MUHARRAM 6, 1442 AH TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

16 Pages Max 45º Min 29º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18213 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

80% adherence to anti-virus Nightmares, flashbacks, fatigue: Gold hunters destroy Bayern defeat PSG to become 2 measures by gyms, shops 5 Beirut faces mental health crisis 13 Sudan’s priceless past 16 European champs for 6th time

No new virus test required for trips of less than 4 days

US approves plasma treatment • Global death toll above 800,000

By B Izzak and Agencies produce plasma artificially to help treat coronavirus patients. The process entails taking samples from KUWAIT/WASHINGTON: Kuwait’s civil aviation COVID-19 patients who have recovered from the private sector to the government should comply authority said people who travel out of Kuwait and disease, and transfusing it to current patients to help New curbs on with procedures followed by the manpower return within four days are not required to do a new them boost their immunity, the blood bank’s head of authority and the Civil Service Commission. The PCR coronavirus test on their return. The authority blood transfusion Dr Reem Al-Radhwan told KUNA decision to ban transfers of government workers to has already extended the validity of the PCR test to at the time. Blood plasma extracted from a former visa transfers to the private sector exempts Kuwaiti women’s hus- four days instead of three (96 hours instead of 72 patient could help treat three active patients, she bands and children, wives of Kuwaitis, Palestinians hours) for travelers returning to Kuwait or flying out added. private sector with travel documents and those in specialized technical professions in the health field who are of Kuwait. The authority said travelers who take the Many governments around the world are renew- test and fly out of Kuwait and then return within 96 ing efforts - including the reimposition of lockdowns KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Manpower transferring to licensed facilities to provide medical hours are not required to repeat the coronavirus test. - to contain the virus, which has infected well over 24 yesterday issued a decision banning the transfer of services, such as doctors, nurses and others in the Meanwhile, the United States announced an emer- million people. The United States remains the hard- government workers to the private sector and medical field. gency authorization to use blood plasma from recov- est-hit country with more than 176,000 fatalities, and placed restrictions on the transfer of dependent Moussa said only certain categories of expats visas to work visas in the private sector. Director are allowed to transfer dependent visas to work in ered coronavirus patients as a treatment for the dis- President Donald Trump is under intense pressure to General of the Public Authority for Manpower the private sector, including husbands and children ease, which has killed more than 800,000 people curb the contagion. The plasma therapy shows “an Ahmad Al-Moussa said the decisions are based on of Kuwaiti women, those born in Kuwait, around the world. Plasma is believed to contain pow- incredible rate of success” and “will save countless the instructions of Social Affairs Minister and State Palestinians with travel documents and those hav- erful antibodies that can help fight COVID-19 faster, lives”, Trump claimed on Sunday - but that went Minister for Economic Affairs Mariam Al-Aqeel. ing at least a diploma after the secondary stage and has already been used on patients in the US and much further than his own health officials’ cautious Moussa said transferring employees from the from Kuwaiti educational establishments. other countries. welcome of the treatment. In April, Kuwait’s central blood bank started to Continued on Page 2 NZ mosque 15 killed in survivors twin bombing face gunman in Philippines

CHRISTCHURCH, New MANILA: Twin blasts including a suicide bombing Zealand: The white killed 15 people and wounded 75 others on a restive supremacist who murdered southern Philippine island yesterday, among them 51 Muslims in last year’s security forces and civilians, with Islamist militants New Zealand mosques suspected of being behind the attack. The bombs shooting showed no emotion went off within an hour of each other in the main yesterday as distraught sur- town on Jolo island, a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf, an vivors confronted him in Islamic State-linked group that has intensified its court with harrowing campaign in recent years through the use of suicide accounts of the atrocity. At bombers. the opening of the sentenc- There was no immediate claim of responsibility ing hearing in a Christchurch Brenton Tarrant for what was the biggest attack of its kind in the courtroom, prosecutors southern Philippines since Jan 2019, when a double revealed chilling details of a meticulously planned suicide bombing at a Jolo church killed more than attack in which Brenton Tarrant wanted “to have shot 20 people and wounded over 100. The military said more people than he did”. the first blast happened around noon yesterday, With the Australian gunman face-to-face with the when a homemade bomb in a motorcycle was trig- bereaved families and wounded for the first time, sur- gered close to two parked army trucks, killing sol- vivors told of hiding under bodies, of forgiving diers and civilians. JOLO: Military personnel and civilians stretcher away a soldier after an improvised bomb exploded Continued on Page 2 Continued on Page 2 next to a military vehicle in this town on Sulu island yesterday. — AFP

the coronavirus pandemic. Then Indian resort After Beirut came the blast in Beirut’s port that killed more than 181 people, wound- ed thousands and devastated turns pool blast, workers swathes of the city. Many say it was just one disaster into fish farm beg to leave too many, and now they need to leave. “I love Lebanon, but I don’t BEIRUT: After struggling first want to live here anymore,” Kebeda KOCHI, India: A luxury resort in southern through Lebanon’s economic crisis said. “There’s no more work. How India has turned its swimming pool into a and then the coronavirus pandemic, will I eat?” Some foreign workers fish farm to stop the business sinking amid Ethiopian worker Tarik Kebeda said also say they feel sidelined by aid the economic crisis caused by the coron- the deadly blast that ripped through efforts. In the poor neighborhood of avirus pandemic. Normally the 150-m pool her Beirut home was the final straw. Karantina, Kebeda’s neighbor Hana at the Aveda Resort in Kerala state is packed Inside the small house she shares claimed aid workers sometimes put with European tourists. Now thousands of with four friends, she pointed to the fellow Lebanese first. Next door, 31- pearl spot fish are causing the splash. window frames covered by sheets, year-old Romane Abera recounted The complex was forced to shut in March because the glass was smashed out how she hid beneath a parked car to when a nationwide coronavirus lockdown by the Aug 4 explosion. They had hide from the explosion. was ordered. Few hotels have been allowed already lost their jobs - as domestic “Once, a truck came to distribute to reopen since. Of those which are still workers, or in supermarkets or food boxes but they said: ‘Only give shuttered, not many boast a pool with 7.5 KUMARAKOM, India: A general view of a swimming pool that has been turned into a fish restaurants - but now their home them to the Lebanese’,” Hana said. million litres of water, which can be put to farm is pictured at Kerala’s Aveda Resort on Sunday. — AFP too is at risk. Today her damaged home is barely alternative use. “We have had zero revenues, “I’m scared to sleep here,” the held up by scaffolding, with hot so in June, we put around 16,000 two- export to the Middle East,” Surendran said, money would help cover basic bills so the 22-year old said, showing the deep gusts of summer air sweeping month-old pearl spot fish in the pool,” predicting about four tons of pearl spots business can keep running until tourists cracks running down the bedroom’s through a huge hole in the wall. “I Aveda’s general manager Jyotish Surendran growing in the swimming pool could be return. And the Aveda plans to keep faith walls, saying she feared the building wish Lebanon could go back to how told AFP. worth $40,000 on the market. with the pearl spot even when business “will collapse on top of us”. it was before,” said Abera, who left The fish, which takes about eight months The makeshift farm would not cover the resumes. “We can’t continue with this farm in Thousands of foreign workers were behind her baby boy in Ethiopia to reach full size, is a popular ingredient in losses from the pandemic, which has driven the pool, but we are trying to find alternative already stranded in Lebanon, after and recently lost her job. dishes in southern India and the Middle East. many hotels to bankruptcy, said the hotel land where we can build up this knowledge months of dollar shortages and then Continued on Page 2 “We plan to harvest by November and will boss. But Surendran was hopeful that the for bigger projects,” he said. — AFP 2 Established 1961 Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Local Kuwait’s Deputy Amir gets call from Bahraini King inquiring about Amir Speaker: Deputy Amir’s call ‘necessary and warranted’

KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy His Highness Sheikh Nawaf had also describing his earlier address as firm Highness, while stressing the need to Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf received a cable on Sunday from and clear. In his assessment of the fight corruption and obtain fair punish- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Sudan’s Transitional Military Council address, the parliament chief said in a ment for the corrupt, stressed his con- yesterday a call from Bahraini King Deputy Head Lt Gen Mohammad press statement that His Highness demnation of what he called, the heresy Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa who inquired Hamdan Dagalo, who inquired about the Sheikh Nawaf shed light on a couple of of leaks and manifestations of tampering about the health condition of His health of His Highness the Amir, wishing aspects, when highlighting corruption and spreading an atmosphere of discord Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- him life-long health and wellbeing. His in the country. These include “the need and harming the nation,” Ghanem said. Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. King Hamad Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown to tackle corruption, that nobody is His Highness the Deputy Amir was also prayed to Allah Almighty to bless His Prince expressed gratitude for the sin- above the law - even members of the keen to reiterate the words of His Highness the Amir with rapid recovery. cere gesture and, in turn, wished the Ruling Family - and that the matter has Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- His Highness the Deputy Amir and Sudanese official health and wellbeing. gained his own personal interest and Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who repeat- Crown Prince thanked King Hamad for observation.” edly warned of the dangers some social his prayers, and said his phone call ‘Necessary and warranted’ The other being “not to use these media rumors, in their deviation of the reflected the “historic and deep” rela- In other news, National Assembly irregular acts as a reason and a means truth and aim to spread an atmosphere tions between the two countries, wish- Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem said His to spread a culture of frustration and of sedition and launch baseless accusa- His Highness the Deputy Amir and ing him good health and for Bahrain fur- Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown portray Kuwait as a ‘hub for corruption,’ tions. He also warned against being Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad ther progress and prosperity under his Prince’s call to “reorder” politics in the as described by His Highness (the drawn in to such an atmosphere, the Al-Jaber Al-Sabah leadership. country is “necessary and warranted,” Deputy Amir),” Ghanem added. “His chief lawmaker concluded. — KUNA

Kuwait registers three Gyms, shops 80% deaths, 432 COVID-19 cases observing measures against COVID-19

KUWAIT: Gyms and shops’ adherence to health guidelines set to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is at about 80 percent nationwide, said chief of Kuwait’s municipality yes- terday. Speaking to the press while inspecting sev- eral establishments in Sharq, Director General of Kuwait Municipality Ahmad Al-Manfouhi indicated that the municipality was keen on following up health guidelines throughout the country to posi- tively participate in the national fight against COVID-19. Measures such as temperature checks in addition to distributing gloves and sanitizers for clients as well as employees were among the few easy steps that will contribute majorly to curb the spread of the virus, he affirmed. He added that since the cabinet approved the fourth phase of the national plan to bring back normalcy, the municipal- KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality Ahmad Al-Manfouhi (left) inspects a gym in ity and its teams were working vigorously to imple- Sharq yesterday. — KUNA ment the steps included in the strategy. Manfouhi revealed that the municipality was working with health ministry teams to ensure that commercial establishments were carrying on their part in pre- venting COVID-19 spreading, stressing that any violations will result in closure of shops. He urged citizens and residents to abide by the set regula- tions and help the government to achieve the goal of restoring normal life in Kuwait. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait announced yes- ered from the virus, raising the total terday it registered three deaths number of recovered patients to that resulted from the novel coron- 72,925. avirus, while 432 people tested pos- Dr Sanad said 99 patients were itive for the virus in the past 24 receiving treatment in intensive hours. Ministry of Health care units, while a total of 7,517 Spokesman Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad people were receiving medical care said that total deaths reached 518, in the past 24 hours. Health care and the tally of registered cases workers conducted 3,056 swab topped 80,960. He said cases in tests in the same period, said Dr health zones were: 150 in Ahmadi, Sanad, raising total tests since the 83 in Farwaniya, 80 in Jahra, 60 in outbreak of the disease to 590,623. the Capital and 59 in Hawally. The He urged the public to abide by health ministry announced earlier health preventive measures includ- yesterday that 618 people recov- ing social distancing. — KUNA

Catholic country. “We condemn in the strongest after storming into two mosques in Christchurch, with possible terms the explosion incidents in Jolo,” 15 killed in the rampage ending when police stopped him as he presidential spokesman Harry Roque said. NZ mosque travelled to a third. Lawyers expect the 29-year-old to “Authorities are now conducting an investigation, be the first person jailed for life without parole in New twin bombing... which includes identifying individuals or groups survivors... Zealand. behind these dastardly attacks.” Continued from Page 1 Wearing grey prison clothing and surrounded in the The troops were among hundreds from a special Continued from Page 1 dock by three police officers, the 29-year-old remained infantry division created by President Rodrigo silent, occasionally looking around the room, as Hawes Duterte to destroy Abu Sayyaf, a group notorious Tarrant, and of living with the sound of an automatic As police and army surveyed the scene, a suicide delivered a chilling summary of facts. “He admitted for banditry, piracy and kidnap-for-ransom and rifle ringing in their ears. Held amid tight security with bomber tried to breach a cordon and detonated her going into both mosques intending to kill as many peo- countless attacks on civilian and military targets. snipers positioned on downtown rooftops, the hearing device, killing herself and several others. ple as he could,” Hawes said. “He stated that he wanted Yesterday’s incident was one of at least six suicide was told how on March 15 last year the heavily-armed In total, eight members of the security forces, six to have shot more people than he did and was on the bombings in the past three years, a mode of attack Tarrant opened fire on men, women and children, civilians and the bomber were killed and 27 security way to another mosque in Ashburton to carry out previously rare in the Philippines, despite decades ignoring pleas for help and driving over one body as he personnel and 48 civilians were wounded in the another attack when he was stopped,” he said. of separatist conflict that has given rise to Islamist moved from one mosque to the next. attacks on Jolo, one of a chain of mainly Muslim “In his interview, the defendant referred to his islands in the southwest of the majority Roman sentiments. — Reuters When he saw three-year-old Mucad Ibrahim cling- ing to his father’s leg, Tarrant killed him “with two pre- attacks as ‘terror attacks’. He further stated the attacks cisely aimed shots,” prosecutor Barnaby Hawes told were motivated by his ideological beliefs and he the court. Tarrant has pleaded guilty to 51 charges of intended to instill fear into those he described as controls came into effect in Finland yesterday, with murder, 40 of attempted murder and one of terrorism ‘invaders’, including the Muslim population or more No new virus test arrivals from just a handful of countries able to enter generally non-European immigrants.” — AFP without virus restrictions. Norway had already tight- required for trips... ened its border controls on Saturday, while South fund evacuations, and provide travel documents Korea imposed social distancing measures nation- After Beirut when needed. “We want to go home,” they chanted. wide on Sunday to fight its latest outbreak. Some threw handfuls of dirt towards the building, Continued from Page 1 Indonesian authorities have banned foreign while others hit its door with hammers. “It should tourists from Bali, a popular holiday destination, for blast, workers... be a systematic, unconditional provision of laissez- But the extent of its effectiveness is still being the rest of 2020 - scrapping plans to open up the Continued from Page 1 passer to absolutely everyone in order to save their debated by experts and some have warned it could island from next month. The pandemic has devastat- lives,” she said. carry side effects. When challenged by a reporter to ed the global economy, and policies to reduce the Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers of After the port blast, Lebanese shared videos explain the contradiction between his confidence in high risk of transmission in large groups of people multiple nationalities - including at least 250,000 online celebrating the courage of migrant workers the treatment and the caution among experts, Trump have impacted everything from sport and religious housekeepers and carers - toil in Lebanon for cash helping with clean-up efforts in the streets, as well passed the question to one of his experts and then services to music concerts and elections. to send home. They enter Lebanon under a contro- as footage of a housekeeper on Aug 4 diving to ended the press conference. It caused the unprecedented delay of the summer versial sponsorship system called “kafala”, which rescue a toddler from an imploding window. But ARM says not enough attention is being given to Breakneck efforts to develop a vaccine or effec- Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo to next year. has been repeatedly denounced by rights groups the migrants who fell victim to the blast. “The offi- tive treatments are under way around the world, but Some major world sports have resumed but with no as enabling a wide range of abuses. cial tally of the deceased and the missing remains spectators. There was no roar as Bayern Munich on Under kafala, a worker cannot terminate their until one is available, social distancing measures incomplete, excluding primarily people of non- remain among the few weapons against the virus. Sunday won the Champions League final - the contract without the permission of their employer or they will lose their legal immigration status. Lebanese origin,” ARM said. “Migrant workers and New Zealand yesterday extended the lockdown of its biggest game in European club football - in an emp- refugees are systematically dehumanized and mar- biggest city to Sunday as it battled a small but per- ty, 65,000-capacity Lisbon stadium. Many foreign workers have reached breaking point. Outside the Gambian consulate in Beirut, around ginalized in Lebanon, in life as in death.” sistent outbreak. Auckland went into lockdown on Some nations have had to deal with related 30 Gambian women clamored for help. “We’re like Outside the Kenyan consulate, dozens of women Aug 12, a day after the virus re-emerged in the city tragedies as they have enforced virus lockdowns. At slaves,” one protester shouted. “We are not treated said they had been holding a sit-in since Aug 10 to least 13 young people suffocated in a crush during a and ended New Zealand’s run of 102 days without well, and the racism here is very high.” demand their repatriation. Among them, a 21-year- local transmission. raid at a nightclub in Peru’s capital Lima over the Zeina Ammar, from Lebanon’s Anti-Racism old recounted escaping abusive employers, only to European nations have also tightened border weekend, with people trying to escape through a sin- Movement (ARM) organization, urged countries to be injured and see her home destroyed in this restrictions, wary of new virus clusters. Strict border gle exit. month’s explosion. — AFP Established 1961 3 Local Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Expat women can sponsor children, as long as they meet conditions Expats wary of three decisions that might ‘tear families apart’

KUWAIT: The residency affairs department retract- Manpower Authority Director Abdullah Al-Motoutah ment did not receive any new instructions with cialties, workplaces, passport numbers, nationalities, ed its verbal decision to stop transferring children’s a few days ago without mentioning the exact date of regards to extending the ministerial decision that countries of residence and residency validity,” the residencies to their mother in case the father leaves enforcement or any further details, Al-Jarida report- extended the validity of residency and visit visas until sources elaborated, noting that all precautionary the country for good or dies, Al-Qabas reported yes- ed. This made expats worried about the fate of their Aug 31, adding in case a decision is taken to extend measures would be followed with returnees including terday quoting ‘high ranking sources’. The sources children (holders of dependent visas who wish to them further, it will be done automatically without the swab tests and 14-day home quarantine prior to said new instructions were issued to directors of res- seek private sector jobs in Kuwait). need to go to the concerned authority. resuming work. idency subdivisions in all six governorates to resume Accordingly, many expats residing in Kuwait with When told that the airspace of many countries receiving children’s residency transfer applications their families believe that the three decisions will remains closed and those with expired visas and res- KD200 million sponsored by their mothers, provided that they meet have extremely negative socioeconomic impacts on idencies will be in violation, the source said: “The In other news, the health ministry asked the finance family visa conditions, most important of which is a their lives and that many families would be torn apart, residency affairs department is waiting for instruc- ministry to transfer an urgent payment of KD200 mil- salary of KD 500 and higher in the mother’s work tions, but if instructions are not received, then those lion so it can be sent to the Kuwait health office in permit. They added that female teachers at the edu- with expired visas and residencies must leave the Washington to avoid accumulation of demands and cation ministry, female nurses at the health ministry country, otherwise they will be in violation and a fine court cases by hospitals against the health office, Al- and female doctors at the forensics department can of KD 2 per day will be collected from them.” Anbaa reported. This came after the Cabinet asked sponsor their children regardless of the conditions. Ministry to the health ministry to coordinate with the finance Stranded doctors ministry to study the demands of US hospitals and Three decisions return stranded In the meantime, Al-Jarida quoted well-informed take the necessary steps to care for patients’ health Meanwhile, well-informed sources at the Public health sources who said the Ministry of Health and safeguard Kuwait’s reputation abroad. Authority for Manpower predicted that a potential doctors (MoH) received over the past two weeks lists of Health sources said the health offices were suffer- decision banning the transfer of dependent visas into expatriate doctors stranded outside Kuwait from ing for some years because of the drop in the work visas will have some exemptions for citizens’ various hospitals. The sources added that hospitals assigned sum of money for treatment abroad, down spouses and children, holders of Palestinian pass- and health zones had sent the lists of doctors and all from the amount requested by the health ministry, ports and documents, expats born in Kuwait, those MoH medical and technical staff members stranded and that the lack of payments is due to the lack of a studying in Kuwaiti universities and others. leaving only “bachelors” residing in Kuwait. Expats abroad to start working on facilitating their return to budget to cover them. Nonpayment led some hospi- After issuing decision no. 367/2020 pertaining are also concerned about the fate of their children in Kuwait so that various health facilities could operate tals and health institutions to refrain from receiving banning the transfer of workers from the government various educational stages - from primary to univer- at full capacity. Kuwaiti patients. They said the allocated amount for to the private sector and decision no. 520/2020 per- sity - who will not be able to return home. They also The sources stressed that hundreds of doctors treatment abroad is KD 170 million, and it is for taining banning the issuance of work permits for warned that the decisions would result in a lack of and medical staff members will be returned soon to patients who are still under treatment abroad. This expats aged 60 without university degrees from the manpower in some professions, increases in wages support the ministry’s plan to resume work at various amount cannot be used to cover dues, especially beginning of 2021, expats are currently anticipating a and devastating effects on the real estate market. OPDs, evening clinics and operations with over 80 since 50 percent of this approved amount is used for decision banning the transfer of dependent visas Separately, Al-Anbaa reported quoting a source percent capacity. “The lists submitted to MoH patients’ allocations, airline tickets, health insurance (article 22) into work visas (article 18) as declared by at the residency affairs department that the depart- include the medics’ full names, civil ID numbers, spe- and medicines.

