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Established 1961 Friday ISSUE NO: 18184 THULQAADA 26, 1441 AH FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2020

Local Zubaidi back IMF: Economy ‘not Juventus ‘7 points clear’ after 4 in limited supplies 33 out of the woods yet’ 38 dramatic Sassuolo 3-3 draw

MOSUL: Photo shows buildings destroyed during the Battle of Mosul, when Iraqi forces and allied militias regained the northern Iraqi city from the Islamic State group. — AFP

Kuwait, GCC and US sanction targets tied to IS SEE PAGE 9 2 Friday Local Friday, July 17, 2020

Photo of the Day

KUWAIT: Clouds are pictured in front of the setting sun in Kuwait City on July 13, 2020. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

The coming school year and parental concerns

managed to finish the year but it was a struggle. Now as my opportunity to learn in the classroom and online. girls move toward seventh and fourth grades respectively, At this stage, I have mostly questions and no answers. It Pandemic Diaries the question remains: what will happen this year? is unclear what the government will decide and how Will schools be in person or virtual learning? Will they schools will implement those decisions. It is unclear how By Jamie Etheridge be a mix of both? And if schools open, will people feel high the infection rate will be in the fall. ready and comfortable sending their kids to school? Schooling is a hotly debated topic across the world. [email protected] There is also the question of children and teachers that Some countries have reopened schools with in person might be especially vulnerable, those who are immuno- learning including Japan, South Korea, Germany, Finland, compromised or have other health issues. How do we Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands and others. So far, ummer may be in full swing in Kuwait but most par- protect them? only a few have experienced clusters of COVID cases and ents are already talking about what to expect for the The global coronavirus pandemic is far from over. In most have staggered school days to limit student contact Scoming school year. Around the world, schools fact, it seems we haven’t even passed through the first to very small groups or included some blend of virtual closed in February and March or shifted to online virtual ‘wave’ of infections, neither in Kuwait nor globally. Will we learning. learning to close out the year. be in a better place by the time school starts? School districts in California, Virginia and other US When schools were shut here in late February and didn’t What if there is a second wave? Opinion from scientists states have already announced plans for only virtual, online reopen, my kids eventually shifted to online learning and seem divided. There is no guarantee there will be a second learning for the fall. While other states like Florida plan full completed the year. My oldest daughter, who started sixth wave of infections in the fall. At the same time, there is no in class learning. grade last fall, loved the experience of online/virtual learn- vaccination and unlikely to be one before the school year Closer to home, the UAE hasn’t yet announced a final ing. She felt in control of her own learning, enjoyed the starts. There is also no herd immunity. Which means that as plan but schools are readying for a mix of in person and online assignments and was able to organize her schedule long as there are high numbers of cases in Kuwait, there is virtual learning for the upcoming school year. daily to finish homework and still have plenty of free time. risk of exposure and infection. Thankfully, children seem to In other words, there is no consensus or agreement on one Lucky for us, she had already experienced the separation of be much more resistant to the worst effects of the virus. way to move forward. What we can all agree on is that chil- classes that happens in middle school and had a chance to But teachers, admin staff and all the other adults involved dren need school and, as parents, we all want our children to learn how to manage multiple homework and class assign- in schooling our children would be exposed. learn, to be with peers and to be safe at the same time. How ments before schools stopped. My youngest, in third grade, So where does that leave us? this will be achieved this fall, however, remains a question. did not like virtual learning at all. She ended up doing a lot of Maybe the government will decide virtual school only or Whatever the answer, it is certain that we will all worksheets, having limited online time with peers and found maybe it will be mixed, with classes on campus and virtual have to be flexible and ready to change course if the it very difficult to learn via Zoom. She did her best and we learning available in rotation so that all children have an situation requires. Friday 3

Local Friday, July 17, 2020

The sheep that became a dog

then was met by the second thief. “Why are you pulling realize it was a dog until now.” He then untied and By Abdellatif Sharaa that dog behind you?” the second thief asked. The man released the animal, and returned home to search for his looked at him and said that it was a sheep that he was sheep. The thieves, happy that their plan worked, took taking to the market to sell, and kept going. At that point, the sheep and moved on. The lessons that should be the man started doubting himself, and he inspected the learned from this story are: [email protected] sheep to make sure it was actually a sheep and not a dog - This is the same way the public opinion is formulat- as the two men he’d just met have told him. ed and misguided by professionals through social media The man then met the third thief, who again asked the at all personal, community and even international levels. he sheep that became a dog. It is a true story, same previous question. The man became even more although it is very hard to believe. A person had a For that goal, they do all that is possible to twist the confused, looked at the thief and then left without truth and manipulate minds. Tsheep that he wanted to sell, so he headed with it answering, because he started to believe that he was to the market. Four thieves saw him and decided to steal - One truth that must be realized: the sheep went actually pulling a dog and not a sheep! He kept walking with the thieves, while the dog had settled in the mind of the sheep, but in a smart way. Thus, they decided to sit at until he met the fourth thief, who greeted him and asked: its owner to the point that he believed his sheep is a dog different parts of the street that leads to the market. “What is wrong with you, tying a dog behind you like and not a sheep. The first sat at the beginning of the road, the second that?” The sheep owner became sure at that point that at the quarter of it, the third in the middle and the fourth he was pulling a dog and not a sheep, because it was not - We must not leave our convictions, culture, religion at just before the road’s end. “Why are you pulling that realistic that all four men were lying. and knowledge at the hands of mind thieves, for they are dog behind you?” the first thief asked the man when he He looked at the thief and told him: “I was in a hurry, more dangerous than thieves who steal money. passed by him. The sheep’s owner looked at him and said and I thought this dog was a sheep, so I tied him up PS: The article has several excerpts from an original that what he was pulling was not a dog, but a sheep that because I wanted to sell it at the market, and I did not story. I thank the author who remains unknown to me! he was taking to the market to sell. He kept walking and 4 Friday Local Friday, July 17, 2020

Local Zubaidi back in limited supplies Friday 5 Local Friday, July 17, 2020

ubaidi (silver pomfret) returned to the fish market yesterday after fishing for the local favorite was allowed in territorial waters. Zubaidi was priced at KD 10 per kilogram at the Fish Market in Sharq Zyesterday. The high price was attributed to the limited supply available compared to the huge demand, which was caused in part by a shortage of available fishermen as many of them are unable to return back from their home countries due to travel restrictions forced as a result of the novel coron- avirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. Kuwaiti authorities impose a 45-day fishing ban on silver pomfret annually from June 1 to July 15 to protect the species from overfishing.

— Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat 6 Friday Local Friday, July 17, 2020 Coughing, sneezing in public off-limits in pandemic times By Ben Garcia Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and longer tolerate the coughing. “I went to the COVID-19 tent sev- recover without hospitalization. The most common symptoms eral times because I was having a bad cough. I expected it was nlike before, people nowadays are avoiding posting include fever, dry cough and tiredness, in addition to body aches because of the coronavirus. At first they told me it was not be- about any illnesses they are suffering from on social and pains, sore throat, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of cause of COVID-19 and told me to go home, but the coughing Umedia, lest they be accused of being infected by the taste or smell, a rash on the skin or discoloration of fingers or persisted. So I went back four times, and the procedures I un- coronavirus. In public, people are avoiding coughing and sneez- toes. More serious symptoms include difficulty in breathing or derwent were all the same. The doctor would always tell me to ing for the same reason. “Even if I want to cough or sneeze, I shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, and loss of speech stay at home and avoid going to the hospital. But when I re- would rather hold it to avoid being labeled as having COVID- or movement. On average, it takes 5-6 days from when someone ported to work, they told me to stay at home for 21 days as I 19,” said Marilyn, a Filipina, who once felt being discriminated is infected with the virus for symptoms to show; however it can may have corona,” he said. against at a supermarket when she accidentally sneezed near take up to 14 days. Matthew also revealed something else. “I was checked at the another woman. A person who recently underwent a coronavirus procedure COVID-19 tent but no swabbing was done to many people there. “I was shopping at a co-op in Farwaniya, and when I passed at a COVID-19 tent at Adan Hospital was not permitted to enter I went there four times but no swab test was done, despite the by the spice counter, I felt irritation in my nose and accidentally his company’s building when he went to report for duty. “I re- fact that I was having symptoms related to COVID-19. They said sneezed. A woman near me started cursing and uttering foul ported to work last week, but the guard told me I cannot enter swabbing is only done if you have difficulty in breathing - so if words in Arabic. I told her it was accidental because of the the building premises as per the directive of our administrator. you are not experiencing shortness of breath, expect no swab- spices, but she said she doesn’t care. She told me not to talk to They said I have corona,” said Matthew, who works at an ad- bing to happen,” he said. “They told me that my body tempera- her and go home because I have corona. From then on, I avoid vertisement company in Shuwaikh. “I told them I was cleared by ture was high, so they tested my blood and urine and did an ECG sneezing or coughing in public,” she said. the doctors, but they wouldn’t permit me to enter.” test. When they found everything was okay, they told me to go COVID-19 affects different types of people in different ways. Matthew said he went to Adan Hospital when he could no home before I actually get corona,” he said.

KRCS distributes electrical appliances to struggling families

KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) distributed electrical appliances to struggling families throughout the country, an official said yesterday. Electrical appliances, including refrigerators and air-condi- tioners, were delivered to some 66 families registered with the society, KRCS senior official Mariam Al-Adsani said. The campaign aims at eas- ing pressure on families living in dire conditions, revealed Adsani. She revealed that the upcoming period will see the distribution of foodstuff and other necessities especially with the nearing of Eid Al-Adha. The official took the chance to thank all companies and groups partaking in the recent distribution and donation of electrical appliances. — KUNA

8 Friday Local Friday, July 17, 2020 Kuwaiti, French FMs discuss cooperation, latest developments Sheikh Dr Ahmad phones British, Yemeni counterparts

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian lead their respective Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah countries’ delegations during a meeting held yesterday in Kuwait. — KUNA (right) and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian.

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al- Meanwhile, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Mohammad Al-Sabah Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah also had a phone call with Mohammad Al-Sabah and his visiting French counterpart Jean-Yves and Britain’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab discussed yester- his Yemeni counterpart Mohammad Al-Hadhrami on Wednesday, Le Drian held yesterday a meeting where they discussed bolstering day bilateral cooperation vis-a-vis developments in the region. during which he reiterated Kuwait’s commitment to the security and ties and latest regional and international developments. A statement The two officials discussed over the phone bilateral relations at stability of Yemen amid the impoverished country’s lingering civil by the Foreign Ministry said that Sheikh Dr Ahmad and Le Drian, all levels, and cited the 120th anniversary of the establishment of war. Kuwait supports all international efforts, including measures the who is on an official visit to Kuwait, also discussed mutual and global the “historic relationship,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. Yemeni government has taken to get the country’s warring parties efforts to counter the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Sheikh Dr Sheikh Dr Ahmad and Raab voiced relief for the continuous meet- on the same page, aiming to reach a decisive solution to the conflict, Ahmad lauded cooperation with France on different fields, affirming ings of the joint steering committee, which discussed “important the minister said. The humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen, exacer- that the State of Kuwait was eager to seek further bolstering of re- and vital” issues as well as contributing to the strategic partner- bated by a recent cluster of coronavirus, can only end through a so- lations. Likewise, the French Foreign Minister commended the level ship, it said. They also discussed cooperation against the coron- lution that works “within the frameworks” of the Gulf initiative, of relations with the State of Kuwait, expressing similar sentiments avirus pandemic, as well as supporting international efforts to Yemen’s national dialogue and relevant UN security resolutions, he of seeking more venues of cooperation. Deputy Minister of Foreign curb the virus. The ministry said the top diplomats have identical added. Yemen’s Foreign Minister then explained to his Kuwaiti op- Affairs Khaled Suleiman Al-Jarallah and other Kuwaiti and French views over political developments in the region, as well as regional posite number the latest developments in his country, thanking officials were present at the meeting. and international issues. Kuwait for standing by Yemen through this crisis. — KUNA

pact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the values should not lead to imposing ideologies and Second phase of global oil market. UN Human Rights cultures that were counter to local values and tra- Despite improvements in the market due to ditions, pointing out that such policy was going to OPEC+ begins Aug: the policies of returning back to normalcy in var- Council approves harm human rights rather than bolstering them. ious parts of the world, challenges still remain in Kuwait’s human rights stance, similar to other na- the months ahead, the official pointed out. Bring- Kuwait’s report tions, included economic, social, and cultural Kuwaiti official ing down the production from 9.7 to 7.7 barrels mechanisms aimed at boosting the rights of all sec- per day (bpd) does not necessarily mean that the GENEVA: The UN Human Rights Council ap- tors of society, he affirmed. KUWAIT: The second phase of the OPEC+ return of two million barrels to global supplies, proved yesterday the third report on the compre- Ambassador Ghunaim went on to say that deal, which will further decrease oil output, will noted Ghais, explaining that countries, which did hensive human rights situation in the State of Kuwait’s human rights values were clearly reflected initiate in August, a Kuwaiti official said yester- not abide by the OPEC+ deal in May and June, Kuwait. Speaking before a UN session after ap- in its foreign policy, which based on humanitarian day. Governor of the State of had tendered clear plans to catch up proving the third national compre- assistance and support of fellow Kuwait at OPEC Haitham Al-Ghais with their quotas in production cuts. hensive report, Ambassador Jamal human beings. The demography of indicated that there was an under- He added that the upcoming period Al-Ghunaim, Kuwait’s permanent Kuwaiti society will remain an issue of standing among members of will hopefully see more stability in the representative to the UN and inter- importance and the people of the OPEC+, which includes members market, revealing that there was a sig- national organizations’ headquarters country will continue to address mat- from the international oil organiza- nificant improvement connected with in Geneva, expressed his country’s ters that will ensure justice and equal- tion and non-members, with re- oil demand in the second half of the deep appreciation and pride over ap- ity within the rule of law, the Kuwaiti gards to recommendations coming year compared with the first. proval of the report. He affirmed that diplomat indicated. Ambassador Ghu- of the Wednesday meeting for the Ghais indicated that demand for Kuwait “will continue to promote naim also touched on the novel coro- Joint Ministerial Monitoring Com- the second and third quarters will see human rights and achieve sustainable navirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, mittee (JMMC). an increase from 82 to 92 million bpd. development in line with policies and saying that the virus had majorly The video-conference, seeing The upcoming meeting with the Jamal Al-Ghunaim shifted the world, but the State of Haitham Al-Ghais steps rooted in Islamic and Kuwaiti the participation of Kuwait’s Min- JMMC will be held on August 18 and social values.” Kuwaiti will continue on its path to ad- ister of Oil and Acting Minister of it will review the commitment to The constructive criticism on dress negative aspects affecting Water and Electricity Dr Khaled Al-Fadhel, fo- OPEC+ in July, said the Kuwaiti official. OPEC Kuwait’s report will form a strong base upon which human rights in the country. The Kuwaiti diplomat cused on commitment to the OPEC+ deal last members and countries from outside the organ- Kuwaitis will continue to strive in bettering human concluded that the State of Kuwait will continue to June, Ghais said, adding that the participants ization agreed on April 13 to decrease production rights in the country, said Ambassador Ghunaim. improve its human rights situation via cooperating were pleased with commitment which rose from by 9.7 million bpd starting from May until July 31. Kuwait is keen on abiding by international rules with other members of the council without com- 87 percent in May to 107 percent last month. He OPEC+ also agreed to decrease production until and regulations concerning human rights, promot- promising its just values and traditions. The Human added that the JMMC stressed that the commit- December 31 by 7.7 million bpd with an expected ing such values nationally, regionally, and globally, Rights Council reviews the human rights situation ment to the OPEC+ deal in the upcoming 5.5 million bpd production output cuts from Jan- noted the Kuwaiti diplomat. Ambassador Ghunaim in each member country every four years with months will be crucial due to the lingering im- uary 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022. — KUNA added that eagerness to promote human rights members providing periodical reports. — KUNA Friday 9 Local Friday, July 17, 2020 Kuwait places ‘terrorist’ tag on two persons, four groups US, Gulf nations issue sanctions on 6 targets for ties to Islamic State WASHINGTON/KUWAIT: The United States and six Gulf The US Treasury Department said in a statement the Terror- thousands of dollars of liquidity to ISIS leadership.” countries on Wednesday imposed sanctions on six targets Wash- ist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) - which also include Abd-al-Rahman ‘Ali Husayn al-Ahmad al-Rawi, selected by ington has accused of supporting Islamic State operations, includ- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab ISIS in 2017 to serve as a senior financial facilitator, was also ing by funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to leaders of Emirates - imposed sanctions on three money services busi- blacklisted, the Treasury said, accusing him of being one of a few the group in Iraq and Syria. nesses and an individual in Turkey and Syria, as well as an that have provided Islamic State “significant financial facilitation” Kuwait meanwhile said that it labeled as “terrorists” two indi- Afghanistan-based charity. into and out of Syria. viduals and four other groups amid its efforts to stamp out ter- “The actions taken today serve as a further warning to indi- The TFTC also slapped sanctions on Afghanistan-based Ne- rorism, as outlined by a UN body fighting the scourge. The viduals and businesses who provide financial support or mate- jaat Social Welfare Organization and its director, Sayed Habib measures were carried out with Kuwait’s international partners, rial assistance to terrorist organizations,” US Secretary of State Ahmad Khan, accusing the organization of being used as a including the United States and its Gulf neighbors, a Kuwaiti for- Mike Pompeo said in a statement. cover company to support the activities of the Afghan affiliate eign ministry source said, ascribing the efforts to Kuwait’s com- The Treasury said the blacklisted Syria-based money services of Islamic State, known as Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K). mitment to “stem terrorism funding.” UN Security Council 1373 businesses, which include al Haram Exchange, Tawasul Company Wednesday’s action freezes any US assets of the individuals requires member states to take concrete steps to curb terrorism, and al-Khalidi Exchange, “played a vital role in transferring funds and entities blacklisted and generally prohibits Americans from including within their borders and across regions. to support Syria-based ISIS fighters and ... provided hundreds of dealing with them. — Agencies Friday Market still closed, no Minister suspends date set for offending expat staff reopening KUWAIT: Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Minister of Social Affairs Maryam Al-Aqeel said on Wednesday she had noti- By Ben Garcia fied the public prosecution about an illegal act by an expatriate staff member at the department. She said the employee had stolen KUWAIT: The Friday Market was still blank papers bearing the ministry’s logo and was caught red closed yesterday, and it will remain KUWAIT: A gate at the Friday Market closed with red tape. Kuwait Municipality handed carrying the ministry’s general registration stamp. The min- closed today and tomorrow. The Friday closed the popular market shortly after reopening it on Friday, June 10, 2020 due ister said in a statement to the press that a probe panel recom- Market announced its reopening only last to overcrowding. — Photo by Fouad Al-Shaikh mended that the personnel be referred to the general prosecution week; on Wednesday July 8, and some for he was suspected of intending to illegally use the stamp and the shops were able to receive customers the ministry papers. Minister Aqeel added that she also issued a deci- whole day on Thursday. On Friday how- sion, suspending an assistant undersecretary against the backdrop ever, Kuwait Municipality decided to of outcome of the panel investigation. The panel’s final report has (preachers) have been instructed to re- close the area once again due to over- been also submitted to the prosecution, pending forecast proce- Mosques open mind worshippers of abiding by health crowding. On March 13, the Municipality dures in this regard. — KUNA and safety measures, like social distanc- closed the market as a precautionary ing, to wear facemasks and to stay home measure to stop the spread of the novel for Friday if they experience any symptoms. Those coronavirus (COVID-19). The reopening prayers today currently on quarantine will be denied of the market last Thursday prompted a entry, according to the official, who went large gathering of people which, alarmed KUWAIT: More than 1,000 mosques on to urge those with weakened immune Municipality officials again. Kuwait University resumes around Kuwait are set to host the Fri- systems or with chronic illnesses to stay Friday Market is very popular day prayers today for the first time home. Water fountains and toilets will be among people looking for used items since a ban was placed in March to shut with seats and door handles rou- online on August 9 and cheap goods. Last week, official at help prevent the spread of the novel tinely sanitized, he added. the market said that they will strictly coronavirus (COVID-19). Necessary Therefore, worshippers are required observe the health ministry’s directives precautionary measures have been to carry out their pre-prayer wash KUWAIT: The board of directors of Kuwait University decided, during on health protocols, but it seemed that taken to prepare the mosques, like (wudu) at home. Worshippers are also their meeting on Wednesday, to resume the academic year 2019-2020 they weren’t firmly followed, which complete sanitization, guiding sign- required to bring their own prayer rug online on August 9. The meeting, chaired by KU Rector Dr Fayez Al- prompted the market’s re-closure. “We boards and measures to ensure social and wear a facemask or will otherwise Thafeiri, reviewed the technical controls of online study, Secretary-Gen- will strictly observe the health ministry’s distancing between worshippers. be denied entry with hand shaking or eral of the University Dr Muthanna Al-Refa’ie told reporters. The directives on health protocols, and we Mosque doors will open 30 minutes close social interactions discouraged conferees reviewed the preparations for the new academic year 2020- urge our customers to always wear before the call to prayer and close 15 inside the mosque. Children under the 2021 and approved introducing the pharmacology doctorate program to masks and gloves,” an official told minutes after with the Khutbah (sermon) age of 15 will also be denied entry. the coming year, Dr Al-Refa’ie revealed. They also approved remunerat- Kuwait Times the day before last week’s and prayer not exceeding 15 minutes. Prayers conducted at the Grand ing 13 members of the KU teaching staff to the degrees of professor and scheduled reopening. Asked when they The entry and exit of worshippers will Mosque will be televised on state TV, associate professor, he added. Meanwhile, assistant rector of the univer- plan to reopen again, a security guard also be organized with signs on the added the official, who went to warn sity Dr Mohammad Al-Thafeiri said the KU student library was set to told Kuwait Times that management has ground organizing the location of each that in the event rules are not observed reopen as of yesterday. He reminded visitors of the library of the need to no specific date mentioned as to when worshipper during prayer. Khatibs mosques will be closed once again. book a seat online before going there and importance of abiding by the they will reopen again. health precautions relating to COVID-19. — KUNA InternationalFriday FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2020

