SHAWWAL 10, 1441 AH TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2020

20 Pages Max 48º Min 30º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 18145 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

India expels Pak embassy Stalled Aussie migrant boom Traced Bashir regime Sancho nets hat-trick, protests 8 officials for alleged spying 9 derails golden economic run 16 assets ‘tip of iceberg’ 20 US killing as Dortmund cruise

MPs demand probe into graft charges; Nazaha cooperating MP files to grill education minister • Lawmakers want rent relief for small shops

By B Izzak tion minister for refusing to scrap the school year over the coronavirus. Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem KUWAIT: Five MPs have submitted a proposal said the Assembly is likely to meet within the next calling to form a parliamentary committee to investi- two weeks and the grilling has been placed on the gate allegations of money laundering and corruption agenda of the first session. related to the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund and Kandari said his grilling of Education Minister illicit activities in North Korea. The government has Saud Al-Harbi comprises just the issue of the minis- already referred the issue to the public prosecution ter’s insistence to resume the school year amid the for investigations as MP Hamdan Al-Azemi called for outbreak of the pandemic, thus endangering the publishing the names of those allegedly involved in lives of hundreds of thousands of students and the scam. teachers. He said the minister has ignored repeated The Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) stressed appeals by several lawmakers to end the year and Sunday that it is fully cooperating with the public has been the only minister who did not live up to prosecution regarding global reports of a relation- government efforts of fighting the disease. ship between Kuwait and the 1Malaysia Kandari also accused the minister of mismanage- Development Berhad, known as 1MDB, including ment of the education process during the coron- charges of money laundering operations and suspi- avirus crisis, causing severe harm and damage to cions of corruption. students. He charged that the minister’s policy of In a press release, Nazaha said it is cooperating refusing to end the school year will help spread the with the prosecution because it is a responsible local deadly disease among students, teachers and school judicial investigation authority that will provide any administrations, threatening their lives and the lives information and data obtained by the authority of their families and consequently the health of the regarding the issue to the general prosecution, whole society. including information obtained that has a direct or MP Saadoun Hammad said he supports the indirect relationship with damage to state funds. grilling and advised the minister to step down, call- Meanwhile, the National Assembly office was to ing on his successor to immediately announce the KUWAIT: Troops are deployed around the densely-populated area of Farwaniya, which is under com- meet later yesterday to decide on holding a session end of the school year. plete lockdown. — KUNA (See Page 5) after MP Faisal Al-Kandari filed to grill the educa- Continued on Page 16

They had been instructed to bring their spread of COVID-19. Authorities have Masks and no own prayer mats and to perform the instructed mosques to avoid crowding and cleansing ritual, or ablution, at home, the distribution of food, drinks, incense instead of in mosque grounds. and miswak twigs used to clean teeth, ablution: Saudis “Worshippers rushed to the home of God according to the ministry. to perform their obligatory duty (prayers) “My feelings are indescribable. We are flock to mosques after the reopening of mosques,” the min- so happy. Thank God we are back in (His) istry of Islamic affairs said on Twitter. The house,” Abdulrahman, 45, told AFP at Al- RIYADH: Mask-clad worshippers flocked ministry posted a video showing a mosque Rajhi mosque. “All the precautionary to Saudi mosques that reopened nationwide with many worshippers wearing face measures have been put in place here.” But Sunday, except in the holy city of Makkah, masks and reaching out for a large bottle some took to social media to complain that more than two months after congregational of hand sanitizer after prayers. worshippers in other mosques were not prayers were halted under a coronavirus- Hundreds of people headed to Riyadh’s strictly complying with the rules. “I prayed, triggered lockdown. Complying with strin- Al-Rajhi mosque, where they had their praise be to God, in the neighborhood gent social distancing rules, worshippers temperatures checked before entering. mosque... and it was a beautiful feeling,” kept a minimum of two meters apart as Multiple television screens inside the said one Twitter user. “But I swear to God many voiced elation over the government mosque displayed written instructions, that some people do not care about any- decision to allow more than 90,000 including the need to maintain distance thing. No face mask. No rug.” RIYADH: Worshippers observe a safe distance as they perform noon prayers mosques across the kingdom to re-open. between the worshippers to prevent the Continued on Page 16 at Al-Rajhi Mosque in the Saudi capital on Sunday. — AFP Clashes outside White US astronauts House; curfew in cities enter ISS after WASHINGTON: Police fired tear House, with authorities using tear gas, gas outside the White House late pepper spray and flash bang grenades Sunday as anti-racism protestors to disperse crowds who lit several landmark trip again took to the streets to voice fury large fires and damaged property. at police brutality, and major US cities Local US leaders appealed to citizens WASHINGTON: NASA astronauts entered were put under curfew to suppress to give constructive outlet to their the International Space Station on Sunday after rioting. With the Trump administration rage over the death of an unarmed a landmark 19-hour journey on the first crewed branding instigators of six nights of black man in Minneapolis, while US spacecraft in nearly a decade, a triumph for rioting as domestic terrorists, there night-time curfews were imposed in SpaceX and private enterprise. The arrival com- were more confrontations between cities including Washington, Los pleted the first leg of the trip, designed to test protestors and police and fresh out- Angeles and Houston. the capabilities of the Crew Dragon capsule. But breaks of looting. One closely watched protest was WASHINGTON: Protesters jump on a street sign near a burning barricade dur- the mission will only be declared a success Violent clashes erupted repeatedly outside the state capitol in ing a demonstration against the death of George Floyd near the White House when the astronauts return safely to Earth in a in a small park next to the White Continued on Page 16 on Sunday. — AFP few months’ time. The spaceship’s hatch opened at 1:02 pm Eastern Time (1702 GMT) as Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley carried out final procedures before tered by the closure. Public transport crossing the threshold about 20 minutes later. Manila comes such as trains and shuttle buses were Wearing black polo shirts and khaki pants, they allowed to operate in Manila but on a were greeted by fellow American astronaut back to life as limited scale, forcing commuters to Chris Cassidy, as well as Russia cosmonauts wait in long queues for hours, and Anatoli Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner. The five men leaving hundreds of workers stranded. posed for photos and then NASA administrator threat lingers “I have to go back to work,” said Jim Bridenstine spoke to the crew from mission Steven John Cabusao, who walked MANILA: Millions of people control in Houston. several kilometers on his first day of returned to work in the Philippine “Welcome to Bob and Doug,” said work after being confined to his home capital yesterday as one of the world’s Bridenstine. “I will tell you the whole world saw for 11 weeks. Cabusao, 24, who works strictest and longest coronavirus this mission, and we are so, so proud of as a maintenance planner at an avia- lockdowns was eased to help resusci- MANILA: Passengers travel on a train yesterday, usually packed during rush Continued on Page 16 tion firm, said his need to earn a living tate an economy that has been bat- Continued on Page 16 hour, with plastic sheets spacing out seats to ensure social distancing. — AFP 2 Local Tuesday, June 2, 2020

In My View Parliament Speaker: Kuwait Education COVID-19 and us Minister’s grilling on table of 1st session

MP charges minister with mismanagement in shadow of coronavirus crisis By Abdellatif Sharaa

KUWAIT: A motion to grill the education minister will Pandemic Diaries be on agenda of the first forthcoming parliament session, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem an- nounced on Sunday. In a statement at Abdullah Al-Salem [email protected] Hall inside the National Assembly building, Ghanem af- firmed his adherence to the parliament by-laws in this Our new normal respect, notifying His Highness the Prime Minister he fight against COVID-19 has been raging for Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and the min- Tsix months, and still there is no apparent end to ister to be grilled, Saud Al-Harbi, in addition to including it. Yet we the people can bring about a virtual victorious end sooner than we expect, and possibly de- the motion into the agenda of the upcoming parliamen- cisively! Yes, do not wonder. It has been proven during tary session. these six months that a potent immune device does exist with us and its cost is absolute zero, while its yield is priceless. This device is our behavior and common sense. By Jamie Etheridge Session in When health authorities talked about social distancing, many were skeptical, but as the days went by, it became one or two evident that this is a strong remedy against this linger- ing virus. Then the curfews came because we did not weeks KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al- take social distancing seriously, or did not practice it as [email protected] Ghanem attends a parliament session in this file it should have been done. photo. — KUNA The curfews in many countries, including Kuwait, helped a lot in controlling the spread of the infection, The National Assembly Bureau was set to hold a and some countries have dropped to four or five daily ay two of Phase 1 of the return to normal life meeting yesterday to set a date for the next session, by the minister addressed with the motion. cases, mostly imported ones, because of this measure. Din Kuwait. Streets are busy, drive thru “which may be held either next week or the week after,” Earlier, it was announced that MP Faisal Al-Kanderi Here in Kuwait, the high numbers are not alarming be- queues in the double digits and people out he said, indicating that parliamentary committees would had submitted a motion to the parliament speaker, re- cause they seem to be in the same areas, and the num- walking everywhere. We took our daughters to the need some time to hold their sessions and finalize all re- questing interpellation of the Minister of Education and bers are coming out due to the aggressive testing that beach at 6:00 am, careful to stay the appropriate quired reports under examination, ahead of the session. Higher Education Dr Saud Al-Harbi. The single-axis mo- is taking place. social distance away from everyone else standing Article 135 of the National Assembly Bylaw stipulates tion charges the minister with mismanagement of the ed- Now that the partial curfew is restored and for or sitting along the seashore, dipping their toes into that, in such cases, the Speaker should inform the prime ucational sector in shadow of the coronavirus crisis. longer hours, please, please follow instructions. Mind the warm waters of the Gulf. minister or the concerned minister instantly after receiv- Article 100 of Kuwait Constitution stipulates that each you, all these instructions are coming from health au- It felt amazing to be outside, to enjoy the fresh ing the interpellation motion; which in turn should be in- member of the National Assembly has the right to grill thorities and no one else. I am not tired of saying wash air and sunshine and to relax, for just a few precious cluded in agenda of the coming session to set a date for the prime minister or members of his cabinet about mat- your hands correctly and frequently and wear a fresh moments, in the outdoors. It felt peaceful, almost. debating the axis or axes, after listening to a statement ters falling within their jurisdictions. — KUNA mask each time you go out. Wash your clothes more But unfortunately there are tens of thousands in often. Take off your shoes at the doorstep when you Kuwait still on lockdown, unable even to enjoy the return home. Sterilize door handles. All this to ensure simplest pleasures like a walk on the beach. And loaves and lowest produc- that coronavirus remains on the ground, because only even those of us who can go out are still quite lim- Kuwait flour tion per day, during the we allow it to move up and enter our breathing system. ited in what we can do. Parks are closed, malls are same period, amounted to Television personality Ahmad Al-Shuqairi wrote a closed and even going to the grocery store runs the Company touts 1.9 million loaves. Produc- number of points and called them lessons we learned risk of coming in contact with others who might be tion in March stood at 169 from the coronavirus pandemic crisis, and I would like infected. million loaves, in April to share some of them with you: We are both eager to resume something close to ‘success’ during crisis 130.5 million, and from • China won the so-called WWIII without firing a sin- normal but still anxious about the deadly coron- May 1 until May 30, some gle bullet. avirus and the possibility of getting sick. The result KUWAIT: Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company 112 million loaves. The • European countries are not educated and developed is a jerky, awkward rush to reconnect with the out- has succeeded in securing consumers’ needs for some company has succeeded to the point we thought they were. side world while trying to stay as safe as possible. of the basic food supplies since breakout of the novel during the extraordinary • Rich people are less immune than the poor. While my children built a sand castle, masks cov- coronavirus (COVID-19), the company Chief Executive circumstances in “translat- • There is no monk or sorcerer who can cure coron- Mutlaq Al-Zayed ering their mouths and noses, I pondered the situ- Officer Mutlaq Al-Zayed said yesterday. Zayed said in ing concept of food secu- avirus. ation we now find ourselves in. Every day since this a statement to KUNA that the total amount of bread rity into reality,” he said, • The health community deserves more recognition crisis began in late February has seemed like some production, since March 1 until May 30, amounted to indicating that the experience during the crisis resulted than sports and show business legends get. surreal science fiction movie. Are we seeing the end • Oil has no value in a society without consumption. 411.5 million loaves of bread. Highest volume of daily in boosting confidence in the national company, which of days? Or like the many pandemics that have • Even animals feel the health quarantine. come and gone before this, is this a rare but normal output, during the coronavirus crisis, reached 7.2 million was established in 1961. — KUNA • The planet gets renewed without human interven- circumstance for the human race? tion. Today’s coronavirus pandemic has often been • Most people can work from home. compared with the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The • We all can live without unhealthy fast food. where the death toll estimates range from 17 million Commerce Ministry ministry’s trade control and consumers’ protection • Getting used to a healthy lifestyle is not difficult. to as high as 100 million. That pandemic came on sector had monitored a total of 2,938 cooperative • Media is full of nonsense. • Men can prepare food. the heels of World War I and was fueled more by societies and shops during the reported month in malnourishment, poor hygiene and the complica- • Life is very fragile, so deal with it cautiously. penalizes 45 law order to make sure they complied with the deter- tions caused by the war. • Crises bring out people’s true behaviors. I wonder what the people living at that time mined prices of products, the ministry said in a • We must reset our life’s priorities, most important of thought. Did they imagine the pandemic to be the breaking shops statement. It added that its teams had also in- which is building more schools and hospitals. start of the end of the world, the decline of the spected a total of 1,779 supply shops with a view • We learned the feelings of animals while caged. to verifying the smooth process of selling and de- • We can spend our vacations at home normally and human race? After having already suffered four KUWAIT: years of one of the world’s bloodiest and most atro- The Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce livering food commodities to citizens, and re- travel is not a must. cious conflicts. Security, stability and peaceful life and Industry said yesterday that its inspection opened another shop.It noted that its emergency Final word: “This is a historic moment in global pub- weren’t a part of their reality. teams had filed reports against 45 multiple shops center had received some 4,267 complaints lic health demonstrating the international will to tackle Nor are they part of ours. and shut down another shop in May for breaking through its hotlines 135 and 206, while 2,109 sup- a threat to health head on.” —Gro Harlem Brundtland law and guidelines put in place to rein in the ply cards were renewed. — KUNA Coronavirus in Kuwait: What we know so far

KUWAIT: Kuwait has recorded 27,043 cases infected during the curfew hours by making an appointment Kuwait suspended issuing entry permits and visas Jaber Hospital: 96992079 with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as of Sunday, through www.moci.shop. Before that, Kuwait enforced unless those issued through diplomatic missions. The Ibn Sina Hospital: 99613948 in addition to 212 deaths. With the exception of 200 a country-wide partial curfew from 5:00 pm to 6:00 Interior Ministry issued an amnesty allowing residency Chest Hospital: 99258749 cases in intensive care, all infected cases are in stable am, which was later extended to start from 4:00 pm violators to leave the country between April 1 and April Razi Hospital: 97633487 condition and are recovering in quarantined locations until 8:00 am during Ramadan, while allowing restau- 30 without paying any fines or airfare with a chance to Kuwait Cancer Control Center: 96735242 designated by the government for this purpose, while rants and food stores to make home deliveries from return to Kuwait later. The amnesty was issued in view Psychiatric Hospital: 97350113 thousands have been discharged from quarantine after 5:00 pm until 1:00 am. The government also locked of the circumstances the country is currently going Physiotherapy Hospital: 99824037 exhibiting no symptoms during their 14-day quarantine down Mahboula and Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh in a bid to through and as part of the precautionary measures Maternity Hospital: 98559531 period, the Ministry of Health confirmed. Meanwhile, contain the spread of the virus and enable health work- taken to fight the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Dur- As’ad Al-Hamad Dermatology Center: 98514508 12,899 people have recovered completely after previ- ers to test inhabitants. Earlier, the government decided ing the amnesty period, individuals desiring to procure Zain Hospital: 97552031 ously being infected with the virus, while there are to close all shopping malls, beauty salons and barber valid residencies in Kuwait and were willing to pay the NBK Hospital: 96931761 13,932 people receiving treatment and 23 quarantined. shops as part of its measures to prevent the spread of fines without being subjected to investigations were al- Al-Rashed Allergy Hospital: 94162470 the coronavirus. The government also allowed super- lowed to pay the fines and legalize their status if they Infectious Diseases Hospital: 96989164 Curfew markets, restaurants and shops to host a maximum of meet the required conditions. Palliative Care Hospital: 94024786 Kuwait imposed a three-week partial curfew start- five people at a time and in case there are lines, the dis- Sabah Al-Ahmad Urology Center: 90952469 ing May 31, as part of a five-phase plan for a gradual tance must be at least one meter between people. The Hotlines KFH Addiction Treatment Center: 94169363 return to normal life, brought to a standstill by the novel Ministry of Commerce launched a website The Ministry of Health has set the following hotlines Meanwhile, all licensed pharmacies in Kuwait deliv- coronavirus (COVID-19). The first phase also includes (www.moci.shop) to enable people to book appoint- to receive inquiries about the coronavirus 24/7: ering medicine are allowed to continue their services a total lockdown on Farwaniya, Khaitan, Hawally and ments to shop at co-operative societies in their areas. 24970967 - 96049698 - 99048619. 24 hours a day. The Ministry of Health is also asking Maidan Hawally, joining Mahboula and Jleeb Al-Shuy- The Public Authority for Industry also announced that The Education Ministry set the following hotlines to doctors and nurses affiliated with the private medical oukh which were put under lockdown earlier. companies can apply to evacuate their workers from receive inquiries on school closures related to the anti- sector to volunteer in order to contribute to the fight Activities to resume in first phase included home Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Mahboula. To do so, they must coronavirus measures: against the virus. Volunteering is available through the deliveries of restaurants, telecommunication compa- fill a ‘workers evacuation form’ available on - 24970967 (24/7 hotline) link: http://volunteering.q8-ehealth.com. The ministry nies, food retailers, companies’ transportation of em- www.pai.gov.kw, and send the form via email to: - 51575591 (Capital Educational Zone) had closed all private clinics and medical centers effec- ployees, gas stations, private clinics and car workshops. [email protected]. - 51576117 (Hawally Educational Zone) tive March 22, 2020 until further notice. The second phase will see the curfew shortened to be - 51576576 (Farwaniya Educational Zone) between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am, while resuming work Precautions - 51577055 (Jahra Educational Zone) Mental health assistance in the government and private sectors with the work- Kuwait halted all commercial flights until further no- - 51577655 (Ahmadi Educational Zone) The Kuwait Psychological Association (KPA) is pro- force being less than 30 percent, in addition to resump- tice, and has sent special flights to repatriate Kuwaitis - 51577951 (Mubarak Al-Kabeer Educational Zone) viding consultation through the phone for people suf- tion of constructions, banking sector, malls opening for back home from countries affected with the virus’ - 51578171 (Religious Studies Department) fering from the psychological impacts of coronavirus. eight hours and according to special instructions, parks spread. Kuwait took all measures to test Kuwaitis repa- - 51588599 (Private Education Department) Different doctors are working on the hotline in different and pickups from restaurants. triated from infected areas for potential infection. - 51592515 (Services Department) timings as follows: The third phase would see an end of curfew, and Kuwait had required all expatriates who arrived from - 51594544 (Public Relations Department) Dr Rashed Al-Sahl: on Monday and Wednesday 10:00 health authorities would be assessing situation of areas travel on March 1 and beyond to visit Kuwait Interna- am - 1:00 pm. Call 9797-6168. under lockdown. It would see increase of workforce to tional Fairground where the Ministry of Health has set Medicine delivery Dr Fahad Al-Tasha: daily from 8:00 pm - 12:00 am. Call less than 50 percent. Visits for social care homes would up a center to test people for possible infection. Mean- Kuwait’s Ministry of Health (MOH) launched a new be allowed, reopening of hotels, resorts and hotel while, the Cabinet announced on April 9 the operation medicine delivery service for people in Kuwait, which 9904-8258. apartments. Taxis will be allowed to operate with only of all airline flights for expats who are wishing to return they can use to order medications to be delivered dur- Dr Othman Al-Asfour: daily 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Call one passenger, and Mosques would be allowed to per- back to their countries. Authorities also announced a ing curfew hours. The medications will be delivered 9938-5350. form Friday prayers. public holiday in the country from March 12 to May 28, within 72 hours after the order is submitted. To place Dr Mohammed Al-Khaldi (head of this team): daily Phase four would see an increase in workforce, with work resuming on May 31, while entities providing an order, patients should send a WhatsApp to the num- 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Call 9903-6470. restaurants would be receiving customers but with re- vital services will remain open. Meanwhile, the Ministry bers for the hospitals and medical centers as listed Dr Ahmad Al-Khaldi: daily 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Call strictions, and public transportation resumed but with of Education has suspended classes for March at all below. The patient should include their name, Civil ID 9910-7965. distancing. All activities would resume in phase five, public and private schools (for both students and number, hospital or clinic file number, mobile phone Dr Muneera Al-Qattan: Monday and Wednesday 9:00 government and private sector returned to normal, teaching staffs); first from March 1 to March 12, and number and the medicine needed to the following num- am - 1:00 pm. Call 9953-3108. families could gather, weddings and graduation cere- later extended it until March 29, before eventually sus- bers: Dr Zainab Al-Saffar: Sunday and Thursday 7:00 pm - monies, health clubs and gyms to reopen, as well as cin- pending schools until August for grade 12 and October Amiri Hospital: 50880699 9:00 pm. Call 9954-9908. emas and theaters. for other stages. State departments have been on high Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital: 50880755 Dr Sameera Al-Kandari: Tuesday 9:00 pm - 12:00 am. Earlier, Kuwait imposed a total curfew from May 10 alert to take precautions against the potential spread of Farwaniya Hospital: 50880852 Call 6770-9434. to May 30, allowing room for people to walk out for the virus. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has Adan Hospital: 50880908 Dr Kawthar Al-Yaqout: Monday and Wednesday 6:00 daily exercise between 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, and to taken measures to make sure that facial masks, hand san- Jahra Hospital: 50881066 pm - 9:00 pm. Call 5521-0088. shop at co-ops and supermarkets once every six days itizers and other goods remain accessible to the public. Sabah Hospital: 97632660 For information and other concerns, call 9401-4283. 3 Local Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Kuwait watchdog asserts cooperation with prosecution regarding 1MDB Communication channel opened with Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Public Anti-Corruption Authority the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MICC) (Nazaha) stressed Sunday that they are fully cooper- to exchange information and collect inferences. ating with the Public Prosecution regarding global re- He stressed that this comes in recognition of their ports of a relationship between Kuwait and the ethical role to exercise its rights entrusted to it under Malaysian sovereign fund, the 1Malaysia Development the law of executive regulations, and in accordance Berhad, also known as 1MDB, including charges of with its obligations towards the United Nations Con- laundering operations and suspicions of corruption. vention against Corruption (UNCAC). In addition to In a press release, Nazaha said they are in coop- cabinet assignment to follow up on this matter, the eration with prosecution because they are a respon- statement added. sible local judicial investigation authority that will MP Abdulkarim Al-Kandari on Sunday demanded provide any information and data obtained by the au- forming a parliamentary investigations committee to thority regarding the issue to the general prosecution, look into alleged involvement of former state officials including information obtained in suspected corruption and that have a direct or indirect re- money laundering operations lationship with the damages to worth billions of dollars that in- state capital. In accordance cluded funding North Korea’s In the statement, the with int’l nuclear programme and corrup- spokesperson and Assistant Sec- tion related to Malaysia’s sover- retary-General for Nazaha Dr obligations eign wealth fund. Mohamed Buzubar said, “the au- The lawmaker said his move thority followed closely and with depends on a report published great interest news about by the New York Times about a Kuwait’s relationship to money network involving Chinese and laundering operations and suspicions of corruption North Koreans running money laundering operations in the case known as 1MDB.” Buzubar added that the to finance the North Korean nuclear activities in authority has started collecting information and data which the name of Kuwait was mentioned. “The image at the local level, communicating with relevant au- of Kuwait and its financial institutions is at stake be- thorities, and opening a communication channel with cause of a number of international scandals,” he said.

