RAJAB 9, 1441 AH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020

28 Pages Max 25º Min 12º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18074 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Passengers from 10 nations need health clearance to enter Kuwait Kuwait closes zoo, bans shisha, postpones Gulf Games • No new coronavirus cases

By B Izzak, A Saleh and Faten Omar

KUWAIT: The civil aviation authority in Kuwait has Saudi bars Gulf asked passengers returning to Kuwait from 10 popu- lous nations to produce health certificates showing they are free of the deadly coronavirus, otherwise they will citizens, residents; be denied entry. The action will be implemented from March 8. In a statement posted on its Twitter account, Iran deaths hit 77 the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said passen- gers arriving from India, Egypt, Philippines, Sri Lanka, RIYADH: Saudi Arabia yesterday barred citizens Bangladesh, Syria and Lebanon, in addition to Turkey, and residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Azerbaijan and Georgia must undergo tests for the countries from entering the kingdom for 14 days after coronavirus and produce certificates showing negative returning from outside the region due to coronavirus results before boarding planes to Kuwait. concerns, state news agency SPA reported. Travellers The first seven countries, especially India and Egypt, coming from any fellow GCC state - the United Arab have an estimated 2.5 million people, or almost three Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar - must quarters of all expatriates, living and working in Kuwait. spend 14 continuous days there and show no signs of Authorities have already banned the entry of expats the coronavirus before being granted entry, SPA said, who recently visited several countries infected with the citing an interior ministry source. coronavirus, including Iran, Iraq, China, South Korea Saudi Arabia reported its first case of coron- and others. KUWAIT: Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah and Interior Minister Anas Al-Saleh are seen during a tour of the avirus on Monday in a Saudi national returning from The civil aviation circular said passengers from the Khairan Resort quarantine center yesterday. — KUNA (See also Page 2) Iran, which has reported the most deaths outside 10 abovementioned countries must carry out COVID-19 China, where the flu-like disease originated. The tests at medical centers approved by Kuwaiti embassies entry of nationals from infected countries, stopped December. It also closed its zoo and the health ministry other GCC states have also diagnosed the infection in those countries, which must be attested. In countries issuing visit visas to citizens of a dozen countries and instructed cafes to stop serving the shisha water pipe, in people who had visited Iran, totaling more than where there are no Kuwaiti missions, the tests must be introduced restrictions on visit visas for some nationali- state news agency KUNA reported yesterday. The 145 cases. The Saudi health ministry said it was attested by the health authorities in that country. The ties. The ministry of health yesterday said no new coro- health ministry also called for using facemasks, gloves testing 70 people who had come into contact with statement said passengers who do not produce the cer- navirus cases have been found, with the number of cas- and sanitizers at barbershops, salons, spas and social the infected Saudi citizen, who remains in quaran- tificate will be barred from entering Kuwait and will be es staying at 56. The ministry said it carried out tests on and sports clubs. tine in hospital. The authorities have said he had not sent back on the same carrier, which will be fined. It said some 3,100 people, the overwhelming majority of Health Minister Sheikh Dr Basel Al-Sabah said yes- disclosed his visit to Iran upon returning home. that Kuwaiti citizens arriving from these countries will whom have returned from Iran. terday the ministry is preparing a fourth quarantine for Continued on Page 24 undergo the necessary tests at Kuwait airport. Kuwait yesterday postponed the GCC Games, a people returning from infected areas, who are required Kuwait has in the previous few days banned the regional multi-sport tournament, from April to Continued on Page 24 2 Local Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Kuwait Fights Coronavirus Early vacations, emergency leaves in Kuwait due to coronavirus downturn

Staff face pay uncertainty as they are asked to take leaves

By Ben Garcia such as Iran and Italy. “We have no work really, because my job is in a KUWAIT: The sudden drop of sales at many stores canteen inside a school campus. If there is no school, throughout Kuwait has forced some retailers and we have no work too. I hope they pay the salary restaurants to give emergency leaves and vacations despite having no work for two weeks,” a staff mem- to some of their staff. This was the response of some ber of an English school in Hawally said. Some school- companies to cope with the current situation and teachers also expressed apprehension whether they prepare their staff for the busy schedule once the are going to get paid at the end of the month. “I hope suspension of schools is lifted and things get back to they will not cut our salary - sometimes they do that - normal. because they do not care,” a schoolteacher said. “We asked several people to take advantage of the Employees of some private companies and retail few days off and take the extra days off we owe them shops are afraid that the regular commission they get during these holidays, since we have very few cus- monthly will be cut since they only have few cus- tomers,” an HR official told Kuwait Times on the con- tomers. “It is almost clear that we will get no commis- dition of anonymity. “On busy days, we tell our sion this month since we failed to reach our target employees to work extra hours in exchange for days sales,” an employee said. off. Many of them want to take advantage of these “At my store yesterday, there were no customers at extra days since we have almost zero customers, so all until 5 pm. We normally open at 10 am and close at we will give them these days off,” the official added. 10 pm, with lots of customers from opening till closing. The government recently decided to close schools Now it’s really depressing; no customers and no sales for two weeks and is mulling an additional suspension for us means no commission. I am paying my monthly of two weeks. Several churches and community gath- amortization for a house I bought last year in the erings have also been suspended due to the coron- Philippines. I am afraid I will not be able to pay next KUWAIT: Vendors, wearing protective masks, sit outside their shop in Kuwait City on February 26, 2020. avirus scare, including the celebration of high Mass, month because I do not have extra money. We hope — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat seminars and concerts. Many hotel ballrooms and that everything will get back to normal; we are afraid rooms which were booked earlier have been cancelled our salaries will be affected too because of this,” a due to the virus scare. In Kuwait there are 56 cases of fashion store supervisor said. vacations since sales have dropped up to 70 percent. advised our employees to take advantage of the slow coronavirus, most of them Kuwaitis who contracted A major company running a chain of restaurants all “Most of our stores are located in big malls, but all of days and take a short vacation,” the company’s HR the disease while on vacation to infected countries over Kuwait has asked its employees to take early them have reported a sudden drop in sales. So we department said.

Kuwaitis’ welfare Kuwait bans online learning comes first, says platforms during school break interior minister By A Saleh Ministry of Public Works’ (MPW) Egyptian employee who was rushed to KUWAIT: The Ministry of Education Jaber Hospital, then referred to KUWAIT: The safety and health of Kuwaiti nationals is of (MoE) yesterday warned all public and Farwaniya Hospital for medical tests the utmost priority, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anas Al-Saleh said yesterday, amid growing con- private schools against using remote after being suspected to be infected cerns over the coronavirus outbreak. As he visited his fel- online learning platforms, noting that with COVID-19 on returning from low compatriots at the Khairan Resort; one of the country’s violators will be held accountable, said vacation, informed sources said that the designated quarantine facilities housing patients suspected educational sources, noting that some employee turned out to be suffering of having been infected with the pneumonia-causing virus, KUWAIT: Interior Minister Anas Al-Saleh and Health Minister Dr Basel Al-Sabah pose for a schools had started using such plat- from common cold. Notably, the man the minister conveyed to them the Kuwaiti leadership’s group picture with volunteers at the resort. — KUNA photos forms on their own, which angered was coughing severely and sweating warmest greetings, chief among them His Highness the Amir some parents. The sources added that heavily, so his fellow employees pan- Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. He praised MoE is fully committed to the Cabinet icked and reported him to MoH, which Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) for its “prompt” decision suspending classes and advised he should go to Jaber Hospital. response to the public health crisis, giving equal credit to stressed that schools violating the min- When he went there, he was told to go interior ministry personnel for their sacrifices for the good istry’s regulations will be referred to to Farwaniya Hospital instead. of the nation and its people. All of the quarantined patients the legal affairs department, be they are generally healthy and have not shown any symptoms Arab or foreign schools. The sources Courts complex associated with coronavirus, said Health Minister Dr Basel explained that upon direct instructions In the meantime, Minister of Justice Al-Sabah, who revealed that a fourth quarantine facility has from MoE assistant undersecretary for and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic now opened to take in travelers coming from Iraq. A coron- private education Abdul Mohsen Al- Affairs Fahd Al-Afasi yesterday avirus prevention plan the health ministry has formed is Huwailah, Private Education progressing smoothly, he added, saying that the current sit- inspected Jahra courts complex to Department Manager Sanad Al-Mutairi make sure all coronavirus-related pre- uation does not yet warrant panic. Highlighting the minis- notified school administrations against ters’ visits to the quarantine facilities, KRCS secretary gen- cautionary measures are strictly using any of these platforms. eral Dr Maha Al-Barjes heaped praise on the health min- applied by both employees and visi- istry for the stringent measures it has imposed to contain tors. The tour resulted in referring a School preparations this outbreak. — KUNA Health Minister Dr Basel Al-Sabah poses with Kuwait Red Crescent Society volunteers. number of the complex employees for Meanwhile, MoE assistant undersec- retaries’ council convened yesterday to administrative investigations for not discuss resuming school on March 15th performing their jobs properly. and the measures followed to fight the coronavirus. The meeting presided by Commerce Chamber MoE acting undersecretary Bader In other news, MP Riyadh Al-Adsani Bejad came up with several recommen- said “the infiltration of the Kuwait dations, including cancelling the morn- Chamber of Commerce and Industry in ing assembly in all schools, cutting state institutions should come to an breaks short, organizing the process of end”, adding he had filed a grilling sales at school canteens to limit crowd- motion in this regard in which he ing in queues and constantly checking expressed disapproval that a represen- the temperature of students and staff tative from the chamber is present in using 1,100 devices that the Ministry of many state bodies. Interior Minister Anas Al-Saleh poses with Interior Ministry personnel and Kuwait Red Crescent Society volunteers. Health (MoH) will provide. Recommendations also included Trade registers fees activating the role of the MoE official Well-informed sources said Manpower authority provides easier online transactions spokesperson and assistant undersec- Minister of Commerce and Industry retary for educational development Khaled Al-Roudhan will soon issue a affairs Faisal Al-Maqseed in order to decision amending a previous one unify the ministry’s media statements. By Meshaal Al-Enezi Moussa, adding that the authority’s online service currently launched for employers to concerning unifying the fees for issu- Notably, MoE officials are scheduled to app is a new part of e-government services use in order to avoid queuing under the ing trade registers to be KD 7 for KUWAIT: Kuwait Fishermen’s Union that save time and effort, and most impor- current circumstances and the coronavirus meet MoH assistant undersecretary for prevention Dr Abdul Rahman Al- companies’ data, KD 1 for ‘To Whom It Chairman Thaher Al-Suwayyan stressed tant of all, reduce long queues where infec- outbreak. Moussa added that thanks to the May Concern’ certificates and KD 3 that the Public Authority for Manpower has tions may be passed from one person to exemption, the online service received Mutairi and school health department for inquiries. The sources added that been cooperating with the union through another. 6,635 transactions on March 1 and 2, 2020, manager Dr Dalal Al-Wadani to discuss in a bid to improve the business envi- the facilities it provides by making its Moussa announced that fishing, shep- including visa transfers, cancelling of work preparations at various school clinics. online services easier and swifter. herding and agriculture-related professions permits, transactions related to national ronment, the amendments will also Suwayyan also hailed the efforts exerted by have been exempted from submitting pay- labor, issuance of work permits for the first Common cold include reducing foundation and com- manpower authority director Ahmad Al- roll lists for using the As’hal (Easier) online time, and work permit renewal. Following up the case of the mercial licenses fees by KD 7 each.

Coronavirus in Kuwait: What we know so far

KUWAIT: Kuwait has so far recorded 56 cases spread of the virus, Kuwait has suspended confirming that they are free from the coron- facial masks, hand sanitizers and other goods Meanwhile, the Education Ministry set the infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), flights from and to China, Hong Kong, avirus if they are traveling back to the country remain accessible to the public. Meanwhile, the following hotlines to receive inquiries on school which all are for Kuwaiti patients who returned to Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Italy, from the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ministry of Education has suspended classes for closures related to the anti-coronavirus meas- the country from Iran. All cases are in stable con- Iraq and Iran. In the meantime, Kuwait sent Syria, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Georgia the first two weeks of March at all public and ures: 24970967 (24/7 hotline) - 51575591 dition and are recovering in quarantined locations charter flights to bring back Kuwaitis from and Lebanon. In the meantime, Iraq has sus- private schools (for both students and teaching (Capital Educational Zone) - 51576117 (Hawally designated by the government for this purpose, infected areas, mainly Iran, Italy and Thailand, pended flights from Kuwait, whereas Saudi staffs). In the meantime, the Civil Service Educational Zone) - 51576576 (Farwaniya the Ministry of Health confirmed. Kuwait is taking and test them before entering the country. Arabia stopped issuing umrah visas for all Commission suspended the biometric fingerprint Educational Zone) - 51577055 (Jahra measures to test Kuwaitis coming from infected Meanwhile, authorities have stopped issuing all nationalities as a precautionary measures. system for staff attendance until further notice. Educational Zone) - 51577655 (Ahmadi areas for potential infection, as it has already test- kinds of visas (visit, work, etc) for Egyptian Educational Zone) - 51577951 (Mubarak Al- ed over 3,000 people, the overwhelming majority nationals, while allowing those who already Precautions Hotlines Kabeer Educational Zone) - 51578171 of them have returned from Iran. have a visa to enter only after they take tests in State departments have been on high alert to The Ministry of Health has set the following (Religious Studies Department) - 51588599 Cairo before coming to Kuwait. Furthermore, take precautions against the potential spread of hotlines to receive inquiries about the coron- (Private Education Department) - 51592515 Countries’ ban list Kuwait is requiring expatriates to obtain a com- the virus. The Ministry of Commerce and avirus 24/7: 24970967 - 96049698 - (Services Department) - 51594544 (Public As a precautionary measure against the plete medical examination (PCR-certificate) Industry has taken measures to make sure that 99048619. Relations Department). 3 Local Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Kuwait’s Amir receives phone call from Iraqi Wisdom Movement Leader Sheikh Sabah receives senior state officials at Bayan Palace

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with His Highness the Crown His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with National Assembly Speaker Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. — Amiri Diwan photos Marzouq Al-Ghanem.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir progress and prosperity to Kuwait, Marzouq Al-Ghanem. His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber under the wise leadership of His the Amir then received His Highness Al-Sabah received a phone call yes- Highness the Amir. Meanwhile, His Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al- terday from Ammar Abdulaziz Al- Highness the Amir expressed thanks Ahmad Al-Sabah. Moreover, His Hakim, leader of the Iraqi National to Hakim for his sincere wishes, Highness received His Highness the Wisdom Movement. During the wishing him everlasting health and Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- phone call, Hakim expressed his wellness, and further progress and Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. In the congratulations on the occasion of prosperity to Iraq’s people. meantime, His Highness the Crown the 59th anniversary of Kuwait’s In other news, His Highness the Prince received yesterday at Bayan National Day and 29th anniversary Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Palace Speaker Ghanem, His of Liberation Day. Hakim hailed the Jaber Al-Sabah received His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- deep-rooted bilateral ties between Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad, His Highness Sheikh the two nations, and mutual eager- Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Sabah Al-Khaled, as well as Deputy ness to boost cooperation, wishing at Bayan Palace yesterday. His Prime Minister and Defense His Highness the Amir everlasting Highness the Amir also received Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- health and wellness, and further National Assembly Speaker Al-Sabah. — KUNA Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

Kuwaiti FM phones Egyptian counterpart

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Foreign Minister success in serving their country under Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al- the wise leadership of His Highness Mohammad Al-Sabah called yester- the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- day his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Shoukry. They discussed Crown Prince Sheikh through the phone call Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- the deep-rooted bilater- Jaber Al-Sabah. al relations, as well as The Foreign Minister latest regional and inter- was accompanied by national developments. Director of Sheikh Saud Meanwhile, Sheikh Dr Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Ahmad Nasser Al- Diplomatic Institute Mohammad visited Ambassador Abdulaziz Sheikh Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sharikh, Assistant Al-Sabah Diplomatic Foreign Minister for Institute, where he was Protocols Ambassador briefed on a personnel Dr Ahmad Nasser Dhari Al-Ajran, and promotion course. The Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah Assistant Foreign Foreign Minister was Minister and Office apprised of the academ- Director of the Deputy ic program of the training course, and Prime Minister and Foreign Minister the presentations of the participants. Advisor Ahmad Al-Shuraim, along with He wished them further progress and a number of ministry officials. —KUNA

Kuwait supports efforts towards oil market stability

KUWAIT: Kuwait backs all efforts deal with the economic ramifications of aimed at restoring stability to the global the rapidly spreading disease, added the oil market, said a minister minister. As the coron- yesterday, ahead of avirus outbreak stokes marathon talks OPEC and global worries over oil its allies will hold to decide demand, some major whether to extend output OPEC members are con- cuts beyond their March sidering bigger output expiry. The March 5-6 cuts of up to one million talks will also hammer out barrels per day (bpd) than the best strategy possible previously suggested, he to restore stability and said. As a key member of balance to the global oil OPEC’s monitoring com- market, Kuwait Oil mittee, known as the Minister Dr Khaled Al- JMMC, Kuwait is fully Fadhel said as he departed Dr Khaled Al-Fadhel committed to stability and the country en route to balance in the global oil Vienna for the meeting. The spread of market, the minister highlighted. OPEC the novel coronavirus around the world and its allies had agreed to cut output has sent shockwaves through the global by 1.7 million bpd in a deal that runs oil market, which is underprepared to until the end of this month. — KUNA 4 Local Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Photo of the Day

KUWAIT: Vehicles pass by a billboard showing precautionary instructions against the COVID-19 coronavirus disease as they drive along a main highway in Kuwait City yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat United Nations praises standards of Kuwait drug control department

GENEVA: A general view of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s session in progress. — KUNA

GENEVA: The UN Office on Drugs and Crime partaking in the session. (UNODC) Regional Director Dr Hatem Ali affirmed that Kuwait’s drug control department operates according Environment conservation to UN standards; most valuable for drugs prevention. Meanwhile, the UN’s special rapporteur on human His remarks came on the sidelines of UN commission’s rights and the environment said that Kuwait’s dedication 63rd session on the matter. He said yesterday that the to environment conservation is evident in the initiatives Office worked for the past two years with 18 agencies the country has launched over the matter. Kuwait has in Kuwait to set the drug control strategy, made notable contributions towards envi- which will confront drug scourge compre- ronment protection efforts, including pass- hensively in accordance with UN stan- ing stiff legislation to fight water and air pol- dards. Ali commended Kuwait’s partner- lution, David Boyd said amid the UN Human ships, mainly the one with the Interior Rights Council’s main annual session yester- Ministry and Supreme Council for Planning day. These efforts have largely paid off in and Development to fight and monitor delivering “tangible” results to ensure a drug-bearing problems. The session, which healthy and sustainable environment, added kicked off on Monday, considers resolu- the UN official, pointing out that a looming tions addressing, among other topics, environmental crisis would prove detrimen- strengthening forensic detection capability Dr Hatem Ali tal to the entire world. Kuwait is committed for synthetic drugs and measures of pre- to all UN conventions aiming to protect the vention. A delegation from the Kuwaiti Interior environment, said the country’s permanent delegate to Ministry, including director of international control at the UN Jamal Al-Ghunaim, adding that the UN’s recogni- the drug control department Colonel Fahad Al-Bader is tion serves as solid affirmation. — KUNA

Man hospitalized civil ID and passports of his children. Police offenders sentenced The criminal court ordered two Syrian teenage girls be after camel bites sent to social care homes for three months for filming and insulting a traffic policeman who issued them a citation.

hand that fed it Under the influence Hawally police arrested a Kuwaiti and an Iranian after first attempting to help them with their vehicle, only to dis- KUWAIT: An Asian man escaped death after he was bitten cover they were under the influence of drugs. They also by a camel on his arm. The victim was medevacked to hospi- had drugs on them. tal for treatment. The man was feeding the animals when he was suddenly attacked by the camel. He is in stable condition. Illicit act Electronic crimes officers arrested two men who Nationality forgery appeared in a video engaged in an illicit act. The two were Criminal court convicted two Saudis for forging Kuwaiti kissing in the video, so they were identified and arrested. nationalities and sentenced one to seven years and the other 10 years in jail. One of the convicts was terminated Deportation from his job and has to pay back KD 43,000. He was also Two expats were sent to the deportation department fined KD 86,000. The prosecution accused the first sus- for driving without a license. One was arrested in Hawally pect - a fugitive - of forging the birth certificate, civil ID and the other in the Capital governorate. and passport and getting Kuwaiti nationality for the sec- ond accused using a different name. The second convict Physical assault was accused by the prosecution of forging Kuwait nation- A mosque preacher accused a Kuwaiti in Rawda of beating ality and adding other people to his file claiming they were him near the mosque he works in. The citizen was arrested. his children in exchange of money, in addition to renewing — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Rai and Al-Anbaa 5 Local Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Kuwait’s Cabinet commends cooperation to fight coronavirus Ministers praise Saudi measures to protect pilgrims from coronavirus

KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Cabinet on Monday expressed His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- thanks and appreciation to citizens and civil institutions Jaber Al-Sabah expressed his appreciation for the for providing assistance and putting all their capabili- efforts of the frontline workers in healthcare who work ties at the disposal of the government in its procedures around the clock to combat the spread of the novel to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In its coronavirus (COVID-19). His Highness Sheikh Sabah weekly meeting, the Cabinet praised the precautionary Al-Khaled conveyed the appreciation of His Highness measures taken to combat the virus and limit its spread the Amir to the government and people of Kuwait at the in the country, expressing appreciation to all govern- beginning of the weekly Cabinet meeting. His Highness ment bodies for the tireless efforts at all levels in order the Amir commends the selfless sacrifices being offered to secure the safety of citizens and residents and main- by various teams to combat the virus and ordered hon- tain their health. During the meeting, His Highness the oring the frontline individuals morally and materially, Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- His Highness the Prime Minister affirmed. The Cabinet KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah chairs the Cabinet’s meeting. — KUNA Sabah affirmed that the government will spare no effort keeps a close watch on the progress of the combat in confronting the spread of the virus. His Highness the against coronavirus and will spare no effort to imple- between the measures adopted by the Ministry of Kingdom that are in line with the provisions of Islamic Prime Minister said that the Cabinet is constantly fol- ment the necessary precautions, he vowed. The Cabinet Health against COVID-19 and the WHO standards. Sharia to preserve the Holy Land, religious sentiments, lowing the developments of coronavirus and that it will members reviewed the progress of the combat against In the meantime, the Cabinet praised the precaution- and the safety of pilgrims. Also during the meeting, spare no effort in taking all measures to confront the COVID-19 inside and outside Kuwait, including the ary measures taken by Saudi Arabia to combat the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and spread of the virus. The Cabinet members were briefed interagency cooperation, the preventive measures, and spread of the coronavirus by announcing the suspen- Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Khaled Al- in this regard to an explanation provided by the rele- the screening of, and caring for, the new arrivals from sion of entry to the Kingdom for the purposes of Saleh briefed the Cabinet on the outcomes of the 37th vant ministers on the efforts made by government abroad. They also discussed the results of the recent Umrah temporarily to prevent the spread of the virus. session of the Arab Interior Ministers’ Council, held in agencies to contain the damage resulting from the visit to Kuwait by a delegation from the World Health The Cabinet expressed Kuwait’s understanding and Tunisia recently, and the outcome of his meeting with spread of the virus worldwide. Organization where they verified the consistency support for all precautionary measures taken by the Tunisian President Qais Saeed. — KUNA

The Company also said that sponsoring this initia- stc concludes tive provided stc with a gateway to interact with the makers, evaluate their work and provide them with constructive feedback on how to enhance their prod- sponsorship of ucts and pursue their goals. stc representatives that attended the faire got a chance to offer participants Maker Faire 2020 their expert opinion on overcoming challenges and further expanding the makers’ concepts to market. Danah Al-Jasem, General Manager of Corporate KUWAIT: Kuwait Telecommunications Company- stc, Communications at stc, said, “The concepts displayed a world-class digital leader providing innovative at the faire are a great representation, and fall hand in services and platforms to customers enabling the dig- hand with the core objectives that stc aims to achieve ital transformation in Kuwait, announced that it has by educating and empowering the youth to promote concluded its platinum sponsorship of the 2020 the development of our economy. stc’s social respon- Maker Faire. stc sponsored the exhibition for the sec- sibility strategy focuses on platforms that encourage ond year in a row which was held under the patron- the youth in developing the key skills that will allow age of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad them to transform their thoughts into reality. In Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, at the Kuwait International return, we believe that this will grow and encourage Fairground in Mishref. the diversification of our economy in the short and Within its framework to support and encourage long term through local initiatives within both the the youth to explore their creativity, innovation and public and private sectors.” curiosity, stc stressed in a closing statement, that it Jasem expressed her gratitude and appreciation to will continue to support such initiatives that bring to the active participation and level of engagement wit- light new ideas and concepts that benefit the devel- nessed by both visitors and makers, which led to the opment of society, especially in the field of technolo- successful turnout. She also thanked Kuwait gy with stc being a pioneer in digital transformation Investment Company (KIC) for annually organizing in the market today. stc’s role in supporting platforms and hosting a globally renowned platform that similar to the Maker Faire fall in line with the attracts participants from all around the region, as the faire, gathering tech enthusiasts, educators, cre- during the month of February, the Maker Faire’s cele- Company’s goal to enable the digital transformation well as the meticulous organization of the event. ators and inventors to display their creations and brations were aided by the county’s celebration of in Kuwait and drive sustainable technology. Kuwait is the first GCC country to exclusively host share their talents to the public. Since it was held National and Liberation Days.

ABK holds retail banking engagement day

KUWAIT: To ensure constant engagement with its This event allowed employees to exchange their ness areas were present and shared their profession- ment to allow them to be more forthcoming. We employees, Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) recently opinions freely and learn about different areas within al experiences with attendees. did not want to make it seem like a normal busi- hosted its Retail Banking World Class Day for staff. retail, through fun activities. Designed as an exhibi- Commenting on the activity, Stewart Lockie, ness meeting, hence we chose the exhibition for- Held at the Salwa Al-Sabah Ballroom, the event tion with each stand representing a different segment General Manager of Retail Banking at ABK said: mat. We are proud of our employee’s level of brought ABK’s staff together under one roof and of retail, employees had the opportunity to acquaint “Employee engagement is essential to ensure staff engagement, dedication and enthusiasm. It is provided an insight into the differing areas and themselves with the objectives and practices of each are given the platform to provide feedback. We always a pleasure to see employees strive to give responsibilities of Retail Banking. unit. In addition, senior employees from other busi- chose to create a less formal and relaxed environ- the job all that they have.” International WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020 Turkey, Russia face off in US votes in crucial primaries after ex-rivals back Biden Syria as fighting escalates Page 8 Page 9

YUEYANG: People wearing face masks walk along a street in Yueyang, Hunan province yesterday. The world has entered uncharted territory in its battle against the deadly coronavirus, the UN health agency warned, as new infections dropped dramatically in China yesterday but surged abroad with the US death toll rising to six. —AFP Coronavirus changes global habits Handshake? No thanks: Try a direct gaze, or a hand gesture

PARIS: Say no to a handshake, refuse every that began in the Middle Ages. He says sim- Fernando Simon. During the holy week, the Iran, where 66 people have been killed by munity... it’s time that Aussies actually gave peck on the cheek and definitely avoid hug- ply looking into a person’s eyes can suffice faithful queue up to kiss the hands or feet of the virus, a video has gone viral showing each other a pat on the back for the time ging. Instead, try a direct gaze, or maybe a as a greeting. sculptures of Mary and the saints, seeking three friends meeting - hands in their pock- being - no handshaking,” he said. “There are hand gesture. Around the world people are their protection. ets, with two of them wearing masks - tap- other things that can be done - I’m not going changing their habits at work, home and in Brazil ping their feet against each other as a greet- to say don’t kiss, but certainly you could be worship to reduce the risk of contracting the Brazil’s health ministry has recommended Romania ing. A similar video in Lebanon shows singer exercising a degree of care and caution with new coronavirus and prevent it from spread- that citizens not share metal straws used to Romania’s Martisor festival marks the Ragheb Alama and comedian Michel Abou who you choose to kiss.” ing any further. AFP looks at changes in consume the caffeine-rich South American beginning of spring when talismanic strings Sleiman tapping their feet against each other behavior due to the coronavirus, which has drink mate, also known as chimarrao. and flowers are handed out, often from men while making kissing noises with their UAE killed more than 3,000 worldwide. Meanwhile a kiss - even if not on the mouth to women. But the government has passed mouths. The United Arab Emirates, as well as - is totally advised against as a greeting. on a message to people urging them to hand Qatar, are advising citizens to stop the tradi- China over the flowers and talismans without the New Zealand tional “nose to nose” greeting. The UAE also In Beijing, the capital of the country Germany accompanying kiss. “Let’s give the flowers Some educational institutions in New said that people shouldn’t shake hands or kiss. where the outbreak began, red hoardings tell In a sign of the times, Germany’s Interior but not the kiss,” said Nelu Tataru, state sec- Zealand have temporarily abandoned the Greet each other “by waving only”, it said. people not to shake hands but to join their Minister Horst Seehofer rebuffed Chancellor retary at the health ministry. Maori greeting known as the hongi — own hands together in a sign of greeting. Angela Merkel’s attempt to shake hands with which involves two people pressing their United States Loudspeakers tell people to make the tradi- him on Monday, smiling and keeping both his Poland noses together. Wellington polytechnic NBA stars have been given a series of tional gong shou gesture - a fist in the oppo- hands to himself. They both laughed and In Poland, one of Europe’s most Catholic WelTec said that instead of staff greeting recommendations including that players site palm - to say hello. Merkel threw her hand up in the air before countries, the faithful are allowed to take new students with a hongi, its welcome cer- interacting with fans should bump fists rather taking a seat. “spiritual communion” instead of consum- emony would instead include a waiata, or than high-five and avoid taking items such as France ing the communal bread - or it can be tak- Maori song. pens, balls and jerseys to autograph, ESPN Newspapers have been filled with advice Spain en in the hands rather than the mouth. The reported. Some players have already taken on how to replace kissing on the cheek - an The outbreak could hit one of Spain’s faithful have also been asked not to dip Australia steps to limit their exposure to the virus. everyday greeting in France, even between most cherished traditions - the kissing of their hands in holy water when going in New South Wales Health Minister Brad Portland Trail Blazers star CJ McCollum said people who have only just met - and hand- sculptures of the Virgin Mary in the week and out of the church and instead make the Hazzard urged Australians to kiss with cau- he was no longer signing autographs shaking, a common formality at work. leading up to Easter. With just a month to go sign of the cross. tion and suggested a pat on the back instead because of the outbreak. “Make sure y’all Etiquette expert Philippe Lichtfus, who has before the week starts, the ritual could be of a handshake. “It’s a very Australian thing washing y’all hands with soap for 20 or more been widely cited in the media, says hand- banned. “It is one of the measures that is on Iran to put your hand out to shake hands, for seconds & covering ya mouths when you shakes are a relatively recent development the table,” said national health official Is the footshake the new handshake? In example. I would be suggesting to the com- cough,” McCollum wrote on Twitter.— AFP