Trump visa move tears Indian India virus cases near one million; new lockdowns ordered Page 17 families apart Page 18

MADRID: Attendees sit around a cauldron during a state ceremony to honor the 28,400 victims of the coronavirus crisis as well as those public servants who have been fighting on the front line against the pandemic in Spain yesterday at the Royal Palace in Madrid. —AFP Resurgent coronavirus stalks globe Several countries put the brakes on reopening, impose new restrictions

WASHINGTON: Coronavirus infections were surging across the globe ‘Let’s stop this nonsense’ in the global race to find a vaccine, and while its study should run until Oc- yesterday, forcing several countries to put the brakes on reopening or im- The latest research models show the number of US deaths projected tober 2022, preliminary results should be available long before then. In the pose new restrictions on their weary populations. The number of COVID- to rise to over 150,000 by next month. “We’ve got to almost reset this Asia-Pacific region, which had been somewhat successful in fighting the 19 cases worldwide topped 13.4 million and more than 581,000 deaths and say, ‘Okay, let’s stop this nonsense,” Anthony Fauci, the top US infec- pandemic, there was fresh evidence of the deadly threat still posed by the have been reported since the virus emerged late last year in China. With tious disease expert, told The Atlantic. virus. Hong Kong’s bars, gyms, and beauty salons closed again Wednes- the situation predicted to worsen in the United States, Walmart, the world’s In the US state of Oklahoma, the Republican governor, Kevin Stitt, who day and a ban on gatherings of more than four people came into force as largest retailer, said it would require customers to wear masks at all its has often declined to wear a mask, said he had tested positive for COVID- the city battled a fresh outbreak. There was alarm in Japan too, where stores to help stop the virus spreading. 19. The use of masks to slow the spread of the virus has become a political Tokyo’s governor warned that the capital was on its highest virus alert Venezuela, four days after announcing a loosening of restrictions, be- flashpoint in the US, where Trump had resisted wearing one until recently level after a spike in infections. That came after the Indian state of Bihar, came the latest country to reimpose localized lockdown measures, includ- and at times mocked the trend. Stitt’s state recorded a single-day record with a population of around 125 million, announced a 15-day virus lock- ing a “radical quarantine” in the capital Caracas; while Bolivia’s La Paz of 1,075 new cases, while its neighbor to the south, Texas, reported 10,791 down starting Thursday. department said it would undergo a four-day total quarantine. Latin Amer- new cases and 110 new fatalities-both “new highs.” ica topped 150,000 deaths Wednesday, becoming the world’s second Cases and death tolls continue to mount across the United States, par- ‘Please stop’ hardest-hit region after Europe, where a total of 203,793 people have died. ticularly in the south and west, with Florida and California also hard hit. Authorities in Australia, meanwhile, pleaded Wednesday with the public Brazil accounted for roughly half of Latin America’s deaths, with more than Walmart meanwhile said it will require shoppers at its more than 5,300 to heed social distancing guidelines, with roughly five million people in 1,200 new fatalities recorded Wednesday bringing the total toll since the stores to wear masks starting on July 20, joining a growing group of US Melbourne in lockdown since last week in a bid to contain a new outbreak. outbreak began there to 75,366. In Ireland, Prime Minister Micheal Martin businesses in mandating the protection. “We know this is a simple step “A particular concern for us is the ongoing parties and gatherings,” said delayed the end of the lockdown because of a surge in new cases, with everyone can take for their safety and the safety of others in our facilities,” Rick Nugent, acting assistant commissioner of Victoria state. “Please stop.” restrictions to remain in place until August 10 and the government also Walmart’s US chief operating officer Dacona Smith said. Face masks will also become compulsory in England’s shops from next mandating the wearing of masks in shops. The United States meanwhile week, while in South Africa, where the number of cases topped 300,000, set a new record Wednesday with more than 67,000 cases registered in Vaccine candidate trials a nationwide curfew was reimposed. On Thursday Spain will honor its the previous 24 hours. The country has the world’s highest death toll at Amid the grim forecasts, American biotech firm Moderna said it would 28,400 victims at a state ceremony to be attended by top EU and World more than 137,000 fatalities, and officials are scrambling to roll back re- start the final stage of human trials for its vaccine candidate on July 27, Health Organization figures. The country is already seeing a surge in cases openings that were meant to revive economies. after promising results from earlier testing. Moderna is considered a leader barely three weeks after coming out of lockdown.—AFP Friday 11 International Friday, July 17, 2020 Virus lockdown another burden for cash-strapped Palestinians Infections in the occupied West Bank spike again

RAMALLAH: For Palestinians already hit finan- seven deaths as of July 7. The PA therefore de- cially by the coronavirus pandemic, a new round cided on Sunday to extend a closure of the West of restrictions has added to their woes as infec- Bank in force since July 5, to allow only pharma- tions in the occupied West Bank spike again. cies, bakeries and supermarkets to remain open. When the Palestinian Authority decreed the new It also imposed a nightly and weekend curfew 14-day lockdown on Sunday, some businessmen for two weeks. Facing a public backlash, regional took to the streets of Hebron, the city with the governors have issued rulings contradicting territory’s highest infection rate, in defiance of a those from Ramallah, allowing some stores to re- curfew. main open. Seeing the need to cut some slack, The next day in Ramallah, where the PA is the PA on Monday evening authorized small based, about 50 merchants rallied to voice their businesses to stay open, subject to social dis- anger and demand the reopening of their shops, tancing and wearing of face masks. some of which had been shuttered for days be- fore the curfew went into effect. They had pre- Empty coffers viously suffered a lockdown for several weeks, “The coronavirus comes at a critical time for imposed at the beginning of the COVID-19 out- the Palestinian Authority, because of its decision break. “Those who ask people to stay at home to stop cooperation with Israel,” said political have to take care of their needs,” said Mo- analyst Abdelmajid Sweilem. The PA decided at hammed Nasr, owner of a grocery store in cen- the end of May to suspend all cooperation with tral Ramallah. “We’re not only asking for the the Jewish state over the latter’s plan to annex opening of stores, we’re asking for a return to parts of the West Bank, under Israeli occupation normal life and the ability to move about.” since 1967. The move hit the PA’s revenues: Israel ASIRAH ASH SHAMALIYAH: Archimandrite Abdullah Yulio (left), parish priest of the Melkite Without that, he said, “we have no cus- is supposed to collect and transfer to the Pales- Greek Catholic church in Ramallah, stands by as Palestinians pray together during a protest tomers”. The PA began easing a first round of tinians roughly 687 million shekels ($200 mil- against Jewish settlements and Israel’s planned annexation of parts of the Israeli-occupied lockdown measures in May, but since then it has lion) a month in VAT and customs duties levied West Bank. — AFP recorded a surge of new infections. Officials on products imported by Palestinians through have attributed this to people failing to observe Israeli-controlled entry points. to obtain only 300 million shekels, which West Bank poverty rate (14 percent) could social distancing and to travel, mainly of workers, “We are facing a real health threat,” said gov- doesn’t cover its expenses”, said economic an- double due to the pandemic and that its between the West Bank and Israel where infec- ernment spokesman Ibrahim Melhem, insisting alyst Nasr Abdel Karim. budget should be cut by about $1.5 billion tions have also surged. The Palestinian health that “despite the political and economic chal- Just the salaries of civil servants cost up dollars this year. Yet some analysts doubt ministry, in its daily update Wednesday, reported lenges, we are doing everything possible to to 750 million shekels. In the past three that it will reverse its decision to shun con- a total of 6,992 confirmed infections and 43 deal with the pandemic.” The PA’s monthly months the PA has paid its 177,000 employ- tact with Israel. “I think the Palestinian Au- deaths across the West Bank. shortfall is currently estimated at 350 million ees civil servants only partially or not at all. thority would rather fall apart than resume That compares to about 2,680 infections and shekels. “In one month, the authority manages In early June, the World Bank warned that the cooperation,” Sweilem said. — AFP

said political analyst Chokri Bahria. “But the party Tunisia risks fresh finds itself in a government with which it has diffi- culty dealing and in which it has little clout,” he Israel PM announces money political deadlock added. for all amid criticism Dashed post-revolution hopes as PM resigns Ennahdha had initially nominated an independ- ent for premier but he failed to win the support of JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday a parliament, leading the president to name former fi- plan for government grants for all Israelis amid growing public anger over his han- TUNIS: Tunisia’s prime minister quit Wednesday nance minister Fakhfakh for the post. Saied now has dling of a coronavirus crisis that has taken a sharp turn for the worse. Critics seized after less than five months in office, threatening 10 days to nominate a new prime minister, accord- on the 6 billion shekel ($1.75 billion) handout package as a bid to boost the veteran fresh political deadlock as the North African nation ing to the presidency. Under the constitution, the leader’s popularity before a widely expected series of new lockdowns. Payments battles the economic fallout from the coronavirus president must first hold consultations with political will range between 750 shekels ($219) for individuals to up to 3,000 shekels ($875) pandemic. Elyes Fakhfakh’s resignation came as a parties. His candidate has one month to win the for families with three or more children, Netanyahu said in a special TV address. political row deepened with the Islamist-inspired backing of a divided parliament. Now in his fifth term, Netanyahu is grappling with new coronavirus transmis- Ennahdha party, the largest in parliament, over al- Tunisia has been praised as a rare success story sions. He said in his television address that he was “doing the utmost” to avoid a legations of conflict of interest. for democratic transition after the Arab Spring re- new national lockdown and denied street protests had prompted the new aid pack- “To avoid conflicts between institutions in the gional uprisings sparked by its 2011 revolution. But age. “Why are we giving this money? We have to get the economy moving,” Ne- country, prime minister Elyes Fakhfakh has pre- its leaders have struggled to meet the expectations tanyahu said, calling on his coalition government to approve the payments. “This sented his resignation to President Kais Saied, in of the Tunisian people and the already fragile econ- money will boost consumer spending and employment.” order to open a new path for him to get out of this omy has been battered by the closure of the coun- The government reopened schools and many businesses in May, lifting restric- crisis,” Fakhfakh’s office said in a statement. Rela- try’s borders due to the novel coronavirus tions that had flattened an infection curve. With new COVID-19 cases now exceed- tions between the 47-year-old outgoing premier pandemic. ing 1,000 a day, some public health experts said it had moved too fast. With and Ennahdha have been strained since October The illness has claimed around 50 lives and in- unemployment at a record 21%, thousands of Israelis demanding economic relief legislative elections. fected more than 1,300 people in Tunisia. Fakhfakh, demonstrated against Netanyahu on Saturday in Tel Aviv. In Jerusalem on Tuesday, Ennahdha earlier Wednesday tabled a no-confi- the leader of a small social democratic party, has police used water cannon on thousands of anti-Netanyahu demonstrators outside dence motion against Fakhfakh, who took office in come under a parliamentary investigation over al- his home. late February after winning approval from a frag- leged failure to hand over control of shares he owns A poll by the non-partisan Israel Democracy Institute on Tuesday found only mented parliament following four months of dead- in private companies that have won public contracts 29.5% of the public trust Netanyahu’s handling of the health crisis. Netanyahu’s lock. Ennahdha came top in the October polls but in recent months. “The economic and social situation new cash grant plan followed an announcement on Thursday of a new welfare pack- fell far short of a majority-holding 54 of 217 seats is very serious and can only be overcome by a gov- age for the self-employed, in addition to a payout of $29 billion in aid previously in parliament-and eventually agreed to join a coali- ernment whose head is not suspected of any conflict pledged by the state. Israel, with a population of nine million, has reported nearly tion government. “Ennahdha was forced to accept of interest,” an Ennahdha senior official, Abdelkarim 44,000 coronavirus cases and 375 deaths. — Reuters (a coalition government) to avoid new elections,” Harouni, told a news conference on Monday. — AFP 12 Friday International Friday, July 17, 2020 5 children among dozen killed in Yemen air strike UN fears ‘catastrophe’ if Yemen oil tanker ruptures SANAA: At least a dozen people, including five wounded in the strike, according to OCHA. UN abandoned off Yemen’s coast with 1.1 million soon as possible.” Effectively a floating storage children, were killed on Wednesday in an air experts have accused both sides in Yemen’s barrels of crude on board ruptures into the Red platform, the Safer has had virtually no mainte- strike in Yemen’s northern Al-Jawf province, five-year-old conflict of war crimes. The Nor- Sea. A breach of the 45-year-old FSO Safer, an- nance for five years since war broke out in the government and medical sources said. “At least wegian Refugee Council said in a statement on chored off the port of Hodeida, would have dis- country where the Houthis have seized much of 12 people, including four women and five chil- Wednesday that “bombings by the Saudi-led astrous results for marine life and tens of the north from the internationally recognized dren, were accidentally killed in the city of Al- coalition have reached an intensity not seen in thousands of impoverished people who depend government. Hazm,” about 100 kilometers northeast of the two years and missiles fired by (the Houthis) on fishing for their livelihood. The tanker could break up or explode, caus- capital Sanaa, a government said. Yemen has into Saudi Arabia have also increased”. The UN Security Council said it had sent de- ing a disaster that experts have said could take been embroiled in a civil war since 2014 that It urged the UN to act and called for an “im- tails of a plan for an inspection team to conduct up to 30 years for the area’s ecology to recover pits the government-backed by a Saudi-led mil- mediate independent investigation”. On Mon- light repairs and determine the next steps to the from. A leak in the engine room had been itary coalition that provides air support-against day, the Saudi-led coalition acknowledged the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who control plugged in May, but the British mission to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who control much of possibility of civilian casualties during an anti- Hodeida, on Tuesday. On Sunday, the UN said UN insisted that “a permanent solution is ur- the north, including the capital. Houthi operation in Hajjah and said it was being the Houthis had agreed in principle to the as- gently needed.” UN Under-Secretary-General The government source added that the strike investigated. It also said its forces had “inter- sessment. But they did the same in the summer for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock said he landed in a residential area about three kilome- cepted and destroyed seven drones and four of 2019, only to cancel a UN mission from Dji- hoped a UN assessment mission would be car- ters from a battlefront between the Houthis and ballistic missiles” launched by the Houthis bouti at the last minute. The tanker’s “condi- ried out “within the next few weeks.” pro-government forces. Medical sources con- against civilians in Saudi Arabia. Yemen’s war tion is deteriorating daily, increasing the “I have briefed you 15 times over the last 15 firmed that at least 12 people were killed, among escalated in March 2015 when the coalition potential for an oil spill,” Inger Andersen, head months on the Safer tanker,” he added, hinting them women and children. Rebels blamed the intervened against the rebels. Tens of thou- of the United Nations Environment Program, at frustration over the lack of action. Like other deaths on the Saudi-led coalition, which has not sands have been killed since then in what the told the Council. economic and aid issues in Yemen, the plight of yet commented on the incident. The strike came UN has described as the world worst human- “Time is running out for us now to act in a the tanker has become a bargaining chip, with days after the United Nations Office for the Co- itarian crisis. coordinated manner to prevent a looming envi- the Houthis accused of using the threat of dis- ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said ronmental, economic and humanitarian catas- aster to secure control of the value of the cargo. seven children and two women had been killed UN fears ‘catastrophe’ trophe,” she said. The Security Council issued a In June, the Houthis said they wanted guaran- in an air raid on Sunday in the northwest gov- In another development, the United Nations communique expressing its “deep alarm at the tees the vessel would be repaired and that the ernorate of Hajjah. held an unusual session Wednesday to express growing risk,” and called on the Houthis to move value of the oil on board used to pay salaries of Another two women and two children were fears of “catastrophe” if a decaying oil tanker ahead with granting access to the tanker “as their employees. — Agencies

Dismembered body Black Yemenis remain found in luxury New in shadows, far from York apartment global protests

DUBAI: At a time when the Black Lives Matter movement is re- NEW YORK: The body of a wealthy young technology en- shaping societies, black Yemenis have scant hope for an end to trepreneur has been found decapitated in his luxury New centuries of discrimination that has only worsened during the York apartment, police said Wednesday. Fahim Saleh, 33, country’s civil war. The life of Haitham Hassan in the capital Sanaa was found unresponsive in his Manhattan home on Tues- remains unchanged despite the global wave of protests sparked day afternoon, an NYPD spokeswoman told AFP. “He was by the death in May of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, dismembered. His death was deemed a homicide,” she said. who was pinned down under a white US police officer’s knee. An investigation is under way but no arrests have yet Hassan gives no flicker of recognition when asked about Black SANAA: Children of Yemen’s minority group known as been made, the spokeswoman added. The New York Times Lives Matter. But he can recount how he faces racism on a daily ‘Muhamasheen’-literally the ‘Marginalized’ are pictured at a reported that detectives found an electric saw near Saleh’s basis, often having to tolerate slurs that mean “slave” or “servant” slum in the capital Sanaa. — AFP torso. His head and limbs were found elsewhere in the because of the color of his skin. In Sanaa, members of the minor- apartment. Saleh’s sister discovered his body before calling ity group known as “Muhamasheen”-literally the “Marginalized”- Aden in southern Yemen. There is debate over the ethnic origins the police, officials told the newspaper. Police have not live in dismal conditions in densely populated slums. given a motive for the murder but the Daily News tabloid They count among the poorest of the poor in the Arab world’s of the community, says the London-based Minority Rights said investigators believed it may have been over a busi- most impoverished country blighted by more than five years of Group International. “Some believe they are descended from ness dispute. conflict. In the narrow streets of a shantytown in southern Sanaa, African slaves or Ethiopian soldiers from as far back as the sixth Saleh, the son of Bangladeshi immigrants, was CEO of lined with makeshift tents and cardboard homes along with a century. Others nevertheless think they are of Yemeni origin,” it Nigerian motorcycle ride-hailing and delivery app few simple brick structures, women cook outside on stoves fu- said in a report. Gokada. “Fahim was a great leader, inspiration and positive elled with scraps of rubbish. “It’s as if we are not part of Yemeni “They have suffered from higher rates of unemployment and light for all of us. Fahim’s vision and belief in us will be with society, even though we hold Yemeni identification papers,” Has- generally live in poverty, lacking access to basic services such us forever, and we will miss him dearly,” Gokada said on san told AFP. “Our children in schools are treated differently... as water, sanitation and education, as well as economic oppor- its Twitter account. He was also a founding partner of Ad- and we are looked at sideways on the streets and in markets.” tunities.” Black Yemenis-who make up between two and 10 per- venture Capital, which invests in startups in developing cent of the population, according to various estimates-have long countries. According to local media reports, Saleh recently Debate over origins struggled to survive, confined as they are to low-paying jobs purchased the apartment where he was murdered for Most black Yemenis live in the Red Sea coastal plain of Ti- like street sweeping or collecting garbage. about $2.2 million. — AFP hama, which extends from the Bab al-Mandab Strait to the west- They exist outside the country’s tribal social structure, a life ern port city of Hodeida. Others live in Sanaa in the north and on the margins, which increases their vulnerability. — AFP Friday 13 International Friday, July 17, 2020 Egypt sexual predator case reignites a ‘#MeToo’ debate

