RAMADAN 25, 1441 AH MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020

20 Pages Max 42º Min 25º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18135 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Trauma endures of South Obama: Leaders ‘aren’t even Jordan memorabilia soars 7 Korea’s Gwangju Uprising 16 pretending to be in charge’ 18 in value over ‘Last Dance’

Fajr 03:24 Dhuhr 11:44 Asr 15:20 Maghrib 18:35 Isha 20:01

MPs call to replace all expats after Municipality decision

Health ministry launches random drive-through testing

By B Izzak government bodies to replace their foreign employ- which can be renewed if needed. Meanwhile, the ministry of health launched ran- ees within one year and open the door for the The implementation of such an ambitious legisla- dom drive-through testing for the coronavirus, KUWAIT: MPs yesterday welcomed a decision by appointment of Kuwaitis. Kandari said the legisla- tion appears to be extremely difficult because the Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah said. The the Municipality to stop hiring expatriates and tion comes because many decisions and regulations 100,000 expats in government jobs are either high- ministry has set up a huge testing center at Jazeera accelerate procedures to dismiss them from jobs, were issued in the past to reduce the appointment ly-skilled and experienced consultants or low-paid Airways’ Park & Fly facility at the Kuwait and proposed legislation to replace all foreigners in of expats in government jobs, but these remained on employees in menial jobs. In either case, the possi- International Airport, and people will be selected the government sector by citizens. Minister of State paper without implementation. bility of finding a Kuwaiti replacement is very randomly for the test. They will receive an SMS on for Municipal Affairs Waleed Al-Jassem ordered in a He said that despite those measures, expats still remote. MP Salah Khorshed said he will submit a their mobiles, setting the date and time of the test. decision to impose a blanket ban on employing make up 26 percent of government workers and proposal to ban the appointment of foreign legal The ministry said people will be selected randomly expats in municipal jobs and start procedures must be replaced with Kuwaitis. The legislation, consultants in government jobs. MP Safa Al-Hashem from all governorates and residential areas. The aim immediately to sack all foreign employees. which must be reviewed and approved by the welcomed the Municipality decision, saying she will of the tests is to assess the spread of the disease in The decision calls to halt accepting employment National Assembly and accepted by the govern- closely monitor implementation. the country. The center can receive 15 cars at a applications by expats, cancelling appointments ment, gives all government agencies a period of one The new move comes amid tremendous pres- time. under process and stopping the renewal of con- year to terminate all their foreign employees. sures on expatriates employed in the private sector Sheikh Basel also said that the total curfew tracts of existing employees. To compensate for for- The proposed law calls on government agencies because of the coronavirus-led shutdowns that imposed on May 10 will be reassessed after 10 days eign employees, the minister called for boosting the to announce their replacement plans within three forced many companies to either fire employees or of the start, around May 20. use of automation and technology, besides appoint- months of enacting the law and show the number of cut their salaries. A majority of those impacted are A large number of cooperative society employ- ing more Kuwaitis. jobs available for Kuwaitis. If no Kuwaitis apply for expatriates. It is estimated that if the closures con- ees have tested positive for coronavirus in the past MP Abdulkarim Al-Kandari welcomed the deci- a certain job, government agencies can appoint tinue for a few more months, hundreds of thousands few days. More than 30 co-ops have been affected sion and said he will submit a draft law calling on all expats on a temporary basis for one year only, of expats would lose their private sector jobs. as the ministry continues its testing drive.

warn them of the new rules before they came into Masks a must force. Wearing a mask is currently mandatory in around 50 countries, although scientists are divided on their effectiveness. in Qatar on Authorities in Chad have made it an offence to be unmasked in public, on pain of 15 days in prison. pain of prison In Morocco similar rules can see violators jailed for three months and fined up to 1,300 dirhams ($130). DOHA: Qatar yesterday began enforcing the Qatari authorities have warned that gatherings dur- world’s toughest penalties of up to three years’ ing the fasting month of Ramadan may have imprisonment for failing to wear masks in public, as increased infections. it battles one of the world’s highest coronavirus Abdullatif Al-Khal, co-chair of Qatar’s National infection rates. More than 30,000 people have test- Pandemic Preparedness Committee, said Thursday ed positive for COVID-19 in the tiny Gulf country – that there was “a huge risk in gatherings of families” 1.1 percent of the 2.75 million population – although for Ramadan meals. “(They) led to a significant just 15 people have died. Only the micro-states of increase in the number of infections among San Marino and the Vatican had higher per capita Qataris,” he said. Neighboring Saudi Arabia will infection rates, according to the European Centre enforce a round-the-clock nationwide curfew dur- for Disease Prevention and Control. ing the five-day Eid al-Fitr holiday later this month Violators of Qatar’s new rules will face up to to fight the coronavirus. three years in jail and fines of as much as Mosques, along with schools, malls, and restau- $55,000. Drivers alone in their vehicles are exempt rants remain closed in Qatar to prevent the disease’s from the requirement, but several expats told AFP spread. But construction sites remain open as Qatar that police were stopping cars at checkpoints to Continued on Page 16 DOHA: In this photo taken on March 16, 2020, a man wearing a mask walks along the cornice. — AFP

News in brief Coronavirus crisis punctures Khafji production halt Tunisia tourism rebound DUBAI: Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have agreed to TUNIS: As the novel coronavirus “We are waiting for the airspace to halt oil production from the joint Al-Khafji field pandemic wipes out a recovery from reopen,” he said. “But 2020 is a write- for one month, starting from June 1, Kuwait’s Al- attacks in 2015, Tunisia’s vital tourism off.” Rai newspaper reported on Saturday. There was sector is trying to find ways to avoid The North African country has no immediate comment from Kuwaiti officials. going under. “Normally, the season registered 45 deaths from the Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have agreed with other starts now. But there is nobody,” said COVID-19 illness, and for several members of the OPEC+ group of oil producers to Mohammed Saddam, who owns an days this week saw no new infections, cut output in a bid to reduce a glut in global sup- antiques shop in the famous blue and putting it among Mediterranean plies. Both Gulf states have also said they would white village of Sidi Bou Said, near countries faring relatively well in the make additional cuts beyond the agreed curbs. the capital Tunis. Usually its streets pandemic. But the crisis has led to a Last Monday, Oil Minister Khaled Al-Fadhel said are filled with tourists at this time of shortfall in tourism revenues of six bil- Kuwait will slash production by 80,000 barrels year, but now Saddam is only opening lion dinars (over $2 billion), the SIDI BOU SAID, Tunisia: This photo taken on April 4, 2020 shows an empty per day in June, on top of the cuts already agreed his store for an hour a day to air it out. Continued on Page 16 cafe in this village some 20 km northeast of Tunis. — AFP under a pact by the OPEC+ group of major oil producing countries. — Reuters

Chinese envoy found dead Tiffs over mask wearing

JERUSALEM: The Chinese ambassador to Israel, Du Wei, was found dead at his residence on the trouble US airlines too outskirts of Tel Aviv yesterday, police said. The WASHINGTON: The wearing of hotspot - to Charlotte Douglas envoy, who had arrived in Israel in mid-Feb, was masks to protect against the coron- International Airport in North found dead in his Herzliya home, spokesman Micky avirus has become such a sensitive Carolina. He had a middle seat, Rosenfeld told AFP, adding that police were inves- issue in the United States that airlines wedged between two other passen- tigating. Du’s wife and son were not with him in are struggling to impose the practice gers - only one of whom was wearing Israel. Du, 57, had previously served as ambassa- on defiant travelers in the enclosed a mask. dor to Ukraine, according to his biography on the environment of an airplane. Johannes As Eisele recounted it, “I asked him embassy’s website. The Haaretz daily said initial reports said staff had found Du dead in his bed Eisele, an AFP photographer, experi- if he didn’t have a mask. He said, ‘Yes, and that there were no signs of violence. It quoted enced the problem in person. He I have.’ And I asked him, ‘Can you a first aid service as saying the cause of death recently took his seat on an American please wear it?’” “He said he feels appeared to be a cardiac incident. — AFP Airlines flight from LaGuardia Airport more comfortable without the mask NEW YORK: Passengers, almost all wearing facemasks, board an American in New York City - then a coronavirus Continued on Page 16 Airlines flight to Charlotte on May 3, 2020. — AFP 2 Local Monday, May 18, 2020

In My View Zain partners Mentor Arabia Corona under control? to launch #StayZain campaign By Abdellatif Sharaa Providing mental health tips to parents, children and youth [email protected]

t seems that the COVID-19 pandemic gave health au- Pandemic Diaries Ithorities the time and opportunity to get involved in many issues and procedures. Now they started to study the nature of the virus after absorbing the vicious Grocery shopping first attack that took everyone by surprise, because the virus belongs to a family of viruses that appeared earlier, during a pandemic starting with SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syn- drome), which was identified in 2003. Then there was MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), other viruses such as swine flu, etc, diseases that now became seasonal like the common cold and flu. Governments, when the novel coronavirus appeared, By Jamie Etheridge started talking about researching for a medicine, then they followed by raising hopes about a vaccine, and most un- fortunately gave expected dates for medicines and vac- cines to be ready. Then they said it is not the case and this will take months if not years and took a backseat, leaving it to scientists to talk about such particulars. [email protected] Then they spoke about existing medicines that are used for other diseases and that was not fruitful, damping ver the weekend, I booked an appoint- peoples’ hopes in the process, yet the only procedures that proved effective at this time were instructions on what ment to go grocery shopping at the sul- O we should do as individuals, such as social distancing and tan center in my area. I wanted a morning other steps. appointment but only evening slots were avail- What also helped and is helping is what the authorities able. All day long, I added and subtracted items are carrying out in the form of isolating and testing people from the shopping list on my phone, calculating where any case of the virus appears, in addition to random the amount of stuff I could reasonably find in 30 testing taking place in several areas, which helps in keep- minutes. Did we really need another bottle of ing the pandemic localized. bleach right now? Or will what we have at home Curfews of various degrees were imposed, and the last until the next grocery run so that I can use high numbers of cases are the result of increased testing, that time to find frozen edamame beans instead? and we notice that certain areas have higher numbers than Do we have enough cereal and milk and if there the rest of areas. Let us hope that the pandemic comes is no milk left in the cooler when I reach the store, under control sooner than what is being projected, be- will I have time to get long life from the shelves cause many people are suffering from many things includ- on the upstairs level? After a while, I give up and KUWAIT: Zain Group, a leading mobile telecom inno- pacted everyday life for millions of people. Children may ing a lack of income and physical and psychological leave the list and just hope I can get most of vator in eight markets across the Middle East and Africa, struggle with significant adjustments to their routines repercussions. what’s on it. has teamed up with the Mentor Arabia Foundation, to (e.g., schools and childcare closures, physical distancing, Now a problem that is being talked about is the mental Finally, it is time to prepare, and so I shower, launch a social media campaign, entitled #StayZain. The home confinement), which may interfere with their sense effect of COVID-19. The UN policy brief on the virus and change and get ready. I’ve never thought of regional campaign offers tips for parents, children and of structure, predictability, and security. the need for action on mental health said an increase in dressing up to go grocery shopping before but youth to maintain good mental and physical health, to Young people—even infants and toddlers—are keen symptoms of depression and anxiety are already being now it feels like an adventure, a special occasion, reduce anxiety and depression, to motivate them to think observers of people and environments, and they notice reported in a number of countries in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. and so I do. Make up. Check. Hair styled. Check. positively and to avoid negative behaviour during and and react to stress in their parents and other caregivers, after COVID-19 quarantine period. peers, and community members. They may ask direct It said that a study in Ethiopia in April 2020 reported I choose sneakers over heels but still feel as if I’m In addition to keeping children and young people questions about what is happening now or what will a threefold increase in the prevalence of symptoms of de- heading to a party when I walk out the door. physically safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is also happen in the future and may behave differently in re- pression compared to estimates from before the epidemic. Outside, the street is quiet and dark. Typically important to care for their emotional health. The action to strong feelings (e.g., fear, worry, sadness, The brief said frontline healthcare workers, women, chil- on a weekend night in Kuwait in Ramadan, cars #StayZain campaign will engage the youth, parents and anger) about the pandemic and related conditions. Chil- dren, adolescents, older persons and people with existing would be everywhere, people would be heading children through digital means, providing one tip daily, dren also may worry about their own safety and the mental health conditions are all at particular risk. to family gatherings or ghabqas or to their fa- in English and Arabic on Zain and Mentor Arabia’s social safety of their loved ones, how they will get their basic The increase in people in need of mental health or psy- vorite restaurants or malls. The only sign of life I media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Face- needs met (e.g., food, shelter, clothing), and uncertainties chosocial support has been compounded by the interrup- see is a street cat digging into the trash bins book) for a period of 11 days. for the future. tion of mental health services in many countries. “In across the road from our apartment. I get in the A sample of the helpful daily tips include: Listen Ac- Mentor Arabia Foundation is the regional branch of concrete terms, it is critical that people living with mental car and drive the five minutes to the market. tively- Our children need to feel heard and safe!; Seek Mentor International, with a mission to empower Arab health conditions have continued access to treatment.” There are no police check points between here professional Support- Ask for help when children show children and youth, as a means of prevention of risky be- Support for community actions that strengthen social co- and there but I’ve kept my phone out, the bar- signs of trauma not resolving relatively quickly!; Empha- haviours through policies, capacity development, advo- hesion and reduce loneliness, particularly for the most vul- codes for the appointment email pulled up just in size Hope and Positivity- Focus on things you can con- cacy, knowledge and partnerships. In 2019, Zain nerable, must also continue. case. trol instead of those you can’t control! partnered the Foundation to hold the ‘Power of Preven- Finally: For all of you out there: “A mask is better than At the market, I arrive a few minutes ahead of This campaign comes in response to the COVID-19 tion’ fundraising gala event in the presence of HM Queen a ventilator. Home is better than ICU. Prevention is better the appointment. A line of seven people has al- outbreak and its global repercussions, which have im- Silvia of Sweden, President of Mentor International. than treatment. It is not curfew, it is care for u”. ready started and I quickly join it, forgetting at first to stay two meters away from the woman in front of me. I want to chat, to say hi and ask her how she’s doing but she’s on her phone and never turns around. So I wait, bouncing from one foot Coronavirus in Kuwait: What we know so far to the other, for the doors to open. In the five minutes of waiting, at least another 20 people KUWAIT: Kuwait has recorded 13,802 cases in- with work resuming on May 31, while entities providing needed to the following numbers: queue up. They grab grocery carts and use the fected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as of vital services will remain open. Meanwhile, the Min- Amiri Hospital: 50880699 carts to create the required distance. Saturday, in addition to 107 deaths. With the excep- istry of Education has suspended classes for March at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital: 50880755 tion of 169 cases in intensive care, all infected cases all public and private schools (for both students and Farwaniya Hospital: 50880852 At last, we are allowed in. are in stable condition and are recovering in quaran- teaching staffs); first from March 1 to March 12, and Adan Hospital: 50880908 But first, a worker checks each phone for the tined locations designated by the government for this later extended it until March 29, before eventually sus- Jahra Hospital: 50881066 purpose, while thousands have been discharged from pending schools until August for grade 12 and October Sabah Hospital: 97632660 barcode and then another places an electronic quarantine after exhibiting no symptoms during their for other stages. State departments have been on high Jaber Hospital: 96992079 thermometer near our forehead, checking for our 14-day quarantine period, the Ministry of Health con- alert to take precautions against the potential spread Ibn Sina Hospital: 99613948 temperature. Inside we are directed to the table firmed. Meanwhile, 3,843 people have recovered of the virus. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry Chest Hospital: 99258749 with gloves, hand sanitizer and tissues. I grab completely after previously being infected with the has taken measures to make sure that facial masks, Razi Hospital: 97633487 some gloves and make a dash for the single ele- virus, while there are 9,852 people receiving treat- hand sanitizers and other goods remain accessible to Kuwait Cancer Control Center: 96735242 vator. Much of what I want is on the ground floor ment and 2,619 quarantined. the public. Psychiatric Hospital: 97350113 but I decided to head to the upper level first for Kuwait suspended issuing entry permits and visas Physiotherapy Hospital: 99824037 a quick walkthrough. The elevator takes forever Curfew unless those issued through diplomatic missions. The Maternity Hospital: 98559531 and I stab the button a dozen times before it fi- Kuwait imposed a total curfew from May 10 to May Interior Ministry issued an amnesty allowing residency As’ad Al-Hamad Dermatology Center: 98514508 nally lands with a thud and dings open. Upstairs, 30, allowing room for people to walk out for daily ex- violators to leave the country between April 1 and April Zain Hospital: 97552031 the entire layout of items has been rearranged ercise between 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, and to shop at co- 30 without paying any fines or airfare with a chance NBK Hospital: 96931761 since my last visit here nearly three months ago. ops and supermarkets once every six days during the to return to Kuwait later. The amnesty was issued in Al-Rashed Allergy Hospital: 94162470 I’m lost and hesitate momentarily, my entire plan curfew hours by making an appointment through view of the circumstances the country is currently Infectious Diseases Hospital: 96989164 of shopping (I’ve written my grocery list in se- www.moci.shop. Earlier, Kuwait enforced a country- going through and as part of the precautionary meas- Palliative Care Hospital: 94024786 quence based on the location of items from three wide partial curfew from 5:00 pm to 6:00 am, which ures taken to fight the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Sabah Al-Ahmad Urology Center: 90952469 months ago!) falls apart! was later extended to start from 4:00 pm until 8:00 am During the amnesty period, individuals desiring to pro- KFH Addiction Treatment Center: 94169363 Ever mindful of the ticking clock, I rush to during Ramadan, while allowing restaurants and food cure valid residencies in Kuwait and were willing to Meanwhile, all licensed pharmacies in Kuwait de- grab what I might need from this level and then stores to make home deliveries from 5:00 pm until 1:00 pay the fines without being subjected to investigations livering medicine are allowed to continue their services stand again, waiting impatiently for the elevator. am. The government also locked down Mahboula and were allowed to pay the fines and legalize their status 24 hours a day. The Ministry of Health is also asking When it finally dings, I’ve lost 15 minutes for Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh in a bid to contain the spread of the if they meet the required conditions. doctors and nurses affiliated with the private medical virus and enable health workers to test inhabitants. sector to volunteer in order to contribute to the fight three items – chips, almond butter and tea bags Earlier, the government decided to close all shopping Hotlines against the virus. Volunteering is available through the – and am panicked when I reach the ground floor malls, beauty salons and barber shops as part of its The Ministry of Health has set the following hotlines link: http://volunteering.q8-ehealth.com. The ministry to find the vegetable section packed with shop- measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The to receive inquiries about the coronavirus 24/7: had closed all private clinics and medical centers ef- pers. More than anything I want fresh veggies, government also allowed supermarkets, restaurants 24970967 - 96049698 - 99048619. fective March 22, 2020 until further notice. meat and bread, but there’s no meat in the cooler and shops to host a maximum of five people at a time The Education Ministry set the following hotlines section. There’s plenty of bread and khubbus, but and in case there are lines, the distance must be at least to receive inquiries on school closures related to the Mental health assistance none of my favorite sour dough. Thankfully there one meter between people. The Ministry of Commerce anti-coronavirus measures: The Kuwait Psychological Association (KPA) is are plenty of veggies and I spend a precious launched a website (www.moci.shop) to enable people - 24970967 (24/7 hotline) providing consultation through the phone for people seven minutes choosing apples, carrots and fresh to book appointments to shop at co-operative soci- - 51575591 (Capital Educational Zone) suffering from the psychological impacts of coron- herbs. eties in their areas. The Public Authority for Industry - 51576117 (Hawally Educational Zone) avirus. Different doctors are working on the hotline in On my way to the cash register, I grab a small also announced that companies can apply to evacuate - 51576576 (Farwaniya Educational Zone) different timings as follows: bottle of milk, since all the jugs are gone and two their workers from Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Mahboula. - 51577055 (Jahra Educational Zone) Dr Rashed Al-Sahl: on Monday and Wednesday 10:00 chocolate bars for my daughters. Overall I found To do so, they must fill a ‘workers evacuation form’ - 51577655 (Ahmadi Educational Zone) am - 1:00 pm. Call 9797-6168. about half of the items on my list and totally for- available on www.pai.gov.kw, and send the form via - 51577951 (Mubarak Al-Kabeer Educational Zone) Dr Fahad Al-Tasha: daily from 8:00 pm - 12:00 am. Call get to look for conical shaped coffee filters while email to: [email protected]. - 51578171 (Religious Studies Department) 9904-8258. upstairs in the tea and coffee aisle. I’m dripping - 51588599 (Private Education Department) Dr Othman Al-Asfour: daily 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Call Precautions with sweat, red faced, and exhausted from the - 51592515 (Services Department) 9938-5350. stress of shopping within 30 minutes. Kuwait halted all commercial flights until further no- - 51594544 (Public Relations Department) Dr Mohammed Al-Khaldi (head of this team): daily tice, and has sent special flights to repatriate Kuwaitis 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Call 9903-6470. I’ve been so focused on the time and getting Medicine delivery everything on the list that I completely forget to back home from countries affected with the virus’ Dr Ahmad Al-Khaldi: daily 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Call spread. Kuwait took all measures to test Kuwaitis Kuwait’s Ministry of Health (MOH) launched a 9910-7965. worry that each person passing me in the aisles repatriated from infected areas for potential infection. new medicine delivery service for people in Kuwait, Dr Muneera Al-Qattan: Monday and Wednesday 9:00 might have COVID-19 and pray that no one Kuwait had required all expatriates who arrived from which they can use to order medications to be deliv- am - 1:00 pm. Call 9953-3108. coughs or sneezes on anyone else. travel on March 1 and beyond to visit Kuwait Interna- ered during curfew hours. The medications will be Dr Zainab Al-Saffar: Sunday and Thursday 7:00 pm - I reach home and my family come to the door tional Fairground where the Ministry of Health has set delivered within 72 hours after the order is submit- 9:00 pm. Call 9954-9908. to greet me, as if I’d traveled and been gone for up a center to test people for possible infection. Mean- ted. To place an order, patients should send a What- Dr Sameera Al-Kandari: Tuesday 9:00 pm - 12:00 am. ages. The shopping bags are taken from my hand, while, the Cabinet announced on April 9 the operation sApp to the numbers for the hospitals and medical Call 6770-9434. a glass of cool water offered as I kick off my of all airline flights for expats who are wishing to return centers as listed below. The patient should include Dr Kawthar Al-Yaqout: Monday and Wednesday 6:00 shoes, plop down on the sofa and recount my back to their countries. Authorities also announced a their name, Civil ID number, hospital or clinic file pm - 9:00 pm. Call 5521-0088. grocery adventure. public holiday in the country from March 12 to May 28, number, mobile phone number and the medicine For information and other concerns, call 9401-4283. 3 Local Monday, May 18, 2020 Health Ministry launches drive-thru coronavirus testing site at airport Pharmacies must sell masks at state-approved price

