to 30 percent. “There will be a big de- Sweden never locked down during the since US states began easing shutdowns cline in economic activity, big increase coronavirus pandemic, largely keeping imposed to stop the coronavirus pan- in unemployment,” he said in a CBS in- businesses operating, but the economy ap- demic, unexpectedly boosting employ- terview last month. pears to be taking a hard hit nonetheless. ment numbers after two months of While economists were expecting Under the Scandinavian country’s con- massive layoffs. the Labor Department’s jobs report for troversial approach to the virus, cafes, bars, The world’s largest economy added May to show the unemployment rate restaurants and most businesses remained 2.5 million jobs and the unemployment rising to around 20 percent from its al- open, as did schools for under-16s, with rate fell in May, according to the Labor ready horrific level of 14.7 percent in people urged to follow social distancing and Department, even as COVID-19 remains April, instead it declined to a still-awful hygiene guidelines. Whatever hope there a threat to daily life. The Fed moved 13.3 percent as the economy added jobs may have been that this policy would soften swiftly and aggressively as soon as the when states began restarting economic the economic blow now seems dashed. pandemic struck, even before busi- activity. In this file photo, Danish police controls drivers from Sweden near the highway coming out of the “As in most of the world, there will be nesses were shut down nationwide, as But Kathy Bostjancic of Oxford Eco- tunnel to Sweden, in Copenhagen, Denmark. More than two months after the closure of its border, a record decline for the Swedish econ- the policy-setting Federal Open Market nomics said the central bank is unlikely Denmark has loosened restrictions to allow lovers from the Nordics and Germany to reunite, but omy in Q2,” SEB bank economist Olle Committee (FOMC) slashed its key to read too deeply into the positive em- the application and legality of the practice has not really helped economy to recover. —AFP Holmgren said. lending rate to zero in March. ployment data. “While welcomed by Fed The central bank also rolled out tril- officials, the jobs report won’t change ‘A long time’ among nursing home residents and those ported 4,639 COVID-19 deaths as of Friday. lions of dollars in liquidity to support the outcome of the upcoming FOMC A rebound was likely in the latter part of receiving care at home. That gives it one of the world’s highest virus battered markets, and provide lending meeting,” Bostjancic said. the year, but “we expect it to take a long “When we have decided what measures mortality rates, with 459.3 deaths per mil- to large and medium businesses as well “The policy rate will remain pegged time before the situation normalizes,” he to take to stop the virus from spreading, we lion inhabitants—four times more than as state and local governments. near zero until the recovery is firmly in told AFP. have not had any economic considerations. neighboring Denmark and 10 times more And Fed chair Jerome Powell has place, open-ended and flexible (bond To be fair, Swedish officials insist their We have followed the advice of our (public than Norway, which both imposed stricter vowed to do more, if necessary. Presi- purchases) will continue, and the Fed strategy was always aimed at public health, health) experts on this issue,” Finance Min- confinement measures. dent Donald Trump who is counting on will stand ready to lend via its emer- and never specifically at saving the econ- ister Magdalena Andersson told reporters At first Sweden’s export-heavy economy a solid economic recovery to boost his gency facilities,” she said. The FOMC omy. The idea was to make sure hospitals in late May. Still, authorities acknowledge seemed to be doing okay, with GDP actually chances of winning a second term in skipped its quarterly forecast in March could keep pace with the outbreak and pro- that keeping businesses open was also part growing by 0.1 percent in the first quarter. November, cheered the better-than-ex- amid the chaos of the early days of the tect the elderly and at-risk groups. of a broader public health consideration, as But now the country is expected to follow pected job numbers. pandemic, but is scheduled to produce Sweden has succeeded at the former, but high unemployment and a weak economy the same path as most of Europe, with its But despite the unexpected good the Summary of Economic Projections admitted failure at the latter, with more than typically lead to poorer public health. economy shrinking for the full-year 2020 news the economy remains in trouble and (SEP) at this meeting. three-quarters of virus deaths occurring Sweden, a country of 10.3 million, had re- and unemployment soaring. — AFP BBVA’s chief US economist Nathaniel Bostjancic said the bank will likely Karp does not expect the FOMC to predict a strong GDP rebound in the waver from its stance any time soon. second half of the year, with the caveat “While there are some early signs that that it will come off the depressed ac- African American the worst part of the crisis has passed, we tivity of the second quarter. expect that the Fed will reaffirm its com- Another factor are the nationwide banks vital for mitment to doing whatever it takes while protests against racism and police vio- also reflecting on how the committee is lence after the killing of George Floyd at minorities in US viewing the current crisis,” he said. the hands of police in Minneapolis, in addition to the continued possibility The road ahead there will be renewed outbreaks of NEW YORK: When she needed capital to The virus itself remains a real threat, coronavirus. —AFP expand her business, Ernisha Randolph was just one of countless African Americans to 90 level it briefly broke above late on encounter roadblocks despite having no Pound pushes Thursday. history of financial trouble. The pound has gained 5 percent About seven years ago, her catering against the dollar since reaching a low company, Juanita’s Kitchen, had secured a through $1.27 of $1.2075 in mid-May, but has been big government contract that guaranteed held back by Britain’s high coronavirus revenues for three years. To finance the LONDON: The pound rose above death toll, Brexit-related risks, the expansion, she turned to banking giant prospect of negative interest rates and Wells Fargo. $1.27 and was set for its biggest weekly gain against the dollar since the end of a growing debt pile. “I asked them for $50,000 and when WASHINGTON, DC: A Wells Fargo Bank near the White House is boarded up, after the unrest It gained when the Bank of Eng- March on Friday, even though Euro- they denied it, I went down to $25,000,” she in downtown Washington, DC, in this file photo land’s executive director for markets pean Union and British negotiators said recalled in an interview. “I did not get that, said that a negative interest rate would there had been little progress in Brexit either.” Randolph turned to OneUnited, one not be introduced in the near term. cans have long proven a lifeline for Amer- said Chief Executive Michael Pugh. trade talks. of the leading African-American owned “If the UK goes down the road of ica’s black businesses. “It’s an opportunity to help ensure that Britain left the EU in January and banks in the US that have supported minor- negative rates, it would be the first The financial groups are based in the in neighborhood by neighborhood in our ity-owned businesses over the decades. there are just weeks left to extend a country with a negative current ac- With credit from OneUnited, Randolph heart of urban centers and view banking as great state,” people have access to finance, year-end deadline to reach a trade deal. count deficit to do so, putting down- transformed her Miami company into part of a larger activist mission that sup- he said. “If we didn’t do this work who A transition arrangement that keeps ward pressure on sterling,” Deutsche today’s mini-food empire. ports the black community by ensuring mi- would do it?” previous rules in place during talks ex- Bank economist Sanjay Raja and macro The Sweet Butter Hospitality Group in- norities can access needed capital. “If you The process of opening a savings ac- pires at the end of 2020 unless both strategist Oliver Harvey said in a note cludes the restaurant Shuckin & Jivin that go to another bank, you might see someone count is similar to that at traditional banks, sides agree to extend it this month, to clients. “This could see inflation jump now appears better positioned than many talking about a boat loan,” said Teri but the African American lending companies which Britain has said it will not do. at a time when the Bank is looking to other restaurants and small businesses to Williams, president of OneUnited Bank, who also offer some other services aimed at their “The market thinks there’s still a shore up confidence and support the survive the blow from the coronavirus. said her company’s programs are more tai- cliental, such as business coaching and fi- better than 50 percent chance that economy through the recovery,” they “I am very very grateful for black-owned lored to the black community. nancial training workshops. we’ll muddle through again,” said Kit added. The weakening dollar played a banks,” Randolph said. “For so long we have This includes “early pay” that allows Industrial Bank requires a business plan Juckes, FX analyst at Societe Generale, role in sterling’s rise. been denied loans.” As the political debate consumers to get paid two days early. “We of small businesses and scrutinizes financial adding that the risk of not reaching a “The Federal Reserve is employing in the US shifts following mass protests in support Black Lives Matter, we support statements and doesn’t always provide fi- deal was a background worry for ster- massive monetary expansion, and po- the wake of the killing of George Floyd at take a knee, so for us it’s a mission to sup- nancing, said Chief Executive Doyle ling. The pound, which has gained more litical tensions in the US cement that the hands of police, the focus is turning to port our community and that’s the service Mitchell. “If we can’t make a loan we will tell than 3 cents in a week, rose as high as stance even further. Both have already systemic barriers to opportunity for African that we provide,” she said. you what we believe you need to work on $1.2705, its strongest since March 12. contributed to a rebound in GBPUSD Americans, including in the banking system. Carver Federal Savings Bank, which has to better prepare for,” Mitchell said, adding Against the euro, which gained fur- and will continue to do so,” Thomas branches in working class areas in Manhat- that the bank aims to be competitive on in- ther after the European Central Bank’s Flury, head of FX strategies, and Dean Larger mission tan, Queens and Brooklyn, reinvests 80 per- terest rates for mortgages, not the lowest latest stimulus plan, the pound reached Turner, economist at UBS Global Banks led or owned by African Ameri- cent of its deposits back in the community, but “not the highest” either. — AFP 89.04 pence, having retreated from the Wealth Management, said. — Reuters Established 1961 11 Monday, June 8, 2020 Business Air travel may take 2 to 3 years to return to 2019 levels: Boeing exec Narrow-body airplanes will lead the way to recovery

By Sajeev K Peter on the regional aviation industry, with many air- KUWAIT: The air travel industry will come out of lines grounding aircraft the present turbulence ignited by the coronavirus and slashing their work- pandemic, but it might take two to three years for forces. Kuwait’s flag car- travel to return to 2019 levels and a few more years rier Kuwait Airways beyond that for the industry to return to long-term recently announced plans growth trends, said a top Boeing executive. to lay off around 1,500 In remarks to Kuwait Times in an exclusive inter- expat employees. view, Omar Arekat, Vice President of Boeing’s Com- mercial Sales and Marketing for Middle East, Africa Way to recovery and Turkey, said the air travel industry has never seen “But as we see it today, anything like this. “Not just the Middle East - airlines Omar Arekat narrow-body airplanes around the world are assessing their businesses, mak- will lead the way to re- ing difficult decisions including those that result in covery, trailed by wide-body fleets as airlines pro- grounding fleets, deferring airplane orders and post- gressively bring their networks back online. poning acceptance of completed orders,” he said. Therefore, wide-body passenger fleets will likely be However, the fundamentals that have driven air more significantly impacted than narrow-body air- travel through the past planes in the near term,” he many decades and doubled pointed out. air traffic over the past 20 When asked about Boe- years remain intact, he said. ing’s short-term outlook, he “The picture is dynamic COVID-19 forces said: “Our outlook is in- and subject to many un- formed by decades of knowns,” Arekat said when airlines to take analyses and insights on In this file photo, a Kuwait Airways Boeing B777 aircraft prepares to land at Kuwait International Airport in asked if Boeing expects customer behavior includ- Kuwait City. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat opportunities under the hard decisions ing how the industry re- current circumstances for acted to prior market additional sales in the re- shocks.” Boeing’s position Boeing recently announced its Confident Travel industry-recognized safety recommendations”, said gion and globally, at least in is helped by the value Initiative (CTI) where its team of experts will work to Arekat. the short term. proposition of its family of develop new solutions to help minimize air travel “Air travel is coming back and Boeing’s goal is to Most of the Gulf countries are currently slashing airplanes and the diversity of its backlog, he ex- health risks amid the coronavirus pandemic and drive provide a safe experience from curbside to the air- their investments and spending in view of the budget plained. “This includes our market-leading 787 awareness of health safeguards already in place. “The plane and beyond for which common system-wide constraints resulting from a sharp drop in oil prices Dreamliner family, our unmatched cargo lineup, the CTI team will work with airlines, global regulators, standards are key to a safe experience,” he said quot- coupled with the unpredictable economic fallout from world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, industry stakeholders, flying passengers, infectious ing Mike Delaney, one of Boeing Commercial Air- COVID-19. The pandemic has taken a grievous toll 777X, and the versatile 737 family,” he said. disease experts and behavioral specialists to establish planes’ top ranking executives.

