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Oil output freeze GCC Golf will work, Championship to says Al Sada start tomorrow

MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 • 20 Jumada I 1437 • Volume 20 • Number 6721 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Emir receives Expats use seven Emir and Nigerian President hold talks message from Saudi King

DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim times less water bin Hamad Al Thani received a written message from the Custo- dian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, containing an invi- than Qataris tation to the closing ceremony of Ra’ad Al Shamal military exer- cise, which will be held at King Khalid Military City in the King- official sources. The figures appear dom in March. The message was as part of the Committee’s latest handed over by Saudi Ambassa- Kahramaa wants study on population and water use in dor Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Aifan water desalination the country as part of Qatar National at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. capacity increased. Vision 2030. This is the eighth study since the → Picture on page 3 population panel began conducting such surveys in the year 2008. The aim of the study is to assess Truce broken 15 By Mobin Pandit the sustainability of Qatar’s water and Mohamed Osman resources in the light of the fact times on Saturday: The Peninsula that the country gets very low rain- Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al fall (annual average 76mm) and has no rivers. Thani with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Qatar and Nigeria Syria opposition The country is, thus, heavily signed agreements on avoidance of double taxation, and aviation. → See also page 2 DOHA: Water consumption per cap- dependent on desalinated water. AFP ita by expatriates is seven to eight Its use is 54 percent of total water times less than that of Qataris. use in the country. Official estimates for 2015 show Some 36 percent of the water BEIRUT: Syria’s main opposition that while an expatriate used an used is ground water but that is grouping recorded 15 violations average of 82.2 cubic metres of water used exclusively in agriculture. The Ministry inspections at construction by government troops and allied in a year, the figure for nationals was remaining 10 percent water usage is forces on Saturday, the first day 600.5 cubic metres. that of treated sewage water which is of a landmark truce, a spokesman Estimates for 2014 put the aver- used in public parks and for ground told reporters yesterday. age consumption for expatriates water injection. sites to ensure compliance with rules “There were 15 violations by at 76.8 cubic metres in the year The study is divided into eight the regime forces on day one of the whereas the figure is 569.7 cubic chapters and makes recommen- ceasefire, including two attacks metres for citizens. It is estimated dations at the end. One of the key The Peninsula as well as those of Law No 2 of 2014 Action will be taken against com- by (Lebanese militant group) that per capita water use would go recommendations is to expand stra- apply in the case of engineers and panies and engineers found violating Hezbollah in Zabadani” west of up to 632.9 cubic metres for Qatari tegic water reserves to meet any engineering consultancies. rules, the Committee said yesterday. Damascus, said Salem Al Meslet, citizens this year while the average emergency that may befall the coun- There is a Committee at the There are 225 local and 37 inter- spokesman for the High Negotia- for expats would rise to 87.9 cubic try in future. DOHA: The Ministry of Municipal- Ministry of Municipality and Environ- national engineering consultancies tions Committee. metres. The study says that water dis- ity and Environment has launched ment which is tasked with licensing registered in the country. They Speaking by telephone from Average per capita water con- tributor Kahramaa (Qatar General a fresh crackdown on construction engineers and engineering consul- employ 11,126 engineers, according Riyadh, Meslet said the HNC would sumption annually has more than Electricity and Water Corporation) sites to ensure that rules and regu- tancies and supervising their work. to the Committee. lodge a formal letter of complaint doubled in the country from 182 expects the demand for water to lations regarding the supervision of The members of the Committee, Registration of engineers with UN special envoy Staffan de cubic metres in 1990 to 400 cubic double between 2011 and 2020, from building work by specialist engineers many of whom have judicial pow- employed with the consultancies has Mistura, UN chief Ban Ki-moon metres in 2012. It was 230 cubic 1.1 million cubic metres a day to 2.1 are being followed. ers, have begun making field visits begun. Their degrees and certificates and the foreign ministers of the metres in 2000. million cubic metres. Construction companies and to construction sites. must be authenticated by the Ministry International Syria Support Group. The population has, on the other As a result, Kahramaa wants contractors and the engineering Construction companies and con- of Education and Higher Education. The deal came into effect on Sat- hand, risen by an average 4.7 percent water desalination capacity raised to consultancies they have hired to tractors and their consultancies must After that, an engineer must take urday, with battle zones across the annually between 2000 and 2012. 95 million gallons per day this year supervise the design and building make sure that a specialist engineer a test at the Committee. country going largely quiet despite These figures have been released by from 71 million gallons a day in 2011. work must comply with laws. is present at a construction site during If the engineer fails, he would be some accusations of breaches. the Permanent Population Commit- Provisions of Law Number 19 of work. All engineers must be approved allowed three more attempts at the tee and accessed through various → Continued on page 6 2015 and its executive regulations by the Committee. test, said the Committee. → See also page 8

Hillary has easy Desperate refugees Qatar Development Bank ride towards Super Tuesday to start rating SMEs

AFP By Satish Kanady At QDB, we aim through this programme at The Peninsula helping Qatari young entrepreneurs make the most of this opportunity, and help them COLUMBIA: Donald Trump market their products in the local market.” and his rivals brawled on for the Explaining the benefits to the compa- Republican presidential nomina- DOHA: Qatar Development Bank (QDB), nies that get an entry to the QDB’s ranking tion yesterday as Hillary Clinton a government-owned agency commit- list, Al Khalifa said it will help them get easy sailed towards “Super Tuesday,” ted to developing investments within local access to credit facilities. The ranking will her White House hopes lifted by industries, yesterday announced a rank- also lend greater credibility to products of a blow-out win in South Carolina. ing programme for SMEs. The Qatari SMEs the companies in both domestic and inter- With just two days to go before which get an entry to the QDB’s rating list national markets. the biggest showdown yet in the US will be better positioned to compete in inter- The programme will become a plat- presidential race, Clinton gained national and local markets. form for SMEs to showcase their products crucial momentum in the race for Announcing the launch of the “SME and help entrepreneurs run their busi- the Democratic nomination after Ranking Programme”, Abdulaziz bin Nasser nesses. The programme will also recognise crushing Bernie Sanders 74.5 to Al Khalifa, CEO of QDB, said: “QDB has best-performing SMEs based on clear and 28 percent. “We got decimated,” always been at the forefront when creat- transparent criteria, and motivating those Sanders conceded in an inter- Syrian and Iraqi refugees trapped at the Greek-Macedonian border stop a train to demand ing new methods to provide support to the who can improve their productivity and view on ABC’s This Week show, the opening of the borders yesterday. → See also page 16 SME sector, a main component of diversi- performance. acknowledging that the outpour- fying the local economy. This is part of our ing of African American support realisation of Qatar’s National Vision 2030. → Continued on page 3 for Clinton exposed a costly weak- ness in his campaign. Among Republicans, Trump’s trailing rivals tried to raise doubts among voters about his ability to Medicine vending machines at Women’s Hospital to start next month beat Clinton in November. Senator Ted Cruz suggested in a TV show that Mafia dealings By Sidi Mohamed are likely to begin operating after a launched two months ago. self-service kiosks, only Qatari expatriates. During the experiment, could be hiding in Trump’s tax The Peninsula month. In remarks to this newspaper, patients would be able to access however, only medicines prescribed returns, which the billionaire real The kiosks are currently function- the pharmacist said yesterday he medicines, thus doing away with the by a doctor of the hospital for emer- estate developer has so far resisted ing on an experimental basis. expected the kiosks to be operational need to wait in a queue at the hospi- gency cases are available through the releasing. DOHA: Automated self-service kiosks According to a pharmacist at the after a month as the experiment has tal pharmacy. kiosks. that would vend prescription med- Women’s Hospital, the pilot project been successful. At some stage in the future, the → See also page 18 icines at the new Women’s Hospital for the new and novel service was Through these automated service may become available to → Continued on page 6 02 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 HOME

Ministry: Two Emir holds talks with Nigerian President new mosques ready to open QNA

The Peninsula

DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari held DOHA: Two new mosques in Al official talks at the Emiri Diwan Wakrah and South Muaither are yesterday. ready to open. Deputy Emir H H Sheikh The mosque in Al Wakrah can Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani accommodate up to 215 male and was present, along with several 50 female worshippers. The other ministers. in South Muaither can accommo- On the Nigerian side, the ses- date about 126 male and 33 female sion was attended by members of worshipers, the Ministry of Awqaf the delegation accompanying Pres- and Islamic Affairs said. Both have ident Buhari. been equipped with facilities for Talks dealt with relations prayers and accommodation for between both countries and means imams, muezzins and guards. of enhancing them and regional and international issues of com- mon concern, especially latest Ministry’s traffic regional developments. The Emir and the President awareness also witnessed the signing of an agreement between both govern- event ends ments on the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal DOHA: The Ministry of Interior evasion with respect to income has concluded an awareness pro- taxes and another agreement in gramme on traffic rules. the field of air transport. The ‘Shoot’ was organised for The Emir hosted a luncheon a second time by the Public Rela- banquet in honour of the Presi- tions Department, in association dent and his delegation. with Qatar Police Sports Federa- President Buhari earlier tion (QPSF) and the Traffic Public arrived at the Emiri Diwan where Department. he was accorded an official Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani accompanies Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari who is given an official reception at the Emiri The programme was held at reception. Diwan yesterday. Aspire Zone, where about 250 students from several schools took part. It also aimed to raise the level of the security culture through sports and assess traffic Economic ‘diplomacy a main pillar of Qatar’s foreign policy’ rules befitting the participating age groups such as wearing the seat- belt and crossing roads. A QPSF official said the programme will QNA and international levels and seeks through eco- policy to support economic relations. He said building relations and friendships among nations, be evaluated to enhance output nomic diplomacy to promote relations and Qatar National Vision 2030 aims to diversify and referring to Qatar Katrina Fund which contributed and attract more participants. friendship among nations beyond profits and transform the oil-based economy into a knowl- more than $100m for rebuilding projects in the Sheikha Al Anoud Al Thani, politics, he said. edge-based economy to achieve social and human city of New Orleans and neighbouring US cities, Head, Media Studies Section, said WASHINGTON: Qatari Ambassador to the US In a lecture at Robert H Smith School of development. Qatar is keen to enhance economic in an initiative that represented distinct relations the number of participants had Mohammed bin Jaham Al Kuwari stressed that Business at University of Maryland, College relations with other countries in all fields. For between both two countries. He also highlighted reached over 1,000 students so far Qatar attaches great importance to economic Park, Al Kuwari said from Qatar’s perspective, example, Qatar Investment Authority opened an Qatar’s pledge at the Syria Donors Conference in and each edition of the programme diplomacy as a main pillar of its foreign policy. the economic diplomacy works in two direc- office in New York last year to invest more than London for $100m in addition to $1.6bn already is special, with the common goal Over the past three decades, Qatar has been tions: Harnessing economic factors to enhance $35bn in US cities over the next five years. He reit- provided to contribute to alleviating the suffer- of highlighting traffic concepts keen to promote economic diplomacy at regional the foreign policy, and employing the foreign erated the importance of economic diplomacy in ing of Syrian refugees. among students. HOME MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 03

Emir receives invitation from Saudi King Djibouti’s President arrives

Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday received a written message from the Custodian of the Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh yesterday arrived on an official visit to Qatar. Minister Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom Saudi Arabia, containing an invitation of State for Defence Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, Qatari Ambassador to Djibouti to attend the closing ceremony of Ra’ad Al Shamal military exercise at King Khalid Military City next month. Jassim Jaber Jassim Sorour and Djibouti’s Ambassador to Qatar Mumin Hassan Barre welcomed Saudi Ambassador Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Aifan presented the message at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. him at Hamad International Airport.

Shopping mall visitors to receive environment-friendly bags for free

The Peninsula by Green Corporation to visi- environment friendly bags made tors to commercial centres to of organic materials. raise awareness about the nega- “Let us start with ourselves tive impact of plastic bags on the and reduce the use of plastic DOHA: Visitors to shopping malls environment. bags which are damaging our will receive environment-friendly The launch at W Doha Hotel environment and start using envi- bags for free under a new initia- was attended by Abdullah ronment-friendly bags,” Al Kawari tive launched by the Ministry of Mohammed Al Kawari, Director, said his opening speech. Municipality and Environment on Awareness and Environmental The aim of Green Corpo- Saturday. Education at the ministry, Abul- ration is to promote the use of A total of 150,000 bags will be rab Al Shabi, Chairman, Qatar environment friendly bags, said distributed to the public under the Green Corporation, diplomats Al Shabi. initiative ‘Go Green Qatar’. and officials. Dignitaries attending the event The campaign is part of Qatar The event started with the conveyed support to the initiative Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa (second left), CEO, QDB, addressing the media along with Ahmed Abu Nahia (left), Environment Day marked on Feb- screening of a short film on the and its efforts for environment Acting Director, Public Relations, QDB, Saleh Hamad Al Sharqi (third left), Director-General, Qatar Chamber, and ruary 26 under the theme ‘No to damage caused by plastic bags protection and to find environ- Pic: Baher / The Peninsula Hamad Rashid Al Naimi, Project Management Office Planner, QDB. plastic bags’. to sea and land environment ment-friendly solutions and Bags will be distributed and humans, stressing the use of alternatives. Qatar Chamber backs QDB’s SME Ranking Programme

Continued from page 1 motivate SMEs and unleash their hid- national GDP is very important, he said. den potential to maximise operational “It is very crucial to focus and sup- Qatar’s SME Ranking Programme and financial performances. port the SME sector, for it plays a critical will also serve as a platform to exchange “We also think that we will be able role in the country’s economic diversi- ideas and discuss best practices in the to enhance the quality of products and fication programme. SME sector, providing a learning oppor- manufactured items to enable it to “Our vision has always been to sup- tunity for all. compete on local, regional, and inter- port the private sector’s interests and The Qatar Chamber (QC) announced national levels,” said Saleh Al Sharki, create a network of communications that it will fully support QDB’s General Director, QC. with private sector organisations, in programme. At a time when the government is addition to providing state-of-the-art “The main goal behind the launch focusing more on non-hydrocarbon services to achieve sustainable devel- of the SME Ranking Programme is to sector, the SMEs’ contributions to the opment we seek,” he added. Officials at the launch of the initiative.

QU hosts first global forum on medicine and legal issues CIS rolled out at 2 health centres

The Peninsula The Peninsula promote partnerships with academic institu- tions that will participate in and benefit from such a conference.” DOHA: The Clinical Infor- Dr Saleh bin Ali Al Marri, Secretary-Gen- mation System (CIS) is being DOHA: Legal issues relating to the practice of eral, Medical Affairs, Supreme Council of implemented at Al Rayan and Al medicine in Qatar were discussed as experts Health, said, “Providing an integrated health- Shamal health centres on a trial convened for the first international confer- care system entails developing the legal by the Primary Health Corpora- ence on the link between law and medicine background of all practitioners in the health tion (PHCC). that opened at Qatar University (QU) yesterday. sector. The conference will discuss effective CIS provides better informa- The conference ‘Law and Medicine: Chal- methods to approach the aim.” tion for patients and reviewers. lenging the Future’ explored critical medical Keynote address was delivered by Stephen P The PHCC has completed pro- and legal challenges faced by medical prac- Nash of Squire Patton Boggs. Speakers included cedures to implement it at both titioners and the rights and safety of patients Dr Ibrahim Janahi and Dr Michael Richmond centres by training employees to in the light of rapid advances in medical care, (HMC); Dr Marcellina Mian, (WCM-Q); Dr Tim run an experimental implemen- research and technology. McDonald and Clinton Hermes (Sidra); and Dr tation of the system during the It was organised by QU colleges of Law Humayun Chaudhry (Federation of State Med- week, and before actual imple- (LAWC) and Medicine (CMED), Weill Cornell ical Boards, US). mentation next week. Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) and Hamad Medi- Participating in the panel discussions were CIS will ensure fast and accu- cal Corporation (HMC). LAWC Associate Dean for Research & Graduate rate services at health centres, The conference, supported by Qatar Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham, President, QU, and Dr Saleh bin Ali Al Marri, Secretary- Studies Dr Francis Botchway; and Law Pro- help physicians by providing an National Research Fund, brought together legal General, Medical Affairs, Supreme Council of Health, speaking at the event. fessors Dr Sonia Elleuch Mallek, Dr Ahmed S overview of the medical history and healthcare experts from around the world Hassanein, Dr Paula Young, Dr Tarek Rashed, of patients, and facilitate the pre- for two days of presentations, panel discussions Dr Reem Al Ansari, Dr Nazzal Kisswani, Dr scription, request for lab tests and and networking sessions. the development of a healthcare workforce for “QU recently launched the first national Gaber Mahgoub, Dr Mohammed Mattar and radiation tests, pictures archiving Topics included an analysis of the existing Qatar now and for the future. medical college to graduate future qualified Dr Basher Saad Zaghloul. College of Medicine and communication system. The regulatory framework for practicing medicine Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham, President, physicians and enrich the local and interna- faculty Prof Serhiy Souchelnytskyi spoke on PHCC has implemented CIS at 17 in Qatar and the Gulf, the liability of health- QU, said, “The healthcare system in Qatar has tional research sector towards enhancing the legislating personalised treatment for cancer centres since its launch in 2014 care providers, protecting patient privacy and witnessed remarkable development in recent human condition. The College of Law plays an patients, and Prof Hossam Hamdi addressed and will introduce it to other cen- rights, the current legal framework for sup- years to meet the objectives of Qatar National important role in promoting legal aspects of professionalism, medicine and law from an tres based on a plan. porting innovation in healthcare delivery, and Vision 2030. healthcare in Qatar. Both colleges are keen to Arab and Islamic perspective. 04 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 HOME

Coronaviruses study co-authored by QU expert appears in Nature

The Peninsula was first identified in 2005 in a 71-year-old man who was hospitalised with an acute respiratory distress and radiographically confirmed bilateral pneumonia. DOHA: A study co-authored by a Qatar Dr Yassine was the one that initiated University (QU) professor has become a the project, designed and made the con- breakthrough in efforts to fight corona- structs and did the initial characterisation viruses by solving the first low-resolution of the protein. structure of human coronaviruses Spike He said research about HKU1 virus had trimer — a protein that enables the virus been hindered by the difficulty to grow to enter host cells. the virus in typical cell culture systems. The study was published in Nature, “The whole work was initiated to iden- considered the most prestigious and highly tify the receptor of the virus and establish cited interdisciplinary scientific journal serological assays to study virus immuno- in the world. genicity” he added. The paper ‘Prefusion structure of a The large size of Spike protein and its human coronavirus spike protein’ has been extensive glycosylation have hindered The QRCS delegation with Syrian refugee children at one of the camps in Lebanon. co-authored by Dr Hadi Mohamad Yassine, structural studies of the full ectodomain, Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases preventing a molecular understanding of at Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). its function and limiting development of It features the first structure of human effective interventions. coronavirus (HKU1) spike protein. “The finding triggered the idea of solv- QRCS delegation visits Lebanon HKU1-CoV is one of six coronaviruses ing the structure of the protein, as there that infect human and falls into the same has been no structure available for any group like SARS- and MERS-CoV (beta- of the human coronaviruses spike trim- coronaviruses). The spike is the protein ers,” he added. Co-funded by QRCS and Bahrain Red Cres- centre in Majdal Anjar and visited the Depart- that gives the virus its “crown-shape” and Dr Yassine said these findings would The team reviews relief cent Society (BRCS) , the project will provide ment of Oncology and Pharmacy at Ghiras Al contains the receptor-binding domain. help solve structures of other spike pro- warmth for more than 700 Syrians living about Khair Centre. They held a meeting with Lynne Infection with this virus results in mild teins, like those for MERS and SARS and projects for Syrian refugees 1,000 metres above the sea level, helping pro- Miller, Deputy Representative of the office of respiratory illness but might lead to hos- aid in developing a better vaccine candi- and meets international tect them against cold-related diseases. the United Nations High Commissioner for Ref- pitalisation in immuno-compromised date against these viruses, or any other “QRCS’s strategy is focused on sustainable, ugees (UNHCR). patients. The virus causes up to five per- coronavirus that might emerge in the relief officials. well-planned and feasible projects that meet the An MoU was signed by Saleh bin Ali to make cent of respiratory infections in humans. It future. needs of displaced people,” said Saleh bin Ali. a $50,000 contribution to UNHCR’s winterisa- “We are happy with the contribution by tion aid programme, under which heating oil BRCS, under the umbrella of the GCC Secre- vouchers will be delivered to 1,000 Syrian fam- The Peninsula tariat-General,” he added. ilies in Arsal, northeastern Lebanon. He took part in preparedness training to Another meeting was held with the United Ooredoo revamps Hala MIPs with inform the displaced about how to deal with Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine DOHA: A high-profile delegation of Qatar Red fire, storm, snow and flood risks. The train- Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Country Crescent Society (QRCS) visited Lebanon to ing was conducted in cooperation with the Director for Lebanon, Matthias Schmale. more data and saving options review relief projects for Syrian refugees and Lebanese Red Cross for 10,400 beneficiaries They discussed the humanitarian situation hold meetings with international relief offi- in 20 camps. The delegation also visited cen- of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and how to cials there. tral and western Beqaa, where they launched work together to help them. The Peninsula refunded for any data they do not use dur- The delegation comprised Saleh bin Ali Al a project to pave the passages inside Al Homsi The delegation also attended the closing ing the day. Mohannadi, Secretary-General, QRCS, and Camp, Saadnayel, with diphenol and reviewed ceremony of a 10-day Health Emergencies in For those who want a longer data sub- Rashid bin Saad Al Mohannadi, Director, Social progress in installing thermal insulation sheets Large Populations (H.E.L.P.) course, held by scription option, the QR20 weekly MIP will Development, Al Khor Branch of the society. inside the tents. QRCS in Beirut, in cooperation with Inter- DOHA: Ooredoo has announced the offer 1,000MB of data that can be carried QRCS projects for Syrian refugees, includ- The visitors supervised the distribu- national Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), revamp of Hala Daily and Weekly Mobile over to the next week’s allowance upon ing solar water heaters installed at two shelter tion of warm clothes to Syrian students at Al Lebanese Red Cross (LRC), and Qatar Univer- Internet Packs (MIPs), as the company renewal, if the data has not all been used. complexes in Sir Ed Donie were opened. Amal School camp, opened a physiotherapy sity (QU). pushes to offer an enhanced experience Customers can also add an additional on the Ooredoo Supernet. 1GB anytime they want during the week. The new Mobile Internet Packs will Hala customers who want unlimited include two daily and two weekly options, Internet access on the Ooredoo Supernet enabling customers to choose the amount can subscribe for QR100 per week (with a Qatar STEAM they need. Fair Usage Policy of 35GB per week). As part of the revamp, Ooredoo has With the new Hala MIPs, Ooredoo is Fair 2016 introduced giveback options, so that data offering the best Mobile Internet Pack rate not used can be refunded or carried over in Qatar. to the next pack, giving superior value for The revamp aims to make the life eas- workshop held money and a better customer experience. ier for those who like to be connected to Hala customers can now choose to the Ooredoo Supernet anywhere anytime. subscribe to a Hala MIP daily pack with With the launch of the new MIP port- The Peninsula 150MB of data for QR3 per day. folio, all earlier subscription options will Customers who do not use any of the be phased out by March 31. To subscribe to data during the day will not be charged. an Ooredoo Mobile Internet Pack, custom- The second daily bundle will cost ers can log on to Ooredoo.qa for details or DOHA: Students from secondary schools across QR20 for 1,000MB and customers will be sign up through the Ooredoo App. Qatar attended a ‘Training on Project Presenta- tion, Safety & Security Management’ workshop ahead of Qatar Science, Technology, Engineer- ing, Art and Math Fair (Qatar STEAM). Qatar STEAM, an educational event organised by Qatar Foundation Research &

The workshop in progress.

Development (QF R&D), that welcomes students a member of Qatar Foun- from secondary schools dation for Education, across the country. Science and Community It encourages cre- Development (QF), will be ativity with scientific held from March 8 to 10 at inquiry and helps students Qatar National Conven- develop skills used in sci- tion Centre (QNCC). entific communication. It aims to facilitate Apart from being an environment in which recognised as national the nation’s young scien- champions, the winners tists can thrive through of Qatar STEAM Fair also first-hand experience of get a chance to represent research. This aligns with Qatar at the Intel Inter- QF’s endeavour to develop national Science and attitudes and skills to Engineering Fair (Intel build a knowledge- ISEF) in the US. based economy, bringing Qatar STEAM Fair is world-class education held annually in March and career opportunities at Qatar National Con- to Qatar. vention Centre in Conducted in English collaboration with Qatar and Arabic, the work- Foundation Research & shop was held to ensure Development (QF R&D), participants are familiar Qatar National Research with competition guide- Fund (QNRF) and the Min- lines and assist them with istry of Education and final preparations for Higher Education. their research projects. The competition aims A total of 200 par- to facilitate research ticipants, 65 percent of capabilities of Qatar’s whom are Qataris, will youth, while engaging compete in the fair, pre- the local community and senting research projects supporting the budding on a scientific category of scientists who will be part their choice. of the next generation to Qatar STEAM Fair is a lead Qatar into a knowl- nationwide competition edge-based economy. HOME MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 05

Ministry begins online Awareness drive draws school kids

survey on sustainable The Peninsula and thriving eco-system DOHA: A campaign being organ- ised by the Ministry of Municipality The Peninsula and economic impact. and Environment to raise awareness “Hence, protecting and nur- among children about health, food turing the natural resources are and environment is attracting a large more important than ever. Every number of school students. DOHA: The Ministry of Devel- individual can do his/her share So far, 1,145 students from 44 opment Planning and Statistics in protecting the environment schools participated in the event has launched an online survey by minimising energy and water being held at Doha Municipality for feedback from citizens and consumption and increasing premises under the theme ‘Recycling residents on how to build a sus- resource efficiency,” the minis- solid waste and reusing it’. tainable and thriving eco-system. try said in a statement. A drawing competition and exhi- The Baseline Survey of Envi- This is the first of three sur- bition is the highlight of the event. ronmental Attitude and Belief of veys and is addressing one of Awareness programmes are being Residents in Qatar is being con- Qatar’s two major grand chal- held on the sidelines of the exhibition ducted in collaboration with lenges — water and energy. to educate children about the impor- Qatar Environment and Energy The second and third surveys tance of protecting the environment Research Institute (QEERI), a will address other major issues from pollution. national research institute of such as waste, food, urbanisation, They are also taught to rational- Hamad Bin Khalifa University. climate change, local environ- ise consumption and how to dispose It will continue for a month mental initiatives and the role of of waste to help protect the natural and all residents are encouraged the government in environmen- resources. to complete it at the ministry’s tal protection. The programme targets stu- Schoolchildren taking part in a drawing competition. website (www.mdps.gov.qa). Results of this survey will be dents of primary and preparatory “Local and global environ- invaluable for the ministry and schools from Independent and pri- ment is a fundamental source of QEERI to support environmental vate schools, said a statement. importance of maintaining hygiene venue. The visiting students are get- given prizes at the end of the event. life. But in the last three decades, education and awareness pro- Some recycled materials like and protecting the environment are ting colouring books. A team from the ministry receives the global and local environment grammes and provide informed paper, wood, plastic, cloth, metal, also on display. Painting competitions are also students on daily basis and introduces is experiencing major changes, recommendations to policymak- glass and food waste are showcased A model showing how to bury being held on the sideline of the them to the purpose of the event, resulting in catastrophic human ers and government stakeholders. at the exhibition. waste and a miniature factory of exhibition on the them ‘Environ- importance of safe environment and Some paintings illustrating the organic fertilisers are set up at the ment Protection’. Winners will be how to reuse solid waste. RAF delivers 100 tonnes of winter Thousands visit Halal Qatar Festival aid to Syrian refugees in Jordan The Peninsula The Peninsula under the RAF initiative ‘Shita Al Dafi’ (warm winter), launched in the beginning of the winter sea- son to provide warm clothes and DOHA: Thousands of people visited the fifth Halal DOHA: Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah other materials to support the Syr- Qatar Festival which concluded at Katara yesterday. Foundation for Humanitarian Serv- ian refugee families sheltering in The annual festival organised by the Cultural ices (RAF) has delivered 100 tonnes neighbouring countries like Jordon, Village Foundation saw the attendance of children of aid to Syrian refugees in Jordan Lebanon and Turkey and those dis- from various schools. to protect them from cold weather. placed inside Syria. Ambassadors and diplomatic representatives The aid includes blankets, gloves, RAF is providing complete win- from the US, the UK, Pakistan, Argentina, Turkey, scarf, shawls and socks totalling ter gears to many families displaced Algeria, Bulgaria, Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil, 37,500 pieces, donated by Qatar- inside Syria in collaboration with Peru, Korea and the Philippines were among those based Al Emadi Real Estate Company local humanitarian organisation. who visited the 10-day festival. (Al Emadi Enterprises). The cost per family is estimated at They praised the festival which reflected Qatari The aid was transported in four QR2,400. and Gulf heritage through its rich content, including containers by road to Jordon in col- Aid for each family includes local belongings, art works and handmade objects laboration with a Jordanian charity seven blankets, enough warm displayed in the traditional market. organisation. clothes for the entire family worth They also appreciated the attention Qatar pro- Donations were collected and a room heater with solar system. vides to cultural and traditional events at Katara to preserve Qatari heritage and identity amid the advancement and modernisation the country is wit- nessing in various aspects. The festival provided visitors from all walks of life with opportunity to learn more about the cus- toms and traditions of Qatari people in the desert, Schoolchildren pose for a group picture at the festival. coastal areas and the city. The festival also included arts and crafts, tra- ditional food, games and folkloric songs, traditional tents and Arab-style majlis. gold or silver and their long, sharp edge determines diseases as it is collected during the cold winter Dairy, cattle-based products, perfume, folkloric the price. months. crafts and swords, among others, were sold at stalls. The outlet also sold wooden rifles and spears There were also antique stalls which sold art The Ghaith outlet for swords displayed a wide coated with gold or silver. objects and old household items such as coffee pots, variety of traditional swords used in Al Ardah tra- The ‘Bu Saif’ stall drew several visitors to its radios, perfume dispensers and chests made from ditional dance. honey products such as Seder honey collected from high-quality black timber where sea captains keep These swords are best known for their durabil- beehives in Seder orchids north of Qatar, Shahaniya, pearls. The market also had a stall for Arab and for- ity, beauty, crescent shape and light weight which Mazrooa and Rawdat Al Faras. eign perfumes whose ingredients varied between One of the four aid containers provided by RAF. is between 1kg and 1.2kg. They are made of steel, The honey is best prescribed for respiratory oils, herbs and flowers. NU-Q and QCRI to work on media research

The Peninsula

DOHA: Northwestern University in Qatar (NU- Q) and Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), a national research institute within Hamad Bin Khalifa University, have signed an agreement to collaborate on producing and disseminating theoretical and practical knowl- edge of media, communication and technology through research. Both will gain research capacity through the new memorandum of understanding (MoU) by complementing each other’s expertise. The agreement aims to reach larger audiences and constituencies for their work and create pos- sibilities for knowledge exchange and work experience opportunities. “Workshops, research collaborations, events, professional development activities, internships and employment opportunities for students are part of the agreement,” said Ever- Dr Ahmed Elmagarmid (left), Executive Director, QCRI, and Everette E Dennis, Dean and ette E Dennis, Dean and CEO, NU-Q. CEO, NU-Q, with other officials at the MoU signing ceremony. “NU-Q’s research programme is a major pillar of the school’s mission and strengthening its connections to Qatar, the Qatar Founda- and the region. Strengthening ties between scholarly studies by individual faculty mem- tion, Education City universities and the larger QCRI’s computer scientists and NU-Q’s com- bers; and a systematic approach to making Northwestern community will be beneficial. munication and journalism scholars will research more useful and attractive for Qatar’s Through research, we are nurturing the idea support our tackling these issues in the most students. QCRI focuses on tackling large-scale that knowledge is precious by creating rather impactful way possible.” Research at NU-Q computing challenges that address national than simply processing and applying it.” complements established scholarly studies priorities for growth and development. Dr Ahmed Elmagarmid, Executive Direc- across three major programmes: Journalism, Research is done in the areas of Arabic lan- tor, QCRI, said, “We are honoured to have the communication and liberal arts. guage technologies, data analytics, distributed opportunity to join forces with NU-Q to address The school has three key strands of systems, cyber security, computational sci- important research problems affecting Qatar research: An institutional research programme; ence and engineering and social computing. 06 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 HOME ‘Qatar Day’ organised in Milan for tour operators

The Peninsula 2015,” said Rashed Al Qurese, Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer, The event introduced QTA. tour operators, “The destination is well known DOHA: Qatar Tourism Authority by business travellers in Italy and (QTA) organised ‘Qatar Day’ in Milan travel professionals our aim is to attract more leisure vis- to introduce key Italian tour opera- and travel media itors, who wish to experience cultural tors, travel professionals and travel to Qatar’s tourist and artistic attractions in Qatar,” Al media to Qatar’s tourist offerings. Qurese added. The event was held in Grandi offerings. The event follows the opening of Stazioni — Piazza Luigi di Savoia, QTA’s representative office in Milan, Milan, the Royal Pavilion of Cen- which is reaching out to travellers tral train station which opened in and tour operators in Italy, one of 1931, and was recently restored and “A selection of the guests will be the country’s fastest growing visitor reopened. visiting Qatar in March to experience source markets. Guests were welcomed by Qatar the destination first hand. The office in Italy is the fourth to Airways crew. “During the last five years, there open in Europe and sixth worldwide. “The strong attendance at the has been an average increase by 11 It joins an international network cov- event indicates the interest of the percent per year in arrivals of Italian ering the UK, France, Germany, the Italian travel trade and media. tourists, who were nearly 34,000 in GCC markets and South East Asia. Participants at the event.