KUWAIT: Signs remind residents to remain vigilant, as they drive along a highway in Kuwait City on May 31, 2020, after authorities eased some of the restrictive measures put in place during the coronavirus pandemic crisis. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

News in brief

COVID-19 patient commits suicide

KUWAIT: A Nepalese man committed suicide at the field hospital in Kuwait International Fairground in Mishref, where he was recovering from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The victim’s body was found hanging from a rope inside a toilet at the facility.

Co-op employee dies

KUWAIT: Omariya Co-op Society announced that employee Mahmoud Ahmad Al-Shabarikhiti passed away from coronavirus. He was among five staff members who recently tested positive for the virus. The co-op was closed yesterday to allow testing for all of its employees.

Fish market open

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Commerce announced that people can book an appointment through www.moci.shop at fish markets around the country. They can also use the online portal to make appointments to shop from the Forda for fruits and vegetables market.

Eleven flights

KUWAIT: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that 11 flights departed Kuwait International Airport yesterday, carrying a total of 2,546 passengers. They include seven flights to Egypt, one flight to Qatar, two flights to India, and one flight to Bangladesh.

WHO lauds Kuwait

ADEN: The World Health Organization has hailed Kuwait’s generous backing to the health sector of the war-torn Yemen. In a press statement on Sunday, the WHO office in Yemen said that the Kuwaiti aid has helped keep operation of the Yemeni healthcare fa- cilities. It pointed out that Kuwait has helped provide drugs, fuel and drinking water for 109 hospitals and health centers across Yemen. 4 Established 1961 Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Local Photo of the Day

KUWAIT: Vehicles queue in front of a drive thru fast food restaurant in Kuwait City on May 31, 2020, after authorities eased some of the restrictive measures put in place during the coronavirus pan- demic crisis. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Facing pandemic with art: ‘Kuwait is Our Home’ online gallery extended

.KUWAIT: The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) launched part two of its ‘Kuwait is Our Home’ online gallery, featuring works by 58 artists from Kuwait and the Arab world. NCCAL had decided to extend the gallery, which it had launched in Ramadan, after the strong turnout it received, Secretary General Kamel Al-Abduljaleel said. The idea behind the gallery came about to allow artists to share their works in hopes of allevi- ating some of the mental and psychological pres- sure people feel under lockdown and other meas- ures taken around the Arab world due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), said Ibtisam Al-Asfour, Free Art Atelier member. The participat- ing artworks can be viewed on the Free Art Atelier’s Instagram account @kwti_artist. — KUNA Established 1961 5 Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Local Kuwaiti troops deploy around top densely-populated district

KUWAIT: Kuwait Army troops were deployed on Farwaniya is considered the top densely populated Sunday around Farwaniya in line with a Cabinet district in Kuwait, with an estimated population of resolution in this respect. The Army said in a state- 24,000 people. Kuwait has taken a series of meas- ment the “Duty Force Al-Sanad” was stationed ures to cope with the outbreak. A total lockdown around the district, implementing a government has been eased into a partial one, with residents decision to impose full isolation on a number of allowed to venture out from 6 am to 6 pm. The eas- residential districts in the country. The squad had ing process is in five phases, each lasting three been established to back up other state authorities weeks, until reaching full restoration of regular life, amid current circumstances prevailing in the coun- tentatively due in middle of September. All food try due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The supplies and other necessities are secured for the Cabinet, in its latest session, decided to isolate a isolated areas. Vehicles of companies distributing number of densely-populated districts including products and goods to groceries and other stores Hawally, in one of latest measures in the face of the are allowed to pass through security checkpoints novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. around the confined districts. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Shuwaikh Industrial area was overcrowded on Sunday when car repair shops were allowed to reopen following the end of total curfew on most areas around Kuwait. —Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh InternationalEstablished 1961 TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2020 Hong Kong: What losing US ‘special At least 50 die in Burkina attacks status’ mean for? Page 8 Page 8

NEW YORK: A refrigerator truck to be used as a makeshift morgue is parked at NYU Langone Hospital in New York City. — AFP photos Latin America cases top 1 million

UK and Russia ease COVID lockdowns

BRASILIA: Confirmed coronavirus cases in Latin were happening too rapidly. “COVID-19 spreading too America have surged past one million, while hard-hit fast to lift lockdown in England,” tweeted Jeremy Farrar, Britain and Russia eased lockdowns yesterday, despite a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory not having their outbreaks fully under control. Govern- Group for Emergencies. Hard-hit Russia, which saw an ments around the world are moving to ease restrictions explosion of infections in recent weeks, was also set to that have wrecked their economies, even as the number re-open shopping malls and parks in Moscow, despite of cases tops 6.1 million and virus deaths exceed the still-high number of cases. While Muscovites wel- 371,000. With more than half a million known infections, comed the opportunity after weeks of being cooped up Brazil now has the second-highest caseload in the at home, many ridiculed Moscow Mayor Sergei world, but its anti-lockdown President Jair Bolsonaro Sobyanin’s “experiment” aimed at regulating people’s again defied social distancing recommendations on walks and exercise based on their home address. Pop- Sunday. Wearing no face ular comedian Maxim Galkin mask, the far-right leader even released a sketch about met a tightly packed group President Vladimir Putin and of supporters in the capital Sobyanin discussing a Brasilia as the crowd Global death “breathing schedule” for the chanted “Myth! Myth! capital’s residents. Myth!” - echoing his dis- toll exceeds LIMA: Relatives carry the coffin of a suspected COVID-19 victim at the Nueva Esperanza cemetery, one of the missal of the virus threat. ‘A beautiful feeling’ largest in Latin America, in the southern outskirts of Lima. Bolsonaro has been a 371,000 The pandemic has devas- staunch opponent of lock- tated the global economy, downs as a tool for contain- which is facing its worst tivals and religious services. With the outbreak in Italy tourism sectors. Some Asian countries have started on ing the coronavirus, saying downturn since the Great slowing, Pope Francis made his first address to the a tentative path to recovery, such as Thailand, which re- they are unnecessary and Depression, and with busi- faithful in Saint Peter’s square in nearly three months. lies heavily on tourist spending. The kingdom has now harmful to the economy, but he has faced intense criti- nesses and citizens growing tired of confinement, there In Saudi Arabia, mask-clad worshippers thronged re-opened beaches nationwide after two months of cism from worried state authorities and angry citizens. is pressure on many leaders to press on with reopen- mosques that opened nationwide - except in the holy lockdown to try to revive tourism. But other, much more Despite his skepticism, the virus rages on in Brazil and ings - especially in nations where outbreaks appear to city of Makkah. “I prayed, praise be to God, in the populous nations have moved to relax restrictions de- other parts of South America, with the situation in Chile, be slowing. In the United States - the worst-affected neighborhood mosque... and it was a beautiful feeling,” spite not entirely containing the disease. India an- Bolivia and Peru also worsening. While South America nation in the world - Washington and Los Angeles re- said one worshipper, though he was concerned about nounced it would begin easing the world’s biggest and parts of Africa and Asia have only just started to sumed outdoor dining, while New York City is on track others not taking necessary precautions. “I swear to lockdown in early June, even as it marked another feel the full force of the pandemic, hard-hit European to begin re-opening from June 8. God that some people do not care about anything. No record daily rise in infections. Neighboring Bangladesh, countries have cautiously begun easing lockdowns as In France, parks in Paris opened on the weekend for face mask. No rug.” meanwhile, lifted its lockdown on Sunday, with millions they seek a return to some form of normality. But ex- the first time in months, ahead of restaurants, cafes and heading back to work in densely populated cities, even perts have cautioned that moving too fast could spell bars being allowed to serve on sidewalks and terraces ‘Distancing is impossible in Dhaka’ as the country logged record spikes in new deaths and disaster, with no vaccine or effective treatment yet for on Tuesday. But health experts have continued to warn Asia was the first continent hit by the virus after it infections. “I tried to avoid crowds when I walked to my COVID-19. of the possibility of a second wave of infections if au- emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last office,” banker Badrul Islam told AFP in the Bangladeshi In Britain, where schools were set to partially re- thorities and citizens let their guard down, especially if year, and neighboring countries saw their economies capital. “But social distancing is impossible on Dhaka’s open, some senior government advisers warned things they risk large gatherings of people like concerts, fes- hammered by the outbreak - especially the aviation and footpaths.” —AFP

If SpaceX starts taking up all US astronauts, “the For Russia, annual losses could be more than $200 million, a sig- nificant loss for Roscosmos’s budget of around $2 bil- lion,” said Andrei Ionin, an expert at the Tsiolkovsky SpaceX success Space Academy in Moscow. While Musk, the ambi- tious entrepreneur behind SpaceX, has named the ‘wakeup call’ price of a seat on his spacecraft as $60 million, Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin has announced Rus- sia is working to cut its price by 30 percent. Ionin MOSCOW: Russia has lost its long-held monopoly voiced scepticism over the plan. “SpaceX is saving as the only country able to ferry astronauts to the In- money by using cheap engines and manufacturing al- ternational Space Station following the flawless most all its own parts,” he said. “To do this, Russia manned launch by US company SpaceX. The Russian would have to change its production process.” An- space agency congratulated the United States and other option is a barter system proposed by NASA Elon Musk’s SpaceX on the first crewed flight ever by administrator Jim Bridenstine: for every Russian riding a private company, but experts said the launch should in a US spaceship, one American would take a Soyuz. be a wakeup call for Roscosmos. “The success of the mission will provide us with additional opportunities ‘Wakeup call’ that will benefit the whole international program,” In a broader sense, the appearance of a rival such A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft takes off from launch complex 39A at the Kennedy cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, Roscosmos executive di- as SpaceX should be a “wakeup call” for the Russian Space Center in Florida. — AFP rector for crewed space programs, said in a brief space industry, which is “in far worse shape than those video address. in charge admit,” said Ionin. A decade ago Russia was Saturday’s launch was the first of American astro- behind a large proportion of the world’s launches, but source of national pride. But more recently it has en- more focused on using rocket science to develop mil- nauts from US soil since the mothballing of the US that is no longer the case today due to competition dured a series of setbacks, notably losing expensive itary capabilities, particularly hypersonic missiles. “For shuttle program in 2011 that left Russia’s more basic from China and SpaceX. “When we were losing the spacecraft and satellites in recent years. The rise of Putin, space exploration isn’t a priority when it comes and reliable Soyuz spacecraft solely responsible for launches market, Roscosmos said everything was fine private companies like SpaceX, which has ambitions to showing off the might of the state,” said independ- transporting crews. Astronauts since then have all because we were the only ones sending people up to to conquer Mars, risks leaving Russia irrecoverably ent space expert Vitaly Yegorov. trained at Star City outside Moscow and studied the ISS. Now that fig leaf has fallen off.” far behind, experts said. For Ionin, reinvigorating the Russian space program Russian before blasting off from Baikonur launchpad Russia’s space sector is marred by corruption, with requires international cooperation, too. Sourbes- in Kazakhstan. “These flights have been an unex- multiple scandals over the construction of the new Mars next? Verger suggested any manned international mission to pected chance for Moscow to keep producing Soyuz Vostochny launchpad in the Far East. The country’s For Russia to keep up, a government body inde- Mars “could be an opportunity for Russia to regain its and retain a significant voice in negotiations over the space industry has also failed to innovate, concentrat- pendent of the space sector’s main players needs to standing by sharing its skills.” But, she said, the costs ISS,” said Isabelle Sourbes-Verger, a specialist in ing on modifying “Soviet technology without any develop a new strategy, Ionin said. “US President of any such mission would be so high that China - now space policy at the French National Centre for Scien- major evolution,” Ionin said. The Russian space pro- (Donald) Trump reestablished a body - the National the world’s second space power in terms of launches - tific Research. The Russian space agency has also gram is renowned for having sent the first man into Space Council - to set policy goals. We need to do the would need to be included. Yet that prospect seems earned large sums by ferrying astronauts: a seat in the space in 1961 and launching the first satellite four same thing.” Some observers sense a lack of political unlikely, she added, given that “the US Congress re- Soyuz costs NASA around $80 million. years earlier, and its achievements remain a major will from President Vladimir Putin who appears to be fuses any space cooperation with China.” — AFP Established 1961 7 Tuesday, June 2, 2020 International Sadness on border as France turns back Belgian trippers EU nations struggle amid lockdown

SAINT-AYBERT: For hundreds of Belgians hop- fore.” Under French lockdown rules, travellers must ing to spend time with French friends and relatives have a signed statement explaining a pressing need after almost three months of lockdown, the sunny for a journey - such as essential work mission, a holiday weekend proved a grim cross-border commute or transporting a child to a disappointment. While families with ties in the parent with joint custody. But on Friday, Belgium’s In- Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg were able terior Minister Pieter De Crem announced that Bel- to put the coronavirus epidemic out of their minds gians could from Saturday once again visit their loved for a short while, the French border remained shut. ones, or even just do their shopping, in neighboring Belgian travellers without written proof that they countries. Luxembourg welcomed this, and travellers were on essential business were turned back by crossed into Germany and the Netherlands without French police, despite an announcement from their much trouble, but no-one seems to have told France. own government that reunions and shopping trips can resume. ‘Seems unfair’ Renee-France Ringard had tears in her eyes as “We saw the Belgian minister on the television,” she told AFP how she had hoped to cross into said Yvon Mathurin and Paule Wetz, a couple in France to see her elderly father in the suburbs of their fifties, who were looking forward to seeing Lille for the first time in more than two-and-a-half- their daughter and grandchildren in Aniche, 50 kilo- months. “The police officer told us there had been meters inside France. “It seems unfair. There’s no no coordination between the French and the Bel- coordination in Europe,” Wetz complained. Math- gians,” she told AFP at the frontier, before turning urin, meanwhile, reflected a mood of frustration in back for the 100-kilometre reverse trip to Brussels. a Belgium that has adapted to a continent without The European Commission has attempted to coor- borders: “The governments should agree some- dinate the EU response to the global pandemic, but thing.” In a mark of how banal popping into France health measures are a matter for member states and had become before the epidemic, Andre Dhaeyer the once largely border-free bloc is now a patch- just wanted to get some cheese and mineral work of regulations. Capitals are beginning to relax water. He was bemused but less upset than those their rules, hoping they can revive the devastated divided from loved ones to be turned back after tourism industry in time for the summer season, but hearing news of a re-opening on the radio and set- the return to work is just as chaotic as was the ting off for France. “Well, I’m not going to die of scramble to lock the continent down. thirst,” he said. A Belgian government spokesman “Since this morning, more than 100 vehicles have admitted there has been some “confusion in the had to turn around,” a French police officer told AFP press” and the interior ministry said French resi- QUEVY: A Belgian Police officer controls the documents of a person in a car at the border between Belgium in the border town of Saint-Aybert. “We’ve received dents can visit their families in Belgium, even if the and France during a police patrol in Quevy. — AFP no new orders so we’re running the checks as be- reverse will not be true until at least June 15. — AFP