the curve. Instead, they are watching Zynn brings Bond investors for hints that the central bank believes the worst part of the coronavirus crisis look for Fed to has passed. “They are really in this China video app transition phase,” said Eric Stein, co- director of global income and portfolio back yield curve manager at Eaton Vance. “Markets are rivalry to US functioning, if not all the way back to

pre-shock levels, with very strong debt NEW YORK: Expectations that the BEIJING: Chinese short video app makers issuance and market improvement, global economy has dodged the worst- have taken their rivalry overseas, with Tik- even though the real economy is in- case coronavirus pandemic scenarios Tok facing stiff competition from a new- credibly weak.” comer that has surged in popularity have led to a dramatic sell-off in US As a result, Stein is looking for signs abroad—by paying users to keep scrolling. government bonds from their record that the Fed believes the economic re- Zynn, a product of China’s number-two highs, pushing the yield curve to its bound can support the rise in yields. video app maker Kuaishou, launched in May steepest level since March. “The Fed will be OK with a slow creep and became the most popular free app in Investors will get a chance higher, particularly with a backdrop of the US Apple App Store just a month later. next week to see whether the US Fed- a recovery, but if it moves too much and With Zynn, Kuaishou is trying to dethrone eral Reserve agrees with their opti- destabilizes the recovery, there’s a rea- TikTok, the app by its Beijing-based com- mism. The US central bank’s two-day son for concern,” he said. petitor Bytedance that has become a world- meeting, ending on Wednesday, will be Ed Al-Hussainy, senior interest rate The Apple App Store download page for the app Zynn, a new Chinese owned video plat- the first since April when Fed Chair wide sensation. form, in Washington, DC. —AFP analyst at Columbia Threadneedle, ex- Zynn’s interface is a near-clone of Tik- Jerome Powell said the US economy pects the Fed to focus on its newly an- Tok, allowing users to view a continuous could feel the weight of the economic nounced Main Street Lending Program feed of short videos featuring other users ondary ‘side benefit’ to using Zynn”, Rui address in Palo Alto, California. shutdown for more than a year. to support small- and medium-sized dancing or performing stunts to upbeat Ma, a tech advisor and host of the Tech Buzz Zynn spokesman Rocky Zhang confirmed The meeting will follow a surprise businesses facing financial strain from music. But unlike TikTok, Zynn promises China podcast, told AFP. that Kuaishou is behind the upstart app. gain in the Labor Department’s closely the pandemic, rather than introducing more than just entertainment. Most online reviews of Zynn are focused “Zynn is a product only for the US, and we watched jobs report on Friday that significant new stimulus measures. Zynn, which is not available in China, re- on the cash reward system, with reviewers launched Zynn for the US,” he told AFP. pushed benchmark 10-year Treasury “The Fed is likely to communicate wards users in the US and Canada with cash either complaining about being unable to Zhang said Zynn plans to continue pay- yields to the highest since early March. that there is more scope for fiscal when they invite friends to download the withdraw their winnings or grateful for the ing users in the long term, but will shift to- “The sell-off in the bond market in measures but that is a very uncomfort- app—up to $20 per invite, depending on amounts they’ve made off the app. wards rewarding “content creators” in the the last few weeks seems to be justi- able spot to be in,” he said. “We won’t how active the friend is on the app. Users future, while generating revenue through fied,” said Subadra Rajappa, head of have a clear sense of direction of the also earn points for simply watching videos, ‘Money-making app’ advertising. US rates strategy at Societe Generale. economy until well into the fourth which can then be converted into cash. Kuaishou has chosen a “smart” time for While the Fed could introduce addi- quarter because all the sequential data Zynn’s model is familiar to users in China, Zynn’s debut, with many young people Old rivals tional bond-buying programs known as now is massively positive.” where startups have thrown millions of yuan stuck at home because of COVID-19, and A years-long rivalry between massive quantitative easing or yield-curve con- The manufacturing ISM index rose in gifts and cash at users in order to grab a with the summer holidays approaching, Chinese tech companies lies behind trol measures to target short-term to 43.1 in May from 41.5 in April, larger share of the market than competitors said Man-Chung Cheung, an analyst at In- Kuaishou’s new foray across the Pacific and rates, fund managers say they expect while weekly jobless claims fell to offering nearly identical services. Nasdaq- sider Intelligence. into North America. yields will need to rise significantly to 1.877 million from 2.126 million listed news aggregator Qutoutiao was But in the long run, retaining users will Kuaishou is backed by Tencent, the Chi- justify any intervention in the bulk of the week before. — Reuters among the first apps to offer users cash re- depend on Zynn’s “ability to attract top nese tech giant behind payment and social wards in what it calls “loyalty programmes” content creators, talent and brands to media app WeChat, which has long sought that “cost-effectively acquire new users”. share videos”, Cheung told AFP. Kuaishou to expand its share of the short-video mar- “It requires people who are sensitive to will also have to contend with rising ket. The Chinese short-video industry is ex- small financial incentives of which there are China-US tensions, which have already pected to generate nearly 100 billion yuan plenty in China’s vast inland rural areas,” put rival TikTok and other Chinese tech ($14 billion) in advertising revenue by 2021, Shanghai-based mobile technology expert companies under increased scrutiny from according to Daxue Consulting. Matthew Brennan told AFP. the US government. Tencent has launched a number of short- Kuaishou is taking a gamble in exporting US officials have warned that TikTok, video apps of its own, but none have its model to North America, where few apps which has denied any ties with the Chinese reached the level of popularity enjoyed by have managed to build long-term audiences government, could become another tool ex- Kuaishou and TikTok’s Chinese version, by paying people to use them. ploited by Chinese intelligence services. Douyin. Kuaishou in February said it had Success will depend on whether the main Zynn has sought to downplay its Chinese reached 300 million daily active users, just attraction of the app is the money up for origins, with its website offering little infor- behind Douyin, which said it hit 400 million grabs, or whether payment is “merely a sec- mation about its background and giving an users in January. — AFP

would clamp down on currency “manipula- After the Damascus government froze as- NEW YORK: Investors will get a chance next week to see whether the US Federal Syrian pound tors”. Analysts said concerns over the June sets of the head of the country’s largest mo- Reserve agrees with their optimism. 17 implementation of the US Caesar Act, bile phone operator and slapped a travel ban which aims to sanction foreign persons who on him, the wealthy feel “nobody is safe”, he plummets as assist the Syrian government or help in said. They are thinking “you better get your post-war reconstruction, also contributed assets and perhaps yourself out preparing national requirement of 2.23 million tons, sanctions loom to the de fact devaluation. Zaki Mehchy, a for further shakedowns”, he said. Zimbabwe grain the report said. Last year, Zimbabwe senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, Mehchy said the impact of the pound’s had a grain shortfall of 700,000 tons, said foreign companies—including from decline and ensuing price hikes on Syrians deficit to grow with stocks carried over from the 2018 BEIRUT: Syria’s pound hit record lows on regime ally Russia—were already opting would be “catastrophic”. Most of Syria’s season helping narrow the gap. the black market Saturday trading at over not to take any risks. population lives in poverty, according to the to 1.17m tons The World Food Programme is lead- 2,300 to the dollar, less than a third of its of- With money transactions requiring two to United Nations, and food prices have dou- ing humanitarian efforts to feed millions ficial value, traders said, ahead of new US three weeks to implement, “today’s transac- bled over the past year. of Zimbabweans and has warned of sanctions. tions will be paid after June 17”, he said. The UN food agency’s Jessica Lawson HARARE: Zimbabwe’s grain deficit is deepening climate- and recession-in- Three traders in Damascus told AFP by Heiko Wimmen, Syria project director at the said any further depreciation risked increas- expected to widen to 1.17 million tons duced food shortages. The crop report phone that the dollar bought more than conflict tracker Crisis Group, said that with ing the cost of imported basic food items this year despite a small increase in said grain stocks in more than half of 2,300 Syrian pounds for the first time, though the act coming into force, “doing business such as rice, pasta and lentils. production, the latest official crop re- Zimbabwe’s 60 rural districts would not the official exchange rate remained fixed at with Syria will become even more difficult “These price increases risk pushing even port showed on Saturday, leaving the last six months. around 700 pounds to the greenback. and risky”. Both analysts said the fall from more people into hunger, poverty and food majority of the population facing food The coronavirus outbreak is seen in- After nine years of war, Syria is in the grace of top business tycoon Rami Makhlouf insecurity as Syrians’ purchasing power shortages. flicting more damage on thick of an economic crisis compounded by despite being a cousin of the president was continues to erode,” the World Food Pro- The ministry of lands and agriculture Zimbabwe’s economy, which is already a coronavirus lockdown and a dollar liquidity also affecting confidence. gram spokeswoman said. “Families may be said grain output would increase to grappling with the effects of a devastat- crunch in neighbouring Lebanon. “The Makhlouf saga is spooking the rich,” forced to cut the quality and quantity of 1,060,143 tons from 944,000 tons har- ing drought in 2019 and erratic rains this Last month, the central bank warned it Wimmen said. food they buy.” — AFP vested last year. That is still below the year as well as a fiscal crisis. — Reuters 12 Established 1961 Health & Science Monday, June 8, 2020 Researchers eye tech wearables as virus early warning system WASHINGTON: Can your Fitbit or Apple Watch “Forty percent of people who come down with detect a coronavirus infection before the onset of COVID don’t have a fever,” Radin said. “This is symptoms? Researchers are increasingly looking at something that can be used to screen people that’s these devices and other such wearables as a possible better than a temperature check.” early warning system for the deadly virus. Last month, Resting heart rate, for example, is a good indicator scientists at the West Virginia University Rockefeller because it is normally consistent before an infection, Neuroscience Institute said they had created a digital and can be accurately measured by most wearables. platform that can detect COVID-19 symptoms up to “We see these changes (in heart rate) four days three days before they show up using the Oura ring, a before someone starts to develop a fever,” Radin said. wearable fitness and activity tracker. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps institute, said An app developed by the researchers uses artifi- the idea of using wearables is promising because cial intelligence to forecast the onset of COVID-19 “over 100 million Americans have a smart watch or related symptoms such as fever, coughing, breathing fitness band” which can provide key data for difficulties and fatigue, with over 90 percent accura- researchers, but that getting good results “is contin- cy, according to the university. The researchers said gent on getting large numbers” to opt into the studies. the system could offer clues of infection in people not California health tech startup Evidation meanwhile yet showing symptoms – helping address one of the has begun a project to produce an early warning problems in detection and containment of the deadly algorithm from wearables worn by 300 people at high outbreak. risk of contracting coronavirus, with funding from the Separately, Scripps Research Institute has enrolled US government and the Bill & Melinda Gates more than 30,000 people – and aims for much more Foundation. – in a similar study aiming to use wearables to find Luca Foschini, Evidation’s co-founder and chief “presymptomatic” and asymptomatic people with data scientist, said the research aims “to more effec- COVID-19. Scripps researchers had already previ- tively identify when and where people may contract ously demonstrated the value of wearables in predict- COVID-19, and can potentially enable real-time inter- ing influenza in a study published in January in the ventions to limit spread and monitor outcomes.” A British journal The Lancet. Early indications suggest similar research effort is underway in Germany. MARICA, Brazil: A nurse works at the intensive care unit ward where patients infected with the novel coron- the devices “have the potential to identify people who avirus are being treated at the Doctor Ernesto Che Guevara Public Hospital on June 5, 2020. — AFP are presymptomatic but still infectious,” said Jennifer From recreation to medicine Radin, a Scripps epidemiologist leading the research. The latest research highlights how some wearable temperature, heart and respiratory rates, sleep and devices,” said Michael Snyder, chair of genetics at devices – developed initially for fitness and recreation activity patterns and other indicators which can be Stanford School of Medicine. Snyder said these Volunteers being sought uses – may be adapted for important medical used as diagnostic tools. Researchers from Stanford devices may alert users when their heart rate, skin Radin told an online conference discussing the research. Apple has begun studies on how its smart- University announced plans in April to participate in temperature or some other part of their physiology research that wearables are detecting “subtle watch can detect heart problems. And Fitbit has been research on wearables, in collaboration with Scripps, signals of infection or another ailment. changes that indicate you are coming down with a working with some 500 different projects for for COVID-19 and other diseases. “You might wonder, ‘Are these sniffles allergies, or viral illness” before the onset of symptoms. Scripps research on cancer, diabetes, respiratory and other “Smartwatches and other wearables make many, am I getting sick?’ These algorithms could help peo- researchers say they hope to show that wearables health issues. many measurements per day – at least 250,000, ple determine if they should stay home in case their data may be more reliable than temperature checks. Scientists say wearables can provide data on body which is what makes them such powerful monitoring body is fighting off an infection,” Snyder said. — AFP 13