Qatar succeeds in reducing Indian embassy registered 29 deaths this month Mercedes-Benz models 2014 water usage in farm sector The Peninsula Section received 754 complaints from Follow Up Department is 126 and 175, recalled Indian workers compared to 4,132 respectively. last year. Ambassador Sanjiv Arora, Deputy Continued from page 1 period, agricultural production is, though, DOHA: The Indian embassy regis- Based on requests from Qatari Chief of Mission R K Singh and other Doha: The Minis- expected to grow by three percent. tered the deaths of its 29 nationals authorities for travel documents for officials met Indians attending the try of Economy and It is interesting to note that despite The usage of water by homes, offices, here this month. Indians in the Search and Follow Up event, discussed their problems and Commerce, in collab- increasing agricultural production, Qatar the government sector and commercial The total number of deaths regis- Department, the embassy issued 24 promised to follow up on their cases oration with Nasser has succeeded in reducing water usage enterprises is expected to grow to 58 per- tered last year was 279 and a similar emergency certificates this month. with Qatari authorities. Bin Khaled Auto- in the sector. cent by 2020 from 54 percent in 2011. number in the previous year. Details The embassy also issued 23 air Arvind Patil, President, Indian mobiles, dealer of The usage came down to 45 percent Water usage in the industrial sec- were released at the monthly Open tickets to Indians in distress for their Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF), Mercedes vehicles, by 2011 and is expected to further go tor grew by one percent until 2011 and is House at the embassy yesterday. return home this month. was present. Assistance given by ICBF has announced the down to 40 percent by 2020. During this expected to double by 2020. Since the beginning of this year, The total number of Indians in the to Indians during this month includes recall of Mercedes- the Labour and Community Welfare Central Prison and the Search and eight air tickets for destitute workers. Benz E Class and CLS 2014 models over a possible loose Three kiosks on trial at Women’s Hospital engine rubber strip. The ministry said Cloudy weather the recall is within the framework of Continued from page 1 its efforts to pro- tect consumers and The hospital has set up ensure dealers follow three kiosks on trial, said up on vehicle defects the pharmacist. More kiosks and repairs. may likely be added once The ministry said the experiment is over. it will coordinate If the patient has a with the dealer to query, he or she can dial follow up on main- the pharmacy from a phone tenance and repairs hanging in the kiosk and the and communicate needed numbers will also with customers to be there. All the patient ensure necessary has to do is press a button repairs are carried to access the pharmacy out. phone-in service. It urged custom- A Qatari said he appre- ers to report any ciated the idea. He said it violations to its Con- will help visitors, especially sumer Protection who have emergency cases, and Anti-Commercial because they have no time Fraud Department to wait like others and that through hotline: he tried one of the machines 16001; email: info@ One of the kiosks at the Women’s Hospital. but it didn’t work. mec.gov.qa; Twitter: @MEC_Qatar; Insta- gram: MEC_Qatar; and the minis- try’s mobile app for Android and IOS: MEC_Qatar The weather was partly cloudy yesterday with the weather bureau forecasting strong northwesterly winds in some areas of the country today. There are chances of scattered rains, accompanied by thunder at some places. Temperatures may vary between 18 degrees C (nightly) and 27 (daytime) Erring beauty today. The temperature in Doha will be 21 degrees (nightly) and 27 (daytime). Pic: Abdul / The Peninsula salon shut down

DOHA: Inspectors from the Ministry of Economy and Com- merce have ordered a beauty salon in New Al Mirqab closed for selling products whose validity dates had expired. The ministry said in a statement yesterday that the violation by the salon was detected during an inspection drive. News about the closure is posted by the ministry on its website and pub- lished in two local daily newspapers at the errant out- let’s expenses. People can report suspected violations of the provisions of the Consumer Pro- tection Law No. 8 of 2008 to the ministry at its hotline 16001 or by email (info@ mec.gov.qa). MIDDLE EAST MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 07 Rowhani allies sweep Tehran seats in boost to moderates

University’s School of Foreign Serv- could play a major role in shaping the Reformist and ice in Qatar. Rowhani is likely to “feel country’s direction, amid deep ideo- emboldened to continue with his pri- logical differences over the wisdom moderate candidates orities,” he said. of opening up to the international capture all 30 The coalition of moderates and community. reformists that had formed in the Rowhani, the architect of a diplo- parliamentary build-up to balloting also took an matic U-turn that led to the nuclear seats in Tehran. early lead in a separate vote for the accord and the removal of global Assembly of Experts, a top clerical sanctions, wants to translate his for- body tasked with selecting the Islamic eign-policy coup into benefits for Republic’s supreme leader when the Iranians ahead of the 2017 presiden- Bloomberg position becomes vacant. It is cur- tial race, when he might seek a second rently held by 76-year-old Ayatollah term. Ali Khamenei, who backed Rowha- For foreign investors eyeing a rel- ni’s nuclear diplomacy but regularly atively untapped market of 77 million TEHRAN: Allies of Iranian President expresses deep skepticism over US consumers, a victory for moderates Hassan Rowhani made significant intentions toward Iran. more in tune with the president’s gains as preliminary results from last Sixteen seats in the 88-member agenda could speed laws opening week’s twin election were announced, body are reserved for the capi- the economy to more international with reformist and moderate candi- tal. Renowned hard-line clerics business. dates capturing all 30 parliamentary Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi Having harnessed the power of seats in Tehran. and Mohammad Yazdi, lost their social media during campaigning, The early victories and reports of seats, according to the initial vote reformist activists feted their success a high turnout spurred claims of vic- count. Both have opposed reforms. in Tehran, posting jokes and photos on tory on social media by activists and Rowhani and a leading ally, former Twitter and the widely popular mobile media who share Rowhani’s ambi- President Ali Akbar Hashemi Raf- app Telegram. tion of overhauling the post-sanctions sanjani, retained their seats on the “Dear citizens! Attention please, economy with the help of foreign assembly. attention please, Tehran is now free!” investment and perhaps easing some The results reflect a “vote of confi- read one message. Another mocked Iranian journalists work in a press room at the Interior Ministry as they follow the preliminary results of the social restrictions. Yet to secure con- dence by the most politicized segment the media ban imposed on reform- trol of the legislature and confront parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections, in Tehran, yesterday. of the Iranian society for Rowhani and ist ex-president Mohammad Khatami entrenched conservative power in Rafsanjani’s vision of a more plural- by hardliners. other governing institutions like the “decisive victory,” while Etemad, the February 26 ballot was Gholam “Turnout was much higher than istic polity that is integrated into the In a message published on Satur- judiciary, the president will need sim- which also backs progressives, saw Ali Haddad-Adel, ex-parliamentary most anticipated,” signaling broad global economy,” said Ali Vaez, sen- day, Rowhani called on “people and ilar wins nationwide. a “shake-up in parliament.” speaker and spokesman for a major participation including among ior Iran analyst at the New York-based the government to speak with the The reformist Aftab newspaper In Tehran about 2.6 million hard-line parliamentary faction. younger voters more likely to support International Crisis Group. “Ultra- same voice” and make “use of inter- heralded “the soft breeze of victory” votes had been counted out of an Participation in the parliament vote the president, said Mehran Kamrava, conservatives are on the back foot, national opportunities to start a new in a headline on its front page. The electorate of 8 million, state televi- was more than 60 percent, accord- director of the Center for International but not defeated.” chapter in the growth and blossom- leading Shargh daily announced a sion reported. One notable victim of ing to authorities. and Regional Studies at Georgetown Together, Friday’s two elections ing of the national economy.”

Israeli settlement Anti-government protest Bombings near Baghdad closed to Palestinians market kill 31

Agencies AFP & QNA Others were shot dead by Israeli forces during clashes and dem- onstrations. Many analysts say JERUSALEM/RAMALLAH: Pal- Palestinian frustration with Israeli BAGHDAD: Bombings near a estinians have been barred from occupation and settlement build- market in a Shia area of northern entering one of the largest Israeli set- ing in the West Bank, the complete Baghdad killed at least 22 people tlements in the occupied West Bank lack of progress in peace efforts and yesterday, security and medical for five days after an attack that crit- their own fractured leadership have officials said. ically wounded a security guard, an fed the unrest. The blasts in the Sadr City official said yesterday. Israel blames incitement by Pal- area, at least one of which was a The Israeli police ban on entry estinian leaders and media as a main suicide bombing, also wounded at to the Maale Adumim settlement is cause of the violence. Many of the least 55 people. to last until Thursday and affects attackers have been young Palestini- The bombings were the dead- some 500 Palestinian labourers, a ans, including teenagers, who appear liest attacks to hit the capital this spokesman for the settlement said. to have been acting on their own. year. Palestinians had initially been Israeli occupation forces There was no immediate claim banned after the attack on Friday overnight detained at least 10 Pales- of responsibility for the attacks, but the measure has now been tinians, including two minor bothers, but suicide bombings are a tac- extended. The decision came as from across the West Bank, includ- tic almost exclusively employed Israeli authorities announced that ing Jerusalem, Palestinian News in Iraq by Sunni militants, espe- overnight they had arrested the Pal- Agency Wafa quoted local and secu- cially members of the Islamic State estinian accused of committing the rity sources as saying. jihadist group. knife and hatchet attack at a shop- In Bethlehem district, Israeli IS considers Shiite Muslims, ping mall in the settlement. undercover troops ambushed, who make up the majority of The suspect was identified as attacked with gunfire and injured Iraq’s population, to be heretics Saadi Ali Abu Hamad, 21, from the two Palestinians who, along with Supporters of the Lebanese Phalange Party wave national flags and chant anti-government slogans and frequently targets them with nearby town of Al Azariya. two others, were inside a vehicle during a protest calling for waste crisis solution, near the government palace in Beirut, yesterday. bombings and other attacks. Israeli police said someone near the village of Deir Salah. The jihadist group, which linked to his family told authori- The two were not identified, and overran swathes of Iraq in 2014, ties he was ready to turn himself were transferred by the Israeli force claimed twin suicide bombings in, which led to his arrest. Maale to a hospital in Jerusalem for medical targeting Shiite worshippers on Adumim, east of Jerusalem, has a treatment prior to detention. The two Egypt police officer shot dead in IS attack Thursday that killed at least nine population of about 36,000 and is others were also detained. people. one of the largest Israeli settlements Israeli occupation Naval forces Those bombings took place in in the West Bank. A wave of violence on Saturday fired shells at Pales- AFP insurgency in the peninsula. to eliminate the apostate Abdullah Shuala, another Shiite-majority in Israel and the Palestinian terri- tinian fishing boats off the coast of Gunmen opened fire on Captain Khalil... in the centre of the city of El- area in northern Baghdad. tories since October has killed 177 the besieged Gaza Strip. Palestin- Abdullah Khalil in the early hours of Arish,” it said in a statement posted While attacks are still common Palestinians. ian sources reported that the Isreali Sunday as he stood in front of his house on the group’s Twitter accounts. in Baghdad, violence in the capital Most of the Palestinians who naval boats heavily fired on fish- CAIRO: Masked gunmen shot dead in El Arish, the provincial capital of North The IS affiliate is waging an has decreased significantly since died in the violence were killed by ing boats which, were sailing about an Egyptian police officer yesterday Sinai, the ministry said in a statement. insurgency in the restive peninsula IS launched a sweeping offensive Israeli forces while carrying out four nautical miles off the coast of in the Sinai, the interior ministry said, The Sinai Province, the Egyptian affil- that has killed hundreds of soldiers in June 2014, after which many of knife, gun and car-ramming attacks, Sudaniya in Gaza’s northwest, caus- in an attack claimed by the Islamic iate of IS, claimed the attack. and policemen since the military its militants became occupied with according to Israeli authorities. ing damage to a number of them. State (IS) group which is leading an “A security detachment was able overthrew Islamist president Mursi. fighting in other areas. Erdogan says ‘no Militiamen and guards clash respect’ for ruling Arab League chief says to free scribes will not seek second term at Yemen presidential palace ISTANBUL: President Recep Mubarak earlier that year. “I have asked the Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday he AFP Egyptian government not to think about had “no respect” for a decision by renewing my mandate,” Arabi told reporters AFP bills for guards wounded in an attack there Turkey’s top court to release two at the League’s headquar- last month. journalists held on charges of ters in Cairo, adding that Six guards were killed and several were revealing state secrets, triggering CAIRO: Arab League his present tenure would wounded in the attack on Jan. 28 at the Maashiq accusations he was trampling on chief Nabil Al Arabi (pic- end in early July. ADEN: Yemeni militiamen clashed with sol- palace in the crater district, for which Yemen’s the constitution. tured), said yesterday Traditionally, the sec- diers guarding the presidential palace in the branch of Islamic State claimed responsibility. The Constitutional Court -- he would not seek a sec- retary-general of Arab southern Yemeni city of Aden yesterday, a local “They wanted to discuss compensation for one of the few Turkish public ond term as secretary League has held the post official and residents said, in a rare confron- those killed and paying the medical bills for the institutions not fully under Erdog- general of the pan-Arab for two terms, and Cairo tation between the previously allied forces. wounded ... When the guards blocked them, a an’s control -- had allowed the body after his present has always insisted that The embattled Yemen government is based gun battle erupted involving light and medium release of the Cumhuriyet news- term ends in July. it be held by an Egyptian in Aden and has struggled to build up a national weapons,” the official said. paper’s editor-in-chief Can Dundar Arabi, 80, took over as diplomat. military and pay its bills, including to fighters Residents in the area reported several cas- and Ankara bureau chief Erdem League chief from fellow Since becoming sec- who have fought on its behalf, as Al Qaeda and ualties in the fighting but could not give precise Gul after three months in jail. Egyptian diplomat Amr retary general, Arabi has Islamic State militants have taken advantage figures. A series of attacks by militants have “I don’t concur with the deci- Moussa in 2011. had to manage a number of 10 months of civil war to expand their pres- for months rocked the city, where the Saudi- sion and I have no respect for it,” He had served as of sensitive issues, ence in the city. backed President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi Erdogan told reporters before leav- foreign minister in the including the conflicts in A local official said the attackers, affiliated and his government are trying to oversee a ing on a week-long trip to Africa. Egyptian government that came to power Syria, Iraq and Libya, as well as the rise of with a local militia called the Popular South- campaign to dislodge Iran-allied Houthis from “This issue is not remotely after the ouster of longtime president Hosni the Islamic State jihadist group. ern Resistance, sought an audience with top the northern half of the country they seized linked freedom of expression. It’s officials inside the palace over unpaid medical in 2014. a spying case,” he said. 08 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 MIDDLE EAST Saudi accuses Russia of truce violations in Syria

17-nation) Syria Support Group,” co- State jihadist group and Al Qaeda- ran counter to two UN Security Coun- number of violations by groups of “confirmed through several channels Warplanes, believed chaired by Russia and the United affiliated Al Nusra Front, which cil resolutions, Russia’s Interfax news ‘moderate’ opposition and units of including representatives of the Syrian States, said Jubeir. together control more than half of agency reported. international terrorist organisations.” Democratic Forces,” Kuralenko was to be either Syrian Russia, which has waged a five- Syria. “We all said there was no ‘Plan The ministry highlighted an over- quoted as saying by Russian reporters, or Russian, bombed month bombing campaign to support Jubeir said that Russia was tar- B’. We must implement what we have night attack on the town of Tal Abyad referring to a US-backed Kurdish- Assad, blamed “moderate” rebels, Tur- geting Syria’s “moderate opposition” decided together,” he said. on the border with Turkey. Arab alliance. seven villages in the key and jihadists for nine ceasefire groups. Saudi Arabia is a main supporter A group of up to 100 fighters from According to the Syrian Observ- provinces of Aleppo violations. UN special envoy Staffan de Mis- of the Syrian rebels battling Assad’s the Islamic State stronghold of Raqa, atory for Human Rights, the Kurdish and Hama, Syrian But “on the whole, the ceasefire tura was “in contact with the Russians regime since 2011. who crossed the border from Turkey, forces and their Arab allies success- regime in Syria is being implemented,” and the Syrian regime on this mat- However, Russia said yesterday mounted an attack on the northern fully pushed back a fierce IS offensive Observatory for Lieutenant General Sergei Kuralenko, ter to reach an agreement that would that a fragile ceasefire in Syria had part of the Tal Abyad, it said, adding by Saturday night with backing from the Human Rights says. head of Moscow’s coordination cen- limit or end military operations been breached nine times over the they were acting in unison with other US-led coalition. In Latakia, Al-Nusra tre in Syria, was quoted as saying by against the moderate Syrian oppo- past 24 hours including by Turkey fighters. Front jihadists, acting from territory Russian news agencies. sition and focus instead on Daesh but that the deal was mostly holding. “The activities of the armed controlled by moderate rebels, shelled The Syrian Observatory for (Arabic acronym for IS) and Al Nusra,” The defence ministry said groups were supported by artillery a unit of Desert Falcons, the Russian Human Rights has said that several Jubeir said. violations were committed by mod- fire from Turkish territory,” the chief ministry said, referring to an Iranian- AFP air strikes hit central and northern “Things will become clearer in the erate rebels as well as “terrorist of the coordination centre, Lieuten- backed regime force. Syria yesterday. coming days on whether the regime organisations”. ant General Sergei Kuralenko, said in “As a result of the shelling there Warplanes, believed to be either and Russia are serious or not about “Over the past 24 hours, nine televised remarks. are a lot of dead and wounded among Syrian or Russian, bombed seven vil- the ceasefire,” he said. instances of violations of cessation “Kurdish rebel units had pushed rebels and locals.” RIYADH: Saudi Arabia yesterday lages in the provinces of Aleppo and Jubeir added countries supporting of hostilities have been uncovered,” the fighters out of the city by morn- Russia also said Damascus was accused President Bashar Al Assad’s Hama, the monitor said. the Syrian opposition had an “alterna- the ministry said, citing its coordina- ing of February 28.” shelled six times Saturday, adding that regime and its ally Russia of “cease- A ceasefire brokered by Moscow tive” without Assad if the truce failed, tion centre at the Hmeimim airbase Moscow said it had demanded an the attack came from territory con- fire violations” in Syria. and Washington took effect at mid- referring to US State Secretary John in Syria. “On the whole, the ceasefire explanation from the United States, trolled by moderate rebels including “There are violations to the cease- night on Friday, but the Riyadh-based Kerry’s comments on Tuesday about regime in Syria is being implemented,” which leads an anti-IS coalition that Eastern Ghouta, east of the capital. fire from Russian and (Syrian) regime opposition and Russia have reported a “Plan B”. it said of the deal brokered by Moscow includes Turkey. Turkey has said it is “At the request of the Russian aircraft,” Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir several breaches from opposing sides. Russian Deputy Foreign Minis- and Washington which took effect not bound by the ceasefire deal if its centre for reconciliation, Syrian gov- told reporters in Riyadh. The ceasefire agreement does not ter Mikhail Bogdanov said Riyadh’s from 2200 GMT Friday. national security was threatened. ernment troops did not open return “We are discussing this with (the include territory held by the Islamic statement on the existence of a Plan B “At the same time there are a The Tal Abyad attack was fire,” the ministry said.

Al Shabaab kills Woman staff 17 in twin blasts in Somali town

Reuters civilians, with 25 others injured. A police officer said a suicide car bomb blew up at the junction while a sec- ond blast - possibly a bomb that had MOGADISHU: Somalia’s Al Shabaab been planted or a suicide bomber - group bombed a busy junction and struck the restaurant. a nearby restaurant yesterday in “We targeted government offi- the town of Baidoa, killing at least cials and forces,” al Shabaab’s 17 people, a police officer and the military operation spokesman group said. Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab told Al Shabaab often carries out such Reuters, adding there was a police suicide attacks in the capital and station nearby. elsewhere in its bid to topple Soma- Ismail Olad told Reuters the two lia’s Western-backed government. locations were full of civilians and The group wants to impose its strict security forces. “I heard a huge crash version of Islamic rule in the Horn at the busy junction and as I ran, I of Africa nation. heard another blast at a restaurant “The restaurant and the junc- ahead of me. The whole place was tion were very busy and the death covered by smoke,” he said. toll may rise,” Police Major Bilow The blasts follows a car bomb Nurr told Reuters from Baidoa, attack in Mogadishu near a park and which lies about 245km northwest hotel on Friday that killed 14 people, of Mogadishu. police said. He said three militants A female employee with a fuel pump at a petrol station in Cairo, Egypt. A petrol station in the Egyptian capital hires women to work as Police Colonel Abdi Osman from the al Shabaab group were also attendants. Until now petrol stations were staffed almost exclusively by men. said the death toll was 17, mostly killed.

Turkey thwarted Egyptian MP attacked for dining with Israeli envoy 18 suicide attacks since Jan AFP Okasha came under fire after he escorting an angry Ahmad from the his statements, which are insults to Egypt’s political elite remains invited Israel’s ambassador to Cairo, assembly as he waved his shoe. parliament, the people and national hostile to any normalisation of ties Haim Koren, to his home for dinner “I expressed the Egyptian peo- security,” lawmaker Mustafa Al Bakry with Israel. Relations between the AFP last week where they discussed Egyp- ple’s opinion. This shoe wasn’t just said. “We can expect him to lose his two further soured after the June CAIRO: Egyptian lawmakers tian and Israeli politics. intended for Tawfiq Okasha’s face membership, which would be the big- 2012 election of the Muslim Brother- expressed outrage yesterday at their Okasha talked about his meeting and head, but also for the Knesset gest punishment,” another lawmaker, hood’s Mohamed Mursi as Egyptian colleague Tawfiq Okasha for hosting with Koren in an interview in inde- and the Zionist entity,” Ahmad said Khaled Youssef, said. president. ISTANBUL: Turkish security forces the Israeli ambassador to dinner, and pendent Egyptian daily Al Masry Al in a video posted on the newspaper The parliament said on its website Mursi was ousted in July 2013 have prevented 18 potential sui- one hit him with a shoe — an insult in Youm, saying the two agreed that Al Shuruq’s website. it had also called for an investigation by then army chief Abdel Fattah cide attacks since the New Year, the Arab world. Israel “has a key role in the issue of Lawmakers said they had called into the incident involving Ahmad. Al Sisi, who was elected president the interior minister said yester- Lawmaker Kamal Ahmad struck the dam” being built by Ethiopia on for an internal investigation over the Although Egypt became the first in 2014. In September 2015, Israel day, with the country on high alert Okasha, a controversial television the Nile. comments made by Okasha, who has Arab country to sign a peace treaty opened a new embassy in Cairo, four after a deadly suicide car bomb- anchor, with his shoe in the assembly Live footage broadcast by pri- previously aired anti-Israeli views. with Israel in 1979, their ties have years after protesters stormed its mis- ing in Ankara earlier this month. amid a group of agitated lawmakers, vate television channel CBC Extra “He has been referred to a spe- been formally cold over Israel’s pol- sion following the ouster of longtime Interior Minister Efkan Ala told television footage showed. yesterday showed some lawmakers cial parliamentary committee for icies towards the Palestinians. leader Hosni Mubarak. Haber 7 TV in an interview that three cars loaded with explosives to be used in attacks had been found by the authorities. He indicated that one car was Air strike hits Libya’s seized at Istanbul’s Bogazici Uni- versity last week which caused a major security alert on the cam- IS stronghold pus. “Since the start of the year, 18 suicide bombings have been prevented... We don’t talk (to the public) about most of the prevented AFP committee of the city’s municipal attacks,” he said, without giving council said the convoy left Sirte details on the nature of the plots. and was then targeted “about 150km Twenty-nine people were southwest of the city”. “It was com- killed in the suicide car bomb- TRIPOLI: A strike by an unidentified pletely destroyed,” he said. ing on a convoy of military buses aircraft hit a convoy outside a Lib- He had no immediate word on in the capital on February 17 that yan stronghold of the Islamic State the death toll. On February 19, a US was claimed by a Kurdish mil- group yesterday, officials said. air strike near Sabratha, west of itant group. In 2015, there were “A convoy was hit by an air Tripoli, targeted a suspected IS train- also four deadly bomb attacks strike” outside the coastal city of ing camp, killing 50 people. blamed on Islamic State (IS) mil- Sirte, a colonel with the air force IS have taken advantage of the itants, including the deadliest in loyal to the Tripoli administration chaos since the 2011 ouster of long- Turkey’s modern history that killed said. “It is believed that it was an time dictator Muammar Gaddafi to 103 people in Ankara in October. IS convoy, but the target has not yet spread its influence in the oil-rich There have also been sporadic been identified,” he said. country. Last June, the group seized attacks by radicals from the out- “This air strike was not coor- Gaddafi’s hometown of Sirte, rais- lawed ultra-leftist Revolutionary Destroyed buildings after clashes between military forces loyal to Libya’s eastern government and Islamist dinated with our government,” he ing fears that it is establishing a new People’s Liberation Party-Front fighters in Benghazi, yesterday. added. A member of the security stronghold on Europe’s doorstep. (DHKP-C). ASIA / PHILIPPINES MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 09

Philippines hits Inside a drainage culvert out at Madonna over flag stunt

“This should he made clear to organisers and performers in Photos from one of concerts so that there will be no rep- her two concerts last etition of the incident.” Coloma said in an earlier state- week published in ment that the government was local media showed “keen” on banning the Queen of Pop from performing in the Philippines the 57-year-old because of the controversy. American mega- However Coloma later said the star draped in the government did not want to ban her, and that the initial statement that Philippine flag. it did was based on a wrong inter- pretation of comments by another presidential aide. A 1998 law pre- scribes a one-year jail term, as well AFP as a token fine, for wearing the Phil- Boys play inside a drainage culvert used for flood control in Metro Manila, yesterday. ippine flag “in whole or in part as a costume or uniform”. The flag flap was the second MANILA: The Philippines criticised controversy provoked by Madon- Madonna yesterday for disrespecting na’s visit to the devoutly Catholic its flag during a concert in Manila, Asian nation. and said it would call on organis- A Catholic bishop last week S Korea filibuster runs beyond 100 hours ers of future events to avoid similar called on the faithful to stay away incidents. from Madonna’s concerts, which Photos from one of her two con- often encompass religious themes, certs last week published in local “Pinoys (Filipinos) and all God- Reuters afternoon, making it the world’s long- Geun-hye’s office called for parlia- controls 157 of the assembly’s 293 media showed the 57-year-old loving people should avoid sin and est, according to the Kyunghyang ment to pass the stalled security bill, seats, have expressed dismay that the American mega-star draped in the occasions of sin,” Archbishop Ramon Shinmun newspaper. The marathon part of tough action taken by her speech-making is causing other bills Philippine flag. Arguelles said in a statement posted filibuster easily surpassed a 58-hour government amid heightened ten- to be delayed ahead of parliamentary While press reports said the on the Catholic Bishops Conference SEOUL: South Korean opposition session by 103 members of Canada’s sion with North Korea following its elections due in April. audience roared its approval at the of the Philippines’ official website. lawmakers seeking to block a gov- New Democratic Party in 2011. test launch of a long-range rocket Opposition lawmaker Jung music icon, who was in the country Arguelles said the concerts, ernment-backed “anti-terrorism” 23 lawmakers had spoken for an this month and its fourth nuclear test Chung-rae spoke for 11 hours and as part of her global “Rebel Heart” Madonna’s first in the Philippines, bill pushed their record-breaking average of five hours each in opposi- last month. The opposition wants the 39 minutes on Saturday, the long- tour, Filipino authorities were less were among “subtle attacks of the filibuster into a sixth straight day of tion to a bill they believe will threaten removal of a provision in the bill that est speech of the filibuster thus far. amused. evil one”. A Roman Catholic bishop speeches in the parliamentary cham- personal freedoms if passed. Many would give South Korea’s intelligence Some lawmakers have come to tears “Our flag law is strict as we want in the Philippines this week urged ber yesterday. carried boxes of documents to the agency authority to monitor private during their speeches, while one of to instill respect for the Philippine the faithful to boycott Madon- The filibuster began on Tuesday podium at the National Assembly, communications. them sang and another read aloud flag,” presidential spokesman Her- na’s shows over her “suggestive” and had continued around the clock some wearing sneakers. Lawmakers from the conserv- from George Orwell’s “1984,” accord- minio Coloma said in a statement. performance. for more than 115 hours by yesterday Earlier this month, President Park ative ruling Saenuri party, which ing to a South Korean newspaper.

Sinking cruise ship ‘Ice doctors’ Bangladesh’s ‘Tree Man’ may return to Everest after avalanche need dozen more operations

AFP AFP said. But Bajandar would need up to 15 operations in total to rid his body of the growths, which may take six months to one year, Sen said. KATHMANDU: Nepal’s experi- DHAKA: A Bangladeshi father Bajandar, from the southern dis- enced “ice doctors” were preparing dubbed “Tree Man” for massive trict of Khulna, was diagnosed with yesterday to return to Everest to bark-like warts on his hands and feet epidermodysplasia verruciformis, ready the mountain for the upcom- may need a dozen more operations an extremely rare genetic condi- ing climbing season, almost one to remove the growths, a hospital tion dubbed “tree-man disease” that year after a huge earthquake trig- director said yesterday. causes the growths. gered a deadly avalanche. A team of doctors operated on He has become a celebrity, with Eight of the mountaineers and Saturday on Abul Bajandar’s right people travelling to Khulna over the their support teams were perform- hand to remove some of the smaller years to see him and hundreds visit- ing prayers at the bottom of Everest growths, his second such operation, ing him in hospital. Bajandar said he before leaving for base camp to fix said Dhaka Medical College Hos- was determined to continue with the routes through a treacherous ice- pital facility director Samanta Lal treatment no matter how long it took. fall for climbers, a top official said. Sen. The 26-year-old was admit- “The first operation has given “Starting from 7th March, the ted to hospital last month to finally me hope,” he said. “I don’t want to expert team will continue opening shed some of the growths weigh- return to my village without clear- expedition routes and fix ladders ing at least five kilograms that first ing my hands and feet. I want to and ropes for the upcoming sea- began appearing 10 years ago. get back to my old life,” the father- Thai officials in a boat inspect an abandoned cruise ship sinking in the sea near the Laem Chabang son,” Nishan Shrestha, CEO of the “We removed some small warts of-one said. Bajandar was given port in the Chonburi province, Thailand, yesterday. The Chinese cruise ship ‘Ocean Dream’ sank 2km off Sagarmatha Pollution Control from his palm. We also did dressing the all-clear for surgery after tests Thailand’s largest seaport on Saturday, raising concerns over possible oil leaks. Committee, which manages the of his fingers, which were operated confirmed the warts were not peak, said. on last week. He’s now better,” Sen cancerous. Nepal is hoping the April-May season will see climbers return to the world’s highest peak, provid- ing much-needed revenue to the Destruction of monuments of impoverished country. Nepal has Weaving silk been hard hit by falling tourism following last April’s earthquake which killed nearly 9,000 people. Timbuktu goes before ICC The quake triggered the April 25 avalanche which left 18 people dead at Everest base camp. It was the second in as many Reuters western African nation of Mali from crimes by deliberately attacking” years after 16 Nepali guides lost 2012 to 2013. religious and historic monuments their lives on the icefall in 2014, The two-day hearing at the court between June 30, 2012 and July 10, sparking a shutdown of the peak. in The Hague has been called to con- 2012. Ice doctors, highly-skilled THE HAGUE: Prosecutors will unveil firm the charges against Faqi, before “I think this is an extremely pow- mountaineers, are the first men on tomorrow charges against an alleged the start of an eventual trial at a later erful case,” Stephen Rapp, former US the peak every season, using ropes Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist accused of date. ambassador-at-large for war crimes and ladders to build a route across destroying monuments at the fabled Straddling the southern gateway said. plunging crevasses and constantly city of Timbuktu in an unprecedented of the Sahara desert and a protected “In these sort of conflicts, the shifting ice, including the danger- case before the world’s only perma- world heritage site, the mere men- destruction of religious, cultural or ous Khumbu icefall. nent war crimes court. tion of Timbuktu, which was once a historical objects, and the patri- Some returned last September Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi will key trading post, evokes centuries of mony of the people, is another way to prepare for the autumn season, be the first jihadist to appear before history. in which you destroy a civilisa- when just a few climbers attempt the International Criminal Court So there was global outcry when tion, destroy a religion, the kind of the summit. (ICC), and the first person in its dock jihadists overran it in early 2012, and things on which life is based in our But they are needed again facing war crimes charges for alleg- attacked its ancient earthen mauso- societies.” for the main spring season when edly ordering an attack on a historic leums dating back to the city’s golden Timbuktu, founded in the 11th hundreds of climbers normally monument. age as an economic, intellectual and century, was “one of the great cen- take advantage of good weather Prosecutors will be seeking to spiritual centre in the 15th and 16th tres of Islamic learning in the world, conditions on the 8,848-metre convince three judges they have centuries. a centre of civilisation at a time when mountain. enough evidence to try Faqi, who According to the ICC arrest Europe was in the dark ages,” said Mountaineering is a huge rev- is about 40, in what will also be the warrant, Faqi is accused of being Rapp, now a distinguished fellow enue earner for Himalayan Nepal, A Cambodian woman weaves silk to make cloth at Kohdach village first case brought by the ICC over the “responsible individually and jointly with The Hague Institute for Glo- home to eight of the world’s 14 on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, yesterday. extremist violence that rocked the with others ... for committing war bal Justice. peaks over 8,000 metres. 10 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 OPINION

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

ACTING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL Irish uncertainty Irreversible disintegration reland is mired in political uncertainty after Prime Minister Enda Kenny’s coalition government was ousted in an election that produced no clear of the Arab World? alternative. The election results echo recent elections in other eurozone countries like Spain as voters have Iput their faith in anti-establishment and anti-austerity candidates. It is not clear when final results will be known after governments have long awaited extensively about the Arab region, In light of the above partition external support but instead they proposed that the Arab World can- plan, it becomes easier to compre- Friday’s vote, but with 134 of 168 seats counted, voters had received only ambiguous responses not unite under one rule because hend the current developments in clearly punished Kenny and junior coalition partner Labour, and evident apathy. The story could of its diverse ethnic and sectarian the whole region, from the invasion leaving historical enemies Fine Gael and Fianna Fail with have ended there. However the divisions. He therefore argued that of Iraq, to the responses of West- the only clear numbers to form a government. But that is a worst was yet to come since external the West should take advantage of ern powers vis-à-vis the current prospect both sides would find extremely difficult to swallow. powers took it in turns to intervene this diversity to further dominate war in Syria, the powerlessness of With 134 of 168 seats counted, voters had clearly punished in different places and by various the region. the UN and reluctance to support means. The great Western pow- Also Lewis proposed in 1992, democratic transition in the Arab Kenny and junior coalition partner Labour, leaving historical ers have never been interested in after the Operation Desert Storm, Spring countries such as Tunisia. foes Fine Gael and Fianna Fail with the only clear numbers spreading democracy in the Arab that the Arab region will witness a It is foolish to argue that no plan to form a government, a prospect both would struggle to world. If any, it is a brand of rule Lebanisation type of civil wars. In is underway to slice these coun- swallow. Kenny’s Fine Gael is likely to be the largest party By Dr Noureddine Miladi that extends their interests and Foreign Affairs he wrote at that time: tries into small states on ethnic though with a much-reduced seat count and is closely influence in the region. Democ- “The eclipse of pan-Arabism and religious grounds: into Shia, followed by Fianna Fail. Both sides will have a majority racy which brings free elections, has left Islamic fundamentalism as Sunni, Alawite, Druze, Christians, between them but will have to overcome a century of bitter rule of the law, political stability, the most attractive alternative to all and Kurds… i.e. divide and conquer he events of the Arab Spring and economic prosperity is not what those who feel that there has to be for the benefit of ‘Greater Israel’. political enmity. Even if a coalition is formed, it will be beset revolutions, which started has been promoted so far. something better, truer and more However, it is obviously unwise to with problems that arise from the union of two disparate in Tunisia on 17 December The plan now is to further split hopeful than the inept tyrannies argue that the disintegration of Iraq, parties. 2010 and culminated in the Arab countries into smaller enti- of their rulers and the bankrupt Syria, Yemen and Libya into little Tousting the regime of Zein el Abidine ties based on ethnic and sectarian ideologies foisted on them from enclaves is imminent. The GCC, This is an election of surprises. Ireland is An important aspect of the results is Ben Ali on the 14 January 2011, had groupings. It seems that there are outside... The more oppressive the Arab league and influential coun- that if an alliance between Fianna unmistakable reverberations not attempts to split Iraq into three regime, the greater the help it gives tries in the region such as Saudi only in the region but also around states: Shia state in the south, Kurd- to fundamentalists by eliminating Arabia and Turkey will now be, we mired in Fail and Fine Gael becomes a reality, the world. The Tunisia effect rap- ish state in the North and a Sunni in competing oppositionists. If the hope, instrumental in reversing this political it would make Sinn Fein the main idly spread during 2011 and 2012 the West. A similar aim appears to central power is sufficiently weak- tide of a devastating, externally- uncertainty opposition party in Ireland, a coup ened, there is no real civil society driven destruction of the region. after Prime for a party once seen as the political to hold the polity together, no real voice of the Irish Republican Army. sense of common national iden- The writer is Professor of Media and Minister Secondly, the left-wing party was tity or overriding allegiance to the Communication. He can be reached Enda Kenny’s able to exploit growing anger over nation-state. The state then disin- tegrates as happened in Lebanon via e-mail: [email protected] coalition austerity and was set to add as into a chaos of squabbling, feud- government many as 10 seats to its previous ing, fighting sects, tribes, regions count of 14 in the 158-seat Dail. and parties.” was ousted Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, Is this not an echo of the current in an election who was re-elected in his County turmoil in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Louth constituency, summed up Libya? All of these countries had that produced been living peacefully with mutual the surprises when he said: “We’re no clear tolerance between religions and into a new era, we have seen in alternative. sects for hundreds of years, until this election a seismic change.” The the Iran Iraq War, Gulf War and The Irish media hailed the election as a War on Terror, all of which were rebellion and an ‘earthquake’ which characterized by Western interfer- brought about a sea change on the political landscape. ence and involvement. In 2013 the The voters have clearly expressed their dissatisfaction, New York Times revealed a map In the infamous that redrew five Arab countries into Sykes-Picot and experts are weighing various options. Parties have until new fourteen ones. These coun- March 10 to negotiate a deal when lawmakers are due to meet tries were: Saudi Arabia, Libya, agreement of May in the lower house of parliament Dail Eireann and in theory, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. 19, 1916, a deal appoint a prime minister. The available options include an The current plan to redraw the election re-run, an unstable minority Fine Gael government map of the Arab region is a contin- between Britain Francois Georges-Picot and Mark Sykes made secret agreement to divide supported by Fianna Fail, or a once-unthinkable alliance uation of the unfinished business and France was Ottoman Empire in 1916. of T.E. Lawrence (also known as between the two parties, which have taken turns ruling Laurence of Arabia), who was a key made to divide up Ireland since 1932. advisor to Lord Cecil, Lord Curzon, the Arab territories to Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria, be to split Syria into a Sunni state Lord Balfour, General Smuts, and of the former and inaugurated a new chapter of in the North, Alawite state in the Mark Sykes of the British Foreign the political and social history of Syrian Coastal Mountains and a Office. Thanks to his advice, the Ottoman Empire those countries. However, the anti- Druze state in the South. Part of the map of the region was redrawn. In into spheres of revolution forces, aided by external aim of this, it seems, that Israel will the infamous Sykes-Picot agree- Quote of the day powers, have turned people’s long- emerge as a strong power, politi- ment of May 19, 1916, a deal between influence, to cause ing for freedom, democracy and cally and militarily superior that Britain and France was made to ‘the disintegration other hopes from their revolutions of any other country in the region. divide up the Arab territories of We cannot let it force into total nightmares. The Expansion to make a Greater the former Ottoman Empire into of the Ottoman It has become no secret that Israel as is their aim, will there- spheres of influence’, to cause Caliphate’. The upon us the sour fruits Western powers were taken aback fore become a greater possibility. ‘the disintegration of the Otto- of their (EU) misguided by the speedy social movements A few hints of this plan were man Caliphate’. The current plan current plan to immigration policy. We during 2011. That is why the leaked by former US Secretary of to divide five major Arab countries divide five major response from the US, Britain, State, Condoleezza Rice, in 2006 into fourteen could therefore be Arab countries into want to import no crime, France, Germany, Russia and other with the title ‘New Middle East’. In called the ‘Sykes-Picot 2 of 2016’. terrorism, homophobia or powers was that of bewilderment fact maps redrawing the World and Iran has been recently com- fourteen could and waiting. However, the plan soon what is known as Middle East have plicit in this partition plan too, due therefore be called anti-Semitism to Hungary. turned into an attempt to reverse kept appearing since the late 1980s, to its agenda since 2003 to spread the democratic change. In the case the most interesting of which are its influence within many countries, the ‘Sykes-Picot 2 of the French and American foreign the ones attributed to the British- resulting in sectarian identities and of 2016’. Viktor Orban policy this soon started in earnest. American orientalist Bernard Lewis. divides that previously did not exist Hungarian Prime Minister Democratically elected Bernard Lewis, who wrote and consequential instability.