the policeman kneeled on Floyd’s neck. Spot where Floyd Londoners rally When you take someone’s life, the way that happened, then it does something outside US to you wherever you are in the world - died now an because it was totally wrong,” one demonstrator, Trevor Joseph, told AFP. impromptu forum embassy “It’s a worldwide thing. It happens in America and we have to show solidar- ity,” he added. “I’m here because I’m MINNEAPOLIS: George Floyd is sur- LONDON: Hundreds of Londoners tired, I’m fed up with it. “When does rounded by the names of other police bru- defied coronavirus restrictions and ral- this stop?” another protester, Doreen tality victims in a colorful mural that now lied outside the US embassy on Sunday Pierre, told AFP. “What makes that looms over the spot where he died, located in solidarity with protests raging across okay in anybody’s mind? Don’t you in a rapidly gentrifying Minneapolis neigh- the United States over the death of an have wives, don’t you have children borhood. Hundreds of people passed under unarmed black man during an arrest. watching you do this? How is that his gaze Saturday, stopping to pay their re- The death of George Floyd in Min- okay?” A protest march also took spects with a bouquet or written message, nesota has sparked five consecutive place in the northern English city of and also at a microphone set up at what has nights of often violent protests that re- Manchester, at which local media said sulted in National Guard troops pa- become something of a public forum - fre- MINNEAPOLIS: Tear gas rises above as protesters face off with police during a demon- hundreds took part. UK Foreign Secre- trolling majority US cities on Sunday. quented by a diverse array of mourners, stration outside the White House over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Min- tary Dominic Raab called footage of The London protesters chanted: united if by nothing else their pain. “We are neapolis Police. — AFP the incident “very distressing”. But he George, we can’t breathe,” the crowd “No justice, no peace” and “Enough is refrained from commenting on US chanted, repeating some of the 46-year-old enough” as they marched towards the President Donald Trump’s explosive African American’s last words as he lay folded at night since Floyd’s death. The mi- pot - more like a salad, because we don’t re- US embassy compound on the south- tweets and controversial public state- dying under an officer’s knee that pressed crophone was thus quickly snatched from a ally blend well together, everybody’s coming ern bank of the Thames River. Shouting ments about the protests. “I’ve long into his neck for nearly nine minutes until young man who began to pontificate on from different places,” Gonzalez said, noting “Say his name! George Floyd!” they kept to the self-imposed guidance not well after he was motionless. On Friday the black citizens’ constitutional right to bear that some in the crowd had experienced po- held up “Black Lives Matter” signs out- to comment on what President Trump white officer was charged with one count of arms. But Christina Gonzalez, a 33-year-old lice violence themselves, making them par- side the embassy building. Earlier, a says,” Raab told the BBC. Authorities third-degree murder - unintentionally caus- New Yorker, quickly came to his defense: ticularly sensitive. Alex Washington, a few hundred had earlier gathered in will officially allow groups of up to six ing a death - and one count of negligent “When they pull the mic from that brother 37-year-old municipal worker, said he has Trafalgar Square in the heart of Lon- to gather in England - and up to eight manslaughter. for saying something like that, I feel like I been apprehended for biking on a sidewalk don for a vigil that saw everyone kneel in Scotland - as more than two months Standing beneath the mural with signs have to speak on it.” and even for running fast while crossing the for nine minutes - the amount of time of restrictions begin to ease. — AFP reading “Charge all four,” and “Jail all racist street. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve killer cops,” mourners said they wanted the ‘It’s just draining’ been put in the back of police cars and I other three officers who were present to be Mixed together in the crowd were blacks, have a perfectly clean record,” he said. “To community, who was filming the serv- arrested as well. Here, in broad daylight, whites, young and old - one man was so en- walk in your own neighborhood and feel Pastor ice with her cell phone. Another speech is intended to be peaceful, in con- raged by Gonzalez’s comments that he began hated, it’s just draining. I’m sick and tired of woman, children’s book author Tina trast with the looting and burning that has insulting her before being gently pushed feeling drained by hatred in my own com- Turner, sat alone in her car, wearing a taken place during protests which have un- away. “We’re emotional, we are the melting munity,” he said. — AFP preaches love, mask. “With the rioting, the protest- ing and the looting, it can be quite and firmness confusing. And so to be able to pull up to this point, to get some clarity, Thousands face means a lot to me,” she said. In his ser- MINNEAPOLIS: In the Shiloh Tem- mon, Dukes addressed the younger homelessness in ple church’s parking lot, a pastor re- generation, congratulating them for leases two doves into the Minneapolis their capacity to mobilize and their sky on this Pentecost Sunday before a commitment to creating a more just relocation push mainly African-American congrega- world. But he also warns them against tion sitting in their cars and seeking violence. Words of caution also came comfort in troubled times. The birds, The 44-year-old Syrian and his from 62-year-old Jack Burnett, a PIRAEUS: their plumage as white as the pastor’s family are among thousands of recognized church manager who oversaw the lo- suit, fly high over a city shaken by vi- refugees about to lose the temporary homes gistics of Sunday’s services. “Our chil- olent protests since a black man, they were given under Greece’s asylum dren have been pathologically George Floyd, died prostrate on a city seeker housing scheme. As of yesterday, au- enthusiastic about getting out because street, his wrists shackled behind him thorities started moving more than 11,200 they’ve been in for so long, no school, and with a white policeman’s knee people out of flats, hotels and camps on the they needed a cause, they need a rea- mainland, to make room for other asylum crushing his neck. “People are sick and son to get out and now they have a seekers currently living in dismal island tired, and we see a lot of frustration, a cause and it’s bigger than themselves,” PIRAEUS: Asil Nadawi, an Iraqi recognised refugee, sits with one of her twins, at her lot of anger,” said pastor Andre he said. “So they’re out (but) it’s hard camps. Rahmoun’s family has been given until family apartment in the working class district of Piraeus near Athens. — AFP the end of June to vacate his small EU-funded Dupree Dukes. to put that genie back in the bottle.” flat in the port of Piraeus. But he has little con- “However, we are not riotous people, fidence that they will find alternative accom- with precarious incomes also face reluctance ally fleeing the country. Now, after “struggling we are peaceful people. And so we do Love and firmness modation by then. from Greek landlords when they seek to rent to survive” for the past decade, they must our best to try to maintain the peace.” A few white faces could be seen in “We risk finding ourselves on the street,” lodgings on their own. “UNHCR is seriously “start from zero again”, Rahmoun said. Sev- For the first time since the COVID-19 the gathering. Most were not members the haggard former taxi driver and father of concerned about thousands of recognized eral neighbors in the block of flats where pandemic spread across the country, of the church but came with offerings two told AFP. Greek officials say housing must refugees expected to leave Greece’s recep- Rahmoun’s family live face a similar predica- Dukes organized services on his church for a food bank. At the end of the serv- be secured for other vulnerable asylum seek- tion system from the end of May,” Boris ment. Out of 10 families in the building, six grounds, but only on a “drive-in” basis ice, a few of the faithful emerged from ers on the islands, many of whom “sleep under Cheshirkov, UNHCR spokesman in Greece, have been told they must leave in June. to limit any risk of spreading the virus. their cars, stretched and engaged in trees”, Manos Logothetis, the migration min- told AFP. “Recognized refugees are expected One family from Iraq includes a father in a Parked in their cars, the faithful honked some lively dance steps before head- istry’s asylum secretary, said earlier this week. to leave assistance but they do not have ef- wheelchair and a five-year-old girl who re- their horns to signal “Amens” - and in ing home. Pleased at the chance to The migration ministry says the ESTIA ac- fective access to social benefits and support,” quires assisted feeding through a gastric tube. noisy support when Dukes issued a preach in person for the first time in commodation system, managed by the UN he said, adding that the language barrier is a “We have a disabled father and sister. How warning to rioters, saying, “If they come two and a half months, Dukes said he refugee agency UNHCR, is designed for asy- further impediment. could the Greek government be throwing us to destroy our community, we cannot tried to strike the right balance, “to al- lum seekers. Once they become full-fledged The International Organization for Migra- out into the street? This is cruelty,” says the allow that, we cannot tolerate that kind ways show love,” but to also “stand refugees they have the right to apply for tion runs a separate integration program, HE- family’s eldest son Mustafa. Migration Minis- of behavior.” firm.” Young people, he said, are “very Greek tax and social insurance numbers, and LIOS, that offers language courses, help with ter Notis Mitarachi has said the housing vocal about the injustices” and are should therefore find jobs, the ministry says. job-hunting and accommodation support. But transfer process had been due to start in April ‘To get some clarity’ adept with modern technology, so that Refugee support groups note that al- at most the scheme can assist only 3,500 but was delayed because of the COVID-19 “What we hope to hear today is re- George Floyd’s death was filmed on though this is technically true, in reality ap- people at a time. As he is now expected to pandemic. Refugees used to be able to keep ally to lift us up ... and that’s gonna Monday morning and “by that plicants face insurmountable difficulties. The fend for himself, Rahmoun says his monthly their accommodation for up to six months keep us going beyond the hate that’s evening, the entire world knew.” “So country was recovering from a decade-long benefit of 400 euros ($440) will also be cut. after receiving protected status. The new going on in the world, and give us we try to walk alongside of them. But debt crisis and jobs were already scarce be- The family from Idlib changed homes several conservative government of Prime Minister what we need to go out and be world if they come to destroy our commu- fore the coronavirus pandemic, which is ex- times to protect themselves from bombard- Kyriakos Mitsotakis has reduced this period changers,” said Jalila Abdul-Brow, a nity, we cannot allow that... People are pected to bring additional layoffs. Refugees ment during Syria’s civil war, before eventu- to just a month. — AFP 38-year-old pastor in a neighboring already suffering here.” — AFP 8 Established 1961 Tuesday, June 2, 2020 International India expels Pakistan embassy officials over ‘spying activities’ India’s foreign ministry slams ‘baseless’ allegations

NEW DELHI: Two officials at Pakistan’s High Com- charge d’affaires to express its “condemnation” of the mission in New Delhi were being expelled for “espi- expulsion order. India and Pakistan have fought three onage activities”, India’s foreign ministry said late wars against each other since independence, including Sunday, allegations its nuclear-armed rival called two over Kashmir where they have rival claims. “baseless”. Tensions are already heightened between There have also been numerous flare-ups between the neighboring foes over the Himalayan region of the two foes, including in February 2019 when they Kashmir, which was split between them in 1947 when conducted tit-for-tat air strikes. Rebel groups in In- they gained independence from Britain. dian-administered Kashmir have battled for decades “The government has declared both these officials for the region’s independence or its merger with Pak- persona non grata for indulging in activities incom- istan, and enjoy broad popular support. Since 1989 the patible with their status as members of a diplomatic fighting has left tens of thousands dead, mostly civil- mission,” the ministry said in a statement. The pair had ians. India has more than 500,000 troops stationed in to leave the country “within Kashmir, where clashes are 24 hours” and Pakistan’s a common occurrence but charge d’affaires was issued last month extended into with a “strong protest” over the regional capital Srina- their alleged activities, the Kashmir gar. Police said a key rebel ministry said. Pakistan’s for- leader was killed during the eign ministry said it tensions first shootout between In- “strongly rejects the base- dian government forces and less Indian allegations” and heighten militants to hit the city’s called Delhi’s action a “clear center in two years. violation of the Vienna Con- vention... especially in an al- Friction with neighbors NEW DELHI: A motorist rides past the main gate of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi ready vitiated atmosphere”. Sunday’s expulsion yesterday. – AFP Kashmir has become a bigger source of tension in order came after a German court in early May said an relations between the regional powers after New Indian national will stand trial there in August accused Delhi last August scrapped the Muslim-majority re- of spying on Sikh and Kashmiri communities for New border. Hundreds of Indian and Chinese troops are in- mid-May drew up a new political map that includes gion’s semi-autonomous status and imposed a curfew. Delhi’s secret service. India is also experiencing in- volved in the latest face-off concentrated in India’s strategically important territory it disputes with India. In response, Islamabad at that time said it would recall creased friction with its other neighbours China and Ladakh region just opposite Tibet. New Delhi has The new map followed protests in Nepal after its big- its ambassador from Delhi and send back the Indian Nepal. India has several disputes with regional super- turned down US President Donald Trump’s offer to ger neighbor inaugurated an 80-kilometre road in Ut- envoy. Late Sunday, Pakistan summoned India’s power China along their 3,500-kilometre (2,175-mile) mediate that dispute. The Nepalese government in tarakhand state leading up to a disputed pass. —AFP Hong Kong: What Deadly Storm hits losing US ‘special El Salvador and status’ mean for? HONG KONG: Washington’s declaration this week that Hong Kong is no longer sufficiently au- Guatemala tonomous from China was a historic moment with SAN SALVADOR: Tropical Storm Amanda, the first potentially far-reaching consequences for the fi- named storm of the season in the Pacific, killed at least nance hub - though much depends on President 14 people as it lashed El Salvador and Guatemala on Donald Trump. The revocation of special status Sunday amid flooding and power outages. El Salvador’s could radically rearrange the fortunes of a city that President Nayib Bukele declared a state of emergency has served for decades as the global economic for 15 days to cope with the effects of the storm, which gateway to China. On Friday, Trump vowed to strip weakened later in the day as it moved into Guatemala. the city of certain trade privileges, saying Beijing’s The fatalities were all recorded in El Salvador, interior plan to impose a sweeping national security law minister Mario Duran said, warning that the death toll on the semi-autonomous city was a “tragedy”. But could rise. Amanda knocked down trees, triggered flash he was light on specifics and the declaration could floods and landslides, caused power outages, and dam- end up being little more than symbolic. aged about 200 homes, the head of the Civil Protection Service William Hernandez said. What is special status? One person is still missing, senior government official In the run-up to Britain returning Hong Kong to HONG KONG: Pro-democracy protesters gather during a ‘Lunch With You’ rally at a shopping mall in the Carolina Recinos added. San Salvador Mayor Ernesto China in 1997, a “one country, two systems” deal Central district of Hong Kong yesterday. —AFP Muyshondt said half of those killed died in the capital. was forged to allow the city to maintain certain “We are experiencing an unprecedented situation: one freedoms and autonomy for 50 years. Those liber- stocks, bonds, financial transactions, SWIFT, all of How did this come about? top-level emergency on top of another serious one,” he ties included a free market economy, an independ- that is imperilled,” he told Bloomberg News The decision to begin revoking Hong Kong’s said, referring to the coronavirus pandemic. About ent judiciary, free speech and legislative autonomy. . special status was sparked by growing fears that 4,200 people sought refuge in government-run shelters As a result, many countries, including the United What happens next? Beijing is prematurely stamping out freedoms. Of after losing their homes or being forced to leave be- States, brought in laws that allowed them to treat Trump has certainly indicated he plans to follow most recent concern is a plan to ban subversion cause they were in high-risk areas, Muyshondt added. Hong Kong as a separate trade entity to the author- up with some concrete measures. On Friday he in- and acts endangering national security after In some flooded areas, soldiers worked alongside itarian and economically restrictive mainland. structed officials “to begin the process of eliminat- months of pro-democracy protests last year. Bei- emergency personnel to rescue people. “We lost every- The arrangement allowed Hong Kong to flour- ing policy that gives Hong Kong different and jing says the law is needed to curb “terrorism” thing, we’ve been left with nowhere to live,” said Isidro ish into a world-class financial centre on a par special treatment”. “This will affect the full range of and “separatism”. Opponents fear it will be used Gomez, a resident of hard-hit southeastern San Sal- with London and New York. Reciprocal visa-free agreements, from our extradition treaty to our ex- to snuff out dissent like on the authoritarian main- vador, after a nearby river overflowed and destroyed travel deals, a dollar-pegged currency, the world’s port controls on dual-use technologies and more, land. Hong Kong’s fate has produced rare bipar- his home. Another victim, Mariano Ramos, said that at fourth-largest stock exchange as well as business- with few exceptions,” he added. However, no spe- tisan support in Washington with lawmakers last dawn residents of his San Salvador neighborhood were friendly laws, taxes and legal protections greased cific plans were unveiled. Julian Ku, an expert on in- year passing a bill punishing China. One of the slammed by an avalanche of mud and water. An elderly the wheels of commerce. If Washington opts for ternational law at Hofstra University, said the provisions was for the State Department to cer- man died in the area, officials said. El Salvador’s Envi- hardline measures it would risk “all of the financial president has “lots of flexibility”. “I expect him to tify each year whether Hong Kong maintains ronment Ministry warned residents of the “high proba- connectivity that China has to the free market”, take some major steps that would show China he is enough autonomy from China to justify its special bility” of multiple landslides that could damage buildings according to Robert Spalding, a US-China expert serious, but not to change every US law that applies status. On Wednesday the State Department de- and injure or kill people. — AFP at the Hudson Institute. “Once that goes away, to Hong Kong,” he said. — AFP cided it did not. — AFP

Sanou, said in a statement that the At least 50 die bloodshed underlined the need for the US anti-racism army and locals to work together to in Burkina “defeat the terrorist hydra”. protests stretch Increasingly frequent attacks attacks Burkina Faso, one of the world’s poorest countries, has battled a jihadist to New Zealand insurgency since 2015. The conflict has OUAGADOUGOU: Ten people were provoked attacks on ethnic Fulani WELLINGTON: Protests sweeping the killed when an aid convoy was am- herders whom other communities ac- United States over the death of George bushed in Burkina Faso, the government cuse of supporting the militants. Burkina Floyd reverberated on the other side of the said Sunday, bringing to at least 50 the Faso’s armed forces are leading counter- globe yesterday as thousands marched in death toll from a string of attacks terror operations with increasing fre- solidarity on the streets of New blamed on jihadists. The ambush oc- quency. The Sahel country is part of a Zealand. The rallies were peaceful in con- curred on Saturday near the northern regional effort to battle an Islamist in- trast to the days of violent protests in the town of Barsalogho, it said in a state- surgency along with Mali, Niger, Mau- US after Floyd, an African-American, died ment, adding that an attack on a live- ritania and Chad. But their militaries, after being handcuffed and as a white po- stock market in the east of the country under-equipped and poorly trained, are lice officer, who has since been charged earlier in the day had claimed 25 lives, struggling despite help from France, with murder, knelt on his neck. In Auck- according to a provisional toll. which has 5,000 troops in the region. land, about 2,000 people marched to the The humanitarian convoy was re- Attacks have in fact intensified in US Consulate chanting “no justice no turning from the northern town of Foube Burkina Faso since last year, becoming peace” and “black lives matter”. after delivering food there, the statement practically a daily occurrence. A secu- Another 500 gathered in Christchurch, said. At least five civilians and five gen- rity source said the country had become and a large crowd was expected to main- darmes were killed and around 20 peo- a haven for jihadists as a result of former tain a candlelit vigil outside the parliament ple were injured. Saturday’s attacks president Blaise Compaore’s role as a buildings in Wellington. Nigerian-New mediator, notably to obtain the release came a day after a convoy of mainly Zealand musician, Mazbou Q, who organ- WELLINGTON: New Zealand protesters hold a vigil against the killing of Minneapolis man George of Western hostages. Compaore was shopkeepers escorted by a local self- ized the protest, said the gatherings were Floyd in a Black Lives Matter protest outisde Parliament in Wellington yesterday. —AFP defense unit came under fire in the north overthrown in 2014. Numerous foreign- not just about the death of Floyd. “The on- of the West African country, killing 15 ers have been kidnapped in Burkina going persecution of the black community people. That attack, in Loroum province, Faso, with six believed held in a Mali is an ongoing phenomenon. The same does not reflect that at all. In fact, it makes key presence as the protestors defied strict was also blamed on jihadists. The east camp near the Burkina border. The wife white supremacy which has led to dispro- us complicit.” In Christchurch, where 51 coronavirus regulations demanding gath- and north of the former French colony of one of them, elderly Australian doctor portionate killings of black people in the people were killed by a self-proclaimed erings be restricted to a maximum 100 are the hardest hit by attacks by ji- Kenneth Elliot, released a video on Fri- US exists here in New Zealand,” he told the white supremacist last year, one speaker, people, who must maintain social distanc- hadists, who have killed more than 900 day appealing for him to be freed. Un- crowd. Josephine Varghese, told the crowd: “We ing. New Zealand is on the verge of elim- people and caused some 860,000 peo- rest in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger “We pride ourselves on being a nation demand racial and economic justice. Black inating coronavirus with no new cases for ple to flee their homes in the past five killed around 4,000 people last year, of empathy, kindness and love. But the si- lives matter, indigenous lives matter, Mus- 10 days. Of 1,154 confirmed cases, only one years. A local governor, Colonel Saidou according to UN figures. — AFP lence from the government and the media lim lives matter.” Police maintained a low- remains active. — AFP Established 1961

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2020 Business

Asia’s factory pain worsens ECB plans to pump up eurozone Russian small businesses 10as China’s recovery falters 10 support as pandemic persists 11 reopen to uncertain future

SYDNEY: Shoppers with face masks walk through a shopping district in central Sydney. Australia’s three decades of uninterrupted prosperity are coming to an abrupt end as the global coronavirus pandemic crashes one of its most lucrative sources of income – immigration. —AFP Australia’s migrant boom ends abruptly Pandemic derails three decades of uninterrupted golden economic run