Pope ‘tests negative South Africa bus for coronavirus’ as accident kills 25 Vatican ups controls JOHANNESBURG: Twenty-five peo- “From this incident we see the need ple died yesterday when a bus rolled for us to be especially considerate VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis, who is suffering down a steep embankment in South towards elderly persons and children from a cold, has tested negative for the coron- Africa’s coastal Eastern Cape who depend on others to be conveyed avirus, an Italian newspaper reported yesterday, province, the country’s transport min- around communities and the country,” as Italy battles Europe’s worst outbreak. Vatican ister said. “Reports indicate that the he added. The crash was the deadliest spokesman Matteo Bruni did not respond to an driver lost control of the bus, which accident in the province since 2015 AFP request for comment on the Messaggero newspaper report, and sources said it was subsequently rolled down a steep when 35 people lost their lives. The unlikely the Holy See would comment on the embankment, leaving 25 dead and bus was travelling on a gravel road approximately 62 injured,” Fikile near the village of Qolweni when it pope’s health yesterday. ROME: Pope Francis wipes his nose during mass which opens Lent, the forty-day period of Francis cancelled a Lent retreat for the first Mbalula said in a statement. “To lose overturned. “The driver lost control of abstinence and deprivation for Christians before Holy Week and Easter at the Santa Sabina so many lives in a single accident is the vehicle and it rolled down a very time in his papacy this weekend, after axing all church in Rome.—AFP public meetings at the end of last week over the devastating and shocking.” steep embankment,” provincial trans- cold. “Unfortunately, a cold forced me not to The bus was carrying more than 80 port department spokesman Unathi take part this year,” the 83-year-old pontiff told showing cold symptoms following a period out- mally takes extra time to mingle with supporters mainly elderly people travelling Binqose said. a crowd on Saint Peter’s Square after suffering side in the wind. The Vatican has been project- and the faithful. between Butterworth town and a set- Binqose said checks would be car- two coughing fits while reciting his traditional ing an image of calm, releasing a pre-recorded The Vatican itself has had at least one coron- tlement named Chebe. The minister ried out if the bus had been roadwor- Angelus Prayer. message from the pope yesterday and stressing avirus-related scare. The offices of a French said most of the victims were going to thy as “it may be a contributing fac- The new coronavirus has spread from China that he was still scheduled to deliver his Angelus priest working at the Vatican’s ministry of com- cash-in their government-issued social tor”. Despite having one of the most across much of the world, Italy among the worst Prayer on Sunday. But the vast crowds that usu- munication were disinfected on Monday, follow- grants. President Cyril Ramaphosa developed road networks on the conti- affected with over 2,000 people infected and 52 ally throng Saint Peter’s Square, and the queues ing the quarantine of his community of 20 said the dead were mainly pensioners nent, South Africa has among the high- deaths. The Argentine-born pope has been seen that snake in front of the museums are gone. priests from Rome’s Church of St Louis of the and young students. “This tragedy est rates of road accidents in the coughing and blowing his nose for days. With The Vatican is set to supply staff working in French. They had been in contact with a priest leaves our country deeply saddened region owing to speeding and poor close contact with tourists with masks and who returned to Paris in mid-February and test- rumors swirling that the pope himself had come and forces us to focus yet again on the maintenance of some vehicles and down with COVID-19, the Vatican issued a for- gloves, the Messaggero reported. The pope has ed positive for the virus last week. On Monday, enjoyed a life of good health despite losing part an internal letter leaked to the press was sent to need for transport providers and other roads. The Road Traffic Management mal denial on Sunday. “There is no evidence to road users to exercise care and con- Corporation data shows that more than suggest a diagnosis of anything other than a of a lung as a young man and suffered from sci- the staff at the ministry, saying the ministry sideration on our roads,” said the 14,000 people died in road crashes on slight ailment,” a spokesman said. Francis was atica-a nerve condition that causes pain in his employee was in isolation but “is well and show- tested for the disease last Wednesday after hip. Yet he rarely cancels appointments and nor- ing no symptoms”.—AFP president. South African roads in 2017.— AFP Established 1961 7 International Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Netanyahu claims Israel election ‘win’ despite corruption charges Palestinians dismayed, angered by campaign pledges

JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apartheid had won”. emerged victorious yesterday after Israel’s third elec- tion in a year despite a looming corruption trial, dis- Trial casts shadow maying the Palestinians who were angered by his hard- Blue and White’s leader, ex-military chief Benny line campaign pledges. Monday’s election left the veter- Gantz, admitted “disappointment” with the result. But an right-winger in prime position to form a government he stressed that regardless of the final tally Netanyahu and end a year of political deadlock, after similar votes is still due to go on trial on March 17 after being in April and September proved inconclusive. charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust. “In two The central election committee said it had counted weeks, he will be in court,” Gantz said. While 90 percent of the vote, with breakdowns of the result in Netanyahu will likely be tapped by President Reuven the media showing Netanyahu’s Likud party with 36 Rivlin to form a government, he has no immediate path seats in Israel’s 120-member parliament. That would to a 61-seat majority. The projections indicate that the mark the party’s best-ever result under Netanyahu, secular, nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party won six or Israel’s longest-serving prime minister and its first to be seven seats and may again be able to play kingmaker, indicted in office. Netanyahu’s bloc, which includes the same position it was in following the April and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, is likely still one or two September votes. votes short of a majority, but his party spokesman said Party leader Avigdor Lieberman served as defense it was confident of luring defectors. minister in a previous Netanyahu government and his Likud’s main challenger, the centrist Blue and White support would easily put Likud over the crucial 61-seat party, was projected to win 32 seats. Counting its cen- line. But after the September vote Lieberman said he tre-left allies as well as the mainly Arab Joint List would only join a government of national unity - ruling alliance, the anti-Netanyahu camp was expected to out cooperation with the ultra-Orthodox parties allied control 54 to 55 seats. While there remains no guaran- to Netanyahu and the Arab camp that backed Gantz. tee that Netanyahu can form a coalition, he hailed “There is no choice but to wait for the final results and TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara address supporters as confetti falls upon Monday’s election as a “giant” success. “This is the only then conduct a situation assessment,” Lieberman them at the Likud party campaign headquarters in the coastal city of Tel Aviv yesterday. — AFP most important victory of my life,” he told supporters in said after the exit polls were released. Tel Aviv where people danced, sang and shouted “Bibi, army radio yesterday they had already reached out to a controversial peace plan approving Israel’s annexation king of Israel,” using the premier’s nickname. ‘Strong national government’ number of lawmakers. “I believe that soon enough we’ll of settlements and swathes of land in the West Bank, Netanyahu campaigned on his tough position In a statement, Likud said Netanyahu had spoken to find the missing seats from the other bloc,” he said. sparking Palestinian outrage. Gantz, a security hawk, towards the Palestinians and on expanding Jewish set- all the heads of right-wing parties and “agreed to form “People on the other side understand it’s the right thing was also supportive of the Trump plan, sparking criti- tlements in the occupied West Bank. He also pledged to a strong national government for Israel as soon as pos- to do.” Bolstered by US support, Netanyahu cam- cism from the left that he did not offer a real alternative annex the Jordan Valley, a key part of the West Bank sible”. Netanyahu will now begin talks with a number of paigned on building thousands more homes in Jewish to Netanyahu. The vote was held amid the coronavirus that Palestinian see as crucial for their future state, if he opposition MPs and parties in a bid to encourage settlements in the Palestinian territory, even though outbreak, with special polling stations set up for thou- won. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the defections, though the process could take weeks. they are considered illegal by the international commu- sands of Israelis under quarantine who were met by exit polls showed that “settlement, annexation and Likud party spokesman Jonathan Urich told Israeli nity. In January, US President Donald Trump unveiled a election staff in full protective suits and masks.—AFP

“The disease has disrupted our lives. We are Iranians fearful and scared. There are no masks, and no alcohol for disinfection. People need them but cannot find Global supplier India struggling to cope them,” he said. ‘People are frightened’ curbs drug exports as virus spreads Businesses are suffering too. Pejman said some of his work colleagues were suspected of BENGALURU: India, the world’s main shortages,” Dua said. The council falls having the virus and ordered to stay away at supplier of generic drugs, has restrict- under the federal commerce ministry. TEHRAN: Cooped up at home for days because home. “It has had a bad effect on our company. ed the export of 26 pharmaceutical Separately, the government said of Iran’s coronavirus outbreak, Parmis Hashemi They now test our temperatures every morning ingredients and the medicines made yesterday it had detected “high viral was desperate, so her mother took her shopping before we enter the office,” he said. The eco- from them, including paracetamol, as load” in six people who had been in - even though they only had one mask between nomic slowdown was tangible on the streets. the coronavirus outbreak plays havoc contact with a patient who contracted them. Despite their fears of catching the disease, Shop assistants passed the time by playing with supply chains. Indian drugmakers the virus in the capital New Delhi. The the mother and her 13-year-old daughter were games, cleaners meticulously wiped down the rely on China, the source of the virus people have been kept in isolation and out pounding the unusually quiet streets of doors and windows of empty restaurants, and downtown Tehran on Monday afternoon as offi- taxis sat idle on the side of the road waiting for outbreak, for almost 70% of the active their samples are being sent to India’s cials announced yet another spike in deaths and customers. “The streets are empty,” Jamshidi pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for National Institute of Virology for con- infections. said as his taxi driver colleagues shared a meal their medicines. Industry experts say firmation, the government said in a Schools have been shut across the country as and engaged in rowdy banter. “It’s my job to... they are likely to face shortages if the statement. Prime Minister Narendra part of measures aimed at stemming the rapid take people where they need to go, but nobody epidemic drags on. Modi sought to quell public fears. spread of COVID-19, the virus that has now is leaving their homes to go anywhere,” he said. “Export of specified APIs and for- “There is no need to panic,” he said in claimed 66 lives out of more than 1,500 cases in “If the situation remains like this, we won’t mulations made from these APIs... is a tweet. Iran. “It’s extremely hard for us but I can’t take a have enough money to eat. Yesterday I earned hereby ‘restricted’ with immediate “Had an extensive review regarding taxi or bus to go somewhere even if my feet very little and so far today I haven’t had any effect and till further orders,” the preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel hurt” from walking, said Parmis’ mother passengers.” Director General of Foreign Trade said Coronavirus. Different ministries & Shahpar. “My daughter was depressed at home, Hamid Bayot, who owns a juice shop on in a statement yesterday, without states are working together, from so I brought her out shopping to cheer her up,” Vanat Square, said sales were down by 80 per- TEHRAN: A handout picture provided by the explaining the extent of the restric- screening people arriving in India to said the 45-year-old housewife. “They (the chil- cent since the coronavirus outbreak emerged office of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali tions. The list given by the govern- providing prompt medical attention,” dren) haven’t been going to school, and they are last month. And that is despite steps the busi- Khamenei yesterday shows him watering a ment, of 26 APIs and their formula- he added. On Monday, India reported scared of the virus,” she said. ness has taken to reassure its customers. “We freshly-planted tree in a garden during a cere- tions, account for 10% of all Indian three new cases of coronavirus, As she spoke, cars and buses flew past at disinfect everything three times every day. But mony marking the week of ‘Natural Resources’ pharmaceutical exports. including an Italian national in the irregular intervals after sling-shotting out of people are frightened and haven’t been buying in Tehran. — AFP “Irrespective of the ban, some of western Indian state of Rajasthan. The Vanak Square - one of the capital’s biggest anything from us,” said Bayot. “If the situation these molecules may face shortages patient in New Delhi was being close- intersections where traffic normally snarls at remains like this, we’ll go bankrupt and we will for the next couple of months,” Dinesh ly monitored but stable, the govern- that time of day. Gone too was the pollution that have to close our shop.” Pink Panther cartoon as well as the trailer of The Dua, chairman, Pharmaceuticals ment said. The Indian ministry of usually shrouds the sprawling city of more than In an apparent bid to cure the boredom of Revenant, a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio. eight million, thanks at least in part to the youths, state television has been airing light- “We have to stay at home and do nothing. We Export Promotion Council of India health did not immediately give further reduced congestion. That was of little comfort to hearted shows on its typically austere news can’t see our friends and we are no longer hap- said. “If coronavirus is not contained, details on the cases when contacted 39-year-old architect Pejman, who expressed channel. It has shown blooper home videos in py,” Parmis said grudgingly through the face then in that case there could be acute by Reuters. — Reuters fears about the spread of the novel coronavirus. the past few days and on Monday it broadcast a mask given to her by her mother. — AFP

scandal that stretched from Malaysia to the Middle After Malaysia’s political East to Hollywood. Najib, his wife, UMNO’s leader and India defends others were quickly put on trial for corruption. The US turmoil, questions over Department of Justice estimates $4.5 billion was misap- propriated from Malaysia’s 1MDB sovereign fund citizenship law between 2009 and 2014. US and Malaysian authorities trials in 1MDB scandal say over $1 billion stolen from 1MDB flowed into NEW DELHI: India defended its contentious citizen- Najib’s personal banks accounts. ship law as an internal issue yesterday as the UN rights The case has also led to scrutiny of Goldman Sachs, chief sought to join efforts challenging the legislation in KUALA LUMPUR: Hours after Malaysia’s change of which Malaysia has accused of misleading investors the country’s highest court. The law, which makes it leadership at the weekend, former prime minister Najib over bond sales totaling $6.5 billion that the bank easier for religious minorities from three neighboring Razak posted a picture of himself smiling and giving a helped raise for 1MDB. Three units of the bank have countries to get Indian citizenship - but not if they are thumbs up on social media. It was tagged as a gesture pleaded not guilty. Najib is facing five trials, the first of Muslim - was the spark for last week’s deadly riots in of satisfaction with a restaurant meal, but many which - involving seven charges linked to $10 million New Delhi. Malaysians saw it as a bigger sign of happiness from a misappropriated from a 1MDB unit - is expected to More than 40 people were killed and hundreds man who was driven from office in 2018 and is now on reach a verdict within months. He has consistently wounded in the worst sectarian violence to rock the trial for corruption over the multi-billion 1MDB fund denied wrongdoing, saying he was misled by Malaysian capital in decades. That followed street demonstrations scandal. financier Jho Low and other 1MDB officials. that have occasionally turned deadly across the Hindu- With the return of Najib’s party to power after a majority country since the law was approved by parlia- week of political turmoil, and therefore being in a posi- Multiple trials PUTRAJAYA: Photo shows the Malaysia’s new Prime ment in December. “The Citizenship Amendment Act is tion to influence policy, some Malaysians were ques- Among 10 others on trial for corruption are Najib’s Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, signing a document on his first an internal matter of India and concerns the sovereign tioning whether it will affect the handling of the high wife Rosmah Mansor and UMNO party leader Ahmad day at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya. — AFP right of the Indian parliament to make laws,” foreign profile trials. Mahathir Mohamad, who was ousted as Zahid Hamidi. Muhyiddin’s office did not respond to a ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said. prime minister in last week’s realignments, accused request for comment on what would happen to the tri- “We strongly believe that no foreign party has any Najib and his party of engineering last week’s political als now. Najib did not respond to requests for comment apart in the recent political fighting. Najib had not been locus standi on issues pertaining to India’s sovereignty.” crisis to help them avoid conviction. “If Najib can be but told reporters on Monday that he hoped to contin- directly involved in coalition talks even if he had tried Dozens of petitions filed in the Supreme Court, includ- part of the government now, he can do all sorts of ue fighting his case in court. “We’ll go through the to encourage Mahathir’s downfall from behind the ing by social rights activists and political parties, are things to free himself,” the 94-year-old told a meeting court process,” he said. “It’s the only credible way.” scenes, said one source close to the new prime minister challenging the law’s constitutionality. The UN High with his party’s youth members on Sunday. A senior UMNO official echoed Najib’s sentiments, who did not want to be identified. “Muhyiddin doesn’t Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet Cynthia Gabriel, director of the Kuala Lumpur- saying the new government should not interfere in the want to deal with Najib,” the source said. Muhyiddin informed India on Monday of its application to be a based anti-corruption watchdog C4 Center, said: “The courts. “If we interfere by withdrawing cases of those pointedly emphasized “efforts to stamp out corruption” third party in one petition brought by a former civil ser- worst case scenario is that these grand corruption trials charged, the people would say the government does in his first public speech on Monday. vant, Kumar said. will be dropped through judicial interference and not respect the law and the judicial body is not inde- Despite his fall, Najib is an elected lawmaker and The court is hearing all the petitions together. Kumar more.” Najib has said he hopes to continue to fight his pendent; so, don’t mar that concept,” party secretary- remains a senior figure within the UMNO party. He has said the government was confident in the legality of the case in court. In his first message, new Prime Minister general Annuar Musa told state news agency Bernama. a large popular base. His Facebook page has 3.9 million law, which was approved by parliament in December. Muhyiddin Yassin said fighting corruption would be a Although Najib was quick to post congratulations to likes compared to 3.6 million for Mahathir’s and fewer The UN application came as the government yesterday priority for his government, whose biggest backer in Muhyiddin on social media, their relationship has been than 1 million for Muhyiddin’s. Workers at the Indian summoned the Iranian ambassador over tweets by parliament is Najib’s United Malays National strained. Muslim restaurant where Najib posted his selfie after Foreign Minister Javad Zarif condemning the “wave of Organization (UMNO). The prime minister made no Muhyiddin was fired by Najib as his deputy in 2015 Muhyiddin’s swearing-in said he had been in a particu- organized violence against Indian Muslims” in the Delhi specific mention of the trials. after questioning his handling of 1MDB. That led larly good mood on Sunday. “No matter how busy with riots. Kumar said a “strong protest was lodged against Muhyiddin took over on Sunday from Mahathir, who Muhyiddin to form the new party with Mahathir that politics, don’t forget to eat first. Love yourself first,” the unwarranted remarks”, adding that they were “not had ousted UMNO in 2018 amid anger over the 1MDB brought them both back into office before it was torn Najib’s Facebook post said. —Reuters acceptable”.—AFP 8 Established 1961 International Wednesday, March 4, 2020 US votes in crucial primaries after ex-rivals back Joe Biden Key endorsements dramatically boost Biden’s hopes

HOUSTON: Americans voted yesterday in primaries Hours earlier Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former that play a major role in who will challenge Donald mayor of South Bend, Indiana, threw his support behind Trump for the presidency, a day after key endorsements Biden a day after quitting the race himself. “I’m looking dramatically boosted Joe Biden’s hopes against surging for a president who will draw out what is best in each of leftist Bernie Sanders. The backing of Biden by three of us,” Buttigieg said in Dallas, with the former vice presi- his ex-rivals marked an unprecedented turn in a frac- dent at his side. Biden appeared reinvigorated by the tured, often bitter campaign. support, and he repeatedly flashed his million-watt smile. The Democratic establishment is desperate to unite But he delivered a tough message intended to warn around a moderate candidate who can triumph over voters away from the seductions of Sanders, who has frontrunner Sanders, a self-described democratic called for nothing less than a “political revolution” in socialist, and face President Trump in November. America. “Most Americans don’t want the promise of a Voting begins as early as 6:00 am in some areas. As the revolution,” Biden told supporters. “They want results. five remaining Democratic candidates made their final They want a revival of decency, honor and character.” pitch to voters in 14 states, Biden was capitalizing on momentum he seized at the weekend with a blowout Main challenger victory in South Carolina. The trio of endorsements could be political gold for The 77-year-old former vice president is consoli- a resurgent Biden. His campaign was on life support dating support among moderates eager to blunt the after disappointing showings in the first three state advance of Sanders, who could take a potentially insur- contests, but he is suddenly the main challenger to mountable lead in the all-important delegate count Sanders on the biggest day of the primary campaign. after Super Tuesday. Biden has been riding high with Buttigieg had strong showings in predominantly white key endorsements that built into a political crescendo early states but was unable to mobilize black and on Monday. He took the stage at a rally in Dallas, Texas Hispanic support. joined by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, who told Klobuchar’s campaign never gained traction. By ARLINGTON: Voters wait in line to cast their ballots during the presidential primary in Houston, Texas on the crowd she was ending her campaign and endorsing endorsing Biden, she could deprive Sanders of a large Super Tuesday. — AFP Biden for president. delegate claim in her home state of Minnesota. New Biden later introduced Beto O’Rourke, who made a York billionaire Mike Bloomberg, who yesterday com- big splash early in the Democratic race but then fizzled peted in his first primaries, has also spread his message on multiple states including delegate-rich California, in polling. Among his backers is Jessica Chadwell, 24, out. O’Rourke remains popular in Texas, the state with to voters in a lavish multi-state ad blitz. biggest prize. In Utah, he said there was “a massive who works for Planned Parenthood in Burlington, the largest delegate haul after California. “We need effort” trying to stop his campaign. “The corporate Vermont, where Sanders served as mayor decades somebody who can beat Donald Trump (and) in Joe ‘Massive effort’ to stop Sanders establishment is coming together, the political estab- ago. “He is fighting for all these things the younger Biden we have that man,” O’Rourke said, peppering his Flush with money for ads, an extensive organiza- lishment is coming together,” he added. “They are generation needs: fair pay, affordable housing, equal short speech with Spanish. tion, and momentum in the polls, Sanders has focused really getting nervous.” Sanders leads Biden nationally rights,” she said. — AFP

lines and debris could be seen across the Tornadoes city, where a tornado tore through shortly Putin to enshrine after midnight. “A line of severe storms passed through Tennessee and has caused leave 8 dead in major damage to buildings, roads, bridges, God heterosexual utilities and businesses in several coun- Tennessee ties,” TEMA said. “Nashville is hurting, marriage in the and our community has been devastated,” Mayor John Cooper wrote on Twitter, constitution WASHINGTON: At least eight people urging people to lend a helping hand. have died after tornadoes ripped across Tennessee is one of 14 states voting in Tennessee yesterday, destroying build- the crucial Super Tuesday primaries, MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir ings and toppling powerlines in the capi- which will help determine the Democratic Putin has submitted to parliament a number tal of Nashville hours before the south- nominee for November’s presidential of proposed constitutional changes, includ- ern US state was to vote in Super election. Voting was to start an hour late ing amendments that mention God and stip- Tuesday primaries, officials said. Melisa in Nashville and Wilson County due to ulate that marriage is a union of a man and Hucks of the Tennessee Emergency the tornado damage, with several alter- woman. Putin unleashed a political storm in MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting in Management Agency reported that the nate polling sites set up, local newspaper January by proposing an overhaul of the Moscow. —AFP statewide death toll was “eight at this The Tennessean reported. Governor Bill constitution, the first changes to the basic time” and that fatalities had occurred Lee said he and his wife were sending law since 1993. Islands - disputed with Japan for decades - points attacked as Moscow’s relations with across four counties. The Nashville Fire “prayers across Tennessee this morning Shortly afterwards, the lower house unan- even after Putin quits power. the West have soured. Department said that it was responding as our state suffers from last night’s imously approved the constitutional reform The second reading of the constitutional to reports of approximately 40 structure storms.” Nashville is best known as the bill in a first reading after less than two hours Historic truth reform bill is expected to take place on collapses around the city. epicenter of the United States’ country of debate. The amendments also seek to protect his- March 10, said a spokeswoman for Pavel Smashed buildings, downed power music scene. — AFP Ahead of a second and key reading set for toric truth. The Russian leader has repeatedly Krasheninnikov, co-chief of the constitutional next week, Putin submitted new proposals railed against attempts to “rewrite” history working group. She said the text of the running to 24 pages, State Duma Speaker and complained that the West does not fully amendments was expected to be published Vyacheslav Volodin said. “The president’s appreciate the huge losses sustained by the later this week. A public vote on the constitu- amendments are the result of his dialogue Soviet Union during World War II. Russia is tional reforms has been set for April 22. with representatives of all factions (and) civil set to hold large-scale celebrations this year, Analysts see Putin’s plan to change the con- society,” he said in comments released by the 75 years after the Allied victory over the stitution as beginning preparations for suc- State Duma, or lower house of parliament. Nazis. Tolstoy praised the draft legislation. “I cession when his current term ends in 2024, The proposed amendments enshrine the believe that most of the proposals that have while the opposition says the Kremlin strong- mention of Russians’ “faith in God” and also been discussed have been taken into man wants to remain leader for life. stipulate that marriage is a heterosexual account,” he told AFP, adding he was glad the The reforms will transfer some authority to union, deputy speaker Pyotr Tolstoy said. president supported his heterosexual mar- parliament, including the power to choose the Most Russians identify as Orthodox riage proposal. prime minister, and strengthen the role of an Christians, but Russia is officially a secular The 67-year-old Putin, who has dominated advisory body called the State Council, state. The new amendments also ban giving Russia for 20 years, has sought to cast him- potentially headed by Putin. More than away Russian territory, and any call promot- self as a defender of traditional values and 22,000 people rallied in central Moscow at ing such a move would also be outlawed. A rally support by promoting anti-Western and the weekend to call on Putin not to stay in member of a Kremlin-appointed constitution- conservative ideas. Putin’s fourth stint in the power indefinitely. According to the Levada al working group, actor Vladimir Mashkov, Kremlin has seen a strong pivot to more con- Center, an independent pollster, a quarter of NASHVILLE: A man walks by a storm damaged pickup truck on Underwood St yester- has suggested that such an amendment would servative policies, with groups promoting Russians will back the constitutional propos- day in Nashville, Tennessee. —AFP ensure that Russia keeps Crimea - which it fundamentalist Orthodox Christian views als, while 56 percent said they were not sure annexed from Ukraine in 2014 - or the Kuril gaining more legitimacy and liberal view- why the changes were needed. — AFP

employees to work from home, also said High-fives, its Chief Executive Officer Jack Dorsey London mayor will no longer appear at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas later launches hugs and kisses this month. By Monday evening, Facebook discouraged announced it will not attend the event. re-election Others are cancelling their own confer- ences. Alphabet Inc’s Google on Monday campaign NEW YORK: As news broke of more scrapped its biggest conference for cases of coronavirus spreading across cloud computing customers, scheduled the United States, T-Mobile had a novel for next month in San Francisco, follow- LONDON: London Mayor Sadiq Khan yes- response to the threat: fewer hugs, kiss- ing the cancellation last Friday of two terday launched his re-election campaign, es or high-fives. The Bellevue, other events. attacking Prime Minister Boris Johnson for Washington-based wireless provider is Facebook last week shelved its annual failing to tackle a crisis in affordable housing “encouraging personal distancing at developer conference and has also in the British capital. Conservative party work” - and has “all sorts of sanitation restricted travel to China, South Korea leader Johnson was mayor before Khan, run- products readily available,” according to and Italy. The Menlo Park, Calif social ning local services for London’s nearly nine LONDON: London Mayor Sadiq Khan speaks during an event to launch his re-election cam- the company. media giant went one step further and million people between 2008 to 2016. But paign in London yesterday. London is set to vote in a mayoral election on May 7, 2020. — AFP Elsewhere, US companies are discouraged all gatherings of more than Khan, from the main opposition Labor party, embracing new ways to protect their 50 attendees. Job candidates shouldn’t said his predecessor failed to tackle rough mission in the capital and introduce measures tweeted. Property and rental prices are high- employees. Hollywood executives are bother showing up at the office. sleeping and a shortage of lower-cost hous- to keep costs down, citing New York and er in London and southeast England than reconsidering red carpet premiers; CNN Interviews are being rescheduled as ing. He accused the prime minister of repeat- Berlin as examples. The London Renters elsewhere in Britain because of higher head Jeff Zucker is personally reviewing video conferences where possible, edly blocking his attempts to introduce rent Union, which represents thousands of private demand and population density. intercontinental travel. Facebook Inc is according to one source familiar with controls, which he argued would help ease renters, said the plan could transform the According to a BBC briefing on housing going so far as to take the “social” out of the plans. the problem. housing system and stop sky-high rents. But last month, one in 53 people were homeless in social media and has banned non-busi- In addition to banning travel to and “When I arrived at City Hall we inherited a it pointed out: “Rents need to be linked to London — the highest in the country. In ness visitors to its offices. from Asia and Italy, Home Depot also terrible mess, the pipeline was empty because incomes and simply settling for caps on rent Newham, in east London, the figure rises to Across the US business landscape, implemented a 14-day stay-at-home Boris Johnson only cared about building lux- rises won’t ease the real suffering London’s one in 24. The number of rough sleepers in companies from AT&T Inc to Home policy for employees who have returned ury flats for overseas investors,” Khan said. renters face.” England and Wales has more than doubled Depot Inc are scrambling to manage the from those regions within the past two Rough sleeping had doubled during Johnson’s Independent mayoral candidate Rory since 2010, government statistics suggested, risk of a virus that only a week ago was weeks. On Wall Street, at least two major time in charge, he claimed. The May 7 vote, at Stewart, a former Conservative minister, with 8,655 people on the streets in London in isolated to China, Iran, Italy and South banks are testing technologies and com- which Khan wants to secure a second four- accused Khan of four years of inaction. 2018. A lack of social housing has led to long Korea and has now spread to 53 coun- pliance systems in preparation for year term, would be a “referendum on rent “Instead of doing his job, with the powers he waiting lists for local authority homes. In tries. Major tech companies are pulling employees who may be asked to work controls”, he said, vowing to secure the pow- has, to build affordable houses, the mayor has Newham, for example, more than 25,000 out of big industry events. Twitter Inc, from home or off-site locations in com- ers to do so from central government. concocted a hollow fight with government to households were waiting for fewer than 600 which late Monday strongly encouraged ing weeks. — Reuters Khan wants to set up a private rent com- simply freeze rents at unaffordable levels,” he properties. — AFP Established 1961 9 International Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Turkey and Russia face off in Syria as fighting escalates; plane shot down