In this regard, Kuwait Travel Agents Union told Al- attract more tourists and transit passengers, who “It is unfair to consider me absent and on leave with- Quarantine hurts Rai daily that Kuwait’s economy is currently suffering revive those countries’ hotels, various touristic facili- out pay after serving for 12 years in Kuwait,” she said. from wasted operational opportunities in various sec- ties and airlines by sums they spend on their way While the teacher predicted flights will resume by tors due to the strict measures that go far beyond back to Kuwait, while Kuwait gets nothing. Aug 30, an educational source told Al-Rai that MoE Kuwait’s economy preventing the spread of the virus to making normal had so far not made any decisions concerning strand- life restrictive, which reflects a ‘corona obsessive Stranded teachers ed teachers and that coordination is in progress with while neighbors compulsive disorder’, as the union described it. In the meantime, Egyptian teachers employed by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). “Their fate is The union added that compulsory quarantine is an Kuwait’s Ministry of Education (MoE) and who are expected to be determined by MoE’s public educa- impediment for thousands of citizens and residents currently stranded in Egypt urged Kuwait’s Education tion sector by September 1 - the beginning of the new recover: Report desiring to travel and made the mere thought of plan- Minister Saud Al-Harbi to save them from the conse- academic year,” the source said. ning a trip burdensome in view of the current situa- quences of a flight ban decision, namely by giving The source added that salaries of the past period tion and the lack of direct flights to destinations that them their salaries and financial dues. The teachers, cannot be touched, as it is usually the summer vaca- KUWAIT: The strict measures taken by the govern- used to have high operation levels. The union also who reached out to Al-Rai, stressed they only left tion for all teachers including grade 12 teachers cur- ment towards aviation and travel, the latest of which pointed out that over 30 countries do not oblige pas- Kuwait due to compulsory family obligations and not rently working on concluding the remaining period of was imposing a 14-day quarantine on arriving passen- sengers travelling there to undergo home quarantine. for tourism before the travel ban decision was sud- the 2019-2020 school year. “This is an exceptional gers, came as a precious opportunity with high eco- “Those countries are actually recovering and there is denly made. situation and it is expected that MoE will take their nomic revenues for neighboring countries that were a great demand for travel there, which has a highly The teachers also explained that they had been family circumstances into consideration, especially more flexible in dealing with COVID-19, a local daily positive impact on various economic sectors there,” waiting for five months for MoE’s decisions so that since everybody has been affected by the health situ- argued in a report published yesterday. the union claimed. they can return to work, but to their surprise, MoE ation,” the sources underlined. The report claims that these countries are “taking “Countries worldwide have resumed normal life decided to conclude the academic year. The minister Meanwhile, MoE stopped teachers from going to advantage of the situation in Kuwait to revive several and re-opened their airspaces, while Kuwait bans also said teachers couldn’t leave without travel per- school in some schools in Ahmadi and advised them to of their sectors while Kuwait wasted such an oppor- receiving passengers arriving directly from 31 coun- mits on grounds that they would have to be back continue teaching online from their homes after dis- tunity.” Countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, tries,” the union added. It noted that this has cost before the beginning of the following academic year. covering a number of teaching and administrative staff Turkey, Lebanon and Tunisia opted for less harsh and Kuwait’s economy considerable losses that are still “It was not our fault. Why should we be considered members were infected with COVID-19. Some strict precautionary measures compared to compul- growing, because Kuwait’s decision that passengers absent?” the teachers wondered. schools urged staff members not to come to school sory quarantine for returnees. They followed the same from those 31 countries can only return after spending A teacher said that she had to go to Egypt to until further notice. However, educational sources measures used by European countries, which rely on 14 days in a third country has provided ample oppor- undergo gallbladder surgery and see her elderly stressed that there is no need to suspend school and health tests including PCR. tunities for seven GCC and European countries to mother, leaving her husband and children in Kuwait. that all other staff should show up to work.

News in brief

MPs praise speech

KUWAIT: MP Mohammad Al-Dallal called on the government to translate His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s recent address into action by reevaluating the state secret service agency and rebuilding it on serious and legal standards. MP Humoud Al-Khudhair called on the government and the assembly to issue legislation that curb those who sow divi- sions in the society and fight against corruption.

Returning via land

RIYADH: Saudi custom authorities have decided to allow Saudi citizens to return home via land checkpoints from neighboring countries. The Saudi passports general directorate said in a statement yesterday that returning citizens via the land routes must abide by protective measures against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). They should also present identity documents of non-Saudi accompanying relatives via the website “Absher” in advance. Returning non-Saudis must also carry PCR tests’ certificates showing negative result.

US storms

KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Embassy in Washington Sunday urged Kuwaiti students and citizens living in the US to be more careful as Tropical storm Laura and Hurricane Marco hit several American cities. The embassy, in a press statement, also instructed Kuwaiti nationals to follow the guide- lines and directions of US local authorities, wish- ing them all well.

Robots at refineries

KUWAIT: An official oil source said Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) plans soon to use artificial intelligence robots to oper- ate the company’s refineries in order to reduce costs and solve high cost problems without hav- ing to stop the refineries, Al-Anbaa reported. KNPC’s research and technology department is working on this major project and have already contacted experienced companies in using artifi- cial intelligence to overcome operation and inspection problems. It urged companies wishing to participate to contact them by September 1. 4 Established 1961 Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Local

Established 1961 The First Daily in The Arabian Gulf KRCS chief applauds ‘generous’ THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961 Kuwaiti donations for Lebanon Founder and Publisher YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN Editor-in-Chief 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

Crimes KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society’s team in a group picture in front of an Medical equipment donated to the Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui. Child drowns in Wafra aircraft carrying humanitarian aid to Lebanon. —KUNA photos KUWAIT: A child died after he drowned while swimming in a pool in Wafra, said security sources. A case was filed and further investiga- tions are in progress.

21 kg of drugs

KUWAIT: A Chinese woman was arrested with a mail parcel she received that contained drugs, said security sources. Case papers indicate that air cus- toms inspectors suspected a parcel arriving from China, and on opening it, they found 21 kg of ‘chemical’; a street name used for a common drug consisting of ‘Spice’ (synthetic marijuana) with added chemicals. Checking the recipient’s name, they found that it was a 30-year-old female Chinese resident, who was arrested and referred to relevant authorities pending further investigations. Medical equipment provided by KRCS to Lebanese hospitals. Food supplies provided by KRCS to Lebanese families.

KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent (KRCS) ment, through KRCS, to several dam- Break-in and assault Chairman Dr Hilal Al-Sayer on Sunday aged hospitals. These hospitals include commended donors in Kuwait - including the likes of Wadia Hospital, Lebanese KUWAIT: A citizen filed a case against a citizens, expatriates and businesses alike - Hospital Geitaoui, Makassed General Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) for their donations to the organization’s Hospital, Al-Roum Hospital and employee accusing him of breaking into his fundraisers for Lebanon. In a press state- Karantina Hospital, he mentioned. Other house and assaulting him, said security sources. ment, Sayer said Kuwaitis contributed health facilities include the Children’s Case papers indicate that the citizen filed a generously to support Lebanon, helping Cancer Center of Lebanon, which treats complaint at Sabahiya police station against an the organization in its role to support hos- over 300 children battling the sickness. MEW employee, saying that the latter wanted pitals with medical equipment, distribute The assistance provided aims to to get into his father’s house to check the meter food and medical supplies and visit the enhance the center’s capabilities, but he refused him as it was not his house. “He injured. Sayer said he is grateful to these improve the quality of services provid- insisted on entering by force and assaulted me,” donors, who have provided Lebanon with ed, while giving rapid treatment to the citizen claimed, providing a medical report a lot, noting that the goal is to assist any- patients, he explained. KRCS field teams stating bruises and scratches he allegedly sus- one impacted by the recent devastating in Beirut are distributing humanitarian Officials examine medical equip- Humanitarian aid provided by tained. A case was filed and the employee is blast in the capital Beirut. aid to those impacted on a non-stop being summoned for further investigations. ment provided by KRCS to Lebanese KRCS to people affected by the Thanks to the donations, Kuwait has basis, in collaboration with the Lebanese hospitals. Beirut blast. —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Rai provided medical devices and equip- Red Cross, Sayer reiterated. —KUNA

tive measures within its headquarters and currently KIB launches ‘For operating branches, where all employees and cus- tomers are screened to ensure they are symptom- Kuwait’ initiative in free and wearing PPE including face masks and gloves. Additionally, the bank is only allowing a lim- collaboration with EPA ited number of customers inside the branch, along- side undertaking other precautionary practices KUWAIT: Kuwait International Bank (KIB) such as pre-booking appointments and waiting in announced the launch of a new environmental initia- the car rather than in the branch. Furthermore, all tive entitled ‘For Kuwait’, which includes printing branches, the bank’s main building and ATM 500 carton trash bins for the disposal of used face machines are all constantly being sterilized, with masks and gloves, in collaboration with the hand sanitizers provided next to all ATM machines Environment Public Authority (EPA). These eco- in order to ensure the safety of everyone. friendly trash bins are to be distributed to all the Tawfeqe concluded by commending all public ministries of Kuwait, as well as government agen- institutions and concerned authorities for their cies, shopping malls and government and private unwavering efforts in protecting citizens and resi- hospitals. The initiative seeks to support the joint dents against the coronavirus, through the adher- efforts of KIB and the EPA in protecting the envi- ence to strict preventive measures and protocols, ronment of Kuwait and raising awareness about the stressing the need to commit to wearing face importance of safe disposal of personal protective masks and gloves and disposing of them in trash equipment (PPE) in halting the spread of the novel bins to preserve the environment and reduce the coronavirus (COVID-19). spread of the virus. Othman Tawfeqe, General Manager of the Retail Meanwhile, Sheikha Al-Ibrahim, Director of Banking Department at KIB, said: “The launch of Information and Public Relations Department, said: this initiative is part of KIB’s leading social “The trash bins distribution initiative comes as a responsibility program, which always strives for continuation of the campaign launched by EPA over raising awareness about the negative effects of the past months, which included the distribution of environmental contamination, including that which nearly 700 trash bins, also as part of the awareness occurs as a result of throwing contaminated gloves campaign launched in collaboration with KIB. The and face masks on the ground or in public squares. campaign was attributed to community participa- We are all partners when it comes to keeping tion aimed at preserving the Kuwait’s environment, Kuwait’s environment clean. We hope that through promoting environmental culture among members this initiative we can contribute towards encourag- of the community, and highlighting the importance ing responsible behavior in individuals towards of safe disposal of PPE after use to prevent the their environment, drawing their attention to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).” importance of maintaining a healthy, clean and Ibrahim stressed that the distribution of these sustainable environment just as we seek to protect trash bins to ministries and government agencies is ourselves and those around us from contracting an attempt to raise people’s awareness about the the novel coronavirus.” importance of separating office waste and PPE Tawfeqe added that this initiative is a continua- waste after being used for prevention against the tion of KIB’s efforts towards helping fight the virus, such as face masks and gloves, as well as to spread of coronavirus, as the bank is keen on alert people at shopping malls and hospitals to the adhering to its responsibility, not only towards it importance of safe disposal of these wastes in employees and customers but also towards the their proper place, thereby ensuring public safety community and the environment in which it oper- and contributing towards curbing the spread of ates, stressing that KIB is implementing all preven- the virus. International TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020 Japan leader ‘second hospital visit’ within days sparks concern IPOB and secret police clash in eastern Nigeria Page 7 Page 7

BEIRUT: Aida Merhi, a resident of the badly-affected Karantina neighborhood of the Lebanese capital, shows her damaged house to the director of Medecins du Monde’s (MDM) mental health program, after the earth-shaking explosion which killed over 170 people and wounded more than 6,000. — AFP Beirut faces mental health crisis after blast

Practitioners warn of widespread psychological trauma BEIRUT: More than two weeks after a massive Lebanese TV and social media showing the blast reaching out since the blast. The group has sta- siblings survived but the feeling of terror has explosion tore through Beirut killing 181 people and and its bloody aftermath. tioned volunteers in one of the affected neighbor- remained with her. leaving entire neighborhoods in ruins, Sandra “Every time we say it can’t get worse in hoods and has started home visits. For older Lebanese, the blast triggered memories Abinader still jumps at the slightest sound. “The Lebanon, it somehow does,” said Jad Daou, a vol- Many mental health professionals have mobilized of the 1975-1990 civil war and the 2006 war with other day, I was trying to open a jar and the pop- in the wake of the blast to offer their services and Israel among others. Many have never dealt with ping sound made me jump back and scream. I felt post tips on social media, but some are struggling to their traumas and don’t know how to help their chil- for a second I needed to run away.” Despite recog- cope themselves. “I never had psychologists say, ‘we dren, said Ola Khodor, a 25-year-old child psychol- nizing the magnitude of her ordeal, Sandra, 18, said are not ready to talk at this moment. I need time to ogist. “A lot are telling their children that nothing she was not interested in seeking professional help. Nightmares, heal for myself,’” said psychologist Warde Bou happened, that it was a game,” Khodor said. “The “We’re used to dealing with our problems on our Daher. “But the trauma affected everyone ... they child deserves to know the truth - not the very own,” she said, stoically. Her attitude is common in flashbacks need to heal their own wounds before being able to detailed truth, but they deserve to know what Lebanon, a country hardened by past wars and help others.” While Sandra insists she has not cried exactly happened to allow them to grieve and to sectarian conflict and where stigma still rules atti- and fatigue once since it happened, her cousin cannot hold back process the event like they need to.” tudes towards mental health. But the blast caught tears as she recounts her experience of the explo- Experts say trauma begins to set in several Lebanon at an extremely vulnerable point following sion, which wounded 6,000 people and was so loud weeks after an event, as people progress out of a months of severe economic crisis compounded by it could be heard as far as Cyprus, 100 miles away. period of “acute stress”. Unicef on Friday estimated the coronavirus pandemic. When the blast hit, Lourdes Fakhri ran from the that half of the children they have surveyed in Now practitioners are warning of a national unteer with Lebanese mental health NGO Embrace, supermarket where she works to her home in the Beirut are already showing signs. One father told mental health emergency as people begin to show who mans the phones at its crisis clinic. “A lot of Karantina neighborhood near the port, one of the Reuters that when his four-year-old son came back signs of trauma from the explosion, including night- people are feeling hopeless about the entire situa- worst affected, fearing that her family had been home for the first time after the explosion, he mares, flashbacks, crying, anxiety, anger and tion here in Lebanon.” The explosion was a tipping killed. “There was rubble everywhere, so high. I invented a game called “pretend boom” in which his exhaustion. Psychologists say this is being exacer- point. Embrace, which usually receives between could picture them all lying there on the floor, with playhouse was hit by an explosion and rabbits bated by the constant stream of images on 150-200 calls a month, says more people have been our house on top of them.” Lourdes’ parents and six needed rescue from the broken glass. — Reuters

