THULHIJJA 6, 1441 AH MONDAY, JULY 27, 2020

16 Pages Max 45º Min 35º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18192 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Aviation authority launches N Korea reports first infection Ukraine’s snail farmers fear Whittaker back to best as 3 new app to assist travelers 5 as global virus cases top 16m 9 collapse over EU lockdowns 16 Fight Island draws to close

Draft law on expat quotas exempts domestic helpers

1,000 iqamas of expats stranded abroad canceled daily

By B Izzak brought for government contracts cannot be renewed, according to the bill. KUWAIT: A draft law proposing specific percentages for The legal committee also recommended that a mecha- Farwaniya lockdown lifted expat communities in the country, which has been cleared nism for implementation must be established, and that by the legal and legislative committee, exempts domestic reaching the specified targets must be gradual. The com- helpers, Gulf nationals and workers on government con- mittee report says that surplus expats will not be deported tracts among others, the panel report said. from the country after the law becomes effective. Rather, The draft law, which aims to rebalance the population in recruitment from abroad will be halted until the number of the country, was submitted by five lawmakers and stipulates each community meets the targets. The bill stipulates a jail that Indians must not exceed 15 percent of the population term of up to 10 years and a fine not exceeding KD of Kuwaitis; Sri Lankans, Filipinos and Egyptians must not 100,000 for any public employee who approves the exceed 10 percent each; Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Nepalis recruitment of a foreigner whose community exceeds the and Vietnamese should not exceed five percent each and specified number. other communities cannot go beyond three percent each. Meanwhile, well-informed sources told Al-Rai daily that The legal committee report said the bill does not breach around 1,000 residency visas of expats are canceled daily the constitution or other laws and is a good tool to balance due to their presence outside Kuwait and after their the population. But the committee referred it to the con- employers or sponsors had not renewed them despite the cerned panel - the human resources development commit- fact that the ministry has allowed online renewal since the tee - to study its contents and if it can be implemented beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. along with a number of other draft laws on the same issue. The sources added that many companies and employers Around 750,000 domestic helpers, tens of thousands of had renewed the iqamas of employees stranded outside Gulf nationals and tens of thousands of workers on govern- Kuwait due to the airport closure, while others, including ment contracts, in addition to diplomats and relatives of sponsors of family dependent visas, failed to do so and are Kuwaitis, are exempt from the law and are not included in thus responsible for losing the residency visas. “The interior the percentages. ministry has nothing to do with it,” the sources stressed. One of the clauses of the bill stipulates a ban on the The sources asserted that expats whose residency visas recruitment of any nationality if its numbers exceed the expire while abroad will not be able to return to Kuwait specified percentage, and the ban will continue as long as without getting new entry visas. “This is different from the the numbers are larger than allowed. The law also bans the case of expats who have been abroad for over six months KUWAIT: Workers remove barbwire as authorities ended a lockdown imposed in Farwaniya at 5 am yesterday. transfer of domestic residences to work permits, and the and still hold valid residency visas, as the absence grace Farwaniya was the last area to be effectively isolated in Kuwait. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat (See Page 4) same applies to visit visas, which cannot be transferred into period has been extended till the end of the year,” the work or dependent visas. Residencies of workers who were sources confirmed.

Seattle protestors clash with KISR: COVID can police over federal agents spread via air; SEATTLE: US police used flashbang Protestors marched in Austin, grenades, pepper spray and tear gas Texas, as well as Louisville in vaccines secured as protestors marched in cities across Kentucky, New York, Omaha, the country amid a wave of public California’s Oakland and Los Angeles, anger over Donald Trump’s planned and Richmond in Virginia - where riot KUWAIT: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can be transmitted via air, according to Kuwait “surge” of federal agents into major police fired chemical agents at a Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). The lead- metropolises. The demonstrations Black Lives Matter march, according ing Kuwaiti scientific institute said in a statement against racism and police brutality - to US media. In Seattle the sounds of that its researchers proved that the virus could sparked by the death in Minneapolis repeated small detonations rang out spread via the air. The results were reached in a of unarmed African-American in some streets, and smoke rose from scientific project carried out by a team of KISR George Floyd - come as the US pres- an area where demonstrators had set researchers headed by Dr Ali Al-Humoud. It was ident faces an increasingly tough bat- fire to trailers by a construction site based on a field study and analyses of samples tle for re-election, and is campaigning for a youth detention facility, an AFP taken from Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital. heavily on a platform of “law and reporter observed. Studies have shown that the virus can transmit order”. Continued on Page 2 SEATTLE: A demonstrator kneels in front of police during protests on Saturday. — AFP via air under certain conditions. The statement quoted Dr Humoud as saying that these results would help in understanding virus movement and drafting preventive recommendations against the Passion for Indian firms pandemic. The samples were collected in coordi- nation with Harvard University using state-of-art technology. purple revives struggle to lure Meanwhile, Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al- Sabah told local daily Al-Jarida that an agreement ancient dye had been made with the Global Alliance for workers back Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) to provide TUNIS: A Tunisian man has pieced together bits of a MUMBAI: Spurning free air tickets, accommoda- Kuwait with 1.6 million doses of the coronavirus tion and higher pay, millions of migrant workers vaccine once it is produced, adding that this local secret linked to ancient emperors: How to make a prized purple dye using the guts of a sea snail. “At who fled India’s cities when coronavirus hit are too amount will be enough for 800,000 people, as scared to return, with grim implications for the each person receives two shots. the beginning, I didn’t know where to start,” said “This is a very good amount as a first shipment Mohamed Ghassen Nouira, who heads a consulting already crumbling economy. Migrant laborers form and will be enough for 20 percent of Kuwait’s firm. “I would crush the whole shell and try to under- the backbone of Asia’s third-biggest economy toil- population,” Sheikh Basel said, noting that once stand how this small marine animal released such a ing in every sector from making consumer goods the second shipment is imported from manufactur- precious color.” and stitching garments to driving cabs. ing companies, Kuwait will cover 50 percent of its Now, after years of trial and error - and after get- But when India went into lockdown in late needs of the vaccine. He added that manufacturing ting used to the foul stench - he uses a hammer and TUNIS: Tunisian craftsman Mohamed Ghassen Nouira March, vast numbers lost their jobs, prompting a and research centers working on producing the small stone mortar to carefully break open the spiny tests a purple dye he extracted from murex shells at huge heart-rending exodus back to their home vil- vaccine had been contacted to supply it once pro- murex shells. What happens next is part of a secret his workshop in the capital on July 11, 2020. — AFP lages, sometimes on foot, their children in their duced and that the health ministry’s legal affairs guarded so closely that it disappeared hundreds of arms. Some died on the way. Mumbai’s swanky department is currently working on the details of years ago. A symbol of power and prestige, the cele- ey to the imperial coffers”, he said. high-rises, for example, were built and largely the agreement with GAVI. brated purple color was traditionally used for royal In Aug 2007 on a Tunisian beach, Nouira found a staffed by people from poorer states such as Uttar Sheikh Basel said 145 companies, including 137 and imperial robes. shell releasing a purplish red color, reminding him of Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha, who worked as security that have not published any related scientific Production of the dye was among the main sources something he’d learnt in history class at school. He guards, cooks and cleaners. research papers, are competing to produce the of wealth for the ancient Phoenicians, and then for the But as the city became a virus hotspot, around vaccine. He said MoH had only contacted compa- bought more shells from local fishermen and set out Carthaginian and Roman empires, said Ali Drine, who experimenting in an old outside kitchen at his father’s 80 percent of construction workers left the financial nies engaged in scientific research and made an hub after work came to a standstill, according to the agreement with four or five of them to supply the heads the research division of Tunisia’s National house that he still uses as a workshop. “Experts in Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry. vaccine. — Agencies Heritage Institute. The industry was “under the con- dyeing, archaeology and history, as well as trol of the emperors because it brought a lot of mon- Continued on Page 2 Continued on Page 2 2 Established 1961 Monday, July 27, 2020 Local Deputy Amir receives senior state officials at Seif Palace Egypt, Maldives Presidents inquire about Amir’s health

KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with National Assembly Speaker Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with His Highness the Prime Minister Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem. — KUNA photos Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Khaled Al-Saleh.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh In other news, His Highness the Deputy Amir received on Saturday Mohamed Solih, who inquired about the health of His Highness the Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Seif Palace yesterday a phone call from Egyptian President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi, inquiring Amir, and wishing him long-lasting health and wellbeing. In response, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem. His Highness the about the health of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince expressed deep Deputy Amir also received His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. His Highness expressed his appreciation for the appreciation and gratitude to President Solih for his gracious senti- Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, as well as Deputy Prime Minister, Interior gesture, wishing the president good health. His Highness Sheikh ments and sincere wishes. He also wished President Solih life-long Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Khaled Al-Saleh. Nawaf also received a cable from the Maldives President Ibrahim good health and wellbeing. — KUNA

Coronavirus in Kuwait: What we know so far

KUWAIT: Kuwait has recorded 63,773 cases infected with the October 4, after modifying the curriculum. Pre-school pupils, stu- Adan Hospital: 50880908 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as of yesterday, in addition to 433 dents of elementary and intermediate levels will be promoted to the Jahra Hospital: 50881066 deaths. With the exception of 123 cases in intensive care, all infect- higher classes. As to the high school level, students who desire to Sabah Hospital: 97632660 ed cases are in stable condition and are recovering in quarantined improve their grades can re-enroll in the scholastic year. As to class Jaber Hospital: 96992079 locations designated by the government for this purpose, while tens 12, the remaining period of the second semester was set at six Ibn Sina Hospital: 99613948 of thousands have been discharged from quarantine after exhibiting weeks, while curricula were amended in tandem with the comple- Chest Hospital: 99258749 no symptoms during their 14-day quarantine period, the Ministry of mentary study period, due between August 9 and September 17, Razi Hospital: 97633487 Health confirmed. Meanwhile, 54,373 people have recovered com- and that will be via electronic means. Students’ assessment will be Kuwait Cancer Control Center: 96735242 pletely after previously being infected with the virus, while there on weekly basis through interaction and virtual presence at the set Psychiatric Hospital: 97350113 are 8,967 people receiving treatment. educational website. The ministry is still expected to release regula- Physiotherapy Hospital: 99824037 tions regarding the start of the 2020/2021 school year at foreign Maternity Hospital: 98559531 Curfew private schools. Earlier, the Ministry of Education had suspended As’ad Al-Hamad Dermatology Center: 98514508 Kuwait is set to move to the third phase of a five-phase plan for classes at all public and private schools (for both students and Zain Hospital: 97552031 a gradual return to normal life on June 28, 2020. The curfew will be teaching staffs); first from March 1 to March 12, and later extended NBK Hospital: 96931761 from 9:00 pm to 3:00 am, government and private offices will be it until March 29, before eventually suspending schools until August Al-Rashed Allergy Hospital: 94162470 able to operate with up to 50 percent capacity, mosques will host for grade 12 and October for other stages. Infectious Diseases Hospital: 96989164 Friday prayers with strict social distancing and health precautions Palliative Care Hospital: 94024786 observed, taxis will be allowed to resume operations but they are Hotlines Sabah Al-Ahmad Urology Center: 90952469 allowed to carry only one passenger, while resorts, hotels and fur- The Ministry of Health has set the following hotlines to receive KFH Addiction Treatment Center: 94169363 nished apartment businesses will be allowed to reopen. inquiries about the coronavirus 24/7: 24970967 - 96049698 - Meanwhile, all licensed pharmacies in Kuwait delivering medi- Kuwait moved to the second phase on June 30, 2020. The sec- 99048619. cine are allowed to continue their services 24 hours a day. The ond phase saw the curfew shortened to be between 8:00 pm and The Education Ministry set the following hotlines to receive Ministry of Health is also asking doctors and nurses affiliated with 5:00 am, while resuming work in the government and private sec- inquiries on school closures related to the anti-coronavirus meas- the private medical sector to volunteer in order to contribute to the tors with the workforce being less than 30 percent, in addition to ures: fight against the virus. Volunteering is available through the link: resumption of constructions, banking sector, pickups from restau- http://volunteering.q8-ehealth.com. The ministry had closed all pri- rants, as well as reopening of commercial complexes, malls, parks, • 24970967 (24/7 hotline) vate clinics and medical centers effective March 22, 2020 until fur- and other places of leisure between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. • 51575591 (Capital Educational Zone) ther notice. The first phase began on May 31, and during which a daily cur- • 51576117 (Hawally Educational Zone) few was imposed from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, which was later • 51576576 (Farwaniya Educational Zone) Mental health assistance reduced to start on 7:00 pm and end at 5:00 am starting from June • 51577055 (Jahra Educational Zone) The Kuwait Center for Mental Health provides help through its 21, 2020. Activities resumed in the first phase included home deliv- • 51577655 (Ahmadi Educational Zone) suicide hotline: 24621770 (8 am - 5 pm). Meanwhile, the Kuwait eries of restaurants, telecommunication companies, food retailers, • 51577951 (Mubarak Al-Kabeer Educational Zone) Psychological Association (KPA) is providing consultation through companies’ transportation of employees, gas stations, private clinics • 51578171 (Religious Studies Department) the phone for people suffering from the psychological impacts of and car workshops. Phase four would see an increase in workforce, • 51588599 (Private Education Department) coronavirus. Different doctors are working on the hotline in differ- restaurants would be receiving customers but with restrictions, and • 51592515 (Services Department) ent timings as follows: public transportation resumed but with distancing. All activities • 51594544 (Public Relations Department) Dr Rashed Al-Sahl: on Monday and Wednesday 10:00 am - 1:00 would resume in phase five, the curfew would end, government and pm. Call 9797-6168. private sector would return to normal, families could gather, wed- Dr Fahad Al-Tasha: daily from 8:00 pm - 12:00 am. Call 9904- dings and graduation ceremonies, health clubs and gyms to reopen, Medicine delivery 8258. as well as cinemas and theaters. Kuwait’s Ministry of Health (MOH) launched a new medicine Dr Othman Al-Asfour: daily 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Call 9938-5350. The first phase included a total lockdown on Farwaniya, Khaitan, delivery service for people in Kuwait, which they can use to order Dr Mohammed Al-Khaldi (head of this team): daily 9:00 am - and Hawally, joining Mahboula and Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh which were medications to be delivered during curfew hours. The medications 12:00 pm. Call 9903-6470. put under lockdown earlier. The lockdown ended in Hawally and will be delivered within 72 hours after the order is submitted. To Dr Ahmad Al-Khaldi: daily 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Call 9910-7965. Khaitan on June 21, 2020, in Mahboula and Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh on place an order, patients should send a WhatsApp to the numbers Dr Muneera Al-Qattan: Monday and Wednesday 9:00 am - 1:00 July 9,2020, and in Farwaniya on July 26, 2020. for the hospitals and medical centers as listed below. The patient pm. Call 9953-3108. should include their name, Civil ID number, hospital or clinic file Dr Zainab Al-Saffar: Sunday and Thursday 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. School year ended number, mobile phone number and the medicine needed to the fol- Call 9954-9908. The Ministry of Education announced on July 17 ending lowing numbers: Dr Sameera Al-Kandari: Tuesday 9:00 pm - 12:00 am. Call the2019-2020 school year, with the remaining part of the curricu- Amiri Hospital: 50880699 6770-9434. lum of the year’s second half will be integrated into the first chapter Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital: 50880755 Dr Kawthar Al-Yaqout: Monday and Wednesday 6:00 pm - 9:00 of the next academic year 2020-2021 virtually effective as of Farwaniya Hospital: 50880852 pm. Call 5521-0088. For information and other concerns, call 9401-4283.

Portland is also a stage for the highly controver- workers, even going to the extent of giving them air Seattle protestors sial crackdown by federal agents ordered by Trump Indian firms tickets, COVID-19 health insurance ... (and) weekly - one that is not supported by local officials, and checkups by doctors,” real estate developer Rajesh Prajapati said. “But it has not reaped any positive signs which many say smacks of authoritarianism. Friday’s clash with police... struggle to lure... yet,” he told AFP. demonstration was mainly peaceful, with crowds Property giant Hiranandani Group which - unusually playing music and dancing, blowing soap bubbles Continued from Page 1 - continued to pay its workers during lockdown, has Continued from Page 1 and setting off fireworks. But it ended - like many had more success, but has still only managed to con- before it - in a showdown between protestors and Four months on, with lockdown measures eased, vince around 30 percent of its 4,500 workers to stay Protesters slashed car tires and smashed trailer police, which escalated in a haze of tear gas and some workers have trickled back but more than 10,000 on site. “We looked after them, took care of their food, windows. Police in riot gear faced off against the flashbang devices. building sites are lying virtually abandoned due to safety and sanitization and even had mobile creches for protestors, some holding umbrellas against falling Portland police confirmed a man was stabbed, severe labor shortages across the city. kids,” the group’s billionaire co-founder Niranjan pellets of pepper spray. Late Saturday, Seattle with the suspect “held down by protestors” before “We are trying our best to bring back migrant Hiranandani told AFP. — AFP Police said 45 people were arrested in connection he was detained by officers and charged with with the demonstrations, which they designated a assault, according to a statement. The victim was artifacts in the Mediterranean, particularly in Tyre in south- riot, according to the force’s official Twitter account. transported to hospital with a serious injury. Passion for ern Lebanon, and Meninx, on the coast of Tunisia’s Djerba Police Chief Carmen Best implored people to Earlier, protestors who spoke to AFP complained island. Phoenicians from Tyre set down the foundations of “come in peace to the city”, and castigated the of the federal agents in the city and voiced their what would become the Carthaginian empire on the demonstrations. “The rioters had no regard for the support for the Black Lives Matter movement. purple revives... Tunisian coasts. Also known as Tyrian purple, the pigment community’s safety, for officers’ safety or for the “I don’t like what’s happening down here, what is still highly valued today and is produced by just a hand- businesses and property that they destroyed,” local Trump is doing,” Mike Shikany, a 55-year-old Continued from Page 1 ful of people around the world. They include a German media reported her as saying. aerospace engineer, said, adding he did not “want painter and a Japanese enthusiast, each with their own The latest spasm of violence came after police to get anywhere near the little green men”, mean- chemistry, helped and encouraged me, but nobody secret techniques. Among the buyers are collectors, artists and federal agents fired tear gas and forcefully dis- ing the federal troops. Portland retiree Jean knew the technique,” Nouira said. and researchers. No historical documents clearly detail the production The dye can cost $2,800 per gram from some persed protestors further south in Portland early Mullen, 74, said that without pressure nothing methods for the purple pigment, Drine said. “Maybe European traders, and prices can reach up to $4,000, Saturday, also in anger over Trump’s heavily-criti- would change. “It’s time to become the country we because the artisans did not want to divulge the secrets of Nouira said. He said he had produced a total of several cized surge of security forces. The city, the biggest always brag about being. And we can’t brag any- their knowhow, or they were afraid to because the produc- dozen grams of the pure purple dye, which he sells interna- in the state of Oregon, has seen nightly protests more, about anything. We aren’t first in anything tion of purple was directly associated with the emperors, tionally for more modest prices. Nouira said that when he against racism and police brutality for nearly two and it’s a terrible, terrible thing to see at the end of who tolerated no rivalry,” he said. The only clues for sought help from other dye-makers, one told him bluntly, months, initially sparked by Floyd’s death. my life,” she said. — AFP unearthing the techniques lie in archaeological sites and “it’s not a cooking recipe to be passed around.” — AFP Established 1961 3 Local Monday, July 27, 2020 Kuwait aviation authority launches app to assist travelers Departing passengers must install ‘Kuwait Mosafer’ app as of Aug 1

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday launched a new application to serve all passengers to and from Kuwait, coinciding with the airport commercial flights resumption starting next month. The application includes guidelines approved by the DGCA, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Interior. The new app, called ‘Kuwait Mosafer,’ makes Kuwait a leader among the region’s airports in applying this technology on one platform, DGCA said. It also aims to help passengers meet travel requirements and facilitate new procedures to keep pace with COVID-19, reduce waiting periods and avoid congestion at the airport. The application was developed to achieve three main goals; protecting health of passengers, airport employees, as well as raising awareness of the new safety procedures. All passengers should reg- ister with the application available in English and Arabic at www.kuwait- mosafer.com and enter the required data on the flight details that will allow them to book appointments for the PCR test when needed. The DGCA had announced a number of health restrictions for passengers traveling through Kuwait International Airport as commercial flights are set to treatment of infection with the COVID- Arriving Passengers: resume on August 1, 2020. The regula- 19 virus. • Must register in the ‘Shlonik’ app pri- tions are as follows: • Must abide by the health require- or to boarding the aircraft. • Must obtain approved health certifi- Departing Passengers: cate (PCR), proving negative infection • Must register in the ‘Kuwait- with COVID-19 disease, with 96-hours Mosafer’ app and submit the rele- validity from the testing date. vant barcode throughout the phases DGCA sets • All arriving passengers will be sub- of travel. jected to home-quarantine for 14 days. • Must obtain a health certificate passenger • Body temperature of all passengers issued by laboratories approved by will be checked prior to boarding the air- the Ministry of Health, confirming guidelines craft and upon arrival. negative infection with the COVID- • A random PCR test will be conduct- 19 disease, if required, depending on ed on 10 percent of the passengers of the requirements of each country, each flight upon arrival. together with adhering to the • Must abide by the health require- required period of its validity. ments respective to wearing masks and ments respective to wearing masks and • Citizens must obtain health insur- gloves, using sanitizers and adhering to gloves, using sanitizers and adhering to ance for the period of travel, covering physical-distancing. physical-distancing.

ministry, the shipping company is unable to deliver the customs,” a customs inspector named Meshaal on Wednesdays, and it’s usually for large shipments, Some shipments the shipment to the client’s address, who will be told Kuwait Times. especially commercial ones that weigh 50 or 60 obliged to personally go to the customs department “The shipment will be held at the customs tons,” Meshaal said. at the airport. department for 40 days waiting for its owner to About 90 percent of consumer products are cannot be delivered The health ministry, Public Authority for come and pick it. If they don’t come, the package damaged. “Mostly these items get spoiled or expire, Industry and other public institutions have offices will be transferred to the customs warehouse to be such as food, skincare, etc. Also, if the goods are By Nawara Fattahova at the airport customs department. “For regular either sold through auction or destroyed. The rev- banned, such as counterfeits, they will most likely be products that need special approval, the shipping enue from the sold items will cover the daily fees destroyed. In some cases, they may be sent back to KUWAIT: Some products ordered from abroad company clerk can complete the procedures at the charged by the customs department for holding the the country of origin - this is usually for Turkish cannot be delivered to your doorstep. If you order customs through the offices of these authorities shipment,” he explained. products. If a small personal shipment includes fake banned items, food supplements, some skincare and the client will receive the shipment. But some The auction is mostly held for larger items. branded items, it may be released,” he added. products, medicines, precious stones or jewelry, or shipments include prohibited materials or unfamil- “Usually, small personal parcels are damaged and Customs fees for personal shipments worth below other products that need approval of the health iar items, and in this case the shipment gets held at not worth selling in an auction. The auction is held KD 100 were recently waived.