UN fears worst humanitarian crisis of Syria war

REYHANLI: Turkey shot down a Syrian government war- on Monday that it had deployed military police in Saraqeb plane yesterday over northwest Syria, where fighting has was aimed at blocking Turkey from trying to help rebels intensified in recent days, bringing Turkish and Russian reclaim the town. forces close to direct conflict in the battle over the last swathe of Syria still held by rebels. It was the third Syrian Humanitarian crisis warplane Turkey has shot down since Sunday in an esca- Turkey has sent thousands of troops and armored vehi- lating campaign against President Bashar Al-Assad’s cles into northern Syria over the past month to fight back forces. NATO-member Turkey supports the rebels, while against Assad. Last week, a Syrian air strike killed at least Assad relies on his superpower ally Russia. 34 Turkish soldiers in the deadliest attack on the Turkish With more than a million refugees amassing since army in decades. Moscow, which has anti-aircraft missiles December on the Turkish border, the battle for Syria’s in Syria, has since warned Turkey that it cannot guarantee Idlib province has brought what the United Nations fears the safety of Turkish planes in Syrian skies. The Turkish might be the worst humanitarian crisis of the nine-year- Defense Ministry said yesterday that its forces had shot old Syrian civil war. “This relief down a Syrian L-39 ground operation has been over- attack jet. Syria’s state-run whelmed. There needs to be SANA news agency confirmed more of everything. The first the plane had been shot down thing is money,” UN Under-sec- Russia, Turkey over Idlib province by missiles retary General for Humanitarian fired from Turkish warplanes. Affairs Mark Lowcock told edge closer to Turkish President Tayyip reporters at a trans-shipment Erdogan and Russia’s Vladimir point for supplies in southern direct conflict Putin are due to meet on Turkey. Thursday to seek ways to avert AL BARA: Photo shows an aerial view of destruction in the village of Balyun in the southern Fighting was raging north of conflict. Asked about the part of Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib. — AFP the strategic crossroads town of prospect of direct clashes with Saraqeb, recaptured on Monday Turkey, Kremlin spokesman by Syrian troops, one of several Dmitry Peskov told reporters: migrants have tried to cross into Greece by land in recent in the town of Al Foah in what residents said was a spike in times the town, which controls access to Idlib city and “We hope that we’re able to absolutely minimize this risk days and more than 1,000 have arrived by sea at Greek strikes on several towns, including Binish and the outskirts Aleppo, has changed hands in recent weeks. Syrian state thanks to the close contact between the two countries’ islands, creating fears of a repeat of the 2015-2016 migra- of Tatanaz in Idlib province. media said the army was now combing the town and had militaries.” Turkey, already home to 3.6 million Syrian tion crisis, when more than 1 million people crossed into Russia and its Syrian army ally deny indiscriminate dealt heavy blows to fighters still holed up in hideouts on refugees, says it cannot take any more. It wants to push Greece and 4,000 drowned in the Aegean. bombing of civilian areas and say they target jihadists. US its outskirts. A state television correspondent said Turkey Assad’s forces back to lines agreed in a 2017 deal bro- The opposition says Syrian government forces are Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft, in Turkey was firing artillery to halt the government advance. kered with Russia and Iran, which left a buffer zone in deliberately attacking civilians to provoke them to flee. A inspecting the relief efforts, announced $180 million in Rebels said the government was aided by thousands of northern Syria near its border. rocket attack believed to have been fired by the Syrian additional funding for the humanitarian crisis in Idlib. Iranian-backed Lebanese and Iraqi militiamen brought Since last week, Turkey has thrown open its frontiers army on a residential quarter of Idlib city left at least nine “Humanitarian aid is only a response but the solution is an from other areas to help storm the town after two days of with Greece and Bulgaria to allow migrants to enter the civilians dead, including five children, according to Osama immediate ceasefire,” Craft told reporters. “This is not failed attempts. A Syrian general who has defected to the EU, a move apparently aimed at putting pressure on Idlibi, a rescuer in the opposition-run Syrian Civil Defense. something that just happened. This is planned by the Assad opposition, Ahmad Rahhal, said a Russian announcement European countries to back it in Syria. Some 10,000 Overnight Russian and Syrian jets killed at least 10 people regime,” Craft said. “It is cruel and brutal.” — Reuters

fled. Even where land was released, there was inadequate Tamil women fight assistance for land clearance and livelihood aid, non-profit Monday complicating matters further. A defense ministry Human Rights Watch said in a 2018 report. Taleban attacks official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP of for land a decade Some land is also being used for commercial purposes overnight attacks on government forces in 13 of the coun- including agriculture and tourism, it said. Lands held by the Afghan army bases, try’s 34 provinces. Two soldiers were killed in one of the army are “fully utilized for welfare purposes and recuperation attacks that happened in southern Kandahar province, a after war ends purposes,” Wickramasinghe said. Chellamma Singharatnam, a government statement said. An attack in Logar province spry 87-year-old who fled her home in Puthukkudiyiruppu, throwing peace near Kabul-which was not included in the defense ministry KEPPAPILAVU: Chandraleela Jasinthan was a school about 100 kilometers southeast of Jaffna as the army official’s tally-killed five security forces, the provincial teacher in a northern Sri Lankan village when, in the last days advanced in May 2009, had to resort to a hunger strike to get talks into doubt governor’s spokesman Didar Lawang said. The halt to the of the civil war, she and her neighbors were forced to flee their her home back. When she and her family returned after nearly limited truce, which began on February 22, ends what was homes by the army. More than a decade later, their land is still three years in camps for the displaced, they learned that the KABUL: The Taleban carried out more than a dozen a welcome reprieve for ordinary Afghans who have born held by the military. Jasinthan and dozens of other women in army had taken over both her house and her daughter’s home. attacks on Afghan army bases, officials said yesterday, the brunt of the deadly violence. Keppapilavu have been staging a protest for more than three After several petitions, Singharatnam went on a hunger hours after ending a partial truce and throwing into doubt But experts said the move was unsurprising as both years at the entrance to the army camp which they say sits on strike outside the district secretariat office. Other women peace talks between Kabul and the insurgents. The intra- sides seek to exploit whatever leverage they hold to force their ancestral land, one of the longest protests in the country. from the village joined her, and the strike lasted a month. In Afghan negotiations are due to begin March 10 according the other’s hand. “Of course violence will go up, was “The men say they have to work, that they are afraid of the the end, the army capitulated and returned her homes, to a US-Taleban deal signed in Doha on Saturday, but a bound to happen. no surprise Ghani balking on prisoner army. But for us women, this land is our security, our right - if although they were completely destroyed, she said. “There dispute over a prisoner swap has raised questions about release: 1 of his few levers,” Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior we do not fight for it, who will?” said Jasinthan, 43. “We lost was trash everywhere, the furniture was broken, even the whether they will go ahead. fellow at the Brookings Institution, tweeted. Kabul-based everything in the war; why must we also lose the land we have doors and windows were gone,” she said. “We had to borrow analyst Ahmad Saeedi told AFP the uptick in attacks lived on for generations? These are our homes, our liveli- money, and only managed to repair one house so far. We had reflected the insurgents’ belief that “they have to keep the hoods,” she said. Thousands of people were killed in the war, no assistance, and don’t know when we can fix the other battlefield hot to be able to win on the negotiating table, which ended in May 2009 after nearly three decades. Many house,” she said, seated outside her home. as they did with the Americans.” of those who fled or were forced from their homes in the north and east of Sri Lanka had their properties seized, Occupied ‘So far, so good’ according to human rights groups. During the war, tens of thousands of Sri Lankan Tamils Ghani’s government last week sent a delegation to Former President Maithripala Sirisena vowed to return all sought refuge in neighboring India, particularly in the south- Qatar to open “initial contacts” with the insurgents but private land held in the northern and eastern provinces by ern state of Tamil Nadu. The United Nations’ refugee agency Taleban spokesman Suhail Shaheen yesterday said the Dec 31, 2018. But the deadline was not met, according to land (UNHCR) began facilitating their return to Sri Lanka from militants would not meet Kabul’s representatives except to 2011, and has so far helped 8,529 refugees return, said discuss the release of their captives. Menique Amarasinghe, UNHCR’s country representative. Apparent differences between the Doha agreement and Several thousand refugees have also returned by themselves. a joint US-Afghan declaration released in Afghanistan Nearly 100,000 Sri Lankan Tamils still live in India, many in underline the obstacles facing negotiators. The US- camps. Taleban deal committed to the release of prisoners while More than two-thirds of returning refugees are landless, the Kabul document only required both sides to determine according to human rights groups. About 30,000 people are “the feasibility of releasing” captives. In a statement, the still considered internally displaced, many of whom have lost QUETTA: Activists of Jamiat Ulema-e Islam Nazryate party UN’s Afghanistan mission called for “continued reduced their homes and land. Restitution of land is critical to peace- violence to maintain & enhance an environment conducive building as it recognizes violations and ensures the restora- march as they celebrate the signing agreement between the US and the Taleban during a rally in Quetta. — AFP to the start of intra-Afghan negotiations”. Since the deal tion of rights, including freedom of movement and an ade- signing, the Taleban have been publicly claiming “victory” quate standard of living, according to the Centre for Policy over the US. Alternatives (CPA), a think tank in Colombo. “In the Sri Speaking to Fox News, US Secretary of State Mike Lankan context, land is a critical aspect of one’s identity and The agreement includes a commitment for the Taleban Pompeo played down the militants’ comments. “So I’ve belonging,” said Bhavani Fonseka, head of research and to release up to 1,000 prisoners and for the Afghan gov- seen lots of remarks. Just watch what really happens. Pay advocacy at CPA. ernment to free around 5,000 insurgent captives-some- less attention to statements, pay less attention to things “Reparations, including the restitution of land if imple- thing the militants have cited as a prerequisite for talks but people say,” Pompeo said. “Watch what happens on the mented correctly, can contribute to long-term peace-building which President Ashraf Ghani has refused to do before KEPPAPILAVU, Sri Lanka: Maria Jeyaseelan sits outside her efforts and prevent further marginalization of warñaffected negotiations start. The row has highlighted the tough road ground. There’s been a lot of work done at detailed levels daughter’s home on Jan 5, 2020 in northern Sri Lanka with communities,” she said. Sri Lankan authorities promised ahead, with the Taleban’s decision to end a partial truce about how this will proceed. So far, so good.” —AFP her family after being uprooted during the war by the navy returning refugees a small plot of land, but it can be a long from the island they had lived. — Reuters wait. Others have taken matters into their own hands. About a teenager. These cases highlighted India’s grim record of 100 former residents of the northern island of Iranaitivu, who Modi hands over his sexual violence against women despite enacting some of had been uprooted in 1992 by the army, had been living on the world’s toughest laws after the gang rape of a Delhi rights groups. In Keppapilavu, nearly 350 acres of land is yet the mainland for years, returning to the island to fish and har- student on a bus in December 2012, which sparked global to be released, according to the People’s Alliance for Right to vest coconuts. social media accounts outrage. One woman reported a rape every 15 minutes on Land. About 85% of the private lands in the north and east While they had hoped to return to their homes in 2009 average in India in 2018, according to government data held by armed forces “have already been handed over to the after the war ended, the Sri Lankan Navy said the island was for Women’s Day released in January. — Reuters legitimate owners,” said Chandana Wickramasinghe, an army of strategic importance, and barred them from returning. spokesman. After numerous petitions, women - particularly widows who NEW DELHI: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will The remaining land is of “tactical importance” and is vital had struggled to make a living without easy access to the hand over his social media accounts on Sunday to cele- for national security, he said. “Hence releasing the remaining island - staged a year-long protest from 2018, demanding the brate inspiring women on International Women’s Day, lands will depend on the situation subsequent to the access- return of their land. Last year, supported by the local Catholic months after facing criticism over a series of high-profile ing of security parameters. Therefore a timeline is not a mat- church, former residents of Iranaitivu boarded more than two rape cases. With more than 50 million followers on Twitter, ter that can be discussed at present,” he told the Thomson dozen boats to the island and occupied their land peacefully. Modi, 69, has one of the biggest followings on social Reuters Foundation in emailed comments. The Navy conceded, retaining a small area for its use. media among world leaders. “This Women’s Day, I will give More than 100 former residents now live on the island. They away my social media accounts to women whose life & Uprooted are campaigning to get the Navy off the island entirely, said work inspire us. This will help them ignite motivation in Across the world, land is increasingly seen as a root cause Maria Jeyaseelan, one of the protest leaders. “We are once millions,” Modi said in a tweet yesterday. of conflict. In the aftermath of war, military occupation of land again able to farm and fish and earn a living, even if we are He asked people to share entries of such women using is a frequent occurrence, and access to and control of land not living as well as before,” she said. “But our wish is to get the hashtag #SheInspiresUs, which became the top trend- and natural resources can be a contentious issue for years. back all our land.” Dysfunctional legal systems, corruption, lack of transparency ing topic on Twitter about an hour after he posted his For Jasinthan and the other women protesting for the tweet. His support for the March 8 event came after he and accountability, and the loss of documents and land return of their ancestral land in Keppapilavu more than 100 records make it particularly hard to resolve land disputes faced flak for failing to check violence against women fol- kilometers away, women like Jeyaseelan and Singharatnam lowing a series of rape cases late last year that triggered during and after a war, according to researchers. give them hope. Jasinthan has been summoned to court sev- In Sri Lanka’s embattled north and the east, Tamils - an mass protests. In November, a 27-year-old vet was raped, NEW DELHI: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (center) eral times - including the day after her husband died - suffocated and her dead body set alight on the outskirts of ethnic minority - were uprooted several times during and because of the protests. She said she has received threats, talks with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President after the decades-long conflict by both the separatist forces the southern city of Hyderabad. Another rape victim was Jagat Prakash Nadda (2nd left) as Home Minister Amit Shah and has installed security cameras at her home and acquired set on fire and killed by a gang of men, including her of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri a pair of guard dogs. “As a widow, it is harder to go against (right) and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh look on during a Lankan army. The army set up camps and high-security alleged rapists, in December. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary committee meet- the army. But this land is all we have, so we are going to con- In the same month, a court sentenced a former lawmak- zones in confiscated land, thwarting the return of those who tinue to protest till we get it back,” she said. — Reuters ing at the Parliament House yesterday. — AFP er from Modi’s ruling party to life imprisonment for raping 10 Established 1961 Analysis Wednesday, March 4, 2020

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US Latinos started A staff member of the health authorities of the southern German federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg demonstrates on a negative sample the test for the coron- changing outcomes avirus SARS-CoV-2 in a laboratory in Stuttgart on Monday. — AFP in 2018 - they may do so again in 2020 World failed to learn SARS lessons for COVID fight ohn Verdejo moved to North Carolina by way he novel coronavirus outbreak has exposed a with a eye toward prevention and treatment strategies.” them, given their genetically similar profile. of the Bronx, with only basketball great lack of global research on ways to combat the Bruno Canard, a virologist at France’s National Centre JMichael Jordan and the folksy humor of the Tspread of infectious diseases, with health author- for Scientific Research, said that some countries, Cost ‘peanuts’ Andy Griffith television show as references, nei- ities failing to learn lessons from previous flare-ups, notably European Union members, launched coordinat- But to do so scientific efforts would need government ther particularly relevant to a Puerto Rican family experts said yesterday. The last outbreak of worldwide ed research programs following SARS. But the financial funding. Neyts estimated the cost of finding a coron- in the mid-1990s. Two years ago he saw Raleigh significance was the SARS virus scare of the early crisis of 2008 squeezed out funding, he said, lamenting avirus treatment safe to administer at scale to be Ä250- elect its first Latino councilman, saw Latino voters 2000s, which killed 774 people. More recently the a “scientific world on financial life support.” 300 million ($275-325 million). “This is basically peanuts, help defeat Wake County’s tough-on-immigration MERS virus killed more than 850 people, although the For Johan Neyts, professor of virology and presi- if you compare that to the human suffering that we see- Republican sheriff, and now feels that energy con- outbreak was largely contained to the Middle East. dent of the Belgian-based, International Society for ing now, and also to the economic losses,” he said. As tinuing into the 2020 US presidential campaign. Although scientists responded to both diseases, for- Antiviral Research (ISAR), the world missed a chance well as funding, medical research also takes time. Years, “I have never received more phone calls, mulating treatment plans and eventually vaccines, after SARS, which is closely related to the new coron- in fact. And Canard said the world is now reacting requests for meetings - party meetings, candidate experts say the new coronavirus epidemic shows there avirus. “If we had invested starting in 2003 at the against the novel coronavirus from a standing start. meetings,” from those courting Latinos, said has not been any sustained, coordinated efforts on SARS epidemic looking for a medication that would be “To develop a molecule (against coronaviruses), that Verdejo, a member of the state’s Democratic infectious diseases. “Too often, the surge of research active against coronas by now we could have had a takes years,” he said. “You need to have clinical trials National Committee. The 14-state Super Tuesday attention and investment that novel outbreaks generate stockpile that would have been active against this new and for that you need people who are sick with the Democratic contests may test just how forcefully quickly wane when those outbreaks subside and other one,” he told AFP. virus.” He warned that more coronaviruses are likely to a Latino vote that shaped recent local races in priorities take their place,” Jason Schwartz, assistant “We missed an opportunity. It’s a terrorist attack of a spread among humans in years to come as we continue North Carolina and flipped California professor at Yale’s Department of Health Policy and virus which we could have prevented, more people are to destroy the habitats of species that carry the dis- Congressional districts in 2018 stands to influence Management, told AFP. going to die, it’s really a shame.” There are now seven eases. “We let down our guard and the acceleration of the race for the White House. “SARS and MERS demonstrated the global health known coronaviruses that are transmissible among these viruses emergencies is going to be faster and This election will be the first in which Latinos threat posed by coronaviruses and the need for a sus- humans. Canard said coordinated research could have faster due to climate change, biodiversity loss and form the largest minority voting group, at around tained investment in better understanding these viruses produced a broad-spectrum treatment against all of deforestation,” said Canard. — AFP 13.3 percent of eligible voters, according to recent estimates by the Pew Research Center. That is an 80 percent jump since 2000, and compares to a candidate and register their first and second choices supporters, who might have responded to events and share of black voters that has been roughly level ‘Refused/Angry/Rep’: as well as the issues the voter cares most about. surveys, and from voter registration lists which can since then at around 12 percent, and a white share “That’s where the gold is,” said Thomas Peters, the have other information appended to them. Durst, for that has fallen 10 percentage points to an estimat- How text campaigns founder and CEO of RumbleUp, a peer-to-peer tex- instance, said he had previously been registered as a ed 66 percent of the eligible electorate. ting company used by the Republican National Democrat. The parties can update their voter files with More notable, perhaps, in a US presidential Congressional Committee, which also allows cam- data gathered from texting campaigns. system where state by state results determine the learn from voter replies paigns to measure positive or negative sentiment in In January, Trump’s campaign director Brad winner, Latino populations, which lean replies. The script for Elizabeth Warren’s texters tells Parscale tweeted a screenshot of a text he received them to record details such as whether voters are from the Sanders campaign: “Haha,” he texted back. Democratic by about a two-to-one margin, could hen Brian Durst got a text message from the start making states like Texas, Florida, Arizona concerned with the Massachusetts senator’s electabil- “Your data is really really bad if you are texting me.” campaign of US Democratic presidential ity and if they have “hot button issues” like college Daniel Souweine, who founded the left-leaning politi- and North Carolina more competitive. US candidate Bernie Sanders, the restaurant President Donald Trump, a Republican, won each W affordability. cal texting company GetThru after he ran Sanders’ cook in Hawaii sent back a photo of himself wearing a of those in 2016. A training webinar for Sanders’ volunteers showed texting program in 2016, thinks campaigns will be ‘Trump 2020’ cap. Three minutes later, he got a reply options to mark for reasons someone would not attend increasingly sophisticated about how they use the from someone named Will from the Vermont senator’s ‘We do have a big say’ a rally, from whether they had moved to if they fit the information collected in text conversations. “They have campaign asking if he had a second choice candidate. category “Refused/Angry/Republican’. Political cam- literally every message that has been sent,” he said. It’s something Democratic candidates and Durst shot back an angry message listing Vice activists have expected before, only to be disap- paigns see peer-to-peer texting as an effective way to Some voters try to throw a wrench in the works, President Mike Pence and members of Republican identify supporters, drum up volunteers and get out however: The popular Twitter pundit pointed by low registration and turnout. But they President Trump’s family, and tweeted out a screenshot have reason to think this may be the year with the vote: in the 2018 cycle, Democratic campaigns and @RespectableLaw recently listed ways that voters of the exchange. political groups sent at least 350 million text mes- could waste the time of texters for former New York Latino numbers growing so quickly, said Mark As the 2020 presidential campaigns push out tens Lopez, Pew’s director of global migration and sages, according to a report by progressive non-profit City mayor Michael Bloomberg in particular by pre- of millions of text messages to find potential support- Tech for Campaigns. tending to be undecided or asking a string of policy demography research. The 70,000 Latino votes ers, some Americans are texting back to vent frustra- cast in North Carolina in 2018, for example, was These messages need to be sent by a human to not questions. The billionaire’s campaign, which pays its tions, argue about candidates’ stances or try to con- fall afoul of anti-spam laws which prohibit sending digital organizers to send texts to their own social just 4 percent of the total statewide vote, but that vert the volunteers. But it turns out even uncooperative was double the showing in 2014’s previous mass texts without an opt-in from recipients. media networks, also uses peer-to-peer texting. replies can be helpful data. Campaign texters log Campaign volunteers and staffers use software to “Never let them know who you really support. This is a midterms. With a bulge of younger voters in the numerous details from responses, no matter what the pipeline it may jump again. manually send out prewritten messages, which can be data mining operation. Sabotage it wherever possible,” content. They can use them to verify names and work- customized, to lists of phone numbers. Campaigns said one of the tweets in @RespectableLaw’s thread, By the time Super Tuesday wraps up, states ing mobile numbers, score how voters feel about the accounting for about half the Latino population of gather these phone numbers and other data from their which got 9,000 likes. — Reuters the United States will have voted, and they may already be influencing who the party selects. A Pew poll of registered Latino voters nationally (Republican) state; it’s not: it’s a non-vot- showed the top priorities included a stronger Texas, Dems ing state, so we want to make sure that government role in health care and a higher mini- we’re reaching out to as many folks as mum wage, dovetailing with some of US Senator we can,” said Maria Martinez, in charge Bernie Sanders’ policy themes. do battle for of national Latino community engage- That may have helped Sanders’ convincing win ment for Warren. Turnout has been a in the Nevada caucuses. It appears to be expand- Latino vote persistent challenge in Texas: for the ing his appeal in vote-rich California, which he 2016 Democratic primaries it was 20 lost in the 2016 Democratic primary to Hillary percent below the national average, and Clinton, who performed strongly in the south of n Elizabeth Warren’s Houston cam- 10 percent lower than the national aver- the state. Latinos are helping recast California’s paign office, one early morning in age for the presidential election. traditional political geography, said Mark IFebruary, volunteers bustled around Baldassare, director of the Public Policy Institute arranging chairs in a circle and tacking ‘Meant a lot to me’ of California, which found that around 53 percent Spanish-language posters to the walls. Hispanics are on track to become the of likely Latino voters there preferred Sanders. They were soon joined by a dozen Latino largest population group in Texas by “It is the economics, and it’s attitudes about the voters, come to discuss the Democratic 2022, according to US census data. The role of government, and it’s immigration,” White House race - with days to go until state now counts 5.6 million Latino vot- Baldassare said. Galvanized by Trump’s election in “Super Tuesday” on March 3, when ers - 800,000 more than in 2016 and a Jolt Census Organizer Leslie Hernandez (left) shares a laugh with volunteers Carlos 2016, Latinos turned out to vote in record num- Texas and 13 other states vote to pick a 1.4 million increase since 2012. That mir- Ramirez (center) and Marlen Guerrero at the headquarters of Jolt in Houston on Feb bers in 2018, and analysts expect more of the challenger to President Donald Trump. rors the trend nationwide where a record 20, 2020. — AFP same this year. “We do have a big say in this elec- For an hour and a half, people of all 32 million Latinos are projected to be eli- tion,” said Lizbeth De La Cruz Santana, a 29- ages - seniors, young adults, families gible to vote in 2020, surpassing blacks year-old grad student at UC Davis who has with children - talked about immigration, as the largest minority group in the elec- their day... to speak with us and answer posters, electric candles and fringes of already voted for Sanders, in part because of his healthcare and their experiences as torate, according to Pew Research. any questions that we had,” said Victor pink and yellow papier-mache. Rice vow to cancel student debt and his positions on Latinos living in a state where they make But voter turnout in the community is Ibarra, a young health physicist. crackers and peanut butter were spread immigration. up a third of the electorate. “A lot of the also notoriously low: Since 1996, Pew on a table for snacking. The office is In Santana’s hometown of Fresno in California’s time, we are kind of ignored as a commu- data shows that most eligible Latinos ‘Safe space’ staffed one day a week by Ibarra and farmbelt between Los Angeles and San Francisco, nity,” said novelist Ariane Navarro, joined have not cast ballots in US presidential To really boost turnout will take more others who like him want to ensure the city council turned majority Latino and majori- for the event by her husband and their elections. With an eye on Super Tuesday, than ads in Spanish and canvassing, Latino youth have a voice in the future. ty Democratic in 2018, ending decades of domi- two children. “I’m surrounded by educat- Warren’s team organized a campaign according to Antonio Arellano, the execu- “We try to focus on young people nance by white Republicans. The Central Valley’s ed Latinos, and we all believe that we do tour specifically dedicated to the state’s tive director of Jolt, an organization that because we want to let them know it’s heavily Latino population, long ignored by nation- have a voice and we can make a change Hispanic community, with stops in cities encourages young Latinos to take on the their responsibility to go out and inform al political candidates, is being actively courted, in Texas,” the former teacher told AFP. like San Antonio, where 64 percent of the problem themselves. Jolt last year their household,” said Leslie Hernandez, with Sanders and former New York mayor Michael Most of all, Navarro is keen to help population is Latino. She is not alone in launched an initiative called Poder Quince Jolt’s 22-year-old census organizer and Bloomberg establishing offices.— Reuters her younger family members register to courting the growing demographic: A (“Power Fifteen”), which offers voter reg- volunteer supervisor. vote, in line with a broader effort to debate was organized in Houston in mid- istration to guests at quinceaneras, the For the half dozen high school stu- boost turnout among the state’s Hispanic February between students and a line-up traditional celebration for when a Latina dents and young adult volunteers, voting community. Texas has been a Republican of Democratic primary candidates. girl turns 15. It’s designed to “harness the in the Democratic primaries is just a drop All articles appearing on this page are the state for two generations, but Democrats Bernie Sanders - a self-declared power of Latino culture and create a new in the ocean of political battles they want made gains there in 2016 and 2018 - and Democratic socialist who leads polls of tradition of civic engagement,” said to lead: environmental issues, the census, personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait the party is looking to Latinos, two thirds Texas Latino voters with 30 percent Arellano, 29, who is undocumented. the fight against racism. “As a Latina, I Times takes no responsibility for views of whom lean Democratic, to reinforce support - took part via video conference, A volunteer with Jolt, Ibarra met AFP feel like I always carry a weight on my expressed therein. the trend longer term. earning lengthy applause. “It meant a lot at the group’s small office in east shoulders,” says Hernandez, telling them: “A lot of folks say Texas is a red to me that they at least took time out of Houston, decorated with multicolored “You are in a safe space now.” — AFP Established 1961

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020 Business

NBK Capital: Coronavirus eradicates Twitter staff told to work from Ahli United Bank earns the Fastest 12market gains since 2020 beginning 13 home over corona virus fears 14 Growing Banking Solutions Award

TOKYO: A pedestrian looks at an electric quotation board displaying stock prices for Japanese companies on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo yesterday. — AFP G7 to deploy all policy tools to fight virus Central banks to boost price stability, economic growth

TOKYO: Group of Seven finance officials monetary and fiscal steps.” The G7’s united central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, world’s top economies, officials have already as appropriate to support the economy”. said yesterday they would use all appropriate front offset anxiety over the coronavirus’ rap- has spread around the world over the past been making statements seeking to reassure Eurozone finance ministers are also set to policy tools to achieve strong, sustainable id spread in dozens of countries and aided a week, with more new cases now appearing investors that they stand ready to cushion hold a conference call today. global growth and safeguard against down- recovery in world stocks and oil prices. outside China than within. shocks to markets or the wider economy. “There will be coordinated action,” said side risks posed by the fast-spreading coron- “This is a tug of war between hope and There are more than 90,000 cases global- “We stand ready to take appropriate and French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire. Wall avirus. G7 finance ministers were ready to fear. Central banks are giving hopes with their ly, with more than 80,000 of them in China, targeted measures, as necessary and com- Street-which last week saw its worst perform- take action, including fiscal measures where potential stimulus,” said Vasu Menon, senior and infections appearing in 77 other countries mensurate with the underlying risks,” ance since 2008 with a 12.4 percent drop-was appropriate, to aid the response, Japanese investment strategist at OCBC Bank Wealth and territories, with Ukraine the latest country European Central Bank chief Christine cheered by the announcement, with the Finance Minister Taro Aso told reporters. Management. to report its first case. China’s death toll is Lagarde said in a statement. benchmark Dow Jones Industrial Average Central banks would continue to support “The question is what they will do? 2,943, with more than 75 deaths elsewhere. The Bank of England will “take all neces- jumping 5.0 percent on Monday. price stability and economic growth. Monetary policy is already very loose and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and sary steps” to support the UK economy from The gains yesterday carried over to mar- “We reaffirmed our commitment to adopt interest rates are very low,” Menon added. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell “will coronavirus fallout, said governor Mark kets in Asia and the Pacific where Australia’s all appropriate policy steps to protect the German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said the lead a call with their G7 counterparts”, the Carney ahead of the G7 talks. The central bank slashed interest rates to a record economy from downside risks posed by the G7 had “all means” at its disposal. Treasury department confirmed in a state- International Monetary Fund and World Bank low of 0.5 percent on fears the deadly coron- coronavirus, and that we stand ready to coop- “Should the need arise, we have all the ment. In addition to scrambling to respond to issued a joint statement Monday pledging to avirus outbreak could push the country into erate further on timely and effective meas- means to counter a global downturn,” Scholz the outbreak which has now killed more than help countries deal with the fallout from the recession. However Tokyo stocks lost early ures,” Aso said after a G7 call. said in a statement on Twitter. Global stocks 3,100 people and infected over 90,000 as it epidemic. gains to close lower as investors grew skepti- He was short on specifics and said the suffered a rout last week on fears that the dis- spreads around the world, governments have “We will use our available instruments to cal about the outcome of the G7 financial desirable policy response would vary from ruption to supply chains, factory output and also sought to calm fears of widespread eco- the fullest extent possible, including emer- chiefs meeting, market analysts said. country to country. global travel caused by the epidemic could nomic disruption that saw major stock mar- gency financing, policy advice, and technical Europe’s main markets were up more than Asked if all appropriate policy steps would deal a serious blow to a world economy trying kets lose over 10 percent of their value last assistance,” the lending institutions said. two percent in yesterday’s morning trading, include both monetary and fiscal policies, Aso to recover from the US-China trade war. week. While yesterday’s conference call will Powell had on Friday issued a statement and Wall Street was expected to rise at the said: “Yes, anything will be included, both The coronavirus, which emerged in the be the first effort to coordinate actions by the pledging the Fed would “use our tools and act opening bell. — Agencies