facilities with rocket fire in the Childhood packed Blackout in Syria after central province of Homs. In January, it said divers had planted ‘terrorists’ attack pipeline explosives on offshore pipelines in in rucksack; young the Mediterranean Sea of the Banias refinery, but that the dam- DAMASCUS: refugees at risk War-torn Syria’s retains a presence in the vast age had not halted operations. government yesterday blamed a Badia desert east of the town. The In June 2019, Damascus said an “terrorist” attack on a gas Syrian Observatory for Human unnamed foreign party had pipeline near Damascus for a Rights said it was not immediately BELGRADE: A group of boys sit on a sunny patch attacked and damaged six under- nationwide blackout, in the latest clear who was behind the of grass in a park in downtown Belgrade, but they water pipelines connecting oil such alleged assault on its energy overnight attack that had caused are not here for a picnic. They are “unaccompanied tankers to the Banias terminal. infrastructure. Caretaker electrici- several explosions between Adra minors”-the official name for the most vulnerable BELGRADE: A group of migrants rest at a park in There was no immediate claim of ty minister Zuhair Kharboutli said and Dmeir that were so loud they category of migrants who travel thousands of miles downtown Belgrade. — AFP responsibility for any of those a pipeline explosion in the could be heard in Damascus. A without adult supervision-and they came to meet a attacks. Government-held areas of Damascus area late Sunday “led host of pro-government forces are smuggler to ferry them across the next border. Syria have suffered repeated The majority of the children Toskic worked with to an electricity blackout across stationed in the area, said the Although the so-called Balkan route was officially power cuts in recent years, with had developed issues like anxiety, depression, sub- Syria”, according to state news Britain-based war monitor. Russian closed in the wake of Europe’s migrant crisis five the authorities last month blaming stance abuse and behavioral problems such as self- agency SANA. forces are present at the Dmeir years ago, the region is seeing a fresh tide of travel- the electricity rationing on harming. “The percentage of those who developed The caretaker oil and mineral military airport, while Iranian ers, even amid the coronavirus pandemic. Western sanctions and on a “sharp PTSD is larger than the ones that didn’t,” she said. resources minister, Ali Ghanem, forces and allied fighters held Some 30,000 refugees and migrants were regis- rise in temperature”. In April, the Official refugee camps can be dangerous too. After said the explosion of the gas positions around the town and on tered in Serbia in the first half of 2020, almost three oil ministry said power cuts were Serbia went into lockdown to battle the coronavirus pipeline, between Adra and Dmeir, the edge of the Badia desert. times the number for the same period last year, due to the “security situation in earlier this year, it sealed migrant centers shut. In was “the result of a terrorist according to official data. Among them, 1,200 are the Badia region,” leading to the June, a video emerged showing security guards attack”, but provided no further Rockets, frogmen minors travelling alone, the youngest at just seven suspension of work at several gas slapping and beating minors with batons in details. Kharboutli said the explo- The pipeline explosion was the years old. In the Belgrade park, a green-eyed 14- wells there. Syria’s war has killed Bogovadja camp, a site which has only one social sion was the “sixth of its kind on latest in a string of alleged attacks year-old from Afghanistan describes leaving home more than 380,000 people and worker for 330 children. In March, six adult the pipeline in that area”, without against the government’s energy in February after the Taliban took his father, two displaced more than half the pre- migrants were arrested in a centre in Bosnia on sus- giving a timeframe. SANA pub- infrastructure. In February, the older brothers and two uncles to the mountains and war population since it started in picion of raping several teenagers in the camp. lished pictures of firefighters government said “terrorists” killed them. 2011 with the repression of anti- working to put out a blaze, fol- attacked four different oil and gas “My mother decided that I had to go,” Ahmed, government protests. — AFP Violent pushbacks lowed by images a mangled land whose name was changed for this story, told AFP. Linking the Middle East to Europe, the Balkans pipeline missing a large chunk. Since then, he has travelled more than 4,000 km became a thoroughfare for migrants in 2015, when Damascus residents told AFP across five borders, mostly on foot. “When we hundreds of thousands flowed through the region in they woke up on Monday with no crossed from Afghanistan to Iran, we took the hopes of reaching Western Europe. The route was electricity in their homes. Mid- mountain route. It was snowing, and 12 people from shuttered under a 2016 agreement between the morning, Kharboutli told SANA our group froze to death,” the child recalled, with a European Union and Turkey, which agreed to house that power had started to partially trembling voice. the refugees in return for 6 billion euros in aid. But return to several provinces and traffickers continue to carve paths through the PTSD had been restored to parts of peninsula, crossing seas, rivers and mountains, and central Damascus. “Power has Youngsters like Ahmed face myriad dangers on often packing up to 20 migrants in a single vehicle. returned to several vital installa- the migrant trail, which involves linking up with As a hub for smugglers, Belgrade remains a tions in Damascus including hos- smugglers, evading border police and finding places major intersection, from which trails branch out pitals and some residential neigh- to sleep in foreign cities. Almost a third of unac- towards neighboring Croatia, Bosnia and Hungary. borhoods,” he said. The Russia companied children passing through Serbia have Smuggler fees range up to $10,000, often putting and Iran-backed Damascus gov- experienced violence-either physical, psychological families in huge debt, said Vladimir Sjekloca, of the ernment in 2018 expelled the last or sexual, according to data from Doctors Without NGO Crisis Response and Policy Centre. “They can rebels and jihadists from Dmeir, a Borders (MSF). They describe “blackmail, torture or DAMASCUS: A handout picture shows Syrian firefighters putting out a only pay a small amount of the needed money to the town about 40 kilometers north- rape, mostly during the trail,” former MSF psychol- burning pipeline between the areas of Adra and Al-Dhamir in the traffickers,” effectively leaving the youngsters “in a east of Damascus. ogist Natasa Toskic said. Damascus area. — AFP form of slavery”. — AFP But the Islamic State group 6 Established 1961 Tuesday, August 25, 2020 International Angry Belarusian protesters defy army, flood the capital Lukashenko seen with rifle, calls protesters ‘rats’ MINSK: Tens of thousands of protesters demanding crowd estimated by a Reuters witness to number as Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko step down many as 200,000 rallied in central Minsk for the sec- defied a warning from the military on Sunday and ond weekend in a row. The crowd began to disperse flooded into Minsk, briefly gathering near the presi- in early evening. Reuters witnessed no clashes with dent’s residence, before dispersing peacefully. The police. “They have scattered like rats,” Lukashenko veteran leader denounced the demonstrators as “rats” could be heard saying in a video clip published by and was seen in state media footage wearing body the Belta news agency as he flew overhead. armour and holding a rifle, projecting an unyielding image amid the huge nationwide demonstrations that erupted after a disputed election on Aug. 9. The protests have provided the biggest challenge yet to Lukashenko’s 26 years at the helm and tested the loyalty of his security forces. Minsk’s streets Protesters turned red and white as demonstrators carried flags symbolizing their opposition to Lukashenko and seek Venezuela chanted for him to leave power and for new elections style scenario to be held. The crowd marched towards Lukashenko’s residence at the Independence Palace, on the northern edge of the capital, the majority gathering at some distance, while a smaller group approached to between 10 and 20 meters of the Belarus state television said 20,000 people took MINSK: This grab taken from a video shows President Alexander Lukashenko holding an automatic rifle building, a Reuters witness said. part in the protest. Earlier, the defense ministry said and wearing body armor as he arrives at his residence in Minsk, not far from where opposition protests Lukashenko, a former Soviet state farm boss, was the army would deal with security around national are taking place. — AFP shown in state media footage flying over the protests World War Two memorials and issued a direct in a helicopter before landing at his residence and warning to protesters whom it likened to fascists. former teacher who took her jailed husband’s place as the opposite of constructive, focused instead on emerging in body armor with a rifle in his hand. Some “We categorically warn: any violation of peace and on the ballot. Following threats to her safety, creating disunity by generating anti-Russian senti- protesters milling below chanted “coward” as a heli- order in such places - you will have the army to deal Tsikhanouskaya fled to neighboring Lithuania. ment and squeezing out the Russian language and copter was seen flying out of the residence, the with now, not the police,” it said in a statement. Traditional ally Russia issued some of its strongest culture, and by aiming to join the European Union Reuters witness said. Later, a video circulated by “We, soldiers, will not allow these places to be des- comments yet criticizing Tsikhanouskaya on and NATO. Tsikhanouskaya, who speaks Russian at state media showed Lukashenko walking over to riot ecrated, there can be no fascism there!” Sunday. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said her home, has said she would like to see Belarus main- police outside his residence and thanking them, elic- statements were directed at a Western audience. “It tain close relations with Russia, but that Belarus iting an outburst of applause from security staff. Moscow’s view seems ... she has started to make political state- should remain independent and not integrate further It was the first time in this month’s demonstra- Protests triggered by Lukashenko’s claims of a ments, harsh ones, demanding walk-outs, strikes, into Russia. Lavrov said that by calling for tions that protesters have neared the building’s landslide election victory on Aug. 9 found a leader protests,” Lavrov was cited by the RIA news Lukashenko to quit, protesters were pushing for a doors. The approach to the palace took place after a in opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a agency as saying. He described her political agenda Venezuela-style crisis. — Reuters

News in brief Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards warned Thousands evacuate; that tropical storm-force winds would arrive today and told residents that if they did not leave by Taleban team in Islamabad Sunday night they should be prepared to ride out dueling storms take both Marco and Laura. Laura could strengthen into ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has invited key members a Category 2 or 3 hurricane on the 5-step Saffir- of the Taleban’s negotiating team to Islamabad, aim at US Gulf Coast Simpson scale for measuring hurricane intensity and where senior officials will this week press them move west, closer to Houston, said Chris Kerr, a on the importance of starting peace talks, the meteorologist at DTN, an energy, agriculture and country’s foreign minister said yesterday. The HOUSTON: Hurricane Marco and Tropical Storm weather data provider. meetings come at a crucial time in Afghanistan’s Laura tore through the Caribbean and Gulf of Category 2 storms have sustained winds of at conflict, with talks once again stalled amid a con- Mexico on Sunday, forcing thousands of coastal least 96 mph. The threshold for Category 3 storms troversial prisoner swap. “The delegation is in residents in Louisiana and Cuba to flee, and flood- is 111 mph. In the Dominican Republic, at least three Islamabad and we will have a round of talks with ing roads in Haiti’s capital, with damage across the people died, including a mother and her 7-year-old SANTO DOMINGO: Water runs along the streets of them tomorrow as part of efforts aimed at (build- region expected to worsen this week. Marco, which son, due to collapsing walls. Laura knocked out strengthened into a hurricane on Sunday with sus- Santo Domingo causing the collapse of houses as power to more than a million people in that country, ing) mutual confidence,” foreign minister Shah Tropical Storm Laura batters the region. — AFP Mahmood Qureshi told a press conference. The tained winds of 75 mph, is forecast to make landfall forced more than a thousand others to evacuate and Taleban and the Afghan government had signaled along the Louisiana coast. collapsed several homes along the Isabela River, they were prepared to start talks immediately Laura, which hit the Dominican Republic and buying bottled water, non-perishable food and an authorities said. after the Muslim festival of Eid, which ended ear- Haiti earlier on Sunday, killing at least 10 people attic ax, which can be used to chop through a roof if In Port-au-Prince people wading waist-deep lier this month, but the process remains bogged before striking Cuba on Sunday evening, is forecast floodwaters block doors and windows. The 33-year- in muddy water in some of the worst flooding the down over a prisoner exchange. — AFP to strengthen into a hurricane before making land- old attorney lives with his fiancee in a one-story Haitian capital has seen in years. Haitian authori- fall in Texas or Louisiana on Thursday. US President house just blocks from a canal that failed during ties reported seven deaths, including at least two Donald Trump issued a disaster declaration on 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. “You’d rather have it and people swept away in flooding and a ten-year Opposition leader offers to quit Sunday for Louisiana. He had previously issued a not need it than be stuck in your attic with rising old girl crushed when a tree fell on her home. similar declaration for Puerto Rico. floodwaters,” said Wright. “Getting two storms back Coastal neighborhoods of the capital were NEW DELHI: The leader of India’s main opposi- In New Orleans, Billy Wright spent his Sunday to back is a big concern.” strewn with debris. — Reuters tion Congress party offered to resign yesterday, domestic media said, after almost two dozen top leaders called for better decision-making in the party, which has ruled for much of the country’s Protests erupt in independent history. The call, made in a letter, is a rare challenge to the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that US city; unarmed has dominated Congress since India won inde- pendence in 1947 from colonial ruler Britain. But Black man shot Prime Minster Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has dealt the party heavy defeats in two general elections. Italian-born WISCONSIN: Protests erupted in the US city Sonia Gandhi, widow of former prime minister of Kenosha, Wisconsin, following a police Rajiv Gandhi, asked the party to relieve her of her shooting there of a reportedly unarmed Black role as interim president in a speech to a virtual man, prompting officials to impose a curfew. meeting of the Congress Working Committee, The victim, identified by Wisconsin Governor Reuters partner ANI reported. “Sonia Gandhi Tony Evers as Jacob Blake, was hospitalized asks CWC members ‘to begin deliberations in a serious condition on Sunday evening towards the process of transition to relieve her after police shot him multiple times, local from the duty of party president,’” ANI said on media reported. Crowds gathered at the Twitter, citing unidentified sources. — Reuters scene and threw bricks and Molotov cocktails at police, according to reports in social media. “We stand against excessive use of Lithuanians form human chain BAMAKO: Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (2nd left) walks at the International Airport force and immediate escalation when engag- in Bamako upon his arrival next to by Malick Diaw (left), the Vice President of the CNSP (National ing with BlackWisconsinites,” governor Evers VILNIUS: Tens of thousands of Lithuanians Committee for the Salvation of the People). — AFP wrote in a tweet. linked arms on Sunday in solidarity with the peo- The shooting happened at around 5 pm local ple of neighboring Belarus who have been hold- time in Kenosha as officers were responding to since the coup on Tuesday, and he would be able to ing mass protests against authoritarian leader a “domestic incident”. The victim was immedi- return to his home in the capital Bamako. Alexander Lukashenko since a disputed presi- Mali junta agrees to ately taken to a hospital by the police, accord- “And if he wants to travel abroad for (medical) dential election two weeks ago. The participants ing to a statement issued by the Kenosha police treatment, that is not a problem,” said the source formed a human chain stretching 30 kilometers free president, wants department. No further explanation was given from ECOWAS, which stands for the Economic from the Baltic EU state’s capital Vilnius to the by the police as to what led to the shooting. The Community of West African States. Prime minister border with Belarus, with many holding the Wisconsin Department of Justice said early on 3-year military rule Boubou Cisse, who has been held with Keita at a mil- Belarusian opposition’s red-and-white flag as Monday that officers involved in the shooting itary base outside the capital where the coup began, well as the Lithuanian national tricolor. Solidarity had been placed on administrative leave. would be moved to a secure residence in the city. rallies were also held in other European coun- BAMAKO: The junta that seized power in Mali The state’s Division of Criminal Investigation While the coup was met with international condem- tries, inspired by the historic Baltic Way demon- wants a military-led transitional body to rule for is heading a probe into the shooting and said in nation, thousands of opposition supporters celebrat- stration on August 23, 1989 when more than one three years and has agreed to release the ousted a statement it will seek to “provide a report of ed the president’s ouster in the streets of Bamako. million Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians president, a source in a visiting West African dele- the incident to the prosecutor within 30 days,” The junta has said it “completed the work” of the linked hands to reject Soviet rule. — AFP gation and the rebel soldiers said Sunday. Last US media reported. A video circulating on protesters and has vowed to stage elections “within week’s coup-Mali’s second in eight years-followed social media and cited by the US press showed a reasonable time”. However, Mali’s neighbors have months of protests calling for Ibrahim Boubacar the man walking towards a car followed by two called for Keita to be reinstated, saying the purpose Contaminated water in China Keita to resign as public discontent with the gov- officers and one of them shooting him as he of the visit by the delegation from the regional ernment grew over the collapsing economy and a opens the car door. Multiple fires were set at ECOWAS bloc was to help “ensure the immediate BEIJING: Hundreds of people in eastern China brutal Islamist insurgency. the scene by a crowd that gathered to protest return of constitutional order”. Tuesday’s coup has have been infected with bacteria which can “The junta has affirmed that it wants a three-year against the incident, according to various US heightened concern over regional stability as Mali’s cause dysentery after drinking contaminated transition to review the foundations of the Malian media reports. jihadist insurgency now threatens neighboring water, state media said yesterday, prompting the state. This transition will be directed by a body led Social media posts showed large crowds Niger and Burkina Faso. The ECOWAS talks are set closure of a local water plant. Nearly 500 people by a soldier, who will also be head of state,” a marching down streets and throwing Molotov source in the ECOWAS delegation told AFP after to resume in Bamako on Monday after two days of in the rural town of Baoyi - about 550 kilometers cocktails and bricks at the police, with one talks with the junta. negotiations with the junta. west of Shanghai - have developed fever and officer reportedly injured. The police respond- “The government will also be predominantly “We have reached a number of agreements but diarrhoea since late last week. A report by the ed by imposing a city-wide curfew until 7 am. composed of soldiers” under the proposal, the we have not reached agreement on all the issues,” local government published Sunday found they There have been ongoing protests in the source said on condition of anonymity. A junta offi- Nigerian ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, head of have been infected with the shigella bacteria - a United States against police brutality and cial confirmed to AFP that “the three-year transition the delegation, told reporters as Sunday’s discus- genus of microbes that can cause dysentery. The racism since the death on May 25 of George would have a military president and a government sions drew to a close. Both the regional delegation town’s water supply has been shut down and Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man, mostly composed of soldiers”. The source and the and the military officers “want the country to move nearly 300 people have been hospitalized, coun- after a white police officer knelt on his neck official added that the soldiers have agreed to free on” after the coup, he said. “We are just discussing ty officials said. — AFP for nearly nine minutes. — Reuters Keita, detained along with other political leaders the way forward.” — AFP 7 International Tuesday, August 25, 2020 12 days for assault: Fury at weak penalties for attacks on women Harassment, assaults ‘not taken seriously enough’ in Singapore