All thoughts and views expressed in these columns are those of the writers, not of the newspaper. All correspondence regarding Opinion page should be mailed to the Editor-in-Chief.

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Hong Kong, a former British col- ony that returned to Chinese rule in Beijing’s refusal to 1997 under a “one country, two sys- give any concessions tems” formula that gives it a high degree of autonomy, was rocked by to the protesters massive protests in 2014 demanding has embittered a Beijing’s Communist Party leaders grant the city full democracy. younger generation Beijing’s refusal to give any of activists, including concessions to the protesters has embittered a younger generation of Leung, who have activists, including Leung, who have pledged to fight on. pledged to fight on. Some of these underlying tensions surfaced ear- lier this month, when hundreds of protesters clashed with police in a Reuters night-long riot. It was the worst vio- lence seen on Hong Kong’s streets for years and dozens were arrested, including Leung. “We need to put HONG KONG: Residents voted in enough pressure on the government. a legislative council by-election Therefore a kind of forceful protest yesterday, with a “radical” pro- is inevitable,” Leung said. democracy candidate who was Hong Kong’s financial secre- arrested in a recent riot running in tary, John Tsang, warned during his what is being seen as a barometer budget speech last week that Hong of political tensions in the finan- Kong risked seeing further chaos Alvin Yeung (centre), a candidate from Civic Party, chants slogans beside lawmaker Alan Leong (left) and former lawmaker MartinLee (right) at a cial hub. and that political uncertainty was The poll, to fill a single leg- hurting the economy. While Leung campaign rally during a legislative by-election in Hong Kong. islative seat vacated by a former is not expected to win, the scale of pro-democracy politician, is being support amongst the 940,000 or so watched for signs of growing sup- eligible voters in his constituency port for a burgeoning “indigenous” will be a gauge of recent anti-China Rubio accuses China of tightening grip movement that has advocated more sentiment, though many in the city extreme protests, including violence, remain strongly opposed to any to push for greater democracy. radicalism. While candidates from across “We need a stable environment,” Bloomberg Hong Kong’s youth,” Florida Senator British colony’s freedoms, Rubio and as Lee Po, was in China after vanish- the political spectrum are compet- said a 67-year-old retired business- Rubio said in a statement. “The tra- fellow chairman Christopher Smith, a ing from Hong Kong in late December. ing, most attention has focused on man, surnamed Chu, who voted for a jectory is troubling and merits greater New Jersey Republican congressman, “It is against this backdrop that Edward Leung, a leader of “Hong pro-establishment candidate. “The attention from the Obama adminis- said in the statement. Joshua’s case goes to trial,” Rubio said Kong Indigenous” and one of the (radicals) will add uncertainty to MELBOURNE: Republican presiden- tration.” Rubio is co-chairman of the Critics of China see an erosion of in the statement. “We will be watching first street activists to make a foray Hong Kong.” The results will also be tial hopeful Marco Rubio is demanding Congressional-Executive Commission the “One Country, Two System” con- closely how it is handled. He and his into mainstream politics. an key indicator of the public mood closer scrutiny of China’s actions in on China. cept that the UK agreed to before fellow students represent the future “We, the young generation are ahead of a full legislative council Hong Kong, accusing the nation of The pending trial of Joshua Wong returning Hong Kong in 1997, and have of Hong Kong, not Beijing’s tired tac- determined to sacrifice ourselves for poll later in the year, pitting a pro- tightening its grip there since 2014 and fellow protest leaders -- whose raised concerns over events including tics of repression and intimidation.” Hong Kong’s future,” he said during democracy camp that now enjoys a pro- democracy protests. September 2014 arrests sparked the disappearance of Lee Bo, owner of Rubio trails Donald Trump in his bid the campaign trail, flanked by sup- slender one-third veto bloc against “We’ve seen booksellers disappear, clashes with riot police -- will serve as a store that sells books critical of Chi- for the Republican presidential nomi- porters holding banners with the pro-Beijing and pro-establishment academic and media freedom shrink- an important indicator of Hong Kong’s na’s Communist Party. Chinese police nation, after placing second in Nevada words: “Vote for a revolution”. parties. ing, and growing disaffection among autonomy and the extent of the former have confirmed Lee, who’s also known caucuses, second in South Carolina.

Bangladesh Dog tries to walk in wheelchair Scientists link groundwater police raid depletion to Nepal quake militant hideout

Reuters IANS northern and eastern part of India) the Indo-Gangetic Plain is the most populated region of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. DHAKA: Bangladesh police seized NEPAL: Extensive groundwater It is also home to 40 percent explosives and bomb-making extraction in the Indo-Gangetic Plain of India’s population. Population materials yesterday from a hideout over the last five decades has “sig- density is highest in eastern Uttar used by Jama’atul-Mujahideen mil- nificantly” contributed to the killer Pradesh and Bihar in India and itants believed to be behind a spate April 25, 2015, Nepal temblor and northern Bangladesh, leading to very of recent attacks in the south Asian “probably all earthquakes” in the high irrigation activities. Kundu and nation, a police spokesman said. region beneath the Himalayan arc, his colleagues carried out a novel Muslim-majority Bangladesh Indian scientists claim. stress modulation study in the area, has seen a rise in Islamist violence Researchers at NIT Rourkela; through hydrological and satellite- in the last year, including the kill- CSIR-National Geophysical Research based observation of ground water ing of several liberal activists and Institute, Hyderabad; and National depletion by human activity. attacks on minority Shi’ite Mus- Centre for Seismology (NCS), min- “Around seven percent of this lims, a Christian priest and Hindu istry of earth sciences, New Delhi, process has contributed to advance- temples. have gathered evidence of the far- ment of the clock, that is, the timing Police searched a house on reaching consequences of human of the earthquakes. The saturation the outskirts of Dhaka based on actions: how groundwater depletion level for stress is attained early due information from members of the can “advance the clock” of temblors to depletion of groundwater. This is banned Jama’atul-Mujahideen occurring in the Main Himalayan quite significant,” Kundu pointed out. Bangladesh (JMB) captured in an Thrust (MHT), under the Himalayan In 2014, geophysicists in the US earlier raid in the capital, said Nam Chok tries out her new wheelchair for dogs fitted by Charity Wheelchair for Pets volunteers at arc where earthquakes originate. reported the depletion of ground- Maruf Hossain Sardar, a deputy Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. “Plate tectonics is the prime water in the San Joaquin Valley, commissioner of police. driving force behind earthquakes modulating stress levels on the San A large amount of bomb-mak- but in the past decade there is a new Andreas Fault and thereby heighten- ing equipment and explosives were trend of research. ing the risk for earthquakes. found in the raid, he added. “The focus is also on surface “It is interesting to note that The group is believed to be and sub-surface activities such as groundwater unloading (removal) behind attacks such as the bomb- Germany wants N African states underground mining, fluid injec- rate is about six times more in the ings of a Shi’ite shrine and the tion and reservoir construction due Ganga basin in comparison to that killing of two foreigners. to hydropower projects as possi- in the San Joaquin Valley,” NK Vissa, Militant group Islamic State has to take back more migrants ble contributing factors to seismic one of the authors, pointed out. claimed responsibility for some activity,” Bhaskar Kundu of the The recent study published recent attacks, including the killing Department of Earth and Atmos- in Geophysical Research Letters of a Hindu priest last week and an AFP biometric identity papers could help, Arrivals from North Africa pheric Sciences, NIT Rourkela, said. implies that the “Nepal earthquake attack on a Shi’ite Muslim mosque he said, adding that “we could imag- jumped in late 2015 but in Janu- Earlier it was considered that and probably all earthquakes in November. ine offering our support” in the area. ary dropped off to 1,600 each from small magnitude earthquakes are occurring on the MHT beneath the The government denies that “Our goal is to make the procedures Morocco and Algeria and 170 Tuni- influenced by the seasonal loading Himalayan arc are influenced by the Islamic State has a presence in BERLIN: Germany wants North more efficient and faster,” he said. sians, according to government data. and unloading of the Indo-Gangetic anthropogenic modulation process Bangladesh, and instead blames African countries to speed up repa- After taking in more than one Human rights groups have Plain in summer and winter, said related to groundwater extraction in Islamist political opponents for triations of rejected asylum seekers, million asylum seekers last year, opposed a “safe” designation for the NCS director Vineet Gahalaut, one the Indo-Gangetic Plain”. instigating violence in the nation of its interior minister said ahead of a Germany is trying to reduce arriv- three Maghreb countries under a of the authors of the study. Scientist BK Rastogi, former 160 million people. Bangladesh on visit from yesterday to the region. als, including with a law to declare law awaiting upper house approval, “We have shown that great and director general of the Gandhina- Friday arrested three more Islamist Thomas de Maiziere, who is to Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia safe pointing to discrimination and curbs major Himalayan earthquakes are gar-based Institute of Seismological militants over the murder of a top visit Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, countries of origin. on free speech and assembly. influenced by the anthropogenic Research (ISR) maintained such Hindu priest. Police said the three said many applicants lacked travel A similar designation adopted De Maiziere rejected the criti- groundwater unloading process in effects are accountable for minor members of the banned militant documents or gave false names and for several Balkans countries raised cism, saying that although designated the Indo-Gangetic Plain, which is stress change. group Jamayetul Mujahideen Bang- other personal details, making it the bar for asylum applications and safe countries are assumed to not probably the most intensely irrigated “Such effects, if any, may at the ladesh (JMB) were arrested in the more difficult to send them back to sharply reduced the influx from the systematically persecute their region in Southeast Asia,” Gaha- most cause minor stress change. The northern district of Panchagarh their countries of origin. region of what Germany considers citizens, individual requests for pro- laut said. Comprising about 250m normal tectonic stress is too large,” where the attack took place. Modern technology such as “economic refugees”. tection would still be considered. hectares of fertile land (most of Rastogi said. 12 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 PAKISTAN

Pakistan opposes fresh Indian fishermen arrested regime for N-security

“The 2016 Summit Declaration new initiatives because the IAEA has and the action plans for future work a central and leading role in taking Pakistan has by the UN, International Atomic forward the NSS-related commit- consistently insisted Energy Agency, Interpol and the Glo- ments,” he pointed out. bal Partnership Against the Spread The institute’s president Dr Zafar that nuclear security of Weapons and Materials of Mass Iqbal Cheema said the country’s par- is fundamentally a Destruction are all measures that ticipation in the summits helped in national responsibility would be state owned, voluntary, improving “its image and interaction without any enforcement machinery with the international community”. and fulfilment of and without any reporting require- Dr Cheema criticised the 2016 commitments should ment.” He said these elements would Nuclear Security Index issued by be essential features of outcomes of the Nuclear Threat Initiative which be voluntary. the last NSS. claims to work for global security by “Many countries were not in reducing the risk of use and prevent- favour of continuing this summit ing the spread of biological, chemical process and were also opposed to and N-weapons. He said the ranking Internews any kind of follow-up action.” was not compatible with Pakistan’s But as a compromise the fol- nuclear reality. low-up action would be a voluntary “The IAEA has conceded that not responsibility at the national level, he an ounce of Pakistan’s fissile mate- ISLAMABAD: The last of the Nuclear said, adding that absence of key play- rial is unaccounted, yet Pakistan has Security Summits (NSS), to be held in ers like Russia, Iran and North Korea, been placed lower in ranking, which Washington next month, will be suc- the last two of which were delib- is baseless,” he said. ceeded by informal networks, while erately kept out, raised questions The ranking ignored the efforts the participating states will volun- about the reliability of the process made by the country with regard to tarily implement the commitments on nuclear security. its weapons’ security and control made by them. About Pakistan’s participation measures; compliance with global As the process that emerged in the process, Akram said it helped norms; capacity to keep them safe from US President Barack Obama’s neutralise or balance out the efforts and their risk environments, he said. speech in Prague in 2009, in which that could have specifically targeted Ambassador Masood Khan, who he stressed securing all vulnerable the country on the pretext of nuclear has remained involved with the pre- Indian fishermen arrested by the Pakistani authorities are held in lockup, in Karachi, Pakistan, yesterday. nuclear material around the globe, security. vious three editions of the NSS, said: Pakistani authorities arrested over 20 Indian fishermen in Pakistan’s territorial waters. concludes with the fourth and last of “We were particularly successful “The IAEA will remain the leading the summits, being held from March in emphasising that the process has agency. There will be informal net- 31 to April 1, the focus has been on to be voluntary; should cover only the works in which participation will be how this effort can be continued civilian programme; and that there voluntary. afterwards. should be no international mecha- One norm accepted by all partic- Pakistan has consistently insisted nism involved in enforcing a nuclear ipating states is that nuclear security Afghan police killed over that nuclear security is fundamen- security order. It helped Pakistan is a national responsibility and inter- tally a national responsibility and highlight its achievements and the national cooperation is guided by the fulfilment of commitments should measures taken for greater security,” principle of voluntarism and inter- suspicion of aiding Taliban be voluntary. he added. national obligations undertaken by This was reiterated by Paki- ZahirKazmi, a director at the states. Pakistan has 24 stan’s former ambassador to the Strategic Plans Division, said the NSS “It was the collective will of the UN in Geneva, ZamirAkram, during commitments should remain politi- participants that the summit proc- Reuters injuries. Sarjang would not elabo- million children an in-house seminar at the Strate- cal and voluntary in nature, because ess should not remain open-ended, rate on the reason for the operation, gic Vision Institute (SVI) on ‘Nuclear nuclear security remained funda- while they realised that nuclear secu- but a senior Afghan army official in out of school Security Summits until 2016: An ana- mentally a national responsibility. rity was a continuous and abiding Helmand said that the army and lytical review’. “There should be no parallel or responsibility.” AFGHANISTAN: A police- US advisers suspected the police Islamabad: A staggering man was killed and a further 30 of providing weapons and ammu- 24 million Pakistani chil- were detained in a joint opera- nition to the Taliban and that they dren are out of school, a tion between Afghan troops and had planned an eventual surrender new government report US forces last week against police to the insurgents. showed, laying bare the US DJ performs in Islamabad suspected of supporting Taliban “During our investigation we state of education in a insurgents in embattled Helmand found some evidence they were country where around a province, Afghan officials said yes- helping the Taliban and we were quarter of the population terday, afraid they may submit the district is believed to be under 16. Reports of fighting between to the Taliban,” said the Afghan Of the 50.8 million police and soldiers add to the army officer, who asked not to children aged five to 16 upheaval in the southern province, be identified because he was not in the country, 47 percent long a stronghold of the insurgency, authorised to discuss the operation. do not receive an edu- where the military has abandoned “We launched a joint operation with cation, according to the several outposts. The Nato-led coa- Americans and detained all of them.” annual Pakistan Education lition and the Afghan government The full extent of American Statistics report for 2014- are trying to overhaul security forces involvement was not clear and 2015, a rare example in and reverse insurgent gains there. a spokesman for the US military Pakistan of a govern- The incident on Friday was in in Kabul declined to confirm any ment document exposing Sangin district, the scene of some details. a stark reality. Mosharraf of the heaviest fighting in Afghani- The coalition recently deployed Zaidi, campaign director stan’s long war, Helmand police chief several hundred more troops to for Alif Ailaan, a non-gov- Abdul Rahman Sarjang told Reuters. Helmand in an effort to increase ernment organisation “Army forces detained the police security for the advisers helping working to improve edu- and took them to the military corps Afghan forces. US air strikes have cation, branded the public in Helmand,” Sarjang said. “An also played an important role in try- education system a “com- investigation is ongoing.” ing to blunt Taliban offensives. plete failure”. However he The acting Sangin district police Almost 100 Afghan army officers praised the report saying chief, Mohammad Nabi, was among were removed or reassigned in Hel- it was “important for gov- the detainees, Sarjang said. Nabi mand in recent months and the army ernment documents to was acting in place of the district’s abandoned its outposts in several of reflect reality”. US DJ Thomas Wesley Pentz, known by his stage name Diplo, performs in Islamabad. official police chief, Mohammad the most hotly contested districts to Dawood, who is recovering from redeploy elsewhere. Suicide attacks kill dozens in Climate study points to Registration of Islamic seminaries under Afghanistan Afghanistan: More than 20 people have been killed and many disasters in NW Pakistan National Action Plan to start in April more wounded in sep- arate suicide attacks in Afghanistan. Internews “We hope the government will Internews thousands of religious institutions in behind with 75 per cent and 60 per In the latest attack, at take the recommendations seriously the country, has now no issues with cent, respectively. These documents least 12 people were killed and help implement and formulate the registration of seminaries as the show the progress of NAP in the past in front of the defence [a climate change] policy,” an expert new policy includes its input. six months. The digital mapping of ministry building in Kabul, PESHAWAR: At least 11 districts on the panel said. “[Such a policy] is ISLAMABAD: The government of Only a small group still has some madrassas includes information on according to a statement in Malakand and Hazara divisions a basic need of the province.” Pakistan has decided to start much- reservations but all major stakehold- the location, especially its GPS coor- released by the ministry. of northwest Pakistan, which have As per the draft policy on climate awaited registration of Islamic ers have agreed to registration, they dinates and proximity to other places. Officials had a slightly faced devastation amid climactic change, monsoon rain is likely to seminaries in April. Even though the added. Under the NAP devised after While the geo-tagging data con- lower death toll from Sat- shifts over the last decade, are in increase and extend to the northern exercise has been long overdue under the 2014 Peshawar school massa- tains only the physical location of the urday’s bombing. danger of falling prey to this phe- parts of the province due to warmer the National Action Plan (NAP), the cre, the government had decided to seminaries, the registration and data “Nine people were nomenon once again. temperatures. government is considering a carrot streamline religious schools across forms would include all sorts of infor- killed and 13 were Experts believe if proper meth- In addition, wet regions will and stick approach. the country. mation on the institutions’ faculties wounded,” Abdul Rahman ods of risk reduction, mitigation and receive more precipitation while dry The madrassas that cooperate Last year, the government had and bank accounts. Rahimi, Kabul’s police adaptation are not implemented, regions will receive less precipitation with the government and register vol- also started digital mapping of According to the progress report, chief, said at the scene of these natural hazards will turn into than before. Such heavy precipita- untarily will be offered ‘incentives’ madrassas on agreed parameters 167 unregistered seminaries have the blast, which occurred catastrophic disasters. These are tion patterns will accelerate glacial while those that refuse to cooperate with different seminary education been closed so far in Sindh, 13 in as offices closed for the the early estimates provided by the melting. As a result, flash floods are will not be entitled to any ‘benefits’, authorities. K-P and two in Punjab. None of the day. Climate Change Advisory Commit- expected in wet regions and less pre- officials said on Sunday, without The geo-tagging of these insti- seminaries have been closed over “Most of them were tee nominated by the government cipitation in dry regions will trigger elaborating. tutions has been completed in the suspicions of fuelling extremism. civilians.” The Taliban to formulate a policy. In its initial droughts. Before starting the exercise, the Islamabad Capital Territory and About 190 madrassas were found claimed responsibility. assessment on the impact of climate The main regions of K-P government will convene a meet- Punjab. to be funded from abroad with 147 In the day’s first change in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the expected to face flood hazards are ing of all provincial chief ministers According to official documents, located in Punjab, six in Sindh, seven attack, a suicide blast in committee has shown the effects of Buner, Shangla, Lower Dir, Upper in March where they will be taken Sindh has so far mapped 80 per cent in K-P and 30 in Balochistan. The Kunar province in the east changing weather patterns are felt in Dir, Swat, Chitral, Haripur, Batta- on board. of the seminaries operating in the report also highlights a significant killed at least 13 people the province because it is situated in gram, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Sources said the IttehadTan- province with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa decline in terrorism and crime in and injured 40 others. a mid-latitude region. Kohistan. zeem-ul-Madaris, which oversees (K-P) and Balochistan following Karachi. INDIA MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 13 Mobile app to locate victims in natural disaster

He said that keeping the security concerns in mind, the application The application had been designed in such a way does not require that people tracking the signal can mobile network or get information on its location with accuracy. Bhardwaj said the Tel- Internet connection ecommunications Ministry had to communicate. already given them a licence to oper- ate the system. This is based on Six Sigma medical services have satellite which will been recognised by the Central gov- ernment, several state governments continuously transmit and countries like Nepal and China coded signals. for its contribution in saving and counselling thousands of people during the Uttrakhand cloud-burst in 2013, Nepal earthquake in 2015 IANS and China earthquakes, Bhardwaj said. “The Real Time Location appli- cation is made keeping in mind the NEW DELHI: A doctor’s initiative rescue operations in high altitude in harnessing technology has pro- areas where mobile towers network Relatives and local people mourn outside of a house in the Kasarvadavali area on the outskirts of Mumbai, yesterday, where a 35-year-old man duced an application which can help or Internet fails being hit by a natu- locate a person trapped in debris in ral calamity. People or soldiers who was suspected of murdering 14 family members before hanging himself. an earthquake or other disasters get trapped in the debris or snow can when communications fail. easily be helped out using the appli- Pradeep Bhardwaj, CEO of Six cation,” Bhardwaj said. Sigma High Altitude Medical Serv- Till now, Bhardwaj said, he and Man kills 14 family members and hangs self ices for Rescue, says his company his team had saved more than 5,600 has developed a software applica- victims who were stuck in high tion which can be tracked through altitudes. the mobile phone. The Six Sigma is also known for IANS identified as his sister, Sabia Yusuf scene while the bodies have been the killings, police said. The concept is based on ham setting up a base camp at a height of Bharmal (22), was rushed to a local sent for an autopsy, Dumbare added. The cameraman has been identi- radio used by amateurs to commu- 24,500 feet on Mount Everest during hospital where her condition is Warekar worked as an income tax fied as Ratan Radheshyam Bhowmik, nicate with one another. However, the Nepal earthquake, where they described as “critical”. consultant. who yesterday morning went to the application developed by Six had played a major role in helping THANE: A 32-year old man killed “Prima facie, evidence suggests Neighbours described him as a Thane Civil Hospital where the bod- Sigma, which can be downloaded the Indian Army rescue people. 14 members of his family, including that the accused bolted all the doors quiet, non-controversial and helpful ies of the 15 victims were taken for to a mobile phone, is not for commu- Bhardwaj said they would send seven children, and later hanged and windows of the house and killed person and there were no complaints an autopsy. nication but for continuously sending a proposal on the application to the himself in a house yesterday, police his family while they slept. of any kind against the family which Soon after reaching the hospital out a signal which can be detected Health Ministry soon, urging it to said. Later, he hung himself near a enjoyed a good reputation in the and viewing the bodies, he com- by special equipment. get it installed in the cell phones of The gory incident took place in staircase in the bungalow and the locality. plained of chest pain and collapsed, “The application does not require soldiers and people living in high the city’s Kasarvadavli area when knife he used was found near his Locals claimed that a couple of before succumbing to a stroke, police mobile network or Internet connec- altitude areas which are prone to assailant Hasnain Anwar Warekar slit body,” Thane Joint Police Commis- years ago, Warekar had allegedly said. Later, it was learnt that he had tion to communicate. This is based earthquakes and landslides. the victims’ throats with a large knife sioner Ashutosh Dumbare said. attempted to poison his family and a history of heart problems and had on satellite which will continuously C K Misra, additional health one after the other around 1.00am Sabia’s loud screams prompted six members were rushed to a hospi- undergone angioplasty around a year transmit coded signals but which Secretary in the ministry of health, after lacing their food with drugs. some youths in the locality to break tal. They fortunately survived. ago. cannot be used to communicate,” said: “This is a good initiative which Though the motive behind the open the doors and windows of the Police are trying to ascertain Bhardwaj said. will help people in high altitude massacre is unclear, preliminary house and rescue her, he said. TV CAMERAMAN DIES whether he had also visited the bun- The transmitted signals can areas. But, he said, the govern- inquiries point towards a family dis- The knife used for the murder In yet another tragedy, a camer- galow in Kasarvadavli area of the city be detected within a radius of 50 ment would need to look into such pute over some property matters. has been seized and a forensic team aman of a television news channel where the gruesome murders were kilometres. applications.” The lone woman survivor, has been summoned to the crime suffered a heart attack while covering committed.

Mass marriage in Bhopal Youth groups demand Top leaders removal of Dattatreya booked for and Irani from cabinet sedition

IANS Rajesh also demanded the with- IANS drawal of sedition case against Kahaiya Kumar and others. “Certain rowdy lawyers who NEW DELHI: Eleven youth organ- assaulted journalists, JNU teachers HYDERABAD: A FIR charging isations yesterday demanded the and students at the Patiala House vice president Raul Gandhi, CPI-M removal of union ministers Smriti court and the JNUSU president leader Sitaram Yechuri, Delhi Chief Irani and Bandaru Dattatreya as should also be arrested and strict Minister Aravind Kejriwal and oth- well as Hyderabad University Vice action taken against them,” Rajesh ers with sedition was registered at Chancellor Appa Rao Podile over the demanded. He also sought strong a police station yesterday. Rohith Vemula suicide case. action against Delhi Police Commis- On the direction of a city court, The also announced the for- sioner B S Bassi. “The government the Saroornagar police station in mation of a joint platform — Youth is spreading blatant lies about the Cyberabad police commissonerate Against Communalism — against incidents in the JNU and Hydera- registered the FIR against Jawa- what they dubbed the “atroci- bad University. Even morphed videos harlal Nehru University Students ties of the communal forces”. “We were created as evidences. We are Union president Kanahiya Kumar, demand the removal of Smriti and launching this forum to unite the student Umar Khalid and the pol- Dattatreaya from the union cabi- democratic youth organisations iticians from the Congress, the net and Podile as vice chancellor,” against the atrocities of the com- Communist Party of India-Marx- Communist Party of India-Marxist munal forces,” Rajesh said. This ist and the Aam Aadmi Party. MP and Democratic Youth Feder- joint forum will hold a convention on Communist Party of India ation of India (DYFI) president M B March 15. It will launch protests from leader D. Raja, Congress leaders Rajesh said. “We strongly condemn March 23 to March 31. The Youth Ajay Maken and Anand Sharma the attacks on universities unleashed Against Communalism includes rep- and Janata Dal-United leader K by the Sangh Parivar and central resentatives of the Democratic Youth C Tyagi have also been named in government throughout the coun- Federation of India, All India Youth the FIR. A bride reacts to the camera as she takes part in a mass marriage ceremony, organised under try. The Hyderabad University and Forum, Revolutionary Youth Front, The case has been registered Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojna, by the Gahoyi vyash community in Bhopal, yesterday. More than 26 Jawaharlal Nehru University are the youth wings of political parties like under section 124 A (sedition) of couples tied up the nuptial knot in the ceremony. latest victim in this ongoing series of Janata Dal-United, Rashtriya Janata the Indian Penal Code. communal attacks,” he added. Dal and MDMK among others. Police took the action after a metropolitan magistrate issued the orders on a petition filed by a lawyer, requesting the court to for- ward their complaint to the police My dream is to see farmers double their income by 2022: PM station under section 156 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code for investigations. IANS Modi highlighted various initiatives on us to ensure that the farmers are be doubled. not come to criticise any government Janardhan Goud, the peti- undertaken by his government for looked after well,” the prime minis- He then asked farmers whether or party. tioner, had told the court that their welfare. ter said. his dream would be realised. “But I want everyone to be on the though he approached the police Stating that while most of the gov- “I exhort all state governments Modi said it was not a very dif- same page on the issue of farmer wel- station on February 14 to register BAREILLY: Prime Minister Narendra ernments wait for the election year to that they should work on the road ficult target. Citing the example of fare,” he said in an apparent dig on the the case, police declined to do so. Modi yesterday said he dreams of see- roll out welfare schemes and incen- map before them and I am sure that Madhya Pradesh, a Bharatiya Janata Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party The lawyer alleged that anti- ing farmers’ income getting doubled tives for farmers, Modi said it was not my dream and your dream will suc- Party-ruled state, he said though it government in Uttar Pradesh. India slogans were raised during by 2022 when the country completes the case with his National Democratic ceed,” he added. did not figure in the top five states of The Prime Minister also described a protest organised by the two 75 years of its independence. Alliance government. Modi said by 2022 when India agriculture, now there was a complete the service, manufacturing and agri- statudents at the JNU on February Addressing a big gathering of “Farmers look towards govern- completes 75 years of its independ- turnaround in the agriculture sector. culture sectors as the backbone of the 9 against hanging of Parliament farmers during a ‘Kisan Rally’ here, ments after God and it is imperative ence the income of the farmers would The Prime Minister said he had Indian economy. attack convict Afzal Guru. 14 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 INDIA PM tells students to remain positive during board exams