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting the first quarterly decrease since the financial cri- OPEC gathers Countries (OPEC) and allies led by Russia, a sis in 2009. group known as OPEC+, agreed in December to OPEC has been discussing cutting oil produc- Dubai property market a collective cut in output of 1.7 million barrels per tion by 1 million barrels per day (bpd) on top of in Vienna to day (bpd) until the end of March. Saudi Arabia, the existing cuts, among other options, as it seeks stability still a few years off the world’s biggest oil exporter, has been volun- to stabilize falling prices. That’s more than a cut of discuss further tarily cutting an additional 400,000 bpd, meaning 600,000 bpd it initially proposed. Talk of a big- BENGALURU: The downward spiral in tributor to Dubai’s declining residential OPEC+ is effectively curbing its production by ger reduction has helped Brent crude and WTI Dubai house prices will continue this prices, with continued project launches, output cuts 2.1 million bpd in a bid to support oil prices. prices rebounded this week after the fell more year, albeit at a slower pace than in 2019, coupled with rising levels of unsold But since then, the spread of coronavirus has than 20 percent from their 2020 peak in January with oversupply remaining the biggest developer inventory, continuing to place VIENNA: OPEC ministers were starting to arrive weighed on economic activity worldwide and hit on concerns about the impact of the coronavirus risk, a Reuters poll showed. Dubai is one downward pressure on values,” said in Vienna yesterday where they will debate demand for oil. The International Energy Agency outbreak. of the seven territories of the United Chris Hobden, head of strategic consul- whether to cut oil production further as the (IEA) said in February that demand in the first Kuwait’s oil minister said yesterday before Arab Emirates and has a diversified trade tancy at Chestertons MENA. An eco- spread of the coronavirus hits demand for crude quarter of 2020 was expected to fall by 435,000 heading to Vienna that he was optimistic about and tourism economy, but its real estate nomic downturn was considered the worldwide. bpd compared with a year earlier, which would be the outcome of the meetings and continued coop- market has been sluggish for most of the biggest downside risk by three of the eration among OPEC+ countries. OPEC ministers past decade. House prices are forecast to analysts, with only one respondent point- will meet in Vienna on March 5 and then gather fall 4 percent this year and 1.3 percent in ing to a further decline in oil prices. with ministers from non-OPEC countries on 2021 before stabilizing in 2022, according Dubai’s economy grew 2.1 percent in March 6. to 15 analysts and property market spe- the first half of last year, compared with A technical committee of the alliance is meet- cialists in a Reuters poll taken between 1.9 percent growth for 2018. However, ing on Tuesday to review market fundamentals Feb. 16 and March 2. Reports from sever- risks from non-oil private sector activity while a ministerial committee will convene today al consulting firms showed average and the economic fallout from the global at 1130 GMT. Russia is so far not convinced about Dubai property values dropped by more coronavirus outbreak are likely to apply the need for a bigger cut in production, and some than 10 percent last year, roughly in line the brakes this year. Residential property sources have said OPEC members could shoulder with predictions in a Reuters poll last is still rated relatively affordable, the poll any additional curbs themselves. But yesterday November. The government doesn’t pub- suggested. On a scale of 1-10, from Leonid Fedun, vice-president of Russia’s second- lish an official measure of home prices. cheap to expensive, the median rating biggest oil producer Lukoil, told Reuters that an Analysts are clearly optimistic about from the analysts was 6. A majority of the additional cut of up to 1 million bpd would be prospects stemming from the World analysts said they expect a prolonged enough to balance the market and lift oil prices to Expo, which Dubai will host, starting in period of sub-par activity followed by $60 a barrel. October through to April 2021. But recovery. “Further softening and proba- Brent crude was trading close to $53 a barrel downside risk remains. The biggest of bly stabilization is expected in the next yesterday, up from this year’s low of $48.40 hit a these, according to 11 of the poll respon- couple of years. In the long term, we In this file photo, (Left to right) Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak, Organization of day earlier. OPEC meetings usually attract big dents, is a surplus of existing properties don’t expect a huge spike,” said Haider the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) President, UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al-Mazrouei media coverage but this year the group is consid- for sale. Tuaima, head of real estate research at and OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo of Nigeria speak during a ministerial ering measures such as webcasting its news con- “Oversupply is the single largest con- ValuStrat.—Reuters level meeting with OPEC members and non-members at the 175th OPEC Conference on ference to restrict reporters’ access to ministers December 7, 2018 in Vienna. — AFP because of the coronavirus outbreak. — Reuters 12 Established 1961 Business Wednesday, March 4, 2020 NBK Capital: Coronavirus eradicates market gains since 2020 beginning Boursa Kuwait All Share Index down 4.0%, Premier Market Index down 4.31%

KUWAIT: In the Gulf, equity markets recorded broad Elsewhere, India’s Nifty 50 closed in the red at 6.4 per- declines with the exception of Bahrain and Oman. The cent, while the Brazilian Ibovespa and Mexico S&P GCC Composite Index retreated by 7.24 percent Exchange Indices declined by 8.4 percent and 6.3 per- during February bringing its total year-to-date losses cent for the month. to 8.69 percent, while the broader S&P Pan Arab Index The last week of February was a historic week for declined by 6.96 percent accumulating losses of 7.66 US and global markets as fears of the coronavirus percent since the beginning of the year. Leading the spread and its effect on financial markets and the global declines was the Qatari market with a loss of 9.12 per- economy were the central focus of investors. US indices cent for the Qatar Exchange Index. It was followed by declined by as much as 12.8 percent for the S&P 500 the Saudi Tadawul All Share index which declined by and 14 percent for the Dow Jones during the last week 7.50 percent for the month. of February making it the worst weekly decline since Dubai’s DFM General Index and Abu Dhabi’s ADX 2008, while volatility surged as the VIX reached a high General Index retreating by 7.18 percent and 4.94 per- 49.48 before closing the week at 40.11. The MSCI AC cent respectively followed it. In Kuwait, declines were World index closed the month of February down 8.2 more moderate with the Boursa Kuwait All Share Index percent after declining by 11.6 percent during the last down 4.0 percent for the month and the Premier 10 days of the month when the global virus-induced Market Index down 4.31 percent. Oman and Bahrain market rout intensified. The MSCI EAFI, on the other were the only positive market in the GCC with Oman’s hand, which represents the performance of developed MSM 30 Index up 1.27 percent improving its year-to- markets outside of the US and Canada, declined by 9.2 date gains to 3.76 percent and Bahrain’s All Share index percent for the month, bringing its year-to-date losses marginally in the green with a gain of 0.17 percent in to 11.2 percent. February and 3.12 percent for the year. Elsewhere in the In the US, the market sell-off intensified during the Middle East, Egypt’s EGX 30 declined by 6.54 percent last week of February erasing most of the gains record- while Morocco’s MADEX and Jordan ASE Index ed since the middle of the previous year. Major US declined by 2.19 percent and 1.71 percent respectively. indices closed deep in the red with the S&P 500 down Gross Domestic Product for the fourth quarter of 2019 European financial markets joined the global rout and The decline in Emerging markets wasn’t as severe as 8.4 percent for the month, and the Down Jones showed an annual growth of 2.1 percent, consistent with declined steeply during the month in tandem with their it was in their developed peers as emerging markets Industrial Average and the Tech-heavy Nasdaq down the advance estimate and the growth rate for the third global peers. The Stoxx Europe 600 was down 8.5 had already underperformed in January. The MSCI EM 10.1 percent and 6.4 percent respectively. Treasury quarter. Inflation remained muted as the Personal percent in February, while the German DAX and Index declined by 5.3 percent in February after having yields, on the other hand, sunk to all-time lows with the Consumption Expenditures (PCE) for January French CAC40 declined by 8.4 percent and 8.5 per- lost 4.69 percent during January, bringing its total year- yield on the 10-year treasury bonds falling to 1.127 per- increased to 1.7 percent y-o-y from a revised 1.5 per- cent respectively resulting in losses of 10.3 percent to-date decline to around 9.8 percent which is in-line cent as at the end of February. cent in December, while the Core measure of PCE and 11.2 percent for the two indices since the begin- with global equity indices. Among the biggest losers in Fears of a global economic slowdown caused by the inched higher to 1.6 percent in January compared to 1.5 ning of the year. emerging markets were the Borsa Istanbul 100 Index spread of the virus has crippled world markets and has percent for the previous month. In the UK, the FTSE 100 retreated by 9.7 percent in and the Russian Stock Exchange which declined by 11.0 increased speculation that the US Federal Reserve Economic activity in the European Union remains February, accumulating losses of 12.8 percent since the percent and 9.5 percent respectively in February. would slash rates by up to 50 bps in one or two cuts in weak; revised estimates for the fourth quarter beginning of the year. Manufacturing activity continued Declines in other Asian markets were generally moder- its upcoming March and April meetings, with some European GDP showed a growth of 0.9 percent year- its recovery through the second month of the year; the ate compared to other markets. The MSCI Asia ex- analysts even estimating that the Fed might call for an on-year, down from a revised 1.2 percent for Q3. Markit Manufacturing PMI jumped to 51.9 in February, Japan retreated by 2.9 percent outperforming both emergency meeting to cut rates. In a rare statement, the Manufacturing activity, on the other hand, continues to up from 49.7 In January. Inflation also ticked higher Emerging and developed markets peers. The Shanghai Fed Chairman Powell, said on Friday that the federal improve as the Markit Manufacturing PMI climbed to with the headline and core measures of CPI increasing composite recorded a decline of 3.2 percent, while the reserve would “use our tools and act as appropriate to 49.1 in February according to preliminary estimates up to 1.8 percent and 1.6 percent in January up from 1.3 Taiwan Stock exchange declined by 1.8 percent. support the economy”. The second estimate of the US from 47.9 in December and 46.3 in November. percent and 1.4 percent respectively in December.

NBK Economic Report Global, GCC yields diverged in 4th quarter 2019 KUWAIT: An improved growth outlook, better econom- ic data, easing trade tensions, and a more neutral Fed saw benchmark global bond yields trend higher in 4Q19. This followed a downtrend in yields in previous quarters driv- en by central bank dovishness, sluggish growth and trade uncertainty. GCC sovereign yields, which typically track their global counterparts, were mostly unchanged likely Confidence was also helped by a robust US labor market risks subside then yields could increase from the record- and push their yields higher. Finally, any major adverse on the back of continued international interest and and a resilient US consumer sector. The improved senti- lows that they have reached. developments in terms of geopolitical risks will most like- demand for regional debt, especially after the recent ment was reflected in investors’ risk-on attitude as global ly drive up yields. EMBI benchmark index inclusion, and as risk-return pro- equities rallied in 4Q19 in sync with rising bond yields. GCC yields mostly steady files remain attractive. The increase in bond yields was led by Germany’s 10- GCC medium-term sovereign yields diverged from Moderate GCC issuance in 4Q19 Looking forward, and following significant year-to- year Bund (+37 bps q/q) followed by the UK gilt (+34 global trends in 4Q19, with yields in four out of six GCC GCC issuance (both domestic and international) in date decreases, further declines in yields are still possible bps), the US 10-year (+24 bps) and finally Japanese sov- countries broadly steady in 4Q19. Continued international 4Q19 amounted to $11 billion, including $3.9 billion in given certain risks, which include an unexpected resur- ereigns (+20 bps). While sovereign bond yields were interest in GCC debt likely dampened a potential increase Sukuk. This is modest in comparison to prior quarters, gence of trade tensions and coronavirus-related risks and generally lifted by an improved global economic climate, in yields, driven by attractive risk-adjusted returns and but gross issuance throughout 2019 was solid reaching their potential impact on global growth. GCC debt UK gilts in particular were also supported by lower polit- inclusion of most GCC sovereigns in the global bench- $102 billion, and total outstanding debt (domestic and issuance was moderate in 4Q19 relative to previous quar- ical uncertainty on the back of the breakthrough in Brexit mark JP Morgan Emerging Market Bond Index (EMBI). international) rose to $517 billion at the end of 2019 from ters, standing at around $11 billion compared to circa $30 discussions and a decisive general election result. Oman and Bahrain witnessed a second consecutive close to $457 billion one year ago. Noteworthy is a $3.5 billion in 3Q19. Issuances have moderated possibly due to The developments in terms of the Coronavirus will be quarter of sharp declines in sovereign bond yields, which billion issuance in November, in three tranches with refinancing needs being already completed during the a main factor impacting the direction of yields going for- decreased by 79 and 82 bps, respectively. The two coun- coupons ranging from 2.5 percent to 3.7 percent by year. Issuances in 4Q19 were dominated by sovereigns ward. In addition, possible deterioration in trade discus- tries continued to benefit from improved outlooks, and Mamoura Diversified Global Holding, a UAE quasi-sov- and quasi-sovereigns in KSA and UAE, respectively. sions, political uncertainty from the upcoming US presi- initially had much higher yields compared to their peers ereign. Issuance may have eased in 4Q on the back of a dential election, as well as any escalation in tensions on which gave them more room to fall. The two bonds are lower need to refinance after the exceptionally strong run Global yields trend up in 4Q19 the US-Iran front, may weigh on the global outlook and typically more volatile than their peers and yield/price earlier in the year, driven in part by a large volume of Global benchmark bond yields rose in 4Q19, largely on could impact yields negatively. Indeed, benchmark bond movements are usually more pronounced. While GCC maturities: around $43 billion in GCC bonds and Sukuk easing trade tensions after the striking of a Phase 1 US- yields have reversed course so far in 2020, with the US sovereign yields will continue to be impacted by the matured in 2019. With generally expansionary budgets China trade deal in November, which was signed on 10-year down around 74 bps as of end-February to stand direction of global yields, there is another important fac- and low borrowing costs, issuance has regained traction January 15 2020. This led to an improved global growth at an all-time low of 1.13 percent. Additional factors such tor that will influence the direction of GCC sovereign so far this year. More than $11 billion had been issued as outlook, prompting central banks to pause rate cuts and as a maturing business cycle and higher stock market val- yields. Given the current global macroecoomic outlook, of mid-February, most notable of which was a three- adopt a neutral monetary stance, thereby lessening the uations (especially in the US) also have the potential to oil prices are expected to remain soft, which may tranche $5 billion sovereign bond issuance by Saudi pressure on yields from dovish monetary expectations. weigh down on yields. On the other hand, if Coronavirus increase the implied risk of GCC sovereign instruments Arabia as well as a $3 billion issuance by QNB in Qatar.

EXCHANGE RATES

US Dollar Transfer 306.200 Thai Bhat 10.675 Chinese Yuan 0.042457 0.045957 AL-MUZAINI EXCHANGE CO. Euro 343.560 Turkish Lira 49.930 Hong Kong Dollar 0.037258 0.040008 Sterling Pound 393.310 Singapore dollars 219.748 Indian Rupee 0.003624 0.004396 ASIAN COUNTRIES Canadian dollar 230.830 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000017 0.000023 Japanese Yen 0.002753 0.002933 Japanese Yen 2.840 Turkish lira 49.950 BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Indian Rupees 4.225 Swiss Franc 321.980 Korean Won 0.000246 0.000261 Pakistani Rupees 1.985 US Dollar Buying 298.750 Malaysian Ringgit 0.069482 0.075482 Srilankan Rupees 1.679 CURRENCY BUY SELL Nepalese Rupee 0.002611 0.002951 Nepali Rupees 2.649 DOLLARCO EXCHANGE CO. LTD Europe Pakistan Rupee 0.001337 0.002107 Singapore Dollar 221.240 British Pound 0.385990 0.399890 Philippine Peso 0.005872 0.006172 Hongkong Dollar 39.287 Czech Korune 0.005339 0.014639 Singapore Dollar 0.214650 0.224650 Bangladesh Taka 3.588 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Danish Krone 0.041559 0.046559 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001324 0.001904 Philippine Peso 6.057 US Dollar 305.850 Euro 0. 333541 0.347241 Taiwan 0.010088 0.010268 Thai Baht 9.793 Canadian Dollar 229.950 Georgian Lari 0.108913 0.108913 Thai Baht 0.009391 0.009941 Malaysian Ringgit 78.312 Sterling Pound 392.410 Hungarian 0.000920 0.001110 Vietnamese Dong 0.00013 0.000013 Euro 342.410 Norwegian Krone 0.028846 0.034046 GCC COUNTRIES Swiss Frank 295.610 Romanian Leu 0.053936 0.070786 Arab Saudi Riyal 81.708 Bahrain Dinar 813.370 Russian Ruble 0.004612 0.004612 Bahraini Dinar 0.806026 0.814134 Qatari Riyal 84.156 UAE Dirhams 83.675 Slovakia 0.009183 0.019183 Egyptian Pound 0.019367 0.022107 ani Riyal 795.841 Qatari Riyals 84.915 Swedish Krona 0.028006 0.033006 Iranian Riyal 0.000085 0.000086 Bahraini Dinar 813.600 Saudi Riyals 82.455 Swiss Franc 0.312827 0.323827 Iraqi Dinar 0.000201 0.000261 UAE Dirham 83.422 Jordanian Dinar 432.670 Jordanian Dinar 0.426977 0.435977 Egyptian Pound 19.638 Australasia Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 ARAB COUNTRIES Sri Lankan Rupees 1.679 Australian Dollar 0.191980 0.203980 Lebanese Pound 0.000102 0.000252 Egyptian Pound - Cash 21.000 Indian Rupees 4.209 New Zealand Dollar 0.185228 0.194728 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021207 0.045207 Pakistani Rupees 1.980 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 19.637 Omani Riyal 0.790176 0.798124 Bangladesh Taka 3.596 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.230 America Qatar Riyal 0.083447 0.084287 Philippines Pesso 6.030 Tunisian Dinar 113.830 Canadian Dollar 0.223968 0.232968 Saudi Riyal 0.080567 0.081867 Cyprus pound 18.190 Jordanian Dinar 432.390 US Dollars 0.302100 0.306650 Syrian Pound 0.001299 0.001519 Japanese Yen 3.835 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 0.204 US Dollars Mint 0.302600 0.306650 Tunisian Dinar 0.103719 0.111719 Syrian Lira 0.000 Syrian Pound 1.595 Nepalese Rupees 2.639 Turkish Lira 0.043247 0.053092 Morocco Dirham 32.609 Asia Malaysian Ringgit 73.555 UAE Dirhams 0.082731 0.083563 Bangladesh Taka 0.002892 0.003693 Yemeni Riyal 0.000996 0.001076 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Chinese Yuan Renminbi 44.325 Established 1961 13 Business Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Twitter staff told to work from home over coronavirus fears Staff at Google’s European HQ in Ireland told to stay away from work for a day

SAN FRANCISCO: Twitter staff across “Our goal is to lower the probability of 100 cases of the infection. Twitter had the world were asked to work from home the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus already announced the suspension of starting Monday in an effort to stop the for us-and the world around us.” Working “non-critical” business travel and events spread of the deadly new coronavirus from home will be mandatory for employ- last week. Google employees some 8,000 epidemic. At the same time, thousands of ees at the company’s South Korea, Hong staff and contractors in the Irish capital. staff at Google’s European headquarters Kong and Japan offices, Christie said. “We continue to take precautionary in Ireland were told to stay away for the South Korea has recorded nearly measures to protect the health and safety day after one employee reported flu-like 5,000 confirmed COVID-19 infections- of our workforce,” a spokesperson said in symptoms. the largest number outside mainland a statement. “In accordance with the The outbreak has spread across the China-along with 28 deaths. More than advice of medical experts, and as part of world since emerging in central China late half of the cases have been linked to the that effort, we have asked our Dublin last year, killing more than 3,100 people, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive teams to work from home today.” infecting over 90,000, and prompting a religious group often described as a cult. Ireland has one confirmed case of wave of travel restrictions. Japan’s government has urged the closure COVID-19 — a man who returned from Twitter’s decision to ask its staff to of schools nationwide and employers to northern Italy. Google staff who have avoid the office follows similar requests give their staff permission to work been in contact with their colleague with by governments in virus hotspots. “We are remotely. the flu-like symptoms have been told to strongly encouraging all employees glob- Most civil servants in Hong Kong monitor their health, while the company ally to work from home if they’re able,” returned to work on Monday after they is using the situation to help test the In this file photo taken on May 02, 2019 a woman holds a smartphone with the logo of US Twitter human resources chief Jennifer were asked to work from home for a company’s readiness to deal with any social network Twitter, in Nantes, western France. — AFP Christie said in a Monday blog post. month. The financial hub has recorded outbreak. — AFP

ramifications. Commodity markets Jack Welch, iconic Is it a currency? operate with relatively little regulatory oversight. Securities, on the other hand, are typically subject to more General Electric A commodity? onerous rules on price transparency, trade reporting and market abuse. CEO, dead at 84 Bitcoin has an “When we’re going through the secu- rity process, we spend a lot of fees identity crisis and lawyers to make sure we’re in NEW YORK: Jack Welch, who built General compliance,” said Benjamin Tsai, presi- Electric into a global industrial flagship and dent of Wave Financial, an investment became one of America’s best-known busi- LONDON: So bitcoin’s a currency, manager in Los Angeles overseeing nessmen, died on Monday aged 84, the com- right? Well, yes, it can be used to buy, $40 million in crypto. “It’s a lot more pany said. Dubbed the “manager of the cen- sell and price goods much like dollars of a pain in the butt.” tury,” by Fortune magazine in 1999, Welch and euros. A commodity? Come to transformed GE into a sprawling conglomer- think of it, it does behave a lot like oil Character clues ate during his two decades as chief executive. and gold - it can be bought and sold in Some of the cryptocurrency identity “Today is a sad day for the entire GE fami- cash markets or via derivatives such as crisis lies in the fact that bitcoin was ly. Jack was larger than life and the heart of futures. originally conceived as a means of pay- GE for half a century. He reshaped the face of What about a security? Many cryp- ment, but now rarely bears the hall- our company and the business world,” com- tocurrencies are, in a way. They’re marks of dollars, euros or pounds. It’s pany chief Larry Culp said in an email. Welch, NEW YORK: In this file photo former General Electric (GE) Chairman and Chief Executive issued like stocks in “initial coin offer- of little use as a store of value because the son of a railway worker and a homemaker, Officer Jack Welch discusses the Boeing 777-200X jetliner which uses GE engines to achieve ings” and used to represent shares in of its volatility, and is hampered as a rose from his working class roots to ultimate- the longest-range in commercial aviation, at a news conference in New York. —AFP online projects. means of exchange by its slow network ly expand GE beyond household appliances, The debate may appear abstract, and high transfer costs. healthcare and aeronautics into finance with with little bearing on the hard-boiled A booming bitcoin lending market is be forgotten,” the president said. Welch was financial crisis, forcing him to sell off GE Capital and media through NBCUniversal. world of finance, but it is attracting offering clues to its character. Bitcoin an ardent supporter of the Republican party. NBCUniversal to cable operator Comcast, The company’s market capitalization grew increasing interest from economists lending offers lines of credit to crypto while GE Capital, caught up in a subprime from $12 billion when he took over in 1981 to and lawyers who say it could have firms earning money in cryptocurren- World’s biggest corporation mortgage crisis, had to liquidate one asset $410 billion on his departure. Welch’s hard- major implications for the future of cies, such as payment processors or Born in Massachusetts, Welch earned a after another. hitting reforms at GE came at a cost, however, cryptocurrencies. How bitcoin and oth- miners, looking to secure traditional doctorate in 1960 and joined GE the same Welch’s high-flying business career and he was criticized for firing thousands of er digital coins are defined could shape money for covering expenses. Also, year as a chemical engineer in its plastics enabled him to become immensely wealthy. employees. how they are regulated around the traders who don’t want to sell their bit- division, rising through the ranks to become Some estimates pegged his fortune at more “His no nonsense leadership style gave him world. In turn, the rules they are sub- coin holdings use them as collateral to vice chairman in 1979, then CEO two years than $600 million. He was involved in pub- a reputation of being hard, even ruthless, but ject to could determine whether they borrow cash for use in algorithmic or later. Business analysts and investors praised lishing several books including “Winning” and also fair when making business decisions,” make the leap from a niche to a main- high-frequency trading. on him for molding GE, which traces its roots a biography, “Jack: Straight from the Gut,” Welch’s GE biography said. As the layoffs stream asset. For those lending money, relatively to 1892, into a more formidable and diversi- which became a New York Times best-seller. mounted, he became known as “Neutron So how will regulators treat them? high yields are an attractive proposition fied company. For a brief period it was the Welch stayed in the public arena after his Jack” due to his reputation for eliminating In the United States, federal watchdogs in an era of rock-bottom rates. Key world’s biggest corporation. retirement. He co-wrote a regular column for workers and jobs without demolishing the say they see elements of both securities characteristics of this market, such as But his reign ended in a bitter failure when BusinessWeek with his third wife Suzy, buildings they worked in. The hard-charging and commodities, but like most major market-led price discovery and the European regulators blocked GE’s merger taught management classes and earned hefty executive said in a 2005 television interview economies have not come up with a set motivation to seek liquidity, mirror that with Honeywell, another US industrial con- sums from corporate speeches. But his com- that he hated the nickname. of rules. The European Union, however, of commodities leasing, according to glomerate. Welch handed over to his succes- pany is now fighting for its survival, having President Donald Trump used the moniker will outline a framework this year, market players and economists. “The sor Jeff Immelt a few days before the been ejected from the Wall Street bench- to pay tribute to Welch. “There was no corpo- which could see crypto wedged into commodities markets (analogy) is very September 11, 2001 attacks in the United mark Dow Jones Industrial Average, with a rate leader like ‘neutron’ Jack,” Trump tweet- existing regulations, or a whole new set fitting,” said Deeksha Gupta, an assistant States. Immelt’s reign was also marked by the value of only $95 billion under its current ed. “He was my friend and supporter. We of rules created. professor of finance at the Carnegie bursting of the Internet bubble and the global chief executive. — AFP made wonderful deals together. He will never For market players, how bitcoin and Mellon University in Pittsburgh who has its kin are regulated will have serious researched crypto. —Reuters are currently operating at “over 50 per- cent of seasonal demands” and are Foxconn says Who is forcing carmakers to sell low expected to resume normal seasonal Waymo raises Why automakers emission cars? China factories capacity by the end of March. $2.25bn to rev up EU lawmakers have set a general The virus outbreak is having an are on a drive target that emissions from all new cars operating at 50% impact on international supply chains sold by an automaker should on aver- and manufacturing given China’s lynchpin autonomous cars age not exceed 95 grams of CO2 per role in the global economy. Apple said to sell electric kilometre by 2021. However, the target last month its revenue for the current SAN FRANCISCO: Waymo said Monday it had TAIPEI: Taiwanese tech giant and iPhone raised $2.25 billion in its first external funding for individuals carmakers varies assembler Foxconn said yesterday its quarter would be below its forecasts, and cars in Europe because it takes into account the start- that the worldwide iPhone supply “will round to help the former Google car unit acceler- Chinese factories are operating at 50 per- ate its deployment of autonomous cars and trucks. ing weight of each companies’ fleet in be temporarily constrained” because of cent of seasonal capacity and are expect- Born in a Google lab devoted to big-vision new the base year of 2007. the outbreak in China, where Apple man- FRANKFURT: Carmakers are under ing to take a hit for the current quarter technology, Waymo became a subsidiary of ufactures most of its devices. pressure in Europe to sell more electric due to the coronavirus outbreak. Alphabet in 2016 — and has been one of the tech What is the penalty for Also known by its official name Hon Hai One of Foxconn’s largest facilities in cars or face huge fines for breaching non-compliance? giant’s “other bets” that have been losing money in new emissions rules aimed at tackling Precision Industry, Foxconn is the world’s the central city of Zhengzhou is dubbed recent years. Manufacturers will face a penalty of biggest contract electronics manufacturer “iPhone City”, where around 60 percent global warming. The European Union 95 euros for each gram of excess CO2 Leading the investment round are the equity set automakers a target to cut carbon and makes Apple’s iPhones as well as of the devices are assembled according firm Silver Lake, the Canada Pension Plan they emit compared with their individual dioxide emissions by 40 percent gadgets for other international brands. to analysts. Investment Board, and Mubadala Investment targets. Evercore ISI analysts estimate between 2007 and 2021, but they are Foxconn employs more than one mil- Chinese state media Global Times said Company based in the United Arab Emirates. Other carmakers face up to a combined 33 bil- collectively far short of this goal due to lion workers across its vast network of yesterday the Zhengzhou plant is short of investors include the automotive supplier Magna lion euros ($37 billion) in fines based on the popularity among drivers of heavy, factories in China, where operations have 50,000 workers, or 22 percent of the International, venture firm Andreessen Horowitz reported 2018 CO2 emissions levels. polluting models such as SUVs. EU law- been affected by the deadly COVID-19 plant’s capacity. “We are working closely and the automotive retailer AutoNation, as well as Analysts at PA Consulting estimate fines makers also agreed in December 2018 a outbreak that emerged in central Wuhan with local government agencies to Alphabet. “We’ve always approached our mission for individual carmakers would have further cut in CO2 emissions from cars before spreading to over 70 countries. resume operations in different batches as a team sport,” said Waymo chief executive John been as follows, based on 2018 fleet of 37.5 percent by 2030 compared with The firm’s chairman Young Liu told and in an orderly fashion according to Krafcik. “Today, we’re expanding that team, adding emissions. The actual penalties are likely 2021 levels - raising the bar just as the investors that its plants on mainland China the regulations,” Liu said. — AFP financial investors and important strategic partners to be lower as carmakers sought to sell fines from the previous target are about who bring decades of experience investing in and more hybrid and electric cars in 2019. supporting successful technology companies to kick in. building transformative products.” With the new What investments are required? funding, Krafcik said, “we’ll deepen our investment Why haven’t electric cars gained Fitting more electric components in our people, our technology, and our operations, traction so far? will cost carmakers between 800 and all in support of the deployment of the Waymo Battery-driven cars take longer to 5,000 euros per vehicle to ensure com- Driver around the world.” recharge compared with the roughly pliance with 2021 targets, Evercore ISI Waymo has been operating an autonomous three minutes needed fill up a petrol or say. Mild hybrid systems - where elec- rideshare pilot program in Arizona, with some of the diesel tank, although the exact time tric motors are used to assist a com- rides without any human driver, and has announced depends on the type of charger and the bustion engine - give rise to an addi- new tests in the US states of Texas and New vehicle. Many countries have also been tional cost of between 800 and 1,200 Mexico. Waymo has also begun using the same slow to roll-out charging points. euros per vehicle, while plug-in hybrids technology for self-driving trucks that haul cargo According to Volkswagen’s subsidiary - where the electric motor can take bound for Alphabet data centers in Georgia. Electrify America, a 240-volt charger over - add 2,000-5,000 euros. Until According to the company, the Waymo Driver tech- can add 20 to 30 miles of driving range now, the auto industry has relied on nology has logged more than 20 million miles (32 in an hour, depending on the capability profits between 500 and 1,500 euros million kilometers) on public roads across over 25 of the vehicle, and a direct current fast per vehicle in the mass market, and cities, and over 10 billion miles in simulation. — AFP charger takes between five and 30 min- between 2,000 and 5,000 euros for a utes to add 100 miles of range. premium vehicle. — Reuters 14 Established 1961 Business Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Ahli United Bank earns the Fastest Growing Banking Solutions Award IF honors AUB’s risk-centric sharia audit approach in Kuwait since 2017 KUWAIT: In a new accomplishment to be added to AUB carries out its business activities in compliance with Islamic Sharia laws. its record of achievements, which strengthen its lead- with the Islamic banking principles, and innovate new Dr. Al-Mudhaf underlined that since converting its ing position in the banking industry, Ahli United Bank Sharia-compliant banking solutions. business activities to comply with Islamic Sharia on (AUB) was named the “Fastest Growing Sharia The awarding institution announced that the first the 1st of April 2010, AUB has been unlocking its Compliant Banking Solutions in Kuwait Award 2019” level of evaluation was done by an Internal utmost potential and leveraging its long-established by International Finance (IF), a renowned world-class Evaluation Team, after which, the details are for- experience spanning over 78 years of the Kuwaiti business and finance magazine. warded to an External Evaluation Agency to perform market to provide a unique set of Sharia-compliant, IF relied in bestowing this award to AUB on a set with the final level of evaluation. Upon receiving the state-of-the-art banking services. of criteria, with the foremost being that AUB’s evaluation report, IFM announced the awards’ win- Al-Mudhaf also emphasized that AUB winning this Internal Sharia Audit is the first of its kind to adopt a ners on their website. award is a clear demonstration of its successful appli- risk-centric Sharia audit approach in Kuwait since Abdullah Tareq Al-Shuaib, Head of Internal cation of Islamic Sharia principles. It also reflects 2017. In addition, Internal Sharia Audit includes a Sharia Audit at AUB, received the award during the AUB’s endeavors to achieve its goal of promoting its group of qualified Sharia audit professionals who award ceremony held in the United Arab Emirates. status as the most preferred for clients who seek to combine banking expertise as well as Sharia audit, Commenting on this achievement, Dr. Anwar Ali Al- the best Sharia-compliant products and services that supervisory knowledge and experience. This high- Mudhaf, AUB Board Chairman, shared his heartfelt meet their requirements and improve their standard lights the success of AUB’s in enabling the role of congratulations to all AUB staff, especially Fatwa & of living beyond their expectations. We are, therefore, Sharia Supervisory Board to develop banking prod- Sharia Supervisory Board (FSSB) for playing a motivated to exert our utmost efforts to provide the ucts and services, support developing AUB’s business major role in overseeing all AUB’s banking transac- best Islamic banking solutions that continue to attain Abdullah Al-Shuaib with the award operations in alignment with Sharia principles, ensure tions, products and services to ensure compliance the trust and satisfaction of our clients”.