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Dr. Hamoud Abdullah Alarouj ENT Consultant, Laryngologist Kuwait Board of Otolaryngology. Experienced In: Laryngology Fellowship, McGill Management of benign and malignant vocal cord lesions. University- Canada. Vocal cord augmentation. Fellow of the European Board of Diagnosis and treatment of spasmodic dysphonia. Otolaryngology – Head & Neck surgery. Adenotonsillectomy using latest techniques. Member of the American Academy of Myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion. Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. Surgery for the deviated nasal septum. Member of the British Laryngological Endoscopic sinus surgery. Association. Diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis. Member of the European Laryngological Tympanoplasty. Society. Diagnosis and treatment of vertigo. Member of the Canadian Society of Thyroid surgery Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. Diagnosis and treatment of snoring. 14 Established 1961 Lifestyle Gossip Monday, June 8, 2020 Aston Merrygold has become a father for a second time

he JLS singer and his wife Sarah brother in @graysonjaxmerrygold ... so so [I was pregnant], he was like, ‘Let’s do this, TLouise Richards welcomed a son, happy for you all bro xxxx (sic)” Whilst JB but that’s it!’” Whilst Aston added: “Honestly, Macaulay Shay, into the world on shared: “The most beautiful news .... so I had always said that I was never really Friday . He wrote on Instagram: “Welcome to proud of you @sarahlourichards and so hap- interested in marriage and kids. ”Before the world baby boy ... Macaulay Shay py for all three of you @astonmerrygold meeting Sarah, I just wasn’t bothered and I Merrygold ... 12:52pm 5/6/2020 (sic)” Whilst @graysonjaxmerrygold ... enjoy these was younger. But our relationship built and I Sarah shared the same image and a matching incredibly special moments!! Lots of love thought, ‘Yeah this is the forever one.’ I was caption, announcing the couple’s happy from #TheGills (sic)” Marvin wrote online: always happy with one kid, but at the same news. His bandmates - Oritsé Williams, “The family is getting bigger ... congrats time, I can still carry two, so it’s perfect.” Marvin Humes and JB Gill - were quick to @astonmerrygold and @sarahlourichards .. Aston and Sarah got engaged in 2017. offer their congratulations. Commenting on love you guys (sic)” Meanwhile, Aston - who Aston’s post, Oritsé wrote: “Little boy born also has Grayson Jax, two, with dancer Sarah to an incredible father, an incredible mother - previously revealed he only wants two chil- @sarahlourichards and an incredible big dren. Sarah said: “As soon as Aston found out

Field will have to ‘discuss’ Reese Witherspoon Williams’ past with their kids feels ‘a responsibility’ yda Field will have to “discuss” was convinced they would look like me to make ‘impactful’ work Robbie Williams’ past with their because I’m Turkish. But they’re four A four children. The ‘Loose different images of Robbie. There’s he ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ star knows it is Women’ presenter knows she will have solo-career Robbie, Take That Robbie, important for her to use her voice to speak out to talk to her kids - Theodora, seven, early-years Robbie and late-years T for women and share their stories. She said: Charlton, five, Colette, 20 months, and Robbie. The only one characteristic from “I’m definitely at that place in my life. I remember Beau, four months - about the ‘Let Me my side is our little baby Beau, who has being a young actress and not knowing the kind of Entertain You’ singer’s past, including a dimple on his chin like my dad did. stories I wanted to tell. I was a little bit lost, but now I his drug addiction and past dating They’re really funny, cheeky kids. feel very, very clear about the deficit of storytelling for habits. She said: “We’ll just point and Expression-filled, talkative and enchant- women - all women - and how we’re making up for lost shout, call him a bad man and move on. ing. They explode with personality.” time. There’s hundreds of years of lost stories, because Teddy on a few occasions has seen Ayda and Robbie don’t want to do a we weren’t the storytellers. I do feel a responsibility to Robbie in an old video and says, ‘Mum, reality show as they want their children make impactful work.” And Reese felt lucky to work as did he date anyone before you?’ I have to make their own decisions about being a producer on the television series as she felt such a to say, ‘Yes, Teddy he did’. ”She’s so in the spotlight. She told The Sun news- “tremendous responsibility” towards everyone. She clued up. She has no idea how promis- paper: “I would never say never to it added: “It was a big production with a big cast, so cuous their daddy was before me. But and it’s been brought up to us before. there was an enormous amount of responsibility. And we are going to have to discuss Daddy’s But right now our privacy and protect- that’s why I felt very lucky to share it with Kerry past, Daddy’s drugs, Daddy’s dating. I’m ing the kids is important to us. So it’s not Washington - there’s a tremendous responsibility to obviously going to be the angel in com- on the deck yet. The kids are not even the studio and to the network that you are spending parison, that’s fine by me.” And the 41- old enough to know what the ramifica- your money responsibly, that you’re on time and on year-old actress says her four kids are tions of that might be. It would be unfair budget. Those are things that we take very seriously all “four different images” of Robbie. to make that choice for them and there’s and we spend a lot of time making decisions on pivot- She added: “All of my children are the a lot of adult things that come with ing on those decisions quickly when we have to.” spitting image of Robbie. Charlie has the exposure. You have to take all that on, ’Little Fires Everywhere’ focuses on all aspects of same face, it’s bizarre. I don’t under- the good and the bad. I don’t want to motherhood, something which Reese was pleased to stand why I have such weak genes. I put them in that position.” bring to the forefront of people’s minds. She told inews.co.uk: “I think we just haven’t had an oppor- tunity. All our storytellers haven’t been able to authen- tically speak about motherhood in the way female cre- Jordana Brewster and Andrew Form have quietly split ators like myself and Kerry can. ”It opens up the opportunity to explore the nuance of motherhood in a he ‘Fast and Furious’ hitmaker me. He’ll see the negative in something way that makes it an exploration, rather than an assas- split from her husband earlier this or he will always question things. ”He’s sination.” Tyear after nearly 13 years of mar- really smart, so he keeps me on my toes. riage, but the end of their romance was There are certain things I have to do very “amicable” and they will continue now, like going on set, that I wouldn’t to co-parent their children - Rowan, have thought twice about back in the three, and Julian, six. A source told day. I’ll make my boys calendars and People magazine: “They quietly separat- say, ‘This is when mommy is coming ed. It was amicable. They have the back. This is what your schedule is. This utmost respect for each other. They is what we’ll do then.’ That helps with all remain committed to lovingly co-parent of our anxiety. I strive really hard to be their two children as a team.” a good mom and not take it too far Meanwhile, the 40-year-old actress where I’m being crazy-neurotic. What previously opened up about being a helps me the most is talking to my mother as she admits she is “pretty neu- friends who have similar issues and are rotic”. She said: “But being a mom, in going through similar things. The only general, is not easy, obviously. I thought bummer is that I don’t have that many I would be a chill supermom, but I’m not actor friends who are moms, and I need - I’m pretty neurotic. Having kids really some more of that in my life because it’s kicked up my anxiety and made things just such a unique position to be in.” like meditation that much more impor- tant for me. And kids really are mirrors back to you! My son Julian is a lot like

Eve ‘trashed’ by activists over ‘difficult John Legend still conversations’ with her husband wants to share that joy

ve was “trashed” by activists who are conversations you must have - that’s ohn Legend thinks it is important to “share that Equestioned her comments about just natural. So this is not the first one. joy” despite the Black Lives Matter movement. having “difficult conversations” I’ve been having some of the most diffi- J The ‘All of Me’ hitmaker feels people should still with her husband amidst the Black Lives cult conversations because we are in look forward with positivity despite the current uproar Matter movement. The 41-year-old rap- one of the most difficult places in our across the United States over the death of an unarmed per admitted she had tough chats with nation, in our world, in this time, so black man, George Floyd. Speaking on ATX TV ... from her husband Maximillion Cooper as he that’s why I said that it was difficult.” the Couch, he said: “We still have our sense of humour. tries to “understand” how she feels and Eve had previously admitted she was We still think there’s a lot in the world to talk about asks questions to educate himself, fol- having “the most difficult and uncom- and make fun of and there’s a lot of joy we can share lowing the murder of an unarmed black fortable conversations” with her hus- with other people and I think it’s important to continue man, George Floyd. Speaking in a pre- band. She said: “I am having some of the to share that joy, that laughter with intelligence and view clip from The Talk@Home, she most difficult and uncomfortable con- with an eye to what’s going on in the world, but people said: “I got some backlash just recently versations I think I’ve ever had, and vice still need to laugh and enjoy themselves. I think it’s when I spoke out about myself. Me versa with my husband. But, at the same important that we show the fullness of what it is to be being in an interracial relationship and time, it’s a beautiful thing, because ... I black and human. Through our art, we are able to that.” saying that ‘I’m having some of the most don’t know his life through his eyes. He Meanwhile, John previously revealed he wants to help difficult conversations that we’ve ever doesn’t know my life through my eyes. “spread some love” amid the coronavirus pandemic. He had.’ ”And some people lit up the com- All he can do is try to understand and said: “Well, it’s an interesting time for musicians. So ments and trashed me and were ques- try to ask the questions, and he wants to much of what we do requires other people being tioning whether this was the first time I understand, and that’s what the nation - around, and as much as we want to connect to people had had these conversations. And I want that’s what the world - has to do. It’s it’s not as easy to do it this way as it would be other- to be very clear. We have had many gonna be uncomfortable. Yeah, it’s going wise, but we’re trying to make the most of it and we’ve conversations because I’ve been in this to be uncomfortable! But we have to be been trying to help people get through this time by relationship for many years. When you OK with being uncomfortable so that giving them some music, some inspiration, spreading enter an interracial relationship, there we can get to a solution.” some love. ”We’re just hoping everybody stays safe and stays healthy, and we all get through this, and then we can go back to getting together for concerts and ’ doing all the things that we love doing with our audi- Queen Elizabeth s corgis ences.”—Bang Showbiz had their own food menu arren McGrady, who worked as a chef choke on the - I’d be in real trouble.” In October Dfor Buckingham Palace for 15 years, has 2018, it was revealed Queen Elizabeth’s last cor- revealed the British monarch’s pooches gi passed away, leaving her with her two dorgis were treated like royalty themselves and he - dachshund and corgi crosses - called Candy would regularly make meals for them, too. and Vulcan. A source said at the time: “Whisper Speaking in a YouTube video, Darren said: “I was a friendly chap and followed her every- didn’t expect to be cooking for the Queen’s where. The Queen has quickly become very dogs, when I started working at Buckingham attached to the dog. The Fenwicks looked after Palace. I thought I was going to be cooking for their corgis like the Queen did so she knew kings, queens and presidents. I did eventually, there would be no problem if Whisper came to but one of the first jobs I had was cooking for the Palace. When the dog was born it was the corgis - the Royal Corgis - making fresh named Wispa after the chocolate bar. The food every day. The corgis had their own menu. Queen thought it was a bit obscure and pre- They sleep in like little wicker baskets in the ferred the proper spelling.” Whisper was gifted corgi room and looked after by two footman to the Queen two years ago, following the pass- called Doggie 1 and Doggie 2, that’s what they ing of Bill Fenwick, a former Sandringham called them. The most important part of the gamekeeper, and the monarch took the pooch meat was everything had to be cut into a fine on as her own. Fenwick’s late wife Nancy used dice ... to be sure there were no bones at all in to look after the Queen’s corgis when she was the meat. Imagine if any of the dogs were to away on royal duties. Established 1961 15 Lifestyle Features Monday, June 8, 2020 Grand Theft Auto: finger flexes keep 90-year-old gamer console-ready