IANS — who along with chess ace Vish- Nehru University row and Hyderabad in the board exams to remain posi- gravitational waves can be studied. scientists were also part of it. Keeping wanathan Anand, religious preacher University research scholar Rohith tive, and not to come under pressure Modi said Indian scientists were this in mind, we have taken a decision Morari Bapu and renowned scientist Vemula’s suicide, besides other issues of expectations of others. also in the research team that stud- to open a LIGO (Laser Interferometer C N R Rao were the guest speakers on that have led to uproar in parliament. “Do not get burdened under the ied gravitational waves. Gravitational-Wave Observatory) in NEW DELHI: Alluding to the presen- Modi’s 17th edition of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ “I have to appear for an exam expectations of others. Set your own The laboratory will be third of India,” said Modi. tation of the 2016-17 general budget, aired on All India Radio yesterday— tomorrow (Monday). The 1.25b Indians targets. Why should we compete its kind in the world after Hanford in Tendulkar said: “Positive thoughts Prime Minister Narendra Modi yes- also exhorted youngsters to maintain will be taking my exam,” Modi said. with others? Why not compete with Washington and Livingston in Loui- will be followed by positive results.” terday observed that he too was to a positive approach. “You must have noticed that I am oneself? Break your own previous siana, both in the US. “I would say that you must set a appear for an exam and exhorted stu- While Anand advised students healthy, confident... tomorrow, I will record.” “Recently the Gravitational Waves target for yourself and do not come dents appearing in the coming board to stay calm, Rao told them never to give my exam, and your exams will Meanwhile, he also announced have been discovered by the scien- under the pressure of someone else’s examinations to maintain a positive give up. However, the Prime Minister start the day after. If we succeed, the his decision to establish a Laser tific community of the world, which expectations. Work hard, but set a approach. maintained silence on the contro- country will succeed,” he said. Interferometer Gravitational- is indeed a major achievement. We realistic achievable target for your- Cricket great Sachin Tendulkar versies surrounding the Jawaharlal Modi advised students appearing Wave Observatory (LIGO) where should be proud of the fact that Indian self,” the batting legend said. All eyes on Rally for Patel reservation budget today amid worries

trading don’t portend well. Noting the challenge posed by The coming year a global slowdown, the Economic is expected to be Survey 2015-16 tabled in Parlia- a challenging one ment by Jaitley on Friday lowered the economic growth forecast for from the fiscal point the current fiscal to 7.6 percent — of view because of from the previously projected 8.1-8.5 percent range — mainly because of challenges posed lower agricultural output due to def- by a lower-than- icit rainfall. “The coming year is expected to projected nominal be a challenging one from the fiscal GDP growth. point of view because of challenges posed by a lower-than-projected nominal GDP growth,” said the survey. IANS “The chances of India’s growth rate in 2016-17 increasing signifi- cantly beyond 2015-16 levels are not very high, due to likelihood of per- NEW DELHI: Finance Minister sistence of global slowdown,” it said. Arun Jaitley is set to present national “The implementation of the Pay budget for the next fiscal today amid Commission recommendations and Members of the Patel community attend a protest rally at Mahesana town in Gujarat yesterday. Thousands of community members held worries over the country’s stagnating the ‘One Rank One Pay’ scheme will a rally to demand reservation for their community. growth rate, government finances put additional burden on expendi- and direction of reforms. ture,” it added. Will his proposals ease the fiscal Moody’s Investors Service said burden of average citizens, notably earlier this month that the country’s individual tax payers, as also of the fiscal position will remain weaker corporate sector is the question that than other emerging economies in comes to the forefront. the near term even if fiscal consoli- Jat stir bad for investment: NRIs in Canada Modi to visit In this regard, as also what dation continued on course. extent Jaitley can go to in meeting “Even if the budgetary con- Riyadh the aspirations of the stakeholders, solidation continues, India’s fiscal IANS our brothers and sisters to support The Haryanvi NRI body said the the Economic Survey that was tabled metrics will remain weaker than rat- centuries-old brotherhood among 36 reservation agitation “provided an on Friday has already suggested re- ing peers in the near term, because biradaris in the larger interest of Har- opportunity for anti-social and anti- during calibration of expectations. of the relatively high levels of def- yana and the nation. “ national elements to create anarchy At the same time, how many of icits and debts of India’s state and TORONTO: Pained by the large-scale The statement said the large- in the state.” the recommendations made by the central governments,” Moody’s said violence in Haryana during the Jat scale violence has affected the image Pleading with the khaps, it urged 3-nation tour survey — from rationalisation of dis- in a report. reservation agitation, the NRIs of of Haryanvis, Haryana and India. them to help restore “brotherhood torting subsidies to bringing more “The importance of the upcom- Haryana origin in Canada fear it will This will have “a significant impact that has existed through the centu- people into the tax net — will the ing budget lies in its message on the impact investment in the state. They on potential investments in Haryana.” ries” in Haryana. IANS finance minister pursue is what is government’s fiscal consolidation have appealed to people to maintain The Overseas Association of “We hope that our Haryanvi also being closely watched. plans,” the American agency said. the age-old brotherhood among 36 Haryanvis said the agitation has not brothers and sisters will understand If the stock markets are an India Inc has appreciated the biradaris of the state. helped the common man of the state. our pain and help restore peace and NEW DELHI: Prime Minis- indicator of the overall prevail- candid posture of this year’s Eco- In a statement here today, the On the contrary, it said, “will create brotherhood in our beloved and ter Narendra Modi will embark ing sentiments in the economy, the nomic Survey and hoped that the Overseas Association of Haryanvis more unemployment and increase progressive Haryana,” the Overseas on a three-nation visit on March successive declines in key indices to recommendations made in it would in Canada said, “We, the NRIs of Har- poverty in an otherwise prosperous Association of Haryanvis in Canada 30 during which he will hold a their yearly lows and the volatility in be reflected in the national budget. yana origin, would like to appeal to state.” said. bilateral summit with the EU in Brussels, attend the Nuclear Secu- rity Summit in Washington, and become the first Indian prime minister to go to Saudi Arabia in Muslims insecure under six years. Modi will visit Brussels on March 30 for the first India-Euro- Modi rule: Rafi’s son pean Union (EU) summit in four years. EU Ambassador to India Tomasz Kozlowski said in a media IANS democratic party. interaction in December that “I was with AIMIM only for a India was an extremely impor- brief period. I contested under their tant partner for the EU and the banner and secured 16,000 votes. new economic and social agenda AGRA: Minorities, especially the However, I didn’t want to limit of the NDA government was spe- Muslim community, feel insecure myself and I joined Congress to serve cially attractive. under Prime Minister Narendra the country in a better way. It is the With India being an important Modi, says Shahid Rafi, son of the oldest party in the country,” he said. trading partner of the 28-nation legendary Indian singer Moham- Shahid, who had recently politico-economic union, he said med Rafi. demanded that his father should be the EU was “really interested” in He also reiterated his demand conferred the Bharat Ratna posthu- completing a free trade agreement for the Bharat Ratna for his father. mously, said his fans would be happy with it. Speaking on the sidelines of the at this. After Belgium, Modi will be in third edition of the Taj Literature fes- “He himself was a Bharat Ratna. Washington on March 31 to attend Army team rescuing the Russian skier near ski resort in Gulmarg, yesterday. tival, which began on Friday, Shahid However, I feel that his fans will be the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) said that the prevailing situation in happy if he gets it posthumously,” he amid much speculation that he the country is disturbing. said, adding he gets overwhelmed will meet Pakistani Prime Minis- “Muslims feel threatened under by the love from Rafi fans wherever ter Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines. Army rescues Russian skier in Gulmarg this government. Whether it’s the he goes. The NSS is expected to be crackdown on Jawaharlal Nehru “I always get mobbed by my attended by the leaders of around IANS of the army’s High Altitude Warfare “After a distress call, the rescue University students or the attack father’s fans. It’s a blessing to be born 50 countries. School from the upper reaches of team reached the accident site, res- on minorities, the situation is dis- as the son of Rafi,” he said. On his way back, Modi will Apharwat in Gulmarg area,” Colo- cued him and evacuated him after turbing,” said Shahid who joined the Reminiscing about his father, stop in Riyadh — a visit which nel S D Goswami, spokesman of the administering first aid, via Khilan- Congress last month. Shahid said that he was an affec- assumes significance in the face of SRINAGAR: The Indian army yes- army’s Udhampur-headquartered marg to the army medical inspection Earlier with the Asadud- tionate and loving father to them.” the current regional situation and terday rescued a Russian skier from Northern Command, said. room at Gulmarg,” the spokesman din Owaisi-led All India Ittehadul I can only remember him as strained relations between the Gulf the Gulmarg ski resort in Jammu and “Lobanov was a part of a group of said. “The rescue team had to trudge Muslimeen (AIMIM) for whom he a gentle and caring dad. He was a kingdom and Iran, another strate- Kashmir after he lost control and fell six Russians who went skiing in the through thick snow for six km to contested the Mumbadevi assem- complete family man,” he said. gically important country for India. into a gorge at the Apharwat skiing higher reaches at Apharwat where reach the medical post where Loba- bly segment in south Mumbai in He noted that Rafi’s co-singers Saudi Arabia is also home to heights. he fell into a gorge covered in snow. nov was resuscitated and his medical the Maharashtra assembly elec- and actors like Dilip Kumar, Dev nearly three million Indian expa- “The 33-year old Dimitry Loba- “The skier suffered multiple frac- condition stabilised by the army doc- tions, Shahid said he preferred Anand, Shammi Kapoor and many triates, most of whom are blue nov of Russia was rescued by a team tures due to the fall,” Goswami said. tors,” he added. the Congress as it is a secular and in his era respected him a lot. collar workers. UK / IRELAND MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 15 UK’s future outside EU is rosy: Pro-Brexit ministers

Spain and in Italy who will not want to see trading arrangements change.” Cameron wrote in Cameron wrote in a Sunday Tel- a Sunday Telegraph egraph newspaper article that those in favour of a so-called Brexit are newspaper article “extremely vague” when asked to that those in favour set out a vision of life outside the bloc ahead of the June 23 referen- of a so-called Brexit dum. Osborne warned last week are “extremely that leaving the EU would represent vague” when asked a “profound economic shock” for Brit- ain, while Group of 20 finance chiefs to set out a vision of listed it as being among the risks fac- life outside the bloc ing the global economy. The pound posted its worst week ahead of the June 23 in more than seven years last week referendum. amid anxiety that the UK might vote to leave. Sterling tumbled 3.7 percent against the dollar. The most recent opinion poll, pub- Bloomberg lished on Friday by ORB, showed 52 percent of respondents backing an exit with 48 percent opting to stay in. That result, obtained in an online LONDON: Two of the leading UK gov- survey, was a reversal of January’s ernment ministers campaigning for an findings by the same polling com- Britain’s Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Ian Duncan Smith exit from the European Union played pany and in line with a trend that up the prospects for Britain if it votes has shown the “Leave” camp gaining speaks on the Andrew Marr Show in London yesterday. to leave the bloc, rejecting warnings ground. Less frequent telephone poll- from Prime Minister David Cameron ing, though, continues to show mostly export market for the rest of the risks” to the global recovery. and Chancellor of the Exchequer double-digit leads for “Remain.” European Union,” said Howard, now In his Telegraph article, Cameron George Osborne. Duncan Smith, a former leader of a member of the upper, unelected described a vote to leave as “the gam- “Britain is a great country, the the ruling Conservative Party, said House of Lords. “The Germans ble of the century,” arguing that “it’s people here are inventive, innova- the UK would be able to negotiate a would want to continue to sell us simply not good enough to assert eve- tive, and they will find a way with us mutually satisfactory deal with the their BMWs and Audis, the French rything will be all right when jobs and to actually have a real deal that gives rump EU after a Brexit vote. “We do will continue to want to sell us their our country’s future are at stake.” Britain access to the world and access a deal with the European Union; that wine, and if they want to continue to The prime minister has spent to Europe,” Work and Pensions Secre- is a trade deal; it is about access to have access to our market, they’ve the past week pushing the case for a Britain’s UKIP party leader Nigel Farage holds a T-shirt as he visits trade tary Iain Duncan Smith said on BBC our markets, access to theirs,” he said. got to make sure we continue to “Remain” vote, and has been open in Television’s Andrew Marr Show yes- By contrast, the UK faces “chaos have access to theirs.” his criticism of the stances taken by stall at the party’s spring conference, in Llandudno, Britain, on Saturday. terday. “Why would we have such a and confusion” if it stays in the bloc, Cameron struck a deal with fel- senior Brexit campaigners within the low opinion of the British people that Duncan Smith said, arguing that no low EU leaders earlier this month Tory party, including London Mayor Meanwhile, euro-sceptic atti- of respondents. Also among the top we go out and talk about leaping into one can predict what may happen to that, among other things, gives the Boris Johnson. The Sunday Times tudes in the UK are strongest in parts seven areas are Peterborough and the dark, we talk about profound the euro in the future. He also rejected UK the possibility of curbing welfare newspaper reported that dissident of northwest and eastern England, Southend in eastern England, and shocks, we talk about them not being suggestions that an exit would lead payments to newly arrived workers Conservative lawmakers are prepar- according to research by polling com- Blackpool, Blackburn and Warrington capable, that we’re too small?” to a flood of asylum seekers to Brit- from other countries in the 28-mem- ing to launch a leadership challenge pany YouGov Plc that shows where in the northwest, the polling company The leader of the House of Com- ain from France through the Channel ber bloc. The prime minister says against Cameron, whatever the ref- backers of an exit from the European said on its website. mons, Chris Grayling, dismissed Tunnel. “It’s not going to happen that will help him achieve his aim of erendum result, unless he stops the Union may be concentrating their The most pro-European areas are “scare stories” about what might because it does not suit the French,” reducing immigration. attacks. efforts in the run-up to the June 23 concentrated in Scotland, Wales and happen. “We buy far more from the he said. G-2O finance ministers and cen- Speaking on Sky, Foreign Secre- referendum. London, YouGov found. Ceredigion European Union than they buy from Another former Tory leader, tral-bank chiefs, who met on Friday tary Philip Hammond said the cabinet Havering on the northeast edge in west Wales comes top, followed by us,” he told Sky News television. “If Michael Howard, who’s also back- and Saturday in Shanghai, said in will need to “heal the effects” of the of London is the most Euro- skep- the northeast Scottish city of Aber- anybody is worried about the out- ing a Brexit, took a similar line in their final communique that “the split over Europe. “That will be the tic of 188 local-government areas deen. Five London boroughs, led by come at the moment, it’s continental an interview on BBC TV’s “Sunday shock of a potential UK exit from the focus of all us once the referendum ranked by YouGov using profiles of Lambeth and Camden, are among businesses in France, in Germany, in Politics” show. “We are the biggest European Union” is among “downside debate is over,” he said. more than 80,000 adults on its panel the top 10. Britain to face electricity supply crunch next winter

Reuters about power shortages. Coal-fired power plants provided around a quarter of the country’s electricity last year but five plants capable of LONDON: Britain faces an elec- generating more than 8 gigawatts British Ebola tricity supply shortage next winter, (GW) of electricity have over the National Grid data showed, which last few months announced they survivor could force the grid operator to seek will either close or reduce capac- extra reserves to make sure the lights ity this year. discharged stay on. National Grid has already con- Forecast demand for electricity tracted a reserve of 3.6 gigawatts from hospital in Britain is higher than expected (GW) of capacity under its so- supply for a total of 11 weeks over called Strategic Balancing Reserve winter 2016/17, the data published on for the 2016/17 winter period which AFP the National Grid’s Balancing Mar- would be enough to cover the ket Report website showed. shortfall provided renewable gen- “This is the first time we have seen eration forecasts are met. LONDON: A British nurse who an official forecast that the UK will “This is a moving picture with contracted Ebola while working have a negative reserve margin for a figures for nearly a year from now in Sierra Leone in 2014 was dis- sustained period next winter,” Peter and a lot can happen between now charged from hospital in London Atherton, analyst at Jefferies invest- and then,” a spokeswoman for yesterday, five days after being People cheer as Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams is held aloft with Sinn Fein candidate Imelda Munster (left) ment bank said in a research note. National Grid said. admitted with complications, a after being re-elected during the Irish general election in Dundalk, Co Louth, Ireland, yesterday. Britain’s electricity generation She said the figures do not statement said. is under scrutiny as a plan to close include the reserve or the 3 GW of Pauline Cafferkey (pictured) coal-fired power plants by 2025 capacity that can be provided by was successfully treated within and weak economic conditions for electricity imports through the coun- weeks of her diagnosis but suffered Irish rival parties doubt coalition investment in new gas plants needed try’s power connections with France a relapse in October 2015, when to replace them has created concerns and the Netherlands. she became critically ill with men- ingitis linked to the deadly virus. Reuters enterprise spokesman Dara Calleary Fine Gael. One warned it would boost Again, she made a full recovery told national broadcaster RTE late on the left-wing Sinn Fein, the former but on Tuesday she was admitted Saturday. political wing of the Irish Republi- for a third time to the Royal Free “Any programme for govern- can Army (IRA), by turning it into the Rescue mission Hospital, Britain’s only isolation DUBLIN: Ireland’s political stalemate ment would have to be put before main official opposition. ward for Ebola, due to a further following an inconclusive national our members and I certainly can Leaders of both parties insisted unspecified complication. election deepened yesterday after tell you the Fianna Fail people here they needed to wait until the vote In a statement yesterday, the senior figures in the two biggest par- (in my constituency) are overwhelm- counting ends on Monday before con- hospital said that Cafferkey had ties expressed opposition to forming ingly against any coalition.” Senior sidering their options and many on now been discharged, adding: together what looks like the only via- members of Fine Gael, which won both sides conceded a solution was “We can confirm that Pauline is ble coalition government. 25.5 percent of first preference votes unlikely to be found by the time par- not infectious. With vote counting still underway and is set to remain the biggest party, liament resumes on March 10. “The Ebola virus can only after Friday’s poll, the heavy losses though with far fewer seats than pre- That would echo recent elec- be transmitted by direct contact suffered by Prime Minister Enda Ken- dicted, were equally reluctant. tions in Portugal and especially with the blood or bodily fluids of ny’s Fine Gael continued to mount. Health Minister Leo Varadkar, Spain, whose ruling centre-right an infected person while they are However, its old rival, Fianna Fail, widely seen as the strongest con- party failed to win re-election in a symptomatic.” has so far outperformed forecasts, tender to eventually succeed Kenny, December poll. The country remains Experts warn that Ebola can making an unprecedented coalition said a grand coalition was not some- without a government. cause ongoing problems in many between the two centre-right parties thing he favoured, while Finance “There will be grave instability survivors, although in most cases the most obvious option. Minister Michael Noonan raised the (in Ireland) for the next month when the problems seem to improve and But their mutual enmity, dating prospect of a second election “very people are talking to each other,” become less frequent with time. back nearly a century to the Irish shortly”. “I just don’t think it’s going to said Eoin O’Malley, senior lecturer More than 11,300 people were civil war, persists, prompting some to happen, I don’t think Fianna Fail will at Dublin City University. “It’s highly killed before the World Health speculate that the only way to break go in as a minority party with Fine unlikely that a majority coalition gov- Organization declared last month the deadlock might be a second elec- Gael,” Fine Gael PM Eoghan Murphy ernment will be formed, more likely that the two-year Ebola outbreak tion that would put financial markets told Reuters. a minority government leading to an Members of the fire brigade rescue a man who fell into the river in west Africa was over, although on edge. “I wouldn’t favour a govern- Two other Fianna Fail frontbench election sometime later this year, if in central Dublin. Sierra Leone has since recorded ment with Fine Gael,” Fianna Fail’s members opposed a coalition with not an immediate election.” new cases. 16 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 EUROPE Greece raises concern over cap on migrants

capacity camp began in earnest last week after Macedonia began refus- Greece fears that ing entry to Afghans and imposed with cap put on by stricter document controls on Syri- Balkan countries, the ans and Iraqis. The bottleneck is expected to number of migrants get worse after EU members Slov- trapped on its soil enia and Croatia, as well as Serbia and Macedonia, imposed a limit of may reach 70,000 by 580 migrants entering their borders next month. each day. Those measures came on the heels of a clampdown by Austria, which lies farther up the migrant AFP trail that extends from the Balkans to Germany and Scandinavia. Austria introduced a daily cap of 80 asylum-seekers and said it would ATHENS: Greece yesterday said the only admit 3,200 migrants transit- number of refugees and migrants on ing the country. its soil could more than triple next As a result, the tighter controls month, reaching as many as 70,000, have had a big knock-on effect in Migrants trapped at the Greek-Macedonian borders demonstrate and shout “open the border”, blocking train tracks yesterday. as a cap on border crossings by Bal- Greece, where migrants have been kan countries left them “trapped” in arriving en masse from neighbour- the country. ing Turkey. “We estimate that in our coun- Thousands, including many chil- Hungarian PM vows to resist EU’s migrant policy try the number of those trapped will dren, are now stranded there as the be from 50,000-70,000 people next European Union struggles with the month”, Migration Minister Yiannis continent’s worst migration crisis Reuters over its attempts to impose migrant no gangs will hunt for our wives and and heritage against the tide of Mouzalas said. since the end of World War II. quotas on member states. daughters,” he said. mostly Muslim migrants. “Today, there are 22,000 refu- Mouzalas said he expected the “We cannot let it force upon us the “In Hungary, we will nip in the bud “The migration wave can be gees and migrants”, he added in an influx of refugees and migrants to sour fruits of their misguided immi- and punish even the slightest attempts stopped,” he said. “Europe is a commu- interview with Mega Channel TV. slow when the information about BUDAPEST: Hungarian Prime Minis- gration policy. We want to import no at such things,” Orban said, adding nity of half a billion people, more than Some 6,500 people were stuck closed borders spread in Turkey, ter Viktor Orban yesterday condemned crime, terrorism or anti-Semitism to that he wanted to fortify and possibly Russia and the United States combined. at the Idomeni camp on Greece’s where millions of people fleeing the European Union’s failure to get to Hungary,” he said, adding the quota extend the border fence. Europe has the technology, the stra- northern border with Macedonia the war in Syria have taken refuge. grips with its migrant crisis and vowed system could cause EU’s disintegration. More than a million migrants, have tegic and economic might to defend yesterday as Macedonian border “I believe that the influx will to resist pressure to take in more Orban, who has been criticised for fled to Europe over the last year, many itself,” he said. officials let only 300 refugees and diminish when the news that the migrants, saying they would bring building a fence along Hungary’s bor- passing through Hungary en route for Orban said he did not blame the migrants pass the day before. Idomeni border crossing is closed crime, terrorism and other problems. der to keep migrants out, referred to wealthier western European nations, migrants for only doing “what they Dozens of refugees staged a pro- will be propagated. We are preparing Orban is known for his fiery right- growing social tensions in Europe. . especially Germany. think is best for them” by coming to test on the rail tracks near Idomeni an information campaign which will wing rhetoric, but in his annual state “There will be no lawless districts Orban, 52, has often framed his Europe but European leaders for fail- yesterday, an eyewitness said. be broadcast in Turkey”, the migra- of the nation address he struck a harsh in Hungarian cities. There will be no approach to the migrant crisis as a ing to devise coherent policies to stem The build-up at the 1,500-people tion minister said. tone towards refugees and Brussels riots, no refugee camps set on fire and defence of Europe’s Christian culture and reverse the tide. Farmers stage fresh protests at France’s agriculture show Council of Europe criticises Poland’s AFP and augmented by a price war with protests continued when a group of “For every hundred euros it gets which are related to structural and wholesalers. The upset, which has farmers attacked a stand owned by (for its meat), Bigard pays only eight short-term problems that can only be court changes seen farmers leave their fields and one of France’s agri-businesses. to the producer,” one of the farmers solved in a collective manner.” PARIS: French farmers dumped flour animals to block roads with their The farmers blasted the stand of said, while handing out fake 100 euro A nine-day event held in vast over the stand of a leading meat pro- tractors and dump manure outside the meat brand Charal with fire extin- notes. “Our job has a cost.” exhibition grounds in southwestern Reuters ducer at the country’s annual farm government offices, has also cast a guishers before dumping about 30kg “When you pay between €17 and Paris, the farm show is one of the show yesterday, a day after they heck- pall on the country’s biggest celebra- of flour on it. 20 per kilo for meat, you should know most popular dates in the capital’s led President Francois Hollande as he tion of its agricultural wealth. Charal is owned by the agribusi- that we are only getting two and a half calendar, with an expected turnout WARSAW: The Council of Europe’s arrived at the event. On Saturday, farmers tore down ness giant Bigard, which has a turnover to three euros,” said Pierre Vaugarny, of 700,000 people this year. advisory body has said reforms of The farmers’ anger has boiled the agriculture ministry’s pavilion, of €4.3bn ($4.7bn) and a payroll of secretary general of the National The attendance reflects France’s Poland’s constitutional court pose over after months of protests over cri- resulting in the arrest of five members 14,000. Last year during negotiations Bovine Federation. love of its rural traditions, even a danger to the rule of law in the sis in the agricultural sector sparked of the main farmers’ union FNSEA. with farmers the group refused to fix In a statement Charal said it though only a fifth of French people European Union member state, by collapsing beef and milk sales And despite calls for calm, the a minimum buying price. “understands the farmers’ difficulies, today live in the countryside. dealing another blow to the euro- sceptic Warsaw government’s legal changes. Poland asked the Council’s Venice Commission to comment on Conservatives charge Cave Lights the legal changes after parliament overruled appointments made to the tribunal by the previous gov- Walesa as informant ernment, causing uncertainty over its proceedings. The new parliament, control- Reuters at the time and where the Solidar- led by the conservative Law and ity movement originated. There Justice (PiS) party after an Octo- are invoices, apparently signed by ber election, named new judges “Bolek” for cash received in return in December and the PiS-backed WARSAW: Newly-publicised doc- for information. president Andrzej Duda immedi- uments have revived claims Lech Scans of the files have been pub- ately swore them in. Walesa, the giant of Poland’s strug- lished in the Polish press. Some of The move, deemed illegal gle to overthrow communism, was a the documents appear to have been by the opposition, has already secret police informant in the 1970s written by secret police officials and prompted the European Com- —allegations still fuelling an old feud some by Walesa. mission to launch a probe into the among postcommunist leaders. Poland’s Institute of National rule of law in Poland. The constitu- Poland’s ruling conservatives, Remembrance (IPN), a state agency tional court itself, whose verdicts led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, have tasked with investigating crimes are final and cannot be appealed, leapt at the opportunity to ques- “against the Polish Nation” from ruled against the new appoint- tion Walesa’s independence from World War Two until the collapse ments to its ranks. the communist-era police after he of communism, has said the docu- In a draft opinion, obtained by became Poland’s first democratically ments in its possession are authentic, the Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper, elected president between 1990 and meaning they did originate from the the Venice Commission called the 1995. His defenders say whatever the secret service. A visitor takes a picture of the illuminated Dechen Cave in Iserlohn, Germany, yesterday. The ‘2016 court “one of the central elements authenticity of the documents, they Forensic testing of the docu- Cave Lights’ event will showcase light installations featuring stalactite and stalagmite formations in for ensuring checks and balances do little to undermine the record of ments, including of handwriting the Dechen Cave until March 25. ... especially important in times of a man who was awarded the Nobel purported to be Walesa’s, is under strong political majorities.” Peace Prize in 1983. way. Walesa, 72, has said a batch of Walesa’s critics argue the files files found last week at the house of put into question not only Walesa’s a late communist interior minister standing as a hero of the effort to was fabricated, and denied he ever end communist rule but also raise French family firm recycles hand-made bikes spied on fellow dissidents, an accu- doubts about whether the country sation he has faced repeatedly over ever succeeded in fully shaking off two decades. the influence of pre-1989 commu- AFP Chevalier, and Josephine Baker. . decades, Jastrzebski was turning 50 old catalogue and the counter on which The new files contain a hand- nist officials. “My grandfather didn’t brag about in late 2014 when he persuaded his his great-grandfather built bicycles. written document signed “Lech “The (Walesa) legend probably his customers,” said Frederic Jastrze- brother—and their wives—“to revive Production has begun, with the Walesa” which includes a pledge to cannot be defended any more,” For- bski. “It was by flipping through his the brand with the same sincere, arti- Jastrzebskis peddling their two- cooperate with the secret service. eign Minister Witold Waszczykowski PARIS: Once forced out of business order books and his diary... that we sanal workmanship, the same quest wheeled creations as an “urban It mentions the codename “Bolek”, told public television. by mass production, a family firm in found mentions of these people.” for authenticity and perfection.” aesthetic” for the well-heeled. long ascribed by critics to Walesa. “We need to ask historians Paris has found a new lease of life, It was an uncle who closed down In the new workshop near the Gleaming but not bling, the bicy- Other documents include typed whether these issues linked to Lech once again hand-crafting bicycles as the company in the 1980s when bicy- Bastille in eastern Paris, Jastrzeb- cles are virtual works of art, their descriptions of conversations with Walesa and maybe others ... may a luxury must-have. cles began being mass-produced and ski has kept the old wooden drawers metal frames contrasting with the Bolek in which he describes the have served as obstacles in the 1990s Maison Tamboite, founded in 1912, could be found even in supermarkets, from the original shop on the other honey-toned oak from Italy’s Lake mood among workers in the Gdansk in terms of taking important deci- had an A-list clientele including the Jastrzebski said. side of town. Como region used in the wheel rims shipyard where Walesa was working sions about state security.” likes of Marlene Dietrich, Maurice After working in finance for two He also has the original tools, an and the mud guards. EUROPE MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 17 Swiss reject proposal to deport foreign law-breakers

activists and business leaders who said it would violate human rights The plan to expel and complicate relations with Swit- foreign residents zerland’s main trade partner, the European Union, already angered by indulged in crime a 2014 vote that backed quotas on EU was proposed by workers. The final tally showed 58.9 percent of voters opposed the auto- Swiss People’s Party. matic deportations. Turnout was more than 62 percent, the highest for a ref- erendum in Switzerland since 1992, said Claude Longchamp of the Bern Reuters Research and Polling Institute. The SVP, which has built up support on a wave of anti-foreigner feeling, col- lected the 100,000 signatures needed ZURICH: Swiss voters yesterday to start the referendum under Switzer- rejected a right-wing proposal to land’s system of direct democracy. deport foreign law-breakers in a ref- Particularly unpalatable to oppo- erendum, handing a defeat to the nents was the proposal to impose country’s dominant anti-immigra- automatic expulsion of “Secondos”, tion Swiss People’s Party (SVP). as the Swiss refer to Swiss-born but The plan to expel foreign resi- non-citizen children of immigrants. dents guilty of anything from murder “Today the majority of voters People queue in front of a polling station at the central trainstation of Bern, Switzerland, yesterday. to speeding was proposed by the SVP, delivered an affirmation to the for- the country’s largest political move- eigners in our country and most ment with around a third of the notably to the Secondos,” Justice Min- sheep kicking a black sheep out of Opponents had argued that the by exposing deportees’ families to tunnel through the Gotthard moun- seats in Switzerland’s lower house of ister Simonetta Sommaruga said. Switzerland. Activists countered by move would violate the European financial hardship. In one of three tain range, a main north-south transit parliament. The SVP campaigned for the putting up posters depicting the cross Convention on Human Rights, which other referendums on Sunday, voters route. They rejected a proposal to ban But it faced opposition from motion with posters showing a white on the Swiss flag as a swastika. Switzerland has signed, particularly backed the construction of a second trading in agricultural derivatives.

Ex-Auschwitz SS paramedic faces Russian mine disaster death toll rises to 36 trial today AFP Vorkutaugol, said yesterday. of rescue workers who had been try- burning at the mine and the company the scene. “The rescue operation has been ing to track down the missing despite was considering whether to flood the Mine accidents are fairly com- halted,” she added. almost zero visibility, smoke, gas-pol- pit or pump inert gas into it. mon in Russia and other former Soviet A fresh methane explosion at luted air and rubble. Seventy-seven people were in countries, where much of the infra- Reuters MOSCOW: The death toll in Rus- the mine in the small hours yester- Both the company and the author- the mine during the rescue opera- structure has not been modernised sia’s worst mining disaster in recent day killed five rescue workers and a ities had until now refused to declare tion when the latest explosion hit, the since the Communist era. history climbed to 36 yesterday as miner, Anton Kovalishin, a spokes- the missing dead even though res- emergencies ministry said. The explosion at the Severnaya BERLIN: A 95-year-old former officials said 26 missing workers man for the emergencies ministry in cuers appear to have failed to make Of these, 71 were rescued and mine took place despite the fact that Nazi SS paramedic at the Ausch- could not have survived and another the Komi region where the mine is contact with them over the past few brought to the surface. Eleven of them the company has over the past years witz death camp, accused of being six, most of them rescuers, had been located, told reporters. days. But the latest explosion forced were injured. “According to experts, invested heavily into safety, Vorku- an accomplice to the murder of killed in a new explosion. The pit is located in the city of officials to admit that no-one could there is a high risk of new explosions,” taugol said. thousands, is to stand trial in Ger- On Thursday, four miners were Vorkuta in the Komi region, which have survived. the ministry said. In 2010, 91 people—both miners many today, one in a series of such killed when a methane explosion used to host one of the most feared “Unfortunately, we are forced to Earlier this week President and rescuers—died after a methane recent cases. ripped through the Severnaya mine Soviet-era Gulag labour camps. acknowledge that all the conditions Vladimir Putin tasked the govern- explosion at the Raspadskaya mine Hubert Zafke was serving as a in Arctic Russia. Vorkutaugol is operated by at that section of the mine would not ment with setting up a special panel in the Siberian region of Kemerovo. medic in the SS at the biggest death “According to the expert techni- Severstal, the Russian steelmaker allow a person to survive,” Emergen- to inquire into the accident. In 2007, 110 people died at camp in occupied Poland where cal council, 26 (missing) people who controlled by billionaire Alexey cies Minister Vladimir Puchkov said The Investigative Committee has the Ulyanovskaya mine, also in he was deployed in 1943. During were in the mine had no chances Mordashov. for his part in comments broadcast by opened a criminal probe into any vio- Kemerovo, the country’s worst min- the trial, he will be faced with the of surviving,” Tatyana Bushkova, a Authorities launched massive LifeNews television channel. lation of safety rules and dispatched ing accident since the collapse of the accounts of at least two witnesses. spokeswoman for the mine’s operator search operation involving hundreds Bushkova said a fire was still investigators and forensic experts to Soviet Union in 1991. Prosecutors in Schwerin say Zafke, in his function as a medic, supported the slaughter at Ausch- witz, where over 1.2 million people, most of them Jews, were killed. Waves attract crowd Zafke was responsible for Olof Palme’s killing treating SS members in case of sickness, not any of the inmates, but prosecutors say he was sta- still an open wound tioned directly on the path leading to the gas chambers. According to initial investiga- tions, Zafke did not deny having AFP The case has never been solved, been an SS member at Auschwitz and the investigation continues: but he maintains not to have wit- more than 10,000 people have been nessed anything about the killings. questioned, 134 people have claimed The prosecutors say that, among STOCKHOLM: Sweden yesterday responsibility, and the case files take being a witness to these gas cham- marked the 30th anniversary of up 250 meters of shelf space. bers walks, he also must have been the assassination of prime minister Christer Pettersson, a petty aware of the constant smoke aris- Olof Palme, gunned down in a mur- criminal and drug addict, was con- ing from the crematoriums. der that sent shockwaves through victed of the crime in July 1989 after A precedent for such cases was the country and which remains an Lisbet identified him in a widely- set in 2011, when former Nazi guard enigma despite thousands of leads. criticised line-up. But he was freed John Demjanjuk was sentenced for “It’s still an open wound,” cur- months later by an appeals court being an accessory to the Nazis’ rent Prime Minister Stefan Lofven which dismissed Lisbet’s testimony mass murder during the Holocaust. told reporters after paying tribute to on a technicality. Demjanjuk’s conviction, allow- his predecessor, laying a wreath of Police were heavily criticised ing the pursuit of those involved in red roses at a Stockholm cemetery for botching the early stages of the death camp even if no individ- just a stone’s throw from the mur- the investigation, failing to cor- ual murder could be proven, paved der scene. don off the scene properly and the way for late Nazi trials with at Palme was killed on February allowing onlookers to walk least four Auschwitz cases sched- 28, 1986, after leaving a Stockholm around and destroy potential uled this year alone. Germany’s cinema with his wife Lisbet to walk forensic evidence. Nazi past has weighed heavily on home alone, having dismissed his Over the years, investigators the country and forms backdrop bodyguards for the evening. have suspected Turkey’s Kurdish People watch waves crashing onto the shore of the Mediterranean sea in Nice, France yesterday. to national debates on issues like An unidentified attacker rebel group the Kurdistan Workers’ how to deal with refugees of war. approached the couple and shot Party (PKK), the Swedish military Palme in the back, leaving the and police, and the South African 59-year-old dying in a pool of blood secret service among others. on the sidewalk. The gunman ran Chief investigator Kerstin off, taking with him the murder Skarp said nonetheless last week Graft charges may foil Rajoy’s bid to retain power weapon, a .357 Magnum revolver she remained “optimistic” the case which has never been recovered. would be solved one day. The murder of their charismatic Lofven said yesterday he thought Reuters graft inquiries into the PP. December election. Since then, its “shamed and embarrassed” the par- leader sent Swedes into shock, and the murderer had already been Penas said he knew Gurtel — attempts to form a governing coalition ty’s members and voters. “The people their tranquil and open society is caught. “We have a witness, Lisbet investigators’ code name for the case have floundered, snubbed by rivals that have done these things should said to have “lost its innocence” Palme, who said it was Christer Pet- — would be big when he made the who say they will not work with a neither represent the PP nor should that day. tersson, and I believe that.” MADRID: When Jose Luis Penas audio recordings, but had never imag- party tainted by corruption scandals. they be politicians,” said the one of recorded fellow councillors alleg- ined it might reach the upper echelons Should no other party succeed in the party’s newest and youngest faces. edly taking bribes from businessmen of the conservative party. forming a coalition, as most political “They should be expelled from a decade ago, it marked the start of a “I didn’t know how deep the cor- analysts expect, another election will politics,” she said. series of corruption scandals that have ruption would go,” Penas, who left the be held this year. While the PP is still Fernando Jimenez, a political sci- engulfed Spain’s ruling party and could party after the scandal erupted, said. expected to win the most votes, opin- entist at the University of Murcia and thwart its chances of retaining power. “From Gurtel came everything.” ion polls suggest it will again fail to contributor to an annual EU anti-cor- The secret recordings in Madrid’s The PP denies any senior party gain a majority. ruption report, said worse could be Majadahonda municipality controlled officials were involved in any cases According to a poll last week in yet to come for the party. by the People’s Party (PP) culminated of alleged corruption, including Gur- right-wing newspaper El Mundo, the “Most likely new cases of corrup- in an investigation into allegations the tel. It says only a tiny number of its centre-right party would actually lose tion will continue to erupt,” he said. “I party’s top brass had a slush fund politicians are corrupt, and that it is votes and parliamentary seats, with don’t think the PP’s vote has bottomed bankrolled by friendly businesses. tackling the problem. many of those surveyed blaming cor- out, it could fall quite a lot more.” Four senior former PP politicians But the political cost has never- ruption and Rajoy’s inability to cobble He said the party was losing sup- are among 40 suspects awaiting trial. theless been high for the party and its together a coalition. port due to perceptions among voters Since the beginning of the so- leader, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. Acknowledging the damage, PP that it was shielding those implicated called Gurtel investigation in 2007, Public anger at the PP was a fac- lawmaker Andrea Levy said earlier in scandals, something denied by the there have been a string of other tor in its failure to win majority in this month the corruption allegations party’s leadership. People lay roses on the grave of Olof Palme in Stockholm, yesterday. 18 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAS Hillary sweeps South Carolina primary

Sanders in New Hampshire, and then a five-point win in Nevada. South Carolina was South Carolina was the first the first southern southern state to vote for a 2016 Democratic nominee, before the state to vote for a race broadens to 11 contests across 2016 Democratic the country. nominee, before the “Tomorrow this campaign goes national,” Clinton said to a loud race broadens to 11 roar as she thanked supporters in contests across the Columbia, South Carolina, where she emerged with a clearer path to the country. nomination. “We are going to com- pete for every vote in every state. We are not taking anything, and we are not taking anyone, for granted.” US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton stops to greet people at Fido coffee shop in Nashville, Tennessee, yesterday. AFP US networks called the race for Clinton immediately after polls closed in the Palmetto State, where again. America has never stopped from the bottom of my heart, we do.” by a 86 percent, more than had sup- Palmieri told reporters, as the candi- the majority of Democratic voters being great,” she said, reading off a With 99 percent of precincts ported Obama eight years prior. date shook hands and posed for selfies COLUMBIA: Hillary Clinton scored are African-American, a voting bloc teleprompter. reporting, Clinton stood at 73.5 percent Clinton assiduously courted black with supporters. a resounding victory against Bernie that she and her husband, former “But we do need to make Amer- compared to 26 percent for Sanders. voters, in part by praising Obama and Sanders was already looking past Sanders in Saturday’s Democratic president Bill Clinton, have success- ica whole again,” she added, laying The comprehensive victory marks a promising to build on his legacy. South Carolina. On Saturday he headed primary in South Carolina, seiz- fully courted for decades. out an argument against the divisive moment of redemption for Clinton She also campaigned alongside to Texas, where he addressed a crowd ing momentum ahead of the most Clinton also looked beyond her rhetoric favored by Trump, who has who in 2008 lost badly in the state to black surrogates, and visited African- of 10,000 people, and then Minnesota, important day of nomination race: battle with Sanders, tweaking the antagonized immigrants, Muslims and Barack Obama—his win here serving American churches and historically two states in the play next Tuesday “Super Tuesday” showdown. man many now see as the likely campaign rivals. as a turning point for his ultimately black colleges. South Carolina marked when he needs to keep his head above Four weeks into the White House Republican nominee: Donald Trump, “I know it sometimes seems a little victorious campaign. a “great test” for the coming votes in water if he wants to challenge Clin- primaries, the former secretary of whose campaign slogan is “Make odd for someone running for president Exit polls in South Carolina other southern states and showed ton deeper into the nomination race. state earned her first decisive win America Great Again.” these days and in this time to say we showed African-Americans—who rep- that Clinton “can get a broad base Sanders swiftly offered Clinton his con- of the campaign, after a nail-biter “Despite what you hear, we need more love and kindness in Amer- resented 61 percent of all Democratic of support of all demographics,” her gratulations, but also insisted he was in victory in Iowa, a thumping loss to don’t need to make America great ica,” she added. “But I am telling you voters in the primary—backed Clinton communications director Jennifer it for the long haul.

