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Commercial Bank India stay alive to raise capital after last-ball up to $8.5bn thriller

THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 • 15 Jumada II 1437 • Volume 21 • Number 6745 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

PM opens MEEA conference Emir congratulates Expats integral Pakistan President on National Day part of society: DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent yester- day a cable of congratulations to Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain on his country’s National Labour Minister Day, reports QNA. Mannai Corporation strengthening its legislations, rules and regulations and initiatives to to buy stake in Citizens and protect foreign workers. expatriates enjoy In his address to the Govern- French IT firm ing Body of the International Labor equal rights, minister Organization (ILO) in Geneva, the DOHA: Mannai Corporation tells ILO Governing Minister reiterated that foreign is likely to get final regulatory Body in Geneva. workers are an important part of approvals by next month to acquire the fabric of Qatari society and have 51 percent in French IT firm — GFI rights and duties similar to all other Informatique — at a whopping Qatari residents. price of over QR1bn. “We are wait- Qatar is a state built on ing for the last French regulatory By Mobin Pandit institutions, the rule of law, approvals and hope it will be done The Peninsula transparency and respect for by the end of April,” Alekh Grewal, international conventions, and Group CEO and Director of Man- that all residents of the country nai Corporation told The Peninsula are equal in the eyes of the law Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani opened the yesterday. DOHA: Expatriates enjoy the same without any discrimination under 15th International Conference of the Middle East Economic Association (MEEA) hosted by Doha Institute → Full report on page 23 rights and have the same duties as its Constitution. for Graduate Studies at The Ritz-Carlton, yesterday. → See also page 21 Qatari citizens because they are an The Minister stressed Qatar’s integral part of the country’s social commitment to working with Brussels bomber left fabric, says the Labour Minister. the ILO and its Governing Body, Qatar is a law-respecting Qatar News Agency reports from will on computer country with well-entrenched insti- Geneva. tutions and open to the world and it Meanwhile, on the sidelines of Warning against flouting green AC rule BRUSSELS: Two brothers carried respects international conventions, the session, the Minister met with out suicide bombings at Brussels said the Minister of Administrative Misako Kaji, Chairman of the Board airport and on the metro on Tues- Development, Labour and Social and Vice-President, and Guy Ryder, By Mohamed Iqbal Import, sale, storage and dis- campaigns to ensure conformity of day, the federal prosecutor said Affairs. Director-General of ILO. The Peninsula play of all ACs that do not meet these products with the approved yesterday, adding that airport H E Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al A high-level delegation from the Qatari and Gulf standards has been standards, in collaboration with bomber Ibrahim El Bakraoui had Nuaimi said expatriates living in ILO led by Ambassador Misako Kaji banned. Only energy-saving ACs will authorities. It will coordinate with left a will on a computer. Qatar are equal in the eyes of the recently visited Qatar and praised DOHA: Following its decision to be allowed in the market from July Kahramaa to draw random sam- His brother Khalid blew him- law and there is no discrimination Qatar’s achievements and the tan- ban import and sale of all conven- 1. This forms the second phase of a ples of AC consignments imported self up on a carriage of the Brussels or differentiation according to the gible steps taken by the country to tional air conditioners from July 1, the campaign to phase out substandard for laboratory testing to verify com- metro at Maelbeek station, Fre- Qatari Permanent Constitution. promote the protection of workers’ Ministry of Municipality and Envi- electrical appliances from the mar- pliance with the standards, based on deric Van Leeuw told a news The Minister reaffirmed Emir rights. ronment has warned of legal action ket. Qatar General Organization for the accompanying certificates. conference. H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al against traders and importers vio- Standardization (QS) said yesterday Thani’s and Qatar’s commitment to → Continued on page 6 lating the rule. it will conduct intensive inspection → Continued on page 6 → See also page 16 02 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 HOME