very day, 90-year-old Japanese told AFP. “I think she is slightly different. she said, describing exercises she does grandma Hamako Mori flexes her Ordinary old people are not so enthusi- with her fingers and hands every day to Efingers to keep them nimble. Not astic about video games as she is.” keep herself game-ready. for knitting or needlepoint, but to keep them in shape for playing video games. 300,000 YouTube fans ‘Better than doing nothing!’ The pensioner known as “Gamer Mori isn’t new to the gaming world, But she has no intention of giving up Grandma” spends three or more hours a and has played some 200 titles since she gaming. “I won’t put it down just because day battling monsters and going on mis- took up the hobby some four decades it’s difficult... It’s better than doing noth- sions in the virtual worlds of her favourite ago. Her first console was a Cassette ing!” And she hopes with practice she can games, and even has a popular YouTube Vision, which she bought in 1981 after improve further. “I want to play well no channel for her fans. “I’m passionate being intrigued by her children’s obses- matter how old I am,” she said. “I want to about playing games every day,” the sion with gaming. “I discovered that there continue as long as possible.”Mori is white-haired widow told AFP in an inter- was this fascinating thing that existed in something of an evangelist for video view conducted by videochat. “Every day the world,” she said. She has played most games, and encourages other older people is an enjoyable day,” she said, describing of the gaming world’s smash hits includ- to get into gaming, or find other hobbies eviscerating on-screen foes as a fantastic ing “Super Mario Brothers”, “Dragon that keep them going. “It doesn’t have to stress reliever. Mori cuts an elegant, Quest”, “Final Fantasy” and “Call of be video games necessarily. But it’s good mild-mannered figure, with her hair Duty”, and admits to sometimes staying to do something,” said Mori, who swam pulled back into a ponytail and a pair of up until 2am when she is sucked into a regularly until the age of 80 and still knits. large glasses perched on her nose. session. Her favourite games include And while Mori said she understands She begins the videos she posts on action-adventure series “Grand Theft concerns about video game addiction, her YouTube channel with a friendly Auto” and popular fantasy role-playing particularly among young people, she “Konnichiwa” and a bow. But her grand- game “Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim”. “You can pointed out that gaming may have helped motherly demeanour disappears when do whatever you want to” in a game, she many survive lockdowns over the coron- she plays, transformed into a gun-toting said, describing them as a “motivation in This handout photo shows 90-Year-old Hamako Mori, dubbed Japan’s “Gamer Grandma”, avirus. “It’s safer to play at home, rather character in Call of Duty or a sword- life.” holding a video game controller in Matsudo, Chiba prefecture.—AFP than going out,” she said. For now, Mori is wielding android in NieR: Automata. Mori usually plays alone at home, but eagerly awaiting the release of the Mori, who lives in Chiba, southeast of launched a YouTube channel in 2014 to but also showing her daily life. “It’s fun birthday with her family. Another features PlayStation 5, due to hit shops later this Tokyo with her family, holds a Guinness connect with other gamers. She posts being watched by a lot of people, rather her “unboxing” a brand-new PlayStation year. “It’s seriously preoccupying me,” she World Record certifying her as the new videos filmed by her grandson three than playing alone,” she said of her console. At 90, Mori is fighting fit, but said. “I want one. I really do.”—AFP world’s oldest gaming YouTuber. “She or four times a month and has attracted “Gamer Grandma” channel. Among her she says some state-of-the-art games always gets into the games,” her only 300,000 subscribers and millions of videos is one showing her blowing out require agile hand motions that can prove grandchild, 43-year-old Keisuke Nagao, views with content featuring her gaming candles on a cake to celebrate her 90th challenging. “It’s getting hard. It really is,”

CPS: It was ‘right’ to Aniston donates $1m to fight racism prosecute Caroline Flack ennifer Aniston has donated $1 million to fight aroline Flack was “right” to be was going to be killed. He’s been hit racism amidst the Black Lives Matter movement. prosecuted, after it was claimed over the head with a lamp, he’s got a cut The ‘Friends’ star has donated to Color Of Change she was facing a “show trial” to his head, and she’s made an admission J C to help support the movement after the murder of before her death. The ‘Love Island’ tele- to the police at the scene. n the princi- George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, vision presenter tragically took her own ples of domestic abuse you say, ‘I’m Minnesota. A source told the Sunday Mirror newspa- life earlier this year, after finding out the going to proceed without the victim per: “Like most people, Jen has been deeply affected Crown Prosecution Service was going because I’ve got the admission, I’ve got by what is going on in America and the terrible injus- to pursue a trial, which saw her charged the complaint from the victim which I’ll tice that people of colour experience every day. She with assault by beating following an try to get in, I’ve got the evidence of the wanted to show her support, and has donated a big alleged fight at her home in December cut to the head and the mess in the flat sum to the charity she felt resonated with her the most. with Lewis Burton, which she plead not which has been filmed by the police.’” The link is on her Instagram page so her fans can also guilty to. And now Ed Beltrami, Chief And Beltrami insists he had no idea donate.” Jennifer previously admitted the week had Prosecutor of London North, has Caroline would decide to tragically take been “heartbreaking” as she spoke out about racism defended his decision to continue to her own life. He added to Wales on and justice. Calling for people to donate to charities to prosecute Caroline. He said: “You’ve got Sunday: “But obviously when you make support communities experiencing racism, she wrote to do what you think is right. You cannot that decision to proceed with the case on her Instagram page: “This week has been heart- do what you think is popular ... You you have absolutely no idea the defen- breaking for so many reasons. We need to acknowl- don’t just fold at the first sign of trouble. dant is going to take her own life. You edge that the racism and brutality in this country has The fact the victim doesn’t want to can’t possibly anticipate that sort of been going on for a long time - and it’s NEVER been know ... you’ve got to look at whether thing.” okay. As allies, who want equality and peace, it’s our you can prosecute without the support responsibility to make noise, to demand justice, to of the victim. Domestic abuse is a sepa- educate ourselves on these issues, and more than any- rate category by itself - [with a] high thing, to spread love. How much more time are we will- risk of the offending escalating. The guy ing to let pass without change? HOW MUCH MORE phoned the police, he was terrified he TIME? (sic)” Jennifer also shared a black square on her Instagram account earlier this week to coincide with Blackout Tuesday. She captioned it: “Black lives David Beckham to launch matter. #blackouttuesday (sic)” his own cooking show

avid Beckham is reportedly in talks basketball documentary ‘The Last Dance’, to launch his own cooking show. which has been a huge hit on Netflix. The DThe 45-year-old star has held dis- insider explained: “David’s also used this cussions with the BBC and Netflix about time to really focus on Studio 99, and ini- the prospect of creating a cooking show - tially chatted to Gordon about the pair which would be developed by his company doing an Instagram Live. ”He’s seen how Studio 99 - having furthered his culinary well Gordon has done with his own cook- skills during lockdown with the help of his ery shows and his Studio Ramsay produc- daughter Harper, eight. A source told The tion company, and Gordon’s given him Sun on Sunday newspaper: “One of the some great advice. ”Series like ‘The Last unintended benefits of lockdown for David Dance’ on Netflix - about basketball play- has been the opportunity to do what he er Michael Jordan - have made networks loves most - baking. ”He’s been recreating including the BBC keen to talk to sports- some of his mum’s old recipes, and got a people. ”The appetite is there for someone load of pots and pans for his birthday like David. Plus he comes with a huge recently.” The retired soccer star - who is social media presence which, in this day married to designer Victoria Beckham - and age, is basically free advertising.” has already taken advice from his showbiz Studio 99 was originally created to pro- pal Gordon Ramsay about the proposed duce documentaries, shows and other for- project. On the other hand, broadcasters mats, and David is already committed to are said to be keen to work with more star in some of the projects that are cur- sportspeople following the success of the rently in development.

retirement complex, where she had a “nervous break- real fast.” Meanwhile, Lisa is having a great time iso- has down. She said: “A year and a half ago, people were ’ lating at home amid the coronavirus pandemic. She Rose McGowan being paid to drive me insane and terrorise me and Lisa Kudrow s son is said: “I talk to my dad about it a lot. He’s like, ‘I’m lov- plant drugs. ”It was like I had spies following me, ing this isolation. How can anyone be bored?’ I’m with finally found peace in her life recording my life secretly. I had all this crazy pressure. ‘ ’ not a fan of her work my dad on this one. There’s so much to do, so much to I cracked at one point, after someone was hired to ter- read, so much to watch. I potter around and keep he ‘Charmed’ star was one of the first women to rorise me at a book signing. ”I hid at a retirement com- accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault he former ‘Friends’ star - who has 22-year-old moving and exercising then I do the cleaning and the munity in Florida, among a bunch of senior citizens, Julian with husband Michel Stern - doesn’t day goes so quickly.”—Bang Showbiz Twhen she alleged in 2017 that he had raped her and I had a nervous breakdown there. ”I learned that in 1997, and after the disgraced movie mogul was Toften talk about her work with Julian and is you can survive your brain breaking and you can put it found guilty of third-degree rape and a first-degree happy to keep it that way, as she wants their relation- back together. What I have now is a peace that can’t ship to be purely familial. Asked what Julian makes of criminal sexual act earlier this year, she’s hugely be bought - and I didn’t have that before. Ever.” relieved to know he can’t “hurt” her anymore. She told the ‘Friends’ phenomenon, she said: “We don’t talk OK! magazine: “The feeling of peace has come. This about it a lot. He’s been thrilled about certain things person can’t hurt me anymore. He was a one-man I’ve done but he’s not a fan of mine and I don’t want wrecking crew. He destroyed so many lives. ”Thank him to be. I want him to be my son. He should hold me God the jury saw through that old fashioned sl*t- accountable for parental things.” Lisa thinks she and shaming. ”After he was found guilty, he said, ‘I can’t Michael “lucked out” in parenthood because Julian is believe this happened in America.’ It was the first time “so great”. She told OK! magazine: “He’s unbelievably I ever agreed with him.” Rose was in “utter shock” great. We lucked out. I try to advise him about girls when the guilty verdict came through because she and then I realise I probably don’t know what I’m expected the producer to walk away. Asked how she talking about. “ The ‘Space Force’ actress has found felt about the verdict, she said: “I was in utter shock. one “sad thing” about parenthood is she stopped find- The cases they tried in Manhattan were the weakest ing certain TV shows and films funny. She said: cases they had I think Harvey thought he was going to “Motherhood changed everything. I remember think- get off because of that. That’s why he was sleeping ing, ‘Nothing else is ever going to be as important as through testimony. ”One of his core victims was having this. I get it.’ ”The sad thing is, a lot of things stopped a full breakdown and he slept through it.” The 46- being funny. There are a lot of movies and TV shows I year-old actress has previously spoken of her belief can’t watch any more. ”I can’t watch children getting that people were being paid to “terrorise” her and hurt or doctor shows. ”Motherhood changed my sen- she’s admitted the pressure got so bad, she fled to a sitivity. But I loved ‘The Crown’. I went through that 16 Established 1961 News Monday, June 8, 2020 Libya govt moves on Sirte; Haftar offensive collapses