3 stabbed and 13 arrested at KKK Virginia policewoman fatally shot on first day of job rally in California Reuters Ashley Guindon, a rookie officer Reserve and has family members in law Hospital where Guindon and two unidentified officers were shot at on the Prince William County Police, enforcement, according to the county. other officers where brought after a home they were called to in Lake was struck by gunfire later died of Yesterday, the department posted they were shot. Ridge, about 24 km southwest of AFP injuries sustained during the incident a photograph of a black ribbon draped On Friday, the department sent Washington, DC, the county police WASHINGTON: A Virginia police on Saturday evening, a day after she over a squad car in honor of Guindon. a message on Twitter that included department said on its Twitter and officer was fatally shot during her joined the force, the department said. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for a photo of Guindon and a fellow Facebook pages. LOS ANGELES: Three people first day on the job and two of her Guindon was a graduate of Embry- they will be called children of God,” officer after they were sworn in, The department gave no details were stabbed, one of them criti- fellow officers were wounded when Riddle Aeronautical University in the post said. saying that she would be working on the nature of the incident or the cally, and 13 others were arrested they responded to a domestic distur- Daytona Beach, Florida, where she Local media showed a procession her first shifts over the weekend, condition of the two other injured in California on Saturday when a bance in a Washington, DC, suburb, earned a degree in aeronautics. She of squad cars and officers standing adding “Be safe!” officers. A suspect was in custody, Ku Klux Klan (KKK) rally erupted authorities said yesterday. also served in the US Marine Corps at attention outside of Inova Fairfax Guindon and two other the department said. into clashes with counter-protest- ers, witnesses and police said. Around midday, half a dozen members of the white hate group arrived at the protest site in Ana- Remembering the glory America’s passion for guns heim where they were “swarmed” by protesters, who attacked them with at least one wooden plank, intact as shooting toll rises witness Brian Levin said. “It appears six KKK people arrived and were immediately AFP destroying commercial aircraft as attacked by counter-protesters, an official state symbol. which led to a counter-protester The .50-caliber Barrett, manu- being stabbed,” police spokesman factured in the southern state, joins a Sergeant Daron Wyatt said. WASHINGTON: A rifle as new range of other Tennessee state sym- The initial clash spawned sev- state symbol. A bill that lets young bols. These include the mockingbird eral separate fights, Wyatt added, children use handguns under super- as “official state bird” and the rac- noting that the three stabbing vic- vision. As mass shootings shatter coon as “official wild animal.” tims were all counter-protesters, lives, the fascination with firearms “These ‘anti-materiel’ sniping while another two KKK members among many Americans shows lit- rifles can strike accurately from a were stomped by the crowd. tle sign of fading. distance of more than a mile”, the Of those arrested, six were Over the past week, two gun- Violence Policy Center, a non-profit KKK members and seven were men killed at least nine people in organisation that advocates for gun from the rival demonstration, unrelated rampages in Michigan control said. Wyatt said. All were men, except and Kansas. Add to that the death “They can penetrate light armor, for one woman in each group. in Indiana of a father who was acci- down helicopters, destroy commer- The counter-protesters dentally shot by his six-year-old son cial aircraft, and blast through rail “smashed side window of the Klan who found a loaded revolver lying cars and bulk storage tanks filled SUV and the front windshield,” around and pulled the trigger. with explosive or toxic chemicals, all said Levin, who heads the Center The wreck of the Saint Christopher pictured in the harbour of Ushuaia, the capital of the Argentine President Barack Obama—who with potentially catastrophic effect.” for the Study of Hate and Extrem- province of Tierra del Fuego, yesterday. The Saint Christopher is an American-built rescue tug boat offers his condolences to families Still, the semi-automatic weapon ism at California State University that served in the British Royal Navy in World War II. of loved ones lost after each mass is available for sale to civilians. in San Bernardino. shooting—has decried the “rou- For the vast majority of Europe- tine” nature of reporting about and ans, South Americans and Asians, responding to such tragedies. there is little doubt that a firearm But faced with a Republican- is best kept as far as possible from controlled Congress unwilling places where people live, let alone to move forward on the matter, from children. Court test on abortion reflects strategic shift Obama—who made fighting gun vio- In the US state of Iowa, however, lence his chief resolution for 2016 —is there was debate this week about Reuters Institute, which tracks abortion pol- Texas officials and national federal courts struck down the most left with his wheels spinning. whether the hand of a preschooler icy and supports abortion rights. abortion opponents counter that the restrictive of those laws, and the Roe In January, he shed tears as he was big enough to hold a revolver. One of the two Texas regulations regulations were necessary to pro- v. Wade ruling was upheld. announced limited measures to In this Midwestern state, where before the court requires doctors who tect maternal health. Responding to those setbacks, tackle the rampant violence that Republican presidential hopeful Ted WASHINGTON: When the US provide abortions to have “admitting Ten other states also require some anti-abortion leaders, such kills around 30,000 Americans each Cruz won his first presidential nom- Supreme Court on Wednesday hears a privileges” at a local hospital so they doctors who perform abortions as those at the Washington-based year and called on citizens to punish ination, the House passed a bill 62 to major abortion case for the first time can treat patients needing surgery. to have hospital admitting priv- National Right to Life Committee, lawmakers who oppose more mean- 36 that would allow children under in nearly a decade, the regulations Another regulation being chal- ileges. Many of those laws are on urged state activists to shift to sub- ingful reforms. 14 to use handguns with parental at issue will not involve fetuses or lenged before the Supreme Court hold because of litigation. Abor- tler tactics. In the speech, Obama formally supervision. It is not unusual for the mother, but rather standards for forces clinics to have costly, hospi- tion opponents in Missouri secured Key advocates on both sides of the unveiled a handful of executive some Americans to spend their free doctors and facilities where the pro- tal-grade facilities, mandating a long passage in 2005 of the first law debate point to a 2007 strategy memo measures that will make it harder to time at the gun range, with families cedure is performed. list of building standards. Unlike the requiring admitting privileges at a by James Bopp, general counsel to the buy and sell weapons, but which he sometimes going there both for a That the high court is taking up a “admitting privileges” requirement, hospital within 48 km. National Right to Life Committee. admitted would not stop the scourge meal and to shoot. case about such arcane regulations it has yet to go into effect. Since the The Supreme Court found a con- Addressing what Bopp deemed of mass shootings. “What this bill does, the bill reflects success of a legal strategy that Republican-backed law was passed in stitutional right to end a pregnancy in “how best to advance the pro-life And in a country where there before us, allows for one-year-olds, abortion opponents embraced about a 2013, many Texas clinics have closed. the landmark 1973 case Roe v. Wade. cause,” the memo urged abortion are more guns than people, and with two-year-olds, to operate handguns,” decade ago and initially caught some Abortion providers challenging In the decades immediately after- opponents to stop proposing abor- Republicans vying to take back the said Kirsten Running-Marquardt, a abortion-rights advocates off guard. the Texas law say the Supreme Court ward, the legal strategy of abortion tion bans that federal judges were White House in November, it remains Democratic Iowa state represent- “It took a while to see the impact” should declare it unconstitutional. opponents focused on trying to ban rejecting, and instead push clinic to be seen, what will change. ative. “We do not need a militia of of state laws imposing regulations on They contend the law was intended abortion outright or impose mandates regulations and other “incremen- Senators in Tennessee—in a toddlers. We do not have handguns abortion providers, said Elizabeth Nash, to shutter clinics and make it harder on women such as waiting periods tal” efforts that Bopp said “often shut near unanimous vote—designated that I am aware of that fit the hands a policy analyst at the Guttmacher for women to end a pregnancy. or parental or spousal consent. But down clinics.” a rifle that is said to be capable of of a one- or two-year-old.”

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 21o C Maximum: 27o C

FAJR 04.42 am ZUHR 11.47 am MAGHRIB 05.37 pm HIGH TIDE 08:15 - 21:45 Partly cloudy with a chance of scattered rain SHOROOK 05.58 am ASR 03.06 pm ISHA 07.07 pm LOW TIDE 02:15 - 15:00 maybe thundery at places at first.

20 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 MORNING BREAK ONLINE CHART BUST Rock-ing the Oscars ceremony www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

#Oscars”. Civil rights leader Al Sharpton has called for protests MOST READ Show host Chris near Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, the Rock kept everyone Oscars venue, and for Americans to War planes strike six Syrian towns “tune-out” the live telecast, the most 1 around Aleppo: Monitor guessing ahead of watched non-sports TV event of the awards night year. Going into yesterday’s cere- Yazidi women, girls seek healing in mony, there was no consensus on 2 Germany after IS ‘hell’ which of the eight best picture nom- inees will take home the top prize. Rowhani allies win all 30 seats Reuters “All the tea leaves are pointing 3 in Tehran: State TV in a different direction. It could be ‘The Revenant’, ‘Spotlight,’ ‘The Big Short’ or even ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’,” LOS ANGELES: Suspense and sur- said Tom O’Neil, founder of awards TWEET OF THE DAY prises marked the Academy Awards website Goldderby.com. ceremony yesterday after a roller- With a leading 12 nominations, coaster awards season dominated a Golden Globe and a BAFTA, 20th by the #OscarsSoWhite controversy Century Fox’s “The Revenant” and and no clear front-runner for the top its ambitious tale shot in sub-zero honour of best picture. temperatures has the epic qualities It’s the movie industry’s biggest that traditionally appeal to the 6,200 celebration, but all eyes this year voters of the Academy of Motion Pic- were on Oscars host Chris Rock, the ture Arts and Sciences. outspoken black comedian who was If “The Revenant,” directed by expected to take aim at a Hollywood Mexican Alejandro Inarritu, wins diversity crisis that produced an all- best picture, it would mark the first white acting nominee line-up for the time in Academy Awards history second year running. that a filmmaker directed two best “I think Chris Rock will address picture winners in a row. Inarritu’s it head on, which is exactly what the “Birdman” won the 2015 best pic- show and the Academy needs,” said ture Oscar. Variety awards editor Tim Gray. Open Road Films’ “Spotlight”, Director Spike Lee and actor Will which traces the journalism probe Smith have shunned the Academy of abuse in the Boston Catholic Award ceremony, although a wider Church, is also in the mix, along with Oscar boycott largely failed to gather Paramount’s Wall Street misdeeds steam with Hollywood A-listers. comedy “The Big Short,” pundits say. Follow us on Nevertheless, the under-repre- Warner Bros well-reviewed sentation of people of colour in the “Mad Max: Fury Road” has 10 nom- Snapchat film and TV industry has muted the inations and was thought to turn out congratulatory tone of awards sea- to be a rare action-adventure best Open Snapchat and son and prompted pledges to bring picture winner. scan the Snapcode more women and minorities into the Among the sure bets, popular industry and the Academy. Leonardo DiCaprio was seen as cer- to add The Peninsula In a break with tradition, Rock tain to win his first ever Oscar for his gave no interviews or hints of what role as an 1820s fur trapper bent on account. Oscars host Chris Rock on a poster at the entrance to the Dolby Theatre he was going to say on the show, revenge in “The Revenant.” but in a cryptic tweet on Friday he “I would be really stunned if he red carpet on Hollywood Boulevard ahead of the 88th Academy Awards wrote “see you Sunday...#blackout doesn’t win,” said Gray. in Hollywood, Los Angeles, yesterday. Dolby Vision: Bringing out the best in films

AFP brighter brights and much darker darks,” according to chief marketing officer Bob Borchers. “It allows you to do things impossible before,” such SAN FRANCISCO: At the entrance of Dolby head- as deep black in space scenes from the latest “Star Wars” quarters in San Francisco, a ribbon of television film, Borchers said. screens plays synchronised videos that change in Dolby Cinema works with theatres on everything time to sound effects. from acoustics and interior design to Vision projection The display mirrors Dolby’s recent efforts to gear. It also sets up its Atmos speaker systems which move beyond sound enhancement to improve what assign sounds to precise locations in a room, creating people see when they watch films. a real-life effect. Several of the movies up for Oscars yesterday Theatre screens in Europe and the United States in Los Angeles were made with Dolby Vision, which have been equipped with Dolby Cinema, and the has become an industry standard for image qual- technology is heading for theatres in China through ity in movies. a partnership with the country’s Wanda Cinema Line. Best picture nominees “The Martian” and “The Dolby has even begun to offer its services for cor- Revenant,” as well as Pixar’s animated film “Inside porate meetings with a product called Voice, which Out” used the technology. builds upon technology that it designed for the movies. “We’re predominately known and associated Voice creates the effect of different people on a call A Dolby Voice teleconference device at Dolby Labs headquarters with audio, but we spent the last decade working speaking from different places in a room and eliminates on imaging,” Dolby director of content and crea- in San Francisco, California. background noises. tive relations Stuart Bowling told AFP. Dolby revenue was essentially flat at $967m during Since the company launched its Dolby Vision in technology, it is setting the bar for image quality as well. its last fiscal year, which ended in September, but the 2014, an array of television makers and major Hol- To make sure images come out well in theatres, Dolby uses a spe- company expects its conference and cinema businesses lywood studios have adopted the technology, which cial projector with lasers rather than traditional Xenon light bulbs to add $20m to its revenue this fiscal year. produces wider ranges of colour and contrast. to increase brightness. Barrington Research analyst James Goss referred to Even though the number of pixels that can be This results in intense, nearly fluorescent reds, blues and greens Vision, Atmos and Voice as “potential stepping stones captured in films has exploded, “we found some- in such films as “Inside Out.” Dolby Vision imbues movies with “much to returning to meaningful top-line growth.” thing was missing everywhere: contrast,” Bowling said. “Adding more contrast makes a significant impact on the image; it looks sharper, more vibrant, more colour-saturated and then almost 3D,” he added. The difference becomes clear watching two high-definition televisions side-by-side. With Dolby Vision, details jump out in a “Lego” movie scene showing car headlights, or during an explosion in “Man of Steel,” while they are crushed or blurred in the standard version of the films.

Industry standard Dolby Laboratories was founded half a cen- tury ago by its namesake, Ray Dolby who set out to develop technology for fuller, cleaner, crisper sound. One of the company’s early creations was noise Film posters of a bruised and bloodied Leonardo DiCaprio reduction technology that made its cinema debut in Beverly Hills, California. RIGHT: Makeup and hairstyling in the 1971 film “A Clockwork Orange.” artists from the film ‘100 Year Old Man Climbed Out the Dolby went on to become a de facto standard Window and Disappeared’ Eva von Bahr (left) and Love for audio quality in films, music, theatres and con- sumer electronics. Now with its new Dolby Vision Larson before a statue of the Oscar, yesterday. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

PAGE | 24 QE 9,927.94 + 80.58 PTS PAGE | 25 VW ex-CEO told of DOW 16,639.97 -57.32 PTS US urges China to keep problem weeks before FTSE100 6,096.01 +83.20 PTS moving to a market- news was public BRENT $35.10 -$0.19 oriented exchange rate

MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 • 20 Jumada I 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Banks’ realty credit jumps 27.36%

also grew by 0.7 percent. QCB estimates show M1 meas- credit distribution ures a country’s at QR114bn in third most liquid com- ponents of the quarter of last year money supply, as it contains cash and assets that can quickly By Satish Kanady be converted to The Peninsula currency. M2 includes savings deposits, money market mutual Oil output freeze will DOHA: Qatar banks’ credit to real funds and other estate sector jumped 27.36 percent time deposits, to QR125bn in 2015, compared to which are less work, says Al Sada QR95bn reported a year ago. Qatar increased to QR422bn inQ4, 2015, QR650bn. liquid and but can quickly be con- Central Bank’s (QCB) preliminary from the previous quarter’s QR409bn. Commercial banks combined verted into cash or deposits. estimates for the fourth quarter of Credit to the government sector rose assets hit QR1.112 trillion in 2015, com- Qatar National Bank Financial The Peninsula At the moment the best possible 2015 showed the credit distribution to QR76bn, up from QR64bn in 2014 pared to QR1.004 trillion a year ago. services (QNBFS) in its monthly bank- feasible proposal is to freeze at the to the sector hit at QR114bn during and QR60bn from Q3, 2015. Debt securities declined to QR34bn ing update recently noted the banks’ level of production of January. But the third quarter of 2015. Credit to general trade sector from QR39bn. loan book decreased by 1.4 percent I’m sure Saudi Arabia, like any other The banks’ total domestic credit stood at QR59bn, up from QR48bn Debt security under domestic lia- Month-over-Month in January 2016, DOHA: Oil prices could move market, will be watching the mar- rose to QR660bn in 2015, up from recorded in 2014. The facility to the bility rose to QR4bn from QR3bn in the up 13.1 percent Year-on-Year (YoY) for back above $50 a barrel within kets closely and of course they will QR586bn reported in previous year. industry sector rose to QR15bn from previous year. Banks’ provision rate full year 2014 (FY2014) while depos- a year as an Opec initiative to act appropriately. The banks’ domestic credit stood the previous year’s QR12bn and con- increased to QR10.6bn from QR9.9bn, its declined by 2.2 percent Month on freeze production gains support, A production freeze will gather at QR633bn in Q3, 15. tracting portfolio saw a huge jump by but slipped during the fourth quarter Month (MoM) in the month of Janu- Minister of Energy and Industry more and more approval because A breakdown of last year’s credit QR7bn to QR37bn. of 2015, from QR10.8bn recorded dur- ary 2015. Public sector pushed total H E Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada it is in the interest of all parties. distribution shows public sector Qatar banks’ total outside credit ing the previous quarter. credit down with a decline of 7.1 per- (pictured) stated yesterday. The current price is not sustainable credit jumped to QR238bn from surged to QR87bn in 2015, from Qatar’s total money supply (M1) cent MoM. In an exclusive interview to CNN for conventional oil, let alone non- QR233bn in 2014. The credit facil- QR63bn in 2014. The bank’s total grew 0.7 percent in Q4, 2015, from the Public sector deposits dropped yesterday, Dr Al Sada, who is also the conventional oil, so the situation is ity to the sector was QR233bn in the credit including outside Qatar, rose previous quarter. The country’s aver- by 5.9 percent in January 2016, from president of Opec said “the current absolutely not a sustainable one, the third quarter. Private sector credit to QR748bn from the previous year’s age movement in money supply (M2) a year ago. price is not sustainable”. Minister said. Disney resets theme Nigerian president meets Qatari businessmen park ticket prices for The Peninsula

DOHA: Muhammadu Buhari, slow and busy times President of Nigeria, along with a delegation, met members of Qatar Chamber yesterday at Grand Hyatt Bloomberg ticket prices, which will be offered Hotel. The president discussed trade for about half of the year, will climb and business opportunities present in to $105 per day from $99 currently. Nigeria for businessmen and inves- “Peak” days, typically holiday peri- tors. LOS ANGELES: Walt Disney Co is ods and July weekends, will cost Nigeria is one of the largest econ- raising the cost to visit its US theme $119. The “value” ticket will fall to omies in the region which is rich in parks like Disneyland as much as 20 $95 from $99 currently. Value peri- natural resources and represents percent during the busiest times of ods, mostly weekdays when school huge investment opportunities, said year and lowering them on typically is in session, will account for 83 days a member of Qatar Chamber after slow days at its California resorts. this year. meeting. The six parks in Orlando, Florida, Adult tickets for the Magic He added that officials from and Anaheim, California, are shift- Kingdom, Disney’s flagship park both side discussed ways to further ing to a policy that charges visitors in Orlando, will rise to $124 a day strengthen trade relations. Some different prices based on anticipated for peak periods, up from $105 Qatari companies like QNB have good demand, with weekdays during the presently. Tickets for the Epcot, experience in Nigeria. He said that school year much cheaper than hol- Hollywood Studios and Animal agriculture, minerals, services, tel- idays. Previously, the parks charged Kingdom resorts will rise to $114 ecom and many other sectors offer the same price for a one-day pass on peak days, from $97 currently. investment opportunities for busi- any time of year. Prices aren’t rising at the four Flor- nessmen and investors. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and other officials yesterday in Doha. Pic: Abdul B/The Peninsula The move is designed to help ida parks during the value days. The manage traffic at the parks, which price increases go into effect from had record visits in the final three yesterday. Multiday passes will get months of 2015. It is also likely to a typical increase, while season boost total revenue since most vis- passes won’t change since they were Australia’s gold output climbs to 12-year high itors will pay more for their tickets. increased in October, Disney said. Disney said the majority of price “The demand for our theme increases are in line with previous parks continues to grow, particularly hikes. The company’s resorts divi- during peak periods,” the company Bloomberg highest annual total since 2003, mining consul- Gold in Australian dollar terms touched sion reported $981m in operating said in a statement. “In addition to tancy Surbiton Associates Ltd. said Sunday in an A$1,778.65 an ounce on February 11, the highest income for the three months end- expanding our parks, we are adopt- e-mailed statement. since September 22, 2011. Spot bullion closed Friday ing January 2, a 22 percent increase ing seasonal pricing on our one-day Bullion is the best-performing commodity at $1,223.46 an ounce and is headed for a second from a year earlier. Domestic attend- ticket to help better spread visita- MELBOURNE: Gold output in Australia, the world’s this year, rising 15 percent, as haven demand lures successive monthly advance. “If you factor higher ance climbed 10 percent to a record, tion throughout the year. Multi-day second-biggest producer, reached the highest in investors and expectations mount that the Federal prices and tighter cost containment into the over- Disney said. tickets, annual passes and visiting 12 years in 2015 as rising prices see miners revive Reserve won’t raise US interest rates further in 2016. all equation, margins have increased,” Surbiton At the company’s Disneyland during non-peak periods also pro- mothballed operations. Producers in countries including Australia are also director Sandra Close said in the statement. “Much and California Adventure parks in vide our guests with options and Full-year production was 285 metric tons last benefiting from weaker local currencies that trim of the local gold sector is traveling quite well for Anaheim, “regular” single-day adult savings.” year, almost two tonnes more than in 2014 and the costs and help to boost margins. the moment.”

24 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS Ministry trains Mall of Qatar wins retail leadership award over 600 IT staff The Peninsula

DOHA: The upcoming ‘Mall of Qatar’, which is set to open its doors to cus- of govt entities tomers and visitors in the third quarter of 2016, has bagged a retail leadership award at ‘Asia Retail Congress 2016’. In a statement yesterday the Mall completed this phase of the initi- of Qatar said that it’s an innova- ative, mainly for qualifying such tive and inspiring architecture, easy Initiative aims to a number of local employees with accessibility, fascinating new live educate and train hands-on experience to guarantee entertainment concepts and signa- the sustainability of Qatar Digital ture restaurants will all capture the all IT employees of Government projects,” said Reem imagination of the nation. the government in Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecre- The commercial establishment next three years in tary of Digital Society Development has already started creating ripples at the Ministry. in the South Asian retail property collaboration with “The centre aims to train local market by winning the award in the public and private personnel and qualify them for gov- real estate category at the Asia Retail Officials at the award ceremony. ernment entities in order to plug the Congress 2016 held recently in Mum- partners skills gap in industry,” she added. bai, India. The award was received to promote world-class retail prac- Al Khayyat, said: “We are priv- of the project. The Oasis will host live “Many of government entities on behalf of Ramez Al Khayyat, Man- tices. Attended by 300 most influential ileged to receive this esteemed entertainment shows performed daily have been contacted and their IT aging Director of UrbaCon Trading & retailers in India and South Asia, it recognition from Asia Retail Con- on a revolving circular stage, set in a training requirements carefully iden- Contracting company by Siva Kumar, recognises best practices in the retail gress. This recognition provides a pond surrounded by interactive danc- The Peninsula tified. That was tremendously helpful Estimation and Proposal Director of industry across various categories like great incentive to continue our jour- ing fountains.” in designing the most appropriate UCC and Patrick Hage-Chahine, PR Fashion, Consumer Durables, Mobile ney to provide best-in-class services Expected to receive a footfall of 20 tracks and training courses their staff and Events Manager of Mall of Qatar. & Telecom services, Food, Travel & and create new benchmarks in the million customers annually, the facil- actually need, taking into considera- Being developed by UCC’s Doha Hospitality, Health, and Real Estate retail industry.” ity includes 7,000 underground and DOHA: Over 600 IT employees from tion the types of work they perform branch, this super-regional mall etc. The Congress was aimed at com- He added: “One of our major dis- surface car parking spaces, 500 shops more than 40 government entities as well as their areas of technical spread over 5.4 million square feet of pany chairs, presidents and CEOs from tinguishing architectural features including over 100 food and beverage have been successfully trained in specialisation,” said Al Mansoori. area, combines incredible shopping leading international and national of the Mall of Qatar is the 30 metre restaurants and 19 screen Cineplex digital government and relevant The Government pays great with captivating live entertainment retailers, directors of international high 6,000 square metres glassed including a superior 3D IMAX screen, technical skills at the Qatar Digital attention to human capital devel- and leisure options. and national retailers, directors of dome roof that illuminates a cap- and a 200-bedroom 5-star hotel oper- Government Center for Excellence opment, fully understanding their Asia Retail Congress (ARC) is the international brands who believe in tivating central arena called “The ated by Curio, a Collection by Hilton (QDGCE) under the Ministry of key role in development and per- single most important global platform making change happen. Oasis”, which will become the heart Group. Transport and Communications. formance improvement nationwide. This was part of the Ministry’s The initiative taskforce are ongoing efforts to further implement attracting more think tanks in the the ‘Qatar Digital Government 2020 field of technology and training to Strategy’. help enrich the content to meet the QFMA organises workshop on anti-money laundering Launched last May, the initia- needs of government entities. tive aims to educate and train all IT The Qatar Digital Government employees of the government over Steering Committee has embraced The Peninsula Improve the Licensed Parties’ Com- Financing and the QFMA’s legisla- laundering and terrorist financing the course of the next three years in various mechanisms and tools to pliance of their Requirements. tions: Law No (8) Of 2012 Of Qatar and to develop the appropriate mech- collaboration with public and pri- assist in realising the objectives of The workshop targeted Qatar Financial Markets Authority and anisms to avoid risks. vate partners, including the Ministry the Qatar Digital Government 2020 Exchange, Qatar Central Securities Anti-Money Laundering and Com- The workshop also placed of Interior, the Ministry of Admin- Strategy, including the QDGCE, DOHA: Qatar Financial Markets Depository and financial services bating Terrorist Financing Rules emphasis on the need to use the avail- istrative Development, Labour and which, in addition to its main mis- Authority QFMA organised a work- companies and their agents. (AML/CFT), then in emphasising on able tools approved by the QFMA, Social Affairs, Community College of sion, will become a platform for shop on “The Latest Developments in The workshop began in defining the importance of compliance to their which allow the QFMA to carry out Qatar, Microsoft, Cisco, and others. innovation in digital government Anti-Money Laundering & Combat- Law No (4) Of Year 2010 on Combat- requirements to protect the market its functions and strengthen its super- “We are delighted to have services. ing Terrorist Financing and Ways to ing Money Laundering and Terrorism from the negative impact of money visory role. Boeing plans layoffs for engineers

Reuters according to the document. comes two weeks after Ray Conner, The company also said it does chief executive of Boeing’s airplane not intend to replace higher-level business, warned employees that job employees who leave, except in rare cuts were necessary to “win in the NEW YORK: Boeing Co said that situations. “We do not intend to back- market, fund our growth and oper- it is considering layoffs of airplane fill for people who retire from their ate as a healthy business.” engineers, a plan that it said may executive or management0 roles Conner said job reductions would cause it to reorganise or consolidate unless the position is absolutely vital begin with executive staff and man- its engineering teams, according to to carrying out our work statement,” agers. The memo sent by Delaney an internal memo. Boeing said in a said the memo, signed by Mike Dela- said Boeing was currently consid- memo to employees that the company ney, vice president of engineering at ering offering voluntary layoffs to its is deciding whether to make volun- Boeing Commercial Airplanes. professional engineers and technical Boeing plant in Renton, Washington. tary layoffs available to those workers, The internal announcement workers, who are union employees. VW ex-CEO told of problem weeks before Lexus to present new exhibit news was public

at Milan Design Week FRANKFURT: Volkswagen’s former chief executive Martin Win- terkorn (pictured) was informed that the carmaker had told regula- The Peninsula Designer of the Year in the Wallpaper Design Awards tors it was using defeat devices two 2014. Similarly, Chef Yoji Tokuyoshi is a rising star weeks before the scandal became in the culinary world, renowned for his creativity public, German tabloid Bild am and innovation. His new restaurant in Milan, Ris- Sonntag reported yesterday. DOHA: Lexus will present its “Lexus – An Encoun- torante Tokuyoshi, was awarded a Michelin star just It said it was in possession of a ter with Anticipation” exhibit as part of Milan Design 10 months after opening. letter sent by an unnamed manager Week 2016, the world’s largest design exhibition, also The collaboration of these Europe-based, directly to then-CEO Winterkorn known as Salone Del Mobile. The exhibit, which will acclaimed creative geniuses is perfectly paired with on September 4 that said: “In the take place at Spazio Lexus – Torneria in Tortona, the aspirations of the “Lexus – An Encounter with conversation on 03.09.2015 with from April 12 to 17, features a unique collaboration Anticipation” exhibit to explore new design possibil- the regulator CARB (California Air between the widely acclaimed design team from Stu- ities. Formafantasma spoke of the inspiration found Resources Board), the defeat device dio Formafantasma and Michelin Star winning chef when they visited Lexus in Japan. “We were impressed was admitted.” Yoji Tokuyoshi. by how Lexus is committed to excellence in crafts- Volkswagen’s US CEO Michael Anticipating societal needs and desires, this manship, integrity in its production and responsibility Horn told a US House of Repre- exhibit conveys how Lexus imagines what is yet in its use of technology. We felt the openness and sentatives hearing in October the unseen and delivers new forms of surprise and honesty of the brand come alive as the foundation company had told regulators on enchantment. of anticipation. This led us to the design concept of September 3 it was using defeat Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative of transparency. Transparency anticipates a future that devices. Middle East & North Africa Representative Office, is open and honest, and that engages society to reach A letter pointing to the then- ToyotaMotor Corporation,said, “Through this exhibit, common goals of sustainable behavior and a pro- CEO could lend weight to the cases Lexus will offer an unexpected and unmatched gressive lifestyle.” of shareholders planning to sue encounter that invites visitors to a unique world full On the subject of transparency, Chef YojiTokuy- Volkswagen for compensation for of Anticipation. Visitors will discover the essence of oshi, said: “Transparency is not just about being the plunge in its share price, saying Lexus craftsmanship, and behold how Lexus technol- clear and lucent. Being transparent is sometimes VW should have told the public as ogy and design philosophy translate into an aesthetic an invisible thing and makes you think. This builds soon as it became aware. and emotional experience. As always, at Lexus, we anticipation, and increases the joy of the reveal. I The law firm acting for are striving to demonstrate unique design concepts would like to express this concept through the tast- Winterkorn, who resigned on and give a platform for talented designers to show- ing experience.” September 23, was not immedi- case their creativity and individual sensibilities. We Anticipation is also the theme for this year’s Lexus ately reachable for comment. A sincerely appreciate the support from our custom- Design Award; an international designcompetition to Volkswagen spokesman said the ers for such design related initiatives.” foster the growth of ideas that contribute to society company declined to comment on Formafantasma will design and install the exhibit and support up-and-coming creators whose work an ongoing investigation. space. The young designers behind the success of can contribute to shaping a better future. Creative The news wiped 17 percent, or this Amsterdam based studio, Andrea Trimarchi and works by the 12 finalists of the Lexus Design Award more than $14.2bn, off Volkswa- Simone Farresin, have already earned wide acclaim 2016 will also be displayed at the same venue dur- gen’s market value on the next for their product designs, receiving a nomination for ing Milan Design Week. trading day. BUSINESS MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 25