News in brief

Kuwait reports 766 recoveries

KUWAIT: Some 766 people recovered from the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 54,373, Kuwaiti Ministry of Health said yesterday. The ministry added in a press statement that the new num- ber was based on clinical tests, which proved that the patients were now virus-free.

Fourteen flights

KUWAIT: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced that 14 flights were set to depart Kuwait International Airport yesterday, carrying a total of 2,440 passengers. They included eight flights to Egypt, three flights to the UAE, one flight to Qatar, one flight to Lebanon, and one flight to Bangladesh.

Curfew breakers

KUWAIT: Police arrested 14 people on Saturday for breaking the curfew, including 11 Kuwaitis, the Interior Ministry announced yes- terday. Seven of the arrests were made in the Capital Governorate, while five were made in Ahmadi and two in Hawally, the ministry explained.

E-learning portal

KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training launched its portal for e-learning and technical support, as part of its efforts to adopt remote education. Director of the Information Technology Center Ali Hussein said that the portal includes several platforms that can be used by teaching and training staff members, as well as students of applied col- leges and training institutes. 4 Established 1961 Local Monday, July 27, 2020

Established 1961 Farwaniya residents thankful The First Daily in The Arabian Gulf THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961 after two months of isolation Founder and Publisher YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN Editor-in-Chief Expats return to work after months of no pay ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432 ADVERTISING : 24835616/7 FAX : 24835620/1 CIRCULATION : 24833199 Extn. 163 ACCOUNTS : 24833199 Extn. 125 COMMERCIAL : 24835618 P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait. Email: [email protected] Website: www.kuwaittimes.net

Kuwait Ports’

chief elected as KUWAIT: Security barriers in Farwaniya were removed Saturday night as the area’s isolation was lifted as of 5:00 am yesterday. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat CEO of AASTMT

CAIRO: The Director General of Kuwait Ports Association (KPA) and President of the Arab Sea Ports Federation Sheikh Yousef Abdullah Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah won the CEO role of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) on Saturday, in the elections held by the academy. AASTMT said in a press statement that this came at its general assembly meeting via video conferenc- ing, with the participation of the Assistant Secretary General of the League of Arab States for Economic Affairs Ambassador Kamal Hassan Ali, and AASTMT’s President Dr Ismail Abdel Ghaffar. Sheikh Yousuf Al-Sabah said, regarding his victory in the position, that they seek to push for By Ben Garcia age supervisor in Shuwaikh Industrial Area - a 10- maritime transport to the refineries of the world, minute drive from Farwaniya. promoting it to be the first in the developed KUWAIT: Farwaniya, the last area under isolation, Some people are thankful for the prolonged lock- countries. He dedicated this win to His Highness reopened yesterday after 57 days of lockdown. down. “I am thankful for the lockdown - because of it, I the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Mahboula and Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh had earlier endured was able to look for another source of income by buy- Sabah, His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown nearly 100 days of lockdown after being identified by ing and selling online and diversifying my portfolio Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- the ministry of health as having too many cases of through trading stocks. I also had some time to read Sabah, and His Highness the Prime Minister COVID-19. Two more areas - Khaitan and Hawally - and enhance my understanding, especially about vlog- Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. were only briefly isolated for around 20 days. The ging, which is now the new trend which can help us Then he thanked AASTMT’s representatives, lockdowns were implemented by the Cabinet as part of survive,” said Alex Salera, an engineer. appreciating all the participating countries that measures to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Ceejay Torres, a barista at a popular coffee chain in supported and voted for Kuwait in the elections. The lifting of the lockdown was a relief, especially Kuwait, enjoyed the long break, although he was The new executive council includes nine for businesses and expats who wanted to return to depressed after hearing the stories of many people in countries; Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, work after months of no work and no pay. “This is a his neighborhood who were abandoned by their com- Yemen, Palestine, Mauritania, Libya and Sudan. beautiful gift to us, as we all want to start working panies. “I am sad for them because they needed to rely Farwaniya, was also thankful that everything is back AASTMT is an educational organization special- again after four months without salaries. We want to on charity organizations for food. I am thankful to our to normal now. “I have lived most of my life in Kuwait ized in science, technology and maritime trans- work and return to normal life. This is not about me, company that didn’t neglect us - they sent us food and it was the first time I experienced the isolation of port, affiliated with the League of Arab States but about my family’s survival. We’ve had enough after packs, besides paying our salary, though not full. But it an area. I hope that it will not happen again. I am that aims to teach research training and work, especially sad for small children who were unable to with multiple branches worldwide. —KUNA months of sacrifices. Thank God I still have a job after helped a lot and their generosity amidst the pandemic more than four months of sitting idle at home,” said is really worth mentioning,” Torres said. leave their homes for many months. I realized how Mark Eseo, a Farwaniya resident. He works as a stor- Mustafa, a Palestinian who lives with his family in precious freedom is,” he said.

KUWAIT: An accident was reported between two half lorries at the Airport Road Saturday afternoon. One of the vehicles was heavily damaged by the accident, but no injuries to the drivers were reported. —Photo by Islam Al-Sharaa

KUWAIT: A medical team recently tested employees at the Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company’s head office building through nasal-pharyngeal swabs, as part of the Ministry of Health’s efforts to limit the spread of the COVID-19 disease. International MONDAY, JULY 27, 2020 40 years ago, Shah of Iran died in exile

‘A concentration of death’: Virus ravages South Africa care home Page 6 Page 6

PYONGYANG: Korean war veteran delegates of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) attend the 6th National Conference of War Veterans on the occasion of 67th anniversary of what North Korea refers to as the ‘people’s victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War’, at a hotel in Pyongyang. —AFP Global coronavirus cases top 16 million North Korea reports first suspected infection SEOUL: North Korea declared its first places that had appeared to have con- 1,000 for the past four days, rapidly suspected coronavirus case yesterday, trolled their outbreaks. One of those was increasing the country’s death toll to becoming one of the last countries to Australia, which yesterday suffered its more than 146,000. do so as the number of people infected deadliest day since the pandemic began, “I’m still concerned that America worldwide passed 16 million. The isolat- with 10 fatalities and a rise in new infec- doesn’t take it as seriously as the rest of ed, impoverished state had until now tions despite an intense lockdown effort. the world,” said British golf star Lee insisted it had not detected a single “These things change rapidly, but we Westwood, voicing his hesitation to trav- COVID-19 case-even as the pandemic have to say these numbers are far too el there despite a new quarantine swept the planet, overwhelming health high,” said Daniel Andrews, premier of exemption for professional golfers. In systems and trashing the global econo- Victoria state, where the latest outbreak Latin America and the Caribbean, which my. At least 645,000 people around the is centered. also count for a quarter of total cases, world have succumbed to the respirato- governments are not planning a return to ry disease, with North Korean arch- normality any time soon. New Year’s rival the United States the worst-hit Eve celebrations on Copacabana country by far. “The vicious virus Beach in Rio de Janeiro have been could be said to have entered the COVID-19 cancelled as Brazil grapples with a country,” leader Kim Jong Un said, spiraling virus crisis. “There is no according to the official KCNA leaves at least great reason to celebrate, with more news agency. than 80,000 deaths” from coron- COCHABAMBA: Health workers carry the coffin of a COVID-19 victim from the San Jose nursing Authorities locked down the city 645,000 dead avirus in Brazil, an official told AFP. home in Cochabamba, Bolivia. — AFP of Kaesong, near the frontier with South Korea, as state media said a Holiday woes ernment ministers would have known in where livelihoods are fast crumbling. In defector who left for the South three Meanwhile Europe has reported advance there was a possibility of India, for instance, millions of migrant years ago had returned and was around three million infections- imposing a quarantine on holidaymakers workers who fled cities when COVID- suspected to be infected with the despite being largely open for sum- returning from Spain,” tweeted opposi- 19 hit say they are too scared to return. coronavirus. But experts believe the No fireworks mer holidays within the continent. tion MP Diane Abbot. “But apparently Asia’s third largest economy has contagion is likely to have already Around a quarter of the world’s 16 However in a snap decision, Britain’s no-one bothered to tell @grantshapps,” reported more than 1.3 million virus entered North Korea from neighboring million confirmed COVID-19 cases are in government said passengers arriving she joked. It marked another hit to cases and is the third worst hit country China, where the new disease emerged the United States, which recorded more from Spain will have to self-isolate for Spain’s tourism industry, which is des- behind the US and Brazil. “We are try- late last year. The pandemic’s spread is than 68,000 new infections in the past two weeks, after a surge in cases in the perately seeking a rebound after lock- ing our best to bring back migrant still accelerating, with more than five 24 hours. After a drop in transmission Mediterranean country, with health downs and border closures pushed workers, even going to the extent of million cases declared since July-a third rates in late spring, the country has seen officials pointing to nightlife as a possi- around 13 percent of bars, hotels and giving them air tickets, COVID-19 of the total number of cases since the a virus surge-particularly in California, ble culprit. restaurants to permanently close. health insurance ... (and) weekly check- catastrophe began. Florida and Texas, which is also bracing The move, has reportedly caught out It mirrors the fiscal pain wrought ups by doctors,” real estate developer Even in recent days there has been an for the first Atlantic hurricane of the its Transport Minister Grant Shapps around the world by the pandemic, par- Rajesh Prajapati said. “But it has not alarming uptick in infections, including in year. Daily US fatalities have exceeded who is holidaying there. “Various gov- ticularly in precarious economies reaped any positive signs yet.”— AFP

as he seeks re-election with a strong law reaction that has demonized police and to what they expected based on historic America divided and order message, calls this practice an act calls for the defunding of police depart- Dark history of records, there are major exceptions. For of vandalism and an insult to the heritage of ments,” Attorney General Bill Barr said this instance, most Americans of African the American South. week. “And what we have seen is a signifi- descent have roots in Angola and the two months after As for the protests in Portland, cant increase in violent crime in many cities. slavery traced Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Republicans welcome the administration’s And this, this rise, is a direct result of the line with the major slave route. But death of Floyd sending in federal agents to restore order attack on the police forces and the weaken- through DNA Nigerian ancestry was over-represent- disrupted by people they label as anar- ing of police forces,” he said. In “50 Days of ed in African Americans in the US, chists. Critics say these agents in military Democrat Silence on Dangerous ‘Defund probably because of the intra-continen- WASHINGTON: One after another, stat- fatigues use excessive force and are just the Police’ Movement,” there have been WASHINGTON: A new DNA study tal slave trade which brought them from ues recalling slavery in America keep com- making the demonstrators more angry and 600 killings in six cities run by Democrats, published Thursday sheds fresh light on the Caribbean. ing down, and night after night demonstra- violent. The death of Floyd in Minneapolis an association of Republican state attor- the horrors of the transatlantic slave By contrast, there were fewer genet- tors taunt police in a groundswell of anger on May 25 was condemned by politicians of neys general said Friday. trade, from the legacy of rape that can ic connections between African over brutality against people of color. Two all stripes. And as protesters filled the Thomas Abt, a specialist in urban vio- be seen in today’s genetics to how dis- Americans and the Senegambia region months after African American George streets every night for weeks, both conser- lence at the Council on Criminal Justice, ease likely decimated some groups than would be expected given the num- Floyd died when a white policeman kneeled vatives and liberals presented ideas for said the rise in homicides is in fact linked to forced to work in deadly conditions. For ber who disembarked on slave ships in on his neck for more than eight minutes, police reform. the coronavirus pandemic because it “has example, DNA from one African region North America. The probable reasons triggering a nationwide and global outcry But Trump quickly changed the debate placed the individuals who are the highest may be under-represented in the US are grim. “Because Senegambians were for justice, the United States is being shak- to focus on violence committed on the side- risk of violence under great pressure, because so many slaves from there died commonly rice cultivators in Africa, they en by an anti-racism surge that, more and lines of the largely peaceful marches. As because the coronavirus is disproportion- of malaria on American plantations. were often transported to rice planta- more, is dividing its political class. calls mounted for defunding the police- ately affecting the people who are dispro- The grim results from a paper, which tions in the US,” said Micheletti. “These The days of huge, boisterous nightly redirecting resources away from them to portionately affected by violence.” And appeared in the American Journal of plantations were often rampant with marches in cities from New York to Los people trained to deal with problems like while there is a tie between the rising gun Human Genetics, compiled genetic data malaria and had high mortality rates, Angeles may be over but things are still substance abuse and domestic violence- violence and the unrest over police racism, from 50,000 consenting research par- which may have led to the reduced happening. Overnight Thursday, two statues Trump hammered away at Democrats and it is “not for the reason that Trump says,” ticipants from both sides of the Atlantic. genetic representation of Senegambia of Christopher Columbus-for many a sym- even his moderate election rival Joe Biden Abt told the progressive news website It cross-referenced these with detailed in African Americans today.” bol of colonization and cruelty to native as symbols of a “radical left” bent on simply Mother Jones. records from slave ships that transport- Government and slave-owner people-were taken down in Chicago. And dismantling police departments altogether. Abt said the death of Floyd triggered a ed 12.5 million men, women and children practices had an enormous impact on that same night protesters in Portland, rise in black people’s defiance of the between 1515 and 1865. Some two mil- African genetics too. Despite the fact Oregon again clashed with police in a wave 600 dead police, although in cases of urban vio- lion died on the journey. “We wanted to that more than 60 percent of enslaved of unrest that is now nearly two months old. Trump felt justified in toughening his lence witnesses and victims of it were less compare our genetic results to those people brought to the Americas were With the presidential election 100 days rhetoric thanks to a rise in gun violence likely to turn to law enforcement. “In actual shipping manifest to see how men, comparisons of genetics reveal a away, this unsettled atmosphere is seen in starting in early July in several large cities addition, in certain cities we are seeing they agreed and how they disagreed,” strong bias toward African female diametrically opposed ways by the people run by Democrats, and to send in federal sudden and arbitrary pullbacks in polic- Steven Micheletti, a population geneti- contributions in the modern gene pool on either side of it. For Democrats, taking agents to Portland and Chicago, even ing activity,” said Abt. In Atlanta, for cist at 23andMe, which recruited most of African heritage people across the down Confederate-era statues is a way to though local elected officials do not want instance, many officers called in sick for of the participants, told AFP. “And in region. Much of this can be attributed acknowledge a racist past and stop glorify- those agents. His supporters mixed the two at least three days after two officers were some cases, we see that they disagree, to the rape of enslaved African ing white men who played a part in the problems together-the wave of protests charged including one who shot a fleeing quite strikingly,” he added. women by white men, and other oppression of African and Native and the rise in gun violence. black suspect in the back, killing him. This The researchers found that while the forms of sexual exploitation, like the Americans. President Donald Trump, “We had that terrible event in was called “blue flu” for the color of the genetic contributions from major promise of freedom if they birthed appealing to his white, working class base Minneapolis, but then we had this extreme police uniform. — AFP African populations largely correspond enough children. — AFP 6 Established 1961 Monday, July 27, 2020 International Why COVID-19 is killing diabetes patients at alarming rates in US 40% of people who died with COVID-19 had diabetes NEW YORK: Devon Brumfield could hear her disproportionately suffered from COVID-19. manage their condition at home. Policymakers had also have diabetes, studies show. On the microscop- father gasping for breath on the phone. Darrell “Diabetes was already a slow-moving pandemic. ample warning that COVID-19 posed a high risk for ic level, high glucose and lipid counts in diabetes Cager Sr., 64, had diabetes. So his youngest daugh- Now COVID-19 has crashed through like a fast- diabetes patients. In 2003, during the coronavirus patients can trigger a “cytokine storm,” when the ter urged him to seek care. The next day, he col- moving wave,” said Elbert Huang, a professor of outbreak known as SARS, or Severe Acute immune system overreacts, attacking the body. lapsed and died in his New Orleans home. The medicine and director of the University of Chicago’s Respiratory Syndrome, more than 20% of people Damaged endothelial cells, which provide a protec- daughter soon learned the cause: Acute respiratory who died had diabetes. In 2009, during the H1N1 flu tive lining in blood vessels, can lead to inflammation distress from COVID-19. His death certificate noted pandemic, patients with diabetes faced triple the risk as white blood cells rush to attack the virus and diabetes as an underlying condition. Brumfield, who of hospitalization. Most recently in 2012, when the may cause lethal clots to form, emerging research lives in Texas and also has type 2 diabetes, is “terri- coronavirus Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or suggests. “It’s all one big puzzle,” said Yale’s Dela fied” she could be next. “I’m thinking, Lord, this Blacks and MERS, emerged, one study found 60% of patients Cruz. “It’s all interrelated.” could happen to me,” she said of her father’s death Latinos suffer who entered intensive care or died had diabetes. Many of their vulnerabilities can be traced to in late March. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has high blood sugar, which can weaken the immune She has good reason to fear. As US outbreaks from diabetes unearthed previously unknown complications system or damage vital organs. COVID-19 appears surge, a new government study shows that nearly because it has lasted longer and infected many not only to thrive in a high-sugar environment but 40% of people who have died with COVID-19 had at higher rates more people than earlier coronavirus epidemics, to exacerbate it. Recent evidence suggests the virus diabetes. Among deaths of those under 65, half had said Charles S. Dela Cruz, a Yale University physi- may trigger new cases of diabetes. David Thrasher, the chronic condition. The US Centers for Disease cian-scientist and Director of the Center of a pulmonologist in Montgomery, Alabama, said up Control and Prevention analyzed more than 10,000 Pulmonary Infection Research and Treatment. to half of COVID-19 patients in his local hospital deaths in 15 states and New York City from Center for Chronic Disease Research and Policy. Doctors warn that the coronavirus pandemic ICU have diabetes. “They are often my most chal- February to May. Jonathan Wortham, a CDC epi- Keeping diabetes under control - among the best may indirectly lead to a spike in diabetes-related lenging patients,” he said, and the immune system demiologist who led the study, called the findings defenses against COVID-19 - has become difficult complications - more emergency-room visits, response may be a big reason why. The pandemic “extremely striking,” with serious implications for as the pandemic disrupts medical care, exercise and amputations, vision loss, kidney disease and dialysis. has ripped through several southern states with those with diabetes and their loved ones. healthy eating routines. The high price of insulin has “My fear is we will see a tsunami of problems once some of the nation’s highest diabetes rates. A A separate Reuters survey of states found a simi- also forced some people to keep working - risking this is over,” said Andrew Boulton, president of the Reuters examination of state data found that nearly larly high rate of diabetes among people dying from virus exposure - to afford the essential medicine. International Diabetes Federation and a medical 40 percent of COVID-19 deaths were people with COVID-19 in 12 states and the District of Columbia. And as the country grapples with an economic cri- professor at the University of Manchester in diabetes in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Ten states, including California, Arizona and sis, millions of Americans have lost their jobs and England. Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia. Much of Michigan, said they weren’t yet reporting diabetes their employer-sponsored health insurance. this area lies within what the CDC calls the “dia- and other underlying conditions, and the rest did Much of this could have been anticipated and ‘One big puzzle’ betes belt.” Alabama has the highest percentage of not respond - rendering an incomplete picture for addressed with a more comprehensive, national Researchers have scrambled for months to adults with diabetes at 13.2 percent, or more than policymakers and clinicians struggling to protect response, said A. Enrique Caballero, a Harvard unravel the connections between diabetes and the 550,000 people, CDC data show. Diabetes patients those most at-risk. Medical School endocrinologist and diabetes coronavirus, uncovering an array of vulnerabilities. accounted for 38 percent of the state’s COVID- America’s mortality rates from diabetes have researcher. Top health officials should have done The virus targets the heart, lung and kidneys, related deaths through June, officials said. Karen been climbing since 2009 and exceed most other more to emphasize the threat to people with dia- organs already weakened in many diabetes patients. Landers, Alabama’s assistant state health officer, industrialized nations. Blacks and Latinos suffer betes and assuage their fears of hospital visits, he COVID-19 also kills more people who are elderly, said she is particularly heartbroken at the deaths of from diabetes at higher rates than whites and have said, while also focusing more on helping patients obese or have high blood pressure, many of whom diabetes patients in their 30s and 40s. — Reuters