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health inaugurated late the Civil Information to randomly nominate 180 dullah Al-Bader affirmed that the decision came in currently monitoring 50 subsidised food outlets Saturday a drive-through novel coronavirus testing persons, representing the different state areas, the line with the health authorities’ guidelines to en- and will continue to dispatch its inspection teams center at Jazeera Airways Park and Fly facility at two sexes and different age categories, for the tests. courage people to wear face covers in Kuwait. He around the country during the coronavirus lock- Kuwait International Airport. The center will help SMS’s will be sent to the phones of the selected affirmed that the concerned authorities would mon- down measures, it said in a statement yesterday. increase the number of tests carried out by the min- persons including all related information about the itor the sale of masks to make sure that pharmacies Some 193 consumer complaints were received by istry to discover unreported infection cases, Health date, time, location of the testing, he clarified, are abiding by the price regulation. the ministry on its 135 hotline. The need to comply Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah told reporters adding that the center can receive 15 cars at once. In other news, the Ministry of Commerce and with laws and regulations amid these unprece- during the inauguration ceremony. He pointed out Separately, the Health Ministry said Saturday Industry has completed the inspection of 59 su- dented circumstances was strongly underlined, that the center will be used to conduct 180 tests a that pharmacies will have to sell masks at a price permarkets, commercial establishments and phar- and the ministry warned it would be on the lookout day for 180 people from the six governorates. The approved by the state, which should not exceed 150 macies to ensure the flow of purchases and food for those seeking to take advantage of the current ministry will cooperate with the Public Authority for fils a piece. Undersecretary at the Ministry Dr Ab- deliveries and price stability. The ministry is also situation. — KUNA

Police arrest man Standing in Solidarity and Joining Hands to Fight COVID-19 who quarreled with By LI Minggang, Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait the global response, which shows their fearlessness As the Covid-19 pandemic continues ravaging the and strong sense of commitment. China, running at full world, more and more countries have come to realize army officer urrently, COVID-19 is sweeping the globe, pos- steam around the clock, has been providing anti-epi- that protecting the health and security of their own ing a grave threat to people’s lives and health demic supplies to other countries to the best of its abil- people means preserving global health security, and KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior announced late Cand a formidable challenge to global public ity, which gives sustained support for ensuring crucial helping other countries in containing the outbreak Saturday that it has arrested an Arab man who ap- health security. Some have described it as the darkest strategic supplies in the global fight against COVID- helps to alleviate their burden, as only through solidar- peared in a video clip, posted on social media, quar- moment faced by humanity in a century. In a time of 19. According to incomplete statistics, from March 1 ity can the international community foster greater ef- reling with an army officer at a shopping mall in increasingly challenging situation under the shadow of to April 30, China exported 27.8 billion face masks and forts. However, we regret that as people all around the COVID-19, it is even more imperative for us to stay ra- 73.41 million COVID-19 test kits. China is producing world are joining hands in fighting the epidemic, some Sulaibikhat. In a press release, the ministry said the tional and sustain confidence with the aim of looking medical supplies the world needs at record speed to politicians attempt to label the virus, politicize COVID- man has been taken to the northwestern Sulaibikhat for solutions to contain COVID-19, and have faith that help people get through the trying times. 19 and continuingly stigmatize and tarnish other coun- police station where he was cross-examined by pros- humanity will triumph over this health crisis. As Chi- Since the outbreak, China and Kuwait has been mu- tries. It is worth underlining that human history is an ecutors. The suspect was charged with two accounts nese President Xi Jinping pointed out in his article en- tually supporting each other in the spirit of sincerity, evolutionary process of constant battles and adapta- of curfew rules violation and mobile phone misuse, it titled “Solidarity and Cooperation are the Most setting a good example for countries in anti-epidemic tion between humans and nature. The novel coron- pointed out. It added that he will remand in jail pend- Powerful Weapons for the International Community to cooperation. President Xi Jinping and His Highness the avirus may appear in any place in the world, and its ing further investigations. The ministry stressed that Defeat COVID-19,” mankind is a community with a Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah ex- origin should be researched by scientists worldwide. it will closely follow up this case and will take all nec- shared future. To defeat a disease that threatens all, changed letters to express solidarity with each other. Slanders, smears, blame games and lies will not help essary legal actions to maintain full respect to secu- solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful At the critical moments in China’s fight against the epi- tackle the crisis, but will only waste more time and even rity and military personnel. — KUNA weapons. demic, Kuwait donated $3 million of medical supplies lead to more loss of lives. Our common foe is the virus The Chinese government and people have exerted to China, and China has been facilitating Kuwait in rather than each other. Putting political expediency be- tremendous efforts and sacrifices in fighting against procuring medical supplies from China, with over 10 fore people’s lives and health and spreading “political the COVID-19 outbreak, and have yielded significant Kuwaiti Air Force planes heading to China for bringing virus” are more worthy of vigilance than the novel results. China will never forget the valuable under- medical supplies back to Kuwait. The Kuwaiti Ministry coronavirus itself. standing and support from the international commu- of Health attended three video conferences held by the As the most professional international institution nity during the most difficult moment in our battle Chinese side to discuss COVID-19 response and ex- with the highest authority in global public health se- against the virus. Accordingly, China is fully aware that change experience. In an effort to aid fight against curity, the World Health Organization (WHO) plays an only with global solidarity can the international com- COVID-19, a Chinese medical expert team visited irreplaceable role in the face of global public health munity win the battle against this deadly virus. China Kuwait and had in-depth discussions with the Kuwaiti crisis. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the WHO, has been shouldering its due responsibilities by sup- counterparts to exchange experience in epidemic re- under the leadership of Director-General Dr Tedros porting the global response to COVID-19 in an effort sponse and COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has played a leading and co- to fulfill China’s solid commitment to solidarity and co- which demonstrates the great spirit of love across bor- ordinating role in promoting international anti-epi- operation. ders and our genuine friendship in times of need. demic cooperation by actively fulfilling its To date, China has set up a special fund on COVID- Viruses respect no borders. The only way to defeat responsibilities, which has been widely recognized and 19 cooperation worth 2 billion yuan (KD 87 million), them is through concerted efforts of all. As His High- highly praised by the international community. provided anti-epidemic supplies to over 150 countries ness the Amir Sheikh Sabah stressed in his speech, The 73rd Session of the WHO’s World Health As- and international organizations, shared experience on fighting the COIVD-19 epidemic necessitates the con- sembly (WHA) will take place today, May 18, 2020. It prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment with the certed efforts of the entire international community is believed that the WHA will further foster interna- rest of the international community, established online and the joint endeavors of scientists and medical spe- tional solidarity and promote the global COVID-19 knowledge center on epidemic prevention and control cialists to develop an effective vaccine for the virus. containment efforts. Both China and Kuwait have all that is open to all countries, and held over 120 video Kuwait has been keen to support global along advocated and practiced multilateralism, actively conferences with more than 160 countries and inter- humanitarian causes. Under the wise leadership of His carried out international anti-epidemic cooperation, national organizations. In the spirit of mutual support, Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah as a Humanitarian and extended unwavering support for the United Na- China is not only reaching out to developing coun- Leader, Kuwait has made a total donation of $100 mil- tions and the World Health Organization’s leading role tries with vulnerable healthcare systems, but also ex- lion in contribution to the global COVID-19 response, in coordinating international cooperation against tending its outreach to the hard-hit developed which adequately reflects the Kuwaiti government’s COVID-19. Supporting WHO is to safeguarding inter- KUWAIT: Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Companies countries in Europe and the US. At the most difficult great significance attached to international anti-epi- national solidarity in the battle against the disease. We distributed bread to residents in Farwaniya, in times when the world is combating COVID-19?the demic cooperation. We appreciate and greatly value have reasons to believe that, with firm confidence and coordination with the Ministry of Interior. Chinese medical expert teams put themselves in harm’s the humanitarian contribution from the Kuwaiti gov- a collective response in solidarity, humanity will prevail — Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh way and headed to many parts of the world to support ernment. over this outbreak and embrace a brighter future.

News in brief

Cat rescued

KUWAIT: A cat stuck inside a restaurant on Blaajat Street in Salmiya for three days was res- cued after local animal rescue account @icareq8 posted videos of the trapped cat. The account uti- lized crowd sourcing to notify officials and locate employees of the restaurant who contacted man- agement and Ministry of Interior officials to re- lease the cat. It was freed early yesterday morning and given food and water.

Six flights

KUWAIT: The Directorate General of Civil Avia- tion announced that six flights departed Kuwait In- ternational Airport yesterday, carrying expatriates wishing to go back home. They include one flight to Doha, three flights to Egypt, and two flight to Bangladesh, carrying a total of 1,035 passengers.

Curfew violators

KUWAIT: Police arrested 14 curfew violators on Saturday, the Ministry of Interior announced. The suspects, all Kuwaiti, were arrested as follows: Seven in Hawally governorate, one in Farwaniya, one in Jahra, two in Mubarak Al-Kabeer and three in Al-Ahmadi.

KD 300,000 million

KUWAIT: Kuwait government may save more than KD 300,000 million ($1 billion) after sus- pending all government sponsored travel, exhi- bitions, conferences, official functions and related expenses. Citing an unnamed analyst, Gulf News reports that the Kuwait government will save significantly because it will not be spending government budgets on food and hotel allowances, transportation, gifts and other travel-related expenses for government depart- ments and ministries. 4 Local Monday, May 18, 2020 Human Rights Watch’s submission to Committee on Rights of Child on Kuwait

KUWAIT: Human Rights Watch recently submit- between KD250 and KD450 ($860 to $1,550) per 209 of the Personal Status Law to ensure women the hitting or paddling of children. ted to the 87th pre-session of the Committee on child and parents must pay additional costs for have equal rights as men with respect to guardian- • Offer children experiencing violence in their the Rights of the Child and its review of Kuwait’s textbooks and uniforms. Bidun parents, as well as ship and other matters concerning children in di- homes support and alternative care, when appro- compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Kuwaiti human rights activists and Bidun school vorce. priate. the Child. In its submission, it proposes issues and administrators, told Human Rights Watch that these • Ensure that in instances of divorce and remar- questions that the committee members may want schools have inferior resources and standards to riage the best interest of the child is the primary Migrant Children in Detention (article 37) to raise with the government of Kuwait on the top- those found in government schools. Though many concern when determining which parent a child Some reports indicate that migrant women in ics of nationality, migrant child abuse in detention, Bidun children can receive free education through should live with and which guardianship rights Kuwaiti deportation proceedings are detained with child labor and others. The following are excerpts a government-administered charity fund estab- each parent should have. their children. Human Rights Watch has found that from the review. lished by the Education Ministry, Human Rights “migrant women with children who go through de- Watch has found that not all Bidun children are Child Marriage (articles 19 and 34) portation proceedings or who end up in jail also Nationality (articles 7 and 8) covered by the fund. According to article 26 of the Personal Status have their children in deportation detention or in Nationality laws in Kuwait do not allow Kuwaiti In instances of divorce, article 110 of the Civil Act of 1984, the minimum legal age for marriage is jail with them. In some cases their husband is not women to pass nationality to their children in the Code and article 209 of the Personal Status Law 15 for girls and 17 for boys. However, under article Kuwaiti and no longer in the country, and in some same way as men, and as a result can sometimes grant the father legal guardianship of his children 24 of the Act, both parties may be married before cases the children were the result of rape or a re- prevent children from obtaining Kuwaiti citizen- regardless of whether a court has ordered that the the minimum age if they have both reached pu- lationship outside of marriage.” If any of these ship. The Nationality Law of 1959 has been children live with the mother. Women have told berty. Data regarding child marriages and the fre- women give birth while awaiting deportation, they amended more than a dozen times since its pas- Human Rights Watch that following their divorce, quency with which they occur are difficult to and their newborns are taken to the Women’s sage, with each amendment creating more strin- they had to apply to a court to obtain an order for obtain, as government data is not publicly available Prison. gent requirements for those claiming citizenship. each decision that they wished to make for their and it is unclear whether the government collects We encourage the Committee to pose the fol- Kuwaiti men can automatically confer nationality child such as registering them at a school. Children this data at all. Recent reports estimate that 6 per- lowing questions: to their children, whereas women can only confer can also be removed without their consent from cent of girls under 18 are married. Some reports • Are there specific protections for women and nationality when the father is unknown or the “kin- living with their mothers if their mothers re-marry. suggest that the practice is more prevalent in the children held in migrant detention centers and are ship to the father has not been legally established.” We encourage the Committee to pose the fol- Bedouin communities. Women’s rights activists also these included in the trainings, rules, policies, and A 1980 amendment to the Nationality Law re- lowing questions: reported that women in general marry at a later manuals for detention center staff? moved the section that allowed children of Kuwaiti • What steps are being taken to ensure women age but that the practice of child marriage persists • Are there identification and reporting mecha- mothers and stateless fathers the possibility to nat- can pass nationality to their children on an equal mostly in the Bedouin community. nisms in place to keep track of children in deten- uralize. Stateless persons in Kuwait are referred to basis as men? Health research demonstrates that girls who tion? as part of the Bidun community, which is comprised • What steps are being taken to ensure that chil- enter marriages at a young age face greater risks We recommend to the Committee that it call of more than 106,000 persons who claim Kuwaiti dren of Bidun men and women can obtain citizen- in pregnancy, including difficulties during childbirth upon the government to: nationality but have remained in legal limbo for ship? that can result in death. Child marriage also often • Ensure that no child is ever detained for rea- more than fifty years. In some cases, couples have • What measures are in place to ensure that ends a girl’s education and can expose her to do- sons relating to their own immigration status. divorced in an effort to allow their children to apply children born in Kuwait’s territory will not be state- mestic violence and marital rape. • Where children are held with a parent awaiting for citizenship under of the nationality law. How- less? During its 2015 Universal Periodic Review, detention, consider all alternatives to detention, ever, these children still faced difficulty obtaining • How many children are currently stateless in Kuwait agreed to examine recommendations to and ensured decisions are based on the best inter- citizenship. Kuwait? raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 for girls est of the child. Many Bidun children do not have birth certifi- We recommend that the Committee call upon and boys but has taken no steps to do so. • Ensure that any children held in detention cen- cates and, lacking required identification, struggle the government to: Kuwait has yet to become a signatory on the ters have access to appropriate food, medical care, to access even the most basic of state services. • Legally recognize members of the Bidun com- Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age education, and communication with their families. Bidun seeking other civil documents including munity and their children and provide them with a for Marriage and Registration of Marriages. marriage, and death certificates, as well as pass- path to obtaining nationality. We encourage the Committee to pose the fol- Child Labor (article 32) ports, must apply to the Central System to Resolve • Grant nationality to children born in its terri- lowing questions: Article 10 of the constitution obligates the state Illegal Residents’ Status, more commonly known as tory who would otherwise be stateless. • What steps are the government taking to pre- to “watch over the youth and protect it from ex- the Bidun Committee. The Committee is the sole • Ensure that members of the stateless commu- vent child marriage, including to raise the minimum ploitation.” The labor law also stipulates that no government body through which Bidun can regis- nity and their children are properly accounted for age of marriage? child can be employed under 14 years of age. How- ter and seek resolution of their claims for Kuwaiti in official population statistics. • Are there monitoring systems in place to iden- ever, the United States Department of State re- citizenship. • Amend the Nationality Law to ensure that tify children most vulnerable to child marriage? ports that children of migrant laborers currently Bidun children cannot enroll in free government Kuwaiti women can pass nationality on to their • What is the number of child marriages in the pursue work as domestic laborers, some as young schools and instead attend private schools prima- children on an equal basis as men. country, broken down by gender? as seven years old. There are also reports of Bidun rily serving Bidun students, where annual fees run • Amend article 110 of the Civil Code and article • Do children currently in marriages have access and migrant children working in the informal sector to legal redress including measures to annul the as street vendors. Efforts to enforce child labor marriage? laws in the informal sector are reportedly incon- We recommend that the Committee call upon sistent. the government to: We encourage the Committee to pose the fol- • Raise the minimum age of marriage to 18. lowing questions: • Take measures to combat the prevalence of • What steps has the government undertaken to child marriage by developing national strategies identify children who are working as domestic la- and action plans to eradicate child marriage in- borers? cluding mainstreaming prevention strategies into • What steps has the government taken to mon- policies and programs that deal with reproductive itor the use of child labor in the informal sector? health, education, and literacy development. • What steps has the government taken to en- force laws against child labor? Violence Against Children (article 19) • How many children under the age of 14 are Violence against women and girls is still pro- currently working in Kuwait? vided with lenient sentencing under the penal code. We recommend to the Committee that it call Under article 153 of the Kuwaiti penal code, a man upon the government to: who finds his mother, wife, sister, or daughter in the • Publicly report on the impact of its interven- act of adultery (zina) and kills them is given a re- tions to prevent and respond to child labor (Bidun, duced sentence of either a small fine or a maximum migrant, or otherwise) in the informal and other three-year prison sentence. Article 182 of the Penal sectors. Code also provides that an abductor who uses • Protection of Education During Armed Con- force, threat, or deception with the intention to kill, flict (article 28) harm, rape, prostitute, or extort a victim is spared As of May 2020, 103 countries have endorsed any punishment if he marries the victim with her the Safe Schools Declaration. Kuwait has yet to guardian’s permission. Several states in the Middle endorse this important declaration. The Safe East have repealed such provisions but Kuwait is Schools Declaration is an inter-governmental po- one of handful of states in the region that still re- litical commitment that provides countries the op- tains such a provision. portunity to express political support for the A comprehensive child protection system had protection of students, teachers, and schools dur- not been in place before the Ministry of Health in ing times of armed conflict; the importance of the March 2015 established the Kuwait National Child continuation of education during armed conflict; Protection Program (KNCPP). Kuwait has previ- and the implementation of the Guidelines for Pro- ously reported to this committee that all Kuwait tecting Schools and Universities from Military schools were equipped with a socio-psychological Use during Armed Conflict. counselling service that could confidentially refer We encourage the Committee to pose the fol- complaints made by teachers, parents, or students lowing questions: to “the highest educational authority” and sanction • Do Kuwaiti laws, policies, or trainings provide perpetrators if complaints were verified. Com- explicit protection for schools and universities from plaints could allegedly be broadcast on radio or military use during armed conflict? television and publicized through the bulletin of the We recommend to the Committee that it call Ministry of Education. upon the government to: In the same report to this Committee, Kuwait al- • Endorse and implement the Safe Schools Dec- leged that corporal punishment in schools was laration to deter the military use of schools, includ- banned by a statute “dating back to the 1960s.” ing by bringing the Guidelines for Protecting However, hitting or paddling and other forms of Schools and Universities from Military Use during corporal punishment are still legal forms of disci- Armed Conflict into domestic military policy and plining children in homes, day care institutions, al- operational frameworks. ternative care settings (including foster homes and emergency care institutions), and penal institutions. Female Genital Mutilation (article 19) According to a media report, the Ministry of Statistics about the prevalence of female genital Health in 2019 referred at least 150 cases of child mutilation (FGM) in Kuwait are difficult to source, abuse to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Most of and official government data on the practice are these referrals were against parents for sexual as- not publicly available. A study conducted between sault or emotional neglect. 2001 and 2004 found that 38 percent of pregnant We encourage the Committee to pose the fol- Kuwaiti women had undergone FGM as girls, most lowing questions: • What monitoring mechanisms are in place to of them between the ages of 4 and 12. As of this identify children most vulnerable to violence in writing, Kuwait had not explicitly criminalized the homes, day care institutions, alternative care set- practice of FGM. tings, and penal institutions? We encourage the Committee to pose the fol- • What reporting mechanisms are there if a child lowing questions: is subjected to corporal punishment or violence in • What steps are the government taking to elim- a care setting? inate the prevalence of FGM? We recommend that the Committee call upon We recommend that the Committee call upon the government to: the government to: • Repeal article 153 and 182 of the Kuwaiti penal • Pass a law banning FGM for girls and non- code which reduce punishments for perpetrators consenting adult women. in relation to crimes of violence against women and • Take measures to combat the prevalence of girls. FGM, and the practice of FGM by developing na- • Ensure an accessible reporting mechanism for tional strategies and action plans to eradicate FGM children subjected to violence. including mainstreaming prevention strategies into • Introduce awareness-raising programs to ed- policies and programs that deal with reproductive ucate the public on the problems associated with health, education, and literacy development. Established 1961 5 Monday, May 18, 2020 Local