Emir thanked by Djibouti over Curbs on export of some fish species

release of PoWs the Cabinet at its weekly meeting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs duration of mandatory certification the violator and on the website of the yesterday. H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al that must be on board the ship all the entity that issued the closure order. DJIBOUTI: Djibouti has The Cabinet ratifies Fish of all kinds cannot be Mahmoud said the Cabinet reviewed time. The Cabinet also endorsed its once again expressed a draft decision exported throughout the year via topics on the agenda and took deci- No foreign vessel is allowed to sail draft decision, amending some pro- thanks and appreciation sea, and any surplus from local mar- sions and measures. from any of the ports in Qatar or cross visions of Decision No. 17 of 2011 on to Emir H H Sheikh Tamim of the Ministry of ket needs of the specified types may It approved a draft law on the its territorial water unless it meets the naming the chairman and members bin Hamad Al Thani for Municipality and be exported via land in line with the registration of vessels and their safety safety requirements in accordance of the Tax Appeal Committee, organ- his decisive role in secur- Environment to terms and conditions to be put in conditions. It is prepared to replace with the provisions of international isation of its work and determining ing the release of four place by the Fisheries Department. Law No. 18 of 1980 on the registration conventions. its rewards. Djiboutian prisoners of regulate fish exports. The department, according to the of vessels and safety conditions as The Maritime Department is The committee, established at war detained in Eritrea draft decision, will be responsible for part of updating legislations to cope authorised to monitor and search the Ministry of Finance under the since 2008. In a state- specifying, in coordination with the with the latest developments in the Qatari and foreign vessels that cross presidency of a judge of the Court of ment, the foreign ministry Ministry of Economy and Commerce, field of maritime transport. or dock in Qatari territorial waters Appeals, with representatives from said the step was the fruit The Peninsula the quantity of fish that could be The draft law includes provi- or its ports. concerned entities as members, with of indirect talks in which exported, reports Qatar News Agency. sions related to the registration of The Cabinet approved a proposal decide on taxpayers’ appeals. the brotherly State of Sharks or any parts of them (fins) vessels with a load capacity of over by the Ministry of Municipality and The Cabinet ratified a proposal Qatar played the medi- cannot be exported or re-exported, 200 tonnes, at the Maritime Depart- Environment to amend some pro- by the Ministry of Education and ator’s role. The ministry DOHA: The export of fish will be says the draft decision. ment at the Ministry of Transport visions of Law No. 8 of 1990 on the Higher Education to amend some confirmed Djibouti’s com- regulated with curbs on the export Prime Minister and Interior Min- and Communications and the pro- regulation of human food monitoring. provisions of the two statutes of the mitment to enhancement of some species. ister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser cedures of submitting the registration According to the amendment, a Human Resources Department for of security and stability in A draft decision of the Ministry bin Khalifa Al Thani chaired the request, the required data and docu- decision to shut down a shop that vio- employees of Independent Schools the Horn of Africa. of Municipality and Environment to meeting at the Emiri Diwan. ments for registration, the publicising lates the law will be published in two and the affairs of these schools’ The European Union regulate fish exports was ratified by Deputy Prime Minister and of transfers listed on the ship and the local newspapers at the expense of licence holders. also thanked Qatar for its continued efforts that led to the release of the Dji- boutian prisoners of war. In a statement, an EU QC team visits charity official spokesman said the release of the group which had been held in projects in Bangladesh Eritrea is an important step that will provide the basis for reconcilia- tion between Djibouti and The Peninsula “The delegation visited QC’s Eritrea. projects like orphan houses, schools, training centres and those executed for developments. It also visited an Greetings sent to DOHA: Qatar Charity took a dele- under-construction multi-service gation of activists running its social complex in Dhaka. The four-storey Pakistan President networking site on a trip to Bangla- complex will have a mosque and a DOHA: Deputy Emir desh to provide them with first-hand house for about 400 orphan children. H H Sheikh Abdullah bin information about projects financed The delegation visited a multi- Hamad Al Thani yes- by QC. service centre for girls, established by Qatar Charity team at a multi-service centre for girls. terday sent a cable of The trip aimed to provide ground philanthropists of Qatar through QC. congratulations to Paki- information to the activists so that It includes a house, a water well, a stan President Mamnoon they could post it on social network- mosque, a school and a medical cen- with a group of people and activists “QC’s interest in recent technology projects, activities and campaigns in Hussain on his country’s ing site to promote charity work. tre. “We thank the philanthropists for from Qatari society. It signed cooper- indicates how advanced it is. It does and outside Qatar. National Day. The delegation included Ahmed their donations. The aid and projects ation agreements with them to help not adhere to conventional means of The number of QC’s followers on Prime Minister and Abdullah, Asmaa Al Hammadi, Eman QC provides are the fruit of their serve the community through online communication and media; rather, it Twitter is now over 100,000. QC has Interior Minister H E Al Ka’bi, Abdullah Al Anzi; and QC donations. We hope all Qatari youth promotion of projects to be able to use uses modern media to promote char- uploaded more than 200 videos on Sheikh Abdullah bin officials Ahmed Saleh Al Ali, Direc- contribute and get involved with QC’s their talent in serving humanitarian ity work,” he added. its channel on YouTube. The videos Nasser bin Khalifa Al tor, Information Department; Ibrahim charity programmes so as to support work in a better way. QC’s followers on its social net- include reports, relief campaigns, pro- Thani sent a similar cable Fityan, Director, Support and Media humanitarian work,” said Al Ali. The network aims to keep up with works are increasing rapidly which motions, success stories and others. to President Hussain. Coordinator; and Ahmed Al Burdini, QC has inaugurated a social net- the advancements in information and reflects how interactive the Qatari The channel has reached more than Director, Social Network. work in cooperation and partnership technology. society is with QC’s programmes, 800,000 reviews.