SINGAPORE: Sexual harassment and assaults against In July, Yin Zi Qin, a dentistry student at NUS, was women are not being taken seriously enough in Singa- jailed for less than two weeks and asked to conduct 80 pore, activists warn, after students at elite universities hours of community service despite pleading guilty to were given punishments criticized as too lenient for strangling his ex-girlfriend and pressing his thumb into their crimes. In the most recent incident, a 23-year-old her eye until she lost consciousness. The judge opted spent just 12 days behind bars after he tried to strangle for softer “community-based sentencing” put forward his ex-girlfriend during a vicious assault. The city-state by the prosecution as he was a first offender, cooper- is known for its tough approach to law and order, with ated with authorities, and voluntarily sought counseling vandalism punishable by caning, while drug trafficking and to apologize to the victim. and murder carry the death penalty. But it provoked a public backlash with some angry But campaigners say crimes against women have the privileged only get a “slap on the wrists” for serious long been minimalised-marital rape was only criminal- crimes. “I can’t believe the sentence is so light! I guess ized this year. “The justice system is very harsh on peo- NUS students have such a bright future that they can ple who vandalize state-owned get away with any crime,” com- property. But you want to mented Maruko Chan on a so- threaten and violate a woman’s cial media post about the ruling. life? Oh yeah, sure. It’s not as se- Punishments “Because he’s a medical student rious, is the message (authori- and a future doctor?... Go ahead ties) are giving,” said Pamela Ng, criticized as do more of wrist slapping,” said a spokeswoman for the Aim For netizen Huew Lim. Zero campaign against sexual too lenient In another case, NUS stu- violence. dent Terence Siow Kai Yuan SINGAPORE: A sign of the National University of Singapore is displayed at the campus entrance in Singapore. There are also concerns the was sentenced to 21 months of Sexual harassment and assaults against women are not being taken seriously enough in Singapore, academic potential of male per- supervised probation for mo- activists warn. — AFP petrators is being prioritized over the actual effect of lesting a woman on a train and at a station. The judge sex crimes on women. This echoes criticisms of inci- rejected the prosecution’s call for a custodial sentence dents at prestigious schools in the US, including the six- saying he had a high chance of being rehabilitated given ‘Sexual violence normalized’ Ong Ye Kung provided to Parliament last May. NUS month imprisonment of Brock Turner for three counts his academic record and “relatively minor” nature of his Vanessa who runs Instagram account upand.out, toughened penalties for sexual misconduct after the of sexual assault, where a judge feared a longer sen- acts, according to court documents. which aims to empower youth, says the system must Baey case in 2019, and said Yin Zi Qin is suspended tence would severely “impact” the Stanford University However, his victim told The New Paper, the attack treat everyone equally. “23-years-old = fully func- pending disciplinary proceedings. swimmer. was not “spur of the moment” and the impact on her tioning adult. He is fully capable of higher thinking if Despite the growing concerns, Singapore lawyer Last year, National University of Singapore (NUS) had not been minor. Siow was later jailed for two weeks he was accepted in one of our top university’s most Gloria James-Civetta cautioned that the judiciary could student Monica Baey took to social media to protest after prosecutors appealed. Following the July case, competitive courses. If SG is taking a more compas- only operate within the “boundaries prescribed by leg- the light punishment given to a male student who filmed women’s rights group AWARE raised concerns that sionate stance for crimes now, it should be reflected islators”. “In some instances, the academic background her in a dormitory shower. Her decision to go public more consideration was being shown for the assailant in every case,” the 22-year-old, who gave only her of the offender may be indicative of the offender’s pos- was dubbed the city-state’s #MeToo moment and is than the impact on the victims. “Rehabilitation is impor- first name, added. sibilities for reform,” she explained. Singapore has credited with encouraging other victims to come for- tant but this should not depend on the educational sta- There were 56 cases of sexual misconduct involving toughened some of its sex crime laws, with “cyber- ward. But critics say recent cases involving men of priv- tus of the perpetrator,” AWARE executive director students from six Singapore universities between 2015 flashing”-sending unsolicited images of one’s private ilege show not enough has changed. Corinna Lim adds. and 2017, according to information Education Minister parts-and “revenge porn” recently outlawed. —AFP

when his examination lasted 7-1/2 hours, fuelling wor- Japan leader ‘second ries about his health. But major broadcaster Nippon TV said Abe was being treated for a chronic illness hospital visit within rather than a check-up, citing multiple unidentified government and ruling party sources. Abe has been prime minister since 2012 in his second stint after a Xinjiang residents days’ sparks concern troubled term from which he resigned abruptly in 2007, because of struggles with ulcerative colitis, a protesting online TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to disease he now keeps in check with medicine that was take care of his health and do his utmost at his job, he not previously available. said yesterday, after a second hospital visit within days against lockdown sparked concern whether he could stay on as leader ‘Not at all’ worried of the world’s third biggest economy. The visit came as His office did not give a detailed explanation for the BEIJING: Residents in China’s northwestern Japan’s longest-serving prime minister surpassed a hospital visits, but close aide Health Minister Kat- Xinjiang region have complained on social TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wearing a record for longest consecutive tenure as premier set sunobu Kato said last week’s visit was a regular check- media about the harsh coronavirus lockdown face mask arrives at the Prime Minister’s office in by his great-uncle Eisaku Sato half a century ago, up and he was “not at all” worried about Abe’s health. measures in the sensitive region after a local Tokyo yesterday. — AFP adding to speculation Abe could resign after reaching Japanese media have speculated about Abe’s health outbreak. China - where the disease first the milestone. this month, including detailed reports on his walking emerged - had largely brought domestic trans- Abe, criticized for his handling of the coronavirus speed. Weekly magazine Flash said Abe had vomited election, followed by the winner’s formal election in mission under control through lockdowns, travel outbreak and some scandals, has suffered a slide in blood at his office on July 6. Reuters was unable to ver- parliament.Abe’s tenure as LDP president, and thus, restrictions and testing, but sporadic regional voter support to one of the lowest levels since return- ify the widely cited report, which was denied by gov- premier, ends in September 2021 unless he steps down outbreaks have emerged. A new cluster in Xin- ing to office for a second term in 2012 with promises ernment officials. earlier. Those tipped as possible successors include jiang’s capital Urumqi in mid-July prompted to revive the economy and bolster defense. “I’d like to Abe gets a regular check-up twice a year, with his Aso, former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba, ex-for- fresh restrictions. A total of 902 cases have been take care of my health and do my best at my job,” Abe most recent on June 13, Kyodo news agency said, eign minister Fumio Kishida, Suga, and Defense Min- officially reported in the outbreak. told reporters at his official residence, after visiting a adding that last week’s visit was a follow-up to a June ister Taro Kono. All are veteran LDP lawmakers Officials said earlier this month that they had Tokyo hospital where he said he had received results check-up, citing a hospital source. If Abe is incapaci- unlikely to make huge policy shifts, despite differing “effectively contained” the spread of the Urumqi of an exam done last week and undergone additional tated, Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, 79, who dou- over details. But any successor may find it tough to em- cluster, and there have been no new cases re- examinations. Abe, who turns 66 next month, also said bles as finance minister, would take over temporarily ulate Abe’s political longevity, which followed years of ported in the last eight days. But hundreds of he wanted to speak again later about his medical tests. as acting prime minister. If Abe says he has decided to revolving-door premiers and was aided by the strong local residents flooded local social media forums Earlier, government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said resign, he would stay on until formally replaced, which economy, tight control over bureaucrats and weak op- in recent days to complain about harsh condi- Abe was having a follow-up to a check a week ago requires a ruling Liberal Democratic Party presidential position parties.— Reuters tions, including many being forced to stay home. After some of these comments were removed - China’s internet is heavily censored - users tried to flood local forums on the Twitter-like Weibo platform in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Libyan Red Crescent Social media users shared photos of front doors sealed with steel crowbars, and locks in- retrieves 22 bodies stalled by community workers. “Why can’t pre- fectures with no cases remove the lockdown? Why do you need to lock down the whole of TRIPOLI: The Libyan Red Crescent re- grants and refugees known to have per- Xinjiang?” read one comment on Weibo, which trieved the bodies of 22 migrants off the ished on the route so far this year, the coastal town of Zwara on Sunday, the In- IOM and the UNHCR said, stressing that received thousands of likes. “Doors have been ternational Organization for Migration the actual figure was likely much higher. sealed, this has brought huge inconvenience to (IOM) said. “Today, 22 bodies were re- Safa Msehli, spokeswoman for the IOM workers and people’s lives. Prices of daily items trieved by the Libyan Red Crescent in in Geneva, told AFP on Sunday it was have risen... many things I buy are expired.” Zwara,” the IOM’s chief of mission in possible the 22 bodies were from that Little information has been released by the Libya, Federico Soda, wrote on Twitter, same sinking, “given the reported loca- authorities about the Xinjiang cluster. Other sharing a photo of body bags lined up on tion of the shipwreck”. local governments in China have provided infor- a beach. On Wednesday, the IOM and the “The bodies retrieved today were all mation on patients’ movements in granular de- UN refugee agency said dozens of mi- African males. We still don’t have infor- ABU QURAYN: Photo shows fighters loyal to the UN-recognized Libyan Government tail. Photos circulating on Weibo and WeChat grants and refugees had perished off mation on the nationalities,” she added. of National Accord (GNA) securing the area of Abu Qurain. — AFP also purportedly showed people chained to Libya in the deadliest shipwreck so far Libya has been in chaos ever since the community gates with handcuffs, reportedly as this year. 2011 overthrow and killing of dictator a punishment for leaving their homes. Some res- The agencies said that survivors from Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed across the Mediterranean Sea. Migrant towards people fleeing conflict and ex- idents also wrote that they were forced by au- Monday’s sinking, 37 of whom were res- uprising, though its warring rival admin- departures from Libya’s coast increased treme poverty, and a failure to humanely thorities to take Chinese medicine daily, and cued by fishermen, said at least 45 others, istrations said Friday they would cease all by nearly 300 percent this year between manage migration flows,” Soda added were required to film themselves doing so. including five children, had died when the hostilities and organize nationwide elec- January and the end of April, compared Sunday. More than 100,000 migrants One video from Saturday purportedly engine of the vessel they were aboard ex- tions soon. Since the ousting of Gaddafi, to the same period in 2019, according to tried to cross the Mediterranean last year showed dozens of high-rise residents in Urumqi the UN. “These painful deaths are the re- with more than 1,200 dying in the at- ploded off Zwara. The latest tragedy, west Libya has become a key route for irregu- yelling from their windows in despair. Stranded sult of the increasingly hardening policy tempt, according to the IOM.—Agencies of Tripoli, brings to 302 the number of mi- lar migration from Africa into Europe, migrant workers, university students, business travelers and tourists have also complained about not being able to leave Xinjiang. “I have violent attack launched by IPOB on the team,” it tions against IPOB at the appropriate time,” he said. even taken three nucleic acid tests... but com- said in a statement. The DSS statement did not say it killed any Biafran IPOB and secret munity workers won’t let me leave,” one user Security forces were on the trail of the attackers, separatists, nor could the figure of 21 dead be in- wrote on a message board run by the state-run it said. “All measures have been put in place to en- dependently verified. However, local and interna- People’s Daily. police clash in sure that their killers and everyone involved in this tional human rights bodies have long accused At a press conference last Thursday, local dastardly act are promptly apprehended and Nigerian security forces of killing IPOB members. health officials in Xinjiang said that the epi- brought to justice.” IPOB spokesman Emma Pow- In 2016, Amnesty International accused the na- Nigeria’s east demic situation remains “complicated and se- erful denied his group killed any government secu- tional security forces of extra-judicial executions of vere”. Around half of Xinjiang’s more than 21 rity forces and said instead that it was Nigerian 150 IPOB members, a charge they denied. IPOB LAGOS: Nigeria’s secret police say two of its men million people are ethnic Uighurs and other forces who killed unarmed Biafrans holding a which seeks a separate state for the Igbo people of were killed Sunday by Biafran separatists who in Turkic Muslims, many of whom complain of peaceful meeting in Emene. southeast Nigeria has frequently clashed with the turn claim 21 of their members were killed in an un- decades of political and religious oppression by “The Nigerian security personnel stormed IPOB security forces. Calls for a separate state of Biafra provoked attack on a peaceful meeting. The De- China’s ruling Communist Party, which the gov- meeting ground in Enugu and started shooting spo- are a sensitive subject in Nigeria, after a unilateral partment of State Service (DSS) said one of its ernment denies. Activists have accused the Chi- radically which consumed the lives of 21 members declaration of independence in 1967 sparked a bru- patrols was attacked Sunday in Emene, southwest- nese government of incarcerating about one and 47 arrested for no just cause or provocation,” tal 30-month civil war. More than one million peo- ern Enugu state, by members of the outlawed In- million Uighurs and other Turkic people in Xin- Powerful said in a statement. “Those responsible for ple died, most of them Igbos, from the effects of digenous People of Biafra (IPOB). “The Service lost jiang camps. —AFP two personnel in what was clearly an unprovoked this barbaric killing in Enugu...must pay for their ac- conflict and disease.—AFP Established 1961

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020 Business Asian firms eye Mexico as China risks grow Trade war, coronavirus crisis prompt companies to rethink strategy

HONG KONG/TAIPEI/MEXICO CITY: Taiwan- (Mexican) government,” a third source said about based electronics manufacturers Foxconn and Foxconn, adding the talks were at an early stage Pegatron are among companies eyeing new facto- and rising cases of coronavirus in Mexico were a ries in Mexico, people with direct knowledge of the major concern for the possible investment. matter said, as the US-China trade war and coron- Taipei-headquartered Foxconn, formally called avirus pandemic prompt firms to reexamine global Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd, said in a state- supply chains. ment that while it continued to expand global oper- The plans could usher in billions of dollars in ations and is an “active investor” in Mexico, it had badly needed fresh investments over the next few no current plans to increase those investments. years for Latin America’s second-largest economy, Reuters in July reported Foxconn planned to which is primed for its worst recession since the invest up to $1 billion to expand a factory in India 1930s Great Depression. Foxconn and Pegatron where it assembles Apple iPhones. Foxconn are known as contractors for several phone manu- Chairman Liu Young-way told an investor confer- facturers including Apple . It was not immediately ence in Taipei on Aug. 12 the world was split into clear which companies they would work with in “G2” - or two groups - following Sino-US tensions, Mexico. saying his firm was working on “providing two sets According to two of the sources, Foxconn has of supply chain to service the two markets.” plans to use the factory to make Apple iPhones. “The world factory no longer exists,” he said, However, one of the sources said, there had been no adding that about 30 percent of the company’s sign of Apple’s direct involvement in the plan yet. products were now made outside China and the Foxconn is likely to make a final decision on a ratio could increase. Foxconn unit Sharp has said it new factory later this year, and work will commence is stepping up television production in Mexico. after that, the two people said, adding there was no Sharp last year said it would set up a plant in A sign announces the manufacturing complex of Foxconn PCE Technology, in Ciudad Juarez, certainty the company would stick to the plan. Vietnam to shift part of its China production. It said Mexico February 6, 2020. —Reuters Apple spokesman Josh it had no further informa- Rosenstock declined to tion to give. comment. Pegatron is also China’s Luxshare capacity has not always materialized. In 2017, US ures, many investors see Lopez Obrador squan- in early discussions with Foxconn and Precision Industry Co is President Donald Trump said Foxconn would build dering a historic opportunity. “It could have been lenders about an addition- also considering building a $10 billion plant employing 13,000 people mak- a tidal wave,” said Eduardo Ramos-Gomez, a al facility in Mexico main- Pegatron look a facility in Mexico this ing LCD panels in the state of Wisconsin. Those partner at Duane Morris & Selvam, a law firm ly to assemble chips and to Mexico year to offset the tariff plans have shifted dramatically. In 2019 the compa- working with Taiwanese and Chinese companies other electronic compo- war between the world’s ny downgraded the size of the planned factory. In looking at Mexico. nents, said the people, plants two largest economies, April, Foxconn said it would make ventilators at the Critics cite Mexico’s poor handling of the pan- who declined to be identi- the two sources said. It plant in partnership with Medtronic. demic - it is third in global deaths - along with fied as the talks are confi- was not immediately clear Lopez Obrador’s meddling in private investment dential. Pegatron declined which product lines were Stretched supply chains decisions such as the cancellation of a $1-billion to comment. being considered by Coronavirus ground cross-Pacific supply chains brewery by US firm Constellation Brands, the scrap- Foxconn has five factories in Mexico mainly Luxshare, which according to media reports is a to a standstill, stranding automobile, electronics and ping of a major airport project and pressure on making televisions and servers. Its possible leading manufacturer of Apple Airpods. Luxshare pharmaceutical components from China, exacerbat- energy companies. The government has denied such expansion would underscore a broader and grad- did not respond to a request for comment. ing firms’ concerns about having their productive decisions were anti-business. Regardless, Mexico’s ual shift of global supply chains away from China The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in base an ocean away from American consumers. appeal is attracting some. Samuel Campos, an amid a Sino-US trade war and the coronavirus Mexico, which represents Taiwan’s government in Additionally, the newly implemented United States- executive managing director of real estate broker- crisis. The plans come as the idea of “near- the country, said it had heard Foxconn was inter- Mexico-Canada trade deal requires more locally age Newmark Knight Frank, said his company is shoring” gains ground in Washington. The Trump ested in building another factory in Ciudad Juarez, sourced inputs for tariff-free exports to the United currently helping two Chinese companies, one in administration is exploring financial incentives to in the northern border state of Chihuahua. States. Mexico has spoken to a host of foreign com- the autos sector and the other in manufacturing, encourage firms to move production facilities “Pegatron, I also understand, wants to move a panies in an effort to lure business from Asia to cap- relocate to an industrial cluster in Mexico. from Asia to the United States, Latin America and production line from China to Mexico,” the italize on the trade deal and was preparing to speak Campos said electronics, medical and automo- the Caribbean. office’s Director General Armando Cheng told to Apple about relocating manufacturing, Economy tive firms in Asia are likely to help drive investments Brandishing a new deal locking in free trade with Reuters. He said he did not know details of either Minister Graciela Marquez told Reuters in July. into Mexico in the fourth quarter this year. For Alan the world’s biggest consumer market, Mexico also company’s plans. She said she had not spoken to Foxconn, Russell, chief executive and chairman of Tecma has geography, low wages and time zones in its “Mexico is one of the ideal countries for compa- Pegatron and Luxshare directly. A senior govern- Group, a company managing factories in Mexico, favor. Despite the global recession and concerns nies considering readjusting their chain of suppli- ment official said those companies were among manufacturers in China that want to keep market about the business climate under President Andres ers,” Cheng said. The scale of investment by Asian others interested in investing in Mexico. share in North America have few choices. “They’re Manuel Lopez Obrador, government data shows electronics contract manufacturers, and the employ- The government did not respond to a request going to have shorten their supply chain and be foreign investment largely holding up so far this ment they would create in Mexico, are not yet clear. for further comment prior to publication. more regional,” he said. “It seems the virus has year. “The company indeed has contacted the Promised investment in new manufacturing Despite the potential and solid investment fig- tipped the scale.” — Reuters

surveys taken after every flight. Delta doubles cabin “As important as (being) on-time is to our compa- ny, we know that cleanliness, particularly in this envi- ronment but also going forward, will be just as impor- Saudi energy ministry cleaners in ‘pit stop’ tant,” he said. Delta’s average clean time for its domestic fleet is now 20 minutes, up from 10 minutes to assist development to 15 minutes previously depending on the aircraft revamp, buys kits size, but it aims to speed up the procedure to protect of Neom economic zone CHICAGO: Delta Air Lines has doubled its staffing to its turn times once schedules are heavier by adding resources. DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry is to handle revamped pre-flight “pit stops” for deeper offer assistance so that Neom, a $500 bil- cleaning and wants to ensure that tray tables and To verify levels of cleanliness, Delta is purchasing restroom door handles are germ-free with a new ATP test kits that measure the amount of bacteria on lion high-tech development that includes testing process, an executive told Reuters. Airlines’ airplane and airport surfaces. The kits cannot test for tourism and sport facilities on the Red Sea, efforts to reassure travelers of their safety during the COVID-19. It has already purchased 30 of the hand- can be completed on schedule, minister pandemic have spurred a behind-the-scenes scram- held units, which cost about $1,000 each, to test the Abdul Aziz bin Salman said on Sunday. ble to complete the enhanced cleaning that they are effectiveness of its cleaning program. The plan is to The 26,500 square km (10,230 square promising without sacrificing turnaround times, a buy the tests for all of its global airport bases, though mile) development, first revealed in 2017 cornerstone of profitability, once more passengers details are still being developed. airport and aircraft surfaces. with a planned completion in 2025, will take to the skies. Among large US rivals, American Airlines said it Delta is rolling out antimicrobial LED light tech- include high-tech projects powered by wind has doubled the strength of its cabin cleaning crews “We’ve done quite a lot of change to our turn nology by Vital Vio in all its aircraft restrooms that and solar energy. but has not had to add extra time to its turns given process,” the head of Delta’s new Global Cleanliness will continuously prevent the growth of bacteria, fun- Neom CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr, speaking at division Mike Medeiros said in an interview detail- lighter passenger loads and fewer scheduled flights. gi, mold and yeast. The airline is also in talks with United Airlines said it has added some extra time to the signing ceremony of a cooperation ing the airline’s strategy for “turns” — the time a Boeing Co and Airbus SE on developing touchless agreement with the ministry, said the city plane spends on the ground between flights. its cleaning process but not workers given the lighter restrooms and is studying a UV light that would ster- loads. Southwest Airlines, whose low-cost model will rely totally on renewable power, includ- Depending on the aircraft’s size, Delta is deploying ilize lavatories when they are not in use, Medeiros ing solar, wind and hydrogen produced at least eight pre-flight cabin cleaners, up from depends on quick turns, has not added staffing and said. Last week Delta said it would continue blocking from renewable energy sources. “We have three to five previously, and has adopted a new “pit said this month it was scaling back some pre-flight middle seats through Jan. 6. Southwest is limiting stop mentality” based on industrial engineering cleaning with a view to preserving an average 45- seating capacity through October, while American to persevere and make all our capacities studies into the extra resources required for clean- minute turn once its schedule ramps up. It is still and United are selling all seats. available to realize this project,” Prince ing each plane type, he said. using an electrostatic and an anti-microbial spray Beyond the jet, Delta is looking at bipolar ioniza- Abdul Aziz told a press conference at the After cleaners spray with disinfectant and wipe that kill viruses and shield surfaces for 30 days, as tion to improve air filtration at its airport facilities, ceremony, broadcast on al-Arabiya TV down high-touch surfaces, a flight attendant and gate well as a broad-spectrum disinfectant for lavatories including jetways. Airplanes already use hospital- channel. The project is part of Crown Prince agent walk the cabin together to inspect. If the cabin and tray tables before every flight, but is not wiping grade HEPA that refresh air every two to four min- Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan is not up to par, they call back the cleaners. “Even if down seat belts or arm rests. utes. “We’re not afraid of adding costs to the busi- that aims to attract foreign investment and All of the airlines are eyeing new cleaning technol- that means taking a delay to the flight,” said ness, but it has to add value,” said Medeiros. “If peo- create jobs in a bid to wean the kingdom off ogy. United, for example, is testing ultraviolet sanita- Medeiros, who is among managers who receive daily ple are fearful or uncomfortable, travel won’t come reliance on oil. —Reuters cleanliness reports in their inbox based on customer tion deployed by drones and hand-held wands for back in the near term.” —Reuters