Kuwait Heritage

KUWAIT: Al-Derbaha, a famous children’s game from the Kuwaiti heritage. The boys race while pushing a wheel, and whoever reaches the target first is declared the winner. The image dates back to 1958, and was taken in the ‘Merqab’ district of Kuwait City. The children are (from right to left) Ali Salimi, Al-Shuaibi brothers and Al-Faheed brothers. (Source: A total of commemorative printed images to the Ministry of Information in the 1960s and 1970s. — Researched by Mohammed Zakaria Abu El-Ella, Researcher in Heritage, the Ministry of Information)

stc strikes deal wants to see the families united this Crisis Ramadan and hence they have de- with Mishref cided and begun to bring back the Kuwaiti nationals who were stranded management in other parts of the world. They Co-op to sell

have not hesitated, even an iota, to

implement this mass evacuation plan. By Eng Mohammad Bokhamseen thermal cameras They have encouraged the strategy & Yousef Bokhamseen and provided the resources, which

are steep and significant. The Min- KUWAIT: Kuwait Telecommunications Com- s it a blizzard? A storm? Maybe istry of Commerce and Industry and pany - stc, a world-class digital leader provid- a war? Albeit, I do not see any the Public Authority for Agricultural ing innovative services and platforms to using high thermal sensors to provide high ac- send notifications to assigned Emergency snow, gust of winds, guns, I Affairs and Fisn Resources have been customers enabling the digital transformation curacy readings within a matter of seconds. The Command Centers. weapons or soldiers. Where’s the actively involved in keeping the food in Kuwait, announced that it has concluded a system then sends out an alert upon detecting In line with stc’s commitment to provide ad- enemy? chain replenished and available. Gov- deal with Mishref Co-op for the sale of high an abnormal temperature allowing the author- vanced solutions enabling digital transformation A lot can go wrong in answering ernment’s internal processes have body temperature detecting thermal cameras ized personnel to take charge and assess the sit- in Kuwait, the Company stated that it will con- this question because there is no one been updated and interlinked. The to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This uation. The cameras can easily be set up at tinue to introduce products and services that right answer. Yet, the solution should Ministry of Public Works is carrying initiative comes as one of several innovative so- entrances and crowded locations, reading mul- will help efficiently battle COVID-19 locally. be systemic and universal. This is out repairs and maintenance at lutions released by stc business to assist in the tiple temperatures at a time. Following on its commitment, stc has also everyone’s war to fight. It is chal- record pace and is predicted to early detection of symptoms that may be re- stc indicated that the thermal technology is launched a series of campaigns related to help lenging all and every aspect of the reach a 600 percent efficiency rate. lated to the virus. an effective method of early detection that is ease the restrictions imposed by the govern- socio-economic spectrum as we Equally important is the role of the stc released a statement indicating that the currently being used across the world as a ment for its customers as well as corporate so- have known it, as we are living it. health-care professionals. They too sale, led by General Manager of Sales and Ac- precautionary measure to combat the spread cial responsibility initiatives to assist citizens Damage is likely to occur, but it is con- did not envisage we would face such count Management at stc, Meshari Al-Hamad, of infection. This effective solution can be used and residents through these difficult times. trollable, if we all do our part. a deadly virus. They are the front-lin- will allow Mishref Co-op to set up a pre- by government entities, Co-ops, SMEs, and stc concluded by urging citizens and resi- Pointing-fingers and name-calling ers who are very much needed and screening process to detect high body temper- other organizations as a precautionary step to dents to adhere to the guidelines imposed by will only add to lengthen the ordeal doing their job unflinchingly. They atures in customers, while allowing staff to ensure the health and safety of both employees the government and stay safe by staying home. and reinforce the difficulties. Every are putting themselves at risk right institute facility protocols when needed. Con- and customers. The Company is also offering It is critical to follow the government’s directions resource is required to manage this from the moment they wake up with sidering that high fever is one of the known other innovative digital solutions to combat the and refrain from any interactions that may com- pandemic. At this point, quick deci- the intention of going to work, don- symptoms of contracting COVID-19, the ther- pandemic that include monitoring bracelets promise the wellbeing of loved ones or other in- sions are better than no decision. In ning their PPE and literally getting mal cameras apply a sophisticated algorithm that track movements around the clock and dividuals in order to overcome the pandemic. times like this, the only way to manage their hands dirty. And of course, their this mass crisis is through trust and risk does not end there. They then go transparency. So citizens and denizens to their respective homes, doff/shed try is facing tighter restrictions to battle the out- – get prepared for the long ride – for- their uniforms and take exacting hy- break, Ramadan lives on in our hearts with its tify and toughen your resolve. stc distributes iftar meals to giene-related precautions before holy essence and continues to be filled with life Realize this - the superpowers of greeting anyone at their home - their through our strong faith. We at stc would also this century have not been able to contribution to stem the spread of paramedics during Ramadan like to emphasize the importance of adhering to manage this pandemic as efficiently the infection does not stop when they the government’s guidelines and instructions as the government of Kuwait. More- leave work. They require our deep- KUWAIT: Kuwait Telecommunications Com- uninterrupted services, allowing them to con- during the full lockdown while practicing social over, the government of Kuwait (and est gratitude. pany - stc, a world-class digital leader providing nect with their loved ones through stc’s ad- distancing. We urge citizens and residents to their nominated supervisory min- When the Going gets tough, the innovative services and platforms to customers vanced digital channels and solutions. utilize the available digital platforms we have istries) have demonstrated their abil- tough get going - the sunny side of enabling the digital transformation in Kuwait, In her role, Danah AlJasem, General Man- today to connect with their loved ones and ities to manage this crisis effectively this lockdown is witnessing the announced the distribution of around 7,000 iftar ager of Corporate Communications at stc, said, maintain ongoing communication as they please and, so far, with limited causalities. tremendous efforts of the people of meals to paramedics across Kuwait during the “In an effort to build on our societal commit- from the safety of their homes.” There are two ways to view this: this beautiful and warm country to holy month of Ramadan in collaboration with ment, stc launched a series of programs and ini- The “Ramadan Lives On” campaign was ini- Firstly, on the human level. Secondly reduce the number of cases, provide Tarahom Voluntary Group, as part of the Com- tiatives under our “Ramadan Lives On” tiated at the beginning of the blessed holy on the Governmental level. the medical aid required, how the cit- pany’s “Ramadan Lives On” campaign. campaign that aim to support the local commu- month as a dedication to the people of Kuwait Human level - Brothers and sisters, izens are working together tirelessly, This initiative led by Ahmed Al-Nowaibet nity in facing the unstable conditions that the and the Arab World. The first initiative launched citizens and netizens – nationals and in unison, for the residents (nationals from stc’s Public Relations Team, serves as an state is currently facing. stc will continue to fol- within the campaign was stc’s 2020 Ramadan expats, we need to do our bit i.e. have and expats alike) and the labor of the act of appreciation and gratitude to the para- low on its commitment to support the commu- TV commercial which generated 4 million faith in the government to implement front-liners, our health-care workers medics on the frontlines of the pandemic, plac- nity from an economic and social perspective views in its first 24 hours uploaded on stc’s dig- the right measures and have our in- - their non-stop and assiduous ef- ing their lives at risk daily to ensure the health as we overcome this pandemic together.” ital platforms. The production received positive terests at heart, and follow the cur- forts for the people of Kuwait. The and safety of the citizens and residents of She added, “This specific initiative aims to reviews and feedback from the public marking few and lockdown rules. It is for our country is tough. Leadership is fo- Kuwait. This year iftar meals were distributed fully support, motivate and thank the frontliners it as a success, attracting a high level of view- own good. For the safety of our fam- cused, attentive and productive. And to 7 main Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) at the ambulance centers for their hard work ership even during these difficult times. ilies. For the existence of humanity. If it is the time, to change. For the bet- centers across different governorates in Kuwait and great efforts in taking care of the citizens To better serve its customers during the anything, this crisis has brought peo- ter, in a positive way. This fundamen- including Jaber Hospital, Al Amiri, Al Jahra, Al and residents in Kuwait. Since the early stages pandemic, stc upgraded its digital channels to ple together, nations to set aside their tal change also includes industry Adan, Al Sabah and Mishref, in addition to 4-6 of the COVID-19 outbreak in Kuwait, stc has offer the Company’s array of products and differences and squabbles, recognize structures, market positions, and sub-centers under these main dispatch centers. worked diligently to assist and collaborate with services to new and existing customers from the the role of the health-care profes- consumer behavior. This is a wakeup The initiative falls in line with stc’s corporate the government in various initiatives to spread comfort of their homes. stc’s online platforms sionals, and understand the worth of call, and an opportunity for growth social responsibility program, with a strategic awareness and reduce the spread of infection. also allow customers to seamlessly execute citizens worldwide. and reform. This series of unfortunate focus on giving back to the community while In our most recent initiative, stc utilized its re- transactions related to their accounts online and Governmental level - there has events was and is world-changing strengthening the communication channels be- sources to accommodate returning citizens to hassle free. With the upgrade came a series of been unprecedented progress. The and has caused uncertainty and fear. tween individuals in the community. Despite the their beloved country, as well as back the pre- online exclusive offers to enrich the customers’ Government has stayed ahead and But we should counter by being current conditions, stc stands by its commit- ventative measures the country has set in place experience at home, whether it be online gam- did the right thing by shutting down strong and resilient. And above all, ment, especially during the holy month, to con- to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.” ing, working remotely from home or enjoying the country early on. We haven’t emerge victorious. tinue providing its customers with AlJasem concluded, “Even though the coun- services to fulfill their entertainment needs. seen this level of strong resolve and • Courtesy of the TIES Center: The decisions to stay on top of things, be TIES Center is the social and educa- actively involved since the 2008 fi- tional hub for English Speaking Mus- nancial crises. Everything from local lims in Kuwait and aims at empower to global undertakings - the govern- Kuwait’s expats through social and ment has intervened in the economy educational services that promote a by holding emergency meetings con- positive and productive role in soci- cerning the OPEC and OPEC+ to ety, and to facilitate opportunities for overhaul the global economic state, intra- and interfaith interactions that international trade sanctions and also promote social solidarity. For more in- at the same time, aid other govern- formation, you can contact TIES at ments and nations. This is truly sig- Tel:25231015/6; Hotline:94079777; e- nificant. Further, the government mail: [email protected]. InternationalMONDAY, MAY 18, 2020 Brazil’s coronavirus death toll tops 15,000 Tensions rise as Germans clamor to return to Mallorcan homes Page 8 Page 8

KIGALI: A worker stands near victims’ bones recovered from pits which were used as mass grave during 1994 Rwandan genocide and hidden under houses in Kabuga, on the outskirts of Kigali. France on May 16, 2020 arrested Felicien Kabuga, one of the last key fugitives wanted over 1994 Rwandan genocide, leaving him facing a likely trial at an international tribunal after a quarter of a century on the run. —AFP ‘Financier’ of Rwanda genocide nabbed One of the last key fugitives in French custody

PARIS: Felicien Kabuga, one of the last key fugitives ago after new intelligence emerged. wanted over the 1994 Rwandan genocide, was in Olivier Olsen, head of the association of homeown- French custody Saturday after a quarter of a century on ers in the building where he lived, described Kabuga as the run, and now faces likely trial at an international tri- “someone very discreet... who murmured when you bunal. French police arrested Kabuga, once one of said hello”. He said Kabuga had lived there for three or Homophobic Rwanda’s richest men, in a dawn raid in the Paris sub- four years. Kabuga is accused of using his wealth and urbs, where he had been living under a false identity, influence during the genocide to funnel money to militia crimes on the the prosecutor’s office and police said in a joint state- groups as chairman of the Fonds de Defense Nationale ment. Officers found an 84-year-old man “who has (FDN) fund. According to the US State Department, been sought by the judicial authorities for 25 years”, which has offered a $5 million reward for information rise in France the statement said. about him, Kabuga through the FDN “is alleged to have Around 800,000 people - Tutsis but also moderate provided funds to the interim Rwandan government for PARIS: Homophobic attacks and insults in France rose by 36 percent last year, according to Hutus - were slaughtered over 100 days by ethnic Hutu the purposes of executing the 1994 genocide”. Photo shows Felicien Kabuga, one of the last key fugi- figures released by the Interior Ministry on extremists during the 1994 genocide. Kabuga was tives wanted over the 1994 Rwandan genocide, who Saturday, prompting the government to talk of an arrested at his home in Asnieres-sur-Seine north of ‘Brought to account’ was arrested in a Paris suburb on May 16, 2020. —AFP Paris, where he had been hiding with the help of his Kabuga was indicted by the UN International “anchoring” of homophobia in the country. The children. The police statement described him as “one of Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 1997 on seven counts, leap comes after 2018 was described as a “black” the world’s most wanted including genocide. Among Two more still at large year by associations with an unequalled level of fugitives”. The news was other things, it accused him The son of peasants, Kabuga grew his business from physical violence against LGBT people. hailed in Rwanda. in its indictment of having selling cigarettes and second-hand clothes at markets The new figures, which show a steady increase “Capturing Felicien Kabuga arranged the shipments of in his northern home region of Byumba. He expanded in offences, come on the eve of the International is very welcome and a com- Kabuga “an impressive number of by opening businesses in the capital Kigali and by 1993 Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and mendable act that serves arrested in a machetes and other was already part of the inner circle of then Rwandan Biphobia, and 30 years after the withdrawal of justice... our wish as the weapons to the president Juvenal Habyarimana, his daughter marrying homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses by umbrella body for genocide dawn raid in the Interahamwe militia, which one of the president’s sons. It was the assassination of the World Health Organization (WHO). Last year, survivors is for him to be were used in the massacres. Habyarimana on April 6, 1994 that unleashed the geno- the police “identified 1,870 victims of homopho- deported and tried in Paris suburbs The tribunal formally closed cide. Along with former defense minister Augustin bic or transphobic offences compared to 1,380 in Rwanda where he commit- in 2015. Bizimana and top-ranking military figure Protais 2018”, representing a “36 percent increase in the ted the crimes,” Jean Pierre Its duties have since Mpiranya - both still at large - Kabuga was one of the number of victims of anti-LGBT acts”, the min- Dusingizemungu, head of been taken over by the three most significant suspects still sought over the istry said in a statement. the Ibuku association, told AFP. Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals genocide. “These figures testify to the deep anchoring (MICT), which also deals with cases left over from the France has long been known as a hiding place for of homophobia and transphobia in society,” said ‘Behind Interahamwe’ International Criminal Tribunal for the former wanted genocide suspects and French investigators the ministry, adding that they form part of a Kabuga is accused of creating the notorious Yugoslavia. “The arrest of Felicien Kabuga today is a currently have dozens of cases underway. The geno- broader increase in “hate acts and identity Interahamwe militia that carried out massacres during reminder that those responsible for genocide can be cide has cast a long shadow over Franco-Rwandan extremism”. Insults constitute 33 percent of the the genocide. He also helped create Radio-Television brought to account, even 26 years after their crimes,” relations. Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, a Tutsi, offences, while violence (physical and sexual) Libre des Mille Collines which, in its broadcasts, incited said Serge Brammertz, chief prosecutor of the MICT accuses France of having supported the ethnic Hutu make up 28 percent of the complaints. The vic- people to carry out murder. During his years on the run, in The Hague. He was ordered to be remanded in cus- forces behind most of the slaughter and of having tims are mainly men - 75 percent - with 62 per- Kabuga spent time in Germany, Belgium, the Democratic tody until the judicial authorities can rule on whether helped some of the perpetrators to escape. Last year, cent perpetrated against those under 35 years of Republic of Congo, Kenya and Switzerland. Eric or not he should be sent to The Hague to face justice. President Emmanuel Macron announced the creation age. LGBT associations claim that the figures do Emeraux, the head of the OCLCH, France’s agency for Kabuga is expected to be tried at the mechanism’s of a commission of experts to delve into the French not tell the whole story as many victims do not fighting crimes against humanity, told AFP renewed branch in Arusha in Tanzania, an official from the state archives in a bid to set the historical record report crimes to the police. The SOS efforts were made to track down Kabuga two months prosecutor’s office said. straight. —AFP Homophobia association is due to publish its own figures on Monday. clashed with anti-lockdown protesters. The growing The report shows that the incidents of homo- Alarm in Germany demonstrations have sparked comparison to the anti- phonia are spread across the country with 36 Muslim Pegida marches at the height of Europe’s refugee percent of the complaints coming in the big cities. crisis in 2015, raising questions over whether the strong “This shows us that there is homophobia as ‘corona demos’ support that Merkel is currently enjoying due to her han- throughout the territory, including in rural areas,” dling of the virus crisis could evaporate. Frederic Potier, the interministerial delegate for Just as it won popularity by fanning anti-migrant sen- the fight against racism, anti-Semitism and anti- take off timent five years ago, the far-right AfD party is now LGBT hatred (Dilcrah) told AFP. The world of sport comes under the microscope after several openly encouraging protesters and repositioning itself as MUNICH: Angered by a slew of lockdown measures, top football matches were interrupted because of an anti-lockdown party. A recent poll commissioned by purported vaccine plans or alleged state surveillance, homophobic chants from the stands or the dis- the Spiegel news magazine found that almost one in four thousands took to the streets on Saturday in Germany in play of abusive banners. Germans surveyed voiced “understanding” for the a growing wave of demonstrations that has alarmed even The Interior Ministry, which called on demonstrations. The development has shocked the politi- Chancellor Angela Merkel. Initially starting as a handful of Saturday for “increased vigilance by the public cal establishment, with Merkel reportedly telling the top protesters decrying tough restrictions on public life to authorities” and more effort from society as a halt transmission of the coronavirus, the demonstrations brass of her centre-right CDU party of the “worrying” MUNICH: Police officers with horses stand near an unauthorized protest near the official demonstration whole, recorded around 30 complaints concern- have swelled in recent weeks to gatherings of thousands trend that may bear some hallmarks of Russia’s disinfor- ing insults or threats made on the internet. French in major German cities. Huge numbers of anti-lockdown mation campaigns. against the restrictions implemented to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus Covid-19 in Munich. —AFP lawmakers on Wednesday approved a controver- protesters, conspiracy theorists, anti-vaxxers or extrem- sial bill to ban hate speech on social media, a ists massed across Germany again on Saturday, with more ‘Vilification’ measure dismissed as censorship by detractors. than 5,000 gathering in Stuttgart, at least 1,500 in Germany in March took unprecedented measures to The law obliges platforms and search engines to Frankfurt and around 1,000 in Munich. shut down public life. While a huge majority of Germans thousands of views. Seeking to counter absurd claims, remove offensive content - incitement to hate or “Corona is fake”, claimed one poster held aloft in back the action, giving Merkel’s government a big boost President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that although he violence and racist or religious bigotry - within in approval ratings, dissent is fomenting, particularly Stuttgart, “Isolation, Masks, Tracking, Vaccine — that’s a wasn’t a medical practitioner, he could safely suggest that 24 hours or risk a fine of up to 1.25 million euros online where YouTube videos championing conspiracy no go”, cried another. Police in Berlin made 200 arrests as the “uncomfortable and cumbersome face mask is more to ($1.35 million).—AFP scuffles broke out, while in Hamburg, conspiracy theorists theories or quack medical advice are attracting tens of be recommended than a tin-foil hat”. —AFP Established 1961 7 Monday, May 18, 2020 International Ecuador capital braces for worsening spread of virus Cemeteries run out of space; Guayaquil stabilizes

QUITO: As the coronavirus outbreak in Ecuador’s coronavirus patients. largest city of Guayaquil begins to stabilize, the gov- Pichincha province, where Quito is located, has ernment is bracing for worsening spread in the high- registered some 2,400 coronavirus cases and 181 land capital Quito, where at least six people have died deaths. That is still fewer than southern Guayas in the streets in the past month. Guayaquil was at the province, where Guayaquil is located, where 55% of center of one of Latin America’s worst outbreaks of the country’s 31,467 total cases have been registered. the novel coronavirus in But the deaths in the streets March and April. Cemeter- have caused alarm. On May ies ran out of space and 3 a 60-year-old merchant families stored relatives’ who had been diagnosed dead bodies in their homes with COVID-19, the respira- or on the streets as the Residents under tory disease caused by the virus strained the health coronavirus, collapsed and system’s capacity to col- strict lockdown died after walking just a few lect them. meters on the street, Yunda But authorities’ atten- told local media last week. tion is now turning to Despite the strict lock- Quito, whose 2.8 million down in Quito, informal residents are under a strict salesmen seeking income to lockdown to contain the virus’ spread. The local gov- subsist have continued to cluster in many parts of the ernment said in a statement on Friday that between city. The government has extended the lockdown April 4 and May 13 it had picked up the bodies of six through May 31, and is implementing a web-based people who had died in the streets, in addition to system to help residents locate the nearest place to seven bodies from homes and two from nursing seek medical attention. Authorities also said they will homes. The government said on Thursday night that be working together with funeral homes to avoid de- 135 of the 164 intensive care beds in the city’s public lays in cremating bodies. “We have taken all the nec- hospitals are occupied, and that it plans to install some essary measures, and we have a plan to deal with 80 more. “Quito’s health system is reaching its limit,” deaths at homes and at hospitals,” Sebastian Barona, QUITO: An Ecuadorian criminalistics police member verifies the death of a woman who died of unknown the city’s mayor, Jorge Yunda, said on Friday during the coordinator of an industry group representing causes in a street of Quito amid the new coronavirus pandemic. — AFP the opening of a temporary 380-bed hospital for Ecuador’s funeral homes said. — Reuters First virus death in Nepal - a new Nigerian leader gets mother Madagascar’s virus potion; WHO warns KATHMANDU: Nepal reported its first coron- avirus death late Saturday - a 29-year-old woman who recently gave birth - as the total number of ABUJA: Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari people infected in the country reached 281. The on Saturday received samples of a herbal con- victim - who was from Sindhupalchowk district, coction that Madagascar claims can cure people some 90 kilometers (about 55 miles) from the cap- infected with the new coronavirus, his office said. ital Kathmandu - was on her way to a hospital for Buhari who collected the potion from President treatment when she died. Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea Bissau who “It has been proven that is this the first case of visited him in Abuja said the native remedy death caused by COVID-19 in Nepal,” the deputy would be scientifically tested before use. “We spokesman for the health ministry, Samir Kumar have our institutions, systems and processes in KATHMANDU: People stand in queues as they wait to be tested for a coronavirus test at Kalimati vegetable Adhikari, said in a statement. The woman gave the country. Any such formulations should be market during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of birth at a hospital in Kathmandu on May 6 and then sent to them for verification,” he said. “I will not the COVID-19 coronavirus. — AFP returned to her home district a day later. She was put it to use without the endorsement of our in- treated at a local hospital after suffering from fever stitutions,” he added. The virus has so far in- and respiratory problems. When her condition conducted fewer than 100,000 tests so far. Experts Sherpa. “There needs to be more tests, contact fected 5,445 people and claimed 171 lives in worsened, she was referred to another hospital. Her say the lack of mass testing may have prevented tracing... and more transparency.” In January, Africa’s most populous nation of 200 million in- newborn and other family members will be tested identification of other fatalities. “I don’t think this Nepal was the first south Asian country to report habitants. Several other African nations have also to see if they have contracted the virus, local media is the first death. There have been cases of deaths a case of coronavirus. The country has been under expressed interest in the purported remedy, reported. where similar symptoms were seen, but the cause lockdown since March 24 after a second case was which is known as Covid-Organics. Nepal, which has a population of 28 million, has was unclear,” said epidemiologist Lhamo confirmed. — AFP The drink is derived from artemisia - a plant with proven efficacy in malaria treatment - and other indigenous herbs. But the World Health Or- ganization has warned against “adopting a prod- Trauma endures uct that has not been taken through tests to see its efficacy”, and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also said it should be of South Korea’s “tested rigorously”. Madagascar leader Andry Rajoelina on Monday dismissed criticisms Gwangju Uprising against the herbal concortion, saying the West was against it because it was discovered in Africa. Madagascar’s official body in charge of GWANGJU: It is 40 years since Choi Jung-ja saw her drug control has not approved the drink for sale husband, who has been missing since South Korea’s in the country. military dictatorship killed hundreds of people when they crushed the pro-democracy Gwangju Uprising, WHO cautions a scar that burns in the country’s political psyche to Meanwhile, the World Health Organization on this day. On May 18, 1980 demonstrators protesting Thursday advised governments to clinically test against dictator Chun Doo-hwan’s declaration of mar- a herbal drink touted by Madagascar’s President tial law confronted his troops and 10 days of violence Andry Rajoelina as a remedy against coron- ensued. But conservatives in the South still condemn avirus. The Covid-Organics infusion is derived the uprising as a Communist-inspired rebellion from artemisia - a plant with proven anti-malarial backed by the North, while left-leaning President properties - and other indigenous herbs. Ra- Moon Jae-in wants to enshrine it in the constitution. joelina hopes to distribute the infusion across Choi’s husband was 43 when he left their house in West Africa and beyond, claiming it cures the southern city to buy oil for a heater at the family COVID-19 patients within 10 days. pub, never to return. Once the violence was over Choi Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Niger frantically searched for him, even opening random have already received consignments of the po- coffins in the streets covered with blood-stained Ko- tion. Others such as Tanzania have expressed in- rean flags. “I couldn’t continue after opening the third terest. But the World Health Organization (WHO) Fighters loyal to Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC) separatists stand in the back of a pick-up truck, coffin,” she told AFP. “The faces were covered with has repeatedly warned that there are no pub- bearing the portrait of STC Chief Aidarus Al-Zubaidi, at the frontline during clashes with pro-government forces blood - there were no words to describe them. The lished scientific studies of the herbal tea and that for control of Zinjibar, the capital of the southern Abyan province.— AFP faces were unrecognizable.” She still takes medication its effects have not been tested. “We would cau- to deal with the trauma, she said, and curses whenever tion and advise countries against adopting a product that has not been taken through tests to advance toward Zinjibar and they will only get there Chun appears on television. see its efficacy,” WHO Africa Director Mat- over our dead bodies,” a separatist commander on 14 dead in sixth shidiso Moeti said in a press briefing on Thurs- the front line told AFP. The offensive was being car- ‘Fuel for the fire’ day, calling on Madagascar to take the drink ried out by the military wing of the Islamist party Al- There is no agreed toll for Gwangju, with reports “through a clinical trial”. day of fighting Islah - allied to the government - according to several of secret burials both on land and at sea. The military Moeti said that in 2000, African governments sources. The fighting is the first major confrontation remaining in power for another eight years offered had committed to taking “traditional therapies” since the separatists declared self-rule in southern ample opportunity to dispose of the evidence. Offi- in south Yemen through the same clinical trials as other medica- Yemen on 26 April, accusing the government of failing cial bodies point to around 160 dead - including tion. “I can understand the need, the drive to find to carry out its duties and of “conspiring” against some soldiers and police - and more than 70 miss- something that can help,” Moeti said. “But we their cause. At least ten fighters were killed and many ing. Activists say up to three times as many may have ADEN: Fourteen combatants died in Yemen on Sat- would very much like to encourage this scientific were wounded on both sides in fighting on Monday. been killed. But the search for justice has gone urday, as fighting between pro-government troops process in which the governments themselves The clashes complicate Yemen’s war between the through multiple twists and turns and Gwangju is one and separatist forces entered a sixth day in the south- made a commitment.” Rajoelina defended his government - backed by a Saudi-led military coalition of the most politicized historical events in a viciously ern province of Abyan, according to sources on both tonic during a coronavirus screening campaign - and Iran-backed Houthi rebels who control much of polarised country. The South is still technically at war sides. Separatist forces of the Southern Transitional in Madagascar’s eastern city of Toamasina on the north, including the capital Sanaa. The govern- with the nuclear-armed North. At the time of the Council (STC) are resisting an offensive by pro-gov- Thursday. “The WHO has indicated that ment and the STC have technically been allies in the Gwangju Uprising, Chun’s military regime described ernment troops launched on the outskirts of Zinjibar, artemisia could lead to a cure for coronavirus,” long war against the Houthis. But the separatists in it as a rebellion led by supporters of then-opposition some 60 kilometers from the main southern city of the president said, promising to submit the drink the south, which used to be an independent country, leader Kim Dae-jung, who comes from nearby Sinan, Aden. “Fourteen fighters, including ten pro-govern- to clinical trials. Earlier this week, the WHO have agitated to break away again - a campaign that and pro-Pyongyang agitators. Kim was arrested, ment soldiers, were killed on Saturday,” a government recognised artemisia as a “possible treatment” was temporarily put to rest with a power-sharing deal convicted of sedition and sentenced to death. But the military official told AFP on condition of for COVID-19. But the organization also re- signed in Riyadh last November. Over the past six penalty was commuted under international pressure anonymity. The toll was confirmed by a separatist peated its calls for more rigorous testing. South years, the Yemen conflict has killed tens of thousands and he was granted asylum in the US, before being military source, who also claimed the capture of “40 Africa’s Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on of people, mostly civilians, and triggered what the elected president himself in the 1990s after the pro-government soldiers and the seizure of military Wednesday said Madagascar had reached out United Nations considers to be the world’s worst hu- restoration of democracy and winning the 2000 equipment”. for “help” with scientific research. — Agencies “They (pro-government soldiers) were unable to manitarian crisis. — AFP Nobel Peace Prize. —AFP 8 Established 1961 Monday, May 18, 2020 International Trump vs Biden: First it was wild - then came COVID-19 Coronavirus throws the race into surreal confusion