SYDNEY: Australia’s three decades of uninterrupted has been fuelled by migrants in big cities like Sydney and “It’s going to be one of the real impacts of this crisis prosperity are coming to an abrupt end as the global coro- Melbourne. because our borders aren’t opening anytime soon,” he said. navirus pandemic crashes one of its most lucrative sources of income – immigration. Real impact Safe bubble The country has been successful in managing the out- Even though immigration is a politically divisive topic in That has prompted urgent calls for solutions from some Russia agrees to break and reopening its A$2 trillion ($1.33 trillion) econo- Australia, there is a broad recognition that the country businesses and political leaders. The premier of New South my, thanks in part to an early closure of its borders. But the needs its 200,000 to 300,000 annual intake to grow con- Wales, Gladys Berejiklian, is lobbying her federal counter- policy has led to a halt in mass immigration - a key source sumption demand and fill skills shortages in various sec- parts to allow international students in to rescue universi- earlier OPEC+ of consumer demand, labor and growth - in tors. ties, which contribute A$13 billion to the economy of the an economy which is facing its first recession since the ear- country’s most populous state. Australia’s government is meeting: Report ly 1990s. also working with New Zealand to establish a “Trans- Net immigration, including international students and Tasman bubble” that would re-open the movement of peo- MOSCOW/LONDON: Russia has no objection those on skilled worker visas, is expected to fall 85 percent Education, ple between the two closely integrated economies. to the next meeting of OPEC and its allies, known in the fiscal year to June 2021, curbing demand for every- New Zealand is a large source of labor for Australia, as OPEC+, being brought forward to June 4 from thing from cars and property to education and wedding housing and home to about 600,000 kiwi expatriates. To be sure, the following week, three OPEC+ sources familiar rings. Gurmeet Tuli, who owns a jewelry store in the Australia still enjoys its “lucky country” status, benefiting with the meeting’s preparations told Reuters on Sydney suburb of Parramatta, said his business is already tourism hit from resilient global demand for some commodities and Sunday. hurting in a neighborhood which is home to tens of thou- having been able to re-open large parts of Algeria, which currently holds the presidency sands of migrants. the economy sooner than many other advanced economies. of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting “My main clientele is young people who come here to But even though Australia’s central bank expects Countries (OPEC), has proposed the meeting study, they find work here and settle down, fall in love and the economy to expand 6 percent next year after a pro- planned for June 9-10 be brought forward to facil- want to get married,” Tuli said. While a large share of these migrants arrive on what are jected 6 percent contraction in 2020, analysts and busi- itate oil sales for countries such as Saudi Arabia, “I have not sold a single diamond ring in the past two considered “temporary” visas, many later gain permanent nesses warn a sustained recovery is unlikely without the Iraq and Kuwait. The lack of Russian opposition to months,” he added, noting business is down about 40 per- residency and employment, adding to long-term popula- full resumption of immigration. Over the years, immigration an earlier date could indicate that it is moving cent so far this year. So critical is migration to Australia that tion growth. Australia’s population would grow an average has helped transform Australia’s retail and urban landscape, closer to an agreement with OPEC’s de facto analysts reckon the economy would have slipped into a 1.6 percent annually over the decade to 2027, according to reviving down-at-heel suburban high streets, spurring leader, Saudi Arabia, on how to extend oil produc- recession last year without new arrivals to boost popula- the latest official projections from 2018. Without immigra- swanky commercial property development and creating tion cuts for the rest of the year. tion growth. tion, it was forecast to grow only 0.5 percent. new consumer markets. OPEC+ decided in April to cut output by a AMP Capital Chief Economist Shane Oliver estimates “During a slowdown and when the unemployment rate Gotcha Fresh Tea is one of a host of bubble tea fran- record 9.7 million barrels per day, or about 10 per- that population growth in recent years has boosted is high there is popular pressure to slow down migration,” chises that has expanded rapidly in Australia, with demand cent of global output, to lift prices battered by a the economy by about one percentage point per year. said AMP Capital’s Oliver. “But if we want fuelled in large part by international students but also by drop in demand because of lockdown measures to But as migration stalls, education, housing and tourism the economy working back again, we need migration to growing interest for the Asian tapioca beverage from the stop the spread of the coronavirus. sectors are seen among the worst hit. The drought in inter- return.” Concerns over immigration range from sustainabil- wider community. Orlando Sanpo, business development Reduced production from OPEC+, combined national student arrivals, who in recent years made up ity and housing affordability to more populist complaints manager at EFC Group Australia, the chain’s franchisor, with a record decline in output from non-members about 40 percent of the migrant intake, is expected to hit about social integration and foreigners taking local jobs. said the student freeze has hit sales by up to 80 percent in such as the United States and Canada, helped to the A$37 billion education sector, Australia’s second largest Prime Minister Scott Morrison said last week Australia some downtown stores and even closed an outlet at a lift oil prices towards $35 per barrel, though they services export after tourism. needed 160,000 to 210,000 arrivals to sustain GDP per Sydney campus. remain at only half the levels at the start of the A fall in new arrivals could also dampen the construc- capita growth, and acknowledged the great uncertainty “We need people to come back to the country,” Sanpo year. On Friday a monthly survey by Reuters tion boom in Australia’s all-important housing sector, which current restrictions cast over the outlook. said. –Reuters showed that OPEC’s oil output hit its lowest level in two decades in May as Saudi Arabia and other doing everything possible to protect jobs wherever we members delivered record supply cuts. Emirates airline can.” However, the survey showed that overall com- Emirates said on May 10 that it would take at least pliance was about 75 percent because Nigeria and Iraq failed to comply fully with their share of 18 months for travel demand to return to “a semblance reductions. lays off trainee of normality”, even after reporting bumper pre-pan- OPEC President Algeria has proposed bringing demic profits. The carrier had suspended flights on forward the next meeting of the oil producing pilots, cabin crew March 22 before resuming some services two weeks group and its allies, known as OPEC+, to June 4 later. from an earlier plan to hold it on June 9-10, DUBAI: Emirates airline said on Sunday it had made Last week, it began partial regular service to a some staff redundant due to the impact of the coron- according to a letter from Algeria to OPEC+ number of mostly Western airports. The International members seen by Reuters. avirus pandemic, with two company sources saying Air Transport Association forecast in April that air traf- trainee pilots and cabin crew had been affected. Algeria’s energy minister, Mohamed Arkab, said fic in the Middle East and North Africa was set to tum- in the letter that he had held discussions with “We reviewed all possible scenarios in order to ble this year by more than a half. sustain our business operations, but have come to the forced to ground its fleet during the coronavirus crisis, “some ministers” about bringing forward the but did not specify the extent of the layoffs. The Dubai IATA said that MENA airlines’ revenues in 2020 dates, which would help “facilitate nominations”. conclusion that we unfortunately have to say goodbye will be slashed by $24.5 billion compared to last year, to a few of the wonderful people that worked with us,” carrier, the largest in the Middle East, announced in Sources have told Reuters that Saudi Arabia is and warned the region’s aviation shutdown threatened proposing to extend record cuts from May and a spokeswoman said. “The company is doing every- March temporary cuts of between 25 percent and 50 some 1.2 million jobs. State-owned Kuwait Airways June until the end of the year but it has yet to win thing possible to protect the workforce wherever we percent in basic salaries for most employees after halt- recently said it was laying off 1,500 expatriate support from Russia, which believes curbs could can,” she added. ing its operations. It employs a workforce that is around 100,000- employees, who make up a quarter of foreign staff. be gradually eased. On Friday, a monthly survey by The state-owned airline, which has around 60,000 Even before the coronavirus pandemic paralyzed Reuters showed OPEC’s oil output hit its lowest in employees and is part of the Emirates Group, did not strong, with a fleet of 270 wide-bodied aircraft. “We reviewed all possible scenarios in order to sustain our the aviation industry, Emirates, which transported 56 two decades in May as Saudi Arabia and other say how many staff had been affected by the job cuts. members delivered record supply cuts. business operations, but we have come to the conclu- million passengers last year, had slimmed its orders Emirates said on May 10 that a Dubai government However, the survey showed the overall compli- sion that we unfortunately have to say goodbye to a from both Airbus and Boeing, cutting tens of billions of commitment to provide it with “equity injections” ance was around 75 percent because Nigeria and few of the wonderful people that worked with us,” the dollars’ worth of aircraft. would allow it to preserve its skilled workforce. The airline industry plays a key role in making Iraq failed to fully comply with their share of Emirates Group’s airport services subsidiary dnata has airline said in a statement. “We continuously are reductions. Arkab said in his letter the low compli- reassessing the situation and will have to adapt to this Dubai a global hub for tourism and transport. Dubai also laid off some staff and placed thousands of others government said in April it would inject fresh capital ance rates “may have an adverse impact as soon as on unpaid leave. transitional period,” it said. markets are open on Monday”.—Reuters “We do not view this lightly, and the company is into Emirates to help it cope with the impact of coron- The airline said it will have to cut jobs after being avirus. –Agencies 10 Established 1961 Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Business Asia’s factory pain worsens as China’s recovery falters IMF, private analysts expect prolonged global economic downturn

TOKYO: Asia’s factory pain deepened in May as down restrictions. And things are likely to continue the slump in global trade caused by the coronavirus improving very gradually over the coming months pandemic worsened, with export powerhouses as external demand recovers,” Capital Economics Japan and South Korea suffering the sharpest de- wrote. “But output is still likely to be well below clines in business activity in more than a decade. normal levels for many months to come as domestic A series of manufacturing surveys released yes- and global demand remain very depressed.” terday suggest any rebound in businesses will be Taiwan’s manufacturing activity also fell in May. some time off, even though China’s factory activity Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines saw PMIs unexpectedly returned to growth in May. China’s rebound from April, though the indices all remained Caixin/Markit Manu- below the 50-mark facturing Purchasing threshold that separates Managers’ Index (PMI) contraction from expan- hit 50.7 last month, sion. Official data yester- marking the highest Japan, India day showed South Korea reading since January as extending its exports easing of lockdowns al- factory plunge for a third straight lowed companies to get month. back to work and clear outputs sink India’s factory activity outstanding orders. contracted sharply in SHANTOU: A worker assembles toy cars at the Mendiss toy factory in Shantou, southern China’s Guangdong But with many of May, extending the major province. Cancelled shipments, returned goods and a dearth of new orders have left China exporters in crisis China’s trading partners decline seen in April as a as the coronavirus hits its trading partners worldwide — accelerating a long-standing push towards domestic still restricted, its new government-imposed consumption. — FP export orders remained in contraction, the private lockdown hammered demand. business survey showed yesterday. China’s official Asia’s economic woes are likely to be echoed in PMI survey on Sunday showed the recovery in the other parts of the world including Europe, where be deeper and the rebound is likely to take longer Beijing’s handling of the pandemic could sour busi- world’s second-largest economy intact but fragile. economies continue to suffer huge damage in fac- than previously predicted as the pandemic spreads ness sentiment and add to already huge strains on Japan’s factory activity shrank at the fastest pace tory and service sectors. With many countries in waves. the global economy. The final au Jibun Bank Japan since 2009 in May, a separate private sector survey starting to ease lockdown restrictions imposed to The International Monetary Fund warned last Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) showed while South Korea also saw manufacturing stop the spread of the virus, which has infected month the global economy will take much longer fell to a seasonally adjusted 38.4 from 41.9 in April, slump at the sharpest pace in more than a decade. over 5.5 million people globally, equity markets than expected to recover fully from the virus shock, its lowest since March 2009. South Korea’s IHS Capital Economics said the region’s manufactur- are rallying on hopes for a swift return to health suggesting a downgrade to its current projection Markit purchasing managers’ index (PMI) edged ing sector is in deep recession. “Industry is likely to and prosperity. for a 3 percent contraction this year. down to 41.3 in May, the lowest since January 2009 have seen an initial jump from the easing of lock- But the trough in global economic activity will A US-China spat over Hong Kong’s status and and below 41.6 in April. — Reuters

Ramaphosa said in a statement. ECB to pump S Africa loosens The rand was trading 0.74 percent up against the dollar at 0750 GMT lockdown to after the easing of restrictions in South up eurozone Africa, which has so far had fewer than 700 coronavirus deaths. Many more help recovery people, half of whom live below the of- support ficial poverty line, are at risk from JOHANNESBURG: South Africa hunger because of the shutdown and sought to revive its stuttering econ- FRANKFURT AM MAIN: The European industry officials said the outlook re- omy yesterday with the partial lifting of Central Bank could announce Thursday mained bleak. a coronavirus lockdown, letting people hundreds of billions of euros in new bond- Philippa Rodseth, executive director out for work, worship or shopping, and buying to keep fighting the pandemic crisis, of the Manufacturing Circle, said she allowing mines and factories to run at analysts predict, as EU governments pre- expected demand “first and foremost in full capacity. pare to wrangle for months over a joint re- medical textiles and equipment and President Cyril Ramaphosa was sponse. PPE (personal protective equipment)” RANKFURT: The sun sets behind the European Central Bank and the city skyline in Frank- widely praised when he ordered a strict While some policymakers have urged although this would not contribute to furt am Main, western Germany. A vast fiscal fightback to the coronavirus crisis unleashed lockdown at the end of March, but the abandoning the ECB’s self-imposed limits overall aggregate demand. by eurozone governments could raise questions about capitals’ ability to repay debts and measures have battered on buying government debt to stoke growth And Standard Bank, Africa’s largest by revive the threat of countries exiting the single currency. — AFP the economy of Africa’s most industri- and inflation, the meeting is also the first assets, said it expected half year earnings alized nation, which was already in re- since a ruling by Germany’s Constitutional to fall 20 percent on the same period a cession before the coronavirus. Court urging restraint of the central bank’s tion forecasts from ECB staff, as January- month after a German Constitutional Court year ago. Although schools were ordered South Africa’s central bank expects powers. March figures were compiled before the (GCC) ruling that a 2.6-trillion-euro bond- to open yesterday for the last years of the economy, which has been hard hit “At a minimum, we think (governors) will virus struck. buying scheme launched in 2015 may not primary and secondary, unions urged by the impact of power cuts at crisis- add a further 500 billion euros” ($557 bil- Bank president Christine Lagarde last have been “proportionate” to its price sta- teachers and other staff to stay away, hit state energy firm Eskom, to contract lion) to the 750-billion-euro Pandemic week predicted that the eurozone economy bility goal and demanding clarification. saying they were not equipped to keep by 7 percent this year. But moving to Emergency Purchase Programme (PEPP) would contract by between eight and 12 If the ECB cannot satisfy the judges, the employees and pupils safe. “level 3” lockdown so soon has been decided in March, Capital Economics ana- percent in 2020, before a hoped-for strong German Bundesbank, the central bank, may The education ministry backed questioned by some who say it will in- lyst Andrew Kenningham said. If the ECB rebound next year. not be able to participate in bond-buying. down on Sunday, saying pupils would evitably increase the number of coro- keeps up its present pace of buying govern- While finding a face-saving solution to the now return the week after next. Teach- navirus cases, which jumped above ment and corporate debt, “the total enve- Inflation collapse immediate legal headache, policymakers ers will report this week for training 30,000 over the weekend. “We are lope will be exhausted by early October”, Meanwhile inflation in the 19-nation eu- must also consider how court challenges and to receive protective gear. “We taking a gradual approach, guided by he added. rozone collapsed to 0.1 percent year-on- might limit their future options. have heard them (the teachers’ unions) the advice of our scientists and led by “The only questions are exactly what year in May—down from 1.2 percent in Bank of France governor Francois ... and are taking steps to address their the realities on the ground,” changes are announced and when.” ECB February before the pandemic and worlds Villeroy de Galhau last week said the so- concerns,” Ramaphosa said. — Reuters board member Isabel Schnabel reiterated away from the ECB’s just-below-two-per- called “capital key”—under which the ECB last week that the “size but also the compo- cent target. buys countries’ bonds in line with their sition and duration” of PEPP could all be in- The inflation outlook could fall as low as stakes in its capital—is an “uncalled-for cover plane exports. creased, with some analysts forecasting an zero across the year, Capital Economics constraint”. Embraer seeks Embraer said it has firm orders for extension from the end of this year to Sep- predicted, potentially offering a powerful Free of limits, the central bank might the years ahead worth $16 billion on tember 2021. justification for further measures to support choose to buy more Italian, French or Span- $600m financing March 31. “This shows how sound and As well as Thursday’s policy moves, eyes activity and lift price growth towards the ish debt to keep financial conditions on an balanced the company is in the midst of will be on June’s quarterly growth and infla- bank’s goal. Governors will meet less than a even keel across the eurozone. — AFP for exports the crisis hitting the aviation sector,” one of the sources said. “No one knows what the future RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian plane- holds in store for commercial aviation, World stocks scale maker Embraer SA, the world’s third but with less people flying it could well largest commercial jet builder, should be an era of smaller planes and private 3-month peak on obtain $600 million in credit lines from aircraft,” the source added, pointing to Brazil’s state development bank Embraer’s forte as a leading maker of BNDES and private banks in June, gov- regional jets. reopening joy The Brazilian government has been ernment sources said on Sunday. negotiating a financial bailout for Brazil’s LONDON: World stocks were just shy of The loans will finance production to airlines to help them cope with the dra- three-month highs and the dollar weakened meet demand for passenger planes and matic loss of business during the coro- further yesterday as optimism on executive jets, they said speaking on navirus pandemic. The bailout involving economies opening up boosted risk ap- condition they were not named. A BNDES should be decided by the start petite, shrugging off worries over riots in spokesman for Embraer confirmed that of July, and Embraer could receive some the US and unease over Washington’s the company is in talks on financing $400 million of that aid package that is power struggle with Beijing. After having proposals from the BNDES and private expected to include bond issues, the risen a whopping 35 percent from a late bank in Brazil and abroad to aimed sources said. — Reuters March trough, stocks were set to kick off mainly at providing working capital to June with more gains. The MSCI all country world stocks index has covered two-thirds the FT said this would form a central TOKYO: Pedestrians are seen reflected in a window where an electric quotation board of the losses it incurred in the aftermath of Britain to part of its recovery program along with displays the morning numbers of the Nikkei 225 Index on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in the coronavirus outbreak. the retraining of workers. “We are try- Tokyo yesterday.—AFP Yesterday’s gains were also lifted by re- launch big ing to identify shovel-ready projects — lief that while President Donald Trump we want to get a move on with this,” it began the process of ending special US over race and policing. “I agree the riots are highest since early March. Japan’s Nikkei stimulus quoted one minister as saying. treatment for Hong Kong to punish China, not good but the perception is that this is a added 0.7 percent to also reach a three- Sunak said on Friday that employers he left their trade deal intact. European local issue...and the uncertainty has spilled month peak. LONDON: Britain’s government is hammered by the coronavirus shut- stocks opened 1 percent higher led by over into a lower dollar,” Bailey added. E- The turmoil was a fresh setback for planning to launch a big stimulus pack- down would have to gradually start virus-hit sectors such as travel & leisure, Mini futures for the S&P 500 were trading the economy which was only just emerg- age before the summer with a focus on contributing to the government’s banks and miners but volumes were sub- 0.4 percent higher, reversing a 1 percent ing from a downturn akin to the Great creating jobs and infrastructure proj- hugely expensive wage subsidy dued as Germany, Switzerland and Austria loss earlier in the session. Depression. Following poor data on ects to help drag the economy out of scheme, but only from August. were closed for holidays. “The Trump rhet- In Asia, stocks closed higher led by spending and trade out on Friday, the At- the coronavirus crisis, the Financial The government has been paying oric against China and trade impediments China on signs parts of the domestic econ- lanta Federal Reserve estimated eco- Times reported. since March 80 percent of the wages against Hong Kong could have been a lot omy were picking up. Hong Kong managed nomic output could drop a staggering 51 Finance minister Rishi Sunak de- of workers who are temporarily laid off, worse, hence the performance of those mar- to rally 3.6 percent, while Chinese blue percent annualized in the second quarter. clined on Friday to say whether he and who now total 8.4 million, to limit a kets this morning, which has helped the risk chips put on 2.4 percent An official busi- The May jobs report due out on Friday would bring forward his next budget surge in unemployment. backdrop for the European open,” said ness survey from China showed its factory is forecast to show the unemployment statement, due in the autumn, to spell While that has been warmly wel- Chris Bailey, European strategist at wealth activity grew at a slower pace in May but rate surged to 19.8 percent, smashing out how he will tackle Britain’s surging comed by unions and business groups manager Raymond James. momentum in the services and construc- April’s record 14.7 percent. Payrolls are debt. But Prime Minister Boris John- there are still fears that many jobs will The safe-haven dollar, meanwhile, hit an tion sectors quickened. That helped lift expected to drop by 7.4 million, on top son’s government was elected in De- go in sectors which will struggle to re- 11-week low dented by risk-on mood MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific of the 20.5 million jobs lost the previ- cember after promising to upgrade the open, such as hospitality, retail and among investors and riots in major US cities shares outside Japan 2.1 percent to its ous month. —Reuters country’s creaking infrastructure and aviation. — Reuters Established 1961 11 Business Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Russian small businesses reopen to uncertain future A third of Russian firms risk bankruptcy due to collapse in demand

