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‘Cadran’ to boost Qatar Clasico: strategic partnership: Bounedjah vows Minister ‘lively’ contest

WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 • 28 Jumada II 1437 • Volume 21 • Number 6758 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Deputy Emir and PM meet Morocco premier Emir receives Qatar to be phone call from Italy PM centre of Halal DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received yes- terday a telephone call from Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Talks dealt with bilateral relations and means of enhancing them in addi- certification tion to latest developments in the region, reports QNA.

Conference (OIC) states. This is an added value to the Iceland PM quits Pan-Islamic achievements of the Chamber and authority precursor will boost the volume of foreign after Panama to global Halal trade and stimulate food manufac- turing, and will consolidate Qatar’s Papers leak regulatory body. position as a global hub for Islamic economies, the QC said. AP Moreover, the achievement is an important step towards the By Mohammed Osman establishment of a unified global LONDON: The leak of millions The Peninsula Halal regulatory body, and will of records on offshore accounts help attract more investments, as Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E claimed its first high-profile vic- now that a global umbrella tasked Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met at the Emiri Diwan yesterday with Prime Minister tim yesterday as Iceland’s prime with standardisation in issuing of Morocco, Abdelilah Benkirane, and his delegation. The Moroccan Premier was in Doha to participate minister resigned amid outrage DOHA: In a major development, Halal certifications will be there, in the 6th meeting of the Qatari-Moroccan Joint Higher Committee. → See also page 4 over revelations he had used such the Islamic world will have a cen- the QC emphasised. a shell company to shelter large tral Halal Certification Authority The achievement will make sums while Iceland’s economy was and this key regulatory body will Qatar an influencing body for the in crisis. The fall of Icelandic leader be headquartered in Qatar. exporters and help attract more Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson is Halal, as we know, mainly investments, in addition to promot- the biggest fallout so far from the refers to food items, meat in partic- ing commercial exchange among Foreign Minister meets Kerry in US publication of the names of rich ular, which are permissible under Muslim countries and reduce and powerful people linked to the Islam. unemployment rates and boost leaks, dubbed the Panama Papers. Also, as a historic achievement exports, the Chamber added. The Peninsula stressed the keenness of both coun- Kerry underlined that both countries China and Russia took the for Qatar Chamber, it is to be the To certify Halal products would tries to further strengthen cooperation share common interests in establish- opposite approach, suppressing the concessionaire of Itqan Award. mean that the products must be to face challenges in the region, mainly ing peace and stability in the region, news and rejecting allegations of Itqan in Arabic means excellence free of ingredients that are not per- DOHA/ WASHINGTON: Foreign in Palestine, Syria, Libya and Yemen, especially in Syria, Libya and Yemen. impropriety by government offi- and it is a coveted excellence missible under Islamic law. Minister H E Sheikh Mohamed bin QNA reported yesterday. The Foreign Kerry highlighted the joint efforts of cials named in the leak. award. ICCIA member-countries Abdulrahman Al Thani yesterday Minister said the meeting aimed to dis- both countries in the fight against Officials in Ukraine, Argentina Jeddah-based Islamic Cham- agreed at a meeting in Jeddah met with US Secretary of State John cuss the danger of growing terrorism extremist groups. and other countries are also fac- ber of Commerce, Industry and recently to make Qatar the cen- Kerry, in the course of his current visit through a comprehensive perspective He extended thanks and gratitude ing questions. Agriculture (ICCIA) has selected tre for certifying Halal products, a to Washington. They discussed bilat- of fighting terror and addressing the to Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad The reports are from a glo- Qatar to be the headquarter of a project adopted by QC to promote eral relations and the latest regional root causes economically, politically Al Thani for his recent efforts to sup- bal group of news organisations pan-Islamic authority which will the concept and culture of Halal and international developments. and socially. port the Libyan government, security working with the International be responsible for issuing Halal to contribute to the development In remarks to reporters prior to the He emphasised that the US is a and stability in the region, and fight Consortium of Investigative certifications, QC said yesterday. of Halal trade. meeting, the Foreign Minister under- strategic ally in restoring security the influence of extremist groups in Journalists. ICCIA is an organ of the lined the distinct relations between and peace in the region, stressing Libya. 57-member Organization of Islamic → Continued on page 6 Qatar and the US at all levels, and Qatar’s commitment to the goal. → Continued on page 6 → See also pages 12, 16 & 18

IS resistance Lekhwiya trounce Al Nassr Qatar Rail and Ooredoo slows Iraq troop advance in network agreement

AP The Peninsula the primary ICT solutions supplier for the QRDP. HIT, IRAQ: Heavy resistance Under the terms of the agree- slowed Iraqi forces yesterday as ment, Ooredoo will provide Qatar they pushed towards the centre of DOHA: Ooredoo and Qatar Rail- Rail with the latest infrastructure a town held by Islamic State mil- ways Company (Qatar Rail) and solutions, including fixed and itants in western Anbar province, yesterday signed a Memorandum wireless connectivity services. The commanders at the scene said. of Understanding (MoU) to pro- agreement will also support the Hundreds of roadside bombs, vide next-generation ICT services development of dedicated smart car bombs and heavy mortar fire and infrastructure across the Qatar solutions for managing rail trans- slowed advancing Iraqi troops to a Rail network. portation, including full control near halt yesterday after entering The MoU seeks to set up a col- centre functionality and data cen- the small town of Hit the previ- laboration framework to provide tre services. ous day. next-generation ICT solutions for Waleed Al Sayed said, “Qatar Hit — which lies along the the design, construction and oper- Rail is leading one of Qatar’s Euphrates River in a valley in ation of the Qatar Rail Development foremost projects, creating a Anbar’s sprawling desert — is stra- Programme (QRDP). national railway network that will tegically important as it sits along Upon completion, citizens, res- support our National Vision 2030 an IS supply line that links territory idents and visitors to Qatar will all and deliver incredible benefits controlled by the extremist Sunni Lekhwiya’s Nam Tae-hee dribbles past Al Nassr players during their AFC Champions League football benefit from an incredible range of for our people and for future group in Iraq and in Syria. Through match at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, yesterday. Lekhwiya won 4-0. communication services provided generations. By integrating a full the line, IS ferries fighters and sup- → See also page 30 both on-board and at stations. The collaboration framework into the plies from Syria into Iraq. ICT services will also provide vital development plan, we will ensure connectivity during the develop- that Ooredoo will provide world- ment phase of each of the essential class technology and networks national projects. at every stage of the roll-out and The MoU was signed by Waleed deploy smart technology that will Azerbaijan and Armenia agree ceasefire Al Sayed, CEO, Ooredoo Qatar and enable significant environmental Dr. Eng. Saad Al Muhannadi, CEO of and financial benefits.” Qatar Rail at a ceremony attended Dr Eng Saad Al Muhannadi said, AFP scrambled to end the worst violence Russian President Vladimir Putin the ceasefire,” the Kremlin said in a by senior executives from both “One of the goals of Qatar Rail is to in decades over the disputed region. called the leaders of ex-Soviet Arme- statement. companies. encourage Qatar’s private sector to Armenian and Azeri forces said nia and Azerbaijan after the ceasefire On a visit to a hospital to meet The technology agreement is one participate in our key rail projects, STEPANAKERT, AZERBAIJAN: they had agreed to halt fighting from agreement and told them to “ensure” wounded soldiers Azerbaijan’s Pres- of the most far-reaching and com- and we are very proud to be work- Azerbaijan and Armenian separa- 0800 GMT after clashes since Friday an end to the violence. ident Ilham Aliyev said the conflict prehensive ever agreed by a leading ing with Qatar’s leading operator tists in Nagorny Karabakh yesterday left at least 64 people dead, but Yer- “Putin called on both sides to could still be resolved peacefully if ICT provider and a rail infrastructure and ICT provider throughout the announced a ceasefire after four days evan claimed there was still “sporadic urgently ensure a complete cessation Armenia’s leadership “behaves sin- developer, Ooredoo said yesterday. design, construction and operations of bloodshed, as international powers shooting” going on. of military hostilities and respect for cerely at the negotiating table”. The agreement positions Ooredoo as phases.” 02 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 HOME

Deputy PM meets Swedish official

QNA Soder, Swedish State Secretary at the Senyar Championship begins Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and her delegation. They discussed relations between both countries, ways of DOHA: Deputy Prime Minister and enhancing them in various fields and sub-committees, each of six mem- Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs regional and international issues of bers responsible for 11 teams. H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid mutual concern. Swedish Ambassa- Sixty-seven teams To make it easier for the Al Mahmoud yesterday met Annika dor to Qatar Eva Bolano was present. comprising 806 110-member committee to monitor the teams, all participating teams sailors on board were assigned seven colours. traditional dhows The teams which take first and embarked on their second positions in pearl-diving will have the opportunity to represent journey to Fisht Al Qatar in pearl-diving competitions Hadid in Sealine as at the GCC level, as per terms intro- duced by the committee this year. part of the traditional Senyar is getting bigger and big- fishing and pearl- Participating teams sailing to Fisht Al Hadid in Sealine. ger each year in terms of participation — from around 150 competitors in the diving competition. inaugural edition to 350 participants 806 sailors on board traditional fishermen and pearl divers after a in the second year to about 600 in dhows embarked on their journey to safe arrival from the sea. The par- the third year. More than 700 com- Fisht Al Hadid in Sealine. ticipants will also be honoured. peted last year. By Raynald C Rivera Senyar Championship is divided Prior to the start of the com- At last year’s championships, The Peninsula into three major categories — Alafah, petition, the organising committee 18,411kg of oysters were collected in fishing and pearl-diving. ensured all participating dhows had the diving and oyster collection com- H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani giving The competitions starts today fulfilled all requirements, including a petition. The participants gathered an interview to mark CNN Style, which will be relaunched on with Alafah which will continue on licence to sail for more than five days. 12,282kg of fish in Al Hadaq category Saturday. DOHA: More than 800 sailors set sail Saturday while pearl-diving and Another licence from the of the competition and 1,508kg of fish from Katara beach at the launch of fishing competitions will take place Ministry of Transport and Commu- was collected in Al Nafah category. the fifth edition of Senyar traditional tomorrow and on Friday. nications was also required, besides A total of QR2,820,000 was dis- fishing and pearl-diving competition The championship will con- meeting other logistic and supply tributed to the winners in various Sheikha Mayassa to feature yesterday. clude on Saturday with Al Qafal, a requirements. categories of the competition last at CNN Style’s debut show Sixty-seven teams comprising traditional ceremony to welcome The committee formed seven year.

The Peninsula In recent years, she has made WISE tackles role of entrepreneurship in Europe bold moves to bring some of the world’s greatest contemporary artists to Qatar — Damien Hirst DOHA: H E Sheikha Al Mayassa and Takashi Murakami, among The Peninsula bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, them. Chairperson, Qatar Museums, Now, she’s turning the spot- will be featured at CNN Style’s light to China — enlisting the DOHA: The World Innovation Summit debut show marking its relaunch country’s most explosive art- for Education (WISE), an international on Saturday, CNN has announced. ist Cai Guo Qiang to curate an initiative of Qatar Foundation, led a In her first major interna- exhibition of 15 contemporary high-level event, focusing on the role tional TV interview in almost Chinese artists in Qatar Museum of entrepreneurship in the transforma- two years, Sheikha Al Mayassa Gallery Al Riwaq. tion of education and tackling youth spoke to CNN about her role in The show also features pop unemployment in Europe. preserving and growing the fam- star Rita Ora, F1 star Lewis Ham- The topics have been identified by ily’s extraordinary collection of ilton and British artist Tracey the European Commission as key pri- art. Emin. orities for 2016. The panel and luncheon were

FROM LEFT: Tomi Alakoski, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Me & My City; Stavros N Yiannouka, CEO, WISE; Martina Dlabajova, Member, European Parliament; Rodrigo Ballester, Member, EU Commissioner’s Cabinet on Education, Culture, Youth and Sport; and Antonio Garcia del Riego, Managing Director, European Corporate Affairs, Banco Santander, at the event.

hosted in Brussels by Martina Dlabajova, Participants shared views on entre- Cabinet on Education, Member of European Parliament from the preneurship education in Europe, and Culture, Youth and Sport; Czech Republic. experiences in initiatives to create a sus- Antonio Garcia del Riego, Aiming to inspire an informed dia- tainable environment for entrepreneurs Managing Director, Euro- logue, the event brought together 30 key to thrive and grow. Speakers included Sta- pean Corporate Affairs, European policymakers and industry and vros N Yiannouka, CEO, WISE; Rodrigo Banco Santander; and civil society representatives. Ballester, Member, EU Commissioner’s Tomi Alakoski, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Me and My City, one of WISE Awards-winning projects in 2014. The Fin- land-based initiative uses a 500sqm miniature town to engage young students in basic social, civic and economic concepts. Yiannouka highlighted the opportunity for poli- cymakers and educators to take action in trans- forming educational practices by capitalis- ing on the desire of young people to develop as entrepreneurs. “Although great num- bers of youth are being shut out of the labour market due to the fail- ure of education to provide them with rele- vant skills, young people are increasingly interested in entrepreneurship,” he said. The event produced conclusions relevant to policymaking, which speakers are expected to share with their collaborators and audiences through their work, given the growing interest in adjusting education to the needs of the labour market in Europe. It was also an opportunity for WISE to bring its global work as an international education organisation before a wider audience in support of QF’s mission of unlocking human potential. HOME WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 03

Premier sends message to UAE QU students to train at Katara Hospitality Deputy PM The Peninsula “The agreement reflects QU’s endeavours to develop good com- The Peninsula & QNA The agreement munication with the industry. Katara includes providing Hospitality is the best partner to pro- DOHA: Qatar University (QU) stu- College of Arts mote such a concept and we hope dents will soon get the opportunity that our students benefit from this ABU DHABI: UAE Deputy Prime to benefit from multi-disciplinary and Science MoU.” Minister and Interior Minister Lieu- training to improve skills in the undergraduate and Al Kubaisi said “We are honoured tenant General Sheikh Saif bin hospitality sector from Katara Hos- to work hand in hand with QU as Zayed Al Nahyan received a writ- pitality. graduate students we create initiatives that foster the ten message from Prime Minister QU’s College of Arts and Sciences with internships, holistic growth of our indigenous and Interior Minister H E Sheikh has signed an agreement with Katara population. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khal- Hospitality. It was inked by Dr Has- training and “The MoU is a testament to our ifa Al Thani on fraternal relations san Rashid Al Derham, President, scholarships and commitment to create employment between the two countries and QU; and Salem Al Kubaisi, Chief and career development opportu- issues of common concern. Corporate Services Officer, Katara organising joint nities for promising young Qataris, Qatari Ambassador to the UAE Hospitality, in the presence of college events such as encouraging our nation’s youth to Hadi bin Nasser Mansour Al Hajri Dean Dr Eiman Mustafawi, Associate workshops and explore careers in Qatar’s burgeon- handed over the message during Deans Dr Hassan Abdulaziz (Aca- ing hospitality sector.” a meeting today with Sheikh Saif. demic Affairs) and Dr Steven Wright presentations. FROM LEFT: Salem Al Kubaisi, Chief Corporate Services Officer, Katara Dr Mustafawi said, “We are (Planning and Quality Assurance); Hospitality, and Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham, President, QU, signing delighted to have this partnership Biological and Environmental Sci- the MoU. which exemplifies collaboration we Cadillac STS-V ences Department Head Dr Fatima would like to see more of between Ammar Al Naemi, QU Graduate and The agreement includes pro- academia and the industry.” 2004-2007 Senior Officer-Legal at Katara Hos- viding college undergraduate and organising joint events such as work- partnership with Katara Hospitality She said the agreement highlights pitality Nasser Al Obaidly and college graduate students with intern- shops and presentations. is aligned with our capacity-building the college’s efforts to expand its models recalled faculty. ships, training and scholarships and Dr Al Derham said, “Our strategy to meet the needs of society. local and international connections.

DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration with Mannai Trading Company, dealer of Cadillac vehicles, has Beauty centre closed down for two announced the recall of Cadil- lac STS-V models of 2004-2007 due to a possibility of the elec- weeks for selling expired hair dyes trical terminals of the fuel pump melting. The ministry said that the The Peninsula and non-compliance with standard 2008). The ministry reiterated that it recall is part of its efforts to specifications. is determined to protect consumers’ protect consumers and ensure Inspectors from the ministry rights and will intensify crackdowns dealers follow up on vehicle fined the centre and ordered its clo- to check violations of the consumer defects and repairs. DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and sure in line with Article No. 6 of Law protection law. The ministry said it will coor- Commerce has shut down a beauty No. 8 of 2008. The ministry said it will refer dinate with the dealer to follow centre for two weeks for selling The law prohibits suppliers of violators of laws and ministerial up on maintenance and repairs expired hair dyes. goods from selling, displaying, offer- decisions to competent authorities and communicate with customers The centre is in Al Waab and has ing or advertising substandard or for action. to ensure repairs are carried out. faced the punitive action for display- fraudulent products. It urged people to report any It urged customers to report ing and selling hair dyes after their Products are considered sub- violations to its Consumer Protec- any violations to its Consumer expiry dates. standard if they do not conform with tion and Anti-Commercial Fraud Protection and Anti-Commer- The ministry said yesterday standard specifications, are unusa- department and send complaints cial Fraud Department through the closure was ordered follow- ble or have expired. and suggestions through Call Cen- hotline: 16001; email: info@mec. ing inspection drives to monitor The closure is announced on the tre: 16001; email: [email protected]; gov.qa; Twitter: @MEC_Qatar; the market and commercial activ- ministry’s website and in two daily Twitter MEC_QATAR; Instagram Instagram: MEC_Qatar; and the An official is putting up a closure notice on the entrance of the beauty ity in the country to check price newspapers at the centre’s expense MEC_QATAR; and the ministry’s apps ministry’s mobile app for Android manipulations and expose viola- in line with Article No. 3 of the Con- on smartphones available on iPhone centre in Al Waab. and IOS: MEC_Qatar. tions like pushing counterfeit goods sumer Protection Law (No. 8 of and Android devices MEC_QATAR. 04 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 HOME QRCS receives QR1m donation to build health centre in Syria

Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani provides Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and Moroccan the fund for the Prime Minister Abdelillah Benkirane holding the sixth meeting of the Qatari-Moroccan Joint Supreme Committee at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. benefit of 70,000 residents of Darkush and displaced people from Lattakia and PM stresses coordination to Aleppo. promote Arab solidarity The Peninsula A Qatar Red Crescent Society volunteer attending to a patient.

committee that further strengthened National Ports Agency and Qatar DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent Society awareness, reduce communicable QRCS will also undertake logis- cooperation. Ports Management Company; and (QRCS) has received a donation of diseases through early diagnosis and tical tasks of rehabilitating buildings Qatar and Morocco He said relations between both an agreement between Silatech QR1m from Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad medication and vaccinate children in and infrastructure, connecting the sign several countries have been distinguished by Foundation and Morocco’s Attawfiq bin Abdullah Al Thani in support of its partnership with peers. water/power supply and sewer- depth, mutual respect, convergence Micro-Finance Foundation. efforts to enhance the medical sec- The outpatient centre in Darkush age system, procuring medical/ agreements. of visions on many issues under grave MoUs included between Qatar’s tor in Syria and provide treatment for will be rehabilitated into a standard stationery supplies, furnishing and circumstances experienced by the National Committee for International thousands of patients and victims of primary healthcare facility with installing equipment, securing med- region. Humanitarian Law and Morocco’s the Syrian crisis. specialities, including paediatrics, ications, hiring and training medical He called for maintaining high National Committee for International The donation will go to a project internal medicine, gynaecology and and administrative staff, and coor- The Peninsula levels of coordination and consulta- Humanitarian Law; on cooperation for rebuilding, equipping and operat- obstetrics, dentistry, dermatology, dinating with local and international tion to promote Arab solidarity and in the fields of oil, gas, renewable ing the healthcare centre in Darkush, general surgery, orthopaedics, dress- medical institutions working there. ensure an active and influential Arab energy, electricity and energy con- a town in Idlib Governorate. ing and laboratory). The project is in response to the role in addressing the current situa- sumption efficiency between the The project will serve about An agreement was signed with critical humanitarian situation in the DOHA: Qatar and Morocco yester- tion in the region. Ministry of Energy and Industry 70,000 residents and the displaced local authorities to issue a licence area, which weighed heavily on the day signed several agreements during Benkirane said Morocco aspires and Moroccan Ministry of Energy, people from Lattakia and Aleppo. to the centre, and another with the medical sector. the visit of Moroccan Prime Minister to raise the volume of trade exchange, Mines, Water and Environment; The number of the beneficiaries is local partner to avoid duplication Most health facilities in the area Abdelillah Benkirane to the country. strengthen Qatari investments and and between General Retirement expected to rise as clashes are esca- of efforts and ensure integration of are out of service due to lack of fund- The sixth meeting of the Qatari- expand their fields, pointing out and Social Insurance Authority and lating, catalysing a wave of forced health services. ing or direct bombing. Transportation Moroccan Joint Supreme Committee that the ambitions require inten- Morocco’s Deposits and Saving Fund. migration. QRCS will offer primary health- to farther towns is too difficult and was also held yesterday at the Emiri sifying meetings between various Later, Benkirane left after a The project aims to offer pri- care services, and the partner will risky compared to Darkush, which Diwan. sectors of governments and increas- two-day visit. He and his delegation mary healthcare, promote health provide secondary healthcare. is the area’s largest and safest town. It was co-chaired by Prime ing involvement of the private sector were seen off at Hamad Interna- Minister and Interior Minister in both countries. tional Airport by Minister of Energy H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Both premiers witnessed the and Industry H E Dr Mohammed Khalifa Al Thani and Benkirane and signing of agreements and memo- bin Saleh Al Sada, Qatari Ambassa- attended by ministers, senior officials randums of understanding (MoUs), dor to Morocco Abdullah bin Falah Indian association football tournament from and the Moroccan delegation. including on legal and judicial coop- bin Abdullah Al Dosari, and Moroc- The Premier highlighted positive eration; maritime transportation; can Ambassador to Qatar Al Makki results of the previous meetings of the cooperation between Morocco’s Kawan. tomorrow in solidarity with 2022

REQUIRED UNIX/LINUX Administrator Overall purpose: #                               R!  " ##  $% &# &                  $% &# &     &   % &      & % &  "    %' ' %  &   Officials of Qatar Indian Association for Sports and Games at the press conference yesterday.  ( " Main duties: #           & &      &            The Peninsula tournament tomorrow at Doha Stadium solidarity with Qatar to express Indian community’s solidarity as the host of the Foot- % &  %        &  " with Qatar for the FIFA World Cup 2022. ball World Cup in 2022,” #     %    & &    &      R! “Our objective is to popularise the Mohammed Abdul Rah-   % %   $% &" DOHA: Qatar Indian Association for game of football among the Indian com- man E P, President, QIA, Sports and Games (QIA) will host a football munity and express our support for and told a press conference # [   &   #$  % &          " yesterday. #*     &        % & [    " QIA, a forum of Indian # #  %                      % expatriates has been organising an expatri-    [        ! +  &  "#        ate football tournament       [  " under the auspicious # ,                      &%       patronage of the Ministry  &&     !-    &         !     " of Culture and Sports and Qatar Football Association (QFA) since 2013. It also .    $  [ *&    +   !  /     has approval and support from the Supreme Com- + [      " mittee for Delivery and *  [    Legacy (SC). M S Bukhari, Patron, Previous work experience required: QIA, said: “I would like Essential 4-5 Years: to express appreciation #$  [          % & &       &   to QIA for organising a tournament of such high   &   &   &  0        %    standard. “My support to       &   &"           the tournament is part of !$1#/1$2$   .& $  " our group’s commitment to support the expatriate Knowledge and experience: communities. We are also Essential: committed to encourag- ##        [  & &       ing the communities to participate in football       &  "  " tournaments that allow #.        [   & &     !34  5" them to adopt a healthy #   % % &   %      & % &" lifestyle through football.” K M I Mather, Vice- # /       [  & &     & &        President, Indian Football    % &" Federation, will inau- #.     &     #$  % & "" #[     gurate the event and Mansour Al Ansari, Gen-    [ % &     " eral-Secretary, QFA, wiII #.       " be the Chief Guest. #/    !3!36$" Ten teams are partici- pating — from Goa, Tamil #7   &            " Nadu and Kerala. The #8     &    " teams will be split into two groups of five teams each. Following group matches /    % &       &  in a league format, two teams from each group       439:5%&  ( ; will advance to the semi- [email protected] finals. The final match will be played on May 6. HOME WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 05 Weather blamed for fluctuating fish prices

set sail, disrupting supply and pushing up prices. The weather has been windy On Monday, the result of erratic supply was — for example, kingfish was retailed for QR75 a kg. most of these past few days, Though at a major hypermarket, this news- Ahmed bin Ali Al Muhannadi (right), Chairman, General Authority so fishing vessels have been paper found out that the price of kingfish that day of Customs, with the inspector who seized marijuana, and Ajab Al was QR98 a kg. Qahtani, Customs Director, HIA. (Below) The booty. unable to set sail, disrupting According to fishermen and vendors, if the bad supply and pushing up prices. weather continues for two to three days, prices could soar as supply gets affected. “If stocks exhaust the price, naturally, goes up,” said a vendor. “This is 6.4kg marijuana haul at HIA a simple dynamic of supply and demand.” The weather wasn’t so bad yesterday and so By Mobin Pandit and Sanaullah Ataullah the catch was good, if not plentiful. Kingfish was By Sidi Mohamed in 11 big pieces, bundled in paper and The Peninsula available in retail at the Central Market literally for The Peninsula hidden in the boxes. QR38-QR40 a kg. The price of the fish has averaged The man was referred to author- at between QR25 and QR30 a kg most of the days ities for questioning and legal action. in recent past. “But bad weather in between, and Cooperation among customs DOHA: Fish prices at the Central Market have been which was not too long ago, pushed its price up to A vendor at the Central Market. DOHA: A customs official at Hamad teams such as the one that handles fluctuating these days — one morning if a species is QR90 a kg one day,” said another vendor. International Airport (HIA) caught a ultra-modern baggage scanning selling for QR80 a kg, for instance, the next morn- The price of hamour which is a hot favour- passenger trying to smuggle into the equipment and those from the Cus- ing its rate could be half or less. ite of Qataris, has been averaging at QR60 a kg Shamal (north of the country) so it is a little expen- country some 6.4kg of marijuana. toms Department who are mobile There are no price manipulations, as one would and recently touched QR75 in unstable weather, sive than the safi from elsewhere in the country, The Asian passenger coming and on a continuous vigil to detect suspect, as the auctions are held under government he added. vendors said. here after transiting from another any foul play, led to the seizure of supervision and retail rates are fixed by inspectors. Fresh seafood people from all income brack- Business at the Central Market was dull yes- GCC country, was hiding the mate- marijuana, said Al Qahtani. A cross-section of those in the supply chain, ets can afford and relish, but recently cheaper fish terday. One vendor said he normally sold stocks rial in boxes that contained dry fish Ahmad bin Ali Al Muhan- including fishermen and vendors The Peninsula like shehri was sold for up to QR20 a kg. Its price worth QR7,000 a day on average, but yesterday he and mixed nuts. The customs inspec- nadi, Chairman of the Authority, spoke to, blamed the weather as the culprit for is normally QR8 a kg. And safi prices have been said he didn’t hope the sale would cross QR4,000. tor intercepted him on suspicion and honoured the inspector and said price swings. ranging between QR35 and QR40 per kg depend- As the weather has been improving, vendors was felicitated by his senior officers, customs inspectors must continue The weather has been windy most of these past ing on where it is sourced from. said they hoped the supply would soar and the fish according to the General Authority with their effort to protect the coun- few days, so fishing vessels have been unable to The sweeter and tastier version comes from Al would become cheaper again. of Customs. try from such harmful substances Ajab Al Qahtani, Customs Direc- which affect society. tor, HIA, said the inspector suspected He also stressed that the depart- that a the Asian passenger had been ment is supporting its employees carrying contained something fishy and providing them with continu- ‘No Paper Day Qatar’ campaign tomorrow and recovered from marijuana sliced ous training opportunities.

The Peninsula to adopt eco-friendly initiatives to so far registered to take part and are more sustainably. reduce paper waste nationwide. from the construction, hospitality, oil “Businesses and individuals have As part of the campaign, QGBC is and gas, education, sustainability sec- a collective responsibility to work encouraging participants to reuse and tors, QGBC said yesterday. towards creating a lasting balance DOHA: With about five million upcycle paper. QGBC will share tips Engineer Meshal Al Shamari, between the developmental needs sheets of paper consumed daily in with the public on how to save paper Director, QGBC, said: “The cam- and the conservation of the natural the country, the Qatar Green Building in their daily lives, whether at home, paign was launched three years back resources and the environment. Council (QGBC), a member of Qatar in the office or at school, through in response to a state of increasing “We are delighted to have Foundation, has invited companies Facebook and Twitter. paper consumption in the country. received a considerable number of and individuals to participate in its It has also launched an online “With about five million sheets registrations for the campaign,” he annual ‘No Paper Day Qatar’ cam- campaign with the hashtag #NPDQ- of paper consumed daily, the cam- added. paign tomorrow. atar and has urged the public to take paign serves as a crucial endeavour to Details about the campaign The campaign aims to encourage part in the campaign. reflect on and assess how companies, can be had from the website www. businesses and the wider community More than 50 organisations have institutions and schools can operate qatargbc.org. 06 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 HOME QA doubles New York City-Doha flights

The Peninsula operating in the US for nine years and refreshed upon arrival. added daily, non-stop service to Bos- “The Airbus A350 is an iconic ton on March 16 and will commence Qatar Airways brings commercial aircraft of the next dec- service to Atlanta on June 1. third Airbus A350 ade,” said Al Baker. “We were proud NEW YORK: Qatar Airways (QA) has “The new route is evidence of our to be part of its inception and look added a second daily, non-stop flight rapid growth in the US,” said Akbar to the US and adds forward to introducing this unpar- along its popular route between John Al Baker, Chief Executive, QA Group. convenient morning alleled aircraft with business and F Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York “By offering a second flight from route between JFK leisure travellers along our New York- City and Hamad International Air- JFK, we provide our leisure and Doha route.” port in Doha. business travellers with convenient and Doha. The second daily flight departs The new route features the connections via Doha to top destina- JFK from Terminal 7 at 11:15 hours acclaimed Airbus A350 and a new tions in Africa, the Middle East, South and arrives at HIA at 06:45 hours morning departure time from JFK, East Asia and the Far East. technologically advanced aircraft in local time. The new flight to New Cultural Adviser to the Emiri Diwan H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al allowing passengers to arrive in Doha “In particular, business travel commercial aviation flying today — York City arrives at JFK’s Terminal Kawari and other officials at the event. in the morning the following day. between New York City and Singa- on every leg of the journey.” 7 at 09:15 hours, providing conven- The new flight represents the 10th pore on QA is now one of our most QA was the global launch part- ient access to the city and connecting QA route between Doha and the US. popular routes, offering business ner of the A350 in 2015. It operates flights across the UA. The airline, named ‘2015 Air- travellers a best-in-class experience eight of the advanced aircraft on Terminal 7 is also home to other Azerbaijan’s tourism future looks line of the Year’ (Skytrax), has been featuring the Airbus 350 — the most four continents, including to Frank- oneworld members, including British furt, Munich, Singapore and from next Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia and brighter after Gala Dinner in Doha month, Adelaide. Qantas. QA will continue to operate In the US, the A350 operates to its evening route, scheduled to depart Philadelphia and Boston, in addition New York at 23:00 hours from Termi- to the second daily flight to JFK. QA nal 8, providing an alternative and The Peninsula working in cooperation with Qatar. has an additional 72 A350s on order, convenience when visiting Doha or “The government of Azerbaijan and maintains one of the youngest connecting with outbound flights to has lifted advance visa requirement and most advanced fleets. the airline’s global network of over for the citizens of the GCC countries, Along with QA’s award-winning 150 destinations around the world. DOHA: Azerbaijan’s Ministry of as well as Japan, Malaysia, China, services and amenities, the A350 fea- Daily, non-stop flights between Culture and Tourism presented a South Korea and Singapore. tures an innovative system for the Doha and JFK: QR Flight 701 Doha- roadshow to develop cooperation “This is a milestone in our rela- reduction of jet lag. By using a high New York 08:15/15:15 Terminal 8 in the field of travel and tourism in tionship with these countries. We are precision air management system to Boeing 777-300ER; QR Flight 702 business and leisure and highlight pleased to inform the public, travel reduce cabin pressure and optimise New York-Doha 22:00/17:35 +1 Ter- information about tourism to diver- trade companies and those plan- humidity, along with a dynamic LED minal 8 Boeing 777-300ER; QR Flight sify the country’s dependence on oil ning to visit Azerbaijan and enjoy lighting system to manage passenger 703 Doha-New York 02:25/ 09:15 Ter- and gas. Development of tourism is a historical sites and its beautiful land- melatonin levels, the A350 combats minal 7 Airbus A350-900; and QR key priority for Azerbaijan. scaping,” he added. Azerbaijan has the effects of international travel Flight 704 New York-Doha 11:15/06:45 The roadshow was attended by diverse attractions to offer and this The Economy class in the acclaimed Airbus A350. and leaves passengers feeling more +1 Terminal 7 Airbus A350-900. Qatari ministers, pioneers in the visa waiver will facilitate “an excel- industry and other dignitaries. lent traffic of all categories of people Rashid Al Noori, Representative to visit Azerbaijan.” of the ministry in the GCC, presented Azerbaijan is a next-generation Chamber hails ICCIA’s selection of Qatar FM: Qatar committed to his country’s travel and tourism travel destination. It was chosen portfolio for various segments and to organise World Tourism Forum global peace and security discussed features to engage indus- Lucerne Think Tank with the pres- tries and government to support ence of World Tourism Organisation Continued from page 1 move of selecting Qatar as the host Amid increasing demand for Azerbaijan’s tourism growth. Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, and of the central Halal Authority and Halal products, a growing number Minister for Culture and Tourism World Tourism Forum President Continued from page 1 The 32nd round of the general Itqan (excellence) Award. of consumers have been lament- Abulfas Garayev gave a presentation Reto Wittwer. It also hosted the First assembly of ICCIA and 23rd meet- The achievement is an advan- ing a lack of an umbrella body for on the solution basket to help make European Games in Baku in 2015 and ing of its board of directors in the tage for Qatar and an outcome of regulatory bodies, said Mohammed The Foreign Minister also met mem- Azerbaijan the ultimate tourism des- has signed a contract with Formula Saudi port city also agreed to let efforts of the OIC and ICCIA, said Jawhar Al Mohammad, Member, bers of the US Senate Foreign Relations tination offering unparalleled travel 1 to organise Baku Grand Prix this Qatar be represented by its Cham- QCCI Chairman Sheikh Khalifa QCCI board. Committee and discussed ways of and holiday experiences. year. These events will attract people ber for the centre for Itqan award bin Jassim Al Thani. This will con- There are no common stand- strengthening and developing bilateral “We’d like to inspire travellers from all over the world, impacting which aims to establish the prin- tribute to increasing intra-regional ardisations and specifications for relations in various fields. They exchanged from all over the world to visit and the tourism sector positively over ciple of perfection in all aspects of trade among members of the ICCIA, Halal products for a consumer’s views on topics of common interest, par- explore Azerbaijan. We’d also like to the next decade. “With excellent air business. as Halal certifications will ensure market with over two billion people ticularly the situation in the region. deliver a global network to support accessibility, world-class conference Itqan is an annual award safer and healthier products of and there are millions of products, The Foreign Minister confirmed tourism promotion in Azerbaijan and facilities and high-quality hotels to granted to individual or corpo- high quality. Nael Raja Al Kabariti, he added. “We are proud that Qatar Qatar’s commitment to work with friendly to champion tourism.”| accommodate events, unique dining ration from the private sector for Chairman, Arab Chamber of Com- won the trust of the ICCIA members countries to maintain international He spoke about the importance venues and authentic on site activi- showing excellence in one or more merce, described the achievement and the current centre of Islamic security and peace and find real and com- of the Middle East, particularly the ties, we’re working together to make of business areas. as a victory for Arab chambers and chamber in Doha will include sec- prehensive solutions to challenges facing GCC states, for Azerbaijan’s tour- Azerbaijan visible to the world of The QCCI praised the ICCIA’s their GCC peers, in particular. tion for Halal certifications.” the region. ism. He shared his best experiences meetings,” he added.

10-20-30 promotion begins at Safari outlets THE One hosts 11th blood The Peninsula household items, garments, textiles, until tomorrow, with a special per- footwear, office stationery, car acces- formance of folk songs by one of the donation drive sories, tools, home appliances, fruits renowned teams from Kerala. Entry and vegetables, fresh fish and meat to both events is free. The winners DOHA: The 10-20-30 promotion of and culinary delicacies from its hot will be receive exciting prizes and The Peninsula Safari Group, one of the most antic- food and bakery. goodies in each of these events. ipated events in the retail industry “For this promotion, we have The ‘Win 1kg Gold’ promotion in Qatar, has begun at its all retail added products from every utility to is also getting an overwhelming outlets — Safari Mall-Abu Hamour, meet demands of our ever-growing response from customers who will be DOHA: THE One Qatar hosted its Safari Hypermarket – Salwa Road and valuable customers — sourced eligible to receive coupons for every 11th annual blood donation cam- and Safari Shopping Complex in directly from manufacturers to get purchase of QR50. paign. Umm Salal. the most competitive pricing,” said The first draw was held on It aimed to raise awareness Quality products at astonish- Zainulabideen, Director and General Tuesday with top three winners about the urgent need for more ing prices is what Safari has always Manager, Safari Group. receiving 500gramme, 300gramme blood donors and boosting Hamad offered during the promotion. More To enhance shopping experi- and 200gramme of gold, respectively. Medical Corporation’s dwindling than 1,000 products are on offer — ence with fun and entertainment, This will continue every month blood supplies. from electronics, toys, cosmetics, musical game shows are being held for five months, Zainulabideen added. Sixty-three donors registered of whom 18 employees and 16 cus- Some of the participants pose for a group photo during the event. tomers qualified to donate blood, which can save up to 102 lives. In 2013, THE One was recog- and organise mobile blood donation helped generate over 250 pints of nised by HMC’s blood donor unit campaigns, in addition to voluntarily donated blood which could poten- for being one of the 12 compa- donating blood. tially save up to 750 lives, an officials nies in Qatar to consistently lead In the past 10 years, THE One has statement said. ‘Joyalukkas Shop & Fly’ promotion winners named

The Peninsula

DOHA: The mega winning oppor- tunity during Joyalukkas Shop & Fly promotion received an overwhelming response from customers across GCC. The winners of the campaign were announced and will get airline vouchers and the mega winner gets a diamond necklace. The Joyalukkas Shop & Fly offered every customer shopping for QR500 worth of jewellery or more the opportunity to travel to destina- tions they have been dreaming of and Officials with the winners. a diamond necklace. “It’s a pleasure to see such an overwhelming response for Joyaluk- to be able to enable it,” said John Paul jeweller with 110 showrooms in 11 kas Shop & Fly. Alukkas, Executive Director, Joyaluk- countries across the world. It has “The opportunity will make many kas Group. been awarded the Superbrand sta- dreams come true and we feel happy Joyalukkas is an ISO-certified tus seven years in a row in the UAE. MIDDLE EAST WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 07

Erdogan wants to take away citizenship of Kurdish militants’ supporters

AFP The comments by Erdogan marked the lat- to lawyers in Ankara. “These people don’t which has left 40,000 dead. as academics, spies who identify themselves est escalation in his drive to crack down on deserve to be our citizens. We are not obliged In March, Erdogan came under fire for as journalists, an activist disguised as a pol- dissent against the government’s relentless to carry anyone engaged in the betrayal of calling for the definition of terrorism to be itician ... are no different from the terrorists operation to wipe out the outlawed Kurdis- their state and their people.” expanded to include journalists, activists and who throw bombs,” Erdogan added yesterday. ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip tan Workers Party (PKK). Erdogan has refused to give any quarter to others who “exploit their positions, pens and “But like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, they Erdogan yesterday proposed stripping Turkish “To prevent them from doing harm we the PKK which has been blamed for a string titles and put them at terrorists’ disposal.” serve the same purpose as the members of citizenship from supporters of Kurdish rebels must take all measures, including stripping of attacks in Turkey in recent weeks, after the But this was the first time he has proposed the terror organisation. No-one must com- waging a deadly insurgency against the secu- supporters of the terrorist organisation of collapse last year of a truce in its decades-long that supporters of the PKK be stripped of their mit treachery against the state and the nation rity forces. their citizenship,” Erdogan said in a speech fight for greater autonomy and rights for Kurds nationality. “Supporters (of terror) who pose behind our backs.” Turkey to readmit more migrants

Reuters

ANKARA/LESBOS: Turkey is ready to take in another 200 migrants deported from the Greek islands this week, a senior government official said, as it presses ahead with a disputed EU deal aimed at shutting down the main route for ille- gal migration into Europe. A first group of 202 migrants, mostly Paki- stani and Afghan, were shipped back to Turkey on Monday under an agreement which will see Ankara take back all migrants and refugees who cross the Aegean to enter Greece illegally. In return, the European Union will take in thousands of Syrian refugees directly from Tur- key and reward it with money, visa-free travel and progress in its EU membership negotiations. “This arrangement will prevent the Aegean Sea being turned into a cemetery for migrants,” Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in parliament of a deal meant to dissuade migrants Migrants from Afghanistan and Pakistan protest against deportations in the detention from attempting perilous illegal sea crossings. Turkey was initially expecting a second centre for migrants in Moria on the Lesbos island of Greece, yesterday. group of 200 migrants to be sent back today, but the government official said Greek author- March 20 from Turkey and who are being held deal, struck last month, is apparent. ities had informed their Turkish counterparts until their asylum requests are processed and Turkish security forces have increased that the move would be delayed until Friday. they are accepted or sent back under the deal. checkpoints on roads in a bid to detain would- The pact has been criticised by refugee agen- The first group of returnees from Greece be migrants. Syrian and other refugees who once cies and human rights campaigners, who have were brought from Lesbos and Chios to the packed the cafes and hostels of Basmane, a dis- cast it as inhumane, questioned its legality, and Turkish Aegean coastal town of Dikili on Mon- trict of the region’s biggest city Izmir, have all argued Turkey is not a safe country for refugees. day. They were then taken in buses escorted by but disappeared. Several dozen migrants being detained at gendarmes to a “reception and removal” centre “There’s no work. The hotel has been empty a holding camp on the Greek island of Les- in a fenced compound in the town of Kirklareli for the last 20 days,” said Mehmet, whose Bas- bos protested behind the barbed wire fence of near the Bulgarian border, from where most are mane hotel had done a thriving trade sheltering the compound yesterday, shouting “We want expected to be sent back to their home countries. migrants in the months ahead of the deal. freedom!” On parts of Turkey’s Aegean coast where ref- But some stores in the neighbourhood still They were among thousands of refugees and ugees had long gathered before attempting to stock unlicensed life jackets and, despite the migrants who have arrived on Lesbos on or since cross the Aegean, the deterrent effect of the EU risks, migrants are still trying to cross.