Dozens of women make shocking claims of sexual abuse and assault

CAIRO: Egypt has seen a strong resurgence of the “Women immediately jumped at the opportunity to on to study in Barcelona but was expelled this from lower classes,” said lawyer Intesar Al-Saeed. #MeToo movement after dozens of women made vent and tell their stories,” the Instagram page ad- month after a claim of online harassment by an- The Instagram group administrator also re- shocking claims of sexual abuse and assault by a ministrator told AFP, requesting anonymity for fear other student. ported “a lot of these messages” attacking the member of the country’s wealthy elite. Amid a cam- of reprisals. “It is now bigger than Ahmed Bassam “We are talking about Class A, the creme de la women, but added that “they are nothing compared paign unprecedented in its intensity in the deeply Zaki. We receive a dozen messages per minute creme of society who enrol in universities and to the messages of support”. As more online testi- conservative country, state and religious authori- from girls and women telling of personal incidents schools worth tens of thousands of pounds annu- monies have kept pouring in, the National Council ties have started to take a firmer stand. The latest of harassment, abuse and rape, some dating back ally,” said Fathy Farid of Aman, an initiative against for Women said it had received at least 400 com- outpouring of anger, on the Instagram account “As- years.” gender-based violence. Campaigners hope the plaints and enquiries on sexual harassment and sault Police”, centers on allegations against Ahmed case will help shift attitudes in Egypt, which only abuse. The government of President Abdel Fattah Bassam Zaki, a 22-year-old former student of some Victim-blaming criminalized sexual harassment in 2014. Women in al-Sisi has taken some action. His cabinet has ap- of Egypt’s most elite schools and universities. Following Zaki’s arrest, the campaign has swept Egypt are often reluctant to speak out about sexual proved amendments, yet to be passed by parlia- They have ranged from claims that he took part up other well-known figures. One of them is Mo- harassment, fearing public shaming and being ment, to the criminal code that would grant the in a rape at the gym hall of a gated residential hamed Hashem, a writer and founder of a top pub- blamed for wearing “provocative” clothing. right of anonymity to victims of sexual assault. community to screen-grabs showing salacious lishing house, who was detained over harassment And the prestigious religious institution Al messages and blackmail of women. Some alleged allegations but later released on bail. The current ‘A safer place’ Azhar released a strongly-worded statement lam- incidents involved girls as young as 14. Police on momentum builds on earlier #MeToo waves in In stark contrast to the #MeToo revival, Egypt basting harassment as “forbidden and deviant”. The July 4 arrested Zaki who, according to prosecu- Egypt, the latest in January following a mob assault has also seen an ongoing campaign targeting fe- Dar al-Iftar, in charge of issuing religious edicts, tors, has confessed to assaulting at least six girls on two women in Mansoura, north of Cairo, on male TikTok influencers accused of “indecency and slammed those who blame women for wearing including one aged under 18 and to blackmailing New Year’s Eve. immorality”. Among recent cases is that of a 17- provocative clothing as “sick”. The Instagram ac- the victims. The Zaki case highlights that sexual assault and year-old girl who was arrested after posting a Tik- tivist said the goal is, “if we’re not forced to shut While Zaki is awaiting trial, his case has kicked harassment - widely perceived to be more preva- Tok video in which she said she had been gang down the account for any reason, to turn Assault off a wave of other complaints in a society where, lent among the poorer classes - pervades all levels raped by a group of young men. These girls “suffer Police into a platform for women to share their sto- United Nations surveys say, most women have ex- of society. Zaki is a former student of the presti- discrimination and bullying” and their arrests “are ries. “We are optimistic about making this country perienced catcalling, pinching, groping or worse. gious American University in Cairo. He briefly went part of violence against women because they come a safer place for women.”— AFP

Ethiopia’s unrest Ethiopia: Rising waters leaves destruction at mega-dam a ‘natural’ in its wake part of construction

ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia on Wednesday acknowledged that water SHASHAMENE ZURIA: Girma had no choice but to watch from afar levels behind its mega-dam on the Blue Nile River were increasing, as a crowd chanting “This is our place!” set fire to the school he though officials said this was a natural part of the construction founded more than a decade ago. Though he has lived his whole life process. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been a in Shashamene, a fast-growing town in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, source of tension in the Nile River basin ever since Ethiopia broke Girma’s parents are not members of the country’s largest ethnic ground on it in 2011, with downstream countries Egypt and Sudan group, the Oromo, meaning he is often treated as an outsider. worried it will restrict vital water supplies. Addis Ababa has long in- Had he tried to intervene and save his school from the Oromo tended to begin filling the dam’s reservoir this month, in the middle youths bent on destroying it, he thinks he may well have been killed. SHASHAMANE: Burned buildings which were set on fire by a mob dur- of its rainy season, though it has not said exactly when. “If you leave them to do whatever they want, they don’t touch you. ing the violence after the assassination of Oromoís pop singer Hachalu Cairo and Khartoum are pushing for the three countries first to But if you try and save your place and property, they’ll come to you,” Hundessa are seen in Shashamene, Ethiopia. — AFP reach an agreement on how it will be operated. “The GERD water he said, asking to be identified only by his first name. The unrest that filling is being done in line with the dam’s natural construction left Girma’s school a charred ruin was kicked off by the murder two process,” Seleshi Bekele, Ethiopia’s water minister, was quoted by weeks ago of Hachalu Hundessa, a pop star beloved by Oromos for be welcome in places they have long called home. “With the strategy state media as saying Wednesday. He did not, however, say whether giving voice to deep-rooted feelings of political and economic mar- that they’re using, to burn the key places... I don’t know if they intend Ethiopia had taken steps to store the water in the reservoir, which ginalization. for people to come back,” said Almaz Morgan Chapman, who lost her has a capacity of 74 billion cubic meters. In the days that followed, between 179 and 239 people-officials hotel in Shashamene to the violence. “The government has not stated explicitly whether the water have provided conflicting tallies-were killed because of inter-ethnic backing up behind the dam is due to the remaining outlets being violence or the use of lethal force by police and soldiers against ‘Oromo lives matter’ closed, or whether it is simply water accumulating behind the almost demonstrators. Yet those numbers fail to capture the full devastation Shashamene is best known for its large community of Rastafarians, complete structure during the rainy season,” said William Davison, in places like Shashamene, where hundreds of homes, schools, hotels but the town is also one of the busiest trading hubs in Ethiopia’s Rift an analyst with International Crisis Group (ICG). An official at the and other businesses owned by non-Oromos were targeted for de- Valley. That means there was plenty of high-value property to attack. dam site told AFP this week that heavy rains meant the flow of the struction by mobs. On a main road into town, businesses have been looted and burnt Blue Nile was exceeding the capacity of the dam’s culverts to push Similar property damage has been reported in towns across Oro- black, their front windows shattered, their walkways covered in water downstream. “We didn’t close and nothing is done. It looks mia, which surrounds the capital Addis Ababa. “Our research so far twisted scrap metal. Sidewalks are lined with torched vehicles, in- like, when you see some photos, it looks like the river is getting higher suggests that the property damage has been worse than in previous cluding five soda delivery trucks surrounded by broken bottles. On and higher because of the amount of water coming from upstream, bouts of unrest,” said Laetitia Bader of Human Rights Watch. the side of a looted insurance company building, someone scrawled which is above the charging capacity of the culverts,” said the official, To non-Oromo victims, the damage indicates they may no longer the words “OROMO LIVES MATTER”. —AFP who spoke on condition of anonymity. —AFP 14 Friday International Friday, July 17, 2020 China slams US sanctions related to Hong Kong as ‘gangster logic’ Trump removes Hong Kong special status under US law

HONG KONG: China accused the United officials and financial institutions involved in the States of “gangster logic” yesterday after US imposition of the law. President Donald Trump ordered an end to China has threatened to impose retaliatory Hong Kong’s special status under US law in re- sanctions of its own, and summoned the U.S. sponse to Beijing’s imposition of new security ambassador to protest. The Hong Kong govern- legislation on the territory. Beijing’s Liaison ment said on Wednesday it would support any Office in the Asian financial hub said the move action Beijing chose to take against the United would only damage US interests while having States. “It is hypocritical for the US to introduce little impact on Hong Kong. measures to attack China by creating issues in “Unreasonable meddling and shameless (Hong Kong) under the pretext of human rights, threats by the United States are typical gang- democracy and autonomy out of its own politi- ster logic and bullying behavior,” the office said cal considerations,” the territory’s Beijing- in a statement. “No external force can block backed government said in a statement. China’s determination and confidence to main- Four members of a pro-establishment party, tain national sovereignty and security for Hong the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability.” The Progress of Hong Kong, staged a protest at the security law imposed by Beijing punishes what US consulate on Thursday demanding the China broadly defines as subversion, secession, United States “stop interfering in Chinese in- terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with ternal affairs.” Trump has not ruled out sanc- up to life in prison. tions on top Chinese officials to punish China Critics of the law fear it will crush the wide- for its handling of Hong Kong, a White House ranging freedoms promised to the former British National Security Council spokesman said on colony when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997, Wednesday. HONG KONG: A man walks with his child past a view of commercial buildings in Hong Kong. Beijing’s tough new while supporters say it will bring stability to the Among names being pushed by some China security law and President Donald Trump’s order to rescind special trading privileges have blunted Hong Kong’s city after a year of sometimes violent anti-gov- hawks is Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie competitive edge and risk turning the finance hub into just another Chinese city, analysts warn. —AFP ernment protests. Trump on Tuesday signed an Lam, who has backed Beijing’s implementation executive order to end preferential economic of the security law, according to a person famil- treatment for Hong Kong, allowing him to im- iar with the matter. Separately Hong Kong pro- Wednesday he feels safe in London but de- security laws imposed by China as “scary”, and pose sanctions and visa restrictions on Chinese democracy activist Nathan Law said on scribed the extra-territorial reach of national urged Britain to do more to help. —Reuters

tiple subjects and vilified his Democratic rival Joe Biden-but barely Walloped by pandemic mentioned the outbreak. His attempt to discredit respected infectious disease specialist Anthony Fauci, who has bluntly warned that the US strategy against the virus is faltering, has flopped. Even some voices Brazil’s Bolsonaro tests and controversy, Trump within his own camp are urging the president to tackle the problem more seriously rather than blame scapegoats. “We don’t have a Dr Fauci problem,” stressed Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. “I think positive for COVID again faces political turmoil any effort to undermine him is not going to be productive.” WASHINGTON: Donald Trump fired his campaign manager late BRASILIA: Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro announced Wednesday Obama weighs in that he still has the coronavirus, after undergoing a new test the day Wednesday, just four months ahead of November’s election, in a bid to transform a campaign that has seen his popularity sinking over his The White House has sought to calm the waters, with Trump cas- before. “I’m fine, thank God. Yesterday morning, I took the test, and tigating trade adviser Peter Navarro for an opinion piece in USA in the evening the result was that I am still positive for the coron- management of the surging coronavirus. With two more polls Wednes- day adding to several recently that have shown the US president’s sup- Today this week attacking Fauci. But Trump and the White House have avirus,” the far-right leader said in a Facebook Live broadcast from repeatedly criticized Fauci in recent weeks. Fauci described the efforts the gardens of his official residence in Brasilia. port tanking, he took to Twitter to announce that Brad Parscale would be replaced by Bill Stepien, his former deputy campaign manager. as “bizarre,” telling The Atlantic magazine that “ultimately, it hurts the Bolsonaro said he is not experiencing symptoms and that his use president to do that.” Amid the hubbub, Barack Obama weighed in of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, which he said he has Praising both for their efforts, he struck a hopeful note as he looked ahead to November, saying the election “should be a lot eas- with an appeal for apolitical action. “The latest data offers a tragic re- been taking since he was diagnosed last week, is working. “I am not minder that the virus doesn’t care about spin or ideology,” the 44th recommending anything. I recommend that you talk to your doctor. ier” than 2016 “as our poll numbers are rising fast, the economy is getting better, vaccines and therapeutics will soon... be on the way, president tweeted Wednesday without naming the 45th, but clearly In my case, a military doctor recommended hydroxychloroquine, and referring to Trump. “The best thing we can do for our economy is to it worked,” he said. The presidential press office said in a brief state- and Americans want safe streets and communities!” But the reality is stubborn and sobering: more than 137,000 Americans have been deal with our public health crisis,” Obama added. ment that Bolsonaro, who at 65 is in a high-risk group, will remain in Biden, for eight years Obama’s deputy, appears content to run a quarantine at the official Alvorada Palace residence, where he will killed by COVID-19, confirmed new cases are on the rise in 40 out of 50 states, California announced it was re-shuttering parts of its minimal campaign with few public appearances, but he nevertheless continue to work by video conference. massive economy, and Trump is clashing with health experts tasked has sought to seize the momentum from a flailing Trump. Enjoying fa- The far-right president, who has caused huge controversy in with fighting the crisis. vorable polling, including in some traditionally Republican states, Brazil for repeatedly flouting lockdown measures in place to curb With infection rates that have taken radically different trajectories Biden denounced Trump for his “complete and utter failure” to combat the spread of the virus, first tested positive a week ago. He admitted than those in Europe, the United States is in bad shape-and the pres- COVID-19, as he shifts his own electoral strategy. On Tuesday, Biden on Monday by telephone interview with CNN that he “can’t stand ident appears to be dodging the subject. aired his first campaign ad in Texas, a state that has not voted for a this routine of staying at home” and said he was waiting “anxiously” On Wednesday he traveled to Atlanta-not to visit the Centers for Democratic presidential nominee since 1976 but where polls now put to be given the all-clear to leave the house. He told the television Disease Control and Prevention for an update on the pandemic re- him in a dead heat with Trump. “If you’re sick, if you’re struggling... I channel he hasn’t had any symptoms such as a fever or respiratory sponse as cases spike in the south and west, but to deliver a speech will not abandon you,” Biden says over images of masked emergency difficulties since July 6. —AFP on modernizing America’s infrastructure. One day earlier he held a responders, and loved ones communicating via webcast or through long press conference at the White House in which he touched on mul- glass. There is palpable concern in the Republican camp. —AFP Friday 15 International Friday, July 17, 2020 Twitter hit by major hack targeting high-profile users From Elon Musk to Joe Biden had their accounts hijacked by scammers SAN FRANCISCO: Twitter is investigating a moved the bogus tweet. US President Donald massive hack in which high-profile users from Trump’s account, which has more than 83 million Elon Musk to Joe Biden had their accounts hi- followers, was not among those hacked. jacked by scammers who the social network be- “Most accounts should be able to Tweet lieves targeted its employees to gain access to again,” the Twitter support team said in an internal systems. Posts trying to dupe people evening update, having earlier briefly disabled into sending hackers the cryptocurrency Bitcoin posts from verified accounts with an official blue were tweeted by the official accounts of Apple, checkmark. The network said it had locked down Uber, Kanye West, Bill Gates, Barack Obama and the affected accounts, which also included Bit- many others on Wednesday. coin speciality firms, and removed the tweets “We detected what we believe to be a coor- posted by the hackers. dinated social engineering attack by people who Twitter added that the network was largely successfully targeted some of our employees back to normal, but that it “may take further ac- with access to internal systems and tools,” Twit- tions and will update you if we do.” Media outlet ter said. “They used this access to take control Vice reported that a Twitter insider was respon- of many highly-visible... accounts,” the company sible, citing leaked screenshots and two anony- said, adding that it was investigating “what other mous sources apparently behind the hack, one malicious activity they may have conducted or of whom told Vice they had paid the employee. information they may have accessed.” The fraud- Rachel Tobac of cyber-security firm Social- ulent posts, which were largely deleted, said peo- Proof Security also theorized that hackers had ple had 30 minutes to send $1,000 in bitcoin in got control of a Twitter employee’s administra- order to receive twice as much in return. tive access to post the messages. Meanwhile re- A total of 12.58 bitcoin-worth almost ports said that BitTorrent chief executive Justin $116,000 — were sent to the email addresses Sun was offering a $1 million reward for bringing In this file photo, the Twitter logo is seen on a phone in this photo illustration in Washington, DC. mentioned in the fraudulent tweets, according to the Twitter hackers to justice. The official Twitter accounts of Apple, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and others were hijacked on the site Blockchain.com, which monitors crypto Wednesday by scammers trying to dupe people into sending cryptocurrency bitcoin in the hope transactions. ‘Giving back’ of doubling their money. — AFP “Tough day for us at Twitter,” chief executive The tweet that appeared on Tesla founder Jack Dorsey said in a tweet. “We all feel terrible Musk’s Twitter feed said, “Happy Wednesday! I scam invited people to click on a link at which Amnesty International, the French economics this happened. We’re diagnosing and will share am giving back Bitcoin to all of my followers. I they would be exploited. ministry and the BBC’s North America service everything we can when we have a more com- am doubling all payments sent to the Bitcoin ad- “All major crypto Twitter accounts have been were broken into by hackers believed to have plete understanding of exactly what happened.” dress below. You send 0.1 BTC, I send 0.2 BTC compromised,” Gemini cryptocurrency ex- been loyal to Turkish President Recep Tayyip back!” It added that the offer was “only going change co-founder Cameron Winklevoss said in Erdogan. Last August, a series of insulting or Blue ticks on for 30 minutes.” The fake messages that ap- a tweet. “This is a SCAM, DO NOT participate!” racist messages were posted on the personal ac- The Biden campaign told AFP that Twitter peared on other famous accounts made similar he warned. Twitter has been targeted by hackers count of Twitter founder Dorsey without his locked down the hacked account quickly and re- promises of instant riches. One version of the in the past. In March 2017, the accounts of knowledge. — AFP