MOSCOW: When Moscow authorities closed non- nesses complain they pale in comparison with meas- essential businesses to stop the spread of the coron- ures extended to enterprises in the West. avirus, Boris Kupriyanov began to personally deliver Vladimir Gimpelson, head of the Centre for Labor books to his customers. This, he said, has helped him Market Studies at Moscow’s Higher School of and his indie bookstore survive over the past two Economics, said tax breaks and loans were of little help months. “In many ways this has become our salvation,” for companies on the brink of bankruptcy. Kupriyanov, co-founder of Falanster, one of the coun- “Deferrals are not a solution to the problem,” try’s most famous independent bookshops, told AFP. Gimpelson said in a recent report, warning of a rise in “We’ve kept going only because people wanted to poverty and inequality. The Russian government has refused to tap into the country’s sovereign wealth fund, which had assets worth $150 billion as of early March, and instead ordered companies to continue paying their employees in April despite the shutdown. Five million in Russia ‘No major support’ “We have not felt any major support from the state,” unemployed said 47-year-old Kupriyanov, sporting a salt-and-pep- per beard and a small silver ring in his left ear. “This has been an ordeal and unfortunately for many companies it has become fatal,” he added. The crisis has dealt a major blow to Falanster—a treasure trove of buy our books and help us,” he added. Many small and intellectual literature including small print-run books by MOSCOW: Russian businessman Boris Kupriyanov, the owner of Falanster book store, talks to an medium-sized businesses including Kupriyanov’s book- little-known authors. Before the coronavirus struck, AFP journalist in his closed shop in Moscow amid the COVID-19 outbreak.—AFP store were allowed to reopen yesterday as authorities business had flourished and the shop had just moved to gradually ease confinement restrictions in Russia, which bigger premises on Tverskaya Street in the heart of has reported more than 396,000 coronavirus infec- Moscow. When operations ground to a halt in late dreds of thousands of people have found themselves could have “easily spent much more” but did not want tions—the third-largest caseload after the United March, staff launched a delivery service. without an income. According to the Russian statistics to. “Putin and the government prefer caution because States and Brazil. Kupriyanov said he was grateful for the opportunity service, unemployment increased to 5.8 percent in of a traumatic experience in the 2008 financial crisis Not everyone will resume operations, however. to stay in touch with his customers, and the new tasks April from 4.7 percent the month before—hitting the when Russia burned through almost all its reserves,” it According to a study by the Center for Strategic also helped him take his mind off the current crisis. highest level in four years. said this week. Research in April, about a third of Russian companies “When you make 10 to 15 to 20 deliveries a day “Unemployment has significantly gone up,” said “They likely also want to save the money for a pop- risk bankruptcy following a collapse in demand fuelled you simply have no time to think about what’s hap- Igor Nikolayev, director of the FBK Grant Thornton ulist spending spree ahead of the 2024 presidential by the epidemic. Companies in the trade and services pening,” he said. Institute of Strategic Analysis. He said the number of election.” Back at his Moscow store, Kupriyanov said industries are among the hardest-hit, the think-tank unemployed Russians stood around 5 million as of late he wanted to make a new website and develop online said. While authorities have unveiled measures to prop Five million unemployed May. Estimating the government’s total anti-crisis sales after they reopen. But uncertainty, he said, both- up the economy, including tax payment deferrals and Economists say that even though authorities have spending at $42 billion, The Bell, an independent ered him. “We do not know whether Russians can still interest-free loans, many small and medium-sized busi- tried to prevent mass layoffs and bankruptcies, hun- Russian-language media startup, said that authorities afford to buy books,” he said. – AFP

pose effective preventive solutions and measures, teenagers about how to best monitor their behavior A question of without the need to stop their children using the inter- will ensure a common understanding is met and net altogether. As such, parents may ask themselves a boundaries adhered to, while maintaining a sense of legitimate question: is it worth establishing technical or freedom. trust versus other restrictions on internet usage - such as limiting It seems a more conscious measure, and parents time spent online – or can my teenager navigate the who focus on positive ways to engage with their chil- security potential pitfalls on their own? dren, are more likely to build trust in a relationship with their teen and improve parent-to-child communi- By Maher Yamout Is waging war on the internet the right approach? cation. Many parents feel anxious about what their chil- When trust is formed in this way, the installation of here is no doubt that the internet plays an dren are doing online, worrying that they might ignore parental control measures can be more easily justified. important part in teenagers’ lives. It allows them advice from teachers or underestimate the risks asso- If a parent notices that something is not right with Tto have fast and easy access to a vast range of ciated with using the internet and social media. Whilst their child, they might cross the agreed boundaries, on MOSCOW: The Kremlin is reflected in the company plate of opportunities. It can be a great platform for learning some platforms like TikTok introduced special rules for the condition that such scenarios have been discussed the state-controlled Russian oil giant Rosneft at the entrance and sharing knowledge, taking part in social activities, family safety, there are still many places online where and accepted by the child. of the headquarters in Moscow. – AFP and staying in touch with friends. children could stumble across inappropriate content. After parents have established the rules for using One such example is the prevalent use of real-time When it comes to teens, they are often considered the internet and explained the necessity of limited photos and video sharing, with services such as old enough to go it alone and use the internet without parental control, most teenagers will understand that if Instagram and Snapchat being at the peak of populari- supervision. As children get older, they spend more the application blocks the site they need to access Specter of Rosneft ty among younger generations. These services can fuel time with friends rather than their family, and if their then they can always ask a parent to add the site to the adolescents’ creativity and encourage them to develop friends share the same opinion regarding internet list of allowed sources if necessary. looms over Russian their own videos and shareable content. This all plays a usage habits, there is a higher risk that teenagers will big part in teens leading a more active life, making it experiment and engage in risky online activities (which The importance of doing it right easier for them to find common ground with their independent media could be mirrored in in the physical world). It is important to keep in mind that teens learn more peers. So how can parents address this issue? One way is from what their parents do, rather than necessarily However, increased use to constantly monitor teenagers’ actions on the inter- what they say. It’s therefore crucial to be a role model MOSCOW: Russian oil giant Rosneft, run by a close of online apps and services net. This could include viewing their browser history when it comes to communicating online and using the can also bring challenges ally of President Vladimir Putin, is wielding growing after each visit if using a shared family device, visiting internet responsibly. influence over Russia’s remaining independent media for some teens – as well as their social media accounts, or even manually checking For instance, parents should lead by example. If their parents. Getting the outlets, already squeezed by tightening press freedoms their mobile devices. they agree on what restrictive measures they are going and pressure from the Kremlin. balance right between According to a Pew Research Center survey, about to put in place with their teenager, they too must online and offline activities Now, reporters at the country’s top liberal business half of parents have monitored their teen’s web history adhere to these established family rules. If parents tell daily Vedomosti—shaken in March by an announce- can be hard to achieve. Too or checked their social media profiles. However, only a children to turn off all of their devices, but they them- much time spent on the ment from owner Demyan Kudryavtsev that he planned small number had resorted to using parental control selves are constantly behind a screen, any conversa- to sell the newspaper—have denounced censorship internet could limit how software that is intended to ensure control without tion or restrictive measures may look hypocritical and much time they spend on under its new acting editor-in-chief. affecting a child’s usage experience on the web. potentially be ineffective. Andrei Shmarov was appointed in late March, ahead other important activities, So, it seems that parents are less likely to install What is more, to reduce possible tension between such as quality time with of the sale’s completion. Journalists say they were technology-based tools to control their children’s limiting internet access and teenagers looking to asset barred from covering negative opinion polls of Putin, family and friends, school activity, as they already know – or think they know - their independence, when it comes to online behavior, Maher Yamout and that editors interfered in coverage of Rosneft. On work and studying, as well what their kids will do and what sites they usually visit parents can also allow teens to self-monitor, which is a as physical exercise. Friday, the new owner was announced as the head of a online. key component of self-regulation. If parents increase little-known regional news agency called FederalPress, Besides, more time online could increase their However, by monitoring their every move, such an the amount of time they spend offline with their exposure to potentially harmful content, as well as Ivan Yeryomin. extensive invasion of privacy could be perceived as an teenagers, they will be able to establish a high level of An investigation in May by several Russian news cyberbullying. Less savvy or vigilant users could fall attempt to control their life. If teens believe that their trust and be one of the first to know what may have victim to an online scam, making them more vulnerable outlets including Vedomosti revealed that Rosneft parents have violated their privacy, it could lead to happened to their child while using the internet. leveraged control over the paper through debts owed to someone accessing their accounts without consent more conflict at home and have a detrimental rather Finally, for adolescents to effectively self-regulate or disclosing private information unwittingly. by owner Kudryavtsev to the oil giant’s bank. than a positive effect on their risky behavior. But what their online usage and habits, self-observation can Kudryavtsev denied these allegations while Rosneft To ensure adolescents reap the benefits and advan- are the alternatives? help them understand their motivations and actions. tages that the internet can bring, it is only natural for has not reacted. Parental control is just one way to prevent potential parents to want to protect their children from becom- Finding the right balance risks, but it is not a silver bullet. The best parental con- ing over-reliant on online services or being impacted ‘Real owner Rosneft’ There is a middle ground to keeping children safe trol is an active parent that openly communicates and “The real owner is Rosneft through a chain of debt,” by potential threats. Parents need to be able to track online, that ensures parents do not step over the is there to help with their children’s decision making. any changes in habits or behavior of their children as a said Vedomosti editor-at-large Maxim Trudolyubov, boundaries of teen privacy or spoil their fun while Note: Maher Yamout is Senior Security Researcher, who has worked at the paper since it started in 1999. result of using the internet. growing up. Open discussions between parents and Kaspersky Only by understanding the problem can they pro- Trudolyubov said the new editor-in-chief was “selected to run the newspaper favorably to the new owner”. cents per liter. The 200 service stations will be “run by exports for revenues but production has fallen to “They just wanted to silence it.” He described Venezuela raises private contractors” who will be allowed to import roughly a quarter of its 2008 level as Venezuela enters Rosneft chief Igor Sechin as “some sort of a hitman” gasoline, said Maduro, but he did not say who had its sixth year in recession. employing aggressive tactics. “He plays a complicated fuel prices after been awarded licenses. US sanctions have targeted Venezuelan oil exports, game of takeovers to build his empire at the expense of Public transport fares would not be affected by the starving Caracas of vital income. Maduro’s govern- other oligarchs. It’s about assets, money, influence.” changes, he added. Venezuela’s oil minister Tareck El ment blames the loss in production on US sanctions, The newspaper wrote in a recent editorial: Iranian supplies Aissami said diesel fuel—vitally important for indus- including against the state oil company PDVSA, but “Vedomosti will just become another dependent and tries—would remain “100%” subsidized. many analysts say the regime has failed to invest in or controlled media outlet.” On Friday, the newspaper CARACAS: Venezuela will increase fuel prices in June, The country is almost entirely dependent on oil maintain infrastructure. – AFP the president said, putting a limit on state subsidies wrote that the change of ownership deal undoubtedly that for decades had allowed citizens to fill their gas had “not only commercial aims”. tanks virtually for free. Its editorial suggested that “unnamed figures who Although the country has huge oil reserves, pro- really stand behind the official buyers... see the publica- duction has collapsed and Venezuelans are facing dire tion as an instrument of influence, not a business”. shortages—exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19 “This is a public humiliation of the Vedomosti brand on the economy. Under the changes, which will come and its editorial staff,” Galina Timchenko, editor-in- into force on June 1, drivers will be allowed up to 120 chief of Meduza news site, said. liters of gasoline a month and up to 60 liters for In May, it was the turn of another respected busi- motorbikes at a subsidized price of 5,000 bolivars ness daily, RBK. Rosneft is suing the newspaper for a (US$0.025) per liter. Beyond that, individuals will be record 43 billion rubles ($612 million) over an article required to pay international prices. about the oil company’s activities in Venezuela. “We It comes days after Iranian fuel tankers, carrying aren’t worried, because we know our work is correct much-needed gasoline, arrived in Venezuela. “We have and honest,” said Timofei Dzyadko, an energy reporter decided that 200 service stations will be allowed to at the newspaper. But Pyotr Kanayev, the RBK editor-in-chief, said the sell this product at an international price,” president CARABOBO: Handout photo released by the Venezuelan Ministry of Popular Power for Nicholas Maduro said Saturday, announcing an end to lawsuit was surprising. “We published (an) article Communication and Information (Minci) showing the Iranian-flagged oil tanker Fortune docked based on public information and we’re not the source the state monopoly on fuel. Speaking from Caracas, he at the El Palito refinery after its arrival to Puerto Cabello, in the northern state of Carabobo. –AFP said prices at these stations would be set at 50 US of this information,” he said.—ÅFP 12 Established 1961 Health & Science Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Scientists hunt hotspots in race to test vaccines

Low transmission rates may scupper fast vaccine trials LONDON: The first wave of the COVID-19 spread widely in the community – that would be the US biotech company Moderna and another CHALLENGE TRIALS pandemic may be waning. For vaccine develop- countries like Brazil and Mexico at the moment.” being developed by scientists at Oxford Underscoring the level of concern in the ers, that could be a problem. Scientists in Europe Vaccine trials work by randomly dividing peo- University supported by AstraZeneca. The industry, AstraZeneca’s chief executive Pascal and the United States say the relative success of ple into a treatment group and a control group, United States in July is planning to launch vast Soriot said his researchers were even contem- draconian lockdown and social distancing poli- with the treatment group getting the experimen- efficacy trials of 20,000 to 30,000 volunteers plating running so-called “challenge” trials - cies in some areas and countries means virus tal trial vaccine and the control group getting a per vaccine. Collins said US health officials will where participants would be given the experi- transmission rates may be at such low levels that placebo. All participants go back into the com- tap government and industry clinical trial net- mental vaccine and then deliberately infected there is not enough disease circulating to truly munity where the disease is circulating, and sub- works in the United States first and use mapping with COVID-19 to see if it worked. Such trials test potential vaccines. They may need to look sequent rates of infection to detect where the virus are rare, high risk and hard to get ethical further afield, to pandemic hotspots in Africa and are compared. The hope is most active. They will approval for. As a more practical and swifter Latin America, to get convincing results. is that infections within The hope is that also consider looking option, Soriot and others are looking to Brazil “Ironically, if we’re really successful using public the control group will be abroad if domestic disease and other countries in South America, as well as health measures to stamp out the hot spots of higher, showing the trial infections within rates fall too parts of Africa where COVID-19 outbreaks are viral infection, it will be harder to test the vac- vaccine is protecting the the control group far, he said. The US gov- still growing and peaking, as ripe drug and vac- cine,” said Francis Collins, director of the other group. With ernment has experience in cine testing grounds. Difficulty recruiting can- National Institutes of Health in the United States. COVID-19 epidemics in will be higher Africa of testing vaccines didates for mid-stage vaccine trials in countries A vaccine is seen as essential to ending a pan- Britain, mainland Europe against HIV, malaria and where the COVID-19 pandemic is on the wane demic that has killed nearly 370,000 people and and the United States tuberculosis. “Africa is now may be foreshadowed by the experience of doc- infected more than 6 million so far, with world coming down from their beginning to experience tors seeking infected cases for the World Health leaders looking at inoculation as the only real peak and transmission rates of the coronavirus lots of cases of COVID-19. We might very well Organization’s multi-country Solidarity trial of way to restart their stalled economies. But run- dropping, a key task for scientists is to chase want to run part of the trial there, where we potential treatments for the disease - including ning large-scale clinical trials of potential vac- fluctuating outbreaks and seek volunteers in sec- know we can collect the data effectively,” said the generic drug hydroxychloroquine and cines against a completely new disease at speed tions of populations or in countries where the Collins. Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Gilead’s remdesivir. In the Swiss portion of that is complex, scientists say. Showing efficacy in disease is still rife. A similar problem emerged Institute at Britain’s Oxford University which has trial, for instance, it took three weeks to get all those trials during a fluctuating pandemic adds when scientists were seeking to test potential teamed up with AstraZeneca, started mid-stage of the ethical and regulatory approvals from extra difficulty - and doing so when outbreaks new vaccines against Ebola during the vast 2014 trials last month which he said would aim to authorities, and another week to get all the are waning makes it harder still. “For this to outbreak in West Africa. Then, drugmakers were recruit around 10,000 people in Britain. He told drugs, said Oriol Manuel, an infectious disease work, people need to have a risk of infection in forced to drastically scale back plans for large Reuters that with COVID-19 disease transmis- expert and national coordinator of the the community. If the virus has been temporarily trials because their vaccines were only test- sion rates dropping in the UK there is a possibil- Solidarity study in Switzerland. “We were able cleared out, then the exercise is futile,” said ready late in the epidemic when case numbers ity that the trial would have to be halted if they to enroll some patients in (one trial centre in) Ayfer Ali, an expert in drug repurposing at were dwindling. didn’t have enough infections to yield a result. Lausanne,” Manuel said. “But when all centres Britain’s Warwick Business School. “The solution Among the first COVID-19 vaccines to move “That would be disappointing, and at the moment were ready, the cases were fortunately disap- is to move to areas where the infection is being into phase two, or mid-stage, trials is one from it’s unlikely, but it’s certainly a possibility,” Hill said. pearing.” — Reuters 13

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

To advertise on this Page

Call: 24833199 ext:101,102 or Direct line: 24835616 / 24835617 or email: [email protected]

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. 14 Established 1961

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Lifestyle Gossip Taraji P. Henson offers mental health support

araji P. Henson wants to help her communi- T ty cope with their mental health amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The ‘Empire’ actress is keen to support the black com- munity, particularly with their mental health, during the health crisis. She said: “When COVID happened, my heart went out and I just knew that people were suffering and they’re suffering alone in isolation. I’m blessed. I can call my therapist. I can pay for it with- out thinking about it, but what about those who can’t?” And Taraji wants to reduce the “stigma” sur- rounding mental health, particularly in the black com- munity. Speaking to CNN, she added: “My hope is that we eradicate the stigma around mental health in the black community.” Meanwhile, the 49-year-old actress previously revealed her “life’s purpose” is Gadot talking about her mental health. Taraji - who has been thinks about Wonder honest about her own battle with depression and anxiety for several years - shared: “I feel like I found my life’s purpose, talking about mental health. I was Woman all the time trying to find it through acting, but then people get caught up in the celebrity. This is real, this is straight al Gadot says she thinks about ‘Wonder and Chris and I became family and this character to the chase. This is me.” The actress wants more G Woman’ in real life. The 35-year-old became second nature to me. I actually think about people to talk about mental health. She said: “The actress plays the DC Comics superhero in the character in things that I do in my real life. I think suicide rate has taken off. It amazes me that 5-year- the 2017 movie and its sequel and she about whether something is appropriate for Wonder olds are contemplating suicide. That’s a word you admits she regularly thinks about her superhero alter Woman. She’s become a big part of me.” And Gal shouldn’t even understand at five years old. ”We don’t ego in everyday situations. Asked how playing the hopes to continue portraying the superhero for years talk about mental health, we don’t deal with it. For character has affected her personally, she said: “Wow. to come so she can bring “light and positivity” in generations, we’ve been told it’s a weakness, to pray That’s a huge question. It’s been an amazing journey these dark times. Speaking to Parade magazine, she our problems away - and that’s just not gonna cut it. that I never could have anticipated, and I’ve enjoyed added: “I would do anything to keep bringing her I’m only one voice. I need help. If we can teach chil- every moment of bringing this character to life. But I stories to the big screen and to everyone. Patty and I dren about sex education and physical education, will say that when I was told I was going to have my are completely on the same page. Her vision is com- why not mental? That’s where we start attacking this own movie, I was super nervous. ”I’d never been the pletely in line with what I want to do. ”We want to issue: with the children.” title. It was important for me to bring something good bring some good things to the world. We’re in such to the world and to bring a character that matters. I dark times, and it’s important to shine some light and felt like the little girl looking at Mount Kilimanjaro positivity.” and not sure how she’s going to climb it. But Patty Naomi Campbell loves being Williams reveals able to show his fear of her ‘true’ self