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Please send your resume to the following email and use the code (IPCC01) as your message subject: [email protected] 08 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 MIDDLE EAST

Revolutionary Syrian opposition Guards chief warns against rebels bring down N-deal model AFP regime warplane TEHRAN: Iran’s elite Rev- olutionary Guards head warned yesterday that the nuclear deal with world Observatory for Human Rights said powers was not a “model” the pilot was captured by Nusra Front and criticised “Western- Shelling of Kurdish members, who took him to one of their ised groups” in the Islamic neighbourhood claims offices in the area. The Local Coordina- republic. tion Committees said the warplane was If the nuclear accord, at least nine lives. a Sukhoi 22. which came into force in An amateur video posted online January, is “portrayed as showed a man who appeared to be a a model, that is a sign of pilot as he was being captured by mili- narrow mindedness and tants in the area. self humiliation”, General AP “Shame on you,” some of the fight- Mohammad Ali Jafari, ers said as they surrounded the man. quoted on the Guards’ A fighter could be also heard shouting website, told a meeting of “take away his gun.” senior commanders. BEIRUT: Syrian insurgents shot down The video appeared genuine and He said that those in a government warplane in the north of corresponded to other AP reporting of Iran who espoused the A Syrian girl, wounded during mortar shelling, awaits treatment at a makeshift hospital in the rebel-held the country yesterday and shelled a pre- the events. deal as the right path for dominantly Kurdish neighbourhood in In Moscow, Defence Ministry town of Douma near Damascus, yesterday. an internal political deal the city of Aleppo, killing at least nine spokesman Major General Igor Konash- were “involuntarily taking people, opposition monitoring groups enkov said no Russian warplanes flew The so-called “proximity talks” the road to counter-revolu- and state media said. over Aleppo yesterday. between Assad’s envoys and rep- Fighters edge towards key tion and want to humiliate State TV said the warplane was shot Syrian rebels have shot down several resentatives of the opposition our great people”. down with a surface-to-air missile while Syrian warplanes since the country’s adjourned last month, after nearly Iran’s moderate Pres- on a reconnaissance mission over the crisis began in March 2011. Russian war- two weeks during which de Mistura IS-held north Syria town ident Hassan Rowhani northern province of Aleppo, adding that planes have been carrying out air strikes shuttled between the delegations. has repeatedly praised the pilot ejected and “work is ongoing to in Syria since September 30. Syrian mil- The talks achieved no significant the accord which defused rescue him.” itants have not downed any Russian breakthroughs. UN-designated ter- AFP Rights. “Since mid-March, Islamist a showdown with the Opposition activists said the war- planes. Neighbouring Turkey, however, ror groups such as the Islamic State and rebel fighters backed by Turkey West as an example to plane was shot down near the village shot down one Russian aircraft last year. group and the Nusra Front, are not have seized control of a wide bor- be followed for strik- of Al Ais that was captured Saturday by Also yesterday, the UN special envoy involved in the talks or the ceasefire. BEIRUT: Rebels in Syria are edg- der area spanning 15km,” said Abdel ing a domestic accord on insurgents spearheaded by members of for Syria was to head to Moscow ahead Earlier in the day, activists said ing closer to the key northern town Rahman, whose Britain-based group “understanding and rec- the Nusra Front — Al Qaeda’s branch in of the planned resumption of indirect insurgents, including Nusra Front of Dabiq held by the Islamic State relies on a wide network of sources onciliation” in the country. Syria. peace talks between the Russia-backed members, shelled the predominantly group, pushing the jihadists out of inside Syria. On March 20, how- The downing of the warplane and government of Syrian President Bashar Kurdish Sheikh Maqsoud neighbour- more than a dozen villages, a mon- The rebel groups, includ- ever, Iran’s supreme guide latest fighting and shelling in Aleppo, Al Assad and opposition groups next hood in Aleppo. itor said yesterday. ing Faylaq Al Sham and the Sultan Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Syria’s largest city and former com- week in Geneva. The Observatory said the shelling Rebel forces are now within Murad Brigades, have seized 14 vil- criticised any such deal mercial centre, threaten to undermine Staffan de Mistura’s office said he came amid clashes between militants 10km of Dabiq, a town of significant lages since mid-March, he said, on the home front, with- a US-Russia-brokered ceasefire that has was to meet yesterday with Russian For- and Kurdish fighters. symbolic importance to the jihadists, adding that Turkish artillery fire out giving any names. largely held since February 27. eign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss The activist group says nine were said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of on IS positions had bolstered the Jafari said “political The Britain-based Syrian the next round of the talks. killed. the Syrian Observatory for Human offensive. ideas that contradict the Islamic revolution will not last... even if at a certain moment they might take control of the government and parliament”. Families uprooted by Yemen He said “the new Westernised trend in Iran is formed by American infiltration elements” that war suffer in gritty camps would be defeated by the Guards and “revolutionary forces within the country”. Agencies Saudi-led warplanes targeted in a civil war for more than a year Houthi positions. A few months between supporters of President UN Libya later, the place they sought refuge, Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi and the Al Mazraq camp near the border Iran-allied Houthi group that has envoy meets HAJJAH: They live in scruffy tents city of Harad, also in Hajjah, was sucked in a Saudi-led alliance and or mud huts on dry, stony ground. bombarded. Families moved further caused a major humanitarian crisis. Children play with what they have inland to the arid Shawqaba camp UN-sponsored peace talks are unity govt — a rubber tyre will do. Medical that lacks the most basic services. scheduled to start in Kuwait on April treatment is hard to come by for Residents call home poorly build 18. The two sides in the conflict have in Tripoli young and old alike. huts that protect them neither from confirmed a truce starting at mid- A girl rides a donkey as another walks by at the Shawqaba camp for internally In northwest Yemen, one of summer heat nor winter cold. night on April 10. AFP displaced who were forced to leave their villages in Yemen’s northwestern province the poorest countries in the Mid- Amal Jabir, 10, standing outside Meanwhile, US naval forces in of Hajjah. dle East, families uprooted by the her family’s hut, says there’s only the Arabian Sea seized a shipment war have been stuck in camps for one thing she wishes for. of weapons that the United States TRIPOLI: The UN Libya the past year. “I want this war to be over, to believes was sent from Iran and was envoy met the new unity Around 400 of them now reside return home and finish my studies,” bound for Houthi rebels in Yemen, government yesterday on in the Shawqaba camp in Hajjah she says. Many children suffer from the Navy has said. his first visit to the conflict- province, which borders Saudi Ara- a lack of nutrition and health serv- The patrol ship USS Sirocco torn country since prime bia. When fighting between Saudi ices. Muhammad, 11, is waiting for intercepted and seized the shipment minister designate Fayez forces and Houthi rebels began in treatment of his fractured leg. hidden aboard a small dhow on Al Sarraj’s arrival in the March 2015, these refugees were Elderly people with diabetes and March 28. The illicit cargo included capital last week. forced to leave their villages in heart conditions complain of a lack 1,500 AK-47s, 200 RPG launchers Martin Kobler’s arrival Al Dhahir and Shada districts in of medicine — and the high prices and 21.50 calibre machine guns, the in Tripoli came amid inter- neighbouring Saada province as when it is available. Yemen has been Navy said in a statement. national hopes that Sarraj’s administration will be able to assert control over the country and end the chaos that has plagued Libya since Muammar Gaddafi’s 2011 overthrow. “Now meeting PM Sar- raj and members of the Presidency Council. I am very happy to be here and discuss the way ahead,” Kobler said on Twit- ter about an hour after announcing his arrival in the city. “Just arrived in #Tripoli, first visit after arrival of PC (Presidency Council). Thrilled to be here!” he had written. Kobler, a German dip- lomat appointed last year to spearhead interna- tional efforts to resolve the Libya conflict, posted photographs of himself descending from a UN turboprop plane and then meeting with officials including Sarraj. Kobler had been pre- vented from travelling to the capital last month by authorities in charge of Tripoli, who have so far refused to cede power to the unity government. ASIA / PHILIPPINES WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 09 Bank hackers ‘possibly Chinese’: Philippines senator

“They saw the vulnerability in the transactions totaling hundreds of (Philippines) banking system or one millions of dollars could be handled “It would appear bank.” Recto did not give any details by branch managers without prior they are not Filipino on why he thought the hackers were approval from head office. Chinese. The inquiry has led to the recov- hackers (but) possibly But the Senate was told in a pre- ery of about $5.5m from a Chinese Chinese hackers,” vious session that the money was casino boss and junket operator brought into the Philippines by two called Kim Wong, who received a total said Ralph Recto Chinese high-rollers, one from Macau of almost $35m through his casino during a Senate and one from Beijing. The hackers company and Philrem, the foreign inquiry in Manila. who infiltrated the computer sys- exchange broker. Wong, who denied tems of Bangladesh Bank tried to steal any involvement in the heist, prom- $951m from its account at the New ised to pay back another 450m pesos York Fed although most transactions ($9.7m) of the stolen money, but said a were blocked. portion of what he had received had Reuters But $81m was transferred into already been spent on gambling chips four RCBC accounts at a single Manila for clients. branch, which had each been opened Wong said a further $17m with a $500 deposit and remained remained with Philrem, whose MANILA: Chinese hackers were inactive for almost a year. All of the husband-and-wife representa- possibly behind one of the world’s funds were then transferred to a for- tives came under fire at yesterday’s biggest cyber heists, the theft of eign exchange broker and further inquiry. Philrem distributed the $81m from the Bangladesh central distributed. stolen $81m to Bloomberry Resorts bank, a senator in the Philippines “I am but a pawn in a high- Corp, which owns and operates the said yesterday, while a Manila bank stakes chess game played by giants upmarket Solaire casino in Manila; manager involved in the case said in international banking and high to Eastern Hawaii she was a pawn of senior bankers finance,” Maia Santos Deguito, the Leisure Company, which is owned and unnamed tycoons. branch manager, told the senate by Wong; and to an ethnic Chinese Unidentified hackers stole the committee. “If this committee is man believed to be a junket opera- money from the Bangladesh Bank’s looking for the ‘grandmaster,’ it is tor in Manila. Philrem president Salud account at the Federal Reserve Bank not me,” she said. Bautista said the suspected Chinese of New York in early February and Without naming names, Deguito junket operator was paid more than funneled it through a Manila branch blamed the crime on senior RCBC $30m in six tranches. of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp officials “in cahoots with extremely But Wong, who said he witnessed Maia Santos Deguito (left), branch manager of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp (RCBC), is escorted by Volunteers (RCBC) to casinos and gambling agents wealthy businessmen whose far- four of the transactions, has disputed in the Philippines. reaching powers and influence the sum, saying in a previous Senate Against Crimes and Corruptions to attend the money laundering hearing at the Senate in Manila yesterday. “It would appear they are not Fil- span several countries.” In a pre- session that only about $14m changed ipino hackers (but) possibly Chinese vious hearing, RCBC’s president hands. This led senators to believe treasurer Michael Bautista denied. the inquiry. Senator Recto, who led the seems to be double dealing here. That hackers,” said Ralph Recto during a and lawyer had pointed the fin- Philrem still holds a portion of the “But we are not keeping money. questioning, appeared exasperated is how it appears,” he said. The inquiry Senate inquiry in the capital Manila. ger at Deguito, saying that even unaccounted stolen funds, which its There is no money with us,” he told by the conflicting testimony. “There continues on April 12.

Philippine Veterans Week Former Chinese Suu Kyi meets China FM military leader confesses to graft in first diplomatic foray

AFP AFP languished for years under house arrest. BEIJING: Former top Chinese Chinese firms enjoyed a host of military leader Guo Boxiong has juicy business deals with Myanmar’s confessed to bribe-taking, the offi- YANGON: Myanmar’s foreign min- generals and their cronies that were cial Xinhua news agency reported ister Aung San Suu Kyi met her often seen as exploiting the nation’s yesterday, citing military prose- Chinese counterpart yesterday in rich natural resources. cutors who described the sums as the first diplomatic foray of her new But the comfortable relationship “extremely huge”. pro-democracy government, under- was thrown into upheaval under the Guo was for a decade one of scoring the importance of relations last quasi-civilian government of the two vice chairmen of the Cen- with Beijing. Thein Sein. In 2011 he shocked the tral Military Commission, second The nation sees its giant neigh- international community by sus- only to the Chinese president in the bour — and largest trading partner pending the multi-billion dollar top body of the People’s Liberation — as its biggest foreign policy pre- China-backed Myitsone hydropower Army (PLA). He retired in 2012 and occupation, with border wars and project in war-torn Kachin state. was expelled from the ruling Com- controversial China-backed mega- Fighting in the border region of munist Party last year. projects topping the agenda. Kokang last year between the Myan- His fall came as President Xi The new civilian administration, mar army and local rebels with links Jinping seeks to consolidate his sworn in on March 30, faces a host to China also strained relations. power and enhance his control of economic challenges as it inherits Analysts say both nations want to over the PLA, the world’s largest the government of the impoverished rebalance the relationship after Myan- military and technically the armed nation from the military. It also faces mar’s historic November elections that force of the ruling party rather tensions with the military which saw millions of voters take to the polls than the Chinese state. ruled for almost half a century. to end the military’s domination. “The A Filipino honour guard (centre, back) slips due to confetti while marching during the sunrise and wreath Guo was found to have taken Suu Kyi, for decades the stand- new government recognises China’s laying ceremony marking the start of Philippine Veterans Week at the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers inside advantage of his position “to ard-bearer of the democracy importance but will also be keen to the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery) in Taguig City, south of Manila, Philippines, yesterday. assist the promotion and reloca- movement and now foreign minis- recalibrate aspects of the two coun- tion of other people, accepting an ter, invited China’s Wang Yi for talks tries’ relations,” said Nyantha Maw Lin, extremely huge amount of bribe in the capital Naypyidaw. of advisory firm Vriens and Partners. personally and through his family”, At a press conference after- With a cumulative total of $15.4bn of Xinhua cited military prosecu- wards she described relations as approved investments in Myanmar, Six arrested tors as saying in a statement. The “very important politically as well China is by far its largest foreign inves- Khaleda Zia gets bail 73-year-old had been formally as socially and economically”. tor, despite reforms in recent years that charged and the procedure to Wang said his government was have seen Western firms surge back. over fake prosecute him had begun, it added. eager to “build more confidence” Its interests range from a huge infant formula In China criminal charges nor- between the nations and vowed oil and gas pipeline and special after surrendering mally follow expulsion from the that China would support Myanmar’s economic zone, to dams and min- ruling party. Trial, conviction and process of national reconciliation. ing. Chinese firms have continued SHANGHAI: Chinese authorities a jail term is effectively guaranteed “China is a good neighbour to to win major contracts in recent AFP It took place during a nationwide have arrested six people for mak- to follow in a court system control- Myanmar. We want to improve the months. The two countries share a blockade last year of roads, rail and ing and selling fake infant formula led by the Communist Party. relationship between the two coun- long border, along parts of which waterways that Zia called to try to as the popular US brand “Similac”, Since coming to power Xi has tries,” he said through an interpreter. ethnic minority rebel groups are force Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina marketing the counterfeit product sought to impose his authority on Beijing was once instrumen- fighting Myanmar’s government. DHAKA: A court in Bangladesh to resign and pave the way for new across seven provinces, a Shang- the military, one of the targets of tal in shielding Myanmar’s former The frontier also sees huge flows of granted bail to opposition leader elections. hai government body said. his wide-ranging anti-corruption junta from the full force of inter- illicit timber, drugs and jade flood Khaleda Zia yesterday after issu- The blockade unleashed a wave Abbott, maker of Similac, said drive. national opprobrium while Suu Kyi north from Myanmar. ing a warrant for her arrest over a of bloody violence, leaving more separately that the case came to deadly fire-bomb attack on a bus, than 120 people dead as opposition light in December and the fake her lawyer said. activists fire-bombed hundreds goods had been traced and seized The 70-year-old was given bail of buses and trucks and police by the end of last year, according when she surrendered to the court, responded by firing live rounds. to a statement on its verified Chi- Passenger recalls plane collision where an estimated 5,000 support- Zia was confined to her office nese microblog. ers of her Bangladesh Nationalist compound in Dhaka for months dur- The case is the latest scandal Party (BNP) gathered, shouting anti- ing the blockade after she threatened involving food safety in China. In AFP The plane stopped abruptly after the pilot aborted the government slogans. to lead an anti-government rally 2008, several infants died and takeoff, and the crew opened the emergency doors, allow- The party had threatened to through the capital on the anniver- thousands fell ill because of baby ing passengers to safely evacuate. No one was injured in stage protests across the politically sary of a disputed national election. milk powder tainted by a chem- the incident. Emergency crews on site at Halim Perdan- volatile country if she was arrested Hasina has vowed to prose- ical additive, driving parents to JAKARTA: Passengers feared for their lives as their plane akusuma airport — primarily a military and government on the charges, which date back to a cute BNP officials for the violence. seek out foreign brands of infant set fire and filled the cabin with the stench of petrol fol- terminal that services some commercial domestic routes — nationwide anti-government cam- Around 15,000 opposition sup- formula. lowing a collision with another aircraft on an Indonesian extinguished the blaze but scorch marks were visible on the paign of arson in January 2015. porters and dozens of senior BNP The Shanghai Municipal Food runway, an eyewitness said yesterday. wing after the collision. The tail of the ATR craft operated “She surrendered to the court this officials were arrested as part of a and Drug Administration said it A Batik Air plane with 49 passengers and seven crew by TransNusa, another domestic carrier, was also mangled. morning and was granted bail in the crackdown in the wake of the unrest. was also tracking Internet sales on board was taking off from the Jakarta airport when it The transport ministry said it launched an investiga- arson case. She also got bail in four It is not the first time that Zia of the fake milk powder, accord- clipped a TransNusa aircraft being towed across the run- tion into the cause of the accident, and concedes safety other cases,” her lawyer Masud Ahmed has faced arrest. Last year a Dhaka ing to its statement released on way late on Monday. The collision sheared off a section guidelines were not followed. Talukder said, referring to long-stand- court issued an arrest warrant Monday. of the wing and started a fire, sparking panic inside the “If everyone followed the rules, this wouldn’t have ing corruption and other cases. against her for alleged corruption. State media reports have pre- cabin. “When I saw the fire I told myself ‘I’m going to die happened,” transport ministry spokesperson J A Barata The Dhaka magistrate court She was granted bail after she sur- viously said the gang sold more in this plane’,” passenger Faisal Ibrahim said. told AFP. Indonesia’s air travel industry is booming but last week issued a warrant for Zia’s rendered, but the charges remain than 17,000 cans, earning nearly He said fellow travellers shouted “fire!” when they it has a dismal air safety record and reputation for cha- arrest on charges of instigating the live. Zia’s aide Shimul Biswas said 2m yuan ($309,000). National saw the wing ablaze and demanded the crew open the otic regulation. In 2013 a Lion Air jet with a rookie pilot attack, which left two people dead the cases against Zia were baseless authorities said the fake powder emergency door, fearing an imminent explosion. “The fire at the controls undershot the runway and crashed into and dozens injured. and fabricated. posed no safety risk. spread so quickly, and there was a smell of petrol inside.” the sea in Bali, splitting the plane in two. 10 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 VIEWS

Here’s why the WHO responded so differently to Zika and Ebola ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN PHEIC declaration was intended to States and Brazil. SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI jump-start scientific research, vac- WHO officials Indeed, the WHO seemed to cine and treatment development, blamed the slow follow the Centers for Disease EDITOR-IN-CHIEF and mosquito-control campaigns. Control and Prevention and sev- WHO officials blamed the slow Ebola response on eral countries’ health ministries DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI Ebola response on budget cuts that budget cuts that when on March 8 it advised preg- [email protected] hit programs on infectious disease nant women to avoid traveling to control - as well as on poor commu- hit programmes Zika-affected countries. Brazil and nication between Ebola-affected on infectious the United States showed theWHO ACTING MANAGING EDITOR countries and WHO headquarters scientific evidence linking micro- in Geneva. Despite ongoing budget disease control - cephaly and Zika, and Brazil and HUSSAIN AHMAD By Amy S Patterson pressures, in 2016 the WHO said as well as on poor other Latin American states called [email protected] The Washington Post that the need for greater scien- for more global funding for Zika. tific knowledge on Zika drove its communication Zika could hamper Brazil’s attempt PHEIC announcement. And surely between Ebola- to be taken seriously as an emerging the WHO, after being accused of global power, with a strong econ- he World Health Organ- dragging its feet with Ebola, wanted affected countries omy and responsive state services. EDITORIAL ization (WHO) jumped to act quickly with Zika. and WHO into action on the Zika Political scientists would argue headquarters in 3. The message matters outbreak in 2016. That’s that the story is still more com- There’s a final point to under- in sharp contrast with plicated. In “Rules for the World,” Geneva. stand. Health issues are more likely Tthe WHO’s much slower 2014 Michael Barnett and Martha Finne- to become global political priori- Panama Papers response to the Ebola outbreak. more show that international ties when they are conveyed in a Political science research on inter- organizations’ internal workings 2. The WHO cares about its repu- way that resonates with an audi- he Panama Papers revelations have been called national organizations and on how and technical expertise influence tation among powerful countries ence of policymakers and citizens. issues are framed can help explain their actions in ways that are some- International organizations, This “framing” may have little to history’s biggest data leak. An unprecedented 11.5m the difference. times at odds with the goals of the such as the WHO, also care about do with how much that mortality, files from the database of the world’s fourth biggest The WHO confirmed an Ebola countries that set up these organ- their reputations with states, morbidity or disability come from offshore law firm, Mossack Fonseca, are now in the outbreak in March 2014. Five izations to work on their behalf. because these reputations shape that disease. If it did, cardiovascular public domain after an anonymous source handed months and nearly 1,000 deaths trust, legitimacy and, ultimately, diseases and mental illnesses would Tthem over to the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, which later, the WHO announced that the 1. The WHO has six autonomous resources. By acting swiftly on Zika, be much higher health priorities. shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative West African Ebola outbreak was a regional offices that behave the WHO may be trying to rebuild Researchers Margaret Keck and Journalists (ICIJ). The ICIJ then shared the files with a large Public Health Emergency of Inter- differently the reputation for efficiency and Kathryn Sikkink show that issue national Concern (PHEIC). The WHO is not a monolith. decisiveness that it gained when frames that stress the prevention network of international partners, including the BBC, creating This was only the WHO’s third It does not always behave uni- responding to the severe acute res- of bodily harm for vulnerable or global headlines. No wonder, the shocks and scandals which PHEIC declaration, after the 2009 formly across its six regional offices, piratory syndrome (SARS) pandemic innocent groups may sway pol- the leak has unleashed have been commensurate with the H1N1 influenza pandemic and each of which is autonomous. The in 2003 - but then lost during the icymakers. Newborns that have magnitude of the files and are reverberating across the world. polio’s resurgence in 2014. After the organization’s internal dynamics Ebola crisis. developed microcephaly from Notable figures mentioned in the papers range from cousins of Ebola PHEIC, donors then mobilized matter when it comes to launch- The WHO is also influenced Zika-infected mothers stand for the Syrian President Bashar Assad to the democratically elected financial and military resources, ing an urgent health initiative. In by how powerful nations’ popu- innocence and vulnerability. and the United Nations Security the Zika case, the Pan-American lations and policymakers - such While Ebola had high mor- prime minister of Iceland. There are thousands of politicians and Council created the U.N. Mission for Health Office (PAHO), a regional as those of the United States - per- tality rates and caused intense celebrities and the media are having a field day. Ebola Emergency Response. Public WHO office, had expertise on mos- ceive particular health issues. For suffering, it infected wide swaths The revelations have caused reactions of varying intensity – health officials and policymakers quito-transmitted diseases such those states, Ebola was a distant of society, making it harder to frame from slight ripples and dismissals to political earthquakes. The found the time lag inexplicable, as dengue and chikungunya fever, threat in the world’s poorest region. the need for action around a par- first major casualty has been Iceland’s prime minister, Sigmundur given the WHO’s scientific knowl- which legitimated its call for more Zika cases, on the other hand, ticular group. What’s more, Ebola Davíð Gunnlaugsson, who resigned yesterday after it emerged edge and experience with Ebola in WHO action. PAHO, the oldest WHO appeared quickly throughout the aligned with what Priscilla Wald that he had once owned (and his wife still owns) a secret offshore Uganda and the Democratic Repub- regional office, also showed the Western hemisphere, with Brazil terms the “outbreak narrative.” lic of Congo. professionalism needed to bump predicted to soon have over 2,500 That’s the conventional view that investment company with multimillion pound claims on Iceland’s In contrast, the WHO quickly up the Zika response. With its close microcephaly cases. With summer poor countries have disease out- failed banks. A massive protest in Reykjavik turned to celebration flagged Zika as a PHEIC despite links with the United States, PAHO approaching, the United States may breaks, and that powerful states after the news of his resignation. In Britain, Prime Minister David significantly fewer deaths. More could put into place the disease- soon see its own Zika cases. And only care about those outbreaks Cameron is facing intense heat precisely, the third Zika-related control measures needed to respond the long-term costs of caring for when their spread threatens those from opponents who accuse him of death in Brazil - the epicenter to Zika. microcephalic children will be high. states. Zika hit far closer to powerful allowing a rich elite to evade taxes. of the current outbreak - was In contrast, the WHO’s African Political scientist Adam Kam- countries - and hit “threat percep- The recorded 10 days after the PHEIC Health Office (AFHO) was relatively radt-Scott shows how the WHO’s tion” level before Ebola. Experts have said that not all unprecedented announcement. Zika may have ineffective against Ebola. That was autonomy has historically vac- In deciding how to respond to those named in the papers have leak of 11.5m already infected more than 1 mil- in part because of its culture of cozy illated, depending on nations’ outbreaks, global organizations violated laws, which would be lion people. Most have recovered, political relationships and ineffi- interests. The WHO’s early PHEIC and the states that support them files must be decided according to the laws of the and an estimated 80 percent do not ciency and in part because it wasn’t declaration on Zika may reflect should realize that how those dis- welcomed individual countries. But there is a experience symptoms. The WHO’s as well funded or staffed. pressures from both the United eases are framed matters. because it general possibility of tax evasion and hiding of wealth. Politicians and shows how the others from the West appearing in the world’s rich and list will be under intense scrutiny and Low-skilled immigrants are good for the working class powerful are face trouble if they have erred and stashing their will have to face a hostile public and media, which will heap ignominy on do a lot more for the native-born responded to the economic compe- That does leave one question, wealth and them. According to the latest reports, working class than we thought. tition by changing jobs. They shifted though -- why do native-born work- The new evidence comes via from manual labor to office jobs, ers need that push in the first place? dodging taxes Gianni Infantino, the new head of new research by economists Mette which usually paid higher wages. If desk jobs are less onerous and while millions football’s world governing body Fifa Foged and Giovanni Peri. Their The unemployed also got a slight pay more, why don’t low-skilled live in poverty. has been caught in the corruption paper studies the impact of refu- boost -- low-skilled natives actually natives just go get those jobs even scandal after the leaks. It’s going gees in Denmark in the 1990s and tended to enter the workforce when without the threat of immigrant to be a global tsunami at this rate. 2000s. During that time, Denmark immigrants showed up nearby. competition? An obvious expla- But in developing countries where had a program of scattering refu- The authors’ result depends on nation is that people aren’t really corruption is rife, the leaks are likely to trigger controversies and gees throughout the country, called the assumption that the dispersal of the rational optimizing machines the spatial dispersal policy. The the refugees was essentially random of economic models, and some- even probes, but not any punitive action because those named are refugees, many of them fleeing -- in other words, the government times fail to act in their own interest in cahoots with politicians and the ruling elite. By Noah Smith the Yugoslavian wars, were mostly didn’t send the new immigrants to unless some outside force pushes The leaks must be welcomed because it’s telling us how the Bloomberg uneducated and spoke little Danish. areas where it knew that local labor them to do so. world’s rich and powerful are stashing their wealth and dodging By comparing the areas where the markets were poised to improve. But the story may be more taxes while millions live in poverty. Secondly, they cast light on the government decided to send refu- The authors claim that the reset- complicated than that. Changing operations of companies which are facilitating this malpractice. gees with other areas, Foged and tlement locations were chosen occupations is a big risk -- there is sually, when I talk about Peri were able to see what happened without regard to economic fac- no guarantee that that higher-pay- The world needs transparency in all financial transactions and all immigration, it’s the high- to natives when a large number of tors, and they show that the refugee ing job will materialize. If it doesn’t, tax havens must be shut down. Uskilled variety I’m referring low-skilled immigrants got plunked destinations were uncorrelated with you’ll be out in the cold. So the Yugo- to -- people with college degrees down next door. labor-market strength at the time. slavian immigrants might have or professional skills. When most Instead of a small negative That’s not a perfect slam-dunk, but simply forced the Danish labor- Americans think about immigrants, effect on the local native-born it’s pretty good. ers to take a risk they didn’t want to however, they focus on the manual -- as most studies in the U.S. tend So what does this tell us about take. That risk paid off. But it might laborers -- many of them without to find -- Foged and Peri found a low-skilled immigration? First, not always. That implies that gov- Quote of the day documentation -- who come to the positive effect. That’s right -- low- it confirms the assertion, often ernments might want to offer more U.S. from Latin America to build skilled immigrants actually raised repeated by U.S. leaders, that services to help low-paid native houses, landscape lawns or pick the wages of their less-educated low-skilled immigrants “take the workers try to get higher-paying It is not a demand of the vegetables instead of starting the native-born counterparts in the jobs Americans don’t want to do.” jobs, especially by providing them next Google. surrounding area. The data fol- But it also shows that immigrants some kind of insurance should the federal government to This kind of immigration is lowed the native-born workers for often give the native-born a helpful move be unsuccessful. A stronger have no debt haircut but somewhat out of favor, since these a long time, letting the authors con- push, motivating them to increase social safety net -- like Denmark’s folks compete with low-skilled firm that the change was durable. their skills and get better jobs. To -- might be just the thing needed rather in our opinion this locals for manual labor jobs. Even How does that happen? One the extent that Americans are like to help low-skilled immigration be is legally not possible in though the effect of the competi- reason is that immigrants are Danes, and that Latin American a better deal for America’s work- tion is small, it isn’t zero, and in not perfect substitutes for the immigrants with little education are ing class. the euro zone. the current political climate eve- native-born -- their skills are, similar to poorly educated Yugo- ryone wants to do everything they to some degree, complementary. slavian refugees, this means that The writer is an assistant can to protect the working class. The authors found that this was there’s little reason to worry much professor of finance at Stony Angela Merkel But this opposition is probably responsible for part of the posi- that these immigrants put economic Brook University and a freelance German Chancellor misplaced. New research shows tive effect. But Foged and Peri also pressure on the American work- writer for finance and business that low-skilled immigrants may found that less-educated natives ing class. publications.

EDITORIAL TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR E-MAIL: [email protected] ADVERTISING TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] OPINION WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 11 With new deal, a refugee’s rights come down to luck

By Tania Karas and Lauren Bohn Reuters

hrough a barbed wire fence, 17-year-old Syrian refugee Asma attempted to tell us about her journey to Greece. We didn’t have much time to Tlisten. Greek police officers were breath- ing down our necks, threatening to arrest us unless we left. We learned that Asma traveled alone on a tiny rubber boat from Turkey, and broke her arm — still wrapped in a white bandage — when a building collapsed in her hometown of Daraa, the birthplace of the Syrian uprising. As she started to tell us about her hope for a fresh start in Germany, the policemen issued their final warning before escorting us off Moria camp’s fenced perimeter. “We’re animals now,” Asma shouted after us. “We’re no longer humans.” If Turkey is a crowded departure hall to a better life, Greece is now a transit lounge for those who’ve missed their con- nection. Many will never move onward to northern Europe; others will only move backward. With more than 52,000 ref- ugees and migrants stranded in the country, Greece has become exactly what Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras warned months ago: a “warehouse of souls.” And the new deal between the European Union and Turkey, intended to stem the refugee flow into Europe, only redirects it. Under the terms of the deal, most asy- lum seekers who illegally travel to Greece from Turkey are to be sent back to Tur- key. The first returns took place Monday at dawn. For every returnee to Turkey, a A child sits with her family at a makeshift camp for migrants and refugees at the Greek-Macedonian border near the village of Idomeni, Greece, yesterday. Syrian living in a Turkish refugee camp will be legally resettled by plane to EU countries. protections under international law and Borders and Save the Children have sus- process so that new applications, including and Chios on Monday, 228 new refugees As such, a refugee’s rights come down qualify for the European Union’s official pended activities on several Greek islands appeals, will be decided within two weeks. arrived on the Greek islands. The human to luck. If Asma had arrived in Greece last “relocation” program — will be returned to protest its terms. They argue that the Large-scale returns of Syrian refugees to carousel continues. Even the more than month, she’d likely be in Germany by now. to Turkey. deal turns reception centers for refu- Turkey could begin later this month. But 46,000 refugees stuck on the Greek If she had arrived three weeks ago, she’d In exchange for absorbing the gees into inhumane, de facto detention there are signs of system failure before it’s mainland — who are not subject to returns likely be trapped in a makeshift camp on migrants, the EU will give Turkey up to facilities. even begun. According to the UN refugee under the new deal — are languishing the Greece-Macedonia border — not much $6.6 billion to help manage the influx of The deal also paints Turkey as a agency, only three officers from the Greek without answers of their own. of an upgrade, but she’d have more access people; allow Turkish citizens to travel “safe” country of asylum. But human- Asylum Service are operating in the Moria This complicated reshuffling of peo- to the outside world than she does in Les- visa-free throughout most of Europe; and rights groups take the opposite stance. camp in Lesbos to deal with more than ple does nothing to ameliorate the worst bos, where more than 3,000 refugees are continue to consider Turkey’s admission Amnesty International says it has evi- 2,860 asylum applications. humanitarian crisis of our time — it only locked in a former military base. to the European Union. Officials insist dence Turkey is illegally rounding up Asylum-seekers arriving on the exacerbates it. Tone-deaf, dehumanizing For refu- the deal isn’t about restricting access to and expelling groups of around 100 Syr- Greek islands will now be subject to an decisions made in Brussels make danger- gees like her, asylum in Europe, but eliminating illegal ian men, women and children to Syria on “inadmissibility check” before Greek ous escape routes even more popular. who arrived smuggling routes that sent more than 1 a near-daily basis. And just hours after authorities consider their asylum claims, As journalists on the ground, we have after the deal million refugees and migrants to Europe the EU-Turkey deal took effect last month, according to Jean-Pierre Schembri, a too often become the first point of contact took effect from Turkey over the past year. Turkey forcibly sent back some 30 Afghan spokesman for the European Asylum for refugees confused by the new deal. But According to the UN March 21, most Indeed, as ferryboats carrying asylum-seekers to Afghanistan. Support Office, an EU agency that we rarely have the information they need. refugee agency, only will be sent migrants returned to Turkey on Monday, “In their desperation to seal their bor- helps member-states implement “How did we get here?” 32-year-old back to Tur- Syrians from Turkish refugee camps were ders, EU leaders have willfully ignored the asylum procedures. Those who can’t Rashan asked us last week. The uni- three officers from the key; that is, being resettled in Germany and Finland. simplest of facts,” said John Dalhuisen, prove Turkey is unsafe for them will be versity- educated, Syrian refugee from Greek Asylum Service unless they can But this “one-for-one” deal struck Amnesty’s director for Europe and Cen- returned. Criteria for just what “unsafe” Aleppo refuses to tell his family and are operating in the individually in Brussels — which creates a kind of tral Asia, in a statement Friday. “Turkey is means have yet to be determined. Still, friends back home about the real condi- prove Turkey human carousel — is disconnected from not a safe country for Syrian refugees and the added hurdle sets an unfairly high bar tions in Greece. It’s embarrassing, he says, Moria camp in Lesbos is “unsafe” for the reality on the ground in Greece. The is getting less safe by the day.” for asylum-seekers, the majority of whom after he risked so much for a modern-day to deal with more them. Even deal’s byzantine complexities have sowed For Greece’s part, the deal demands are Syrians and Iraqis fleeing war. Homeric odyssey. many Syrians, confusion, fear and anxiety among asy- enormous logistical efforts by a country The whole process could drag on “All these amazing people, with so than 2,860 asylum Iraqis and Eri- lum-seekers and authorities alike. hobbled by six years of financial crisis. indefinitely. much potential,” he said. “How did we applications. treans — who Humanitarian groups such as the United On Friday, Greece’s parliament passed Additionally, as ferries returning 202 end up like this?” have special Nations refugee agency, Doctors Without a bill aimed at streamlining the asylum migrants to Turkey set sail from Lesbos Once again, we didn’t have answers. Obama’s ‘inconsistent’ Syria policy

By Hakan Copur and Esra East, Obama looked to Assad as the House list of priorities, Kanat said. weapons were used, Daesh grew big- he could have done far more to pre- Kaymak Avci one to undertake political transfor- However, the crisis spiraled after ger and began to play a more active vent the catastrophe that we now see.” US President Barack The Washington Post mation in Syria and then Secretary reports of Assad’s forces using chem- role in the region and finally Russia Also the civilian casualty in Syria Obama has failed in of State Hillary Clinton and John ical weapons against civilians. intervened in Syria to back up Assad.” could have been prevented if the US Kerry, who served as the Democrat This led to the declaration of a This aversion to risk was rein- would not oppose Turkey’s proposal his policies towards head of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs “red line” in US policy towards Syria. forced by experiences in Afghanistan to establish a no-fly zone in northern the war-torn Syria s he approaches the end of Committee, thought Assad could put However, Assad’s agreement to and Iraq. Syria and took action in that regard, for many reasons, his time at the White House, a “reformist” agenda in place. hand over his chemical arsenal and “The US could defeat Assad but according to Kanat. Aanalysts believe US President Robert Ford, who had been the attack on the US diplomatic com- that’s not the question,” David Miller, Meanwhile, there are also some including lack of an Barack Obama has failed in his pol- appointed ambassador to Damascus pound in Benghazi, Libya, again led to vice president of the Middle East pro- criticisms saying that the US is not “action-based” and icies towards the war-torn Syria for a year earlier, was sent to Hama to the issue taking a back seat, accord- gram at the Wilson Center foreign prepared for the period after Assad “consistent” plan. many reasons, including lack of an meet the Syrian opposition. However, ing to Edmund Ghareeb, a professor policy think-tank noted. “The ques- leaves as it considers a “secular “action-based” and “consistent” plan. the White House was surprised by the at George Washington University’s tion is what prevents a reoccurrence? Assad” a better option for Syria than The absence of such a strategy to heavy criticism the move received International Relations Department. “How do you deal with Syria the an “Islamist leader”. combat Daesh and President Bashar from the Syrian regime, Kanat said. Both Kanat and Ghareeb agree day after the defeat? We defeated With the rise of Daesh in Syria al-Assad’s regime has left attempts Months later the administration that the Benghazi attack -- which Saddam Hussein and the Taliban, and Iraq in early 2014, Washing- to resolve the conflict largely in the began calling for Assad to leave office. saw al-Qaeda-linked militants right, but what happened?” ton’s Syria policy changed with the hands of the UN and its envoy Staffan “When Obama said Assad must storm the US mission and kill, Miller said Obama came to be emphasis placed on a counter-ter- de Mistura. go, he thought it would have the same among others, Ambassador Christo- convinced that achieving a solution rorism campaign heavily reliant on At the start of Obama’s first term, result like when he said Mubarak pher Stevens -- led to a “risk-free” US in Syria through diplomatic channels airstrikes and US support for forces Syria was high on the foreign pol- must go,” Kanat told Anadolu Agency, approach towards Syria that is built “was simply not possible.” tackling the group. As de Mistura tries icy agenda, according to Kilic Bugra referring to the former Egyptian pres- on “inaction.” He added: “Syria is a part of a to find a solution to the five-year con- Kanat, research director at the Foun- ident. “However, this did not happen “This US approach was perceived process of fragmentation and dys- flict at Geneva, large swathes of Syria dation for Political, Economic and and when Assad did not leave noth- clearly by the Assad regime, Russia function... So there are many people have been destroyed and hundreds of Social Research, or SETA. ing happened either.” and Iran and therefore the massacres who fundamentally criticize the thousands of people killed while mil- When the Arab Spring took hold During the 2012 re-election cam- of the regime has increased day by Obama administration’s policies lions have been forced to seek safety across North Africa and the Middle paign, Syria once fell off the White day,” Kanat said. “As a result, chemical because they argue that since 2011 outside of the country.