cally stable, including Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil COVID crisis the two hardest hit states. In some states, including Ceara and Rio de Janeiro, there is talk of a “second big, complicated wave, even though the first wave never really As Trump falters, tapered off,” said Gomes. as country itself Strategic mess Democrats aim to President Jair Bolsonaro has downplayed the pandemic, comparing the virus to a “little flu” and BRASILIA: Brazil is being battered by the coron- flip Texas in Nov the reaction to it “hysteria”. The far-right leader, avirus crisis, but the damage is uneven across the who regularly defies social distancing guidelines, sprawling South American country, where experts tested positive for the virus himself on July 7 after PLANO, Texas: Texas attorney Monica Haft say chaotic policy-making has only made a compli- developing a fever and fatigue. On Saturday, after voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and regretted it cated situation worse. Like the United States - the spending nearly three weeks in self-isolation at the almost immediately. Now barely 100 days before only country that has recorded more infections and BRASILIA: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro presidential palace, he said he had tested negative a critical US presidential election, the lifelong deaths in the pandemic - Brazil is a continent-sized for the virus - crediting his controversial use of the giant with myriad regions and sub-regions, held waves as he takes a ride and has his motorcycle’s Republican insists she won’t repeat her mistake. engine overhaul after he announced he tested anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, whose effi- together by a federal system that can breed a con- She expects other disillusioned conservatives to negative for COVID-19 more than two weeks after cacy against COVID-19 has not been proven. join her in helping Democrat Joe Biden flip Texas fusing cacophony of national, state and local poli- being diagnosed. — AFP Amid Bolsonaro’s attacks on stay-at-home meas- - for decades a reliably Republican bastion - cies even at the best of times. ures to contain the virus, the Supreme Court gave come November and end what she describes as The national statistics on the new coronavirus - state and local authorities the final say in the matter. a horror-show presidency. more than 2.3 million infections and 85,000 deaths - in Brazil has been in a long plateau since June, albeit But states and municipalities have imposed an inele- “We have to get him out,” Haft, 51, told AFP mask a varied panorama across the country of 212 in a very high range. At the state level, things are gant hodge-podge of quarantine measures, with lit- in this conservative city north of Dallas, citing million people. “It’s very heterogeneous,” said murkier. On average over the past seven days, four tle in the way of enforcement and a widespread lack Trump’s failed response to the coronavirus crisis Marcelo Gomes, of leading public health research states posted declining daily death tolls, including of adherence. That has been followed, in some cas- and his general lack of fitness for office. “I can’t institute Fiocruz. Brazil’s 27 states are all facing differ- once-devastated Amazonas in the north and Ceara es, by poorly designed policies to reopen the econ- even imagine what would happen to our country ent epidemics. Even within states, “things can change in the northeast. Ten had rising numbers, including omy, which many experts have deemed premature. after four more years of this.” Americans who a lot from one region to the next”, he told AFP. in the south and west-central regions, which had Brazilians are also split by huge socioeconomic and supported Trump, but may not do so again, hold Nationwide, the curve of daily COVID-19 deaths been less affected until recently. And 13 were basi- regional divides. — AFP the 2020 election in their hands. Haft predicted there are enough “disgusted and embarrassed” Republicans like her to help a Democratic nominee win Texas for the first time 40 years ago, ‘A concentration of since 1976. She has “taken some heat” from rel- atives and been unfriended on social media, but Shah of Iran death’: Virus ravages Haft sees a clear shift away from Trump. “I have several friends and colleagues who voted for died in exile S Africa care home him who now regret it, or are Republicans who didn’t vote in the last election and now are going to vote for Joe Biden,” she said. PARIS: On July 27, 1980, the former Shah of Iran JOHANNESBURG: “The sickness is around. We Republicans for decades have enjoyed a died of cancer while in exile in Cairo, 17 months don’t know when we’re going to get it,” says 79- baked-in advantage in Texas, where voter regis- after being driven out by his country’s Islamic year-old Giuseppe Tassi. “I knew a couple of people tration favors the GOP. But demographic Revolution. Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, his who went to hospital and never came back.” Tassi is changes are shifting the ground beneath Trump’s last remaining ally, laid on a state funeral for the for- sitting in the lounge at the Casa Serena retirement feet. Never Trumper Claire Young, a teacher mer monarch. Here is an account, based on AFP home in the Johannesburg’s district of Germiston. from conservative Bee Cave near Austin who reports. The empty chairs tell their own tale of death and voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, said she sees absence. At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, fellow Republicans transitioning away from the Dumped by Iranians, America CAIRO: A file photo shows Farah Diba (left), widow of the facility-whose name means “serene home” in president. “Trump’s COVID response has really The once-venerated Shah Mohammad Reza the late Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and Italian-had 64 residents. pissed a lot of people off that used to give Pahlavi had fled Iran in Jan 1979 in the face of an Jihan Sadat, widow of Egypt’s former president Anwar Nearly a quarter of them have since died. “We Trump the benefit of the doubt,” said Young, 43, uprising on the streets, after a reign of 37 years in Sadat, attending a memorial service marking the 29th lost 14, some of whom have died of COVID, and adding that several of her relatives who backed which he dreamt of making his country the fifth anniversary of the Shah’s death in Cairo’s historic Al- others have died with COVID,” said Mario Serra, Trump are now committed Biden voters. world power by 2000. His exile opened the way for Rifai Mosque. — AFP the manager of the home, which caters to the the triumphant return from France on February 1, Italian-South African community. Casa Serena is ‘Persuasion game’ 1979, of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the Hostage crisis just one of 17 care facilities in Gauteng, South Winning Texas, the country’s most populous establishment of an Islamic republic. At first court- In Tehran, the former monarch’s death was Africa’s most populous province, that have been ravaged by COVID-19. Across the nation, more than state after California, would be a massive coup ed then dumped by the Americans, he drifted announced in a laconic statement on national radio. 400,000 cases have been recorded, the highest in for Biden. The former vice president leads in between Morocco, the Bahamas, Mexico, the But the Iranian headlines left no doubt the next day. Africa, with at least 6,000 deaths. national polling, and is also ahead in major swing United States and Panama, before being given asy- “The vampire of the century is dead,” said the Serra, who lives at the centre, also contracted states Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, lum on March 24, 1980, by his only real ally, Tehran Times. “The pharaoh is dead,” Pars agency coronavirus but recovered. He spoke bitterly about Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Polls show the Egyptian president Sadat. wrote. Jomhouri-e Eslami, the newspaper of the rivals are neck and neck in The Lone Star State, the unequal fight to save lives. As early as March, he Gravely ill on arrival, he was rushed by helicopter Islamic Republican Party, accused the United States imposed a rigid quarantine and other measures-but a hotspot with over 4,500 coronavirus deaths to a military hospital, where he had his spleen of having killed the exiled monarch. Official reaction and where voters have soured on Trump’s pan- his defenses were breached by a stealthy and removed. He then had a long convalescence at was limited to parliamentary speaker Ayatollah relentless foe. “We were expecting people to die, as demic response. Cairo’s Kubbeh Palace, surrounded by his wife, Hashemi Rafsanjani, who described the death as “a A Quinnipiac University Poll of Texas voters every year during winter times, but this is a concen- Farah Diba, and four children. But his health deteri- small problem, without importance”. tration of death,” Serra said. “It is like walking in the released Wednesday puts Biden at 45 support orated. Hours after the Shah’s death, Sadat Radical students who had seized 52 hostages at with Trump at 44 percent. While Biden has yet sun and all of a sudden a big paw with tremendous announced “with great sadness” in an address to the US embassy in Tehran some nine months earlier, nails scratches you from behind. You see the blood to commit to a full-on multi-million-dollar the nation the loss “of a friend and a brother”. demanding the Shah’s extradition, said they were ground game in Texas, many Democrats, like and you don’t know what it was.” “Let’s leave to history the task of judging not interested in getting his body back. They said strategist Jane Hamilton of Dallas, are pushing Most of the dedicated staff members have not Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as a leader, but we, in the hostages, who went on to be held for 444 days, team Biden to do so. “Everything that is happen- left the facility since nationwide coronavirus lock- Muslim Egypt, show recognition and respect for would only be released once the Shah’s assets were ing now is a perfect storm,” said Hamilton, who down started on March 27. But there is little they him as a man and as a Muslim,” he said. AFP report- returned. was Biden’s statewide director during the pri- can do for residents stricken by fear, solitude and a ed: “Right up to the last moment, flying in the face The state funeral in Egypt took place on July 29. maries. “If Texas goes blue, then frankly there’s sense and powerlessness. They ask, “‘Am I going to of criticism, in the Muslim world and in his own The anthem of imperial Iran was performed, and die?’, ‘am I positive?’, ‘am I negative?’-and you’ve no path” for Trump’s re-election, she added. Sadat then led a funeral cortege transporting the Experts see the state as a true battleground country alike, the Egyptian head of state remained got to answer,” said Serra. The home, managed by coffin, draped with the Iranian flag and driven on a in 2020. “The numbers don’t look good for loyal to the one he continued to call ‘the Shah’.” The an Italian community, includes the children of Italian gun carriage drawn by six horses, from the presi- Trump” on his pandemic response, said two men’s staunch friendship dated back to the ear- World War II prisoners and migrants who came to dential palace to the Al-Rifai mosque. Behind him University of Houston political science professor ly 1970s. The Shah stood by Egypt during the South Africa in the 1960s and 1970s to seek their followed members of the former imperial family, Brandon Rottinghaus. He pointed to the state’s Israeli-Arab war of 1973, sending medical aid and fortune. Italian culture echoes through the home, in representatives of other deposed royal families, sprawling suburbs, where Latino and women doctors, but especially by allowing Soviet planes to the language and food and devotion to family. But including Greece’s King Constantine, and thousands voters hold increasing sway. — AFP fly over Iran to supply Cairo with weapons and mili- visitors are only allowed under exceptional circum- tary equipment. of Egyptian soldiers. — AFP stances as the quarantine is still in force. — AFP Established 1961 7 Monday, July 27, 2020 International ‘Londongrad’: Russia influence under the spotlight in Britain UK hosting billions of pounds of suspicious wealth from Russia LONDON: A long-awaited parliamentary report endum two years earlier. But Cowdock said wealthy this week failed to confirm suspicions about Russian Russians were regular guests at political party interference in British politics, including in the divi- fundraisers. sive 2016 Brexit referendum. But it laid out the ‘Wilful amnesia’ extent to which wealthy Russians - some with close London’s role in suspicious trading of Russian ties to President Vladimir Putin - have become an cash gained public attention in a £10 billion scandal integral part of the highest ranks of British society. involving Deutsche Bank between 2011 and 2015. Anti-corruption campaigners have long alleged that Cowdock noted Britain promised to crack down on Britain and its financial institutions were being used to launder dirty cash from around the world. “The United Kingdom is hosting billions of pounds of suspicious wealth from Russia,” said Ben Russian Cowdock, an investigator at Transparency International UK. He told AFP £1 billion ($1.3 bil- influence in lion) of suspicious Russian funds have been pumped into luxury property in London, leading it to be the UK is the nicknamed “Londongrad”. Pete Duncan, a Russia specialist at University College London, estimated ‘new normal’ that “hundreds of billions of pounds” have been reinvested from Moscow since the 1990s. Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) said the current and previous governments laundering in 2016, notably setting up a register of had “actively avoided” digging deeper into the the real owners of luxury homes, which are often source of the money. It also hit out at huge dona- bought by shell companies. “That’s something that tions to political parties, particularly Prime Minister could be brought in very quickly,” he said. Boris Johnson’s Conservatives, and the use of PR LONDON: In this file photo taken on Nov 8, 2018, a Brexit-themed billboard depicting Britain’s former Duncan called for British law enforcement organ- and law firms to secure top-level access. “Russian foreign secretary Boris Johnson waving Russian national flags reading “Thank you Boris” is seen in izations like the National Crime Agency, which influence in the UK is the ‘new normal’,” the ISC east London. — AFP investigates serious and organized crime, to get said in its report, published on Tuesday. “There are a lot of Russians with very close links to Putin who more resources to tackle oligarchs. Last year, Chris are well integrated into the UK business and social Bryant told the Guardian newspaper the Russian ey and of having “willful amnesia” as they sought to interest in and seeming obsession with the UK”. scene, and accepted because of their wealth.” embassy wanted him removed as head of parlia- reset relations with Russia. Former British intelli- “The Russian elite has succeeded in establishing a The ISC named no names and came to no firm ment’s Russia group in 2009 because he was not gence agent Christopher Steele, who wrote a powerful interest group/lobby in Britain through conclusions about alleged Russian interference in pro-Kremlin enough. The Labour party MP dossier on US President Donald Trump’s alleged lavish expenditure and investment,” he said in evi- the Brexit vote or the Scottish independence refer- accused the Tories of being reliant on Russian mon- links to Russia, said the Kremlin had “a particular dence to the ISC. — AFP