with 0.8 percent in 2018. “You can lay a stc, Huawei S African lot of the blame on (power utility) Eskom and the load-shedding (power cuts). But economy enters you must also blame government-reform jointly sign is happening way too slowly,” said Wayne McCurrie, an FNB portfolio manager . go-to-market recession Regular power cuts as Eskom fails to meet electricity demand have seen a steady decline in South African busi- strategic MoU PRETORIA: South Africa entered its second recession in two years in the final ness and consumer confidence. quarter of last year, as agriculture, trans- Spending shrank 1.2 percent in quarter- on-quarter terms after contracting by a KUWAIT: stc a leading service provider in port and construction contracted, data revised 0.4 percent in the third quarter, Saudi Arabia, standing out with strong busi- showed yesterday. Stats SA said. ness capabilities and wide coverage, has The recession is another setback to South African retailers have struggled announced Solutions by stc developed a President Cyril Ramaphosa’s efforts to to increase earnings as cash-strapped new partnership with Huawei-a leading revive the economy and stave off a global provider of information and commu- downgrade of the country’s sovereign shoppers spend money on food rather nications technology (ICT) infrastructure debt to below investment grade by the than higher-margin discretionary goods and smart devices to enrich its ICT products rating agency Moody’s. Statistics South such as electronics, hurting the likes of and solutions offered to enterprise cus- Africa said the economy shrank 1.4 per- Walmart-controlled Massmart. tomers within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. across the Kingdom. Both parties are confi- Huawei, we are looking forward to provide cent in the fourth quarter, following a Banks have also struggled to increase The MoU was signed between by Omar dent this will create win-win business mod- more industries with seamless, secure, and revised 0.8 percent contraction in the their earnings at home and are increas- Al-Nomany, CEO of Solutions and Dennis els, unlock opportunities, and achieve higher convenient digital solutions.” third quarter. Economists polled by ingly relying on businesses elsewhere in Zhang, CEO of Huawei Tech Investment profit on the three strategic industries Oil & Dennis Zhang, CEO of Huawei Tech Reuters had predicted a contraction of Africa to maintain their performance. Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. This agreement sets gas, Healthcare and SME. Omer Al-Nomani, Investment Saudi Arabia, said: The joint 0.1 percent. “The economy is in reces- Nedbank, one of South Africa’s four a milestone for deeper collaboration CEO of Solutions said: “Solutions by stc is effort will contribute to a stronger business sion again. That is two consecutive quar- largest banks, yesterday reported a near between Huawei and Solutions by stc. Both fully committed to deliver a safe and agile service and solutions, where, Huawei, its ters of contraction, after being in reces- 7 percent drop in full-year profit and parties will leverage their expertise to jointly experience to our enterprise customers. partners, and stc will all share in the results sion in the first two quarters of 2018,” revised a key profitability target as the build the latest innovated solution delivery Through this strategic collaboration with of success. Joe de Beer, Stats SA’s deputy director- worsening economy pushed up defaults general for economic statistics, told and cut demand for credit. reporters. Last week, the National Treasury cut On a quarter-on-quarter basis, agri- its 2020 economic growth forecast to Australia, Malaysia culture declined 7.6 percent, transport 0.9 percent and said it would cut the 7.2 percent, construction 5.9 percent, public-sector wage bill to contain a ris- cut interest rates electricity 4 percent and retail 3.8 per- ing budget deficit. “The Treasury is now cent, the data showed. The rand extended clearly on a pro-growth trajectory,” losses against the dollar after the data. Razia Khan, chief Africa and Middle on virus fears Gross domestic product shrank 0.5 per- East economist at Standard Chartered cent year-on-year in the fourth quarter Bank. “The shock nature of this GDP SYDNEY: Australia’s central bank yesterday after expanding 0.1 percent the quarter print highlights just how urgent an slashed interest rates to a record low and said before. The economy expanded 0.2 per- exercise that is, and how there is no it was ready to provide further action if need- cent in the 2019 calendar year compared room to get it wrong.” — Reuters ed as policymakers around the world pledge economic support against the impact of the coronavirus. In lowering rates by 25 basis points to 0.50 percent, Reserve Bank of Fed vs COVID-19: Australia boss Philip Lowe warned global growth was expected to be lower in the first What can the US half of 2020 and COVID-19 was also having a KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s central bank cut its key interest rate yesterday to the lowest “significant effect” domestically. level since 2010 to combat the impact of the new coronavirus.— Reuters Australia’s education and travel sectors, central bank do? which are heavily reliant on China-where the WASHINGTON: Wall Street has outbreak started-have been particularly hard one. Sad!” he added, referring to the Fed growing unemployment, stagnant wages and tanked, some factories in China have hit and surrounding uncertainty is also likely chief. The announcement came as other insti- high household debt. Economic growth was a shuttered and businesses and investors to impact spending. “Given the evolving situ- tutions including the Federal Reserve, Bank of modest 1.7 percent in 2019, prompting the cen- fear the new coronavirus could damage ation, it is difficult to predict how large and Japan and European Central Bank said they tral bank to slash rates three times in less than the global economy and maybe even long-lasting the effect will be,” Lowe said in a were ready to step in to mitigate the econom- six months. A crippling drought and devastat- cause a recession. The US Federal statement. “Once the coronavirus is con- ic pressure of the outbreak, which the OECD ing months-long bushfire crisis have also dealt Reserve says it’s ready to take action. tained, the Australian economy is expected to said could send global growth to its lowest a blow, with the government saying the dry The Fed raises the rate when it wants to What can it do, and will it actually benefit return to an improving trend.” level since the financial crisis. “The RBA spell had taken a quarter of a percentage point slow the economy and ward off inflation, the economy? “Policy measures have been announced in became the first developed market central off expansion in gross domestic product. One and cuts when it wants to provide stimu- several countries, including China, which will bank to cut in response to the coronavirus, bright spot noted by the RBA was stronger lus by making borrowing less expensive, Statement to reassure markets help support growth,” he said. “In most paving the way for other banks to ease over house prices, with an uptick in the Sydney and boosting consumption and investment. In its worst week since the 2008 glob- economies, including the United States, there coming weeks,” said TD Securities’ Prashant Melbourne markets coming in recent months The Fed’s policy committee meets al financial crisis, Wall Street lost about 12 is an expectation of further monetary stimu- Newnaha. Though the RBA struck an opti- after a lengthy slowdown. eight times a year, and markets and most percent last week, and $3.5 trillion in lus over coming months.” mistic tone about the future, analysts have Malaysia’s central bank cut its key interest economists overwhelmingly expect US He added that the bank would continue to predicted the country’s economy could con- rate yesterday to the lowest level since 2010 equity value evaporated into the virus- central bankers to vote to cut the key rate monitor developments “closely” and was tract unless the virus is contained. to combat the impact of the new coronavirus, infected air. As the death toll climbs, at their next meeting March 17-18. The “prepared to ease monetary policy further” if “There is expectation of further stimulus which has battered economies worldwide. investors seem particularly worried about problem is the benchmark rate remains at necessary. Donald Trump jumped on the cut, over coming months in most economies,” said Bank Negara Malaysia slashed the rate by 25 the spread of the virus to more countries, a very low range of 1.5-1.75 percent, fol- using it to attack the Federal Reserve and Newnaha. “The RBA’s focus on offshore cen- basis points to 2.5 percent, as expected by with the hit to the economy coming at a lowing three rate cuts last year. push for a similar move at home. tral bank developments... implies this is not economists, in its second cut this year. It came moment when growth was already fragile. Many economists warn another rate “Our Federal Reserve has us paying higher the end of the RBA easing cycle, even if fiscal as Australia’s central bank reduced rates to a The Federal Reserve is supposed to cut would be ineffective, since the virus is rates than many others, when we should be support is forthcoming.” record low and as other institutions including focus on the domestic economy, not wor- hitting supply rather than demand, and paying less,” he tweeted. “Jerome Powell led Despite a record 29 years without a reces- the Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan and ry about day-to-day stock movements. acting now will hamper the Fed’s ability to Federal Reserve has called it wrong from day sion, it had already been flagging owing to European Central Bank vow action. — AFP But in a crisis, markets look to the central react to a downturn driven by a contrac- bank for reassurance. Fed Chair Jerome tion in consumption, which drives two- Powell responded Friday with a statement thirds of the US economy. “A cut in two years. NEHAWU, one of the largest public was talking to unions informally. to calm the situation. He acknowledged weeks would be somewhat of a panic S African unions sector unions, said it had rejected govern- He said unions hadn’t told the ministry the coronavirus “poses evolving risks to move as well” and “does nothing to ment’s request to review the wage deal and about their plans to lodge a dispute and that economic activity,” and said the Fed is change the economy facing a health cri- threaten dispute that it did not intend to discuss it further. “On officials would deal with the matter when it “closely monitoring developments.” sis,” economist Joel Naroff told AFP. April 1, if there is no implementation we will arises at the Public Service Coordinating And the kicker: “We will use our tools “Assuming that the epidemic passes... file a dispute and enforce the agreement,” Bargaining Council. and act as appropriate to support the much if not most of the impediments to JOHANNESBURG: South African trade NEHAWU spokesman Khaya Xaba said. The fight over public-sector wages has big economy.” Investors read that as a prom- growth will pass as well, and the economy unions said yesterday that they would lodge a Trade union federation FEDUSA echoed political and economic implications for South ise to cut the benchmark interest rate, will be able to revive without any help.” formal dispute if the government doesn’t honor that view. “We are going to be declaring a Africa. Some unions are important allies of and stocks rallied Monday. “The Fed is In dire circumstances, like at the a three-year public-sector wage deal, a step dispute ... we don’t want to open any discus- President Cyril Ramaphosa’s governing African trying to show the nation that it’s awake ... height of the 2008 global financial crisis, that could lead to months of arbitration and sions on a matter that was settled in June National Congress. Ramaphosa is battling to and it will provide support for the econo- policymakers will not wait for a sched- culminate in a strike. Unions are in a militant 2018 already,” General Secretary Riefdah preserve the country’s last investment-grade my as need be,” Alan Blinder, former vice uled meeting but hold a conference call mood after government officials said last week Ajam told Reuters. credit rating, from Moody’s, which is scheduled chair of the central bank, said on CNBC. to take emergency action. That has the that they couldn’t afford to pay public servants If unions file a dispute, then the matter must to review that rating later this month. On psychological effect of showing the Fed is wage increases due in April and asked to be submitted for conciliation within 30 days. If Monday, Ramaphosa signalled his support for Cut rates at scheduled meeting responsive to events, but also can add renegotiate the deal struck in 2018. the conciliation fails, it will head to arbitration curbing the public-sector wage bill. The Fed’s traditional and most power- fuel to inflamed fears. And unlike in 2008, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said in his and could end in a strike that cripples schools, Economists have long argued that the govern- ful tool to affect the economy is the fed- when the financial system seized up, the annual budget speech that he wanted to make hospitals and police stations. Vukani Mbhele, a ment should take a tougher line with unions eral funds rate, the benchmark used to current epidemic has caused factories to 160 billion rand ($10.3 billion) of cuts to the spokesman for the Department of Public over public-sector wages, which account for determine the cost of all forms of lending be shuttered and transportation to grind public-sector wage bill over the next three Service and Administration, said the ministry around a third of state spending. — Reuters from credit cards to home mortgages. to a halt. — AFP Established 1961 15 What’s On Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Writer Abdullah Abbas Bowair recently organized a special ceremony to celebrate the 14th anniversary of appointing HH Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as Crown Prince as well as celebrating the national anniversaries. The ceremony, held under the auspices of Sheikha Maymounah Al-Sabah, was attended by diplomats, dignitaries and families of the martyrs. Speaking on the occasion, Bowair reviewed HH the Crown Prince’s legacy starting with his childhood, his growing up in a ruler’s house and the posts he had assumed prior to becoming the Crown Prince. Bowair also reviewed HH the Crown Prince’s personal traits as a human being. ICSK students celebrate Kuwait’s National and Liberation Day

uwait is the land of opportunities. To be a Liberation Day of Kuwait. To honor the nation, there skit. The National and Liberation Day of Kuwait were culture, there was a dance performance which heated part of this state it is a matter of our pride occurred a flag hoisting by our Principal Mrs Sherly marked by the Kuwait air show which made the crowd the audience remarkably. To add colour to the day, KG Kand privilege. Dennis and Vice-Principal Mrs Sheeja C which was fol- waiting with enthusiasm. students dressed up in Kuwait flag colour along with A thankful heart and an attitude of gratitude is the lowed by the Kuwait national anthem. As junior we recreated the magical air show which matching accessories. only way to reciprocate the numerous benefits that we The listening ears could be formed for the thoughtful was widely applauded by the students. Each country Principal Mrs Sherly Dennis addressed the assembly receive. Keeping the magnitude of its thankfulness the speech that listed the nation’s glory and grandeur. The brought its culture and tradition which was inculcated and Vice-Principal Mrs Sheeja C congratulated the stu- school organised a special assembly on National and demonstration of Kuwait’s glory was covered through a into the heritage of Kuwait. Embracing the traditional dents and the teachers who conducted the assembly.

saints, thereby displaying the rich cultural her- age group starting from infants to elder children. KKK organizes itage of the state. This program stole the show as the efforts and The program started with a warm welcome time invested by children and their parents were address by Mrs Spoorthy Kamath, convener of clearly visible. Daasotsava Bhakti cultural committee. Divine invocation prayer by 2019 executive committee was felicitated by Mrs Vasantha Ashok and Mrs Sandhya Arun set the current committee for wonderfully manag- Sankula - 2020 the trend for the event. ing Koota affairs and programs. This was fol- This was followed by lighting of the tradition- lowed by the release of Koota magazine tate of Karnataka is enriched with Daasa al lamp by the 2020 executive committee, com- “Marala Mallige”, comprising of informative culture, which had contributed immensely prising of President Rajesh Vittal, Vice President articles, drawings, poems etc., entirely con- Sto its literature, culture, art & philosophy. Sandeep Chabba, General Secretary Praveen tributed by the association members. The Daasa tradition in Karnataka was part of the Kumar Shetty and Treasurer Pradeep Rao. The event’s main attraction “Vrindavana Bhakti movement which flourished from around president, while welcoming the gathering, spoke Leelavarana”, a colorful dance drama spectacu- 15th century and it extended considerable spiri- about the importance of Daasas in Kannada lit- larly portrayed by 54 Koota children, was very tual influence over the masses. Kuwait Kannada erature & history and briefed about the series of well appreciated and received by the attendees. Koota (KKK), a socio-cultural association for upcoming programs. Association children who successfully complet- the people of Karnataka in Kuwait, organized its Cultural programs started with fancy dress ed 10th and 12th were felicitated as a token of annual Daasotsava in remembrance of these competition by Koota children comprising of all encouragement. Executive committee gave away prizes to children who excelled in the stage competitions which was held earlier. Audience was treated to a divine and melodious Bhajan program conducted astutely by the ladies and men. Koota women performed Bhajan Kolata, along with ladies bhajan, in a well-coordinated manner. Vote of thanks was proposed by the secretary of Koota, thanking those who contributed for the success of the event. Another attraction was a quiz competi- tion “Rasa Prashne”, conducted efficiently between the programs, by Mahesh Shiramgond. The whole event was planned and executed astutely by the cultural committee under the leadership of Convener, Mrs Spoorthy Kamath. Public Relations Committee, led by Mrs Suparna Dambal, welcomed the members in a vibrant & colorful way, showcasing a beautifully erected divine mantap. The program ended with a sump- tuous satvik lunch, sponsored by the senior Koota member, Ramachandran Seetharaman. 16 Established 1961 Health & Science Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Air pollution ‘pandemic’ shortens lives by three years: Study

PARIS: A ‘pandemic’ of air pollution shortens lives The worst-hit region is Asia, where average lifes- according to climate scientists. worldwide by nearly three years on average, and pan is cut 4.1 years in China, 3.9 years in India, and The least-impacted regions of the world are the causes 8.8 million premature deaths annually, scien- 3.8 years in Pakistan. In some parts of these coun- Americas, western and northern Europe, and small App that detects jaundice tists said yesterday. Eliminating the toxic cocktail of tries, toxic air takes an even steeper toll, other island states. The figure of 8.8 million premature molecules and lung-clogging particles cast off by research has shown. In India’s Uttar Pradesh — deaths from outdoor air pollution each year is double burning oil, gas and coal would restore a full year of home to 200 million — small particle pollution by estimates from World Health Organization (WHO). in newborns could save lives life expectancy, they reported in the journal itself slashes life expectancy by 8.5 years, while in “The impact of air pollution on cardiovascular and Cardiovascular Research. China’s Hebei Province (population 74 million) the other non-communicable diseases was significantly WASHINGTON: A smartphone app that lets users check the “Air pollution is a larger public health risk than shortfall is nearly six years, according to the Air underestimated,” Lelieveld explained, echoing a con- eyes of newborn babies for jaundice may be an effective, low- tobacco smoking,” lead author Jos Lelieveld of the Quality Life Index, developed by researchers at the clusion from other recent research. cost way of identifying which cases need treatment, scientists Max Planck Institute in Mainz, Germany told AFP. Energy Policy Institute of Chicago. Air pollution causes damage to the blood vessels reported Monday. Jaundice, a liver problem which causes the “Much of it can be avoided by replacing fossil fuels African lives are also foreshortened by 3.1 years through greater oxidative stress, leading to increases skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow, causes 114,000 new- with clean renewable energy.” on average, with people in some nations — Chad, in blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, heart attacks and born deaths and 178,000 cases of disability a year. Compared to other causes of premature death, air Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Nigeria and heart failure. The revised number for China is 2.8 mil- Three-quarters of the deaths occur in South Asia and sub- pollution kills 19 times more people each year than Cote d’Ivoire — losing 4.5 to 7.3 years. Among lion premature deaths each year, two-and-a-half Saharan Africa, meaning the results of this new pilot study — malaria, nine times more than HIV/AIDS, and three wealthier nations, the Soviet Union’s former satellite times the WHO estimates. The researchers said there published in the journal PLOS ONE and led by researchers at times more than alcohol, the study found. Coronary states have the deadliest pollution, especially in are signs in India, China and other emerging the University College London (UCL) — could be an important heart disease and stroke account for almost half of Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. “We show that economies that people are growing intolerant of life- boost to health care professionals in poorer regions. those deaths, with lung diseases and other non-com- about two-thirds of premature deaths are attributa- shortening toxic air. “The realization that air pollution Senior author Terence Leung, from UCL’s medical physics and municable diseases such as diabetes and high blood ble to human-made pollution, mainly from fossil fuel is a major health risk can contribute to the willing- biomedical engineering department, said: “In many parts of the pressure accounting for most of the rest. use,” Munzel said. “This goes up to 80 percent in ness to phase-out fossil fuels — with the co-benefit world, midwives and nurses rely on sight alone to assess jaun- Only six percent of mortality stemming from pollut- high-income countries,” he added. “5.5 million deaths of reducing climate warming,” Lelieveld said. dice. However, this is unreliable, especially for newborns with ed air is due to lung cancer. “Our results show there is worldwide a year are potentially avoidable.” To assess the impact of air pollution on life darker skin. “Our smartphone-based method provides a more an ‘air pollution pandemic’,” said senior author Thomas expectancy, the researchers applied data on expo- robust assessment, ensuring serious cases do not go unnoticed. Munzel of the Max Planck Institute’s departments of Impact ‘significantly underestimated’ sure to micro-particles (PM2.5) and ozone for the While we await the evidence of a larger trial, we believe that this chemistry and cardiology. “Both air pollution and Unavoidable excess mortality stems from natural year 2015 to models that simulate how chemical method, used as an app, could help to prevent the deaths of new- smoking are preventable, but over the past decades dust storms, such as in central Asia and northern processes in the atmosphere interact with natural born babies due to severe jaundice worldwide.” — AFP much less attention has been paid to air pollution than Africa, along with forest fires, though both phenome- and manmade pollutants, and data from the Global to smoking, especially among cardiologists.” na are being amplified by manmade climate change, Burden of Disease. — AFP 17

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

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CROSSWORD 2449 STAR TRACK

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

As the world economy continues to boom, Aries, don't be sur- Today, Libra, a subject that particularly interests you could cause prised if you're surrounded by new work possibilities. More than one chance you to delve into obscure sources to shed more light on it. Your intuition to increase your income could come your way today. The problem will be should help, but today you're more inclined to search for solid evidence. You wading through all these opportunities and trying to decide which is the most might find what you seek in an unusual place and in an unconventional way. appealing and workable for you. List your options and outline the pros and You might want to carry a notebook and pen with you today, even if it's just to cons of each. Writing things down can sometimes make them clearer. the corner store!

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (O ctober 23-November 21)

Today should find you continuing to work toward cherished You should be feeling especially creative at this time. Social career and other goals. Love matters may come to the forefront, Scorpio. If events could put you in touch with some exciting new people, Taurus. Contact you're currently involved, unexpected events could bring you that much closer with those in interesting professions could open up new personal and intel- to your partner. If you aren't involved, you could meet someone exciting, per- lectual avenues to explore today. New friends could come your way, and your haps through some kind of group activities. Also, a longtime friend could sud- romantic situation should intensify. Expect some exciting discussions and the denly appear to you in a new light. Whichever it is, expect some interesting opportunity to learn more about the professions and personalities of the peo- developments. ple around you.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Gemini (May 21-June 20) A lot of effort, energy, and enthusiasm that you've put into various One or more exciting new people could come into your life business or personal projects in the past could finally pay off ACROSS today, perhaps through friends or group activities of some kind. They might today. Don't be surprised if you receive some unexpected praise or acknowl- 86. A town in southeastern New Mexico on edgement for your work. Friends and your special someone are likely to be 1. Standard time in the 8th time zone west of the Pecos River near the Mexican bor- actually visit you in your home. Expect to be inspired and motivated by your contact with these people and others, Gemini, and to have a lot of new possi- very proud of you for this, Sagittarius, so don't be surprised if you receive a Greenwich, reckoned at the 120th der. lot of compliments and congratulations. Go out and celebrate tonight! meridian west. 87. A loose sleeveless outer garment made bilities for your future running through your head. You might also begin to 4. A composer of sacred songs. from aba cloth. contemplate a move. Enjoy your day. 12. An honorary degree in science. 15. Of or relating to a member of the DOWN Buddhist people inhabiting the Mekong 1. Exactly vertical. river in Laos and Thailand. 2. French composer noted for his experimen- 16. Speak out against. talism and rejection of romanticism Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 17. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike (1866-1925). Cancer (June 21-July 22) part of an organism. 3. A baroque musical composition (usually 18. Greenwich Mean Time updated with leap for a keyboard instrument) with full Unexpected communications from people far away could open up seconds. Today is likely to prove very busy, Cancer, and full of interest- new opportunities regarding career, education, travel, or other broadening chords and rapid elaborate runs in a ing, unusual developments. You might find yourself having to run a lot of 19. Somewhat late. rhythmically free style. experiences. As a result, Capricorn, new friendships could develop, as well as 20. The capital of Morocco. 4. A unit of force equal to the force that errands in your neighborhood, perhaps also making a few short visits. A lot new ideas and possibly exciting new goals. Modern technology could play a 22. Any of various minerals consisting of imparts an acceleration of 1 foot/sec/sec of letters and phone calls, some with intriguing news, could also be on your major role in this development. A trip by air could be on the horizon, proba- hydrous silicates of aluminum or potas- to a mass of 1 pound. agenda at this time. It could take some time for you to process all the infor- bly to a place you've never been before. Don't be too overwhelmed by it all! sium etc. that crystallize in forms that 5. A cylindrical drawstring bag used by mation and make sense of it. allow perfect cleavage into very thin sailors to hold their clothing and other leaves. gear. 24. An occasion for excessive eating or 6. The largest of the islands comprising drinking. Antigua and Barbuda. 25. With the mouth wide open as in wonder Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 7. A cut of meat taken from the side and back Leo (July 23-August 22) or awe. of an animal between the ribs and the 26. A small cloth bag filled with dried beans. rump. Career and business continue to play a powerful role in your life 28. Goddess of fate. 8. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake now, as new ideas, new people, and considerations as mundane as 30. A city in southeastern South Korea. Opportunities to increase your income by working out of your Chad. home could well present themselves today. There might be more than one, modern equipment open up new doors for you, Aquarius. In addition, romantic 31. Stain (furniture) black to make it look like 9. Be inherent in something. involvements could intensify. If you're currently committed to someone, ebony. and you could be tempted to take them all on. Think about this carefully 10. A white trivalent metallic element. before you commit, Leo. You're feeling energetic today, but that could flag expect to grow closer. If you're involved but not exclusive, a proposal could 36. Lower in esteem. 11. A three-tone Chadic language. be on the horizon. If you aren't involved, don't be surprised if you meet some- 38. A condition (mostly in boys) character- on future days. Consider the situation honestly and objectively before mak- 12. A island in the Netherlands Antilles that is ing any firm decisions. You don't want to regret it later. one new and exciting. ized by behavioral and learning disor- the top of an extinct volcano. ders. 13. A sudden very loud noise. 40. Large antelope with lightly spiraled 14. The specified day of the month. horns of desert regions of North Africa. 21. A temporally organized plan for matters 41. A blow that renders the opponent uncon- to be attended to. scious. 23. Squash bugs. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 42. A federation of North American labor 27. Cattle that are reared for their meat. unions that merged with the Congress of 29. A logarithmic unit of sound intensity. Industrial Organizations in 1955. 32. Profane or obscene expression usually of Paperwork regarding financial matters may need to be executed at Sudden changes in your romantic situation could occur today, 44. A radioactive gaseous element formed by surprise or anger. some point today, Virgo. You're in the mood for some adventure, perhaps Pisces. If you're currently committed to someone, expect some surprising the disintegration of radium. 33. A manner of speaking that is natural to physical or romantic. You might be tempted to participate in challenging propositions from your partner. If you're involved but not committed, a 46. The state of being contaminated. native speakers of a language. sports, such as river rafting or downhill skiing, or you might decide to attend a marriage proposal might be in the picture. If you aren't currently involved, 47. A river in north central Switzerland that 34. A married male American Indian. group meeting and see what opportunities for contacts - not to mention you could meet someone new and exciting under unusual circumstances. runs northeast into the Rhine. 35. Obtain through intimidation. romantic partners! - come your way. Take care! Have fun, but move ahead Make sure you look your best today, even if you're only running down to 49. Genus of erect herbs of the Middle East 37. A committee having supervisory powers. with caution. the supermarket! having showy flowers. 39. Depressing in character or appearance. 52. United States musician (born in Japan) 43. Resinlike substance secreted by certain who married John Lennon and collabo- lac insects. rated with him on recordings (born in 1933). 45. Submerged aquatic plant having narrow Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution 53. (informal) Exceptionally good. leaves and small flowers. 55. A town in northern France on the Strait of 48. An intensely radioactive metallic element Dover that serves as a ferry port to that occurs in minute amounts in urani- England. um ores. 58. A public promotion of some product or 50. A boy or man. service. 51. (Greek mythology) The Muse of history. 59. A highly unstable radioactive element 54. Mentally or physically infirm with age. (the heaviest of the halogen series). 56. Any of a number of fishes of the family 61. English theoretical physicist who applied Carangidae. relativity theory to quantum mechanics 57. Small terrestrial lizard of warm regions of and predicted the existence of antimat- the Old World. ter and the positron (1902-1984). 60. Covered with paving material. 62. A heavy precious metallic element. 63. (Jungian psychology) The inner self (not 64. An official prosecutor for a judicial dis- the external persona) that is in touch trict. with the unconscious. 65. The blood group whose red cells carry 66. An indehiscent fruit derived from a single both the A and B antigens. ovary having one or many seeds within a 67. Any of various aromatic herbs of the fleshy wall or pericarp. genus Monarda. 68. Evergreen trees and shrubs having oily 71. Having a woven pattern. one-seeded fruits. 75. American prizefighter who won the world 69. (Irish) Mother of the Tuatha De Danann. heavyweight championship three times 70. (botany) Of or relating to the axil. (born in 1942). 72. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 76. A port city and resort in Andalusia in 73. Someone who works (or provides work- southern Spain on the Mediterranean. ers) during a strike. 80. The capital and largest city of 74. God of love and erotic desire. Bangladesh. 77. The sign language used in the United 81. A crystalline rock that can be cut and pol- States. ished for jewelry. 78. The state of matter distinguished from 82. Generalized edema with accumulation of the solid and liquid states by. serum in subcutaneous connective tis- 79. Someone who engages in arbitrage (who sue. purchases securities in one market for 84. A rotating disk shaped to convert circular immediate resale in another in the hope into linear motion. of profiting from the price differential). 85. A plant hormone promoting elongation of 83. A white metallic element that burns with a stems and roots. brilliant light.