US Supreme Court Venezuela calls UN gives go-ahead for report ‘biased’ killer’s execution CARACAS: Venezuela has dismissed as “biased” a United Nations report that said the independence of the Latin WASHINGTON: The execution of a murderer whose lawyers American country’s justice system is undermined by insecu- claim is suffering from dementia can go ahead, the US Supreme rity and a lack of transparency. The damning 15-page docu- Court ruled yesterday, overturning a lower court that put a stay ment said that alleged victims of human rights violations had on the process. President Donald Trump last month ordered a re- difficulty obtaining justice in Venezuelan courts. “This biased sumption of federal executions after a 17-year hiatus, and the report... is a palpable example of the double standards, ma- Supreme Court’s decision means Wesley Ira Purkey, 68, could be nipulation and shameful political use of international mech- the second federal inmate to be executed this week. anisms by a small group of countries,” the foreign ministry Purkey, of Kansas, was convicted in 2003 for the 1998 rape, In this file photo Bill Pelke of Anchorage, Alaska expresses his oppo- said in a statement on Wednesday. murder and dismemberment of 16-year-old Jennifer Long. He was sition to the death penalty during a protest near the Federal Correc- It accused the United States and other nations of “aggres- also found guilty of beating an 80-year-old woman to death with tional Complex. — AFP sion” towards Venezuela, which has been in political turmoil a hammer. He had been scheduled to be executed by lethal injec- since last year. The report by Michelle Bachelet, United Nations tion on Wednesday at Terre Haute prison in the midwestern state as a “severely brain-damaged and mentally ill man who suffers High Commissioner for Human Rights, was released on Tuesday, of Indiana. from advanced Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.” “Though he a week after Venezuela’s Supreme Court ordered Juan Guaido But Purkey’s lawyers sought to prevent his execution by argu- has long accepted responsibility for his crime, he no longer has a to relinquish his position as leader of the main opposition party. ing he was mentally impaired and unable to understand why he rational understanding of why the government plans to execute It said the justice system is “considerably undermined due to was being put to death. Although a District Court judge on him,” Woodman said. Daniel Lewis Lee, 47, a former white su- insecurity of tenure of judges and prosecutors, the lack of Wednesday blocked his execution to allow for a hearing on his premacist convicted of the 1996 murders of a family of three, was transparency in the process of designation, precarious working mental competency, this was overturned by the Supreme Court put to death by lethal injection on Tuesday at the same Indiana conditions, and political interference.” Last year, Guaido de- overnight, court documents showed. prison where Purkey is scheduled to die. clared himself acting president, charging that President Nicolas “The application for stay of execution of sentence of death... Another federal inmate, Dustin Lee Honken, 52, is to be exe- Maduro’s 2018 re-election was fraudulent. is denied,” the ruling said, paving the way for Purkey’s execution cuted today for five murders, including those of two girls aged 10 The United States no longer recognises Maduro as leader to go ahead. The ruling was a narrow one, however, as four of the and six. The death penalty was reinstated at federal level in 1988 and has been trying unsuccessfully to oust him, in part by Supreme Court’s nine justices disagreed with the decision. but had only been carried out three times before the execution of recognizing Guaido as the country’s interim head. — AFP Rebecca Woodman, one of Purkey’s attorneys, described him Lee-the last time in 2003. — AFP 16 Friday International Friday, July 17, 2020 South Korean prosecutors open probe into Kim Jong Un’s sister Move likely to infuriate nuclear-armed North Korea

SEOUL: Seoul prosecutors have opened an claimed the now-demolished liaison office unprecedented probe into North Korean was South Korean property as it was reno- leader Kim Jong Un’s sister over Pyongyang’s vated using South Korean government funds, blowing up of a liaison office last month, of- despite its being located in the North. Kim ficials said yesterday. The move is likely to in- “used explosives to destroy” the South’s furiate the nuclear-armed North, which has “quasi-diplomatic mission building that repeatedly condemned South Korea in recent served the public interest”, he said in the months, including directing personal insults at complaint. Lee also filed a complaint against President Moon Jae-in. Pak Jong Chon, chief of the general staff of Seoul Central District prosecutors re- the North Korean military. ceived a criminal complaint against Kim Yo Under South Korea’s criminal code, he Jong from a Seoul-based lawyer and had stressed, damaging property or disturbing the started an investigation, a spokeswoman told peace using explosives was punishable by AFP. Last month, Pyongyang blew up an death, or a prison sentence of at least seven inter-Korean liaison office on its side of the years. Capital punishment remains on the border, days after Kim Yo Jong-one of her statute books in South Korea, although it has brother’s closest advisers-had said the “use- not executed anyone since 1997. less” property would soon be seen “com- In practice, it would be virtually impossible pletely collapsed”. for Seoul officials to punish Kim Yo Jong or Pak, Before the demolition, it had issued a se- but Lee told the South’s Yonhap News Agency ries of vitriolic condemnations of South that he wanted to “inform the North Korean Korea over anti-North leaflets that defectors people of their leader’s hypocrisy”. The an- send back across the heavily-militarized bor- nouncement came a week after a Seoul court A balloon carrying a banner with portraits of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left), the late leader Kim Il der-usually attached to balloons or floated in ordered Pyongyang’s leader to compensate Sung (center) and Kim Yo Jong, sister of Kim Jong Un, is caught on a tree after being launched by activists in bottles. It raised pressure further by threat- prisoners of war who spent decades in North Hongcheon on June 23, 2020. —AFP ening military measures against Seoul, but Korea, in a move that could set a far-reaching later said it had suspended those plans in an legal precedent on the divided peninsula. Inter- apparent sudden dialling-down of tensions. Korean relations have been strained following Jong Un and US President Donald Trump early would be willing to give up in exchange for a In his complaint, lawyer Lee Kyung-jae the collapse of a summit in Hanoi between Kim last year over what the nuclear-armed North loosening of sanctions. —Reuters Taiwan thwarts China China to let most ‘invasion’ in live-fire drill TAICHUNG, Taiwan: Taiwanese soldiers yesterday fought off simulated cinemas re-open coastal assaults from China during their biggest annual live-fire exercises of the year, as Beijing ramps up military pressure on the island. The five-day drill, which began on Monday, is aimed at testing how democratic Taiwan’s from July 20 armed forces would repel an invasion from its giant neighbor. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day BEIJING/SHANGHAI: China will allow most cinemas to re-open from July 20, the film administration said yesterday, six months after seize it-by force if necessary. Thursday’s simulation saw Taiwan’s fighter jets, they were forced to close as part of draconian measures to contain warships and ground troops repelling an enemy attempt to land on a beach the novel coronavirus. The relaxation has been long awaited in the in the central city of Taichung in an operation involving some 8,000 service world’s second-largest film market, where lockdowns have eased members. President Tsai Ing-wen watched the drill, later tweeting that it “demon- Two US-made AH-64E Apache attack helicopters release flares during the annual gradually as infections have dropped sharply since March, with Han Kuang military drills in Taichung yesterday. —AFP many restaurants and malls open for months. strated to the world our robust defence capabilities and strong determination Cinemas in low-risk areas will resume operations but curbs, to defend Taiwan”. Taipei has lived with the threat of invasion by China since from limited film showings to mandatory masks, will still apply, al- the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war. incurring Beijing’s wrath. That has pushed Taiwan to develop its own hard- though those in medium- and high-risk areas will stay shut, the In recent decades it has found itself increasingly outnumbered and out- ware, including advanced missiles, boats and a new trainer jet. China Film Administration said in a statement. No area in China is gunned by China’s enormous People’s Liberation Army. Beijing has piled mil- Some of that new hardware, including locally built surface-to-air and hy- now categorized as high-risk, the government said, however, and itary, economic and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan since Tsai came to power personic missiles, was used during this week’s drills. But China’s increasingly just four neighborhoods in Beijing, the capital, are graded medium- in 2016, because she refuses to acknowledge its stance that the island is part muscular approach towards the island has also sparked renewed international risk. “This is breaking news for the industry and people are thrilled,” of “one China”. Tsai won a landslide reelection in January in what was seen cooperation with Taiwan. Under US President Donald Trump, Washington said Gao Jun, former general manager of Beijing-headquartered as a strong rebuke to China’s strong-arm tactics against the island. Last year has become far more willing to sell big-ticket items including F-16 fighter Xinyinglian Cinema Chain. “This industry is in a desperate situation President Xi Jinping gave an especially bellicose speech about Taiwan, warn- jets and other hardware. Earlier this week, Beijing vowed to impose sanctions because of high operational cost: the rent.” ing its unification was “inevitable”. on defense company Lockheed Martin in response to the US agreeing to Cinemas that re-open will have to limit audiences to 30 percent In recent months Chinese warplanes have started buzzing Taiwan with upgrade Taiwan’s Patriot missile systems. of normal and keep vacant seats between patrons, who are required unprecedented frequency, repeatedly breaching its air defense zone and France has also angered Beijing by agreeing to upgrade the missile in- to book in advance and not carry in food and drinks, the film au- prompting Taipei to scramble its own fighter jets. terference systems on frigates Taiwan purchased in the 1990s. Washington thority said. —Reuters The military mismatch has been compounded by Western governments’ has remained a leading unofficial ally and arms supplier to Taipei despite increasing wariness of selling Taiwan advanced weapon systems, fearful of switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. —AFP Friday 17 International Friday, July 17, 2020 Floods ravage eastern India as coronavirus infections surge Bangladesh arrests hospital owner over fake virus results GUWAHATI: Monsoon floods have swamped two-thirds of the world’s population of the one- large parts of India’s densely populated eastern horned rhinoceros. states, forcing more than a million people into Meanwhile, a Bangladesh hospital owner ac- makeshift shelters despite the risk of coron- cused of issuing thousands of fake negative avirus, senior officials said yesterday. Torrential coronavirus test results to patients at his two annual rains are crucial for agriculture in South clinics was arrested Wednesday while trying to Asia, but this year India is also grappling with flee to India in a burqa, police said. The arrest the virus, which has infected 968,875 people and marked the end of a nine-day manhunt for Mo- killed 24,915, health authorities say. The floods hammad Shahed over allegations of giving fake have killed at least 10 people and injured more certificates to patients saying they were virus- than 70 in the states of Assam, Bihar and Jhark- free without even testing them. hand, where heavy rain has submerged thou- Shahed, 42, was one of more than a dozen sands of villages in the past 24 hours as people detained by authorities over the past few authorities battle to ensure social distancing in days in connection with the scam. Experts warn relief camps. the false documents has worsened the already “We have floods taking a deadly turn and si- dire virus situation in the country of 168 million multaneously we are fighting the pandemic people by casting doubt about the veracity of spreading its tentacles everywhere,” Assam’s certificates issued by clinics. “He was arrested health minister, Hemant Biswa Sarma, told from the bank of a border river as he was trying Reuters. At a time when world attention is fo- to flee to India. He was wearing a burqa,” Rapid cused on the crisis in the United States and Action Battalion spokesman Colonel Ashique South America, a human tragedy is swiftly un- Billah said. folding in South Asia, said John Fleming of the “His hospitals carried out 10,500 coronavirus MUMBAI: A bus makes its way through a flooded road during a rain shower in Mumbai on Wednesday. — AFP International Federation of Red Cross and Red tests, out of which 4,200 were genuine and the Crescent Societies. rest, 6,300 test reports, were given without con- “COVID-19 is spreading at an alarming rate ducting tests.” Shahed is also accused of charg- group OKUP. of its overseas job market.” Nearly $19 billion in South Asia, home to a quarter of humanity,” ing for the certificates and virus treatments even Italy last week suspended flights to Rome was sent back to Bangladesh by an estimated 12 said Fleming, the group’s head of health in the though he had agreed with the government that from Bangladesh to stem the spate of coron- million migrant workers last year, according to Asia-Pacific region, referring to the contagious his hospitals in the capital Dhaka would provide avirus cases within the community. Several pas- the central bank. respiratory disease. “India alone is nearing 1 mil- free care. sengers arriving from Dhaka had tested positive Bangladesh has reported just over 193,000 lion infections in coming days.” A well-known doctor and her husband were for COVID-19. infections and 2,457 deaths so far. But medical Officials said that swathes of Assam’s Kazi- also arrested by police and accused of issuing “Some of the Bangladeshis who were tested experts say the real figures are likely much ranga National Park had been submerged with thousands of fake virus certificates at their positive in Italy were allegedly carrying negative higher because so little testing has been carried at least 50 wild animals dead, while some rhinos Dhaka laboratory. The alleged scams could COVID certificates from Bangladesh,” Islam out. The impoverished country has restarted had strayed into villages, adding to the hazards badly hurt migrant workers seeking to go abroad claimed. economic activities after lifting a months-long relief and rescue workers face. and whose remittances are key to Bangladesh’s “The government must ensure quality of virus lockdown at the end of May, even as the The UNESCO World Heritage site is home to economy, said Shakirul Islam of migrant rights COVID-19 tests in local laboratories for the sake number of cases continues to rise. — Agencies

told AFP. Kunar provincial police tion of women and children,” the advisory said. Pakistan shelling spokesman Farid Dehqan confirmed the India asks local The home ministry could not be reached for fur- incident but said six civilians had been ther comment. As India slowly opens up after months killed and eight others wounded in the of lockdown to control the spread of COVID-19, of- kills at least 5 shelling. He said some shells also landed leaders to curb ficials and activists fear countless people without in Asadabad, the provincial capital of work, food or money may fall prey to traffickers. Debt Afghan villagers Kunar. There was no immediate comment child trafficking bondage is likely to increase as people struggle to from Pakistani security officials. pay off high-interest loans while child workers may But local government official Habib slip under the radar and return to work as industries JALALABAD, Afghanistan: Artillery Ullah Wazir said unknown attackers had CHENNAI: Village councils and community groups in re-open, charities said. shells fired by Pakistani forces struck vil- fired a mortar on Tuesday from Kunar India have been asked to protect children from traf- “Children or youth are more likely to be persuaded lages in eastern Afghanistan on Wednes- which wounded a woman and destroyed fickers and help authorities identify and rescue missing or tricked by criminals who will take advantage of day, killing at least five villagers in the her house in Bajour district of Pakistan. residents, amid concerns that the coronavirus pan- their emotional instability and missing support sys- latest cross-border shelling between the Pakistan and Afghanistan are divided by demic is pushing more people into modern slavery. tem,” the advisory said. two countries, officials said. The incident the Durand Line, a 2,400-kilometre India’s home affairs ministry this month issued an Rishi Kant, founder of the anti-trafficking charity occurred in the Sarkano district of Kunar (1,500-mile) frontier with villages strad- advisory urging state governments to set up or im- Shakti Vahini, said special measures and extra vigilance province bordering Pakistan, an area that dling the border and mosques and houses prove local anti-trafficking units, and work closely were necessary to combat the crime across India in the has seen previous cross-frontier having one door in Pakistan and another in with community leaders to warn people about traf- wake of the pandemic. “Special committees under the shellings. Afghanistan. Cross-border shellings have fickers taking advantage of the outbreak. Local coun- leadership of village heads will have first-hand infor- Kunar governor spokesman Abdul been regularly reported, often causing cils may be asked to keep a register of villagers and mation on strangers in their neighborhood or families Ghani Mosamim said Pakistani security civilian casualties on both sides. Pakistani track their movements to prevent children being that are in distress,” he told the Thomson Reuters forces were erecting a fence along the media have previously reported about the “transported on a large scale for wage labor, prosti- Foundation. “Both will help prevent the crime.” so-called Durand Line when they opened country’s security forces shelling sus- tution and trafficking”, said the directive by the min- The federal government in March disbursed one fire on an Afghan security check post in pected hideouts of jihadi militant groups, istry’s women safety division. billion rupees ($13.3 million) to strengthen existing Sarkano. “When Afghan forces returned including Tehrik-e-Taleban Pakistan State governments have also been tasked with anti-human trafficking police units at state level and fire, they (Pakistani forces) started using (TTP) in Kunar province. In February, of- launching anti-trafficking awareness campaigns, in ad- establish new ones along India’s borders with countries heavy artillery to shell the villages in ficials in Pakistan said seven members of a dition to ramping up surveillance at bus stops, train such as Bangladesh and Nepal. About 2,400 human Sarkano district,” Mosamim said. Pakistani family in Bajour were killed when stations and state borders. “Generation of awareness trafficking cases were reported in India in 2018, with “Five villagers have been killed in a mortar shell fired from Kunar province at all levels is considered a very potent and effective nearly half of the victims aged under 18, according to these shellings and 10 more wounded,” he struck their home. — AFP weapon to fight the crime of trafficking and exploita- the latest available government crime data. — Reuters 18 Friday International Friday, July 17, 2020 Trump immigrant visa move tears Indian families apart Indians hit hard as they make up 75% of H-1B applicants MUMBAI: Every night in Bangalore, Parvez Shaikh, who needed to have their passports Shaikh’s 18-month-old son wakes up in tears, stamped after extending their visas, to postpone calling for his mother who is in the United their consular appointments, creating a huge States-one among hundreds of families staring backlog. Trump’s decision has now thrown their at an uncertain future after President Donald lives into disarray, hitting Indians particularly hard Trump froze most immigrant visas. The 33-year- since they make up 75 percent of H-1B applicants. old management consultant and his two children After her parents exhausted their savings to were visiting family in the Indian city in March, fund her education, Bhaagya-not her real name- when the coronavirus pandemic triggered the thought she had hit the jackpot when she se- suspension of international flights. Since then, cured a well-paying job as an IT engineer in the they have been stranded. US five years ago. The 31-year-old, who trav- But he never imagined he would be stopped elled back to India in February, even managed to outright from returning to the US, the country he pay for her sister’s graduate studies in the US. and his wife, a hardware engineer, have called home But she now fears losing her job if she is un- for the last seven years. The Trump administration able to return due to the new restrictions, setting last month barred new applications for the H-1B and off a chain reaction. “My sister can’t pay for L employment visas for the rest of the year. school if I can’t keep my job, which would mean It also banned existing visa holders if they losing her student visa too,” she said. Trump has were outside the US and required an extension- made immigration reform a key plank of his re- effectively cutting them off from their loved ones election campaign, touting the order as a cure and their lives back in America. “My children ask for the economic woes facing the country. me if someone has stolen our home. Sometimes But critics say the move will do little to spur they (start) looking for their favorite stuffed toy... a recovery. “How will targeting H-1B visas or a or their favorite book and I have no answers,” handful of us benefit the US economy if we are Sindhu Sudhakar became stranded after flying to India in March to see her ailing Shaikh told AFP. “Our kids don’t know any other here earning in dollars and spending in rupees?” mother-in-law. — AFP home except (America) as they were born in the asked software engineer Harpreet Singh, who States,” he said, adding that the trauma ap- has been stranded in India since March. have warned that the restrictions on hiring high- national Peace, a think tank, told AFP the move peared to have stunted their growth, exacerbat- “My company is discussing moving many of skilled workers will harm the economy. From Mi- amounted to “a self-inflicted wound”. “The White ing the family’s stress. the employees to Indian payrolls if the situation crosoft CEO Satya Nadella to Google CEO House believes these policies will play very well does not improve,” the 35-year-old told AFP, Sundar Pichai-both India-born-Silicon Valley has with their voter base... In reality, this is going to Harm to economy suggesting that at some multinationals jobs long relied on foreign talent to boost its bottom have a profoundly negative effect on the econ- The prolonged closure of US consulates due would simply be transferred overseas, instead of line. Milan Vaishnav, director of the South Asia omy that is going to end up hurting the very peo- to coronavirus forced many immigrants like being filled by local candidates. US tech giants program at the Carnegie Endowment for Inter- ple Trump claims to be helping,” he said. — AFP

Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute in London, Australian woman freed from HK’s competitive told AFP. Passports, exports and scholarships jail for Bali police killing edge blunted by The order ends preferential treatment for Hong Kong passports, revokes license exceptions for certain exports, DENPASER: An Australian woman jailed US-China storm suspends Washington’s extradition agreement with the with her British DJ boyfriend for beating a city and stops any joint police training. It also terminates Bali policeman to death was freed yester- the Fulbright scholar exchange program. The sanctions HONG KONG: Beijing’s tough new security law and Pres- day after nearly four years in prison on the against Chinese officials came from a bill passed with bi- Indonesian holiday island. ident Donald Trump’s order to rescind special trading partisan support-an illustration of how Beijing’s response privileges have blunted Hong Kong’s competitive edge Sara Connor, 49, left Kerobokan prison to Hong Kong’s protests has united Washington’s bitterly and was placed in the hands of immigration and risk turning the finance hub into just another Chinese divided politics. city, analysts warn. Once lauded as an oasis of pre- authorities to await deportation, Bali offi- “Hong Kong will now be treated the same as mainland cials said. Connor and David Taylor were dictability in Asia, semi-autonomous Hong Kong has been China-no special privileges, no special economic treat- plunged into crisis over the past year, threatening its sta- convicted in 2017 of fatally assaulting offi- ment and no export of sensitive technologies,” Trump said. tus as a reliable world-class business center. As 2019 cer Wayan Sudarsa, whose battered body Sara Connor Banks have a year-long grace period to stop doing busi- came to a close, the city was already deep in recession was found in the popular tourist area of ness with Chinese officials deemed to be “primary offend- because of spiraling US-China trade tensions and months Kuta the previous year. Sudarsa’s blood-soaked body was covered with of huge, often violent pro-democracy protests. ers” in undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy. dozens of wounds on his neck, chest and head. And the jolts to business sentiment have not let up. “We can see that banks are going through their client Connor was given early release from her five-year term for good behavior, Late last month Beijing blanketed the city in a game- lists and those who are sanctioned are also expected to while Taylor is serving a six-year jail sentence for his role in the attack. Taylor, changing anti-subversion law aimed at ending protests close accounts on their own,” Andy Kwan, director of the whose stage name was DJ Nutzo, had admitted getting into a fight with Su- against its increasingly authoritarian rule. Then on Tues- ACE Centre for Business and Economic Research, told darsa on the beach after accusing the officer of stealing Connor’s handbag, day-in response to that law-Trump announced that Hong AFP. Both China and Hong Kong’s government denounced and admitted hitting him with items including binoculars and a beer bottle. Kong would no longer have preferential trade treatment. Washington’s move on Wednesday, vowing some sort of However, Taylor claimed at trial that he had feared for his life and acted He also signed a law that will sanction Chinese and reciprocal response. That sets the stage for American busi- in self-defense during the late-night brawl. Mother-of-two Connor had main- Hong Kong officials responsible for cracking down on dis- nesses in either China or Hong Kong to face counter-mea- tained her innocence, insisting she only intervened to try to break up the sent. While analysts and multi-nationals knew the move sures. “(US) acts are hypocritical and will certainly cause fight. This claim was rejected by a Bali court that said she held down the vic- to strip the city of its trading privileges was coming, some very serious damage to American companies and citizens,” tim as Taylor beat him. The pair fled the scene but Connor’s driving license were taken aback by the breadth of the executive order Hong Kong’s government said. While the precise impact of and ATM card were found next to the body. that followed. the new restrictions will take time to manifest, Julia Fried- After police launched a massive manhunt for the couple, they took refuge “This turned out to be much more wide-ranging and lander from the Atlantic Council said the latest measures in the Australian consulate in Bali but later handed themselves over to local less targeted than I hoped it would be-and it looks like “erect trade barriers and sever deeply integrated financial authorities. At trial, prosecutors said the pair, who were tried separately, Hong Kong will suffer as much as mainland China,” Steve ties for Hong Kong with the United States”. — AFP should not be convicted of murder because they did not intend to kill the officer. — AFP LifestyleFriday www.kuwaittimes.net FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2020

A man shows fish he caught in shallow waters by Meulaboh beach in Aceh province.—AFP

Japan’s women grapple for judo equality See Page 23 20 Friday Lifestyle | Features Friday, July 17, 2020

Disneyland Paris reopens, but no hugs for Donald Depp’s ex-wife isneyland Paris, Europe’s biggest private tourist at- ‘ ’ traction, reopened its gates Wednesday after four accused of stealing Dmonths of coronavirus lockdown, albeit with limited access and a ban on hugging the famous characters. As fes- sex abuse story tive music played, Mickey, Pluto and other Disney characters greeted the first visitors—all sporting face masks and some ohnny Depp’s ex-wife Amber Heard “stole” her per- the trademark Mickey Mouse ears—while keeping a safe sonal assistant’s story of being a victim of sexual as- distance from the guests. Despite the merry mood, things at Jsault, the former employee told a UK court Wednesday Disneyland are not quite back to normal as the COVID-19 on day seven of the Hollywood star’s libel trial. “Much to my pandemic was again showing a slight uptick in a country utter shock and dismay, I discovered that Ms Heard had in where it has claimed more than 30,000 lives. fact stolen my sexual violence conversation with her and Earlier this month the Disney World resort reopened in twisted it into her own story to benefit herself,” Kate James, who worked for the 34-year-old actress from 2012 to 2015, Florida, and Disney has already resumed activities at its told London’s High Court via video link from Los Angeles. theme parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong. But a surge of “This of course caused me extreme distress and outrage COVID-19 cases in California prevented the planned re- Visitors and staff wearing protective face masks, walk down that she would dare to attempt to use the most harrowing opening of Disneyland near Los Angeles on July 17, and no the Main Street of Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallee, near experience of my life as her own narrative.” “Pirates of the new date has yet been set. As at other resorts, visitor num- Paris, on Wednesday, as Disneyland Paris begins phased Caribbean” hero Depp is suing the publisher and executive bers at Disneyland Paris will be limited, the attraction’s op- reopening after months-closure aimed at stemming the spread editor of Britain’s tabloid newspaper The Sun over a 2018 erator said, without indicating the ceiling. of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).—AFP photos story that branded him a “wife beater”. Depp, 57, denies All guests from age 11 must wear masks, and visitors abusing Heard during a two-year marriage that ended in a must observe social distancing in queues and on rides. Sani- messy 2017 divorce and several lawsuits. tising hand gel has been made available at more than 2,000 She claimed he was violent towards her on at least 14 oc- distribution points. The operator said “close interactions, in- casions. James told the court that Heard was prone to drink- cluding hugs” for Disney’s cuddly mascots will be “tem- ing and sending insulting messages in the middle of the night. porarily suspended”, there will be no princess makeovers, Ben King, who worked for the Hollywood star for three sepa- rate periods between 2014 and 2016, said Heard was often and the daily parade of characters will return only at a later the “antagoniser” in the relationship, adding “the way they date. More than 17,000 people work at Disneyland Paris, argued could make them seem like schoolchildren.” King which began halting shows and limiting visitor numbers once had to recover the actor’s fingertip, which Depp claims even before France’s official lockdown took effect in mid- was cut off by Heard with a broken vodka bottle. March, after some maintenance workers tested positive for The actress, who is due to testify on Friday, maintains COVID-19. that he sustained the injury while using a telephone. Depp’s Some 45 kilometres (28 miles) away in central Paris, the former estate manager Kevin Murphy also accused Heard iconic Eiffel Tower reopened its top level on Wednesday in of asking him to lie to an Australian court during the cou- another symbolic step towards a return to normal in one of ple’s infamous 2016 run in with the law for flouting quaran- the world’s most visited cities. Last year, Paris and its sur- tine rules by bringing two dogs into the country on his rounding region chalked up 50 million visitors, a number private jet. “I expressed that I was extremely uncomfortable that hospitality industry officials expect to plunge this year with doing so, to which Ms Heard responded with words to the effect of: ‘Well I want your help on this ... I wouldn’t because of strict travel curbs imposed because of the coro- Visitors wearing protective face masks, walk down the Main want you to have a problem with your job’.” Street of Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallee, near Paris. navirus crisis.—AFP Heard escaped conviction after eventually pleading guilty to falsifying immigration forms when she brought the dogs into Australia, where Depp was filming “Pirates of the Banksy coronavirus don Underground train carriage “some AFP the work was removed “some days Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales”. The court is sched- days ago” has been removed, according ago” due to the company’s strict anti- uled to hear from Depp’s former partner Vanessa Paradis by to transport operators. The graffiti star graffiti policy. However, the transport op- videoconference. In a written testimony already submitted, graffiti removed uploaded a video on social media Tues- erator would welcome Banksy to recreate the French singer and actress, who was in a relationship day, captioned “If you don’t mask - you his message “in a suitable location”, it with Depp for 14 years, called him “a kind, attentive, gener- from London train don’t get”. added. “We appreciate the sentiment of ous, and non-violent person and father.” The trial, which is In it, the artist is seen in a boiler suit encouraging people to wear face cover- due to last at least until the end of next week, will see US ritish street artist Banksy’s latest spray painting stencils of his iconic rats ings, which the vast majority of cus- actress Winona Ryder, who was in a relationship with work, tackling the spread of coron- inside a train, with one sneezing blue tomers on our transport network are Johnny Depp in the 1990s, also testify in his favour.—AFP Bavirus, that appeared inside a Lon- droplets. Transport for London later told doing,” a TfL spokesman said. —AFP

Cinemas are also required to sell tickets for no more than China to reopen 30 percent of the available seats at each screening, and must keep groups of moviegoers at least one metre (about three feet) apart, the administration said. Chinese film authorities cinemas next week had announced in March that they would reopen cinemas, which have been shut since late January, but swiftly reversed the decision the same month after fresh clusters of cases were as virus cases fall discovered across the country. China yesterday reported only one new virus case, im- ported from overseas, and most of the country is classified as ost Chinese cinemas will be allowed to reopen next “low risk” for virus outbreaks. Cinemas have suffered a mas- week with social distancing rules following months of sive blow to earnings this year as they are among the last coronavirus closures, authorities said yesterday, as do- M businesses to reopen even as new infections dwindle and the US actor Johnny Depp arrives to attend the seven day of his mestic infections remained at zero for 10 straight days. Movie country slowly returns to normal. The country’s largest cin- libel trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN), at the High theatres in “low-risk” areas of the country can resume opera- ema chain Wanda Film said Wednesday it expected to report tions on July 20, but must screen patrons for fevers and enforce a loss of at least 1.5 billion yuan ($214 million) for the first half Court in London, on Wednesday.—AFP mask-wearing, the China Film Administration said. of the year.—AFP Friday 21 Lifestyle | Feature Friday, July 17, 2020 To dye for: Czech blueprint tradition alive and well

Czech craftsman Jiri Danzinger works with a rolling press at his blueprint workshop in the eastern village Czech craftsman Jiri Danzinger prints a wax on a of Olesnice town, south Moravia.—AFP photos textile at his blueprint workshop.

or Jiri Danzinger, settling on a line of work joint bid by the Czech Republic and Austria, Ger- used woad leaves to turn scarves, bed covers was a no-brainer: he grew up in a Czech many, Hungary and Slovakia—where the tech- and aprons blue. Ffamily with a long tradition in blueprint dye- nology has also survived. “We live in a poorer ing. The 40-year-old craftsman is the 11th gener- region so we use simple motifs such as clover or Face masks ation of a family living off the UNESCO-listed oat grass,” said Danzinger, whose workshop has Danzinger’s workshop makes a range of technique in the eastern village of Olesnice. “No- 250 different designs. “Wealthier regions use products from stuffed toys to bags, handker- body ever forced me, but I also never had an- fancier patterns,” he added before smoothing chiefs and ties. During the coronavirus crisis, it other job offer,” the bespectacled Danzinger told wrinkles from a fabric using a rattling rolling switched to making face masks after the govern- AFP in one of the Czech Republic’s two surviving press. ment made face coverings mandatory in public. blueprint workshops, his hand resting on an age- Marketa Vinglerova, deputy head of the tex- From one day to the next, “we were churning out old rolling press. Blueprint, which made its way to tile collection at Prague’s Museum of Decorative face masks at full speed. We agreed it was nec- Europe in the 17th century, uses so-called resist Arts, said blueprint came to Europe from Asia, essary,” Danzinger said. printing, which involves dipping a large wooden notably the traditional indigo-dyeing countries of The workshop first produced white cotton stamp—typically with a floral pattern—into a India, Indonesia and Japan. Thanks to the Dutch masks to hand out to local residents, but later gum arabic paste. East India Company, founded in the 17th century also supplied the police as the country faced a Artisans like Danzinger then apply the pattern to trade with the Far East, blueprint made its way nationwide shortage of medical material. “When to white cotton fabric before submerging it in a to the Dutch court and then to central Europe, we met the demand after two weeks, we started tub of water dyed indigo blue. When he pulls out including the Baltics and Poland. producing blueprint face masks. We sold more the fabric using a creaky handle, it is blue but the “It was popular among aristocrats but then it than 1,000 of those by the end of June,” design remains white. spread to small towns and villages and the nobil- Danzinger said. In the renovated village house Czech craftsman Jiri Danzinger works with a ity abandoned it,” Vinglerova told AFP. “For a where he lives and works, Danzinger said he rolling press at his blueprint workshop. Clover and oat grass long time, it was the only decorative technology feels a lifelong “obligation” to continue what his UNESCO added blueprint dyeing to its In- the villagers could afford.” Olesnice’s dyeing tra- ancestors started. “People come and go but the tangible Cultural Heritage list in 2018 following a dition dates back to 1520. Before indigo, dyers craft will hopefully stay the same forever.”—AFP

A wooden pattern at the workshop Czech crafts- Czech craftsman Jiri Danzinger prints a wax on a textile at his blue- Czech craftsman Jiri Danzinger dippes a wax printed cotton textile in the tub of water man Jiri Danzinger in the eastern village of print workshop . dyed indigo blue at his blueprint workshop. Olesnice town, south Moravia. 22 Friday Lifestyle | Feature Friday, July 17, 2020

In this picture judo students are pictured in the locker room after a training session at Josho Gakuen senior high school in Osaka, where judo uniforms, known as “judogi”, from the Kusakura Japanese martial arts equipment manufacturer are used.—AFP photos ‘A soul in it’: The Japan judogi firm weaving its trade

udo uniforms are made all over the world, but just a handful of the firm range from 10,000 yen to 23,000 yen for more serious suppliers are designated by the sport’s international federation. competition sets. The firm has about 30 percent of the judogi mar- JAnd of those, just one weaves its own materials. Founded over ket in Japan and exports to around 20 countries, though the coro- a century ago, Kusakura in the western Japanese city of Kashiwara, navirus pandemic has stalled shipments. has stuck with the much more laborious and time-consuming At Kusakura’s Tokyo showroom, dozens of judogis are hung for process, handling not only weaving, but cutting and sewing. But its customers to try, with samples washed at least three times to show president Masahiko Miura says the additional work is worth it. “It’s how the fabric will shrink. Many customers want a tighter fit, leav- very hard to describe, it’s not just about machines weaving, there is ing opponents less material to grab onto, but the International Judo In this picture judo students wrestle during a training session at a soul in it,” he told AFP. “We’ll never let go of weaving so long as Federation has strict rules on length, width and other details, said Josho Gakuen senior high school in Osaka, where Kazunori Ohira we make judogis.” Atsushi Ebisawa, who manages the showroom. (not pictured) - a veteran salesman from the Kusakura Japanese The judo uniform, or judogi, comprises a white jacket secured Javier Pallejero, a 32-year-old Spaniard visiting the showroom martial arts equipment manufacturer - goes personally to follow by an obi or belt and white trousers. At Kusakura, which began as said his ‘sensei’ or teacher wears the firm’s judogi and he finds the up on the sale of judo uniforms, known as “judogi”. a weaving and sewing company in 1918, the fabrics for the top-of- uniform lighter than others. “I hope that during competition it will the-line judogis are woven by decades-old looms with yarn-car- help me have this lightness and be able to quickly bring out tech- rying wooden shuttles that jet across vertical threads. The niques,” he said. venerable machines are part of a long tradition for the firm, but keeping them running is also not easy because the models are no More than a sport longer produced. That means Kusakura employees are always on For some employees at Kusakura, judogi production and sales the lookout for spare parts, often scrambling to snatch up pieces is more than just a job. Veteran salesman Kazunori Ohira, who if they hear of a textile company closing down. has practiced judo since he was 10, still swaps his business suit for a judogi—made by Kusakura of course—to teach children A prized lightness judo after work. Production chief Yoshifumi Hayakawa says the fabric woven by He also goes personally to follow up on the sale of judogi to a the vintage machines stands out, with customers often commenting club at a local high school and watches the children when they par- on its delicate texture. “We want to keep producing our fabrics ticipate in tournaments. “I’ve been in charge of children here for with this long tradition for the next 10, 20 or 100 years,” he said. over 20 years,” the 44-year-old told AFP. “You can’t be sure until Once the fabric is woven from cotton, it is handchecked by em- you see them in matches if you delivered the right size of judogi,” ployees looking for stains or other irregularities, then carefully cut he said. “It’s always on my mind... It’s my occupational hazard that and sewn, with adjustments made down to the order of a single I have to go and see the matches.” Respect is a key plank of judo, millimetre. The firm, with its S logo signifying Japan’s national tree and students are expected to show it for their uniforms, as well as sakura or cherry blossom, produces 150,000 judogi a year. the parents who paid for them, and opponents who help them grow In this picture judo students wrestle during a training session But just 17,000 are made in Japan using fabric from vintage and stronger, Ohira explained. “It’s considered ugly to just stride over at Josho Gakuen senior high school in Osaka, where uniforms, modern looms. A tiny handful use fabric woven exclusively on the judogi or an obi laid on the floor,” he said. “In Japan, judo is still known as “judogi”, from the Kusakura Japanese martial arts heritage machines. These high-end judogi called Dojin, or master, more like a ‘martial art’ than just a sport.” —AFP equipment manufacturer are used. sell for 50,000 yen ($470) a set, while uniforms made in China by Friday 23 Lifestyle | Feature Friday, July 17, 2020

A picture of Jigoro Kano (center), the founder of judo, is displayed at the of- In this picture a life-size statue of the Japanese founder of judo Jigoro Kano is seen at the Mikage Public Hall in Kobe, Hyogo fice of the Kusakura Japanese martial arts equipment manufacturer in prefecture. —AFP photos Kashiwara, Osaka prefecture. Japan’s women grapple for judo equality

udo’s founder Jigoro Kano was decades ahead of his time by empowering women to Jtake up the sport that prizes technique over brute force. But Japan’s female judoka have long grappled for equality, enduring discrimination and a headline-grabbing abuse scandal even while they were winning recognition with their bril- liance on the mat. Kano told his early disciples the more subtle form of the martial art as practised by women at the time “would be the real legacy” of judo—more so than power-based judo by men. Indeed, a key principle of judo is “ju yoku go wo seisu” (roughly translated as “softness subdues hardness”), meaning that physically weaker ju- Japanese judo bronze medallist at the 1988 Japanese judo gold medallist at the 2016 Rio A restored book titled “Data of Athletic Games doka can use an opponent’s power against them. Seoul Olympic Games, Kaori Yamaguchi, who Olympic Games, Haruka Tachimoto, poses and Olympic Condition” at the Nada Junior and Kaori Yamaguchi, who won judo bronze at the is a member of the Japanese Olympic Com- during an interview with AFP in Tokyo. Senior High School library. Seoul Olympics in 1988 and now sits on the Japanese Olympics Committee, said the revered mittee and a Tsukuba University professor, Kano had “a very advanced spirit” for his time. As poses during an interview with AFP in Tokyo. But it later emerged that the coach of the my competitors but also myself.” Yamaguchi, who the first Asian member of the IOC, Kano’s inclu- women’s team in the run-up to the 2012 Games spoke to women in the Japan team who suffered sion of women—and foreigners—was central to sidered by the International Judo Federation after had been using a bamboo sword to beat athletes, abuse at the time, said “men could have endured his philosophy that “judo must be open” and a her retirement as the “best female judoka ever.” calling them “ugly” and telling them to “die.” The the same thing without complaining,” because the contributor to world peace. However, after Kano’s The super-popular Tani was seven-time World abuse scandal was front-page news in Japan and traditional norm of not talking back to your in- death in 1938, women’s judo in Japan was consid- Champion in the under-48kg class and her Gold sparked a wholesale overhaul in training methods structors was so strong among men. It was ered merely an add-on and competition was only medals in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 cata- for women’s judo. Matsumoto told AFP the train- “women’s spirit of bucking mainstream values” open to women from 1978, Yamaguchi told AFP. pulted her to national stardom and boosted the ing “completely changed” between London and that changed the system, she said. Despite better At Olympic level, men’s judo debuted at the Tokyo profile of women’s judo in Japan. The crunch for the next games in Rio. equality for female judoka, there is still a glass 1964 Olympics but women’s judo only appeared women’s judo in Japan came in London when, to Haruka Tachimoto, who won gold in Rio, said ceiling when it comes to the coaching set-up, she as an exhibition sport in Seoul in 1988 before be- the shame of a nation used to a gold rush from the that she had been like a “moving robot” until the said. “It was very regrettable that we couldn’t coming a fully-fledged sport in Barcelona 1992. sport, Kaori Matsumoto was the only judoka to change in regime. “I was just doing what I was have a female head coach for the women’s na- return with a gold medal. Matsumoto, known as told to do.” After coming seventh in London, she tional team for Tokyo 2020 even though there are ‘Moving robot’ “the beast” for her outward expressions of com- realised she had to force through reform herself. many women who are qualified,” Yamaguchi said. Women’s judo in Japan shot to prominence petitive spirit, “saved the face of the judo commu- “I wanted to change... I watched and listened to “I hope we’ll have a female head coach for the with the rise of the legendary Ryoko Tani—con- nity” in London, said Yamaguchi. various things and people, and studied not only 2024 Paris Games,” said Yamaguchi. —AFP

Judo masters demonstrate techniques in front of pictures of the A replica of a worn-out judo uniform of Jigoro Kano, the Members of Tenjin shinyou-ryu jujutsu attend a jujutsu train- founder of judo Jigoro Kano, during the winter training at the founder of judo, is displayed at the office of the Kusakura ing session. Kodokan, judo’s headquarters, in Tokyo. Japanese martial arts equipment manufacturer in Kashiwara. 24 Friday Lifestyle | Fashion Friday, July 17, 2020

Maurizio Marinella (left) and his son Alessandro work in the “E. Marinella” shirt and tie makers family Finished bundles of ties sit in boxes as seamstresses work in the workshop of the “E. Marinella” shirt business shop in Naples.—AFP photos and tie makers family business.