News in brief Kabila prowls the Fears for Uighur Deadliest day in Australia political sidelines culture as scholars MELBOURNE: Australia has suffered its dead- liest day from the coronavirus since the pandem- KINSHASA: Officially, he stepped down in Jan vanish in crackdown ic began, with authorities reporting ten fatalities 2019, retiring after 18 years at the helm of the yesterday and a rise in new infections despite an biggest country in sub-Saharan Africa. But nearly BEIJING: It has been almost two years since Bugra intensive lockdown effort. The country’s COVID- 18 months on, former president Joseph Kabila Arkin’s father Aierken was abruptly snatched from 19 death toll rose to 155 and the southeastern state remains a powerful figure, wielding influence in the his home in China’s troubled Xinjiang region by of Victoria reported more than 450 new infections murky politics of the Democratic Republic of Congo national security agents. Aierken Yibulayin’s pub- in the last 24 hours. A clearly concerned Victoria through a network of followers and a forced coali- lishing firm - one of the biggest in the region - Premier Daniel Andrews said 10 people aged tion with his successor. “Kabila, come back quickly Joseph Kabila translated thousands of books into Uighur before he between their 40s and 80s had died, of which sev- so we can restore order,” his supporters chanted on was detained in October 2018. Arkin has not heard en deaths were linked to outbreaks in aged care Thursday as they marched in Kinshasa, where the facilities. It is the worst loss of life from the virus in receives FCC officials on his ranch. “There are cour- from him since. “My father had a strong impact on coalition with backers of President Felix Tshisekedi tesy visits and there are visits to seek advice,” he Australia since the disease first emerged, accord- is in trouble and heads are rolling. the Uighur publishing industry, and that made him a ing to a tally compiled by AFP. — AFP said. “He manages his political family on a day-to- target of the Chinese government,” said Arkin, who Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga has publicly day basis,” a former presidential adviser told AFP. denounced a decision by Tshisekedi to replace two lives in California. “This is very unacceptable and our lives were literally destroyed.” pillars of the former Kabila regime: the army’s ‘Balance of power’ 24 Rohingya migrants drown inspector general and the president of the He is not the only one. At least 435 Uighur intel- The former head of state has never ruled out a lectuals have been imprisoned or forcibly disap- Constitutional Court. Kabila handed the presidency return to the political stage. “In life as in politics, I KUALA LUMPUR: A Rohingya migrant is feared to Tshisekedi after elections in December 2018, in peared since April 2017, according to the Uyghur exclude nothing,” he told the foreign press in Dec to be the only survivor from a boat carrying at the first peaceful transfer of power since independ- Human Rights Project. The rounding up of Uighur 2018, just before his retirement. Kabila left office two least two dozen asylum seekers that is believed ence from Belgium nearly 60 years earlier. Still only linguists, scholars and publishers is seen by over- years after his second and last constitutional term to have run into difficulty off the Malaysian coast 49 despite his years at the top, Kabila lives on a seas advocacy groups as part of a campaign by the expired. He was under pressure from foreign part- near Thailand, a coastguard official said yester- farm at Kingakati, 80 km from the capital, sur- Chinese Communist Party to erase the ethnic ners of the DR Congo, including the United States day. Mohamad Zawawi Abdullah, coastguard rounded by wildlife ranging from lions to antelopes. group’s identity and culture and assimilate it into and the European Union, as well as demonstrators. chief for the northern states of Kedah and Perlis, In a zoo open to the public, Kabila takes selfies the dominant, Mandarin-speaking Han population. Kabila’s many foes, who have faced brutal repres- said the 27-year-old named Nor Hossain was with visitors he sometimes bumps into on Sundays. Renowned Uighur linguist Alim Hasani was taken sion, feared he would seize a third mandate by force, detained by police after he swam to shore on the The man who once ruled the sprawling DRC during by authorities in August 2018 during a Beijing work but elections took place after three postponements. resort island of Langkawi. “Based on the informa- a brutal regional war now goes out with just “two or trip, according to his son Ershat Alim. Alim believes tion from the police, the illegal Rohingya migrant three bodyguards”, according to an aide. Low-key Earlier this month, three street protests were called that his father, a retired division head of the Xinjiang had jumped off the boat that had 24 other people by nature, Kabila has made no political utterances by a spectrum of political and social forces including Ethnic Language Work Committee, was detained for and that he was the only one who managed to and has avoided public appearances, even when Tshisekedi’s Union for Democracy and Social his research, which aimed to standardize Uighur-Han swim to the shore safely,” Zawawi said. — AFP meeting with Tshisekedi to try to ease the tensions Progress (UDPS). One of their grievances was the translations. Hasani, who compiled several dictionar- in their uneasy cohabitation. choice of a new election chief who has been accused ies, was a Communist Party member whose projects No information was released about their last of rigging elections in favor of Kabila. had previously been approved by the state and won Vietnam bus crash kills 13 meeting at the beginning of July. But he remains the Thursday’s heated protest was launched after awards. “When I first heard that my father was driving force in his Common Front for Congo (FCC) Tshisekedi sacked two strongmen of the former arrested, I never once thought that this could hap- HANOI: A high school reunion trip in Vietnam political group - a veritable war machine that he set regime. Kabila supporters see their role as contain- pen to him. He must have been very surprised as took a fatal turn yesterday when a bus carrying up before leaving office. In the same elections that ing Tshisekedi’s influence in the name of “a balance well,” said Alim, who lives in France. the alumni crashed and flipped over at a bend on brought Tshisekedi to power, the FCC won a com- of power”. Some argue that nothing stops him com- More than one million Uighurs and other mostly the highway, killing more than a dozen passengers. manding majority in parliament, forcing Tshisekedi’s ing back. The next elections are due in 2023. “The Muslim Turkic-speaking minorities have been held The nearly 40 passengers on the bus were class- supporters into the role of junior partners in what constitution bans three consecutive terms, but it in re-education camps in Xinjiang following a spate mates from Dong Hoi High School who were trav- says nothing about a possible return after a gap of of ethnic violence, according to rights groups. elling to visit the area in central Quang Binh has become a deeply troubled coalition. Kabila placed the FCC leadership in the hands of five years,” a former adviser said. Kabila’s right- Chinese authorities describe the facilities as voca- province for the 30th anniversary of their gradua- hand man Mwilanya, a lawyer, is firmer still: “The tional education centers where Uighurs learn tion. But the driver lost control on a sharp turn on his former chief of staff, Nehemie Mwilanya, who hails as he does from the Swahili-speaking east of constitutional rules are clear. They impose no Mandarin and job skills to steer them away from the highway, said state media. At least 13 people restrictions on him per se.” — AFP extremism. — AFP were killed, and many more injured. Images shared the country. Mwilanya acknowledges that “the chief” on news websites showed a bus on its side in a gutter by the asphalt road, with bystanders look- ‘Amtrak Joe’ ing on as rescuers tended to the injured. — AFP Biden’s hometown: A The roughly 70,000 people of Wilmington know that in normal times, the best chance of spotting the mirror of his low-key man most refer to just as “Joe” is at the train station Tunisia minister named PM that bears his name. As Delaware’s representative to the US Senate for nearly 40 years, he always pre- TUNIS: Tunisia’s interior minister Hichem White House bid ferred taking the train for the daily two-hour trip to Mechichi has been appointed to form the next Washington. The station was even where he government, the president’s office said, amid announced his quickly aborted 1988 run at the political tensions among major parties in the WILMINGTON: Unmarked Secret Service cars bar access to Joe Biden’s house in a plush neigh- presidency-the first of his three tries at the top North African country. The 46-year-old lawyer office in the land. But the only trace there on a succeeds Elyes Fakhfakh, who resigned as prime borhood of Wilmington, the US East Coast city that mirrors the look of his presidential campaign: recent day of a man nicknamed “Amtrak Joe,” for minister earlier this month -but Mechichi was not the US passenger train company, is the plaque at one of the names proposed by the ruling political quiet and low-key. None of the impeccably trimmed yards of the neighboring homes are stud- the station bearing his name. parties to President Kais Saied. In a statement “It’s the oddest campaign I have ever seen,” local following Saturday’s announcement, Mechichi ded with the small political placards that many Americans proudly plant to show whom they sup- Ray Saccomandi, 54, told AFP on a nearly deserted said he would “work to form a government that sidewalk on Wilmington’s main commercial drag. meets the expectations of all Tunisians”. — AFP port during election season. It is an apt and sym- bolic absence, with 100 days until voting in a cam- WILMINGTON, Delaware: The Joseph R Biden Jr “This campaign is done via Zoom and social media.” paign marked by the 77-year-old Biden’s subtle Aquatic Center is seen on July 21, 2020. — AFP He said he believes a major effort probably wasn’t Minister’s holiday ruined strategy of leaving his opponent Donald Trump to necessary locally given that Delaware, a tiny state do much of the talking. On that day, like he always did, the famously with under a million residents, is a reliable support- LONDON: Passengers arriving from Spain will Only the heavy security deployed around the avuncular politician bantered with staff and even er of Biden’s Democratic Party. Yet Biden’s subtle have to self-isolate for two weeks, the UK gov- home at 1209 Barley Mill Road betrays that the posed for pictures as he tucked into his cheesesteak strategy has shown signs of success: the latest polls ernment has said, in a move that has reportedly Democratic former vice president has been leading sandwich. “He is very personal, very friendly, very have him with a comfortable lead over Trump- caught out its transport minister who is holiday- his campaign from his basement since the COVID- pleasant, very nice. He would talk to anybody,” though most polls did not favor the former reality ing in the country. Britons returning from the 19 pandemic threw the world into disarray. Many of Kollias told AFP, adding the inability to plunge into TV star when he beat Hillary Clinton in 2016. popular destination must self-isolate, following a his brief public appearances have been close to campaign crowds must be frustrating for him. “It’s a Another of Wilmington’s civic sites to bear the surge in coronavirus cases there, a UK govern- home, and Biden has opted not to hold any rallies as very crazy situation, a very difficult time really,” she name of the man Trump has attacked as “Sleepy ment spokesman said Saturday. The snap move is a precaution against the virus that is still surging added. Trump went ahead with a mass rally in Joe” is the Joseph R Biden Jr Aquatic Center, which a blow to Britons seeking some Mediterranean across much of the United States. Demi Kollias Oklahoma, but the June event was dogged by an is even adorned with the vice-presidential seal. It’s sun after months of lockdown at home - includ- remembers last having seen Biden in March at her uneven performance by the Republican president, an appropriate honor for Biden, who worked as a ing Transport Minister Grant Shapps. — AFP eatery Claymont Steak Shop, a local institution weak attendance and worries it was a vector to lifeguard at the pool in the primarily African- where he is a regular. spread the virus. American area of Wilmington in his youth. — AFP Established 1961

MONDAY, JULY 27, 2020 Business Uphill struggle of Amalfi’s lemon growers

Italian lemon farmers feel like guarding human heritage AMALFI, Italy: Squeezed by foreign competi- tion and a lack of local labor, Italy’s Amalfi lemon growers persevere in their grueling work on the steep terraces rising from the Mediterranean. “My father always tells me that we might not have blood in our veins but lemon juice,” laughs sixth- generation lemon farmer Salvatore Aceto, 56. “It could be true,” he smiles, from beneath the rim of his straw hat. Salvatore and his brother Marco farm the land that their great-great- grandfather started to acquire in 1825 following in the footsteps of his own father. The farm has faced three “unprecedented” blows in the last eight months, Salvatore said, the last of which has been the devastating coronavirus pandemic.

Guarding ‘human heritage’ Their father, Luigi, 85, also still works on the AMALFI: An employee peels lemons at the Limoncello farm, which produces 50-70 tons of lemons a factory, extension of the Aceto family lemon tree farm year, arriving at around 4 am or 5 am. He drives in Amalfi. up the coast in a tiny 1960s Fiat 500, which his wife, an obstetrician, would use to help deliver the coast’s babies. islands of Lampedusa and Procida, as well as in The farm covers 13 hectares, of which 2.6 the northern Cinque Terre region. The job of hectares are lemon trees. “Lemons are my life, climbing up and down hundreds of steps a day, they’re in my heart,” said Luigi, confessing with a carrying lemon-filled baskets weighing up to 60 cheeky smile that he himself was “conceived kilos, is punishing, and not popular with young, under a lemon tree”. local workers. AMALFI: Salvatore and Gigino Aceto pose in their lemon tree farm in Amalfi. —AFP photos Today, he feels like “the guardian of a piece Who will cultivate the added. Like other farmers around here, he hires up the precious terraces to “agriturismo” in 2013, of human heritage”, land? workers from Ukraine or Romania when neces- allowing visitors to come, sample and buy home- which is farmed in much Cultivating on “Until the ‘60s and sary, praising the “priceless” job they do. made limoncello liqueur. No more than 100 peo- the same way as it has ‘70s, the terraces of the ple are allowed to visit a day to preserve the cit- been done for centuries. terraces: The Amalfi coast provided a ‘Tragedy’ rus trees and also the farm’s way of life-although “We have mules and livelihood for entire fami- Salvatore says it’s a “tragedy” to see so many the family recognized that opening up to visitors donkeys to carry the grueling work lies,” Salvatore said. “But local farmers give up in the face of the difficulties. was key to surviving. harvest, as well as other the social and economic “Seeing so many terraces abandoned is like a Recent times have been hard. In December, types of donkey... us, we dynamic has changed. dagger in my heart,” he added. He said they the terraces collapsed because of heavy rain, humans,” jokes Today, 95 percent of the couldn’t compete with the Argentine, Uruguayan, which was “an economic disaster”, Salvatore Salvatore. coast’s economy is based Moroccan, Spanish or Turkish markets, which are lamented. “Then the lemon harvest was bad “Here, everything is vertical. We work with our on tourism. “Who can you get to cultivate the automated and have low growing costs. because of the cold and wet weather, which legs, shoulders, we’re bruised, scratched... Some land?” he said, adding that a job as a waiter “To cover our costs, we would have to ask affected the blossom,” he added. Finally, he con- talk about ‘heroic farming’, but we’re not heroes, offers an easier life-and doesn’t involve having to over two euros a kilo (compared to 1.40-1.50 tinued, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, halting just normal people,” he said. Agriculture on steep climb 1,500-2,000 steps with 57 kilos on your euros at the moment), that’s not possible,” he tourism and slowing sales. “If we can survive this, terraces like these can also be found on the back. “Nobody wants to make the sacrifice. Young people have practically all given up,” he said. As a result, the decision was taken to open we’ll be invincible.” — AFP

Democrats pointed to the uptick UK defends Fed convenes in new claims as proof aid to the jobless is needed, while Republicans said declines in the four-week mov- Spanish move; as virus puts ing average of claims and the insured unemployment rate were travellers angry US recovery evidence people are returning to work. Fed officials have repeatedly on edge called for more fiscal support to get MADRID/LONDON: British foreign min- the country through the downturn. ister Dominic Raab yesterday stood by his Mickey Levy of Berenberg Capital government’s abrupt decision to impose a WASHINGTON: The Federal Markets said Fed Chair Jerome two-week coronavirus quarantine on trav- Reserve meets next week amid Powell would likely remain vague in ellers returning from Spain, which has pro- mixed signals on the health of the any comments about the economy’s voked anger and confusion among tourists. LONDON: British tourists returning to UK, check in their luggage, as Britain imposed a two-week US economy, with some sectors health at his press conference fol- The move to take Spain off a safe-travel list quarantine on all travellers arriving from Spain, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) bouncing back from the coron- lowing the FOMC meeting. was announced late on Saturday and took outbreak, at Gran Canaria Airport, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain on Saturday. — Reuters avirus-caused downturn and others “He would respond by saying the effect from midnight (2300 GMT on struggling. Retail and new home Fed is aware of the recent rise in the Saturday), leaving travellers with no time to sales were among those showing spreading of the pandemic and how dodge it or plan ahead. not given very much time to prepare so woman said on Saturday evening that Spain growth over the last two months but high frequency data suggest it is Raab defended the imposition of the everyone is now panicking,” said Harrison, “respects decisions of the United Kingdom” the Labor Department said last adversely affecting economic activi- quarantine as a “real-time response” to a from Essex. “We had a wedding to go to and was in touch with the authorities there. week new claims for unemployment ty-and that the Fed is prepared if jump in Spanish coronavirus cases reported and we had plans to visit friends and family Spain was one of the worst hit countries in benefits had increased week-on- necessary to provide more support on Friday, the latest in a month-long resur- who we haven’t seen in a very long time and Europe by the pandemic, with more than week after months of declines. to the economy,” Levy said. gence in infections. “We can’t make apolo- now we are going to have to cancel all those 290,000 cases and over 28,000 deaths. It Analysts say the mixed indica- gies...we must be able to take swift, decisive plans, so it’s really quiet upsetting.” imposed very strict lockdown measures to tors won’t be enough to get the Nothing political action,” he said on Sky News. Spain had been on a list of countries that contain the spread, gradually easing them rate-setting Federal Open Market Though inflation jumped 0.6 per- The opposition Labour Party’s health the British government had said were safe earlier in the summer. Committee (FOMC) to change cent in June as gas prices rose, policy chief, Jonathan Ashworth, slammed for travellers to visit - meaning tourists course, particularly not after it cut there are few expectations of it Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government returning home would not have to go into ‘Absolute disaster’ the benchmark lending rate to 0- picking up pace since COVID-19 is for its “frankly shambolic” handling of the quarantine. But it has seen cases rise in the The British decision follows steps by 0.25 percent in March as the pan- continuing to hamper demand, even measure, which has scuppered the plans of last few weeks, prompting most regions to Norway on Friday to re-impose a 10-day demic hit. with interest rates low and liquidity many would-be holidaymakers. The move impose rules for masks to be worn every- quarantine requirement for people arriving “We don’t expect much to come plentiful. Oxford Economics pre- will also hit hard at the Spanish tourism sec- where and, in several areas including from Spain, while France advised people not out of this particular meeting,” said dicted the Fed may in fact link their tor just as it is starting to recover from Barcelona, calls for people to stay at home. to travel to Spain’s northeastern region of Jonathan Millar, deputy chief US movement of the lending rate to months of coronavirus lockdowns and travel “We’re quite frustrated by it to be hon- Catalonia. But a collapse of tourism from economist at Barclays Investment inflation. restrictions. est, because it actually feels safer in Spain,” Britain would have far more of an impact on Bank. The two-day meeting begin- “We believe the Fed is leaning At Madrid’s Barajas airport Emily British tourist Carolyne Lansell, said of the the economy in Spain, where tourism ning Tuesday comes as cases of towards stating it won’t lift interest Harrison, who was taking a flight to London quarantine decision. She was flying to Ibiza accounts for 12 percent of GDP. Britons coronavirus surge again, particular- rates off the effective lower bound and faced the prospect of having to self- from Madrid for a 10-day holiday before made up more than 20 percent of foreign ly in the southern and western until inflation is sustainably at or isolate for two weeks. “It’s really bad going home. visitors to Spain last year, the largest group United States, raising fears that the above the 2 percent target,” they because it’s just come all of a sudden, it’s A Spanish Foreign Ministry spokes- by nationality. — Reuters world’s largest economy is set for a said. “We now forecast that rate prolonged downturn. lift-off will not take place until mid- The Fed has offered trillions of 2024 as inflation struggles to reach rate cut which matched the forecasts of tract by 4.5-5.5 percent this year before dollars of liquidity to keep markets 2 percent on a sustained basis and Russian CB cuts analysts in a Reuters poll, said there was returning to growth in 2021. The central bank moving amid surging unemployment the unemployment rate lags still scope for lower rates. She added that had previously forecast a GDP contraction of and sharp drops in activity, while improvement in the overall econo- rate to record the bank would need to assess the impact 4-6 percent this year. warning in its “beige book” survey my.” In an interview with The of previous rate cuts. Inflation, the central bank’s key area of released earlier this month of a Washington Post earlier this month, “If the situation develops in line with the responsibility, is expected to end this year at “highly uncertain” outlook. Dallas Federal Reserve President low of 4.25% baseline forecast, the Bank of Russia will 3.7-4.2 percent in 2020, stabilizing near its 4 Robert Kaplan echoed a call from consider the necessity of further key rate percent target in 2021 and 2022. Market Ready to help public health officials for people to reduction at its upcoming meetings,” the experts, many of whom had expected a 50- The central bankers will convene wear masks to prevent transmission MOSCOW: Russia’s central bank cut the central bank said in a statement. basis-point cut on Friday, now say the central via teleconference as lawmakers in of the coronavirus. key interest rate to a record low of 4.25 per- The central bank also revised the rate bank will continue lowering rates later this Washington negotiate over whether Yet even as more and more busi- cent and said more cuts were possible, given range it considers to be neutral from a mone- year. Russia’s largest lender Sberbank said it to extend parts of the $2.2 trillion nesses mandate face coverings, low inflation and a shrinking economy. tary policy point of view to 5-6 percent from expects the central bank to cut the key rate CARES Act rescue package passed some Americans have rejected Russia has cut rates four times in 2020 6-7 percent, sending a signal to investors in by another 25 basis points to 4 percent at the in March to blunt the pandemic-dri- them as an infringement on person- in an attempt to support an economy Russian bonds that their yields will fall. The next board meeting on Sept. 18. ven downturn. The most recent al freedom, meaning Powell is pummeled by the new coronavirus and bank also revised its economic forecasts. Analysts from BNP Paribas said they Labor Department report on weekly unlikely to weigh in on the issue, related lockdowns, as well as by lower After gross domestic product shrank by expected two more 25-basis-point cuts this unemployment claims was seized on Millar said. “I’d be surprised to see prices for oil, Russia’s key export. 9-10 percent in the second quarter, the cen- year as Friday’s decision “maintained a by both Democrats and Republicans them come and make a political Governor Elvira Nabiullina, presenting the tral bank now expects the economy to con- dovish bias.” — Reuters as they negotiate over aid. statement,” he said. —AFP Established 1961 9 Monday, July 27, 2020 Business Ukraine’s snail farmers fear collapse over EU lockdowns Ex-Soviet Ukraine’s budding snail industry now boasts some 400 farms

VOYNIVKA, Ukraine: When the first snail farm in the Ravlik-2016 farm in Voynivka and runs a ware- Ukraine opened five years ago, local villagers couldn’t house in Spain. hide their curiosity. Residents of Voynivka south of the Lost orders from European Union countries have capital Kiev would peek over the fence of the old dairy already cost Danileyko 55,000 euros ($63,748), he farm where manager Yulia Koretska kept the snails to said, while snails meant for delivery are perishing in ask if people really ate them. refrigerators. “They called me the snail mother,” she laughed, sur- rounded by wooden boxes of snails in a green field Pre-virus boom under the blazing summer sun. Ex-Soviet Ukraine’s Yuliya Nastasivna, director of Ravlykova Khata farm budding snail industry now boasts some 400 farms in the Zhytomyr region west of Kiev, has also struggled to shift stock. She concedes that domestic sales will probably not make up for losses from Europe, since snails are too expensive for most Ukrainians and are Virus restrictions still a culinary curiosity. “If there is no export, then I’m afraid all farmers will throw food service collapse,” she says. Nastasivna worries the outlook will industry into crisis be especially bleak if France and Spain go into lock- down again later in the year if there is a surge in infec- tions. “We must survive,” Koretska told AFP at the Voynivka farm. “We can’t give up all this.” Yulia Koretska is surrounded by wooden boxes of snails in a green field under the blazing summer sun. — AFP Before the pandemic, Ukraine’s snail industry was booming. Producers last year delivered nearly 250 tons which have found eager buyers in European countries to Europe-up from just 93 in 2018 — according to data ‘Escargot, puffs, burgers’ frozen fillets, fillets in jars,” said the 43-year-old who like Italy and Spain. from Ukraine’s consumer watchdog. The country’s main competitor, Poland, has the also mentors other farmers. But sweeping coronavirus restrictions that plunged A national association of producers said it expected added advantage of being part of the EU, she said, and Despite their popularity abroad, Ukrainian snails the global food service industry into an unprecedent- farmers to yield 1,000 tons this year compared to 200- Ukrainian farmers are working to woo European clients have yet to find favor at home where they are pro- ed crisis have threatened to wipe out the fledgling 300 tons in 2019. Ukraine’s snails are in such high by undercutting prices by around 10 percent. The hibitively expensive and too peculiar for most farms in one of Europe’s poorest countries. Most snail demand because they are cheap and of good quality, strategy saw her secure sales in France for the first time restaurant goers. But Anna Miller, manager the of farmers in Ukraine-where the delicacy has yet to says Nastasivna. The exports include garden sails- this year and before the pandemic she was in talks with Tres Francais restaurant in central Kiev, says her catch on-rely heavily on sales to restaurants in which Nastasivna prefers and wild snails that she says buyers in Italy. clients are venturing from their gastronomic com- Europe where economies are still struggling to recov- “smell of soil”. Danileyko and his business partner meanwhile was fort zones and snails are becoming more popular. er to pre-pandemic levels after months-long lock- “Many foreigners don’t even believe there are snail negotiating with Asian markets and developing snail- “If you compare to eight years ago, then, of course, downs. “Last year everything was great. This year is farms Ukraine. When they find out, they want to know based products, like spreads and frozen products. snails have become more familiar to our guests,” the exact opposite,” says Sergiy Danileyko who owns more and more”. “We have a very large assortment of escargot, pastries, she says. — AFP