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Established 1961 Lifestyle

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020

This handout photos taken by Saype and Valentin Flauraud shows a giant biodegradable land art painting by French-Swiss artist Saype at the “Monument of Heros” (monument des heros) in Ouagadougou. This 200 meter-long fresco cover- ing approximately 5000 square meters was cre- ated using biodegradable pigments made from charcoal, chalk and water. This art piece is the fifth step of the worldwide project “Beyond Walls” aiming at creating the longest symbolic human chain around the world, promoting values such as togetherness, kindness and openness to the world. — AFP photos

Tom Hanks becomes honorary Greek citizen erman conceptual artist Ulay, a pioneer experimenting with Polaroid pictures and later visitors, prompting one of the few moments of om Hanks was awarded honorary of “body art” performances, has died, the while collaborating for 12 years in performances movement from Abramovic in the piece when G Greek citizenship on Friday, the state Ljubljana-based Ulay Foundation with his then partner Marina Abramovic. They the visibly moved pair clasped hands. T Athens News Agency said, adding an announced Monday on its Facebook page. He rose to prominence with a 1988 performance Abramovic wrote in an Instagram post: “He was official touch to a long love affair with the was 76. “It is with our immense sadness that we marking the end of their partnership, in which an exceptional artist and human being, who will country. A document that confirmed the write to inform you of the passing of one of the they walked along the Great Wall of China from be deeply missed. On this day, it is comforting to distinction was signed by Greek president greatest artists of our time, the pioneer of opposite ends and then met in the middle, know that his art and legacy will live on forev- Prokopis Pavlopoulos, ANA said. The 63- Polaroid photography, the father of performance silently wishing each other farewell. er.” One of Ulay’s latest projects was the film year-old actor and filmmaker’s wife, pro- art, the most radical, the one and only, ULAY, They met again in 2010 when Abramovic was “Project: Cancer”, which documented events ducer Rita Wilson, is also of Greek origin who has left for another journey,” the announce- performing a piece at New York’s Museum of after his cancer diagnosis in 2011. Ulay divided on her mother’s side. In this file photo taken on March 9, 2010 in ment read. Modern Arts titled “The Artist Is Present”, his time between Amsterdam and Ljubljana from There is considerable pride in Greece New-York, German conceptual artist Ulay Ulay, whose full name was Frank Uwe involving Abramovic sitting silently as visitors 2009, according to Slovenian media. — AFP that Hanks, one of Hollywood’s most attends the ‘Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Laysiepen, was born in 1943 in Germany and took turns sitting across from her. Ulay sur- bankable stars, has a summer house on Present’ exhibition opening night party at won international recognition in the early 70s prised Abramovic by appearing as one of the The Museum of Modern Art. — AFP the picturesque island of Antiparos and visits every year. Hanks has said that he feels “110 percent Greek...I’m more Greek than a Greek is” by being married to Wilson, producer of ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding.’ — AFP

he embattled former CEO of the harassment and voting irregularities. she accused of raping a foreign female TRecording Academy, the organization “While I am disappointed by this latest recording artist, an allegation he has flatly behind the Grammys, was fired development, I am not surprised given the denied. Dugan replaced Portnow-who left his Monday, the latest development in the body’s Academy’s pattern of dealing with whistle- position after saying women should “step up” infighting saga. The academy announced the blowers,” Dugan said in a statement sent to for industry recognition-last May, becoming termination of Deborah Dugan’s contract in a AFP by her legal team. “Instead of trying to the first woman to lead the Recording letter, published in full by entertainment news reform the corrupt institution from within, I Academy. outlet Variety, that circulated among the will continue to work to hold accountable In 2018 the organization created a task organization’s members, citing “consistent those who continue to self-deal, taint the force in response to a major backlash that the management deficiencies and failures.” The Grammy voting process and discriminate Grammys are consistently too male and too decision comes just over a month after against women and people of color,” she white. Dugan’s lawyers, Douglas Wigdor and Dugan was suddenly suspended days before continued. “Artists deserve better. To me, this Michael Willemin, vowed Monday the acade- In this file photo Recording Academy president the 2020 Grammy Awards show on accusa- is the real meaning of ‘stepping up.’” my’s “leadership and its attorneys will be held and CEO Deborah Dugan speaks during the 62nd tions of misconduct and bullying, after which Her last line was a jab at her predecessor accountable under the law.” — AFP Grammy Awards Nominations Conference at she filed an explosive complaint accusing the Neil Portnow, who in her complaint to the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City. — AFP body of silencing her concerns over sexual Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Tom Hanks 20 Established 1961 Lifestyle Fashion Wednesday, March 4, 2020

S rapper Kanye West was at the center of a West as an “imposter” on social media. She accused at its most demanding, remains total.” Ustorm Monday after a Paris show by an the theatre of lying “so they could cash in on a reli- West is in Paris to show the latest collection for acclaimed transgender performer was can- gious ceremony and the money the Donald Trump- his Yeezy label Monday. The 42-year-old singer once celled at the last minute to make way for one of his supporting rapper” could pay them, the 49-year-old dreamed of becoming the first black American head religious services. The mercurial singer took over the juggler wrote on Facebook on Monday. Menard said of a major Paris fashion label. But his friend and for- Bouffes du Nord theatre in the French capital for one she felt she had been treated with “contempt”. “I am mer fashion adviser Virgil Abloh pipped him to it in of his famous “Sunday Service” gospel hymn sessions an artist, a trans woman, the director of a company, 2018 when the Off-White creator took over Louis during Paris fashion week. and I refuse to accept this denial and contempt,” said Vuitton’s menswear line. West was joined at the serv- His wife Kim Kardashian turned up for the service the performer, who transitioned in 2008. ice Sunday by his wife, their daughter North West in an almost sprayed-on latex brown suit, one of and his sister-in-law Kourtney Kardashian, also three figure-hugging Balmain looks she wore during Latexing the Kardashians dressed head-to-toe in latex. Kim Kardashian was the course of the day. But French trans performer The Bouffes du Nord told AFP that it cancelled tied up and robbed at gunpoint of more than nine Phia Menard was furious that her “Maison Mere” Menard’s show that because of the “technical incom- million euros ($10 million) worth of jewelry during (“Mother Ship”) show was pulled at just one day’s patibility of the two events”. “The 98 people who had Paris fashion week in 2016. The haul included the notice to make way for the golden couple of bought tickets were contacted and most came to her engagement ring West had given her, which was American pop culture, claiming the audience was told show the night before while the rest were reim- reportedly worth $4.5 million. — AFP it was cancelled for “technical reasons”. bursed,” the theatre’s management added. The the- Menard-one of the discoveries of the Avignon atre, once the base of the legendary British theatre festival in 2018 — refused take the news lying down, director Peter Brook, dubbed “the father of the US rapper Kanye West with her and her fans lambasting the theatre and fringe”, insisted that its “support for creativity, even and Kim Kardashian

This combination of pictures shows animal-shaped handbags created by US fashion designer Thom Browne during the Women’s Fall-Winter 2020-2021 Ready-to-Wear collection fash- ion show in Paris. — AFP photos Established 1961 21 Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Lifestyle Fashion

Models present creations by Thom Browne during the Women’s Fall-Winter 2020-2021 Ready-to-Wear collection fashion show in Paris. — AFP photos

Models present creations by Alexander McQueen during the Women’s Fall-Winter 2020-2021 Ready-to-Wear collection fashion show in Paris. — AFP photos 22 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Q: Tell us about Splash vision for our products using sustainable and ethically techniques. Splash Eco-denim range is pro- Q: How can you handle competition in the future of the Middle East’s fashion sourced materials. duced using water saving processes and the fashion market? Do you have plan to market. Our design, sourcing and quality teams advanced machinery that consumes 70% attract your competitors’ customers? A: As one of the region’s leading fashion are contributing to the goals by spending less water & 30% less energy as compared A: Fashion is a very dynamic industry and brands, Splash aims to strengthen the adop- more time researching and sourcing sustain- to conventional denim, saving millions of gal- every fashion brand must constantly innovate tion of sustainable business practices in the able fabrics and manufacturing methods. lons of water annually. to stay ahead of the curve. The competition Middle East fashion industry. With the adoption of sustainable solutions Using FSC paper since 2015 has also has and is going to be strong, but it only It is a fact that fashion impacts the envi- and new technology, the brand will signifi- allowed Splash to reduce 200 metric tons of pushes us to innovate and better ourselves. ronment on a daily basis with textile manu- cantly decrease its carbon footprint. plastic waste in garment tags and packaging As a brand we understand fashion and facturing affecting the environment through The brand uses recycled polyester, pro- for over four years now. consumer trends and we want our customers the constant and relatively huge emissions of duced from discarded plastic bottles, that We also spearheaded the Better Cotton to feel they’re buying from a conscious greenhouse gas, water withdrawal, the further leads to less plastic ending up in the Initiative, Splash being the first brand in the retailer who offers the right trend at the right release of toxins into our ecosystem, ocean. Splash also makes clothes with eco- Middle East to procure sustainably produced time and at the right price. amongst other effects. friendly fabrics such as Tencel, 100 per cent cotton for use in its apparel. Thus, being sustainable is a core quality Raza Beig, Chief Executive Officer of Splash and Organic Cotton and Lenzing Viscose, across Our recent inspirational sustainability Q: How has the brand’s design philoso- within Splash and as a socially and environ- Fashion Director of Landmark Group. several of its fashion lines which is now 80 campaign, The Aquarium of Truth, is aimed at phy evolved over the years? mentally responsible fashion brand, our per cent sustainable. promoting awareness to conserve the ocean, A: When we started, we were a trader, vision is to encourage consumers to be part tions relevant to fashion fans in Kuwait. and strengthening the adoption of sustainable buying out of South-East Asia and selling it of creating a better, more sustainable future. Customers can choose from a selection of Q: What are the main sustainability business practices in the fashion industry. in this market. With the advent of European convenient payment options - pay by card at issues in the fashion industry today and Also, this year, we launched the Splash brands, we changed our business model to Q: How do you see the Kuwaiti the time of online purchase or by cash with how does your brand subvert them? 2020 annual calendar that promotes the that of a design house and built a team of in- market? no additional charges at the time of delivery. A: Sustainability is critical for fashion as it adoption of sustainable fashion for sustain- house designers, who study international A: eCommerce has changed the way con- With a flagship store offer of latest fashion is known that the fashion industry is a lead- able growth. The calendar conveys a strong trends and catwalks. Our designers work sumers shop globally and Kuwait is no differ- arrivals, shoppers can score free shipping on ing contributor to pollution as well as signifi- message that humans are not simply the closely with buyers to bring affordable ent. Consumers today want to nab the latest online orders above KWD 9. cant consumer of water. In addition, plastic offenders, but also the ultimate victims of trendy fashion to consumers. For a brand that fashion pieces from the comfort of their represents a new environmental and health global warming. The calendar urges cus- is built on the ethos of design, it is constant homes, office or on the go. Q: Splash launched last year an exclu- threat as the overuse of plastic is negatively tomers to come together for this significant evaluation that is required more than a dra- Kuwait is a key market for the group and sive limited edition collection for impacting the planet and contributes to dif- cause. matic change year after year. Splash’s recent entry into online retailing in Ramadan and Eid. Is there any new col- ferent forms of environmental pollution, As one of the region’s leading fashion the country is in response to the changing lection to be launched soon? including water pollution. brands, we want to encourage consumers to Q: What are Splash’s future goals? way consumers shop today. Customers are at A: New collection announcements will be With this top of mind, Splash has become consciously incorporate alternatives into A: Sustainability is a strong focus for the the heart of everything we do at Splash and shared in due course. the largest user of recycled polyester in the their everyday lives for a better future. brand. We plan to further advance our sus- the new dedicated website delivers several Middle East and North Africa region, recy- tainability initiatives in 2020 and aim to pro- exclusive online offers, products and servic- Q: Splash revealed that 40% of its col- cling 5.7 million bottles. Compared to the Q: How many branches do you have? duce 80 per cent of our products using sus- es. The friendly design assures easy naviga- lection is 100% organic and sustainable. traditional process of using new polyester, Do you have a plan to expend in other tainable and ethically sourced materials. tion across various product categories, as Tell us more. this process saves enough energy to power countries? well as convenient returns/cancellations and A: Splash has been at the forefront in rais- the United Arab Emirates for 10 minutes. A: Currently, Splash has over 200 stores secure payment options. Designed to offer a ing awareness on sustainable development. 100% of the denim produced by Splash is in 14 countries worldwide. We are looking more compelling browsing and shopping We have advanced our sustainability initia- sustainable primarily by two ways- one by forward to growing e-commerce presence in experience, the website’s content has been tives and reiterated our existing goals to using sustainable raw materials and two by new markets across the Middle East in the tailored to showcase products and promo- deliver fashion by producing 80 per cent of employing eco-friendly garment processing near future. 50 Cent vows to executive produce Pop Smoke’s posthumous album 0 Cent has vowed to executive produce late rapper 5Pop Smoke’s posthumous album. The ‘In Da Club’ hitmaker is determined to finish the record and has even reached out to fellow rappers Drake and Roddy Ricch to get them involved. Alongside two snaps of him- self outside and inside his private jet, 50 - whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III - wrote on Instagram: “i’m on the move listening to Pop smoke, i decided i’m gonna executive produce and finish his album for This photo shows architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom (center) taking a photo with architecture This aerial photo shows an overview of the Thammasat Urban Farming Green Roof. him.#abcforlife #starzgettheapp #lecheminduroi #bran- students after a tour of the Thammasat Urban Farming Green Roof at Thammasat University in — AFP photos Pathum Thani. soncognac (sic)”. And in a separate post he shared a picture of himself and Roddy, and added in the caption: “Tell @roddyricch i’m looking for him, i need him on Pop album. #leche- minduroi #bransoncognac #abcforlife #starzgettheapp (sic)” Roddy then responded with the shaking hand emoji and said: “Say less.”Curtis then followed up the post and this time tagged ‘God’s Plan’ hitmaker Drake. He wrote: “see i got @roddyricch on deck, this s*** gonna be stu- pid @champagnepapi where you at *****, don’t start acting light skinned on us. #abcforlife #starzgettheapp angkok’s future hangs in the balance. one can accuse the Harvard graduate of environment, listen to the land more,” she she will unveil plans to transform a vast, #lecheminduroi #bransoncognac (sic)” Rising sea levels, unchecked develop- resting on her laurels: She made her name says. “It doesn’t mean I am against develop- unused bridge crossing the Chao Phraya Just days before his tragic passing at the age of 20, Bment, groundwater extraction, and showing how the effects of climate change ment but I want it to be very meaningful, river into a park with bicycle lanes, bringing Pop had released the LP ‘Meet the Woo 2’. The ‘Welcome rapid urban population growth has left mil- can be mitigated by ensuring the issue is at very mindful, and at the right pace-so we more green space to a place with precious to the Party’ rapper died after he was shot dead on the lions vulnerable to natural disasters-scien- the heart of city planning. don’t actually kill our future.” Today her little of it. morning of February 19 at around 4:30am at a property tists warn the city itself may not survive the She and her firm Landprocess created ideas have been embraced at home, and in Hollywood Hills, California, after two men broke into century. New analysis by the Nestpick the internationally acclaimed Chulalongkorn abroad-she gave an acclaimed TED talk in the house. There was a gathering at the home and police 2050 Climate Change City Index says the University Centenary Park, an 11-acre (4 2018, and last year TIME Magazine includ- confirmed two men wearing masks shot the star - whose Thai capital could be hardest hit by global hectares) space in central Bangkok, which ed her in its “100 Next” list of global rising real name is Bashar Barakah Jackson - multiple times warming. tilts downward at a three-degree angle, stars. before fleeing on foot. But convincing clients, authorities, and The up-and-coming star was rushed to Cedars-Sinai other businesses to see the big environmen- Medical Centre in West Hollywood in an ambulance, but tal picture has not been easy in a mega-city was pronounced dead when he arrived at the facility. obsessed with economic targets and expan- However, the investigation into his death has since “hit a sion. Driving change as a woman in a patri- roadblock”, as witnesses have reportedly changed their archal society has been an additional chal- stories or given a version of events that is “provably lenge, but Kotchakorn insists there is “pow- untrue”. A private memorial was held in Brooklyn days er” in being different, particularly in an after Pop’s death. Meanwhile, a Paris nightclub paid trib- industry dominated by older men offering ute to the popular star with a hologram last week. A digi- only “conventional ways of thinking”. tal likeness of the rapper appeared on stage at Yard Club Many of her ideas were initially dis- Photo shows architect Kotchakorn and performed his hit song ‘Dior’. The venue posted on missed, but she held firm, explaining: “I feel Voraakhom posing for a photo. Instagram: “During yesterday’s #YARDWinterClub, we that was based on their fear. But it’s not my paid tribute to Pop Smoke, who died suddenly last week. fear.” “Women offer different kinds of judg- “If you just do a normal building, it’s just “It was important to us, important to you, important in ment, different kinds of attitude towards going to be the same. It’s just another build- short.”— Bang Showbiz problems... We have to bring that diversity ing. But if you create (something new), you to the table and create better decisions,” actually could touch and change their way This aerial photo shows an overview of the Thammasat Urban Farming Green Roof, designed she adds. of living, their way of eating, their way of by landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom, at Thammasat University in Pathum Thani. understanding of sustainability.” Things must change Kotchakorn has even greater ambitions for And while it is not alone facing such a allowing rainwater to flow through the A turning point came in 2011, when the city she grew up in-she wants to threat-Venice, New Orleans, and Jakarta flanking grass and wetlands. Water that’s Thailand endured its worst floods in half a “reclaim” the more than 1,000 canals that are predicted to be underwater by 2100 — not absorbed by the plants runs down to a century, which left more than 800 dead snake through Bangkok that are currently it does have a secret weapon in its battle to pond at the base of the park, where it can nationwide with hundreds of thousands dis- used for sewage. “Canals have so much life, negate the impact of a hotter planet: be stored and filtered for use during dry placed. Bangkok, built on once-marshy land so much potential to be public green space renowned architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom spells or released gradually. In cases of and surrounded by natural waterways, was and a skeleton of the whole city,” she who preaches mindful development over severe flooding, the park can hold up to a hard hit. Then came the World Bank warn- explains. mindless construction. million gallons of water. ing that 40 percent of it would be inundated Hailing her late mother as her inspiration, “We are talking life and death in this sit- by 2030. It was clear then things needed to and her 11-year-old daughter as her motiva- uation,” says the 39-year-old who is hoping Global rising star change, says Voraakhom, who grew up in tion, she hopes her work will solve prob- to bring Bangkok back from the brink, as Kotchakorn rails against Bangkok’s the capital and says air quality has deterio- lems for generations to come. She says: scientists warn extreme weather-flooding unchecked development-more than 10 mil- rated rapidly, as has food quality and secu- “Being a mother is really helping to push me and droughts-could ravage the city, leaving lion live in the metropolis packed with sky- rity because of the heavy use of pesticides. to create hope and solutions for the next as much as 40 percent submerged in the scrapers, factories, malls and hotels-warn- In 2018, she created Asia’s largest generation. You see that the things you next decade. Kotchakorn says: “I don’t want ing that an “addiction to growth” at all costs rooftop farm, which mimics the region’s build will last after your life.”— AFP to face it with fear. At this moment we have is jeopardizing its ability to thrive. famed rice terraces where run-off travels a chance to make change... We have to do it “We think about how we’re going to down layers of crops, conserving both right now to show the coming generations have more growth in our annual develop- water and soil. Winding around the 22,400 that this is possible. It is not about sitting ment... What if we shift the orientation from square-meter (241,111 square feet) rooftop Tom Hanks and waiting and doing the same thing.” No growth to really consider our actions on the is a jogging path and a lawn. Later this year Classifieds Wednesday, March 4, 2020

CHANGE OF NAME I, Antonio Jose Dcunha holder of Indian Passport No. This is to inform that, I M6716579 residing in Kuwait at Gireeshkrishnan Oonnikrishnan, present having permanent holder of Indian Passport address Gurudev Shakti Flat S-3 Number H9245077 do hereby 2nd P.O. Caranzalem Ilhas Goa change my name format to Pin Code 403002 would like to Surname: Oonnikrishnan, Given change my father name from name: Gireesh Krishnan. Mariano Santana Dcunha to (C 5650) 4-3-2020 Mariano Santana Dacunha as per my birth certificate. I Abdul Raheem Shabandri Mohammed Sadath holder of I, Antonio Jose Dcunha holder Indian Passport No. N5193192 of Indian Passport No. issued at Kuwait on 16/02/2016. M6716579 residing in Kuwait at In my Passport my name is writ- present having permanent ten as Abdul Raheem Shabandri address Gurudev Shakti Flat S-3 Mohammed Sadath. As my cor- 2nd P.O. Caranzalem Ilhas Goa rect name is Mohammed Sadath Pin Code 403002 would like to Abdul Raheem Shabandri. change my Mother name from Mohammed Sadath (given Maria to Maria Augusta name) and Abdul Raheem Carmeline Vicente as per my Shabandri (Surname). (C 5648) birth certificate.(C 5649)

I, Antonio Jose Dcunha holder I Sajan Rajasekharan Nair Indian of Indian Passport No. Passport holder No. Z5425150 M6716579 residing in Kuwait at issued in Kuwait hereby change present having permanent name of my son as it appears in address Gurudev Shakti Flat S-3 his Indian Passport No. 2nd P.O Caranzalem Ilhas Goa M6717548 issued in Kuwait from Pin code 403002 would like to Given Name: Kashinath Nair to change my name from Antonio Surname: Nair and Given Name: Jose Dcunha to Antonio Jose Kashinath for all future purposes. Dacunha as per my birth certifi- (C 5647) cate. 2-3-2019

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Arrival Flights on Wednesday 4/3/2020 FDB 059 Dubai 14:15 Departure Flights on Wednesday 4/3/2020 MSR 611 Cairo 13:25 Airlines Flt Route Time MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:20 Airlines Flt Route Time SAW 702 Damascus 13:30 ETH 3620 Addis Ababa 00:01 KAC 752 ELQ 14:20 AZG 566 Baku 00:01 JZR 123 Dubai 13:40 IGO 1757 Kochi 00:10 KAC 672 Dubai 14:25 AIC 988 Hyderabad/Chennai 00:05 KAC 105 London 14:00 AIC 989 Mumbai 00:10 KAC 742 Dammam 14:35 JZR 407 Ahmedabad 00:05 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 254 Amman 00:45 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:40 MSC 412 Asyut 00:15 RBG 218 Asyut 14:25 THY 772 Istanbul 00:50 KAC 774 Riyadh 14:40 FDB 072 Dubai 00:40 QTR 1079 Doha 15:00 JZR 734 Cairo 00:50 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:45 BBC 144 Chittagong 00:45 FDB 060 Dubai 15:05 PGT 858 Istanbul 00:55 KAC 118 New York 14:50 JZR 409 Delhi 00:50 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 15:05 KAC 102 London 00:55 KAC 364 Colombo 14:50 ETH 3621 Addis Ababa 01:00 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:25 AIC 990 Mumbai 01:10 KAC 775 Riyadh 15:45 DLH 625 Dammam 01:30 KAC 286 Dhaka 14:55 IGO 1758 Kochi 01:10 KAC 673 Dubai 15:50 MSR 618 Alexandria 01:35 KAC 618 Doha 15:00 JZR 111 Doha 01:55 KAC 563 Amman 16:00 THY 764 Istanbul 01:50 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:15 KAC 285 Dhaka 02:00 SVA 501 Jeddah 16:00 JZR 722 Alexandria 01:55 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:25 KAC 363 Colombo 02:00 KAC 743 Dammam 16:20 IGO 1759 Delhi 01:55 JZR 222 Riyadh 15:30 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:00 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 02:15 OMA 645 Muscat 15:35 KAC 677 Dubai 02:10 KAC 785 Jeddah 16:30 KLM 446 Bahrain 02:30 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 THY 773 Istanbul 02:20 OMA 646 Muscat 16:35 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 JZR 732 Cairo 15:50 KAC 417 Manila 02:30 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:35 QTR 1086 Doha 02:40 KAC 562 Amman 15:50 DLH 625 Frankfurt 02:30 JZR 735 Cairo 16:50 OMA 643 Muscat 02:55 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:55 MSR 619 Alexandria 02:35 JZR 103 Bahrain 16:50 PGT 860 Istanbul 03:05 RBG 211 Luxor 16:10 IGO 1765 Delhi 02:55 KAC 615 Bahrain 16:55 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 JZR 212 Jeddah 16:25 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 03:05 KAC 283 Dhaka 17:00 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 QTR 1072 Doha 16:35 KLM 446 Amsterdam 03:55 KAC 503 Beirut 17:05 QTR 1076 Doha 04:00 KAC 198 Baku 16:35 OMA 644 Muscat 03:55 RBG 554 Alexandria 17:10 IGO 1751 Chennai 04:10 JZR 612 Tbilisi 16:40 THY 765 Istanbul 04:00 KAC 361 Colombo 17:30 KAC 418 Manila 04:25 JZR 116 Doha 16:40 QTR 1087 Doha 04:00 KAC 357 Kochi 17:35 OHY 352 Istanbul 04:30 FDB 051 Dubai 16:45 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:00 KAC 619 Doha 17:35 KAC 302 Mumbai 04:40 KAC 546 Cairo 16:45 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 JZR 405 Kochi 17:40 JZR 540 KTM 04:45 CLX 8703 Luxembourg 16:55 KAC 621 Doha 04:20 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 KAC 382 Delhi 05:00 SAW 705 Damascus 17:00 PGT 861 Istanbul 04:25 FDB 052 Dubai 17:45 FDB 069 Dubai 05:00 FEG 341 Sohag 17:20 JZR 713 Sohag 04:30 JZR 539 KTM 17:50 KAC 103 London 05:00 KAC 331 Trivandrum 17:55 JZR 404 Hyderabad 05:10 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:25 IGO 1752 Chennai 05:10 SAW 706 Damascus 18:00 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:10 SVA 504 Madinah 17:30 QTR 1077 Doha 05:30 KAC 343 Chennai 18:00 KAC 358 Kochi 05:10 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 OHY 351 Istanbul 05:30 QTR 1073 Doha 18:00 JZR 112 Doha 05:35 JZR 302 Istanbul 18:15 JZR 121 Dubai 06:35 JZR 733 Cairo 18:10 JZR 502 Lahore 05:35 FDB 063 Dubai 18:15 FDB 070 Dubai 07:05 FEG 342 Sohag 18:20 KAC 284 Dhaka 05:55 JZR 124 Dubai 18:20 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:20 KAC 332 Trivandrum 06:05 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 KAC 167 Paris 07:35 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 402 Mumbai 06:05 QTR 1080 Doha 18:30 KAC 171 Frankfurt 08:00 SVA 505 Madinah 18:30 KAC 344 Chennai 06:10 RJA 640 Amman 19:10 IGO 1767 Mumbai 08:10 KAC 301 Mumbai 18:35 THY 770 Istanbul 06:15 KAC 156 Istanbul 19:20 THY 771 Istanbul 08:35 JZR 127 Dubai 18:35 KAC 544 Cairo 07:00 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:25 FDB 054 Dubai 08:35 JZR 403 Hyderabad 18:40 BAW 157 London 07:05 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 JZR 001 LGW 08:40 KAC 381 Delhi 18:45 KAC 678 Dubai 07:05 KAC 744 Dammam 19:35 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:00 JZR 721 Alexandria 18:55 KAC 206 Islamabad 07:10 JZR 104 Bahrain 19:55 JZR 731 Cairo 09:10 CLX 8703 Hong Kong 18:55 IGO 1766 Mumbai 07:10 KNE 233 Riyadh 20:00 BAW 156 London 09:10 FDB 064 Dubai 19:20 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 KAC 104 London 20:05 KAC 545 Cairo 09:30 JZR 253 Amman 19:20 QTR 1084 Doha 08:00 KAC 776 Riyadh 20:05 QTR 1085 Doha 09:30 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 KAC 354 Bengaluru 08:10 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 KAC 671 Dubai 09:45 QTR 1081 Doha 19:55 KAC 622 Doha 08:30 KAC 616 Bahrain 20:25 KAC 101 London 09:45 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:05 UAE 855 Dubai 08:35 MSC 411 Asyut 20:30 KAC 561 Amman 09:45 RJA 641 Amman 20:10 JZR 408 Ahmedabad 08:45 QTR 1088 Doha 20:30 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 09:55 KAC 353 Bengaluru 20:35 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 08:55 KAC 674 Dubai 20:55 KAC 751 ELQ 10:00 KNE 232 Riyadh 20:50 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 DLH 624 Frankfurt 20:55 KAC 117 New York 10:00 JZR 401 Mumbai 20:55 KAC 304 Mumbai 09:30 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 UAE 856 Dubai 10:00 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 KAC 384 Delhi 09:30 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 KAC 613 Bahrain 10:05 MSC 406 Sohag 21:30 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 ALK 229 Colombo 21:20 JZR 301 Istanbul 10:05 DLH 624 Dammam 21:45 IGO 1753 Ahmedabad 09:40 KAC 172 Frankfurt 21:30 KAC 197 Baku 10:10 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 QTR 1070 Doha 09:45 UAE 859 Dubai 21:30 KAC 773 Riyadh 10:15 QTR 1089 Doha 21:55 RBG 553 Alexandria 09:50 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 155 Istanbul 10:20 JZR 701 Asyut 22:15 JZR 410 Delhi 10:00 KLM 445 Amsterdam 21:50 RBG 212 Luxor 10:30 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:15 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 168 Paris 22:00 KAC 617 Doha 10:35 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 JZR 714 Sohag 10:50 KAC 564 Amman 22:00 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 AXB 889 Mangalore/Bahrain 11:10 RBG 217 Asyut 22:00 JZR 211 Jeddah 10:40 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:25 JZR 122 Dubai 11:15 KAC 620 Doha 22:00 IGO 1754 Ahmedabad 10:40 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 QTR 1074 Doha 11:35 QTR 1082 Doha 22:05 JZR 611 Tbilisi 10:45 KLM 445 Bahrain 22:50 SYR 341 Latakia 11:55 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 UAE 860 Dubai 22:55 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:25 KAC 741 Dammam 11:20 RBG 214 Sohag 23:00 GFA 209 Bahrain 12:05 SVA 514 Riyadh 22:30 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 AHY 119 Baku 12:05 KAC 786 Jeddah 22:50 JZR 221 Riyadh 12:00 KAC 383 Delhi 23:20 MSR 610 Cairo 12:25 GOW 061 CNN 23:00 AXB 890 Mangalore 12:10 QTR 1083 Doha 23:25 SAW 701 Damascus 12:30 JZR 002 LGW 23:05 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 SVA 515 Riyadh 23:25 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 JZR 128 Dubai 23:15 SYR 342 Latakia 12:55 KAC 795 Madinah 23:30 JZR 115 Doha 13:00 KAC 543 Cairo 23:30 QTR 1078 Doha 13:35 MSC 401 Alexandria 23:15 QTR 1075 Doha 13:00 KAC 303 Mumbai 23:40 RBG 213 Sohag 13:45 JZR 736 Cairo 23:30 AHY 120 Baku 13:05 GOW 062 CNN 23:55 KAC 614 Bahrain 13:50 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 GFA 210 Bahrain 13:05 KAC 351 Kochi 23:55 24 Established 1961 News Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Turkey’s drones provide crucial edge in Syria war