All thoughts and views expressed in these columns are those of the writers, not of the newspaper. All correspondence regarding Views and Opinion pages should be mailed to the Editor-in-Chief. 12 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 ASIA / AFRICA Zuma survives impeachment vote Japan dessert Lawmakers from firm offers Zuma’s African ‘apology’ National Congress (ANC) rallied to his TOKYO: Sombre-looking defence, defeating executives at a Jap- anese frozen dessert the motion by 233 maker have appeared in a votes to 143 despite national television advert to apologise for raising growing pressure for the cost of a popular ice him to resign over the cream — by 9 cents. Akagi scandal. Nyugyo, a brand popular with millions of school- children, increased the price of its GariGarikun lollies on Friday for the AFP first time. Fearing a back- A March 17, 2016 file picture shows South lash, the firm took the African President and South African ruling pre-emptive step of apol- party African National Congress leader, Jacob ogising in a 60-second CAPE TOWN: South African Presi- Zuma, answering questions from Parliament advertisement that ran on dent Jacob Zuma easily survived an Members during a session of questions to nationwide TV channels impeachment vote yesterday after a the government at the South African General on Friday and Saturday. It A general view of the National Assembly yesterday. stormy session of parliament over a Assembly in Cape Town. has been watched more court ruling that he had violated the than 900,000 times on country’s post-apartheid constitution. cancer.” Acknowledging that the ANC ANC, deputy justice minister John Jef- He has been urged to resign by a apologised in a national television YouTube. Public apolo- Lawmakers from Zuma’s African would use its overwhelming major- fery said that any impeachment bid number of senior ANC veterans who address on Friday for the “frustration gies are not uncommon National Congress (ANC) rallied to his ity to defeat the impeachment motion, required a “serious violation” of the led the struggle against apartheid. and confusion” caused by the affair, among Japanese firms, defence, defeating the motion by 233 Maimane said that “when ANC MPs constitution. The country’s top court ruled but made it clear that he had no inten- but this week’s video was votes to 143 despite growing pressure defend President Zuma and his cor- While “the Constitutional Court last Thursday that Zuma had flouted tion of responding to calls to resign. among the more unu- for him to resign over the scandal. rupt acts, they will show that they are judgement stated that the president the constitution by failing to repay He said he would pay back some sual ways a company has During the debate, Zuma was complicit in the spread of the disease”. failed to uphold, defend and respect the some of the money spent on “secu- of the money as ordered. asked for forgiveness. likened by the leader of the main He vowed the ANC, which convinc- Constitution”, it did not find a “serious” rity upgrades” at his rural home at Zuma was not in parliament for opposition party to a “large and ingly won the 2014 general elections, contravention, he said. The opening of Nkandla in the eastern province of the impeachment debate, avoiding Former Myanmar malignant tumour” on the ANC, which would pay the price when voters return the debate was suspended for more KwaZulu-Natal. The project, which the chaotic scenes that have regu- came to power in 1994 with the elec- to the polls. The Constitutional Court than an hour after opposition parties cost taxpayers $24m, included a larly erupted when he is present. president tion of Nelson Mandela and the end last week issued a damaging ruling called on Speaker Baleke Mbete — who swimming pool, chicken run, cattle Previous disruptions have been becomes a monk of white-minority rule. against Zuma over spending of public is chairwoman of the ruling party — to enclosure and an amphitheatre. sparked by Malema’s EFF, which “When the highest court in the funds on his private residence. recuse herself. She refused. A 2014 report by the government- vowed last week that it would in future YANGON: The retired land ruled that the man occupying As lawmakers on both sides Zuma was not seriously threatened appointed Public Protector, Thuli physically prevent the president from junta general who steered the highest office violated the con- shouted insults at each other, the fire- by the vote, which requires a two-thirds Madonsela, found that Zuma and his speaking in parliament. Zuma has also Myanmar’s last five years stitution, it should have been the end brand leader of the radical Economic majority to succeed. But he has been family had “unduly benefited” from been beset by allegations of corruption of reforms has temporarily of President Zuma,” Mmusi Maimane, Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema, wounded by a series of scandals and the upgrades and ordered him to pay centred on a wealthy immigrant fam- become a monk, according leader of the Democratic Alliance, said that “Zuma and the ANC want has endured a torrent of criticism that back some of the money, but Zuma ily from India that was alleged to have to state media. Pictures told the assembly. “Corruption to convert South Africa into a banana could see him fail to serve out the last stalled for two years. such influence that it could decide min- widely shared on social has infected the entire party like a republic”. Speaking on behalf of the three years of his final term. After the court ruling, Zuma isterial appointments. media showed a shaven- headed Thein Sein wearing his trademark spectacles and draped in the deep maroon robes of the Bud- Three fishing boats destroyed Big China presence for dhist clergy. Myanmar language state newspaper Myanma Alinn said he had ‘Panama Papers’ law firm entered a monastery in the central town of Pyin Oo Lwin on Monday for a five day stint, taking the monk AFP was previously identified in a New title “U Thandidamma”. It York Times investigation into the added that he had prom- wealth accumulated by Xi’s family. ised Buddhist elders he Chinese media have largely would be ordained as a BEIJING: The Panamanian law firm avoided reporting on the leaks, and monk once he finished his at the heart of a massive leak of off- social media have been scrubbed of role as president. shore banking records has more references to them, with foreign news offices in China than any other broadcasters such as the BBC blacked Vietnam confirms country, its website shows, raising out when they report on the issue. questions about its activities in the In an editorial, the Global Times, first Zika Communist-ruled country. implied the leaks were part of a “dis- virus cases The scandal erupted on Sunday information” campaign by Western when media groups began revealing forces. It did not mention any of the HANOI: Two Vietnam- the results of a year-long investigation Chinese revelations, focusing instead ese women have tested into a trove of 11.5 million documents on the allegations involving Putin, positive for the Zika virus, from Panamanian law firm Mossack and nor did a report by the Shanghai the Ministry of Health Fonseca, which specialises in creat- Daily, which is linked to the govern- said yesterday, the first ing offshore shell companies. ment of the commercial hub. confirmed cases of the At least eight current or former Corrupt Chinese officials have mosquito-transmitted members of China’s Politburo Stand- moved more than $120bn overseas, infection in the country. Three Malaysian fishing boats are destroyed for illegal fishing by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and ing Committee, the ruling party’s most according to a 2011 report by the cen- State media reported the Fisheries along with the police and navy, near Langsa, Aceh province, Indonesia yesterday. powerful body, have been implicated, tral People’s Bank of China. Offshore younger of the patients is according to reports. Mossack Fonseca companies are not illegal and can be pregnant. A 64-year-old operates branches in eight Chinese cit- used for legitimate business needs, but from Nha Trang became ies, including Hong Kong, its website commonly feature in corruption cases, the country’s first con- showed yesterday. where they are used to secretly move firmed case after being The British-based Guardian ill-gotten gains abroad. admitted to hospi- War crimes judges drop charges newspaper said an internal Mossack Mossack Fonseca’s offices in China tal complaining of fever, Fonseca survey found the biggest include the major financial centres of headache and a rash on proportion of its offshore company Shanghai and Shenzhen, as well as her legs, the ministry said. owners came from mainland China, port cities Qingdao and Dalian, but The second confirmed against Kenya’s William Ruto followed by Hong Kong. also lesser-known provincial capi- case was a 33-year-old Among those named in the “Pan- tals such as Shandong’s Jinan, known woman who lived in Viet- ama Papers” are close associates of for its links to China’s coal industry, nam’s southern business Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and and Hangzhou in Zhejiang, along with hub Ho Chi Minh City. AFP the turmoil of the disputed Decem- political meddling.” Prosecutors President Xi’s brother-in-law, who Ningbo, also in the eastern province. ber 2007 elections and their violent say more than 1,300 people died aftermath which left hundreds dead. and some 600,000 others were left “There is no doubt that this homeless in Kenya’s worst wave of THE HAGUE: War crimes judges yes- will come as a disappointment for violence since independence from terday dropped charges of crimes victims,” Wilfred Nderitu, the law- Britain in 1963, and concluded their End war operations: Congo oppn against humanity against Kenya’s yer representing the victims, told case in September 2015. Deputy President William Ruto over reporters in Nairobi. “It is my hope The case has been keenly his alleged role in 2007-2008 post- that there will be an appeal by the watched in Kenya, which has led a Reuters said. The government said former international community to foster election turmoil, but left open the prosecutor.” high-profile campaign against the members of the “Ninja” militia that a political dialogue and called on possibility of a fresh trial. ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah ICC among African nations, accus- fought Sassou Nguesso in a 1997 civil Congo’s population to participate in In what will be a fresh blow to said in a statement on YouTube that: ing the tribunal of bias against the war raided and set alight military, peaceful civil disobedience to end the prosecution, the judges at the “The trial chamber... has decided by continent. BRAZZAVILLE: The two main oppo- police and local government offices. the crisis. International Criminal Court (ICC) majority... that the case against Wil- On Ruto’s home turf in Kenya’s sition alliances in Congo urged the Residents of southern neighbour- Yesterday morning, Brazzaville ruled the charges against Ruto and liam Ruto and Joshua arap Sang has Rift Valley—the site of some of the international community yesterday hoods of the capital said that they had was quiet, though many shops and his co-accused Joshua arap Sang to be terminated.” worst of the election violence—there to help restore dialogue with the seen armed men in civilian attire but schools remained closed and only a “are vacated”. Ruto, 49, and Sang, The chamber had concluded were celebrations as residents took government after clashes erupted in could not confirm whether they were few residents of southern neighbour- 40, had both denied three accusa- that “the prosecution did not present to the streets of Eldoret in joy wav- the wake of President Denis Sassou indeed former Ninja militiamen. hoods who had fled to the north on tions of crimes against humanity sufficient evidence on which a rea- ing placards reading “Free At Last”, Nguesso’s disputed re-election. In a joint statement, Initiative for Monday were willing to return home. -- namely murder, forcible depor- sonable trial chamber could convict “No Case To Answer” and “The Power Gunbattles broke out on Monday Democracy in Congo (IDC) and The Sassou Nguesso has ruled the tation and persecution. the accused,” the ICC said. of Prayer”. in southern Brazzaville, an opposition Republic Front for the Respect of the oil-producing Central African The two men were however “dis- In a complex 253-page ruling, “This is a big day for us, Ruto stronghold, shattering the relative calm Constitutional Order and Democratic country for 32 of the last 37 years. charged without prejudice to their the presiding judge Chile Eboe- is finally free,” said Margaret Rot- since the March 20 election that oppo- Transition (FROCAD), did not com- He won re-election after pushing prosecution afresh in the future,” the Osuji said in a separate statement ich. “This is confirmation of what sition candidates say was fraudulent. ment on the Ninja allegations. through a constitutional referen- judges said, leaving open a possible he wanted to declare “a mistrial due the power of prayers can do,” said Three police officers and two gun- Instead the coalition urged the dum last October that lifted age and new trial. The decision was met with to the troubling incidence of wit- Eldoret governor and Ruto ally Jack- men were killed in the clashes, police government to stop what it called term limits that would have pre- dismay by the victims caught up in ness interference and intolerable son Mandago. spokesman Jules Monkala Tchoumou “warlike operations”, asked the vented him from standing. PAKISTAN WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 13 Sharif sets up panel to probe Panama Papers claims

that because there are no allegations to avoid unnecessary tax via offshore against me and that both of my sons companies,” he told local tv channels. Pakistan’s Prime are adults and responsible for their Sharif said Hasan had lived in Minister challenges own affairs, I should remain sepa- London since 1994 and Hussain in allegations. rate from this issue,” Sharif said in Saudi Arabia since 2000, where both the address. run businesses — and emphasised that “But my dear compatriots, I want all their business dealings were in line the facts to be presented before the with the laws and regulations of those nation and every Pakistani should countries. AFP be aware of the reality of the allega- “My father had established a steel tions,” he continued. Three of Sharif’s factory near Makkah with the loans four children are named in the Pan- from Saudi Arabian banks when we ama Papers — daughter Maryam, were in exile. After some years, this ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime who has been tipped to be his polit- factory was sold and these resources Minister Nawaz Sharif announced ical successor, and sons Hasan and were used by my sons Hasan and Hus- yesterday the formation of a commis- Hussain — with the records show- sain for their new businesses,” Sharif sion to investigate allegations made ing they owned London real estate said. in the so-called Panama Papers that through offshore companies admin- “This is a strange logic that if our linked his family to a series of offshore istered by Mossack Fonseca. children earn their legitimate money companies. “I would ask those who repeat inside the country there is criticism, “I have decided to set up a high these stereotypical allegations and and if they work hard overseas and level judicial commission headed by stage everyday a circus, that they go establish and run businesses, even a retired judge of the Supreme Court. in front of this commission and prove then they are targeted by allega- This commission will decide after its their allegations,” Sharif said, while tions,” he said. investigation that what is reality and emphasising that his family’s wealth Revenue generation is particularly how much weight these allegations had been hard earned and they were sensitive for Pakistan’s government, should be given,” Sharif said in a TV being victimised. When the Panama which is receiving a $6.6bn bailout address broadcast nationwide. Papers were first released, Sharif’s son package from the IMF and has a tax- The leaked papers, comprising Hussain denied the allegations, saying to-GDP ratio of 11 percent, among the 11.5 million documents from Panama- his family had done “nothing wrong”. lowest in the world. based law firm Mossack Fonseca, “Those apartments are ours and As prime minister, Sharif has exposes how some of the world’s most those offshore companies are also invited investment in Pakistan. But the powerful people have secreted their ours,” he said. “There is nothing latest revelations could raise uncom- money offshore, and also implicated wrong with it and I have never con- fortable questions about why his Sharif’s sons Hasan Nawaz and Hus- cealed them, nor do I need to do that. family has kept their wealth abroad. sain Nawaz. It is according to British law and laws Opposition leader Imran Khan People watch a televised address to the nation by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad yesterday. “Some of my friends advised me of other countries that it is a legal way had called for action against Sharif.

Suicide bomber kills at least Afghan warlord changes terms for peace with Kabul six in northern AP Ghani came to power in 2014 promising to he was not authorised to speak about the talks. end the 15-year war with the Taliban. A dip- If and after an agreement is signed between lomatic offensive aimed at getting Pakistan to Hezb-i-Islami and the government, Hekmatyar Afghanistan bring the Taliban into peace talks has so far could visit Kabul for the first time since he fled KABUL: A notorious Afghan warlord who lives failed, and this year is expected to be as brutal the capital as the Taliban swept into power in AP in hiding has dropped a key condition for end- on the battlefield as 2015, when 11,000 civilians 1996, the official added. ing his war of more than 40 years with Kabul, were killed or wounded, according to UN figures. Ghani’s office welcomed Hekmatyar’s move an associate said yesterday. Afghan officials have said that a peace deal and said his cooperation with peace efforts KABUL: A suicide bomber on a According to Amin Karim, an official of the with Hekmatyar, a former prime minister of could lead to a reduction of violence. However, motorbike detonated his explosives Hezb-i-Islami Party, the party’s leader, Gul- Afghanistan, could be useful in potentially con- peace talks between Kabul and the Taliban, near a busy bazaar in Afghani- buddin Hekmatyar (pictured) , is no longer vincing Taliban commanders on the battlefield which were hosted by Islamabad, fell apart stan’s northern Parwan province demanding that all foreign troops leave to join the peace process. last year and chances for their resumption have yesterday morning, killing at least Afghanistan. Hekmatyar’s move to drop the condition on grown increasingly dim. six people, officials said. Hekmatyar is designated a “global terror- foreign forces could also raise questions among If the warlord does join the peace proc- Earlier, a gunbattle with the ist” by the United States and blacklisted by the overture to the government of President Ashraf Taliban leaders and commanders about their ess, Hezb-i-Islami would be “the first group to Taliban in southern Uruzgan prov- United Nations. He is widely believed to live Ghani as it is an attempt to stay relevant on the own goals. Like Hekmatyar and his follow- walk through the gate” Ghani had opened, a ince late on Monday night left at in Pakistan, though his supporters say he is in Afghan political scene. ers, the Taliban have long said they are waging brief statement from the president’s office said. least 12 security forces killed, Afghanistan. Hekmatyar has led an extreme life; his their insurgency to expel all foreign forces from In Kabul, Karim is leading a small delegation according to Raheemullah Khan, Last year, he briefly came out of the shad- mujahedeen followers were responsible for Afghanistan. “We are convinced that if Hezb- of his party in discussions with senior officials the province’s deputy police chief. ows to set his conditions for peace that included the deaths of thousands during the devastating i-Islami achieves and signs a peace agreement that started in secret last summer. He said those Mohammad Sayed Seddiqi, the withdrawal of foreign forces. Afghan civil war. He is said to have offered him- with the government, it will open the door for discussions were launched with the expectation administrative chief of Siagird dis- Karim told The Associated Press that for self as interlocutor to former President Hamid the other groups, including the Taliban,” Karim that all foreign troops would be withdrawn from trict, said the motorbike bomber Hekmatyar, the “departure of foreign troops Karzai in 2008, but was deflected amid con- said. “If we achieve agreement, then there will Afghanistan at the end of 2016. struck during the traditionally is not a condition, it is a goal,” and added that cerns over his extremist reputation and human be no more reason for the Taliban to fight.” Karim said his party still sees that as a busy morning hours, targeting the warlord’s followers “have no conditions, we rights abuses. The last known attack carried out Hekmatyar’s representatives are to hold a goal. However, President Barack Obama last the local police headquarters. No have principles.” by his militant group was in 2013, when at least third round of discussions with Kabul’s High year decided to maintain current troop levels at policemen were among the six The move by Hekmatyar, whose current fol- 15 people, including six American soldiers, were Peace Council this week, an Afghan official said, 9,800 through this year in a largely non-combat killed, but at least one officer was lowing is hard to gauge, is likely as much an killed in central Kabul. speaking on condition of anonymity because role. among the 26 wounded, he added. Guards had spotted the bomber and ordered him to stop before he was able to enter the Over 200 police compound and cause more Drop of life Taliban appoint Mullah casualties, said district police commander, Haroon Mubarez. die in rains No one immediately claimed responsibility for the Parwan Omar’s kin to senior jobs and floods attack. In the Uruzgan assault, “the in Pakistan battle began when Afghan secu- AP Omar had died more than two years rity forces tried to take control of earlier. As Mullah Omar’s deputy, the highway between Dihrawud Mansoor had acted in his name AA and the provincial capital, Tarin KANDAHAR: A senior figure in the after his death, and suffered a seri- Kot, from the Taliban,” said Afghan Taliban said yesterday that a ous dip in trust from both Taliban Khan. brother and son of their late founder, commanders and rank and file fight- KARACHI: Rescue workers The highway has been the one-eyed Mullah Mohammad ers after the Kabul government made in northwestern Pakistan dug contested between Afghan gov- Omar, have been appointed to lead- the death public. through debris and mud yesterday ernment forces and the Taliban ership positions in the insurgency. Another prominent figure in in hopes of finding survivors after for about 25 days, he said, and the Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, the militant group, Abdul Qayum a landslide buried at least 30 peo- fighting for control of a section of Mullah Omar’s son, was recently Zakir, who had also opposed the ple alive on Monday as the death the highway has caused high cas- named to lead the Taliban military new leadership, last month pledged toll from days of torrential rains ualties on both sides. commission for 15 of Afghanistan’s his allegiance to Mansoor. Zakir had and flashfloods passed the 200- The Taliban have stepped up 34 provinces, according to Mullah earlier held the post of military com- mark, local officials have said. their attacks on Afghan security Gul Rahman Saleem, a member of missioner, as well as other positions Footage aired on local tel- forces over the past year as they the Taliban’s ruling council. when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan evision channels showed army intensify their 15-year war to over- Mullah Omar’s brother, Mullah between 1996 and 2001, and after troops and rescue workers digging throw the Kabul government. Abdul Manan, has been appointed the group fled into exile in Pakistan through the rubble on the outskirts About 5,500 Afghan secu- head of religious affairs, Saleem told following the 2001 US invasion. of the Kohistan district where they rity forces personnel were killed The Associated Press. Mansoor made a public plea last managed to recover six bodies and in action in 2015, US Army Gen The move consolidates the posi- month for unity, acknowledging dis- two survivors. Charles Cleveland, spokesman for tions of both men as the new head affection among fighters who have Some six hundred army troops the US-Nato mission in Afghani- of the Taliban, Mullah Akhtar Man- wearied of 15 years of war with little and engineers are currently stan, said yesterday. soor, seeks loyalty from dissidents progress toward the goal of toppling engaged in clearing the roads and The figure is about 30-per- to shore up his own position. the Kabul government. assisting in rescue operations, an cent higher than the previous year, “The Taliban leadership agreed Since taking over, Mansoor has army spokesman said. when international combat troops some time ago that these positions escalated the war, spreading it to Ongoing bad weather has were leading the fight against the should be filled by Mullah Omar’s every corner of the country and hampered rescue operations, in insurgents. family members, and that decision even taking control of a major north- which desperate local residents Most international troops left has been formalised in a meeting by ern city, Kunduz, for a few days last have used spades, shovels — even the country at the end of 2014, the leadership” on Friday said Sal- year. Mansoor is believed to con- their hands — to help find people leaving behind around 13,000 US eem. He said the appointments were trol the bulk of smuggling routes trapped under the mud. and Nato soldiers operating in a made in January, but followers were in the southern provinces, notably According to Pakistan’s mostly supportive role. not informed until Monday, after the Helmand where most of the world’s National Disaster Management A health worker administers a polio vaccine to a child, in A small contingent of leadership council confirmed the opium is produced. Authority (NDMA), a week of rains Americans are involved in a coun- Quetta, Pakistan, yesterday. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the decision. Fighting in Helmand has been and flooding have killed 212 peo- ter-insurgency mission mandated last two countries where polio is still endemic and infections Yaqoob and Manan had opposed fierce for months, as he seeks to ple — including women and to seek out Taliban, Al Qaeda and occur within the local population or within a particular area. Mansoor’s ascension after it was drive out rival smugglers among children — in the country’s north Islamic State group fighters. revealed last summer that Mullah Taliban commanders. and northwest. 14 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 INDIA

Women may be More names and exempted from Delhi odd-even underworld don traffic rule

NEW DELHI: Women are likely to remain exempted from the restric- tions during the second phase of in Panama Papers the odd-even traffic scheme which will start from April 15. This emerged from a meeting which the Delhi government held Karan Thapar, businesspeople Ran- with women representatives of Politician jeev Dahuja and Kapil Sain Goel, various NGOs to seek their views jeweller Ashwini Kumar Mehra, regarding their exemption. Anurag Kejriwal, former cricketer Ashok Malhotra, Most of the women represent- industrialists Gautam and pharmaceuticals maker Vinod atives, citing security concerns, Ramachandra Jadhav. unanimously agreed that exemp- and Karan Thapar, Also named in the list are IT tion should be given to them during businesspeople consultant Gautam Seengal, agri- the second phase as well. Ranjeev Dahuja business owner Vivek Jain, retired Delhi’s Transport Minister government employee Prabhash Gopal Rai said he would put the and Kapil Sain Goel, Sankhla, and garment exporters suggestions before a cabinet meet- jeweller Ashwini Satish Govind Samtani, Vishal Baha- ing today where the final decision dur and Harish Mohnani. on the exemptions for the second Kumar Mehra, The paper also gave glimpses of part of the scheme would be taken. former cricketer their alleged modus operandi. Delhi Commission for Women On Monday, after the first list, chief Swati Maliwal, who was Ashok Malhotra, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also present at the meeting, said ordered a multi-agency probe team she personally did not want any pharmaceuticals The Gatimaan Express before departure at the Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi yesterday. on the expose, conducted by the exemption. maker Vinod International Consortium of Inves- ”In the survey that the DCW Ramachandra Jadhav tigative Journalists (ICIJ) along with conducted, more than 80 per- in the list. over 100 global media organisations, cent of the people asked for dubbed the “Panama Papers”. Delhi to Agra in 99 minutes exemption. We have forwarded “A multi-agency group is being our recommendations to the formed to monitor the black money Delhi government in favour of trail,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley IANS the chief public relations officer. Chair Car seat Rs1,500. On Monday, a the exemption. I feel that women IANS told reporters here on Monday, after From now on, the Gatimaan team of railway officials found short- should also participate in the he met the prime minister. Express will leave Delhi every morn- comings at 14 spots between Delhi odd-even scheme but it should be “Details of assets worth Rs.6,500 ing at 8.10. It will make its return and Agra. Workers toiled till late at voluntary,” Maliwal said. crore have already been found,” Jait- AGRA: India’s fastest train, Gatimaan journey from Agra at 5.50pm. night to set things in order. The second phase of the odd- NEW DELHI: A now-deceased ley added. He also told the Indian Express, reached the Taj Mahal city “Launching of Gatimaan Express The Shatabdi started in 1988. It even scheme will be implemented underworld don, a politician, indus- Express that there were no “holy from New Delhi yesterday in 99 min- is an important step for railways. Our was originally meant to cover the dis- in the capital again for a fortnight trialists and an ex-cricketer are cows” for the government. “Action utes, with an official saying it had set drive to scale new heights continues tance between New Delhi and Agra from April 15. It was first imple- among those with alleged off-shore will be taken against whoever is a new benchmark for railways. unabated,” said Prabhu at the launch. in 90 minutes but this was extended mented from January 1 to 15 this links, even as the agency that helped found to be in default.” “It sets a new benchmark for He also inaugurated an execu- for safety reasons. year with an intention to curb pol- them set up the entities stonewalled Rajan sought to clarify a day Indian Railways. We have to keep tive lounge at the Agra Cantt station Meanwhile, the loco pilots of the lution in the city. New Delhi’s probe efforts, the Indian later that the main tasks for the doing better,” said Divisional Rail- via remote from Delhi. Agra railway division continued their Express reported yesterday. probe team will be to ascertain the way Manager Prabhash Kumar, who The earlier fastest train con- protest on Tuesday for being denied Amid these fresh reports, legality of transactions. “We are in welcomed the passengers at the Agra necting New Delhi and Agra was permission to run the train. Nine injured in Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Gover- the investigation team on ‘Panama Cantt station at 11.50am. the Bhopal Shatabdi, which used The ministry has asked the Delhi nor Raghuram Rajan yesterday said Papers’. We will have to see what’s The passengers got off the to take 117 minutes to reach the Taj division to provide the staff. Bengal clashes not every off-shore company opened legitimate and what’s not. That is a 12-coach train looking fresh and Mahal city from the national capi- Among those not really excited by an Indian national need be illegit- part of the investigation process,” excited, officials said. The train tal. It completed its return journey about the new high speed train imate, and that this will be primary he said. “It’s important to remem- includes eight Chair Cars of 78 seats in 122 minutes. are the tourism industry leaders. task of the probe team in which the ber that there are legitimate reasons, each and two Executive Chair Car The Gatimaan Express runs at a “All three premier tourist trains— KOLKATA: At least nine people central bank has also been co-opted. too, to have accounts overseas.” coaches with 56 seats each. maximum speed of 160 km per hour Taj Express, Shatabdi and now the were injured in clashes between In a series of articles under “Pan- On Monday, the newspaper ran “A total of 411 passengers came and claims to provide improved Gatimaan—reach Agra in the morn- workers of the Trinamool Con- ama Papers Part 2”— as part of the several pages of the investigation in the inaugural run including a con- onboard service, upgraded food menu ing and return in the evening,” gress and the CPI-M in Birbhum global expose on people with alleged reports alleging, among other peo- tingent of journalists,” a Northern and free onboard WiFi entertainment. said Rakesh Chauhan, president and West Midnapore districts of offshore links—the paper published ple, Bollywood superstars Amitabh Railway official in New Delhi said. For the first time, the railways have of the Agra Hotels and Restaurants West Bengal since Monday night, its second list of Indian names, along Bachchan and his daughter-in-law Officials admitted there were experimented with train hostesses. Association. police said. with an article on how an aide of Aishwarya Rai were directors in many empty seats on Monday. The The train has bio toilets, radium “The tourists do not see the Around six people were injured don Dawood Ibrahim used a set of companies in Panama. train will ply six days a week. strips on both sides of the coaches so necessity of spending the night in when activists of the two parties, 17 entities to buy properties abroad. The two did not immediately The train was flagged off by that light is reflected back for secu- Agra after seeing the Taj Mahal and carrying sharp and blunt weapons, Named in the second list, with respond, despite efforts to contact Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu at rity, jerkless draft gear system as well Agra Fort. At least one train must run clashed at Labhpur of Birbhum some repeats, are: Politician Anurag them. On Tuesday, Amitabh Bach- 10.11am from the Nizamuddin station as braille signs. The fare for a Chair from Delhi to Agra in the evening,” district. Kejriwal, industrialists Gautam and chan denied the alleged links. in south Delhi, said Neeraj Sharma, Car seat is Rs750 and for an Executive he said. “There was a political clash between the Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Trinamool. Two-three people from each side were injured,” Birbhum’s Super- intendent of Police Mukesh said Congress seeks JPC probe against Prime Minister over phone. The CPI-M alleged that its sup- porters were mercilessly beaten up and their houses ransacked by IANS Gujarat assembly on March 31, also “The prime minister can only be State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) in stabilised.” It also added: “After the Trinamool activists in Labhpur questioned the ‘financial viability’ of probed by JPC because all the inves- KG Basin valued at $50bn (Rs.220,000 revision of gas pricing under the New for campaigning for the CPI-M- the project. tigative agencies are under him,” said crore). Domestic Natural Gas Pricing Guide- Congress alliance ahead of he “Narendra Modi must own Sharma. “We demand that a JPC is The CAG report stated: “The audit lines 2014, the financial viability of assembly polls in the area. NEW DELHI: Taking cognizance of a responsibility for this gross loss constituted because the PM cannot observed that the trial production the project after commercial pro- The Trinamool, however, CAG report saying there was no ‘com- to public exchequer running into be examined in a free and fair man- from the DDW field commenced in duction remains doubtful as per the denied the charges. Labhpur goes mercial production’ in the KG Basin nearly Rs20,000 crore. He must be ner otherwise,” he added. August 2014, but the average produc- prevailing market scenario.” to the hustings on April 17. Gas blocks in which around Rs.19,576 held accountable by same standard For the Congress, this is going to tion achieved in March 2015 was only The report also said that Gujarat Three people were injured in crore were invested by the then that he applies for others and submit be the parliamentary agenda in the 19.45 mmscfd (million standard cubic State Petroleum Corporation invested a post-poll clash at Shuknator vil- Narendra Modi-led Gujarat govern- himself to a probe by Joint Parlia- future, a Congress party source said. feet of gas per day) (total targeted Rs.19,576 crore in KG Basin Gas blocks lage under Salboni police station ment, the Congress yesterday sought mentary Committee (JPC) based on In June, 2005, Narendra Modi, commercial production from DDW without any assessment of the risk of West Midnapore district, police a JPC probe into it. the findings of CAG,” said Congress the then Gujarat chief minister, had is 200 mmscfd). Commercial produc- involved, construction technology, said. The CPI-M claimed two of its The Comptroller and Auditor spokesperson and deputy leader of announced the discovery of 20 trillion tion has not commenced (November estimate of natural gas reserves or supporters had to be hospitalised General (CAG) report, tabled in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma. cubic feet (tcf) of gas by the Gujarat 2015) as production rate has not yet gas pricing. with serious injuries.

Religious fervour Mamata destroyed Bengal: BJP

IANS Bakshi, said to be the nephew of a But, because of its wrong administra- Trinamool candidate and involved tion, Bengal has only travelled from in the supply of material for the fly- the frying pan to the fire,” the BJP over project, in this regard. spokesman said referring to a latest NEW DELHI: The BJP yester- Patra also accused the Trinamool sting against a Trinamool leader and day accused Trinamool Congress Congress of extending favours to a party candidate who allegedly admit- supremo and Chief Minister Mamata “blacklisted company” in the flyover ted on camera about the presence of Banerjee of “destroying” West Ben- project and awarding it a major railway a syndicate. gal. The party also likened the Left work in Jammu and Kashmir. “Why The sting by a television chan- to a frying pan. “If the Left (Front) was a blacklisted company awarded nel, Patra claimed, “brings into the was the frying pan, you are the fire. work costing more than Rs761 crore?” open the fact as to why the flyover Mamata didi, you have burnt and “Mamataji you have to answer... collapsed”. destroyed Bengal,” Bharatiya Janata you and your party colleagues held Referring to Bidhannagar mayor Party spokesman Sambit Patra told the railways portfolio and given work Sabyasachi Dutta’s alleged on-cam- reporters here. to the same company that you called era statement, the BJP leader said: “It The chief minister has so far only a blacklisted one on the day the fly- is a matter of shame that he is boast- shed “crocodile tears” on the March over collapsed,” Patra said. ing of (such) syndicates.” 31 Vivekanand Road flyover collapse “You issued a tender to a black- ”He (mayor) says there are syndi- in Kolkata, the BJP leader said. listed company to construct a tunnel cates in Bengal. Syndicates in Kolkata Patra said that a “syndicate” of in Jammu and Kashmir on October 19, which supply materials to all contrac- Trinamool Congress workers and rel- 2011, just when you quit as the rail- tors involved in construction,” Patra Naga Sadhus and residents take part in a procession prior to the one-month long Simhastha Kumbh atives of its leaders were involved in ways minister and the next incumbent said, adding that the mayor also Mela festival in Ujjain, some 180km from Bhopal, yesterday. Kumbh Mela is a Hindu pilgrimage which supplying “wrong material” for the was from your own party,” he alleged. claimed that syndicate members occurs every 12 years and rotates among four locations. flyover construction. “There is a saying that what Bengal are those “who vote for us (Trina- He cited the example of Rajat thinks today, India thinks tomorrow. mool Congress)”. INDIA WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 15

Split in DMDK Pathankot: India calls Pakistan report concoction ahead of assembly polls “The report in Pakistan Today is a submitted to Pakistan Prime Minis- Party (AAP) leader said. “What’s the deal, we are unable total concoction. While in India, the ter Nawaz Sharif in the next few days, “The government itself said that to understand,” he said at a media Arvind Kejriwal JIT took onboard the detailed evi- has concluded that Indian authori- (Pakistan’s intelligence agency) ISI meet. “What was the need to invite CHENNAI: Actor-turned-poli- yesterday urged dence which was shared by NIA,” ties had prior information about the was involved in the terror attack. How the very people who attacked the base tician A Vijaykant’s DMDK party sources said. terrorists. can the ISI investigate its own role? to investigate the attack?” suffered a split yesterday as he Prime Minister “Since the JIT collected evidence The report also quoted a mem- The prime minister should apologise He said the invitation to the Paki- expelled several leaders for seek- Narendra Modi to in accordance with a Pakistani law ber of the JIT as saying that National to the nation for (this).” stani probe team was a foreign policy ing an alliance with the DMK for which applies to Pakistani citizens Investigation Agency officer Tanzil The chief minister mocked at the failure. the Tamil Nadu assembly elections. “apologise to the committing an offence abroad, the Ahmad’s murder on Saturday night Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its “In the global forums India would Vijaykant said in a statement nation” for allowing involvement of Pakistanis in the in Uttar Pradesh showed that “Indian leaders’ enthusiasm to make every- say that the ISI was responsible for that he had expelled propaganda a Pakistani team Pathankot attack is self evident,” the establishment wants to keep the mat- one say “Bharat Mata ki Jai”. “They spreading terrorism in India. But by secretary V C Chandrakumar, sources added. ter under wraps”. keep asking everyone to say ‘Bharat inviting the ISI to India, how will India a legislator, and district leaders to probe the terror Pakistan Today, quoting sources Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minis- Mata ki Jai’. And they stabbed Bharat validate its claim before the interna- with immediate effect for acting attack. in the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) ter Arvind Kejriwal yesterday urged Mata in the back.” tional community? The foreign policy in a way that defamed the party. said “the attack was a drama staged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Taking a jibe at Modi’s meeting of the government has failed miser- The expulsion came soon after to malign Pakistan”. “apologise to the nation” for allowing with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz ably. “(NSA chief) Ajit Doval himself Chandrakumar and the others National Investigation Agency a Pakistani team to probe the terror Sharif in Lahore in December, Kejri- sent dossiers to Pakistan detail- addressed the media demanding IANS (NIA) spokesperson Sanjeev Singh attack on the Pathankot IAF base. wal said: “Modiji met Nawaz Sharif ing ISI’s role in terror activities in that the DMDK must align with the told IANS: “We had provided all kind Kejriwal insisted that there had on (Sharif’s) birthday. A week later the India. All this while India was in a DMK and end its alliance with the of information sought by the five- been some “deal” between the BJP (Pathankot) attack took place. stronger position than Pakistan in four-party People’s Welfare Front member Pakistani team. The report and Islamabad. “Modiji should reveal what deal international forums. This move has (PWF). NEW DELHI: India yesterday termed being run on news channels is quot- “The entire country and all polit- he signed with the Pakistani prime compromised India’s position.” Chandrakumar said: “The as “total concoction” a Pakistan ing sources. We have not had any talk ical parties were against the idea of minister. The people of this country Kejriwal said there was mass decision to align with the PWF was report, quoting sources in the JIT team with Pakistani officials on this so far.” inviting a Pakistani Joint Investigation have all the right to know what tran- anger in India over the decision to taken within Vijaykant’s house- that visited India, that the Pathankot The Pakistan Today report said Team to probe the attack on the air- spired between the prime ministers allow the JIT to visit the Pathankot hold, without consulting party attack had been staged by India. that the JIT report, which will be base in Pathankot,” the Aam Aadmi of the two countries. base. leaders or cadres.” He said party leaders had told Vijaykant that the DMDK should align with the DMK to unseat the AIADMK in next month’s elections. Modi launches ‘Golden’ strike He said the disgruntled party legislators and district secretaries were not quitting the DMDK now but urging Vijaykant to axe the alli- ance with the PWF. Stand Up India On March 23, Vijaykant announced his decision to join forces with PWF - a combination of two Communist parties, Dalit IANS with zero balance but they said they party VCK and Vaiko’s MDMK. The will contribute something or the alliance named Vijaykant as its other. The poor deposited Rs.50, chief ministerial candidate. NOIDA: To boost entrepreneur- Rs100 in these accounts and the gov- As per the deal, the DMDK will ship among the Scheduled Castes, ernment got Rs35,000 crore through put up candidates in 124 of the Scheduled Tribes and women by the Jan Dhan Yojana.” 234 seats. The rest will be shared facilitating loans in the range of Rs10 He said Stand Up India will help among the other four parties. lakh to Rs1 crore, Prime Minister in creating 2.5 lakh entrepreneurs as ”On March 24 itself we wrote to Narendra Modi yesterday launched every bank branch will provide two Vijaykant expressing our opposition the Stand Up India initiative and said such loans without collateral for set- to the alliance and requesting him it will transform the lives of Dalits ting up a new enterprise. to review the decision,” Chandraku- and Adivasis. Paying tributes to former deputy mar said. “We told him the decision Modi said people from the prime minister and defence minis- to align with MNK (the Tamil name Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled ter Babu Jagjivan Ram, Modi said of PWF) will destroy the party.” Tribes can perform as well as others the government was launching the He said 95 percent of party if given the opportunity. Stand Up India campaign on his birth members favoured an alliance “Our tribal brethren and those anniversary. with DMK. “The decision to align belonging to Scheduled Castes will “Babu Jagjivan Ram was the Members of jewellers’ organisations shout slogans against Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Prime with the AIADMK in 2011 was in perform equally well as us if they defence minister of our country at Minister Narendra Modi during a protest in Amritsar, yesterday. Jewellers and goldsmiths have started line with the party cadres’ wish. are provided with the opportunities. the time of the 1971 war. He was the an indefinite strike against excise tax which was proposed in the annual budget. Today the situation has reversed,” How long will they wait for jobs and agriculture minister at the time of he said. to which extent the government can the Green Revolution but his contri- give them jobs? God has given equal butions were forgotten over a period power and strength to Dalits as to of time,” Modi said. us,” Modi said. “He (Jagjivan Ram) has always He said the scheme will convert been an inspirational and respected Probing all angles in NIA official’s murder: Police “job-seekers into job-creators” and leader for us,” the prime minis- will also change their lives. ter said, adding that the Stand Up “We got the opportunity but they India campaign announced by him were denied it. If we can perform in his Independence Day address will IANS Talking to the media at the crime property after his father died two the wedding of his niece in Syohara. on getting an opportunity, they can strengthen the Dalit households. spot, Chaudhary said: “We are look- years ago. “We have ordered that every His elder brother, Razib Ahmad, also perform,” Modi said, advocat- Urging the gathering to edu- ing at local connections, personal local issue must be screened minutely was following him in a separate car ing equal opportunities for people cate their children, Modi said issues and the terrorist angle.” along with other issues pertaining to and reached the crime spot just five belonging to the Scheduled Castes. India’s development journey will be BIJNOR: Both personal issues and the NIA Deputy Superintend- the officer’s involvement in important minutes later. Referring to Dalits, he said “they stronger when it is scripted by the terrorist angle are being examined ent Ahmad, 48, who was involved investigations handled by him. Both the brothers had planned to should not depend on someone’s poor. On the occasion, Modi also thoroughly to determine who mur- in probing cases pertaining to the “Some vital enmity might have spend the night in their hometown mercy”. handed over keys of 5,100 e-rick- dered NIA official Mohammad Tanzil Indian Mujahideen and the arrest of developed during investigation of which they used to visit frequently. “Dalit youths should aspire to shaws to the beneficiaries under the Ahmad, a senior police officer said its head Yasin Bhatkal, was shot dead counterfeit currency related cases. The officer was accompanied by become entrepreneurs and busi- Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojna. yesterday. shortly after midnight on Saturday in So we shall screen all such important his wife Farzana, daughter Zarnees nessmen. They can easily avail Modi interacted with the fam- The Uttar Pradesh Police is inves- his native town Sahaspur. investigation. “The third angle is the (14) and son Sahbaaz (9). loans from the Mudra Bank now,” ilies of some of the beneficiaries, tigating the National Investigation Chaudhary said Ahmad’s fam- terror angle. We are looking that angle The children were in the rear seat Modi said. over a cup of tea. The beneficiaries Agency (NIA) officer’s murder from ily possessed substantial agriculture very minutely,” Chaudhary added. of the car and escaped unhurt. His “Our poor have rich hearts. We explained how e-rickshaws would three major angles, Additional Direc- land in Sahaspur town and there was The slain officer was about to wife is now battling for life after suf- asked them to open bank accounts change their lives for the better. tor General Daljeet Chaudhary said. no one to look after the ancestral enter Sahaspur town after attending fering four bullet wounds.

‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ Policemen land in jail MSG level in Maggi noodles on remarks not authorised by govt higher side, Supreme Court told

NEW DELHI: Union Parflia- IANS any laboratory tests. Maggi samples for testing by CFTRI mentary Affairs and Urban The court directed that the copies by its October 15 order, then there Development Minister M Venkaiah of the test report be given to all the was no necessity of further testing Naidu yesterday said the views parties appearing before the court by the Chennai lab. expressed by various individuals NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court was in the matter within three days as it The central government had on chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” told yesterday that one report of a test adjourned the hearing to July 19. moved the apex court against August are not authorised by the govern- on Maggi noodles by the government The apex court by its January 13, 13, 2015 Bombay High Court order ment, and added he doesn’t agree research institute has shown that the 2016 order, while perusing the tests which had held that the labs that with it himself. lead content was within permissible reports by the institute, had asked it tested Nestle’s Maggi noodles were Asked about the statements limits but monosodium glutamate to tell it whether the results of the test not accredited by the NABL, thus their that came from Maharashtra (MSG) was on the higher side. report relating to lead and glutamic findings could not be relied upon. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Senior counsel Vibha Datta acid, were within permissible param- Relying on the high court yoga guru Ramdev, and Rashtriya Makhija, appearing for the central eters or not. The institute, the court order, Nestle India has assailed the Swayamsewak Sangh leader Bhai- government, told the bench of Jus- had said, “shall also clarify whether NCDRC order holding that if a lab- yaji Joshi, Naidu said he is “not in tice Dipak Misra and Justice Shiva the test relating to glutamic acid oratory in terms of section 2(1)(a) of agreement” with them. Kirti Singh that the reports by the includes the test pertaining to mono- the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 “Has the government issued Mysuru-based Central Food Tech- sodium glutamate”. is recognised by the central or the any circular?” he asked. nological Research Institute were The CFTRI had conducted tests state government or has been estab- Fadnavis said people not say- directly sent to the apex court in a on Maggi samples in pursuance to the lished under the law and maintained, ing “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” should sealed cover but one of the reports October 15 directions of the National financed or aided by the central or leave India, while Ramdev said seen by her had this conclusion. Consumer Disputes Redressal Com- state government, then it need not he would have “beheaded” those In response, senior counsel mission (NCDRC), and the December necessarily be accredited by the who refuse to chant “Bharat Mata Harish Salve, appearing for manufac- 16 direction of the apex court, mod- NABL. One of the policemen (right) who was sentenced to life Ki Jai” were it not for the law of turers Nestle India Ltd, told the court ifying the NCDRC’s December 9-10 The government filed, before the the land. imprisonment being escorted by a policeman in uniform while that MSG occurs naturally in Maggi order asking a Chennai-based lab to NCDRC, a class action suit against Naidu stressed that raising coming out of the Central Bureau of Investigation Lucknow, and was not an added flavour and test the samples. Nestle India, seeking about Rs.640 the slogan should be taken posi- Uttar Pradesh. Forty-seven policemen were sentenced to life added that government notification Nestle India had moved the apex crore in damages for alleged unfair tively, and said, “Bhagat Singh said imprisonment by a court for killing 11 Sikhs around 25 years ago. has accepted Nestle’s position that its court challenging the NCDRC order, trade practices, false labelling and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ at the gallows”. presence could not be determined by contending that once NCDRC had sent misleading advertisements. 16 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 EUROPE / UK

Putin creates City of London defies Johnson over Brexit national guard in security forces position was “disappointing”. “The City of London is the lead- reshuffle The London Mayor’s ing international financial centre in support for leaving the world,” he said. “It is the most cos- mopolitan major business city in the the EU has been world and ... a step backwards from an AFP viewed as a gamble. international position, which I think many would see this as, is unwelcome and unhelpful.” MOSCOW: Russian Presi- Evans said the City of London dent Vladimir Putin yesterday Reuters wanted “informed debate”. announced the creation of a “We want people to be out there national guard tasked with fight- with views, but I think people do ing terrorism and organised crime, appreciate Britain’s international a move analysts said could be LONDON: London Mayor Boris John- position and they like to see lead- aimed at warding off unrest over son’s leading role in campaigning ing spokesmen in London being the country’s economic crisis. for Britain to leave the EU is sending pro-Europe,” he said at his historic Putin said in a televised meet- “unwelcome and unhelpful” signals Mansion House office, close to the ing with Interior Minister Vladimir to investors about the capital’s future, Bank of England. Kolokoltsev and other security the head of the City of London Cor- Johnson’s support for leaving officials that the new force would poration said yesterday. the EU has been viewed as a gam- merge the country’s interior min- The Corporation which runs the ble aimed at securing the coveted istry troops with riot police and only global financial centre to rival top job of prime minister if Brit- swat teams. New York, last month came out in ain leaves. The national guard will be favour of Britain staying in the Euro- London dominates the $5.3-tril- run by the interior ministry but pean Union when the country votes lion-a-day global foreign exchange the Kremlin strongman did not in a June 23 referendum. In contrast, market and is by far the most impor- specify how many troops would Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron holds a question and answer session on the forthcoming European Johnson, who is responsible for run- tant financial centre in the EU. If be included in the new structure. ning the whole of London, aims to Britons vote to leave, London faces Union referendum with staff of PricewaterhouseCoopers in Birmingham, Britain, yesterday. Analysts say the move comes convince voters into leaving the EU. losing the trade in trillions of euros as the Kremlin strives to bolster Jeffrey Evans, head of the Corpo- in derivatives. for the small financial area known factor for inward investment” into trading centre would, in my view, be its security apparatus amid a crip- ration and also ceremonial lord mayor Evans, who is the 688th lord as the City of London, said Britain’s the country. harmfully impacted by a decision to pling economic crisis they fear of the financial district, said Johnson’s mayor which is an ambassadorial role EU membership had been “a great “Britain’s position as a major leave,” he said. could stir unrest. “The economic crisis is contin- uing and could give rise to a social crisis,” said Konstantin Kalachev, Political head of the Moscow-based Politi- UK PM under pressure over father’s offshore funds cal Expert Group think tank. “This means that security instability in forces need to be reinforced and prepare for the worse.” Ireland a cause AFP Faced with calls by the opposi- are embarrassing for Cameron, who they did not act. Putin warned in February that tion Labour Party for an investigation has sought to lead international Ian Cameron helped found Blair- security forces should remain vig- of concern into all those implicated in the leak, efforts to improve financial transpar- more Holdings Inc in the Bahamas ilant as “foreign enemies” were including his family, Cameron said his ency and whose government hosts an in the early 1980s and was report- seeking to disrupt Russia’s upcom- LONDON: British Prime Minister wealth consisted of his salary, some anti-corruption summit next month. edly one of five UK-based directors ing parliamentary elections in Reuters David Cameron said yesterday he savings and a house. He insisted that “no prime min- until shortly before his death in 2010. September. had no personal offshore funds as he “I own no shares, no offshore ister has done more” to tackle tax His offshore activities were Ex-Soviet Ukraine—locked in faced growing pressure over the so- trusts, no offshore funds, nothing evasion and aggressive tax avoid- already in the public domain but a bitter feud with Moscow over the DUBLIN: Five weeks of ineffec- called Panama Papers, which raised like that,” Cameron said. Downing ance, and said British authorities the leaked documents revealed seizure of the Crimean peninsula tive attempts to form a government questions about his family’s finan- Street had previously insisted that would look into the Panama leaks. that the investment fund hired local from Kiev in 2014 and the fuelling in Ireland has left a weak minor- cial affairs. any offshore holdings by members However, campaigners called for residents—including a part-time of a separatist uprising in the east ity administration as the only A massive leak of documents from of his family were a “private matter”. more action to tackle secretive com- bishop—to sign its paperwork to avoid of the country—created a national option to avoid a fresh election, an Panamanian law firm Mossack Fon- However, it issued a statement pany ownership in British overseas paying tax in Britain. guard to bolster its defence forces unstable compromise that could seca revealed how an investment Tuesday stating: “To be clear, the territories such as the Cayman Islands “In 30 years, Blairmore has never days before Russia took control of paralyse policy and stoke labour fund co-founded by the premier’s late prime minister, his wife and their and the British Virgin Islands. paid a penny of tax in the UK on its Crimea. Putin also announced that discontent. father, Ian Cameron, avoided paying children do not benefit from any off- Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn profits,” said The Guardian news- Russia’s federal migration service Ireland became one of sev- taxes in Britain for 30 years by bas- shore funds.” raised the prospect of Britain tak- paper, which has seen the leaked and its drug control service will be eral euro zone countries left with ing itself in the Bahamas. The revelations about his father ing full control of the territories if documents, along with the BBC. folded into the interior ministry. deeply fractured parliaments as voters angry at not benefiting from an economic recovery ousted Prime Minister Enda Kenny’s coa- lition on February 26 without Labour unrest Dutch to vote on key opting for a clear alternative. Ireland’s central bank said last week that the impasse has so far EU-Kiev deal today had little effect on the European Union’s fastest growing economy but warned that more protracted uncertainty could have adverse AFP “We want a referendum because consequences for economic growth. we feel somebody has to ring the “We are likely to enter a period alarm bells for our democracy,” said of effective political paralysis,” Bart Nijman of the GeenPeil (No Poll) said Philip O’Sullivan, chief econ- THE HAGUE: Dutch voters will be lobby group. GeenPeil is one of three omist at Investec Ireland, who voting today to make their voices movements that helped trigger the expects that the government will heard on a key European coop- popular vote on the back of a new fail to pass a budget in October, eration deal with Ukraine, in a Dutch law that allows citizens to triggering another election. referendum next week organised retroactively voice opinions on leg- “We think that the government by eurosceptic groups and seen as islative decisions. will struggle to effect meaning- a proxy poll on EU ties. The Netherlands is now the only ful policy actions to address the But after a low-key campaign, country in the 28-nation EU bloc to problems in housing and aspects of many of the country’s 12.5 million ratify the accord and the deal has public investment, with unhelpful eligible voters still say they are puz- been given the thumbs up by both implications for competitiveness.” zled by what exactly they are voting the upper and lower houses of the Kenny’s Fine Gael remains the for, only the second since 2005 on parliament. “The EU wants too much, biggest party and is trying to win European Union issues. too fast and thereby Brussels seems support from independent law- In an added twist, observers say to have lost the people’s mandate,” makers before asking the country’s the referendum’s non-binding out- Nijman, a key organiser of “No” cam- second-largest party and historic come is more important to Ukraine, paign told reporters. rival, Fianna Fail, to back it from Protesters stand behind tear gas as they clash with riot police during a protest against French where a pro-EU revolution ousted His group holds up the EU- the opposition benches on a vote- government’s planned labour law reforms, in Rennes, western France, yesterday. Kiev’s Russian-backed leadership in Ukraine accord as a typical example by-vote basis. 2014 and has made active moves to of an over-reaching bureaucratic cosy up to the West. Brussels that doesn’t consult its cit- Dutch organisers last week izens before making decisions. admitted the vote on the so-called With campaigning stepping up EU Association Agreement—which pace, many remain baffled. Briton’s one-man campaign for litter-free Marseille mainly bolsters trade with Kiev—is “I know there’s a referendum essentially not about Ukraine, but a about an accord, but I don’t know handy platform to push a broader more than that,” said Ans, 49, a AFP was saying ‘it’s cleaner in England’!” Combine that with an irreverence anti-EU agenda and “give citizens Dutch voter when asked about the In fact Platt shot his founding lit- worthy of Monty Python and Legre more say in Brussels”. vote ter-binning selfie in Leeds’ sprawling was quickly seduced. “I told him, ‘If Roundhay Park. The Yorkshireman you succeed in changing the habits of MARSEILLE: Most people are says he does not self-identify as green the Marseillais, I will worship you.’” resigned to a little litter in their lives. but simply as a concerned citizen. Legre, who says he is “100 per- Not Eddie Platt (pictured), a Brit- “Eddie is a guy with amazing cent Marseillais”, specialises in “viral ish expatriate who single-handedly energy. He talks about his idea all marketing” and set Platt up with his took on the scourge in Marseille, the the time, and he’s really into social social networking tools. southern French city where he took networking,” said his friend Georges- And Romain Jouanaud, who uses up residence in 2010. The 38-year-old Edouard Legre. the same coworking lounge as Platt, launched his quirky campaign last Sep- One Sunday Platt—who has only leant his artistic skills to the campaign: tember with a Facebook page titled “1 an approximate mastery of French— “I told him, ‘Let me create symbols to Dechet par Jour / 1 Piece of Rubbish”. led some 350 Marseillais on a climb get the idea across without words.’” The idea is simple: participants up the city’s tallest hill, topped by Platt had a varied career, working post selfies on a social network— hounding Platt for interviews. the imposing basilica Our Lady of as a restaurant manager in England Facebook, Instagram or Twitter—each It was in Platt’s hometown of the Guard, for a clean-up operation. for “about 10 years”, then as a sales time they pick up a piece of litter and Leeds, northern England, that the A few weeks later, the litter-pick- rep for a high-tech firm, before train- put it in the rubbish bin. idea first came to him. ers descended on the city’s Old Port. ing to teach English abroad. “I left to Ten tonnes of rescued rubbish “I went back to Leeds last sum- Platt is hard to miss with his teach in Poland and my income went later, the effort has cyber fans around mer and realised that it was dirty, that smile, greying beard and backwards down 90 percent. Money didn’t moti- Dutch right-wing politician leader of the Party for Freedom (Geert the world from Buenos Aires to New the filth wasn’t just in Marseille,” he baseball cap, not to mention his tow- vate me anymore, I wanted to help Wilders hands out flyers against a referendum on the association York, and TV and newspapers are said. “To think that for four years I ering height—he is six foot three. people enrich their lives,” Platt says. treaty with Ukraine, in Purmerend, The Netherlands, yesterday. EUROPE WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 17

Surge in illegal border crossings adds to militant threat: EU Report

Reuters the largest proportion of arrivals, The Eastern Mediterranean fraudulent Syrian documents, it said. for smuggling weapons, often traded Although the number of illegal although the share of Afghans rose route, especially the Greek islands in “The Paris attacks in November from the Western Balkans, where about border-crossings detected is likely to significantly towards the end of the the Aegean, accounted for the larg- 2015 clearly demonstrated that irreg- 800,000 weapons are estimated to be be an under-estimation, Frontex said year and Iraqis were the third largest est number of detections - nearly ular migratory flows could be used in illegal civilian possession in Bosnia the upsurge in detection has also led BRUSSELS: EU member states nationality using this route. 885,400. Apart from the rise in migra- by terrorists to enter the EU,” Fron- and Herzegovina alone. to a surge in violent incidents along reported a record 1.82 million illegal Many of the illegal crossings were tory pressure, Frontex said the data tex said in its report. A few days before the Paris attack, the EU’s external borders. border crossings last year, a surge that by people who were counted for the underlined Europe faced an increased “With no thorough check or pen- German police discovered pistols, People smugglers have threatened made Europe more vulnerable to mil- first time when they arrived on the militant threat. alties in place for those making such hand grenades, Kalashnikov rifles border guards and the numbers of peo- itant attacks, border agency Frontex Greek islands from Turkey and again Two of those involved in the false declarations, there is a risk that with ammunition and an explosive ple crossing borders en masse have led said on yesterday. when they crossed one of the EU’s November 13 Paris attacks had some persons representing a security agent. The weapons were transported to violent clashes. Mediterranean route The figure was six times more external borders in the Western Bal- entered through the Greek island of threat to the EU may be taking advan- from Montenegro to France in a car fell last year by about a tenth to 154,000, than the previous record in 2014. kans. In all, more than one million Leros and had been registered by the tage of this situation.” of a man probably linked to suspects because Syrians had switched to using Syrian nationals accounted for people migrated into Europe in 2015. Greek authorities after presenting It also pointed to the routes used behind the Paris attacks, Frontex said. the route, Frontex said.

France admits Asylum rush intake of Syrian refugees hits move to insufficient return migrants Reuters PARIS: France acknowledged yester- day that its intake of Syrian refugees in the last few days by migrants on had been insufficient, but vowed to Chios and Lesbos, the Greek Aegean double efforts to meet commitments All “irregular islands in the front line of the migra- in light of a deal agreed between the migrants” arriving tory wave, Kyritsis said. European Union and Turkey. Out of around 6,000 migrants Under a pact criticised by ref- since March 20 are who arrived on the islands after a ugee agencies and human rights being sent back, deadline of March 20, more than campaigners, Ankara will take back 2,300 had applied for asylum, he said. all migrants and refugees who cross although the deal The European Union (EU) signed the Aegean to enter Greece illegally, calls for each case the controversial deal with Turkey in including Syrians. March, desperate to defuse the con- The first Syrian refugees arrived to be examined tinent’s worst migration crisis since in Germany on Monday. individually. World War II. “The number of people welcomed The accord aims at curbing the is still extremely insufficient com- Migrants from Afghanistan and Pakistan protest against deportations in the hotspot refugee camp, formerly main influx which comes from Tur- pared to our commitments and we a detention centre, in Moria, Lesvos island, Greece, yesterday. key, especially those smuggled by will need to redouble our efforts,” AFP illegal gangs on the short but peril- Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault ous crossing over the Aegean. told reporters during a meeting with All “irregular migrants” arriving Migrants in Greece demand freedom his German counterpart Frank-Wal- since March 20 are being sent back, ter Steinmeier. ATHENS: A last-minute rush of although the deal calls for each case Paris promised in September asylum applications hampered oper- to be examined individually. Reuters Through barbed wire at the Moria Reporters have been barred from to take 30,000 refugees over two ations yesterday to return migrants On Monday, a first batch of 202 camp on Lesbos, one man held up a entering the Moria site, initially set years after European countries from Greece to Turkey under an EU migrants, most of them Afghans and piece of cardboard, which read: “Kill up to register arrivals. The UNHCR agreed to divide the numbers among deal, as the UN watchdog voiced Pakistanis, were sent back from us if you want.” stopped transporting arrivals to and themselves. concern for 13 individuals sent back Chios and Lesbos in what the EU’s LESBOS: Several dozen migrants On the wall of the sprawling gated from the site since it became what it Until now only hundreds have the day before. border agency Frontex said was a being detained at a holding camp on complex, which was once an army calls a “detention centre”. Other aid arrived in France compared to thou- Yiorgos Kyritsis, the spokes- “very calm... orderly” operation. the Greek island of Lesbos protested camp, graffiti read: ‘No one is illegal’. groups have pulled out from the site sands in neighbouring Germany. man for the Greek government panel But, the UNHCR raised fears. behind the barbed wire fence of the The European Union and Turkey in protest at conditions there. “We decided to relocate a part coordinating the migration crisis, “We are concerned that 13 peo- compound yesterday, shouting “We reached a deal in March to seal off a UNHCR says there are some 600 of the refugees that are in Greece to said no operations were planned ple, most of them Afghans, who want freedom!” route used in the past year by hun- people above capacity at Moria, France and we want to participate for yesterday. expressed wish to request asylum They were among thousands of dreds of thousands of migrants, many including pregnant women, lactating on the implementation of the accord They will resume “when there were unable to be registered in time,” refugees and migrants who have fleeing conflict zones. mothers and children, with insuffi- with Turkey,” Ayrault said. is a sufficient number” of migrants, UNHCR’s representative in Greece, arrived on Lesbos since March 20 from In return, the EU will take in thou- cient food. Just over 172,000 refugees “Germany has started, but we will Kyritsis said, as Turkish officials Philippe Leclerc, said. The UNHCR Turkey and who are being held under a sands of Syrian refugees directly from and migrants have arrived by sea in also do it. We will meet our commit- sketched today as a resumption date. is checking with the Turkish author- new EU agreement with Ankara until Turkey and reward it with financial Europe through the first weekend in ments, but you need time. We have The procedure has been slowed ities to see if the 13 request asylum their asylum requests are processed aid, visa-free travel and progress in its April, the International Organisation numbered commitments, (but) we “by an increase in asylum requests” protection, he said. and they are accepted or sent back. EU membership negotiations. for Migration said yesterday. have fallen a little behind.”

Italy issues Unmatched affection Court dismisses charges stern warning to Egypt on in stampede disaster

student’s death AFP court ruling, presiding judge Ulf- Thomas Bender placed the blame for the case’s collapse on major failings Reuters in an expert report that was to serve BERLIN: A German court yesterday as the main basis of the prosecution’s threw out criminal charges stem- case during the trial. ROME: Italy said yesterday it ming from a catastrophic stampede Bender angrily denounced the would take “immediate and pro- at a street party in 2010 that killed 21 evaluation by British crowd disaster portionate” measures against people, in a ruling that enraged vic- expert Keith Still as flawed, biased Egypt if the Cairo government tims’ families. and contradictory, saying it had little did not fully cooperate in uncov- The decision by the regional chance of holding up in court. ering the truth over the murder of court in the western city of Duisburg “Although the court posed 75 fol- an Italian student. for now halts efforts to prosecute low-up questions, those remained Giulio Regeni vanished from those who planned the event over unanswered and gaps in the report the streets of Cairo on January 25. its chaotic crowd management. were not rectified,” Bender said. His body, showing signs of exten- “The state’s accusations could The disaster occurred on July 24, sive torture, was discovered in a not be proved with the evidence 2010 when a large crowd of revellers ditch on the outskirts of the Egyp- presented,” the court said in a terse at one of Europe’s top techno music tian capital on February 3. Polar bear baby “Lily” walks next to her mother “Valeska” during her first visit to the outside enclosure statement after dismissing the events was forced to go through a “If there is not a change in tack at the “Zoo am Meer” (zoo at the seaside) in Bremerhaven, northwestern Germany, yesterday. charges against six city officials and narrow tunnel that served as the (by the Egyptian authorities), the four parade organisers. only entrance and exit to the festi- government is ready to react, “Hence a conviction of the val grounds. adopting measures that are both accused could not be expected.” Those killed — 13 women and immediate and proportionate,” Prosecutors said they would eight men who were crushed, tram- Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni appeal the ruling, as lawyers rep- pled to death or suffocated—included told parliament. Ukraine pilot’s jail term begins resenting survivors of the stampede seven foreigners, from Australia, Gentiloni did not elaborate, but and victims’ families blasted the Italy, the Netherlands, China and the head of parliament’s human decision. Attorney Baerbel Schoen- Spain. rights committee said last month AFP force at midnight,” Donetsk district she would never be sent to a prison hof said it amounted to a “slap in the More than 650 people were that the government should recall court spokeswoman Yulia Kalacheva camp. Her lawyer Nikolai Polozov face” for the “extremely trauma- injured in the mass panic as pressure Italy’s ambassador to Cairo and said yesterday. said he expected Ukraine to respond tised” people at the parade that day. from a heaving sea of hundreds of declare Egypt unsafe for visitors. . Savchenko is currently incarcer- by requesting her extradition. Julius Reiter, who is representing thousands of young people squashed Regeni’s murder has brought MOSCOW: Nadiya Savchenko’s ated in a detention centre in southern Savchenko refused to appeal around 100 co-plaintiffs, called the the victims against fences and walls. relations between the two coun- 22-year sentence begins with the Russia, but the law requires she leave against her sentence, which would dismissal a “judicial scandal”. Prosecutors blamed serious tries to one of their lowest points, Ukrainian pilot to be sent to prison for a prison camp within 10 days have delayed her punishment, saying German prosecutors had planning errors for the tragedy at with Italian officials ridiculing dif- camp in the next 10 days unless Kiev unless she is swapped or extradited she does not recognise the authority charged the 10 suspects with negli- the site, a former cargo rail depot in ferent versions of Regeni’s death secures a swap deal with Moscow. to Ukraine, news agencies reported. of Russian courts. gent manslaughter and bodily harm the industrial city. put forward by investigators. The 34-year-old military pilot Her conviction was condemned The Kremlin has said that no in February 2014. The manslaughter The mayor of Duisburg at the Gentiloni said a change of tack was convicted on March 22 over kill- by Kiev and its Western allies, and decision has been made on a prisoner charges could have carried sentences time, Adolf Sauerland, became the “means not accepting twisted and ing of two Russian journalists in east US Secretary of State John Kerry swap and that Savchenko will serve of up to five years in prison. prime target of public anger and was convenient truths. It means finding Ukraine, a charge she denies. said he raised the case with Presi- her sentence. “There are no new Twelve civil lawsuits are still forced to resign by a 2012 city refer- out who was responsible for having “The court did not receive any dent Vladimir Putin. elements on this question,” Kremlin pending and expected to be heard endum, accused of having ignored put Giulio Regeni under surveil- appeals against the sentence from Savchenko’s lawyers said at the spokesman Dmitry Peskov told RIA from next month. warnings that the summer festival lance before he disappeared.” either side... therefore it entered legal time of her conviction they were sure Novosti news agency. In a rare press conference on a was a disaster waiting to happen. 18 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 AMERICAS

Sanders and ‘Roadblock’ for Hillary agree to Hillary and New York debate AFP

Trump seen NEW YORK: Democratic presiden- tial rivals Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders will face off in a debate on April 14 in Brooklyn, after sparring both the Republican and Dem- for days about having a New York ocratic races appeared to have debate ahead of the state primary. Ted Cruz was leading narrowed considerably. The duo accepted CNN’s offer to hold Trump 39.2 percent A poll average by the Real Clear the debate in the run-up to the April Politics website showed Texas Sen- 19 primary, the network said. to 34.5 percent ator Ted Cruz leading Trump 39.2 Sanders, who trails in the race for in the Republican percent to 34.5 percent in the Repub- the Democratic nomination for the contest while in the lican contest, with Ohio Governor White House, has been pushing for a John Kasich trailing at 20 percent. debate in New York, where he lags in Democratic race, Vermont Senator Bernie Sand- opinion polls. Bernie Sanders was ers was ahead of Clinton by a nose, “We are glad that she finally has 47.9 to 45.3 percent. agreed,” said Michael Briggs, Sand- ahead of Clinton Cruz is eyeing the Badger State ers’ spokesman. by a nose, 47.9 to as a crucial firewall against the “Sanders all along has pressed for celebrity billionaire’s march to an a debate on television in prime time Voters take to the polls in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, yesterday. Republicans and Democrats both cast their votes 45.3 percent, in outright nomination victory. so the greatest number of New York- Wisconsin. But should Trump manage to in presidential primaries. ers and Americans may listen to the snatch a surprise victory there, he candidates and decide for themselves could snuff out Cruz’s campaign. Halting him there would bolster The Kelly File. With polls showing say, if I’m president, that’s not going who has the best ideas about how to “If we do well here, folks, it’s Cruz, the 45-year-old conservative Cruz leading in Wisconsin, Trump’s to happen.” The winner of Tuesday’s reform our rigged economy and the over,” Trump claimed at a cam- senator. For Cruz, “it’s a very important wife Melania—a former model of Republican primary will take most of corrupt campaign finance system.” AFP paign stop Monday in the town of win. For Trump, it’s not a critical loss,” Slovenian origin—joined him Mon- the 42 delegates on offer. Brian Fallon, spokesman for the La Crosse. University of Iowa professor Timothy day at the Milwaukee Theatre for a Currently, Trump has 740 del- Clinton campaign, tweeted: “Brook- Like Trump, Clinton risks los- Hagle told reporters.However, Trump rare campaign trail speech, part of egates, Cruz 474 and Kasich 145, lyn. April 14. It’s on.” ing Wisconsin, where she faces a has been in damage control this past a likely effort to boost flagging sup- according to CNN’s tally. A candi- Local television channel NY1 will WASHINGTON: Voters in the Mid- surging Sanders who has won five week. Although his campaign had port among women. date needs 1,237 delegates to win the co-sponsor the showdown. western state of Wisconsin cast their of the last six contests. But she can recently seemed bulletproof, his latest “He’s fair,” insisted Melania Trump, Republican nomination outright. Sanders, a self-described dem- ballots yesterday in the US presiden- look forward with some confidence controversial statements — on abor- 45. “No matter who you are, man or Trump had called for Kasich to “get ocratic socialist originally from tial primaries, with Donald Trump to the next races. She leads Sanders tion, Cruz’s wife and a journalist who a woman, he treats everyone equal.” the hell out” of the race. But Kasich has Brooklyn, is hanging on in the race and Hillary Clinton cast as under- by double digits in New York, which said she was roughed up by Trump’s Trump doubled down on some of refused, insisting he would be the log- for the party ticket and has recently dogs hoping to pull off surprise votes April 19, and Pennsylvania, campaign manager—have further his recent controversial comments— ical mainstream choice in the event of enjoyed a string of primary successes. come-from-behind wins. which casts ballots a week later. alienated women voters, polls indicate. that the United States should consider a contested convention in July. Trump He will need to replicate that in The stakes are highest for Trump, Trump, the 69-year-old real Cruz tried to cash in on Trump’s leaving Nato and that Japan should be predicted he could sew up the nomi- the remaining states with the three whose long ride as the Republican estate mogul from New York, also recent campaign gaffes that seem to responsible for its own nuclear defence. nation before the confab in Cleveland. largest delegate allocations—Califor- frontrunner has run into severe tur- leads handily in those states. be alienating women voters. He also offered a fresh economic Cruz was also positive, telling Wis- nia, New York and Pennsylvania—if bulence over flip-flops on abortion Wisconsin, the birthplace of the “He seems to have a problem with doomsday prediction. consin voters that “our campaign still he is to stand any hope of pulling off and other campaign gaffes. Republican Party, is seen as Ground strong women,” Cruz said on a Town “We’re going to go into a massive has a clear path” to crossing the dele- a shock and beating the former secre- As the polls opened yesterday, Zero for the anti-Trump movement. Hall edition of Fox News Channel’s recession,” he warned. “But I also gate threshold before the convention. tary of state to the party nomination. Plan on Mexico wall half-baked: Obama US reviewing Panama

AFP bill is a cornerstone of his under-fire “The notion that we’re going to said ending remittances, many of Papers revelations campaign to win the US presidency. track every Western Union bit of which come from legal immigrants In a memo that The Washing- money that’s been sent to Mexico: sending money to their families, ton Post said the flamboyant New good luck with that,” he said. would be “impractical.” AFP armed conflict,” said Eric LeCompte, WASHINGTON: US President Barack York tycoon handed over, the can- Remittances are one of the most The policy was ill conceived, he executive director of the Jubilee USA. Obama yesterday dismissed as didate said he would force Mexico’s important sources of income for Mex- said, warning that if the Mexican Meanwhile, a report from Pan- “half-baked” a reported plan by hand by threatening to cut off bil- ico along with oil and tourism. economy collapsed as a result, more ama City said, the law firm at the Donald Trump to force Mexico to lions of dollars sent home by Mexican In 2014, more than $24bn was immigrants would flock to the United NEW YORK, PANAMA CITY: The heart of the “Panama Papers” scan- pay for a giant wall along the south- immigrants. wired into Mexico from overseas, States to look for work. US Justice Department is reviewing dal was in lockdown yesterday, with ern US border. “This is another example of some- including payments from immigrants People expect the US president the so-called Panama Papers and private security guards keeping a The Republican frontrunner’s thing that’s not thought through and not just in the United States but in and other elected officials to address will follow up on wrongdoing or cor- small but growing pack of news pho- promise to build the wall, in an effort put forward for political consump- other countries such as Britain and serious problems with “policies that ruption linked to the US, an agency tographers and cameramen at bay. to stop illegal immigration, and force tion,” Obama told a news conference Canada, according to the World Bank. have been examined, analysed, that spokesman said. The bland, mirrored exterior Mexico to foot the estimated $8bn in response. The outgoing Democrat president are effective,” he said. “We are aware of the reports and of the building housing the Mos- are reviewing them,” said Justice sack Fonseca firm in Panama’s Department spokesman Peter Carr. main banking zone sits back upon “While we cannot comment a tidy lawn. on the specifics of these alleged Half a dozen journalists trained US designates On a green drive documents, the US Department of lenses on it from the sidewalk. There Justice takes very seriously all cred- were no police officers in sight. Paris attacks ible allegations of high level, foreign Revelations from a massive corruption that might have a link to dump of leaked data from Mossack the United States or the US finan- Fonseca’s servers detailing how the suspect ‘global cial system.” world’s wealthy—politicians, foot- The comments came after ballers and some criminals—used terrorist’ the release of some 11.5 million its lawyers to set up offshore compa- documents by the International Con- nies is sending shock waves around sortium of Investigative Journalists, the world. concerning some 214,000 offshore One of Mossack Fonseca’s two AFP entities. The leaked documents came founders, Ramon Fonseca, siad the from Mossack Fonseca, a Panama- leak of 11.5 million documents from based law firm with offices in more his firm was the result of a “limited WASHINGTON: The United States than 35 countries. hack.” But he said publishing the yesterday designated a lead- The revelations have left power- information from it was a “crime” ing suspect in last year’s jihadist ful figures from countries including because “each person has a right to attacks on Paris, Salah Abdeslam, Russia, China, Argentina and Ice- privacy, whether they are a king or as a “global terrorist” under US law. land scrambling to explain apparent a beggar.” He also claimed it was The order, announced by the connections to offshore financial an attack on Panama, “because State Department, freezes any vehicles that look to have been set certain countries don’t like it that assets held by Abdeslam in US up to hide assets. we are so competitive in attracting jurisdictions and forbids Ameri- France, Spain and Australia all companies.” cans from doing business with him. opened legal probes. Panama’s foreign minister Isabel “Belgian-born French citizen Jubilee USA Network, a faith- De Saint Malo, said, “We regret (the) Salah Abdeslam is an operative for based anti-poverty group, called news at a global level that is affect- the IS of Iraq and the Levant,” it for Congress to prevent the estab- ing Panama.” Her government has said, using a former name of the lishment of anonymous companies sought to rid the Central American Islamic State group. First Lady Michele Obama plants lettuce with Malik Robins in the 2016 White House Kitchen Garden in the United States. nation of a reputation as a hub for The US Treasury Office of in Washington, USA, yesterday. “These companies fuel corrup- shady transactions helping money Foreign Assets Control separately tion, poverty, human trafficking and launderers and tax avoiders. confirmed that Abdeslam’s name has been added to its list of spe- cially designated foreign nationals. He old was arrested on March 18 in a police raid on a hideout US senator wants investigation into gun resembling phone in the Brussels district of Molen- beek. He is accused of being the sole surviving member of a gang that launched a series of attacks on AP of the company making the gun said something that looks like a phone in concealed guns with more firepower weapon and pointed it out. civilian targets in Paris on Novem- concern over the two-shot weapon its case. But it can open into a .380 than two shots on the market, as well Schumer said a gun looking like ber 13 last year that left 130 dead. was misplaced. caliber gun. The site lauds its “high as a wide range of holsters for practi- an everyday item could violate federal “Witnesses identified Abdeslam Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer velocity, increased accuracy,” and the cally every part of the body. law, which was why he was asking as driver of a car full of gunmen that NEW YORK: A US senator called on of New York said the gun, being pro- weapon has a list price of $395. “The idea that this is going to cause for an investigation. He said it posed killed patrons in Paris,” the US state- the federal Department of Justice moted online by a company calling Ideal Conceal CEO Kirk Kjellberg some new threat is just not true,” he a threat to law enforcement if it was ment said. Authorities found his DNA and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, itself Ideal Conceal, “is just a disas- said the gun would likely be ready said. . Kjellberg has a concealed carry allowed to be sold, because they could on a discarded suicide belt and along Firearms and Explosives to investi- ter waiting to happen.” for sale later in the year. He pushed licence. He said he came up with the find themselves in a situation where with traces of explosives in a Brus- gate before a gun that looks like an On its website and Facebook page, back against the outrage, pointing out idea for the gun after a young child in they wouldn’t know if a suspect was sels apartment,” it added. iPhone comes to market. But the head Ideal Conceal has images that show that there are already small, easily a restaurant caught a glimpse of his pulling out a phone or a gun. AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 1917 New Zealand’s Helen Clark enters race to lead UN

“I do think I have the experience The 66-year-old former academic “I happen to be a woman with a old-fashioned-style administration,” Currently the UN’s and the attributes to do this job.” is among New Zealand’s longest-serv- strong track record.” “I’ve given it a she acknowledged. Currently the UN’s highest-rank- ing prime ministers, having headed lot of thought,” Clark said of her can- “I’m known for being a pragmatic, highest-ranking ing woman, Clark heads its largest the government for three successive didacy. “I think we face a very, very task-focused and results-oriented woman, Clark heads agency, the UN Development Pro- terms from 1999 to 2008. challenging world outlook.” person.” gramme (UNDP), a post she has held Next week, the UN General The United Nations has come UN diplomats see Clark as a its largest agency, for the past seven years, overseeing Assembly will hold public hearings under heavy fire over its failure prominent candidate for the top post, the UN Development the world body’s vast development for the candidates for the first time in to reform, with critics arguing it is but it remains unclear how much sup- agenda. New Zealand formally put the United Nations’ 70-year history, ill-adapted to respond to evolving port she will be able to garner from Programme, a post forward Clark, one of the most expe- with the race still wide open months global crises. the permanent Security Council mem- she has held for the rienced women in global politics, as before a vote. Clark pointed to those shortcom- bers: Britain, China, France, Russia its candidate at a press conference in Other than Clark, seven can- ings during the interview, saying she and the United States. past seven years. Wellington. didates including three women are was “extremely keen” to steer the Russia has said that the next sec- “Having served as the prime min- vying for the top job. The candidates world body towards a more effec- retary-general should come from The search for a successor to Ban ister of New Zealand for nine years include UNESCO chief Irina Bok- tive approach to addressing what she eastern Europe, the only region that Ki-moon comes at a time of high anx- and held one of the top jobs in the ova of Bulgaria and the former High termed a “different kind of conflict.” has yet to be represented in the top AFP iety in global affairs as the United United Nations for the past seven, Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Today’s warfare is about “civil job. Nations grapples with the biggest Helen Clark has the right mix of skills Guterres, of Portugal. wars, disparate non-state actors. It’s Britain has said it would back a refugee crisis since World War II and and experience for the job,” Prime Clark would become the first violent extremism. This requires new woman to be the world’s top diplomat. raging conflicts in the Middle East Minister John Key said. woman to lead the United Nations, approaches,” she said. After public hearings are held in UNITED NATIONS: New Zealand’s and Africa. There are major global challenges after eight men in the top job— Turning to the UN bureaucracy, the General Assembly beginning next former prime minister Helen Clark “I am putting myself forward facing the world today and the United although she downplayed her gender Clark called for reform to turn the week, the Security Council is expected (pictured) entered the race to be the based on proven leadership experi- Nations needs a proven leader who as a factor in her candidacy. world body—with its 40,000-plus to select the winning candidate in July, next UN secretary-general, touting her ence over close to three decades, both can be pragmatic and effective. “I’m not putting myself forward employees and annual budget of who would then be endorsed by the decades of leadership as she aims to in my own country and here at the Coming from New Zealand, Clark is because I’m a woman. I’m putting over $8bn—into a more “pro-active assembly. become the first woman to head the United Nations,” Clark told reporters, well placed to bridge divisions and get myself forward because I think I’m organisation.” The successful candidate will world body. ending months of speculation. results. She is the best person for the job. the best person for the job,” she said. “We can be a clunky, begin work on January 1, 2017. Five die in Chicago may pay helicopter crash in Smoky $4.9m to kin of man Mountains who died in custody

AP AP Coleman’s cell, with one officer fir- ing a stun gun at Coleman before another officer drags him from his SEVIERVILLE, TENN: A sight- cell by his handcuffed wrists. seeing helicopter crashed near the CHICAGO: Chicago would pay The city released the video just Great Smoky Mountains National $4.9m under a proposed settlement days after it was forced to release the Park in eastern Tennessee, killing of a lawsuit brought by the family of video of a white police officer shoot- all the five people aboard, the offi- a man who died in police custody ing black teenager Laquan McDonald cials said. after a videotaped incident in which 16 times, killing him. The Bell 206 helicopter officers subdued him with a stun gun The lawsuit from Coleman’s fam- crashed around 3:30pm near and dragged him from his jail cell, a ily was bolstered when the judge Sevierville, Federal Aviation city official said. presiding the case found “brute Administration spokeswoman Alderman Roderick Sawyer force” was used unnecessarily Kathleen Bergen said in an email. said Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office on Coleman and that a supervi- Officials said the tourist helicop- is recommending that City Council sor should have intervened to stop ter was destroyed by fire after the members approve the proposed settle- Coleman from being dragged away. crash. ment for Philip Coleman’s family and While the ruling did not pertain to “There’s not much left of the has been briefing them on the deal. how Coleman died, it was seen as a helicopter,” Pigeon Forge Police Coleman, who was black, was message to the city to settle the case. Chief Jack Baldwin said. “It’s pretty taken into custody in 2012 after Sawyer, who chairs the council’s much gone from the fire.” allegedly attacking his mother. He Black Caucus, said the settlement Baldwin said the helicopter had a fatal reaction to an anti-psy- makes sense, both because it compen- appeared to have come down the chotic drug, but his family’s federal sates the family and because it allows Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (centre) speaks in support of President Dilma Rousseff, side of a mountain and crashed at lawsuit contends Coleman would still the city to avoid a trial in which a jury the foot of it. be alive if he had been taken to a could watch the video and award the as he attends a protest against her impeachment at the Union of Metal Workers in Sao Bernardo do “There’s a little bit of the tail fin hospital instead of jail. family far more than $4.9m. Campo, Brazil. of the helicopter, and that’s about The settlement is the latest Sawyer said he agreed with the all that’s left, that and the console, example of wrongdoing by police recommendation to settle the lawsuit that’s about it,” he said. officers resulting in a huge settle- for $4.9 million — an amount that Brazil court orders Temer impeachment About four hours after the ment with a victim or the person’s is just shy of the $5 million the city crash, more than a dozen emer- family. Chicago has paid about agreed to pay the McDonald family. gency vehicles were seen at the $662m on police misconduct since “I accept the decisions of the Reuters for support to defeat an impeachment against Temer, could appeal the site, which is less than a mile from 2004, including judgments, set- (city) lawyers that it would be wise vote in the lower house expected as decision, according to local media a large outlet mall in Sevierville tlements and outside legal fees, to settle this case,” Sawyer said. early as mid-April. reports. and adjacent to a neighborhood off according to city records. The pay- Sawyer also hopes the officers Although the decision can be Earlier in the day, Temer stepped the main tourist drag. The site is outs, for everything from petty involved in the Coleman case are BRASILIA: A Brazilian Federal overturned by the full supreme aside as head of the Brazilian Dem- about three miles from Dolly Par- harassment to police torture, have disciplined. The city’s Independent Supreme Court justice yesterday court, Mello’s decision raises ques- ocratic Movement Party, to avoid ton’s Dollywood theme park. brought more financial misery to a Police Review Authority reopened ordered Congress to start impeach- tions about future political leadership responding to attacks against the city already drowning in billions of its investigation of the Coleman case ment proceedings against Vice of a country mired in its worst politi- party following its departure from dollars of pension debt. amid anger over the McDonald case. President Michel Temer, in a surprise cal and economic crisis in decades. If the coalition endorsing Rousseff Sawyer said he was told last Alderman Proco Joe Moreno ruling that risks deepening a politi- Rousseff is impeached, Temer would and instead support impeachment week by Emanuel’s office about the agreed. cal crisis in the country. succeed her. proceedings. Celebrated hotel proposal in the Coleman case and “We are going to the public for Justice Marco Aurelio Mello told Brazil’s currency, the real, Rousseff again denied she broke the meetings with council members dollars and the accused are still the lower house to install a special extended losses following the rul- the law by allegedly doctoring Bra- in Haiti gutted in anticipation of a formal hearing walking around collecting a pay- committee to analyse the poten- ing, frustrating investors who hoped a zil’s fiscal accounts to hide a massive before the council’s finance commit- check,” said Moreno. “I can tell you tial ouster of Temer over charges he Temer administration could help pull budget deficit before her 2014 reelec- tee and the full council next week. the mood during my briefing is that helped doctor budget accounting as the economy out of recession faster tion alongside Temer. AFP The proposed settlement fol- people were very upset about that. “ part of President Dilma Rousseff’s than Rousseff’s. “Attempt to make that as motive lows the release in December that Ed Fox, an attorney representing administration. Another committee Lower House Speaker Eduardo for impeachment is equivalent to shows the 38-year-old Coleman in Coleman’s family, declined to com- is already analysing similar charges Cunha, who had previously declined staging a coup,” Rousseff said. “It is PETIONVILLE, HAITI: A fire jail. In the video, six officers enter ment on the proposed settlement. against Rousseff, who is scrambling to start impeachment hearings a coup as it lacks any legal grounds.” ravaged one of the oldest hotel- restaurants in the upscale hilltop suburb of Petionville overlooking Port-au-Prince. The fire at the Cubano, a Peru protest Killer of NY’s Genovese 12-room hotel renamed Le Per- roquet in 2012, broke out in a storage room and quickly spread as it took firefighters over an hour dies in prison to respond. About 10 people were inside the hotel at the time, but all escaped uninjured. Reuters York, state Department of Correc- “It was part of the social scene tions and Community Supervision since the 1970s—the obligatory spokesman Thomas Mailey said in place to end an evening,” said an email. The cause of death had Stephane Malebranche, who was SAN FRANCISCO: The convicted not yet been determined. in the crowd of onlookers gathered murderer of Catherine “Kitty” Gen- Genovese had finished her shift outside the gutted building. ovese, a 28-year-old of New York as a sports bar manager about 3am The hotel was known for its City whose 1964 slaying became a on March 13, 1964, when Moseley, concerts and entertainment pro- notorious symbol of urban indiffer- who did not know her, followed her moting traditional Haitian culture. ence, has died in prison at age 81, back to her home. He stabbed Gen- “Everyone knows the Cubano corrections officials said. ovese in the back twice before a in Petionville and, look, a 30-year- Winston Moseley was serv- neighbour called out from an apart- old institution disappears in flames ing a life sentence for the stabbing ment window: “Leave that girl alone” in less than 20 minutes,” said death of Genovese and a series of and frightened him away. Bianca Stecker, owner’s daughter. other violent crimes, including Genovese collapsed, where “For years complaints have been some committed while he briefly Moseley returned 10 minutes later. made about the makeshift struc- escaped prison four years after his He stabbed her again, and then tures that have been built next to Supporters of presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori shout slogans near a convention centre where first incarceration. robbed her. A neighbor came to Gen- the hotel. The danger was there but Peru’s presidential debate was taking place, in Lima, Peru. He died at the maximum-secu- ovese’s help in the final moments nothing could be done about it.” rity prison in Dannemora, New before she died.