tion and website, and an indemnification for dam- UK supermarket Vietnamese tech ages of over 221 billion dong ($9.5 million),” read the document. TikTok and VNG did not immediately respond giant Tesco to firm sues TikTok to requests for comment. VNG Corporation is a Vietnam-based technol- HANOI: Vietnamese technology firm VNG is suing ogy firm founded in 2004, known for its online create 16,000 jobs TikTok, the popular short-form video app, saying games, music streaming and messaging applica- it does not have adequate licenses for the songs tions. TikTok has soared in popularity in Vietnam, LONDON: Supermarket giant Tesco said yester- being used in its videos, sources said yesterday. where it recorded 10 million users as of August day it will create 16,000 permanent UK jobs to VNG is accusing the Chinese-owned company with millions of short-clip uploads to the plat- meet soaring online demand for groceries trig- of using audio tracks owned by Zing, a VNG sub- form, official data showed. But some music rights- gered by the coronavirus pandemic. “The super- sidiary, without the company’s consent, two holders say TikTok does not have adequate market expects the majority of these roles to be sources familiar with the issue said. A legal docu- licenses for the songs being used in its videos. filled by colleagues who joined on a temporary LONDON: In this file photo, customers leave a branch of ment from the people’s court of Ho Chi Minh City “Notably, TikTok has introduced a very com- basis at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Tesco supermarket in London. Supermarket giant seen by Reuters seeks damages from TikTok and plicated business model to avoid copyright com- but who now want to stay with the business per- Tesco said yesterday, it will create 16,000 permanent demands that it ceases use of Zing’s music. “VNG pliance in Vietnam,” the Vietnam Music manently,” Britain's biggest retailer said in a UK jobs to meet soaring online demand for groceries requests TikTok remove all music segments taken Association said in a response to questions from statement. –AFP triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. —AFP from Zing records from both the TikTok applica- Reuters. —Reuters 9 Business Tuesday, August 25, 2020

NBK ECONOMIC REPORT Kuwait’s consumer sector shows some resilience as mobility restrictions ease Expatriate workers likely to bear the brunt of slump in business activity

KUWAIT: Consumer spending staged a decent more momentum in August and the remainder of Q3 cent surge in 2019. Separately, while average wage growth edged comeback at the start of third quarter, reversing as restrictions on public transport, catering, personal Meanwhile, growth in overall household debt (i.e. higher in 4Q19 among both Kuwaitis (2.5 percent y/y months of declines, as the reopening of parts of the care services, health clubs and other recreation ven- including housing loans) also softened further for from 2.1 percent in 3Q19) and non-Kuwaitis (2.7 per- economy was met with pent-up demand. Consumer ues (such as museums, cinemas and concert halls) are most of Q2, coming in at 2.9 percent y/y in June, cent from 2.4 percent in 3Q19), it is likely to moderate spending growth may edge higher in August as fur- eased, it is likely to taper off as the initial boost from lower than the 4.7 percent reading at the start of the in the coming quarters, in line with a weaker eco- ther restrictions are eased, before tapering off as the the reopening of the economy subsides. Lingering year. initial boost from reopening subsides. Job insecurities worries over income security, particularly for expats, and economic uncertainties remain as significant and the economy are likely to prevail and weigh on Labor market Highlights overhangs on overall consumer sentiment. consumer sentiment going forward. The ongoing weakness in the jobs market is likely The latest trend in consumer confidence is at odds to weigh on the consumer spending outlook in the • Consumer spending stages a decent recov- Consumer spending reverses with the recent strength in consumer spending, re- near-to-medium term. Employment growth among ery at the start of Q3 led by an ease in some mo- Consumer spending rose by a decent 21.6 percent flecting the low oil price environment, underlying Kuwaitis slowed to 2.4 percent y/y in 1Q20 from 3.2 bility restrictions. year-on-year (y/y) in July, ac- concerns about the economy percent in 4Q19, led by a slowdown in both public • Spending has in part been supported by the cording to the latest Knet and income insecurities, espe- sector hiring (2.9 percent - an over two-year low - deferral of debt repayments by six months and monthly report, reversing cially among expats, as em- from 3.6 percent) and private sector hiring (a mere accumulated savings. months of declines, as the ease Consumer ployees are let go, furloughed 0.2 percent from 1.6 percent). Overall employment • Continued labor market weakness may in mobility restrictions and the or endure pay cuts. Ara’s con- growth among Kuwaitis appears to have been mod- weigh on spending in the quarters ahead. reopening of retail stores were confidence sumer confidence index was at erating since the start of 2019 and is likely to face fur- • Sustaining the recovery in consumer spend- met with pent-up demand for 100 in July, down five points ther headwinds in the quarters ahead, as the effects ing will hinge upon the continued ease in virus- discretionary items. Point-of- trends lower year-to-date, but still slightly of the Covid-19 pandemic are felt, particularly in the containment measures and people’s sense of job sale (POS) transactions de- higher than June’s reading (98) private sector. The public sector has fared quite well security. clined by a mere 0.1 percent as most subcomponents, in- in comparison to the private sector, but this could y/y in July, a stark improve- cluding current employment mostly be attributed to the effects of Kuwaitization ment from the 35 percent decline in June, while and durable goods, improved in tandem with the re- efforts. nomic climate, and ultimately weigh on consumer growth in online spending surged 160 percent. In- opening of the economy. That said, expatriate workers are likely to bear the spending. deed, the prolonged lockdown measures is likely to brunt of the slump in business activity. Although data How much of the rebound in consumer spending have led to long-lasting changes in consumer behav- Consumer lending on expat employment this year is yet to be released, will be sustained will be contingent upon how safe ior, as stay-at-home orders has increasingly forced Personal consumer loan growth appears to show it is likely to point to continued declines in expat em- consumers feel about their incomes, the likely impact people to shop online. a correction so far in 2020, after accelerating sharply ployees in both the public and private sectors. Indeed, on expat demographics and also the future path of Spending has in part been supported by accumu- throughout most of 2019 mainly on the back of the between mid-March and mid-July, northwards of Covid-19 and the avoidance of future lockdowns, lated savings, not least because of the deferral of debt Central Bank of Kuwait’s (CBK) relaxation of con- 165,000 expats (around 5 percent of the total expat business closures and mobility restrictions. While we payments by six months (which is expected to tem- sumer loan limits (to KD 25,000 from KD 15,000 population) reportedly left the country. Many more may see spending gathering some further momentum porarily free up +KD1 billion in incomes, equivalent previously) in December of 2018. The moderation so expat workers are expected to leave by the end of in the near-term as more parts of the economy re- to more than 5 percent of estimated household far in 2020 has undoubtedly been amplified by the 2020, according to some analysts, on the back of pro- open, a further weakening in the labor market and a spending in 2019), and the fact that a large portion of Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown measures. As such, posed changes to the residency law, aimed at clamp- potential drop in expat numbers, especially with the population is spending their summer holidays in growth in loans for consumption purposes (i.e. ex- ing down on the number of expats in the country, and sweeping changes to the residency law aimed at re- Kuwait, amid strict travel restrictions. cluding housing loans) eased to 20 percent y/y in as companies are forced to shed workers amid a stricting expats in the country, are likely to weigh on While we may see consumer spending gather June, down from 22 percent in May and the 36 per- weaker economic climate. consumer spending in the period ahead.

COVID-19 infections, Frydenberg said Algeria chafes Australia’s jobless the number of people out of work will swell by 450,000 during August and rate to exceed September amid a lockdown of nearly against EU five million people in Victoria state capi- tal, Melbourne. trade deal 13% by Sept end “We know the road to recovery will be bumpy as we have seen with the set- SYDNEY: Effective unemployment in back in Victoria, however, the jobs recov- ALGIERS: Days ahead of a final deadline, Australia will climb above 13 percent by ery across the rest of the country gives activation of a long-planned Algeria-EU trade the end of September, Treasurer Josh cause for optimism,” Frydenberg said in deal risks unravelling as political and business Frydenberg said yesterday, as nearly half an emailed statement. Once heralded as a leaders in the North African country warn it a million people lose their jobs due to a global leader in combating COVID-19, will undermine economic sovereignty. The full lockdown of the country’s second Australia has seen a surge of new infec- deal is meant to come into effect on Septem- most populous city. Releasing modelling tions in the past month. Desperate to ber 1, a decade and a half after the two sides from Australia’s Treasury Department, contain the spread, Victoria state earlier initially agreed their Free Trade Agreement as Frydenberg said effective unemployment this month imposed a nightly curfew part of a wider pact setting out economic, so- totalled 9.9 percent at the end of July, across Melbourne, tightened restrictions cial, cultural and judicial cooperation. But as down from the record high of 14 percent on movement and ordered large parts of the clock ticks, concern has grown in Algiers in April when large parts of the country’s the state’s economy to close. Australia has about the coronavirus-hobbled economy’s economy were ordered to close to slow largely avoided the high casualty num- ability to cope without tariffs on steel, textiles, Algeria’s hydrocarbon-dependent economy is in an extremely fragile state.— AFP the spread of COVID-19. bers of many other nations, it has electronics and vehicles-protective measures But demonstrating the economic im- recorded nearly 25,000 COVID-19 in- originally meant to end three years ago. an official statement said. tion the EU free trade deal explicitly, but he pact of Australia’s second wave of fections and 502 deaths. — Reuters For Ali Bey Nasri, chairman of Algeria’s was clearly alluding to it. exporters’ association, “the agreement was Mounting pressure The EU is Algeria’s largest trading partner, badly negotiated from the start.” “When the Algeria’s hydrocarbon-dependent economy and Algeria is the EU’s third-largest supplier deal was ratified in 2005, the EU had only is in an extremely fragile state, as the effects of of natural gas after Russia and Norway, ac- 15 members, while now it is 27 strong and in policies around the world to contain the coro- cording to the European Commission. Algeria a few years the membership will grow,” said navirus pandemic have hit already diminished imported $320 billion in goods from the EU Nasri. A free trade zone would be a “disaster oil and gas revenues. The International Mone- between 2005 and 2019, according to Nasri, for the national economy”, he added. In tary Fund (IMF) forecasts that Algeria’s econ- mainly in the form of machinery, transport early August, President Abdelmadjid Teb- omy will shrink 5.2 percent this year. equipment and agricultural products. This boune called on Commerce Minister Kamel On Wednesday, Prime Minister Abdelaziz figure is more than 20 times the $15 billion in Rezig to reassess the European Union deal. Djerad pledged a thorough review of the non-oil and gas exports Algeria sent to the The head of state insisted that the deal country’s trade terms and promised to revise EU over the same period. Algiers has repeat- “must be the subject of special attention, as- all economic and commercial agreements edly asked to renegotiate the terms of the serting our interests for balanced relations”, “harmful to the country”. Djerad did not men- agreement. —AFP

British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak plans to Facebook to pay drop a tax on technology companies such as Face- book and Google because it does not raise much 104m euros in back money and could hurt a push for a US trade deal, the Mail on Sunday newspaper said. Britain intro- duced the digital services tax in April after slow taxes in France progress in global negotiations over how to tax tech giants, many of which are US companies. The tax is expected to raise about 500 million pounds PARIS: Facebook France has accepted paying ($654 million) a year for Britain’s public finances. more than 100 million euros in taxes, including a That represents only a fraction of the 200 billion penalty, relating to its accounting years before pounds in extra debt the country has racked up 2018, French financial magazine Capital reported since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Facebook Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg on its website. The tax is also a potential impediment to a Facebook was not immediately available for testifies before the House Financial Services post-Brexit bilateral trade deal between Britain Committee in Washington, DC.—AFP comment. The French Finance Ministry said it and the United States. France and other countries could not comment on individual tax cases. Capital have adopted or are considering similar taxes. reported that it had seen documents showing that No one was immediately available for com- rary tax that will be removed once an appro- Facebook had been ordered to pay 104 million ment at Britain’s finance ministry. The Mail on priate global solution is in place, and we con- euros, including a 22 million euro penalty. UK plans Sunday quoted a finance ministry representa- tinue to work with our international partners to to drop ‘Facebook tax’, Mail on Sunday says. tive as saying: “We’ve been clear it’s a tempo- reach that goal.” —Reuters 10 Established 1961

Business Tuesday, August 25, 2020 stc revolutionizes postpaid plans with unique package Always ON Always ON brings a wealth of benefits to customers

KUWAIT: Kuwait Telecommunications Company - and redesigned our postpaid plans to bring out the (www.stc.com.kw) and stc, a world-class digital leader providing innovative best of what stc has to offer, specifically targeting this mystc App.” services and platforms to customers, enabling the digi- market segment. Focusing on enriching the customer With 5G wireless tech- tal transformation in Kuwait, announced its new revo- Al-Sadoun: experience, the new-to-market bundled services nology revolutionizing the lutionary range of Always ON postpaid plans, pack- Revamped allow stc customers to access a wealth of features world of connectivity, stc aged with new unique benefits designed to meet cus- that are not yet offered in the local market. With that has invested its resources tomers’ connectivity requirements. Customers can postpaid plans said, we aim to keep our customers satisfied by in building an infrastruc- unlock the new-to-market features by subscribing to blending innovation with connectivity to deliver an ture that can provide one of stc’s plans, which include premium digital and unrivaled interactive experience.” ultra-high-internet speeds telecom services. He added, “stc is continuously searching for through a stable network Whether you are a new or a renewal customer, the bouquet of offerings, allowing users to stay in groundbreaking methods to enhance its customer with low latency. you can sign up for one of stc’s eligible plans and touch with friends and family wherever they are. For satisfaction rate and online journey by offering Complementing this initia- those looking to relax and enjoy quality home enter- benefit from stc’s lwaysA ON continuous break- unique solutions that enable digital transformation. By Nasser Al-Sadoun tive, the Company has through connectivity, a highly convenient service that tainment, stc has included a subscription to the offering a rich selection of products and services, released a variety of 5G permits users to always remain connected to the Jawwy TV app which comes loaded with live TV which include the latest smartphones, internet routers enabled devices and pro- internet. Additionally, subscribers will be able to channels, Arabic and English movies, TV series and and entertainment devices, stc aims to grant its cus- motions that can utilize the network’s advantages and upgrade from 4G to 5G service at any time and with more. tomers with an unmatched choice in quality, value, vast capabilities. These developments follow stc’s ease to enjoy the network’s top internet speeds. Commenting on the first-of-its-kind promotion in and convenience. Placing the customer experience at vision to enable the digital transformation in Kuwait, Internet roaming, WhatsApp and incoming calls while Kuwait, Chief Consumer Officer (CCO) of stc, engi- heart, the Company offers all its products and servic- which is now accessible to more customers at an roaming, and international minutes are also part of neer Nasser Al-Sadoun, said, “We have revamped es through stc branches, its website affordable price.