WASHINGTON: President Donald adoring right-wing base, and delivered a ance. But many don’t agree. Trump’s reelection battle against Joe Biden seductively simple message: aggressive They don’t like his divisive political was always going to be wild—and then nationalism abroad, jobs at home. How, style, his only rare demonstrations of em- came the coronavirus, killing nearly Trump openly wondered at his rallies, pathy, and the haphazard marshalling of 90,000 Americans, scuttling the economy could the man he brutally insults as federal resources on testing and treatment. and throwing the race into surreal confu- “Sleepy Joe” even compete? Then the According to the latest CBS poll, 57 per- sion. Less than six months before election coronavirus tore up the script. Trump cent of Americans think Trump has done a day, neither candidate can campaign nor- wanted America praising his triumphs. In- “bad job.” In March the number was 47 mally, voters wonder whether they’ll be percent. This might seem a golden op- safe, and Trump suddenly faces what portunity for Biden. Instead, like mil- amounts to a referendum on his han- lions of Americans, he has been locked dling of a once-in-a-century crisis. down at home. Although Trump has had “We really don’t know how this is going Deadly virus to give up his beloved rallies, he still to play out,” politics professor Christo- gets out occasionally on Air Force One pher Arterton at George Washington kills nearly and frequently dominates evening news University told AFP. broadcasts from the White House. This combination of pictures shows former US vice president Joe Biden and US Congress- Four months ago the narratives of 90,000 in US Biden, by contrast, has gone no fur- woman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). Progressive rising star Democrat Alexandria Oca- the 2020 election seemed clear. Tout- ther than his Delaware home’s garden, sio-Cortez has been named as a co-chair of a new task force aimed at unifying the party’s ing record low unemployment and solid while relying on amateurish video plat- more liberal wing with moderates in support of White House hopeful Joe Biden. — AFP GDP growth, Trump promised four forms to communicate. Yet ironically, more years of a presidency molded on Trump’s massive advantage may be his persona of the hard-nosed business- stead, his fate rests on how people will working partly in Biden’s favor. Yes, Trump “failed the American people on every sin- could make the difference. Will economic man. Biden, milking nostalgia for the now judge his handling of a disaster. is in the spotlight, but what he does there gle front.” But Gwin said the Democrat is recovery start in the third quarter, as seemingly calm years of his vice presi- enrages half the country. “It has exposed wary of trying to out-attack the attacker- Trump predicts, allowing him to sell a dency under Barack Obama, vowed to end Referendum election all his flaws that were apparent throughout in-chief. “We need to present a better al- powerful message of renewal? Will there the scandals and division of Trump’s reality “This election will be primarily a refer- his presidency, but are much more imme- ternative.” While the latest polls show be a foreign policy drama, perhaps a show-style administration and restore “the endum on President Trump,” said Allan diate now in the lives of Americans,” Biden Biden still ahead nationally, US presidential showdown over North Korea’s nuclear ar- soul of America.” Biden, 77, led in polls, but Lichtman, a presidential historian at Amer- spokesman Michael Gwin said. In other elections are decided by electoral college senal or conflict with Iran? What role will many believed that Trump, 73, would seize ican University renowned for his accurate words, Biden doesn’t have to lift a finger. votes, meaning the result will likely come Russia play after sowing discord and mis- the upper hand on November 3. predictions of previous contests. The “There is an old saying,” Lichtman noted: down to a handful of swing states like information in 2016? Will tension with The last incumbent to lose reelection COVID-19 crisis poses a test of leader- “’Never interrupt an opponent when he is Florida and Wisconsin. Polling there is China, which Trump is working overtime to was George Bush in 1992 and, historically, ship at least as high-stakes as the 9/11 at- making a mistake.’” tighter and Trump could retain the presi- make the coronavirus bogeyman, trigger a presidents presiding over strong tacks in 2001 or the massive 2008 dency even while winning fewer votes na- devastating new trade war? But the economies are almost invulnerable. Exud- recession.And Trump thinks he’s more than Wild cards tionally than Biden—as happened in 2016 biggest wild card, almost certainly, will be ing macho self-confidence, Trump toured passed.“I’d rate it at 10,” he responded Most days Biden rips the president on against Hillary Clinton. Trump himself. How far will he go in a last- the country for political rallies with his when asked once to grade his perform- Twitter, as he did Thursday, saying Trump And just one of a half dozen wild cards ditch fight? — AFP

Brazil’s coronavirus death toll tops 15,000 US Democrats

probe ouster of SAO PAULO: Brazil’s COVID-19 death toll passed 15,000 on Saturday, official data showed, while its number of infections topped 230,000, making it the watchdog country with the fourth-highest number of cases in the world. With 15,633 deaths and 233,142 confirmed cases, Brazil - whose president Jair Bolsonaro has WASHINGTON: Congressional Democrats have dismissed the disease as a “little flu” - is at the epi- launched a probe into President Donald Trump’s center of infections in Latin America. Experts say “politically-motivated” dismissal of a government under-testing means the real figures could be 15 watchdog believed to have been investigating Sec- times higher or more, and warn the worst is yet to retary of State Mike Pompeo. The announcement come. The sprawling South American country regis- came after Trump told House of Representatives tered 816 deaths and 14,919 new cases in the past 24 Speaker Nancy Pelosi late Friday that he planned hours. to dismiss State Department Inspector General Despite the rising tolls, Bolsonaro on Saturday at- Steve Linick. It was Trump’s third abrupt dismissal tacked lockdown measures taken by some governors of an official tasked with monitoring governmental to contain the spread of the virus. “Unemployment, misconduct and abuse since April, and drew criti- hunger and misery will be the future of those who cism even from members of his own party. support the tyranny of total isolation,” the far-right “The firings of multiple Inspectors General is un- president tweeted, a day after Health Minister Nelson MANAUS: This file aerial picture shows a burial taking place at an area where new graves have been dug up at precedented; doing so without good cause chills the Teich resigned after less than a month on the job. The independence essential to their purpose,” tweeted the Nossa Senhora Aparecida cemetery in Manaus, in the Amazon forest in Brazil, during the COVID-19 coron- president insists business closures and stay-at-home avirus pandemic. — AFP Republican Mitt Romney. “It is a threat to account- orders are unnecessarily damaging the economy. The able democracy and a fissure in the constitutional pandemic has already claimed almost 310,000 lives balance of power,” Romney continued. Two senior worldwide. body said in a statement late Friday. Prime Minister Gustavo Zeballos said the govern- Democrats - Senator Bob Menendez and congress- The Peruvian Amazon is already facing a dire ment would ensure the supply of oxygen and other vital man Eliot Engel - said in a statement they “unalter- Hospital in Amazon emergency, with hospitals in its largest city Iquitos medical materials via “an air and land bridge” to the re- ably oppose the politically-motivated firing”. Meanwhile, Peru said it will construct a fast-build overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients and local gion. Roads are practically non-existent in the Peruvian The lawmakers said Linick had apparently hospital in the Amazon as it seeks to respond to a morgues unable to cope with the number of bodies. jungle and rivers are the main means of transportation. “opened an investigation into wrongdoing by Sec- growing COVID-19 emergency sweeping through the The government said it would rush 220 healthworker The government has pledged to ramp up the frequency retary Pompeo himself,” and said the firing was indigenous population. State social security body Es- reinforcements to the Amazon. “We have been work- of flights from Lima to ensure aid deliveries. An oxygen “transparently designed to protect Secretary Pom- Salud said it expects the 100-bed hospital in Pu- ing intensively to expand the services and provide plant will begin operating in Iquitos, capital of the peo from personal accountability ... and may be an callpa, capital of the remote Ucayali region on the hospitals in the Peruvian Amazon with all the neces- neighboring Amazon region of Loreto, on Monday, illegal act of retaliation.” A Democratic congres- border with Brazil, to be operational within three sary means to care for patients with COVID-19,” said supplying a local 40-bed hospital. Desperate COVID- sional aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, weeks. “EsSalud will install a fast-build hospital in Federico Tong Hurtado, a spokesman for the social 19 patients have been dying in the region’s hospitals for said Linick was probing complaints that Pompeo Ucayali to serve COVID-19 patients,” the government security services. lack of oxygen, officialssay. — Agencies inappropriately used a political appointee to per- form personal tasks for himself and his wife Susan. CNN, citing a senior State Department official, reported that Pompeo himself had recommended the firing and hand-picked Stephen Akard, a former Chile capital aide to Vice President Mike Pence, to succeed Lin- ick. By law, the administration must give Congress silenced amid 30 days’ notice of its plans to terminate an inspec- tor general, in theory giving lawmakers time to study the move - and protest if warranted. “A gen- lockdown over eral lack of confidence simply is not sufficient detail to satisfy Congress,” warned Republican senator COVID-19 surge Chuck Grassley. But previous such firings have gone through unimpeded, and those dismissed have been re- SANTIAGO: With near-deserted streets and police placed by political allies of the Republican presi- checks, the seven million people of Chile’s capital, dent. Engel, who heads the House Foreign Affairs Santiago, began a strict quarantine Saturday after a Committee, and Menendez, the top Democrat on sharp resurgence of coronavirus cases. Normal ac- the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, requested tivity in the capital was down 85 percent, the govern- that the White House and State Department turn ment said, as people were only allowed to leave their over records related to Linick’s dismissal. They also homes for essential food and medicine and a short asked to see files for IG investigations “involving period of exercise. the Office of the Secretary that were open, pending, “Blocks and blocks of the city are completely empty or incomplete at the time of Mr Linick’s firing.” and we can take it that this is a good start,” Health Min- ister Jaime Manalich told reporters at Santiago airport Dog-sitting and takeout after a fly-over of the city. Long lines of cars caused SANTIAGO: Photo shows an aerial view of an empty road in Santiago, amid mandatory total quarantine due to Pompeo has raised eyebrows for frequently trav- gridlock Friday evening as people streamed out of the new coronavirus pandemic. — AFP eling the world on his government plane with his capital for the coast, 100 kilometers (60 miles) away, wife, who has no official role. CNN reported last hours before the lockdown came into force at 10:00 year that a whistleblower had complained that the pm (0200 GMT). The lockdown order, announced by infections a day. The South American country had Concepcion to free up intensive-care beds in the cap- Bureau of Diplomatic Security, which guards US Manalich on Wednesday and due to last at least a 41,428 infections by Saturday, with 421 deaths - 27 of ital ahead of expected increased demand in the coming missions overseas as well as the secretary of state, week, dealt a blow to earlier hopes the South American those fatalities coming in the previous 24 hours. weeks, authorities said. had been assigned questionable tasks for the Pom- country could reopen its economy following evidence Santiago has reported 80 percent of the country’s Santiago’s main avenues were almost entirely de- peos, such as picking up takeout food or tending to it had flattened the curve. cases, amid concern that the country’s emergency serted on Saturday. Supermarkets and small neighbor- the family dog. The State Department confirmed New infections had reduced to between 350 and services were already operating near their limit. “We hood grocery stores remain open, though the numbers Linick’s firing but did not comment on the reason - 500 a day in late May, leading to the government of have kept the case fatality rate close to 1 percent, but of people entering was being strictly limited. Some or on whether Pompeo was under investigation. A conservative President Sebastian Pinera relaxing some when we see a greater number of people infected, ob- people walked their dogs in the 30 minutes available State Department spokesperson also confirmed that restrictions, and allowing businesses and stores to re- viously the number of deaths also increase,” said Ar- for them to do so. Police limited access to the city’s the new inspector general would be Akard, an attor- open. However, new cases have doubled in the past 10 turo Zuniga, a health ministry official with main La Vega market which normally draws large ney who served as a foreign affairs advisor to Pence days. Having remained below 1,000 a day last month, responsibility for care networks. Some patients have crowds on Saturdays. Police and military also stepped when the latter was governor of Indiana. — AFP the daily average has shot up to well over 2,000 new been transferred to a hospital in the southern city of up checks on drivers to examine travel permits. — AFP Established 1961

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020 Business

Ukraine workers skirt lockdowns Boursa Kuwait net profits soar by JC Penney files 10to rescue European crops, farms 11 307% to KD 9.6 million in 2019 11 for bankruptcy

DETROIT: In this file photo, workers leave FCA Chrysler Warren Truck Assembly after the Detroit three automakers agreed to UAW demands to shut down all North America plants as a precaution against coronavirus, in Detroit, Michigan. — AFP Detroit’s ‘Big 3’ begins to motor back up Factory workers wary as worries over deadly coronavirus persist

DETROIT: Detroit’s auto giants are keen to resume pro- After effectively shutting down in March to combat Good enough? duction this week, but there will be unease on assembly the deadly virus, US carmakers say they are now ready to Lack of testing is an issue for the UAW, which has lines where social distancing is difficult and worries about get back to business. “Above everything else, our top pri- stopped short of endorsing the industry’s return to work the deadly coronavirus persist. ority has always been to do what is right for our employ- Not everyone model. The union also pressed GM, Ford and FCA to relax Motor City carmakers insist they are taking precau- ees,” Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley said in a statement is convinced their policies on absenteeism so workers will stay home or tions to protect employees for the ramp-up that marks a this week. self-quarantine if they feel ill. “While it is the companies that key moment in the attempted relaunching of the US econ- “We have worked closely with the unions to establish about reopening have the sole contractual right to determine the opening of omy. But not everyone is convinced. protocols that will ensure our employees feel safe at work plants, we have the contractual right to protect our members, “I am expecting a bumpy ride,” said one United Auto and that every step possible has been taken to protect and we will do so at all costs,” said UAW President Rory Workers official, who asked for anonymity because he them.” Gamble. “We have made it clear in our talks that we are ask- was not authorized to speak publicly. ing for as much testing as possible at the current time.” The “Big Three,” which have the experience of Safeguarding plants Ford have described similar measures. Gamble has praised Whitmer’s stay-at-home orders that relaunching in Asia, have set their US restart for May 18. The monumental tasks at FCA includes sanitizing 57 Jim Glynn, a vice president for workplace safety at have sparked gun-toting protests outside the state capitol That is the same day Tesla has been cleared by local reg- million square feet of production space and implementing GM, said on a conference call that workers will follow a building Michigan. The state has had about 50,000 con- ulators in California to resume full production following a new disinfection schedules to maintain hygiene. Some strict protocol each day beginning with filling out a ques- firmed coronavirus cases and nearly 4,800 fatalities. The faceoff between public health officials and brash Tesla 4,700 work stations were modified to allow for social dis- tionnaire and having a temperature scan. union’s reticence is due in part to the fact more half of GM, boss Elon Musk that apparently was resolved with a tancing. Temperature checks and daily health self-screen- “We have not had one case of person-to-person Ford and FCA workers are over 50. Also, nearly three dozen compromise on enhanced safety measures. Unlike ing are required for all employees and visitors; start times spread among our employees” when the rules have been auto workers have died from COVID-19, according to the California, Michigan has been the site of armed marches will be staggered; and break and lunch times will be followed at GM’s plants in Asia and at US plants now UAW. “I’m personally not ready to return to work and feel to the state capitol in protest over restrictions imposed by altered to increase social distancing. Everyone will have making medical equipment, Glynn said. However, none of they are rushing to get us back into the plant to make a prof- Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Under pressure to wear face masks and safety goggles, FCA officials said. the companies will test employees regularly. Kiersten it at the expense of those working there,” said one anony- from the state’s automotive suppliers and carmakers, she Manley said FCA was using what it has learned from Robinson, Ford’s chief human resources officer, said dur- mous worker in a Facebook post, adding that it is “almost modified her stay-at-home orders to allow for the opening plants in China and Italy as it resumes produc- ing a conference call there is not enough capacity for impossible” to socially distance at an auto plant facing ambi- resumption of manufacturing with social distancing. tion in the US, Mexico and Canada. General Motors and regular tests. tious production targets. –AFP

the crisis with more people and companies working during the pandemic, activists say it’s insufficient, espe- Amazon hit from online. Amazon’s market value has hovered near record cially in high-cost states like California. levels around $1.2 trillion dollars as it reported rising rev- “This company can afford to make these jobs middle enues and lower profits in the past quarter. class jobs, good jobs,” Smith said. all sides during “Its sheer size justifies the scrutiny,” said Dania The tensions have spilled over into the US capital Rajendra of the activist group Athena, a coalition which is Washington and elsewhere. US lawmakers leading virus crisis focused specifically on Amazon’s corporate activity and antitrust investigations asked Bezos to respond to reports treatment of workers. that the company improperly used data from third-party SAN FRANCISCO: As Amazon becomes an increasing- Athena activists fret that Amazon, which also controls sellers to launch its own products, which the company has ly important lifeline in the pandemic crisis, it is being hit one of the major streaming television services, infiltrates denied. New York state Attorney General Letitia James with a wave of criticism from activists, politicians and oth- so many aspects of people’s lives. Rankling many activists, called Amazon “disgraceful” for firing a warehouse ers who question the tech giant’s growing influence. the rise in Amazon’s shares has boosted the wealth of employee who led a worker protest over safety. Amazon Amazon has become the most scrutinized company dur- founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos to over $140 billion said the employee refused to quarantine after testing pos- ing the health emergency. It has boosted its global work- even as the global economy has been battered by the itive for COVID-19. force to nearly one million and dealt with protests over virus outbreak. Amazon has faced employee walkouts at In a statement to AFP, Amazon defended its actions on warehouse safety and reported deaths of several employ- several facilities over safety and hazard pay and has been workplace safety, social distancing and noted that it is ees. But Amazon has also pledged to spend at least $4 bil- accused of firing people for speaking out against the implementing its own employee testing program. lion in the current quarter—its entire expected operating company. “It’s a minority going on strike but the sentiment The company also disputed claims it was stifling profit—on coronavirus mitigation efforts, including relief represents thousand if not hundreds of thousands,” said employee speech. Spokeswoman Lisa Levandowski said NEW YORK: In this file photo, Amazon workers at Amazon’s contributions and funding research. Steve Smith of the California Labor Federation. the employees in question were dismissed “not for talking Staten Island warehouse strike in demand that the facility Amazon’s AWS cloud computing unit, which powers While Amazon has boosted base pay to $15 an hour, publicly about working conditions or safety, but for be shut down and cleaned after one staffer tested positive big portions of the internet, is also a key element during above the minimum wage required, and added bonuses repeatedly violating internal policies.”—AFP for the coronavirus in New York. — AFP 10 Established 1961

Monday, May 18, 2020 Business Ukraine workers skirt lockdowns to rescue European crops, farms British and Finnish farmers charter flights for workers