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 21o C Maximum: 30o C

FAJR 04.03 am ZUHR 11.36 am MAGHRIB 05.54 pm HIGH TIDE 03:45 - 16:30 Partly cloudy to cloudy with a chance of scat- SHOROOK 05.21 am ASR 03.06 pm ISHA 07.24 pm LOW TIDE 10:30 - 22:15 tered rain.

20 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 MORNING BREAK

Rolling Stones ONLINE CHART BUST exhibition offers www.thepeninsulaqatar.com satisfaction for fans MOST READ AP Nepal risks fresh turmoil over flawed 1 constitution – ICG

Oil extends decline as U.S. crude LONDON: It's only rock 'n' roll 2 supplies seen expanding glut — but it isn't, is it? The music busi- ness is about commerce as well Curfew declared in southeast Tur- as entertainment, and the Rolling 3 key town as fresh clashes erupt Stones are one of its biggest mul- tinational firms. There's plenty of both art and business in "Exhi- bitionism," a vast exhibition that TWEET OF THE DAY covers 20,000 sq feet (1,850 sq metres) of London's Saatchi Gal- lery with five decades of Stones history. The chair used by British author J K Rowling while writing "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and The more than 500 arti- "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is shown in the window of Heritage Auctions in New York, facts, borrowed from the band's yesterday. archive and private collectors, include musical instruments, lyr- ics, sketches, film clips, outfits, posters, album artwork and stage Harry Potter author’s designs. There is even a fake don- key. From entertaining to excess, the Stones rarely do things on a small scale. "In the end, we had over 25,000 things to choose chair up for auction from," said Australian rock pro- moter Tony Cochrane, the show's executive producer. "I knew the Rolling Stones had Reuters of chairs and this was the most com- not that valuable but its literary asso- a warehouse where they had kept fortable,” James Gannon, director of ciation immediately made it more a lot of their personal artifacts, INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY rare books at Heritage Auctions, told prized. memorabilia, famous instruments Reuters. “She says in her letter that “She said at the time that it was and the like," he said on Monday, a NEW YORK: A wooden dining chair she parked it in front of her type- something you would pick up at a day before the show's public open- used by author J K Rowling while writer and it stayed there.” junk shop,” he said. “But it’s really ing. "But no one could have known she wrote the first two “Harry Pot- Rowling’s 1997 “Harry Potter and just the fact that she took the time how enriched the collection was." ter” books is up for grabs at auction the Philosopher’s Stone” was the first to decorate it and the fact she actu- The result is a treasure trove in New York and is expected to fetch of seven hugely popular books about ally wrote the books on it that is for fans, who can ogle everything tens of thousands of dollars. the boy wizard living in a world of important.” from a marabou-feather cape Hand painted and signed by the magic. “Harry Potter and the Cham- The chair was last sold at auction Mick Jagger wore to sing "Sympa- A red sunset seen through the side novelist, the oak chair comes with ber of Secrets” followed a year later. in 2009, fetching around $29,000, thy for the Devil" to a Maton guitar view mirror of a motorcycle in Doha. a letter marked as having been sent According to the auctioneer’s according to the auctioneer. owned by Keith Richards whose Photo by @Clickqass by “Owl Post”, in which Rowling website, bidding currently stands at The live auction will be held at neck fell off during the recording described the chair’s history. $65,000. New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel and of "Gimme Shelter" (the song ends “It was given to her with a group Gannon said the chair itself was online on Wednesday. with a barely audible clunk).

The Jungle Book premiere Diamond and scroll break auction records in Hong Kong

AFP bidder. "It was a very successful the record for the artist's work at auc- sale," Sotheby's international jew- tion. A buyer from Liu's Long Museum HONG KONG: A rare blue dia- ellery division worldwide chairman ended hour-long bidding for the work, mond set a new record at Sotheby's David Bennett said. "The fact that it's entitled "Peach Blossom Spring", with in Hong Kong yesterday after fetch- a record price for jewellery in Asia more than 100 bids cast. ing HK$248.29m ($31.8m), despite a I think speaks well about the Asian The sales comes despite a slow- slowdown in China's economy which market... I think it's alive and well and down in the Chinese economy which has affected the auction market. very healthy," Bennett said. expanded 6.9 percent in 2015, the The "De Beers Millennium Jewel The sale came hours after a scroll worst performance in a quarter of a 4", a 10.10 carat vivid blue diamond, painting by Chinese master Zhang century and a far cry from years of broke the record for the most expen- Daqian sold for a record-break- double-digit increases. sive piece of jewellery sold at auction ing HK$270.68m ($35.93m), also at There are fears that the com- in Asia, but at the lower end of esti- Sotheby's. It was snapped up by Chi- bination of the Chinese economic mates which predicted it would fetch nese collector Liu Yiqian's Shanghai slowdown and an anti-corruption between $30 and $35m. museum — the latest in a string of drive by President Xi Jinping could FROM LEFT: Actor Ritesh Rajan, producer Brigham Taylor, composers John Debney, Richard Slightly larger than an almond, it massive buys associated with the hit the Asia market — both Sotheby's Sherman, actor Giancarlo Esposito, Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, Alan Horn, actors Lupita is described by Sotheby's as the larg- former taxi driver turned tycoon. and Christie's posted lower totals at Nyong'o, Neel Sethi, Ben Kingsley and director/producer Jon Favreau during The World Premiere of est oval blue diamond ever to appear Zhang's splashed ink and colour their autumn sales last year in Hong Disney's "THE JUNGLE BOOK" at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California, yesterday. at auction and "internally flawless". scroll outstripped the top-end pre-sale Kong compared with the two preced- It was sold to an anonymous phone estimate of HK$65 million, breaking ing years. NYPD horse stable now home to $1m worth of classic cars

Bloomberg private tour of its new space, which sits at the networking events for the automotive indus- plus additional parking and a 15,000 sq foot many of the cars, too (for looking, not driving). corner of 34th Street and the West Side High- try. This year alone it has hosted debuts for outside patio area, a quarter of which is right Prichinello said the club will start offering way. “Now that we’re part of Hudson River new Singer Design vehicles, Cadillac launches, on the water. storage for an additional 20 classic and col- Park, we will be increasing our event space and McLaren unveilings. The old space held dozens of horses and lectable cars (a MX-5 Miata, Mercedes AMG GT, NEW YORK: Last year the New York Police and weekend activities, like car shows, gal- The club works thusly: Members pay $180 offices for 20 officers. It had radiant-floor- and 2017 Ford GT are due to join the ranks in Department’s mounted unit announced that lery exhibits, mechanics, and educational in monthly dues and then must purchase heated stalls for each horse, plus a dirt-floor the next months), plus storage for boats and it would move from the Hudson River Pier 76 programmes for kids.” “points” that buy them driving days for the riding arena under a white dome out front; a paddle boards and immediate water access stable it had occupied for a decade to a new The Classic Car Club has been a gearhead car of their choice. A year of driving typically hay loft dropped hay from a high attic area on a reclaimed public beach. The club won’t uptown haunt, the Mercedes House. Maybe it fixture for 11 years. It offers 38 supercars, costs $9,000, plus dues, for 35 days behind directly down to the main floor. That column- provide kayaks for that beach, but people was kismet that the new space, which has been including a McLaren 570S, BMW i8, Shelby the wheel. There’s no additional insurance free warehouse is now the main showroom, can store small watercraft there without home to 1,000 luxury-condo residents since GT350, Lamborghini Huracan, ’66 Ford GT, fee; just make sure you return the car with a with 31-foot-high ceilings and giant win- having to buy a membership. A full café 2011, has an automotive name. A car club—the and an ’89 Lancia Delta rally car, plus a bunch full tank of gas. dows out onto the Hudson. Walking around operated by the club and some educational car club, if you live near New York—officially of track-ready 911 GTs all available to drive. Everything inside the SoHo space had the space it was easy to see how the old police rooms will operate toward the front of the took over the equines’ old spot on April 1. If you're counting that's well over $1 million been private, including the bar and lounge. stalls—with the hay loft and horse showers building, accessible from the popular jog- It’s kind of a big deal. worth of high-end autos. (My favorite is the And membership to the club was capped at removed—would afford ample sunlight and ging and cycling trail that runs the length of “While we might be a private club, Classic ’63 Corvette Stingray in pristine deep blue.) 450 people. That will change, Prichinello said. climate-controlled elegance, basically a state- Manhattan’s West Side Highway. There will Car Club has never been elitist,” co-founder Its just-vacated far West SoHo space was one The new club is bigger, with 28,000 square of-the-art car gallery or museum. This time still be a bar, for members only, inside a pri- Michael Prichinello said recently during a of the go-to spots for car parties, debuts, and feet of internal space vs. the old club’s 9,400, around, the public can finally have access to vate lounge. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 22 QE 10,008.77 -225.59 PTS PAGE | 23 DOW 17,646.67 -90.33 PTS SIIL general Nakilat for FTSE100 6,091.23 -73.49 PTS assemblya approves cutting sulphur 10% dividend BRENT $36.05 +$0.35 emission

WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 • 28 Jumada II 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

‘Cadran’ to boost strategic partnership: Minister

countries to tap new investment between the two countries, whereby opportunities. the total volume of bilateral trade The Minister of The Minister who chaired the reached QR7.5bn in 2015 compared Economy and inaugural meeting of “Cadran” yester- to QR4.7bn in 2010. day said France is one of Qatar’s most France is one of Qatar’s most Commerce H E Sheikh important strategic investment part- important strategic investment part- Ahmed bin Jassim ners of Qatar. The meeting brought ners. Currently, a total of 294 French together business leaders and rep- companies are operating in Qatar, Al Thani chaired the resentatives of government agencies including 66 fully owned French inaugural meeting from both countries. firms and 228 French-Qatari joint of Qatari-French Addressing the conference Sheikh companies. Ahmed stressed that the league rep- Sheikh Ahmed added that France Economic League resents an important milestone in represents an attractive destination The Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani during his meeting with (Cadran) in Paris economic relations between France for Qatari investments in various officials in Paris, yesterday. and Qatar and a new building block commercial and economic sectors, yesterday. in bilateral ties. The Qatari-French stressing Qatar’s keenness to invest The minister stressed that these The meeting kicked off with role in supporting the private sector historic ties have contributed to some of its resources in the econo- indicators bolstered confidence in a speech by Omer Acar, President and businessmen in both countries. the promotion of friendly bilateral mies of its strategic partners where Qatar, which is considered a safe of Cadran, and was followed by a During the meeting, which fea- relations as leaders from both coun- promising investment opportuni- haven for foreign investments owing speech by Emmanuel Macron, Min- tured three roundtable discussions, The Peninsula tries stepped up efforts to further ties exist. to its legislative and regulatory infra- ister of Economy, Industry and Digital participants touched on macro-eco- strengthen strategic ties. The minister outlined Qatar’s eco- structure that allows the country to Affairs, France. nomic prospects, Qatar’s efforts to The minister recalled the historic nomic diversification strategy, which build solid economic relations with Macron hailed the launch ‘Cadran’ promote economic diversification as visit of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim he said, has contributed significantly friendly countries and partners. and highlighted the strong ties part of Qatar National Vision 2030, DOHA: The Minister of Economy and bin Hamad Al Thani to France in June to the development of vital economic The current fluctuation in oil between both countries. and the expansion of French-Qatari Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin 2014, which represented an impor- sectors particularly the private sector. prices and the economic slowdown Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, partnerships to identify new invest- Jassim Al Thani has expressed hope tant step in the promotion of bilateral The minister highlighted that Qatar in some countries coupled with the chairman of Qatari Businessmen ment opportunities. that the establishment of Qatari-French relations. has issued the appropriate laws and increasing vulnerability of some Association, also praised the his- Founded in 2015, ‘Cadran’ is an Economic League (Cadran) would pave Sheikh Ahmed highlighted that regulations to facilitate business pro- emerging economies require all par- toric ties between the private sector independent non-profit organisation the way for the promotion of economic trade exchange between Qatar and cedures and provide an attractive ties to join efforts to weather these in both countries. Sheikh Faisal hailed that represents major Qatari busi- relations between the two nations and France played an important role investment environment for various global challenges and strengthen their the decision to establish the league, nesses operating in France and large allows the business sectors in both in promoting economic relations economic projects. economies. which according to him could play a French companies operating in Qatar.

QCB Governor chosen QDB developing 14 new industrial facilities for Union Arab Banks’ By Mohammad Shoeb ‘Visionary Award’ The Peninsula

The Peninsula DOHA: Qatar Development Bank (QDB) is developing 14 new indus- trial facilities to support the growth DOHA: The Union of Arab Banks (UAB) of local food and beverages (F&B) sec- has chosen Qatar Central Bank (QCB) tor. The work on these proposed F&B Governor H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud facilities, which are located adjacent Al Thani (pictured), for its prestigious to the Old Industrial Area, are going ‘Visionary Award-Central Bank Gover- on in full swing. nor for the year 2016”. Each facility is around 2,230 “ The award is an honour for Qatar square meters (sqm), divided Central Bank and the State of Qatar between two floors. The ground area as well as for the continued success is 1,784sqm, and an administrative achieved by the financial sector and office floor is around 446 square stock market in Qatar under the wise meters, leased at a competitive rate of Head of Business Development at Qatar Development Bank (QDB), Saleh Majid Al Khulaifi (left), and CEO leadership of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim QR5 per sqm every month. The Bank Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, speaking at the press conference. Pic: A Basit / The Peninsula bin Hamad Al Thani”, the central bank also supports the winning entrepre- Governor said. neurs by providing a package of In a statement to Qatar News Agency advisory and financing programmes of the sector. After receiving applica- so far has seen tremendous success, method, the criteria of projects selec- (QNA), Sheikh Abdullah thanked the that give them the best possible start. tions from interested parties, a team offering a large number of Qatari tion, and provided an open forum for Union of Arab Banks for conferring the award on him. QDB will start receiving applica- at QDB will carefully evaluate each businessmen a range of innovative questions from attendees. He stressed the importance of the UAB which has more than 320 tions from mid-April until September one of them. This is divided into two and distinctive projects. Commenting on the success of members including the largest Arab banking and financial institutions, 15, 2016 from local Small and Mid- phases: the first is to make sure that The Jahez initiative focuses on the workshop, Abdulaziz bin Nasser making it the largest banking and financial gathering in the region. sized enterprises (SMEs) who are the documents required are correct leasing complete and equipped facili- Al Khalifa, CEO of QDB, said: “QDB In a statement, UAB Secretary General Wissam Fattouh said that interested in setting up food and and the second phase is a compre- ties to Qatari SMEs and entrepreneurs continues to provide innovative initi- the award was given to the QCB Governor in recognition of his notable beverages producing units at these hensive review of conditions. The to encourage them to establish inno- atives to support Qatari businessmen achievements and efforts in establishing monetary policies and reg- upcoming industrial facilities. evaluation process will take nine vative and environmentally friendly and the local economy, which of ulatory frameworks in the State of Qatar, and his continued efforts to The initiative is part of its efforts weeks, following which QDB will set businesses. The initiative also aims to course will be reflected positively in safeguard the banking sector, a matter which placed the Qatari bank- to diversifying the economy and up personal interviews, which will accelerate the trend towards a diversi- the Qatar’s present and future.” ing sector among the best Arab and international banking institutions filling the gaps in achieving food last for six weeks, followed by a dec- fied and knowledge-based economy to He added: “The Jahiz initiative in implementing regulatory standards. security in Qatar by supporting the laration of the winners in February achieve sustainable economic develop- first phase was a huge success, with Fattouh added that the wise leadership of QCB Governor contrib- growth of the food and beverages 2017. ment, which is considered a key element a large number of entrepreneurs uted to the promotion of economic and social development in Qatar. sector in the country. QDB launched its “Jahez 1” ini- of Qatar National Vision 2030. applying for the benefits provided The ‘Visionary Award’ is given for financial and banking achieve- The state-backed developmen- tiative several months ago, which The workshop demonstrates to them, and today we expect Jahiz ments in the Arab World. It is awarded by unanimous agreement of tal bank organised a workshop on included 32 industrial facilities, QDB’s efforts to develop both SMEs 2 will achieve similar success. There Board Members representing 20 Arab countries. The awarding cere- “Jahez 2”, which was held on Mon- dedicated to supporting a number of and entrepreneurs, as well as focuses are now 46 industrial facilities, serv- mony is scheduled to take place during the opening session of Annual day at the Four Seasons Hotel, which industrial sectors, including chem- on the importance of “Jahiz 2” in pro- ing five different industrial sectors, all Arab Banking Conference to be held on 10-11 November 2016. QDB has provided these new indus- icals, plastics, wood materials, and viding the support they require. The of which was accomplished within a trial facilities to support the growth electronic materials . This initiative workshop addressed the valuation few months.” 22 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 BUSINESS SIIL general assembly approves 10% dividend

By Sachin Kumar The Peninsula

DOHA: The General Assembly of Salam International Investment Ltd (SIIL) in its Ordinary and Extraordi- nary Meetings yesterday approved the Board’s recommendation to distribute cash dividend for 2015 of 10 percent of the paid-up capital where QR1 will be distributed per share. “The company continued to apply its conservative fiscal an financial policies and maintain the existing risk management policies. We have managed to lower the cost of financ- ing and benefiting from lower interest rates,” said Issa Abdulsalam Abu Issa, Chairman of the Board, SIIL address- ing shareholders. “We have taken a package of measures that aim to increase the efficiency levels, rationalise cost, fos- ter the operating management and support it with fresh blood. All of these measures shall positively reflect on the achieved profits in the future,” he said. The assembly approved the renewal Salam International Chairman Issa Abdul Salam Abu Issa (fifth right), Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al Thani (centre) and other Board of Directors members during an Annual General of the authorisation granted to the Pic: Kammutty V P/The Peninsula board in connection with purchasing, Meeting at Gate Mall yesterday. selling, renting and mortgaging the company’s and its subsidiaries’ real and compile and reschedule loans. potential adverse economic effects the floating estimate that the global such adverse developments, includ- authorising the board to enter into estate assets. In addition, to hold the “Although the company will con- resulting from fluctuations in the economy could enter a state of stagna- ing the possibility of an increase in the joint ventures with sister company loans, issue letters of credit and guaran- tinue implementing the future plans price of oil,” said Issa Abdul Salam tion, hinting that the upcoming years cost of financing,” he said. Salam Bounian in addition to hold- tees necessary to obtain bank facilities as previously announced, it will how- Abu Issa. “Surely you are all aware could be difficult and hard to with- The assembly approved the ing their loans and issuing letters in order to run the company and its sub- ever closely monitor the economic of the economic changes being stand. Hence the performance of SIIL renewal of its joint venture agree- of credit and guarantees where sidiaries’, finance their future projects developments in order to avoid the experienced worldwide, including and subsidiaries could be affected by ments with Salam Bounian, necessary. ‘My Vodafone app’ offers wide range of services

connection to a customer care accounts, provide information and In addition to pay executive of the telecom service payment options on bills and bal- provider. ances, enable access to customer bill and direct chat The initiative is in line with its service, present tailor-made pro- with a Vodafone ongoing pledge of providing cutting- motions, receive notifications, all edge solutions to its customers. The through smartphones in a fast and agent facilities, the new App provides everything the cus- speedy manner. smartphone app also tomer would need in the palm of their Delivering the keynote, Mohamed hand. In addition to pay bill and direct Al Sadah, Chief Operating Officer of enable customers to chat with a Vodafone agent facilities, Vodafone Qatar, said: “Banking on manage their line, the smartphone app also enable cus- Vodafone Group’s international view balance and tomers to manage their line, view research footprint and our thor- balance and usage and recharge. ough understanding of what our usage and recharge. Ian Gray, CEO of Vodafone Qatar, local market needs and expects said: “We’re very proud to be launch- from one of the world’s most val- ing ‘My Vodafone App’ in Qatar which uable telecom brands, we’re very brings together an extensive track proud to offer such a simple Cus- Vodafone’s senior executive team at the launch of ‘My Vodafone App’ at W Hotel yesterday. By Mohammad Shoeb record of global research from across tomer Care experience which will Pic: Qassim R/The Peninsula The Peninsula the Vodafone Group underlined with truly empower every one of our cus- a wealth of local knowledge and tomers to be confidently connected.” insights to develop a new platform “For us, innovation does not nec- Sadah added. “There is no doubt customer service. And here we are only the beginning. “We will frequently that will raise the bar of innovative essarily mean reinventing the wheel. that when Vodafone Qatar entered today demonstrating this by launch- adding new features and growing the DOHA: Vodafone Qatar yesterday yet simple customer self-care in the It is actually more of an evolution- the local market, it has brought with ing yet another service that will take functionality based on our customers’ launched an innovative smart- industry. My Vodafone App strongly ary process. We take what already it not only the power of its interna- our customer experience to newer feedback.” ‘The app will provide cus- phone application (app) named demonstrates how Vodafone is here exists and try to turn it into some- tional network but also over 30 years heights.” tomers with information that includes ‘My Vodafone App’ which offers a to give Power to You, our customers.” thing better, easier and simpler. And of innovations in the telecom field.In He said that the launch of the app available balance for credit, calls, data wide-range of tailored services to Available on both iOS and this is exactly what we’ve attempted Qatar, we have strongly changed the represents another step forward in pro- and SMS. Customers will also be able users, including secured bill pay- Android, the ‘My Vodafone App’ will to do when we conceptualised and telecommunications landscape bring- viding the most convenient tools and to recharge their credit and data bal- ing facility and providing direct enable customers to manage their launched ‘My Vodafone App’,” Al ing better value, global expertise and solutions to our customers. And this is ances through the new app. Al Bandary set to open B Square Mall on June 15 British Safety Council shortlists 34 firms for The Peninsula opportunities to a section of Qatar which has for years gone without such a selection. international awards Entertainment for the entire DOHA: International real estate family will also be major attraction developer Al Bandary International offered by B Square Mall and based The Peninsula Group (BIG) will inaugurate the open- around Roxy Cinema, a state of art ing of B Square Mall with a soft launch movie theatre, and “Velocity City”. on June 15 this year. Overseen by BIG The latter is a speed-themed, 2000 subsidiary Al Bandary Real Estate, B square meter family entertainment DOHA: The British Safety Council yesterday said it has shortlisted 34 organ- Square Mall will bring with its open- center which will feature video and isations for the Sector Awards of the International Safety Awards 2016. The ing an unparalleled shopping, dining table games, carnival rides and winners in each of nine Sector Award categories will be announced by Lynda and entertainment experience. more which are sure to deliver fun Armstrong OBE, Chair of Trustees, and Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of Located in South Doha, B Square whilst guaranteeing that B. Square the British Safety Council, at the International Safety Awards Gala Dinner Mall will not only provide shopping, Mall is a key meeting point for years that will take place at the Grosvenor House in London on May 6. dining and entertainment previ- to come. This year, 443 organisations achieved a pass or a higher achievement in ously unforeseen nationwide, but “B. Square Mall will soon be a the British Safety Council’s prestigious International Safety Award scheme. also fill a void in the Qatari capi- hotbed for dining, entertainment These results were announced on 10 March 2016. tal’s southern end which has long and shopping. As residents of South “On behalf of the Trustees and staff of the British Safety Council we gone unanswered. South Doha is Doha and beyond flock to the mall, warmly congratulate these 34 organisations that have been shortlisted for a home to thousands who prior to B shopping and dining options which of highly sought after components they’ll arrive eager to browse the Sector Award. This is the third year we have presented the Sector Awards as Square Mall’s arrival have trekked speak directly to the needs of the which will draw crowds nationwide,” latest fashions and daily essentials, part of our long-standing International Safety Awards scheme, recognising to other shopping destinations. B State of Qatar,” said Amjad Saleh, he said. purchase school clothes for the kids those that have been judged by our independent adjudicators as outstand- Square Mall’s unique floor plan, Malls Manager of Al Bandary Real A number of retailers have signed and sportswear for all of their recre- ing businesses in their sectors. This accolade is particularly significant since first class amenities and cutting Estate. with B Square Mall and include Spar ation needs. Brands of all kinds will within the very high standard represented by all winners of the awards, these edge cinema, promise to instantly “A key offering the mall will pro- Supermarket, Roxy Cinema, Java fill the distinctive design of B. Square organisations excel in their industries,” said Mike Robinson. “We look for- transform what a mall brings to the vide is its ability to serve a community u Cafe, Al Aker Sweets, Gulf Phar- Mall, drawing residents of all stripes ward to announcing the winners of the Sector Awards and to celebrating community which it serves. of residents which have lacked the macy and Velocity City. The dining to the development. On 15 June 2016 with a great number of the International Safety Award winners at the Gala “B Square Mall is an exciting new presence of a shopping and entertain- and shopping options on hand will Al Bandary Real Estate invites the res- Dinner on 6 May 2016,” he added. venture for a number of reasons. Al ment destination of its magnitude. B not only feature an assortment of idents of Qatar and beyond to have The International Safety Awards scheme, now in its 58th year, cele- Bandary Real Estate has utilised more Square Mall will not only address international cuisine and trendy the first look at B Square Mall and brates organisations from around the world that have demonstrated, to the than 25,000 square meters of space Doha’s needs in the south of the city fashions but also introduce a large just what the future will bring,” said satisfaction of the scheme’s independent judges, their commitment to pre- to provide fun for all ages, incredible but do so whilst providing a range number of eateries and commercial Amjad Saleh. venting work-related injuries and ill health during the 2015 calendar year. BUSINESS WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 23

Nakilat for cutting sulphur emission QNB seeks €1.5bn three-year loan facility

towards using natural gas on board Nakilat, the shipping ships as a prime source of energy pro- The Peninsula arm of Qatar’s LNG pulsion. SGMF in a newly-launched NGO committed to promote safety sector, will join hands and industry best practices in the with the Society use of gas as marine fuel. DOHA: QNB Group announced it has entered into a loan facility agree- “International shipping com- ment amounting to ¤1.5bn. In a regulatory filing to Qatari bourse, the for Gas as Maritime munity is facing a challenge to find Bank said it has mandated Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Fuel’s (SGMF) efforts alternative fuel that would reduce Bank and Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking to arrange sulphur emission from the maritime a three-year senior unsecured term loan facility. These arrangers will to encourage the transportation. Our partnership with be joined by ING Bank N.V. as “Initial Mandated Lead Arranger”. The maritime transport SGMF is part of our global responsi- new loan Facility will be used for general corporate purposes, QNB said. bility”, Samir Bailouni, Director, Fleet industry to move Management, Nakilat said yesterday. towards using natural The SGMF is currently network- gas on board ships ing with more than 100 companies across the world. The Society’s role is as a prime source of primarily to work on how to promote QE index tumbles in energy propulsion. gas as an alternative fuel for ship- ping industry. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is the most cost-effective way heavy blue chip sell-off of transporting natural gas over very long distances. “Nakilat has already By Satish Kanady converted a Q-Max vessel to use Samir Bailouni, Fleet Director of Nakilat, during the press conference The Peninsula LNG as an alternative to heavy fuel in Doha yesterday. Pic: A Basit / The Peninsula The Peninsula & Reuters to issue first-quarter results in the oil in the main engines. Discussions Gulf, climbed 1.0 percent to 40.40 are progressing with our charters Emission Control Areas (ECAs). (MARPOL), is working to reduce riyals after announcing a 62.9 per- like Qatargas and RasGas to convert The use of natural gas as a fuel emissions of sulphur and particu- cent jump in profit. Riyadh-based DOHA: Nakilat, the shipping arm of more”, he said. is one way of complying with the late matter worldwide by 2020 or DOHA: Qatar Exchange (QE) bench- NCB Capital, which is “overweight” Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) Increasing concern over the increasingly strict regime governing 2025. The timescale will depend on mark index tumbled 2.2 percent on the stock with a price target of sector, yesterday announced it is in impact of human activities on our emissions of harmful atmospheric whether worldwide refining capac- yesterday, its third session of losses, 45.60 riyals, said in a note on Tues- active partnership with the interna- environment is encouraging the pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides ity is sufficient to allow the reduction as investors cashed out of blue chips. day that Advanced had slightly tional shipping community to mitigate maritime transport industry to move (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx), and in sulphur content in fuels from 3.5% The index lost 225.59 points before beaten expectations. marine pollution caused by maritime towards using natural gas on board reduces the carbon footprint of ship now to 0.5%.MARPOL also requires settling at 10008.77. Islamic lender First-quarter results from Saudi transport. ships as a prime source of energy for operations. reductions in nitrogen oxide emis- Masraf Al Rayan and real estate companies will reflect higher elec- Nakilat will join hands with the propulsion. This trend is being rein- IMO, a United Nations body, con- sions worldwide, but these limits developer Ezdan Holding each tricity, water and energy prices, Society for Gas as Maritime Fuel’s forced by national and international trols and regulates many aspects of depend on engine size and speed. retreated more than 3.5 percent. after the government rolled out a (SGMF) efforts to encourage the mar- regulation, led by the International the global shipping business. IMO, The limits worldwide are based on Most of the Gulf’s stock markets series of austerity measures to help itime transport industry to move Maritime Organisation (IMO), with its through its marine pollution protocol Tier II limits, implemented in 2011. retreated yesterday as investors plug its budget deficit at the end of looked ahead to the first-quarter last year. earnings reporting season, which Other Gulf markets also fell. is now starting, while Egypt rose. In Abu Dhabi, Etisalat, the largest The Saudi index slipped 0.2 per- listed stock, was the main drag as Pfizer leaning towards abandoning deal with Allergan cent to 6,201 points but closed 45 the telecommunications giant traded points above its intra-day low. The ex-dividend. The stock price shed 3.0 main drag was the telecommuni- percent and the index fell 1.7 percent. Reuters uation said. The discussions between the move to Ireland, the source said. a new tax home. Pfizer is concerned cations sector, with Saudi Telecom Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank the two companies and their lawyers Pfizer and Allergan declined to US President Barack Obama’s admin- (STC) dropping 2.0 percent as it went dropped 2.8 percent to 6.50 dirhams. are set to continue for the remainder comment. The US Treasury Depart- istration could change the rules again ex-dividend. Albilad Capital said in In a note by Kuwaiti research firm of Tuesday and no final decision has ment took new steps on Monday to to thwart a deal. The company’s law- a note on Monday it expected STC’s Global, analysts rated the stock a NEW YORK: Drugmaker Pfizer Inc been made, the source said, speaking curb tax-driven corporate inversions yers have presented alternative ways first-quarter bottom line to rise 7 “buy” but cut their price target to is leaning towards abandoning its on condition of anonymity. whereby companies seek to slash for the two companies to salvage the percent year-on-year. 7.90 dirhams from 9.66 dirhams. $160bn agreement to buy Allergan However, Pfizer is not willing their tax bills by redomiciling over- inversion but there was little appe- The petrochemical sector also Dubai’s index fell 0.3 percent to Plc in light of the US Treasury’s new to change the terms of its deal with seas, though their core operations tite for it. “Pfizer is aware that the pulled back, with Saudi Basic Indus- 3,370 points, but closed well off its measures to curb such tax evading Allergan which, under the new tax and management usually remain in Treasury will keep ruling against any tries down 1.0 percent. But Advanced session low of 3,346 points after a deals, a source familiar with the sit- rules, would no longer benefit from the United States even as they claim solution it can come up with,” he said. Petrochemical, the first company bounce in the last hour. 24 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 BUSINESS Saudi plans to double size of stock market

sure that the market becomes a real important to help the economy diver- representative of the economy in sify away from oil.” The ambitious terms of size,” Al Jadaan said at the The Tadawul Index jumped the plan is part of an royal compound in Riyadh. The cur- most since March 17 on Monday, rent value of listed companies stands gaining 1.4 percent. It fell 0.3 per- unprecedented at about 57 percent of GDP, he said. cent at 12:13pm in Riyadh. While overhaul of the The ambitious plan is part of an Opec’s biggest oil exporter is gradu- unprecedented overhaul of the Saudi ally removing barriers to the market, Saudi economy, the economy, the largest in the Middle there’s hardly been a stampede. Since largest in the Middle East, to wean the country off oil. It’s opening it to direct foreign invest- East, to wean the being driven by Deputy Crown Prince ment in June, subject to strict rules, Mohammed bin Salman and was out- 11 overseas investors have received country off oil. lined in a five-hour interview with licenses as qualified financial insti- Bloomberg News last week. tutions to trade in the market, Al The project includes the initial Jadaan said. All foreign investors public offering of a small stake in — including strategic partners and The logo of French oil giant Total is pictured at the entrance of the CSTJF Total Research Center in Pau, Bloomberg oil giant Aramco, the creation of the those using swaps — bought stocks Soutwestern France, yesterday. world’s largest sovereign wealth fund valued at 3.2bn riyals ($853m) in and new budget measures that would March, according to data on the stock raise at least an extra $100bn a year exchange website. That means their Costs still high in oil and gas: Total RIYADH: Saudi Arabia plans to by 2020, more than tripling non-oil ownership stood at 4.4 percent of almost double the size of its stock income compared with now. total market capitalization. Those market, among the most closed Developing the equity and debt with QFI licenses bought about 67m Reuters Oil prices have plunged since “We need to increase our collab- in the world, by adding dozens of markets by adding new listings and riyals. The new model for Saudi capi- 2014 due to global oversupply con- oration, to find better ways to share companies and making it easier for products is key to helping bring talism is designed to change that. The cerns, hitting profits in the sector and risks and to collectively find a new foreigners to invest. money into the economy. As well Capital Markets Authority is plan- forcing companies to cut costs and balance,” Breuillac said. The kingdom aims to attract as broadening the stock index, the ning derivatives to have a “vibrant PAU, FRANCE: Oil and gas compa- find savings. He added that oil and gas privately owned firms to list while Capital Market Authority also plans and sophisticated” market and rules nies must make further serious cost Speaking in century-old Palais companies could only to man- privatisation by the government to foster derivatives trading, the debt for REITs are scheduled by the end of cuts and should work together to gen- Beaumont while some 200 environ- age the downturn through cost will also boost the market, said market and introduce real estate this year, Al Jadaan said. erate further savings to weather the mental activists protested outside, reductions. Mohammed Al Jadaan, Chairman investment trusts, Al Jadaan said. “Currently, we have only the current difficult downturn, Total’s Breuillac said oil and gas was still “We cannot control the oil price, of the Capital Market Authority, the “The market is undergoing mas- equity market as the really strong executive Arnaud Breuillac said yes- needed despite progress in renew- so we have to excel in what we can country’s regulator. The Tadawul All sive reforms to facilitate inflows market,” he said. “We need to develop terday. able energies. control ... our capacity to deliver Share Index will increase to 250 com- into the kingdom, with the Tadawul the debt side.” Introducing deriva- Costs are still unacceptably high “To ensure the right level of prof- projects, operational excellence, new panies from about 170 now and its playing a great conduit for chan- tives would improve the efficiency and cost reduction was necessary to itability, oil companies and services technology innovation and of course $380bn market capitalization will neling foreign investment,” said of the market and allow investors to sustain businesses, Breuillac, Pres- companies must work together to to lower opex and capex,” he said. grow to match the size of Saudi gross Rami Sidani, who helps manage hedge risk while adding debt prod- ident for Exploration & Production find innovative ways to bring cost Breuillac said Total has cut oper- domestic product within seven years, $1.4bn in stocks as the head of fron- ucts would given them more choice, at the French oil and gas major, told down,” Breuillac told industry experts ating costs by ¤1.5bn in 2015 with an he said. tier investments at Schroders Plc in said Muhammad Faisal Potrik, the an industry event in Pau, southwest meeting for 2016 MCE Deepwater objective to gain 2.4bn in 2016 and The government wants to “make Dubai. “Aggressive privatization is head of research at Riyad Capital. France. Development conference. 3bn more in 2017.