he 50-year-old supermodel has been break-ins during T curating her own content amidst the coro- navirus pandemic and she really enjoys being able to be open and honest with her lockdown social media followers. She said: “What you get from me in these shows, what I’m saying on-camera - obbie Williams is worried about break-ins believe me, if the camera wasn’t there, I would be R at his Los Angeles home. The 46-year-old saying the same thing. I’m not sugarcoating anything singer and his TV presenter wife Ayda, 41, doesn’t for the camera ... It’s great, the connectivity of the Adele are quarantining at their Beverly Hills Teigen way the world is today. I didn’t realise it would get felt like abode with their four children, amid the Covid-19 the reaction that it did, it wasn’t planned. I loved the lockdown, but Robbie admitted he doesn’t feel entire- want her own whole setup of having your own platform and owning ly safe as a number of other celebrities have been tar- your content and that was appealing to me. I feel safe Jennifer after organizing geted by burglars and stalkers. According to The Sun to open myself, to show my true self because as newspaper’s Bizarre column: “I feel there have been a reality show everyone’s seen me in magazines, you can’t tell who a Carr’s wedding lot of attacks on celebrities. People can say, ‘Well you person is. So you’re getting to see me on YouTube.” are all right in your mansions’. Yes, we are, but this is hrissy Teigen is “too scared” to have And whilst Naomi understands the heartbreak some what is happening.” While Robbie, Ayda and their C her own reality show. The ‘Chrissy’s people have endured losing love ones due to the pan- dele felt like Jennifer Lopez when she four children - Theodora, seven, Charlton, five, Court’ star - who has children Luna, demic, she is “really happy” for the time and has A organised her friend Alan Carr’s wedding. Colette, 18-months, and baby Beau, born in February four, and Miles, two, with husband adapted with the times to stay busy. Speaking to The 43-year-old presenter tied the knot - are living in LA, Robbie is also worried about his John Legend - has insisted she could never Time magazine, she added: “I’m not someone who’s with his long-term partner Paul Drayton in parents, Pete Conway and Janet Williams, at home in have cameras documenting her every move ever been bored in my life and I’m just trying to adapt a ceremony officiated by the ‘Skyfall’ hitmaker in the the UK. Speaking on his and Ayda’s podcast, because she’d end up in “trouble” over her with the time and keep busy. I really am happy for backyard of her Los Angeles home two years ago, ‘(Staying) At Home With The Williamses’, Robbie unguarded comments, and couldn’t cope with this still time, although I’m not happy for the circum- and his pal embraced her role of being in charge of explained: “My dad has got Parkinson’s and my mum negative feedback. She said: “I’m too scared. stances and am definitely saddened by the lives that the big day, comparing it to Jennifer’s 2001 movie suffers with her mental health and they are thousands The things that I say on a daily basis ... I don’t are lost and sad for the people that I’ve lost.” ‘The Wedding Planner’.Alan said of his wedding: “It and thousands of miles away. ”Real-life things are want to get into trouble. ”My mum would love Meanwhile, Naomi previously admitted she hates the was amazing. Adele organised it in her back garden in happening with our parents that are having health to have a show, I know that. I don’t think I could word “retire” as she really enjoys being “active”. She LA - it was absolutely gorgeous and she paid for it issues and we can’t get to them. No matter if you are ever do it. It’s too scary. Having people talk explained: “I don’t like the word ‘retire’. If I don’t all. ”I tried to give her some money and she said, ‘My a celebrity or not, it does not help you with that c**p about you and watching that back? Oh, I wanna do it anymore, I just won’t do it. But I’m never treat ahahahaha’. ”She’s just adorable. She’s the s**t.” And while Ayda’s mother Gwen is with the cou- would cry. I’m pretty sensitive.” The 34-year- gonna say that. I’m someone who’s extremely active. I sweetest person. ”I get asked a lot of loaded ques- ple in the US, they are currently dealing with her old model is known for her outspoken views on like to be active and I think I’m always going to be tions about her, like, ‘Has she changed? I suppose you health problems, as she was diagnosed with stage Twitter but insisted she’s learned to be more active.” don’t see much of her now...?’ But she has not two cervical cancer earlier this year and she is also guarded about what she says. She explained: changed one bit and she always has time for you. battling Parkinson’s and Lupus. Robbie said: “Ayda’s “I’m much better about saying things and when ”She’ll always pop in for a cup of tea or a drink.” mum has got cancer. That cancer’s growth is not not to say things now. The timing of how to say Asked if he asked her to officiate the ceremony, he shrinking no matter how many times I show her the things is the trick. ”Now, I sit back and watch added: “She offered. She brought her clipboard out swimming pool.” everybody else get into trouble ... ”What you and said, ‘I feel like Jennifer Lopez in ‘The Wedding are seeing is me, but it’s tough sometimes. You Planner’.’ “ The ‘Epic Game Show’ host was thrilled want to be able to say more, but you can’t. with the effort Adele went to and admitted if she had- ”Sometimes I’m not in the right headspace to n’t intervened, he and Paul wouldn’t have had such a deal with it. I have two kids. I have other stuff “perfect” day. He said: “She even got photos of mine going on. ”Sometimes I want to say something and Paul’s parents and the dogs, so it felt like they so badly but it’s not worth it. I need my mind to were at the wedding. ”It was the perfect day. It was be clear.” And Chrissy insisted it’s important to the best day of my life. If I’d organised it, it would her to keep her social media activity light- have been at a Harvester.” Alan also recalled the hearted. She added to New! magazine: “Beyond drunken incident that kicked off his friendship with physical fitness, I love to stay mentally healthy. the ‘Hello’ singer. He told Heat magazine: “We met at ”It’s really important to keep your wits about the BRIT Awards. When I was younger, I would get you and be able to laugh things off. ”I love invited along to present an award and I was always social media but it can be a really weird place. p***ed. ”I went to an after-party one year and Adele That’s why I love Twitter so much because you was there. I said to her, ‘I love you!’. Then I leant can curate your own feed and you can see against a wall, only it wasn’t a wall, it was a lift, and things that make you happy. I love to laugh and the doors open and I fell inside. ”I hit my head so see things that make me laugh.” hard, I had to go home. It sobered me up.”

Brinkley didn’t know daughter was suffering from body image issues

hristie Brinkley didn’t know how bad her Sailor recently slammed body ideals on social media, ‘perfect’ ... shiny skin with not a bump to be seen, tiny daughter’s body image issues were. Sailor admitting she had been “so down on herself recently”. little waist and thighs that look like chopsticks. ”And i C Brinkley-Cook grew up overweight and She wrote: “I’ve been so down on myself recently. compare myself, as if how someone on an app on my struggled with body confidence as a result, Crying about my cellulite, letting the fat on my body phone looks should directly correlate to how I feel something which she never really let her supermodel ruin my day, getting mad that i’m not as skinny as i about my body? What I’ve learned is that I run every mom onto. The 21-year-old star told Good Morning once was. The body dysmorphia and left over eating day. I go to the gym 6 times a week. I fuel my body America: “My mom didn’t fully know the pain that I disorder tendencies have been coming in strong. As i with beautiful food. I am so LUCKY to have two legs was going through when I was at my worst ... I grew come into myself as a young woman my body shifts and a healthy body that takes me through life. I’m so up a little bit overweight and I felt the weight of my and changes by the month, the ‘control’ i felt i once tired of thinking anything that makes up ME is some- overweightness on me constantly from people teasing had over it has been completely stripped away from thing to be ashamed of. (sic)”—BangShowbiz me and people looking at me differently. It’s just crazy me. Hormones, emotions, growing pains. I go on how that can really just shut down your self-esteem.” instagram and scroll through photos of girls that look Established 1961 15 Lifestyle Features Tuesday, June 2, 2020

In this file photo taken on June 18, 2018, Bulgarian artist Christo Vladimirov Javacheff, better known as 'Christo', speaks as he unveils his artwork, 'The Mastaba' on the Artists Christo (left) and Jeanne-Claude (right) watch the unfurling of one In this file photo taken on September 18, 1985, French culture Minister Jack Lang (left) chats with US Serpentine lake in Hyde Park in London. of the gates in the “The Gates, Central Park, New York, 1979-2005’” Bulgarian born artist Christo, in Paris during the work in progress of the Pont Neuf wrapped by the artist. exhibit at Central Park February 12, 2005 in New York City.—AFP photos Artist Christo who wrapped Reichstag in fabric dies aged 84

he artist known as Christo, who made sequent collaborations, he was credited his name transforming landmarks such more as the artist and Jeanne-Claude as the Tas Germany’s Reichstag by covering organiser. “This is not the work of Christo, them with reams of cloth, died on Sunday it’s the work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude,” aged 84, his official Facebook page she would say. To finance their massive, announced. Christo Vladimirov Javacheff ambitious projects and thus maintain their died of natural causes at his home in New artistic freedom, the couple would sell their York City, the statement said. The preparatory work, including collages and Bulgarian-born artist worked in collabora- drawings, at exorbitant prices. tion with his wife of 51 years Jeanne-Claude until her death in 2009. An ‘enchanter’ Their large-scale productions would take Next year’s work in Paris will be accom- years of preparation and were costly to panied by an exhibition at the city’s In this file photo taken on June 16, 2016, artist Christo erect; but they were mostly ephemeral, Pompidou Centre about their time in the Vladimirov Javacheff poses on his monumental installation coming down after just weeks or months. city. That show is due to start in July this “The Floating Piers” he created with late Jeanne-Claude “Christo lived his life to the fullest, not only year, running until the end of October 2020. during a press preview at the lake Iseo, northern Italy. dreaming up what seemed impossible but A statement sent to AFP by the Pompidou realising it,” said a statement from his office. Centre on Sunday paid tribute to the artist “Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s artwork as an “enchanter” who was “essential to the brought people together in shared experi- history of art of our time”. “Christo was a Christo: ences across the globe, and their work lives great artist, capable of giving new depth to on in our hearts and memories.” In accor- our everyday,” said the Pompidou Centre’s Five key works dance with Christo’s wishes, the statement president, Serge Lasvignes. 1964, during which they developed their In this file photo taken on added, a work in progress, “l’Arc de The centre’s director, Bernard Blistene, signature style. As well as the German June 4, 2016, Bulgarian

Triomphe, Wrapped”, would be completed. said they had worked “passionately” with Reichstag, another of their major projects artist Christo poses in front he spectacular temporary installations of The event is now scheduled to be shown Christo’s team to put the exhibition together was wrapping the Pont Neuf, Paris’s oldest of the monumental Bulgarian-born US artist Christo have from September 18, 2021, having been post- in parallel with the Arc de Triomphe project. bridge, in 1985. Sunday’s statement from “Mastaba” art work at the appeared in many parts of the world, from T poned from this year because of the coron- “Let the exhibition that we will be opening Christo’s office concluded: “In a 1958 letter Maeght Foundation far-flung landscapes to famous city landmarks. avirus pandemic. on July 1 pay tribute to this exceptional Christo wrote, ‘Beauty, science and art will (Fondation Maeght) on the Here are five of the most memorable: Born on June 13, 1935 in Gabrovo, body of work, bestriding all disciplines and always triumph’. We hold those words opening day of the exibi- Bulgaria, Christo left his home country in so essential to the history of art of our closely today.”—AFP ‘Wall of Oil Barrels’, Paris (1962) tion, in Saint-Paul-de- 1957, living briefly in several countries time,” he added. Vence, southeastern One of Christo’s first works with his wife and before arriving in Paris, where he met his The exhibition will focus on the time France. lifetime collaborator, Jeanne-Claude, was a wall of future wife, a fellow artist. But in their sub- Christo and his wife spent in Paris, 1958 to 89 rusting gasoline and oil barrels erected in a narrow street in central Paris. Subtitled “The Iron Curtain”, their “art barricade” was a protest against the Berlin Wall built the previous year. Paris authorities had not given permission for the Taj Mahal damaged in installation but the artists went ahead anyway, blocking traffic for eight hours before having to pull it down. deadly India thunderstorm ‘The Umbrellas’, US and Japan (1991) Around 3,100 giant umbrellas were opened on deadly thunderstorm that rolled across parts the same day in valleys in California and Japan for of northern India damaged sections of the Taj a simultaneous installation that stayed up for 18 AMahal complex, including the main gate and a days, having taken months to erect. Around half railing running below its five lofty domes, officials the six-metre-tall (19 feet) umbrellas were blue said Sunday. One of the New Seven Wonders of the and set up in Japan’s Ibaraki prefecture; the ones World, India’s top tourist attraction has been shut in California were bright yellow. The work since mid-March as part of measures to try and com- “reflected the similarities and differences in the bat the coronavirus pandemic. AFP images showed ways of life and the use of the land in two inland workers assessing the railing of the main mausoleum, valleys in Japan and the USA,” the artists’ website after the storm on Friday night battered Agra city in says. Online magazine Artsy described it as “one northern Uttar Pradesh state. “One sandstone railing of the great land art projects of the era”. The which was a part of the original structure has been Kamtim, 100, sits in her living room with her daughter-in- installation was marred by tragedy when a 33- damaged,” Superintending Archaeologist of the law Siti Aminah (right) in Surabaya, East Java on May 31, year-old woman was killed by a falling umbrella at Archaeological Survey of India, Vasant Kumar 2020, after being discharged from a hospital earlier this In this picture taken on Sunday, workers stand on the rail- the US site and a worker killed in Japan during its Swarnkar, told AFP. week after a month of treatment from the COVID-19 coro- ing of the Taj Mahal after it was damaged due to heavy dismantling. “One marble railing which was a later addition, a navirus.—AFP rainstorm in Agra.—AFP false ceiling in the tourist holding area and the base ‘Wrapped Reichstag’, Berlin (1995) stone of the main gate has also been damaged.” He This signature work—in which the German the June-October monsoon season. Last year, at least added there was no damage to the main structure of 150 people were killed by lightning in August and parliament was wrapped in 100,000 square 100-year-old the monument to love—built by Mughal emperor metres (1,076,390 square feet) of thick, silvery September in Madhya Pradesh state in central Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz fabric—got the greenlight more than two decades India.—AFP Mahal, who died giving birth in 1631. Local media after Christo first asked permission. Rejected by Indonesian woman reports said thunderstorms and lightning on Friday Berlin multiple times, it finally went ahead after a killed at least 13 people in two Uttar Pradesh districts. vote in parliament won through in 1994. “It was Fatal lightning strikes are relatively common during one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen: beats coronavirus 100 rock climbers abseiling down the facade of the Reichstag, slowly unfurling this huge silvery 100-year-old Indonesian woman has recov- curtain,” Christo said in The Guardian newspaper ered from coronavirus, making her the coun- in 2017. The material was tied in place by more try’s oldest survivor of the deadly respiratory than 15 kilometres (nine miles) of blue rope. A illness. Kamtim, who like many Indonesians goes by Visited by millions of people, it came down after one name, was discharged from hospital this week two weeks even though the city wanted to keep it after a month of treatment in her hometown up longer. The vertical folds of the drapery high- Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-biggest city, officials lighted the “features and proportions of the said. East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa imposing structure, revealing the essence of the said she hoped Kamtim’s story would give a boost to Reichstag”, the artists’ website says. at-risk residents—the illness is especially dangerous

‘The Floating Piers’, Italy (2016) for older people and those with chronic conditions. “I A three-kilometre (1.9-mile) undulating walk- hope her recovery can motivate elderly people during way across a northern Italy lake, this installation of the pandemic,” Parawansa added. 200,000 floating yellow cubes was a major hit Born in 1920, Kamtim was taken to hospital last with the public. It created paths for visitors to month after showing symptoms and she was later reach scattered islands on Lake Iseo, giving the confirmed to have contracted the virus. Siti Aminah, impression of walking on water “or perhaps the the woman’s daughter-in-law, chalked up her recov- back of a whale,” Christo said. The 16-day instal- ery to “discipline and persistence”. “Every day I lation was Christo’s first after the death of Jeanne- checked her condition with nurses and they always Claude in 2009, but the duo had been planning it told me that she was very strong and diligent about since 1970. taking her medicine,” Aminah told AFP. “She was very motivated to get better.” It was not clear how the ‘The London Mastaba’, (2018) home-bound woman contracted the virus. Christo stacked and floated 7,506 pink and “She probably got it when people from the neigh- purple barrels in a lake in London’s Hyde Park in bourhood came around to visit since she never goes an imposing 20-metre-high and 40-metre-long outside,” Aminah said. Indonesia has confirmed more piece. In place for several weeks, the flat-topped than 26,000 cases of coronavirus and 1,613 deaths. trapezoid structure, in a mastaba form, caused But the sprawling Southeast Asian archipelago of some puzzlement among viewers. “There are no more than 260 million has among the lowest testing messages: there is something in it to discover rates in the world. Researchers estimate the true yourself,” Christo told AFP.—AFP number of virus infections and fatalities is several In this file photo taken on November 13, 2018, macaque monkeys gather near the Taj Mahal monument in Agra in India’s times the official toll.—AFP Uttar Pradesh state.—AFP 16 Established 1961 News Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Traced Bashir regime assets ‘tip of iceberg’

KHARTOUM: Sudanese authorities have begun to The investigators have so far recovered hotels, recover billions of dollars of real estate illegally farms, shopping centers, agricultural lands and oth- amassed by deposed dictator Omar Al-Bashir’s er properties in Khartoum and other cities from the regime, but other assets will be difficult to seize, ex-leader’s relatives and aides. Manaa said interna- experts say. “Initial estimates indicate that the real tional experts will be brought in to help assess the estate and properties owned by the former regime... assets’ value – a task that has not yet moved range (in value) from $3.5 to $4 billion,” said Salah beyond guesstimates – before transferring their Manaa, a spokesman for a committee tasked with ownership to the finance ministry. fighting corruption and dismantling the old regime. “The former regime’s corruption was extensive “This is only the tip of the iceberg”, in terms of the and diverse,” said Osman Mirghani, a Sudanese total assets illicitly accumulated and hidden under analyst and editor-in-chief of Al Tayyar newspaper. Bashir’s rule, Manaa told AFP. He believes that Bashir’s circle hid some assets “with Bashir ruled Sudan with an iron fist for 30 years, skill, which would require time and expertise (for but was overthrown in April last year by the mili- authorities) to uncover”. One challenge facing the tary during mass protests against him. He has committee is the cash held by former regime mem- already been sentenced to two years detention in bers in banks. “The money is kept in banks gov- one corruption case – involving illegal possession erned by strict laws prohibiting its availability to of foreign currency – and is being held in anyone other than the depositors,” said Sudanese Khartoum’s Kober prison, on a range of other economist Mohamed Al-Nayyer. charges. The new anti-graft committee began work But some of the more easily recoverable assets in December and is answerable to a power-sharing could raise funds to support the country’s ailing government of civilians and generals that was economy. “The real estate properties can be offered KHARTOUM: This picture taken on May 30, 2020 shows a building owned by former Sudanese ruler established in August. in public auctions and firms can be converted to Omar Al-Bashir in the capital. —– AFP Less than six months into its mandate, that com- joint-stock companies ... which will spur invest- mittee is perusing a monumental paper trail on the ment,” said Nayyer. end of Bashir’s rule, Sudan remains on Alongside the domestic charges, Bashir remains former regime’s assets. “The committee received Sudan has long suffered daunting economic Washington’s list of state sponsors of terrorism, indicted by the International Criminal Court on large volumes of documents that filled three trucks,” challenges ranging from decades-long US sanc- deterring investment. The country also remains in long-standing charges including genocide over the said a source close to the committee, who request- tions to the 2011 secession of oil-rich South deep economic crisis, suffering an acute shortage conflict in the Darfur provinces, and the transitional ed anonymity. “Each will be rigorously scrutinized.” Sudan. While the US lifted sanctions towards the of foreign currency and soaring inflation, which administration has indicated it could hand him over reached around 99 percent in April. to face trial. — AFP