Naples institutional in the afternoon, and an elegant option for Film star Marcello Mastroianni, John F. Kennedy, even upmarket dinners. Prince Charles—all have donned handmade ties from one Each Marinella tie takes about 45 minutes to make, with shop in Naples so famed for its artisanal finery some devo- ten steps in all, from cutting the silk to doing the stitching, tees boast thousands. The painstaking needlework cannot and adding the loop and label. “It’s precision work, com- be rushed, despite demand for E. Marinella ties usually far parable to that of a goldsmith. We work on half-millime- outstripping production. In Naples, the tiny shop near the tres,” says Maria Rosaria Guarino, 60, who has worked for sea remains much as it was when it opened in 1914, with the company for 38 years. Customers can personalise the its wood-framed windows, chandelier, and counter where length, width or thickness of the ties. Every day, about 150 the red, blue, polka dot or diamond-patterned ties are dis- ties are produced. But the demand pre-coronavirus crisis played. was much higher—as much as double or even triple. And Maurizio Marinella, 64, who is the third generation to in the three months leading up to Christmas, it could be head up the company, says his family’s success in the “as high as 900 ties a day”, Marinella said. southern Italian city, which struggles with poverty and The company had ruled out making more, however, unemployment, was “a kind of miracle”. “It all started in saying it would compromise quality. “Each tie is a unique 20 square metres in Naples, where everything is a little work of art”, he says, admitting that “quality is almost an more difficult than elsewhere,” he told AFP. Maurizio’s obsession” for him. Personalities from all over the world grandfather Eugenio wanted to create “a little corner of have donned the ties, including Chancellor Helmut Kohl— England in Naples” in this city with its view of Mount a “giant for whom we made ties 65 centimetres longer Vesuvius, offering men’s shirts and accessories with fab- than normal”. rics shipped directly across the Channel. Little by little, however, the tie became Marinella’s signature piece. ‘Pamper them’ Almost every day, Sunday included, from 6.30am, ‘Maniacal’ care for detail Marinella is at the shop to “welcome, pamper the cus- The silk is still hand-printed in Macclesfield, England, tomers, offer them coffee”, in the pure Neapolitan tradition. and the ties themselves are sewn by hand in a workshop While the brand had a turnover of 18 million euros in 2019, close to the boutique, which employs 20 seamstresses. it is expected to suffer a “significant” drop this year Loyal customer Rudy Girardi has been frequenting the because of the coronavirus epidemic, which forced the shop since his late teens and now boasts “thousands of shop to close, stopped tourism and saw many formal Marinella ties”, costing from between 130 to 215 euros. events cancelled. “The tie is fundamental,” he says, as a sign of “respect”, The sector has suffered in general, even before the and he loves Marinella for its “maniacal care for every pandemic. Exports of ties, bow ties and neckties fell by Alessandro Marinella works in the “E. Marinella” shirt and tie mak- detail”. He changes his ties several times a day, selecting 10 percent between 2015 and 2019, with Chinese prod- ers family business shop. a colourful one in the morning, something a little more ucts making up 46.5 percent of the market, compared to Friday 25 Lifestyle | Fashion Friday, July 17, 2020

Seamstresses work in the workshop of the “E. Marinella”.

Maurizio Marinella (center) poses with workers in the factory of the “E. Marinella”.

13.6 percent for Italy, according to the International Trade Alessandro Marinella, who represents the company’s Centre (ITC). Fads are to blame: youngsters have gone fourth generation. He wants to shift the house’s focus off ties, and some big firms and banks have made wearing “towards a ‘total look’, including women’s wear”, a move one optional. begun a few years ago, so that the humble tie now repre- “Fortunately, fashions are cyclical. Lately we’ve seen a sents less than half the company’s turnover—though all of bit of a shift away from street wear to classic fashion, its reputation.—AFP where the tie is the cardinal point,” notes 25-year-old A worker cuts fabric in the workshop of the “E. Marinella”.

averick’s fighter jet helmet, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Wales. A giant model of “Nostromo,” the interstellar tug-ship Store. Like many of the Entertainment Memorabilia Live Mlightsaber, Rocky’s boxing gloves and an 11-foot on which Ridley Scott’s classic “Alien” takes place, tops the Auction lots, the model spacecraft previously belonged to a “Alien” spaceship tipped to fetch half a million dol- pre-sale estimates at $300,000-500,000. film crew member. lars will go up for auction in Los Angeles next month. The Constructed mainly of wood and steel, it was personally It was restored for purchase after being found wrapped in sale of hundreds of legendary Hollywood movie props will be filmed for the movie’s exterior shots by Scott, who had it plastic in a backyard 15 years ago. “What collectors are live-streamed on August 26-27, including items wielded by “repainted dark gray and weathered extensively to imply looking for is things from the films they grew up with, films Indiana Jones and Clint Eastwood’s Western outlaw Josey decades of deep-space travel,” said event organizers Prop that they cherish,” said Brandon Alinger, chief operating offi- cer for Prop Store LA. “This is the main 11-foot model minia- ture that was used in the shooting of the movie,” he told AFP. Other big-ticket sci-fi items on the block include a full Darth Vader outfit—one of five used to promote the first “Star Wars” movie—and a lightsaber hilt used by Ewan McGregor in the prequel “Attack of the Clones.” A real fighter jet helmet worn by Tom Cruise’s Maverick in “Top Gun” is expected to fetch up to $70,000. The helmet is customized—with the character’s name— as are boxing gloves worn by Sylvester Stallone in the origi- nal “Rocky.” And in a rare sale, the original bronze “Ra” medallion used by Indiana Jones to reveal the location of the Ark of the Covenant in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” will go under the hammer. The item, gifted by the movie’s construc- tion manager to a family friend, is expected to earn up to Items up for auction at the Prop Store Auction in late August are on Items up for auction at the Prop Store Auction in late August are on $150,000.—AFP display at the Prop Store including the 11-foot Nostromo, the prin- display at the Prop Store in Valencia, California on Wednesday cipal filming model miniature space craft from Ridley Scott’s sci- include the helmet worn by actor Tom Cruise in the movie “Top ence fiction film “Alien”, estimated at $300,000 - 500,000 USD. Gun”, estimated at $50,000 70,000 USD.—AFP photos 26 Friday Lifestyle | Fashion Friday, July 17, 2020

Models present creations by Dolce and Gabbana during the men Spring-Summer 2021 fashion collection shows as part of the Milano Digital Fashion Week on Wednesday at Humanitas university gardens in Rozzano near Milan, as they respect social distancing.—AFP photos

icilian designers Dolce & Gabbana took invited and geometric shapes were used widely to form both mod- guests for a visual stroll along the Amalfi coast ern and neo-classical shapes that created what the fashion SWednesday in a rare live show during men’s fashion house termed “couture architecture”. It marked a return by week in Milan, with everyone wearing masks except the the duo to the National Chamber of Italian Fashion and its models. A press statement said the Spring-Summer 2021 official fashion calendar, for the first time since 1998. D&G collection drew inspiration from the Parco dei Principi Chamber president Carlo Capasa called the show “a de Sorrente hotel, which is on the coast south of Naples. It great return that reinforces our sector. “Today more than was one of only two shows scheduled to be presented to ever, unity is important to protect our unique industry,” he fashionistas in the flesh, with the others created as digital added. Another designer, Etro, was also putting in a show events owing to the coronavirus epidemic. to a public expected to respect standard coronavirus pro- The collection was presented at the Humanitas hospital tective measures. A total of around 40 designers are to near Milan, which D&G supports financially and which is on take part in the fashion week, including, Tod’s, Dsquared2, the front line of the COVID-19 epidemic. Only the models Gucci, Ermenegildo Zegna and Missoni.—AFP were without masks, but Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana both wore them as they acknowledged applause at the end of the show. As for the clothes, there were juxtapositions of materials, with blue, white and black the dominant colours. Stripes

Italian fashion designers Domenico Dolce (right) and Stefano Gabbana walk after Dolce and Gabbana men Spring-Summer 2021 fashion collection shows as part of the Milano Digital Fashion Week. Friday 27 Lifestyle | Fashion Friday, July 17, 2020

urberry is to cut 500 jobs after global coronavirus lock- Bdowns sparked a sales collapse, the British luxury fash- ion group said Wednesday. Sales tanked 45 percent to £257 million ($322 million, 283 million euros) in the company’s first quarter, or 13 weeks to June, from a year earlier, Burberry said in a trading update that sent its share price sliding. Burberry, which generates a large chunk of its turnover from big-spending tourists, including in airports, has been hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak that shut shops and grounded planes worldwide—but it has seen a turnaround in key market China. The London-listed group on Wednesday said it was launching a fresh efficiency drive to generate annualised sav- ings of £55 million with a one-off restructuring charge of £45 million. “In total the changes we are proposing would impact roughly five percent of roles globally, or 500 out of 10,000. This includes the UK,” a Burberry spokeswoman told AFP. Around 150 office-based jobs were expected to be shed in In this file photo a model presents a creation during a catwalk Britain, where the group employs more than 3,500 people. show for the Burberry Spring/Summer 2020 collection on the The remaining roles will be removed overseas, she added. fourth day of London Fashion Week in London. The measures are in addition to the company’s existing £140- impacted” by the coronavirus crisis, with retail sales sliding million cost-cutting programme. by between 15 and 20 percent. “In retail, tourist flows are like- ‘Excellent response’ ly to remain negligible, and store operations are continuing to face significant headwinds, with some remaining closed and Chief executive Marco Gobbetti conceded that demand operating with reduced trading hours,” the company added. would “take time” to recover, despite easing lockdowns and In late morning deals, Burberry shares dived 6.8 percent to the resumption of air travel. “In the first quarter, sales were £14.51 on London’s FTSE 100 index, which was 0.8 percent severely impacted by the drop in luxury demand from higher at 6,231.77 points. “It’s something of a mixed picture COVID-19 and we expect it will take time to return to pre-cri- from Burberry,” said Nicholas Hyett, equity analyst at sis levels with the resumption of overseas travel,” Gobbetti Hargreaves Lansdown. “Overall sales numbers are pre- said. “We are encouraged by the improving trends in all dictably ugly, but the pace of recovery is faster than we’d regions... We saw an excellent response to new product expected with a particularly stylish turnaround in mainland launches in recovering economies as well as online. China.”—AFP “Demand for leather goods was particularly strong in main- land China and Korea, bringing new, younger luxury cus- tomers to the brand,” Gobbetti added. Burberry also warned that the group’s second quarter, which runs to the end of September, would also be “materially

In this file photo models present creations during a catwalk show In this file photo a flag flies above the entrance to the Burberry for the Burberry Spring/Summer 2020 collection on the fourth day store on Regent Street in central Londonn. of London Fashion Week in London.—AFP photos 28 Friday

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

To advertise on this Page Call: 24833199 ext:101,102 or Direct line: 24835616 / 24835617 or email: [email protected] Friday 31 Health & Science Friday, July 17, 2020 32 Friday

Stars Friday, July 17, 2020

STAR TRACK Country Codes -

Afghanistan 0093 Iran 0098 Albania 00355 Iraq 00964 Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22) Algeria 00213 Ireland 00353 Andorra 00376 Italy 0039 New communications equipment may make what- You tend to be rather intuitive, Libra, but today your psychic Angola 00244 Ivory Coast 00225 ever work you do that much easier to do, Aries. You might have abilities could seem more focused than usual. You're better able to tune Anguilla 001264 Jamaica 001876 in to thoughts, feelings, and events. If you give readings, this is a good day Antiga 001268 Japan 0081 some doubts about your ability to use it, but don't worry. You'll be Argentina 0054 Jordan 00962 able to deal with it as well as anyone. You'll find that it will open for it, because you're apt to be more accurate than usual. Don't do too Armenia 00374 Kazakhstan 007 up new doors for you, both with regard to compiling information many or you could lose your focus and not do anyone else any good. Work Australia 0061 Kenya 00254 and staying in contact with old and new friends. Go to it! steadily and pace yourself. Austria 0043 Kiribati 00686 Bahamas 001242 Kuwait 00965 Bahrain 00973 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Bangladesh 00880 Laos 00856 Barbados 001246 Latvia 00371 Belarus 00375 Lebanon 00961 Belgium 0032 Liberia 00231 Belize 00501 Libya 00218 Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Benin 00229 Lithuania 00370 Bermuda 001441 Luxembourg 00352 A long-term friendship could suddenly develop into Today your mind is apt to be turning to discussions of Bhutan 00975 Macau 00853 something more now, Taurus. You could see this person in a new money, Scorpio. Conversations, perhaps job related, perhaps social Bolivia 00591 Macedonia 00389 light and realize that this is a very attractive human being. It might encounters with friends, could turn to the subject of new income Bosnia 00387 Madagascar 00261 opportunities through modern technology. This is a good time to Botswana 00267 Majorca 0034 come as a shock to you, however, and the idea could take a little Brazil 0055 Malawi 00265 time to get used to. Don't ignore it for that reason. Just approach look into such matters, although you'll probably want to consider Brunei 00673 Malaysia 0060 with caution and see where it takes you. Go with the flow! several before making a decision. Unless you absolutely know what Bulgaria 00359 Maldives 00960 you want, shop around! Burkina 00226 Mali 00223 Burundi 00257 Malta 00356 Cambodia 00855 Marshall Islands 00692 Cameroon 00237 Martinique 00596 Canada 001 Mauritania 00222 Cape Verde 00238 Mauritius 00230 Cayman Islands 001345 Mayotte 00269 Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Central African Republic 00236 Mexico 0052 Chad 00235 Micronesia 00691 Too much is on your mind right now, Gemini, and so you New opportunities, perhaps involving writing or speak- Chile 0056 Moldova 00373 could have trouble sleeping. When you do manage to drop off, you ing, could appear on the horizon along with the current China 0086 Monaco 00377 Colombia 0057 Mongolia 00976 could experience bizarre dreams. This is the only downside to your planetary energy, Sagittarius. You aren't one to take risks on the spur of the moment, so you might want to take all the information into Comoros 00269 Montserrat 001664 present situation, however. Everything else should be going very well. Congo 00242 Morocco 00212 It might help to take a walk at night before you go to bed. This clears consideration before committing to anything. It isn't a good idea to Cook Islands 00682 Mozambique 00258 your head, gets the endorphins going, and works off excess energy. wait too long. Things could change! If what you hear appeals to you, Costa Rica 00506 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 look into it so you don't miss the boat. Croatia 00385 Namibia 00264 Cuba 0053 Nepal 00977 Cyprus 00357 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Czech Republic 00420 New Caledonia 00687 Denmark 0045 New Zealand 0064 ) Diego Garcia 00246 Nicaragua 00505 Cancer (June 21-July 22 Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Djibouti 00253 Nigar 00227 Dominica 001767 Nigeria 00234 Some enlightening conversations could occur today Letters, phone calls, or emails from afar could put Dominican Republic 001809 Niue 00683 you in touch with new, interesting people. These people could Ecuador 00593 Norfolk Island 00672 with a partner, Cancer, possibly romantic, possibly career-related. Egypt 0020 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 New methods of operation could come to your attention, perhaps well bring some fascinating ideas your way, Capricorn. Shared El Salvador 00503 North Korea 00850 involving modern technology that could speed up the process and knowledge can lead to mutual advancement on material and England (UK) 0044 Norway 0047 increase your income. Bear in mind that some of what you hear may spiritual levels. This process just might turn a casual acquain- Equatorial Guinea 00240 Oman 00968 tance into a firm friend. Expect a lot of contact with these peo- Eritrea 00291 Pakistan 0092 not be feasible for a while. Other ideas may never be practicable. Estonia 00372 Palau 00680 Remember to remain objective and check out the facts. ple for a long time to come. Enjoy your day. Ethiopia 00251 Panama 00507 Falkland Islands 00500 Papua New Guinea 00675 Faroe Islands 00298 Paraguay 00595 Fiji 00679 Peru 0051 Finland 00358 Philippines 0063 France 0033 Poland 0048 Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) French Guiana 00594 Portugal 00351 French Polynesia 00689 Puerto Rico 001787 Hard work on a particular enterprise for too long a time Gabon 00241 Qatar 00974 The current aspects encourage cultivating your spirituality, could finally lead to an increase in income, Leo. Creativity or inno- Gambia 00220 Romania 0040 Aquarius. However advanced you are on your spiritual journey, Georgia 00995 Russian Federation 007 vation could be involved. Don't be surprised if you find yourself on there are revelations, awakenings, and new experiences waiting. Germany 0049 Rwanda 00250 the receiving end of compliments. You'll be feeling proud and con- Visit a church or a secluded spot in nature that speaks to you and Ghana 00233 Saint Helena 00290 fident, and you certainly have good reason. Buy yourself a present. Gibraltar 00350 Saint Kitts 001869 soak up the energy. Indulge in some investigation. Check out Take your partner out for a celebration. You deserve it. Greece 0030 Saint Lucia 001758 some books on spirituality and symbols, and pay attention to Greenland 00299 Saint Pierre 00508 your dreams. Grenada 001473 Saint Vincent 001784 Guadeloupe 00590 Samoa US 00684 Guam 001671 Samoa West 00685 Guatemala 00502 San Marino 00378 Guinea 00224 Sao Tone 00239 Guyana 00592 Saudi Arabia 00966 Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) Haiti 00509 Scotland (UK) 0044 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Senegal 00221 You tend to be adventurous at the calmest of times, Virgo. Honduras 00504 Seychelles 00284 A new opportunity could come your way today, Pisces. Today you could be feeling especially daring. You might be tempted to Hong Kong 00852 Sierra Leone 00232 It might seem like a dream come true, the chance you've been Hungary 0036 Singapore 0065 make some radical changes in your life, particularly where your profes- waiting for, but you'll still want to think about it a bit. The reason Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Slovakia 00421 sion is concerned. You could decide to make your living in an offbeat is that it could well disrupt your life, including your romantic cir- Iceland 00354 Slovenia 00386 way, or possibly move to a place you've never considered before. Think India 0091 Solomon Islands 00677 cumstances. Before you commit to anything, check the facts care- about it for a few days. The impetus might pass. If it doesn't, then follow Indian Ocean 00873 Somalia 00252 fully to make sure it's as good as it seems. Either way, you'll be Indonesia 0062 South Africa 0027 your heart. glad you did. Friday

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2020 Business

American Airlines notifies EU court invalidates EU-US data China’s economy bounces back 34 25,000 workers of layoffs 35 transfer tool in Facebook case 36 from pandemic contraction in Q2