KIEV: In an almost empty terminal at Boryspil airport ‘Illogical’ to leave in Kiev, Yuriy was waiting in a busy line of 200 sea- The ex-Soviet nation with a population of 40 mil- sonal workers to check in for a lone flight to Finland. lion is one of the poorest countries in Europe and the The flight was an exception after Ukraine closed its economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic borders and grounded air travel in March to contain threatens to put additional financial pressure on strug- the coronavirus, stranding Ukrainian laborers who gling Ukrainians. Health officials in Kiev, which earlier would usually be harvesting crops on farms through- this week eased a lockdown imposed in March to slow out Europe. Faced with the prospect of fruit and veg- the virus, registered 17,330 coronavirus cases and 476 etables rotting in fields, farmers in countries including deaths as of Friday. the United Kingdom and Finland moved to solve the The return of Ukraine’s seasonal laborers comes as problem by chartering flights for workers. leaders throughout Europe cautiously open borders and ease lockdowns to get stalled economies moving again. Finland’s ambassador to Ukraine, Paivi Laine, said Virus fallout Helsinki had decided to allow the flights even though the country’s borders were closed because the gov- for Ukraine ernment “realized that we will need some workers from economy severe abroad.” She said some 1,500 seasonal laborers had been given permission to enter and that around two- thirds of those were Ukrainians, who are seen by Finnish farmers as “reliable” workers. Yet Kiev was reluctant to let its workers leave at KIEV: Ukrainian seasonal workers wearing face mask wait in line to check in to a flight to first, believing travel posed a serious health risk and Finland at Boryspil airport in Kiev. — AFP “Salaries in Ukraine are too low,” said 35-year-old that there was enough work in the country, even for Yuriy, who declined to give his last name. “You can’t around two million Ukrainians who returned home as do anything with it.” It will be his third trip to Finland, the pandemic gathered pace. hours after the state aviation service refused to Kiev was negotiating to send “thousands” of during which he expects to make around 7,500 euros Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in April said it give permission for take-off. But a storm of angry Ukrainians to Finland. Waiting in the check-in line, ($8,100) over five months picking lettuce and broc- would be “illogical” to allow Ukrainians to leave when comments on social media accusing the govern- 32-year-old Mykola who is returning to Finland coli—nearly four times what he would make as a fork- the country was working to return citizens stranded ment of unfairly keeping workers in the country welcomed the government’s decision to allow lift driver at home. abroad. helped force a shift in Kiev’s policy. Deputy Prime workers to depart, saying many seasonal laborers He is among tens of thousands of Ukrainian season- Minister Prystaiko said this month that dozens of and their families would benefit. al workers who travel every year to pick fruit on farms ‘Work, make money’ Austrian companies were waiting for more than Now that the politics and bureaucracy are out of in western European countries like the UK, Finland One flight carrying seasonal workers to the 800 Ukrainian workers to arrive to the country. He the way, “it’s time to go to work, make money, and then and Poland after failing to find well-paid jobs at home. United Kingdom in April was delayed for nine conceded that salaries were better abroad and said come back home happy,” he said. – AFP

“Organizations may feel intense pressure to pay the Sophos survey: ransom to avoid damaging downtime. On the face of it, paying the ransom appears to be an effective way of getting data restored, but this is illusory. Sophos’ find- Ransom doubles ings show that paying the ransom makes little differ- ence to the recovery burden in terms of time and cost. cost of recovery This could be because it is unlikely that a single magi- Weber: EU must cal decryption key is all that’s needed to recover. KUWAIT: Sophos, a global leader in next-generation Often, the attackers may ban takeover cybersecurity, announced the findings of its global sur- share several keys and vey, The State of Ransomware 2020, which reveals using them to restore data that paying cybercriminals to restore data encrypted by Chinese firms may be a complex and during a ransomware attack is not an easy and inex- time-consuming affair,” BERLIN: The European Union should impose a pensive path to recovery. In fact, the total cost of said Chester Wisniewski, temporary ban on Chinese takeovers of compa- recovery almost doubles when organizations pay a principal research scientist, nies that are currently undervalued or have busi- ransom. The survey polled 5,000 IT decision makers in Sophos. ness problems because of the coronavirus crisis, organizations in 26 countries across six continents, More than half (56 per- the leader of the bloc’s largest political alliance BEIJING: Australian beef is seen at a supermarket in including Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and cen- cent) the IT managers sur- said yesterday. Beijing. Australia said yesterday that China is continuously tral Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. veyed were able to recov- Manfred Weber, a senior German conservative ignoring call to ease trade tensions with Australia. – AFP More than half (51 percent) of organizations had er their data from backups and head of the center-right EPP grouping in the experienced a significant ransomware attack in the Chester Wisniewski without paying the ransom EU Parliament, told Germany’s Welt am Sonntag previous 12 months, compared to 54 percent in 2017. compared to 60 percent in newspaper that he was in favor of declaring a Australia: China In the MEA region, 43 percent of the organizations the MEA region. In a very twelve-month ban for Chinese investors who want surveyed mentioned a ransomware attack in the last small minority of cases (1 percent) globally and 3 per- to buy European firms. one year. Globally Data was encrypted in nearly three cent in the MEA region, paying the ransom did not “We have to see that Chinese companies, part- ignores calls to quarters (73 percent) of attacks that successfully lead to the recovery of data. This figure rose to 5 per- ly with the support of state funds, are increasingly breached an organization, while in the MEA region, it cent for public sector organizations. In fact, 13 percent trying to buy up European companies that are ease trade row was 63 percent. The average cost of addressing the of the public sector organizations surveyed never cheap to acquire or that got into economic diffi- impact of such an attack, including business downtime, managed to restore their encrypted data, compared to culties due to the coronavirus crisis,” he said. The MELBOURNE: Australia urged China yesterday to lost orders, operational costs, and more, but not 6 percent overall. European Union therefore should react in a coor- respond to its requests to discuss easing tensions including the ransom, was more than $730,000. This However, contrary to popular belief, the public sec- dinated way and put an end to the “Chinese shop- between the two trading partners after Canberra average cost rose to $1.4 million, almost twice as much, tor was least affected by ransomware, with just 45 ping tour” by imposing a twelve-month moratori- called for an international enquiry into the origins of when organizations paid the ransom. More than one percent of the organizations surveyed in this category um on sales of European companies until the the novel coronavirus. China, accusing Australia of quarter (27 percent) of organizations hit by ran- saying they were hit by a significant attack in the pre- coronavirus crisis is hopefully over, Weber said. playing “petty tricks”, has recently suspended beef somware admitted paying the ransom. The survey also vious year. At a global level, media, leisure and enter- “We have to protect ourselves,” he added. imports from four of Australia’s largest meat proces- revealed 23 percent of the organizations that were tainment businesses in the private sector were most China and the EU launched negotiations on a sors and is considering imposing hefty tariffs on attacked in the MEA region admitted to paying the affected by ransomware, with 60 percent of respon- comprehensive investment agreement in 2013, and imports of barley. ransom. dents reporting attacks. have held numerous rounds of talks since then. Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has Sticking points have included reciprocal market requested discussions on the trade issues with his access and a level playing field. Chinese counterpart, he said in a television interview Chinese and EU leaders are slated to meet at a on the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) yesterday. Temporary layoffs special summit in September, though the coron- “That request has not been met with a call being avirus pandemic has cast some doubt on whether accommodated at this stage,” he said on the ABC’s no cure-all in the meeting can go ahead as planned. “China will ‘Insiders’ program. “We are open to have that discus- be our biggest competitor in the future, in eco- sion, even where there are difficult issues to be dis- slow recovery nomic, social and political terms,” Weber said. “I cussed.” Birmingham said Australia reserved its rights view China as the strategic competitor for to bring a case against China at the World Trade BRUSSELS: Temporary unemployment schemes oper- Europe, that represents an authoritarian model of Organization if Beijing imposed the tariffs on ating across Europe could struggle to save the jobs of society, that wants to expand its power and Australian barley. leisure and travel sector workers facing drawn-out or replace the United States as a leading power.” Relations between Canberra and Beijing have been partial recoveries from the COVID-19 pandemic, even if Europe should take China seriously and show strained amid Australian accusations of Chinese med- they help industries that rebound quickly. respect for the country as a world power, “but dling in domestic affairs and concern about what Short-term unemployment or furlough schemes have above all we have to be vigilant,” Weber said. The Australia sees as China’s growing influence in the taken in a quarter of Britain’s workforce, nearly two- German government agreed last month to tighten Pacific region. The call for the probe into the coron- BRUSSELS: German airline Lufthansa Chairman and CEO rules to protect domestic firms from unwanted thirds of those employed by France’s private sector and Carsten Spohr (right) leaves after a meeting between avirus’ origins came amid rising criticism of China’s takeovers by investors from non-European Union many millions across Europe. Championed by Germany, Lufthansa and the Belgian Prime Minister regarding handling of the outbreak by US President Donald where it is known as kurzarbeit, the schemes typically Brussels Airlines, on Saturday in Brussels. Brussels countries. The move comes at a time when Trump, who has said that Beijing should face conse- provide at least 80% of pay for workers for whom there Airlines, part of the Lufthansa Group, announced to cut Europe’s biggest economy, and the EU as a whole, quences if it was “knowingly responsible” for the pan- is no work now, but a swift return is expected after a 1000 jobs and to get rid of 10 of its airplanes, to stay sol- are reconsidering relations with China in the face demic. Canberra has insisted the call for the enquiry limited period. vent while flights are suspended till June 1, during the of increased investment in critical sectors by into the pandemic, which it says most likely originated The schemes have spread far wider and faster than ongoing coronavirus crisis. Staff applied for temporary Chinese state-owned enterprises.– Reuters in a wildlife market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, was during the last major shock, the 2008-2009 global unemployment. – AFP not politically targeted at Beijing. financial crisis. Raymond Torres, chief economist of the Australia is set to join other countries in pushing for Spanish think-tank Funcas, says furlough schemes are the probe when the World Health Assembly, the deci- one of the responses that have really worked in the ini- In France, the cost is likely far to surpass the 26 bil- sion-making body of the World Health Organization, tial management of the crisis. lion euros ($28.1 billion) budgeted. Labour Minister Tanzania lowers gathers next week in Switzerland for its first annual “I wish the same had been done in 2009 where they Muriel Penicaud said the government planned to lower meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began. were hardly used and caused unemployment to rise,” he wage reimbursements by the state from June. 2020 growth COVID-19 is the respiratory disease caused by the said, although he expressed concern that the scheme in coronavirus. Spain would only run to the end of June, with many fur- Permanent shift to economy The pandemic has caused more than 4.6 million ther months of economic crisis expected. The head of A study in Belgium released this week gave a taste of projection infections and more than 310,000 deaths worldwide, Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis gave an unset- economic life after temporary layoffs end. Belgium has according to Reuters data, paralyzing life in major tling warning on Friday that any vaccine to fight the new some 900,000 people covered by such a scheme, cur- DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania’s economy is expected cities and devastating economies. Australia has so far coronavirus will not be ready for use for at least two rently until the end of June. The survey of companies by succeeded in containing the pandemic with swift and years. the country’s new economic task-force showed that to expand by 4 percent in 2020, less than an earlier projection of 6.9 percent due to the impact of the strict, albeit economically very costly, social distancing The layoff schemes come at a cost, though, so are 180,000, or 6 percent of the workforce, risked losing measures and aggressive testing. temporary in nature. In Italy, for example, companies their jobs within a relatively short time period. coronavirus, the finance minister said. The outbreak has had a particularly big impact on The country, with a population of 25 million, has can use them for up to 18 weeks. Many elsewhere last Of those, a quarter worked in hotels, cafes and recorded 7,036 COVID-19 cases and 98 deaths, sig- restaurants and almost half in the culture and recreation the country’s tourism industry, a major source of rev- until the end of June. nificantly below the levels reported in North America sector. A further 75,000 self-employed people believed enues and employment. British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak says the UK bill and Europe. As of Saturday, the government has they were likely to go under. Italy has banned dismissal The minister, Philip Mpango, told parliament on for covering 7.5 million workers is 8 billion pounds reported testing more than 1 million people for the procedures until mid-August and Economy Minister Friday the government had revised its growth projec- ($9.75 billion) a month, about two-thirds of what the virus. With new daily cases falling, Australia has begun country spends on its health service. Sunak has warned Roberto Gualtieri has repeatedly promised no one will tion downwards “due to the impact of the coronavirus easing its social distancing restrictions with most this is not sustainable, although he extended it for a sec- lose their job because of the coronavirus. However, that on the different sectors,” without going into further states allowing for public gatherings and some allow- ond time on Tuesday. Even with the scheme, Britain’s is not expected to save the jobs of all self-employed, details.Tanzania, which has not imposed a widespread ing pubs, malls, parks and beaches to reopen after unemployment rate is set to more than double to 10 fixed-term contract service sector workers and those in lockdown, has reported 544 infections and 21 related weeks of lockdown. – Reuters percent in the second quarter. the grey economy.– Reuters deaths as of Saturday. – AFP Established 1961 11 Business Monday, May 18, 2020 Boursa Kuwait net profits soar by 307% to KD 9.6 million in 2019 Company’s Board of Directors proposes dividend of 25 fils per share

KUWAIT: Delivering an exceptional performance improved substanitally in 2019, Boursa Kuwait announced its financial during 2019, with the “All- results for the year ended 31 December 2019 with Share” closing at 23.68 net profits of KD 9.6 million, an approximately 307 percent, while the “Main percent increase in comparison to the correspon- Market” index recorded ding period in 2018, when the company recorded gains of 32.44 percent, profits of KD 2.35 million. which placed it at the The company’s total assets came in at approxi- forefront of the GCC mar- mately KD 36.19 million, which is a 41 percent kets and among the high- increase over its 2018 total of KD 25.6 million, est performing markets while shareholder equity increased from KD 22.5 across the world in 2019. million in 2018 to KD 32.1 million for the year end- The periodic review of Hamad Mishari ed 31 December 2019. the FTSE Russell index Al-Humaidhi Boursa Kuwait’s Board of Directors has pro- for Kuwait and the posed the distribution of a final cash dividend of increase in its weight in Emerging Markets index 25 fils per share, which is subject to shareholders’ helped attract foreign cash flows to the market, as approval at the Annual General Meeting. Earnings did the inclusion of Kuwaiti companies in the S&P per share came in at 48.5 fils, as compared to 14.5 Dow Jones Emerging Markets index in September fils in 2018. 2019 and the announce- Boursa Kuwait’s ment of Kuwait’s reclassi- Chairman Hamad Mishari fication to an Emerging Al-Humaidhi commented: Market in the MSCI index “Boursa Kuwait has Total assets in December 2019, which recorded an increase of increase to has undoubtedly rein- over 307 percent in net forced the nation’s posi- profits in comparison to KD 36.19m tion as a leading net profits for 2018, exchange. which is considered the In 2019, the Kuwaiti highest since its estab- capital market witnessed lishment. This comes as a an increase in the value of result of the continuous shares traded, amounting an international exchange and a group of Kuwaiti ing platforms that allow them to communicate with market developments and reforms we have dili- to 7.937 billion Kuwaiti dinars in 2019 compared investment companies was awarded the bid for a regional and global investors in a manner that pro- gently rolled out over the past few years, which to 4.138 billion Kuwaiti dinars traded during 2018. 44 percent equity stake in the company. In vides diversified investment opportunities. We has led to significant progress in our journey to The number of traded shares increased by almost December 2019, the privatization process was continue our work towards creating an innovative become a prominent stock exchange in the Middle 80 percent during 2019, to reach 39.04 billion finalized after the initial public offering of the capital market that is a pioneer on a local, regional East and a capital market ranked by the most shares, compared to 21.71 billion shares traded Capital Markets Authority’s 50 percent stake in and international front.” prominent international providers of equity, fixed during the year 2018. the company was offered to Kuwaiti citizens, with Boursa Kuwait’s strategy has been developed income, hedge fund stock market indexes, and The company became the only stock exchange an oversubscription rate of 850 percent. to ensure alignment with the New Kuwait 2035 multi-asset portfolio analysis tools.” in the Middle East owned by the private sector Al-Humaidhi added: “Boursa Kuwait continues vision, as it contributes to strengthening not only Boursa Kuwait’s operational and regulatory after finalizing its privatization process over two to move forward with its strategy to develop a liq- the Kuwait economy but to the country’s trans- improvements led to the enhancement of the phases. The first phase of privatization kicked off uid and transparent capital market, one that is fully formation into a regional financial and commer- Kuwaiti capital market. Trading operations in February 2019, when a consortium comprised of equipped and capable to support issuer by creat- cial hub.

Friday, and Connecticut and “What we’re seeing now is the market turmoil. Investors gear Minnesota are set to ease restrictions wash of realism coming over the Andrew Graham, managing partner in the coming week. market,” said Shannon Saccocia, at Jackson Square Capital in San “We don’t know what the new nor- chief investment officer at Boston Francisco, has focused on stocks he Carmaker Kia for more US mal will be,” said Alessio de Longis, Private. The VIX on Monday believes can maintain high dividend portfolio manager at Invesco. “The touched its lowest level since late yields, especially within the pharma- stock swings managing of expectations will lead to February before reversing course as ceutical industry. His firm owns shares closes Algeria some false steps along the way.” For expectations for market volatility of Bristol-Myers Squibb Co, AbbVie NEW YORK: Investors are bracing now, a pile-up of worrying domestic grew later in the week. Inc and Merck & Co Inc. assembly line for more turbulence in US stocks as and international news prompted Concerns over economic reopen- Investors will also watch the US some states prepare to reopen their investors to pull back on equities after ing are reflected in the VIX futures Treasury Department’s first auction ALGIERS: South Korean carmaker Kia will shut economies and global trade ten- the S&P 500 in April notched its best curve, which shows investors betting for its 20-year bond on down its assembly line in Algeria from Sunday sions rise. The Cboe Volatility monthly gain in decades. volatility will be elevated in coming Wednesday. Treasury plans to bor- due to supply chain disruptions after authorities Index, known as Wall Street’s fear U.S. President Donald Trump has weeks, rather than later in the summer, row a record amount of nearly $3 imposed a ban on the import of spare parts. gauge, posted its biggest weekly ratcheted up rhetoric on China, float- said Christopher Murphy, co-head of trillion this quarter. “Work will be interrupted from May 17” at the gain in about two months, reflecting ing the possibility of cutting ties with derivatives strategy at Susquehanna Some investors said they were like- factory in the town of Batna, northeast of the the S&P 500 index’s 2.6 percent the world’s second-largest economy. Financial Group. ly to keep equities at a slight under- capital Algiers, according to an internal company slide from its April 29 high. VIX The White House on Friday moved to The curve has fluctuated in shape weight in their portfolios given the message published by employees on Facebook futures have jumped as well, with block shipments of semiconductors to over the past week. On Tuesday, likelihood of further declines. Dave this week. investors pricing elevated risk into Huawei Technologies Co Ltd from front-month VIX futures traded at Lafferty, chief market strategist at Around 1,200 people were employed at Batna, June contracts. global chipmakers, which could put higher prices than futures expiring in Natixis Investment Managers, where production was launched in 2018 with a Whether recent losses in stocks pressure on a global economy already subsequent months, reflecting height- believes the recent stock rally did not reported capacity of around 50,000 vehicles, resulted from profit taking after suffering its deepest contraction in ened concern over near-term condi- factor in the likelihood of businesses although not more than 10,000 were ultimately April’s swift rally or were the start of a decades. tions. While that is no longer the case operating below their usual capacity assembled there. There was no immediate confir- prolonged decline may become more Hopes for a speedy return to nor- for now, VIX futures are broadly pric- even if states reopened their mation from the company. apparent in weeks to come, investors mal took another hit when ing in higher volatility than they were economies. The decision to halt production comes after the said. Many are watching progress of California’s state university system a week ago. Several investors are “Yes, there’s going to be a strong government announced on Sunday it would indefi- US states trying to reopen their canceled classes for the fall semester positioning for further turbulence by growth rate from the bottom, but the nitely ban the import of spare parts used in assem- economies without fueling a resur- because of the coronavirus and Los shunning value sectors such as energy place we’re getting back to is going to bly lines. The ban was expected to deal a heavy gence in coronavirus cases. Parts of Angeles County said its stay-at- and financials in favor of technology be subpar for a while,” Lafferty said. blow to Algeria’s nascent automobile industry, New York, Virginia and Maryland home order was likely to be extended and healthcare, two areas that have “Are stocks priced for subpar growth? which revolved around the “semi knocked-down” moved toward lifting lockdowns on by three months. held up relatively well during recent I think they aren’t.” —Reuters or SKD kits system. Launched in 2014, the SKD method consisted of vehicle part kits that were imported from the producer and then assembled. unequivocally whether it would affect Use of the system aimed to reduce the Mexico speeds the restart dates. Then, on Thursday, import bill in Algeria at a time when oil revenues it published new instructions indicat- were dropping as global prices fell. But it ing the industry would not be allowed apparently had an opposite effect and was sur- up auto to reopen until June 1. Senior US rounded by domestic corruption scandals last politicians and auto companies have year in Algeria. sector reboot pressed the Mexican government to reopen factories, and the conflicting MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s automotive statements stirred concern about dis- industry can exit the coronavirus ruptions. JCPenney files for lockdown before June 1 if companies Fausto Cuevas, director general of have approved safety measures in Mexican automaking lobby AMIA, place, the government said on Friday, said his members aim to be able to bankruptcy seeking to set the record straight tell suppliers by the weekend that after sending out confusing signals on they are meeting the new safety NEW YORK: US department store JCPenney, which the restart. requirements. “The sooner we can has not turned a profit since 2011, on Friday became The announcement in the govern- align ourselves with our trading part- the latest American retailer to be pushed into ment’s official gazette means that ners in the US and Canada, the closer bankruptcy by the coronavirus pandemic. The icon- from as early as next week automak- we’ll be to resolving this situation ic business said it was filing for Chapter 11, a mech- MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s automotive industry can exit the coronavirus lock- ers can begin reconnecting supply (coronavirus) created,” he told a anism which allows a company that can no longer down before June 1 if companies have approved safety measures in place, chains between Mexico and the rest Senate committee. pay its debts to restructure. the government said on Friday. of North America, which depends The group, based in Plano, Texas, will close some heavily on parts made south of the Shortages stores across the US as a result, it said in a state- US border. “If the process is conclud- The US Motor & Equipment fied that. General Motors Co Chief same time, parts of the auto industry ment. It has $500 million in cash and has received ed and approved before June 1, the Manufacturers Association on Friday Financial Officer Dhivya Suryadevara had begun preparing for a restart on financing commitments of $900 million from lenders, relevant company or industry will be thanked Lopez Obrador for his efforts said the situation would be “fluid” up Monday, saying they regarded the it added. The company missed a debt interest pay- able to begin its operations,” the gov- to ramp up vehicle and parts produc- to the restart, but that the company government’s statement pointing to ment in April, fueling rumors of an impending bank- ernment said, warning, however, that tion in Mexico, and said its members aimed to start a majority of its opera- May 18 as having legal force. ruptcy. “The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has companies which put workers’ health were working to put in place the tions next week under strict safety Lopez Obrador said on Friday that created unprecedented challenges for our families, at risk would be shut down. safety protocols. “Allowing motor measures. according to experts’ projections, the our loved ones, our communities, and our country,” Mexico’s automotive industry vehicle parts manufacturing to take The coronavirus outbreak is still pandemic would begin easing in the chief executive officer Jill Soltau in a statement. wants to get safety protocols in place steps toward reopening will be a crit- intensifying in Mexico, with new worst-hit areas of the country in the “The American retail industry has experienced a as quickly as possible despite con- ical component to economic recov- infections and confirmed deaths coming days. “We’re seeing the light profoundly different new reality, requiring cerns about bringing production back ery,” it said in a statement. Still, reaching their highest daily totals this at the end of the tunnel to return to JCPenney to make difficult decisions in running our online too soon. On Wednesday, the Germany’s Daimler AG said Friday it week. Mexico registered its first con- the new reality,” he said in a regular business,” she continued. “Until this pandemic government of President Andres would idle its Mercedes-Benz sport firmed cases weeks after Canada and news conference. struck, we had made significant progress rebuilding Manuel Lopez Obrador indicated the utility vehicle assembly plant in the United States. The health crisis Friday’s government directive our company... While we had been working in paral- auto sector would start reopening on Tuscaloosa, Alabama, next week has worried some in Mexico, includ- referred to manufacturers of trans- lel on options to strengthen our balance sheet and Monday, and published advice to that because of a parts shortage. ing a few lawmakers in the president’s portation equipment, as well as the extend our financial runway, the closure of our effect in its gazette. An industry source said the deci- National Regeneration Movement mining and construction industries, stores due to the pandemic necessitated a more ful- The government later withdrew sion was taken due to a lack of parts (MORENA) that the government is which the government has designated some review to include the elimination of outstand- that advice without clarifying from Mexico. Daimler has not clari- moving too quickly to reopen. At the essential. —Reuters ing debt,” Soltau said. —AFP 12 Established 1961 Health & Science Monday, May 18, 2020