ple in the United States, to reach for these lofty US astronauts goals,” he said. On Twitter, however, some retweeted the song “Whitey On The Moon” which was released by Gil enter ISS after... Scott-Heron in 1970, the year after the Apollo 11 lunar landing. The lyrics juxtaposed the injustice Continued from Page 1 and economic conditions faced by black Americans with the enormous spending required for the space everything you have done for our country.” “It’s program. great to get the United States back in the crewed SpaceX’s two-stage Falcon 9 rocket began its launch business and we’re just really glad to be on voyage Saturday, blasting off flawlessly in a cloud of board this magnificent complex,” replied Hurley. bright orange flames and smoke from Florida’s Russian space chief Dmitry Rogozin also offered Kennedy Space Center. “I’m really quite overcome his congratulations to both NASA and Elon Musk, with emotion,” Musk said. “It’s been 18 years work- the boss of the private aerospace company SpaceX ing towards this goal.” Hurley and Behnken had that built the Crew Dragon capsule. The capsule named their capsule “Endeavour” after the retired spent 19 hours chasing down the station at speeds Space Shuttle on which they both flew. of up to 28,000 km per hour, before carefully align- Asked by a lawmaker how the Crew Dragon’s ing to its target and slowing to a crawl for the deli- handling compared to that of the shuttle, Behknen cate docking procedure, which took place over indicated the new ship was a rougher ride. “Dragon northern China. was huffing and puffing all the way into orbit, and During their stay Behnken and Hurley will per- we were definitely driving or riding a dragon all the This video frame grab shows NASA SpaceX’s Crew Dragon astronauts Douglas Hurley (right) and form more checks on the capsule to certify its way up,” he said. “And so it was not quite the same Robert Behnken (second right) posing with other astronauts on Sunday after arriving at the readiness as the United States transitions to using ride, the smooth ride, as the Space Shuttle was.” International Space Station. — AFP the commercial sector for rides to the ISS. The While Russia saluted the United States, it also space agency has had to rely on Russian Soyuz stressed Sunday it was puzzled by the frenzy rockets ever since the Space Shuttle program ended unleashed by what many hailed as the dawn of a in 2011 – with 2015 the original target for a replace- whatever happens, it’s on him,” University of Santo new era. “We don’t really understand the hysteria ment program. sparked by the successful launch of a Crew Dragon Manila comes Tomas Political Science Professor Dennis The United States has paid SpaceX and aero- Coronacion told ABS-CBN News. spacecraft,” Roscosmos spokesman Vladimir space giant Boeing a total of about $7 billion for Ustimenko said. US-Russia cooperation is not The decision to ease measures came after the their “space taxi” contracts. But Boeing’s program back to life as... country saw a spike in the number of coronavirus expected to end once Crew Dragon goes into serv- has floundered badly after a failed test run late last ice. NASA still plans to use Soyuz rockets to send Continued from Page 1 cases it reports daily, which health officials attribute year, which left SpaceX, a company founded only in to increased testing and clearing of a backlog of some astronauts into space, with each seat costing 2002, as clear frontrunner. The launch comes as the around $80 million. outweighed his fear of the coronavirus. “The tests. The Philippines has recorded a total 18,086 world grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, and fear of contracting the virus will always be there.” infections recorded, of which 957 led to deaths. The United States, meanwhile, hopes to revive as the US faces nationwide protests after a black human space exploration, which has not risen to the With the third highest number of coronavirus Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the man died in Minneapolis while being arrested by a cases and second highest official death toll in country’s positivity rate, or proportion of tests that expectations of the early space era. The idea of a white police officer. crewed mission to Mars has been mooted since the Southeast Asia, the Philippines also allowed the come back positive, had been more than halved to Speaking to Bridenstine, Hurley said he hoped reopening of more businesses, and people can now 6.5 percent as of late May from 13.4 percent in 1950s, and NASA has commissioned numerous stud- the mission would inspire young Americans. “This ies that have never gotten off the ground. The United leave home without government permits. Manila’s April, suggesting the country was on its way to was just one effort that we can show for the ages in measures were among the world’s toughest, on par managing the pandemic. Health officials also said States now plans to return to the Moon in 2024 under this dark time that we’ve had over the past several the Artimis mission, establishing a launching pad to with those of the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the the lockdown had slowed the growth in coronavirus months to kind of inspire, especially the young peo- coronavirus outbreak first emerged, and stricter transmissions in the country from three to four peo- the Red Planet by the 2030s. — AFP than curbs at the peak of the contagion in Italy and ple being infected by one other person to one. in Spain, bringing the economy to a sudden halt. But Dr Jose Santiago, President of the Philippine Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. In easing the measures, Philippine President Medical Association, said the key to a successful Clashes outside Chauvin has been charged with third-degree Rodrigo Duterte sought to walk the fine line transition to the so-called new normal is implemen- murder and was due to make his first appearance in between protecting the country’s over 107 million tation. “As you know, the implementation (of relaxed court yesterday. Late Sunday, as many were being people from COVID-19 while reviving the economic rules) is very challenging. I don’t know if they can White House... arrested for curfew violations in Minneapolis, facing its biggest contraction in more than three really implement the social distancing and compul- authorities moved Chauvin to another location from decades. “This is his biggest gamble yet because sory wearing of masks”. —Reuters Continued from Page 1 the Hennepin County Jail for his own safety, accord- ing to Minnesota’s corrections commissioner. Three Minneapolis’ twin city of St Paul, where several other officers with him at the arrest have been fired hotspot, the curfew will be lifted between 6:00 am thousand people gathered before marching down a but for now face no charges. Masks and no and 3:00 pm until June 20, and thereafter the cur- highway. “We have black sons, black brothers, black Governor Tim Walz has mobilized all of few will be shortened by a further five hours. friends, we don’t want them to die. We are tired of Minnesota’s National Guard troops – the state Saudi Arabia has reported more than 85,000 this happening, this generation is not having it, we guard’s biggest mobilization ever - to help restore ablution: Saudis... coronavirus infections and 503 deaths from are tired of oppression,” said Muna Abdi, a 31-year- order and extended a curfew for a third night COVID-19. In March, it suspended the year-round old black woman who joined the protest. Hundreds Sunday. The Department of Defense said that Continued from Page 1 umrah pilgrimage over fears of the disease spread- of police and National Guard troops were deployed around 5,000 National Guard troops had been ing in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. That ahead of the protest. mobilized in 15 states as well as the capital Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites, had suspension will remain in place until further notice, At one point, some of the protestors who had Washington, with another 2,000 on standby. shut down mosques nationwide for more than two the interior ministry said. Authorities are yet to reached a bridge were forced to scramble for cover The widespread resort to uniformed National months to limit the spread of the virus. The king- announce whether they will proceed with this year’s when a truck drove at speed after having apparent- Guards units is rare, and evoked disturbing memo- dom, which has reported the highest number of hajj – scheduled for late July – but they have urged ly breached a barricade. The driver was taken to ries of the rioting in US cities in 1967 and 1968 in a coronavirus cases in the Gulf, is emerging from a Muslims to temporarily defer preparations for the hospital after the protestors hauled him from the turbulent time of protest over racial and economic full nationwide curfew imposed during Eid al-Fitr, annual pilgrimage. vehicle, although there were no immediate reports disparities. Trump blamed the extreme left for the the Muslim holiday that marked the end of the fast- Last year, some 2.5 million faithful travelled to of other casualties. The New York Times said he violence, saying he planned to designate a group ing month of Ramadan. Saudi Arabia from around the world to participate was later arrested. known as Antifa as a terrorist organization. Domestic air traffic also resumed on Sunday, in the hajj, which Muslims are obliged to perform at There were other large-scale protests in cities Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Trump, with state media saying around 100 flights were least once during their lifetime. Makkah’s Grand including New York and Miami. Washington’s mayor who has often urged police to use tough tactics, scheduled. The interior ministry intends to ease Mosque has been almost devoid of worshippers ordered a curfew from 11:00 pm until 6:00 am, as a was not helping matters. “We are beyond a tipping restrictions in a phased manner, with the curfew lift- since March, with an eerie emptiness surrounding report in the New York Times said that President point in this country, and his rhetoric only enflames ed nationwide – except in Makkah – between 6:00 the sacred Kaaba – the large cube-shaped struc- Donald Trump had been rushed by Secret Service that,” she said on CBS. am and 8:00 pm (0300 GMT and 1700 GMT) until ture towards which Muslims around the world pray. agents into an underground bunker at the White Joe Biden, Trump’s likely Democratic opponent in June 20. The kingdom will lift the lockdown entirely But mosque employees and security personnel have House on Friday night during an earlier protest. November’s presidential election, visited the scene of from June 21, Makkah aside. In Makkah, a virus been allowed to attend prayers. — AFP Looting was reported Sunday night in one anti-racism protest. “We are a nation in pain Philadelphia and the Los Angeles suburb of Santa right now, but we must not allow this pain to destroy Monica, and images on Fox TV showed ransacked us,” Biden tweeted, posting a picture of him speaking August and for other classes in late September. Rolex and Gucci stores in New York city. Officials in with an African-American family at the site where MPs demand probe Five lawmakers called for resuming regular LA - a city scarred by the 1992 riots over the police protesters had gathered in Delaware late Saturday. Assembly sessions to tackle urgent issues related to beating of Rodney King, an African-American man Floyd’s death has triggered protests beyond the the coronavirus and other issues. The Assembly has - imposed a curfew from 4:00 pm Sunday until United States, with thousands in Montreal and into graft charges... suspended regular sessions for the past three dawn. “Please, use your discretion and go early, go London marching in solidarity on Sunday. On the months. MP Ahmad Al-Fadhl called on the govern- home, stay home,” the city’s mayor Eric Garcetti other side of the globe yesterday, thousands Continued from Page 1 ment to pay a greater attention to the economic sit- said on CNN. marched to the US consulate in Auckland chanting uation in the country, saying that the shutdowns The shocking death last Monday of an unarmed “no justice, no peace” and “black lives matter”. In The minister told Kuwait Television on Saturday have severely impacted small and medium business- black man, George Floyd, at the hands of police in Germany, England football international Jadon that he will make the final decision on the fate of the es. He said lawmakers are working on a draft law Minneapolis ignited the nationwide wave of outrage Sancho marked one of his three goals for Borussia school year on July 15, when the situation will be that calls to suspend the payment of rent by shops over law enforcement’s repeated use of lethal force Dortmund against Paderborn by lifting his jersey to clearer. The ministry had already tentatively decided for a few months and then compensate landlords against unarmed African Americans. Floyd stopped reveal a T-shirt bearing the words “Justice for to resume the school year for 12th graders in early through easy-term loans. breathing after Minneapolis police officer Derek George Floyd”.— AFP Established 1961 17 Stars Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution STAR TRACK

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

Today you might feel the need to be of service to You're normally intuitive, Libra, but today you might others. Your humanitarian instincts are high, Aries, though you feel more psychic than you ever dreamed you could. Information might tend to over-idealize the concept a little. It's wonderful received from the media could have you picking up psychically to help those less fortunate, but often the process involves a on the thoughts and feelings of people you've never met. This heavy commitment of time and energy. If you decide to do can be emotionally overpowering, so protect yourself by keeping this, it could transform your life in a profound way. Be prepared the white light around you. Channel your thoughts and feelings for some pretty heavy changes. into art of some kind. It helps.

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

The arts might seem especially appealing today, Today you could feel especially intuitive and Taurus. Also, you could fall in love. If you're currently involved, more sensitive than usual to unacceptable social and polit- expect circumstances to develop that show the exalted side of ical conditions, Scorpio. Ideas for new goals, perhaps your partner that you sometimes forget. If you aren't involved, humanitarian, might come to you. You should be in an expect someone wonderful to appear. Remember to get to especially idealistic mood, so you might come up with know the person before getting hooked. However perfect the wonderful possibilities that aren't workable now. Write person appears now, he or she is still human. your ideas down and consult with someone who shares your interests. Then decide how to proceed. Find the way

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

A number of powerful events could increase Today you might toy with the idea of making the level of love and positive energy in your home, Gemini. either the arts and humanitarianism or the spread of higher Visitors with a spiritual or metaphysical focus could bring consciousness your life's work. Business and money are going some new and exciting information. Good news that you well for you, Sagittarius, and you might be thinking in terms of never expected could raise everyone's spirits. a future in which you can write your own career ticket. Communication with a humanitarian or spiritual purpose Although the time isn't right to actually do it, you should for- might take place. Whatever it is, expect your home to buzz mulate an action plan for the future. with great vibes. Enjoy.

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

You may be in communication with some new peo- Your mind could be focused on exalted spiritual ple who appear interesting and excite your curiosity, Cancer. concepts today, Capricorn. You might decide to try to study spir- Spiritual or metaphysical conversations could take place today over itual or metaphysical materials, or attend a virtual lecture, work- the phone or video chat. The concepts might be deep, exalted, and shop, or meditation session with people who share this interest. inspiring, yet bring up more questions than answers. Books on the You might also think about traveling to a country associated subject could prove enlightening. You might even want to write with a specific spiritual tradition, such as Israel, Egypt, or India at down your thoughts or memorialize them in a drawing or painting. some point in the future.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

Experiences you never expected could come your Though you naturally tend to be sensitive to way today, Leo. A talent that you didn't know you had could the feelings of others, Aquarius, today you might be so in come to light. This might involve a combination of arts and touch with the needs and desires of those around you that technology, such as computer graphics or animation, or it you sense what they want even before they know it. might involve spiritual or humanitarian work. You might also try Spiritual, emotional, or psychological insights might come fundraising for a charity or a social or political cause. Don't hesi- to you throughout the day. You could even have some tate. Go to it. prophetic dreams. Write down whatever seems particularly significant. You'll want to remember it later.

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

You usually tend toward rational and scientific Today you might feel especially idealistic regarding ways of thinking, Virgo, but today you might be so intuitive that your relationships, Pisces. You're likely to see those closest to you you're more likely to use your psychic abilities. This can be a in their best light. Romantic partners may seem like characters mixed blessing. Your rational nature protects you from identify- from a fairy tale. This is a good time to move a love relationship to ing too much with the world's less fortunate. Today this protec- the next level of commitment, as long as you don't forget your tion is greatly lessened, so be prepared to emotionally identify partner's foibles. It's easy to love someone who seems perfect, with everybody. but more realistic to love their faults as well.

Join the dots Word Search 18 Established 1961 Sports Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Photo of the day Hamilton slams F1 for silence over Floyd death

LONDON: World champion Lewis Hamilton criticised the “biggest of stars” in “white-dominated” Formula One for failing to speak out against racism as protests erupted around the United States. The Mercedes driver warned “I know who you are and I see you” as he accused his fellow drivers of “staying silent” following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, during his arrest in Minneapolis. The videotaped incident has triggered unrest in several cities and led to an outpouring of condemna- tion from top athletes including Michael Jordan and Serena Williams. “I see those of you who are staying silent, some of you the biggest of stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram. “Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white-dominated sport. I’m one of the only people of colour there yet I stand alone. “I would have thought by now you would see why this happens and say something about it but you can’t stand alongside us. Just know I know who you are and I see you.” Hamilton, the six-time world champion, said he sup- ported only peaceful protesters, not those who have looted stores and set fire to buildings. But he added: “There can be no peace until our so- called leaders make change. This is not just America, this is the UK, this is Spain, this is Italy and all over. “The way minorities are treated has to change, how you educate those in your country of equality, racism, classism and that we are all the same! “We are not born with racism and hate in our hearts, it is taught by those we look up to.” Basketball legend Jordan joined a chorus of voices from the NBA, NFL and other US sports demanding change for black Americans, but the calls weren’t limit- ed to the United States. RITOQUE: Coco Zurita performs at Ritoque, Chile in 2019. —Photo taken from www.redbullcontentpool.com French footballer Marcus Thuram and England international Jadon Sancho both called for justice for Floyd after scoring in Germany’s Bundesliga. —AFP Japan’s Sunwolves exit Super Rugby as Australia bid fails ‘We are bitterly disappointed to conclude the season in this way’

TOKYO: Japan’s Sunwolves bowed out of Super in that time and were on the receiving end of some Sunwolves’ time with Super Rugby, which has seen port. Rugby Australia’s interim chief executive, Rob Rugby yesterday as they failed to join an Australian giant scorelines. us participate for the past five seasons, will end. Clarke, said officials had been trying to work offshoot of the coronavirus-hit tournament. The The Tokyo-based side would have had to quaran- “We are bitterly disappointed to conclude the through “significant challenges” to field a Sunwolves Sunwolves, who are being kicked out of Super tine for 14 days on arrival season in this way, but we team in Australia. Rugby at the end of the season, said Australian offi- in Australia, and they also also feel honoured to have “However, the reality is, given the timeframe cials had told them they won’t be able to take part. faced problems in secur- participated in the best available the team’s preparation for the competi- The series between Australia’s four Super Rugby ing a permanent base for rugby competition.” tion would be severely compromised,” he said in a teams — Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, ACT 12 weeks. We The Sunwolves, who statement. “All parties agree that despite our col- Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels — along with the They said they had also played home matches lective efforts and desire to see the Sunwolves previously axed Western Force, is set to kick off on consulted with Australia’s also feel in Singapore and Hong take part in the competition, under the current cir- July 3. rugby authorities and Kong, were introduced in cumstances their participation will not be feasi- Super Rugby, which also includes teams from government, but “we honoured 2016 to bring rugby to new ble.” The Sunwolves’ exit comes despite the success New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina, has been reached the conclusion markets. of last year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan and the lure on hold since March. “We are announcing that we that we will not be ready But southern hemi- of Japan’s well-heeled Top League, which has have been told by the Australian rugby association to join matches in sphere governing body attracted a series of marquee players from overseas. officially that we are unable to participate in the Australia from July 3”. SANZAAR (South Africa, New Zealand, like Australia, is also planning a competition,” a Sunwolves statement said. “We apologise to people who had been looking for- New Zealand, Australia and Argentina Rugby) were domestic competition, kicking off on June 13, to The decision ends a nearly five-year run in Super ward to the resumption of matches,” said Sunwolves reluctant to bankroll the perennial wooden-spooners fill the hole left by Super Rugby’s postpone- Rugby for the Sunwolves, who won only nine games CEO Yuji Watase. “Following this decision, the after Japan’s rugby board withdrew financial sup- ment. —AFP

Open backed a fund worth more than $6 million to support What now for low-ranked players hardest hit by the coronavirus pan- demic. World number one Novak Djokovic had already said tennis in 2020? that he, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal — the sport’s

biggest earners with over $100 million each banked in PARIS: Professional tennis has been in cold storage since prize money alone — were also willing to help. However, March due to the coronavirus pandemic with tournaments world number three Dominic Thiem was not keen on giv- unlikely to resume before August. ing money to lower-ranked players. AFP Sport looks at three talking points as the sport “Quite honestly I have to say that no tennis player will be heads into June: FANS IN OR OUT AT US OPEN fighting to survive, even those who are much lower-ranked,” said the Austrian. Marion Bartoli, the 2013 Wimbledon AND ROLAND GARROS? champion, chimed in last week by suggesting a reduction in l In 2019, the US Open attracted a record crowd of doubles events with prize money diverted to struggling almost 740,000 to its sprawling Billie Jean King Tennis players. “You just don’t make the same effort (in doubles) as Centre in New York. a singles player. You don’t practise so much, your routine is The French Open last year at Roland Garros brought in different. “I don’t know if we have to stop doubles com- 520,000 paying customers. pletely, but to get less money and give that money to qualifi- However, the 2020 editions of the two remaining Grand cation and others, that could be the solution.” Red Bull Solo Slam events on the calendar will look very different with ARE WE MAKING AN the chance of them being played behind closed doors a EXHIBITION OF OURSELVES? real possibility to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. Q – duel your l There is some tennis going on in the world at a series Roger Federer, whose 20-Grand Slam title haul of tightly-controlled exhibition events. includes five titles at the US Open and one in Paris, is not Germany kicked it off on May 1 with an eight-man keen on seeing rows and rows of empty seats. way to victory exhibition in the tiny town of Hoehr-Grenzhausen, near “I can’t bear to see an empty stadium. I hope that won’t KUWAIT: Koblenz which featured Dustin Brown, who famously Are you ready to duel? The official 1v1 happen,” the Swiss star was quoted as saying by Brazilian defeated Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2015. League of Legends (LoL) tournament for players around media recently. Two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Strict rules over health and safety meant there were no the world, Red Bull Solo Q, starts online in Kuwait this Kvitova said she too has no desire to play a Slam with fans, no ball boys or girls and no line judges. There was just month! without spectators. Red Bull Solo Q puts a twist on a typical League of a chair umpire. “I would like to play another Grand Slam, but if it’s like Legends match, pitting player against player in a bracket Handshakes were banned, players handled their own this, I’d rather cancel them,” Kvitova said. of 1v1 duels. The first player to earn ‘First blood!’, destroy Sports League and Kuwait Times. The caster will be towels and brought their own water and fruit to the clay “Playing without fans who are our engine doesn’t look the opponents’ tower or reach a 100-minion score wins none other than Deli Gaming, making the national final courts. nice to me and the Grand Slam doesn’t deserve it.” As far the duel. National winners will proceed to the Red Bull even more engaging. Similar events followed in the US before Petra Kvitova as the rescheduled Roland Garros in September and Solo Q World Finals. Red Bull also continues their collaboration with one of won an all-Czech event in Prague last week. October is concerned, Jean-Francois Vilotte, the director- The online qualifiers in Kuwait kick off on June the most popular faces in the League of Legends com- “The gloves, face masks, the fact nobody handed us the munity: sjokz, who will return as the global brand ambas- general of the French Tennis Federation (FFT), told AFP: 9thand continue until the 11th with the semi finals held on towels, no handshakes, that was definitely bizarre,” said the 12th and 13th. From then, the top 8 will battle it out at sador for Red Bull Solo Q. Last year, she was live on “The aim is that there will be spectators.” Kvitova. the national final. stage for the National Finals in Germany, Japan and the “But we will have the capacity to organise Roland Other exhibitions are scheduled including a World As part of the partnership with League of Legends United Kingdom – and even cast some games. This year, Garros whatever the option decided, including behind Team Tennis tournament in West Virginia in July featuring Global Esports Events, the winner of Red Bull Solo Q will she will be involved with the European Regional Finals closed doors.” get to experience the 2020 League of Legends all-star as well as the World Finals. Top athletes and many more MONEY MATTERS? Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin and 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens. event firsthand! The Kuwaiti champion will participate in well-known faces from the LoL scene will also make l There has been no prize money to play for over the special appearances throughout the tournament. Andy Murray will return from his latest injury problem the league’s annual year-end celebration alongside some best part of three months but that hasn’t stopped it being of the game’s biggest esports athletes and streaming The Kuwaitonline qualifiers are already open for reg- on June 23 in a charity tournament in London. discussed. personalities, playing in special showcases and attending istration. The online qualifiers will start on June 9, with Nick Kyrgios joins Dominic Thiem at a grasscourt event The ATP and WTA tours, the International Tennis exclusive parties. more countries rolling out their tournaments in the - likely the only one this summer - at Berlin’s Tempelhof Federation and the four Grand Slam tournaments — the In Kuwait, Red Bull Solo Q is held in partnership with weeks to follow. To sign up and for more information visit Airport from July 17-19. —AFP Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Room Service, X-cite by Alghanim Electronics, Cyber www.redbull.com/soloqkuwait. Established 1961 19 Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Sports La Liga resumes on June 11 after 3-month absence due to coronavirus Real Madrid to play their remaining home games at Alfredo di Stefano Stadium