Britain’s COVID ALSAYER committed to ‘green facility’ strategy lending schemes KUWAIT: As part of Group’s strategic focus on from all the locations is 6,500 kilowatts per hour environment friendly and energy efficient busi- and the annual energy yield is 2,445 megawatt risk widening divides ness practices, Mohamed Naser Al Sayer & Sons per hour.

is continuing to invest in clean and renewable Environment friendly measures in the building LONDON: In the northern English seaside resort of energy technology. Blackpool, the family-run Elgin Hotel is preparing to at Ardiya features a two-tunnel automated car reopen in August after four months’ enforced closure. wash technology from Germany which incorpo- Green building specifications The Elgin had a profitable 2019, but bookings so far rates water recycling (designed and built locally) Renewable and eco-friendly measures adopted suggest that the 89-room hotel yards from the seafront reverse osmosis system reducing out environ- by the group for Toyota sales, service and parts will be less than half full this summer, as coronavirus mental impact. With this technology up to 80 per- BLACKPOOL: A general view of the Elgin Hotel in operations include: concerns deter older holidaymakers and social distanc- cent of the water used is recycled and reused. Blackpool, Britain, is seen in this undated handout • Light-colored fire-rated aluminum panels for ing reduces capacity. State-of-the-art Toyota’s Fahaheel Service image. — Reuters the external walls, To help cover lost revenue, the hotel tried to secure Center also features advanced energy efficient • Solar power comprised of the best an 800,000 pound ($1.02 million) loan under the UK’s equipment such as: components and advanced tech- taxpayer-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption • Steam wash machines for better HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays said nology, Loan Scheme (CBILS). Owner Nigel Seddon said he had washing quality with minimum water regional data was either unavailable or problematic as • High-performance large glass applied to five different banks offering loans under the consumption, estimated efficiency of each lender defined each region differently. The CBI’s facades for natural daylight, government scheme but he’s still waiting to secure the 50 liters of water to wash 50 cars, Wilford said the group had begun its own research into • Efficient heat insulation for the cash he needs, after some lenders said they could not • Aqua vehicle lifters - water and how the regions were faring through the COVID crisis, external walls and the upper roofs take on new customers or quoted costly terms he would air powered vehicle lifters, with zero which would likely examine potential regional or sectoral for effective air conditioning sys- struggle to afford. Seddon fears that if businesses like his electricity consumption, disparities in lending and wider cash flow issues. tem, cannot tap sufficient support then deprived towns like Business groups from the North East, South West • Latest LED light fittings, • Oil water separator for safe dis- Blackpool could fall further behind London and the com- and North West told Reuters they felt banks were run- • Photocell water mixers, charge of wastewater, paratively wealthy South East of England. ning shy of lending in their areas, where economists pre- which are available at first automotive center at • Concealed garage furniture design ensuring “People feel that all the money is being spent down in dict far deeper economic slumps as a result of the pan- Aswaq Al-Qurain, Toyota showrooms at Al-Jahra, safety of both customers and staff. London,” he said. Blackpool has struggled since its pre- demic. Forecasts published by Oxford Economics show Mega Toyota Delivery Center in Ardiya, recently Toyota Parts Division recently changed to war heyday when families flocked to see its glittering economic output is expected to fall furthest in the West opened multi-level service center in Fahaheel as maintenance free batteries which does not night-time “Illuminations” lightshow and relax on its Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East, and well as at parts distribution center in Subhan. require filling of battery acid before dispatch to long, sandy beach. Wales in a range of -6.6 percent and -5.7 percent in the branches. This initiative enhances safety, air Several deprived areas of England - some of which 2020 compared with 2019 projections. Optimize power consumption quality and overall internal environment of the voted for Brexit and switched from supporting the London’s output is seen falling by 4.1 percent. Even The total electrical load that is generated daily warehouse. Labour Party to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s before the crisis, lending to small businesses in the North Conservatives in last December’s national election - are West, where the Elgin Hotel is based, fell 11 percent over now being disproportionately hit economically by the the three years to December, compared to a 3 percent coronavirus. Johnson has promised to “level up” regional fall in London, according to the latest available data from towns and cities. Yet a report published this month by UK Finance. Economic growth in the region was also The CityUK, a lobby group, forecast 30 percent of total outstripped by London by three to one, at 10 percent to lending by UK banks by next March would be in the 3 percent, over the three years to September, latest capital, followed by 15 percent in the South East, and 10 Office for National Statistics’ data shows. percent in the East of England, with all other regions Britain has struggled for decades to find ways of below 10 percent. fuelling regional growth outside London. The govern- Industry groups say Seddon’s experience is common ment already spends more than it generates in taxes in in some of Britain’s less well-off regions. every part of Britain apart from London, the South East Under CBILS launched in March and its sister initia- and the East, according to a Reuters analysis of public tive, the Bounce-Back Loan Scheme (BBLS), which fol- spending data. lowed in May, 45 billion pounds of loans have been granted to more than 1 million small and micro compa- Can’t borrow, wont borrow HSBC denies nies to help them survive the pandemic. But unlike in the Naresh Aggarwal, associate director, policy & techni- United States, where the destination of around three cal at the Association of British Treasurers, said any ‘fabricating evidence’ Nordics to flirt quarters of the $521 billion lent under its Paycheck regional lending bias was unlikely to be deliberate but a Protection Program has been disclosed, neither the UK consequence of banks’ reluctance to lend to certain on Huawei with record government nor finance industry has divulged exactly businesses, perhaps due to excessive exposure, which where the money has been lent. could in turn have a geographic bias. recession in 2020 BEIJING: London-based HSBC bank has denied “We’re kind of flying blind at the moment ... we are Others cited poorer banking relationships and a Chinese media reports that it had “framed” telecom giant STOCKHOLM: Denmark, Norway and Sweden face concerned about regions potentially falling down,” said lack of trust felt by borrowers towards banks, particu- Huawei or “fabricated evidence” that led to the arrest of among their worst economic downturns on record this Chris Wilford, the Confederation of British Industry’s larly since lenders had slashed regional branch net- a top company official. Washington’s investigations into year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will largely head of financial services policy, pointing to some works as part of cost cutting measures since the Huawei-for allegedly violating US sanctions on Iran- recover the lost ground in 2021, according to a Reuters regions’ heavy dependence on ailing sectors like hospi- 2008/09 financial crisis. “It still feels like there’s an started before the bank’s involvement with the company poll of economists. The economic hit looks slightly tality and manufacturing. “If one big business reduces its institutional bias against places like Cornwall when it in late 2016, the lender said Saturday in its first public worse than was expected in an April poll, with much of footprint or goes under in some of these towns, then comes to CBILS,” said Kim Conchie, chief executive comments on Huawei’s legal battle in North America. the region on course to see the biggest contraction in a that’s devastating,” he said. of the chamber of commerce in Cornwall, one of the “HSBC has no malice against Huawei, nor has it single year since World War Two. The region’s export- poorest counties in England. Flagging the battle faced framed Huawei,” the bank said in a statement posted on orientated economies are built on trade, and major Lack of transparency by many businesses to secure relief loans above the Chinese messaging app WeChat. “HSBC has not fab- exporters like truckmaker AB Volvo, shipping giant The UK Treasury, which collates data on relief lend- 50,000 pounds, many cash-strapped firms had opted ricated evidence or concealed facts, nor will it distort Maersk and oil company Equinor have been hamstrung ing, declined a Freedom of Information request from to apply for more modest BBL support instead, he facts or harm any customers for our own benefit.” by the pandemic, which closed businesses and disrupt- Reuters for a regional breakdown on lending under the said. BBL losses are covered 100 percent by the tax- The HSBC statement comes a day after Chinese state ed global supply chains. CBIL and BBL schemes. payer and applications involve fewer affordability Sweden and Norway’s gross domestic product is media, including the communist party mouthpiece It said it recognized a need for transparency regard- checks than CBILS loans, where banks remain 20 per- likely to contract by 5.0 percent and 4.5 percent People’s Daily, published reports accusing HSBC of lying ing use of public funds but the regional data was sup- cent exposed to defaults. respectively in 2020, according to median predictions in about Huawei during an investigation by the US depart- plied by the banks “in confidence” and disclosure of But some of these borrowers would likely need fresh the July 21-23 poll, the biggest drop since World War ment of justice. The probe led to Canada arresting information “likely to prejudice the commercial interests aid soon, as other government relief measures such as Two. Denmark’s economy is expected to shrink by 4.3 Huawei’s chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in of lenders would not be in the public interest.” Trade the Job Retention Scheme - known as ‘furlough’ - taper percent, its worst contraction since the financial crisis in December 2018. China’s internet censors blocked access body UK Finance also declined to provide the break- off and deferred rents and other taxes fall due this 2009. Governments and central banks have pumped to HSBC’s statement within hours of publication, without down. UK Finance said it is working on supplying autumn. A survey by the North East Chamber of money into their economies in a bid to fight the crip- offering an explanation.—AFP regional lending data for its membership in the next few Commerce (NECC) found 65 percent of its members pling effect of the pandemic. Norway cut its key interest Meng, the daughter of Huawei’s founder, is under weeks. Only one major lender, NatWest Group, shared a had accessed the government’s furlough scheme, yet rate to a record low in May, while Sweden’s Riksbank house arrest in Vancouver, Canada, fighting extradition regional picture of relief lending, defining regions broad- more than two thirds had not sought a state-backed has vastly expanded bond-buying schemes and kept its to the United States. Washington says Meng had con- ly. NatWest’s data as of early June showed 27 percent of loan. “For the banks, it feels like they want businesses - key rate at zero. Yet a rapid turnaround is forecast for cealed Huawei’s alleged dealing with Iran from lenders loans in the North, 24 percent in the Midlands & Eastern many of whom are in a short-term crisis - to prove their 2021, better so than expected in an April poll, with per- including HSBC. Meng’s lawyers last week said HSBC centage growth rates almost matching this year’s losses region and 22 percent in London & South East. The ability to survive over the next five years before they will was well aware of Huawei’s activities in Iran, but claimed as restrictions are lifted and the effects of fiscal stimulus South West & Wales region and Scotland secured 18 help,” said Jonathan Walker, the NECC’s assistant direc- ignorance to dodge further US punishment. — AFP kick in. —Reuters percent and 8 percent respectively. tor of Policy.— Reuters 10 Business Monday, July 27, 2020

NBK MONEY MARKETS REPORT Rising virus cases dampen US economic recovery outlook

US dollar incurs heavy losses amid pivotal shift from FX market

KUWAIT: The economic calendar last week was excep- Signs of promise for a vaccine tionally light, in spite of it, there was a pivotal shift from the The first human trial by AstraZeneca and Oxford uni- FX market. Risk taking is back with the US dollar incurring versity for a COVID-19 vaccine showed signs of promise. heavy losses across the board. Positive news flow for a The results released on last week revealed that the ex- vaccine, strengthening of EU foundations and spiking daily perimental vaccine was safe and produced an immune re- Corona virus cases in America paved the way for the piv- sponse in early-stage clinical trials. The aforementioned otal shift. The United States is still struggling to contain vaccine called AZD1222, has been labeled by the WHO’s new infections and deaths from COVID-19, therefore a chief scientist as the leading candidate in a global race to negative impact on the US economic recovery in the com- halt the Covid-19 pandemic. However, Sarah Gilbert, Pro- ing months is being factored in. In addition, US states will fessor of Vaccinology at the University of Oxford stated stop paying the extra $600 unemployment benefits that is that “We still do not know how strong an immune re- bound to expire this month, while unemployment claims sponse we need to provoke to effectively protect against rose for the first time in nearly SARS-CoV-2 infection and re- four months. The net result has searchers needed to learn more been a sharp depreciation for the Fiscal deal about Covid-19.” Late stage tri- 390 billion in grants and 360 billion in cheap loans to EU the transition period is December 31st, and the deadline US dollar index to the lowest brings EU als have begun with 1,077 countries most affected by the virus. for extending the transition period has already surpassed. since September 2018. The index healthy adults aged 18 to 55 The euro continues its dominant performance in the FX Only five months remain before the UK’s transition period is currently trading at 94.692 and nations years with no history of Covid- market as the outlook for eurozone economies brightened draws to a close and significant changes will take effect is 8.05 percent lower from this 19. Overall, the positive results drastically. Market indicators measuring eurozone break- on 1 January 2021 whether or not a trade deal is agreed. year high of 102.992. more closer have raised some hopes for a up risk have diminished drastically last week, since EU fiscal Free movement of individuals will end and UK businesses According to the CARES act, vaccine by year end and equity deal came to fruition. The spread between Italian five-year trading with the EU will have to follow new rules. July 31 is the termination date for markets globally rallied as the bond yields and credit default swaps has lessened by extra benefits. However, all states news reached markets. around 100 basis points from April levels. The wider the Chinese yuan fails to gain on dollar will stop paying after July 25 or 26 due to the administra- In the FX sphere, risker currencies took charge with gap between the aforementioned contracts, suggest in- The US dollar continues to trade lower against most tive calendar, according to CNBC. Congressional Repub- heavy gains versus the US dollar. On a weekly basis, the vestors perceive the Italian bond as riskier. Italy’s 10-year currencies, however the Chinese yuan failed to take ad- licans and Trump’s administration have agreed on a $1 Australian dollar gained as much as 2.58 percent in value bond yield spread over Germany’s 10-year narrowed vantage of the dollar’s weakness as tension between trillion stimulus relief package, but are facing strong op- and reached the highest level in 15 months at 0.7182. The around 70 basis points from May, when the recovery fund China and the west resurface. Last week, the US ordered position by Democrats in Congress. Concluding the stim- New Zealand currency climbed to a six-month peak and plan was unveiled. Moreover, Spanish and Portuguese the shutting down of China’s consulate in Houston amid ulus legislation was already problematic since the the Canadian dollar advanced to its strongest level in six spreads are 15 to 20 basis points slimmer since the idea of accusations of spying. US claims two Chinese hackers Democrat-controlled House of Representatives had weeks. However, the dollar’s weakness was not only a fiscal plan emerged. Overall, financial markets perceive were seeking out American businesses working on virus passed a $3tn bill, and unlikely to accept a far smaller against risker currencies. The safe-havens JPY and CHF that insurance policies for Italian bonds is less needed and research and were stealing information from companies package. Once unemployment benefits expire, the pres- also gained significantly against the greenback, despite EU leaders showed unprecedented solidarity, which should around the globe for profit on behalf of the Chinese gov- sure on the government to cut a deal will increase expo- recent optimism in markets. The rise of safe-haven cur- keep any anti-EU sentiment at bay for now. The EUR/USD ernment. China immediately responded to the US action nentially as the risk of a slowdown intensifies. As a result, rencies versus the USD indicates dollar weakness across appreciated to 1.1658 last week, the highest level since Sep- by stating the order was an “unprecedented escalation” the US dollar could continue its downward momentum till the board, which has not been the case for quite a while. tember 2018. Since the start of the month, the euro has by Washington and was considering the closure of the US a deal is approved in Congress. The USD/CHF pair depreciated to 0.9201, the lowest level gained as much as 425 basis points against the buck. consulate in Wuhan. Mounting tensions between China in more than 4 months. and the US are likely to remain a downside risk for the Labor market uncertainty Brexit deadlock Chinese currency even with a weak dollar. The broader US citizens demanding unemployment benefits in- EU fiscal deal The Brexit saga lingers on as Chief negotiators on both market fall-out has been restricted so far as investors have creased for the first time in nearly 4 months and also re- European leaders took a step of unity last week after sides fail to agree on two key issues. EU’s representative gotten used to the rising tensions in recent years. The vealed that almost a total of 32 million individuals were agreeing on a fiscal rescue package worth 750 billion euros Michel Barnier, stated “by its current refusal to commit to phase one US-China trade deal remains intact for now collecting unemployment claims. The rise of claims from together with a 7-year budget amounting 1.074 trillion conditions of open and fair competition and to a balanced which helps to limit the fallout. The USD/CNY pair rose 1.3 million to 1.4 million, suggests that the continuous labor euros. The conclusion of the deal brings the EU nations agreement on fisheries, the UK makes a trade agreement to a 1.5-month high of 7.0232 and the dollar gained 0.34 market recovery in the past months has come to a halt. At closer to each other as financial burdens will be shared by at this point unlikely.” On the other side, David frost, UK’s percent last week over the yuan. the same time, the entire number of COVID-19 cases sur- agreeing to borrow and spend together to save the econ- top negotiator mentioned that the UK must “face the pos- Kuwait passed 4 million in the US, elevating fears of further jobs omy out of a recession. In details, the European Commis- sibility” that it may not agree a deal on its future relation- Kuwaiti dinar cuts as businesses may close down. sion will raise the funds from capital markets then disburse ship with the EU by the end of this year. The deadline for USD/KWD closed last week at 0.30655.