last chance to deposit into an Al-Danah account to Al-Sayer announces Gulf Bank announces participate is 30 September 2020. Gulf Bank encourages customers to increase their chances of winning with Al-Danah by winners of ‘Big winners of Al-Danah depositing more into their Gulf Bank accounts using the new ePay (Self-Pay) service, which is Winner’ campaign weekly draw available on Gulf Bank’s online and mobile banking services. Al-Danah offers a number of unique serv- KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its weekly draw on 23rd ices to customers, including the Al-Danah Deposit KUWAIT: Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer & Sons Co August 2020 announcing the names of the winners Only ATM card, which allows account holders to (MNSS) Group Spare Parts Division, a subsidiary of for the week of 16 - 20 August 2020. The weekly deposit money into their accounts at their conven- Al-Sayer Holding, held an electronic raffle to select the draw consists of five winners who receive KD 1,000 ience. Account holders can also calculate their winners of Toyota Genuine Parts Special Big Winner each, every week. chances of winning the draws through the ‘Al- promotion on Tuesday 13th August 2020, through the Danah Chances’ calculator available on the Gulf Ministry of Commerce and Industry Computer system. The winners this week are: Bank website and app. Furthermore, loyal Al-Danah Toyota Genuine Parts Special - Big Winner promo- Nawal Abdullah Hasen Abdullah customers are rewarded with loyalty chances. tion had commenced on 12th February until 15th Khushi Mohammed Asgher Ali Loyalty chances are the total chances accumulated March, customers were eligible to participate in the Safiyah Ibrahim Dashti from the previous year, which are added to the draw with every KD 5 spent on Toyota Genuine Parts Amal Sarhan Laftah Al-Shammari customer’s chances the following year. Therefore, at any Al-Sayer parts outlet or Service facility. Ali Mohammad Hussain Buolayyan the total chances earned by Al-Danah customers in Its prize distribution will be held, at Toyota Parts Al-Danah is now offering its biggest prize yet, 2019, have been added to their 2020 chances, and Main Branch, located on Canada Dry Street, Road no with an annual draw prize of KD 1,500,000. The the same process will take place in 2021, and so on. 3, while maintaining the health precautions for annual draw will be held on 14 January 2021, and the Terms and conditions apply. COVID- 19. The winners are requested to collect their prizes by presenting the official letter from the Ministry and their official Personal Identification proof registered for the draw. Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer Mega hit offer continues to guarantee highest level of customer satis- faction through quality assured genuine products at for Burgan Bank fair and competitive prices. Al-Sayer Toyota Genuine China’s XPeng Parts operate 17 exclusive outlets across Kuwait offer- customers from ing excellent customer experience through better looks to raise accessibility and convenience. Best Al-Yousifi $1.11bn in US IPO KUWAIT: Through its exclusive partnership with the digital signature will be created and the transaction leading electronics store in Kuwait, ‘Best Al-Yousifi’, will be processed. This voiceprint will be the cus- ABK enhances ‘Ahlan SHANGHAI: Chinese electric vehicle (EV) man- Burgan Bank’s prepaid and credit cardholders can now tomer’s authentication method henceforth. It conve- ufacturer XPeng Inc said it hopes to raise up to enjoy an exclusive monthly ‘Mega Offer’ where they Ahli’ to improve niently reduces the number of security questions and $1.11 billion in its initial public offering (IPO) in can receive a deal on one product with a bargain price average call times providing an overall improved cus- New York, seeking to ride the enthusiasm for only available for Burgan Bank’s customers. This mega tomer experience. EVs even as US-China relations remain strained. hit offer provides limited quantities of a selected highly customer experience The Fraud Detection feature on ‘Ahlan Ahli’ The company said on Friday it intends to sell demanded product every month valid for 24 hours analyses the voice through the course of natural 85 million shares American depositary share only. Customers can benefit from the ‘Mega’ offer conversation with a Call Center agent. This pioneer- while making purchases through “Best Al-Yousifi” In line with its ‘Simpler Banking’ strategy, (ADS), each representing two class A ordinary KUWAIT: ing technology will work in the background to website or the mobile application. Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) has upgraded its share, priced between $11 and $13 per share. measure characteristics of the customer’s voice, Abdullah Hussain Al- Interactive Voice Response Service (IVR) by introduc- At the top end of the range, XPeng’s valua- matching it to the on-record unique voiceprint of Maqseed, Unit Head - ing voice biometrics and fraud detection functions on tion stood at $9.17 billion. The IPO comes at a suspicious callers to provide an added layer of Card Products, at Burgan ‘Ahlan Ahli’. This innovation is a result of the Bank’s time when US-listed Chinese companies are security. In case of a match, the call is reported in Bank said: “We are commitment to leading industry standards of cyberse- facing tightened scrutiny and strict audit real-time to ABK call agents to provide quick assis- delighted to continue col- curity, and emphasizes the huge importance it places requirements from US regulators, as tensions tance and to prevent potential fraud. laborating with “Best Al- on safeguarding customers’ data security. escalate between two of the world’s biggest This enhanced IVR service is a key milestone in the Yousifi”, which has a lead- ABK’s voice biometrics feature is available to ABK economies. The Chinese EV maker said existing Bank’s digital transformation journey, and further sim- ing reputation and position customers, who will be required to record their voice investors Alibaba Group , Coatue, and Qatar plifies routine banking transactions such as inter- in the Kuwaiti market. three times in the IVR to create their unique voice- Investment Authority had indicated interest in account transfers; account and card statement Through our partnership, print. If the verification is successful, a non-readable buying up to $200 million, $100 million and $50 requests; card payments and cash advances. million, respectively, of the ADSs being offered. we always strive to reward Backer Xiaomi Corp had also indicated inter- our valued customers with est in buying up to $50 million of the ADSs. exclusive deals, as the Abdullah Hussain opportunity is available for Alibaba will own all of XPeng’s class C ordi- Al-Maqseed nary shares, representing 14.9 percent of the them to obtain the most voting power of its total shares immediately requested products at a after the completion of the offering, XPeng said. special and exclusive price that is only available in the XPeng’s IPO comes after rival Li Auto Inc, market for them.” another Chinese electric vehicle startup, raised Abdullah continued: “The exclusive price on select- $1.09 billion in its IPO on Nasdaq last month. ed products can be viewed on the bank’s social media Share prices of EV makers including Tesla platforms on the same day of the offer and for a limited Inc and Nio Inc have surged in recent months. period only.” “Investors can’t seem to get enough expo- Established in 1977, Burgan Bank is the youngest sure to electric vehicle stocks. We are com- commercial Bank and second largest by assets in paring Xpeng with Li Auto, which went public Kuwait, with a significant focus on the corporate and in July and is up 28 percent from its IPO and financial institutions sectors, as well as having a grow- to Nio,” Kathleen Smith, Principal, ing retail, and private bank customer base. Burgan Renaissance Capital, provider of institutional Bank has majority owned subsidiaries in the MENAT research and IPO ETFs, said. Founded in 2014, region supported by one of the largest regional branch Guangzhou-based XPeng delivered its first networks which include Gulf Bank Algeria - AGB Xpeng G3 vehicle to customers in December (Algeria), Bank of Baghdad - BOB (Iraq & 2018 and launched a second model in April Lebanon),Tunis International Bank - TIB (Tunisia), and this year. The company manufactures cars in fully owned Burgan Bank - Turkey, (collectively known two factories in China. BofA Securities, JP as the “Burgan Bank Group”). Furthermore, Burgan Morgan and Credit Suisse are among the Bank has presence in the UAE through its corporate underwriters for the IPO. — Reuters office (“Burgan Financial Services Limited) which had helped the bank to participate in multiple financing opportunities in the UAE.

cent, mirroring gains for Asian markets after the U.S. Oil and gas companies led the surge in Europe, that the overall epidemic is growing. Similarly, European stocks health regulator said on Sunday it authorized the use gaining from a rise in crude prices as storms closed in Germany, France and Spain have seen a surge in virus of blood plasma from patients who have recovered on the Gulf of Mexico, shutting more than half its oil cases, with their leaders looking at tightening travel from COVID-19 as a treatment. Spain’s Grifols, one of production. Technology, mining and chemical compa- restrictions. bounce off lows on the world’s top producers of treatments based on nies also rose nearly 2 percent. British telecoms com- “The way we’re looking at the COVID narrative human plasma, gained 3 percent. pany BT Group jumped 4.3 percent after a media seems to be changing. The market is looking at a bet- virus treatment hopes AstraZeneca Plc jumped 2.5 percent after the report that its board was preparing to defend it against ter situation in terms of hospitalization and death Financial Times reported the Trump administration was takeover approaches from rivals and buyout firms. rates,” Temperton said. Shares in British Airways- LONDON: European stocks bounced from a two- considering fast-tracking an experimental COVID-19 The gains in European equities come after a lack- owner IAG dropped 0.5 percent and Air France week low yesterday as signs of progress in developing vaccine being developed by the company. “The week- luster week that saw data pointing to a stalling busi- dipped 0.4 percent after the UK government said a COVID-19 treatment offset fears about a resurgence end’s vaccine news is at the fore,” said Keith ness recovery in the euro zone amid a surge in coron- travellers to France are required to self-certify that in virus cases across the continent that could risk sti- Temperton, an analyst at Lombard Forte. “But we’re in avirus cases. A UK government data showed on Friday they are not suffering coronavirus symptoms or have fling an economic recovery. this mid-summer volume vacuum, where the path of the reproduction “R” number of COVID-19 infections been in contact with a confirmed case within 14 days The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 1.3 per- least resistance is higher.” had risen and may now be above 1, indicating a risk preceding travel. — Reuters Classifieds Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Sabah Hospital 24812000

Amiri Hospital 22450005

Maternity Hospital 24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700

Chest Hospital 24849400

Farwaniya Hospital 24892010

Adan Hospital 23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300

Al-Razi Hospital 24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9

Kaizen center 25716707

Rawda 22517733

Adaliya 22517144

Khaldiya 24848075

Kaifan 24849807

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

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Aries (March 21-April 19) Cancer (June 21-July 22) Libra (September 23-October 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) You may run into a great deal of frustration if Make sure that the battle you fight today is Give people the benefit of the doubt today, Use the day's boisterous energy to take charge you try to fight the current circumstances, Aries. The key is to yours, Cancer. There's a great deal of tension in the air that Libra. Even though you may not agree with everything and make things happen, Capricorn. You'll find take whatever situation you're in and make the best of it. might erupt when you least expect it. It may behoove you going on around you, people have their reasons for the that actions you take today resonate in the coming days. Whining and moping about your position won't make things to stay detached from the war that's apt to ensue. Keep way they act and the way they are. This doesn't mean that Don't worry about the consequences. Simply go for the gus- you need to act in exactly the same manner. Stick to your to. Strong forces are at work encouraging you to seek free- better. You have great gifts to be proud of and thankful for, so things light and try not to take things too seriously. Your routine and don't get thrown off track by the aggressive dom in your creative endeavors and giving you more room don't throw them away by thinking that they have no outlet. philosophical viewpoint and strong spirit are the very com- warrior in others. to explore your inner sanctuary that you hold so dearly. Create your own reality. bination needed to resolve the situation.

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

Keeping things in balance today might be tricky, Wake up on the right side of bed, Leo. This will Some action you took yesterday may be There's apt to be powerful aggression today that may leave you feeling like you want to Taurus, since your instincts may gravitate toward a loving, fan- set the tone for the rest of the day. Keep things positive and opposed today, Scorpio. Unclear facts and romantic declare war on everyone, Aquarius. You may get the ciful, peaceful situation. There's a harsh, warring force working you'll find that the aggressive energies of the day work for fantasies could get in the way of your taking decisive instead of against you. Don't try to fight people who are so action. You may feel the need to act anyway. Keep in feeling that everyone else is completely nuts and against this position. Beware of this powerful energy that's you're the only one who really knows what's going on. obstinate that they refuse to see another perspective. At mind that communication could be tainted by pockets self-centered and courageous. Stick with the things you know Beware of misinformed people and false information. and don't stoop to another's level if it doesn't sit right with you. the same time, make sure you stay open to other people's of uncertainty. Try not to rock the boat. Today's energy is a delicate balance between war and peace. Fights could erupt over facts that seem true at first but points of view. are just someone's misguided dreams.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Virgo (August 23-September 22) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Things may be tough and aggressive today, You may feel a strong connection with your fan- If you find yourself in a slump today, Sagittarius, don't worry. It could be that nothing fits right or You may run into some tension today as fantasy Gemini, but that doesn't mean you can't ciful, romantic side today, Virgo. Dreams and illusions are apt gets in the way of your plan of attack, Pisces. Keep in mind that make progress. There's a nervous energy in the air to enter the scene and take you into the clouds. Be careful, that a certain nervous, restless energy urges you to take action, but uncertainty prevents you from knowing which things are moving rapidly these days, and the slightest move- spurring people to action. Keep in mind that you're likely because you might find that a strong aggressive force oppos- ment is magnified. Don't try to undo things that can't be to get caught up in the frenzy and be called to take a way to turn. This combination could result in a locked-up feel- es these dreams. Your wit and connection with new technol- undone. Accept your mistakes and move on. There's a whole stand. Be careful that your viewpoint doesn't become ing that keeps you incapable of any movement at all. ogy and electrical gadgets will be your greatest assets on a world for you to explore and conquer, so try not to get trapped fixed and stubborn. You can learn some valuable lessons by listening to others. day like today. in your own little box. 12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Tuesday, August 25, 2020

A hoard of gold coins dating to the Abbasid Caliphate is pictured during a press presentation of the discovery at an Israeli archaeologist Shahar Krispin, 35, counts gold coins dating to the Abbasid Caliphate during a press presentation archeological site near Tel Aviv in central Israel. of the discovery at an archeological site near Tel Aviv in central Israel. — AFP photos

sraeli youths have unearthed hundreds of buried this treasure 1,100 years ago must shops at the time the treasure was hidden Igold coins stashed away in a clay vessel have expected to retrieve it and even and the identity of the owner is still a mys- for more than a thousand years. The secured the vessel with a nail so that it tery. “It was amazing,” said Oz Cohen, one treasure was discovered on Aug 18, the would not move. We can only guess what of the volunteers who found the treasure. “I Israel Antiquities Authority said yesterday, prevented him from returning to collect this dug in the ground and when I excavated by teenagers volunteering at an excavation treasure,” said excavation director Liat the soil, saw what looked like very thin in central Israel where a new neighborhood Nadav-Ziv. leaves. When I looked again I saw these Workers excavate a site where a hoard of gold coins dating to the Abbasid Caliphate is planned to be built. “The person who The area it was found in housed work- were gold coins. It was really exciting to was unearthed. find such a special and ancient treasure.” Dating back to the ninth century Abbasid Caliphate period, the 425 24-carat pure gold coins would have been a significant amount of money at the time, said Robert Kool, a coin expert at the Antiquities Authority. “For example, with such a sum, a person could buy a luxurious house in one of the best neighborhoods in Fustat, the enormous wealthy capital of Egypt in those days,” Kool said. — Reuters

An Israeli archaeologist displays gold coins dating to the Abbasid Caliphate during a press presentation of the discovery at an archeological site Workers excavate a site where a hoard of gold coins dating to the Abbasid Caliphate near Tel Aviv in central Israel. was unearthed.

he United States had its first real country’s third largest chain, Cinemark, to specialist site Box Office Mojo. By office receipts for its second week of ing the screening. Before the restart, the Tweekend back at the movies with had begun a gradual restart on August comparison, in normal times weekend release, the first with a large number of National Association of Theatre Owners the reopening of theater heavy- 14 and accelerated this weekend. ticket sales seldom fall below $100 mil- theaters (1,823), according to Box Office had published on Friday a health proto- weights AMC and Regal-but film fans Several major states, first and fore- lion, according to Box Office Mojo. The Mojo. “Unhinged” is the first film to gross col covering 2,600 theaters and 30,000 made only a timid return in a country most California, New York and New first major production to attempt a over $1 million in the US and Canada in screens. It provides in particular for which continues to register more than Jersey, have nevertheless not yet author- release after a five-month hiatus was a single weekend since March. In a sign mandatory face masks, social distanc- 40,000 new cases of coronavirus a day. ized the reopening of cinemas and have thriller “Unhinged”, starring Russell of film fans’ reluctance to return to a ing, except for people coming together, Leading theater operator AMC reopened not given a timetable. During this first test Crowe as a frustrated motorist who takes closed theater, the specialist firm and a ventilation system in working 100 cinemas last week, and expects to weekend, the North American box office road rage to extremes. Exhibitor Relations noted that the top five order. — AFP open a further 300 within the next two (Canada and the United States) passed Although it was almost the only one sites in terms of ticket sales this weekend weeks while Regal also opened its doors the $5 million mark for the first time since on screen, the feature had to make do were all drive-ins, open-air cinemas Friday but did not release figures. The March 15, taking $6.6 million, according with $4 million in North American box where people stay in their vehicles dur-

tore windows in the five-storey SHuqiu Wedding Dress Mall in the Chinese city of Suzhou gleam with the reflection from rows and rows of elab- orate gowns to entice potential buyers. But there are few shoppers in the mod- ern mall, a glitzy showcase of the city’s huge wedding gown production industry that usually attracts visitors not only from across China but abroad. “Sales this year have so far not been good, I hope they will recover a little in the second half,” Ma Li, the owner of the Hua Qing Yu Wedding Dress Store in the mall told A man carries a surfboard at Kuta beach on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, which has Reuters as she dressed mannequins. seen a downturn in tourism following the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus. — AFP Suzhou, one of the world’s largest bridal goods exporters, is feeling the chill as couples all over the world delayed, Zhang Zijian and Kang Yifei pose for photographs during a wedding photo shoot at a park downsized or cancelled their nuptials following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, because of the coronavirus pandemic. China. — Reuters The manufacturing hub in eastern China also hosts factories belonging to tions due to budget or lingering guest ding gown resellers, exporters and bridal Apple suppliers as well as a technology restrictions. “We basically have no studios descend went ahead in center for Microsoft, but wedding dress- clients,” Zhu Yuan, the chairman of Shanghai last month but exhibitors said oreign tourists won’t be allowed to recover tourism by opening the doors es are a major part of its business. And it Romen’s Wedding Dress, speaking from there were few visitors. Fvisit Bali for the rest of 2020 due to for international tourists. However, this is big business. Wedding market sales in her showroom where dozens of embel- Jiang Xin, a representative of coronavirus concerns, its governor requires care, prudence, not to be China surged from 923 billion yuan to lished ivory dresses were crammed Hermosa Trading, said increasing costs said, scrapping a plan to open up the rushed, and requires careful prepara- 1.64 trillion yuan from 2014 to 2018, against each other on clothing racks. of transportation because of the pan- Indonesian island from next month. The tion,” it added. He did not give a new according to Frost & Sullivan, and the “Out of a hundred only 10-20% sur- demic made exporting gowns expensive. holiday hotspot re-opened beaches, date for allowing foreign tourists to visit. annual compound growth rate reached vived,” said of her client businesses, “The tariff is fixed but transportation temples and other tourism spots for The volume of flights to and from Bali 15.5 percent. By 2023, the industry is including bridal studios and exporters. costs rose because many flights were domestic visitors at the end of July and plummeted during the global pandemic, expected to be worth 3 trillian yuan. That Suzhou Jusere Wedding & Evening cancelled,” he said. “The ordering cycle had said it would let foreign tourists leaving hotels empty and restaurants speedy growth was interrupted by the Dress Co Ltd, one of Suzhou’s largest is longer so costs are rising.” Elsewhere return on September 11. But the plan struggling to survive. Bali has recorded discovery of the first coronavirus cases in gown manufacturers, tried to mitigate the in Shanghai, Wei Jiawen and her hus- has now been cancelled over concerns some 49 deaths and just over 4,000 Wuhan, about 740 kilometers (460 miles) downturn by ramping up direct sales to band Pan Wenjun celebrated their nup- about Indonesia’s mounting virus cases cases of coronavirus. “New cases are west of Suzhou, in late 2019 and lock- brides and travelling to their customers. tials with their family and friends in mid- and with many foreign nationals subject under control, the recovery rate is down measures began to be imposed in But the escalation of the virus to a global August in a ceremony that was down- to travel bans in their home countries. increasing and fatality rate is under con- China and other parts of the world from pandemic saw foreign orders, which sized from their originally planned cele- Jakarta is also yet to lift its ban on for- trol,” Koster said. Nationwide, Indonesia late January. used to account for a tenth of the com- bration in February. “We were under eign tourists entering Indonesia. “The has seen at last 6,680 virus deaths with While China recently began allowing pany’s sales, all but disappear. “I hope pressure both physically and mentally for situation in Indonesia is not conducive more than 153,000 confirmed cases, the resumption of some large wedding that the epidemic abroad can get under half a year because of the delayed wed- to allow international tourists to visit but the real toll is widely believed to be gatherings following a sharp fall in the control which will allow wedding dress ding,” said Wei, who gave birth to a Indonesia, including...Bali,” the island’s hidden by limited testing.— AFP number of new COVID-19 cases, compa- studios to reopen. That can in turn drive daughter while waiting to reschedule the governor I Wayan Koster said in an offi- nies in Suzhou told Reuters sales were consumption,” said founder Xu wedding. — Reuters cial letter dated Saturday. “The central far from reaching usual levels as many Chuanhai. The China Wedding Expo government supports (Bali’s) plans to couples were downsizing their celebra- 2020, an annual event that draws wed- Established 1961 13 Lifestyle Features Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Remains of the two millenia-old site of Jabal Maragha that was ravaged by gold hunters are scattered on the sand in A makeshift mosque, consisting of stones lined up by gold hunters is pictured at the two millenia-old site of Jabal the desert of Bayouda, some 270 kms (170 miles) north of the Sudanese capital Khartoum. — AFP photos Maragha in the desert of Bayouda.