Foxconn and Qatar imported gabbro worth QR1.41bn Sharp to consider revising terms of limit on importing construction mate- discuss industry issues. These can and visitors and speaking of their joint great platform for Oryx Industries to approved deal rial, Fujairah (the UAE) has become range from investment opportuni- participation at the expo, the three exhibit and share our products and Total of 25.5m tonnes the number one exporter of gabbro ties and expansion into new markets partners expressed their satisfaction services with potential industry part- of crushed stones to the local market. to how the region’s burgeoning real on the outcome of this event. ners and customers, including our Co-partners and main sponsors, estate sector is driving a need for high State Holding’s Deputy CEO, transportation and logistics serv- TOKYO: Taiwan’s Foxconn Tech- imported in 2014 Fujairah – based Oryx Industries, quality rock products. Bader Al Kashti, said: “As the coun- ices. The strategic partnership that nology Group and Sharp Corp. Bahrain’s First Equity Partners and Industrial materials and rocks are try prepares to host the FIFA World was formed last year with FEP and worked through the weekend to Qatar’s State Holding, participated at used as a base material in a variety Cup 2022, Qatar is intensifying State Holding has allowed us to look salvage their proposed $6bn deal The Peninsula the 4th International Forum for Indus- of industries across the world and are work across many areas of its infra- at expanding on our dominance in the with one potential outcome being trial Rocks and Mining Expo (IFIRME), essential to the success of many oth- structure. To this end, the country’s region’s industry sector.” a revision to terms the Japanese’s held at the Fujairah Exhibition Cen- ers. Industrial rocks are often used imports of crushed stones surged by Hasan Al Mansoor, FEP’s Director board approved just last week, tre from February 23 to 25. for their physical or chemical prop- 19 per cent in 2014, over the previous of Investments, added: “As a private according to people familiar with DOHA: Qatar imported a total of 25.5 IFIRME’s fourth edition was erties for various manufacturing or year. This makes the country the sec- equity player, FEP along with a con- the matter. million tonnes of crushed stones in held under the title “Innovation for commercial usages. ond largest importer of stones in the sortium of investors, acquired a stake Bankers and lawyers are going 2014, to a total value of $386m (about Economic Development and Sustain- For IFIRME 2016, Oryx Industries, world, after Russia.” in Oryx Industries in 2015 and we through a list of Sharp liabilities QR1.41bn). ability in the Mining Sector”. the leading construction material pro- “Fujairah-based Oryx Industries have been extremely happy with the that could exceed 300bn yen In a statement yesterday issued Organised by the Fujairah Natural ducer in the GCC region, joined its is a major investment of State Hold- company’s continuing success as an ($2.6bn), a last-minute stumbling by State Holding, a Qatar-based Resources Corporation, in coopera- stakeholders First Equity Partners ing, and recognises the significance industry leader. We are also excited block in Foxconn’s effort to take company that focuses on invest- tion with the UAE’s Ministry of Energy (FEP) and Qatar’s State Holding on a of the Qatari market’s growing need with the fact that Oryx Industries has control of the struggling Japanese ment efforts on the industrial and and the Arab Industrial Development shared stand where they showcased a for industrial rock and gabbro prod- expanded its geographical presence in company, according to the people, real estate sectors in the Mena region and Mining Organisation, IFIRME has full range of their products and serv- ucts,” Al Kashti added. the GCC which includes the top three who asked not to be identified as and Europe, said that after the Qatari proven to be a highly effective plat- ices. IFIRME 2016 attracted hundreds Nasser Barakat, CEO of Oryx main markets for quarry products: the talks aren’t public. It’s too early government lifted the 150,000 tonne form for professionals to meet and of regional and international delegates Industries, said: “IFIRME 2016 is a Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.” to tell whether Foxconn will lower the value of its offer for Sharp or change its bid in some other way, said the people. Any material change to the offer would require Qatar Exchange names Sharp’s board to vote again on the Foxconn proposal, the people said. Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou has fought for months to take over QNB for excellence in Sharp, battling a competing offer from a once-favoured domes- tic bidder, Innovation Network Corp. of Japan. Foxconn offered investor relations a package worth about 660bn yen — more than twice INCJ’s bid — with most of the money going The Peninsula transparency and investor relations into Sharp through the purchase of directly support this objective. The additional shares. Only hours after Investor Relations Excellence Pro- Sharp’s board approved its offer gram rewards companies that work on Thursday, Foxconn said it had DOHA: Qatar Exchange (QE) yes- hardest to support best practice in received new information from terday announced the results of the investor relations, and encourages Sharp and wouldn’t go through ‘2015 Investor Relations Excellence all listed companies to aspire to fol- with the deal until it had resolved Programme’ recognising best listed low their example.” the issues. companies (in different categories), The programme was bench- “It’s a complicated situation. which included Qatar National Bank marked globally against best It’s difficult to judge whether Fox- (QNB), Ooredoo and Vodafone Qatar. practices to ensure a transparent conn is shaking up Sharp or they The Programme was designed methodology. The methodology really need some time to check to recognise listed companies and and all ranking criteria were made the facts,” said Hideki Yasuda, an individuals who display best practice public via the QE’s website and other analyst at Ace Research Institute in investor relations. Developed and public channels. This enabled all in Tokyo. executed by Iridium Investor Rela- listed companies to review catego- Foxconn has made it clear it tions, an independent advisory firm, ries and selection criteria, and gave was surprised by the latest infor- the programme surveyed the expert them advance notice to adjust their mation from Sharp. On Friday, opinion of the domestic and interna- investor relations efforts. Participants of the tour. Foxconn said it had received new tional investment community. The programme was not avail- documents on February 24 — The programme also featured a able for sponsorship to avoid any the day before the Sharp board detailed ranking of corporate inves- conflict of interest. decision — that had never been tor relations websites. The winners Oliver Schutzmann, CEO of Irid- Qatar Rail organises tour for engineers submitted in previous talks. Its were: Best Qatari company overall ium Investor Relations, said: “We financial adviser JPMorgan Chase for excellence in Investor Relations witnessed a number of companies & Co. and legal adviser Baker & was QNB; Best large cap company: that upgraded their investor rela- McKenzie are discussing the mat- QNB; Best mid cap company: Doha tions efforts as a direct result of the to Japan factories and laboratories ter with Sharp to clarify situation Bank; Best small cap company: Maz- Investor Relations excellence pro- and seek solutions, it said. aya Real Estate; Best Chief Financial gramme. This is a great result that Sharp has said it did nothing Officer: Ramzi Mari of QNB; Best we believe will benefit all partici- The Peninsula Rail’s ongoing coordination with the fire experiments on sample materials wrong. On Friday, the Osaka- Investor Relations Officer: Andreas pants in the Qatar Stock Exchange.” Ministry of Interior’s General Direc- used in metro rolling stock flooring. based company said it has properly Goldau of Ooredoo; Best investor The Investor Relations Excel- torate of Civil Defense. Hassan Ahmed Marwani, Exec- disclosed contingent liabilities and relations website: Ooredoo, Al Kha- lence Programme was announced The tour kicked off with a visit utive Director of Technical Affairs is discussing them with Foxconn. liji Commercial Bank and Vodafone in April 2015, the evaluation began DOHA: Qatar Rail organised a 3-day to the Mitsubishi train laboratory in at Qatar Rail, said: “Witnessing Though the contingent liabili- Qatar. in August and it was concluded in business tour taking some civil Mihhara followed by a visit to the these experiments firsthand adds ties, which are triggered by events “Our mandate is to support December. defence and locomotive engineers Kinki Sharyo’s Rolling stock factory a wealth of knowledge and experi- such as restructuring or layoffs, Qatar’s national economy by pro- Abdul Aziz Al Emadi, Director, to Japan. The tour was organised in on the second day where delegates ence to Qatari engineers. As such, we could reach 300bn yen, they could viding an exchange platform where Listing Department of QE, said: “I collaboration with Mitsubishi group were given a visual presentation at Qatar Rail are keen on arranging also be much lower than that, the investors can trade fairly and effi- was impressed by the overall stand- to provide them a firsthand experi- by Kinki Sharyo experts on some these types of activities for our junior people familiar said. ciently based on information that is ard of investor relations of Qatari ence about the latest technologies of the materials used in manufac- engineers and technicians as well as The two companies have a essential to make intelligent invest- companies and congratulate the and materials used in the manufac- turing rolling stock and how these the more seasoned Qatari engineers history of fraught negotiations. ment decisions,” said Rashid Al winners. We look forward to ever turing of metro rolling stock and the specific materials are resistant to specialised in the fields of materials In 2012, Gou announced plans to Mansoori, CEO at QE. “Companies greater levels of competition for the extent of its resistance to fire. fires. Delegates also visited a labo- and inspection at the General Direc- invest in Sharp and buy shares at that adopt international standards in top spots in the years to come.” The initiative was part of Qatar ratory in Tsukuba and witnessed live torate of Civil Defense.” 550 yen a piece. US urges China to keep moving to a Qatar Islamic Insurance’s CEO wins market-oriented exchange rate ‘Takaful CEO of the Year Award’ in London

Reuters The Peninsula

BEIJING: US Treasury Secretary DOHA: Qatar Islamic Insurance Jack Lew said yesterday that it was (QII) company’s CEO, Ali Ibrahim Al critical for China to continue mov- Abdulghani, bagged ‘Takaful CEO of ing toward a more market-oriented the Year’ award at the 10th Interna- exchange rate and clearly communi- tional Takaful Summit 2016 which cate its actions to the market. was held at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Lew made the remarks during a London, recently. meeting with Chinese Vice Premier In a statement yesterday, QII said Wang Yang in Beijing, following the that the award was presented to him G20 finance ministers’ summit in in recognition of his outstanding Shanghai. “As the global economy leadership that witnessed the Com- faces many challenges, our open pany grow steadily to the benefit of and frank communications are more both shareholders and policyholders important than ever, and we must alike adding much needed credibil- continue to work together for the ben- ity to the Takaful (Islamic insurance) efit of both of our nations,” Lew said. US Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew (right) shakes hands with China’s model worldwide as viable alterna- “We welcome China’s efforts to Vice-Premier Wang Yang ahead of a meeting in Beijing yesterday. tive to the conventional insurance. Qatar Islamic Insurance CEO Ali Ibrahim Al Abdulghani with the award. transition to a more consumption- Speaking at the award cere- driven economy, including through he added. “It is also critical that China declared on Saturday after the meet- mony, he expressed his gratitude to fiscal policies that support house- continue to move toward a more mar- ing that they need to look beyond the Board of Directors, particularly Islamic Insurance. He also thanked a ReTakaful (reinsurance) syndi- hold demand and actions that reduce ket-determined exchange rate and ultra-low interest rates and printing the Chairman, for the confidence his counterparts in Qatar for their cate at Lloyds of London, the oldest excess industrial capacity. We also transparent exchange rate policy in money to shake the global economy reposed on him, his colleagues for cooperation to strengthen the Qatari Takaful market in the world, to fill in look forward to seeing continued an orderly manner and clearly com- out of its torpor, while renewing their believing on his leadership despite insurance market. fading ReTakaful capacity that poses reforms in the financial sector that municate its actions to the market.” focus on structural reform to spark being a beginner in the industry He invited Takaful industry a challenge to the Takaful industry also strengthen financial stability,” The world’s top economies activity. and customers for trusting Qatar leaders to cooperate in establishing worldwide. 26 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS

QE INDICES SUMMARY QATAR STOCK EXCHANGE QE Index 9,927.94 0.82 % QE Total Return Index 15,726.28 0.82 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,657.86 1.22 % QE All Share Index 2,695.63 0.83 % QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 2,696.87 0.46 % QE All Share Industrials 2,982.43 0.99 % QE All Share Transportation 2,406.65 0.49 % QE All Share Real Estate 2,252.36 1.43 % QE All Share Insurance 4,198.78 0.32 % QE All Share Telecoms 1,065.54 0.46 % QE All Share Consumer Goods & Services 6,115.14 2.26 %

QE MARKET SUMMARY COMPARISON 28-02-2016 Today 25-02-2016 Previous day Index 9,927.94 9,847.36 Change 80.58 70.16 % 0.82 0.71 YTD% 4.81 5.58 Volume 12,144,273 10,813,738 Value (QAR) 399,129,615.03 328,955,638.99 Trades 5,314 5,310 Up 28 | Down 06 | Unchanged 04

WORLD STOCK INDICES Index Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low All Ordinaries 4944.741 1.478 0.03 5379.6 4762.1 Cac 40 Index/D 4224.4 69.06 1.66 4586.11 3892.46 Dj Indu Average 16484.99 53.21 0.32 18351.4 15370.3 Hang Seng Inde/D 18888.75 -303.7 -1.58 21794.84 18278.8 Iseq Overall/D 6120.36 58.03 0.96 6791.68 5611.89 Karachi 100 In/D 30802.53 15.93 0.05 33304.4 29785 Nikkei 225 Index 16140.34 224.55 1.41 18951.12 14865.77 S&P 500 Index/D 1929.8 8.53 0.44 2134.72 1810.1

EXCHANGE RATE Currency Buying Selling US$ QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 UK QR 5.0223 QR 5.0958 Euro QR 3.9464 QR 4.0260 CA$ QR 2..6695 QR 2.7303 Swiss Fr QR 3.6165 QR 3.7081 Oil prices buoy most Gulf bourses Yen QR 0.0315 QR 0.0324 Aus$ QR 2.5666 QR 2.6318 Reuters percent from this month’s multi-year low. Ind Re QR 0.0522 QR 0.0534 Oman underperformed the region, edg- Pak Re QR 0.0350 QR 0.0348 ing down 0.1 percent, after Moody’s Investors Peso QR 0.0754 QR 0.0778 Service cut the country’s sovereign credit SL Re QR 0.0249 QR 0.0256 DUBAI: Major Middle East stock markets rating by two notches on Saturday. Banks, gained in active trade yesterday after oil which may need to borrow abroad in future Taka QR 0.0460 QR 0.047 prices rose sharply last week. Egypt’s to replenish capital, were weak. Nep Re QR 0.0333 QR 0.0332 bourse climbed on the back of Global Tel- Egypt’s index added 1.3 percent as Glo- SA Rand QR 0.2300 QR 0.2347 ecom , a favourite of foreign investors. bal Telecom gained 4.6 percent to 2.07 There is a sense that global bourses and Egyptian pounds. In a report on Thurs- oil prices are regaining some longer-term day, AlphaMena Research rated the stock a GOLD AND SILVER strength after Brent crude oil gained more “buy” with a six-month target price of 6.75 than 6 percent last week. This is encour- pounds, citing attractive valuations despite GOLD QR144.9531 per gramme aging sharp rebounds in individual Gulf concern over its Algerian subsidiary. SILVER QR1.7876 per gramme stocks that bore the brunt of panic selling early this year. HIGHLIGHTS The Saudi index surged 1.9 percent to SAUDI ARABIA: The index surged 1.9 6,092 points, testing technical resistance percent to 6,092 points. on the early February and end-January EGYPT: The index rose 1.3 percent to peaks of 6,056-6,099 points. Any break 6,156 points. Strengthening dollar would turn it short-term bullish, trigger- percent drop in last year’s net profit. according to Thomson Reuters data. They DUBAI: The index rose 1.7 percent to ing a right triangle formed by the highs and In Dubai, the index rose 1.7 percent to have a median price target of 0.42 dirham. 3,177 points. depletes India’s foreign lows since mid-January and pointing up to 3,177 points, nearing technical resistance All 10 of Dubai’s most heavily traded ABU DHABI: The index gained 0.6 per- around 6,850 points. on the late December peak of 3,189 points. stocks were higher. Construction firm cent to 4,276 points. Petrochemical stocks, which were In recent days it has been led by previously Arabtec, the most active stock on Sunday, QATAR: The index added 0.8 percent exchange coffers sold heavily as oil tested multi-year lows beaten-down stocks such as construction jumped 10.6 percent. Abu Dhabi’s index to 9,928 points. in recent months, led the Saudi market up firm Drake & Scull, which rose 5.9 percent to rose 0.6 percent as telecommunications KUWAIT: The index rose 0.7 percent IANS with the sector’s index jumping 3.2 percent. 0.43 dirham in heavy trade yesterday. Drake blue chip Etisalat climbed 2.4 percent. to 5,213 points. Saudi Basic Industries rose 2.4 percent. has now jumped 48 percent from January’s Qatar added 0.8 percent. Financial firm OMAN: The index edged down 0.1 per- Alujain Corp, an industrial invest- record low, although it remains far below its Islamic Holding jumped 7.7 percent, while cent to 5,384 points. MUMBAI: A strengthening dollar, coupled with the cen- ment company focused on petrochemicals, 2014 peak of 1.97 dirhams. Three analysts Gulf International Services, a drilling rig pro- BAHRAIN: The index was flat at 1,182 tral bank’s attempts to arrest the fall in the rupee’s value jumped 8.1 percent despite reporting a 36 rate it a “hold” and six a “sell” or “strong sell”, vider, climbed 4.8 percent. It has bounced 29 points. plunged the country’s foreign exchange (Forex) reserves during the week ended February 19, experts said. According to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) weekly statistical supplement, the overall forex reserves declined by $1.46bn to $350.36bn. The foreign reserves had risen by $347.2m to touch More yawns than yuan in $351.83bn for the week ended February 12. Currency analysts, cited revaluation impact as the main reason for the depletion in foreign exchange coffers. “The country’s foreign exchange reserves were neg- late-night forex trade atively impacted by a strengthening dollar during the week under review,” Anindya Banerjee, associate vice president for currency derivatives with Kotak Securi- ties, said. The foreign currency assets (FCA), which is the Reuters He said he kept an eye out for you could sense the signs that largest component of India’s Forex reserves, slumped rare incoming orders but spent state-owned banks are interven- by $1.43bn to $328.58bn during the week under review. most of his time watching online ing in the market on behalf of the Apart from the US dollar, the FCA consists of nearly videos to alleviate the boredom PBOC,” he said. 20-30 percent of other non-US dollar major global cur- SHANGHAI: In the fast-paced, of being stuck on his own until Yuan/dollar quotes in the late rencies, securities and bonds. The individual movements high-risk world of foreign bedtime. session rarely stray more than of these currencies against the US dollar impacts the exchange trading, where tril- Other night traders who 50 pips from the rate at 4:30 pm, overall foreign reserves value. “The US dollar rallied by lions of dollars change hands spoke to Reuters said they proc- regardless of what happens to the more than one percent against major global currencies every day, there’s a quiet corner essed around five orders in the yuan traded in offshore markets, during the week under review. This receded the foreign of the yuan market where trad- last three hours, which has led traders said. And trading between exchange reserves,” Banerjee added. ers can get some shut-eye, despite some banks not to bother staff- the yuan and other currencies Other currency analysts blamed the central bank’s China’s efforts to elevate its cur- ing the shift. such as the yen and euro, is nearly dollar selling activity to arrest the fall in the rupee’s rency to the top table. “One key problem is there non-existent in the night session, value for the decline in forex coffers. The People’s Bank of China is no corporate demand,” said a they added. “RBI has been very active. It has been selling US dollars (PBOC) extended the yuan’s trad- trader at a major European bank The relatively steady to stem the fall in the rupee’s value,” a currency analyst said ing hours to 11:30 pm in January in Shanghai. “Few companies feel exchange rate means many cor- from New Delhi. “It may have even sold more US dollars at to overlap with European hours the urgency to follow global mar- porates don’t bother to hedge A file picture of the euro, Hong Kong dollar, US dollar, Japanese the forward and futures market, which are not counted, after the International Mone- ket movements closely.” their foreign exchange positions as part of the official reserves statistics.” tary Fund (IMF) decided it would Because of China’s capital during the late session because yen, pound and Chinese 100 yuan banknotes. On a weekly basis, the rupee weakened by 23 paise admit the yuan into its Special controls and central bank efforts the rate tends to stay put. to 68.47 (February 18) against a US dollar from its pre- Drawing Rights (SDR) basket by to curb exchange rate volatility, “The market still behaves like that the yuan was eligible for its “We have to wait for more vious close of 68.23-24 (February 12). next October, a key step on the there is little speculation in the it closes at 4:30pm,” said a dealer SDR basket. policies from the government to Notwithstanding the downward trend, the coun- way to becoming an international domestic market, traders say. at another European bank, add- In November, China allowed encourage market participation, try’s gold reserves remained stagnant at $17.69bn for the reserve currency. Some state-owned banks are ing that his bank recently decided the first batch of foreign central such as introducing brokers and week ended February 19. However, the special draw- But there is a yawning dis- trading in the evening sessions its night trader would end his shift banks, sovereign wealth funds individuals to encourage com- ing rights (SDRs) were negatively impacted by currency connect between the currency’s on behalf of the central bank to at 9:30pm. and international financial insti- petition.” A trader from a third revaluation as they plummeted by $2.57bn to $1.48bn. new status and the level of inter- keep the yuan steady, according There is also a dearth of tutions to register to enter the European bank said: “I believe Similarly, the currency revaluation impacted the est in the after-hours market. “It to a trader at a Chinese commer- overseas investors in the Chi- market. “Right now it’s only a trial when the new SDR basket takes country’s reserve position with the IMF. But unlike SDRs, can be really boring and lonely cial bank in Shanghai. nese market, despite Beijing’s to meet the IMF standards,” said effect late this year, the evening the impact was positive, which swelled the reserve posi- sometimes,” said one night trader “Every time when the evening efforts to widen access for for- a trader at another Chinese com- trading may pick up, along with tion by $2.54bn to $2.59bn. at a bank. rate appeared to go out of hand, eigners, partly to satisfy the IMF mercial bank in Shanghai. more reforms on the way.” BUSINESS VIEWS MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 27

Intel threat brushed US oil bust could claim two off as Mellanox CEO of its biggest victims yet dodges stock rout

By Gabrielle Coppola “We’re not too concerned Bloomberg about the near/mid-term compet- itive threat from Intel’s Omni-Path technology,” JPMorgan analyst Harlan Sur wrote in a Feb. 25 n a battle for market share with research note. “We think there the world’s largest chipmaker, is a chance that Omni-Path gen- Ia little trash talking can go a eration 2 potentially gains more long way. That’s what Eyal Wald- traction, but believe Mellanox will man, chief executive officer of have a fairly diversified revenue Mellanox Technologies Ltd., tried stream at that time.” when he brushed off Intel Corp.’s Supercomputers make up 35 rival hardware on an analyst call to 40 percent of Mellanox’s rev- last week, accusing the company enue following its acquisition of of scaling back expectations for EZchip, whose processors will the speed of its product. Intel is allow it to design intelligent fea- “lowering the estimated perform- tures for data centers into its chips, ance by more than 30 percent like security, storage processing, from their previous public state- and video, JPMorgan said. ments,” Waldman said. Mellanox sales are forecast to The remarks, which Intel dis- grow 31 percent this year to $859 putes, and a slew of buy ratings million, following a 42 percent that followed Mellanox’s com- expansion last year, data com- pletion of its acquisitionof EZchip piled by Bloomberg show. Semiconductor Ltd., helped drive “We have seen changes in shares to the highest since June Intel’s projections regarding the last week. The Yokneam Elit, performance characteristics,” Israel-based company is up 20 Waldman told analysts on a Feb. percent this year, compared 23 call. “We believe that when with Intel’s 14 percent drop and performance measurements at an the Philadelphia Stock Exchange application level become availa- Semiconductor Index’s 5.9 percent ble, the advantages of InfiniBand slide. Mellanox, whose InfiniBand will become clear.” hardware is ubiquitous in high- Intel denied that it has performance computing networks, reduced its speed projections. By Asjylyn Loder, Donal Griffin and Oil prices have now fallen more than 70 according to data compiled by Bloomberg. is trying to jump ahead of com- “His assertion that we are low- Jodi Xu Klein percent from a 2014 peak, and banks and The banks declined to comment. petitors by selling data-center ering our performance claims Bloomberg bondholders are fighting for scraps. Bond SandRidge is likely to file for bank- switches that can move infor- is blatantly false,” Mark Miller, prices reflect investors’ fears. US high-yield ruptcy, analysts at junk bond research firm mation at the fastest speed in the a spokesman for Intel, said in energy debt lost 24 percent last year, the big- KDP Investment Advisors Inc wrote in a industry. response to Waldman’s com- gest fall since 2008, according to Bank of report last week. S&P wrote in a separate While Waldman is seeking to ments. “The performance of our n less than a month, the US oil bust America Merrill Lynch US High Yield Indexes. report that Energy XXI is probably going expand into data centers owned Omni- Path technology hasn’t could claim two of its biggest victims Investors are now demanding a yield of 19.6 to file. Since the start of 2015, 48 North by companies such as Amazon changed and customer interest yet. Energy XXI Ltd. and SandRidge percent to hold US junk-rated energy bonds, American oil and gas producers have gone Inc. and Facebook Inc., Intel is is only increasing.” The tech- Energy Inc, oil and gas drillers with after borrowing costs for these companies bankrupt with a total of $17.3bn in debt, encroaching on his home turf nology Mellanox uses seeks to a combined $7.6bn of debt, didn’t pay exceeded 20 percent for the first time ever according to law firm Haynes and Boone. with its Omni-Path intercon- overcome data processing limita- Iinterest on their bonds last week. They have this month, according to data compiled by The largest was Samson Resources Corp., nect for supercomputers, which tions in “CPU-centric approaches until the middle of next month to either pay Bank of America Merrill Lynch. which entered Chapter 11 in September it says will be faster and handle like Omni- Path,” Gilad Shainer, the interest, work out a deal with their cred- Both Energy XXI and SandRidge could owing more than $4bn. more servers at once. vice president of marketing at itors or face a default that could tip them still reach an agreement with creditors Others are probably coming. The Intel bought technology to Mellanox, wrote in an e-mail. into bankruptcy. that will give them time to turn their busi- number of US companies that have the connect server chips from Cray Santa Clara, California-based If the two companies fail in March, it nesses around. SandRidge said last week highest risk of defaulting on their debt is Inc. in 2012 for $140 million, and Intel began selling Omni-Path in would be the biggest cluster of oil and gas that it missed a $21.7m interest payment. nearing a peak not seen since the height of spent $125 million on high- per- small quantities in the fourth defaults in a month since energy prices The company owes $4.2bn, including a fully- the financial crisis, according to a report formance computer network quarter of last year, and plans plunged in early 2015. “We’re just beginning drawn $500m credit line. Energy XXI, which by Moody’s Investors Service earlier this infrastructure from QLogic earlier to begin selling to the broader to see how bad 2016 is owes $3.4bn, said in a filing last week that it month. The oil and gas sector took up the that year. Mellanox shares took market in the first three months going to be,” said Becky missed an $8.8m interest payment. biggest share, accounting for 28 percent, a hit earlier this month after Jef- of 2016, Miller said. Intel is mar- Roof, managing direc- David Kimmel, a spokesman for San- or 74 borrowers. feries Group LLC said Intel’s new keting its switches as better than tor for turnaround and dRidge, said it has the money to make Most of the shale industry’s debt is in product posed a “significant risk” Mellanox’s products because they restructuring with con- interest payments due in February, March the form of bonds, according to data com- to Mellanox’s supercomputer reduce the time it takes data to get sulting firm AlixPartners. and April. He wouldn’t comment on San- piled for the Bloomberg Intelligence index. business. from a server to the network and The US shale boom dRidge’s options if it doesn’t make the Of those $197 billion of securities, $101 bil- “Everybody loves Intel, the big communicate with more comput- was fueled by junk debt. interest payments by the end of the grace lion is junk-rated. behemoth usually destroys any- ers at once, said Kevin Cassidy, Companies spent more period. David Griffith, investor relations Bond investors aren’t likely to recover body who comes in their way,” an analyst with Stifel Nicolaus & Oil prices have now on drilling than they associate with Energy XXI, did not respond much money from oil and gas companies said Srini Nandury, an analyst Co. in Washington. It’s been late fallen more than 70 earned selling oil and to an e-mail seeking comment. that default. Standard & Poor’s estimates, at Summit Research Partners in in shipping the switches to the gas, plugging the differ- for example, that Energy XXI’s and San- Summit, New Jersey, who rates broader market, he said. percent from a 2014 ence with other peoples’ NOW WHAT? dRidge’s unsecured noteholders will the shares a buy. “This is a dif- “They’re trying to redefine it peak, and banks and money. Drillers piled up The companies’ failing to pay interest receive, at most, 10 cents on the dollar. ferent game completely. You can’t so they don’t have to go head to bondholders are a staggering $237bn of on their bonds may be a way to help moti- Banks are setting aside more money to buy stuff. You have to put in the head against Mellanox,” Cassidy borrowings at the end vate creditors to renegotiate debt, said Jason cover potential losses on souring energy time to develop it. That’s why Mel- said. While Mellanox’s execu- fighting for scraps. of September, accord- Wangler, an energy analyst with Wunder- loans. JPMorgan Chase & Co said on lanox has the advantage.” tion on its new switches has won Bond prices reflect ing to data compiled on lich Securities in Houston. “It’s a negotiating Wednesday that it would need to boost Waldman seems to have suc- over analysts, some investors are the 61 companies in the tool,” Wangler said. “They say, ‘I’m not going reserves for impaired loans to the sector ceeded in downplaying the threat. still reluctant because they got investors’ fears. US Bloomberg Intelligence to pay you. Now what are you going to do?’” by $1.5bn if oil prices hold at about $25 a JPMorgan Chase & Co. assigned a burned in 2012, when sales tied high-yield energy debt index of North Ameri- Energy XXI owes $150m to banks includ- barrel over 18 months. buy rating to Mellanox last week, to a server upgrade rocketed on lost 24 percent last can independent oil and ing Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, UBS S&P estimates that credit lines to and Barclays Plc reinstated its buy pent-up demand and then quickly gas producers. US crude Group AG and BNP Paribas SA, among oth- energy companies could be cut by 30 per- rating. petered out. year, the biggest fall production soared to its ers. SandRidge has fully drawn its credit cent by April, when banks conduct one since 2008. highest in more than line with banks including Barclays Plc, of their twice-yearly evaluations of their three decades. Royal Bank of Canada and Morgan Stanley, loans. Focus turns to signs of growth momentum after G20 stalemate

By William Schomberg Friday. A first reading of inflation in February in global financial markets which has hurt among the candidates. The idea of Trump in Reuters for the euro zone on Monday will help shape confidence and even raised questions about the White House is a worrying one for some expectations of how much further below zero whether the United States was heading back investors who balk at his populist, unpre- the European Central Bank is likely to push into recession. dictable style. its deposit rate the following week. Markets have turned calmer in recent Politics is becoming a factor in Britain, nvestors worried about the risk of a new Euro zone inflation picked up in January days, helped by stronger-than-expected US too. With a referendum now set for June 23 global recession are hoping that data over but is expected to have fallen back to zero inflation figures. But the impact of plung- on its membership of the European Union, Ithe coming week will show that some in February, according to a Reuters poll of ing share prices has shaken the confidence sterling has touched seven-year lows against momentum remains in the world economy, economists. of many households and businesses in rich the US dollar. A decision to leave the EU could eight years into its slow recovery from the If there is also a weakening of the monthly countries. hurt growth more in Europe as well as Brit- The Group of 20 financial crisis. purchasing manager indexes for Germany Economists at Citi have cut their fore- ain, economists say. The Group of 20 economies were una- and other leading euro zone countries, the cast for global economic growth this year to Most opinion polls have shown the two economies were unable ble to agree on a joint push for new stimulus ECB may consider increasing its bond-buy- 2.5 percent from 2.7 percent due to slowing campaigns running neck and neck although to agree on a joint measures at a meeting which ended on Sat- ing programme as well as cutting rates on activity in developed economies. They said one published on Friday gave the ‘out’ cam- urday, turning attention instead to upcoming March 10. growth could come in below 2 percent — paign a four percentage-point lead. More polls push for new stimulus business surveys from China, Japan, Europe “There is a growing chance that the ECB equivalent to a global recession — because are likely in the coming days. measures at a meeting the United States. will do more at its March meeting than sim- of the chance of weaker growth among Economists at SocGen said they saw Central banks in Europe and Japan may ply lowering its deposit rate,” Ralph Solveen, emerging economies. the possibility of a so-called Brexit as their which ended on Saturday, inject a little more stimulus into their econo- an economist at Commerzbank, said. Bank of England Governor Mark Car- top risk for the global economy, topping the turning attention instead mies later in March. But the Federal Reserve US payrolls figures on Friday may help ney said on Friday that the global economy chance of a severe economic slowdown in and the Bank of England look likely to sit tight ease fears about the world’s biggest econ- risked becoming “trapped in a low growth, China. to upcoming business for now, meaning hopes for a period of calm omy, which appeared to stumble soon after low inflation, low interest rate equilibrium.” “We would classify a UK exit from the EU surveys from China, in the world’s volatile financial markets lie the Federal Reserve felt confident enough to Political risks are also on the rise. Busi- as a powerful geopolitical shock, a negative Japan, Europe the largely with the indicators. hike interest rates for the first time in nearly nessman Donald Trump could extend his shock,” Italian Finance Minister Pier Carlo “It seems economic data will have to bear a decade in December. lead as the front-runner to be the Repub- Padoan said at the G20 meetings in Shanghai United States. the burden of stabilising sentiment,” econo- Solid US job growth and pay growth are lican contender for the US presidency on on Saturday, echoing the concerns of other mists at Barclays said in a note to clients on seen as the best antidote to the upheaval Tuesday when voters in 11 US states choose policymakers. 28 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS BACK TO BUSINESS