ANKARA: Turkish news channels have been dominat- and illuminate targets for fighter jets operating from ed this week by a steady stream of black-and-white across the border. “This provides high precision long- drone footage showing the destruction of Syrian range strikes, enabling Turkey to bypass the Idlib air- regime targets in rebel-held Idlib. Domestically pro- space yet managing to inflict heavy casualties to Syrian duced drones have given Turkey a vital edge in its lat- Arab Army targets,” Mevlutoglu said. est operation against Syrian forces. They have become Much of the credit for Turkey’s drone industry has a symbol of national pride as the country seeks to shed gone to Selcuk Bayraktar, an engineer who trained in its reliance on outside powers and become a leading the United States. He is also President Recep Tayyip defense exporter. “Turkey’s use of drones in this opera- Erdogan’s son-in-law. Turkey has an estimated 94 TB2 tion is unprecedented in modern military history,” said drones produced by his family’s company, Baykar, defense analyst Arda Mevlutoglu. “Their effective use according to Dan Gettinger, of the Center for the Study seems to have changed the dynamics of the Syrian civil of the Drone at Bard College, New York. The TB2 is a war and diplomatic maneuvers.” small drone that can carry limited munitions, but Armed drones have proved especially important in enough to destroy armoured vehicles. It has been used Idlib, where Turkish fighter jets would be at risk due to in Idlib alongside the Anka drone from the state-owned Russia’s control of the airspace. Moscow appears not Turkish Aerospace. to be targeting Turkish drones, seeking to avoid further Bayraktar yesterday told CNN Turk broadcaster escalation ahead of talks between presidents Recep Turkey had become “one of the most advanced coun- Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin later this week. tries in terms of operational ability” in the field of drone Drone strikes have killed dozens of Syrian troops over technology. Military information company Jane’s report- the past week after Turkey launched an operation into ed last year that Erdogan had promised 600 million lira Idlib, aimed at pushing back a regime assault that has (around $100 million) for the development of Baykar’s forced nearly a million civilians to flee their homes. TB2 and Akinci drones. The Akinci, first flight tested in It marks the culmination of years of investment and December, can fly up to 40,000 feet for 24 hours, and evolution for Turkey, whose military has become one of carry more munitions. Turkey is the “leader of a group the most experienced users of drones. That is in large of new nations that are investing a lot in this technology part because it has used them extensively against its and trying to make an impact”, Gettinger said. own citizens. Ankara has claimed it has killed hundreds Turkey’s interest in drones dates back to the 1990s, of Kurdish militants in southeastern Turkey in recent and a series of bad experiences with external suppliers years. Domestically produced drones have made demonstrated that it could not rely on others. It strug- Turkey much more effective on the battlefield in Syria, gled to procure US drones because Congress did not FAMAGUSTA, Cyprus: In this file photo taken on Dec 16, 2019, the Bayraktar TB2 drone flies at Gecitkale Airport in the said Ozgur Eksi, editor-in-chief of C4Defence maga- want them used against Kurdish militants in Turkey and self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). — AFP zine. Turkish forces had destroyed more than 100 Iraq. Its attempt to buy Israeli drones was a disaster. It regime tanks in just a few days in Idlib, he added. “If took years to take delivery of 10 Heron drones pur- cy is also crucial for Turkey as its relations have some have also been sent to support the UN-recog- they tried to do this without drones, in any other way, it chased in 2005, which then had technical issues. become strained with NATO partners. They have nized government in Libya. It is also working with would have taken longer and there would have been a Erdogan took direct control over the defense indus- refused to back Ankara’s operations in Syria, particu- Indonesia, Pakistan, Ukraine and others to help them greater loss of Turkish life.” try in 2018 ahead of the shake-up of the presidential larly against Kurdish militants. build their own drones using Turkish technology. The Idlib operation is the first time Turkey has used system. He has made it a priority for Turkey to become There is also money to be made. Turkish drones have “Turkey has very aggressively marketed its drones drones in large numbers simultaneously for artillery and one of the top 10 defense industry exporters in time for been exported to Qatar and Ukraine, and a deal is overseas. It takes great pride in its drone industry,” surveillance, said Mevlutoglu. They can also identify the republic’s 100th anniversary in 2023. Self-sufficien- believed to be close with Tunisia, Gettinger said, while Gettinger said. — AFP

the law strictly prohibits charging interest, or “riba”, and The scale of ‘sharia-fintech’ in Indonesia is small, so far, ex-bankers, which has disbursed over $7.5 million in Sharia fintech: clerics in Indonesia disagree on whether the popular with Islamic fintech startups disbursing about 1 trillion sharia-compliant financing to small and medium enter- cashback rebates and discounts given by digital wallets rupiah ($73.15 million) in sharia-compliant loans in 2019, a prises since May, and plans to become a digital bank. qualify. Social media videos in Indonesia on whether e- four-fold increase from 2018, according to the Indonesia CEO Dima Djani said that although conservative Startups race wallets are “haram” - prohibited by Islam - or incorpo- Sharia Fintech Association. But with all forms of Islamic Muslims are its main target, others also are choosing rate “riba” rack up hundreds of thousands of views. banking accounting for only 6 percent of Indonesia’s $580 it as an ethical banking option. “They see the fact we to tap growth Indonesia’s top Muslim clerical body has even issued billion in banking assets, there is room for growth. are focused on sharia principles as a sign of integri- an edict deeming virtual money acceptable, as long it The sector is also getting a policy push. The coun- ty,” he told Reuters. Muhamad Fajrin Rasyid, presi- JAKARTA: Like millions of other Indonesians, Gandi met specific conditions. To showcase the compliance of try’s vice vice-president, cleric Ma’ruf Amin, took over dent of Bukalapak, one of Indonesia’s top e-com- Iswara had for years carried a wad of currency notes their services with Islam, fintech firms are organizing Indonesia’s National Islamic Finance Committee in merce companies which offers a sharia-compliant for dropping into donation boxes after prayers at forums with Islamic scholars and sponsoring religious January and has cited the growth of Islamic fintech as a investing service, concurs. “Many of our customers mosques in suburban Jakarta. From late last year, festivals. Newer startups are tailoring services for key national priority. Some of the startups say they are are from other religions,” he said. “Some people tell though, the 35-year-old engineer switched to a more Indonesia’s growing body of “born-again” Muslims, finding their appeal extends beyond Muslims. One of us that sharia is not only for Muslims, it represents convenient option: Whipping out his mobile phone, fir- known as the “hijrah” movement at home. them is peer-to-peer lender ALAMI, created by three ethical financing.” — Reuters ing up a digital payment app from Google-backed GoPay, which is part of ride-hailing firm Gojek, has GoPay and tapping the QR code stickers that are now partnered with the Indonesian Mosque Council since yesterday that people entering the kingdom by land, affixed to the boxes. November to enable digital donations, including “zakat”, Saudi bars Gulf including via the causeway linking the country with His digital conversion took some time, as Iswara ini- or compulsory alms giving, in its 800,000 mosques, Bahrain, were being screened. tially held the view that all rewards and discounts CEO Aldi Haryopratomo said. Zakat alone amounts to The coronavirus has claimed 77 lives in Iran, officials offered by e-wallets conflicted with Islam. “At first, I over $500 million annually in Indonesia. “It has made it citizens, residents... said yesterday, as the emergency services chief became thought e-wallets resulted in usury, which is forbidden much easier for people to pay alms,” said Budi, chief the latest high-ranking official to be infected in the by Islam. But after a while I found them convenient in administrator of Jakarta’s Istiqlal mosque, the largest in Continued from Page 1 deadliest outbreak outside China. Iran has scrambled to Southeast Asia, referring to digital payments services. daily life,” he said. Winning over conservative Muslims halt the rapid spread of the virus, shutting schools and Rival LinkAja, which was formed by a consortium of like Iswara in the world’s most populous Muslim-majori- Iran hosts several important shrines and pilgrimage universities, suspending major cultural and sporting Indonesia’s top state-owned firms, has launched similar ty country is both a challenge and multi-billion dollar sites for Shiites, who make up a minority of Saudi events, and cutting back on work hours. Yesterday it donation efforts. It is now readying LinkAja Sharia, opportunity for fintech firms that are riding its mobile Arabia’s population. The Saudi foreign ministry tweeted announced another 11 deaths and 835 new infections - which will offer a range of financial services specifically Internet boom and aim to sell financial services. a video yesterday reminding citizens of an existing ban the biggest increase in a single day since the COVID- targeted at conservative Muslims and only accept mon- Of Indonesia’s 270 million population, half lacks bank on travel to Iran, which is locked in a struggle with 19 outbreak began in the Islamic republic nearly two ey from Islamic banks. Backed by companies including accounts but most now have mobile phones. Questions Saudi Arabia for regional supremacy. Saudi Arabia took weeks ago. telco Telkomsel and Bank Mandiri, LinkAja is currently about compliance with Islamic law are a significant hur- several measures last week to prevent the spread of the “According to the latest figures, 835 new patients have seeking to raise $200 million in outside financing, dle for the adoption of digital payments and other fin- disease to the kingdom, banning foreigners arriving for been added” to the overall number of infections, Iran’s sources told Reuters. The company declined to com- tech services, industry executives say. Known as sharia, the Muslim umrah pilgrimage, Gulf Arab citizens visit- stand-in deputy health minister Alireza Raisi said. ment on its funding. ing Makkah and Madinah, and tourists from at least 25 “Unfortunately, we have 11 new deaths, and with this states where the virus has been found. amount we have reached 2,336 new confirmed cases and a increase, sending its total past 5,000 while its death toll SPA also said that Saudi citizens or residents entering total of 77 dead,” he said in remarks aired live on state tel- Passengers from 10 rose to 28. “The entire country has entered a war with from a GCC country must inform authorities upon arrival evision. The national emergency services chief Pirhossein the infectious disease,” South Korean President Moon in the kingdom of any travel outside the GCC in the pre- Kolivand was the latest high-profile official to contract the nations need... Jae-in said. ceding 14 days. The kingdom will cooperate with any illness, a spokesman for the services told AFP. By contrast, China reported 125 new cases yesterday GCC country that wishes to apply the same procedures Confirmation of his infection came a day after - its lowest daily increase in six weeks - with all but 11 to travellers from the kingdom, it added. Saudi Arabia’s Tasnim news agency reported that the virus claimed Continued from Page 1 infections in Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the Center for Disease Control late on Monday urged citi- the life of Mohammad Mirmohammadi, 72, a member of capital. The nationwide death toll rose to 2,943 with 31 zens to postpone non-essential travel to Germany and the Expediency Council which advises Iran’s supreme to remain in isolation for 14 days to make sure they more deaths, with some 80,000 total cases. China has France, where more cases have been reported. leader. It also comes a week after the country’s original are healthy. The education ministry yesterday discussed even confirmed 13 imported infections, including eight Meanwhile, major concerts and sporting events in deputy health minister, Iraj Harirchi, fell ill with COVID- preparations to resume schools which have been sus- Chinese nationals who worked at the same restaurant in Gulf states have been cancelled or postponed. There 19. Harirchi admitted he had tested positive a day after pended for two weeks from March 1. The ministry said northern Italy’s Lombardy region. have been at least 2,476 cases of the virus in the Gulf he had coughed and wiped sweat from his brow during all school activities will be cancelled and students and Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong province are region, mostly in Iran where 77 people have died. Cases a news conference that was beamed live around the teaching staff will undergo thermal screening. imposing 14-day quarantines on people arriving from have also been reported in other Middle East nations. country on Feb 25. National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem countries with a severe epidemic. “We are in uncharted In the United Arab Emirates, a tourism and business But the judiciary said a jailed British-Iranian woman, said yesterday the Assembly has not yet decided territory,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hub, this month’s electronic music Ultra festival at Abu whose husband said she feared she had been infected whether to hold the March 10 regular session and that a said Monday. “We have never before seen a respiratory Dhabi’s 25,000-capacity Du arena and K-pop concert behind bars in Tehran, was “in perfect health”. Nazanin decision will be taken before Saturday. MPs pathogen that is capable of community transmission, but Music Bank at Dubai’s 17,000-capacity Coca Cola Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was arrested at Tehran airport in Mohammad Al-Dallal, Osama Al-Shaheen and Abdullah which can also be contained with the right measures.” Arena have been cancelled. April 2016, is serving a five-year term for sedition at Fahhad submitted a proposal calling to establish a Community transmission means infections within a pop- Electronic group Major Lazer, whose members Evin prison. “Yesterday she talked to her family by research center to combat diseases and epidemics to ulation are not imported from another virus-hit area. include renowned DJ Diplo, and DJ Afrojack were phone. There has been news about her recently that develop vaccines and drugs. MP Majed Al-Mutairi The US is now facing a potential epidemic, with six scheduled to perform at Ultra. Ultra organizers cited was fake news,” judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein called on the government to extend the school holidays people dying in the northwestern state of Washington, travel restrictions imposed by some countries and air- Esmaili said. to prevent any possible breakout of the coronavirus. where officials warned residents the battle against the lines due to the rapidly spreading virus in its reasoning Iran announced on Feb 19 its first two deaths from The world has entered uncharted territory in its bat- disease was shifting from containment to mitigation. for cancelling the two-day festival. Music Bank organ- the coronavirus in Qom, a center for Islamic studies and tle against the deadly coronavirus, the UN health Five of the deaths were in King County, which has more izers cited the spread of the epidemic in South Korea, pilgrims from abroad. The country now has the highest agency warned, as new infections dropped dramatically than two million residents and is home to Seattle, a which is the highest outside China, and elsewhere. death toll for any country outside China, where the virus in China yesterday but surged abroad with the US major commercial and transportation hub. The White Conferences, concerts and sporting events are a has killed more than 2,900 people since late December. death toll rising to six. Globally, the virus has killed House, which has been accused of downplaying the major draw-card for foreign visitors to the UAE, which Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on more than 3,100 people and infected over 90,000 even threat from the virus, struck a bullish tone. has reported 21 cases of coronavirus. Dubai’s flagship Iranians to stick to hygiene guidelines to prevent the as a clear shift in the crisis emerges, with nine times as Vice President Mike Pence declared that a treatment international art fair “Art Dubai”, scheduled for this novel coronavirus from spreading. “The healthcare many new cases recorded outside China as inside, “could literally be available by this summer, or early month, has been postponed. A women’s forum in the guidelines for preventing infection from this virus should according to the World Health Organization. fall”. He was likely referring to remdesivir, an antiviral UAE capital Abu Dhabi was postponed while a yoga be observed,” said Khamenei, who was seen on state China has imposed draconian quarantines and drug developed by the pharmaceutical firm Gilead that festival in Abu Dhabi and a Hindu Holi festival in Dubai television wearing gloves as he planted a tree. travel restrictions to keep large swathes of the popu- has already been used to treat one US patient and was were cancelled. The opening round of the 2020 World Khamenei said Iran was being transparent with its lation indoors - a strategy that appears to have paid moving toward two expansive final stage trials in Asia. Triathlon Series scheduled in Abu Dhabi this weekend figures on the outbreak and accused other countries of off as new cases have been generally falling for days. Pence also announced American pharmaceuticals were has been postponed. American rapper and producer trying to conceal them. “The #Coronavirus has affected While Italy has locked down towns, other countries forming a consortium to fight the virus, and that South Russ will now perform in Dubai in November instead of many countries,” he was quoted as saying on his official have stopped short of imposing mass quarantines Korea and Italy would screen all their airline passen- March because of the virus. “I know, wild lol (laugh out Twitter account. “Our officials have reported with sin- and instead have discouraged large gatherings, gers bound for the US. loud) but outta my control,” he said on Twitter. cerity and transparency since day one. However, some delayed sporting events and banned arrivals from Despite its world-class hospitals and cutting-edge The Oman Petroleum & Energy Show (OPES), due countries where the outbreak has been more serious virus-hit nations. Twitter told staff across the world research, the US is viewed as vulnerable to an epidemic to take place in the sultanate in March, has been post- have tried to hide it. Of course, we ask God to heal the to work from home. because of glaring disparities in healthcare availability, poned to September, the organizers told Reuters. sick in those countries too,” he added. Iran on Saturday South Korea, Iran and Italy have emerged as major with nearly 28 million people without coverage. Oman yesterday confirmed six new cases of coron- dismissed a BBC Persian report that the real number of COVID-19 hotspots, which emerged from a market that Chinese officials have touted progress in their own bat- avirus, taking the total there to 12. Qatar has cancelled coronavirus deaths in the country was more than 200. sold wild animals in the central Chinese city of Wuhan tle against the epidemic, and in another sign of growing a defense exhibition and Bahrain postponed two oil The United States and Paris-based media watchdog late last year. South Korea, the biggest cluster outside confidence, 19 provinces resumed inter-provincial bus and gas conferences from this month to the second Reporters Without Borders have accused Iran of con- China, reported 851 new cases, its biggest daily services on Sunday, state media said. half of the year. Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry said cealing information about the outbreak. — Agencies Established 1961 25 Sports Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Price drops Dodgers debut, Bonifacio’s single lifts Nationals over Marlins Nunez hit two-run homer to help Baltimore gain a tie

ARIZONA: David Price took the loss Monday in his salvage a tie with Boston at Lakeland, Fla. Marcus Dodgers spring debut as Los Angeles fell 6-2 to the Wilson, Bobby Dalbec and Connor Wong went deep Cincinnati Reds on Monday in Goodyear, Ariz. for the Red Sox. Price struck out three but surrendered two runs on three hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings. He was RAYS 3, ORIOLES 3 acquired earlier this month in a trade that also sent Renato Nunez hit a two-run homer to help outfielder Mookie Betts to the Dodgers. Jesse Winker Baltimore gain a tie with visiting Tampa Bay at had two hits, two runs and two RBIs for the Reds. Sarasota, Fla. Michael Perez hit a solo blast and Ji- Man Choi smacked a two-run shot for the Rays. NATIONALS 3, MARLINS 2 Emilio Bonifacio delivered the decisive single to CUBS (SS) 9, ANGELS 4 center with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning Kyle Hendricks struck out three in three perfect to give Washington a victory over Miami in West Palm innings as a Chicago split squad downed Los Angeles Beach, Fla. The Marlins scored both their runs in the in Mesa, Ariz. The Cubs’ Kyle Schwarber hit a three- fourth with Jesus Aguilar’s tiebreaking single to right run double. giving Miami a 2-1 lead. The Nationals knotted the score in the fifth when Adrian Sanchez homered. PADRES 3, WHITE SOX 1 Starter Chris Paddack pitched three scoreless CARDINALS 6, TWINS 1 innings for the win as San Diego topped Chicago in Jose Godoy recorded a two-run single to help Phoenix. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking St. Louis knock off visiting Minnesota at Jupiter, out one. White Sox starter Dallas Keuchel yielded one Fla. Gilberto Celestino had a run-scoring double run on six hits in four innings. PEORIA: File photo shows Ian Miller #79 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the Seattle Mariners during the MLB for the Twins. spring training game at Peoria Stadium on February 24, 2020 in Peoria, Arizona. — AFP RANGERS 3, INDIANS 2 BLUE JAYS 4, PIRATES 0 Robinson Chirinos went 2-for-2 with an RBI as Right-hander Matt Shoemaker struck out five and Texas defeated Cleveland at Surprise, Ariz. Indians ROCKIES 9, MARINERS 6 Camargo knocked in two runs while Cristian Pache gave up one hit in 2 2/3 scoreless innings to help host leadoff hitter Delino DeShields finished 2-for-3 Ryan McMahon, Sam Hilliard, David Dahl and went 3-for-3 for the Braves. Toronto blank Pittsburgh at Dunedin, Fla. The Pirates with an RBI. Drew Butera homered for Colorado in a victory over had just three hits — all singles — against six Blue Seattle at Peoria, Ariz. Jarred Kelenic went deep for A’S 5, CUBS (SS) 2 Jays’ hurlers. GIANTS 8, DIAMONDBACKS 1 the Mariners. No-hit for the first five innings, Oakland scored Zach Green hit a three-run homer, and Austin two runs in the sixth inning and three in the eighth to TIGERS 11, RED SOX 11 Slater, Joey Rickard and Mauricio Dubon each had PHILLIES 6, BRAVES 4 beat Chicago at Mesa, Ariz. Only one of the Athletics’ Travis Demeritte slugged his second homer of the two hits to lead San Francisco past Arizona at Christian Bethancourt hit solo homers in the sev- runs came home on a hit: an eighth-inning RBI single game, a three-run shot with two outs in the bottom of Scottsdale, Ariz. John Hicks hit a solo shot for the enth and ninth innings, and Philadelphia erased a 4-0 by Luis Barrera. Cubs starter Alec Mills struck out the ninth, to cap a six-run inning as Detroit rallied to Diamondbacks. deficit to beat Atlanta in North Port, Fla. Johan three in three scoreless innings. — Reuters

They’re just trying to push it under the Raisman lashes rug and hoping people will forget about it when they watch the Olympics this summer.” ‘offensive’ The 25-year-old, a member of the US Ex-Astro Giles women’s team which won gold at the gymnastics London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics, would return has been backed by former team-mate abuse deal Simone Biles, who has also voiced dis- may over the proposed settlement. World Series ring

LOS ANGELES: Olympic gold medal- BILES ANGUISH TORONTO: Relief pitcher Ken Giles is prepared list Aly Raisman lashed out on Monday In a series of posts on Twitter on to return his World Series ring from the 2017 sea- at a settlement put forward by USA Saturday, Biles spoke of her anguish at son with the Astros, saying he wasn’t aware of the Gymnastics for the Larry Nassar abuse the ongoing wrangling, accusing USA sign-stealing plot while with Houston. “It crushed scandal, describing the proposals as Gymnastics and US Olympic chiefs of me to learn about the stuff that went on when I was “offensive” to survivors of the jailed failing to conduct an independent inves- there,” Giles, now a member of the Toronto Blue team doctor’s crimes. tigation into the scandal. Jays, told the Toronto Sun. “I had no idea. I had no clue whatsoever. I was blindsided by the commis- In an interview with NBC television’s “Ugh at the airport. Heading to team WASHINGTON: File photo taken on July 23, 2018 sexual abuse survivor from the sioner’s report. Up until then, I honestly didn’t Today morning news show, Raisman camp,” Biles wrote. “Still want answers Larry Nassar sexual abuse case Aly Raisman (2nd L) listens during a hearing believe it. Just crazy.” accused USA Gymnastics of attempting from USAG and USOPC. Wish they before the Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security Giles is the latest member of the pitching staff to to prevent release of details which would BOTH wanted an independent investiga- Subcommittee of Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on claim no knowledge of the cheating scandal. Giles, show how Nassar was able to abuse ath- tion as much as the survivors & I do. Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. — AFP letes for years. Anxiety high. Hard not to think about like most relievers, spent the entirety of most games Raisman’s criticism followed reports everything that I DON’T WANT TO in the outfield bullpen. He was traded to the Blue last month that a tiered settlement system THINK ABOUT!!!” accused USA Gymnastics and the US They’re not answering our questions.” Jays in July 2018. Giles said the ring the team won in would be used to pay damages to In a following post she added: “Don’t Olympic Committee of a “massive cover- The outcry over the settlement comes 2017 brings a lot of mixed emotions, but mostly hurt. Nassar’s victims, with payments ranging THEY also want to know HOW every- up”, said the failure to obtain accounta- with US gymnasts, including Biles, “Whatever they ask, I would oblige. Because from $82,550 to $1.25 million. However thing was allowed to happen and WHO bility over the scandal was “devastating”. preparing for July’s Olympic Games in what was going on at the time was not OK,” Giles attorneys for hundreds of women abused let it happen so it NEVER HAPPENS “It’s incredibly draining. USA Tokyo. Raisman, who is now retired, said. “It just hurts. If they want it back, I’ll be true to by Nassar have said the deal is insuffi- AGAIN? Shouldn’t people be held Gymnastics, United States Olympic spoke of her pride in her former team- whatever needs to be done.” cient, arguing it releases too many individ- accountable? Who do I ask??? I’m torn Committee — they refused to take any mates’ preparations for the Olympics • Tampa Bay Rays minor league outfielder uals and organisations from further claims, at this point.” accountability to address the issue, to despite the settlement controversy. Garrett Whitley was struck in the face by a foul ball including the United States Olympic and Both Raisman and Biles have said they figure out what went wrong.” “I person- “I’ve been watching the gymnasts, that flew into the dugout during the team’s spring Paralympic Committee and former USA were abused by Nassar, 56, who was ally would like to see USA Gymnastics and I’m really proud of them,” Raisman training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Gymnastics chief Steve Penny. jailed for life in 2018 for a catalogue of and the United States Olympic said. “I think that they’re doing an Sarasota, Fla. “It’s honestly offensive,” Raisman said abuse involving more than 250 girls. Committee release all their documents amazing job. I am heartbroken that this The Rays said Whitley sustained a right facial Monday. “It shows they don’t care. Raisman, who in a tweet on Saturday and data because they are not doing that. is still going on.” — AFP injury, and he was transported to a nearby hospital to undergo X-rays and other testing. Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters that Whitley never lost consciousness. anonymous. Whitley, 23, was seated inside the third base Racing hopes to be “It was the Hallelujah moment. We had to do dugout in the fourth inning when right-handed-hit- Johnson to skip something.” Wray, former chairman of Swindon ting Renato Nunez of the Orioles hit a scorcher in a league of its own, Town football club, said the jockeys will have their toward Whitley. The ball cleared the grass and names on the back of their silks as they want to struck a dugout step, then slammed into Whitley’s Tokyo Olympics “showcase elite athletes”. thanks partly to Pogba face. Whitley was immediately taken from the He also said it might help to find new personali- dugout for treatment. ties to fill the considerable vacuum that will be left LOS ANGELES: Former world number one Dustin • Texas Rangers right-hander Corey Kluber when superstar Italian Frankie Dettori eventually returned to the mound for the first time since he Johnson has become the first high-ranking golfer to LONDON: French football World Cup winner Paul retires. “If you take a straw poll of people outside withdraw from this year’s Olympic games, with his Pogba is the unwitting inspiration for the Racing sustained a broken arm in May 2019. the sport to name three jockeys I can tell you num- Kluber pitched three innings against the Los agent citing a tight schedule for the withdrawal, League, a series hoping to attract a fresh fanbase for ber three is Lester Piggott and that is 40 years out,” reports said Monday. horse racing, its founder Jeremy Wray told AFP. Angeles Dodgers, his first start since he was hit by a said Wray. line drive on the mound against the Miami Marlins. World number five Johnson, who by current rank- Wray was speaking at the launch at the historic “Frankie is in a league of his own and is wonderful ings would be eligible for a place amongst the US Queen’s Club — usually associated with the Then with the Cleveland Indians, Kluber was ready for the sport. “Jumps jockey AP McCoy is the sec- to return after a rehab assignment last season, but squad for Tokyo, pulled out of the 2016 Olympics Wimbledon warm-up tennis tournament. The series ond name people mention and he has also retired. due to concerns over the Zika virus. will see 12 teams — each with three to four trainers, he sustained an oblique injury. He was traded to the There are a whole load of elite athletes on the flat Rangers in the offseason. The 35-year-old’s decision to skip the Olympics three jockeys and totalling 30 horses — contesting that people know nothing about.” comes as the sporting world grapples with turmoil 36 races all worth £50,000 ($64,000). Kluber struck out four and allowed two runs in his spring debut. He is in the final season of his con- from the coronavirus outbreak, which has forced The races over various distances will be hosted ‘TWILIGHT HORSES’ the cancellation of several high-profile events by four UK racecourses and take place on six con- tract, but the Rangers have a $14 million option for Wray says, though, a key motive is to encourage a 2021 on the 33-year-old. across the globe. secutive Thursdays beginning on July 16, with all of new fanbase — there will be a ‘Super’ fan chosen for However Johnson’s agent David Winkle told them televised. Points will be allocated from the win- • Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder/first baseman each team and one of them will share in the bonus Cody Bellinger is dealing with discomfort in his side. ESPN that his client had opted to skip Tokyo ner (25) down to 10th place (1), with the winning prize money. “One can’t be complacent — the num- because of the PGA Tour’s condensed tournament team scooping bonus prize money — the amount is While the injury prevented Bellinger from playing bers of spectators are dwindling,” he said. in the team’s spring training game against the schedule. “You just can’t do it all, given the newly yet to be announced — at the end of the series. “The average age of both owners and spectators compressed schedule,” Winkle told ESPN. “Dustin There will also be a “hands and heels” policy Cincinnati Reds, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is going in the wrong direction. “The question is how told reporters that he was not overly concerned. and others learned a lot about themselves and what where the jockey will only be able to use the whip do you engage these people. “We are not knocking Roberts said Bellinger’s injury was not related to his works for them last year, so I applaud him for not for safety purposes. Wray says his “Hallelujah innovations out there but they are going to the top participation in Albert Pujols’ charity golf event on overextending himself and keeping his personal pri- moment” came three years ago when he was in a level of racing and aimed at the same people. Sunday. orities in line.” sports bar in London. “I am sure a lot of things won’t work but hopeful- Bellinger, 24, followed up winning the NL Rookie of Winkle said Johnson was instead targeting the “On one screen there was football and Pogba was ly there are innovations we introduce that will work the Year in 2017 by capturing NL MVP honors in 2019. lucrative FedEx Cup playoffs, which start 11 days taking a free-kick for Manchester United, you knew and attract people by shaping it in a different way.” • Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Steven Brault has after the Olympic golf tournament wraps up. “Dustin that because his name was on the back of his red Wray believes the league will also benefit trainers gave the Olympics a great deal of thought and we a strained muscle in his throwing shoulder, and he shirt,” said CEO of Championship Horse Racing who are unable to compete financially at the sales will be evaluated in two weeks, the team announced. discussed the pros and cons of him participating at Wray. “On the other screen there was a race with when it comes to buying Group class horses. length,” Winkle said in comments to Golfweek. Brault split last season between the rotation and the sound turned down and I was probably the only “It is a great chance for smaller to middle ranking the bullpen. He posted a 4-6 record with a 5.16 ERA “At the end of the day, it’s a matter of personal person who recognised it was Brighton. trainers,” he said. “It is a great opportunity to show preference and priority. As much as he would be and 1.50 WHIP in 113 1/3 innings over 25 appear- “There was a three-way photo finish and the guy ‘I am good at this job as well’.” One of those trainers, ances (19 starts). The 27-year-old has allowed two honored to be an Olympian, the FedExCup Playoffs next to me at the bar asked me who are the jockeys? George Baker, told AFP attracting younger specta- are also very important to him. — AFP runs on four hits in 2 1/3 innings in two appearances I said ‘No idea’. “Who is the photo between? I again tors is crucial as the demographics when you go to a this spring. — reuters said I had no idea. I suddenly realised the sport is midweek meeting at Brighton are “scary”. — AFP 26 Established 1961 Sports Wednesday, March 4, 2020 South Africa to face Australia in T20 WCup semis as rain hits tournament Group B runners-up England play unbeaten Group A winners India