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04 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 HOME

Qatar remains fifth most popular destination in global Muslim travel market

The Peninsula the list of Organisation of Islamic Coopera- Asia and Europe were also revealed as the are further testament to the continuous growth effort to attract the Muslim tourist and they tion (OIC) destinations. two leading regions in the world for attracting and development of this sector in these coun- now represent over 63 percent of the destina- Singapore also retained its pole position Muslim visitors - accounting for 87 percent of tries. We believe that the GMTI provides real tions covered in the GMTI. for the non-OIC destinations, with Thailand, the entire market. value to businesses and governments looking For example, Japan and the Philippines DOHA: Qatar has maintained its position as the UK, South Africa and Hong Kong making “Many already successful destinations to tap into this important market segment fur- have taken some major steps over the last the fifth most popular destination in the global up the top five. around the world are looking to diversify ther,” said Raghav Prasad, General Manager, few months to diversify their visitor arriv- Muslim travel market, says a research focus- The study also revealed that in 2015, there their visitor base to maintain tourist growth Gulf Countries, MasterCard. als and boost their economy in the process,” ing on this fast-growing sector. were an estimated 117 million Muslim visitor rates in today’s increasingly competitive “The MasterCard-CrescentRating Global said Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of CrescentRat- The MasterCard-CrescentRating Global arrivals globally, representing close to 10 per- travel market and the GCC is at the forefront Muslim Travel Index 2016 has now become ing & HalalTrip. Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2016, which cov- cent of the entire travel market. of understanding the needs and preferences the number one tool for destinations around The GMTI 2016 is the most comprehensive ers 130 destinations, saw Qatar remain in the This is forecast to grow to 168 million visi- of Muslim travellers and how to adapt and tai- the world to realign their strategies to reach research available on one of the fastest- top five list. tors by 2020 equal to 11 percent of the market lor products and services for them. out to the Muslim consumer. growing tourism sectors in the world, which Malaysia held on to its pole position, fol- segment with a market value projected to “The Muslim travel market is flourishing in One of the biggest trends we are seeing represents 10 percent of the entire travel econ- lowed by the UAE, Turkey and Indonesia on exceed $200bn, says a release. each of the GCC states and these high rankings is non-OIC destinations making a concerted omy, said the release. ARC’16 announces grants for many projects

Towards Personalised Medi- towards knowledge based economy. cine (PPM) to Hamad Medical “We will look at industry involve- A special category Corporation (HMC), Sidra Medical ment in research, it is a big challenge on personalised and Research Centre and Weill Cor- but we believe we will be able to do medicine, which nell Medicine-Qatar. it,” he added. Osra, a new annual The PPM aims to support and research grant focused on the Arab would lead to tailored advance research to provide tailored family and family policy-related healthcare for healthcare for patients based on their issues awarded five projects to Doha genetic profile to guide decisions International Family Institute, Sidra patients, included this made with regard to the prevention, Medical and Research Centre and year. diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. ARC’16 featured newly incorpo- The NPRP’s ninth cycle awarded rated events of QNRF, which is in its more than 85 grants for proposals 10th year. It included the announce- submitted by 18 institutions, in which By Fazeena Saleem ment of QNRF outcomes, and the Qatar University was awarded 37; The Peninsula National Priorities Research Pro- Texas A & M 16 and Hamad Bin Kha- gramme (NPRP)’s ninth Cycle and lifa University 15 projects. Participants at a panel session on ‘Biomedical and Health Research in Qatar: Transforming Challenges into Osra research grants. ARC’16 also recognised the Best “We have to focus on the specific Student Poster Presentations, Reg- Competitive Advantages and Economic Opportunities’. DOHA: The Annual Research Confer- requirements of Qatar and what is ular Poster Presentations and Best ence (ARC’16) yesterday announced related to the needs,” said Dr Abdul Research Presentation in the fields grants for many projects, including Sattar Al Taie, Executive Director, of Energy and Environment; Com- Experience Programme Competi- Graduates Recognition were also and hosted around 2,000 local and a special category on personalised QNRF. On 10 years of achievements puting and Information Technology; tion Awards, the Best Representative announced. The awards were pre- international researchers at Qatar medicine, which would lead to tai- and plans, he said: “We will fund Health and Social Sciences; and Arts Image of an Outcome Competition sented by Dr Al Taie and Dr Nabil Al National Convention Centre. lored healthcare for patients. research of comparative advantage to and Humanities. Awards, Qatar Science, Technology, Salem, Executive Director, QNRF. The conference presented 1,300 Five such grants were awarded Qatar, we will encourage innovative The Best Research Office of the Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) The two-day ARC’16 was held research abstracts, more than 350 under Qatar National Research research and link research and inno- Year Award for 2015, winners of Fair Awards and the Qatar Research under the theme ‘Investing in posters, 100 research technical pres- Fund’s (QNRF) inaugural Path vation, which is essential to moving the eight Undergraduate Research Leadership Programme (QRLP) Research and Innovating for Society’ entations and 139 presenters. Temporary Truck Route to be closed down from Saturday