Billionaire Saudi businessmen investing $4bn in Egypt projects buys Algerian media group Reuters said in an interview. He said there permits for their projects, and that said. Bin Mahfouz said the Egyptian 3,302 Saudi-owned companies in would also be investments in the he expected to see progress soon. market was an attractive one, and any Egypt, with a total capital of $27.9bn, medical sector. “A positive meeting took place on short-term instability would not have Bin Mahfouz said. Egypt’s foreign cur- AFP Bin Mahfouz said the government April 2 with Investment Minister Dalia a major effect on the sentiment of the rency reserves have fallen from $36bn CAIRO: Saudi businessmen are had been making efforts to resolve Khorshid and the Saudi commercial new Saudi investors, whose invest- in 2011 to $16.56bn last month. It says investing $4bn in projects including difficulties faced by nine Saudi- attache ... along with representatives ments were for the medium to long it is aiming for foreign direct invest- the Suez Canal, energy and agricul- owned firms in securing official of the companies facing hurdles,” he term. At the end of 2015, there were ment of around $8-10bn in 2015/16. ALGIERS: Algerian billion- ture, and have already deposited aire Issad Rebrab, the country’s 10 percent of that sum in Egyptian wealthiest entrepreneur, has banks, the deputy head of the Saudi- bought the El Khabar media Egyptian Business Council said, two Riyadh to sign $21.5bn energy and development deals group for around ¤40m ($45m), days before Saudi Arabia’s King Sal- the group said yesterday. man visits Cairo. According to Forbes magazine, Egypt has been struggling to Reuters signed tomorrow during a visit to Cairo by the which unravelled following an uprising that top- Rebrab was Algeria’s richest man attract foreign investors since an Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Sal- pled President Hosni Mubarak in 2011. in 2015 when he also ranked 9th uprising in 2011 drove them away man bin Abdulaziz. The development deal for Sinai comes at a out of a list of 50 across the Afri- and left it short of the dollars that it Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf oil pro- time when Cairo is fighting an Islamist militant can continent. relies on for imports of everything CAIRO: Saudi Arabia is expected to sign a $20bn ducers, has pumped billions of dollars into Egypt’s insurgency there and discontent and poverty He founded Algeria’s big- from food to medicines and petro- deal to finance Egypt’s petroleum needs for the flagging economy since the army toppled presi- among the population there is rife, residents say. gest privately held conglomerate, leum products. next five years and a $1.5bn deal to develop dent Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood The petroleum financing will have an inter- Cevital, which employes 12,000 “Ten percent of the capital has its Sinai region, two Egyptian government in 2013 after mass protests. est rate of 2 percent and a grace period of at least people and is active in elec- been deposited in Egyptian banks, sources said. The agreements are tabled to be Egypt is struggling to revive an economy three years, the sources said. tronics, steel, and food and has they will complete 25 percent within recently acquired businesses in three months,” Abdallah bin Mahfouz France and Italy. Britain seeks steel sales deal with Tata Saudi Aramco reduces pricing for light crude AFP to Asia buyers

LONDON: British Business Secretary Sajid Javid yesterday said he wanted Bloomberg to secure an agreement on the future of Tata Steel’s British assets at a meet- ing in Mumbai. Speaking as he prepared to fly to RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude exporter, cut pricing for India for Wednesday’s meeting, Javid May sales of its Arab Light oil grade to Asia as producers get set to meet in said the British government was ready Doha to discuss a proposed output freeze. to work with any potential buyers of State-run Saudi Arabian Oil Co. widened the discount for Arab Light crude the assets, a week after Tata Steel said to Asia by 10 cents a barrel to 85 cents below the regional benchmark, the it planned to sell them, putting thou- company said in an e-mailed statement yesterday. That matched the expec- sands of jobs at risk. tation in a Bloomberg survey of six refiners and traders. “This meeting I’m having tomor- Brent crude has slid about 50 percent since Saudi Arabia led a 2014 deci- row will be with Cyrus Mistry, the sion by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to maintain chairman of the whole Tata group, and production amid a global supply glut to defend market share and drive out what I want to achieve mostly out of higher-cost producers. Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members will meet that is to have a final agreement on with Russia on April 17 in Doha to discuss a proposal to freeze oil output to the sales process.” An Indian tycoon stabilise prices. Sanjeev Gupta (left), the head of steel and metals company Liberty House, arrives at the Department for who could step in to buy some of Tata Saudi Arabia will freeze output only if Iran follows suit, Mohammed bin Steel’s assets in Britain said Monday he Business, Innovation and Skills for talks in central London, yesterday. Gupta who could step in to buy some Salman, the Saudi deputy crown prince, said in an interview with Bloomb- hoped to avoid mass redundancies if of Tata Steel’s assets in Britain said he hoped to avoid mass redundancies if the deal went through, as erg. Saudi Arabia’s output rose to 10.21 million barrels a day in February the deal went through, as the govern- the government scrambled to find a new owner. from 10.19 million barrels a day in January, while Iran’s climbed to 3.22 mil- ment scrambled to find a new owner. lion barrels a day from 3 million barrels, according to International Energy Sanjeev Gupta, the boss of steel and Agency data. Russia’s production was 11.22 million barrels a day in Febru- metals company Liberty House who constructive” meeting Tuesday with and save 15,000 jobs amid growing and currency volatility. Britain’s gov- ary, the data show. has arrived in Britain for talks, told the the First Minister of Wales Carwyn pressure from the opposition, trade ernment is meanwhile working on a Saudi Aramco widened the discount for Arab Heavy crude to Asia by 35 BBC that he had held “very encourag- Jones, adding: “What it shows is unions and the press to safeguard the plan to take on some pension liabili- cents a barrel to $3.65 less than the benchmark, according to the statement. ing” discussions with the government. that you’ve got the UK government iconic British steel industry which ties and reduce energy costs to make Middle Eastern producers are competing increasingly with cargoes from He added that he would want to and the Welsh government working dates back to the 19th century. a deal more attractive to a potential Latin America, North Africa and Russia for buyers in Asia, its largest market. change the kind of furnaces used at the together on this really important India’s Tata Steel announced buyer. And investment firm Greybull Producers in the Persian Gulf region sell mostly under long-term contracts main asset, the Port Talbot steel works issue and that’s the way to continue.” last week it would sell off its British Capital is reportedly in the running to refiners. in south Wales, and retrain some 700 Prime Minister David Cameron’s assets due to a global oversupply of to buy another of the Tata assets, the Most of the Gulf’s state oil companies price their crude at a premium or workers. government has been racing to find steel, cheap imports into Europe from steel works at Scunthorpe in eastern discount to a benchmark. For Asia, the benchmark is the average of Oman Javid said he had held a “very a buyer for the Tata Steel assets countries including China, high costs England. and Dubai oil grades. BUSINESS WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 25

Europe’s major economies mark disappointing end to first quarter

Reuters concerned by survey evidence fell more than expected in Febru- after reaching its lowest in nearly government support will be needed demand. They had been expected to showing companies cut prices ary and the pace of their monthly three years in February. Markit said from Beijing. rise 0.2 percent. again last month. decline increased, excluding vola- the reading pointed to first quarter Price-cutting failed to stem a slide “Today’s weak new-order reading “It really dents hopes that the tile energy prices. growth of 0.4 percent, in line with the in the PMI for the euro zone’s dom- to some extent exaggerates the actual LONDON: Europe’s major economies weakness we saw in January and There are few signs the latest latest Reuters poll, but below the 0.6 inant service industries. It fell to a situation in the manufacturing indus- ended the first quarter on a sour note, February is just related to temporary round of stimulus has had much percent growth recorded in the pre- 14-month low of 53.1 from 53.3, a steep try,” said Thomas Strobel at UniCredit. with lacklustre growth in nearly all concerns about the global economy. impact on growth either. Markit’s vious three months. decline from the flash 54.0 estimate. “However, sluggish global trade, key business surveys, as jitters about There is something more fundamen- final composite PMI for the bloc, “Investment is starting to take a New business growth also decel- in particular due to low economic a global slowdown and fears Britons tal going on,” said Jennifer McKeown seen as a good guide to growth, barely pause for breath while everyone waits erated, and the sub-index fell to a activity in China and emerging Asian may vote to leave the European Union at Capital Economics. improved on February’s 13-month low for the referendum to come and go,” 14-month low of 52.7 from February’s markets, poses downside risks to Ger- weighed on demand. “Without ECB stimulus I sus- of 53.0, nudging up to 53.1. said Alan Clarke at Scotiabank. 53.4. France’s composite PMI, which man exporters.” The latest Purchasing Managers pect that things would have been a That was above the 50-mark that Britain will hold a referendum on includes both services and manufac- In more upbeat news, Spain’s Indexes will make glum reading for lot worse but it certainly is evidence divides growth from contraction but whether to leave the EU on June 23. A turing, only rose to the breakeven 50 services industry, worth around European Central Bank policymak- that we are still in a deflationary envi- down from an earlier flash estimate of poll of businesses on Monday showed mark while Germany’s suggested half the country’s economic output, ers, coming just weeks after they ronment in the euro zone. There is a 53.7, pointing to first quarter growth the possibility of a vote in favour of the slowest pace of growth in eight expanded in March at its fastest pace unleashed a bold easing package in real risk going forward that house- of 0.3 percent, Markit said, weaker leaving was causing companies to put months in March. since November. their latest attempt to spur growth and holds start to put off purchases.” than the 0.4 percent prediction in a investment plans on hold. The fall in the German index Growth in Ireland’s services busi- inflation in the currency bloc. The ECB targets inflation just March Reuters poll. Investors are also concerned comes after official data earlier on nesses also strengthened in March. So far there is scant evidence below 2 percent, but flash data Across the channel in Britain, about a hard landing in China, which Tuesday showed industrial orders Official data showed euro zone retail the stimulus has had much effect showed last week it was -0.1 per- which doesn’t use the euro, its PMI would send shockwaves around the unexpectedly dropped 1.2 percent sales rose 0.2 percent in February, and they will be particularly cent in March. Producer prices recovered only slightly last month world. Analysts still suspect more in February due to weaker foreign beating expectations for no change.

US trade India’s central deficit widens in February bank cuts key Reuters

WASHINGTON: The US trade def- icit widened more than expected in rate to 6.5% February as a rebound in exports was offset by an increase in imports, the latest indication that economic growth remained weak to have the impact he had hoped for in the first quarter. due to commercial banks reluctance The Commerce Department RBI also took steps to lower rates for borrowers. said yesterday that the trade gap to ensure increased Addressing a news conference increased 2.6 percent to $47.1bn. following the policy review, Rajan Economists polled by Reuters liquidity in the voiced confidence that banks would had forecast the trade deficit ris- financial system. take heed this time. “Borrowing rates ing to $46.2bn in February. When are coming down significantly in this adjusted for inflation, the deficit rose economy,” Rajan said. “My hope is that to $63.3bn, the largest since March Raghuram Rajan (left), Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), speaks during a media conference we will see significantly more trans- last year, from $61.8bn in January. Reuters mission over the next few months.” after attending the first bi-monthly monetary policy statement 2016-17 at the RBI head office, in Mumbai, In February, exports of goods Controlling inflation is the yesterday. rose 1.6 percent to $118.6bn, central bank’s priority, but Prime increasing for the first time since Minister Narendra Modi’s govern- year, saying inflation was mov- to 5.18 percent in February and the commercial banks to set lending September. Overall exports of MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India ment would welcome any move to ing towards its 5 percent target in government’s 2016/17 budget kept rates based on prevailing market goods and services advanced 1.0 (RBI) cut its policy interest rate by 25 improve business conditions for March 2017. Its next target will be borrowing and spending in check. rates. To give banks more comfort, percent to $178.1bn. basis points to 6.50 percent yesterday, industrialists who, despite data 4.2 percent by March 2018. The RBI had cut its repo rate by the RBI reduced the cash proportion Exports have been undercut reducing it to a more than five-year depicting India as one of the world’s The benchmark 10-year bond fell 125 basis points last year, but banks, of banks’ reserve requirements that by a buoyant dollar. In February, low while dangling the prospect of fastest growing economies, remain as much as 9 basis points to 7.34 per- complaining of tight cash condi- must kept with the central bank, there were increases in exports of another cut later this year if inflation hesitant to invest. cent after the rate cut was announced, tions, have only lowered their lending while also pledging to inject more food, automobiles and parts, as well trends stay benign. India’s annual economic growth but shares fell, with the NSE index rates by around 60 bps, preventing long-term liquidity. as consumer goods. But exports of To make policy rate cuts more slowed to 7.3 percent in the October- (.NSEI) down 0.8 percent. the RBI’s easing from fully feeding And as part of a balancing act to industrial supplies and materials effective, the RBI also took steps to December quarter from 7.7 in the Prospects for a further rate reduc- through to the broader economy. reduce the risk of cash flooding the were the lowest since March 2010. ensure increased liquidity in the previous quarter, below the 8.0 per- tion could hinge on global oil price Ensuring banks pass on those rate system, the RBI also unexpectedly Capital goods exports hit their financial system, as banks had cited cent growth needed to generate jobs trends, the impact of the monsoon cuts, helping spur private investment, raised the reverse repo - or the rates lowest level since November 2011. tight cash conditions as a reason for for the millions of Indians joining the rainy season on food prices, and how is now seen as a vital plank to boost the lenders charge to the central bank - Petroleum exports fell to their low- not cutting their lending rates by workforce each year. a planned wage hike for millions of economy. “Perhaps more important at by 25 basis points to 6.0 percent. est level since September 2010. more earlier. Although rates are now at the government employees feeds through this juncture is to ensure that current The RBI said it would inject more Exports to the European Union The combined moves signalled a lowest since 2011, the RBI said its to inflation. The RBI said it would be and past policy rate cuts transmit to “durable” liquidity over the next 12 surged 10.2 percent, while goods new approach by Governor Raghuram policy would remain “accommo- monitoring those developments. lending rates,” the RBI said. months by buying bonds via open shipped to Canada and Mexico Rajan, who was disappointed that the dative”, raising the prospect of Most analysts had anticipated the This month, the RBI had market operations or by buying dol- rose 6.0 percent and 0.9 percent RBI’s aggressive easing last year failed another 25 bps rate cut later this latest reduction after inflation slowed already invoked new rules forcing lars and selling rupees every month. respectively. Exports to China fell 2 percent. Imports of goods and services rose 1.3 percent to $225.1 billion. Imports are being kept in check Credit Suisse and HSBC dismiss by ongoing efforts by businesses IMF chief ramps up call for global to reduce an inventory overhang. ‘Panama Papers’ allegations Lower oil prices and increased domestic energy production are action as growth risks increase also helping to curb the import bill. Reuters years,” said Gareth Hewett, a Hong Imports from China fell 2.7 Kong-based spokesman for HSBC. percent. The drop in imports out- HSBC and Credit Suisse were paced the fall in exports, pushing Reuters named among the banks that helped the politically sensitive US-China HONG KONG/SINGAPORE: Credit set up complex structures that make trade deficit down 2.8 percent to Suisse and HSBC, two of the world’s it hard for tax collectors and inves- $28.1bn in February. largest wealth managers, dismissed tigators to track the flow of money FRANKFURT: The global econo- yesterday suggestions they were from one place to another, accord- Greece urges EU my’s already modest prospects will actively using offshore structures ing to ICIJ, which based its reports on decline further unless authorities to help clients cheat on their taxes. the leaked documents from the Pan- and IMF to wrap take stronger action to boost growth, Their comments came a day amanian law firm, Mossack Fonseca. the head of the IMF warned yester- after a leak of four decades of doc- More than 500 banks, their sub- up bailout review day, saying the Fund would cut its uments from a Panamanian law firm sidiaries and branches registered headline forecasts next week. that specialises in setting up offshore nearly 15,600 shell companies with Christine Lagarde said China’s companies showed widespread Mossack Fonseca, according to ICIJ’s ATHENS: Greece urged its inter- shift to an economic model based use of those instruments by global analysis of the records. The vast national lenders to conclude a key more on domestic demand, stub- banks on behalf of their clients and majority of them were created since bailout review swiftly, as talks on bornly low commodity prices and triggered a raft of government inves- the 1990s, ICIJ said on its website. its fiscal progress resumed after tighter funding conditions in some tigations across the world. Thiam, in Hong Kong to attend the leak of a transcript in which countries had all clouded the outlook. The so-called “Panama Papers”, Credit Suisse’s annual Asian Invest- IMF officials apparently mooted IMF Chief Christine Lagarde gives a speech during a conference on “Let me be clear: we are on alert, revealed through an investigation ment Conference, acknowledged the scare tactics to get a deal. not alarm. There has been a loss of “Global Outlook and Policy Priorities” at the Goethe University in by the International Consortium Swiss wealth manager does use off- Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras growth momentum,” the Interna- Frankfurt am Main, western Germany. yesterday. of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), shore financial structures, but only for hopes that a successful review, tional Monetary Fund’s managing exposed financial arrangements of very wealthy customers with assets in which will unlock an estimated director said in a speech at Frank- economic forecasts next week. “The Europe and Japan as major disap- politicians and public figures. multiple jurisdictions, and it did not €5bn in bailout funds, will pave furt’s Goethe University. global outlook has weakened fur- pointments, while China’s slowing Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, support their use for tax avoidance or the way for talks on debt relief and The recovery from the 2007-2009 ther over the last six months so you growth has hurt oil and commodity who is aggressively targeting Asia’s allow them without knowing the iden- convince austerity-weary Greeks global financial crisis “remains too can (deduce) from that there will be a exporting countries, including Bra- wealthiest for growth, said his bank tities of all those concerned. that their sacrifices are paying slow, too fragile and risks to its durabil- slight revision (in the IMF estimates),” zil and Russia. was only after lawful assets. “We as a Credit Suisse agreed in May off. The €5bn are needed to repay ity are increasing.” But if policymakers Lagarde said. To counteract the headwinds, company, as a bank only encourage 2014 to pay a $2.5bn fine in the US loans from the International Mon- confronted the challenges and acted Lagarde’s remarks come less than Lagarde called for accelerated the use of structures when there is a for helping rich Americans evade etary Fund and maturing bonds to together, “the positive effects on global two weeks before ministers, central structural reforms, increased fiscal legitimate economic purpose,” Thiam, taxes. Several Swiss-based wealth the European Central Bank, as well confidence — and the global economy bankers and other policymakers from support and continued accommoda- who took the helm at Switzerland’s managers, including cross town rival as unpaid domestic bills. — will be substantial.” the Fund’s 188 member countries tive monetary policy. second-largest bank last year, said. UBS Group AG, also had to pay large Greece signed up to a bail- Lagarde advised the United States gather in Washington to assess the She urged improved tax incen- Separately, HSBC said the docu- fines in the US for the same reason. out worth up to €86bn in 2015, its to raise its minimum wage, Europe to health of the world economy at the tives for research and development ments pre-dated a thorough reform HSBC, which also had wealth third international financial life- improve job training and emerging IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings. investments, citing IMF data show- of its business model. “The allega- management operations in Switzer- line since 2010, which hauled it economies to cut fuel subsidies and While the US recovery has been ing that a 40 percent increase in R&D tions are historical, in some cases land, agreed in 2012 to pay $1.92bn back from the brink of leaving the boost social spending. gaining momentum and some emerg- spending in advanced economies dating back 20 years, predating our in US fines, mainly for allowing itself euro zone. So far, it has received She gave her strongest hint ing markets including as Mexico could yield a 5 percent increase in significant, well-publicised reforms to be used to launder drug money €21.4bn of an initial €26bn euro yet that the IMF will cut its global have performed well, the IMF views GDP over 20 years. implemented over the last few flowing out of Mexico. tranche. 26 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 BUSINESS

QE INDICES SUMMARY QATAR STOCK EXCHANGE QE Index 10,008.77 2.20 % QE Total Return Index 16,129.04 2.20 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,904.73 2.31 % QE All Share Index 2,790.33 1.86 % QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 2,710.67 1.52 % QE All Share Industrials 3,090.3 2.61 % QE All Share Transportation 2,500.51 0.44 % QE All Share Real Estate 2,399.87 3.35 % QE All Share Insurance 4,489.28 0.86 % QE All Share Telecoms 1,171.27 1.12 % QE All Share Consumer Goods & Services 6,429.92 2.04 %

QE MARKET SUMMARY COMPARISON 05-04-2016 Today 04-04-2016 Previous day Index 10,008.77 10,234.36 Change 225.59 17.61 % 2.20 0.17 YTD% 4.03 1.87 Volume 10,277,105 7,824,584 Value (QAR) 372,203,226.39 311,510,095.44 Trades 6,184 5,252 Up 07 | Down 31 | Unchanged 02

WORLD STOCK INDICES Index Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low All Ordinaries 5000.406 -69.653 -1.37 5379.6 4762.1 Cac 40 Index/D 4253.37 -91.85 -2.11 4586.11 3892.46 Dj Indu Average 17737 -55.75 -0.31 18351.4 15370.3 Hang Seng Inde/D 20177 -321.92 -1.57 21794.84 18278.8 Iseq Overall/D 6240.6 -46.49 -0.74 6791.68 5611.89 Karachi 100 In/D 33766.49 -41.93 -0.12 33829.32 29785 Nikkei 225 Index 15732.82 -390.45 -2.42 18951.12 14865.77 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2134.72 1810.1

EXCHANGE RATE Currency Buying Selling US$ QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 UK QR 5.1440 QR 5.2162 INTERNATIONAL MARKETS - A LIST OF SHARES FROM THE WORLD Euro QR 4.1109 QR 4.1688 COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME CA$ QR 2.7442 QR 2.7987 NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED Swiss Fr QR 3.7763 QR 3.8297 Yen QR 0.0326 QR 0.0333 A C C-A/D 1387.1 -22.3 13154 Electrosteel-B/D 18.65 -0.05 36644 Jktyre&Ind-A/D 83 -0.85 225691 Timexgroup-T/D 29.2 -0.45 5554 Aus$ QR 2.7223 QR2.7762 Aarti Drugs-B/D 457.2 -4.35 2778 Emco-B/D 25.8 -0.45 36186 Jmc Projects-T/D 218 -3.6 11805 Tinplate-B/D 66.75 -0.8 21333 Ind Re QR 0.0543 QR 0.0554 Aban Offs-A/D 172.35 -4.95 169755 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.08 -0.01 7150 Kabra Extr-B/D 87.5 -0.95 2040 Ucal Fuel-B/D 101.3 -1.4 15638 Pak Re QR 0.0345 QR 0.0352 Ador Welding-B/D 287 6.4 1676 Escorts-A/D 142.35 -3.15 127686 Kajaria Cer-A/D 938.05 -10 1012 Ultramarine-B/D 114.2 2.3 12649 Aegis Logis-B/D 96.45 -2.25 8300 Eveready Indu-/D 221 -9.45 31911 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 216.2 -19.3 72372 Unitech P -A/D 4.95 -0.22 11880211 Peso QR 0.0780 QR 0.0796 Alembic-B/D 36 -0.75 31335 F D C-B/D 185.95 2.85 4413 Kalpat Power-B/D 206.75 0.35 8642 Univcable-B/D 72.5 -0.5 157299 SL Re QR 0.0249 QR 0.0255 Alkyl Amines-B/D 315.9 1.9 1305 Federal Bank-A/D 43.75 -1.2 593444 Kalyani Stel-T/D 168 -4.1 34912 Uppergsugar-T/D 133.9 10.7 64742 Taka QR 0.0460 QR 0.0471 Alok Indus-A/D 4.52 -0.15 1256194 Ferro Alloys-B/D 4.51 -0.38 13878 Kanoria Chem-B/D 58 -0.95 12368 Nep Re QR 0.0339 QR 0.0346 Apollo Tyre-A/D 165.55 -5.7 148106 Finolex-A/D 359.45 -11 7333 Kg Denim-B/D 78.7 -1 26435 LONDON SA Rand QR 0.2411 QR 0.2458 Asahi I Glass-/D 152.7 -0.15 5221 Gail-A/D 340.3 -7.7 76087 Kilburnengg-Xd/D 64.45 -3.5 2031 Ashok Leyland-/D 108.8 -1.15 997096 Galada Power-B/D 14.85 0.7 3470 Kinetic Eng-B/D 77 -2.3 8749 3i Group/D 449.7 -7.5 463020 Ballarpur In-B/D 15.19 -0.48 780776 Gammon India-T/D 12.79 -0.77 210555 Kopran-B/D 51.95 0.5 222190 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 3378.63 -17 174359 GOLD AND SILVER Bata India-A/D 511.4 -11.25 101687 Gangotri Tex-B/D 1.38 -0.07 3300 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 345 -4 2234 Barclays/D 144.67 -5.6 36908643 Beml Ltd-A/D 973 -42.9 39379 Garden P -B/D 22.25 -0.05 1550 Lloyd Metal-B/D 24.5 0.65 108099 Bp/D 336.75 -8.05 11729466 GOLD QR144.7618 per gramme Bh Electronic-/D 1180.35 -25.2 20000 Godfrey Phil-B/D 1144.8 1.75 19981 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 4.88 -0.31 44385 Brit Am Tobacc/D 4103.629 6 1387595 SILVER QR1.7788 per gramme Bhansali Eng-T/D 18.35 -0.6 30075 Goodricke-B/D 178 -2.2 52526 Lupin-A/D 1463.05 1.75 297254 Bt Group/D 436.1 -2.55 5154043 Bharat Bijle-B/D 884 -36.5 6574 Goodyear I -B/D 494.1 -15.6 5857 Lyka Labs-T/D 79 -2.6 24643 Centrica/D 224.4214 -2.2 4708811 Bharatgears-B/D 67.55 -0.5 1947 Hcl Infosys-B/D 45.5 -0.45 867816 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 265.6 -3.8 1809 Gkn/D 279.8 -5.2 1999052 Bhel-A/D 112.8 -4.3 958424 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 19.15 0.95 5402627 Mah.Seamless-B/D 185.1 10.9 40635 Hsbc Holdings/D 418.7 -12.05 16728609 Bhuwalka Stl-X/D 8.35 0.39 1 Himat Seide-B/D 189.05 -7.75 16843 Mangalam Cem-B/D 228 0.8 7965 Kingfisher/D 374 -2.1 1629184 Gold prices snap Bom.Burmah-B/D 383.85 1.8 10394 Hind Unilever-/D 868.25 -3.75 79995 Maral Overs-B/D 27.9 0.9 1098 Land Secs Grou/D 1096 -1 658746 Bombay Dyeing-/D 46.85 -1.8 129202 Hind Motors-T/D 5.15 -0.03 43989 Mastek-B/D 144 -0.1 27295 Legal & Genera/D 228.8 -2.9 7611898 Camph.& All-B/D 513.9 31.6 5989 Hind Org Chem-/D 15.95 -0.4 7980 Max Financial-/D 340.8 3.4 1296 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 67.0506 -1.28 70318407 two-day decline Canfin Homes-B/D 1150.1 -33.9 3830 Hind.Petrol-A/D 797.9 6.8 157409 Mrpl-A/D 66.3 -1.85 48553 Marks & Sp./D 409.3 -1.1 1445044 Caprihans-Xc/D 81 -0.25 1650 Hindalco-A/D 84.9 -4.2 1415481 Nahar Spg.-B/D 98.2 1.9 46599 Next/D 5298.425 -10 256320 Reuters Castrol India-/D 375.25 -1.9 10837 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1103.4 -0.75 306913 Nation Alum -A/D 38.15 -1.25 74931 Pearson/D 850.5 -11.5 1372055 Century Enka-B/D 176.7 -4.1 10411 I F C I-A/D 24.15 -0.35 1349960 Navneet Edu-B/D 82.8 -1.1 4467 Prudential/D 1261 -29.5 1947184 Century Text-A/D 530.3 -11.2 82629 Idbi-A/D 68.1 -3.1 921377 Nepc India-T/D 1.51 -0.05 1400 Rank Group/D 250 5.6 201605 LONDON: Gold rebounded more than 1 percent yes- Chambal Fert-B/D 56.4 -0.65 65603 India Cement-A/D 84.1 -3.7 240483 Nrb Bearings-B/D 127.1 -0.2 1268 Rentokil Initi/D 179.6 1.5 1262082 terday, snapping two days of losses as risk appetite Chola Invest-A/D 733.55 -6.4 1272 India Glycol-B/D 85 -1.65 10068 O N G C-A/D 205.55 -1.85 568792 Rolls Royce Pl/D 650.5 -9 1990852 evaporated, pushing European stocks down 1.7 per- Chowgule St-T/D 15.34 0.73 2700 Indian Hotel-A/D 99.3 -0.7 22200 Oil Country-B/D 24.05 -0.15 1125 Rsa Insrance G/D 467.4 -5.1 409560 cent and knocking the dollar to a 17-month low against Cimmco-B/D 70.5 -2.05 2064 Indo-Tcount-T/D 988.55 -33.3 4414 Orchid Pharm-B/D 37.85 -0.8 31037 Sainsbury(J)/D 275.8 -1 2428837 the yen. Cipla-A/D 504 -9.9 85680 Indusind-A/D 950.45 -10.4 157762 Orient Hotel-T/D 20.8 -0.7 203187 Schroders/D 2577 -64 126468 That helped to reverse a two-day drop in gold that City Union Bk-/D 96.1 -0.6 16259 J.B.Chemical-B/D 246.85 -7.4 4593 Oudh Sugar-B/D 81.95 1.75 210740 Severn Trent/D 2179.5 17 164316 had sent prices back towards their lowest since late Feb- Colgate-A/D 839 0.2 19461 Jagatjit Ind-X/D 81.65 3.85 44320 Punjab Chem.-B/D 151.2 -2 2730 Smith&Nephew/D 1150 -17 858448 ruary. Uncertainty over the outlook for U.S. monetary Container Cor-/D 1247.55 -26.6 12669 Jagson Phar-B/D 34.75 0.1 10969 Radico Khait-B/D 95.65 -1.7 19182 Smiths Group/D 1046 -20 281480 policy limited moves, however. Spot gold was up 1.4 per- Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 403.5 33 14038 Jamnaauto-B/D 141.9 -2.5 62874 Rallis India-A/D 170.85 3.3 54535 Standrd Chart /D 434.15 -17.9 2660689 cent at $1,231.61 an ounce by 1335 GMT, while US gold Dcm Shram Ind-/D 143.5 1.3 10008 Jbf Indu-B/D 202.6 12.7 138120 Reliance Indus/D 424.2 -17.3 88501 Tate & Lyle/D 580 -8 668094 futures for June delivery were up $14.60 at $1,233.90. Dhampur Sugar-/D 92.35 -3.45 223757 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.32 0 1440 Ruchi Soya-B/D 30 -1.3 50037 Tesco/D 187.3 -3.6 7422560 German shares led losses in equities after data showing the biggest fall in German factory orders for Dr. Reddy-A/D 2992.25 -22.8 22124 Jct Ltd-B/D 4.7 -0.19 661397 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 499.5 -4.3 2529 Unilever/D 3172.5 -5.5 972016 six months suggested that Europe’s biggest economy E I H-B/D 105.6 0.5 8184 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 7.29 -0.36 7689 Saur.Cem-B/D 60.3 -1.1 35727 United Util Gr/D 915.5 2.5 543860 is becoming caught up in a global slowdown. Crude oil E.I.D Parry-A/D 211.2 -5.25 73581 Jik Indust-B/D 0.84 0.04 10958 Thirumalai-B/D 189.1 0.7 4092 Vodafone Group/D 217.55 -2.15 17056339 prices fell and the euro retreated a quarter of a percent- Eicher Motor-A/D 18746.6 -742.5 4935 Jindal Drill-B/D 129.4 4.9 1239 Til Ltd.-T/D 396.2 28.8 9866 Whitbread/D 3857 -68 139487 age point against the dollar. “Today we have weaker stocks, weaker European growth and a German 10-year yield trading below 10 basis points. Greek IMF negotiations and renewed weak- ness in oil are all adding to the support for gold,” Ole Oil and IMF blacken sentiment on equities markets Hansen, head of commodities research at Saxo Bank, said. “After having been rejected on numerous occasions in the low 1200s, gold is having a look to the upside.” Gold had posted its biggest quarterly rise in nearly AFP said CMC Markets analyst Jas- orders — a key measure of demand foot of the index, with Royal Dutch designed to sharply lower the US 30 years in the quarter to March, rallying 16 percent on per Lawler. for goods in Europe’s top economy Shell and BP also being dragged company’s tax bill. fading expectations of moves by the US Federal Reserve Meanwhile, International — declined in February. Provisional very much into the fray.” Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew to normalise interest rates because of concerns over the LONDON: Europe’s main stock Monetary Fund Chief Chris- official data showed a decrease in BP fell 2.1 percent to 337.45 said the toughened regulations global economy. The metal, which is highly exposed markets tumbled yesterday as tine Lagarde said in a speech in orders of 1.2 percent month-on- pence and Shell’s ‘A’ shares slid target companies moving their to rising rates because they lift the opportunity cost of oil prices slumped and IMF Chief Frankfurt that although the glo- month in February, weighed down 2.0 percent to 1,644.00 pence. In headquarters, but not their US holding non-yielding assets, has been pinned in a range Christine Lagarde offered a bleak bal economy wasn’t in crisis, the by falling foreign demand. That Paris, French peer Total saw its operations, to low-tax domiciles by uncertainty over Fed policy. outlook for the global economy, recovery is still “too slow” and followed an increase of 0.5 per- stock decline 1.9 percent to €38.43. abroad via so-called inversion Fed Chair Janet Yellen said last week that the US dealers said. “too fragile” in the face of growing cent in January. US stocks pushed lower yes- deals. central bank would proceed cautiously with rate Frankfurt’s benchmark DAX risks from a slowdown in China Analysts polled by financial terday, with the Dow dropping 0.5 Allergan and Pfizer have said increases. But Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren on 30 index slumped 2.6 percent as and subdued growth in develop- services firm FactSet had pen- percent in initial trading, as shares they would review the impact of Monday expressed surprise that futures markets cur- dire German factory orders also ing economies. cilled in a modest increase of 0.3 in drug maker Allergan plummeted the US announcement. Shares in rently imply only one or no interest rate increases this sparked fresh questions about the Lagarde hinted the IMF will percent for February. “A poor Feb- on new US rules threatening its Dublin-based Allergan plummeted year, saying that such a prediction could prove overly health of the eurozone’s biggest cut its current 2016 global growth ruary for German factory orders ... takeover by Pfizer. 15.8 percent, although Pfizer gained pessimistic. economy. forecast of 3.4 percent next week adds to eurozone woes,” said ana- “Allergan and Dow member a modest 1.3 percent after having “While the recent turmoil in financial markets has Elsewhere, France’s CAC 40 when it publishes fresh forecasts lyst Mike van Dulken at traders Pfizer are garnering attention as fallen in overnight trading. made the Fed reluctant to hike rates further in the near index shed 2.2 percent, Britain’s at its traditional spring meeting Accendo Markets. the US Treasury Department on On the upside in Asia, Shang- term, the tight labour market and resilient core infla- FTSE 100 dropped 1.2 percent in with the World Bank in Washing- Meanwhile oil prices pushed Monday introduced new rules to hai stocks jumped on easing tion are likely to cause the Fed to deliver a 25 basis point value and the FTSE-Mib in Milan ton. “Her downbeat comments are lower as the perspective fades of possibly threaten their planned Chinese economic worries hike before year-end,” Societe Generale said in a note. fell 3.0 percent as Italian banking probably to soften up markets for any agreement to reduce the glut of $160bn merger,” said market ana- after Friday’s better-than-fore- Among other precious metals, silver was up 1.8 shares dove. downgrades in IMF forecasts next crude on the market from a meeting lysts at Charles Schwab. cast manufacturing data. Tokyo percent at $15.13 an ounce, platinum was up 1.7 “A three-week low in the price week,” said Lawler. of top producers later this month. The US Treasury’s new rules stocks tumbled 2.4 percent as the percent at $955.30 and palladium was up 0.5 per- of oil goes someway to explaining The mood darkened as gloomy “As a result it’s the natural resources aim at stemming the tide of mergers yen moved towards an 18-month cent at $550.96. deteriorating market sentiment,” data showed that German industrial stocks that are scattered across the between US and foreign businesses high against the US dollar. BUSINESS VIEWS WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 27

Credit Suisse faces US petrol demand still strong tough questions after despite poor weather in January $1bn write-downs

By Joshua Franklin knew about this stuff.” Reuters Around $600m of the write- downs came from securitised products — which include collat- eralised loan obligations (CLOs) N January 19, Credit and distressed credit. Suisse Chief Executive CLOs are packages of debt, Tidjane Thiam con- often corporate loans, which are tacted the head of the put together and sold on to inves- OSwiss bank’s markets business tors. They often offer high rates asking for more details about of return but the holders take on the fourth-quarter results at the most of the risk of loans being trading division, according to defaulted on. Distressed credit materials seen by Reuters. involves trading debt of com- Two-and-a-half months and panies that are near or going nearly $1bn in write-downs later, through bankruptcy, another investors, analysts and former high-risk high-reward strategy. board members are questioning When he outlined his new why Thiam and his finance chief, strategy for the bank in October, David Mathers, were caught out Thiam had referred to securitised by the scale of the division’s illiq- products and credit as the “two ugly uid trades — positions that are not ducklings”. But he said it was not easy to sell out of. The write-downs a top priority to tackle businesses have compounded for Credit Suisse such as these that require large what has already been a tough start amounts of capital when they were to 2016 for all investment banks, generating high returns in Global with its share price down around Markets, one of Credit Suisse’s two 38 percent so far this year, one of investment banking divisions. the biggest slides of all large Euro- In securitisation Credit Suisse pean lenders. is one of the top three players by In January, Thiam, by then revenue, according to Coalition’s Crude oil storage tanks are seen from above at the Cushing oil hub, in Cushing, Oklahoma. just over six months into his job investment bank league table, as CEO of Switzerland’s second- which also pegs Credit Suisse as biggest bank, wondered whether a top-six bank in terms of credit. By John Kemp petrol consumption has been running at a a combination of better weather, cheap Credit Suisse had gone too big on But by mid-March, Thiam Reuters seasonal record rate (“Weekly Petroleum fuel, strong job growth and wage gains. some trades and addressed the decided to exit distressed credit Status Report”, EIA, April 1). Monthly esti- Based on the prior performance of the issue with another top executive. and European securitised prod- mates published by the EIA on Monday do weekly and monthly survey data, there “I wonder about the absolute uct trading altogether. Thiam not alter this picture of petrol consump- is no reason to think petrol consumption size of our inventory in a number told analysts and reporters that NEXPECTEDLY weak petrol tion significantly or indicate that it needs over the last two months has been any- of activities,” he told Global Mar- Mathers, Chief Financial Officer at consumption in the United to be reassessed. thing other than very strong. kets head Tim O’Hara on January Credit Suisse, and many others at States reported for the Like almost all government statistics, Like any other statistical exercise, the 25. “You and I need to discuss case the bank had also been unaware month of January has been every number published by the EIA is an esti- EIA surveys focus on what can be meas- by case the appropriate inventory of the size of the positions. blamed by some market mate, in this case based on a (compulsory) ured even if it is not quite the same as what levels,” Thiam said. Looking at the numbers participants for the con- survey of refiners, traders, tank farm opera- we actually want to know about. Thiam has said he and other in January, Thiam turned for Utinued slide in oil prices yesterday. Petrol tors, blenders and pipeline companies. In this case, we would like to know senior bank officials were una- answers to O’Hara, Global Mar- consumption fell almost 0.6 percent in Jan- Like any estimate, EIA data is subject to a how much petrol is actually consumed ware of the size of the positions kets head since an October 21 uary compared with the same month a year variety of sampling and non-sampling errors, by motorists each month. But with more behind the write-downs but restructuring. After O’Hara sent earlier, according to the US Energy Infor- but because the surveys capture almost all the than 113 million registered cars and 260 that no trading limits had been over a profit and loss statement as mation Administration (“Petroleum Supply relevant firms and are highly standardised, million vehicles of all types on US roads breached or trades concealed. On well as a risk review, Thiam sought Monthly”, EIA, April 4). errors tend to be fairly small. The monthly that is impossible (“Highway Statistics”, February 4 the markets division clarification on some leveraged The EIA’s monthly estimate for petrol con- survey is based on a slightly more compre- Federal Highway Administration, 2015). reported an adjusted pre-tax loss finance deals signed during 2015 sumption contrasted with more recent weekly hensive sample so should be more accurate Instead the EIA calculates the volume of 658m Swiss francs ($686.35m) which had already posted a cumu- data showing strong year-on-year growth in but the differences between the two surveys of petrol supplied to the domestic mar- for the quarter, in which Credit lative loss of $87m. He also wanted petrol demand. The monthly estimate has been turn out to be minor. There is considerable ket based on domestic production plus Suisse racked up $633m in write- to better understand the rationale seized on by bearish traders and analysts as noisiness in the weekly survey caused by both imports minus exports minus reported downs on illiquid trades. A further behind Credit Suisse’s large pres- evidence crude and petrol prices have risen sampling and non-sampling errors. stock changes. $346m in write-downs followed ence in U.S. distressed debt trading. too far too fast over the last The EIA’s Weekly Petroleum Status Report The EIA collects weekly and monthly in the first quarter as of March 11, The write-downs are an two months. But on closer showed petrol consumption averaging 8.715 data on production, imports and stock the bank disclosed on March 23. unwelcome distraction as Thiam, inspection there is noth- million barrels per day in the four weeks changes, and monthly data on exports, Now Thiam faces questions 53, embarks on Credit Suisse’s ing surprising about the ending on January 29. The EIA’s monthly and then estimates the amount of prod- about the bank’s risk controls and biggest revamp in a decade. They monthly reading for Jan- estimates now show petrol consumption uct supplied. In effect, product supplied oversight by senior management follow a $2.6bn settlement and a uary, which is in line with averaging 8.670 million b/d for the month of measures the amount of petrol that dis- of part of its markets business. guilty plea for its private banking the low weekly consump- January, a difference of 45,000 b/d (0.5 per- appears from the reporting system as a “Does it raise concerns? Yes it having helped wealthy Americans tion numbers reported cent), which is insignificant. proxy for consumption. Statistical errors does,” said Andreas Vendetti, an evade tax, in May 2014. during that month. The four-week average turns out to be in measuring any of the other components analyst at Swiss private bank Von- Thiam wants to pare back Consumption was a very timely and accurate predictor of the also show up as an error in the estimate tobel who rates Credit Suisse’s stock Credit Suisse’s investment bank Based on the prior likely disrupted by the monthly estimates which are published for the amount of product supplied. “hold”. Some people expressed and focus on wealth management. extensive flooding across two months later. Difference between the Exports have been notoriously prob- surprise and scepticism that top His strategy, which included a new performance of the the Midwest at the start of four-week average and the monthly data lematic because the agency has only had management could be unaware management structure and raising weekly and monthly the month and the snow are generally small. The average difference access to monthly rather than weekly esti- of such important details. about 6bon francs in fresh capital, survey data, there is blizzards which hit the between the two surveys is less than 0.5 per- mates, although this is now changing. In “If the CFO didn’t know about has received a lukewarm response East Coast at the end of cent. Some of the residual difference can be the past, short-term changes in export vol- it, then sure as hell the chief risk from markets. In March, Credit no reason to think January. explained by the fact that there are not exactly umes caused errors in estimates for the officer would have done, which Suisse announced 800m Swiss petrol consumption Petrol consump- four weeks in each month so cut off points amount of product supplied. means everybody would have francs in additional cost cuts and tion only began to for the weekly and monthly surveys do not Sudden shifts in the composition of done,” said one former board plans to shrink its investment bank over the last two ramp up from the mid- match exactly. demand between domestic and foreign con- member of a Credit Suisse invest- further. The market welcomed cost months has been dle of February and has The EIA’s weekly surveys correctly iden- sumers account for some of the noisiness in ment banking subsidiary. “It’s cuts but many are still waiting for remained strong since tified the weakness of petrol consumption the weekly statistics. But there is no reason hard to imagine that nobody the turnaround efforts to take hold. anything other than then according to the in January as a result of poor weather. More to think they are causing larger than usual very strong. weekly data. Since the recently, the weekly surveys have pointed to errors at the moment or to doubt domestic end of February, US very strong gasoline consumption thanks to petrol demand is very strong. Nigeria targets elusive small traders in new tax drive