Frankfurt seeks to win sight over FinTech whizzkids IMF says Tunisia should adjust its AFP Barkow, head of Barkow Consulting. But Udo Steffens, director of the Frankfurt School of Finance and development model Management, feels the city is join- S Germany’s banking ing rather late in the game. “In the capital, Frankfurt has past, Frankfurt was cut off from the AFP explaining that the agriculture long established itself innovation trend and very little was sector was expected to perform as one of Europe’s lead- happening” in the city, he said. less well than in 2015. Olive oil ing financial hubs. But “In the financial sector, the crea- and date exports gave the econ- the city, which has a tion of value is moving increasingly TUNIS: Tunisia should adjust its omy a boost in 2015, the finance Arather staid and strait-laced image, towards the new Internet players. It development model to counter minister said in October. is now vying with hipper and trend- is important to anticipate structural economic slowdown and build In tourism, “initial signs... do ier centres around Europe to woo trends,” Steffens said. “inclusive growth”, the Interna- not lead to believe that there will financial start-ups known as FinTechs In June 2015, only 11 FinTechs tional Monetary Fund’s country be any great recovery” this year, which want to revolutionise the way were based in Frankfurt, out of a representative said, ahead of an Blotevogel added. the world of money does business. total of 139 in the whole of Ger- expected line of IMF credit. Blotevogel said Tuni- FinTechs use computer and Inter- many, according to data compiled The authorities have failed sia should adjust its budget net technology to develop innovative by LSP Digital. Unsurprisingly, Ber- to redress the economy since to relaunch the economy and financial services and applications. lin, with its comparatively low rents the uprising five years ago that ensure growth can “reach the They include such companies as and alternative culture, was home to ousted longtime president Zine most vulnerable and also the online trader Money.Net and the auto- 49 FinTechs. Munich hosted 18 and El Abidine Ben Ali. disadvantaged regions”. “We mated investment service Betterment Hamburg 14. Tunisia’s economic growth are facing a problem in the com- in the United States and the business But it is a ranking that can change. slowed to 0.8 percent last year position of the budget,” he said, financing company FundingCircle “It’s good that there are initiatives at from 2.3 percent in 2014, and adding that the civil service was and money transfer service Trans- a political level. With the right infra- unemployment nationwide “a great drain on state expenses” ferWise in Britain. structure, things can be made more stands at 15 percent. In Janu- and “a great challenge for Tuni- “When people talk about start- attractive than in the past,” said Vaa- ary, a wave of protests spread to sia’s economy”. ups, cities such as Berlin and London mo’s Vins. several cities including Tunis in Tunisia’s last line of credit immediately spring to mind. But some of the worst social unrest from the IMF in 2013 — which Carsten Kengeter (left), CEO of Deutsche Boerse, with Hesse’s Economy Frankfurt is also starting to have a since the 2011 revolt. was over two years with a very dynamic Internet scene of its Minister Tarek Al Waziri and Hauke Stars, Executive Board member of “This trend needs to be seven-month extension — came own,” said Tarek Al Wazir, Econ- Deutsche Boerse, during the presentation of FinTech start-up facilities reversed... The idea would be as support for the political tran- omy Minister for the regional state provided by Deutsche Boerse in Frankfurt, Germany. FinTechs use to build the base for inclusive sition after the 2011 uprising. of Hesse, where Frankfurt is situated. computer and growth and revise Tunisia’s The package was imple- The western German city on the development model,” Robert mented in “very difficult banks of the river Main likes to style financial market players with differ- around 20 people. In Vins’ cramped Internet technology Blotevogel said. conditions”, Blotevogel said, cit- itself as “Mainhattan” with its dense ent focuses and profiles, who can give office in the Gallus quarter of the city, to develop innovative An IMF delegation is in Tuni- ing slow growth in the European cluster of glittering glass and steel each other various impulses,” said a computer sits alongside a wall cov- sia to discuss a new aid package Union, Tunisia’s largest trade skyscrapers. And its financial pedi- minister Al-Wazir. ered in multi-coloured post-its and a financial services at least equal to a $1.7bn credit partner, and the crisis in neigh- gree is certainly not in question. The city’s ambition is to “become table soccer game. and applications. line granted in 2013. Blotevogel bouring Libya. The democratic It is home to Germany’s mightiest the largest and most important” site Vaamo enables customers to said the government and the transition “took longer than financial institutions, such as Deut- for FinTechs and “we’re off to a good design their own personally-tailored They include such IMF had agreed on “the goal for expected” and was “accom- sche Bank and Commerzbank; stock start,” Al Wazir said. Financial start- savings plans via a few clicks and a companies as online big reforms and the diagnosis” panied by social unrest... then market operator Deutsche Boerse ups are more innovative and more short list of questions. of the situation, and were now by the security aspect whose which is again trying to merge with agile than traditional banks and are As Germany’s financial capital trader Money.Net “mostly focusing on the timeline importance increased with the the London Stock Exchange; and, of constantly seeking out important new and the biggest financial services and the automated for implementation”. terrorist attacks in 2015”. course, the European Central Bank. perspectives on the financial sector. hub in continental Europe, Frank- investment service The IMF’s board is expected Tunisia showed a “certain But it has now set its sights on fos- According to a study by con- furt is proud of its slick, cosmopolitan to approve the new line of credit resilience because the greater tering financial start-ups, an area sultants LSP Digital, investment in image and its imposing skyline of Betterment in — to be over four years at the macro-economic balances where “we want to advance very rap- FinTechs has doubled in Germany skyscrapers. the United States request of Tunis —on April 22, he were maintained,” Blotevogel idly”, A -Wazir said. since 2012. Nevertheless, “a FinTech But rents are sky high and the said. “Expected growth for 2016 said. The authorities also “made Last week, Deutsche Boerse sector doesn’t spring up overnight. armies of bankers in their uniform and the business does not correspond to the aspi- considerable progress in several unveiled its own FinTech initiative, Infrastructures are needed, as well of black suits and briefcases can seem financing company rations of the Tunisian people. fields including the financial offering fully equipped premises to as a microcosm of people who can a little staid and off-putting to the cre- It will not be strong enough to sector” with the restructuring new companies and start-ups from share know-how, collaborate and ative whizzkids of the start-up sector. FundingCircle and reduce unemployment”, he said. of public banks. But the country April onwards. inspire each other,” said Oliver Vins, At the same time, “one of Frank- money transfer He said he expected 2016 still faces “a number of chal- The initiative would “contribute to founder and chief of Vaamo. furt’s strengths is the presence of a to be a “stabilisation year”, lenges, weaknesses”, he said. the emergence of a lively and diverse The Frankfurt-based start-up was large number of financial companies” service TransferWise ecosystem in Frankfurt containing launched in 2013, incubated by the which can act as investor, partner and in Britain. various start-up centres operated by city’s university and now employs customer for FinTechs, said Peter

Capital For 240 years it’s been a terrible mistake to bet against the US, and now is no time to start. America’s golden goose of commerce Billionaire investor Comment and innovation will continue to lay more and larger eggs. Warren Buffett

TOP TWEETS BLOGS AND VIEWS Market Talk Christine Lagarde @ Private Equity Beat Lagarde Young people play an NAME IN THE MARKET: INDIA’S US ACQUISITION essential role for build- There’s a recession every ing a new future for the Arab world, inte- seven years and we haven’t grated into the global gone more than nine years economy without a recession. The last Reuters Business @ recession ended July 2009, ReutersBiz so [in] June 2016 some U.S. urges China people say something bad is to keep moving to coming along. a market-oriented exchange rate DealB%k IIF @IIF

Many unconvinced #RMB could stabi- What Wall Street leaders lize w/o serious capital need to do to get their controls, monetary policy stocks moving is to cut compensation. They should reverse-engineer their Standard & Poor’s @ income statements to standardpoors increase their profits. #China risks rise as economy rebalances www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 34 PAGE | 35 Curry shines India will be tough again as Warriors to beat in World register win Cup T20: Smith

MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 • 20 Jumada I 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar Top riders set for Chi Al Shaqab in Qatar

competing in Show Jumping CSI 5* showcase more than three equestrian Riders from more and CSI 3*, Dressage CDI 5* and Para- disciplines in one event. By hosting Dressage disciplines. events such as this, Al Shaqab sup- than 20 countries Confirmed entries for the Show ports Qatar Foundation’s Vision 2030, to compete in Show Jumping category include the world’s which includes the aim to promote highest ranked show jumper, Scott Qatar as a premier international Jumping CSI 5* and Brash, along with world-ranking rid- sports destination. World Number One Show CSI 3*, Dressage CDI ers Abdullah Alsharbatly, Edwina Created in 2013, Chi Al Shaqab Jumper, Scott Brash in action Tops- Alexander, and, our very own, is one of the world’s most prestigious in this file picture. 5* and Para-Dressage Sheikh Ali bin Khalid. equestrian competitions, one of only disciplines at the World Number One Show Jumper, four of its kind in the Middle East and March 2 to 5 event Scott Brash, said: “I am very excited Asia. And, in its scope and dimen- to be once again participating in Chi sions, it is comparable to just three Al Shaqab in Qatar, particularly the other events worldwide. same year that the Olympics are Every year, Chi Al Shaqab wel- The Peninsula taking place. It is always thrilling to comes the world’s top-ranking compete with riders of the highest riders, including regional and local calibre, and I look forward to com- competitors in various equestrian peting in one of the best equestrian disciplines. The event generates DOHA: Under the patronage of H E facilities in the world”. enormous interest from horse lov- Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Hayley Watson Graves, Jessica ers around the world, who have come Thani, Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar von Bredow-Werndl and Patrik Kit- to admire the strong bond between Foundation (QF), has announced the tel are among the top riders set to riders and their horses. top riders set to participate in Chi compete in the Dressage category. Through the organisation of this Al Shaqab 2016, taking place from Featuring Para-Dressage for competition, Al Shaqab strives to March 2 to 5 in Doha, Qatar. the second year running, top riders cement its position as a leading cen- As the only event of its kind in confirmed for this discipline include tre in equestrian activities on both a the Middle East and Asia, the fourth Pep Puch, Nicole Den Dulk and Rixt regional and global level, and seeks to edition of the prestigious equestrian van der Horst. Chi Al Shaqab 2016 bolster Qatar’s position as a preem- competition will see more than 130 is one of only four international inent sports hub across Asia and the riders from more than 20 countries annual equestrian competitions that Middle East and North Africa region. 30 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT Lekhwiya all set for Zobahan test

The Peninsula 6-0 win over Buriram United as they entertain Japanese champions San- frecce Hiroshima in Group F, while DOHA: Coach Yahya Golmoham- the Thai champions will hope to madi believes former finalists bounce back away to Shandong Zobahan can maintain their win- Luneng in China. ning ways in their second Group Buriram will, however, be with- B meeting with Qatar champions out Suchao Nutnum after the captain Lekhwiya in the AFC Champions was sent-off against FC Seoul and League tomorrow. there is fitness doubts around striker On their return to the continen- Diogo. tal competition last Tuesday after “Before we lost Diogo, I think a five year absence, Mahdi Rajab- we played well. But after he got zadeh scored in the first minute of injured, our game was messed up so the second half at Abdulla Bin Khal- we changed our tactics, but it didn’t Felipe Jorge Loureiro, a Brazilian retired footballer and a former Al Sadd player is seen with Al Sadd club officials during theQatar Stars League ifa Stadium as Golmohammdi’s side work,” said Buriram coach Alexan- (QSL) match between Al Sadd and Al Arabi in Doha yesterday. Felipe, played for Al Sadd from 2005 to 2010, making 107 appearances and recorded a 1-0 win over Lekhwiya dre Gama after the Brazilian was scoring 45 goals. in Doha. substituted after just 17 minutes. And with all three Iranian teams “We also conceded goals and got proving successful on Matchday a red card. This totally changed our One, Golmohammadi is looking game and made us play harder. for more of the same when Zoba- “So from now on, we have to han play host to Lekhwiya at Foolad start again and come back to fight. Al Sadd ease to victory in QSL Shahr Stadium in the return meet- We still have a long way to go. We ing in Isfahan. will do our best.” “This was the best possible start Also in the East, Group E’s early that we could thing of because win- pace-setters Jeonbuk Hyundai ning against Lekhwiya is not easy Motors will aim to build on a solid Two first-half goals and I’m happy with the performance start to their campaign as the of the players,” said Golmohammadi K-League Classic champions travel from defenders following the win over Lekhwiya. to China to face Jiangsu FC after Khoder and “Winning the away match will their opening 2-1 win over FC Tokyo, give us a big push and hopefully we while the Japanese capital city club Pouraliganji along can maintain this advantage in the will host Vietnamese champions with a second half next match.” Becamex Binh Duong. Binh Duong, strike from Haydoos Also on Group B tomorrow, though, will be without Cameroon Bunyodkor entertain Saudi Arabian striker Christian Amougou after help the Wolves to champions Al Nassr after the sides the forward was sent-off in the 1-1 grab full three points shared a thoroughly entertaining 3-3 draw with Jiangsu. Finally in Group draw in Riyadh on Matchday One. A, Iranian champions Sepahan will AFC Young Player of the Year look to the double over Al Nasr of The Peninsula Dostonbek Khamdamov scored the United Arab Emirates when they twice, but a late free-kick from vet- travel to Dubai after their 2-0 win eran Hussain Abdulghani rescued a in Isfahan last Tuesday, while Saudi DOHA: Qatar Stars League (QSL) side point for Al Nassr. Arabia’s Al Ittihad will be aiming to Al Sadd took a major step in consoli- Elsewhere, Korea Republic’s FC get their first win of the AFC Cham- dating their top 4 status yesterday by Seoul will look to continue the form pions League campaign when they defeating rivals Al Arabi 3-1 in a pul- they showed in their eye-catching host Lokomotiv of Uzbekistan. sating match at Lekhwiya Stadium. Two first-half goals from defend- ers Musab Khoder and Morteza Pouraliganji along with a breakaway second half strike from Qatari inter- Al Sadd player celebrates scoring a goal during the QSL match against Al Arabi in Doha yesterday. Al Sadd national captain Hassan Haydoos ensured that the Wolves grabbed all won 3-1. three points. Al Sadd started the tie on the the turn of January signing Morteza past Al Sadd stopper Saad Al Sheeb. found it’s way into the path of the front foot, and created a host of key Pouraliganji to head in from a Xavi Al Arabi began to push for an equal- Qatari international who slotted in chances. corner. iser, and could have had it if Boualem from six yards out for his eighth goal However it was in the 20th minute The Iranian international’s well Khoukhi’s long distance shot had of the season. that they found their breakthrough. time run and header found the back found the back of the net. The buildup play and assist from Qatari U23 international Musab of the net for a memorable first goal With Al Arabi pushing hard to get Hamza was worthy of winning any tie, Khoder pounced on an Al Arabi mid- for his new side, the first half ended back into the tie, Sadd effectively fin- and Sadd coach Jesaldo Ferreria can field mistake, and his powerful run 2-0 to Al Sadd. ished off the match on the 74th minute rest a little easier now he has daylight and shot found the bottom left cor- Al Arabi found their way back thanks to a Hassan Haydoos tap in between his side and the chasing pack ner of Rajab Hamza’s goal. into the tie on the 48th minute. Vet- from close range. for the top four places. Al Sadd where in the ascendency eran midfielder Javad Nekounam Al Sadd captain Xavi put through The result leaves Al Sadd in fourth and it didn’t take them long to reg- took advantage of some lax Al Sadd an inch perfect pass to substitute place, four points clear of fifth placed A file picture of the QSL match of Lekhwiya. ister a second goal. This time it was defending, to hit a half volley shot Hamza, and his deft no look pass Umm Salal.

Freeze frames from the opening round of the MXGP championship at Losail International Circuit

Action from the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship at the Losail International Circuit on Sunday night. Honda Gariboldi’s Tim Gajser and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings topped in their respective categories. Gajser in MXGP and Herlings in MX2. SPORT MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 31 Hosts Bangladesh stun Sri Lanka

SCOREBOARD PAKISTAN TO MEET UAE Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Sabbir Rahman stars BANGLADESH T Dilshan c Soumya b Shakib 12 TODAY Rahman reacts after the with the bat in 23-run Mohd Mithun lbw Mathews 0 S Jayasuriya st Nurul b Shakib 26 dismissal of Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera during win over reigning Soumya Sarkar c Mathews b Kulasekara 0 A Mathews c Shakib b Al-Amin 12 their Asia Cup T20 S Rahman c Jayasuriya b Chameera 80 T Perera lbw Mustafizur 4 mark. He was well supported in the World Twenty20 other end by Shakib (32). But with the match at the Sher-e- Mushfiqur Rahim (run out) 4 M Siriwardana c Sabbir b Mortaza 3 champions at Asia wicket of both Sabbir and Shakib, Bangla National Cricket S Al Hasan c Chandimal b Chameera 32 D Shanaka c Rahim b Al-Amin 14 Mahmudullah (23 not out) came in to Stadium in Dhaka Cup in Dhaka Mahmudullah (not out) 23 C Kapugedera (not out) 12 notch up couple of boundaries to help yesterday. Nurul Hasan c Mathews b Chameera 2 N Kulasekara c Soumya b Al-Amin 0 team cross 145-run mark.

Mashrafe Mortaza (run out) 2 D Chameera (not out) 1 For Sri Lanka, Dushmantha Cha- meera (3-30) was the pick of the Extras (B-1, W-2, NB-1) 4 Extras (W-3) 3 Agencies bowlers. Total (for 7 wkts in 20 overs) 147 Total (for 8 wkts in 20 overs) 124 Pakistan will meet the UAE in Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-2 3-26, 4-108, 5-123, Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-76, 3-78 4-85, 5-92, today’s Asia Cup clash. 6-140, 7-147. 6-102, 7-116, 8-117. Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik DHAKA: Bangladesh produced a Bowling: Mathews 3-0-8-1; Kulasekara 4-0- Did not bat: R Herath said his team miscalculated the pitch superb all-round performance to 44-1; Perera 1-0-14-0; Jayasuriya 3-0-21-0; Bowling: Taskin 3-0-19-0; Al-Amin 4-0-34-3; against India in five-wicket loss. outclass Sri Lanka by 23 runs in Herath 4-0-24-0; Dilshan 1-0-5-0; Chameera Shakib 4-0-21-2 (w1); Mustafizur 4-0-19- Pakistan were bundled out for a their Twenty20 International clash paltry 83 in Saturday’s crucial T20 tie 4-0-30-3 (nb1, w2). 1(w1); Mortaza 3-0-17-1(w1); Mahmudullah of the Asia Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla against MS Dhoni’s side. They must SRI LANKA 2-0-14-1. National Stadium here yesterday. win against the United Arab Emirates Batting first, the hosts posted 147/7 D Chandimal c Taskin b Mahmudullah 37 Result: Bangladesh won by 23 runs. UAE to keep their Asia Cup hope alive. in 20 overs, thanks to Sabbir Rah- The game has an added signif- man’s 54-ball 80. In reply, Sri Lanka icance as it will make Pakistan the lost wickets at regular intervals and His opening partner Dinesh Chan- tight bowling and wickets at regular first team to play 100 Twenty20 managed only 124/8 in 20 overs. dimal (37) and incoming batsman intervals helped the hosts stun their internationals. Al Amin Hossain (3-34) and Shehan Jayasuriya (26) held on to help opponent. “Playing against India, it’s a pres- Shakib Al Hasan (2-21) were the pick team’s score past the 70-run mark. Earlier opting to bat, Bangladesh sure game for both the teams,” Malik of the Bangladesh bowlers. But Mahmudullah and Shakib too struggled at the start losing both said after a training session in Dhaka. Chasing a challenging target of claimed the wickets of Chandimal and openers Mohammad Mithun and Sou- “We made some mistakes, we 148, the defending World T20 cham- Jayasuriya respectively in two succes- mya Sarkar inside three overs. didn’t know what the conditions here pions didn’t start well as they lost sive overs to have them in trouble at But incoming batsman Sabbir would be. It was tough to bat yester- experienced batsman and opener 78/3 in 12th over. played a commendable innings strik- day. But we miscalculated somewhat, Tillakaratne Dilshan (12) in the fourth From there on, no Sri Lankan ing three sixes and ten boundaries because we had no idea about the over itself. batsmen were able to score as some to help the hosts cross the 100-run conditions,” he said. Lennox opposes idea of Cruz halts Martinez to retain professionals at Olympics

AFP WBA featherweight crown

LONDON: Former World and AFP was able to survive the two knock- Olympic champion Lennox Lewis downs and come back strong in the (pictured) has slammed a proposal second round. to allow professional boxers to com- The 27-year-old Santa Cruz, who pete at the Olympics, saying that it ANAHEIM: Leo Santa Cruz stopped improved to 32-0-1, was disappointed could be dangerous for young ama- Kiko Martinez on Saturday for his he didn’t get the early knockout. He teur boxers. first defence of the WBA feather- said he strayed from the game plan Lewis won super-heavyweight weight title, which could put him in because he wanted to put on a good gold for Canada at the 1988 games line for a super-fight in one of box- show, before getting back on track. in Seoul before turning professional ing’s strongest divisions. “He was ready,” said three divi- and switching to represent Brit- American Santa Cruz knocked sion world champ Santa Cruz of ain as unified heavyweight world Martinez down twice in the opening Martinez. “I thought he was hurt and champion. round before finishing him off at 2:09 wasn’t going to get up. He told BBC Radio 5 Live’s where he is going to be boxing for a of the fifth when referee Raul Caiz “I thought I was going to fin- Sportsweek programme: “I kind of gold medal as a professional boxer stepped in to halt the slugfest at the ish him but he is a fighter and came think it is preposterous, to a cer- with that type of experience going Honda Center arena. back strong. tain degree. The amateur system is against a kid that’s 18 with, let’s say, The Anaheim fight came on the “After we went toe-to-toe I started based for amateurs - this is why we 10 international fights. same day that Carl Frampton beat to box him more and did what my dad put in the headgear to protect them “It’s just such a broad line there Scott Quigg in a split decision to told me.” because they have a lack of experi- that I don’t really understand it.” become the WBA and IBF super-ban- The 26-year-old Martinez, who ence and they are not that primed Had the system, which has been tamweight champion in Manchester, lost to both Frampton and Quigg in as a professional yet. proposed by the International Boxing England. the past, said he absorbed too many “Now all of a sudden, you get a Association AIBA, been in place in Now that he has his first title blows. world champion or somebody in the Lewis’ day, he could have found him- defence in the deeply talented 126- “He broke my strategy. He was top 10 as a professional now going self in direct competition in South pound division out of the way, Santa moving a lot and throwing a lot of against basically an amateur, some- Korea with then world champion Cruz is aiming for a showdown with punches,” said Martinez, a former body with a lack of experience - I Mike Tyson, a challenge for which Northern Ireland’s Frampton in the super bantamweight champ. don’t look at that as being fair.” he freely admits he would not have not too distant future. On the undercard, Mexican Lewis pointed to current British been ready at that point in his career. “I want Frampton,” Santa Cruz champion Julio Cesar Ceja needed world champion Anthony Joshua, Meanwhile, Marco Huck has set said in the ring after his victory. “He just 51 seconds to win a rematch over who won the gold medal in the same his sights on regaining his WBO title said he wants to move up in weight Hugo Ruiz in a WBC super-bantam- super-heavyweight division at the after his technical knock-out win so bring it on.” weight title fight. 2012 Olympics in London to illus- over Britain’s Ola Afolabi gave him It didn’t hurt that Santa Cruz Ceja dropped Ruiz with a right to trate his concerns. the IBO cruiserweight belt. looked impressive Saturday, throw- the jaw in the opening round. He said: “Anthony Joshua went Huck became a world cham- ing 140 punches in the first round as Ruiz got up by didn’t last much to the Olympics - all of a sudden, if pion for the second time on Saturday Martinez was sent to the canvas for longer as the referee stopped the he had boxed Wladimir Klitschko at night when Afolabi, 35, retired after just the fourth and fifth time in his fight before many in the crowd had the Olympics, it wouldn’t have been failing to come out for the 11th round Leo Santa Cruz (right) punches Kiko Martinez on his way to retaining career. a chance to settle into their seats for fair for him because Vladimir had his in Halle, west Germany. The first knockdown was a punch the WBA Featherweight Super title on Saturday in Anaheim, California. the bout. time at the Olympics and was able Afolabi’s left eye was swollen to the top and side of the head, and Ruiz was alert but had to be to go through that learning and then shut by the seventh round as the the second was a straight right hand trapped Martinez on the ropes and of a crowd of 7,700. The fight was taken from the ring in a stretcher all of a sudden now, has 70 fights as London-born fighter now based in set up by a left jab. unloaded a barrage of lefts and rights filled with plenty of toe-to-toe action after appearing to injure his leg in a professional . Los Angeles lost the title he only won In the final round, Santa Cruz against the helpless Spaniard in front in the centre of the ring as Martinez the knockdown. “Now it’s going to be a situation last November.

Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa Golf: Oosthuizen clinches Perth trophy poses with the winner’s trophy after winning the Perth International in AFP led by three shots heading into the final for, to try to get into that position. Levy South Africans at Lake Karrinyup tour- Perth, yesterday. round, but briefly lost the lead to Aus- fired the equal-lowest round of the day, naments, with Ernie Els (2002) and tralian Jason Scrivener. a six-under 66, to fall just short of forc- Retief Goosen (2003) claiming Johnnie However, birdies at the seventh ing a playoff with 15-under. Scrivener Walker Classic wins at the course. PERTH: South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and eighth holes steadied Oosthuizen holed a 60-foot putt at the last to finish Oosthuizen was the highest- hung on for a one-shot victory and his as Scrivener fell away with consecutive outright third at 14 under. ranked golfer taking part at the Perth first win for more than two years, in the bogeys on the ninth and 10th. Another Frenchman Gregory Bourdy, International. European and Asian Tour co-sanctioned Oosthuizen had a three-putt bogey who only made the weekend cut by one He was runner-up at the 2012 Perth International at Lake Karrinyup at the final hole as he won his first tour- stroke, finished tied for fourth place with Augusta Masters, losing at the second yesterday. nament in Australia and his first since American Peter Uihlein at 13 under after play-off hole to American Bubba Watson, A one-under 71 was enough to get the the Volvo Golf Championship in 2014. closing rounds of 65 and 66. and also lost in a play-off at last year’s world number 21 home on 16-under 272 “I always say it’s great to be nervous A third Frenchman Romain Wattel British Open event. over Frenchman Alexander Levy after a with three holes to go in a tournament finished with a par 72 for 12 under and Oosthuizen said he would use his closing round containing three birdies because it means you’re up there some- outright sixth. Oosthuizen’s 13th career Perth victory to give him momentum and two bogeys. where -- you’ve a chance of winning it. triumph and eighth on the European heading into this week’s WGC Cadillac The 2010 British Open champion “That’s what we do all the hard work Tour continues a successful history of Championship in Miami. 32 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT Caballero earns Man City League Cup

pyrotechics and national anthem Pellegrini’s side was concluded, the final failed to ignite in a first half low on qual- win their fourth ity. Liverpool were assured in English League Cup possession without having much cutting edge and it was counter- as hero goalkeeper attcking City who came closest makes three to scoring after 22 minutes when Sergio Aguero’s shot was touched penalty saves against the post by Mignolet. Aguero had led Liverpool centre back Mamadou Sakho a merry dance in the build-up, the Reuters Frenchman still dizzy after an earlier clash of heads with team mate Emre Can that eventually forced him off to be replaced by LONDON: Manchester City Kolo Toure. guaranteed manager Manuel Pel- The second period was legrini some silverware in his last action-packed and it was four season in charge with a penalty minutes old when the deadlock shootout defeat of Liverpool in the was broken in a moment Migno- League Cup final after yesterday’s let will want to forget. match at Wembley ended 1-1. Aguero slid a pass to the City keeper Willy Cabal- sprinting Fernandinho down the lero saved spot kicks from Lucas right and while the Brazilian’s shot Leiva, Philippe Coutinho and from a tight angle was well struck, Adam Lallana while Yaya Toure it should never have squeezed past slotted home the winning effort the keeper. as Pellegrini’s side triumphed 3-1 Raheem Sterling, loudly booed on penalties. by Liverpool fans throughout, Earlier, Fernandinho gave could have killed off his old club City the lead after 49 minutes on the hour but steered a shot wide when his shot slipped through with the goal gaping. keeper Simon Mignolet’s grasp Arriving unmarked in the area, Henderson’s shot past Caballero. Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany but Coutinho levelled with seven he prodded Daniel Sturridge’s Caballero, preferred to Joe celebrates after winning the Capital minutes to go from a rebound. cross against the post and the ball Hart in goal, made an even better One Cup Final with the trophy and Mignolet and Caballero made deflected kindly for Coutinho to stop to keep out Origi’s point-blank team-mates. RIGHT: Manchester CIty’s vital saves in extra time but City beat Caballero in front of a red header at the start of the second Argentinian goalkeeper Willy Caballero clinched the season’s first tro- wall of Liverpool supporters who period of extra time. phy in dramatic fashion to give set off flares in celebration. Liverpool drew first blood saves the penalty from Liverpool’s Pellegrini his second League Mignolet denied Yaya Toure in the shootout when Fernand- Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho Cup, having also lifted it two and Fernando in the nervy final inho’s spot kick hit the post but during the penalty shoot-out during the years ago as well as the Premier minutes while at the other end Liv- three consecutive failures made English League Cup final football match League title. Once the now famil- erpool substitute Divock Origi was it a miserable first English final between Liverpool and Manchester City iar pre-match razzamatazz of close to touching captain Jordan for German Klopp. at Wembley Stadium in London yesterday.

Van Gaal hails ‘special’ teen Rashford

AFP season, and the United manager was quick to praise the Manchester-born youngster’s potential. “The experience of mine is MANCHESTER: Louis van Gaal youngsters always play well the hailed Marcus Rashford as a “special first match. The second match is dif- talent” after the teenager marked his ferent. Marcus played well in both Premier League debut for Manches- matches so he is a special talent,” van ter United with a dazzling double in Gaal said. “We have a small squad their 3-2 win over Arsenal yesterday. because then you can give young- Rashford had already scored sters a chance. A big squad means twice on his first ever United start they don’t get a chance.” in the Europa League against FC Asked where Rashford’s debut Midtjylland on Thursday, and he ranked among the best he had continued his astonishing rise to seen, the former Barcelona, Bayern prominence by tormenting the Arse- Munich and Ajax boss placed the nal defence at Old Trafford. teenager in an elite group. The 18-year-old netted twice “I can imagine a lot of them. Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford scores their second goal during in the space of three minutes in the Patrick Kluivert makes the winning their Barclays Premier League match against Arsenal yesterday. first half with a cool finish and a goal (for Ajax) in the Super Cup in the glancing header, before providing Netherlands,” he said. the assist for Ander Herrera’s sec- “Xavi, fantastic against I think ond half strike. Valladolid (for Barcelona) and also Rashford’s heroics were well- Thomas Mueller a fantastic debut. Rashford’s double for United deflates timed for van Gaal, who has been He was playing in the second team under mounting pressure this (for Bayern Munich).” Arsenal hopes as Spurs down Swansea

“The experience of mine is young- in the 29th minute. Gabriel, brought curler from outside the box was The 18-year-old sters always play well the first match,” in for Per Mertesacker, failed to make deflected past Cech by the flying Lau- said United manager Van Gaal. “The proper contact as he attempted to rent Koscielny. becomes the third- second match is different. Marcus clear Guillermo Varela’s invit- Ozil gave Arsenal hope with 21 youngest player played well in both matches, so he is ing right-wing cross and Rashford minutes left, following in to volley a special talent. nervelessly placed the loose ball past home after De Gea had parried from to score a Premier “The performance and the result Petr Cech. Welbeck. League goal for (were pleasing), when you are play- The United faithful rose to But the hosts held firm and Van ing against one of the best Premier acclaim their new hero and they Gaal had the home fans roaring in United League teams and can play with such were off their feet again less than their seats as he mimicked a dive ambition and performance.” three minutes later when Rashford to fourth official Mike Dean on the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger met Jesse Lingard’s cross with a well- touchline in protest at what he felt told BBC Sport: “I cannot fault our directed downward header. was a piece of simulation by an AFP commitment and spirit and desire, Rashford became the third- Arsenal player. United are now three but I feel we conceded too easy goals. youngest player to score a Premier points below fourth-place Manchester “I am disappointed because we League goal for United, after Feder- City, who were contesting the League lost the game, but we will focus on ico Macheda and Welbeck, and the Cup final against Liverpool. LONDON: Teenage sensation Mar- the next one (against Swansea on latter returned to haunt his former Tottenham, who began the day cus Rashford took his tally to four Wednesday). This is a fight where you club by reducing the arrears. level on points with Arsenal, fell goals in two games as Manchester go to the next one and aim to come In a repeat of the formula that had behind in the 19th minute at home United compromised Arsenal’s Pre- back even stronger.” yielded a last-gasp winner against to Swansea when Alberto Paloschi mier League title bid with a rousing The extent of United’s injury prob- Leicester two weeks ago, Ozil chipped seized on Angel Rangel’s deflected 3-2 victory yesterday. lems was laid bare at Old Trafford a free-kick into the box and Welbeck shot to score. But Nacer Chadli turned The 18-year-old, who had by a starting XI that saw midfielder stooped to head home. It was the Ger- in Kyle Walker’s cross to equalise in scored twice on his debut against Michael Carrick line up at centre- man’s 18th assist of the campaign. the 70th minute and left-back Danny FC Midtjylland in the Europa League back, while Manchester-born starlet United lost Marcos Rojo to an Rose completed the comeback seven on Thursday, also set up a goal for Rashford led the line in the absence apparent ankle injury early in the minutes later when he drilled home Ander Herrera as Louis van Gaal’s of injury victims Wayne Rooney and first half, which saw 18-year-old from distance following a corner. side closed to within three points of Anthony Martial. Dutch defender Tim Fosu-Mensah “Sometimes football is diffi- the Champions League places. Arsenal, who made three come on for his club debut. cult. You play well, but find it hard to Arsenal, who scored through changes from their 2-0 Champions Wenger sent on Olivier Giroud for score. The good thing is that the team Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil, were League defeat by Barcelona, created the ineffective Theo Walcott in the fight,” said Spurs manager Mauricio left five points below leaders Leicester the first chance, Ozil freeing Nacho 63rd minute, but two minutes later Pochettino. Tottenham’s Danny Rose scores their second goal against City, while Tottenham Hotspur moved Monreal for a shot that the fit-again United extended their lead. “Our mentality is to look to the Swansea City in their Barclays Premier League match which three points above them by coming David de Gea raced out to block, but Rashford rolled the ball into the next game and go step by step. Now Spurs won 2-1 yesterday. from behind to beat Swansea City 2-1. it was the hosts who drew first blood path of Herrera, whose first-time we need to focus again.” SPORT MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 33 Tough tasks ahead as Infantino kicks off new FIFA stint today