CAIRO: Libya’s internationally recognized Sirte was taken by Haftar’s forces virtu- the fleeing (Haftar) militias,” he said. government attempted new advances on ally without a fight in January after one of Wolfram Lacher of the German Institute Saturday against the forces of retreating Libya’s myriad local militias switched sides. for International and Security Affairs said eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, who Beyond Sirte lies the prize of Libya’s main the Egyptian plan was aimed at “cutting stood by in Cairo as his ally, Egyptian oil export ports, Haftar’s most important Haftar down to size” by expanding Saleh’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, proposed a strategic asset. Some 450 km east of role. Haftar is a deeply divisive figure ceasefire. Forces of the Turkish-backed Tripoli, the town was where Gaddafi put up whose latest offensive has upended a UN- Government of National Accord (GNA) his last stand against NATO-backed rebel led peace process. It is unclear how much advanced into the central coastal city of forces in 2011. traction any initiative proposed by him or Sirte, they and residents said, though east- Appearing at a news conference in his allies can gain. ern forces said they had driven them back. Cairo alongside Sisi, Haftar agreed to a Numerous attempts to establish truces In a series of rapid victories, the GNA new political initiative that analysts say and a return to negotiations have has, with Turkish support, suddenly brought could dilute his power in his eastern home foundered, though the United Nations has most of northwest Libya back under its territory and may demonstrate the impa- started holding separate ceasefire talks control, dashing Haftar’s bid to unite the tience of his foreign backers. The GNA with both sides. Egyptian-led efforts to country by force with help from Egypt, the seemed poised to reject Egypt’s proposals, CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi (center), Libyan commander Khalifa unify Libya’s military have also stalled in United Arab Emirates and Russia. Two oil which included a ceasefire from today and Haftar (right) and Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh arrive for a joint press con- the past over Haftar’s demand to be engineers in south Libya told Reuters that a longer-term peace plan, but its war with ference on Saturday. — AFP supreme commander, diplomats say. production at the Sharara field was also Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) in Since Thursday, the LNA has lost its last gradually restarting after having been shut the east still seems far from over. talks in Geneva, the election of a leadership tiations after military defeat, according to footholds in Tripoli and its most important down in January by eastern-based forces. It Both sides’ foreign backers may be council, the disbanding of militias and the Al Jazeera. GNA forces’ spokesman also northwestern stronghold, the town of could help revive GNA finances after unwilling to curtail efforts to expand their exit of all foreign fighters from Libya. In appeared to pour cold water on the Tarhouna. On Saturday morning, GNA months of almost no revenues. regional ambitions. The LNA still controls brief comments, Haftar said he hoped Sisi Egyptian proposals, which included a forces continued their advance as the LNA “The air force has carried out five the east as well as most of Libya’s oil fields could make “urgent and effective efforts to demand that militias disband and hand over retreated from Al-Washka, west of Sirte. strikes in the outskirts of Sirte,” slain dicta- in the south. Libya has had no stable central compel Turkey to completely stop the their weaponry to Haftar’s men. GNA forces are likely to keep going until tor Muammar Gaddafi’s hometown and the authority since dictator Muammar Gaddafi transfer of weapons and mercenaries to “We didn’t start this war, but we will they meet resistance, said Tarek Megerisi, last major settlement before the traditional was overthrown by NATO-backed rebels in Libya”. The UAE was quick to state its choose the time and place when it ends,” a Libya analyst at the European Council on boundary between Libya’s west and east, 2011 and has been split since 2014 between support for Saturday’s declaration. Gnounou said. He issued a “final call” for Foreign Relations. “Right now, military GNA spokesman Mohamad Gnounou said. rival administrations in east and west. But Khaled Al-Meshri, head of the Sirte’s local leaders to abandon Haftar and voices are ascendant and supported by a “Orders have been given to our forces to Speaking alongside Haftar and Aguila GNA-aligned legislative assembly, said spare the Mediterranean coastal city “the fear that Haftar and the UAE will exploit begin their advance and to systematically Saleh, the head of the eastern Libyan par- Libyans had no need for new initiatives and horrors of war”. “Our forces continue to any truce to consolidate and launch count- attack all rebel positions,” he added. liament, Sisi proposed a plan that includes rejected Haftar’s attempt to return to nego- advance with force and resolve, chasing er-attacks,” he said. — Agencies

gradually moving out of lockdown, crude consump- around 8.6 mbpd in May, less than planned, with June, but other countries “did not respect it,” with- OPEC, Russia tion has not returned to pre-confinement levels, Iraq and Nigeria seen as the most resistant. OPEC out specifying which ones. which were already comparatively low. said all meeting participants agreed Saturday that Despite the difficulties, the output cuts have “Today’s deal is a positive development and, countries that failed to comply fully so far were helped support oil prices, which rose to around $40 to extend cuts... unless a second COVID-19 wave hits the world, it willing to make up for it in July, August and per barrel at the start of June for both the US Continued from Page 1 will be the backbone of a quick recovery for the September. benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), and energy industry,” Bjornar Tonhaugen of Rystad Nevertheless, it was precisely that earlier failure Europe’s Brent North Sea contracts. Both had extension of cuts. “I applaud OPEC-plus for Energy said, referring to a feared fresh wave of new that led Mexico on Saturday to refuse to extend its slumped to historic lows in April, with Brent falling reaching an important agreement today which coronavirus infections. “The 9.7 million bpd pro- cuts. “There are other countries that extended the as low as $15 and WTI briefly entering negative ter- comes at a pivotal time as oil demand continues to duction cuts were already working, extending them cuts to July. We told them no, that we are maintain- ritory. recover and economies reopen around the world,” an extra month will tighten (the) market more ing the agreement signed in April. There is no prob- The April deal was signed after days of wran- he said in a tweet. quickly,” Ann-Louise Hittle of Wood Mackenzie lem,” Mexico’s Energy Minister Rocio Nahle told gling between major players, whose revenues have Analysts had expected the May-June cuts to be said. A bone of contention ahead of the meeting had reporters during a visit to a petrochemical plant in been ravaged by the collapsing oil market this year. extended by at least another month, if not longer. been the willingness of each country to abide by the Veracruz state. She said Mexico “fully respected” The next meeting of OPEC and its allies has been Although more countries around the world are agreed production quotas. According to data intelli- the original agreement, under which it agreed to cut scheduled for December 1 in Vienna, where the gence company Kpler, OPEC+ reduced output by production by 100,000 barrels a day in May and organization is based. — AFP

Minister Scott Morrison’s call to “find a better way”, The energetic woman in her 40s, who has been a World rallies tens of thousands marched in France, and thousands Morocco artisans weaver since the age of seven, has been forced to more in Britain ignored the health minister’s warning. borrow from friends to supplement her modest against George... And in Tunis, hundreds chanted: “We want justice! earnings from a vegetable garden next to her shack. We want to breathe!” fear ‘knockout... In the cooperative, some have been bailed out by a In Sydney, aborigines performed a traditional Continued from Page 1 state coronavirus emergency fund, while many oth- Continued from Page 1 smoking ceremony at the start of a “Black Lives ers “can no longer pay their rent”. “We have to sell Matter” protest, which was allowed at the last minute The crafts industry represents around seven per- on the internet but we don’t know how to do that,” Helicopters circled overhead as some protesters after initially being banned on health grounds. Many cent of GDP, with an export turnover last year of said the mother who taught herself to read and danced – but the pain which drove many in to the held up signs and wore face masks marked with the write. “A digital platform was launched for artisans a words “I can’t breathe” – the words Floyd kept say- nearly one billion dirhams ($100 million). Despite streets was never far below the surface, as others few years ago, but it doesn’t work,” master plasterer ing while handcuffed as a policeman knelt on his their role in the economy, artisans work without yelled “This ain’t no party!” Military personnel as Mohamed Touel said. well as police watched over the gathering. But there neck. One placard simply read “8:46” - the amount of social security cover and with a limited distribution In Tunisia, the National Office of Handicrafts has appeared to be fewer than on previous days, and time the 46-year-old was pinned to the ground by network, much of it through word of mouth, like been working on an electronic platform for sales in some gave the protesters small smiles and waves as the white officer before his death. elsewhere in North Africa. Europe and has organized small exhibitions in they marched by. In Paris, riot police held back a crowd of several The 30 women who weave rugs for a small coop- On the National Mall, fencing and uniformed thousand who gathered outside the US embassy for erative called “Creative Woman” in Sale have all lost hotels. It also encourages artisans to launch guards blocked protesters from the steps of the an unsanctioned protest. “I’ve had racist abuse all my their meager incomes. Weavers work eight hours a Facebook pages or electronic sites. But Sabiha, a Lincoln Memorial where civil rights icon Martin life,” said one demonstrator, 46-year-old Nadine. day for barely $100 a month “when the carpets are potter in the Tunisian rural town of Sejnan whose Luther King Jr famously delivered his “I have a “That is our life. To be a black French woman in sold” and they “have nothing left because there has works are on UNESCO’s list of “intangible cultural dream” speech in 1963. The protests were ignited by France, it’s not easy.” A protest in the French city of not been a single sale in three months”, explained heritage”, said she cannot “even afford to recharge” videos of a police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck for Metz ended with a few dozen people breaking into a Rachida Nabati. her mobile phone. — AFP almost nine minutes as he pleaded for his life – the courthouse and scuffling with security guards and latest unarmed black person to be killed by white law one of the city’s prosecutors. “Protesters held up enforcement officers. The officer, Derek Chauvin, has placards reading “Being black is not a crime” and stones and ransacked shops. Some protesters set been charged with second-degree murder. “Our police are assassins”. Dozens hurt fire to garbage bins as riot police advanced towards The rage since Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on Smaller, youth-driven protests were staged out- them. May 25 has exploded into the most serious civil side US embassies in Warsaw and Sofia. In Germany, as protesters... Lebanon has been rocked by a series of political unrest in America since King was assassinated in Bundesliga footballers warmed up in “Red card to crises in recent years, before an economic crunch 1968. Peaceful protests swelled Saturday in other US racism #BlackLivesMatter” shirts and took a knee helped trigger unprecedented cross-sectarian mass cities. Tens of thousands rallied across New York City prior to kickoff. “How many more?” asked a poster Continued from Page 1 protests in October. The demonstrations forced the and Philadelphia, Chicago shut down the city’s Lake held up in a crowd of thousands in Frankfurt, while government to resign and a new one headed by Shore Drive to facilitate protests, and demonstrators hundreds rallied across town squares of Belgium and as supporters of Hezbollah clashed with some Prime Minister Hassan Diab was approved by par- marched in Los Angeles. In San Francisco, thousands the Netherlands. demonstrators calling on the group to disarm. liament in February, tasked with launching reforms marched across the Golden Gate Bridge, briefly stop- The protests have even resonated in war-scarred Hezbollah is the only group to have kept its and combatting corruption. ping traffic as they spilled into the driving lanes. countries such as Iraq, where the “America Revolts” weapons since the end of the Lebanese civil war, But many Lebanese say the new administration But the demonstrations in Washington were the and the Arabic phrase for “We want to breathe, too” deeply dividing Lebanon along political lines. has failed to find solutions to the country’s manifold biggest since protests began in Minneapolis before hashtags are spreading on social media. “I think what “Weapons should be only in the hands of the problems, including a grinding recession and spi- spreading across the country and then abroad. the Americans are doing is brave and they should be army,” said Sana, a 57-year-old female protester ralling inflation. The local currency has lost more “Today, the pain is so raw it can be hard to keep angry, but rioting is not the solution,” said Yassin from Nabatiyeh, a city in southern Lebanon, a than half of its value on the black market in recent faith,” tweeted Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Alaa, a 20-year-old camped out in Baghdad’s Tahrir Hezbollah stronghold. Soldiers formed a human months, falling from the official rate of 1,507 to Biden. A remembrance for Floyd was held Saturday Square, the site of months of anti-government chain separating the two sides after supporters and more than 4,000 pounds to the dollar. Banks have in North Carolina, the state where he was born, fol- protests. Back in Washington, many black protesters opponents of Hezbollah threw stones at each other, gradually stopped all dollar withdrawals. lowing a memorial service in Minneapolis on hailed the multiracial, multiethnic nature of the an AFP photographer said. Supporters of Hezbollah, A sign held aloft by protesters on Saturday Thursday. demonstrations, calling the change “invigorating”. which is also represented in the government and called for “a government that eliminates corruption, Hundreds waited to view his coffin, some holding Jackie Maddox, 59, who remembered her own par- parliament, chanted: “Shiite, Shiite.” not one that protects corruption”. More than 35 umbrellas against the hot sun. Some sobbed and ents marching in Washington for their rights decades On Saturday evening, there was an exchange of percent of Lebanese are unemployed, while poverty many held cell phones high as a hearse arrived with ago, said she felt “relieved” that black people were gunfire between residents of a Sunni district, a has soared to engulf more than 45 percent of the the casket. Floyd’s sisters LaTonya and Zsa-Zsa told no longer alone. “It’s about time that they are tired stronghold of the former prime minister Saad Hariri, population, according to official estimates. reporters they would not go inside. “I can’t go in, see too,” she said of other protesters – though, she and a nearby Shiite neighborhood, a stronghold of Lebanon is also one of the world’s most indebted him laying in a coffin, it would drive me crazy forev- added, she hoped it would last. the Amal party, a security source said. Soldiers countries, with a debt equivalent to more than 170 er,” said LaTonya through tears. The days of demonstrations in the US – which moved in to restore order, said the state-run news percent of its GDP. The country defaulted on its She expressed her pain at watching the footage of have included outbreaks of looting and violence – agency ANI. There were clashes too in the northern external borrowing for the first time in March. her brother’s agonizing death. “Every time I look up I have seen new police abuses, some captured on city of Tripoli, an AFP correspondent there reported. Diab’s government adopted an economic recovery see him on the ground, face up, neck down, hollering camera. Two policemen in Buffalo, New York were Security forces fired tear gas near a street lead- plan in April and has begun negotiations with the please help me,” she said, adding she wished the charged with felony assault Saturday after they were ing into the parliament building behind Martyrs International Monetary Fund, to try to unlock bil- video could be taken down. “I’ll never hear his voice, filmed shoving a 75-year-old protester who fell, hit Square, after some demonstrators pelted them with lions of dollars in aid. — AFP I’ll never hear his laughter, I’ll never tell him again his head and began bleeding, in one of the most that I love him and likewise he’d tell me the same,” widely shared videos fuelling outrage. said Zsa-Zsa. But there were some changes to policing as well. The grilling also charges that the minister failed Around the world, protesters echoed the rage of In Seattle, authorities announced a temporary ban on Assembly panel to take sufficient action against alleged involve- American demonstrators. “It is time to burn down tear gas. A federal judge in Denver forbade the use of ment in the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund scan- institutional racism,” one speaker shouted through a chemical agents and projectiles like rubber bullets dal and suspicion of money laundering. Adasani megaphone at a hooting crowd of thousands outside against peaceful protesters. And in Dallas, police seeks ban... called on the finance minister not to resign and to the parliament building in London. “Silence is vio- marched in solidarity with protesters. Continued from Page 1 face the grilling, due to be debated next week, lence,” the throng shouted back in the rain, before The unrest has handed US President Donald adding he will explain that the government action mounted police moved in to disperse a small missile- Trump – the target of many a biting protest sign Mohammad Al-Sheetan against reducing gov- to send the Malaysian fund issue to the public pelting crowd trying to push its way closer to and chant – one of the greatest challenges of his ernment subsidies or raising public charges as he prosecution was insufficient. Downing Street. Thousands more marched in the tumultuous presidency. While condemning Floyd’s prepares to grill him next week. Adasani on The lawmaker also urged the prime minister to northern English city of Manchester. death, he has adopted a tough stance toward pro- Thursday filed to grill the minister, appointed just a freeze the authorities of the finance minister until Officials around the world have been trying to testers, calling them “thugs” or “terrorists” and few months ago, on a number of counts including the grilling has been debated. Adasani said attempts balance understanding at people’s pent-up anger threatening a military crackdown. “LAW & pushing to approve a government bill to borrow KD by the minister to increase the cost of public servic- with warnings about the dangers of a disease that ORDER!” the president tweeted as evening fell 20 billion and failure to follow up alleged kickbacks es or privatize them are totally rejected, adding that has officially claimed nearly 400,000 lives globally. Saturday, adding later that the crowd in DC was in Kuwait Airways deals, in addition to alleged loss- the minister submitted the KD 20 billion debt law Yet tens of thousands of Australians defied Prime “much smaller” than anticipated. — Agencies es in foreign investments. before looking into alternatives. Established 1961 17 Stars Monday, June 8, 2020