By Alexis Akwagyiram customers up to 5,000 naira ($25)a time, Adeniji Kazeem said. As a result, Lagos state importance of paying tax. The tax problem is and Chijioke Ohuocha shows the challenge they face. As few Nige- tax collections rose by 12 percent in Janu- not new. Under Buhari’s military administra- Reuters rians benefit from the country’s oil wealth, ary, officials say. For 2016, the government tion in the 1980s a poster in a government office most entrepreneurs spend what they earn in has set the FIRS a tough target of raising 4.95 urging people to “Join the good Nigerians, pay order to survive and do not keep accounts. trillion naira ($25bn) in taxes, up from 3.73 your taxes” was defaced by somebody who had “I don’t really know how much I make,” trillion last year. “Really, there is no room for crossed out the “s” in Nigerians. EWING hair extensions to the plaits on the 46-year-old said, raising her voice above failure. Please ensure you deliver,” Finance For the future, Nigeria must get a grip a middle-aged woman’s head, Nige- the noise of the generator that keeps the fan Minister Kemi Adeosun told tax officers in on tax and the informal economy to avoid rian hairdresser Bridget Okoidegun turning overhead. “Any money I make, either February. “The nation will depend on FIRS jeopardising its credit rating. In 2014, Nigeria is not sure how much tax she pays — I use for school fees or usually to take care to fund the budget.” overtook South Africa as the continent’s big- Ssomething the government plans to change. of one thing or another,” said the mother- Buhari appointed Babatunde Fowler gest economy. But two years on parts of the The owner of a small salon in Lagos could of-four. As for taxes, she said they were head of FIRS after he proved an effective economy are drifting off the official books. soon find herself on the hit-list of officials supposed to be part of the 800,000 naira tax chief in Lagos, where in the four years A dollar shortage has forced firms onto President Muhammadu who have started cracking down on the small ($4,000) she pays her landlord every year. to December 2012 monthly tax revenues the black market to find hard currency to traders who account for almost half of Africa’s To hammer home the message of change, surged by 70 percent. But tracking down fund imports, pushing transactions outside Buhari wants to squeeze biggest economy but don’t pay taxes. Lagos state — which generates a third of Niger- small businesses is hard. the banking system and beyond the reach of the sector to boost tax President Muhammadu Buhari wants to ia’s $500bn GDP — has set up a special court In 2015, Nigeria had 37 million informal tax authorities. Buhari has resisted calls to squeeze the sector to boost tax revenues by to try those chased down by a new “Rapid Tax sector businesses which employed 60 million devalue the naira, which might attract invest- revenues by 33 percent 33 percent this year to offset a slump in oil Prosecution Unit”. Large firms have begun people or 84 percent of the workforce, said ment and bring in dollars. this year to offset a slump revenues that has plunged Africa’s top crude receiving phone calls from officials demand- Yemi Kale of the National Bureau of Statistics. “The sooner Nigeria puts in place reforms producer into its worst crisis for decades. ing tax returns. The Federal Inland Revenue His officers use GPS technology to map aimed at safeguarding its formal economy in oil revenues that has Authorities in Lagos, a city of 21 million Service (FIRS) has used full-page newspaper shops and other small firms street by street - through the adoption perhaps of meaning- plunged Africa’s top crude where one-room businesses are everywhere, adverts to warn that companies that fail to file to help direct tax officers. But stricter rules ful business climate and FX market reforms are sending officers out on street patrols to will be punished after April 1. may not be enough to increase tax revenues. - the more it is likely to reassure on its long- producer into its worst register entrepreneurs and make them pay “Prosecution and jail term for default- To encourage cooperation, Buhari’s gov- term creditworthiness,” Razia Khan, Standard crisis for decades. tax for the first time. But the case of Okoide- ing tax payers will be a tool that we will be ernment plans an “enlightenment” campaign Chartered Bank’s chief Africa economist, said gun, who employs four stylists and charges actively using,” Lagos state attorney general to persuade small-scale entrepreneurs of the in a note. 28 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 BUSINESS

BACK TO BUSINESS sight Peugeot plans US comeback as Fed’s Evans: Market more pessimistic French Uber in push for growth on US rate hikes

By Ania Nussbaum By Saikat Chatterjee Bloomberg Reuters

SA Peugeot Citroen INANCIAL markets are plans to return to the US more pessimistic than the after a 25-year absence US central bank in their by taking on mobil- pricing of US interest ity services like Uber Frate hikes, Chicago Fed Presi- Technologies Inc and dent Charles Evans (pictured) PDaimler AG’s Car2go, as the French said yesterday. automaker strains to find growth “Market expectations are opportunities in Europe. pricing in a 20 percent likelihood As part of a strategy aimed at of things deteriorating from here,” end of the year and edge higher boosting revenue 25 percent by 2021, said Evans during an investor con- next year, so we are looking at the company, which is now calling ference in the Asian financial hub, two rate hikes by end of the year. itself Groupe PSA, plans to broaden citing recent surveys. “I don’t have As far as timing, there may be its range of services in addition to that outlook. In general, financial one in the middle of the year and expanding its traditional car-mak- market expectations are more one towards the end but we can- ing business in places like Iran, pessimistic than ours.” not be sure.” India and Southeast Asia. Emerg- Evans, a top Federal Reserve US inflation measures have PSA Peugeot Chief Executive Officer Carlos Tavares during the presentation of his “Push to Pass” growth ing mobility offerings will provide policymaker, also repeated his shown some recent strength, a route back to the US, where Peu- plan at a news conference in Paris yesterday. call for just two US interest-rate with the Fed’s preferred annual geot hasn’t sold cars since 1991, Chief hikes this year, saying that the measure flat at 1.7 percent in Executive Officer Carlos Tavares said said. The first stage would be to estab- avid car racer, is pushing to compete €100m on venture capital investments. risks to his forecast for eco- February, though still below its during the presentation of his “Push lish services, most likely together with toe-to-toe with larger rivals. Last week, the company was part of nomic growth are weighted to target of 2 percent. After having to Pass” growth plan. partner Bollore Group, which runs Even though Peugeot is a major a group that paid €18m for a stake in the downside. However, financial raised rates for the first time in “PSA will not become a global Paris’s Autolib electric-car offering. player in Europe, its global deliv- French car-sharing startup Koolicar. markets as evident from federal a decade in December, the US company if it doesn’t come back to The second stage would be to equip eries, which totaled 2.97 million The goal is to increase revenue fund futures contracts, are pric- central bank stood pat in Jan- North America,” Tavares said. “We those fleets with vehicles from the vehicles last year, are small com- 10 percent by 2018 from €54.7bn in ing roughly one more rate hike uary and again in mid-March, notice that our main competitors company before a broader rollout. pared to its main competitors. French 2015, and an additional 15 percent for the remainder of the year. when it cited weakness overseas have been there for 50 years, but A full return to the US “will cost rival Renault SA sold 8.5 million cars growth by 2021. But the expansion “A very shallow funds rate and an early-year market sell-off those who have been there for 50 a significant amount of money,” said together with its alliance partner Nis- will cost money and that could weigh path, such as the one envisioned that has since reversed. years are also the ones we are beat- Sascha Gommel, an analyst with san Motor Co, and Volkswagen AG, on profitability. Peugeot forecast that by the median FOMC participant, Evans repeated that risks ing in Europe and China.” Commerzbank AG. “No one knows the Europe’s No. 1, delivered nearly 10 its automotive operating profit will is appropriate,” Evans said in a to the economy are tilted to the Peugeot’s car-sharing push in the brand, so why would you go for that?” million autos in 2015. average 4 percent of sales between copy of the speech delivered to downside. He also said China’s US and elsewhere is part of an effort Peugeot’s stock tumbled as much Peugeot’s growth plan includes 2016 and 2018. That’s below the 5 per- the Credit Suisse Asian Invest- economic slowdown would likely to become less dependent on Europe, as 7.6 percent, the most since January introducing 26 cars and eight com- cent margin posted last year. ment Conference. prove a stiff test to Beijing’s lead- which accounted for 62 percent of 14, and traded down 6.3 percent to mercial vehicles in the coming years. To counter the cost of expansion The FOMC, or Federal Open ers. “The China economic outlook its auto sales last year. The market’s €13.75 at 2:51pm in Paris. The shares The strategy calls for one new car to as well as plans to reinstate a divi- Market Committee, is the Fed’s is a challenging one. It’s very decline to a two-decade low in the have lost 15 percent this year, valu- be rolled out every year for each of dend after refraining from payouts policy-setting body; in March the difficult for any economy over aftermath of the sovereign-debt cri- ing the company at €11.1bn ($12.6bn). its three brands, which include the since 2011, Peugeot will maintain its FOMC’s median forecast called a long period of history to see sis prompted a bailout by the French Europe’s second-largest carmaker mass-market Peugeot and Citroen “frugal” approach to development for two rate hikes this year. that kind of transition without government and China’s Dongfeng is shifting to expansion after years of nameplates and the upscale DS badge. spending and keep “rigorous” con- Evans also said the Fed has it being bumpy.” Evans does not Motor Corp. in 2014. restructuring that included shutting a Peugeot also plans to push connec- trol over production and fixed costs, to be proactive and aggressive have a vote on policy this year, Peugeot, which operates the plant, freezing pay and weeding out tivity technologies as well as roll out the Paris-based company said yester- to reach its inflation target. “We but does take part in the Fed’s Mu and Multicity car-sharing busi- underperforming models. Those moves seven plug-in hybrids and four elec- day in a statement. The effort includes expect inflation to stabilise by regular policy-setting meetings. nesses in Europe, has a 10-year plan helped Peugeot reach earnings targets tric vehicles. To underpin its expansion plans to save €700 on each car pro- to return to North America, Tavares ahead of schedule, but now Tavares, an in services, Peugeot plans to spend duced in Europe.

Capital It’s the “best time” for the Swiss bank to expand in Asia as retrenching competitors Tidjane Thiam, Chief Executive Officer, Comment make it easier to attract talent. Credit Suisse Group AG

TOP TWEETS BLOGS AND VIEWS Name in the Market Dealogic @Dealogic Wealth Adviser 40%: EUR-denomi- US M&A REVENUE nated share of total With the (US) Labor Dept’s new #EMEA #loans dropped for the 5th 1Q in a row rule on retirement-account since 2011 (61%) #Cur- advice just days away, some rency #euro brokerages are preparing to Fitch Ratings @ adjust their operations and FitchRatings communicate changes to Top Chinese Cities clients. Merrill Lynch’s brokers Localise Policies to have been provided details Manage Housing Market on the individual retirement accounts they manage.

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WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 • 28 Jumada II 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar Moment of reckoning for PSG, Man City

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE English and French QUARTERFINAL giants to lock horns FIXTURES in the first leg of their First leg Champions League Today (All times in GMT) quarter-final today Paris St Germain (France) vs Manchester City (England) (1845) VfL Wolfsburg (Germany) vs Real Madrid (Spain) (1845) Reuters

midfielder Kevin De Bruyne are fit again following lengthy injury PARIS: It is time to deliver for Paris layoffs.PSG mid fielder Marco Ver- St Germain and Manchester City as ratti is sidelined with a groin injury the two mega-rich teams prepare although his team managed well to lock horns in the first leg of their enough without the Italian interna- Champions League quarter-final tional when they beat Chelsea 2-1 at today. PSG, who were crowned Ligue Stamford Bridge in the second leg 1 champions last month, are attempt- last month. ing to reach the last four for the first Forward Javier Pastore, who is time since Qatar Sport Investment often used as a substitute, is missing started investing hundreds of mil- with a calf problem but playmaker lions of dollars into the club in 2011. Angel Di Maria is set to return fol- City, who have been backed by lowing a minor knee injury. the wealth of Sheikh Mansour of Ibrahimovic has been on fire in Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc (right) and PSG defender Maxwell give a press conference at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, Abu Dhabi for the last eight years. attack recently but midfielder Thi- are featuring in the last eight of ago Motta said it was more important on the eve of the team’s UEFA Champions League match against Manchester City. Europe’s biggest club competition how PSG fared as a team against for the first time. City. “It will not be Ibra against City France midfielder Samir Nasri but PSG against City,” the Italian said. believes his City side are the under- “Maybe he will make the difference dogs. “Paris are the favourites,” said if he scores a goal but that’s not what Blanc warns PSG against overconfidence the former Arsenal player. “They’ve matters. got the experience.” “What matters is that we win the PSG, who knocked Chelsea game. If he puts himself under pres- out 4-2 on aggregate in the last sure saying he has to win the match AFP winners against Chelsea in the last these three teams I feel like the media France’s dominant club and made 16, geared up for today’s game by it’s not going to go well.” 16, the label of favourites to beat and all the supporters thought, well rapid progress abroad since being thrashing Nice 4-1 with talisman Manuel Pellegrini’s men after they it’s an easy draw, but it is absolutely taken over in 2011, while City have Zlatan Ibrahimovic bagging a hat- were relieved to avoid being drawn not. won just two Premier League titles trick to take his goal tally in Ligue 1 PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain coach against Barcelona, regular rivals in “The players mustn’t listen to since being bought by the Abu Dhabi this season to 30 goals. Laurent Blanc has warned his much- Europe in recent seasons. anyone saying that because those United Group in 2008 and have toiled City also warmed up in style with fancied side that they must not be “All the little details are important people don’t understand anything at times in Europe. a handsome 4-0 win at Bourne- overconfident heading into the first in ties like these and the experience about football. That led City’s French midfielder mouth but they have several injury leg of their Champions League quar- we have accumulated in the last few “City’s project is sort of parallel Samir Nasri -- once of Marseille and concerns. Manuel Pellegrini’s men ter-final against Manchester City at years could play a part,” Blanc told to ours. They have talented players in who endured a difficult relationship are definitely minus captain Vin- the Parc des Princes today. a press conference at the Parc des every area, great quality and quan- with Blanc when he was in charge of cent Kompany and are likely to be The French champions are look- Princes yesterday. tity of players.” France -- to question how PSG would without goalkeeper Joe Hart and ing to reach the semi-finals of this “What I see is that when the draw Those similar projects that Blanc cope playing in the Premier League midfielder Yaya Toure. All three competition for the first time in two was made, everyone, including us, talks about have seen extremely rich rather than in the less competitive Manchester City’s manager players have calf problems. decades but this is their fourth season was satisfied to avoid the two ogres Middle Eastern investors come into environment of Ligue 1. “It may be difficult for them to Manuel Pellegrini during a running in the last eight, while City of European football at the moment in both clubs in recent seasons, trans- Blanc, however, insists the inten- be fit for Wednesday,” Pellegrini said training session at City’s Football have never before been at this stage. Bayern Munich and Barcelona. forming them from also-rans into sity of English football does not give of Hart and Toure. The good news Academy, Manchester, England That has led many observers to “You could maybe include Real leading forces at home and abroad. the country’s clubs an advantage in for City is that Nasri and Belgium yesterday. give a polished PSG side, deserved Madrid in that, so once we avoided Qatar-owned PSG have become Europe. Champions Al Rayyan aim to finish on a high note

The Peninsula Al Sadd go into the match on the QATAR STARS LEAGUE back of a fine run of form in the QSL and are unbeaten in six games. Jesaldo Round 25 Matches Ferreria’s side seems to be finding April 9 DOHA: Qatar Stars League (QSL) Al form at the right time, during the busi- Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Wakrahat Al Khor Stadium Rayyan will be eager to get back to ness-end of the season. Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC at Hamad Bin Khalifeh Stadium winning ways against Qatar’s most Importantly in this titanic clash, Al Khor vs Al Sailiya at Grand Hamad Stadium decorated side Al Sadd when the two AL Sadd have a mental advantage over meet in the Round 25’s match of the Al Rayyan particularly when they Mesaimeer vs Al Arabi at Grand Hamad Stadium week. defeated the Lions 2-1 in December. April 10 The Qatar Clasico will take place Which was Al Rayyan’s first defeat of Lekhwiya vs Al Ahli at Hamad Bin Khalifeh Stadium on Sunday at Al Sadd Stadium. the domestic season, Umm Salal vs El Jaishat Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium Al Sadd will be looking to Janaury Al Sadd vs Al Rayyan at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium QSL STANDINGS signing Bagdad Bounjah for inspira- Round 26 P W L D GF GA Pts tion in front of goal. The Algerian front Al Rayyan 24 20 3 1 65 18 61 man has been in good goal scoring April 15 Al Sadd 24 13 5 6 50 34 45 form in the league lately, and has Al Kharaitiyat vs Umm Salal at Al Khor Stadium picked up two goals in his last three El Jaish 24 13 6 5 44 26 44 Lekhwiya vs Mesaimeer at Abdullah Bin Khalifeh Stadium starts. Al Rayyan players training ahead of their Qatar Stars League match Al Sadd vs El Jaish at Sehaim Bin Hamad Stadium Lekhwiya 24 13 9 2 54 35 41 As for Al Rayyan they come into against Al Sadd on Sunday. Al Wakrah vs Qatar SC at Saoud Bin Abdel Rahman Stadium Umm Salal 24 9 4 11 35 30 38 the game off the back of two defeats. Al Gharafa 24 9 8 7 32 33 34 Since picking up the QSL title in Al Gharafa vs Al Khor at Hamad Bin Khalifeh Stadium Al Arabi 24 10 10 4 32 35 34 round 21 the Lions have stuttered in Al Rayyan will be boosted with expected to start after being rested April 16 the Qatar Stars League. Indeed, Jorge the return of defensive duo Musa last time out. Al Sailiya 24 10 12 2 36 43 32 Al Arabi vs Al Sailiya at Hamad Bin Khalifeh Stadium Fossati’s side has only picked up one Haroon and Nathan from suspension. He has been ever present in goal Al Ahli vs Al Rayyan at Thani Bin Jassim Stadium Al Ahli 24 8 9 7 34 34 31 point from a possible nine since the Whilst Uraguyan defender Gonzalo this season for the Wolves and has Al Khor 24 8 11 5 22 29 29 title celebrations against Al Wakrah. Viera will be absent after picking up kept 11 clean sheets this season. The Al Wakrah 24 9 13 2 33 41 29 Part of the reason for this will be his fourth yellow card of the season highest amount for any keeper in the be at his best if he is to overcome Xavi major asset for his side, should Al Al Kharaitiyat 24 6 12 6 33 44 24 that Fossati has insisted on shuffling against Gharafa. QSL, he will be charged with keeping in the midfield battle. The former FC Rayyan prevail. It promises to be a his pack, using fringe players ahead Omar Bari will be a key man for the Wolves at bay. Seoul man has been one of Al Rayy- passionate encounter when Al Sadd Qatar SC 24 5 11 8 27 49 23 of the Qatar Cup and Emir Cup at the Al Rayyan going into the tie. The Out on the pitch and South Korean an’s unsung heroes this season. His takes on Al Rayyan in the QSL match Mesaimeer 24 1 21 2 14 60 5 end of April and May. Qatari international keeper should be midfielder Koh Myong-jin will have to hard tackling and passing will be a of the week for round 25. 30 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 SPORT

FIVB Beach Volleyball: Mixed luck for Qatar on day one

The Peninsula

DOHA: Hosts Qatar enjoyed mixed luck on the first day of the FIVB Beach Volley- ball World Tour event at the Qatar Beach Volleyball Academy Courts at Al Gharafa Sports Club here yesterday. The top Qatari pair of Jefferson Pereira and Cherif Younousse won one match and lost one while the second team of Julio Cesar Do Nascimento Jr and Ahmed Tijan suffered a similar fate on day one of $75,000 FIVB Qatar Open. Both the teams will play their third and final group match tomorrow. As the host nation, Qatar has two teams eighth-seeded Jefferson-Cherif and Qatar’s Jefferson Pereira returns the ball during day one of the FIVB Qatar Open at the Qatar Beach Volleyball Academy 24th-seeded Julio-Ahmed pre-seeded into PICTURES BY: MOHD FARAJ the main draw of the event. Courts at Al Gharafa Sports Club yesterday. RIGHT: Qatar’s Cherif Younousse in action. The Qatari pair of Jefferson-Cherif started on a promising note winning the first dual of the pool against the 25th but went down fighting to the 14th seed Number two seeds Clemens Dop- quarterfinals will be played tomorrow. seeded Austrian pair of Durant-Soder- Italians of Ingrosso M-Ingrosso P2-0 (21- pler-Alexander Horst of Austria are also The semi-finals and medal matches and berg 2-1 (21-19, 18-21, 19-17). 19, 21-18). undefeated, but only after coming from awarding ceremony will conclude the The local duo, however, could not After struggling a bit in their open- behind to edge Latvia’s Martins Plavins- event on Friday evening The winning maintain the same level of constituency ing match, top seeds Jacob Gibb-Casey Haralds Regza 2-1 (17-21, 21-15, 15-11). team at this year’s Qatar Open will take against the Norwegian pair of Kvamsdal- Patterson of USA swept Turkey’s Murat The top three teams in the eight pools a share of the $11,000 first-place prize Sørum losinig 2-0 (21-18, 21-17). Giginoglu-Volkan Gogtepe 2-0 (21-16, (24 l teams) will advance from pool play and 500 points, the silver $8,000 and 450 Julio-Tijan, stunned the third seeded 21-15), extending their record to two wins to the single-elimination knockout points, the bronze $6,000 and 400 points Canadians Schalk-Saxton (21-18, 21-18) from as many games. rounds. Pool play will end today. The and fourth place $4,500 and 450 points. El Jaish inch closer to knockout stage

lashing a low shot from the edge of the and haul the 2014/15 Qatar Stars area straight at Ababacar. League champions back into conten- QSL side Lekhwiya El Jaish controlled much of the tion for a place in the knockout phase bounces back into possession in the ensuing 30 minutes of the 2016 AFC Champions. but failed to threaten the Nasaf goal The result means the two clubs are qualification race with their own Uzbekistan forward, level on five points after four games, with win over Saudi Sardor Rashidov, firing over as the three points adrift of leaders Zobahan, half-hour mark approached. who defeated Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor Arabia’s Al Nassr Bakhrom Abdurakhimov then in the day’s other game in Group B. received a short ball from Erkin Bay- Nam Tae-hee, Alain Dioko, Chico dullaev with his back to goal before Flores and Mohammed Muntari turning and firing wide on the half- all netted after a first half in which The Peninsula volley shortly after. Lekhwiya twice hit the woodwork as And as half-time neared, a mix Djamal Belmadi’s team was unable to up in the Nasaf defence between find a way onto the scoreboard despite Maksud Karimov and Shukhrat Muk- dominating. KARSHI: El Jaish are within touching hammadiev almost allowed forward With 11 minutes on the clock, distance of the AFC Champions League Abderrazzaq Hamedallah in but goal- Dioko sent his side-foot effort over the knockout phase after playing out a 0-0 keeper Eldorbek Suyunov was out bar when the goal was at his mercy draw with Uzbekistan’s Nasaf in Group quickly to thwart the Moroccan. while Ahmed Maqsoud tried his luck D yesterday. Nasaf then had the best chance of from long range in the 23rd minute for The home side edged a first half the game four minutes after the restart, Lekhwiya. of few opportunities at Karshi Central but Azamat Allaniyozov’s powerful Four minutes later Ibrahim Ghaleb Stadium with captain Artur Gevorky- header at the back post from Saydullo would have put Al Nassr in front an’s effort in the opening stages the Rakhmatov’s deep cross from the left against the run of play had he shown closest they came to breaking the went straight at Ababacar. more composure just three yards deadlock. The home side again came close from goal following Mohamad Has- But despite controlling the game with 15 minutes remaining when an’s downward header. after the interval, Nasaf were unable Gevorkyan broke down the right and Dioko was released into the pen- to beat goalkeeper Khalifa Abubacar cut into the penalty area before cross- alty area 11 minutes before the interval Action from the AFC Champions League Group D match between Qatar’s El Jaish and Uzbekistan’s Nasaf in the El Jaish goal as the Qataris ing low to substitute Bobir Abdixolikov, as the Qataris hit on the break and the remained unbeaten in the continen- but the El Jaish custodian was again striker heeled the ball into Nam’s path, yesterday. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. tal competition ahead of their double on hand to block his near-post effort. only for the Korea Republic interna- header with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli And the lively Turkmen’s diving tional to see his attempt come back upper hand in the second half and, By the 70th minute Lekhwiya as time ran down and, with five while Nasaf will twice face off against header at the back post in the final off the post before bouncing to safety. within four minutes of the restart, the were further in front and this time minutes remaining, Flores scored Al Jazira of the United Arab Emirates five minutes was then easily gathered Eight minutes later the Qataris home side finally claimed the goal it was Dioko finding the target after from six yards out after Mohammed as Group D is set to reach an excit- by Ababacar as Nasaf were unable to were shaking the woodwork again their dominance deserved when Ismail Mohammad broke forward Tresor’s low centre. ing climax. make their superior second-half pos- as Dioko looked set to capitalize on Nam curled his free kick from the before feeding the Congolese striker, And substitute Muntari completed The hosts had the first effort of session count. Al Nassr’s failure to clear a corner, left towards the top corner, and Al who stepped inside to slot a right foot the rout three minutes from time – the game in the opening minute when Meanwhile in Doha, four goals in but the ball thumped against the Nassr captain Hussain Abdulghani shot into the corner. and just moments after coming on for Turkmenistan international Gevorkyan the second half saw Lekhwiya hand crossbar. was unable to keep the ball from Youssef Msakni became the third Dioko – when he rounded Abdullah cut into the box from the right before Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr a 4-0 thrashing Lekhwiya continued to hold the crossing the line. Lekhwiya player to hit the woodwork Al Enazi to score from close range. Real to carry winning momentum to Wolfsburg

Reuters they aim to keep alive their unbeaten FOOTBALL: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE run in this year’s competition in the quarter-finals. They have won six successive PARIS: Real Madrid will carry their games in all competitions since los- momentum from Saturday’s El Clasico Barcelona was very important.” ing 1-0 at home to Atletico on Feb. 27. victory over rivals Barcelona into their The Frenchman took over from With Cristiano Ronaldo and Champions League quarter-final first Rafael Benitez at the start of the year Karim Benzema in goal-scoring form leg at struggling VfL Wolfsburg today, and on Saturday came through his and Gareth Bale delivering assists, coach Zinedine Zidane said. first big test with flying colours. Real are an awe-inspiring prospect Real scored their first league win “I liked everything about my for mercurial Wolfsburg, struggling at the Nou Camp since 2012, inflict- players’ performance. We put in a domestically this season. ing the first home defeat for Barcelona massive effort and I was pleased Last year’s Bundesliga runners-up since February 2015. with everything, both defensively and and German Cup winners slumped to Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo during a training session on the eve of the UEFA “It is very important to have got attacking-wise,” said the 43-year-old, a 3-0 loss at Bayer Leverkusen on Sat- Champions League quarter-final, first-leg match against VfL Wolfsburg in Wolfsburg, central Germany, the win here for our confidence and who as a player led Real to the Cham- urday, putting European participation for the remainder of the season and pions League title in 2002. next season at risk. Wolfsburg, eighth yesterday. with it coming right before our Cham- “When I see a team that is united in the Bundesliga, have also been pions League game in Germany,” said and all together, with everyone fight- struggling for goals in recent weeks, today after being sidelined since Jan- game to date and their first ever last “We have to enjoy this but also Zidane. ing for their team-mates and for their having scored just once in their last uary with a broken foot. eight appearance. make sure we correct some things “We know just how important coach, there’s nothing better.” three league matches. Wolfsburg sports director Klaus “It would be fatal if we did not from our Leverkusen performance. I the Champions League is and we Zidane has every right to be sat- But Bast Dost, their top scorer last Allofs hopes the team will recover for look forward to this game, a Champi- am convinced we will see a different want to advance, so winning here in isfied with the form of Madrid as season, could make his comeback what is the club’s biggest European ons League quarter-final,” Allofs said. VfL on Wednesday.” SPORT WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 31 Hackett ready to push for Rio after illness setback

sport and only 18 months back into it, Japan’s 2004 Athens Olympics and 2008 Beijing Olympics gold you have to put your bits and pieces I finished 2015 together perfectly.” medalist Kosuke Kitajima (right) reacts as compatriot Ryo Tateishi strongly and was The double 1,500 metres freestyle looks on just after the men’s 100-metre breaststroke final meet at Olympic champion, whose quest for the Japan National Swimming Championships in Tokyo yesterday. pleased with my a third successive gold was ended by fitness and felt like Tunisia’s Oussama Mellouli in Bei- I was making good jing Olympics, has entered the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle events in Japan superstar Kitajima gains, says Aussie Adelaide. swimmer He recognised, however, that his best chance of making the Rio squad fumes after 100m flop was as a member of the 4x200 free- style team. He won a bronze in the event at last year’s world champion- Reuters ships in Kazan. AFP back in the 200m on Friday. “Now I Hackett, who turns 36 in May, have to throw everything I have into was not the only swimmer making the 200,” added Kitajima. a comeback in Adelaide with two- “I guess I don’t have to be so SYDNEY: Australian swimmer Grant time 100m freestyle world champion TOKYO: Japan swim king Kosuke concerned about the pace in the Hackett has admitted that poor health James Magnussen returning after Kitajima was furious at himself 200. Hopefully I will be properly earlier this year almost ended the shoulder surgery forced him out of yesterday after failing in his bid up for that and swim more relaxed.” former world record holder’s hopes Kazan last year. to qualify for this summer’s Rio Koseki, who won yesterday’s final of competing at a fourth Olympic Magnussen, however, broke 49 Olympics in the men’s 100 metres in 59.66, was equally blunt in his Games in Rio de Janeiro. seconds for the first time since the breaststroke. assessment despite the consolation The 35-year-old Hackett retired shoulder reconstruction at the New The 33-year-old, who won of a national title. from competition after the 2008 Bei- South Wales state championships double gold in the 100 and 200m The post-mortem began almost jing Olympics before he returned to last month. breaststroke at the 2004 and 2008 immediately as Kitajima’s long- the pool 18 months ago in the hope The 24-year-old London silver Summer Games, had been expected term coach Norimasa Hirai said: of making the team for the August 5 medallist clocked 48.85 seconds lead- to qualify for his fifth Olympics. “He showed unusual mental weak- to 21 Games. ing off his 4x100 relay team, which But Kitajima cut a forlorn figure ness. I can’t put my finger on what “I finished (2015) strongly and was was a huge boost for his confidence after losing his battle with Yasuhiro went wrong.” There were tears of joy pleased with my fitness and felt like according to national coach Jacco Koseki at the Japanese champi- earlier when 15-year-old schoolgirl I was making good gains,” Hackett Verhaeren. onships as both missed out on the Rikako Ikee broke down after win- told reporters in Adelaide, where he “I saw his relief and rightfully so,” qualifying mark of 59.63 seconds. ning the women’s 100m butterfly and was finalising preparations for the said Verhaeren. “I’m speechless,” a dejected Kita- booked her place in Rio. Australian national championships. “It showed that he is back on jima told reporters after clocking After clocking 57.71 to stun 200m “Then 2016, I hit a standstill with track. From his trajectory from sur- 59.93 in the Tokyo final, a day after world champion Natsumi Hoshi, Ikee getting bronchitis and being sick in gery to where he is now, he must be dipping under the Rio standard in melted hearts by sobbing uncontrol- the first couple of months, which was very happy with his progression from the semi-finals. lably during her poolside interview, frustrating,” he added ahead of the successful rehab.” “It’s just so upsetting I couldn’t completely unable to answer April 7-14 meet that doubles as selec- Magnussen, whose personal best swim my usual race. I was think- questions. tion trials for Rio. is 47.10, needs to finish in the top-two ing too much and swam a negative Japanese sensation Kosuke Hag- “I needed everything to go right to qualify for the individual event race. It’s my own problem, I’m gut- ino, already assured of a place on in this preparation to come here and for Rio, though he will be pushed ted. I need to go and cool my head the blocks in the 400m medley and Australia’s Grant Hackett stands on the podium after the men’s 1,500m race against these guys. The compe- by Cameron McEvoy, who clocked and come back ready for the 200.” tipped to be one of the stars of the tition at an Olympic trials is stiff and a world leading 47.56 in February freestyle swimming final medal ceremony at the National Aquatics Asia’s most decorated swimmer, Rio Games, qualified fastest for the it steps up that level. and teenager Kyle Chalmers, who Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing in this August Kitajima and Japan’s new kid on the men’s 200m freestyle final in a time “At my age, six years out of the recorded 48.68 last month. 17, 2008 file photo. block Koseki will look to bounce of 1:46.28.

Kenya officials hopeful of Lysenko suspended for doping Gatlin coach to remain as US dodging WADA sanctions relay boss

AFP NEW YORK: Sprinter Justin ATHLETICS: WADA Gatlin’s trainer will remain as US DEADLINE ENDS relay coach for the Rio Olympics after officials decided to delay NAIROBI: Kenyan sports officials implementing a new policy for the are optimistic the country will be requirements and he did not expect it job, USA Track & Field (USATF) said granted more time to pass a robust to be declared non-compliant when on Monday. anti-doping law and avoid a threat- the WADA board meets in Montreal, Mitchell, who served a doping ened Olympics ban. Canada, on May 12. ban in 1999, never submitted an A World Anti-Doping Agency “We are also in contact with key official resignation, however, (WADA) deadline to tighten its anti- heads of IAAF and WADA especially and USATF’s high performance doping law and provide funding on the yet to be finalised anti-dop- executive committee decided in for a proposed anti-doping agency ing bill. So far we remain optimistic,” March to delay the effective date of expired yesterday with lawmakers Wario said.Sports ministry official the change, USATF said on Monday. having failed to pass a bill criminal- Gordon Oluoch said the government “Because Dennis Mitchell ising sports doping. would be seeking a further extension was selected as national relay The bill is intended to save Ken- from WADA after missing Tues- coach and approved by the USOC yan athletes from an Olympics ban day’s deadline and a previous one (US Olympic Committee) under threatened by International Associ- in February. procedures that were put in place ation of Athletics Federations (IAAF) “They know that we have had on September 10, 2014, any new president Sebastian Coe. a delay because of the law-mak- provisions for the national relay “We have submitted all our doc- ing process, and they will give us coach policy, if enacted, will uments to WADA as required,” sports the necessary time for parliament take effect late 2016,” USATF This file photo taken on August 16, 2013 shows Russia’s Tatyana Lysenko competing during the minister Hassan Wario said yester- to discuss the bill before it is made spokeswoman Jill Geer said in a day. “Compliance required a raft into law,” Oluoch said. women’s hammer throw final at the 2013 IAAF World Championships at the Luzhniki Stadium in statement. of factors – about four key factors Kenya’s Olympic chief Kipchoge Moscow. Lysenko, now known under her married name of Tatyana Beloborodova, tested positive after “As a result of the new – with legalisation being a part of Keino welcomed the move to seek retesting of samples taken at the 2005 world championships in Helsinki, Russian media reported. timeline, Dennis Mitchell will that,” he told the local Citizen TV more time and said he would travel The IAAF, however, specified neither the date of the positive test nor for what banned substance the continue to serve as national relay channel. to Lausanne, to meet with IOC offi- hammer thrower tested positive. coach through the 2016 Olympic Wario said Kenya had fulfilled its cials over the matter. Games.” Golf: Olympic gold winners to get major reward

AFP Masters chairman Billy Payne (pictured) United States Golf Association, Mike Davis. would be handed a place in the first of two said that golf’s visibility “will be dramatically That covers exemptions for the Masters, qualifying stages for the tournament. elevated by the global platform that only the and for the men’s and women’s US and Brit- “I think that the way I would probably put Olympics offer. ish Opens and PGA Championships. it, if you’re runner-up this week in the Masters, AUGUSTA: Men’s and women’s gold medal- “New audiences from all over the world, Additionally, Davis said, the Rio women’s you’re runner-up in The Open Championship, lists at this summer’s Rio Olympics will be some for the very first time ever, will be champion would be able to play in the two you’re runner-up in the PGA Championship, rewarded, if they need it, with exemptions to exposed to our great sport and come to know other women’s majors - the ANA Inspiration, that does not get you into the US Open cham- all of the major golf tournaments in 2017, golf and appreciate the amazing athletes and from next year, and the Evian Championships, pionship. I think that a win is a win and that’s officials announced at Augusta on Monday. heroes in golf,” he said. in France in September. how we do it,” he said. The news came as practice got under way “So I’m very pleased to announce that the “I think it’s exciting that all the nine majors The Olympic golf tournaments will be for the 80th Masters tournament, the first of gold medal winner of the men’s competition in have come together to support the Olympics,” played over two weeks in Rio from August this year’s men’s majors, and will come as a the Olympic Games will receive an invitation Davis said. 11-14 for men and August 17 to 20 for women boost to the Rio tournament, which sees golf to the following year’s Masters Tournament. “I think we all realise what Olympics can golfers. return to the Olympics for the first time since Similar statements were then made by the do in growing the game worldwide, and for Both tournaments will see fields of 60 golf- 1904 but which has not been met with uni- Chief Executive of the R&A, Martin Slumbers, that, I think this was exciting news.” ers play 72 holes of stroke-play over four days versal acclaim among the players, especially the Chief Executive of The PGA of America, Davis also said that, for the US Open alone, -- the same format that is used for all of the over the issue of scheduling. Pete Bevacqua and the Chief Executive of the the Rio silver and bronze medal recipients major golf tournaments. 32 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 SPORT

Italian court wants suspended sentence for Chelsea coach

AFP

ROME: An Italian court yesterday called for new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte to receive a six- month suspended prison sentence over match-fixing allegations. The current Italy manager, who will take over Chelsea after Euro 2016, is accused of sporting fraud. The ‘Calcioscommesse’ cor- ruption probe says the 46-year-old former Juventus boss failed to expose an alleged rigged second division match in May 2011. The game involved Siena, which Conte managed at that time. Japan’s Urawa Reds forward Yuki Muto (centre) celebrates his goal with team-mates against China’s Guangzhou Evergrande during their football match of the AFC champions Conte, who denies any wrong- league first round group H in Saitama, Japan yesterday. RIGHT: Guangzhou Evergrande’s Paulinho (centre) reacts after missing a corings opportunity against Urawa Red Diamonds’ doing, was also ordered to pay an goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa. 8,000 euros ($9000) fine, by Ital- ian public prosecutor Roberto Di Martino. The May 29 2011 game sus- pected of being fixed for betting purposes ended with a 1-0 away Evergrande on brink of shock exit win for Conte’s side at AlbinoLeffe. Conte is one of around 100 suspects in the sprawling Cal- cioscommesse inquiry who are Evergrande have just two points so AFC CHAMPIONS South Korea’s Pohang Steelers. Milos “It was a very difficult game for us awaiting judgement. Defending champions far, five points off second place and Ninkovic grabbed the winner for Syd- after our loss to Adelaide last week- In 2012, when he was in charge a spot in the last 16, with their title LEAGUE RESULTS ney, who now have nine points from end but it was a big victory for us and of Juventus, Conte was hit with a go down to Urawa defence seemingly at an end. four games, in the 51st minute and at we are in a good position to advance 10-month ban from football by the Group F Red Diamonds as Evergrande, part-owned by Inter- the second attempt after two Pohang now,” Ninkovic said. Italian football federation over the net giant Alibaba, are the poster-child FC Seoul (KOR) 0 Shandong Luneng players failed to clear the ball. So effective was the Sydney affair, reduced to four months sus- Sydney FC beat for President Xi Jinping’s push to turn (CHN) 0 Meanwhile, A Milos Ninkovic goal defence that their goalkeeper Vedran pended on appeal. Pohang 1-0 to keep China into a football power, which has Buriram United (THA) 0 Sanfrecce gave Sydney FC a crucial 1-0 win Janjetovic did not make a save dur- The new man at Stamford translated into heavy investment in Hiroshima (JPN) 2 (Miyayoshi 45, Shi- over South Korea’s Pohang Steelers ing the match. Bridge is due to hear his fate on group lead players by Chinese clubs. basaki 87) to maintain their lead in Group H in Sydney FC continue to enjoy whether he is hit with a criminal But the five-time defending Chi- Group H the AFC Champions League yesterday. a winning run in the ACL despite sentence in mid-May. nese Super League champions looked Sydney FC (AUS) 1 (Ninkovic 51) Pohang The Serbian midfielder scored the a miserable A-League campaign Conte’s lawyers elected for a anything but winners in a cauldron Steelers (KOR) 0 winner in the 51st minute for Sydney’s where they are out of the running fast-track conclusion to his case in AFP atmosphere as they faced Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) 1 (Muto third straight win and completed a to the make the top-six playoffs this order to get it wrapped up before Urawa and their massed ranks of 52) Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) 0 double over the three-time ACL season. the European championships fans in Saitama. champions in the group. The Sydneysiders next face Japa- begin in France on June 10. If not for some agile keeping Last month Sydney FC upset nese giants Urawa Red Diamonds at Yesterday’s development SAITAMA, Japan: Yuki Muto’s sec- by Zeng Cheng, the scoreline could left thumping the turf in exasperation Pohang 1-0 in South Korea and their home on April 20 in a match where comes less than 24 hours after ond-half winner left title-holders have been worse for a team featur- when he passed up an open goal and follow-up home win has put the Steel- a draw could be enough to get them Conte was appointed on a three Guangzhou Evergrande teetering on ing ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder instead tamely poked his shot at the ers in big trouble to advance to the through to the last 16. year deal to take charge of Chelsea. the brink of a shock AFC Champions Paulinho and former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper. knockout stages of the tournament. Elsewhere, in Group F, free-scor- He succeeds Guus Hiddink, League exit as they went down 1-0 striker Jackson Martinez, their record Zeng also saved from Shinzo After a drab opening half, Nink- ing FC Seoul lost their perfect record appointed interim manager to Urawa Red Diamonds yesterday. signing. Koroki one-on-one to keep Ever- ovic brought the game to life when when they were held to a 0-0 draw by after Jose Mourinho’s sacking in Muto’s header seven minutes after Muto put Evergrande on the ropes grande in it but the visitors’ costly he scored at the second attempt after China’s Shandong Luneng, with Bra- December. half-time consigned Luiz Felipe Sco- on 52 minutes when he instinctively strikeforce was finding little joy at two Pohang defenders failed to clear zilian sharpshooter Adriano unable Conte took over the Italian lari’s super-rich Chinese champions got his head to Tomoya Ugajin’s first- the other end of the pitch. the ball. to add to his nine goals so far. national team in August 2014 and to their second defeat in four games time ball across the box, following a Urawa’s victory lifted them to sec- Defender Matt Jurman almost And Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima secured their Euro 2016 qualifica- and left them rooted to the bottom of cross from Takahiro Sekine. ond in Group H behind Sydney FC, doubled the advantage when his pile- kept up their bid for the knock-out tion. He guided Juventus to three Group H. Zeng saved brilliantly from Sekine who moved to the verge of the knock- driver was brilliantly saved by Kim stages when they beat Thailand’s Bur- straight Serie A titles from 2012-14 With two games to go, winless at close range but Tadanari Lee was out stages with a 1-0 home win over Jin-Young in the 73rd minute. iram United 2-0 away. before taking charge of Italy.