MELBOURNE: South Africa will face defending and their clash with Pakistan was also called off. champions Australia in the women’s Twenty20 They had lost all three of their previous games, World Cup semi-finals after their match against the with a highest total of 82. West Indies was washed out yesterday, leaving But, after winning the toss at Sydney India to take on England. Showground, they stunned Pakistan with their The Proteas needed to avoid defeat against the aggressive batting approach, racing to 150 for already-eliminated West Indies to top Group B and three off 20 overs. with the match in Sydney abandoned without a ball Pakistan, who upset 2016 champions West Indies being bowled, they earned a point to ensure that in their opening game before losing the next two, happened. would have needed their record run chase to win “I couldn’t have asked for better, our first goal but didn’t face a ball. “The openers were positive coming here was to get to the semi-finals,” said and aggressive and they did very well,” said Thai skipper Dane van Niekerk. captain Sornnarin Tippoch. “Generally in these tournaments, we’ve lost at “We had an opportunity to come here and play crucial times, whereas in this tournament, whenever against the big teams. I think it is good for us. We we’ve been down we’ve got up again. It’s nice that want to keep doing well. People at home will be everything is slowly but surely coming together.” happy, same as us. They will be cheering.” South Africa have never beaten four-time cham- Natthakan Chantam and Nattaya Boochatham pions Australia, who suffered a big blow yesterday posted the second highest opening partnership of with star allrounder Ellyse Perry ruled out of the the tournament, 93, before Boochatham fell for 44. tournament with a hamstring injury. Chantam made 56 with some late big-hitting “What better way to do it (beat Australia) than from Nannapat Khoncharoenkai and Chanida in a World Cup semi-final. We’re not used to the Sutthiruang ensuring Thailand passed their previ- bigger-stage games, but hopefully everything ous record of 133 for eight recorded against the comes together for us,” she added ahead of the Netherlands last year. match in Sydney on Thursday. “It gave us the lesson that during cricket no Group B runners-up England, the 2009 champi- team is bigger or smaller, you have to be on your ons, play unbeaten Group A winners India on the toes every time,” said Pakistan skipper Javeria same day. Khan, adding that overall the tournament had been Earlier, qualifiers Thailand ended their inaugural positive for her team. SYDNEY: Thailand’s Natthakan Chantam plays a shot during the Twenty20 women’s World Cup cricket match between World Cup on a high, posting their biggest ever “We’ll walk away with our heads held high and Pakistan and Thailand in Sydney yesterday. — AFP T20 international score before the heavens opened our girls played some good cricket.” — AFP

Golden Knights look to bounce back England replace against Devils handshakes with LAS VEGAS: After having their franchise record-tying eight-game win streak snapped in surprising fashion by fist bumps over the Los Angeles Kings, the Vegas Golden Knights con- clude a four-game homestand when they host the New Jersey Devils in Las Vegas. coronavirus fears Sunday night’s 4-1 loss to the last-place Kings, who have the fewest points in the Western Conference and MELBOURNE: England players will not be second-fewest in the NHL, represented a wasted shaking hands on their tour of Sri Lanka and opportunity for Peter DeBoer’s squad to build on its will use fist bumps instead to greet each other lead in the ultra-competitive Pacific Division, where the following the coronavirus outbreak, skipper Joe top four teams are bunched within six points entering Root said. Monday. Root’s team were laid low by flu and gas- “It doesn’t matter what team you’re playing, two troenteritis in South Africa and are cautious points is two points, and they’re pretty important right following the coronavirus outbreak that has now,” Vegas forward Reilly Smith told reporters after killed over 3,000 people and infected more the game. “We let two points slip away tonight.” “You look at the standings, everyone seems to be than 89,000 globally. winning with us,” defenseman Nate Schmidt told “After the illnesses that swept through the NHL.com. “It’s hard to drop a game like that, but we’ve squad in South Africa, we are well aware of the been playing really well the last couple of weeks.” importance of keeping contact to a minimum,” Indeed, even after Sunday’s loss the Golden Knights Root told reporters before flying to Sri Lanka are still 10-3-1 since the start of February. on Monday night for a two-test series. Anze Kopitar scored two goals in the first 7:39 and “We’ve been given some really sound and rookie goaltender Calvin Petersen stopped 42 shots to LAS VEGAS: File photo shows Marc-Andre Fleury #29 and Alec Martinez #23 of the Vegas Golden Knights defend sensible advice from our medical team to help pace Los Angeles. Vegas lost despite outshooting the the net in the first period of their game against the Los Angeles Kings at T-Mobile Arena on March 1, 2020 in prevent spreading germs and bacteria.” “We Kings, 43-17, including 37-8 over the final two periods Las Vegas. — AFP are not shaking hands with each other - using and an eye-popping 19-1 in the third. instead the well-established fist bump - and we “I think if we played that same way against them are washing hands regularly and wiping down another nine times we’d probably beat them all nine,” who we’re playing, the top team in the West or the bot- goals and Cory Schneider, playing in his third game surfaces using the antibacterial wipes and gels Smith said. “They scored a couple goals early and it tom team in the East, or vice versa, these points are so since being recalled from Binghamton of the American we’ve been given in our immunity packs.” seemed like we were getting enough chances (but) we important for us,” said center Paul Stastny. “We’ve got Hockey League, stopped 34 shots to register his first England will play the first of their two prac- just weren’t finding the back of the net. You play 82 a big game to end off our homestand, and we’re going NHL shutout since Feb. 21, 2019. tice matches from Saturday before the first test games in a season you are going to run into nights like to want to end that on a positive note.” “My teammates did their job tonight,” Schneider in Galle from March 19 while Colombo hosts these. I think we did enough to win. It just didn’t pan out.” Despite its not-so-lofty ranking in the Metro, said. “For me, it’s just about doing my job. The game the second test from March 27. Now comes a game against New Jersey, which sits New Jersey has played well recently. The Devils are felt good tonight in terms of my performance and how Sri Lanka confirmed the first case of coron- in last place in the Metropolitan Division. The Golden 6-2-2 over their past 10 games and are riding a six- I felt.” avirus in the country in January but Root Knights, who play 10 of their final 14 games on the road game point streak (4-0-2) that matches their longest This is the second of two regular-season meetings expected the tour to go on as planned. “There (including two at second-place Edmonton), can ill of the season. between the two teams. Vegas, behind a Jonathan is no suggestion that the tour will be affected. afford another home slip-up. New Jersey comes in off a 3-0 victory at Anaheim Marchessault hat trick, won the first one 4-3 on Dec. 3 But, of course, it is an evolving situation so we “I think our mindset has to be every game, no matter on Sunday as Pavel Zacha scored a pair of power-play in Newark, NJ. — Reuters are in regular contact with the authorities and will proceed as advised,” added the Yorkshire player. —Reuters as Club Atletico Penarol. age and originally made up of ex-alumni from Glory seekers Penarol It was a sports club established by British railway Montevideo’s British schools. workers in the Penarol neighborhood of the capital But for the country’s first ever professional rugby Montevideo. “In the first year, Penarol only played team, the Uruguayan Rugby Union picked Penarol to branch out into cricket ... the next year it started playing football and run the franchise. “The big difference (to other ama- it was football that took root amongst Uruguayans,” teur rugby teams) is that Penarol has the tools to Athletic players cricket and rugby said Daniel Vinas, who runs the Penarol rugby club, grow this sport,” said Nieto. and is Leonardo’s brother. “The aim is that (rugby in) Uruguay grows and “Through football (Penarol) developed into one of Penarol is a great vehicle for that.” According to will walk off pitch MONTEVIDEO: A decade ago, Penarol were the main sports clubs in South America.” Penarol is Pablo Aversente, the president of the rival Victoria named South America’s football team of the century. one of eight teams playing in the Uruguayan cricket Cricket Club, “the name of Penarol means something for racist abuse It’s one of the biggest and most successful clubs on league, although almost all the players are Indian to people. “If tomorrow Penarol play hockey, they the continent having won the Copa Libertadores five expats working for Tata. will attract people, if tomorrow Penarol play polo, times and their national title on 50 occasions. people will go to see them.” BARCELONA: Striker Inaki Williams said his Athletic But now, Uruguay’s most successful football club ‘PENAROL HAS THE TOOLS’ Bilbao team mates will walk off the field if he is racially is aiming for titles in cricket and rugby too. Uruguay It’s also one of six teams to join the new South ‘WE’RE COMPETITIVE’ abused from the stands again. The Spain international, is football mad and Penarol’s black and yellow shirt is American club rugby championship — Super But the club is not just taking an interest in these born in Bilbao to a Ghanaian father and a Liberian instantly recognizable but seeing it running up and Liga Americana de Rugby — alongside Brazilians minority sports to help them grow. “Penarol always mother, was the subject of racist chants in January down a cricket or rugby pitch takes some getting Corinthians, Olimpia Lions of Paraguay, Chile’s look to compete at their level, and to win,” said when Athletic drew 1-1 at Espanyol in La Liga after he used to. Selknam and Ceibos from Argentina, with Leonardo Vinas. was substituted. “Two years ago, there was a story in the press Colombians Cafeteros Pro partially taking part “We’re not a social club and never have been. The Catalan club identified 12 fans who had been saying that cricket was being played in Uruguay and as well. We’re a competitive club.” When it comes to the rug- involved in the abuse. Williams told Movistar pro- that’s when we started taking more of an interest,” “Penarol is a club that has recently invested a lot by club, Penarol is looking to make history. “With gramme ‘Universo Valdano’ on Monday that Athletic said Leonardo Vinas, the president of Penarol’s crick- in minority sports, which is really good,” said rugby we’ll try to see if we can be South American will stop playing even if they are automatically handed et section. Alejandro Nieto, the captain of the club’s rugby team, champions, to become the only club in South America a defeat. Cricket was being played on a makeshift pitch which will play its first ever competitive fixture on to become continental champions in three sports,” “If it happens again I will count on the support of a alongside Montevideo’s promenade by Indian expats Wednesday against Selknam. said Daniel Vinas. lot of people,” said Williams. “I know that my team working for the multinational Tata Motors. “We got “In Uruguay the most popular sport is football and “We’ve already been champions in football and mates would have left the pitch with me (at Espanyol). I involved with the Indian community here in Uruguay Penarol is flying the flag in this, so the idea of such a basketball.” So too, though, have Corinthians and have spoken to them and the next time we will leave who brought a sport that practically hadn’t been popular club supporting minority sports is so they Olimpia, meaning there is more at stake than just the the field, even if they give us a defeat. played in the country for 60-70 years,” added Vinas. grow.” Uruguay has a number of historic rugby teams title of rugby’s South American champions. “In the 21st century it is something we cannot allow. Penarol actually started life in 1891 as a cricket playing in the national amateur league, such as multi- Winning the Super Liga Americana might be Your skin colour, face or sex doesn’t matter. We cannot club when it was known as the Central Uruguay sports clubs Montevideo Cricket Club, which is more beyond Corinthians, though, as Penarol thrashed allow anything like this.” The club could not immediate- Railway Cricket Club, before it was renamed in 1913 than 150 years old, and Old Boys, over 100 years of them 47-14 in a friendly last week. — AFP ly be reached for comment. — Reuters 27 Sports Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Arsenal reach FA Cup quarter finals to ease Euro woe

Torreira stretchered off while receiving oxygen

PORTSMOUTH: Arsenal bounced back from their absent, while Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe Europa League heartache to reach the FA Cup quarter were on the bench. Pablo Mari made his debut at cen- finals as goals from Sokratis Papastathopoulos and tre-back after joining on loan from Flamengo in January Eddie Nketiah sealed a 2-0 win at Portsmouth on and David Luiz, Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira Monday. were among the starters. Mikel Arteta’s side desperately needed a morale- Torreira lasted less than 15 minutes before the boosting success after Olympiakos snatched a late win- Uruguay midfielder was left writhing in pain after ner to knock them out of the Europa League at the falling awkwardly following James Bolton’s tackle. Emirates Stadium. Arteta said his players were still feel- Referee Mike Dean ruled Bolton’s crunching challenge ing “very down” several days after that kick in the had taken the ball, but Torreira needed four minutes’ teeth, but they survived an early barrage from third-tier treatment before being stretchered off while receiving Portsmouth to avoid more misery in the FA Cup fifth oxygen. round. Sokratis put Arsenal ahead just before half-time “Lucas was very sore and is in a brace. He will be and Nketiah bagged the second soon after the interval. assessed in a few days and then we will know more,” Arsenal’s record 13 FA Cup triumphs featured two with Arteta said. Portsmouth’s fall from grace after winning Arteta in the team in 2014 and 2015. the FA Cup in 2008 was nothing short of spectacular. The 37-year-old would love to end his first season in Revived by a 2017 takeover from American billion- charge with another victory lap around Wembley, aire Michael Eisner, who has had stints in charge of especially given their hopes of qualifying for the Paramount Pictures and Disney, Portsmouth are no Champions League are hanging in the balance. “We’ll longer a ‘Mickey Mouse’ club. They are chasing promo- keep going because we love this competition. We’re on tion from League One, have reached a second succes- the right path,” Arteta said. sive Football League Trophy final and tore into Arsenal “It’s a difficult place to come but I have faith in these early on. kids. They always respond and I always knew they Kenny Jackett’s side had a glorious chance to take would do that. “They have to learn from the difficult the lead when Steve Seddon’s cross picked out Gareth moments and manage them but they have the talent and Evans, but he headed wide from 10 yards. Arteta’s team desire and look how hard they work.” gradually began to impose themselves and Gabriel Arsenal hadn’t been knocked out of the FA Cup by a Martinelli nodded over from close-range after Reiss PORTSMOUTH: Arsenal’s English striker Eddie Nketiah (C) takes on Portsmouth’s English defender James Bolton team outside the top two divisions since losing to Nelson’s cross curled behind the young Brazilian. (L) and Portsmouth’s English midfielder Cameron McGeehan (R) during the English FA Cup fifth round football Wrexham in 1992. A repeat of that embarrassment Arsenal made the breakthrough four minutes into match between Portsmouth and Arsenal at Fratton Park stadium in Portsmouth, southern England. — AFP would have been a huge blow, so it seemed something first half stoppage-time when Nelson’s cross found of a gamble when Arteta made nine changes against a Sokratis and the Greek defender cushioned a fine vol- cross. This time Nketiah was the beneficiary as the 20- Portsmouth running out of steam, the two-goal lead Portsmouth side who had won 21 of their previous 27 ley past Alex Bass from 10 yards. Buoyed by that confi- year-old’s first touch squeezed him between two was more than enough for Arsenal, whose fourth win in fixtures in all competitions. dence boost, Arsenal doubled their lead in the 51st Portsmouth defenders for a close-range finish that five games would have been even bigger but for Bass’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil were minute when Nelson again caused havoc with a teasing made it three goals in his last five games. With superb save from Bukayo Saka’s dipping strike. — AFP

lowed FIFA president Gianni Infantino to the podium, and continued to support grassroots football and social Should we be directly compared UEFA’s revenue to FIFA and the campaigns. International Olympic Committee (IOC). Without making specific reference to any proposal, Matches on TV “In the current four-year cycle, from 2016 to 2020, Ceferin said: “When purpose over profit becomes profit (Local Timings) ashamed of our UEFA will have generated more than 15 billion euros in over purpose, it is time to raise the alarm. Football is not revenue - more than double the 6.6 billion euros or so simply a business like any other. It has a history, tradi- ITALIAN CUP success: UEFA chief that FIFA will make over the same period, and twice as tion and structure that must be respected. Juventus FC v AC Milan 22:45 much as the IOC is able to generate in the same cycle,” “The football pyramid is delicate and must not be beIN Sports said Ceferin, who also offered a comparison to the NFL knocked off balance. Certain projects, some devised on AMSTERDAM: UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin in the United States. other continents with the backing of governing bodies, ENGLAND FA CUP told European football’s administrators yesterday that “The total cumulative TV audience for a month-long are particularly worrying,” he said, attacking the idea of Leicester City v Birmingham City FC 22:45 they can be proud to be in charge of the most popular, UEFA Euro (tournament) is more than 30 times that of closed leagues or ending promotion and relegation. beIN Sports wealthiest and best football in the world. the American Super Bowl,” he said. “The UEFA “Our principles, history, tradition and structure have Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City 22:45 In a surprisingly blunt message, the Slovenian told Champions League final is the most-watched annual enabled football to dominate other sports and enabled beIN Sports his organisation’s annual congress that they should not Sheffield Wednesday FC v Manchester City 22:45 football club event in the world. European football to dominate the rest of the world. beIN Sports HD 2 be ashamed of the success of tournaments such as the “Should we be ashamed of this commercial success? Calling them into question would be a death sentence Champions League and the Euros — nor the huge Should we be ashamed that, together, we, the national for our sport,” he said. SPAIN COPA DEL REY amount money they generate. associations, leagues and clubs, have made European In his closing remarks, not including in the pre-writ- CD Mirandes v Real Sociedad 23:00 “Should we be ashamed of our success? To be con- football the greatest success story of modern-day ten script of his speech, Ceferin also said officials beIN Sports sidered by many as the most important sports organi- sport?” should remember their role. “No football administrator, sation in the world?” he asked the assembled delegates Ceferin then listed the on-field success of European no matter the size of the ego should think we are the FRENCH CUP from 55 European countries. Breaking with the usual nations before insisting that the huge revenues were stars of the game. We are only the guardians of the Olympique Lyonnais v Paris Saint-Germain 23:10 diplomatic approach at such events, Ceferin, who fol- only justifiable if UEFA stuck to “purpose over profit” game.” — Reuters beIN Sports HD 6

The appointment of Guardiola has accelerated City’s Man City must rise to the top of the English game after Roberto Wobbling Juve, Inter Tottenham’s Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini also won Premier League titles backed by the billions spent by the club’s aim for cup glory maintain ‘big club’ Abu Dhabi-based owners. Sunday’s success was City’s Lloris to miss 11th major trophy since ending a 35-year wait for sil- mentality: Guardiola verware by winning the 2011 FA Cup under Mancini. amid coronavirus chaos FA Cup tie “There is a lot of effort behind this,” added LONDON: Pep Guardiola urged his Manchester City Guardiola. “The most important thing was the league MILAN: Juventus and Inter Milan can get their seasons squad to maintain their hunger for more trophies after when Roberto Mancini was here. It changed the men- back on track with Italian Cup semi-final return-legs mid- LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur will still be with- picking up the eighth of his four-season reign with a tality of the club. The first one is always the most diffi- week, which take place amid Serie A fixture chaos caused out goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for their FA Cup fifth- third consecutive League Cup. City have more cup suc- cult one and Roberto Mancini and his people and play- by the coronavirus. Locked in a battle for the league title round tie at home to Norwich City, manager Jose cess in sight as they travel to Sheffield Wednesday in ers did it, then other people came after them and con- the pair have been overtaken by surprise package Lazio as Mourinho confirmed yesterday. the FA Cup fifth round today and lead Real Madrid 2-1 tinued the process.” the city of Rome remains relatively untouched by COVID- The France international has still to recover after the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. Injuries have helped halt City’s attempt at a third 19, which has caused havoc in the north of the country, straight Premier League title as they trail runaway lead- from the groin problem that saw him miss the Guardiola has now won 29 trophies in his managerial killing 52 people. ers Liverpool by 22 points. Leroy Sane has missed most Inter, who travel to Napoli tomorrow hoping to over- weekend’s Premier League loss to Wolves ahead career after similarly successful spells at Barcelona and of the season due to a cruciate ligament injury suffered turn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg at the San Siro, haven’t of the visit of the Canaries today. Bayern Munich and he wants City to match the demands of those European giants going forward. “I in the Community Shield in August. The German winger played in Italy since being beaten at Lazio on February 16 Lloris has joined star striker Harry Kane, South learnt in the big clubs I was at before, and in their his- is now back in training, but Guardiola will not rush him as the virus concentrated in the Lombardy and Veneto Korea forward Son Heung-min and midfielder tory, when they win a trophy they go and take a shower, back to feature in midweek. regions. Their home match against Sampdoria and the Moussa Sissoko on Spurs’ injury list, although and they are thinking in that moment about the next “He is not ready. (After) six months, (it) needs a weekend’s schedule title clash with Juve were both post- Mourinho hopes he will be available again for this one,” said Guardiola yesterday. process. When you start (back training) you feel good poned, provoking a furious reaction from the club’s CEO weekend’s league match at Burnley. “It is so nice what we have done in that competition but still it is not (right), especially confidence,” said Beppe Marotta, who wanted the match played behind “(On Monday) I was not sure that he couldn’t in the last three years but in this game we have another Guardiola. “He is doing the normal steps to come back closed doors. play (on Wednesday). He can’t. I’m going to wait final. “Away in the FA Cup is lwaysa difficult because of but maybe it will be easier to play in the Premier Two Europa League last 32 matches against for good news for Saturday, I hope he can,” how important this competition is for the clubs in this League, which we don’t have chance to win, than in this Ludogorets is all Inter have had for preparation in that time, and their disrupted schedule comes in the midst of a Mourinho told reporters. “It’s not the kind of country. We can go through to the quarter-finals and cup competition. We need to be incredibly focused all that is what we have to do.” the way through.” — AFP dip in domestic form that has left the former league leaders injury where we know he’s not ready to play for third behind Lazio and traditional rivals Juve. three, four or five weeks. They face stiff opposition in Napoli, who look a side “He’s not playing (on Wednesday) but I cannot reborn since Gennaro Gattuso replaced Carlo Ancelotti as tell you he’s not playing Saturday because maybe coach in December. They have surged up the Serie A table he can.” Teenage rising star Troy Parrott could into sixth and impressed when they held Barcelona to a feature against Norwich, however, with the 18- draw at the Stadio San Paolo in midweek. year-old striker set to be on the bench at the The reigning league champions meanwhile host AC Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Milan in the other semi-final on Wednesday in a match that will be open to the public, or at least a portion of it. The Parrott made a brief substitute appearance in Italian government decreed a halt to sports events in the the 3-2 defeat by Wolves and the scored during regions of Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia Romagna and his 45 minutes of action for Spurs’ Under-23s on provinces in Liguria and Le Marche badly hit by the virus Monday. “He’s a very young kid with a lot, a lot, a until March 8, unless the event is held behind closed doors. lot to learn,” said Mourinho. The decree also bans fans from those areas from mak- “He has qualities. He has potential but he’s not ing away trips. Juventus announced that only fans from an end product. He has a lot to learn, a lot to from areas not named by the government would be able to develop at every level. “He’s going to be on the travel to Turin (in Piedmont) to watch the match. bench again (on Wednesday). A few minutes he They face a Milan side whose only defeat in 2020 so far came against Inter in a thrilling derby last month and who played already, he already has two Premier were unlucky to come away from the first leg with only a League appearances which is not normal for an 1-1 draw. However Maurizio Sarri’s side will be favourites 18-year-old kid. He’s a privileged one. despite ropey recent form that has seen them lose to “I think he understands the privilege of being Napoli and Hellas Verona and scrape past relegation fod- part of the first team, training every day, learning der Brescia and SPAL. Their 1-0 defeat to Lyon in the with experiences players and coaches, with very Champions League led to questions over Sarri’s future on people also in the academy. He’s a privileged one. the Juve bench, and should Milan reach the final with a first Step by step.” — AFP LONDON: Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola celebrates on the pitch after the English League Cup ever win at the Allianz Stadium the calls for his dismissal final football match between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Wembley stadium on March 1, 2020. — AFP will only become louder. — AFP Established 1961 Sport

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020

Price drops Dodgers debut, Bonifacio’s South Africa to face Australia in T20 Arsenal reach FA Cup quarter 25single lifts Nationals over Marlins 26 WCup semis as rain hits tournament 27 finals to ease Euro woe

Heat beat Bucks for second time

MIAMI: Host Miami Heat held reigning NBA had 23. Dallas pulled to 108-107 when Dorian with 41 points, leading Portland to a victo- MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to 13 points Finney-Smith made a 3-pointer with 4.9 sec- ry at Orlando. Playing without injured All- and became the first team to beat the onds left. Finney-Smith had just connected Star sidekick Damian Lillard (groin), Olympic chiefs prepare for Milwaukee Bucks twice this season, winning from beyond the arc with 15.3 seconds McCollum shot 14 of 24 overall and 6 of 12 105-89 on Monday night. Miami is 2-0 remaining. Chicago’s Wendell Carter Jr. made on 3-point attempts en route to the sec- against Milwaukee, which has the best record one of two free throws on the next posses- ond-most points scored in Orlando by a ‘successful’ Tokyo 2020 in the NBA at 52-9. The Heat have struggled sion, and Doncic missed a desperation heave Magic opponent this season. James Harden on the road (13-18) but have the third-best at the buzzer. had 54 points at Orlando in December. LAUSANNE: The International and over 90,000 have been infected in home record in the league (26-4). Miami got Nikola Vucevic countered with a team- Olympic Committee said yesterday it more than 60 countries worldwide. The 18 points apiece from Jae Crowder and Jimmy NEW YORK KNICKS 125 - high 30 points for Orlando, but it wasn’t was busy with preparations for a “suc- vast majority of cases are in China, but Butler, and Bam Adebayo added 14 points and HOUSTON ROCKETS 123 enough to prevent the Magic from losing cessful” Summer Games in Tokyo in South Korea, Italy and Iran have 13 rebounds. Antetokounmpo was removed Julius Randle’s free throw with 4.6 seconds their second straight after a three-game less than five months and at a time emerged as the countries with the most from the game with 4:33 left in the fourth left sealed host New York’s victory over winning streak. when the coronavirus outbreak is cases outside the epicentre. quarter as Miami had a 15-point lead. His 13 Houston. RJ Barrett tied a career high with 27 widening. The virus has infected at least 230 points tied his season low. He made just 6 of points and Randle finished with 16 points and MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 127 - IOC president Thomas Bach, speak- people across Japan and been linked to 18 shots from the floor, including 0 of 4 from 16 rebounds for the Knicks, who raced to a ATLANTA HAWKS 88 ing at the opening of the Olympic five deaths. Following its board meet- 3-point range. He had three assists and a 21-point, first-half lead before staving off a Gorgui Dieng and Jonas Valanciunas body’s two-day executive board meet- ing, the IOC issued a statement in game-high 15 rebounds. furious rally by the Rockets. New York’s posted double-doubles to lead a bal- ing in Lausanne, said: “We are prepar- which it “expressed its full commitment Mitchell Robinson added 12 points and 13 anced Memphis attack as the visiting ing for a successful Olympic Games, to the success of the Olympic Games CHICAGO BULLS 109 - rebounds. James Harden had 35 points and Grizzlies trounced Atlanta. Dieng had 17 Tokyo 2020.” The IOC, he later added, Tokyo 2020”. DALLAS MAVERICKS 107 went 16 of 16 from the free-throw line for the points and 10 rebounds, his ninth double- remained “fully committed to” and The IOC heard a report on “all the Otto Porter Jr. scored 18 points in his first Rockets, who had their six-game winning double of the season, and Valanciunas “very confident of” that success. measures taken so far to address the action since November, and Chicago held on streak snapped. Russell Westbrook scored 24 had 15 points and 15 rebounds, his 30th “We will continue this regular con- coronavirus situation, which was fol- to edge visiting Dallas. Porter shot 7 of 11 points, his 31st straight 20-point effort, but double-double of the season and his sultation with this taskforce to be able lowed by a comprehensive discussion”. from the field in his return from a broken foot missed a potential game-tying jumper at the fourth in a row. The Grizzlies had nine to address any development which “A joint taskforce had already been that caused him to miss 51 games. He played buzzer. players score in double figures in claim- would occur.” Many sporting events created in mid-February, involving the around the world have either been can- IOC, Tokyo 2020, the host city of 17 minutes. Coby White scored 19 points to ing the first game of a three-city road celled or postponed in the wake of the Tokyo, the government of Japan and lead Chicago, and Denzel Valentine finished PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS 130 - trip. Trae Young scored a team-high 19 ORLANDO MAGIC 107 spread of the COVID-19 virus. the World Health Organization with 17. Tim Hardaway Jr. paced the points for the Hawks, but he sank only 5 More than 3,100 people have died (WHO),” the IOC said.—AFP Mavericks with 26 points, and Luka Doncic CJ McCollum matched his season high of 17 shots from the floor.— Reuters