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution STAR TRACK

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

Every once in a while, everyone must analyze his You'll be the savior of the day. Your wisdom and or her life. But you tend to be too pessimistic when you ponder patience will be your best assets today, Libra. You'll be of great yours. You get easily carried away, and you often exaggerate. help to those around you. You'll counsel them and be able to Today, as you think about your life, try not to listen to that little guide them toward better days. All those who are lost in their per- voice in your head. Your life is far from being the way that you sonal problems just need someone like you. You're their friend think it is. and they appreciate your generosity.

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

You'll have to use a cunning strategy today. The You shouldn't work as hard as you do. You might day will be tense and delicate. Some of your friends may try have a lot of energy, but your body needs to rest from time to to put some pressure on you to obtain certain things. You'll time. There is more to life than work. Try to take some time off have to find a clever way to get out of this tight spot. You to relax and recharge your batteries. You'll need to be in the might consider using some of their own medicine on them. best of shape pretty soon. The action is just around the corner, This way, Taurus, you could keep your freedom. Try it and see. and you'll need all your capacities.

Find the way

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

Today, Gemini, you'll become quite introspec- You'll be lost in your thoughts today, tive and reflect on your life. You probably heard some dis- Sagittarius. The celestial atmosphere is right for enabling couraging news concerning someone close to you, and it you to ponder a frustrating aspect of your life. Often your could leave you feeling blue. You'll find that you put a great partner is far away from you, yet you need your sweetie deal of emotion into this relationship. Don't let this get you beside you. This may well be the cause of a lot of tension in down. You need to react. Try to recharge your batteries so your life now. The time is right to talk to your partner about you can get your energy back. this situation and try to rectify it.

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

Have your friends ever told you that you could be a People around you might have been expecting a great teacher? At home, you're the one who's talking all the time. bit more cooperation on your part. You could be nicer and more You're almost compelled to make others listen to you. Children concerned about their needs. It seems that you've been ill-tem- are fascinated by your knowledge. Today, Cancer, someone might pered recently. You like acting this way occasionally. Sometimes not agree with you and upset you. You'll learn that your lessons you act like a child who wants to play more. If you indulge this can lead to a conversation. Knowledge isn't a one-way street. urge to play more often, you'll be able to be more loving toward your entourage.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

You've been working hard lately and giving a lot If it were up to you, you'd rather stay in bed of your energy to others, Leo. Today you're feeling tired. There reading than confront the world. Deep inside, however, you will be tension in the air throughout the day. You may feel that know you need to reach out to others. You feel that you certain people that you considered friends now disappoint you. can't be left out of society. But have you ever thought about Don't get tangled up in their superficiality. It's probably wise to finding someone who shares your tastes? You could read in put some distance between you and these people. bed with someone else and still have a lot of contact.

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

Today, Virgo, you'll undoubtedly ask yourself a lot Generosity is one of your best qualities, Pisces. You of questions. You tend to be rather introverted, and you typical- have the uncanny ability to give without expecting anything in ly need a great deal of freedom. You're usually an energetic per- return, and you gain a great deal of power and light from this son, but with the current astral energy at play, you may feel generosity. With little effort, you could become one of those peo- lonely and doubtful of your abilities. Take time today to analyze ple who never expects things in return. You could become a your commitments to others. "saint" in a very real way.

Join the dots Word Search 18 Established 1961 Sports Monday, June 8, 2020

Photo of the Day Heavyweight champ Joshua hits out at ‘virus’ of racism

LONDON: World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua told a Black Lives Matter march on Satur- day that protesters were the “vaccine” to the “virus” of racism. “The virus I am referring to is called racism,” he said, comparing its effects to the damage done by COVID-19. Meanwhile the British boxer asked: “How long are we going to allow racism to spread through our communities?” Worldwide protests under the banner of Black Lives Matter took place Saturday in response to the death of George Floyd, a black American man who died in Minneapolis last month while being arrested by police officers. “You are the vaccine, I am the vaccine,” the 30- year-old Joshua told a rally in his home town of Wat- ford. “Killing a person outright is unforgivable, but stripping them of their human rights, oppressing them, mocking them, insulting them, placing glass ceilings above them... is just a slower way of killing them and taking the life out of their soul.” Joshua was on crutches at times on Saturday and was also seen wearing a knee brace, but a spokesper- son insisted that was just a “precautionary measure”. Joshua, the reigning WBA, IBF and WBO title- holder, felt a “slight twinge” in his left knee in a train- ing session earlier this week. But his camp insisted there was no cause for alarm. “Anthony felt a slight twinge in his knee whilst training,” the spokesperson said. “The brace is a pre- cautionary measure on the advice of physios. It will be further checked by his doctors but there is no im- mediate concern.” Joshua was due to defend his belts CASTLEROCK: Senad Grosic performs at Downhill Castle in Castlerock, Ireland. — Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com against Kubrat Pulev at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20 only for the bout to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. — AFP Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova’s relatively short career is still unparalleled

Listed among People Magazine’s 50 most beautiful people in 1998

LONDON: For a tennis player who failed acclaimed as a child prodigy. Slam showing in singles. to win even one singles title on the WTA She picked up a racket and started play- Despite a barren trophy cabinet, Tour, the frenzy surrounding Anna ing at the age of five in Moscow at a chil- Kournikova reached a career-high singles Kournikova’s relatively short career is still dren’s sports programme before leaving ranking of eight in 2000. Recurring injuries, unparalleled. Russia to train at Nick Bollettieri’s tennis however, forced her to retire early and she The blonde Russian was listed among academy in Florida. did not play on the WTA Tour after 2003. People Magazine’s 50 most beautiful peo- She made her debut on the WTA Tour While she failed to make her mark in ple in 1998, voted the hottest female athlete in 1995 as a 14-year-old and the following singles, Kournikova won 16 doubles titles, on ESPN and her pictures adorned the including two Australian Open crowns covers of publications from Forbes to with Martina Hingis, and reached the top Sports Illustrated. ranking in doubles in 1999. Kournikova’s popularity could be The Swiss, who reigned as world No.1 gauged by the fact that a fast-spread- Hottest in both singles and doubles, is among ing virus, disguised as a digital photo many who consider Kournikova as a of the tennis star, infected millions of female trailblazer in Russian tennis. computers in 2001 and slowed elec- athlete “She was a great player, a team player, tronic mail systems and caused some and we had great times for those two servers to be shut down. years,” said Hingis. “She kind of was the She earned millions from endorse- one who started this Russian Armada - ments and modelling and her celebrity or Russian generation - along with Elena status grew due to her romance with Likhovtseva. pop star Enrique Iglesias, with whom she year she went through the qualifiers to “She was definitely the one who you has three children. reach the fourth round of the US Open in could aim for and be like, go around the Having also played a minor role in the her Grand Slam debut. world and live the ‘Russian-American Enrique Iglesias and his wife Anna Kournikova. 2000 film ‘Me, Myself & Irene’, Kournikova She fell to top-ranked Steffi Graf but did dream.’ I loved playing with her.” Former joined the US television weight loss contest enough at the hardcourt major which French Open and US Open champion Svet- ‘The Biggest Loser’ as a trainer in 2011. earned her the WTA Newcomer of the lana Kuznetsova said Kournikova would larity to Russian tennis, women’s tennis. fend her when they say ‘Oh, she never won While her detractors would never con- Year award in 1996. The following year, the top her list if she penned a book on the his- Everyone after her was just after her. For a tournament’. So what? She was a Top 10 sider the Russian as a serious singles player Russian made the semi-finals at Wimble- tory of Russian women’s tennis. me, she was a big huge push,” Kuznetsova player. It’s not just about winning tourna- due to lack of titles, Kournikova was widely don, which ended up being her best Grand “For me, she brought really big popu- told the WTA Insider in 2017. “I always de- ments. I think she was great.” — Reuters