ABK reopens all AUB announces its branches winners of first to serve clients and 2nd draws

KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) announced yestrday the reopening of all branches, as well as pro- KUWAIT: As part of its viding a new ‘drive through ATM service’ in Hawally. In innovative banking initia- addition, ABK’s ITM services are also now fully oper- tives, Ahli United Bank ational at Marina Mall, 89 Mall, and Jazeera Terminal. (AUB) continued “Al- Reopening all branches in the current period, when use Hassad Characters” of digital transactions and e-services are on the rise, competition, which is the demonstrates the bank’s commitment to service conti- first of its kind in Kuwait nuity and supporting clients in conducting their day- in terms of uniqueness to-day banking needs during today’s “new normal” era. and suspense, by an- Branches are open from 8:30am to 1:00pm, except nouncing the first and for Al-Bahar Center which operates from 10 am until 2 second winners in this campaign. pm. All branches follow rigid health and safety guide- Faten Al-Tameemi lines. Employees will continue to conduct temperature Last Thursday, AUB screening via non-contact thermometers, wear masks held the second draw in and gloves, practice social distancing, and enforce the services like ABK Pay, Global View and ABK SecurePay, ABK’s progressive response and efforts to provide “Al-Hassad Characters” campaign. The prize of this social distancing queue markings for customers to en- and make remote transactions including online pay- contactless experiences and increased branch loca- draw totaling KD 7800 went to the winner Sabika sure their safety. ments, applying for a loan or Credit Card, opening a tions, highlights the bank’s readiness scale. Its smart in- Abdullah who correctly calculated the balance in the Despite reopening the branches, the bank urges its fixed deposit account, or requesting a new cheque vestment in technology, both digitally and remotely for account of “Hamad”. Hamad was the second of the customers to continue taking advantage of the virtual book. Furthermore, the bank offers a home delivery physical locations including branches and ITM kiosks, four characters in the campaign. channels that are available 24/7. Through ABK’s eahli service for new or renewed ABK credit and debit cards made it possible to pivot and adapt more quickly and During the same day, AUB launched the third Online and Mobile banking, customers can enjoy digital to limit branch visits during this period. efficiently. character “Rami” competition, while the draw and winner announcement will be done after Eid Al- Adha. AUB held the first draw “Al-Hassad Charac- ters” campaign last week for a prize totaling KD Couch potatoes snap 7300 and announced the winner Seif Abdul Nasser ABK congratulates who gave the correct balance in the account of up robot vacuums, “Aunty Ghanima”, the first of the four characters in the campaign. On this occasion, Faten Al-Tameemi, winners of salary Head of Marketing & Product Development at AUB PB&J in pandemic expressed congratulations to the winners in the first transfer draw and second draws. She affirmed that every partici- pant will see himself/herself in one of these four NEW YORK: Consumers sticking close to Roombas, which can speak more than a characters, and by solving the exciting puzzle, they home as COVID-19 cases spike around the dozen languages including Chinese, automat- will learn more about the features of Al-Hassad Is- KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) announced the world are reaching for more pantry staples ically zip around carpets and floors sucking lamic Account, which continues to achieve success names of 2 winners for the month of July for the “Transfer like mayonnaise and peanut butter and are up crumbs, dirt and pet hair. Keeping a clean as the first Islamic prize account known as the Best your Salary and Find Reasons to Smile” monthly draw cam- buying Roomba robot vacuum cleaners and home has taken on greater prominence in the Prize Draws Account in Kuwait. paign, held on 20 July 2020, under the supervision of the computers. pandemic, Colin Angle, chief executive of All individuals in Kuwait can take part in “Al-Has- Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The lucky winners who As companies report quarterly earnings iRobot, said in the company’s earnings re- sad Characters” competition and receive a chance to and look to the second half of the year, pan- lease on Tuesday. Shares of Best Buy, the each receive the equivalent of their monthly salaries are: Pari- win, as the competition is not limited to only the cus- demic winners and losers are becoming more Minneapolis-based retailer, rose to a record yarath Krishna Dasan and Sudhirchandra Parekh tomers of Al-Hassad Account or AUB Clients. The next draw will be on the 20th August, with the last apparent. Companies that sell electronics, high of $99.42 on Wednesday, after the com- comfort food and other products for the pany reported robust sales of computers, The idea of the campaign is to present four puz- draw taking place on the 10th December 2020. To be eligible home continue to benefit from quarantines tablets and appliances to homebound con- zles, each of which is about a different character that to enter the draw, customers must have their salaries trans- and lockdowns. “Being at home - or at least sumers and students. Almost all its stores had has Al-Hassad Islamic Account with AUB. The an- ferred to the bank at least one month prior to the draw date. out of their normal routines - the majority of reopened to shoppers as of Wednesday. swer to the puzzle is to figure out the balance in the The draw is open to both Kuwaiti and expatriate customers the day, consumers are embracing technolo- “People see getting a Roomba to get account of each character that will be presented suc- who hold Elite, Prestige or Al-Raed Salary Transfer Accounts. gies that enhance their at-home lifestyle, their houses cleaner or upgrading to the cessively. Each character will be presented for a In addition to the draw, the salary campaign offers ABK whether through entertainment, or assistance latest iPhone as a means of getting back week or more. A demo video will also be posted salary account customers a range of exceptional rewards. with chores around the house,” said Daniel some sense of control in their lives,” said about the story of each character, their aspiration Kuwaiti salary account holders will receive cash gifts up to Binder, partner at Columbus Consulting, a Dave Marcotte, senior vice president, In- and ambitions. Each video contains hints that help KD 1,000 provided they transfer a salary equivalent to/or firm that advises on the retail sector. sights, at retail consulting and analytics the participants solve the puzzle, in addition to sev- higher than KD 500. Moreover, Kuwaiti customers are eligi- This week, electronics retailer Best Buy company, Kantar. eral clues through social medial platforms that will Co Inc said its online sales jumped more than UK-based home improvement retailer ble for an interest-free loan of up to KD 10,000 and expa- help the participants solve the puzzle. The correct three-fold in the current quarter through July Kingfisher Plc on Wednesday reported ex- answers will be collected and a draw will be made to triates up to KD 5,000. These loans are subject to ABK’s 18, while overall sales rose about 15 percent. ceptionally strong demand for DIY and terms and conditions, as well as the Central Bank of Kuwait’s And Roomba maker iRobot Corp flagged gardening products. Lockdowns drove a select the winner who will win the amount in char- regulations and policies. meaningful growth in demand for its robotic 21.6 percent jump in second-quarter same- acter’s account. Each participant is qualified to sub- vacuums that can cost $800. store sales.—Reuters mit only one answer for each character. Classifieds Monday, July 27, 2020

CHANGE OF NAME

I, Saji Yohannan, Indian Passport No. S0582077, have changed Sabah Hospital 24812000 my given name as Saji and surname as Yohannan for all purpos- es henceforth. 24.07.2020. Amiri Hospital 22450005 I, Simi Saji Yohannan, Indian Passport No. N8641775, have Maternity Hospital 24843100 changed my given name as Simi Saji and surname as Yohannan for all purposes henceforth. 24.07.2020. Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 I, Saji Yohannan, Indian Passport No. S0582077, have changed Chest Hospital 24849400 my daughter’s name Kezia Saji Yohannan, Indian Passport No. S4690175, given name as Kezia Saji and surname as Yohannan Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 for all purposes henceforth. 24.07.2020.

Adan Hospital 23940620 I, Saji Yohannan, Indian Passport No. S0582077, have changed my daughter’s name Sharon Saji Yohannan, Indian Passport No. Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 S4690176, given name as Sharon Saji and surname as Yohannan for all purposes henceforth. 24.07.2020. (C5752) 26-7-2020 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 112

Kaizen center 25716707

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Adaliya 22517144 Khaldiya 24848075 Airlines Kaifan 24849807

Shamiya 24848913 Kuwait Airways 171 Jazeera Airways 177 Shuwaikh 24814507 Turkish Airlines 1884918 Abdullah Salem 22549134 FlyDubai 22414400 Qatar Airways 22423888 Nuzha 22526804 KLM 22425747 Royal Jordanian 22418064/5/6 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 British Airways 22425635 Qadsiya 22515088 Air France 22430224 Emirates 22921555 Dasmah 22532265 Air India 22456700 Air India EXPRESS 22438185/4 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 Sri Lanka Airlines 22424444 Shaab 22518752 Egypt Air 22421578 Swiss Air 22421516 Qibla 22459381 Saudia 22426306 Middle East Airlines 22423073 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Lufthansa 22422493 Mirqab 22456536 PIA 22421044 Bangladesh Airlines 22452977/8 Sharq 22465401 Oman Air 22958787 Salmiya 25746401

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STAR TRACK

Aries (March 21-April 19) Cancer (June 21-July 22) Libra (September 23-October 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Today you should work to tune into the larger, Get things out in the open today, Cancer. If You may need to adjust today in order to relate Tune into your dreams today, Capricorn. Do you slower-moving trends in your life, Aries. Consider making someone seems to insult you, call them on it. Letting things fes- well to people and situations, Libra. Things are a bit off kil- often feel intensely jealous thinking the people some long-term monetary and emotional investments. There ter inside only destroys your self-esteem. You'd also be in dan- ter, and you may find that the harder you try to fit in, the around you are living amazing lives while you're stuck in a dull, is a great deal of prosperity available to you now, but beware ger of losing the respect of others. This could very well be a situ- more liable you are to feel like an oddball. Try not to get boring routine? The only person who can pull you out of this rut caught up in others' battles. Maintain a balance between is you, so stop complaining and do it. Change is easier than it of deception on the part of others. Watch out for fast talkers ation in which everyone but you sees the truth. Try not to let and people who promise everything yet deliver nothing. real life and fantasy. Don't get so caught up in someone seems at first. Let your imagination take control and work this happen. Be bold and assertive, and don't let others pull the Have confidence that you can decipher what's real and what else's world that you forget to deal with your own. toward manifesting your most fanciful goals. isn't. wool over your eyes.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Leo (July 23-August 22) Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

Let your artistic nature loose today, Taurus. Add a Stick to the tried and true today, Leo. Don't be Be yourself today - 100 percent you, Scorpio. There are extremely slow-moving, subtle energies coming into play today that may not be so easily touch of creativity to whatever project, situation, or person you afraid to make any last-minute changes of plan. Compliment oth- The world needs more individuality. Revel in your unique felt, Aquarius. What they provide is a key to manifesting encounter. Let your fantasy world extend to every aspect of your ers when they do something well, and show appreciation for qualities and be generous about sharing them with the their positive qualities. You'll gain their respect. Celebrate the world. Feel free to adopt a new and unconventional way of your wildest dreams. Fantasy can become your reality, but being and keep an open mind for new ideas and methods. it may only come one small, subtle step at a time. Don't Incorporate traditional values into new concepts. The new and small things in life and appreciate all that you have - physically as doing something - anything. Beware, however, that there may be a strong, grounding force that's trying to tie you give up. Focus on the unconventional way to get things the old methods may seem incompatible at first, but it's your well as emotionally. Let other people share in your warm and done. You'll eventually achieve everything your heart challenge to make them work together. generous spirit. down to tradition. Don't feel pressured to give in to the social norm. desires as long as you truly believe you can.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Virgo (August 23-September 22) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Pisces (February 19-March 20) Today is a very expansive day in which you can Don't gamble away your resources, Gemini. Reap all the riches that a new day has to offer, There may be a great deal of conflict in your life make great progress in all of your endeavors, Take the safest route. There's a great deal of Virgo. Every day brings new opportunities and the chance for today, Pisces. Different people and situations Sagittarius. Be careful of deception by others. There may be a energy out there encouraging you to act, but beware of rapid advancement. Grab the things offered to you. You have a seem to be pulling you in all directions. Your sanity is being put surreal cloud that covers up reality. You may need to do a lit- adopting too stubborn of an attitude. This will only succeed great deal of potential, but potential is one of those things that to the test. Try not to be too stubborn, because this will only tle digging to locate the truth. Maintain a mellow attitude in in alienating you from the very people you rely on for sup- does no good until you realize it and harness it. Today is one day cause more tension between you and the situation. You have order to stay safe. Sudden, extreme actions fueled by anger port. Maintain a strong, healthy balance between old and the potential to stress out about the smallest things. Try to in which you can take an important step toward manifesting or fear are likely to get you into trouble. new. Try to be more open to change and, by all means, avoid this if you can. adopt a more flexible attitude. your dreams. 12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Monday, July 27, 2020

Ice cream maker David Wesmael, awarded “un des meilleurs ouvriers de France” Ice cream maker David Wesmael is at work, at his workshop in Lille. (one of France’s best craftsmen” poses at his workshop in Lille.—AFP photos

e’s the new wizard of French ice cream who coming up with new flavours every week for his is sending a chill down the spine of tradition- shops in Paris and Lille—from strawberry and red Halists. David Wesmael has nothing against a pepper to Spritz and even vanilla, celery and scoop of well-made gelato or a cone of whipped lemon. When it comes to miraculously transforming ice cream. But the restless innovator is taking a raw materials, “nothing beats ice cream and sor- blowtorch to the “archaic” conventions which he bet”, Wesmael argued. claims have left ice cream frozen in the past. His It was this alchemy and the untapped potential creations often skate daringly over the thin line of ice cream that tempted him away from pure between ice cream and the more sophisticated patisserie, which has undergone a huge renais- domain of French patisserie. sance in France in recent years. Even his standard Biting through the thin chocolate shell of one of vanilla ice cream is the product of deep research, his ice cream bars, flavours and textures mixing pods from Madagascar and New Caledonia explode—from crunchy praline to runny caramel to get a “stronger and longer-lasting flavour”. For and vanilla spiked with lemon confit. “There are so his competition entry in 2004 to join the tiny elite of many things you can do with ice cream—more per- French artisans officially proclaimed the country’s haps in terms of texture and taste than even with best, the young Wesmael created a frozen sculp- patisserie,” he told AFP in the chill of his laboratory Ice cream maker David Wesmael poses at his work- ture of “an angel pregnant with the world” that rep- in the northern French city of Lille. “There is infinite shop in Lille. resented the Italian Renaissance. potential, and so many possibilities which have yet Around it were frozen desserts based around to be explored in ice cream making,” said the for- white coats. Every second out of the freezer counts basil, lemon, balsamic vinegar and Sicilian pista- mer star pastry chef. From his spherical when you are piping a chilled hazelnut and almond chios. As it happens, pistachio is the bestselling “vacherins” of filled meringue to ice cream bon- praline onto shortbread in a bar mould. The same ice cream in both his shops. But he is most proud bons, bars and “tubes” which can be cut into speed and precision is needed for the next step of of his “tubes”, which are easy to cut and can sur- slices, Wesmael is determined to give the summer floating the caramel and candied lemon in vanilla vive out of the freezer for two hours thanks to the treat a place at the top table of haute cuisine. ice cream, so that the middle melts as soon as you cylinder they come in. “You can slice them into bite through the crisp coating. rounds, put different flavours together or add differ- Putting on the Spritz ent elements from the garden like a coulis of fresh “I am trying to do something different and show Vanilla, celery and lemon mint or strawberries in season, he said.—AFP the public that ice cream is not something that just Wesmael also loves making the standard ice comes in a pot or a cornet,” he said. It’s a chilly 11 creams that he himself calls “archaic”. But even degrees Celsius (53 Fahrenheit) in his lab, but his with traditional ice creams and sorbets he adds his artisan “glaciers” are not feeling the cold in their own touch, decorating every tub by hand and

isney announced on Thursday that the coro- Wars” in December 2023, rather than in 2021 and navirus pandemic had forced it to indefinitely 2022 respectively. The releases will then be stag- Dpostpone the release of big-budget film gered, with “Avatar” films in 2024, 2026 and 2028, “Mulan,” while pushing back upcoming instalments and “Star Wars” in 2025 and 2027. of “Star Wars” and “Avatar” by a year. The live- “Avatar” director, screenwriter and co-producer action “Mulan” had already been postponed twice, James Cameron said on Twitter that the coron- with its release most recently delayed to August avirus had delayed live-action filming in New Tom Cruise 21. Following the postponement of “Tenet,” a sci-fi Zealand, and that special effects work in Los thriller that theatre operators were counting on to Angeles had yet to restart—forcing the postpone- ore than 40 monumental sculp- jump-start attendance, it appears the summer film ment of the film’s release. Disney had decided in tures by artistic giants including calendar is collapsing. early April to push back a dozen Marvel films, M Miro, Rodin and Calder—which “Over the last few months, it’s become clear that including “Black Widow,” starring Scarlett have not seen in decades—will go under nothing can be set in stone when it comes to how Johansson. That is now scheduled to come out the hammer in Paris in October, Christie’s we release films during this global health crisis, November 6, forcing all the other films in the fran- said Thursday. The Catalan master’s and today that means pausing our release plans chise to shift back. Following “Black Widow”—the colourful painted bronze “The Caress of a for ‘Mulan’ as we assess how we can most effec- next Disney studio film set to hit screens—comes Bird” is expected to go for between four tively bring this film to audiences around the “Soul,” Pixar’s new animated feature under the and six million euros ($6.9 million) while a world,” a Walt Disney Studios spokesperson said in Disney banner, slated for November 20. Disney mosaic by the Franco-Chinese artist Zao a statement. Disney also announced that the has also postponed, to an unspecified date, “The Wou-Ki could reach two million euros, the release schedule for future instalments of the “Star French Dispatch” by director Wes Anderson, which auction house said. “In my 40-year career Wars” and “Avatar” sagas has been pushed back was previously set to debut on October 16.—AFP orway on Friday reimposed quarantine on I have had very few sales of this size,” by a year. The “Avatar” sequel will be released in arrivals from Spain over a spike in virus cases, said Christie’s director of collections December 2022, and the tenth episode of “Star Nbut also said such restrictions would not apply Lionel Gosset. to the team behind the latest “Mission: Impossible” All the sculptures come from the collec- blockbuster. Star Tom Cruise and the rest of the tion of the late French art dealer Paul crew will be allowed to enter the country in the Haim. He kept the work at his estate in the autumn to film scenes for the seventh instalment of Basque country of southwest France along the action franchise without facing any quarantine with sculptures by Leger, Maillol, Niki de requirements, regardless of their previous destina- Saint Phalle and Antoine Bourdelle. Even tions. The filming “will take place under a strict before Haim’s death in 2006, they were health regime and the members of the production kept away from prying eyes. But those will be kept apart from others during their stay in being sold off will be brought out of their Norway”, Agriculture Minister Olaug Bollestad told a reclusion for a week before the sale on news conference. October 22 and will be shown at the 17th- “This means not everyone will be able to see these century former Paris hospital that now beautiful guys because they will be kept relatively houses the headquarters of fashion giant apart,” she added. The filming, partly subsidised by Kering. Other highlights of the sale are a the Norwegian Film Institute to the tune of nearly five large bronze nude by Auguste Rodin and million euros, is due to take place amid the majestic work by the American sculptor Alexander fjords of the northwest. Bollestad said the film was Calder, famous for his mobiles.—AFP important to show the world “the nature, culture and history” of Norway, which also featured in the last instalment, “Mission: Impossible - Fallout”. By con- trast, Norway has reimposed restrictions on travel to In this file photo US-Chinese actress Yifei Liu attends the world premiere of Disney’s “Mulan” at the Dolby Spain, after a rise in coronavirus cases. —AFP Theatre in Hollywood.—AFP Established 1961 13 Lifestyle Music & Movies Monday, July 27, 2020

Norwegian artist Kjell Elvis (Kjell Henning Bjørnstad) performs at the start of his challenge of the world´s longest Elvis Presley singing marathon.