Researchers go Spraying disinfectants can be harmful: WHO ‘cuckoo’ over penguin poop COPENHAGEN: Antarctica’s king penguins emit such copious amounts of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, via their faeces that researchers went a little “cuckoo” studying them, according to a Danish scientific study. “Penguin guano pro- duces significantly high levels of nitrous oxide around their colonies,” said the head of the study, Professor Bo Elberling, of the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management. While studying colonies of king penguins on the Atlantic island of South Georgia between South America and Antarctica, “the researchers went ‘cuckoo’ from being surrounded by penguin poop”, he said. Besides being a strain on the cli- mate, nitrous oxide has an effect very similar to the sedative laughing gas used at the dentist’s. “After nosing about in guano for several hours, AMRITSAR: Volunteers spray disinfectant at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport after the government eased a nationwide lockdown imposed as a preventive one goes completely cuckoo. One begins to feel measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus. — AFP ill and get a headache,” Elberling said. Nitrous oxide is 300 times more polluting to GENEVA: Spraying disinfectant on the streets, as and pavements are not considered as “reservoirs of direct spraying areas. “If disinfectants are to be the environment than carbon dioxide. The practiced in some countries, does not eliminate the infection” of COVID-19, adding that spraying disin- applied, this should be done with a cloth or wipe nitrous oxide is explained by the penguin diet of new coronavirus and even poses a health risk, the fectants, even outside, can be “dangerous for human that has been soaked in disinfectant,” it says. krill and fish, which contains high levels of nitro- World Health Organization (WHO) warned on health”. The document also stresses that spraying The SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of the pan- gen. Nitrogen is released from the penguins’ fae- Saturday. In a document on cleaning and disinfect- individuals with disinfectants is “not recommended demic that has killed more than 300,000 people ces into the ground and soil bacteria then con- ing surfaces as part of the response to the virus, the under any circumstances”. worldwide since its appearance in late December in WHO says spraying can be ineffective. “Spraying or “This could be physically and psychologically China, can attach itself to surfaces and vert it into nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas. fumigation of outdoor spaces, such as streets or harmful and would not reduce an infected person’s objects. However, no precise information is current- “While nitrous oxide emissions in this case are marketplaces, is... not recommended to kill the ability to spread the virus through droplets or con- ly available for the period during which the viruses not enough to impact Earth’s overall energy COVID-19 virus or other pathogens because disin- tact,” said the document. Spraying chlorine or other remain infectious on the various surfaces. Studies budget, our findings contribute to new knowl- fectant is inactivated by dirt and debris,” explains toxic chemicals on people can cause eye and skin have shown that the virus can stay on several types edge about how penguin colonies affect the the WHO. irritation, bronchospasm and gastrointestinal of surfaces for several days. However, these maxi- environment around them, which is interesting “Even in the absence of organic matter, chemical effects, it adds. The organization is also warning mum durations are only theoretical because they because colonies are generally becoming more spraying is unlikely to adequately cover all surfaces against the systematic spraying and fumigating of are recorded under laboratory conditions and for the duration of the required contact time needed disinfectants on to surfaces in indoor spaces, citing should be “interpreted with caution” in the real- and more widespread,” Elberling said. — AFP to inactivate pathogens.” The WHO said that streets a study that has shown it to be ineffective outside world environment. — AFP 13

Monday, May 18, 2020

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Monday, May 18, 2020 Lifestyle Features

This undated handout photos released by The Inn at Little Washington shows mannequins set up in the restaurant’s dining room in Washington, Mannequins costumed in 1940s era clothing are seated in the dining area Virginia. —AFP photos of the Inn at Little Washington, a Michelin three star restaurant in the Virginia countryside, in Rappahannock County. Dinner with dummies: US eatery fills empty seats with mannequins

heir eyes are vacant, their smiles uncanny — solution seemed obvious — fill it with interestingly reopen May 29. The theatrical, life-sized mannequins make-up for the mannequins, strategically placed at Tbut they’re dressed to the nines and they don’t dressed dummies,” says chef Patrick O’Connell, own- are dressed to evoke the post-war ambience of the tables which must remain empty. “We’re all craving to need a reservation for some of America’s finest er of The Inn at Little Washington, in an e-mail to 1940s, with pearl necklaces, checkered dresses and gather and see other people right now. They don’t all dining. A Michelin-starred restaurant in the US state AFP. striped suits. necessarily need to be real people,” O’Connell mis- of Virginia has found a fun — or creepy, depending “This would allow plenty of space between real The glamor needs to suit the rest of the Inn, whose chievously points out. “I’ve always had a thing for on your tastes — way to enforce social distancing guests and elicit a few smiles and provide some fun sprawling grounds are distinguished by features such mannequins — they never complain about anything when it reopens at the end of May: costumed man- photo ops,” he adds. The Inn, which says it is “known as a chicken coop complete with crystal chandelier, and you can have lots of fun dressing them up,” he nequins seated among the breathing guests. “When for being reverently irreverent” and which also hap- and where a tasting menu can cost each guest $248 adds. Unlike the real guests.—AFP we needed to solve the problem of social distancing pens to be the only restaurant with three Michelin before the drink. The Inn has collaborated with local and reducing our restaurant’s occupancy by half, the stars in the Washington, DC area, is scheduled to businesses to provide the staging, costumes and

Tributes paid after US comedian Fred Willard death of Beatles passes away aged 86 photographer our-time Emmy award-winning comedian Fred FWillard, who appeared in films including Astrid Kirchherr “Anchorman” and “This is Spinal Tap” and televi- sion shows such as “Modern Family,” has died aged 86, his agent announced Saturday. Tributes poured in for ributes emerged Saturday for German photog- the actor, with long-time friend and fellow showbiz Trapher Astrid Kirchherr, whose striking images veteran Jamie Lee Curtis tweeting “Thanks for the of The Beatles in the early 1960s helped turn Picture taken on October 6, 2000 in Itzehoe, northern deep belly laughs Mr. Willard.” “Fred Willard was the them into cultural icons, following the announcement Germany, shows German photographer Astrid funniest person that I’ve ever worked with. He was a of her death this week aged 81. Kirchherr passed Kirchherr posing in front of one of her photographs sweet, wonderful man,” tweeted actor Steve Carrell. away on Wednesday in Hamburg a few days before depicting British musician and Beatles member John Willard himself had just paid homage to two other her 82nd birthday, Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn Lennon.—AFP showbiz legends, singer Little Richard and fellow confirmed Friday. “Her gift to the Beatles was them both as rebels and romantics. She later lived comedian Jerry Stiller, who also passed away this immeasurable,” he said on Twitter, describing mainly off the reproduction rights of the pictures, month. In this file photo taken on November 07, 2013, actor Kirchherr as “intelligent, inspirational, innovative... NDR said. She was also said to have worked as a “A bad time! Just getting over the loss of Little Fred Willard poses on arrival for the AFI Fest opening smart, loving and (an) uplifting friend to many”. stylist and interior designer and opened a photogra- Richard, and now I learn my old friend Jerry Stiller has night gala screening of Disney’s ‘Saving Mr. Banks’ in Those close to her told several German media outlets, phy shop. Kirchherr was behind the group’s so-called passed away. He was a good friend and a very funny Hollywood.—AFP including the weekly Die Zeit and NDR public televi- mop-top hairstyles of the early 1960s. man,” he wrote on May 11, in the last thread on his sion, that she had died after a serious illness. The photographer later kept in touch with The Twitter account. “I met him in the 60s when we played duo found some success touring and made appear- Beatles drummer Ringo Starr took to social media Beatles, Harrison in particular. Dhani Harrison, his son in the same clubs in The Village as he and Anne Meara. ances on “The Dean Martin Show,” “The Smothers to pay his own tribute. “God bless Astrid a beautiful and himself a musician, posted a message to Unfortunately for us, they were much funnier! We Brothers Comedy Hour,” and “The Tonight Show.” human being and she took great photos,” he said. Kirchherr on Twitter alongside a photograph of her. couldn’t be jealous, so we became good friends Willard also had a recurring role as Hank MacDougall Kirchherr met and befriended the band in 1960 dur- “Dearest Astrid, I really wish I could have spent more instead.” Modern audiences knew Willard as the TV on the later seasons of CBS’s “Everybody Loves ing a tour in Hamburg, before they achieved world- time with you in this life,” he said. “You were always father of actor Ty Burrell’s character Phil Dunphy on Raymond.” He was cast as a sportscaster in the televi- wide fame. “My whole life changed in a couple of so kind and loving towards me. May God bless you ABC’s hit sitcom “Modern Family.” But his decades- sion series “Back to You,” which premiered on the Fox minutes,” she is quoted as saying. At the time, the always.” Last month saw the 50th anniversary of the long career saw him make audiences laugh in ensem- Network in 2007. The Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters group was made up of five members: John Lennon, Beatles’ unofficial break-up, with the so-called “Fab ble films such as “Waiting for Guffman,” “A Mighty presented Willard with the Art Gilmore Career Paul McCartney and George Harrison, as well as Four” still seen as influential pop music pioneers half Wind” and “Best in Show.” Earlier audiences encoun- Achievement Award at their celebrity luncheon in bassist Stuart Sutcliffe and drummer Pete Best, who a century later. The band remain the best-selling tered him as Jerry Hubbard, sidekick to actor Martin 2015. His agent, Mike Eisenstadt, did not specify the was later replaced by Starr. music artists of all time, with enduring hits from “I Mull in the 70’s talk show spoof “Fernwood Tonight.” cause of Willard’s death, nor his whereabouts at the time.—AFP Mop-top hairstyles Want to Hold Your Hand” and “Hey Jude” to Willard’s stage career began when he moved to New “Yesterday” and “Let It Be” familiar to at least four York in the late 1950s. His initial work included a pro- Sutcliffe fell in love with Kirchherr and stayed on generations of fans.—AFP duction of “Desperate Hours” at a local YMCA, where in Hamburg, but died from a brain haemorrhage in he worked with future comedy partner Vic Grecco. 1962. She later married and divorced twice, but had They later performed under the moniker Willard & no children, The Guardian reported. Kirchherr went Grecco in the Greenwich Village area. The comedy on to take numerous photos of the group, showing Scarface reboot penned by Coen bros set in Los Angeles

Rai of the Stay Homas music group smiles on the ter- reboot of classic gangster movie “Scarface” race of the trio’s apartment in Barcelona. Ascripted by the Coen brothers and set in Los Angeles is moving forward with a new director at Universal Pictures, a source familiar with the deal told AFP Thursday. The film will be directed by Oscar nominee Luca Guadagnino (“Call Me By Your Name”) and will be the third big-screen take on the blood- soaked immigrant underworld story. The original 1932 movie directed by Howard Hawks — itself based on a novel partly inspired by Al Capone’s life — depicted Italian mafia in Chicago. The action was transplanted to Miami in Brian De (From left) Rai, Klaus and Guillem of the Stay Homas music group perform on the terrace of the trio’s apartment Klaus of the Stay Homas music group poses on the Palma’s 1983 hit movie, starring Al Pacino as ruthless in Barcelona.—AFP photos terrace of the trio’s apartment in Barcelona. Cuban refugee Tony Montana, who builds a criminal empire based on cocaine. The new film will reimagine “the core immigrant story” told in both the 1932 and How lockdown spelled stardom for 3 play-at-home musicians 1983 films. In adapting the story once again, Joel and Ethan Coen (“Fargo”) follow in the footsteps of Oliver Stone, who won plaudits for his flashy and ultra-vio- hen the epidemic hit, they were just three together until the March 14 lockdown when they found With all the restrictions, it has been a barebones lent screenplay for the second version — which musicians stuck at home who started larking themselves at a loose end while having a beer in the sun project, they say, making music “on the cheap” with W included Pacino’s immortal line “Say hello to my little around on their terrace with a guitar and a bin on the roof in Barcelona’s Ensanche neighbourhood. whatever was lying around the house — a cardboard friend.” The multiple Oscar-winning Coen brothers in the hope of livening up lockdown. But two months “Rai started playing bossanova-style and mucking box, an empty gin bottle, a metal wastepaper bin, a wrote the latest version of the script based on previ- and 27 songs later, the Barcelona trio has become a around and we started to put together a song which we spatula. “Very little has been planned in this project,” ous drafts for the long-gestating project. —AFP rooftop sensation, their catchy tunes in a mix of Spanish, recorded and put online,” explains Bolto sitting on the admits Stroink. “We’re using a bin because we don’t Catalan and English winning them an impressive follow- terrace next to pots of cacti. It was a hit, so the next day have drums, if we had drums we’d play them. For the ing online — and a contract with Sony. Known as the they recorded another called “Stay Homa” which they first three weeks we only had one drumstick.” “Stay Homas”, Klaus, Rai and Guillem now have took as their name. Another followed and then another. 400,000 followers on Instagram, Michael Buble has 100,000 followers in a week covered one of their songs and they have collaborated ʻPlease stay homa, donʼt want coronaʼ Their tunes have drawn many collaborators who with Manu Chao and Pablo Alborán. And their first At first, they were recording every day in what they record themselves at home — then send their video album will be out this autumn. “Not in a hundred life- named their “Confination Songs”. “It was out of our which is shown on a mobile phone as the trio performs times would I have ever believed this was going to hap- hands pretty quickly because people were more and their latest song. Even so, it took them a while to set up pen to us. That Sony would come knocking because more enthusiastic which really motivated us. Suddenly it a website and a social media profile — because they they like the songs we make on our rooftop with a gui- just exploded,” Bolto said. And over the past two worried they wouldn’t have any followers. “Within a tar and a metal rubbish bin,” Guillem Bolto, 25, told AFP months, they’ve touched on everything from reggae to week, we had more than 100,000 followers — at their flat. “It’s completely incredible.” folk, flamenco to trap, always in a lighthearted manner 100,000!” chuckles Benet. But it’s a bitter-sweet feel- Since the start of the year, the three have shared an and with a sense of humour. “Please stay homa (please ing, coming at a bad moment for the music industry with attic flat in Barcelona whose hallway is now full of beers stay home), don’t want the corona (please stay home), so many people out of work. And the sudden fame is “a and freebies sent in by brands whose products appear Oh God please stay homa (please stay home) It’s ok to bit overwhelming”, Stroink says. “I’m doing just fine in their videos. They play in two local bands: Bolto be alona,” they lyricise in the track from which they took with my friends, with my people and I don’t want that to In this file photo actors F. Murray Abraham Al Pacino sings and plays trombone in one, while Klaus Stroink, their name. The idea was to “give a sort of positive change.—AFP and Steven Bauer arrive at the release of “Scarface” 25, plays trumpet in another with 28-year-old bass message which says OK, this is a shitty situation but On Blu-ray at the Belasco Theatre on August 23, 2011 player Rai Benet. But they never wrote anything let’s try and find some good in it,” says Stroink in Los Angeles, California.—AFP Established 1961 15 Lifestyle Features Monday, May 18, 2020

Lorenzo Saa is pictured as he works on his creation for May 14 - his 56th daily effort Lorenzo Saa is pictured as he works on his creation for May 14 - his 56th daily effort Lorenzo Saa is pictured looking at the photos posted of since the UK’s lockdown began - at his home in north London.—AFP photos since the UK’s lockdown began - at his home in north London. his previous creations, at his home. Prickly pastime: Cactus inspires lockdown art project

hat do a match-studded turnip, celeriac embedded with coffee capsules and a Wkiwano melon decorated with lollipops and pins have in common? All are the brainchild of a British man trying to keep busy during lockdown, reproducing the shape of the novel coron- avirus from everyday objects. “The idea started a bit randomly,” Lorenzo Saa told AFP at his flat in north London. “I have a cactus at the house, one of these beautiful round ones, and it sat there and I looked at it and it made me think of all these images that we were seeing of COVIDs. “And so I had some felt balls, I put them on the cactus, and it was like, ‘Oh my God, this is COVID-19.’”

Supporting local communities Saa, who works for an investment consulting firm, spends four hours a day on his increasingly inventive ʻDivert the absenceʼ creations before posting them to a dedicated Britain entered coronavirus lockdown in late March Instagram account, covid19replicas. Most of his cre- as the virus took hold. More than 33,000 people have ations start with a round fruit or vegetable, to which he now died — the second-highest toll in the world. adds everyday objects to depict the different-sized Restrictions were eased slightly this week in England, stalks of the virus. So far he has used items including with indications of a downward trend in cases, hospital candles, radishes, buttons, flowers, cloves, dried pasta admissions and deaths. Saa said it had been a struggle and incense sticks. to keep coming up with new ideas as the days passed. With the exception of the incense sticks, Saa has An iced version and another with light bulbs are in the made it a point of principle to try to eat all of his cre- pipeline. But he said the project has kept him occu- ations, and views it as a way of staying healthy and pied. “I think having a project is key in mental health, supporting the community. “Fruit and vegetables... are and I think this has helped my mental health,” he much better for the environment, plus they’re better added. “I’m a very social person, so I needed some- for your health,” he said. “It’s health, it’s environment, thing to help me divert the absence of something that it’s local communities that you actually support by was important for me, which was the social connection shopping there and not shopping at chains.” to people.”—AFP

Lorenzo Saa’s art creations are seen.

Mythical monster goes viral as Virus permitting, Japan prays for end of pandemic Bolshoi hopes for September curtain-up

ove over Pokemon and Hello Kitty, in coron- from amateurs to artists posting their renditions of the for about a month,” keeper Sae Ishino told AFP. “We he legendary Bolshoi Theatre, whose Mavirus-hit Japan, a new character has captured mythical monster. The long-locked legend has also perform the drawing of Amabie hoping the pandemic of dancers and singers are currently under hearts and hopes: Amabie, a beak-nosed, sparked on outpouring of creative content, including an the new coronavirus will come to an end soon.”—AFP Tvirus lockdown, hopes to hold its first per- long-locked mythical mermaid monster said to repel udon dish featuring Amabie in the form of a fish formances in September, the general director plagues. In recent weeks, the mash-up monster has sausage emerging from a bowl, with the traditional Vladimir Urin told AFP on Friday. Under his “opti- become the unlikely mascot of hopes for an end to the wheat noodles for her hair. She has also found herself mistic scenario,” rehearsals will begin in late July, pandemic, emerging from relative obscurity to become immortalized in bento form, her body and distinctive allowing performers enough time to limber up their skills, Urin said. “I very much hope that in a trending Twitter hashtag, as well as the inspiration for beak carved from a piece of luncheon meat and hair mid-September we will open the season.” everything from cakes to nail art. Her revival in fortunes represented by thin strips of Japanese rolled omelette. Nevertheless, Urin stressed the Bolshoi will not be was sparked in early March, when the Kyoto University Amabie is part of a rich pantheon of Japanese mystical able to open until Russia’s last virus restrictions Library tweeted an 1846 drawing of the creature float- monsters called yokai. Many have faded from popular are lifted, while the country has the second-high- ing above the sea, accompanied by a text explaining imagination, but others live on, including in the form of est number in the world of COVID-19 infections, her apparent infection-fighting powers. modern-day mascots like the turtle-inspired river mon- with 262,843 cases. The scaly social media star is supposed to have ster Kappa, now associated with Tokyo’s famed kitchen Even if audiences could socially distance and appeared to a samurai in southern Kumamoto prefec- street Kappabashi. wear masks, those on stage cannot, he pointed ture, warning of the spread of an infectious disease and out. “A musical theatre with masks and gloves and Amabie-themed cakes a distance of 1.5 metres (five feet) is impossible.” instructing him to draw a picture of her and show it to The Bolshoi, like other Moscow theatres, has not people to protect them. The post quickly went viral, Amabie’s recent revival has come as something of a staged any shows since March 16 when public and sparked the “Amabiechallenge”, with everyone surprise to some yokai experts, including Masanobu events involving large numbers of people were Kagawa of the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History. banned. Speaking in a box overlooking the “Amabie is not the oldest yokai in Japanese history to Bolshoi’s historic red-and-gold auditorium, 73- warn of an epidemic, so it’s not that important to year-old Urin said he still goes in most days and researchers,” he told AFP, describing others including makes plans, albeit provisional ones. “Jinja-hime” (shrine princess), who features a woman’s It is the performers who are chafing in confine- face and a dragon’s body. But none seem to have cap- ment as they waste time at their peak, he said. tured the imagination quite like Amabie. At one “More than half a year’s break is a serious profes- sional problem... especially for ballet.” “Of course Japanese cake shop in northern Akita prefecture, a ver- the mood is not very good and of course they are sion of her rendered as a traditional wagashi cake in all longing to return and start rehearsing.” The pastel pinks and blues has been flying off the shelves, government has just announced 3.8 billion rubles sales manager Hirohide Kato told AFP. “This is the first ($51.5 million) in extra funding for the arts, and time we’ve made Amabie-themed cakes,” he said. They Urin said the theatre has enough savings and can only produce 250 a day, but “they’re so popular ongoing support to survive. “I think everything they sell out by noon.” will be OK,” he said. “Naturally, the Bolshoi This undated handout image shows the mythical mer- And at an aquarium in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, a This photo shows florist Yuko Kawakami displaying her Theatre wasn’t doing badly while we were work- maid monster Amabie accompanied by text which reads sea lion who has gained fame for his calligraphy and drawing (bottom) of Amabie, a beak-nosed, long-locked ing, so we have a small financial cushion (and) we’ve kept the whole state subsidy.” —AFP in Japanese and English “You will spread (the virus) painting skills has been trained to draw the monster. mythical mermaid monster said to repel plagues, at her without knowing. STOP spread of infections — COVID19”. “He started drawing Amabie in late March, practicing shop in Tokyo.—AFP 16 Established 1961 News Monday, May 18, 2020 Obama: Leaders ‘aren’t even pretending to be in charge’