here in Dubai than back in France; I’ve have a couple of days of prep, so that was F1 driver spent [just] been training hard the last two N Zealand’s Dixon difficult.” months,” he says. “So that was the good Dixon earned his 47th career win to move lockdown thing; we’ve been really focused on our wins IndyCar within just five victories of Italian-born Amer- training since the first day we arrived. At ican Mario Andretti, who is second all-time that time of the year, we’re usually travel- with 52. He also matched AJ Foyt’s record of in Dubai ling every three days… Going to the air- opener in Texas 18 seasons with a victory. ports, playing in different countries, in Dixon led 157 of the 200 laps, and had an DUBAI: Following the postponement of different time zones, and we usually feel LOS ANGELES: New Zealand’s Scott Dixon earlier six-second lead over Newgarden the season, Scuderia AlphaTauri’s Pierre wiped out by a caution for debris. “We had quite tired and try [our best] to recover. climbed out of his car and donned a white Gasly found himself in lockdown in the Now, we’ve really had a lot of time to to make some big bold moves,” Dixon said. protective face mask after seizing the check- United Arab Emirates with an important work, and try to improve physical condi- “I can’t tell you how good it feels to be back ered flag in the delayed IndyCar season- decision to make. tions – even though I felt like I was ready in the car. It has been such crazy times for so opening race in Texas on Saturday. With travel restrictions swiftly imple- for this season, I have gotten stronger.” many people. “I feel very lucky to do what I Dixon crossed the finish line first ahead of mented across the world these past couple Staying at the FIVE Palm Jumeirah, Pierre Gasly do. A huge thanks to the IndyCar series and runner-up Simon Pagenaud in the Genesys of months, hundreds, if not thousands, of Gasly recalls how staff did their best to everybody involved to get us back on the people have been left wondering when accommodate him and his teammates’ “Next for me is to go back to France 300, the first IndyCar race in eight months be- track. We had a lot of changes in the offseason they would be able to return to where they needs during their stay. With public fa- and see the family; after two months I’m cause of the coronavirus pandemic. with the delay.” call home. cilities, such as hotel gyms being closed, missing them! And after that I’ll go back “Such strange times right now,” said Dixon Drivers and team members went through For Scuderia AlphaTauri Formula One the hotel’s team created a special gym- home to Italy, and yes, just keep on train- immediately after the race. “It was awesome. temperature screenings when they got to driver, Pierre Gasly, that time has finally nasium in an empty apartment adjacent ing!” he says. “We still have quite a bit of The power out there. We could just go for it.” Texas Motor Speedway. Crew members were come; the athlete is set to return to his so he could continue training safely dur- time before the first race, so we’ll just focus After the COVID-19 pandemic led to a required to wear face masks, and space was home country following a two-month stay ing isolation. on more preparation, and hopefully we can postponement of the 2020 IndyCar campaign, provided for social distancing in the garage in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. “We’d train six days a week – three start the season very soon, because I’m the series finally got underway with no spec- areas. Dixon received elbow bumps instead of Gasly, 24, had been in the emirate ahead days focusing on the cardio, and three missing racing! tators in the grandstands at the 1.5 mile (2.4 high fives in the victory lane. of his team’s scheduled flight to Manama days focusing on more gym-like exercises “I think it’s the first time in my life I’ve kilometer) Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Last year’s pole sitter Takuma Sato crashed for the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, which and strength work,” he explains. “The hotel been waiting that long between two races. Worth. “I am bummed that the fans aren’t on his warm-up lap entering turn one. The for- was slated to take place, sans spectators, gave us the apartment next door with The last one was in Abu Dhabi in Decem- here,” Dixon said. “I wish everybody was here mer Indianapolis 500 winner was checked out between 20-22 March. But following the treadmills, weights… everything we ber, so I need competition, and I’m looking to celebrate.” at the on site medical facility and released, but announcement that the tournament was to needed to train.” forward to getting back in the car.” While Former Indianapolis 500 winner Pagenaud then missed the race because he couldn’t get be postponed until further notice, the Red As lockdown restrictions relaxed, Gasly 2020 will be a year in remembrance of finished 4.4 seconds back in second and his car repaired in time. Felix Rosenqvist was Bull athlete found himself in a tricky situa- was able to get some time on the track, re- these sad unparallel circumstances, Gasley reigning series champion Josef Newgarden in contention when he crashed with nine laps tion – between trying to fly home with not ceiving special permission to do some laps acknowledges that he has been in a fortu- placed third. Organizers decided to run the to go. Rosenqvist was weaving through the many flight options, or remain in lockdown around the Dubai Autodrome. nate position during these times, and is practice, qualifying and 200-lap race all on the field when he got high on the backstretch and at his hotel on the Palm Jumeirah. Gasly “I managed to go to the karting track, grateful that his lockdown experience has same day to minimize the amount of time the lost control. He finished in 20th place. opted to stay put in the UAE. So, just what so I had a couple of days doing karting, been a positive one. participants would be at the venue. There will be nearly a month’s break before has it been like for the Formula One rising which is always good for practice, and also “Honestly, I really enjoyed my time here “Today was compact,” he said. “We flew the next race July 4 on a road course at Indi- star? Well, when you’re an international for fun!” With flights to selected destina- over the last two months. I’m probably in this morning and we had a hour and 20 anapolis Motor Speedway. The road course athlete, the hard work simply doesn’t stop. tions now being offered this month, Gasly going to miss it when I leave, but I know minute practice, then straight to qualifying race will be the first of five IndyCar races in a “I [decided to] stay in Dubai for the last is ready to return to France, before making I’ll come back to Dubai [soon], because I and straight to the race, and then fly back out 15-day period in July, including a doubleheader two months, because I have better facilities his way to Italy where he is based. really like this place,” he concludes. tonight. That is very different. Normally we weekend at Wisconsin’s Road America. — AFP 19 Sports Monday, June 8, 2020 Will saliva ban threaten cricket’s kings of swing? ICC to decide on Wednesday Spinners have chance to shine during saliva ban: Kumble

LONDON: An International Cricket Council board slow and batsmen-friendly pitches of his homeland, led meeting on Wednesday could see the global governing to the development of reverse swing. body uphold a recommendation to prohibit the use of “Just using sweat won’t be of much help because that saliva in order to stop the transmission of the coron- will only make the ball wet and that shine will be miss- avirus. Bowlers traditionally get the ball to move or ing,” said Sarfraz. Sarfraz confused a succession of bats- swing in the air, thereby making it harder for batsmen to men by bowling in-swingers with an old ball. hit, by applying shine to one side via sweat — which can He helped compatriot Imran Khan add reverse swing still be used — or saliva. to his armoury and in the 1990s there were probably no However, as a temporary measure to combat COVID- better exponents than the Pakistan fast-bowling duo of 19, the ICC’s cricket committee has suggested banning Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. the use of saliva. In 1992, the pair took 43 wickets between them as AFP Sport shines a light on Pakistan won a five-match Test the issue: series in England 2-1.

MASSIE’S MATCH MINT CONDITION One of the most extraordi- Some days Over time, teams all round the nary individual performances in world came to realise that in cricket history saw Australia things order to generate reverse swing swing bowler Bob Massie take 16 go just right it was vital the ball was ‘looked for 137 on his Test debut against after’ properly, with one side pol- England at Lord’s in 1972. ished and the other kept bone Yet Massie won just five more dry. Swing bowlers such as An- King of swing Wasim Akram. caps and took only 15 more wickets, with the bowler drew Flintoff, Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones were himself saying he had struggled on a subsequent tour of pivotal to England regaining the Ashes from Australia in the West Indies where he adjusted his action and was 2005. But it was England opening batsman Marcus England and the West Indies might make it redundant. on using saliva to shine the ball after the coronavirus never the same cricketer again. Trescothick who later revealed he had put Murray Mints “I think the environment that’ll end up being created shutdown could see a resurgence of spin bowling in Massie’s remarkable maiden Test and the lavish swing sweets to good use in the field because sucking them is almost going to be like a bubble,” Pollock told the Fol- Test cricket. The International Cricket Council is ex- he generated at Lord’s led to suggestions he’d applied stimulated most saliva, which could then be applied to lowing On Cricket Podcast. pected to order a temporary ban next week on using spit lip salve to the ball in order to maintain the shine — an the ball. “People will get tested, they’ll go into a two-week as a shining agent, as part of measures to get the sport accusation he has always denied. “Some days things go camp where they’re just going to sit and monitor how restarted. just right,” Massie said by way of explaining his remark- PLAY ON WITH POLLOCK? the conditions of their bodies change. Fast bowlers could struggle to swing the ball under able introduction to Test cricket. — It seems unlikely cricket chiefs will row back from “And if there are no symptoms, it doesn’t really mat- the new rules with Australian quick bowler Mitchell the saliva ban but former South Africa paceman Shaun ter about shining the ball then, because you’re in the Starc saying the game could be come “boring” if batters REVERSE SWING Pollock, even though he is a member of the ICC cricket bubble and no one you come into contact with will have dominate. But Kumble, the former Indian Test captain It used to be thought that as a cricket ball got older committee, gave current swing bowlers a glimmer of coronavirus. “So you can just get on with normal pro- and now chairman of the ICC cricket committee that rec- it would swing less. But a technique pioneered by Pak- hope by suggesting health checks in place for next ceedings.” ommended the ban, is hoping spinners could play a big- istan paceman Sarfraz Nawaz, partly in response to the month’s behind closed doors three-Test series between Meanwhile, Cricket chief Anil Kumble hopes a ban ger part as a result. —AFP