Stuttgart’s El Clasico win buoys Real’s Didavi set to join Bale for Wolfsburg mission Wolfsburg

AFP AFP chance to pull off a shock victory CHAMPIONS LEAGUE in what coach Dieter Hecking has QUARTER-FINAL decribed as “the biggest game in the BERLIN: Wolfsburg are set to club’s history”. sign midfielder Daniel Didavi, VfB WOLFSBURG, Germany: Real “We are looking forward to the Stuttgart’s top scorer with 10 goals Madrid star Gareth Bale says their game, we have nothing to lose,” said this campaign, for next season, he El Clasico win over Barcelona has their sixth succesive win and are Wolfsburg’s Germany midfielder revealed yesterday. given the Spanish giants the perfect in no mood to suffer an upset in Julian Draxler. “I’m going to Wolfsburg,” confidence booster for today’s Cham- Wolfsburg. “I think that’s a plus point for us. said the 26-year-old attacking pions League quarter-final, first-leg, “I said mentally this win (against “We have already shown we can midfielder, who insists he did Real Madrid’s Welsh forward Gareth Bale (left) vies with Barcelona’s at Wolfsburg. Barcelona) puts us in a great position, play well against top teams, but a lot not use speculation about his Real used to have a terrible but we have to keep working hard,” of things must come together.” defender Jordi Alba during the Spanish league Clasico match at the departure to raise his salary at record away to German opposition said Bale. Wolfsburg need to recapture the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on April 2. Stuttgart. in Europe, but their run to winning “The win builds confidence for form which led to their 3-2 win at “There were honest the 2014 final, when they claimed the rest of the season. home to Manchester United in the conversations and I didn’t want their tenth European crown, changed “But there’s a long way to go in group stages last December which to gamble. all that. the Champions League and La Liga eliminated the Red Devils from the Napoli blow as Higuain “Anyone who knows me knows Having thrashed Schalke 6-1 in and we still have to keep fighting all Champions League. this was a decision based purely on Gelsenkirchen two years ago in the the way,” he added with Real chas- “We need to show why we are in sport.” Didavi is a former Germany last 16, they routed Bayern Munich ing an 11th European crown. the quarter-finals, the pressure is all gets four-match ban junior international, but has put 4-0 at the Allianz Arena in the semi- Brazil midfielder Casemiro said on Real, but our performance has to himself in the frame for the senior finals en route to beating Atletico Real will take nothing for granted at be better than it was at Leverkusen,” team with a series of eye-catching Madrid in the final. Wolfsburg. said Hecking. performances with 10 goals and This time around, Zinedine “In this round, there are no easy Wolfsburg need no extra moti- AFP with 30 goals, will miss upcoming five assists this season. Zidane’s Real are clear favourites for teams,” said the 24-year-old. vation with Draxler a self-confessed games against Verona, Inter Milan, He joined Stuttgart in 2003 as the quarter-final first leg at Wolfs- “Wolfsburg defend well, they Ronaldo fan while forward Maxi- Bologna and Roma, severely damag- a 12-year-old, spent a season on burg’s Volkswagen Arena, especially have quick players in attack and milian Arnold dreamed of playing ing his side’s chances of a first Serie loan at Nuremberg. after Saturday’s 2-1 victory when we need to respect them, but we against Madrid as a child. ROME: Napoli’s Argentina striker A title in 26 years. He has made 77 Bundesliga Cristiano Ronaldo scored their late will respect them playing our foot- Nevertheless, Wolfsburg will Gonzalo Higuain has been hit with Defeat left Napoli six points appearances and scored 24 goals winner at arch rivals Barcelona with ball, playing well and being Real need to step up their performance to a four-match ban following his adrift of leaders Juventus, as they since breaking into Stuttgart’s first 10 men. Madrid.” prevent the dream tie against Madrid sending off in Sunday’s 3-1 defeat bid to snatch a first league title since team in 2009. Ronaldo has found the net in Real’s top form is juxtaposed becoming a real nightmare at home to Udinese, a blow for his team who Diego Maradona played his penulti- “We’re losing not just a good all six knockout ties played against by Wolfsburg’s recent results to Real. are battling with Juventus for the mate season at the club in 1990, with footballer, but also a good person German sides and, with 13 goals to with the German Cup holders Zidane is expected to name Serie A title. seven games to play. in David Didavi,” said Stuttgart’s his credit this season, he is just four winless in their last three games the same full-strength team which Higuain was shown his sec- The disciplinary commission director of sport Robin Dutt. short of breaking his record in a sin- since beating Gent at home in the started at the Camp Nou with French ond yellow card for kicking out sanctioned “an insulting term” used Next season he will be gle European campaign. last 16. international Raphael Varane the at defender Felipe, prompting the against the referee as well as “a dis- battling Germany international Madrid are in the quarter-finals They were thumped 3-0 at Bayer only injury absentee with a calf striker to launch a verbal tirade respectful gesture when he faced Julian Draxler for the attacking for the sixth time in a row, while Leverkusen last Friday, causing injury. against the referee. him and laid his two hands on his midfielder berth at Wolfsburg, Wolfsburg are in the knock-out stages director of sport Klaus Allofs to con- Wolfsburg are without left-back The 28-year-old had to be pulled chest”. who are struggling to qualify for for the first time. fess they are not living up to the their Sebastian Jung who tore a knee lig- away by team-mates as he tried to It also evoked “aggressive European competition. Real are on their best run of Champions League status in Germa- ament against Gent and is out for the angrily remonstrate with Udinese behaviour towards an opponent” Wolfsburg are eighth in the season after ending arch rivals ny’s top flight. season while midfielder Daniel Cali- players. and pointed out that Higuain had Germany’s top flight with Stuttgart Barca’s 39-game unbeaten run with Nevertheless, the hosts have a giuri has a groin injury. Higuain, the top Serie A scorer “to be restrained by his team-mates”. 12th. SPORT WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 33 Pakistan appoints Sarfraz Ahmed new T20 captain

28-year-old told reporters after his appointment was announced. I spoke to Sarfraz “I am happy to have this this morning and opportunity and I am honoured that PCB has trusted my ability to lead the conveyed to him country,” Sarfraz told ESPNcricinfo. that he was our “Indeed, this is a challenging job natural choice for this but at the same time, it’s the highest privilege in a cricketer’s life, so I am position: PCB chief determined to do my best to justify UAE coach Javed ‘eyes my position captain. I didn’t make any future plan, but I will sit down Pakistan cricket job’ with the PCB and will talk about it in Agencies due course. “The best thing about me, I The Peninsula believe, is my ability to contribution for the team. I always try to play ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Cricket my role whatever it is - batting or DUBAI: World Cup hero and retired pace bowler Aaqib Javed (pictured) is Board yesterday announced Sarfraz wicketkeeping - regardless of the willing to take Pakistan cricket coach job, details have showed. Ahmed as new captain of the T20 situation or the number I bat on. The Aaqib, a key component in Pakistan’s victorious run at the 1992 World team after Shahid Afridi stepped more important thing about me is that Cup held in Australia, currently coaches the UAE cricket team. down following his side’s humiliating I remain in my limit and don’t talk On Monday former fast bowler Waqar Younis handed in his resigna- early exit from the World Twenty20. much. It’s my cricket that speaks, and tion as the team coach following Pakistan’s disastrous showing at the 2016 A statement on the PCB web- this is what a captain should be doing T20 World Cup. site described Ahmed -- who led the - lead form the front.” Javed, one of Pakistan’s finest swing bowlers during his 10-year career, Quetta Gladiators to the final in Paki- He showered praise on the has said he would be willing to take up the job if Pakistan Cricket Board stan’s first-ever franchise-based T20 outgoing captain Afridi, subject of (PCB) approached him with a serious offer. league in February -- as a “natural some of the most scathing criticism in “The Pakistan board approached me and said that I am one of the con- choice” for the position. the wake of the team’s performance tenders for the job. They asked me that if I was offered the job of the coach, “I spoke to Sarfraz this morning in India. will I be willing to work. I said yes,” Javed told Sport360. and conveyed to him that he was “I haven’t seen a megastar like “If I get the job, I will be very happy to coach Pakistan. But if I don’t get our natural choice for this position. Afridi in my cricketing career. He has it, I won’t be sad,” Javed said. His appointment is open-ended. I served Pakistan cricket for 20 years,” Javed was quick to say he was enjoying his job with the UAE team. wish him good luck in his new role,” Sarfraz said. “I am still enjoying my stint here in the UAE. My heart remains with the it quoted PCB chairman Shaharyar Afridi tweeted yesterday: “Good UAE team. It is too early to have any formal discussions (with the ECB),” he Khan as saying. decision to see @SarfarazA_54 Pakistan’s newly- said. Afridi resigned as captain leading PAK T-20 he is energetic, appointed T20 Under Javed, the UAE cricket team qualified for the 50-over World Cup for Sunday after his team’s exit from the passionate and a fighter!” cricket team captain only the second time in 2015. The UAE also appeared at World T20 the in 2014. tournament’s group stage. Sarfraz’s T20I captaincy Sarfraz Ahmed Before moving to the UAE, Javed managed the senior Pakistan side as a Sarfraz only played 17 balls at debut, though, will have to wait till arrives for a press bowling coach nearly a decade ago. the World Twenty20 despite having September 7, when Pakistan play conference at a “I had been a coach in Pakistan for three-and-a-half years in various made scores of 41, 25, 58 and 38 in England at Old Trafford for a one- academy in Karachi capacities. When I decided to take the UAE job, it was my own decision. I was his four T20I innings leading into the off match. yesterday. not sacked by the Pakistan board. Obviously, every coach wants to serve his tournament. Sarfraz, a dashing batsman, was country and I too want to coach Pakistan. I am the only coach in Pakistan Sarfraz, a right-handed the captain of the Pakistan Under- who has consistently been involved in coaching for a long period. I know wicketkeeper-batsman who has 19 team which won the World Cup in the players very well,” he said in his chat with Sport360. played 21 T20 internationals and the 2006, and is presently one of the few where at least two T20Is are likely to widely criticised for a lacklustre In recent years, PCB has managed the national team under late Bob same number of Test matches, as well players in the Pakistan set-up who is be played. Head coach Waqar Younis performance in India, with just one Woolmer, Dav Whatmore, Geoff Lawson and Richard Pybus. as 58 one-day internationals, said he assured of a spot in the XI in all three resigned Monday following Pakistan’s victory against unfancied Bangladesh The PCB is yet to name Waqar’s replacement. will invoke the team’s fighting spirit. formats. The team’s next home series disastrous performance in the World and big losses to India, New Zealand Yesterday, the PCB named Sarfraz Ahmed as Pakistan’s new T20 captain “We will play good cricket,” the is against West Indies in the UAE, Twenty20. The 2009 champions were and Australia. after all-rounder Shahid Afridi handed his resignation on Sunday. Windies board offers talks with new T20 champions

AFP responded by calling the comments “inap- “We are fully aware of the financial India and the players only reluctantly agreed of T20 leagues is turning some players away propriate” in a statement that reserved its rewards on offer in the lucrative interna- to sign contracts for the World T20 a few from Test matches, the International Cricket warmest words for the tournament organis- tional T20 leagues, but we believe deeply in weeks before the tournament began. Council (ICC) has said it wants to draw up a KOLKATA: The West Indies board has offered ers rather than the victorious players. the importance of cricket to the people of the Many senior players such as Chris Gayle timeable to avoid clashes. talks with its new World Twenty20 champi- However, Cameron did offer an olive region and of West Indies cricket’s place in no longer play Test matches, instead turning Many of the West Indies T20 champions ons to defuse a long-running dispute, saying branch by saying the board would meet play- world cricket. out in T20 leagues where they can earn more are expected to play in the IPL, which begins it wants to find ways of ensuring players don’t ers after the end of the Indian Premier League “It is therefore a priority to have all of our money in six weeks than they are paid by their this coming weekend and ends in late May. turn their backs on international cricket. (IPL) next month to persuade them to play for players competing and available for selection.” board in a year. “We are aware of that schedule, hence The Windies’ victory in the final in Kolk- the West Indies, rather than opt for lucrative Relations between the board and team When the West Indies were thrashed by the plan to meet at that time,” said Cameron ata on Sunday night was soured by an outburst Twenty20 leagues. have often been poisonous in recent years, Australia in a Test series at the turn of the year, yesterday. from skipper Darren Sammy who said it was “We want to see how we can find com- with players furious over what they see as Gayle and Sammy were both unavailable for “We will also engage the ICC on this so that “disappointing” the team had received no sup- mon ground in ensuring that the best players inadequate financial rewards. selection as they were playing in Australia’s we protect not only the rich heritage and leg- port from the board before the match. in the region are available for selection for A pay dispute two years ago led to the the Big Bash T20 tournament. acy of West Indies cricket, but also its future,” Dave Cameron, the board’s president, West Indies teams,” Cameron said. team flying home in the middle of a tour of Amid growing fears that the proliferation he added. Al Shaqab prepares for Equine Education Competition

The Peninsula The event will be held at Al Shaqab’s state-of-the-art Indoor DOHA: With the primary aim of Arena from 8:00am to 6:00pm, it was instilling the spirit of competition and announced yesterday. raising the educational and cultural Showcasing the Dressage and awareness level among its student Show Jumping skills of 58 members of riders, Al Shaqab’s Equine Educa- Al Shaqab’s Equine Education Depart- tion Department is set to hold its ment, there will be three classes for final competitions on April 9, details the Dressage competitions in the showed yesterday. morning session and four classes for the Show Jump- ing competitions for the afternoon session. In addition, the department has prepared two entertainment shows to keep the and graduation in May 2016. The com- popcorns, bouncing castle etc for LEFT and audience enter- petition will provide our young riders free,” Al Suwaidi said. “Carriage rides ABOVE: tained between with the right environment that will and pony rides will also be offered at A group the classes of enable them to exchange experiences very minimal costs. Entrance is free of young competitions. among themselves, help develop rela- and open to the public. All are wel- riders going Mohamed S tions between them and their horses come,” he added. through their Al Suwaidi, Al and give them a better understanding One of the most popular desti- paces at Shaqab’s Equine of a competition atmosphere. Through nations in the world of equestrian, Al Shaqab. Education Man- the competition, we would like to Al Shaqab organises tours for insti- RIGHT: ager, said: “This is motivate them to give off their best, tutions and for the general public to Mohamed S the final compe- improve their skills and push them raise awareness on the equestrian Al Suwaidi, tition and is part to strive towards higher standards.” culture. Al Shaqab manages the fol- Al Shaqab’s of the new cur- “On top of it all, Al Shaqab will lowing types of visits: VIP tours, Equine riculum for our also be offering a variety of fun activ- schools tours, government agencies Education students before ities for children at the Kids’ Fun Zone tours, institutions tours, press tours their final exams where they can enjoy face painting, and public tours. Manager. 34 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 SPORT

Trump investment pays off as Herman McIlroy ace sparks Masters reaches Masters AFP roar as Grand Slam bid looms

AUGUSTA, UNITED STATES: Working as assistant golf club professional for real estate tycoon I don’t think I’ve ever Donald Trump a decade ago, Jim Herman’s dream of playing in the heard a roar that Masters seemed destined to go loud in a practice unfulfilled. But thanks in part to an round, says four-time investment from Trump, now a major winner Rory US Presidential candidate who has remained a front-runner despite McIlroy at Augusta controversial comments, Herman started playing competitively and Sunday won his first PGA title at the Houston Open, earning with it AFP the final berth in this week’s 80th Masters. “You want to dream. You want to believe that you’re going to AUGUSTA, UNITED STATES: Rory make it. But you just don’t know McIlroy didn’t let the Masters field until it’s upon you,” Herman said. finish Monday’s opening practice “I feel like maybe I’m going to day before sending the message that wake up and I’m going to be still he will contend to complete a career on Saturday night going into the Grand Slam this week at Augusta final round again and I haven’t National. done it yet. But I don’t think that’s The four-time major winner from happening. I think we’re here.” Northern Ireland fired a hole-in-one Herman was working as a at the par-3 16th to inspire cheers Rory McIlroy of teaching pro at Trump’s layout from the spectators as loud as any- Northern Ireland in Bedminster, New Jersey, thing tournament play has inspired hits on the and he impressed the wealthy among the Georgia pines. practice range developer when they played a “I don’t think I’ve ever heard a during a practice round together. Trump decided roar that loud in a practice round,” round prior to to finance Herman’s bid to start McIlroy said. the start of the a career and after 106 PGA Tour The 26-year-old used a 7-iron to 2016 Masters starts, a 38-year-old American connect from 170 yards and ensure he Tournament. who was barely inside the world’s owned bragging rights for the round top 200 finds himself at Augusta over playing partner Chris Wood of National this week. England. “I gave him money and told McIlroy is trying to win the him to give it a shot,” Trump told Masters to become sixth player to USA Today. “He got a late start complete a career Grand Slam, join- because he had no money and ing Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary he had to teach. So I staked him. I Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen. told him if you make it you’ll pay He has captured the 2011 US me back. If you don’t, don’t worry Open, the 2012 and 2014 PGA Cham- about that side, but it just brings the Augusta National. about it. You can still work for pionships and the 2014 British Open, best, and sometimes the worst, out in “You’ve got to be patient,” he said. me. but all of those came after he led the everybody.” “It’s just the margins for error are so “He’s what America is all 2011 Masters only to squander his Relax on focus for a single shot small.” about. He never gave up, never chances for a green jacket with a and title hopes can vanish into the A host of worldwide stars are gave up on his dream. I’m proud nightmare back nine on Sunday. water or the pine trees, as McIlroy expected to be among Sunday’s back- of him.” “What’s great about Augusta knows all too well. nine contenders, including recent US Trump seeks the nomination National (is) we have really good “If you’re not mentally prepared PGA winners Jason Day and Adam of the Republican Party as its drama on the back nine on Sunday,” for it, the pin placement is there, the Scott of Australia, two-time Masters Jordan Spieth of candidate for US President in said reigning British Open cham- wind is here, you have to land it there, winner Bubba Watson of the United November’s election and has the United States pion and 2007 Masters winner Zach yeah, it bites you,” Johnson said. States and Charl Schwartzel of South won the majority of state primary hits his tee shot Johnson. “Am I feeling comfortable? I’m Africa, who birdied the last four holes contests conducted to select on the 15th hole “It’s an aura about it. It’s really still not comfortable. There are cer- to win the 2011 Masters. delegates to the party convention during the final hard to pinpoint. It’s something intan- tain things that are just difficult.” Defending champion Jordan Spi- where a candidate will be named. round of the Shell gible. Something that especially if Dustin Johnson, whose sixth- eth got his first in-depth sense of the Herman displays Trump Houston Open there’s multiple names up towards the place effort last year was his best Augusta National atmosphere as a property logos on his shirt and at the Golf Club top, you just feel like there’s some- showing in six Masters starts, agreed, Masters winner. golf bag. of Houston in thing that’s going to happen and it saying, “There’s a lot of opportunities “It’s a different feeling on the “He helped me early on in Humble, Texas. just does. to make birdie and then there’s a lot of grounds having won the tourna- my years financially and maybe “When you have the best play- opportunities to make disasters, too.” ment,” Spieth said. “It was a dream just a little shot in the arm of ers in the world playing the back Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, also come true for me, so when I’m here, confidence,” Herman said. nine at Augusta on Sunday, the best seeking his first major title, warns all that comes back to me. It’s really As for Trump’s political bid, comes out. I don’t know what it is against rushing into any shot at special.” Herman said, “He’s doing great in what he’s doing now and we’ll see how far that goes.” Trump played alongside Herman triumphantly in a Nearly men Stenson and Johnson eye glory match last month in Florida, with former PGA player Dana Quigley an opponent after having been a Trump partner just the day AFP of course you want to get there again before. and you want to go all the way. So “It’s up to him. He’s usually I’m certainly motivated to make it the game maker,” Herman said AUGUSTA: The golfing world always happen.” of Trump. “We get to the tee, he’s, has a soft spot for the nearly men of Johnson, born and raised just a ‘Well, I think, OK, I’ll take Jim.’ the game -- the great talents that 90-minute car drive away in Colum- “He’s like, ‘Donald, we won somehow conspire never to scale the bia, South Carolina has a similar convincingly yesterday and you pinnacles of their sport. reasoning to the big Swede. Patience, dump me.’ A couple holes later, he These days, Dustin Johnson and he believes, is the key. said, ‘Well, I see why you dumped Henrik Stenson are the two players, “If your name is getting men- me Mr. Trump.’” many would agree, who best fit that tioned, best player, whatever, you Herman was a spectator at unwanted billing. know, whatever comes after that, is the 2008 Masters and played a Between them, 31-year-old John- usually pretty good,” he said. round at Augusta National last son and 39-year-old Stenson have “I’ve got to say it’s positive. You November as the guest of a club won 26 times worldwide, so there is know, I still feel like my time’s com- member. But he knows those no doubting their talents and both are ing. I’ve just got to keep putting myself experiences will help little this among the biggest hitters in the game. in position to have a chance to win. week. “It’s going to be a total But in majors, it is another thing. One of these days I will get it done.” 180 from anything I was able to Stenson has seven top-five finishes If either player is to end their mis- experience on the outside or even in the majors, while Johnson has 10 ery in the majors this week, then both Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot in that one round,” Herman said. top-10 finishes. will finally have to come to terms with from the sixth tee during a practice round. “It’s just going to be awesome. Together they have no wins. playing at Augusta National. I can’t wait. Coming into this week’s Masters, Both are long off the tee and the “I’ve been a fan of golf my Johnson is 13 months away from his length of the course suits their games. “There’s a few holes that’s always “I felt like I’ve got a lot of confi- layout and has been a contender for whole life, dreaming of playing last tournament win and Stenson is 16 But the perceived view is that both driver. There’s a couple that might, dence in every part of my game right several years, a sixth-place effort in here. Now that it’s here and upon months removed from his, including a can be vulnerable with their putting, depending on how the golf course now, especially with my wedges. 2010 the start of five years of top-20 me, still trying to take it all in... raft of second-place finishes which at always a deadly sin on Augusta plays and the conditions we play, but I’ve been working really hard on efforts before missing last year’s cut. It’s a pretty amazing place.” times have left him doubting himself. National’s slippery and undulating this is definitely a golf course where my wedges and I feel like that has He shared the 36-hole lead in 2012. Herman uses US dollar He still believes that he has time greens. I will air the driver more than a reg- improved a lot over the last six weeks. Couples, who shared third in coins with faces of different US on his side, though. Stenson says he can give no ular week, I’d say.” “I can definitely see improvement 2006, had not missed a Masters since Presidents as ball markers, with “I know I’ve got a game that fits cogent reason for being unable to For Johnson, it all comes down in that. I think that’s something that’s 1994 but has struggled with back pain a history teacher pal picking well for major championship golf, place better than a tie for 14th in 10 to what happens in and around the going to help me around here.” for many years. the president used each week, and you know, I’ve just got to keep on previous appearances. greens. Meanwhile, Fred Couples, the His departure leaves a field of Augusta National likely to spark putting myself in the final groups or Possibly, he says, he needs to be “I think the short game and 1992 Masters champion, has with- 89 players for the year’s first major the choice of former member in the last couple of groups,” he said. more aggressive off the tee, taking the putting is the key around here,” he drawn from this week’s 80th edition championship. Dwight Eisenhower. “The more times I do that, the bet- driver out of the bag instead of the said. of the tournament at Augusta National That’s the fewest since 89 played “I’m expecting it to be Ike,” ter the chances are for the outcome 3-wood he favors. “This year, I feel like I’m coming because of acute back problems. in 2002 and there have not been fewer Herman said. that I want to have. “I’ve always hit a number of drives in with a pretty solid game. I feel like The 56-year-old American won starters for a Masters since 88 play- One day, it might be Trump. “If you are there and thereabouts, around Augusta regardless,” he said. every part of my game is improving. his only major title on the famed ers teed off in 1998. SPORT WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016 35

Shaq, Yao Eagles sign and Iverson seasoned to enter Wisniewski Hall of Fame Agencies

NEW YORK: T h e P h i l a d e l p h i a AFP Eagles took steps to bolster their offensive line by signing unre- stricted free-agent centre-guard LOS ANGELES: Shaquille O’Neal, Stefen Wisniewski to a one-year Allen Iverson and Yao Ming are contract and re-signing restricted among 10 members of the class free-agent guard Matt Tobin. of 2016 who will be enshrined in Wisniewski, 27, can play basketball’s Naismith Memorial center or guard and is likely to Hall of Fame in September, it was man a starting guard spot oppo- announced on Monday. site Brandon Brooks, who signed a The trio of NBA stars will be five-year, $40m contract with the honored at a ceremony in Spring- Eagles last month. field, Massachusetts on September Colin Kaepernick will remain 9. with the San Francisco 49ers and Other inductees include a potential trade to Denver is on 27-year NBA referee Darell Gar- hold – for now. retson, two-time NABC Coach of According to multiple reports, the Year Tom Izzo, trailblasing Kaepernick rejected taking a pay African-American coach John cut that would have made the trade McLendon and four-time WNBA possible, and the 49ers nixed the Champion Sheryl Swoopes. idea of paying off part of the play- “The impact the Class of 2016 er’s salary. has had on the game of basketball Buffalo Bills running back is gigantic,” John Doleva, Naismith LeSean McCoy will not face Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame charges for his alleged role in a Fireworks go off during the national anthem prior to the Arizona Diamondbacks game against the Colorado Rockies during the opening day at president, said in a statement. nightclub fight with two off-duty “To have several icons of the Chase Field in Phoenix on Monday. Philadelphia police officers. game be recognised in the same Philadelphia District Attor- year makes this class one of the ney Seth Williams announced most memorable to date. We look there was “insufficient evidence” forward to honouring each of these to charge McCoy, his friends or inductees during Enshrinement in the off-duty officers involved in September.” Los Angeles Dodgers storm the February 7 incident. USA Basketball Chairman The Buffalo Bills signed line- Jerry Colangelo said the new crop backer Zach Brown, wide receiver of inductees were “big in stature, Leonard Hankerson and corner- personality and impact.” back Corey White. “These ten inductees have In accordance with team pol- each contributed to the game in to historic opening day win icy, terms of the deals were not their own meaningful way and we disclosed. are very pleased to honor them in One of the game’s more Springfield,” Colangelo said. dominant pass rushers, out- O’Neal, who won four NBA side linebacker Aldon Smith has Championships during spells with agreed to a new deal with the MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Rockies, Rangers Oakland Raiders, even though Heat in a 19-year career, welcomed ROUND-UP he is currently serving a yearlong his induction on Monday. and Cubs also clinch suspension. “I tried to mix being dominant emphatic victories to Smith spent the 2015 season and entertaining every game,” got just one hit, but they took advan- with Oakland after being released O’Neal was quoted by the Los start season on high tage of two Seattle Mariners errors in by San Francisco and compiled Angeles Times as saying. note the fifth inning to score three times. 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks in nine Iverson was an 11-time NBA The Texas win snapped a nine-game games. All-Star during 14 seasons in the Opening Day winning streak for the The New England Patriots league, where he averaged 26.7 Mariners. signed tight end Clay Harbor as an points and 6.2 assists per game. Seattle ace Felix Hernandez took unrestricted free agent from the AFP Former Houston Rockets star the loss and his record on Opening Jacksonville Jaguars and defen- Yao was the number one pick in Day fell to 6-1. Three walks around an sive tackle Terrance Knighton as the NBA draft in 2002 after leading error by third baseman Kyle Seager an unrestricted free agent from the the Shanghai Sharks to the Chinese produced one Texas run. Prince Washington Redskins. title the same year. LOS ANGELES: Clayton Kershaw Fielder tied the game with the Rang- The Detroit Lions signed He was an eight-time NBA All- produced a pitching masterclass as ers’ only a hit, an RBI bloop single to defensive end Wallace Gilberry Star (2003-2009, 2011) and broke the Los Angeles Dodgers launched left. and tight end Matthew Mulligan. the record for most All-Star votes, their latest quest for a long-awaited That tied the game 2-2, and Gilberry, 31, is an eight-year previously held by Michael Jordan World Series crown with a record an error by shortstop Ketel Marte NFL veteran who spent the past in 2005. 15-0 drubbing of the San Diego allowed the go-ahead run to score. four years with the Cincinnati Padres on Monday. Jake Arrieta began the 2016 sea- Bengals. Kershaw pitched seven innings of son pitching like the Cy Young Award Mulligan, 31, has played seven one-hit ball as the Dodgers scored the winner he was last year. NFL seasons and spent much of the biggest opening day shutout win in The Cubs right-hander threw 2015 season with the Buffalo Bills. baseball history. seven scoreless innings, leading The Cleveland Browns signed It was the heaviest opening defeat Chicago to a 9-0 win over the Los offensive lineman Austin Pasztor in the Padres’ 48-season history and Angeles Angels on Monday night and linebacker Scott Solomon, a dream debut for the Dodgers new in the season opener at the Angel both restricted free agents. Los Angeles Dodgers catcher AJ Ellis (left) and relief pitcher Yimi Garcia manager Dave Roberts. Stadium. The Browns also signed three The defeat represented a night- celebrate a 15-0 win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Denard Span drove five runs, exclusive rights players -- kicker mare start for new Padres manager Diego on Monday. Matt Duffy sent in four and the Giants Travis Coons, wide receiver Dar- Andy Green however. clubbed four home runs, opening the ius Jennings and offensive lineman “No one wants to come out and 2016 season with a rout at the Miller Kaleb Johnson. lay an egg on Opening Day and get Green admitted Kershaw had things, it’s one loss in 162 games. It Park. The Carolina Panthers re- beat 15-0,” Green remarked glumly asked questions of his team that they was a lopsided score and all that but signed defensive tackle Kyle Love after the loss. were unable to answer. the big thing is with what happened to a one-year contract. The victory maintained Kershaw’s “He threw a very good game and today, is it’s just a loss.” RESULTS In 2015, Love played in 15 reg- recent stranglehold over San Diego. once he got his momentum, he was The Dodgers, who have not won ular-season games with two starts The three-time Cy Young Award difficult to handle,” Green said. the World Series since 1988, have the San Francisco 12 Milwaukee 3 for Carolina, recording 19 tackles, winner has not lost to the Padres The Dodgers eased into a 3-0 lead highest payroll in Major League Base- Baltimore 3 Minnesota 2 three sacks, four quarterback pres- since June 2013, winning in five of after three innings. They piled on the ball this season as they aim to end Texas 3 Seattle 2 sures and one fumble recovery. his past seven outings at Petco Park. agony for San Diego with a five-run their long wait for a title. Kansas City bolstered its Centre Shaquille O’Neal of Cincinnati 6 Philadelphia 2 Kershaw was touched for a clean sixth. In other match, Colorado rookie defensive backfield over the week- Washington 4 Atlanta 3 the Phoenix Suns reacts after two-out single by John Jay in the third “I made a lot of mistakes and got Trevor Story made history in his end by signing safety Stevie Brown. scoring his first basket against inning and ultimately struck out nine, the ball up over the plate,” Padres major league debut while spoiling LA Dodgers 15 San Diego 0 Brown brings plenty of experi- the San Antonio Spurs in Game walked one and retired the final 13 pitcher Tyson Ross said. “This is on $206.5m right-hander Zack Greinke’s Toronto 5 Tampa Bay 3 ence to the Chiefs. The 29-year-old One of the Western Conference batters he faced. me. I didn’t execute my pitches. I’ve first Arizona start in the Rockies’ 10-5 Colorado 10 Arizona 5 has accumulated 20 career starts Quarter-finals during the NBA “We just kept adding on and add- got to get back to being a ground-ball victory over the Diamondbacks on Chicago Cubs 9 LA Angels 0 among the 55 games he has played Playoffs at the AT&T Center on ing on,” Kershaw said. “For me, it was machine. It wasn’t a good result. Monday in the season opener at Chase during a career that has seen stops C White Sox 4 Oakland 3 April 19, 2008 in San Antonio. just trying to have quick innings.” “But in the grand scheme of Field. In another match, the Rangers with the Raiders, Colts and Giants. NHL: Islanders inch closer to play-off spot after rout over Lightning

Agencies the Pittsburgh Penguins, a defeat that dropped Maple Leafs 4-3 Monday for their third straight games remaining in the regular season. If the Islanders to 5-6-2 since March 9 and left RESULTS victory. the two teams end the season tied, Dallas a playoff spot in peril. NY Islanders 5 Tampa Bay 2 Grimaldi potted both of his goals in the would win the tiebreaker. The win also moved Rangers 4, Blue Jackets 2 NY Rangers 4 Columbus 2 second period. The center entered the game the Blues six points ahead of the third-place NEW YORK: The New York Islanders After whiffing in two previous tries to Florida 4 Toronto 3 with one goal for the season, which he scored Blackhawks. responded to a rare public scolding from head secure a spot in the NHL playoffs, the New St Louis 5 Arizona 2 on Nov. 4. Canucks 3, Kings 2 coach Jack Capuano – and moved closer to York Rangers punched their ticket to the posts- Blues 5, Coyotes 2 Jared McCann scored the winning goal Vancouver 3 Los Angeles 2 clinching a play-off spot – on, as Matt Mar- eason Monday night with a 4-2 victory over the Kyle Brodziak scored twice and Vladimir and Ryan Miller recorded 40 saves -- includ- tin, Brock Nelson and John Tavares scored in Columbus Blue Jackets in Nationwide Arena. Tarasenko scored one third-period goal and ing 20 in the third period -- as the Vancouver a span of less than six minutes in the second The Rangers (44-26-9) were 0-2-1 and had assisted on another to give the St. Louis Blues Canucks beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 Mon- period of a 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Light- lost to non-playoff qualifiers Carolina and Buf- will not be advancing past the regular season. a 5-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes Monday day night. McCann’s goal on a breakaway at ning at Barclays Center. falo in the past week before taking care of the Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 3 night that pulled the Blues into a first-place 19:27 of the second period stood up as the win- The rebuke by the usually protective business on the road against the Blue Jackets. Rocco Grimaldi scored two goals and the tie with the Dallas Stars in the Central Divi- ner as the Canucks (30-36-13) posted their Capuano came two days after a 5-0 loss to Columbus (31-40-8) is another opponent that Florida Panthers held on to defeat the Toronto sion. Both teams have 105 points with two third consecutive win. 36 WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL 2016

Riyadh meet: UAE, Kuwait approved as GCC Junior Games hosts

The Peninsula

DOHA: President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani attended the 30th meeting of the Chairmen of GCC Olympic Committees in Riyadh. President of Saudi Youth Welfare Prince Abdullah bin Musaed bin Abdulaziz, who is also the president of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Com- mittee, welcomed the participants in the meeting, which was attended by GCC Secretary-General Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani. While speaking on the occasion, the President of Saudi Youth Welfare extended his thanks to Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and to President of the QOC Sheikh Joaan for Qatar’s hosting of previous meeting of the GCC Olympic Committees chiefs. He said that the meeting looked into a number of topics on the agenda the most important of which were the establishment of the sport arbitration center to settle disputes that occur during GCC tournaments and competi- tions, in addition to approving the organisation of first GCC Junior Games in the United Arab Emirates in September 2016, and the third GCC Junior Games in Kuwait in 2019. In his speech, GCC Secretary-General Al Zayani expressed his thanks to Sheikh Joaan for his and the Committee’s distinctive efforts for the suc- cess of the previous session, hosted by the State of Qatar, congratulating President of the Qatar Olympic Committee H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani poses for a group photo along with other chairmen of the GCC the QOC president on the trust placed by the Emir of Qatar in him as head of the Qatar Olympic Committee. Olympics Committees following the 30th meeting in Riyadh.

Al Rayyan and Qatar’s Adel on top in Abu Dhabi Al Sadd begin preparations

The Peninsula ABU DHABI DESERT Abu Dhabi’s Khneisser CHALLENGE faces tough challenge DOHA: Qatar Stars League (QSL) after Qatari driver champions Al Rayyan and Al Sadd looped for 280.06km through the have begin preparations for the grabs lead in his western extremities of the deserts of eagerly-awaited Qatar Clasico Nissan Patrol Abu Dhabi. The Nissan Patrol Y62 match next week. driver and Russian navigator Alexei Jorge Fossati’s side trained on Kuzmich began the day 28th on the Monday ahead of the Sunday’s road, second in the T2 section and clash at Al Sadd Stadium. immediately behind main T2 rivals In team news, Al Rayyan The Peninsula Adel Hussein and Yasir Saeidan in the have welcomed back defensive running order at the start of the stage, duo Nathan & Musa Haroon after near Tharwaniya. suspensions. Running with support from Nis- While defender Gonzalo Viera DOHA: With just two day of the Abu san Middle East and Al Masaood will be absent for the Clasico after Dhabi Desert Challenge remain- Automobiles, picking up his fourth yellow card ing, Qatar’s Adel Hussein Abdullah Khneisser began well before the of the season. snatched the outright T2 lead advan- delay and eventually reached the Al Rayyan will be eager to tage in his Nissan Patrol, yesterday in stage finish in a time of 6hr 39min arrest their domestic form, which Abu Dhabi. 56sec. The minor hitch cost him over has seen the Lions take only one According to details reaching one and a half hours and he now holds point from a possible nine since here, Abu Dhabi-based Lebanese an unofficial fourth in the T2 stand- lifting the falcon shield. driver Emil Khneisser will need to ings and 24th overall. The lions will be hoping they fight his way back into contention “It was disappointing to have the can change their fortunes around after he was forced to stop for 29 min- minor issue today, but much better in one of the most anticipated utes with a minor technical problem yesterday than the first day,” said matches of Qatari football. on the third selective section that Khneisser. Meanwhile, Al Sadd’s players Qatar’s Adel Hussein Abdullah in action during the Abu “On the first day, the car went into assembled at Al Sadd’s training safe mode and I had no power and Dhabi Desert Challenge round yesterday in Abu Dhabi. to prepare for one of the big- POSITIONS could only rev the engine to 3000 gest games in the Qatari football (rpm). On Monday I could go to 4000, calendar. 1. Adel Hussein Abdullah (QAT)/Hakam Moham- so I was able to push slightly better. The Wolves participated in ed Rabeia (EGY) Nissan Patrol 16hr 20min 15sec “Still, Yasir managed to extend his training drills, under the watch- 2. Yasir Saeidan (SAU)/Sébastien Delaunay lead over me. I felt that the car would Qatar’s Adel to snatch the outright T2 the Series-Production category. A quickest time and holds 15th in the ful eye of the head coach Jesaldo (FRA) Toyota Land Cruiser 16hr 50min be perfect today. On the Desert Chal- advantage in his Nissan Patrol. The six-minute time penalty imposed general classification. Emirati Matar Ferriera. 17sec lenge, several minutes’ lead is nothing. former quad rider and regular MERC earlier in the race has hampered his Al Mansoori reached the finish 10 Al Sadd come into the tie on I feel at home. I feel confident. If no navigator clocked a time of 5hr 28min chance of outright success and he now minutes behind the Saudi in his T1 a fine run of domestic form, with 3. Joseph Rosso (FRA)/Guy Leneveu (FRA) Nis- minor problems, I can continue to 34sec in the punishing heat to take holds third place. Several drivers are Nissan Patrol and slotted into 16th the wolves currently unbeaten in san Patrol 16hr 59min 15sec push and improve over the last two an unofficial T2 lead of 30min 02sec entered in Nissan Patrols in the T1 overall. six QSL games. 4. Emil Khneisser (LEB)/Alexsei Kuzmich (RUS) days.” into day four. category and Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Teams tackle the penultimate They will be hoping they can Nissan Patrol Y62 17hr 13min 09sec Saudi’s Yasir Saeidan began the Joseph Rosso was in good form at Al Feraihi enjoyed a good stage with 257.87km desert selective selection continue the run of good form to day at the head of the T2 field, but the helm of his T2 Nissan Patrol and his Omani navigator Abdulhaleem Al through Al Garbia on Wednesday come away with a vital win going 5. Jaralla Jahman (QAT)/Fares Allouh (JOR) Toy- he was delayed in the dunes for over the Frenchman and navigator Guy Busaidi. before the event reaches a conclusion into the end of season Qatar Cup ota Prado 17hr 39min 26sec an hour and a half and that enabled Leneveu claimed the fastest time in The Patrol driver clocked the 16th at the Yas Marina circuit tomorrow. competition.

Fitness boost for Al Arabi as Qatar Clasico: Bounedjah vows ‘lively’ contest Paulinho returns The Peninsula “I always look to do my best, and I QSL: AL RAYYAN VS AL SADD feel that with the squad we have and our The Peninsula training team, we can do this,” he added. The Algerian footballer said Al Sadd DOHA: As fans eagerly await the mouth- are aiming to finish this season on a high D O H A : Al Arabi have been handed watering Qatar Clasico match between Al only targeting victory in the major clash. note. a fitness boost ahead of their Sadd and Al Rayyan, Baghdad Bounedjah “Each side has strengths and weakness, “Certainly, are aims are to finish sec- round 25 match against bottom has predicted an exciting battle between but as a team we are just focusing on the ond in the league and then look to win side Mesaimeer as team officials the two Qatar Stars League (QSL) giants win,” he said. both the Qatar Cup and Emir cup com- confirmed that Al Arabi captain on Sunday. “We want to get all three points and petitions,” he said before adding that the Paulinho returned to training after In an interview, Al Sadd’s Bounedjah consolidate our place in second,” said QSL offers high level of competition for sitting out his sides 1-0 defeat to said the match is a tough test for his side. Bounedjah before adding that Al Sadd the footballers. Umm Salal in round 24. “It’s going to be a tough game. We are have the potential to beat their opponents. “The Qatar Stars League is very strong The return of Paulinho will playing the champions of Qatar and that “Our role is just to focus on the game and competitive league, with plenty of be good news for Gianfranco represents a special challenge. Secondly and getting the win. If we play our game, excitement in the games. I have enjoyed Zola, who has been relying on this will be a huge game with plenty of we will be able to defeat Al Rayyan.” my football here, and that is helped by the the former Torino man’s goals in fans in attendance, so I am expecting a He also predicted a thrilling compe- high quality of players that are in Qatar,” recent weeks. Paulinho is Arabi’s lively atmosphere,” he said. tition between Al Sadd’s strikers and Al he said. top goal-scorer with 12 goals in 20 It will be the first time that the Alge- Rayyan’s defenders. Commenting on own performance QSL games. rian footballer will feature in Qatar “It’s going to be a battle. Al Rayyan with the Doha giants, Bounedjah said he Meanwhile, Al Arabi trained Clasico. have been good defensively this season, was not fully satisfied with his show so for Mesimeer under the watch- “I am very excited to play in this this is one of the reasons they are the QSL far with the team. ful eye of Gianfranco Zola and his game. I was lucky enough to be in Doha champions. Honestly I think we have the “Personally I do not feel that I am staff. for the first game, and I witnessed a real team spirit to beat Al Rayyan,” he said. 100% after being injured for a period. Al Arabi are currently in 7th spectacle. All of the fans in full voice, this Replying a query regarding his own However I am getting back to full sharp- place in the QSL standings, with is the game you want to be a part of as ambition with Al Sadd, he said: “I think ness and I am eager to prove to Al Sadd a tally of 34 points from 24 games a player.” we have the personnel to win all the tro- how good I can be in the future,” said the Baghdad Bounedjah predicts tough fight in Qatar Clasico. so far. The 24-year-old said his team is phies we compete in this season.” Algeriang player.