hen a team of archaeologists site, dating from the Meroitic period But the gold they found was in tiny Wdeep in the deserts of Sudan between 350 BC and 350 AD, was quantities. Then in the late 1990s, arrived at the ancient site of either a small settlement or a check- people saw archaeologists using met- Jabal Maragha last month, they point. Since the diggers came, hardly al detectors for their scientific thought they were lost. The site had anything remains. “They had com- research. “When people saw archeol- vanished. But they hadn’t made a pletely excavated it, because the ogists digging and finding things, mistake. In fact, gold-hunters with ground is composed of layers of they were convinced there was gold.” giant diggers had destroyed almost sandstone and pyrite,” said Hatem al- all sign of the two millenia-old site. Nour, Sudan’s director of antiquities ‘Reason for pride’ “They had only one goal in digging and museums. “And as this rock is Even worse, local authorities have Archaeologist Habab Idriss Ahmed (right) and Mahmoud here-to find gold,” said shocked metallic their detector would start Archaeologist Habab Idriss Ahmed (right) encouraged the young and unem- Al-Tayeb, a former expert from Sudan’s antiquities archaeologist Habab Idriss Ahmed, ringing. So they thought there was and Mahmoud A-Tayeb, a former expert ployed to hunt for treasures while department, inspect stones stacked up on top of each who had painstakingly excavated the gold.” from Sudan’s antiquities department, wealthy businessmen bring in other to prop up a roof for a dining room to be used by historic location in 1999. “They did inspect stones stacked up on top of each mechanical diggers alongside. “Out gold hunters. something crazy; to save time, they Escape justice other to prop up a roof for a dining room of a thousand more or less well- used heavy machinery.” In the bak- Next to the huge gash in the to be used by gold hunters. known sites in Sudan, at least a hun- ing-hot desert of Bayouda, some 270 ground, the diggers had piled up dred have been destroyed or dam- kilometers (170 miles) north of the ancient cylindrical stones on top of by looters. Some of them date back to aged,” said Nour. “There is one capital Khartoum, the team discov- each other to prop up a roof for their the times of the pharaohs. Sudan’s policeman for 30 sites... and he has ered two mechanical diggers and five dining room. The archaeologists were ancient civilizations built more pyra- no communication equipment or ade- men at work. accompanied by a police escort, who mids than the Egyptians, but many quate means of transport.” For Tayeb, took the treasure-hunters to a police are still unexplored. Now, in hundreds the root problem is not a lack of secu- station-but they were freed within of remote places ranging from ceme- rity, but rather the government’s prior- hours. “They should have been put in teries to temples, desperate diggers ities. “It’s not a question of police- jail and their machines confiscated. are hunting for anything to improve men,” he said. “It is a serious matter There are laws,” said Mahmoud al- their daily lives. of how do you treat your history, your Tayeb, a former expert from Sudan’s Gold fever heritage? This is the main problem. antiquities department. Instead, the But heritage is not a high priority for men left without charge, and their dig- Sudan is Africa’s third largest pro- the government, so what can one do?” gers were released too. “It is the sad- ducer of gold, after South Africa and The destruction of the sites is an extra dest thing,” said Tayeb, who is also a Ghana, with commercial mining bring- tragedy for a country long riven by professor of archaeology at the ing in $1.22 billion to the government civil war between rival ethnic groups, Mahmoud Al-Tayeb, a former expert from University of Warsaw. last year. In the past, people also tried destroying a common cultural identity Sudan’s antiquities department, speaks Tayeb believes that the real culprit their luck by panning for gold at the of a nation. “This heritage is vital for during an interview with AFP. is the workers’ employer, someone city of Omdurman, across the river the unity of the Sudanese,” Nour said. who can pull strings and circumvent from Khartoum, where the waters of “Their history gives them a reason for They had dug a vast trench 17 justice. Sudan’s archaeologists warn the White and Blue Niles meet. “We pride.”— AFP meters (55 feet) deep, and 20 meters that this was not a unique case, but used to see older people with small long. The rust-coloured sand was part of a systematic looting of ancient sieves like the ones women use for scarred with tyre tracks, some cut sites. At Sai, a 12-kilometre-long river sifting flour at home,” Tayeb said, deep into the ground, from the trucks island in the Nile, hundreds of graves recalling times when he was a boy. A vast trench dug by gold hunters is pictured at the dev- that transported the equipment. The have been ransacked and destroyed “They used them to look for gold.” astated two millenia-old site of Jabal Maragha, in the desert of Bayouda.

Dried out tree trunks are pictured at the two millenia-old Remains of the two millenia-old site of Jabal Maragha that was ravaged by gold hunters are scattered on the sand in the desert of Bayouda. site of Jabal Maragha in the desert of Bayouda that was ravaged by gold hunters.

hey came in the dead of night; no admission fees to the Iga-ryu Ninja found that the culprits had been less Tone saw them and nobody knew Museum in central Japan. The museum than subtle — having forced their way they were there. Moments later, is dedicated to the legend of the ninja into the museum office with a crowbar, group of Cirque du Soleil credi- “Now with the company’s recent the Japanese ninja museum was miss- — the covert martial arts masters and Kyodo News agency reported. Ators has announced it will take missteps put behind, we are eager to ing a safe full of cash. Under cover of agents of sabotage who prowled the The safe, which was stolen in the ear- control of the heavily indebted close the transaction quickly and sup- darkness, thieves vanished with the shadows in feudal times, and were ly hours of yesterday, contained takings Canadian circus troupe. Suitors had port the company as it rekindles the 150-kilogramme (330-pound) strongbox famous for secrecy and stealth. But from around 1,100 weekend visitors, the until today to better the proposal of the magic and artistry that have made containing around $9,500, paid as police called to investigate the crime Asahi Shimbun daily reported. The dozen lenders, led by the Canadian Cirque du Soleil an iconic global brand museum, in Iga, features a traditional fund Catalyst Capital Group. The and creative force,” he said. Founded ninja house and offers interactive expe- world’s most famous circus troupe, in Quebec in 1984, the troupe of acro- riences, allowing visitors to learn about placed under the protection of the bats had to cancel 44 productions ninja skills, throw star-shaped weapons, courts, later said that the proposal-esti- around the world in March, due to the and watch ninja shows. Iga, which is mated at more than $1.2 billion-had not coronavirus pandemic. It has laid off 350 kilometers (220 miles) southwest of been topped, according to Canadian 4,679 acrobats and technicians, 95 Tokyo, is home to one of the two most media. The creditors’ offer will still have percent of its employees. The agree- famous ninja clans. The city’s Mie to be validated by the Quebec courts in ment with the group of creditors, University set up the world’s first the coming weeks. According to the announced in mid-July, replaces the research Centre devoted to ninja in Globe and Mail, the creditors will inject takeover offer that it concluded at the 2017, and opened a graduate course a $300 million to $375 million into the cir- end of June with its current sharehold- year later. — AFP cus and also agree to reduce the cir- ers, the American TPG and Chinese cus’s guaranteed debt from $1.1 billion Fosun, as well as the Caisse de to $300 million. Gabriel de Alba, man- deposit and placement of Quebec aging director of Catalyst, welcomed (CDPQ).— AFP In a crime worthy of the legendary ninja, a the “great result for Cirque”, its employ- safe containing more than $9,500 has been ees, artists and partners, in an email stolen from a Japanese museum dedicated to sent to AFP. the martial arts experts.— AFP 14 Established 1961 Sports Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Photo of the day Bruins edge Lightning in series opener BOSTON: Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak each collected a goal and an assist to lead the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday in Toronto to kick off their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Goaltender Jaroslav Halak made 35 saves for the Bruins, who will look to extend their lead in Game 2 today in Toronto. The Bruins controlled the bulk of play to start and were rewarded when Charlie Coyle opened the scoring with 68 seconds remaining in the opening frame. Brandon Carlo sent a high point shot that Coyle deflected up and over Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. Pastrnak doubled the Boston lead 4:34 into the second period when he finished off a surgical power play. David Krejci showed great patience to find a seam for the cross-ice pass, and Pastrnak blasted a one-timer from the left faceoff dot for the tally. The Lightning, on the verge of letting the game get out of hand, regrouped and started generating chances of their own, but in the second period alone Halak came up with a handful of key saves, notably on Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov during one scramble, and then late in the frame against Barclay Goodrow. Marchand struck a big blow to any Tampa Bay comeback hopes with an early third-period tally to make it 3-0. Patrice Bergeron stripped the puck from Ryan McDonagh, sent it to Pastrnak and he slipped it to a wide-open Marchand for the easy tap-in tally 77 seconds into the final frame. Marchand collected his 92nd career playoff point, Wind surfer Tom Bridge performs in the United Kingdom. — Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com which ties him for Bobby Orr for the seventh-most in Bruins history. — AFP Japan’s Sato holds off Kiwi Dixon to win second Indy 500 crown Rossi penalized and sent to the back of the field WASHINGTON: Japan’s Takuma Sato held off one to swallow for sure,” Dixon said. “It’s hard Scott Dixon over the final 20 laps Sunday to cap- when it slips away like that. ture the 104th Indianapolis 500, taking his second “Congratulations to Sato. He drove his pants Indy 500 victory after his first front-row start. The off today.” Sato, the first Asian driver to win the 43-year-old from Tokyo, who also won in 2017, Indy 500, waved the Japanese flag on the win- kept New Zealand’s Dixon at bay down the stretch ner’s platform. “I hope this gives a little boost for before a crash by Spencer Pigot with five laps their energy,” Sato said. “Thanks for the sup- remaining brought out yellow flags and the race port.” The oval classic was moved from its usual finished under slow-speed caution conditions. late May date due to COVID-19 concerns that “It’s unbelievable,” delayed the start of the Sato said. “It’s great. season until June and I’m proud to win prevented spectators again.” Sato, who from attending. The started from the out- race hung on a knife’s side of row one, drove edge after Sato passed his Honda-powered I’m proud slower traffic but any Dallara across the fin- closing drama was end- ish line after 200 laps to win again ed when US racer Pigot around the 2 1/2-mile crashed in the fourth (4km) Indianapolis turn and skidded into Motor Speedway oval the end of the barrier at just ahead of Dixon the edge of the track and American Graham where pit row begins. Rahal in third in a ceremonial finish. Pigot was awake and alert and walked from the Ten minutes earlier, Dixon was racing just car but was hospitalized for observation. behind Sato on the same straightaway desperate- The race was finished under caution rather than ly trying to pass him but unable to get by. “I knew halted and restarted as Dixon hoped might happen. Scott was coming right through,” Sato said. “Fuel mileage, I can’t see how they were going to “Coming out of turn four he was screaming. I just make it,” Dixon said. “They just decided to go and held him off.” run it. “I thought they were going to throw a red INDIANAPOLIS: Takuma Sato of Japan celebrates winning the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Sato car owner Bobby Rahal, the 1986 Indy flag. We would have had an interesting five laps.” Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. This year’s race was run without fans in atten- 500 winner, was worried when the winner came Dixon led after a restart with 28 laps dance due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. — AFP upon slower traffic with nine laps remaining. remaining but a few laps later, Sato made the “Takuma ran hard all day long,” the elder Rahal crucial pass on the outside on the front said. “I was worried when he ran into that traffic straightaway and Dixon could never overtake ROSSI UNDONE BY PENALTY chief steward ruled “an unsafe release.” “I don’t but he got through it pretty good. And then the him. “We had the mindset and the fuel to get to Dixon passed pole-sitter Marco Andretti on even want to talk about the penalty,” Rossi said. accident. Who knows what would have happened the end,” Dixon said. “But you let it slip and the outside of the first turn of the race and domi- “I’m going to have a long talk with somebody the last five laps?” that’s what happens.” Pole-sitter Marco nated early. A crash by Spanish rookie Alex Palau about that. It’s obviously frustrating.” Fast-charg- That’s the haunting question facing Dixon, who Andretti settled for 13th with two-time Formula sent leaders to the pits on lap 125, with Dixon out ing Rossi crashed 12 laps later on the outside of led 111 laps but settled for his third runner-up fin- One champion Fernando Alonso of Spain fin- first. Rossi nudged Sato as both tried to exit pit turn two. “We were never planning on being that ish at Indy after 2007 and 2012 — all three of ishing 21st and 2019 winner Simon Pagenaud of row. Rossi, the 2016 Indy 500 winner, was penal- far back. We just lost it,” Rossi said. “A lot of dirty them coming under caution. “It’s definitely a hard France in 22nd. ized and sent to the back of the field for what the air back there.” — AFP

said. He gained the lone break of the second set held at the US Tennis Association’s Billie Jean Pliskova, Kenin crash when Anderson double-faulted on break point in King National Tennis Center, allowing players to the eighth game, and finished off the match on his remain in a controlled environment to prevent the Djokovic pulls out of Western & second match point when Anderson sailed a spread of COVID-19. return of a second serve long. The US Open will begin at the venue on out of doubles Southern Open Tsitsipas was the first of the top eight men’s August 31. Pliskova, the 2016 US Open runner-up, seeds to see action as all enjoyed first-round can only hope she can regroup by then. in New York byes. World number one and top seed Novak Kudermetova, who labored to a three-set first- Djokovic was scheduled to open his campaign on round victory over Australian Ajla Tomljanovic on NEW YORK: Top-seeded Karolina Pliskova and Monday against qualifier Ricardas Berankis. Saturday, rallied from a 1-4 deficit in the first set, No. 2 Sofia Kenin crashed out of the Western & NEW YORK: World number one Novak The Serbian star remained on Monday’s slate and reeled off the last three games of the match Southern Open on Sunday, falling in their open- Djokovic withdrew from doubles Sunday at the despite pulling out of doubles on Sunday citing to score the upset. ing matches at the National Tennis Center in New Western & Southern Open in New York, citing pain in his neck. US star Serena Williams, seeded “I tried to not think about the score. I tried to York. Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova, ranked 41st neck pain. The top-seeded Serbian was still third, is also set to open her campaign on fight, tried to continue play every ball,” scheduled to open singles play on Monday in the world, toppled world number three Monday with a second-round clash with Arantxa Kudermetova said. “I tried just to fight and enjoy against qualifier Ricardis Berankis of Lithuania Pliskova of Czech Republic 7-5, 6-4 in their sec- Rus — a 6-2, 6-3 winner over Alison Van it.” Pliskova had seemed in full control when she after a first-round bye. ond-round clash. Uytvanck. held at love for a 4-1 lead. The big-serving Czech Djokovic had been entered in doubles with France’s Alize Cornet notched her first win Tsitsipas, seeking his sixth ATP title, next faces peppered Kudermetova with 11 aces but still compatriot Filip Krajinovic, but he pulled out over a top-five player in two years when she either 16th seeded American John Isner or faced 13 break points in the match. before their scheduled opener on Sunday shocked Australian Open champion Kenin 6-1, 7- Australian John Millman, both first-round winners against Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe of the 6 (9/7) to reach the round of 16. It was a stunning on Sunday. PRAYING FOR THE BEST United States. turn of events on a day that saw men’s fourth Isner beat his doubles partner Hubert Hurkacz Cornet almost let her chance against Kenin get The tournament normally played in seed Stefanos Tsitsipas lead the way into the of Poland 7-5, 6-4. Millman rallied to beat away. Up 6-1, 5-2, she squandered two match Cincinnati, Ohio, is being held this year in a round of 16 with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over two-time France’s Adrian Mannarino 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/2). In points before pulling off the upset in the quarantine bubble at the US Tennis Grand Slam finalist Kevin Anderson. other first-round action, Argentina’s Diego tiebreaker. “Somehow I let it go a little bit, and I Association’s Billie Jean King National Tennis Greece’s Tsitsipas needed just 69 minutes to Schwartzman defeated Casper Ruud 7-6 (7/2), got really tight, so I never thought I could win the Center, where the US Open will start on subdue Anderson, pressuring the towering South 6-3 to advance. set the way I did,” said Cornet. “In the tiebreak, August 31. African’s second serve as he broke four times. He While the tournament is being played without oh my God, I was just praying for the best on Djokovic won the title in Cincinnati in 2018 didn’t face a break point himself until the fifth fans — as well as without line judges with the every single shot.” to become the only player to win all nine of the game of the second set, when Tsitsipas fell into a electronic “hawkeye” line calling system making Kenin, the world number four who shot to ATP’s elite Masters 1000 tournaments. He 0-40 hold but won five straight points to escape all the calls — Schwartzman still found himself prominence with her Australian Open win in reached the semi-finals in Cincy last year. the jam. waving out of habit to the non-existent crowd January, next faces either two-time Australian The 33-year-old has won five of the past “That was a crucial game, being able to come after the win. Open champion Victoria Azarenka or French seven men’s singles Grand Slam titles, taking his back there and maintain the focus that I needed “Obviously it’s a different feeling, going on compatriot Caroline Garcia, who defeated 2017 tally to 17 — three shy of Roger Federer’s to be back in the match and not be a break down, court without people,” Schwartzman said. The US Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-3, 7-6 record 20. — AFP that was a very good effort from me,” Tsitsipas tournament normally played in Cincinnati is being (7/4) in a first-round clash. — AFP 15 Sports Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Dustin Johnson romps to 11 shot win at Northern Trust Rory McIlroy, closed out a disappointing week NEW YORK: Dustin Johnson made Johnson’s party was from Mother really proud of that. I played really sure he didn’t squander a final round Nature who forced a weather delay with good,” said Johnson. I’ve never shot lead again, romping to an 11-shot victo- two holes to play. Johnson completed his 30-under in four rounds. Just some- ry at the Northern Trust Open on round with a birdie on 18 for an eight- thing that I wanted to do.” Tiger Sunday and taking back the world No. 1 under 63 and a winning total of 30- Woods, fighting for enough points to ranking with the 22nd win of his career under 254, leaving Harris English a dis- secure a spot in the FedExCup final in and second of the season. tant runner-up on 19-under. East Lake, Atlanta, helped his cause by Two weeks after entering the last Johnson’s 30-under fell just one signing off with his best round of the round of the PGA Championships with stroke short of the PGA Tour record for year, a five-under 66. a one stroke advantage and unable Woods did all his work on the front to close the deal, Johnson was nine with four straight birdies to open under far less pressure at TPC his round and five in his first seven Boston but he ensured there would holes. But the 15-time major winner be no repeat, turning a five shot could not sustain the momentum, his 54-hole cushion into a commanding charge stalling after the turn with nine 11 stroke victory. You can learn straight pars to finish at six-under, a “Obviously you can learn some massive 24 shots back of Johnson. stuff from the PGA, but I didn’t feel some stuff Rory McIlroy, the defending FedEx like I really did anything wrong at Cup champion, closed out a disap- the PGA. I played pretty solid on pointing week with a two-under 69 to Sunday,” said Johnson. “Generally, leave the Northern Irishman just four you shoot 68 on Sunday in a major from the bottom of the leaderboard. with the lead on a tough golf course, most strokes under par. English made a This week’s tournament was the first of you’re going to win most of the time.” brave attempt early on to keep pace three playoff events that culminate with If anyone in the field was harboring with Johnson, dropping four birdies on the Sept. 4-7 Tour Championship in thoughts of reeling in Johnson, the 36- his outward nine, but in the end was Atlanta and the $15 million prize to the year-old American quickly put those to helpless, signing for a 69 as a rampaging FedExCup champion. rest when he opened his round with an Johnson pulled away. Daniel Berger (67) Only the top 70 in the standings after eagle on the par five second and added finished alone in third 12 off the pace this week go on to the BMW NORTON: Dustin Johnson of the United States celebrates with the trophy after going four birdies to go six-under on his out- with Kevin Kisner (66) and Scottie Championship at Olympia Fields outside 30-under par to win during the final round of The Northern Trust at TPC Boston in ward nine. Scheffler (71) one further back. Chicago, and from there the top 30 Norton, Massachusetts. — AFP From that point the only one rain on “It is a big margin, and I’m definitely move on to Atlanta. — Reuters