ter-final at Norwich and league match at Brighton fol- two games against Tottenham and Sheffield United Solskjaer backs lowing soon afterwards. are vital for the league standings, the table. With games coming thick and fast, Premier “And it’s a short season, it’s only nine (league) League clubs have agreed managers will be able to games so can we get as many points and good per- extra subs change make up to five substitutions per match from an ex- formances as possible. “If we do get a good spell now, FIFA open to salary panded nine-strong bench as a way of helping sides we could end up with some trophies and something LONDON: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes the intro- cope with a three-month backlog of fixtures. to cheer about. “It’s a young team with some great cap and transfer duction of extra substitutions will be “welcome” when “I think that’s helpful because footballers, after talent, some great work-rate, personalities... the Manchester United resume their Premier League being out for so long, going into competitive games human qualities in the group are fantastic.” The en- fee limit proposals campaign later this month. will be a challenge for them and we have to look after forced suspension has allowed the likes of Paul Pogba The coronavirus pandemic forced the English top them injury-wise and fitness-wise,” United manager and Marcus Rashford to regain fitness following ankle flight to be suspended in March. But even though Solskjaer told the club’s website. and back injuries respectively. PARIS: FIFA president Gianni Infantino called Britain’s official virus death toll has now topped “We can’t just flog one player and say to them, ‘you But former United striker Solskjaer was cautious on Saturday for discussions over proposals to in- 40,000, ‘Project Restart’ is set to see the Premier play every game and every minute’ because it might about their prospects of playing against Spurs. “Well, troduce salary and transfer fee caps to football in League get going again, with United returning to ac- be a period when we have to rotate quite often.” we hope everybody’s going to be ready for the first the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. tion away to Tottenham Hotspur on June 19. United are currently three points adrift of a place in game. “We’ve had time out so I don’t think we can ex- World football’s governing body intends to fi- United face fellow European qualification hopefuls next season’s Champions League, and Solskjaer said: pect that those lads who’ve missed lots of the football nalise plans in the coming weeks for a financial Sheffield United on June 24, with the FA Cup quar- “It does feel like a new season but then again, the first can last the full game.” — AFP relief package following the economic damage caused to the sport by the global health crisis. FIFA announced in April it would release $150 million (133 million euros) to its 211 member asso- ciations “as the first step of a relief plan”. UEFA shortly afterwards said it had allocated 236.5 mil- Dortmund, Hertha lion euros to its 55 member federations. Last month, the German FA and Bayern Mu- take a knee at Black nich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge urged in- dustry talks about a salary cap and reforming the transfer system to keep football “credible”. Lives Matter protests “On the financial and governance aspects, I also heard some interesting proposals on a wide BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Berlin took range of topics,” Infantino wrote in an open letter a knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter to FIFA’s members. protests on Saturday as players across the Bun- “From salary caps to transfer fee caps or other desliga showed support for demonstrations sparked taxation mechanisms, to the possible obligation by the death of George Floyd. for governing bodies, competition organisers and clubs to build reserves or to contribute to a re- With thousands assembling in Berlin and Munich serve fund which can be of assistance in hours of to demonstrate against police brutality and for racial need such as now. equality, Dortmund and Hertha’s starting line-ups “I personally advocate for clearer and stricter gathered around the centre circle at Signal Iduna financial regulations, imposing full transparency Park before dropping to one knee. and good governance principles, and not only Dortmund players also wore messages on their T- limiting this to the transfer system, but to the en- shirts during their pre-match warm-up in honour of tire football ecosystem. Floyd, a black American man who died in Minneapolis “FIFA is doing already a lot of work on this last month while being arrested by police officers. area, even if we face some strong vested interests Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi wore the mes- who fight against our plea for a better global gov- sages “no justice, no peace”, while midfielders Axel ernance in our sport.” Witsel and Emre Can’s T-shirts displayed the words A recent study by accounting firm KPMG said “black”, “white” and “yellow” crossed out, with the the transfer value of players in 10 of Europe’s top word “human” below. leagues could plummet by up to 10 billion euros Earlier Pierre Kunde Malong also took a knee after DORTMUND: Dortmund’s Portuguese defender Raphael Guerreiroand Hertha Berlin’s Dutch forward Daishawn due to the economic crash caused by coronavirus. scoring the second goal in Mainz’s 2-0 win at Eintra- Redan vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match BVB Borussia Dortmund v The French league, declared over in late April, cht Frankfurt. Hertha Berlin on June 6, 2020 in Dortmund, western Germany. — AFP said it would have to take out a government- The Cameroonian will face no sanction from the guaranteed loan of some 225 million euros to tide German Football Federation (DFB) for the gesture over clubs impacted by the loss in income from after it gave the green light on Wednesday to players McKennie. I am proud of Marcus Thuram. I am proud Bayern captain Manuel Neuer told Sky after the broadcasters. Last season’s Champions League finalists Tot- who wanted to honour Floyd or support the protests of Achraf Hakimi. The whole world saw their mes- game. Bayern’s players also wore black armbands tenham have received a £175 million loan from the which have raged across the USA. sage,” wrote Ujah in an article for German daily FAZ. bearing the words “Black Lives Matter” during the German champions Bayern Munich became the match. “FC Bayern stands for a world in which racism, Bank of England to help them through the crisis Sancho and Hakimi had also avoided punishment as the club predicted losses of £200 million over highest-profile club in the country to show their sup- discrimination, hate, injustice and violence have no by the DFB following their on-pitch calls for justice the next year. last week. port for the protests. place. The death of George Floyd and the images Infantino is hoping to push through the rescue Union Berlin’s Nigerian striker Anthony Ujah said Prior to their 4-2 win at Bayer Leverkusen on Sat- from the USA have shocked us all,” said club presi- package by the time of the next FIFA council he was “proud” of the Bundesliga players who staged urday, players warmed up in T-shirts bearing both the dent Herbert Hainer in a statement. meeting later this month. on-pitch protests, and pledged to do the same if he Black Lives Matter hashtag and the slogan of the “It’s a matter of actively and loudly showing our “The need for top club football to resume has scores against Schalke on Sunday. club’s official “Reds Against Racism” campaign. colours. Black Lives Matter and Reds Against understandably taken priority, but we must also “I am proud of the players who are taking a stand. “As players, we always have the same message: we Racism. We stand for togetherness that goes far be- consider national teams, women’s football, lower- I am proud of Jadon Sancho. I am proud of Weston are tolerant, we are open, we are open to the world,” yond sports.” — AFP tier domestic leagues, youth and the grassroots game,” Infantino said. “We have to show unity across all aspects of football and make sure football can resume in its logistics and safety protocols, with Brady saying sta- “And the green zone is the stadium exterior, eg car globality. This is our priority and our financial re- Stadiums to be diums would be divided into red, amber and green parking.” Players have been told they must not shake lief plan will also follow this principle.” zones. “Red zone will be the most severely restricted hands, spit or share drinks, while social distancing will While domestic leagues are gradually restart- area, including the pitch, the tunnel, technical areas, be observed even in the dressing room and showers, ing, the international calendar has been deci- split into ‘zones’ changing rooms will be limited to 105 people maxi- with a 15-minute limit for pre-match talks by man- mated with Euro 2020 and the Copa America mum, to include players, coaching staff, match offi- agers. “A new strict accreditation process will be de- both postponed until next year. as EPL returns cials and all the essential staff only,” Brady wrote in veloped, including an isolation room should someone However, Infantino said a reworked interna- her Sun newspaper column. unfortunately develop symptoms of COVID-19 whilst tional schedule could be published shortly. “And only those who have tested negative for within the stadium,” Brady added. “On another very important topic, namely the LONDON: Premier League stadiums will be divided COVID-19 in the past five days can enter this area... Television viewers will have access to 360 de- international match calendar, I am happy to report into three zones when the season resumes behind “The amber zone will be restricted to the minimum gree replays and pre-match tunnel shots, while that we also made some good progress,” he said. “In consultation with different stakeholders, closed doors, West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady number of staff required to meet contractual require- players’ shirts will feature the logo of Britain’s we are closer to present a balanced solution that ments for broadcasting, media and club staff... And state-run National Health Service. “So we are in said Saturday. The Premier League will resume on takes into account everyone’s challenges and June 17 after a three-month absence due to the coro- anyone entering this area will be subject to a temper- good shape,” Brady said. “We are ready. We are needs.” — AFP navirus pandemic. Clubs met on Thursday to discuss ature check and a health questionnaire. raring to go.” — AFP Established 1961 Sport

MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2020

Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova’s Will saliva ban threaten cricket’s kings Dortmund, Hertha take a knee 18relatively short career is still unparalleled 19 of swing? ICC to decide on Wednesday 19 at Black Lives Matter protests

Bayern close on Bundesliga title Wirtz becomes Bundesliga’s youngest scorer at 17 years and 34 days

LEVERKUSEN: Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski (C) heads to score his team’s fourth goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match Bayer 04 Leverkusen v FC Bayern Munich in Leverkusen, western Germany. — AFP

BERLIN: Bundesliga players wore black armbands erkusen. “As players, we always have the same mes- and took the knee in displays of support for the Black sage — we are tolerant, we are open, we are open to Lives Matter protests on Saturday, as Bayern Munich the world,” Bayern captain Manuel Neuer told Sky. kept title rivals Borussia Dortmund at bay with a ninth Dortmund battled to a 1-0 home win over Hertha McGregor announces retirement successive win. thanks to a second-half strike from Emre Can. England NEW YORK: Mixed martial arts superstar Conor urday, but she was completely outclassed, as Nunes Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski scored his winger Jadon Sancho, who was among the first Bun- McGregor announced his retirement from the sport won every one of the five rounds on the judges’ score- 30th league goal of the season as Bayern came from desliga players to lend his voice to the protests last yesterday. The two-division Ultimate Fighting Cham- cards. behind to claim a 4-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, weekend, missed from close range just after the break pionship (UFC) World Champion said his fighting days “I studied her very well, I know she’s tough and I a win which kept them seven points ahead of second- before setting up Can with a deft chip over the back were over in a Twitter message posted on his verified have to be sharp if I have to go five rounds, I have to placed Dortmund, who beat Hertha Berlin 1-0. line on 57 minutes. account, alongside a picture of the Irishman with his be dominating,” a beaming Nunes told commentator After Lucas Alario secured an early lead for the A late equaliser from Christian Strohdiek saw bot- mother, Margaret. Joe Rogan after the fight. home side, Bayern struck twice in quick succession tom-of-the-table Paderborn snatch a 1-1 draw away “Hey guys I’ve decided to retire from fighting. “That was my goal, defending my two belts at the just before half-time to turn the game in their favour to RB Leipzig. Timo Werner set up Patrik Schick on Thank you all for the amazing memories! What a ride same time. I defended both belts, you know, I’m the after Kingsley Coman’s 27 minutes to give Leipzig the it’s been!” he wrote. “Here is a picture of myself and greatest! I’m so happy right now!” she added. equaliser. lead, but they were forced to de- my mother in Las Vegas post one of my World title Spencer fought bravely but her limitations were ex- A mistake from Moussa fend it with 10 men after Dayot wins! Pick the home of your dreams Mags I love you! posed early on as Nunes caught her with a stiff jab and Diaby allowed Coman to curl Steps up Upamecano was booked twice Whatever you desire it’s yours.” then took her to the mat, where she controlled her with in the equaliser, before a in the first half. The controversial fighter, nicknamed “The Notori- ease. fizzing shot from Leon Goret- racism Strohdiek’s last-minute strike ous”, first announced his retirement from the sport in A flurry of punches by Nunes the end of the second zka and an elegant lob from gave Paderborn their fourth March last year after being battered into submission round almost put a stop to the contest, and Spencer Serge Gnabry saw Bayern protests draw in five games, though Stef- by arch-rival Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018. somehow survived a late choke attempt at the end of take a two-goal lead into the fen Baumgart’s side remain eight He made a return to the octagon in January after 15 the fourth, although her forehead to swelled up heading break. “We didn’t start well, points off Fortuna Duesseldorf, months of inaction to knock out American Donald into the final round. but I think it’s something which who occupy the relegation play- “Cowboy” Cerrone in just 40 seconds in Las Vegas. With Nunes barely breaking a sweat, the doctor really distinguishes us at the moment, that we are able off place. The 31-year-old, an icon of the UFC, is no stranger was called into the octagon late in the fifth to examine to fight our way back into games,” Goretzka told Sky. Duesseldorf themselves missed the chance to move to controversy and hit the headlines last year for an at- a cut on Spencer, but the 29-year-old was able to Lewandowski sealed the win in the second half, towards safety, as they battled to a dramatic 2-2 draw tack on an older man in a Dublin bar that was captured battle on to the end of a one-sided contest that ce- equalling his most prolific Bundesliga season, although against 10-man Hoffenheim. A headed opener from in a viral video. mented Nunes’ status as one of the sport’s most dom- Leverkusen teenager Florian Wirtz struck late on to Rouwen Hennings and a red card for Hoffenheim’s McGregor, one of the most popular fighters in MMA inant champions. become the Bundesliga’s youngest-ever scorer at just Benjamin Huebner put the home side in pole position. history, has a record of 22-4 and was the first UFC After beating Miesha Tate to win the bantamweight 17 years and 34 days. However, the visitors struck back with goals from fighter to hold two championship belts at the same time. belt in July 2016, the 32-year-old Brazilian has been on “We already knew he was a huge talent,” said Lev- Munas Dabbur and Steven Zuber before Hennings He achieved that feat in 2016, when he stopped a tear for almost four years, defending that title with erkusen coach Peter Bosz of the teenager, who beat saved a point with a late penalty. Eddie Alvarez in a lightweight title fight, adding it to violent knockouts of former champions Ronda Rousey the record set by Nuri Sahin for Borussia Dortmund Uwe Roesler’s side remain three points adrift of his featherweight title. and Holly Holm. in November 2005 by 48 days. safety in the relegation play-off place, after goals from That triumph was followed by a loss to boxing great She then stepped up to featherweight and added As thousands of protesters assembled in city cen- Moussa Niakhate and Pierre Kunde Malong gave fel- Floyd Mayweather in a cross-combat superfight in that title by demolishing the much-feared Cris Cyborg tres across Germany, both of the country’s top two low strugglers Mainz a rare win over local rivals Ein- 2017, his loss to Nurmagomedov, announcements of in just 51 seconds, knocking her unconscious with a su- clubs also used Saturday’s games to make statements tracht Frankfurt. retirements and returns to fighting. perb display of boxing in December 2018. against police brutality and racism. Having sealed a crucial win with his 77th-minute Earlier, UFC featherweight champion Amanda The problem for Nunes and the UFC now is that Dortmund players warmed up in T-shirts bearing strike, Cameroon international Kunde also joined the Nunes dominated Felicia Spencer and scored a com- there is no challenger on the horizon that looks capable messages of solidarity such as “no justice, no peace”, be- protests, taking a knee in place of a celebration. “I prehensive decision victory on Saturday in retaining of threatening Nunes, who hasn’t lost since she was fore taking the knee in the centre circle with their Hertha think it’s good. It isn’t a political statement, it’s just a her crown, becoming the first two-weight UFC champ knocked out by Cat Zingano in September 2014. “I colleagues for a moment’s silence before kick-off. position, and these are values that we have. For me, to successfully defend both belts. don’t know what is next, but I’ve proved (myself) al- Bayern players, meanwhile, wore black “Black Lives there is no other possible position to take,” said Mainz The Canadian challenger went the distance at the ready. Tonight I closed a cycle, and I’m proud of myself UFC 250 event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Sat- and my team,” Nunes said. — Agencies Matter” armbands during their rampant win over Lev- sporting director Rouven Schroeder. —AFP