Norwegian Elvis Presley imper- do this again”, Bjornestad, dressed in This time, he called on fans to make Asonator set a world record on an Elvis costume, told Norwegian televi- donations during the event which are to Saturday by singing the leg- sion after completing his performance be used in part to finance a hospital in endary entertainer’s songs for more early Saturday in an Oslo bar. Myanmar. Elvis Presley, who died in than 50 hours straight in an online com- His manager said Kjell Elvis, who 1977 and was known as “The King”, petition. Kjell Henning Bjornestad, sang through two days and two nights, was among the 20th century’s cultural whose stage name is Kjell Elvis, sang had been told to go easy on the coffee, icons. He had dozens of number one non-stop for 50 hours, 50 minutes and and to rely instead on smoothies, fruit hits and sold more than 146 million 50 seconds, smashing the previous and energy snacks to keep his voice in albums, according to the Recording record, recognised by the Guinness shape while staying the course. He did, Industry Association of America, and Book of Records, by more than seven however, sound increasingly hoarse dur- won more gold albums than anybody hours. The title of the previous Elvis ing the final hours. Bjornestad, who is 52, else.—AFP Norwegian artist Kjell Elvis (Kjell Henning Bjørnstad) performs in central Oslo in an champion, a German by the name of had set two Elvis singing records before. attempt to beat the record of the world´s longest Elvis Presley singing marathon in Thomas “Curtis” Gaethje, had remained The last time, in 2003, it took 26 hours of Oslo.—AFP photos intact for more than 16 years. “I’ll never nonstop performing to come out on top.

egis Philbin, an award-winning Rfixture of American talk show cul- ture, has died at the age of 88, media reports said Saturday. Philbin, a playful and self-deprecating New Yorker with a thick Bronx accent, died Friday of natural causes, People maga- zine reported, quoting a statement from the family. Philbin was best known to many Americans as co-host of a day- eter Green, the influential time talk show that began in 1988 Pblues guitarist who co-found- called “Live! With Regis and Kathie ed British rock giants Lee.” Working with Kathie Lee Gifford Fleetwood Mac, has died at the and later with another co-host, Philbin age of 73, his family’s legal repre- appeared on the show for 23 years. sentatives announced on Saturday. Part of his popular shtick was to spend In this file photo taken on May 22, 2017 Regis Philbin (right) and Flowers are placed on television host Regis Philbin’s star on the Described by the late guitar legend a few minutes at the beginning of each his wife Joy Philbin attend the New York Premiere of ‘Churchill’ at Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California. B.B. King as having “the sweetest show talking about banalities like The Whitby Hotel in New York City. — AFP photos tone I ever heard..., the only one where he had dinner the night before. who gave me the cold sweats”, Philbin also hosted the wildly popu- 17,000, according to The New York was crumpled, nasal and histrionic. He telling me to run for President,” the US Green formed Fleetwood Mac with lar “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” Times. In 2011, as Philbin was prepar- was a snaggletooth amid cosmetic president tweeted. “Holds the record drummer Mick Fleetwood in game show, which ran from 1999 to ing to leave his talk show, the Times dentistry and porcelain veneers,” the for ‘most live television,’ and he did it London in 1967. The virtuoso 2002. He won Emmys as a talk show paid tribute to him as someone who paper said. Among those remembering well. Regis, we love you.”—AFP blues/rock guitarist was behind and game show host. And he held the stood out on TV. “In a daytime land- Philbin on Saturday was a fellow New songs such as “Albatross” and “Oh Guinness record for number of hours scape filled with bland, polished hosts Yorker, Donald Trump. “He was a fan- Well” that helped define the band’s spent on television in America—about and smarmy good cheer, Mr Philbin tastic person, and my friend. He kept unique sound and propel them to worldwide fame.

ohnny Depp’s legal team played an you get in a fight or something?” one claims that Heard attacked him regular- Janonymous tipster’s video at his women asks Whitney in the video. “Oh ly and he only acted out against her in libel trial Friday aimed at proving ha ha thank you. Got into an alterca- self defence. Whitney explained Friday ex-wife Amber Heard had a violent tion,” Whitney replies with a laugh. “I that the video was an outtake of a “really In this file photo US singer/songwriter streak and once beat up her sister. The already talked about it. I won’t talk about bad reality TV show” in which the cast Taylor Swift arrives for Billboard’s 2019 last-minute submission came in the third it any more.” “I can’t believe Amber beat was trying to make “a very, very boring Woman of the Year at the Holllywood week of Depp’s lawsuit against Britain’s your ass,” the women tells Whitney with story more interesting”. “We were refer- Palladium in Los Angeles. — AFP tabloid The Sun in London’s High Court a smile on her face. “I know you can encing a verbal argument my sister and over a 2018 story accusing him of being beat her ass.” A woman then appears to I had got into the night before,” she a “wife beater”. The “Pirates of the inspect Whitney’s cheek and arm. “She said. Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green. Caribbeans” franchise actor says the really whooped your butt,” she tells Whitney added that other members false allegation ruined his reputation Whitney. “Yeah, I’m done. I guess I’m of the cast were “looking for injuries that Green also penned “Black and cost him lucrative Hollywood jobs. done talking about it,” Whitney replies in were not there”. The Sun’s lawyer Sasha Magic Woman”, covered famously The Sun counters it can back up its a more serious tone. Wass dismissed the video as “flippant, by Carlos Santana in 1970. “It is claim by 14 cases of abuse against the certainly not serious”. “This is a light- with great sadness that the family 34-year-old model and actress in a ‘Bad reality TV’ hearted exchange, there is no evidence of Peter Green announce his death three-year span leading up to Heard’s Depp’s lawyer said he received the of any injuries and it will take the mat- this weekend, peacefully in his 2016 decision to file for divorce. video after Whitney on Thursday denied ter... no further,” Wass insisted. Both sleep,” said a statement from Swan Depp’s lawyer David Sherborne inter- that Heard had a temper and regularly legal teams have accused the other Turton solicitors. “A further state- rupted planned testimony Friday and attacked her husband. Sherborne said sides’ witnesses of lying under oath. ment will be provided in the com- asked judge Andrew Nicol to allow him the tipster understood Whitney was Whitney testified Thursday that Heard ing days.” Green, who was born Peter Greenbaum in London’s op icon Taylor Swift delighted fans to play what he called “critical” new evi- lying and had video proof. The lawyer only hit Depp on one documented occa- dence in the case. Nicol agreed despite added that it showed that Whitney was sion and had never been violent toward Bethnal Green into a Jewish family, Pby announcing on social media was inducted into the Rock & Roll the star-studded case running behind tailoring her testimony to fit her sister’s her or anyone else. The case is due to that she would release a surprise Hall of Fame in 1998, along with new album at midnight on Thursday. schedule on what was supposed to be own account. “There is no denial of the finish after legal submissions on its last day. The undated video showed fact that Ms Amber Heard beat up Tuesday.—AFP the rest of the band. “...with the Swift tweeted that “Folklore,” her eighth original Fleetwood Mac, he was studio album, would comprise 16 songs Amber’s sister Whitney chatting with a Whitney Heard and that there are group of women by a sunny pool. “Did injuries,” Depp’s lawyer said. Depp Britain’s most progressive blues that “I’ve poured all of my whims, guitarist,” said Rolling Stone maga- dreams, fears, and musings into.” “Most zine, which in 2015 included Green of the things I had planned this summer in its 100 Greatest Guitarists. didn’t end up happening, but there is The Smiths guitarist and song- something I hadn’t planned on that DID writer Johnny Marr, also paid trib- happen,” said the 30 year-old. “Before ute to Green. “R.I.P Peter Green. A this year, I probably would’ve over- unique artist and a beautiful guitar thought when to release this music at player,” he tweeted. In 1970, men- the ‘perfect’ time, but the times we’re tal health issues and substance living in keep reminding me that nothing abuse forced Green out of is guaranteed. Fleetwood Mac and he ended up “My gut is telling me that if you make sleeping rough and later under- something you love, you should just put went electro-convulsive therapy in it out into the world. That’s the side of hospital. Fleetwood drafted in uncertainty I can get on board with,” Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham added the singer-songwriter. Swift has- and Christine McVie, wife of origi- n’t released any tracks yet from the nal member Jon McVie, as the album, in which she collaborates with band went on to record iconic indie folk group Bon Iver and Aaron albums “Fleetwood Mac” and Dessner of rock band The National. “Rumours”. —AFP Dessner co-wrote or produced eleven US actor Johnny Depp gestures holding a bunch of flowers as he US actress Amber Heard (left) leaves hand-in-hand with her sister of the songs on “Folklore,” Swift said. leaves after a hearing in his libel trial against News Group Whitney Heard (right) from the High Court after a hearing in the The megastar’s last album, “Lover,” Newspapers (NGN). libel trial by her former husband US actor Johnny Depp against was released in August 2019.—AFP News Group Newspapers (NGN) in London.—AFP photos 14 Established 1961 Sports Monday, July 27, 2020

Photo of the day Liberty, Storm players walk off court during national anthem

NEW YORK: Members of the WNBA’s New York Liberty and Seattle Storm teams, in protest of racial inequality, walked to their respective locker rooms during the playing of the US national anthem prior to their season opener yesterday. Players from the Women’s National Basketball Association and other ath- letes from around the world are joining in anti- racism protests sparked by the high-profile deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police officers. “We are dedicating this season to Breonna Taylor, an outstanding EMT who was murdered over 130 days ago in her home,” said Liberty guard Layshia Clarendon prior to the tip-off at the at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Taylor, a 26-year-old Black emergency med- ical technician, was killed on March 13 after police officers entered her apartment, executing a “no-knock” search warrant. “Breonna Taylor was dedicated and committed to uplifting everyone around here. We are also dedicating this season to ‘Say Her Name’ campaign, a cam- paign committed to saying the names and fight- ing for justice of Black women,” she said. “Black women are so often forgotten in this fight for justice, who don’t have people march- ing in the streets for them ... We will be a voice for the voiceless.” The Storm defeated the Liberty 87-71 behind 18 points, eight rebounds and four steals by 2018 league MVP Breanna Stewart. The game was played without fans in Participants turn the first corner during the Formula One Grand Prix of Styria at Red Bull Ring. —Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com attendance to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, which halted US sports in mid- March. —Reuters Dominant Brumbies keep clean sheet against Force Brumbies power to the top of Super Rugby AU

SYDNEY: A dominant ACT Brumbies powered to something we’ll continue to build on for next skipper and a former All Blacks lock. “It shows half. And in another top-notch counter-attack, the top of Super Rugby AU Saturday with a 24-0 week.” The slick Brumbies have now won their your where the benchmark is with the Brumbies, they bagged a second minutes later, running the thrashing of Western Force, who remain winless last eight games against the Force stretching and where we need to get to. But I was still ball 80 meters with quality passing before on their return to the top flight. The Canberra- back to 2013, reinforcing proud of the boys’ effort. Simone dotted down and young prospect Bayley based team got off to an electric start on a wet their credentials as We kept fighting.” Kuenzie kicked the conversion. night in Sydney, with breakout tries to Tom favorites in the domestic Boosting an all- The Force were shellshocked, but spearheaded Wright and Irae Simone in the first five minutes. Australian competition Wallabies front row of by Thrush and the experienced Jono Lance, Will Miller and Connal McInerney also crossed in They top the five- ACT Brumbies Scott Sio, Folau Fainga’a, slowly found their feet, tightening up their the second period, highlighting how much work team ladder with 14 thrash Western and Allan Alaalatoa, and defense only for handling errors to let them down the Perth side still have in front of them as they points from three games, a backline featuring when they created chances. To their credit, they adjust to Super Rugby after a three-year four ahead of the Force 24-0 powerhouse runners prevented the Brumbies scoring again in the first absence. Queensland Reds, with Simone, Tevita Kuridrani, half, but Alaalatoa’s team burst out of the blocks “The best thing was how we started both the Force anchored at the and Solomone Kata, the in the second half as they did in the first. They halves and then it was backed up by good bottom. “It was a physi- Brumbies immediately notched another quick try after the impressive defence, so really proud of the boys,” said cal game out there and stamped their authority Wright sucked in two defenders and offloaded to Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa. “I think our big unfortunate start for us, I guess, with back-to- on the game. In a red-hot start, Tom Wright Miller who scrambled over as rain poured down, improvement was our defense, to keep (a clean back tries... which put us in a bit of a hole that we raced over for a try after just 90 seconds in a with McInerney getting their fourth from a driv- sheet) you’ve got to be proud of the effort. That’s tried to get out of,” said Jeremy Thrush, the Force flowing move from a scrum deep within their own ing maul to guarantee the win. —AFP Werenski, Thompson Marquez quits MotoGP; share 54-hole lead at Quartararo grabs pole PGA 3M Open JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA: World cham- his maiden MotoGP race last week and WASHINGTON: Richy Werenski, seeking his first pion Marc Marquez will not start the rides for the Yamaha satellite team, grabbed US PGA title, closed with an eight-foot birdie putt Andalucia MotoGP in Jerez after dropping pole with a lap of 1min 37.007sec to edge to match Michael Thompson for the lead after out of qualifying yesterday four days after Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales by 0.095sec. yesterday’s third round of the 3M Open. an operation on a broken arm. “I under- Francesco Bagnaia, an Italian with Pramac Thompson, a 2012 US Open runner-up, and stood that it would be very difficult to ride Racing, was third fastest, 0.169sec behind American compatriot Werenski, who birdied three the bike and to finish the 25 laps in the Quartararo, to complete the front row of of the last four holes, each fired three-under par race,” Marquez said. “But after surgery I the grid. Veteran Italian Valentino Rossi was 68s to stand on 15-under 198 after 54 holes at saw there was a small possibility,” he said. fourth for Yamaha. In the opening practice TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. “When you are a sportsman, and you have session of the morning, Marquez managed “Definitely good to have a strong finish like a passion, you try.” only the 20th best time, 1.3sec behind that,” Werenski said. “It just kind of clicked in and I The six-time world MotoGP champion Vinales, who set a course record. “I was gave myself a chance going into tomorrow.” Charl broke his right arm in a crash at the kind of surprised at being able to ride in a Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion from South delayed season-opening Spanish Grand good way,” Marquez said. Africa, and US standout Tony Finau shared third on Prix on the same track last Sunday and In the second session, Marquez began to 200 with American Max Homa another stroke underwent surgery on Tuesday. He was struggle, slowing on corners and swinging adrift. Thompson, whose only PGA title came at the MINNESOTA: Richy Werenski of the United States looks over a putt on the 16th green declared fit to race on Thursday after pass- wide. “When I went out again immediately 2013 Honda Classic, led by four strokes on the 15th during the third round of the 3M Open on July 25, 2020 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, ing a medical which, he said yesterday, there was a big pain in the elbow, not the tee but made bogey on the only hole Werenski did- Minnesota. —AFP included 40 push-ups using his broken bone. My body at that moment said stop,” n’t birdie down the stretch to leave them dead- arm. “A champion cannot stay at home if he he said. He started the first qualifying ses- locked at the top, just as they began the day. “I’m thinks he has the option or a slight chance,” sion but returned to the pits without posting pretty happy with the round,” Thompson said. “The round. “Made a really nifty par at the last that I “Those three birdies in a row were a great Honda boss Alberto Puig said after qualify- a time. “I followed my instinct,” Marquez game doesn’t need to be more complicated than it is. think is going to keep the momentum going for jump start for me,” Thompson said. “I played really ing. The Honda rider sat out practice on said. “My instinct said go to Jerez. It’s what I If I keep it simple (Sunday) I’m going to have a good me tomorrow,” said Thompson. This is the first solid on the back nine. I just couldn’t get any putts Friday and struggled in yesterday’s third did. My instinct today said ride the bike. It’s day.” Werenski closed strong after being unable to time Thompson has led or shared the lead enter- to fall.” Thompson, who birdied five and six for the session before dropping out of opening what I did. My instinct in Q1 said stop and I match Thompson’s early pace. “I did a good job of ing the final round since his 2013 triumph. “I third day in a row, went three strokes ahead of the qualifying without recording a time. did.” “I will sleep well because I tried and just hanging in there, grinding along,” Werenski said. haven’t been in this position in a long time,” field when Werenski made a bogey at 11. A two- Frenchman Fabio Quartararo, who won now I know I couldn’t.”—AFP “I feel really good this week. Everything feels solid. I Thompson said. “It was nice to get my feet wet.” putt birdie from 40 feet at the par-5 12th put just want to keep hanging around and hopefully Thompson dropped his approaches inside three Thompson on 16-under, stretching his edge to something happens.” feet to set up birdies at the par-4 fifth and par-5 four shots. Werenski charged with birdies at the Thompson rescued par at 18 after finding sixth and made it three in a row by holing a 24- par-4 15th and 16th holes, the latter from 16 feet, water off the tee, sparking his spirit for the final foot putt at the par-4 seventh. to trim Thompson’s lead to two strokes. —AFP

together a pretty good run this year, so to be without him is certainly dis- Capitals lose goalie appointing,” Capitals coach Todd Reirden said. NHL return to play rules forbid disclosing player injury details, but Samsonov for NHL Reirden said Samsonov, 23, had not tested positive for COVID-19. Samsonov went to Russia after the NHL season was shut down, returning restart, playoffs July 2, but he has not taken part in any team practices. Before the shut- down, Samsonov had gone 16-6-2 this season with a 2.55 goals-against average and a 91.3 save percentage, at times outshining veteran Braden WASHINGTON: Russian rookie goaltender Ilya Samsonov will miss the Holtby, who is set to become a free agent after the season. National Hockey League’s COVID-19 return and Stanley Cup playoffs “He’s a player that had a big impact on our team this first year and is with an undisclosed injury, his Washington Capitals team announced yes- going to have a big impact on the team for many years to come,” Reirden terday. The Capitals, who captured the 2018 NHL crown, went 41-20 said. “But this is what it’s all about, making adjustments and adapting to with eight overtime losses for 90 points, third in the Eastern Conference, the unpredictable.” The Capitals, ignited by nine-time NHL goal-scoring before the season was stopped March 12 by the coronavirus pandemic. champion Alexander Ovechkin of Russia, play Tampa Bay, Boston and ANDALUSIA: Repsol Honda Team’s Spanish rider Marc Marquez takes part Samsonov will not travel with the Capitals to Toronto, the hub city where Philadelphia in a round-robin to determine top-four seedings for the East teams will resume play in a bubble environment. He will remain in in the third MotoGP free practice session of the Andalucia Grand Prix at the Stanley Cup playoffs while eight other East clubs meet in a play-in series Jerez race track in Jerez de la Frontera on July 25, 2020. —AFP Washington to continue treatment. “He has made some strides and put to decide their opening-round foes. —AFP 15 Sports Monday, July 27, 2020 Nats take down Yankees as Brewers batter Cubs