WASHINGTON, DC: A man rides a bicycle past the headquarters of the World Bank Group as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank hold their Spring Meetings virtually due to the outbreak of COVID-19, known as coronavirus, in Washington, DC. — AFP IMF: Economy ‘not out of the woods yet’ ECB to sit tight as EU leaders shape virus recovery plan

WASHINGTON: Despite some signs of recov- come, but “these safety nets must be maintained quire “further policy agility and action to secure economic blow from the pandemic, which has ery, the global economy faces continued chal- as needed and, in some cases, expanded,” a durable and shared recovery.” left the eurozone facing its worst downturn lenges, including the possibility of a second Georgieva urged in a blog post. She highlighted Many jobs that have been lost amid the pan- since World War II. wave of COVID-19, and governments should measures including paid sick leave for low-in- demic may never come back, so workers will But ECB chief Christine Lagarde hinted last keep their support programs in place, IMF chief come families and access to health care and un- need support and training to move into new week that the governing council would take a Kristalina Georgieva said yesterday. Activity employment insurance. sectors. “The bottom line is that the pandemic breather to gauge the effectiveness of its meas- “has started to gradually strengthen... But we But the recovery faces risks, she said, includ- is likely to increase poverty and inequality,” she ures so far. “We have done so much that we are not out of the woods yet,” Georgieva said in ing the possibility of “a second major global said but noted that policymakers have “a once- have quite a bit of time to assess (the latest a message to G20 finance ministers ahead of wave of the disease could lead to further dis- in-a-century shot” at building a better, greener data) carefully,” she told the Financial Times. their weekend meeting in Saudi Arabia. The ruptions.” and more equitable world. The ECB meeting comes on the eve of a July Washington-based crisis lender late last month While she acknowledged that the “substan- 17-18 European Union summit in Brussels downgraded its growth forecasts, and now ex- tial and rising debt levels are a serious concern,” No ECB stimulus now where leaders will wrangle over a proposed pects global GDP to fall by 4.9 percent this year Georgieva said, “At this stage in the crisis, how- European Central Bank governors are ex- 750-billion-euro ($847-billion) recovery fund due to the deeper contraction during lockdowns ever, the costs of premature withdrawal are pected to refrain from doling out fresh stimulus to kickstart the bloc’s battered economy. La- than previously anticipated, and only a “tepid greater than continued support where it is medicine yesterday, hoping EU leaders will do garde, who has repeatedly urged governments recovery is expected for next year.” needed.” Many countries have moved to reopen, their bit to shore up the crisis-hit region with a to underpin central bank efforts with fiscal pol- The $11 trillion in stimulus provided by the so, “Clearly, we have entered a new phase of the huge coronavirus recovery plan. The ECB has icy, has called the plan a potential “game G20 nations helped to prevent a worse out- crisis,” she said in a blog post, adding it will re- taken unprecedented action to cushion the changer”.—AFP 34 Friday Business Friday, July 17, 2020 Thai finance minister resigns amid economic team shake-up Thai bankers’ association head expected to be new finance minister

BANGKOK: Thai Finance Minister Uttama Sa- He said he decided to quit his cabinet post to soon a new economic team will replace them,” vanayana resigned yesterday in a move that “lessen possible political pressure, particularly said Tim Leelahaphan, economist at Standard adds uncertainty to policy-making as South- on the prime minister” and to end uncertainty Chartered Bank. The shake-up comes as a east Asia’s worst-performing economy strug- about a rumored cabinet reshuffle. Thai Bankers’ process is underway to pick a new governor of gles to recover from the impact of the Association President Predee Daochai is ex- the Bank of Thailand (BOT), who will inherit in- COVID-19 crisis. pected to be the next finance minister, accord- terest rates near zero percent, a stubbornly Two other ministers and economic policy ing to media reports. strong currency and a mountain of household czar Somkid Jatusripitak also resigned, in a Prayuth said the cabinet reshuffle would take debt. The central bank predicts Thailand’s econ- major cabinet shake-up that left investors anx- place by next month, having earlier said it would omy will shrink by a record 8.1 percent this year. ious over who would lead Southeast Asia’s sec- happen in September. “We have to reshuffle the Sethaput Suthiwart-Narueput, a former ond-largest economy out of a deep slump. cabinet so there won’t be a gap. It must be done World Bank economist and an economic advisor The departure of Uttama comes as the gov- as quickly as possible ... no later than next to the prime minister, is leading in the race to be ernment rolls out billions of dollars of stimulus month,” Prayuth told reporters. new governor, according to media reports. “The measures to support the economy through the In the meantime, Deputy Finance Minister markets are anxious who will fill the shoes of the pandemic, which has battered tourism and do- Santi Promphat would run the day-to-day af- economic portfolios, as the change also has im- mestic activity. “It’s an appropriate time to re- fairs of the ministry. Thosaporn Sirisumphand, plications for the central bank governor’s selec- sign,” Uttama told reporters, adding it was his secretary-general of the state planning agency, tion process,” said Kobsidthi Silpachai, head of own decision and he was under “no pressure” is reported to be the favorite to replace Deputy capital markets research at Kasikornbank. to leave. Prime Minister Somkid, according to media. The Charnon Boonnuch, economist at Nomura in BANGKOK: Thailand’s Finance Minister Uttama Sa- Uttama and the two ministers quit the ruling energy minister and the minister of Higher Ed- Singapore, said “elevated political uncertainty vanayana wearing a protective face mask gestures Palang Pracharat party of Prime Minister ucation, Science, Research and Innovation also remains an important headwind to the economy, as he attends a press conference at Government Prayuth Chan-ocha last week after Uttama was resigned as part of the shake-up. as it is an obstacle to long-term reform and House in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday.—AFP replaced as party leader late last month. “One of the most immediate issues is how large-scale investment”. — Reuters American Airlines US banks set aside notifies 25,000 billions as buffer workers of layoffs against bad loans

NEW YORK: Three major US banks have set aside an additional NEW YORK: American Airlines is notifying 25,000 workers $23 billion as a backstop against bad loans, highlighting the brittle that they could be furloughed beginning October 1, executives state of the US economy due to the coronavirus pandemic, the said Wednesday, the latest major carrier to warn about massive companies said Tuesday. Even amid gradual signs of a rebound layoffs. Although the number of layoffs may be minimized as businesses reopen, the measures to contain COVID-19 have through voluntary departures, American will have more than caused a devastating hit and millions of lost jobs in the world’s 20,000 excess workers on payroll due to a profound downturn largest economy. That has raised fears companies will find it hard in business caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Chief Execu- to pay their debts and households will not be able to pay their tive Doug Parker and President Robert Isom said in a memo to home mortgages, car loans and credit cards. The three banks suf- employees. fered a collective hit of $5 billion from bad loans in the latest quar- Like other major airlines, the executives said the cost-cutting would be needed due to lackluster ticket sales amid fading ter, and while executives said they hoped that would mark the hopes for a speedy bounceback in travel from COVID-19. “With deepest hit from credit issues, they acknowledged that the health infection rates increasing and several states reestablishing of the loans depends on the evolution of COVID-19. quarantine restrictions, demand for air travel is slowing again,” The virus cases and death toll have worsened in the US since they said. the end of the quarter on June 30, leading officials in California, US carriers that received government aid under the CARES Texas and other states to revive restrictions after reopening their Act cannot lay off workers until after September 30. American’s economies. “The pandemic has a grip on the economy and it layoff notices went to 2,500 pilots, 9,500 flight attendants, doesn’t seem likely to loosen until vaccines are widely available,” 3,200 maintenance staff and 1,000 reservations agents. said Citigroup Chief Executive Michael Corbat. The executives said they “hope to reduce the actual number Corbat said consumer spending in states with bad COVID-19 of furloughs significantly through enhanced leave and early-out trends had declined somewhat in recent weeks, but not as much programs for represented workgroups, which we are announc- as in the “darkest days” earlier in the spring. JPMorgan Chase ing today.” American’s announcement is similar to one from beefed up its reserves with another $8.9 billion, more than the United Airlines last week that warned of as many as 36,000 lay- backstop in the first quarter, and now expects a more “protracted” offs. Southwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines also signaled they economic recovery, Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Piepszak said. JPMorgan Chief Executive Jamie Dimon said the bank was may have to cut jobs if voluntary programs do not achieve WASHINGTON: A passenger walks past empty American Air- “prepared for all eventualities as our fortress balance sheet allows enough savings. lines check-in terminals at Ronald Reagan Washington Na- Delta Chief Executive Ed Bastian said Tuesday that 17,000 us to remain a port in the storm.” Meanwhile, Citigroup added tional Airport in Arlington, Virginia. American Airlines is employees had agreed to voluntary departures and he hoped $5.6 billion in reserves also due to “deterioration” of the outlook, more workers would step forward, “minimizing, if not eliminat- notifying 25,000 workers that they could be furloughed begin- as well as downgrades in loan quality due to the virus, the bank ing, the need for involuntary furloughs.”— AFP ning October 1.-—AFP said in a statement.—AFP Friday 35 Business Friday, July 17, 2020 EU court invalidates EU-US data transfer tool in Facebook case

LUXEMBOURG: Europe’s top If the court had invalidated those court yesterday rejected the valid- clauses, companies could have to ity of a mechanism used by thou- suspend the data transfers that un- sands of companies to send data to derpin standard contractual clauses the United States, backing con- or face hefty fines for breach of EU cerns about US surveillance raised privacy laws. Other options are by privacy activist Max Schrems in costly and complex and seldom his clash with Facebook. used. The case - C-311/18 Face- The EU-US Privacy Shield was book Ireland and Schrems - went to set up in 2016 to protect the per- the Court of Justice of the Euro- sonal data of Europeans when it is pean Union (CJEU) in Luxembourg transferred across the Atlantic for after Schrems challenged Face- commercial use. The same court book’s use of the standard clauses, also rejected its predecessor, saying they lacked sufficient data known as Safe Harbour, in 2015. protection safeguards. “In respect of certain surveil- Schrems shot to fame for win- lance programs, those provisions ning a legal battle in 2015 to over- do not indicate any limitations on turn Safe Harbour. EU concerns the power they confer to implement about data transfers mounted after those programs, or the existence of former US intelligence contractor guarantees for potentially targeted Edward Snowden’s revelations in non-U.S. persons,” the EU Court of 2013 of mass US surveillance. Justice said. “It looks perfect,” The Irish Data Protection agency, Schrems said in a spontaneous re- which is Facebook’s lead regulator, action when the ruling hit headlines took the case to the Irish High Court, at his office in Vienna. which then sought guidance from However, judges upheld the va- the CJEU. Last December, a CJEU lidity of another data transfer adviser said such data transfer mechanism known as standard con- mechanisms were legal with the tractual clauses but stressed that caveat that they could be blocked privacy watchdogs must suspend if countries receiving such infor- or prohibit transfers outside the EU mation fail to meet European data if the protection of the data cannot protection standards. In the EU, be ensured. Hundreds of thousands the General Data Protection Reg- of companies including Facebook, ulation (GDPR), introduced in industrial giants and carmakers use 2018, seeks to increase individu- these clauses to transfer Euro- als’ control over their personal in- peans’ data around the world for formation. Companies that fail to services ranging from cloud infra- comply are liable to fines of up to structure, data hosting, payroll and 4 percent of global annual finance to marketing. turnover. — Reuters

A Facebook App logo is displayed on a smartphone in Arlington, Virginia. A crucial data arrangement between Europe and the US was invalidated yes- terday throwing trans-Atlantic big tech into legal limbo. —AFP 36 Friday Business Friday, July 17, 2020 China’s economy bounces back from pandemic contraction in Q2 Xi promises continued expansion ahead, urges foreign firms to be a part of it BEIJING: China’s economy returned to growth in unfair advantages to Chinese companies, and the second quarter following a coronavirus con- added that it was “the right choice to stay rooted traction, with President Xi Jinping promising con- in China”. tinued expansion ahead and urging foreign However, in a sign that full recovery could take companies to be a part of it. time, retail sales-a key indication of consumer sen- The forecast-beating figures released yester- timent-fell short of forecasts, shrinking 1.8 percent day follow a string of data showing the world’s on-year in June, suggesting continued reticence number two economy slowly emerging from the about going out to spend even as the virus ap- pandemic, and should provide hope to other gov- pears largely under control in China. The data also ernments looking to recover from a crisis that has failed to lift Asian markets, led by Shanghai, which likely caused a global recession. Gross domestic tanked 4.5 percent having rallied around 15 per- product expanded 3.2 percent in April-June, the cent this month. National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said, smashing “No matter how much stimulus and fiscal sugar expectations and a massive improvement on the you try to entice consumers with, they will not BEIJING: Pedestrians wearing face masks cross a street in Beijing yesterday. China’s economy returned to 6.8 percent contraction in the first quarter. leave their apartment and go on a spending spree growth in the second quarter, rebounding more strongly than expected from a historic contraction caused In a letter to members of the Global CEO until they feel confident the landscape is virus- by the coronavirus outbreak, official data showed yesterday. — AFP Council, Xi said “the fundamentals of China’s long- free,” said AxiCorp strategist Stephen Innes. The term economic growth have not changed and will retail sector occupies an increasingly crucial role not change”, according to state media. He reiter- in China’s economy as leaders look to consumers, needed as external demand weakens, but Innes noted tion remains the “weakest link” among indicators, al- ated repeated pledges to continue opening up an rather than trade and investment, to drive growth. it is easier to normalize supply than demand. Louis though China’s economic upturn is expected to con- economy that many foreign businesses say offers A domestic consumption pick-up is especially Kuijs of Oxford Economics said household consump- tinue in the second half of 2020. — AFP

to identify their needs and to tailor campaigns and park is well known for its excellent rail and road ac- NBK launches its offers accordingly, that is why our campaigns are Kamco Invest cessibility. Samsung has been a tenant at the prop- well-received by our customers,” she added. Con- erty since 2010 and have expanded their occupancy cluding his statements, said: “The benefits of salary acquires 3 office in 2013. The Regus occupation is one of the serviced salary transfer transfer to NBK are not limited to the unique and offices leader’s flagship UK operations as Regus has exceptional offers our customers can get, but extend also been present at the property since 2010. campaign for 2020 to include an integrated banking experience of top- assets in UK Mohammad Al-Othman, Executive Director of notch banking services and cutting-edge payment Real Estate Investments at Kamco Invest said, “This KUWAIT: Kamco Invest, a regional non-banking KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) is keen solutions that reflect NBK’s leadership, huge poten- acquisition falls in line with our commitment to financial powerhouse with one of the largest AUMs on rewarding its customers by launching un- tials and professional team working passionately to grow our real estate platform with prime assets, in the region, announced that it has successfully ac- matched and exceptional campaigns. In this con- meet customers’ needs all over the year.” providing alternative investment solutions. In the quired three office assets, comprised of two single- text, the bank launched its annual Salary Transfer When transferring their salary to the bank, past few years, we have managed to build a suc- let properties in Bristol, England and Hamilton, Campaign for 2020, which is specifically designed NBK Customers get many benefits including an cessful track record, while expanding on our inter- Scotland, a notable Glasgow office submarket, and to meet customers’ needs and pro- array of banking services using cut- national real estate platform to $1.2 a multi-let property in Surrey, England, vide them with a unique opportunity ting-edge, highly secure technology, billion in total transaction value. located on the outskirts of London. to get their dream car or travel to as customers can make their banking Moreover, the latest acquisitions The three properties are fully their destination of choice. transactions quickly and easily at any demonstrate the viability of our re- leased and occupied by financially Through its Salary Transfer time through NBK Digital Banking gional office strategy, especially in a creditworthy tenants, that are ex- Campaign this year, NBK offers new Channels, basically NBK Mobile pected to generate a net cash yield of post COVID-19 environment. We be- customers who transfer their Banking. NBK always strives to add 8.5 percent per annum. The proper- lieve that out-of-town office markets salaries to the bank, the opportunity frequent upgrades to NBK Mobile ties cover a total area of approxi- in developed economies would ben- to choose between a 0 percent in- Banking, as some services have wit- mately 208,262 sq ft of office space efit from positive trends in regional terest auto loan up to KD 25,000 nessed great demand from cus- office demand in response to tomers, such as NBK Quick Pay, with an average unexpired lease term from participating car dealers, or Amal Al-Duwaisan of 7 years. Mohammad Al-Othman COVID-19 prevention measures.” earning miles with NBK-Kuwait which is an easy and quick way to Al-Othman concluded, “The three transfer and receive money, and e- Everything Everywhere (EE), a Airways (Oasis Club) Visa Cards, al- acquired properties are all situated in Payments, which enables customers British mobile network operator and lowing them to travel to London or any other fa- internet service provider that is part of the largest areas that have witnessed a high demand for Grade vorite destination included in Kuwait Airways to shop and pay online conveniently at any time, including bill payment for the following companies: communications company in Britain, BT Group, oc- A offices and benefit from the surrounding devel- Oasis Club Program, noting that the participating Telecom companies, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, cupies the Bristol property, located on Aztec West, oped infrastructure. Kamco invest will continue to car dealers are: Lexus - Al-Sayer, Mercedes-Benz Apple Music, Skype and Spotify. Bristol’s premier business park. EE services more explore unique opportunities that emphasize the - Al-Mulla and Nissan - Al-Babtain. Customers can also choose between a wide than 31 million connections across its mobile, fixed, Company’s determination to provide diverse and in- Additionally, customers who are not willing to range of NBK Credit Cards that best suit their and wholesale networks. Scottish Power (SP) occu- novative income generating asset streams.” apply for an auto loan can get a 0 percent-interest needs while offering a distinctive lifestyle, benefits pies the Hamilton property on Hamilton International It is worth noting that Kamco Invest manages loan up to KD 15,000. Commenting on launching and rewards. Moreover, the bank’s wide network Park, one of Scotland’s premier business parks. SP is currently 15 Grade “A” international commercial the campaign, Amal Al-Duwaisan, Executive Man- of branches spread all over Kuwait and abroad in one of the UK’s largest energy companies and forms properties in US, UK and Europe and leased to ager - Consumer Banking Group, National Bank of 15 countries, as well as its network of ATMs and part of the ‘Big Six.’ The company supplies over 5 tenants with strong financial positions and credit- Kuwait said: “Our Salary Transfer Campaign this CDMS ensure the bank’s availability to serve its million households and businesses across the UK. SP worthiness. The total value of assets under man- year is totally exceptional, as it offers our cus- customers whenever they are around the globe. is a subsidiary of Spanish giant Iberdrola, one of the agement is $1.2 billion. The properties generate an tomers various financing opportunities that are tai- The bank constantly strive to offer its customers largest electric utility companies in the world, sup- estimated average annual cash yield of 8 percent. lored to meet their expectations.” the best, most advanced and secure banking ex- plying electricity to 100 million customers. Furthermore, the RE team has successfully con- “The current crisis has not dissuaded us from perience, coupled with outstanding campaigns all Samsung and Regus PLC occupy the Surrey cluded four exits, achieving an average net equity maintaining a close relationship with our customers year round. property, located on Hillswood Business Park. The IRR of 9.63 percent. Friday 37 Sports Friday, July 17, 2020 Marquez chases 7th MotoGP title as Rossi hopes to prolong career