MADRID: La Liga resumes on June 11 after a there would have been little advantage to playing at three-month absence due to the coronavirus pan- their usual home and the players might even be bet- demic. Real Madrid and Barcelona have been ter off avoiding an empty 81,000-seater stadium unable to pull away from each other at the top of that they are used to being almost full. the table while Atletico Madrid are involved in what looks like a four-way fight for Champions UNEXPECTED RETURNS League qualification. Neither Eden Hazard nor Luis Suarez expected AFP Sport takes a look at some key issues ahead to play much, or perhaps any, part in the run-in of the run-in. after Hazard underwent surgery on a broken foot in March and Suarez had an operation on his right TURBULENT TITLE RACE knee in January. When Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-0 at the The break has allowed both players to recover Santiago Bernabeu on March 1, it seemed they and the question now is whether either can find had halted a dip in form and seized control of the peak form and fitness in time to make an impact in title race. the remaining 11 games. But a week later, they handed the initiative back Suarez’s return could be particularly helpful for as Barca regained first Barcelona but Setien has place by beating Real said the Uruguayan, who Sociedad and Madrid lost has often taken time to away at Real Betis. regain sharpness, is not A three-month break yet ready. means a fresh start but Four-way Real Madrid’s Hazard, Barcelona’s two-point lead plagued by injuries in reflects badly on their Fight recent months, has had a challengers, given Barca’s nightmare first year in MADRID: Press photographers raise their cameras holding a banner that reads “The right of infor- own problems off the Spain but has an unex- mation is not a game” as they protest in front of Spanish La Liga headquarters in Madrid, against pitch, including the switch pected chance to turn the restrictions imposed to cover football matches due to the national lockdown to prevent the to Quique Setien as coach things around. spread of the COVID-19 disease. —AFP in January. Both sides’ imperfections mean there will be FIGHT FOR ATLETICO more slip-ups to come but if this Barca make it five Atletico Madrid’s momentous win over Liverpool But the resilient Getafe and free-flowing Real will day, are only three points better off. league titles in six years, Madrid will only have in the Champions League offered Diego Simeone both be eager to finish off brilliant campaigns while One point then separates Mallorca, Celta Vigo themselves to blame. some relief after what has been a disappointing sea- Sevilla appeared to be hitting their stride before and Eibar, whose players have expressed concerns son in La Liga. games were suspended. Atletico cannot afford to be about the safety of football returning too quickly. UNFAMILIAR HOMES His team sit sixth in the table, having long fallen complacent. Real Valladolid in 15th have a four-point cushion Real Madrid have been given permission by La out of the reckoning for the title and facing a fight over the bottom three but two wins in their last 10 Liga to play their remaining home games at the even to make the top four. PRESSURE AT THE BOTTOM games suggests they could easily be pulled in too. Alfredo di Stefano Stadium at their training ground Ahead of them between fifth and third are At the other end of the table, Espanyol look The economic hit from the coronavirus pandemic to allow planned construction work to go ahead at Getafe, Real Sociedad and Sevilla, and with only doomed, sitting in last place, six points adrift of means the stakes are even higher for these clubs, as the Santiago Bernabeu this summer. two points between the four, Atletico could still safety. Leganes, who still have to play away at they battle to avoid the considerable financial blow of With games being held behind closed doors scrape in. Barcelona before hosting Real Madrid on the final relegation. For all of them, the pressure is on. —AFP Atalanta coach Gasperini reveals English football’s he had coronavirus second division set MILAN: Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini revealed Sunday he thought he would die as he suf- for June 20 restart fered coronavirus symptoms when the Italian team played their Champions League match against LONDON: English football’s second-tier Valencia in March. Championship is due to resume behind closed Gasperini told the Gazzetta Dello Sport that he doors on June 20 after league officials agreed was sick when Atalanta beat Valencia 4-3 behind Sunday on a provisional return date. closed doors at the Mestalla stadium on March 10, The Premier League announced on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals with an 8-4 aggregate the top-flight season will restart on June 17 fol- victory. “The day before the Valencia game I was lowing the coronavirus suspension that brought sick, the afternoon of the game worse. I didn’t look football to a standstill in mid-March. good on the bench,” said Gasperini. The English Football League (EFL), which “It was March 10. The following two nights in governs the three divisions below the Premier Zingonia (Atalanta’s training centre) I slept little. I League, said the Championship would return didn’t have a fever, but I felt shattered, like I had around the same time, provided that all safety one at 40 (degrees). requirements are in place to prevent the spread “An ambulance passed every two minutes. There Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini. of COVID-19. is a hospital nearby. It seemed like a war zone. At “Following Saturday’s announcement by the night I thought: ‘if I go in there, what happens to government to allow elite sporting events to me’? “I can’t go now, I have so many things to do ... ‘CENTRE OF EVIL’ pened, because right here was the centre of evil.” return behind closed doors, the EFL has this I was saying it jokingly, to lighten things. But I really Gasperini said that four days after the Valencia weekend agreed to a provisional restart date of thought so.” game he felt the worst was over, after a workout like ‘HELP BERGAMO START AGAIN’ the weekend of 20 June 2020 for matches in the Gasperini, 62, said he was never swabbed as he he hadn’t had in years and running 10km on the Serie A will return to action after a three-month Sky Bet Championship,” it said in a statement. had not suffered from a fever, but 10 days ago sero- treadmill, but he then lost his sense of taste. absence on June 20, and the former Inter Milan and “The date is subject to the strict proviso that logical tests confirmed he had COVID-19. “I have A celebratory meal and vintage 2008 Dom Genoa coach backs the decision. all safety requirements and government guidance antibodies, which does not mean that I am now Perignon sent by a Michelin-starred chef and “We had every interest to keep the table as it is met; and that clubs receive clearance from immune,” he added. Atalanta fan, tasted like “water and bread”, was and play only the Champions League,” said their local authorities in order to stage matches Valencia said on Sunday that they were “sur- Gasperini said. Gasperini, whose side are fourth, 15 points behind at their home grounds.” prised” to see Gasperini say he was “aware of suf- Bergamo, in the northern Lombardy region, was leaders Juventus. It added: “After discussing various approach- fering symptoms theoretically compatible with one of the epicentres of the coronavirus pandemic, “But from the lads to the club we just felt like es, and, the importance of completing the season those of coronavirus, without taking preventive with many experts believing Atalanta’s Champions playing.” “Some consider it amoral to start again” in a similar timeline to that of the Premier League measures”. “Such actions, if this was the case, would League game at the San Siro on February 19 to be he continued. “I saw people singing on the bal- to avoid any potential issues with promoted and have put at risk numerous people during the trip to one of the key causes. More than 40,000 fans trav- conies of Italy while Bergamo loaded their coffins relegated clubs, the Sky Bet Championship sea- — and stay in — Valencia,” the La Liga club said in elled the 60km to Milan, joining in celebrations for a onto trucks. I didn’t consider it ‘amoral’. son is set to conclude with the Championship a statement. “This game was held behind closed historic 4-1 win in the club’s first elite European “I considered it an instinctive reaction, an play-off final on or around 30 July 2020.” doors amidst strict safety measures, on the order of campaign. attempt to cling to life, to react.”Atalanta can help Leeds led West Brom by a point at the top of the Spanish health authorities, to prevent the risk of “Every time I think about it, it seems absurd to Bergamo to start again ...the people of Bergamo are the table when the season was suspended with COVID-19 contagion, precisely due to the presence me: the historic peak of sporting happiness coincid- embers under the ashes.”The team has remained nine rounds of matches still to play. Fulham, of persons from an area already publicly classified ed with the greatest pain in the city,” said Gasperini. connected with Bergamo’s suffering and will bring it Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Preston occu- as ‘at risk’ at that time.” “It will take years to truly understand what hap- to the pitch.” — AFP pied the promotion play-off spots. —AFP

“We will respect the rules because there could However, it wasn’t totally deserted as the the streets to celebrate was disappointed. Only a Snapshots of be games behind closed doors again if we mess up,” club placed 1,000 plastic photos of players in the hundred or so hardcore fans gathered outside Red said Richard Kovacs, 36, one of the 2,255 fans at stands while giving fans the chance to do likewise Star’s ground to toast the newly-crowned champi- Diosgyor’s match against Mezokovesd. for roughly 500 koruna (19 euros, $20), half of ons while mobbing the club’s coach, former Inter European “All that worries us is knowing if we’re going to which will go to Slavia’s youth teams. Around 500 Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic, outside the win or lose, not the epidemic,” said Gabor Lengyel, ‘fans’ made it for kick-off. Marakana. football’s return 41, suggesting that football, and by extension life for To liven up the eerie atmosphere, Sparta Prague VIRTUAL SUPPORTERS IN DENMARK some, is approaching a return to normal. and Viktoria Plzen are pumping out team songs After a near three-month hiatus, the Danish PARIS: In the shadows of Germany’s Bundesliga, POLAND HOME TO PLASTIC SUPPORTERS during their games. For Wednesday’s meeting league returned Thursday as AGF took on Randers football is gradually restarting in countries across Poland will follow Hungary’s lead with fans able between the two they set up drive-in cinemas in in Aarhus in a 1-1 draw behind closed doors. Europe, in almost all cases behind closed doors, to attend matches from June 19, although stadiums both Prague and Plzen. On the eve of the match the Aarhus club had with the exception of Hungary where supporters will be limited to a quarter of capacity. “We weren’t able to go to the stadium because invited eager fans to stick banners, flags and other have been allowed to return. In the meantime, the league restarted on Friday of the situation. I saw about this opportunity on cardboard cut-outs in the stands, far from the usual From plastic fans in Poland, to virtual fans in behind closed doors with noisy, hardcore Polish social media so my friend and I bought tickets and ambiance expected for a clash between two Jutland Denmark, drive-in spectators in the Czech Republic fans forced to adapt. Supporters of Pogon Szczecin came. It’s very different, we’re not really screaming rivals. and a title coronation in Serbia, AFP takes a look at arranged a guard of honour, holding aloft flares and we miss the stadium, it’s impossible to replace,” Aarhus supporter Liva Hansen, 28, followed the a weekend of football in times of the coronavirus. every 10 metres on the road leading to the stadium. Sparta fan Petr Svoboda, who watched the 2-1 loss match on TV and via popular videoconferencing FANS RETURN IN HUNGARY Lechia Gdansk relied on some private support on to Plzen, told AFP. platform Zoom along with a group of friends. Forgotten sounds resonated in grounds across Sunday against Arka Gdynia, with photos of some STANKOVIC’S RED STAR All five were part of a virtual audience of 30,000 Hungary this weekend as songs, the beating of 200 fans printed onto plastic backgrounds and CHAMPIONS IN SERBIA people, whose images were beamed onto giant drums and the sense of excitement which spreads placed in the stands. Despite their reputation and the clinching of a screens around the pitch. throughout the crowd when the ball nears the goal The photos cost 75 zlotys (17 euros, $19) and title — the first in Europe since football’s return — “No doubt, that helped,” Aarhus coach David all returned for the first time since March. will eventually be returned to fans taking part in the typically boisterous Serbian supporters remained Nielsen told Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet. “It creat- After two months without spectators, sports initiative once signed by their favourite player. calm as the league resumed Friday behind closed ed a little alternative atmosphere, specific to 2020.” venues reopened their doors to the public this CZECH DRIVE-IN CINEMAS doors. “It’s a good solution but obviously I would have weekend in Hungary, the first country to welcome The second weekend of the Czech league since Rad Belgrade hosted city rivals Red Star in the preferred to be in the stands,” said Hansen. “It was supporters back to the stands, on the condition the season’s resumption saw defending champions biggest match, where a 5-0 victory for the visitors nice to be able to see the other fans and their reac- that every other row is left empty and only one in and leaders Slavia Plague thrash Jablonec 5-0 at an secured them a 31st league title. tions, during the good moments but also during the four seats is occupied. empty Eden Arena on Saturday. Anyone expecting a sea of supporters flocking to less good!” —AFP Established 1961 Sport

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2020

Japan’s Sunwolves exit Super La Liga resumes on June 11 after Atalanta coach Gasperini 18Rugby as Australia bid fails 19 3-month absence due to virus 19 reveals he had coronavirus

Sancho nets hat-trick as Dortmund cruise Jadon Sancho joins ‘Justice for George Floyd’ protest

PADERBORN: Dortmund’s English midfielder Jadon Sancho scores his teams sixth goal past Paderborn’s German goalkeeper Leopold Zingerle during the German first division Bundesliga football match SC Paderborn 07 and Borussia Dortmund at Benteler Arena in Paderborn on May 31. — AFP

BERLIN: England winger Jadon Sancho scored a hat- band on Saturday. but Dortmund responded with four unanswered took a knee on the Borussia Park turf. “No explana- trick and revealed a “Justice for George Floyd” At Paderborn, second-placed Dortmund kept their goals. Just two minutes later, Sancho grabbed his sec- tion needed,” wrote Borussia Moenchengladbach on protest message in Borussia Dortmund’s 6-1 rout of remote title hopes intact as Sancho stole the limelight ond after good work from Hazard. Hakimi made it 4- the club’s official Twitter account. bottom side Paderborn on Sunday that trimmed Bay- with teenage striker Erling Braut Haaland sidelined by 1 on 85 minutes when he was set up by Marcel Just after half-time, Union’s Swedish striker Sebas- ern Munich’s lead at the top of the Bundesliga to a leg injury. “We’re going to give everything to win Schmelzer, who came on as a late substitute. tian Andersson pulled one back after being left un- seven points. The outstanding Sancho, who now has every game,” said Dortmund Schmelzer then scored marked. However, Gladbach pulled away when 17 goals and 17 assists in the Bundesliga this season, goalkeeper Roman Buerki. Dortmund’s fifth when he con- Thuram added his second following another Plea as- joined a host of protests in the German top-flight over Bayern are firmly on course verted a low Axel Witsel cross sist. Plea then grabbed a goal of his own when he the weekend at the death of an unarmed black man in for an eighth successive title on 89 minutes. fired home off his left foot to wrap up the victory on the United States. with just six matches left to Cut-outs Sancho wrapped up the first 81 minutes. Sancho later wrote on Instagram: “Delighted to get play, and Dortmund’s sports di- hat-trick of his career by slot- After the final whistle, the Gladbach squad cele- my first career hat trick, a bittersweet moment per- rector Michael Zorc said the in stands ting home at the far post with brated in front of stands filled with cardboard figures sonally as there are more important things going on focus was now on securing the Paderborn defence once of fans. There were 15,000 cut-outs inside Borussia in the world today that we must address and help Champions League qualifica- again shredded. Park, with home supporters paying 19 euros ($21) make a change.” tion as quickly as possible. each to have their image at the game as fans remain Morocco international Achraf Hakimi lifted his jer- “It’s clear that Bayern will be GLADBACH THUMP UNION shut out to prevent the spread of COVID-19. sey to deliver the same message as Sancho after scor- German champions at the end,” said Zorc. After Dort- Earlier, Gladbach thrashed Union Berlin 4-1 to go After a 3-1 defeat to Leverkusen last weekend and ing Dortmund’s fourth goal at Paderborn. mund’s attack struggled to break the deadlock, Haz- third with Thuram scoring twice and taking a knee in a goalless draw with relegation-threatened Werder George Floyd, 46, died in Minneapolis during an ard scored the opening goal on 54 minutes when protest at Floyd’s death. Bremen on Tuesday, this was an important win for arrest by a police officer who pinned him to the presented with a tap-in by midfielder Emre Can. “Marcus has made the point. He has set an exam- Gladbach. ground for several minutes by kneeling on his neck, Julian Brandt set up Sancho for his first goal three ple against racism that we all support,” said Gladbach It lifted them to third in the table, but RB Leipzig sparking protests across the US. minutes later, with the England international receiving coach Marco Rose. First-half goals by midfielder Flo- can take their place if they win at Cologne on Mon- Earlier Sunday, Borussia Moenchengladbach’s a yellow card after removing his shirt to reveal his po- rian Neuhaus, who bagged Gladbach’s 3,000th goal day. On Saturday, reigning champions Bayern Munich French forward Marcus Thuram took a knee to litical message. in the Bundesliga, and Thuram put Gladbach 2-0 up edged closer to the title with a 5-0 demolition of For- protest Floyd’s death. Schalke’s American midfielder Paderborn defender Uwe Huenemeier converted a at the break. After heading in a cross from compatriot tuna Duesseldorf as the league’s top scorer Robert Weston McKennie wore a “Justice for George” arm- penalty on 72 minutes to give the hosts brief hope, Alassane Plea, the 22-year-old French striker then Lewandowski netted twice. —AFP

said. Jordan joined a chorus of voices from the NBA, unarmed black jogger Ahmaud Arbery. rush to judge the response, instead of the actions that Jordan joins sports NFL and other US sports demanding change for Commissioner Adam Silver sent an internal memo prompted it. “We have allowed too many tragedies to black Americans, but the demands weren’t limited to to NBA office employees Sunday, offering thoughts pass in vain. This isn’t an African-American issue. This world call for change the United States. French footballer Marcus Thuram of frustration and sadness after watching the protests is a human issue,” Rivers said. and England international Jadon Sancho called for around the country over the weekend. US tennis great Serena Williams posted a moving justice for Floyd after scoring in Germany’s Bun- “We are being reminded that there are wounds in video on Instagram that featured a young African- after Floyd death desliga. Thuram took a knee after scoring for Borussia our country that have never healed,” Silver said in the American girl overcome by emotion as she addressed Moenchengladbach in a match against Union Berlin, memo, which was obtained and published by Yahoo. a public meeting, finally able to force out the words: while Sancho marked one of his three goals for “Racism, police brutality and racial injustice re- “We are black people, and we shouldn’t have to feel LOS ANGELES: NBA icon Michael Jordan decried Borussia Dortmund against Paderborn by lifting his main part of everyday life in America and cannot be like this.” Teenage tennis phenom Coco Gauff, who is “ingrained racism” in America Sunday as the sports jersey to reveal a T-shirt bearing the words “Justice ignored.” With US pro sports on hold amid the coro- black, had a simple question on her Instagram post: world’s reaction to the death of unarmed black man for George Floyd.” navirus pandemic, American athletes had no chance “Am I next?” George Floyd leapt leagues and continents. Thuram’s gesture echoed the protest of US racism to demonstrate on the field of play. And two-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, “I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain spearheaded by former NFL quarterback Colin Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown and Philadel- whose mother is Japanese and father Haitian, re- angry,” Jordan said in a statement Sunday, as protests Kaepernick, whose decision to kneel during the na- phia 76ers forward Tobias Harris were among a num- minded her social media followers: “Just because it over Floyd’s death on May 25 spawned violence and tional anthem at games in 2016 sparked outrage. ber of NBA players who took part in demonstrations isn’t happening to you doesn’t mean it isn’t happening looting. “I stand with those who are calling out the in- The gesture has now been heartbreakingly com- over the weekend. Brown drove 15 hours to lead a at all.” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the vi- grained racism and violence toward people of color pared to the death of Floyd, who pleaded that he peaceful protest march in Atlanta, Georgia. olent protests “reflect the pain, anger and frustration in our country. “We have had enough,” said Jordan, couldn’t breathe as Minneapolis policeman Derek “First and foremost, I’m a black man and I’m a that so many of us feel. who was famously reluctant to comment on social is- Chauvin kept his knee on his neck. member of this community,” the Georgia native said. With Kaepernick still unable to find a job in the sues during his playing career. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver sent an internal Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers, himself NFL, not everyone was convinced by Goodell or by Floyd died on May 25 after a white policeman in memo to NBA employees on Sunday that said the the son of a policeman, said that as violence escalated San Francisco 49ers chief executive Jed York, who Minneapolis had held his knee on the handcuffed league shares “the outrage” that has followed the it was imperative to keep Floyd’s death at the fore- pledged $1 million to combat systemic racial discrim- man’s neck for several minutes. death of Floyd — which comes in the wake of the po- front. “The response we are seeing across the nation, ination. Former 49er Eric Reid, who knelt alongside “We need to continue peaceful expressions lice killing in Kentucky of emergency health worker to the murder of George Floyd, is decades in the mak- Kaepernick tweeted: “Nobody wants your money against injustice and demand accountability,” Jordan Breonna Taylor in her home, and the fatal shooting of ing,” Rivers said in a statement. “Too often, people Jed. We want justice.” — AFP