Giants clip Dodgers to avoid sweep

NEW YORK: Victor Robles homered and drove in four News in brief runs as the host Washington Nationals overcame five er- rors and the absence of Stephen Strasburg to record a 9- 2 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday night. Zenit lift Russian Cup, ‘drop it’ After the Nationals were held to one hit in Thursday’s rain-shortened loss, they totaled 13 on Saturday, and MOSCOW: Zenit Saint Petersburg defeated Khimki every starter except shortstop Trea Turner had a hit. 1-0 to win yesterday’s Russian Cup final, but their Robles fell a triple shy of the cycle and produced his on-pitch celebrations took an awkward turn when second career game with at least four RBIs. The center captain Branislav Ivanovic dropped the trophy and fielder had a two-run double down the left-field line in a shattered its glass lid. Artem Dzyuba scored an 84th- three-run second off New York left-hander James Paxton minute penalty to see off second-division side (0-1) and added a two-run homer in the fourth off rookie Khimki as Zenit completed the league and cup dou- Mike King. Erick Fedde started for Strasburg (scratched ble for the first time since 2010. As players and staff because of a nerve issue in his hand) and allowed two runs members leapt around on the podium under swirling (one earned) on four hits in four innings. He struck out confetti, former Chelsea defender Ivanovic let the three, walked one and threw 68 pitches to 19 batters. Tan- cup slip from his grasp and watched sheepishly as ner Rainey (1-0) came in for Fedde and threw one score- team-mates picked up shards of glass left strewn less inning. across the pitch. The club later tweeted a light- hearted apology. —AFP Giants 5, Dodgers 4 Wilmer Flores hit a home run, and Logan Webb pitched four strong innings after getting the late call to start as San Francisco held on for a win at Los Angeles. Donovan Solano hit a two-run double as the Giants won WASHINGTON: Starlin Castro #14 of the Washington Nationals turns a double play as Mike Ford #72 of the Conte dismisses Messi talk their first game of the season in three tries. San Francisco New York Yankees slides underneath him for the final out of the game during the ninth inning at Nationals ended a six-game losing streak to their National League Park on July 25, 2020. —AFP MILAN: Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte yesterday West rivals going back to last season. Webb was not re- dismissed talk of a reported move by the Chinese- vealed as the Giants starter until a few hours before Sat- owned Italian club for Barcelona star Lionel Messi. 1). Scott Barlow (1-0) was credited with the win after “We’re talking fantasy football, a situation that can- urday’s game. He gave up one run on six hits over four Tigers 6, Reds 4 striking out back-to-back batters with the bases loaded not be approached at Inter for many reasons,” Conte innings with a walk and two strikeouts. Rookie left-hander JaCoby Jones hit a tiebreaking, two-run home run in in the ninth inning. Indians starter Mike Clevinger, who said after Inter beat Genoa 3-0 to move second in Caleb Baragar (1-0) followed with two scoreless innings the top of the ninth inning, and Detroit overcame an early entered the game with a 9-0 record and 1.93 ERA in 13 Serie A. Six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, 33, has to earn the win in his major league debut, retiring five con- deficit to win at Cincinnati. After Austin Romine singled career appearances versus Kansas City, overcame a slug- spent his entire professional career at Barcelona with secutive All-Stars. to open the ninth of a 4-4 game, ninth-place hitter Jones gish start in the first before shutting down the Royals over his contract due to expire in 2021. “I don’t think there belted a pitch from Reds closer Raisel Iglesias over the the next six innings for a no-decision. is a madman in the world who does not want Messi, Rockies 3, Rangers 2 wall in left-center field to put the Tigers ahead in a game but he is really far from us and what we want to Matt Kemp got his first hit as a Colorado Rockie and that featured a combined six home runs. Closer Joe Angels 4, A’s 1 build,” added the former Juventus and Chelsea coach. drove in a run, David Dahl had an RBI single and the Jimenez overcame a walk in the bottom of the ninth to Right-hander Dylan Bundy pitched effectively into the Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta also brushed aside talk Rockies beat the Texas Rangers 3-2 in Arlington, Texas, earn the save and help Detroit even the three-game set seventh inning, and David Fletcher capped a three-run that the northern side wanted Messi to rival Juventus on Saturday. Daniel Bard (1-0) pitched 1 1/3 innings in his that concludes Sunday. Detroit did not have many answers first game in more than seven years after a long battle with fifth with a two-run double, allowing visiting Los Angeles star Cristiano Ronaldo. — AFP for Reds starter Luis Castillo, who allowed a run and and new manager Joe Maddon to beat Oakland and break the yips, notching his first win in more than eight years. struck out 11 in six innings. Wade Davis got the final three outs for the save. Shin-Soo into the win column for the first time. Bundy allowed just Choo and Joey Gallo had RBI singles, and Mike Minor (0- three hits in 6 2/3 innings. He was charged with one run Orioles 7, Red Sox 2 when reliever Keynan Middleton served up the A’s only 1) allowed two runs-one earned-and struck out six in five Alex Cobb pitched 5 1/3 masterful innings in his first Xavi tests positive for COVID innings for Texas. score, as Robbie Grossman singled in an inherited base start in well over a year as Baltimore exacted a measure runner, Stephen Piscotty. The Angels broke the game of revenge with an easy win at Boston. Beaten 13-2 in the DOHA: Former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez has Astros 7, Mariners 2 open in the fifth after singles by Taylor Ward and Max tested positive for coronavirus, his Qatari club Al- season opener at Fenway Park on Friday, the Orioles Stassi. With two outs, Andrelton Simmons doubled to left, Lance McCullers worked six innings in his first start in jumped to a five-run advantage after two innings and held Sadd said on Saturday, adding he would miss their almost two years as host Houston rode a balanced attack scoring Ward, and Fletcher followed with his two-run league restart fixture against Al-Khor. Xavi, 40, re- on. The right-handed Cobb (1-0) limited the Red Sox to a double to left-center. to top visiting Seattle. McCullers (1-0) missed the 2019 run on four hits and no walks, striking out six. The Boston cently quashed rumors that he was preparing to move campaign following Tommy John surgery the previous back to Barcelona and signed on for another season native had last pitched April 26, 2019, making only three White Sox 10, Twins 3 offseason. He wobbled early facing the Mariners, needing starts last season before undergoing hip surgery. Mitch at the helm of the Qatari top-flight side. “A few days a pair of double-play grounders to escape traffic in the Leury Garcia homered twice-once from each side of ago, following the Qatar Stars League protocol, I Moreland hit the first home run of the season for the Red the plate-and drove in four runs as host Chicago hit five first and second innings, but he breezed from there to fin- Sox, and Alex Verdugo went 3-for-4 in his highly antici- tested positive in the last COVID19 test,” Xavi said in ish with two runs allowed on five hits and three walks with home runs to avenge its Opening Day loss to Minnesota. a post on Al-Sadd’s twitter account. “Fortunately, I’m pated team debut. Rafael Devers struck out four times. Edwin Encarnacion, Eloy Jimenez and James McCann also six strikeouts. Every Astros starter had at least one hit. Lefty Martin Perez (0-1) overcame a rough start to go five feeling ok, but I will be isolated until I am given the Mariners rookie center fielder Kyle Lewis cranked his hit home runs for the White Sox, while Dallas Keuchel (1- all clear. When the health services allow it, I will be innings with five runs allowed (four earned) on six hits 0) picked up the victory in his Chicago debut in allowing second home run in as many games, taking McCullers the with two strikeouts and two walks in his Boston debut. very eager to return to my daily routine and to work.” opposite way to right field with one out in the sixth inning. two runs on three hits over 5 1/3 innings. He held the Twins Almost 4 percent of Qatar’s 2.75 million people have to just an infield single over the first five innings and fin- But Taijuan Walker (0-1) was chased in the fourth, as Rays 4, Blue Jays 1 had coronavirus, with 108,638 cases reported since Seattle lost for the 12th straight time in Houston. ished with one strikeout and no walks. Nelson Cruz hit a the start of the pandemic giving the tiny Gulf state one Brandon Lowe’s tiebreaking two-run triple in the three-run homer and Mitch Garver had two hits and a eighth inning lifted Tampa Bay to its first win of the sea- of the highest per capita total infection rates.—AFP Brewers 8, Cubs 3 walk for Minnesota. Starter Randy Dobnak (0-1) suffered son, beating Toronto in St. Petersburg, Fla. Lowe scorched the loss, giving up one run on three hits over four innings. Justin Smoak and Christian Yelich each blasted their a gapper to right-center with one out, easily scoring pinch first home run of the season as Milwaukee pulledaway runner Hunter Renfroe and Ji-Man Choi. Reliever Sam from Chicago at Wrigley Field for its first win of the sea- Cardinals 9, Pirates 1 Gaviglio (0-1) then balked home Lowe. Lowe went 2-for- Adam Wainwright and three relievers combined on a son. Ben Gamel added a two-run triple, and Lorenzo Cain 4, and Choi drove in a run with a double for the Rays, who Mbappe doubtful for CL finished 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI for the Brewers. three-hitter as St. Louis won for the second time in as had just five hits. Starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough, ele- many games against visiting Pittsburgh. Wainwright (1-0) Brewers left-hander Brent Suter (1-0) earned the victory vated to the No. 2 spot in the rotation, gave up four hits PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe is in relief despite allowing two runs on three hits in 2 2/3 held the Pirates to their one run and three hits in six in- doubtful for the Champions League (CL) after suf- in a 69-pitch start over 5 1/3 scoreless innings. nings to earn the victory. John Gant, Tyler Webb and innings. Kyle Schwarber clubbed a two-run homer, also fering a serious ankle injury in the French Cup final, Daniel Ponce de Leon combined to close out the last three his first of the season, to lead the Cubs at the plate. Right- the French champions announced yesterday. Padres 5, Diamondbacks 1 innings. The victory was Wainwright’s 163rd for the Car- hander Yu Darvish (0-1) gave up three runs on six hits in Wil Myers and Manny Machado homered, and right- Mbappe hobbled off in the first half of Friday’s game four innings. He walked none and fanned five. dinals, tying him with Bob Forsch for third-most in fran- handed starter Dinelson Lamet held visiting Arizona to chise history. Pirates starting pitcher Trevor Williams (0-1) after a dreadful tackle by Saint-Etienne captain Loic one run on five hits over five-plus innings in San Diego’s Perrin. And after tests PSG revealed that their 21- Braves 5, Mets 3 (10 inn.) suffered the loss while allowing three runs in 3 2/3 innings. victory. Myers’ three-run homer in the bottom of the Paul Goldschmidt’s blast off the third deck of the left field year-old star had “a sprained right ankle with sig- Dansby Swanson’s RBI single leading off the 10th in- fourth off Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray erased a 1- nificant ligament damage”. The news is a major blow ning sparked a three-run outburst and lifted visiting At- stands gave the Cardinals a 1-0 first-inning lead; he hit 0 deficit. It was the first homer ever by a Padres desig- for PSG with Mbappe out of next Friday’s French lanta past New York, which was trying to start 2-0 for the .366 in 19 games against the Pirates last season with three nated hitter at Petco Park. Machado hit a two-run home League Cup final and unlikely to be fit in time for third straight season. Mets closer Edwin Diaz was one doubles, seven homers and 23 RBIs. run in the seventh off right-handed reliever Hector Ron- next month’s Champions League quarter-final strike away from closing out the win with a 1-2-3 ninth don, swinging freely on a 3-0 pitch. The Padres opened when Marcell Ozuna homered to right field to knot the Phillies 7, Marlins 1 against Atalanta in Lisbon. He received lengthy the season with two straight wins as starting pitchers Phil Gosselin hit two home runs, Didi Gregorius and treatment but was eventually substituted after the score at 2. Then Adam Duvall, who made the final out of Chris Paddack and Lamet held the Diamondbacks to one the ninth, opened the 10th at second and scored when J.T. Realmuto also went deep, and Zack Wheeler tossed tackle which earned Perrin a red card. “Everyone is run on nine hits and two walks against 12 strikeouts over seven strong innings in his Philadelphia debut as the host worried. Everyone who saw the foul is worried. Of Swanson singled on the third pitch by Hunter Strickland 11 innings. (0-1). Swanson would score on Ender Inciarte’s come- Phillies topped Miami. Wheeler (1-0), who threw 87 course I’m worried,” said PSG coach Thomas Tuchel pitches, 57 for strikes, gave up five hits and one run. The after his team’s 1-0 win. —AFP backer, and William Contreras-making his first career at- Royals 3, Indians 2 (10 inn.) bat-doubled on Strickland’s next pitch to score Camargo. former Met signed a $118 million free agent contract with Maikel Franco’s sacrifice fly plated Brett Phillips in the Philadelphia after last season and still started for his new The Mets mounted a mini-rally against Luke Jackson (1- 10th inning to lift visiting Kansas City past Cleveland and 0) in the bottom half. With McNeil on second base to start team despite his wife giving birth to a baby last Monday. nemesis Mike Clevinger. Phillips, who was stationed at Marlins starter Caleb Smith struggled with his command the inning, Jake Marisnick and Pete Alonso each singled second base to start the 10th inning under rules installed Blues defense sends to load the bases. Eduardo Nunez flew out to Inciarte in and was pulled after only three innings. He gave up just for the 2020 season, advanced to third on a bunt from one hit and one run and struck out three, yet walked six shallow center, and pinch-hitter Dominic Smith followed Erick Mejia. Phillips came around to score after Franco’s with a sacrifice fly before Alonso was forced at second on while throwing 70 pitches, 36 for strikes. Alex Vesia (0-1) Chiefs to seventh sacrifice fly to deep center field off James Karinchak (0- took the loss in relief for Miami.— Reuters Wilson Ramos’ grounder. successive defeat

Broad told Sky Sports. “With our discipline with the Broad sparks West ball, we’ve had a great day,” he added, with England WELLINGTON: The Auckland Blues got back on the looking to win this three-match series 2-1 and re- winning path as they sent the Waikato Chiefs crashing gain the Wisden Trophy. to an unwanted record with a 21-17 victory in a defen- Indies collapse sively focused Super Rugby Aotearoa clash at Eden Park ‘Played his shots’ yesterday. The Blues produced a massive defensive ef- fort on their goal line in the final five minutes to preserve in Test decider West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach, who ear- a win that moved them to 17 competition points, two be- lier took his 200th Test wicket in a return of 4-72, hind the table-topping Canterbury Crusaders, who have admitted his side were in a tough spot. “We started a game in hand. The Crusaders suffered their first loss MANCHESTER: Stuart Broad sparked a top-order well but Stuart Broad came in and played his shots of the domestic competition on Saturday, when the collapse after starring with the bat as England re- and things went his way,” Roach told the BBC. Wellington Hurricanes beat them 34-32 in Christchurch. duced the West Indies to 137-6 at stumps on the “Things drifted a bit and we’re in a difficult position Both the Blues and Chiefs were desperate heading second day of the decisive third Test at Old Trafford now but the guys will fight it out.” into the match to arrest their respective slides with the Saturday. Broad struck with just his fourth ball to have West Auckland side having lost their last two games after win- England had slumped to 280-8 after losing four Indies dangerman Kraigg Brathwaite caught at slip ning the first three. The Chiefs were in even more dire wickets for 18 runs before No 10 Broad’s swash- by England captain Joe Root for one. John Campbell, MANCHESTER: Englandís Stuart Broad watches the straits, having lost their last six games across both Super buckling 62 took them to a first-innings total of 369. dropped on 10 by normally reliable second slip Ben ball after playing a shot on the second day of the Rugby and the domestic competition and yesterday’s When bad light forced an early close, the West In- Stokes, looked increasingly assured while making 32. third Test cricket match between England and the defeat was a team-record seventh in succession. dies were 232 runs behind, needing 33 more to But fast bowler Jofra Archer, back after being omit- West Indies at Old Trafford in Manchester. — AFP The home side, with Beauden Barrett in his pre- avoid the follow-on. West Indies captain Jason ted from England’s 113-run win in the second Test ferred position of flyhalf, looked the most dangerous as they raced out to a 14-0 lead courtesy of converted for breaching the bio-secure regulations governing Holder was 24 not out and Shane Dowrich 10 not struggling Shai Hope was caught behind for 17 after tries to Matt Duffie and captain Patrick Tuipulotu. The out. The veteran new-ball duo of Broad and James this series, produced a rib-high delivery that left- being squared up by a full-length Anderson delivery Chiefs, however, helped by a succession of penalties Anderson, paired together for the first time this se- hander Campbell could only fend to gully. that moved away late-a desperately difficult ball to against the Blues, gradually began to build sustained ries, both had stumps figures of 2-17. “We were Anderson, England’s all-time leading Test wicket- play. Anderson then had Shamarh Brooks inside pressure but were held out by a staunch defense and hoping to get 400 at the start of the day, that was taker, then struck either side of tea on his Lancashire edging to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler with one that cut only had a try to Lachlan Boshier to show for all of their our plan, but we’re happy with getting over 350,” home ground as the tourists declined to 59-4. The the other way.—AFP first-half endeavor.—Reuters Established 1961 Sport

MONDAY, JULY 27, 2020

Werenski and Thompson share Broad sparks West Indies Nats take down Yankees 1454-hole lead at PGA 3M Open 15 collapse in Test decider 15 as Brewers batter Cubs

ABU DHABI: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand punches Darren Till of England in their middleweight championship fight during the UFC 251 event at UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island yesterday. —AFP Whittaker bounces back, beats Till Whittaker back to best as ‘Fight Island’ draws to a close

ABU DHABI: Former middleweight champion Robert instead that put the Aussie on the floor in the first. Whittaker bounced back to defeat Darren Till yester- day as UFC’s first “Fight Island” drew to a successful ‘Just got my head down’ Sydney FC clinch close in Abu Dhabi. “My brain is on overload,” Whittaker shook it off quickly and then got down to Whittaker said after throwing everything at England’s work, lashing out constantly at Till’s leading leg and Till in unanimous points win, with all three judges scor- picking away with jabs. By the end the total strike record-breaking ing 48-47 for the Australian. “That fight was so stress- count was 156-81 to Whittaker, who landed 52 to Till’s ful,” Whittaker added. “I hope the fans and everybody 29 with Whittaker also showcasing superior wrestling fourth A-League can appreciate it because that was one of the most skills. Whittaker lost his belt when knocked out by technical fights I’ve ever had.” Nigerian-New Zealander Israel Adesanya (19-0) in Whittaker’s win brought the curtain down on the October. But this was a welcome return to form for the SYDNEY: Sydney FC were celebrating yes- Ultimate Fighting Championship’s successful excursion Australian who had questioned his future in the sport terday after securing a record-breaking to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The 26 square kilo- because of the relentless grind of training. “He felt me fourth A-League premiership, but club boss meter Yas Island resort complex was sealed off as the out. In the first round he caught me, he didn’t do that Steve Corica vowed no let-up with another Las Vegas-based UFC shielded its fighters from the again,” said Whittaker. coronavirus pandemic. Around 2,500 staff and fighters “I had to really adapt on the go. It was such a grand final in their sights. The team won the set up camp under strict bio-secure protocols with con- dynamic fight. Things went his way then my way. I just Premiers’ Plate after second-placed stant testing for COVID-19 before, during and after got my head down and that got me across the line.” ABU DHABI: Robert Whittaker of New Zealand celebrates Wellington Phoenix drew 1-1 with Adelaide arrival and then regular follow-up checks throughout. UFC will return to Las Vegas but boss Dana White said after his victory over Darren Till of England in their feather- United late Saturday, giving them an unas- Those who tested positive for coronavirus were we might see more of Fight Island in the future, while weight championship fight during the UFC 251 event at UFC sailable lead with four games of the regular excluded, with the biggest casualty being Brazilian Gilbert the world continues to contain the pandemic. Earlier, Fight Island yesterday. —AFP Burns, who lost his shot at Nigerian-American UFC wel- two veteran Brazilian light heavyweights rolled back the season to play. terweight champion Kamaru Usman two weeks ago as a years with 38-year-old Mauricio Rua (27-11-1) taking a glimpse into the possible future of the UFC welter- “I want to thank the club, my players and result. The 29-year-old Whittaker (22-5) said before the split decision over 44-year-old fellow Brazilian Antonio weight division. Swede Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev (8-0) my staff who have been exceptional all sea- contest that the only thing that worried him was Till’s pow- Rogerio Nogueira (23-10). made it two wins in two weeks on Fight Island with a son,” said head coach Corica. “We will enjoy erful left fist, a weapon that had given the man from It was Rua’s third victory over his compatriot, but first-round knockout of Northern Ireland’s Rhys McKee this ... but we still have four games to go and Liverpool 10 knockout victories in an 18-2-1 record com- only by the narrowest of margins 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 (10-3-1). “Everybody in my division, I’m going to smash ing into the fight. But it was a left elbow from Till (18-3-1) after three torrid rounds. The main card opened with a them,” Chimaev said.—AFP targets left to hit. We want to go on and win the grand final and become back-to-back champions, a feat achieved by only one oth- Lukaku double pulls things. Of course, we can and must improve. “We won’t Four Sassuolo goals offside er club.” The top six in the 11-team A- win the league but we have to be hungry to finish as Genoa are four points above the relegation zone League make the finals series, which is due high as possible.” Lukaku nodded in Cristiano Biraghi’s with two games left this season. In Naples, Napoli Inter second behind cross after 34 minutes in the northwestern port city, beat Sassuolo 2-0 with the visitors having four goals to start on August 22, with Sydney defend- with the former Manchester United forward accelerat- ruled offside-two in either half. Three were chalked ing their title. ing to finish off an individual effort three minutes into off by VAR. Albanian defender Elseid Hysaj opened The A-League kicked off in October and Juventus in Serie A injury time. The 27-year-old Belgian brought his tally the scoring for Napoli after eight minutes in the San was nearing the end of its regular season to 23 league goals this season, and 29 in all competi- Paolo Stadium. Filip Djuricic then had two goals when it was suspended in mid-March MILAN: Romelu Lukaku scored in either half as tions. Alexis Sanchez, on-loan from United, was also on ruled out as did Francesco Caputo and Domenico because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inter Milan claimed a 3-0 win against struggling target with eight minutes to go, picking up a Victor Berardi following VAR viewings before Brazilian Rebooting the event proved a logistical Genoa to move second in Serie A behind Juventus Moses cross to volley in for his fourth league goal this Allan sealed the points for the hosts three minutes nightmare with borders between some who can win a ninth title in a row. Antonio Conte’s season. into injury time. title ambitions took a knock with back-to-back stale- Atalanta were held 1-1 at AC Milan on Friday, with Seventh-placed Napoli-already through to the Australian states shut, but it finally resumed mates against Roma and Fiorentina. But Inter pulled the Bergamo side due to meet Inter Milan in the final Europa League as a result of their Italian Cup victo- this month. Football Federation Australia back ahead of Atalanta, and within four points of game of the season next week. “On a personal level, ry-extend their lead on pursuing Sassuolo, in eighth, chairman Chris Nikou hailed Sydney’s leaders Juventus, who are poised to claim a 36th I’m happy, but as a team we can do so much more,” to 11 points. Mid-table Parma saw off relegated achievement. “Having won the inaugural A- ‘Scudetto’ when they play Sampdoria in Turin. said Lukaku, who moved third behind Hungarian Brescia 2-1 in a win inspired by on-loan Juventus League championship in 2006 and the “The problem is how you see the glass, whether half Istvan Nyers (26) and Brazilian Ronaldo (25) for the midfielder Dejan Kulusevski. The 20-year-old Swede Premier’s title for the first time in 2009/10, full or half empty,” said Conte of second position. mosts league goals scored by an Inter player in their set up Matteo Darmian for the opener just before the Sydney FC have been one of the most suc- “There are vintages where you sow little and you reap debut season. “It’s not easy for us to be in second hour mark before Daniele Dessena pulled the hosts a lot and others in which you sow a lot and reap little, place, because we want to win and go as high as level three minutes later. A spectacular solo effort cessful clubs in the history of this competi- like this one. “But there are numbers that speak clearly, possible. “Now we want to do well in these final from Kulusevski sealed back-to-back wins for Parma tion,” he said.—AFP that comfort. I think these lads are doing very good rounds and then the Europa League.” who had struggled after the lockdown.—AFP