World championship finally gets underway behind closed doors

PARIS: The MotoGP world championship finally Rossi will have to choose between dropping gets underway at Jerez on Sunday, behind to a less prestigious bike, probably Yamaha’s closed doors and more than four months late, satellite team or ending his illustrious career. “I with Marc Marquez going for a seventh top- want to continue racing and it is almost certain class title to match Valentino Rossi who is “99 that I’ll be with Yamaha-Petronas in 2021,” he percent” certain this will not be his farewell sea- assured Sky Italia on Wednesday. The first races son. Marquez, the 27-year-old Spaniard who will give an idea of his ability to fight for the top won MotoGP world titles in 2013, 2014, 2016, spots, or even one final victory, which would be 2017, 2018 and 2019, is determined to continue his 90th at the highest level. He already holds the demolishing the competition on his Honda, with record, with 21 more wins than Giacomo Agos- his younger brother Alex, who won last year’s tini. Marquez is third on 56. Moto2 title, as his team-mate for just one season. In the meantime, the 21-year-old Quartararo Jerez in Spain hosts the first two races a week will continue to develop at Yamaha-SRT where apart. The championship will then move to the he finished fifth in the standings last season, his Czech Republic for one race, and then to Austria first at the highest level, after a string of podium for the next two, probably still without specta- finishes. Despite four second places, all behind tors. Eight months have passed since the last Marquez, the rider from Nice is still chasing his Grand Prix, five since the last practice and first victory in MotoGP, which would also be a climbing back on a MotoGP saddle may not be first for a French rider at this level since Regis JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA: Repsol Honda Team’s Spanish rider Marc Marquez rides during the MotoGP easy. Laconi gained his solitary win in 1999. Ducati, test of the Spanish Grand Prix at the Jerez racetrack in Jerez de la Frontera on July 15, 2020. — AFP After a long period of lockdown, Marc and who have not won a title since 2007, keep the Alex Marquez only resumed motocross training Italian duo of Andrea Dovizioso, a distant sec- in the past few weeks. For Rossi, at 41, the future ond to Marquez last season, and Danilo Petrucci. Espargaro, who will replace Alex Marquez at be replaced, for now, by British rider Bradley is uncertain. The Italian dominated MotoGP in Suzuki again seem to be underdogs after Honda next year. Alongside him is South Smith. With the delayed season-opener just the first decade of the century, taking the world just two podium finishes last year, a pair of vic- African rookie Brad Binder, second in the days away Yamaha team director Massimo title in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008 and tories by Spaniard Alex Rins. The blue and Moto2 championship in 2019. Meregalli echoed the thoughts of all on the 2009, but has not won a race since 2017. The white riders need to be more consistent if they The sixth and final factory team, Aprilia, will MotoGP grid when he said: “Maverick Doctor already knows this is his last season for are to fulfil the promise the bikes showed in start the season without Italian rider Andrea (Vinales) and Vale are both fired up and ready the factory Yamaha team which has announced February testing. Austrian team KTM had a Iannone, who is appealing an 18-month ban to hop onto their bikes, and also the rest of the that he will be replaced next season by young tough time last year with a skittish machine, and after testing positive for anabolic steroids at team is impatient to get started and do what we Frenchman Fabio Quartararo. are lining up for the last time with Spaniard Pol the Malaysian Grand Prix in November. He will love the most, so let’s go!”— AFP

ahead to the Budapest weekend following his vic- Hamilton wants racing tory at the Styrian Grand Prix last Sunday. has had to deal with. “It is strange to get “I’ve always loved it, Hungary. “Budapest and LPGA braced for started in a time in which we know we’re records, racial justice Montreal you’d probably say have been my going to have positive results no matter strongest so I’m excited to go back-it is a track tests, tournament what we build,” said Whan during a confer- ahead of Hungarian GP where the Red Bulls usually do well so it’s not ence call. “It won’t be anybody’s fault per going to be easy.” Red Bull’s Max Verstappen se but positive results happen. seeks to end Mercedes’ winning start to the cancellations “I’m excited about the schedule we have BUDAPEST: Four days after one of his most con- COVID-19 delayed season and prevent the cham- remaining for 2020; and at the same time, summate and memorable triumphs, Lewis Hamil- pion team completing a season-opening hat-trick. SYLVANIA: The LPGA Tour, the elite 120 days into coronavirus, I realize we are ton returns to one of his favourite circuits this The Dutchman came home third behind Hamil- women’s professional golf circuit, will restart really not in charge of that schedule. “I fully weekend with more than another Formula One ton and his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, its COVID-19-interrupted season this month believe we’ll lose another event or two or record in his sights. As he prepares for the Hun- who won the season-opener at the Red Bull Ring, expecting positive tests and as many as three along the way.” While the Drive On garian Grand Prix at the tight and twisty Hun- on Sunday and admitted he did not have the out- three events to be cancelled, commissioner Championship will be held without specta- garoring circuit, 25 kilometers north of Budapest, right speed to match them. His team boss Christian Mike Whan said on Wednesday. Whan was tors, Whan confirmed that the Tour is still the six-time world champion will draw on his ex- Horner, however, believes Red Bull can close that positive but realistic discussing the LPGA’s considering allowing fans into the Marathon perience and his momentum as he pursues twin gap at the slower Hungaroring, but Verstappen is plans for a relaunch with two events in Ohio LPGA Classic even as the number of posi- goals of a seventh drivers’ title and making lasting less certain. “I don’t know,” he said. “But, for sure, starting with the Drive On Championship tive COVID-19 tests surges across parts of progress in the global anti-racism campaign for I hope it’s going to be better.” three-day event from July 31 to Aug. 2 in the United States. New cases are averaging equality, diversity and justice. Toledo followed the next week by the around 60,000 a day and more than Hamilton has enjoyed seven previous victories Ferrari under fire Marathon LPGA Classic in Sylvania. 136,000 Americans have died from the in Hungary and on Sunday can draw level with Behind Red Bull’s expected bid to catch Mer- The LPGA will benefit from using many highly contagious respiratory illness. Michael Schumacher’s landmark of claiming eight cedes, there could be a closely-fought scrap as of the same health and safety protocols The PGA had hoped to have fans this at the same Grand Prix. Schumacher reeled off under-performing and under-pressure Ferrari employed by the PGA Tour which has week at the Memorial Tournament at Muir- eight triumphs at the French Grand Prix, at Magny seeking some solace after a bruising weekend last staged five tournaments since it returned to field Village in Columbus, Ohio but a spike in Cours, between 1994 and 2006, a feat that Hamil- time out. The Italian team’s involvement lasted action. But even with rigid testing and com- cases prompted Tour officials to announce ton hopes to emulate. “Whenever I am reminded only three corners at the Red Bull Ring before prehensive safety measures Whan is there will be no spectators at any events the of the records that Michael had, it’s just still mind- their drivers collided, leaving them as red-faced braced for positive tests just as the PGA rest of the season. —Reuters blowing to me,” said Hamilton when he looked as their cars.—AFP 38 Friday Sports Friday, July 17, 2020 Juventus ‘7 points clear’ after a dramatic Sassuolo 3-3 draw Kessie inspires Milan comeback as Napoli held at Bologna

MILAN: Serie A leaders Juventus continued to stut- Juventus lost 4-2 to AC Milan and needed a 90th- ter towards a ninth straight league title as they threw minute Cristiano Ronaldo penalty to snatch a 2-2 away a two-goal lead before settling for a thrilling 3- draw with Atalanta in their previous two games. The 3 draw at Sassuolo on Wednesday. Juventus are Turin giants next host Lazio on Monday after Ata- seven points ahead of Atalanta, who thrashed Brescia lanta visit Verona at the weekend looking to cut the 6-2 on Tuesday, with five games left to play after their gap to four points. “Now we must not do calculations winless run was extended to three matches. Lazio but only think game by game,” added Sarri. Inter missed the chance to retake second and cut the gap Milan still harbour hopes of a late title push and could to Juve to six points with a goalless draw against jump from fourth to second, six points behind Juve, Udinese and are one point behind Atalanta in third. when they travel to face SPAL on Thursday. “A coach demands continuity and at this moment we Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio, who were only one point don’t have it physically and mentally,” said Juventus adrift when Serie A returned following the coron- coach Maurizio Sarri. avirus lockdown, were held by Udinese after three “We had very good moments that alternated with consecutive defeats, as their hopes of a first Scudetto difficult moments. “It should also be said that we are in two decades suffered another blow. City rivals facing teams that arrive in great shape, such as Ata- Roma, in fifth, continued their good form with a 2-1 lanta and Sassuolo. We have to solve the problem of win over ninth-placed Hellas Verona thanks to a Jor- these ups and downs.” Juventus were two goals up dan Veretout penalty and an Edin Dzeko header. within 12 minutes thanks to Brazilian Danilo and Gon- Roma are four points ahead of Napoli and AC Milan. zalo Higuain. But despite the return of captain Gior- gio Chiellini, the Turin giants showed signs of Milan close in on Europe weakness in defense again and have now conceded AC Milan boosted their Europa League hopes 11 goals in five games. with a 3-1 comeback win over Parma to move level REGGIO EMILIA: Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Italian Serie A football match Sas- Sassuolo took advantage, with Filip Djuricic on points with sixth-placed Napoli who were held suolo vs Juventus Turin played behind closed doors on July 15, 2020 at the Mapei stadium in Reggio Emilia. —AFP pulling one back for the hosts just before the half- 1-1 at Bologna. Stefano Pioli’s Milan are unbeaten in hour mark, before Domenico Berardi curled in a free- seven league games since the resumption. Goals Napoli’s Italian Cup triumph. Musa Barrow grabbed the equaliser 10 minutes kick on 50 minutes and Francesco Caputo blasted in from Franck Kessie, Alessio Romagnoli and Hakan Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso said he was from time for the hosts. “We have to play to pre- a third four minutes later. Alex Sandro headed Juven- Calhanoglu saw off 12th-placed Parma who had worried ahead of the Champions League last-16 pare for Barcelona and with performances like this tus level with 26 minutes to play, but the defending taken the lead thanks to a Jasmin Kurtic goal just be- second leg against Barcelona after his side let a we will not go anywhere,” said Gattuso. Sampdoria champions had goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to fore the break at the San Siro. Milan sit six points lead slip against Bologna. Kostas Manolas’ diving moved further away from the relegation zone with thank for securing a point as the Pole pulled off a clear of eighth-placed Sassuolo, with seventh likely header from a Matteo Politano corner put the vis- Federico Bonazzoli scoring a brace in a 3-0 win string of late saves. to be enough for a Europa League spot due to itors ahead on just seven minutes. But in-form over 11th-placed Cagliari.—AFP

Chaotic campaign Barcelona reflect on A chaotic campaign began with defeat by Athletic Bilbao and has witnessed a managerial change and a scandal af- fecting the club’s president and hierarchy. It is likely to end Porto secure 29th catalogue of errors with no domestic silverware for the first time since the 2007-08 season. Lionel Messi, meanwhile, has looked in- Portuguese title as title slips away creasingly frustrated, lashing out at sporting director Eric Abidal in January and the board in March over the handling LISBON: Porto clinched their 29th Portuguese Primeira Liga title on BARCELONA: Barring a miracle, Barcelona’s recent grip on of a pay-cut. With the benefit of hindsight, sacking Ernesto Wednesday with two games to spare after a 2-0 win over Sporting Lis- the La Liga title is coming to an end and there is a deep sense Valverde in January when the team were top of the table bon. Sergio Conceicao’s men went into the match needing only a point of frustration within the club and among fans at how this sea- looks like a big mistake. to secure the league due to their superior head-to-head record over son has gone, with an overriding sense that they have thrown Barca may not have been playing thrill-a-minute football second-placed Benfica. The victory ensured they won the championship it away. Barca were in pole position for a third consecutive title under Valverde but he had led them to the last two titles by a in style, moving eight points clear of last season’s champions Benfica when the campaign re-started in June but have drawn three of landslide and was popular among the leading players. Succes- who have won a record 37 titles. Porto only led Benfica by one point their nine games while Real have been on a relentless run of sor Quique Setien was not the club’s first choice and although when the campaign resumed following the coronavirus lockdown last victories and need two points from two games to lift the tro- the 61-year-old’s commitment to attacking football sounded month, but their old rivals have faltered and coach Bruno Lage was re- phy. “If we have lost the league it’s because we let it slip away,” appealing to purists, the transition has not gone well. The team placed as coach with their title defense in tatters. The home side got off Barca striker Luis Suarez told newspaper Sport. have often looked predictable and only produced one top dis- to a nervy start at the Estadio do Dragao, as Sporting forward Andraz “You can look for excuses and point to what happened in play, a 4-1 thrashing of Villarreal, while Setien has admitted to Sporar saw a goal ruled out by VAR for offside in the very first minute. other games (involving Real) but we have to be aware that being out of his depth, ill-equipped to dealing with the needs Midfielder Danilo Pereira scored just his second league goal this term of Barca’s big-name players. in the 64th minute though, allowing Porto to cruise through the rest of we let it escape due to our own errors.” Barca first dropped Ahead of his side’s last home game of the season against the game. Mali striker Moussa Marega added a second in injury-time, points after the re-start by drawing 0-0 at Sevilla while the Osasuna, Setien shouldered the blame for not winning the title his 11th of the triumphant campaign. Porto, Benfica and Sporting have campaign truly unraveled in a 2-2 draw with relegation-fight- won the Portuguese league title every year bar two between them since ing Celta Vigo. They also drew 2-2 with Atletico Madrid next. but paid tribute to Real Madrid for their relentless run. “I ac- the inaugural season in 1934-35. But Benfica had been dominant in re- “We lost a huge opportunity as if we’d have beaten Celta cept some responsibility but not all of it. These assessments cent years, with this only Porto’s second championship since 2013 after things would have gone better against Atletico. The real blow always focus on the coach but I don’t feel I’ve done things too also taking the spoils in the 2017-18 season. —AFP was in Vigo, that last-minute goal by (Iago) Aspas. That hurt badly because we drew three games,” he said. “I would give a lot,” Suarez added. more credit to Madrid for winning every game.” —Reuters Friday 39 Sports Friday, July 17, 2020 Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-1 to end ‘record bid’ Manchester City sink Bournemouth LONDON: Arsenal ended Liverpool’s bid to set a Arteta’s side go into Saturday’s FA Cup semi- new Premier League points record with a 2-1 win final against Manchester City in good spirits over the champions, while Manchester City after bouncing back from Sunday’s defeat at pushed Bournemouth closer to relegation with a north London rivals Tottenham. 2-1 victory on Wednesday. Jurgen Klopp’s side “In terms of energy and happiness in the needed to win their final three games of the season dressing room before the semi-final, it’s a good to break Manchester City’s record of 100 points medicine,” Arteta said. “To beat this team you set in 2018. They were on course when Sadio have to have moments in the game when you Mane opened the scoring with a clinical finish take your chances, defend and have a bit of from Andrew Robertson’s cross at the Emirates luck.” Manchester City had enjoyed a big win off Stadium. But two careless mistakes condemned the field already this week with their appeal to Liverpool to a third league defeat this season. the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturning a Virgil van Dijk’s wayward backpass went two-season ban from playing in European com- petitions, freeing up Pep Guardiola’s men to play straight to Alexandre Lacazette, who rounded in the Champions League next season. Reds keeper Alisson Becker to slot home in the Guardiola left Aymeric Laporte, Kevin De 32nd minute. Alisson was guilty of an equally Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez on the costly blunder when his pass out was inter- bench against Bournemouth to keep them fresh cepted by Lacazette and he picked out 20-year- for Wembley, but City still had too much quality in old Reiss Nelson for a cool close-range finish. the form of David Silva and Gabriel Jesus. Silva Liverpool have failed to win three of their five showed why he will be so missed when he leaves matches since clinching the title. They have 93 at the end of the season, the midfielder curling a points and with just two games left and can only free-kick in off the underside of the crossbar after LONDON: Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (left) has this shot saved during reach 99 at the end of their first title-winning six minutes. Jesus was ruthless in the 39th minute the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates campaign for 30 years. as he wriggled between two weak Bournemouth Stadium in London on July 15, 2020. — AFP “Twice there was a massive lack of concen- challenges before firing into the far corner to score tration. We took a break after 1-0. Those two for the third consecutive game City finally con- moments killed the game for us,” Klopp said. ceded for the first time in five home games since had a problem in our build-up,” Guardiola said. two games to play after Chris Wood’s 96th-minute “You can’t win games when you concede the restart when David Brooks turned home Cal- Defeat leaves Bournemouth still three points adrift spot-kick gave Burnley a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor. chances like that. We have to learn from it, 100 lum Wilson’s cross two minutes from time. “It was of safety from Watford and West Ham, who face It was not until 14 minutes from time that the vis- per cent.” Arsenal climb to ninth place as they a really difficult game. We started well in the first each other on Friday. Wolves remain three points itors broke the deadlock thanks to Raul Jimenez’s chase qualification for the Europa League. Mikel 10 or 15 minutes of the second half but then we adrift of the Champions League places with just stunning strike on the half-volley. — AFP

ference on Wednesday. “We’ve done fantastic since we restarted. Man U ‘on right track’ We started with the draw against Tottenham of course but then had a great run. That little bit of a setback is a test for mentalities.” Perth set to host 30,000 as they hunt CL spot Asked if this was the best Manchester United team since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, Solskjaer said: “I don’t think that’s my job fans amid easing curbs to say... but of course we’ve played some good football, some en- LONDON: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his Manchester United side joyable football. “Now it is about consistency. We know we’re are “getting closer” to the standards demanded at Old Trafford as privileged to play for this great club and represent this great club PERTH: Australia’s most isolated city will become the spec- they focus on reaching the Champions League (CL). United con- and there’s a certain expectation on how we should play football tator capital of the world on Sunday when 30,000 fans de- ceded a late goal against Southampton on Monday to draw 2-2, end- and we’re getting closer and closer to that type of team.” Solskjaer scend upon Perth Stadium as Australian Rules football ing a run of four straight Premier League wins. The result left said his team, unbeaten in 18 matches in all competitions, had made resumes in the country’s west amid easing COVID-19 restric- Solskjaer’s men in fifth place in the table but they are assured of a major strides during the 2019/20 campaign. “We’ve come a long tions. Tickets for the fiercely contested local derby between top-four finish if they win their remaining games against Crystal way in this season,” he said. “I think we’ve hurried this process up the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles have been Palace, West Ham and fellow Champions League hopefuls Leicester. by quite a distance with what we’ve done since we started this sea- snapped up by sports-starved locals, with the Western Aus- The Norwegian boss said his message to his players ahead of son.” Solskjaer steered clear of the debate about Financial Fair Play tralia government announcing the stadium could operate at Thursday’s trip to Crystal Palace was to keep on doing what they and the lifting of Manchester City’s European ban this week by the half-capacity. had been doing and “trust yourselves”. “You’re at a club where it Court of Arbitration for Sport. Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho “It’s an incredible thing to have (football) back and I’m always boils down to the last couple of weeks, or two or three branded the CAS decision “a disgrace” and Liverpool boss Jurgen sure everyone’s missed it dearly,” former Fremantle coach games in the season anyway,” he said at his pre-match press con- Klopp said Monday was not “a good day for football”. — AFP Gerard Neesham told Reuters. “It (fills) a big void in people’s normal lives. They look forward to the football season, it oc- cupies a lot of positive time for them.” The state - which will on June 19. Shterev, the son of Bulgaria’s legendary wrestling also serve as a quarantine hub for visiting teams - is advanc- coach Simeon Shterev, won the Dan Kolov international tourna- Bulgarian ex-wrestler ing through a phased reopening of its economy, with the re- ment in 2011 in the 125-kilogramme category and also became a turn of full crowds earmarked for Aug. 1. national champion in the same category in 2018. Social-distancing restrictions have deprived top-flight Shterev dies of COVID He ended his career late last year after testing positive for the Australian Football League (AFL) clubs of significant crowd banned substance cardarine and receiving a four-year ban from support until now. Like most sports leagues around the globe, competition. Shterev’s father, who led Bulgarian female wrestler SOFIA: Former Bulgarian wrestling champion Nikolay Shterev matches have been played behind closed doors or to a smat- Stanka Zlateva to two Olympic and multiple world and European died Wednesday of COVID-19, the country’s wrestling federation tering of spectators. — Reuters said in a statement. The 33-year-old Shterev did not recover from championships medals, has also been infected with the virus but the virus after being admitted to hospital in a serious condition is recovering. — AFP Established 1961 h i il i h bi lf

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FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2020

LONDON: Arsenal’s French striker Alexandre Lacazette (center) vies for the ball against Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Fabinho during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on July 15, 2020. — AFP

Arsenal hand Liverpool 2-1 loss; end record bid See Page 39