WASHINGTON: Former US President Barack The ceremony, carried by all the major American Obama on Saturday criticized the response to the television networks, flashed between stirring COVID-19 pandemic ravaging America, in what was speeches and performances students and celebrities widely regarded as a rare public rebuke of his suc- alike, including basketball superstar Lebron James cessor Donald Trump. His remarks came as he and singers the Jonas Brothers. James echoed spoke at two virtual commencements for high Obama’s call for the students to step up, urging school and university students locked down instead them to “Stay close to home” and help rebuild com- of celebrating their graduations, a rite of passage munities devastated by the virus and shutdowns. every spring in the United States. “More than anything, this pandemic has fully, Uncertain future finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so The US leads the world with coronavirus cases many of the folks in charge know what they’re and deaths, at 1.4 million and nearly 90,000, doing,” Obama told graduates from several dozen respectively. This year’s graduates face a grim reali- historically black colleges and universities at the ty: The US unemployment rate has shot up to nearly first ceremony. “A lot of them aren’t even pretending 15 percent and more than 36 million people have to be in charge,” he said as he discussed the impli- filed for unemployment benefits as America grap- cations of the pandemic during the online event, ples with the fallout from months of lockdown and without naming any specific leaders. business closings. That celebration was followed by a second, star- The gravity of Obama’s message was under- studded prime-time ceremony for high school stu- scored by the fact it was the second time in a week dents in which Obama continued along the same he had hit out at the response to the pandemic, lines, telling students to step up where leaders had having pointedly refused to criticize Trump in pub- failed. “If the world is going to get better, it’s going lic in the three years since leaving office. He kept In this screengrab, former US President Barack Obama speaks during Graduate Together: America to be up to you,” he said. his profile low despite being frequently attacked Honors the High School Class of 2020 on Saturday. — AFP “Doing what feels good, what’s convenient, by the president. what’s easy - that’s how little kids think. But on May 9, in remarks leaked from a web ernment,” he said in that call. ties have historically had to deal with in this coun- Unfortunately, a lot of so-called grown-ups, includ- call with people who worked in his administration, In his comments Saturday, Obama also highlight- try,” he said at the first ceremony. ing some with fancy titles and important jobs, still he called Trump’s handling of the pandemic a ed how the health crisis has underscored racial “We see it in the disproportionate impact of think that way - which is why things are so screwed catastrophe. “It would have been bad even with inequality in America, and expressed outrage at the COVID-19 on our communities. Just as we see it up,” he continued. “I hope that instead, you decide the best of governments. It has been an absolute shooting death of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery, when a black man goes for a jog and some folks feel to ground yourself in values that last, like honesty, chaotic disaster when that mindset - of ‘what’s in killed on Feb 23 while out for a jog in Georgia. “A like they can stop and question, and shoot him, if he hard work, responsibility, fairness, generosity, it for me’ and ‘to heck with everybody else’ - disease like this just spotlights the underlying doesn’t submit to their question,” he continued, respect for others.” when that mindset is operationalized in our gov- inequalities and extra burdens that black communi- without naming Arbery. — AFP

tary rules. ability and oversight and should not be eliminating camera meetings. Dozens of rural and northern Canada parliament A few others including the British and Latvian the role of the peoples’ representatives,” leader MPs have also been unable to connect due to poor parliaments have also gone online to limit person- Andrew Scheer said Friday. But the prime minister, Internet. Interpreters who translate English into goes virtual to-person spreading of the COVID-19 virus. “We with the backing of New Democrats and the Bloc French and vice versa, meanwhile, reported a steep cannot be vectors for the virus,” New Democrat Quebecois, had said it would be irresponsible to increase in workplace injuries including acute MP Peter Julien told AFP, explaining why his party have regular sittings while public health officials acoustic shock and tinnitus. Rota urged MPs to during pandemic pushed for this arrangement to maintain democra- urged social distancing. “please speak at a reasonable pace” for their sake. cy in a crisis. “The only way to ask questions on Thirty MPs also meet each Wednesday in per- OTTAWA: Canada’s parliament has gone virtual behalf of constituents and hold government son – striking “a balance that is yielding very good ‘Hostage video situation’ through the pandemic, assembling MPs across six accountable without endangering the public is a results,” Trudeau said. No legislation except emer- The speaker also chided MPs over their choice time zones and giving a rare peek at Prime virtual parliament,” he said. gency spending bills have been passed during the of backdrops, which should be neutral, he wrote in Minister Justin Trudeau’s bookcase, a deer head Critics such as Democracy Watch co-founder nationwide lockdown. A ban on assault weapons a letter the House affairs committee, to “ensure and a stifled opposition. Every Tuesday and Duff Conacher lamented that it has diminished the was enacted by executive order after a mass that what is debated and decided upon in the Thursday over the past month 338 Canadian MPs role of the official opposition, while the minority shooting in Nova Scotia. Western provinces, which House remains more important than what is seen”. logged into Zoom from home to question minis- Liberal government of Trudeau uses daily press elected mostly Conservatives, say they’re not see- A deer head, for example, was mounted on a wall ters in lieu of holding a daily in-person question briefings to discuss policy. “It’s very difficult in ing their priorities reflected in the Liberal agenda. behind an MP criticizing the government’s new gun period. these mass virtual sessions to put a minister or the And the government has racked up Can$325 billion control measures. The first sessions were marred by glitches – prime minister on the spot,” Conacher said, (US$230 billion) in pandemic aid. Another MP streamed in front of a white bed “Can you hear me now?” “There’s an issue with describing the sessions as “chaotic”. He also Working from home in a suburb of balmy sheet, described as looking like a “hostage video the translation.” “The minister is being cut off.” warned of the risk of abuse if parliamentary over- Vancouver, Julien doesn’t miss Ottawa, which had situation”. It was meant to hide home renovations. “Please unclick your mute.” “You might also hear sight is curtailed. flurries this week. “It’s nice spending more time in Industry Minister Navdeep Bains, a devout Sikh, my son, he doesn’t sound too happy, in the back- Vancouver,” he said. But his days are longer as he actually won praise from viewers for using a paint- ground.” “This is a historic day,” Speaker Anthony Accountability and oversight deals with a surge in constituents’ concerns such ing of colorful turbans as a backdrop. Others not- Rota said when it began, while admonishing MPs The official opposition Tories had from the start as job losses, and challenges of politicking by ed what books were on the prime minister’s shelf. over sounds of camera clicks “not to post photos objected to the virtual confabs. “Mr. Trudeau phone across 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles) from This “peak inside of MPs’ homes”, said Julien, has on the Internet of the screen,” as per parliamen- should not be using a pandemic to avoid account- coast to coast. “allowed Canadians to learn a bit about their per- “When people are scattered across the world’s sonalities, it’s humanizing”. largest democracy (geographically) it takes longer Another upside: No heckling online, although of their stay, hotel sales manager Anis Souissi said. to actually get people on the phone,” he said, ver- one MP accused Rota of being “a little dictatori- Coronavirus crisis Clients will focus “on health and hygiene”, he added. sus walking down the hall to MPs’ offices in Ottawa al” for threatening to mute MPs who interrupted. But it is unclear whether hotels, some of which “for a quick face-to-face meeting.” Now, an MP in In the coming days, parties will need to agree to are already on the edge of bankruptcy, will be able Newfoundland might start work at 8:30 am local extend the virtual parliament beyond May 25. punctures Tunisia... to make the necessary investments. Even before the time, when it’s 4 am in British Columbia. Some said regular sessions likely won’t resume pandemic struck, a series of crises had weakened A committee report released on Friday called for until next year. Alternately, one MP suggested Continued from Page 1 Tunisia’s tourism sector. After the political instability setting up a “secure electronic voting system” for moving parliament into the NHL Senators’ hock- that followed the fall of Ben Ali, attacks in 2015 tar- the virtual parliament to fully function. It noted that ey arena, with 17,000 seats to allow social dis- country’s national tourism office has estimated, geted European holidaymakers at the Bardo muse- Zoom also did not provide sufficient security for in- tancing. — AFP and some 400,000 jobs are at risk. um in Tunis and the coastal tourist resort of Sousse. The sector had been bouncing back to levels not The attacks killed 60 people, many of them British seen since before the 2011 revolution that toppled tourists, and dealt a heavy blow to the sector. longtime autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. “Tunisia The security situation has greatly improved since had started off the year well, with an increase in then, and tourist numbers last year had returned to ness to de-escalate the situation”. “During the pan- (tourism) revenue of 28 percent,” said Feriel pre-2011 levels, with 9.5 million visitors. But the col- Tiffs over mask demic, we must partly rely on common sense and Gadhoumi, a coordinator at the tourism office. But lapse in September of British tour operator Thomas responsible actions” by travelers, the Southwest that all came to a halt in March as countries Cook, which brought five percent of Tunisia’s spokesman said. imposed travel restrictions and border closures to European tourists, shook some hotels. Thomas wearing trouble... In short, the airlines appear to have chosen the curb the spread of the pandemic. Cook had suspended trips to Tunisia after the Continued from Page 1 course of conciliation over confrontation with insis- Now, seaside resorts are empty and hoteliers are attacks, but had returned in force in the last two tent and sometimes angry traveler - even it means a trying to salvage what they can of the season, years. and he won’t wear it.” When Eisele told the man greater health risk to others sitting nearby. The counting on the country’s relatively optimistic Now, the sector is searching for ways to survive, that “I feel more comfortable if you wear it,” his wearing of masks has to some extent been politi- health situation and sector-specific virus prevention as the coronavirus crisis persists and as passenger seatmate replied, “Keep your fear to yourself.” The cized by President Donald Trump, who has refused measures. While most hotels have shut for now, flights from Europe, Tunisia’s main market, are flight was completely full, so Eisele was unable to to wear one, in the face of virtually unanimous med- some are providing accommodation for people in expected to remain grounded for much of the sum- change seats. ical advice and even after some White House staff compulsory quarantine, notably Tunisians repatriat- mer. Although thousands of foreigners remain stuck The scene occurred early this month, shortly members have contracted the coronavirus. ed from abroad. in the country due to border closures and flight sus- before US airlines imposed mask rule - generally Scientists say the risk of infection is near its The tourism ministry is preparing protocols for pensions, their presence won’t be nearly enough. exempting only passengers with medical or reli- highest when people spend long periods in facilities that reopen, with some planning to do so Instead, hoteliers have their eyes set on local gious excuses, or very young children - to slow the enclosed spaces - like airplanes. Not to wear a from June. Measures are expected to include tem- tourists, as well as Algerian or Russian holidaymak- spread of COVID-19. At the time of boarding, say mask on an airplane “is hugely irresponsible”, said perature checks at hotel entrances, rooms being ers who helped dampen the previous crises. officials at American Airlines and United Airlines, Jonathan Metzl, a professor of sociology and psy- disinfected and left empty for 48 hours between But domestic tourism accounts for just 20 per- the rule is clear: no passenger can board a flight chiatry at Vanderbilt University, in Tennessee. “I guests and the intensive cleaning of common areas. cent of Tunisia’s market, and many locals have seen unless he or she has a mask on. think if someone doesn’t wear a mask on a plane, Such steps are necessary to “regain the trust of their income and holiday allowances disappear dur- The problem occurs after takeoff. Those airlines they should be arrested.” partners”, Gadhoumi from the tourism office said. ing the lockdown. Bringing more bad news, Algeria generally will, if necessary to avoid confrontation, Deciding not to wear a mask in one’s own car is The UN World Tourism Organization has warned has been seriously affected by the pandemic and allow people to remove masks while in flight. They one thing, Metzl said, but refusing to do so while in that international tourist numbers could drop by 60 reopening its borders is not envisaged in the short are allowed to do so as well, of course, while eating public transport is a different matter. “I think that to 80 percent in 2020. The sector accounts for term, while Russia currently has the second-highest or drinking. If a passenger’s refusal to wear a face President Trump and the Republicans have success- around 14 percent of Tunisia’s GDP, according to number of reported infections in the world. covering causes a disturbance, a United spokesman fully coded a mask as a political symbol,” he added. the tourism ministry. Other changes could include “Targeting the local market and preparing for the told AFP, “we’ve counseled our flight attendants to “They’re basically rallying their base by suggesting offering fixed menus instead of buffets and giving next season are the only choices we have,” sales use their de-escalation skills.” that wearing a mask is a sign of submission, or that guests the same tables and umbrellas for the length manager Souissi said. — AFP He added, “They do have the flexibility to re-seat people who wear masks are weak.” customers on the aircraft,” though that does not Beth Redbird, a sociology professor at work on a sold-out flight. “Our employees are not Northwestern University, has been studying Tens of thousands of migrant laborers were expected to control the personal behaviors of cus- Americans’ behavior during the pandemic. Masks a must quarantined in Doha’s gritty Industrial Area after a tomers,” said a Southwest spokesman. The airline “Republicans who are skeptical of Donald Trump number of infections were confirmed there in mid- does provide masks in airports and onboard planes support social distancing,” including the wearing of March, but authorities have begun to ease restric- but will not “deny boarding based solely upon a masks, she said, while “independents who are sup- in Qatar on... tions. Khal said that most new cases were among customer not wearing a mask.” portive of Donald Trump are skeptical of social dis- Continued from Page 1 migrant workers, although there has been a jump in An internal advisory from American Airlines to its tancing.” infections among Qataris. He said the country had flight attendants explains how they are expected to On Thursday, the chairman of the House trans- prepares to host the 2022 World Cup, although not yet reached the peak of its contagion. Rights handle mask-related problems. If a passenger portation committee, Peter DeFazio, urged the air- foremen and government inspectors are attempting groups have warned that Gulf laborers’ cramped declines to wear a mask for reasons other than lines to “leave at least one seat-width of spacing to enforce social distancing rules. Officials have said living conditions, communal food preparation medical or religious, it says, “please encourage them between passengers”. In a letter to a group repre- workers at three stadiums have tested positive for the areas and shared bathrooms could undermine to comply, but do not escalate further.” Similarly, if a senting the major airlines, he said they could highly contagious respiratory virus. Masks have been social distancing efforts and speed up the spread customer is frustrated because a seatmate fails to “adjust fares as needed” to account for emptier compulsory for construction workers since April 26. of the virus. – AFP wear a face covering, “please use situational aware- planes. — AFP Established 1961 17 Stars Monday, May 18, 2020

Daily SuDoku Friday’s Solution STAR TRACK

Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22) Do you think your body reflects who you are, Was someone close to you rude without any Aries? If you're feeling that it doesn't, it's probably provocation? Were you the target of unpleasant criticism? because something is a little off about your self-image. You take these slights to heart. Beginning today, and Take a close look at yourself in order to readjust that throughout the days to come, you can expect to withdraw image. You'll recognize that your body is the exact mirror and lick your wounds. That's easy enough when all you have of who you are at the moment. The alignment of the to do is ignore phone calls and emails. You need more har- planets will help you see this more clearly now. mony and gentleness in your love life. Be patient!

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

Has it been difficult these past few days to commu- Having a personal opinion on any question isn't nicate with those close to you? Are you a little skeptical about hard at all, Scorpio. More difficult is maintaining some your charm? In fact, have you been feeling somewhat unsure of respectful objectivity about the opinions of others. The cur- yourself in general? The day ahead is excellent for a fresh start. rent celestial energy is marking a change toward a more sci- You're full of confidence. You have a natural gift for diplomacy, entifically oriented mindset. This is no longer the moment to and your sense of refinement will once again be noticed and affirm yourself but rather to learn from others. Opinions can appreciated. change based on reliable information. Find the way

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

It has been fairly easy for you to detect the Enough of thinking about yourself, Sagittarius! truth behind most situations lately. Today, however, your The hour has now arrived to draw some conclusions. You're at analytical abilities won't be so reliable. The ups and downs the end of the lengthy volume you were writing on your inner of your relationships are puzzling, and no amount of analy- life. You'll have to integrate what you've learned with the differ- sis seems to yield a solution. Lack of commitment from oth- ent emotions and situations that you currently inhabit. ers may stir doubt, and you'll wonder if you're truly appreci- "Normalization" will be the key word in the days to come. Look ated and understood. Be gentle with yourself. at this as a dry run for when we all emerge from lockdown.

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

How intense the past few days have been! You Seduction through words is your real power, could spend months just reflecting on these recent experi- Capricorn. You have a great talent for anything involving words. ences. But the mood isn't conducive to introspection right now. So you're going to be able to attract even more virtual admirers A change of temper today encourages you to share your life today?the physical part will have to wait. With the current plan- more generously. But with whom will you share it? And how, etary energy at work, you'll surely get first prize in any contest given the limitations of social distancing? These may well be of words. If you've been thinking about writing a love letter or a the questions of the day. profile for a dating website, by all means, do so now!

Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) The day ahead may help you break away from With today's celestial energy, you'll feel like the gloom and doom that so many people are experienc- you're on vacation, Aquarius. This planetary configura- ing right now. A more playful influence is trying to make its tion often gives people the feeling of a fresh mind and way into your relationships, especially your emotional com- calm disposition. Problems that once seemed so com- mitments. It could refresh your interest in your love life. If plicated now appear simple and surmountable. You you haven't been spending enough quality time with your could also have some fun writing. Try it. You may be partner, you'd better make up for it now. Your mate will be surprised by the results. overjoyed.

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

Sometimes you feel like you're navigating through Do you say yes every time someone asks for a a thick fog, but the obscurity will finally lift today. The skies ahead favor, Pisces? Is it sometimes hard to find time for yourself are sunny and clear! You can expect an invitation to step outside because you're so busy coming to the rescue of a friend or of yourself (while still sheltering in place, of course) or an offer to family member? Today's celestial energy asks you to think join a special group. Don't pass up any opportunities to have fun, about you. Say no to the expectations of people who have Virgo. You can benefit from a diversion right now! other resources. Do absolutely nothing if that's what you wish. Take care of yourself before taking care of everyone else!

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

Photo of the day N Zealand gives sports sector $157m boost WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s struggling sports sector has received a NZ$265 million ($157 million) injection from the government to help it mitigate some of the worst financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sports Minister Grant Robertson said yesterday. Robertson, who is also New Zealand’s finance min- ister and delivered the national budget on Thursday, said funding and revenue had dried up for nearly all sports organisations and that they were under “immense strain”. “We are providing the support needed to sports at all levels to remain viable, get stronger and adapt,” Robertson said in the post-budget statement. “We have also seen many of our professional sports and athletes struggle as competitions have been cancelled or suspended. Budget 2020 will pro- vide some assistance, so they can keep competing.” The funding would be spread over four years, with NZ$83 million made immediately available for “short- term support”. A further NZ$104 million would be available in the medium term to help the sector rebuild, while the remaining NZ$78 million would be for the development of new programmes that help communities get back into activity and recreation. All levels of organised sport have been on hold since March when New Zealand went into a national lockdown to attempt to contain the spread of the dis- ease, restricting exercise to walking, running or cycling alone. The government loosened restrictions in April and then eased them further on Thursday, allowing the resumption of professional sport, although fans will not be able to attend matches. Community and club sports competitions are still on hold, with organisa- tions told by government body Sports NZ to enter a “get ready” phase to prepare for a return. Health officials reported one new coronavirus SOCHI, Russia: Egor Posokhin performs at Rosa Khutor Peak in Sochi, Russia. —Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com infection yesterday, bringing the total to 1,499, of which 1,149 are confirmed. Only 45 are still considered active cases. There have been 21 deaths from COVID- 19, the disease caused by the new virus. —Reuters Jordan memorabilia soars in value amid ‘Last Dance’ nostalgia Will we ever crack the $1 million mark?