scored two runs — both unearned Rizwan adamant A’s down Angels — on two-out RBI hits by Canha and Chapman for a 2-0 lead. Pakistan can in 10th to claim A’s starter Frankie Montas held the Angels scoreless until the third. La Stella and Rendon each had a single, save Test series victory before Ohtani connected on a 95- mph sinker that didn’t sink, hitting it over the fence in left-center for a SOUTHAMPTON: Mohammad Rizwan OAKLAND: Mark Canha’s sacrifice three-run homer and 3-2 Angels lead. insisted all was far from lost for Pakistan fly scored Franklin Barreto from third It was Ohtani’s fifth homer of the after they were made to follow-on 310 in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift season, but only his 14th hit. Hitting runs behind in the third Test against the Oakland A’s to a 5-4 win over the just .165 going into the game, Ohtani England despite a superb unbeaten centu- Los Angeles Angels Sunday after- had only two hits in his previous 31 ry from captain Azhar Ali. noon in Oakland. at-bats before the home run. Brian Pakistan collapsed to 75-5 on Sunday’s Barreto, pinch running for Matt Goodwin’s two-out RBI single in the third day before Azhar’s 141 not out guided Olson, began the inning on second fifth inning increased the Angels’ them to a total of 273. Rizwan played his base as the designated runner, and lead to 4-2 and knocked Montas out part with a defiant 53 during a sixth-wick- went to third on a leadoff single by of the game. Montas gave up four et partnership of 138 with Azhar that kept Matt Chapman. Canha followed with runs on seven hits and three walks in England at bay. a fly ball to right-center field off SOUTHAMPTON: Pakistan’s Azhar Ali (L) makes his ground to avoid the run out attempt 4 2/3 innings. Nevertheless, Pakistan were still left a Angels reliever Ty Buttrey (1-1). by England’s Stuart Broad (R) on the third day of the third Test cricket match between Bundy took the 4-2 lead into the huge 310 runs behind England’s first Center fielder Mike Trout made the England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, southern England. — AFP bottom of the sixth, but the A’s rallied innings 583-8 declared that saw Zak catch but had no chance to throw out for two runs to tie the game. Not only Crawley, whose 267 was his maiden Test Barreto at the plate. was Bundy knocked out of the game century, and Jos Buttler (152) put on 359 bit of weather around, but you’d like to Muralitharan (800 wickets), Australia’s Oakland won two of three in the in the inning, but the Angels also lost for the fifth wicket. think with the bowling attack we have, that Shane Warne (708) and India’s Anil series and improved to 13-4 this sea- manager Joe Maddon, who was It was no surprise when, amid an uncer- we can produce the goods.” Kumble (619). son at RingCentral Coliseum. ejected for arguing a checked swing tain forecast, England captain Joe Root A’s reliever Liam Hendriks (2-0) by Chapman. Bench coach Mike enforced the follow-on. But the umpires ‘FIGHTING INNINGS’ ‘ANDERSON’S THE GOAT’ pitched a scoreless inning in the top Gallego took over for Maddon. then decided the light was too dark for Under-pressure skipper Azhar had “He’s the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of the 10th to get the victory. Bundy retired the first two hitters Pakistan to begin their second innings managed just 38 runs in three previous isn’t he?,” said Bess of Anderson. “The Tommy La Stella, Shohei Ohtani, of the inning before Robbie even though the Ageas Bowl floodlights innings this series yet on Sunday he GOAT of bowling and England’s greatest. Andrelton Simmons and Anthony Grossman doubled. Stephen Piscotty were on, a move that ended the day’s play. became just the fifth Pakistan batsman to “I guess there was chat about potential Rendon each had two hits for Los followed with an RBI single, and after England great James Anderson took 5- score 6,000 Test runs. Azhar, an lbw can- retirement and then he comes back and Angeles. Rendon extended his hitting an infield single by Tony Kemp, 56 as he moved on to 598 Test wickets didate for much of this series, generally absolutely tears it up. That just shows how streak to 13 straight games, during Bundy was taken out of the game. and the 38-year-old would have become kept his head still as he tried to avoid good he is.” which he’s hit .481 (25-for-52), raising Mike Mayers replaced Bundy and the first paceman to 600 had not three playing round his front pad. Bess himself had Fawad Alam well his season average from .103 to .319. allowed a game-tying RBI single to catches been dropped off him after he had He batted for nearly seven hours, facing caught by wicketkeeper Buttler who, by Eight of the 13 games have been mul- No. 9 hitter Sean Murphy, the run taken the new ball. 272 balls, with 21 fours in what was his 17th his own admission, had under-performed ti-hit games. charged to Bundy. Bundy gave up Pakistan, 1-0 down in a three-match century in 81 Tests. “If you watched this behind the stumps this season. Rizwan, An error by Angels right fielder four runs (two earned) on seven hits contest and facing a first series defeat by innings closely, it was a superb innings,” impressive with both gloves and bat this Jo Adell opened the door for and one walk in 5 2/3 innings. He England in a decade, will now do well to said Rizwan. “He worked on his head posi- series, went to a second successive fifty by Oakland in the first inning against struck out six. — Reuters escape with a draw. But wicketkeeper tion...This was a fighting innings.” lofting Bess for six before he was well Angels starter Dylan Bundy. The A’s Rizwan, demonstrating the same defiance Anderson, who’d reduced Pakistan to caught down the legside by Buttler. he’d shown at the crease, told reporters: 24-3 overnight, needed just six balls “I work hard and I have belief that I how we can respond, in accordance “We have a few batsmen who can score Sunday to have the struggling Asad Shafiq carry to the crease,” said Rizwan. “I don’t AFL apologises with Robert’s wishes.” big, if we can take a 150-run lead then it edging limply to Root at first slip. That care what the score is and who is bowling Australia’s most popular spectator will be tough for England.” took Anderson to 597 Test wickets, with because I know I have done the hard work to ex-player for sport, which is similar to Ireland’s England’s Dom Bess, however, said: the only bowlers to have taken 600 a trio and the Almighty will reward me for my Gaelic football, has long featured “We’re in a great position. There’s a little of retired spinners — Sri Lanka’s Muttiah hard work.” — AFP indigenous stars, many of whom have ‘disgraceful been the target of racism, both on- field and off. While Dallas levelled their series, arrived in Boston after eight seasons of racism’ As recently as June, veteran Eddie Doncic nails epic Boston became the first team to reach the frustration with the Charlotte Hornets, was Betts, in his 16th season, was depicted second round with a 110-106 victory over basking in his first win in a NBA playoff as a monkey in a Twitter post on the game winner the Philadelphia 76ers. Kemba Walker series. “It feels good,” Walker said but SYDNEY: Australian Rules football very weekend all teams united in sup- scored 32 points and Jayson Tatum added added: “The work’s not done. We won a chiefs have apologised to former St port of Black Lives Matter. St Kilda MIAMI: Luka Doncic wasn’t about to let 28 and 15 rebounds for the Celtics, who series, but we’re still looking forward to Kilda player Robert Muir for the “dis- chief Matt Finnis said hearing about a sprained ankle slow him down, nailing a swept the Eastern Conference first-round some more tough ones.” With their backs graceful racism and disrespect” he suf- Muir’s life was confronting. game-winning three pointer at the buzzer series four games to none. against the wall, Joel Embiid and the 76ers fered during his career in the 1970s and “We admire Robert’s courage to to lift the Dallas Mavericks to a 135-133 Doncic, who is playing in his first NBA kept it close and trailed by just two points 1980s, which left him a broken man. speak out about the racism he has overtime playoff win over the Los Angeles playoffs, carried the Mavericks Sunday late in the third quarter before forward The belated apology follows Muir, endured and lack of support provid- Clippers on Sunday. without Porzingis, who was a late scratch Tobias Harris took a hard fall under the now 66, opening up in an interview on ed by our club when he needed it The 21-year old Slovenian phenom, who because of a knee injury. But the pre-game basket, his head slamming the hardwood. Sunday with public broadcaster ABC, most,” he said. “We apologise unre- was playing with a tender ankle and miss- buzz was all about Doncic’s health, not Harris was able to leave the court under recalling how he was abused by servedly to Robert and his family and ing his offensive sidekick Kristaps Porzingis. Doncic sprained his left ankle in his own steam, holding a towel to his left opponents, spat at by the crowd and are humbled that he continues to Porzingis, finished with 43 points, 17 the second half of game three and had an eye and temple, and returned after treat- even urinated on by teammates. love our club.” rebounds and 13 assists to level the first MRI on Saturday to determine the extent ment for what the team said was a cut over Muir, an indigenous trailblazer, said Muir, who played 68 games for St round NBA Western Conference playoff of the damage. the eye. But the Celtics closed the third he received little to no support from Kilda, said he still suffered from a series at two games each. “This morning I wasn’t feeling good but quarter on a 12-0 run that effectively end- his club, teammates or the league. shoulder injury that dated back to his “This game was from another planet,” as soon as I stepped on the court I knew I ed the 76ers’ hopes. Since his career ended, he has spent playing career, but he could not afford said Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle of could go,” said Doncic, who recorded his “I feel like the game flipped when long periods homeless and made sev- surgery to fix it. A GoFundMe page Doncic’s heroics. Doncic made a basket second straight triple-double. Said Tobias went out,” Sixers coach Brett eral attempts to take his own life. set up by a St Kilda fan after the ABC with 50 seconds left to tie the score 130- Carlisle, “He sees the game in 6G, not 5G. Brown said. The Celtics will face the The Australian Football League story has so far raised more 130 then gave Dallas a two-point lead with He is a very special player.” defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors said in a statement it was sorry for Aus$100,000 (US$72,000) “to show a spinning move to the basket with 19 sec- Trey Burke added 25 points, Tim who moved onto the next round after “the disgraceful racism and disrespect him the collective care and support onds remaining. He capped his triple-dou- Hardaway scored 21 and Seth Curry sweeping the Brooklyn Nets in four Robert Muir endured during his play- that should’ve been afforded him ble with a 27-foot step back jumper from chipped in 15 points for Dallas, who led by straight games. Reserve Norman Powell ing years in our game” and thanked when he played for our club”. the left side as time ticked down, sparking 12 with nine minutes remaining in the scored a career playoff high 29 points and him for his “courage” in speaking out. The AFL began proactively tack- a wild celebration on the floor in the NBA’s fourth quarter. Lou Williams had 36 points the Raptors won their series with a domi- “Unfortunately there are too many ling issues including racism in the quarantine bubble in Orlando, Florida. and Kawhi Leonard finished with 32 points nating 150-122 victory in Orlando. Serge stories like this in our code and coun- 1990s, adopting a ground-breaking “I can’t explain the emotions I had when for the Clippers, who blew a 21-point first- Ibaka came off the bench to score a play- try’s history,” it added. policy that made it an offence for I saw the ball go in,” Doncic said. “When I half lead. Game five is today. off career high 27 points and grabbed 15 “We would like Robert to know we players or officials to insult someone saw the whole team coming towards me rebounds for Toronto, who swept a best- acknowledge his story, and, along with due to their race, religion, ethnicity, that was one of the best feelings I have CELTICS WIN of-seven series for the first time in their the St Kilda Football Club, will be colour, nationality or background. But ever had as a player.” Meanwhile, the Celtics’ Walker, who franchise history. — AFP making contact to understand further underlying problems persist. — AFP Established 1961 Sport

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

Japan’s Sato holds off Kiwi Dixon Dustin Johnson romps to 11 Rizwan adamant Pakistan 14to win second Indy 500 crown 15 shot win at Northern Trust 15 can save third Test

LISBON: Bayern Munich’s German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (C) celebrates with teammates and the trophy after Bayern won the UEFA Champions League final football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich at the Luz stadium in Lisbon. —AFP Bayern worthy winners of Champions League Scores arrested as PSG fans riot after defeat

LISBON: It will be remembered as the strangest of after the match on Sunday night, police said on Twitter. national. “Moments like these you dream of as a kid,” he son, which is just around the corner, with the Bundesliga Champions League seasons but it has ended with a Thousands of supporters had gathered at the Parc des told DAZN. “I honestly can’t believe it, winning the starting on September 18 and the Champions League familiar name on the trophy after Bayern Munich got the Princes to cheer on PSG, lighting flares and chanting as Champions League is the top level.” group stage in October. They will be a formidable force better of Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s final in Lisbon, they watched the 1-0 defeat in Lisbon on a big screen. again, but so will their rivals, including PSG, who need with their deserved success the result of the remarkable Meanwhile, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin told WINNING FORMULA not be too downbeat in defeat. job done by coach Hansi Flick. AFP in an interview in Lisbon that the format was likely Flick deserves great credit. A year ago Bayern were “Over the last few weeks we have shown everything There was tickertape at the trophy ceremony and the to be a one-off, and some will be tempted to say that this dumped out by Liverpool, the eventual winners, in the you need to win every title going,” said PSG coach usual celebratory songs playing over the loudspeakers at Champions League should always have an asterisk next last 16, and under Niko Kovac looked a long way off Thomas Tuchel. “We lost 1-0 in the final against one of the Estadio da Luz as the Bayern players savoured the to it. being contenders to win the trophy again. the strongest sides in Europe. We must maintain the moment after Kingsley Coman’s goal saw them defeat But, against first-time finalists PSG, Bayern were wor- But Flick replaced Kovac in November, initially as same quality to carry on this road.” PSG 1-0. thy winners of their sixth European Cup, their third in the caretaker, and has gone on to win a treble. “It’s such a The format of one-off matches in the quarter-finals But it was a bizarre spectacle with the 65,000-seat Champions League era. huge joy, it feels like we have come a long way since and semi-finals maybe helped PSG more than anybody stadium empty, supporters having been barred from They won all their 11 Champions League matches this November,” said Mueller, a player reborn under Flick. else, given their struggles in knockout ties in recent attending the biggest match in club football. The coron- season, an unprecedented feat. They scored 43 goals in “I don’t know how it looked from outside, but it felt years. avirus pandemic killed the Champions League as we that time on a run that included a 7-2 win at Tottenham like we deserved it in the way we played.” As for chang- But, as long as the health crisis does not worsen know it, at least temporarily, and UEFA was forced to Hotspur and the stunning 8-2 demolition of Barcelona in ing coach mid-season, it is a formula that has worked for again, the Champions League will return to normal in the come up with a new ‘Final Eight’ format in order to make the quarter-finals in Lisbon. clubs at this level in the recent past. new campaign, and that includes seeing at least some sure its flagship competition was completed. They just had the better of the final, even if they were Flick is the third coach in the last decade to win the fans return to stadiums. Almost 150 people were arrested as Paris Saint- fortunate at times up against the French side’s formidable Champions League having being appointed during a Istanbul is in line to host the 2021 final, having had Germain fans set cars ablaze, smashed shop windows attack of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria. campaign, after Roberto di Matteo with Chelsea in this season’s showpiece taken away, and hopefully the and clashed with police in the French capital after the In Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, David Alaba and 2011/12 and Zinedine Zidane with Real Madrid in winning team will be able to celebrate with their sup- team’s Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich, Thomas Mueller, Bayern’s line-up featured four survivors 2015/16. Zidane went on to win the next two as well. porters. As Flick said: “It’s a pity that the fans couldn’t be police said yesterday. from their last final victory, against Borussia Dortmund in here with us today. Perhaps they can be back again in The violence occurred around the Parc des Princes 2013. But this was also about the new faces, such as 19- ‘NOT THE FOOTBALL WE KNOW’ the future. A game like this without supporters is not the stadium and on the Champs-Elysees avenue during and year-old left-back Alphonso Davies, the Canadian inter- It remains to be seen how Bayern will fare next sea- football that we know.” —AFP

due to the coronavirus. “The perfect description of affected season. In the men’s 1,500 men, Kenyan Warholm edges our relationship would be raw, tough love,” world champion Timothy Cheruiyot won in 3min Warholm said. 30.25sec ahead of Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen “I like it like this. Last year he told me I was too and Stewart McSweyn of Australia. closer to 400m fat, so I replied ‘you are too fat as well’. Suddenly Britain’s Laura Muir won the women’s 1,500m in we both lost weight.” World 200m champion Noah a time of 3:57.86 and Ukraine’s Yaroslava hurdles record Lyles said he was stunned Warholm had missed out Mahuchikh clinched the women’s high jump with a on Young’s record. world leading two metres. Sunday’s meet also show- STOCKHOLM: Norway’s two-time world champion “I’m not even surprised that @kwarholm PR’d. cased a new-look long jump format. Karsten Warholm blasted to the second fastest I’m actually more shocked he didn’t break the world Instead of the traditional format of the winner 400m hurdles time ever at the Diamond League in record,” he tweeted. For good measure, Warholm being decided by the best jump from six rounds, the Stockholm on Sunday after sleeping in a motor returned to the track 90 minutes later to win the top three after five rounds contested a one-jump home. 400m in 45.05 sec. final. It was not a popular idea. Despite clipping the final hurdle, the 24-year-old Another world champion shone at an empty sta- “I don’t like it because I feel like it’s getting clocked 46.87 seconds, bettering his own European dium in accordance with COVID-19 health and unfair because especially outdoors with the differ- record of 46.92sec and moving within touching dis- safety protocols, with the American Donavan ent winds, like one jumper can have plus meanwhile tance of American Kevin Young’s long-standing Brazier timing 1min 43.76sec to win the 800m the other jumpers can have minus,” said Sweden’s STOCKHOLM: Norway’s Karsten Warholm celebrates his ahead of Canada’s Marco Arop. Khaddi Sagna, who was third in the women’s event world record of 46.78, set back in 1992. new European record, 46,87 in the men 400m hurdles Warholm and his coach Leif Olav Alnes drove Elsewhere men’s pole vault world record holder behind Ukraine’s Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk. “I feel event during the Diamond League Athletics Meeting at from Norway in a camper van and the pair slept in Armand Duplantis took victory on home soil by like that is unfair, but I do like the thinking of just Stockholm stadium. —AFP the vehicle before the meet to reduce health risks jumping 6.01 metres in a global best for the virus- like putting all the attention on one event.”—AFP