Sepp Blatter FIFA PRESIDENT TO Dealing with financial APPEAR IN A MATCH and administrative Blatter warns problems, bringing process which led to a sweeping Infantino of FIFA back sponsors among reform package passed before Infan- main challenges for tino was elected. backstabbers FIFA’s competitions depend on new football chief a delicate agreement signed with the clubs who release their players AFP for national team games on certain dates stipulated in an international Reuters calendar. PARIS: Sepp Blatter warned The international players’ union Gianni Infantino yesterday that FIFPro last year launched a legal miracles will be expected from ZURICH: Gianni Infantino will mark complaint at the European Com- him as the newly-elected FIFA his first working day as president of mission against football’s transfer president but there will be plenty soccer’s governing body today by system, which could have wide-rang- of backstabbers if he fails to playing in a football match with ing ramifications. deliver. Swiss-based FIFA employees battered FIFPro did not even congratu- Blatter, currently serving a six- for months by an unfolding corrup- late Infantino on his election, instead year suspension from football, saw tion scandal. unleashing an angry statement say- his 18-year reign as FIFA chief offi- The match symbolises a return ing it took a “dim view” of the whole cially end Friday when 45-year-old to the primary focus of FIFA that for process. UEFA secretary-general Infantino some has been lost in tales of high- “FIFA’s system of governance has was voted in as football’s most living by top executives and abuses been based on favour swapping and powerful man. that culminated in the banning of financial inducements, not to men- But in an open letter to the Infantino’s veteran predecessor Sepp tion obstructing external oversight Swiss-Italian lawyer, Blatter Blatter for six years. from governments and the game’s warned his successor to be wary When he walks into the presiden- key stakeholders,” said FIFPro. of the pitfalls that come with the tial office at FIFA’s headquarters on a “The players, much like the clubs, job. He also said he was ready to FIFA’s new President Gianni Infantino (left) holds a football with Museum director Stefan Jost during the Zurich hilltop, the new incumbent will leagues and fans, were ignored in the offer his help if required. quickly have to deal with financial inauguration of the FIFA World Football Museum yesterday in Zurich. latest reform.” “I congratulate you, but and administrative problems, bring It added that the rights of the remember however that this posi- back sponsors, motivate a demoral- world’s 65,000 professional players tion you wanted will not be easy. ised work force and engage with clubs One of the Swiss national’s conference after being elected. FIFA’s comment on the figures. Infantino will were “often blatantly overlooked and Miracles will be expected,” Blatter and players who are growing increas- earliest tasks will be to appoint a lack of credibility has made it diffi- have to come good on the generous exploited as a result of FIFA’s monop- wrote in an open letter published ingly disillusioned. secretary general to take charge of cult to sign new sponsorship deals and promises of development funds for olistic structure”. in French newspaper, Journal du Previously general secretary of day-to-day operations, a post Infan- it is facing a $108m deficit for 2015, FIFA’s 209 member associations made FIFA’s unity is another important dimanche. European soccer’s governing body tino has already indicated will go to according to Suketu Patel, who sits during his electoral campaign. matter. “I had these expectations for UEFA, Infantino must also dispel the a non-European. on the independent audit and com- “The sponsors need to regain trust Large parts of Africa and Asia the last 18 years at FIFA which I notion he was elected to represent Another priority will be to lift the pliance committee. and confidence in FIFA and, if we can voted for main rival Sheikh Salman served for 41 years.” only the interests of his own power- morale of the 400-odd employees Patel said there was a shortfall of achieve this, then revenue streams bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and even Blatter said that the package ful continent. Some had expected a at FIFA, many of whom are highly- $530m between the budgeted revenue will increase and FIFA will not have Infantino’s South American allies of reforms which will be imple- Bahraini rival to win the post in a tilt qualified and have soldiered on for and actual contracts signed so far for to worry about the future,” he said. admitted there were issues over the mented at the scandal-hit body towards Asia for the sport. the last eight months trying to ignore the 2015-18 cycle. “I have vast experience in this drain of their top players to European will help Infantino as he embarks FIFA has been the subject of crim- the chaos at the top. Jerome Champagne, one of Infan- area and my track record showed clubs. on his new era. inal investigations in the United States “They went through a difficult tino’s four rivals in the election, has that UEFA didn’t go bankrupt at all, “We have told Infantino that “The miracles will be helped and Switzerland, although these will time, a difficult period and I want to said that two of the eight sponsor- on the contrary revenue increased.” clearly there are opposing interests by the vote overwhelmingly taken be lurking uncomfortably in the back- tell them that I count on them, that I ship slots for the 2018 World Cup and He must also mend bridges with because of the way the European for the reforms which I had also ground rather than an immediate believe in them and we will do great 20 out of 27 slots for other competi- the clubs and players, who com- market operates,” Uruguayan football started. worry. things together,” Infantino told a news tions remained unfilled. FIFA did not plained they were left out of the chief Wilmer Valdez told reporters. “If by chance, you want an opinion or advice, do not hesi- tate. For now, stay calm. You have two months to implement the deci- sions taken.” Hiddink fumes at FA over Blatter said Infantino will be Serie A: El Shaarawy brace allowed a period of grace but could face stormy waters if reforms Chelsea’s Cup schedule are implemented too slowly for the patience of federations and sponsors. sends Roma up to third “Prepare yourself well but be AFP “I don’t know who has decided vigilant. While everyone supports that, all of a sudden. It was aston- you and tells you nice words, know ishing that people could change the that once you are the president, kick-off time. AFP friends become rare.” SOUTHAMPTON: Guus Hiddink “We have PSG on the Wednes- The veteran official added that has attacked the decision to sched- day night. Hopefully it doesn’t go he was looking forward to other ule Chelsea’s FA Cup quarter-final into extra-time. The players, not just challenges in the future now that meeting with Everton three days Chelsea players, need time when the MILAN: Stephan El Shaarawy hit a he is no longer the FIFA chief. after the club’s Champions League intensity of the league is like this. brace as Roma continued their push “At 18:01 on Friday, when you showdown against Paris Saint Ger- “The medical people at the FA for a place in next season’s Cham- were elected, a weight lifted from main. and the Premier League should pions League with a 3-1 win over my shoulders. I have now less Blues’ interim manager Hiddink make this known as well. We have Empoli on Saturday. responsibility and more time in fears the demands being placed on to protect the players as well. Roma’s sixth consecutive win my life. I am no longer president.” his players are too high and believes “The doctors should stand up and moved them up to provisional third it is time medical professionals had say: ‘FA, television, whoever.... hey.’ place in Serie A, five points behind an influence on the fixture list. It’s five games away, so there’s time, leaders Juventus and four behind Rooney out of Hiddink was speaking after his but I’m frustrated by that,” said the second-placed Napoli ahead of their side’s 2-1 victory at Southampton, interim manager. respective games against Inter Milan England friendlies, a game in which Spanish winger Hiddink, meanwhile, insists he is and Fiorentina. Pedro limped off with a hamstring happy Chelsea’s next manager will “Our sixth win in a row is a huge that could rule him out of the deci- reap the benefit of his work in turn- boost to morale, now we have to wait says Van Gaal sive second leg clash with PSG at ing the club’s season around. to see what happens with Fiorentina Stamford Bridge on March 9. The 69-year-old has restored and Napoli,” El Shaarawy told Sky AFP “We have a tight schedule, Nor- stability at the club following Jose Sport after the game. wich on Tuesday and then Stoke and Mourinho’s sacking and Satur- In Saturday’s late match, AC Milan PSG. Then, surprisingly, the Everton day’s win at Southampton marked secured a 1-0 home win over Torino LONDON: Wayne Rooney will Roma’s forward Stephan El Shaarawy (left) in action against Empoli’s game was put on a Saturday instead the Dutchman’s 13th domestic thanks to Luca Antonelli’s goal on the miss England’s friendlies against of a Sunday. Normally we should game without defeat since taking stroke of half-time which saw them defender Vincent Laurini during their Serie A match at Carlo Castellani Germany and the Netherlands next have played Liverpool on the Sun- charge on a short-term contract in consolidate sixth place with a fourth Stadium in Empoli, Italy, on Saturday. month due to his knee injury, Man- day,” Hiddink said. December. win in five games. chester United manager Louis van Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic Gaal told a British Sunday news- is now casting his eye on Roma, six after Roma ‘keeper Wojciech Szcz- to punish Empoli on the counter and paper. points ahead of them in third. esny punched Mario Rui’s cross into that’s what we did,” he said. England captain and record Roma have been transformed Zukanovic’s face, levelled the game A highly-organised AC Milan goalscorer Rooney, 30, damaged Chelsea manager since Luciano Spalletti took over on 22 minutes but Roma were back finally cracked Torino’s busy defence knee ligaments during United’s 2-1 Guus Hiddink from sacked Frenchman Rudi Garcia in front five minutes later thanks to after sustained pressure when defeat at Sunderland earlier this reacts during the for his second spell at the club, but it Miralem Pjanic after the Bosnian got Antonelli fired home a loose ball at month. Premier League was an enterprising El Shaarawy who the rebound from his own free-kick a corner just ahead of the half time. England play world champi- match against made all the difference as the Gial- off the defensive wall. Milan ‘keeper Gianluigi Don- ons Germany in a friendly in Berlin Southampton at St lorossi kept themselves in the hunt for Empoli came fighting back late narumma only turned 17 this week, on March 26 before hosting Hol- Mary’s Stadium in Europe’s premier club competition. in the second half, but El Shaarawy but he again pulled off a couple of land three days later as they build Southampton on The Italian, who failed to find grabbed his fourth goal in five league fine saves to show why Mihajlovic up to Euro 2016 and Van Gaal said Saturday. the net for the first six months of a games 16 minutes from time to wrap continues to trust him. that Rooney will not be available loan spell at Monaco in France’s first up a precious win. Carlos Bacca headed home after for selection. division, broke the deadlock after just The Italy international suggested another Milan corner but the referee “No, he won’t be ready for Eng- five minutes at the Carlo Castellani Spalletti deserved as much praise as correctly ruled the Colombian striker land next month,” said Van Gaal. stadium when he curled a right- either himself or his teammates. “It’s offside. Torino ran out of steam in the “Wayne has a brace fitted now footed shot into the far top corner my first brace for Roma, but the result later stages and Milan played out the and he has to wear it for two and a from over 25 metres. is what matters most. The coach game comfortably and are now nine half weeks. After that we then have An Ervin Zukanovic own-goal, asked us to keep possession and try points ahead of Sassuolo in seventh. to look again.” 34 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT Curry shines again as Warriors win

Golden State star fires 46 points in 121-118 victory over Oklahoma City Thunder

Agencies

NEW YORK: For two days, Golden State guard Stephen Curry had to lis- ten to former NBA players criticised his game. From calling him just a perimeter player to saying he wouldn’t handle the tough defences of previ- ous eras was spouted throughout the media. Curry responded the best way he could. The reigning league MVP poured in 46 points, including a game-winning 35-footer to lead the Warriors to a 121-118 overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Kevin Durant (right) of the Oklahoma City Thunder tries to drive around Andre Iguodala of the Golden State Warriors during their NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on “I have no idea how far it was, but I had it rolling all night,” Curry said. Saturday. RIGHT: Stephen Curry (right) of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after tying the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. “Thankfully that last one went in. Confidence is high, so I just launched it.” the Warriors improved their record said. “Moral victories are for young free-throw line and burying two The Thunder scored five quick line and made two free throws. The Curry tied an NBA record shared to 53-5. “We’re not going to quit,” teams. I am going to go home, enjoy shots to give Thunder a 98-93 lead. points to start overtime, but four Thunder kept finding ways to answer. by Kobe Bryant (2003) and Donyell Thompson said. “No matter if we’re me a nice meal and a nice glass of However, Curry drained a 3-pointer straight points from Curry got the Westbrook set up Roberson for a tough Marshall (2005) with his 12th down four with 10 seconds or up four wine and I’ll be straight.” With 4:45 from the top of the key. Thunder for- Warriors to within one. layup. Then Thompson came down 3-pointer of the game. He finished with 10 seconds. We play all 48 min- left in the fourth quarter, the Thun- ward Serge Ibaka answered with a Durant fouled out and the Thun- and scored on a three-point play to tie 12 of 16 from 3-point range. Guard utes no matter how bad or great we’re der led by nine points. 3-pointer before Thompson hit a long der had to go the final 3:30 without the score at 118 with 29.5 seconds on Klay Thompson added 32 points as playing.” Westbrook put Oklahoma City up 3-pointer. him. the clock. Westbrook missed a jumper, Curry also broke the single-sea- by 11 with a driving layup, but Curry The Thunder led 100-99 with 27 Ibaka gave Oklahoma City a 110- leaving time for Curry to dribble up NBA RESULTS son 3-pointers record he set last responded with back-to-back layups. seconds left and Durant seemed to 107 lead. But Curry tied the score court and size up his defender before Boston 101 Miami 89 season. He has 288 this season, two Curry then drained a 3-pointer to cut put the game away when he buried falling down while hitting a 3-pointer. launching a 35-footer that was noth- more than his record-setting total. the gap to four points. After a Durant a 3-pointer. But a layup by Thomp- Consecutive baskets by Roberson ing but net. Minnesota 112 New Orleans 110 Forward Kevin Durant had 37 miss, Golden State forward Draymond son and a turnover by Durant gave and Ibaka put the Thunder up 114-110 “We just never panic,” Thomp- Portland 103 Chicago 95 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Green hit one of two from the free- the Warriors a chance. with 1:41 left in overtime. Thompson son said. San Antonio 104 Houston 94 Thunder. Guard Russell Westbrook throw line and the lead was down to With 0.7 on the clock, Durant drained a 3-pointer and the Warriors “We’ve been in too many big sit- Detroit 102 Milwaukee 91 contributed 30 points, 13 assists and 96-93 with 2:15 left. fouled Warriors forward Andre Iguo- were within one again. uations to panic. It was a total team Golden State 121 Oklahoma City 118 seven rebounds. Westbrook missed a long dala, who hit two free throws to tie Westbrook was fouled driving to effort. It’s hard to put into words what Phoenix 111 Memphis 106 Oklahoma City (41-18) lost for the 3-pointer, but Thunder guard Andre score and force overtime. the basket and hit two free throws. Steph did. Not only did he break his fourth time in its last five games. Roberson tracked down the loose “I turned the ball over and fouled Curry, who rolled his ankle in the own (single-season) record, but he Brooklyn 98 Utah 96 “I always want to win,” Durant ball. It led to Durant going to the the shooter,” a sullen Durant said. third quarter, then went to the foul tied an NBA record.”

Almonte handed Klein scores the winner as 80-game suspension Rangers edge Dallas Stars Agencies

Peyton Manning NEW YORK: Cleveland Indians Agencies outfielder Abraham Almonte has been handed an 80-game sus- pension after testing positive Manning to for Boldenone, a performance- NEW YORK: New York Rangers enhancing substance, Major defenceman Kevin Klein scored the announce League Baseball said on Saturday. winning goal with 2:53 remaining and Almonte, who split his time goaltender Henrik Lundqvist stopped retirement: between the Indians and San Diego 36 of 38 shots in a 3-2 win over the Padres last season, hit five homers Dallas Stars on Saturday afternoon Report and drove in 24 runs in 178 cumu- at American Airlines Center. lative at-bats. Klein scored his sixth goal of the The 26-year-old Dominican season on a wrist shot from the slot Reuters broke into the major leagues with that beat Stars goaltender Kari Lehto- the Seattle Mariners and in parts nen, who stopped 26 of 29 shots. of three seasons has 10 home runs Flyers 4, Coyotes 2 NEW YORK: Quarterback great and 48 RBIs. Centre Claude Giroux and Peyton Manning is expected to The suspension will be effec- defenseman Mark Streit enjoyed announce his retirement within tive from the start of the 2016 milestone games and the Philadel- a week, the Denver Post reported regular season. phia Flyers beat the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs with a 4-2 margin. The newspaper reported that signed veteran outfielder Shane Giroux scored a goal for his 500th after meeting recently with Den- Victorino to a minor league deal, career NHL point, while Streit ripped ver Broncos general manager John according to published reports. off three assists in the first period to Elway, “Manning is certain” the Victorino received an invi- reach 400 lifetime points as the Fly- time has come to call it a day. tation to the big-league camp ers (28-22-11) won consecutive games Manning helped the Denver and will earn $1m in salary if he for the first time in nearly a month. Broncos defeat the Carolina Pan- makes the team. He reportedly can Arizona (27-29-6) lost its fifth in thers in the Super Bowl earlier this achieve up to another $1m in per- a row. month. Johnny Gaudreau (right) of the Calgary Flames scores the first of his two goals during their NHL game formance bonuses. Penguins 4, Jets 1 The victory was his second Victorino, 35, has battled inju- Goals by defenceman Kris Letang against Ottawa Senators at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. National Football League cham- ries in recent seasons and batted and left winger Carl Hagelin in the pionship in a storied career in .230 in 71 games last season while first minute of the second period Hagelin added a second goal Wings, who have won two straight. which he was named the league’s splitting time between the Los helped carry the Pittsburgh Penguins and center Scott Wilson added one NHL ROUND-UP Senators 6, Flames 4 Most Valuable Player five times in Angeles Angels and Boston Red past the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 Saturday for Pittsburgh, which is 6-0 at home Centre Mika Zibanejad scored a 17 seasons, 13 with the Indianapo- Sox. The Texas Rangers re-signed afternoon. since the Jets moved to Winnipeg and natural hat-trick in the third period lis Colts and four with the Broncos. outfielder Drew Stubbs to a minor on a 15-0 streak at home against that to lift the Ottawa Senators to a Manning, who turns 40 on league contract. franchise. The team was the Atlanta its Central Division rival Saturday, come-from-behind 6-4 win over the March 24, said after the game that Stubbs, 31, is expected to join NHL RESULTS Thrashers the last time it won in Pitts- notching a 5-0 shutout in sold-out Calgary Flames on Thursday. he would contemplate his future Saturday’s spring training work- Philadelphia 4 Arizona 2 burgh, 4-2, on Dec. 27, 2006. Bridgestone Arena. The Flames led 4-2 after 40 before making an announcement, outs in Surprise, Ariz., as the Pittsburgh 4 Winnipeg 1 Predators 5, Blues 0 Red Wings 5, Avalanche 3 minutes. and it has been widely assumed Rangers look to add depth in the Columbus 4 Florida 3 Left winger Filip Forsberg’s sec- Centre Brad Richards tipped in a Kings 2, Sabres 0 that will retire. outfield. ond natural hat trick of the week rebound with a minute left and the Left winger Tanner Pearson Elway told NFL.com on Thurs- A sore left knee will force Nashville 5 St Louis 0 enabled the Nashville Predators to Detroit Red Wings beat the Colorado scored two goals and goaltender Jho- day that he would not pressure his Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton to NY Rangers 3 Dallas 2 continue their winning ways while Avalanche 5-3 in the NHL Stadium nas Enroth posted his second shutout quarterback to make a decision the disabled list for the start of the Montreal 4 Toronto 1 finally cracking the code on the St. Series on Saturday night. of the season as the Los Angeles Kings and that the pair planned to meet 2016 season. Hamilton is expected Detroit 5 Colorado 3 Louis Blues. Centres Justin Abdelkader, Tomas beat the Buffalo Sabres 2-0 on Sat- again in the next week or so. to be out for two months while Ottawa 6 Calgary 4 Led by Forsberg’s three sec- Tatar and Gustav Nyquist also had urday night at Staples Center in Los “I met with Peyton a couple recovering and working his way ond period goals, Nashville notched goals for Detroit. Goaltender Petr Angeles for their fourth straight win nights ago and we had a good talk,” Los Angeles 2 Buffalo 0 back. its first win in five games against Mrazek stopped 24 shots for the Red of the season. Elway said. SPORT MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016 35

Coaching and umpiring India will be tough to beat courses for beginners

The Peninsula and each training course will be held for six days. These courses are free of charges but candidates will be in World T20, says Smith DOHA: Qatar Cricket Association selected after an interview while will organise Coaches Course and their background, interest and Umpiring Course for beginners in contribution to the clubs, team, here in the three Twenty20s we played the first week of March 2016. institutes or QCA will be taken into Australia aims for in Australia so I think they’re going to QCA will recommend success- consideration. be right up there.” ful candidates to Asian Cricket Anyone interested should send success at the shortest No Australian cricket captain goes Council, requesting them to in writing with his background and form of the game on into a tournament or series believ- organise level one courses for both interest to the QCA Administrator ing victory is impossible, though, and disciplines. by email to [email protected] foreign conditions Smith is no exception. The course will be conducted in and [email protected] with the “It’s one that’s alluded us, the T20 the evenings at the QCA Office by applicant’s contact details before World Cup, and it would be great to qualified instructors from 6-8pm March 01, 2016. win that trophy, that’s our goal,” Smith Reuters added. “It’s going to be a tough tour in India, in conditions that are foreign to us. But it’s really exciting and I think SYDNEY: Australia skipper Steve we’ve got the squad to give that tour- Dhoni questions earpieces Smith is determined to secure the nament a real shake.” one major international cricket trophy Deprived of the advantage that his country has never won but thinks their pace bowling brings them on used by on-field umpires India are going to be tough to beat home soil, Australia will look more to when they host the World Twenty20 the batting line-up to make the differ- AFP means that they are umpiring with next month. ence in India - even if Smith is not yet only one ear and the other ear is The Australia squad, world cham- sure how it will look. stuck with an earpiece,” Dhoni said. pions in 50-overs cricket and number “I’m not really sure of the make up Dhoni queried whether earpieces one in the Test world rankings, flew of our top three or four yet, obviously, DHAKA: India captain MS Dhoni were always necessary, suggesting to South Africa yesterday morning there’s a lot guys who that fill those on Saturday questioned umpires they were affecting umpires’ hearing. to prepare for the March 8-April 3 position,” Smith said. using earpieces during international He said: “They can’t hear and tournament. “We’ve got three games to have matches, suggesting the devices when it’s so loud... so definitely they Their best result in the five previ- a look at that before the World Cup. might affect their decision-making should consider this thing. At least, ous versions came when they reached We’ve got some very destructive and on the field. have both the ears around, there is the 2010 final, however, a 3-0 drub- talented batters up the top of the order The skipper spoke out after a no point having an earpiece when a bing by India in a recent Twenty20 that we can choose from.” controversial umpiring decision bowler is bowling as you don’t need series has given them plenty of food Smith said all four injury concerns that saw Pakistan’s Khurram Man- to use it then.” for thought. - Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, James zoor given not out despite apparently TV replays suggested that the “On any given day in T20 cricket Faulkner and Nathan Coulter-Nile - nicking a ball by left-arm pacer Ash- ball hit Manzoor on his gloves before any side can be dangerous, an individ- were “tracking well” and should be ish Nehra during India’s defeat of it was caught by wicketkeeper Dhoni ual can take a game away from you,” in contention to feature in the three their bitter rival during the Asia Cup behind the stumps. Dhoni had a chat Smith told reporters at Sydney airport. matches in South Africa. Twenty20 tournament. with the Bangladeshi umpire Shar- Australia cricket captain “(But) I think India in Indian condi- Australia get their World T20 cam- “You know all the umpires now fuddoula Ibne Shahid on the field Steve Smith tions are going to be very tough to beat. paign underway against New Zealand have a walkie-talkie and earpiece in after he turned down India’s vocif- They’re a very good side as we saw out in Dharamsala on March 18. their ear. So effectively, in a way it erous appeal.

Cotter fires Brazil stun USA Mike Brown of England scores their second France try against Ireland in with last-kick win their RBS Six Nations warning as Championship match played at Twickenham Scots end AFP the third and sixth minutes and tries Stadium in London, by Daniel Sancery and Lucas Duque England on Saturday. put the hosts amazingly ahead 18-0. drought A James Bird penalty in the 31st WASHINGTON: Moises Duque minute and a Joe Taufetee try six AFP booted the winning penalty kick minutes later lifted the US within between the uprights on the final 18-8 at half-time. play on Saturday to give Brazil a Aladdin Schirmer’s converted try ROME: Scotland coach Vern Cot- shocking 24-23 upset of the United in the 46th minute pulled the Amer- ter fired an early warning shot at States in the Americas Rugby Cham- icans closer but Brazil stretched the France ahead of their visit to “hor- pionship. margin to 21-13 on a Lucas Duque rible” Murrayfield after a stylish Winless host Brazil stunned the penalty. 36-20 win in Rome ended their top of the table Eagles in an epic tri- Niku Kruger pulled the Eagles nine-match Six Nations winless umph for the South American side back within a single point on a try streak. and a devastating defeat for the US in the 63rd minute and gave the US Scotland’s last tournament win squad. side its only lead on a penalty kick came against Italy in 2014 but after The outcome opens the door for seven minutes from full time. a commanding performance at the the winner of Sunday’s Canada at But that only set the stage for the same Stadio Olimpico on Satur- Argentina match to seize the lead in late penalty call against the Amer- day, confidence has come flooding the round-robin event with only one icans that set up the winning kick. back to Cotter’s underperforming week of matches remaining. Satur- At Uruguay, the hosts trailed side. day’s other result saw host Uruguay 17-16, but a late try by Rodrigo Silva France, whose Grand Slam hold off Chile 23-20. Brazil jumped put them ahead of the Condors to hopes were ended by a 19-10 ahead on penalty kicks by Duque in stay. defeat to Wales in Cardiff on Fri- day, are likely to make life very tough for the Scots when they visit Murrayfield in a fortnight. After seeing captain Greig Coach Jones threatens E ngland stay on course for title Laidlaw kick 21 points with the boot and Scotland score three tries to Italy’s two, Cotter suggested Guy media ban after win Noves’s men will have sat up and with victory against Ireland taken notice - especially since they only escaped with a 23-21 win over AFP The often outspoken Jones Italy in Paris. added: “I don’t want to do any scare- Reuters Murray burrowed through for the “They (France) came close to mongering or do anything that RUGBY: SIX NATIONS first try England had conceded in losing against Italy in that first offends the media or offends peo- the championship. game when they probably got TWICKENHAM: England coach ple’s parents. “I think our performances have England struck back and relent- caught out defensively,” said Cotter. Eddie Jones threatened a “self- “From now until next Friday LONDON: Eddie Jones took another stepped up,” said Jones. “We were less pressure allowed former captain “In the following game (a 10-9 imposed media ban” after his side before the Wales game I’m not talk- significant step in the rebuilding of facing a better team today and we Chris Robshaw to send a pass wide win over Ireland) you saw a reac- maintained their bid for a Six Nations ing to the media. England on Saturday as a 21-10 probably left 10 to 15 points out there, to put Watson over but Farrell missed tion from them where they became Grand Slam with a 21-10 defeat of “If I don’t say anything you come victory over champions Ireland at as we couldn’t always convert our the conversion. far more physical in defence and Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday. away from the press conference and Twickenham kept them on course attacking pressure. We weren’t quite Ireland began to show the effects had a real crack at Ireland. Victory over the defending say it’s boring. for a first Six Nations title since 2011 sharp enough and we were letting of their huge defensive efforts and a After narrow defeats to Eng- champions made it three wins England, in a match where sec- and a possible first grand slam since them get a hand in at crucial times.” zipping pass by Farrell sent fullback land (15-9) and Wales (27-23), out of three for England under the ond-half tries from Anthony Watson 2003. The first half was tenaciously Brown over in acres of space. Scotland were under intense Australian. and Mike Brown helped redeem a England had dominated the game hard-fought but with precious little Farrell added the extras and Eng- pressure to end their drought in a The former Wallaby and Japan lacklustre opening period, had to but trailed 10-9 after a Conor Mur- to get the fans out of their seats. land looked set for an easy victory match billed as the wooden spoon boss had riled Ireland in the build-up play the final nine minutes a man ray try early in the second half before Number eight Billy Vunipola at 21-10 with 18 minutes remaining, decider. by suggesting the parents of fly-half down when replacement scrum-half well-crafted scores by Anthony was again a wrecking ball for Eng- though they needed a superb cover A pair of tries from John Bar- Jonathan Sexton, who has a history Danny Care was sin-binned. Watson and Mike Brown put the hosts land and they dominated possession tackle by Jack Nowell to prevent Rob- clay and John Hardie had Scotland of concussion problems, should be Full-back Mike Brown might have in control. and territory but the nearest either bie Henshaw scoring in the corner. in the driving seat just after the concerned for his welfare after the also have seen yellow and perhaps Ireland, seeking a third consec- side came to a try was when James England, who have not lost a Six quarter-hour and 17-10 ahead at Irish management said he had suf- even been sent off in the same ruck utive title, looked underpowered Haskell blasted through, only for Ire- Nations game at Twickenham since half-time. fered a “whiplash” type injury in a incident after his boot made contact throughout. Even when England land skipper Rory Best to hold the ball 2012, next host Wales when victory Yet it took a determined defen- 10-9 loss to France. with the head of scrum-half Conor went down to 14 men after a yel- up. England turned round 6-3 ahead would leave them facing France in sive display from the visitors to But with Wales, whose coach Murray, whose lone try for the visi- low card for replacement scrumhalf with two Owen Farrell penalties to Paris with an opportunity to win their prevent an Azzurri fightback Warren Gatland is renowned for pre- tors gave Ireland a 10-6 lead early in Danny Care in the last 10 minutes, one from Johnny Sexton, hoping that first grand slam since 2003. during a thrilling 10-minute spell match mind games, England’s next the second half. Ireland never looked likely to find a having forced Ireland to make almost “We are frustrated not to be in the after Finn Russell had been sin- opponents, Jones said: “I’m putting Jones, pressed on whether Brown way back. 100 tackles in the first 40 minutes mix for the title -- this defeat ended binned for hands in the ruck. When a self-imposed media ban on myself had been fortunate to escape pun- England, who had already won their dominance would bear fruit. our opportunity -- but the players Russell returned with 10 minutes before the Wales game. ishment, said: “The referee (Romain away in Scotland and Italy, top the Instead Ireland came out firing responded well to being written off remaining, Scotland regained “I will leave that to Warren Gat- Poite) adjudicated. If the ball is on the standings on six points, one ahead and with England down to 14 men prior to the game,” Ireland coach Joe control and sealed victory with land, he’s pretty good at it.” ground you are allowed to play it.” of Wales. after a yellow for Haskell scrumhalf Schmidt said. Tommy Seymour’s late try. 36 MONDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2016

McIlroy tops that attended the International The ninth edition Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Exec- Rooney, thanks utive Committee meeting held in of the prestigious Lausanne, Switzerland on Febru- to Frampton championship will ary 24 and 25. Stage set see more than 250 The International Gymnastics title win Federation meeting had focused gymnasts from 32 on the upcoming FIG events and AFP thanked the QGF for hosting the countries in action 9th edition of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics Challenge Cup. MANCHESTER: Carl Frampton The QGF President reaffirmed defeated Scott Quigg on a split that the increase in the numbers for FIG The Peninsula points decision to become the of participating countries was due WBA and IBF super-bantamweight the trust of other federations in champion on Saturday and guar- the ability of the Qatar to host an anteed fellow Northern Irishman exceptional event in March. Rory McIlroy a night out at Wayne DOHA: The ninth edition of the Al Himi also said that the Rooney’s expense. FIG Artistic Gymnastics Chal- success of Doha in hosting the Frampton triumphed after 12 Challenge lenge Cup will be held at the Aspire previous editions of the FIG Chal- rounds in front of a 20,000 sell- Academy in Doha from March 24 lenge Cup enabled Qatar to win out Manchester crowd courtesy of to 26. rights to host the 2018 FIG Artistic 116-112 counts in his favour by two According to Qatar Gymnas- Gymnastics World Champion- judges, with the other giving it to tics Federation, everything is in ships too. local fighter Quigg 115-113. place to stage a successful event. The 48th edition of the FIG The hotly-anticipated bout The higher Organising Com- Artistic Gymnastics World Cham- also led to a good-natured Twitter Cup mittee under the patronage of QGF pionships is expected to be staged duel between golf star McIlroy and President Ali Al Hitmi held a meet- within the Aspire Zone, Doha, Manchester United striker Rooney. ing recently to discuss the final from October 17 to 27, 2018. And as soon as the victory was arrangements for the event. Al Hitmi stressed that the confirmed, the four-time major The meeting was also attended Qatar Gymnastics Federation winner and former world number by the QGF Assistant Secretary is aiming at bringing the vision one golfer gleefully claimed his General Ms. Abeer Al Boainain and and mission of the Qatar Olympic prize. Heads of Working Committees. Committee into reality as the QGF Frampton paid tribute to Quigg After the meeting, the QGF is keen on bringing in the world with whom he had fought a fierce President confirmed that the through gymnastics. war of words in the build-up to the championship will see more The QGF President also said fight - over the choice of dressing than 250 gymnasts, representing that hosting the FIG Challenge rooms. 32 countries in action during the cup comes in light of the Qatar Both McIlroy and Rooney had three-day event. 2030 National Vision as Qatar is plenty of time to watch Saturday’s Al Hitmi also said that he using sport as a catalyst for sus- fight. chaired the Qatari delegation tainable development. UAE win Aspire Banks Futsal crown

The Peninsula

DOHA: United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged champions when they beat Jor- dan 6-3 in a tense final to claim the Aspire Banks Futsal crown at the Aspire Zone on Saturday. The tournament was organised by Aspire Zone Foundation and 18 embassies were vying for the title since last November when the tournament kicked-off. The final was attended by Hilal Al Kuwari, President of Aspire Zone Foun- dation; H E ZahiAl Smadi, Ambassador of FROM LEFT: Cyril Mouawad, Executive Assistant Manager at InterContinental Doha, Jordan to Qatar; Ham Al Raashedi, Consul at the UAE Embassy in Qatar, Abdulaziz Mohammed Faisal Al Naimi, Executive Director of Qatar Golf Association, Fahad Nasser Al Neima, Assistant Director of the Proto- Al Naimi, The General Secretary of The Qatar Golf Association and Andreas Pfister, col Department at the Ministry of Foreign Area General Manager of InterContinental Doha addressing the media during a press Affairs; and other representatives of the par- conference at the Doha Golf Club yesterday. ticipating embassies. Jordan opened the scoring early on only Hilal Al Kuwari, President of Aspire Zone Foundation presents the champions’ for the UAE to equalize moments later. Jor- dan then took the lead a second time, but trophy to the victorious UAE team. GCC Golf Championship 2016 once again the UAE equalised. The UAE took the lead shortly after, with the first half end- ing 3-2. Abdullah Al Khater, Events Manager at maintaining our very high opinion of the The second half started strongly and Aspire Zone Foundation, said: “The aim of Foundation’s activities.” to tee off at DGC tomorrow expectation began to build that Jordan organizing such a tournament is to enhance “Such tournaments are important might score, which they then proceeded to ties between members of the community because they highlight the many positive do drawing level on 3-3. working in different sectors of the economy. benefits of taking part, not only related to The nail biting fight for the title contin- The Aspire Embassies Futsal Tournament sport, but also encompassing cultural and The Peninsula Arabia, and the United Arab will see action in the junior ued until the closing stages of the match, and the Aspire Banks League are great social aspects too. We look forward to tak- Emirates are taking part in the category. during which the UAE was able to edge examples of this.” ing part in the next edition.” championship and they will The seniors will be ahead with another goal taking the game He added: “At Aspire Zone Foundation, Ham Al Raashedi, Consul at the UAE be reaching Doha on Monday,” involved in four rounds of to 4-3. we are keen to encourage all members of Embassy in the State of Qatar said: “This DOHA: Qatar Golf Associa- said Fahad Nasser. action and the final round will The Jordanian team’s efforts to get one the community to adopt healthy lifestyles tournament is truly unique, as it represents tion (QGA) in association with “We have completed all take place on March 5, while back were unsuccessful and the UAE man- through the different programmes of activ- an opportunity for a wide range of employees Qatar Olympic Committee will the arrangements for hosting a champion will be spotted in aged to score two further goals in the dying ity we organize year-round.” from embassies in Qatar to practice sport and host the GCC Golf Champion- the championship and we are the junior category after three minutes of the match to seal the title. “I would like to thank everyone who connect with one another in an informal set- ship 2016 from March 1 to 5, expecting a tough fight in the rounds on March 4. At the end of the match, Hilal Al has contributed to the success of this tour- ting. We are proud of our win, and we would it was announced here yes- race for the title. The cham- Qatar senior team consists Kuwari, President of Aspire Zone Foun- nament, especially the Ministry of Foreign like to thank Aspire Zone Foundation for the terday. pionship will be held in two of Abdulrahman Al Shahrani, dation, awarded the UAE team with the Affairs, the participating embassies and the great success of this event. We look forward Addressing a press con- categories,” said Mohammed Saleh Al Kaabi , Ali Al Shah- title of the tournament, while Abdulaziz Qatar Football Association”. to taking part in such events in the future.” ference at the Doha Golf Club Faisal Al Naimi, Executive rani and Ghanim Al Kuwari Al Neima, Assistant Director of the Proto- H E Zahi Al Smadi, Ambassador of Jor- The Aspire Embassies Futsal Tourna- Fahad Nasser Al Naimi, Gen- Director of QGA. while the Qatar junior team is col Department at the Ministry of Foreign dan to Qatar, expressed his delight with the ment saw teams from 18 embassies including eral Secretary of QGA said made up of Saoud Al Muhan- Affairs awarded Jordan with the runners up organization of such a tournament involv- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the five-day championship is Hosts Qatar have seven nadi, Sami Hussam and Arnev title. Abdullah Al Khater, Events Manager at ing embassies in Qatar, saying: “We would Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, France, Portugal, Sri expected to be a keenly con- golfers taking part in the event Jain. Aspire Zone Foundation, awarded Somalia like to thank Aspire Zone Foundation and Lanka, Somalia, Russia, Spain, Mexico, the tested and golfers from all the and will vie for top honours in The opening ceremony with the third place title. the organizers for their efforts in making United States of America, Algeria, Tunisia, six GCC countries have con- both juniors and seniors. Four will be held tomorrow at Commenting on the tournament, the tournament a success in every respect, India, Ethiopia and Kenya. firmed their participation. home golfers will be compet- 3.30pm while the closing “Golfers from Bahrain, ing in the seniors and three function will take place on Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi golfers from the host nation March 5 at 3.30pm.

PGA’s Bohn resting comfortably in hospital after heart attack

AFP by ambulance to the hospital. PGA event tele- caster NBC reported Saturday that Bohn had a stent inserted to combat an arterial blockage. Bohn, twice a US PGA Tour champion, was MIAMI: Jason Bohn remained resting comfort- in stable condition and will undergo more tests ably in a hospital intensive care unit on Saturday through the weekend at Palm Beach Gardens after suffering a heart attack following the sec- Medical Centre. “Jason is resting comfortably ond round of the PGA Honda Classic. and in good spirits,” a statement from his agent The 42-year-old American was experi- said. “He is scheduled to have more tests this encing chest pains during his second-round 72 weekend. We know he appreciates the concern and asked for medical attention after complet- from so many people in the PGA Tour family The Aspire Banks Futsal champions, UAE Embassy team players pose for a photograph with officials. ing his round. He was taken from the course who have reached out.”