NEW YORK: The immense global success of the On the StockX shoe resale platform, the Air documentary “The Last Dance” amid the coron- Jordan 1 Chicago model now sells for up to $1,500, avirus lockdown has boosted sales of collectibles compared to $900 in March. The first episode of related to NBA icon Michael Jordan, some of which “The Last Dance” aired on April 19. are trading in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. “That could be largely attributable to the docu- “Timing is everything,” says Jordan Geller, a col- mentary because that’s a sneaker that’s been on the lector who will be richer by at least $240,000 market for years,” says StockX economist Jesse thanks to the sale at Sotheby’s of a pair of Air Einhorn. Likewise, a 1986 Fleer collector’s card Jordan 1 sneakers — the first model created espe- sold for $96,000 in early May at Heritage, an item cially by Nike for Michael Jordan, who made his that was worth $20,000 to $30,000 at the begin- NBA debut in 1984. ning of the year. The game-worn pair could set an auction record “A lot of people who had a sports cards collec- for sneakers set last year by Nike’s Moon Shoe, a tions as a kid have been frantically going through pair of which sold for $437,500. their attics to find those boxes and those binders,” The various Air Jordans have been popular with laughs Geoff Wilson, founder of the Sports Card collectors for 30 years, along with jerseys and Investor platform. trading cards featuring Jordan — who won six “I haven’t seen anything like this, where it’s well NBA titles with the past his career,” Ivy said, Chicago Bulls and is noting Jordan retired in widely considered the 2003. The excitement greatest player in league extends beyond Jordan history. himself. Many specialists con- Timing is Sales of Bulls-branded sider Jordan a key figure everything items are up 400% in in creating the market for May compared to last collectible sneakers, with year on the sports mer- CHICAGO: File photo taken shows Chicago Bulls player Michael Jordan sticks out his tongue as he goes only non-sports personal- chandise site Fanatics. past Jeff Hornacek of the Utah Jazz during game two of the NBA Finals at the United Center in Chicago. ities such as Kanye West “For a lot of people my The immense global success of the documentary “The Last Dance” amid the coronavirus lockdown has or Travis Scott able to age between 40 and 50 boosted sales of collectibles related to NBA icon Michael Jordan, —AFP compete with him today. years old, Michael Jordan was the Babe Ruth of our But ESPN’s 10-part documentary “The Last generation,” Ivy said. “People in that age range are as evidenced by the emergence of trading plat- smaller quantities demand goes through the roof.” Dance” which weaves details of Jordan’s entire starting to get in a point in their lives where they’re forms and the prices realized at auctions over the But in Geller’s opinion, nothing can compare to career through the narrative of the Bulls’ pursuit of starting to collect again.” last three years. the original Air Jordans, especially those that can a sixth NBA title, has ramped up interest in all Even younger fans, weaned on the exploits of “Sneaker collecting and reselling used to be be linked to the great man himself. “I think the things Jordan. the late Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, are feeling underground activities that were enjoyed by a few Game Worn Air Jordan 1s are the most iconic the allure of Jordan. “The majority of our customers sneaker heads,” Geller said. “It’s much more main- sneakers of all time,” Geller said. “The fact that ‘ICONIC, MYTHICAL’ are millennials and Gen Z, many of whom were not stream now.” these shoes were Game-Worn by Michael Jordan “I think this is a game-changer,” Chris Ivy, necessarily alive when Jordan played,” Einhorn The change has not escaped the notice of manu- takes them to a whole other level.” director of sports collectibles at Heritage Auctions, said. “It’s a testament to Jordan’s staying power as facturers, who have adapted their marketing and Will we ever crack the $1 million mark? “I think said of the documentary series that was carried an iconic, almost like mythical, cultural figure.” promotional strategies accordingly. “Sneaker so,” said Ivy. “I’m working towards a consignment globally by Netflix. Ivy predicted the interest And the market for basketball shoes is maturing, brands are catering to sneaker collectors by releas- in the future that I think has the potential to get to fueled by “The Last Dance” will continue. with support from a new generation of enthusiasts ing more and more limited edition sneakers, so with a million dollars.” —AFP

so dead’. And he was like, ‘mate, look around –- peted at their training bases with the help of a Steyn says worried if I gave him out, I won’t make it back to the Stefanidi wins few relatives: Greek Stefanidi in the sweltering hotel’.” heat of an Athens afternoon, Katie Nageotte in Steyn, however, was full of admiration for the morning before Marietta, Georgia, heated umpire refused to Tendulkar, international cricket’s all-time leading women’s pole up and Alysha Newsman in the cool of the run-scorer and century-maker, saying he had Toronto area. give Tendulkar out “everything covered, he’s got every shot in the vault contest The bar was set at 4.0 metres, some distance book. off the world record of 5.06 metres, but the “He was so good, and very rarely got out lbw,” LONDON: South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn PARIS: Olympic pole vault champion Katerina women failed in their goal of recording more is convinced he had Sachin Tendulkar lbw as he added Steyn of the ‘Little Master’, who retired in “makes” than the men, finishing with a total of 2013. “And, like Jimmy said, you just didn’t want Stefanidi beat American Katie Nageotte and approached the first individual double century in 85. Stefanidi, following a metronomic rhythm, to bowl a bad ball to him. Especially in a place Canadian Alysha Newman in a competition car- one-day internationals only to be denied by was on course to record more clearances than umpire Ian Gould’s fear he wouldn’t make it back like India. ried out on two continents on Saturday. any of the men but lost time in the final minutes to his hotel if he gave the India great out. “You bowl a bad ball, and he hits you four –- The showdown was the second round of the The historic innings took place in front of a he’s on nought and he hits you for four in so-called ‘Ultimate Garden Clash’, a response as she struggled to put the bar back on her lively India home crowd at Gwalior in 2010. Mumbai (Tendulkar’s home town), it feels like the to the cancellation of meets caused by the own, as the rules require, after a failure and fin- Discussing how tough it was to dismiss world is closing in on you. He’s only on four not coronavirus pandemic. On May 3, male pole ished with 34 successful vaults. Tendulkar with England paceman James out, he may as well have been on 500! vaulters Armand Duplantis, Renaud Lavillenie Nageotte managed 30 and Newman 21. Anderson during a Sky Sports cricket podcast, “You feel like, ‘maybe I could bring the pace and Sam Kendricks staged a highly successful “Renaud said he was very sore for a long Steyn said: “He scored the first double-hundred down a little bit and really focus on getting the competition, broadcast live online. time and I can imagine, I can already feel it,” in ODI cricket, and it was against us in Gwalior. ball in the right place for as long as I possibly Between them the men cleared a bar fixed Stefanidi said. But, she added, the exhausting “And I actually remember – I think I got him can’. You just didn’t want to bowl a bad ball. at 5.0 metres, 98 times in 30 minutes, with race against the clock is “a great way to shut out lbw when he was about 190-odd. Gouldy was “You just hope one will do something off the Lavillenie and Duplantis tying with 36 succes- our brains, and sometimes you need to just the umpire, and he gave him not out. “And I was seam or he’s got an off day, and it goes in your ful vaults. Since, unlike the men, the women did do that in pole vault instead of thinking too like, ‘why, why did you give him not out!? That’s favour.” —AFP not have back-yard jumping pits, they com- much”. —AFP Established 1961 19 Sports Monday, May 18, 2020 Bayern aim to shake off cobwebs with quiet confidence in Berlin Union have twice shocked the league leaders this season

BERLIN: Bayern Munich restart their charge for of his father-in-law. an eighth straight Bundesliga title at Union Berlin “It’s not possible to surprise Bayern with the later amid doubts the Bavarian giants will be able experience their players have,” said assistant to last the distance after a two-month hiatus. coach Markus Hoffmann, who will take charge of Hansi Flick’s side hold a one-point lead at the Union for the Bayern match. top of the league heading into their trip to the “They’ve already experienced everything. “We German capital, which has been the scene of some have to concentrate on ourselves and try to imple- impressive upsets thanks to promoted Union’s ment what we can to influence the game in the form at their Alten Foersterei stadium. best possible way.” Union have twice shocked the league leaders this season, beating Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in ‘VERY, VERY STRANGE’ August and turning out 2-0 victors over Borussia Bayern’s lead was cut to a single point by Moenchengladbach three months later. Now it’s Borussia Dortmund, who on Saturday showed no Bayern’s turn. ring rustiness in a 4-0 demolition of Ruhr rivals Flick is unsure of his team’s ability to play out a Schalke. full match of professional football after having only Young gun Erling Braut Haaland was again the received the go-ahead to headline act, scoring the resume full team training first Bundesliga goal after last week. “We don’t the restart and setting up know if the team can hold Raphael Guerreiro for the out over 90 minutes,” said Now it’s first of his brace. Flick. “We have trained In one of a series of well and played three Bayern’s odd scenes that peppered matches of 20 minutes turn the first day back, MUNICH: (L-R) French midfielder Corentin Tolisso, Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara, Spanish each last Sunday. Dortmund’s players defender Alvaro Odriozola and French defender Lucas Hernandez wear face masks as they arrive “They were played at a jogged over to applaud for a training session of the German first division Bundesliga football club FC Bayern Munich on very high intensity, but we an empty ‘Sudtribune’, May 13, 2020 at the Bayern’s campus in Munich, southern Germany. The Bundesliga returns on don’t know clearly where which would for a normal May 16, 2020 with Bayern facing Union Berlin on May 17 in an empty stadium due to the new we stand. “We have to derby would be jammed coronavirus pandemic. —AFP just deal with the situation.” The Bundesliga is the with 25,000 delirous fans hailing a huge victory first major league in Europe to return to action that keeps pressure on their title rivals. since the coronavirus brought football to a halt “There was no noise. You shoot at the goal, Hertha Berlin players from celebrating their goals The DFL has also made no secret of the fact two months ago and has only come back with a make a top pass, score a goal, and nothing hap- in a 3-0 win at Hoffenheim by hugging each other. that several clubs are in a dire financial situation as host of strict health regulations, chief among them pens,” said Dortmund coach Lucien Favre. “The fact is that this is part of football,” said a result of the lockdown. If they are able to com- empty stands in what are usually passion-filled “That’s very, very strange. We really missed our Hertha coach Bruno Labbadia. “We’ve been tested plete the nine remaining rounds of matches by stadiums. fans.” As well as the echoing arenas, a host of oth- so many times that we can allow it. June 30, clubs could receive around 300 million That means Union won’t be able to count on er rules have been put in place to try to stop the “If you can’t celebrate anymore, the whole thing euros ($324 million) from television contracts. their ferocious home support at their ground on spread of the virus, from frequent testing to masks breaks down.” A German Football League (DFL) Clubs in England, Spain and Italy, where the eastern outskirts of the German capital. They for players on the subs bench and a week-long spokesman confirmed there will be no punishment, leagues are weeks away from returning, will will also be without their coach Urs Fischer after quarantine for teams ahead of the restart. as it had only offered “guidelines” on how goals be watching to see how the rest of weekend breaking the team quarantine following the death However, advice to socially distance didn’t stop should be celebrated. goes. —AFP

homage to the strict hygiene rules that Schalke alternated players on the the fervent support that usually pours Odd sights the league has to follow. bench in order to respect social dis- from the stand. tancing rules while a contact sport was from Bundesliga SCHALKE TAKE FIVE being played out on the field. CLEAN BALLS, PLEASE Schalke became the first team to The decision to allow German foot- Klopp confident make use of the rule change that allows AUGSBURG FANS QUESTION ball to restart came with a host of gov- comeback five substitutions in a game, with David RESTART ernment regulations, including the Wagner using the maximum number at While fans across the world cele- masks on the bench and plexiglass sep- Liverpool can BERLIN: Germany gave football- Dortmund. brated being able to watch top-level arating players and journalists for post- starved fans reason to be cheerful on Timo Becker replaced Everton loa- live football after a two-month drought, match interviews. win league title Saturday with the Bundesliga’s return nee Jonjoe Kenny with three minutes some supporters questioned the wis- One of the rules states that match to action behind closed doors, on a day remaining as Schalke suffered dom in restarting the league. balls need to be regularly disinfected LONDON: Jurgen Klopp has insisted Liverpool in which Borussia Dortmund hammered a destruction at the hands of Lucien Augsburg followers hung a banner by personnel wearing gloves, as the have no need to be at their “all-time best” in order local rivals Schalke in an echoing Signal Favre’s flamboyant side. in front of an empty stand that read German Football League attempts to to clinch a first English league title in 30 years. Iduna Park. Favre, meanwhile, used four substi- “Football gives life — your business is limit the spread of the virus and finish Premier League officials are now aiming to restart Here AFP looks at some of the most tutions, with man-of-the-match sick” in protest at football being the 2019-20 season. the season in mid-June, with Liverpool just two eye-catching things from a memorable Raphael Guerreiro replaced by Marcel played while the pandemic still takes wins away from the title when the campaign was day in the history of the sport: Schmelzer in the final moments after lives across Europe. LEIPZIG GO ONE STEP BEYOND postponed on March 13 because of the coronavirus adding to Haaland’s opener with an There was little joy for the home RB Leipzig came up with a novel outbreak. HAALAND KEEPS IT SOCIALLY impressive brace. side on the pitch either, with Daniel solution to helping players obey For so long the dominant force in English foot- DISTANCED The increase in subs, approved by Ginczek’s stoppage time strike handing German Football League (DFL) rules ball, the Merseysiders have not been crowned Wonderkid striker Erling Braut the game’s lawmakers earlier this Wolfsburg a 2-1 win and deepening which stipulate there must be at least domestic champions in the Premier League era, Haaland began where he left off with month, was adopted by the Bundesliga Augsburg’s relegation fears. 1.5 metres distance between each per- with the last of their league titles coming when they the first Bundesliga goal of its restart to limit the risk of injury following two son on the substitutes bench. won the old First Division crown in 1990. after a two-month break caused by the months without matches. DORTMUND SALUTE With not enough room in the subs But as teams start returning to training, coronavirus. EMPTY WALL area for the matchday squad, some Liverpool manager Klopp has tried to ease any Haaland turned home Thorgan MASKED MEN LINE THE DUGOUT A resounding victory over Schalke players had to sit in the stands, which mounting pressure on his runaway leaders who are Hazard’s low cross just before the half As well as the unusual sight of nor- would usually see Dortmund’s players are three metres above the pitch and 25 points clear at the top. “Football is a game where hour to open the scoring against mally packed stands shorn of the bois- celebrating in front of a throbbing the dugout on the sidelines. everyone is pretty much in the same situation we Schalke. It was the 19-year-old’s 10th terous support that accompanies the ‘Yellow Wall’, the massive terrace So Leipzig borrowed a set of aircraft play against another team and we don’t have to be goal in just nine Bundesliga appear- Bundesliga, fans watching on TV saw behind the goal at Signal Iduna Park stairs which are normally used to board at our all-time best we have to be at our best possi- ances and set his team on their way to a players wearing masks on the sidelines. that holds up to 25,000 passionate fans. and disembark passengers from planes, ble and that’s exactly the same for the other teams,” thumping 4-0 derby victory. Players on the bench wore protec- However, with the stadium all-but- from nearby Halle/Leipzig airport. he told the BBC’s Football Focus programme. Instead of being mobbed by jubilant tive masks in compliance with the strin- empty and the only noise being the “Special situations require special “Whenever we will start we will have had the teammates, Haaland made sure that they gent safety guidelines implemented to cheers and clapping of players and measures. We are happy to help,” air- same time for preparation and our job was always, all kept their distance as he bobbed a allow the Bundesliga to resume before coaches, Dortmund still jogged over to port spokesman Uwe Schuhardt told and always will be, to use the situation you are in. cheeky little dance on the sidelines, in Europe’s other top leagues. applaud the ‘Sudtribune’ in honour of Bild. —AFP We will be in as good a shape as possible.” Meanwhile the German boss said he was des- perate to return to “normal life” after an unexpect- ed two-month break by getting back to Liverpool’s Kyrgios tells Melwood training base, where players will initially train in small groups. —AFP Murray ‘you are better than Novak’ Former Bears CEO LONDON: Nick Kyrgios told Andy Murray on Saturday the British tennis star was better than McCaskey dies at 76 world number one Novak Djokovic, claiming the Serb “dodges” his serve while the Scot “is on it like CHICAGO: Former Chicago Bears president and a light”. CEO Michael McCaskey, a grandson of George By his own estimate Kyrgios had drunk six glass- Halas, died after a lengthy battle with cancer, the es of wine when he logged on from his Canberra team announced Saturday. He was 76. home for an Instagram live chat with Murray that McCaskey, the eldest of Bears owner Virginia started after midnight for the Australian. McCaskey’s 11 children, succeeded Halas in running “My knowledge and interest in red wine has the team after the NFL co-founder died in 1983. gone incredibly up during this quarantine,” said McCaskey served as president and CEO until 1999, Kyrgios, well known for his withering comments then served as chairman from 1999 until 2011. about leading tennis players, even though the unde- “Mike was already successful in every sense of niably talented world number 40 has never gone the word when he took over for George S. Halas beyond the quarter-finals of a major championship. after the passing of ‘Papa Bear’ in 1983,” the Murray, however, appears to be one of his few McCaskey family said in a statement. “We are rivals Kyrgios respects, with the Scot having defeat- grateful to Mike for overseeing arguably the great- ed Djokovic in both the 2012 US Open and 2013 est team in NFL history, and for his many years of Wimbledon finals. Nick Kyrgios service to the Bears and to us. Djokovic, however, leads their head-to-head “The oldest of eleven siblings has many duties record 25-11 and has won 17 Grand Slam singles thrust upon him, not all of them pleasant, yet Mike titles to Murray’s three. That didn’t stop Kyrgios Kyrgios has endured a rocky relationship with the coronavirus outbreak. handled them all with grace and patience.” telling Murray: “I think you should have one of the Djokovic, once describing the Serb’s post-match Murray, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on McCaskey oversaw the 1985 Bears, who went best careers ever. I think you are better than ‘cup of love’ celebrations as “cringeworthy”. Friday, said: “I feel pretty good I was doing well 15-1 and won the franchise’s only Super Bowl with a Djokovic. Djokovic, claimed the Australian, had a “sick obses- before the injury at the Davis Cup. I think when team that is widely considered one of the best ever. “Djokovic was playing dodgeball on my serve sion with wanting to be liked”. things get back to normal I think I will be alright.” McCaskey was voted NFL Executive of the Year and you were slapping it for a winner. He was trying In one of the less bizarre parts of their Saturday Kyrgios suggested the pair should play doubles afterward by his peers. to dodge it, you were on it like a light.” Murray conversation Kyrgios asked Murray, who has long together, prompting a wry Murray to reply: “Only if He also helped the team move into its new facility responded by saying: “The results would suggest been sidelined with hip, and more recently, thigh you promise to behave, you said you were going in 1997 and co-founded the team’s charitable foun- otherwise.” injuries when he might be back on court following to.” —AFP dation, Bears Care, in 2005. —Reuters Established 1961 Sport

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020

Jordan memorabilia soars in Bayern aim to shake off cobwebs Kyrgios tells Murray ‘you 18value amid ‘Last Dance’ nostalgia 19 with quiet confidence in Berlin 19 are better than Novak’

Dortmund thrash Schalke in empty stadium Haaland, first player to score a goal after two-month shutdown

DORTMUND: Dortmund’s Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland (Center L) vies for the ball with Schalke’s Senegalese defender Salif Sane during the German first division Bundesliga football match BVB Borussia Dortmund v Schalke 04 on May 16, 2020 in Dortmund. — AFP

BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund provided much-needed Thorgan Hazard cutback. The exciting 19-year-old When Schalke brought on Timo Becker to replace lenge when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to fireworks with a 4-0 demolition of bitter rivals Norway striker, who knocked in his 13th goal in 12 ap- Jonjoe Kenny in the 87th minute at the 80,000 plus- Freiburg as they slipped to fourth. Schalke 04 on Saturday after the German league pearances for Dortmund in all competitions, picked capacity Signal Iduna Park it was the first time in Leipzig, who used airplane stairs in the stadium to restarted in front of empty stands after a suspension up exactly where he left off in March. Bundesliga history a team had made five substitutions keep their substitutes in the stands at a safe distance of over two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is already at the top of the transfer wish list of after FIFA announced the temporary rule change. from the bench, are now on 51 points, four behind The Bundesliga is the first major soccer league to every major European club and, with an expected tel- Bayern who visit lowly Union Berlin on Sunday. return to action since the virus earlier this year shut evision audience of a billion for the Bundesliga this MUTED CELEBRATIONS Borussia Moenchengladbach overran hosts Eintra- down sports, and its return in a country that still has weekend, his immediate return to scoring will have Goal celebrations around the Bundesliga on Sat- cht Frankfurt with early goals from Alassane Plea and hundreds of positive virus cases a day is being closely enhanced his already stellar reputation. urday were limited to smiles, thumbs-up and the oc- Marcus Thuram and a late Ramy Bensebaini penalty watched by other leagues. Portuguese midfielder Raphael Guerreiro added casional fist or elbow bump as mask-wearing to win 3-1 and take over third spot on 52 points to With a strict health protocol governing the fragile two more goals and Belgium international Hazard also substitutes, dispersed in the stands to keep them maintain their outside shot at winning the title. restart, which includes no fans, face masks for every- got on the scoresheet as Dortmund climbed to 54 apart, applauded from the sidelines. VfL Wolfsburg reignited hopes of Europa League one but the players, no handshakes and no group cel- points, one behind defending champions Bayern, who Only Hertha Berlin’s players violated the rules football next season with a 2-1 win at Augsburg cour- ebrations, it was up to title hopefuls Dortmund, who are in action at Union Berlin on Sunday. when they celebrated their goals in the usual way as tesy of Daniel Ginczek’s stoppage-time winner that host leaders Bayern Munich in 10 days’ time, to find “I’d have preferred if the conditions were normal,” a group during a 3-0 win at Hoffenheim that earned moved them up to sixth on 39. a spark badly missing in the eerily empty ground. Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt said. “We all have coach Bruno Labbadia a winning debut on their Fans across the country followed police orders to The Ruhr valley club, in second place, scored the to adapt and try to have fun under the circumstances. bench. While Dortmund’s comfortable victory stay away from the stadiums, including at the Ruhr first goal of the matchday after nearly half an hour We did that pretty well today and what better way to cranked up the pressure on leaders Bayern, RB derby, as the league tries to finish the season for con- when teenager Erling Haaland connected with a restart the league than with a win.” Leipzig suffered a major setback in their title chal- tractual reasons by June 30. — Reuters

the CBS studio show with Brent Musburger and Irv dolences on behalf of the network. “The CBS Sports former Miss America, a sex symbol. I can’t help how I Pioneer Phyllis Cross. Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder was part of the show family is deeply saddened by the passing of Phyllis look, but below the surface, I was a hard-working for some of the years. George, an icon in the sports broadcasting industry who woman. If I hadn’t made that work, women eventually George served two stints on the show — totaling contributed greatly to the rich history and tradition of would have come into sportscasting, but it would have George dies eight seasons — between 1975-84. Musburger was a CBS Sports,” McManus said in a statement. “Phyllis was taken them longer.” strong backer of George, who often had her knowledge not only a key member of a show that remains the gold After the show won multiple Emmys, George figured of football questioned because she was a woman as well standard of NFL pregame shows, The NFL Today with that proved she knew football. ESPN’s Hannah Storm is at age 70 as a beauty queen. “Phyllis George was special. Her Brent, Irv and ‘The Greek,’ but also a pioneer for all one of the women working in sports who is thankful for smile lit up millions of homes for the NFL Today,” Mus- women in broadcasting.” George’s efforts. NEW YORK: Phyllis George, the former “The NFL burger said in a statement posted on Twitter. “Phyllis George was born in Denton, Texas. After winning “Rest In Peace Phyllis George,” Storm said on Twit- Today” studio co-host and 1971 Miss America, has died. didn’t receive nearly enough credit for opening the Miss America, she relocated to New York City and ter. “A true pioneer who approached her job with en- She was 70. sports broadcasting door for the dozens of talented eventually was hired by CBS in 1974. thusiasm, empathy and humour. She was George, the first woman to be a sportscaster for a women who took her lead and soared. One year later, she was in the high-profile studio role herself-charming and funny ..helped her audiences con- major television network, died Thursday at University “Folks — men and women — were comfortable with and it didn’t start off well. George said she received a nect with some of the great sports figures of the day. of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, according to Phyllis talking about their favorite sport. And in New barrage of hate mail and had to prove that he was more Condolences to her family & all who loved her.” George ex-husband John Brown Jr. The former Kentucky gov- York, Philadelphia and Washington, they loved Phyllis than “BQ — you know, beauty queen.” was Kentucky’s first lady from 1979-83. She and Brown ernor told the Louisville Courier-Journal that George despite her Dallas Cowboys bias! “When you’re the first, you’re a pioneer,” George divorced in 1998. George’s daughter, Pamela Brown, is died from complications due to a blood disorder. “RIP Phyllis. Irv Cross and I will miss you dearly.” told USA Today in a 1999 interview. “I felt they didn’t a White House correspondent for CNN. George also George has been viewed as pioneer due to her role on CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus expressed con- know who Phyllis George was. They played me up as a leaves behind a son, Lincoln Brown. – Reuters