The Peninsula The closure starts on Saturday and last until September 26. Both directions of the two existing lanes will be closed in two phases. Traffic will be diverted to an DOHA: The Public Works Authority (Ash- alternative road with the same number of ghal) will implement a temporary closure lanes. The diversion will be on the left side on both directions of the Temporary of the TTR adjacent to the closed road. Truck Route (TTR), stretching 5km north The first stage of the closure includes of Salwa Road to Lusail, in coordination a full closure and diversion of traffic to with the Traffic Department. the southbound lane towards Salwa Road. Access to the Doha West Sewage The second stage takes place 24 Treatment Plant will also be closed, as hours later and includes the closure of shown in the map. the northbound lane towards Lusail while

traffic will be diverted to of road users and the the new lane, as shown in project’s workforce. the map. The diversion is A new roundabout required to allow for con- will be built on the tem- struction of the bridge and porary road to provide part of the new road, as safe passage from both part of New Orbital High- directions to the entrance way and Truck Route of the plant. Project, Contract two. The speed limit will Ashghal will install be reduced to 80kph for signs to advise motorists light vehicles and 50kph of the diversion and has for trucks and heavy urged road users to abide vehicles along the diver- by speed limits and follow sion route to ensure safety signs for safety. 2004-2008 Honda models recalled

The Peninsula dealers follow up on vehi- cle defects and repairs. The ministry said it will coordinate with DOHA: The Ministry of the dealer to follow up Economy and Commerce, on maintenance and in collaboration with repairs and communicate Doha Marketing Serv- with customers to ensure ices Company (Domasco), repairs are carried out. dealer of Honda vehicles It urged customers to in Qatar, has announced report any violations to its the recall of Honda CR-V, Consumer Protection and Civic and Jazz models of Anti-Commercial Fraud 2004-2008 as well as Department through Honda City and Stream call centre: 16001; email: models of 2004-2005 due [email protected]; Twitter: to a flaw in the passen- @MEC_Qatar; Instagram: ger air bag. The ministry MEC_Qatar; and the said the recall as part ministry’s mobile app of its efforts to protect for Android and IOS: consumers and ensure MEC_Qatar. HOME THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 05

QA and Ooredoo offer 2 free Over 6,000 fans tickets to Greater China in Sheikha Mayassa inaugurates to back Qatar in football match food festival contest Chinese Art of Silk exhibition DOHA: Over 6,000 Indian fans, including families and other sup- The Peninsula porters, are expected to turn up at Al Sadd Stadium today to sup- port Qatar in its qualifying football ‘Silks from the Silk Road – match against Hong Kong. DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA), the official co-host of the Al Sadd Stadium Gate 8 will be 2016 Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) in partner- Chinese Art of Silk’ expo open for bachelors and Gates 2 and ship with Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Ooredoo, is is part of Qatar China 3 for families. People have been offering festival visitors chance to win two free tickets to advised to arrive before 5.30pm any destination in Greater China served by the national 2016 Year of Culture. and get tickets. Over 50 volunteers carrier’s global network, by sharing their QIFF stories. will assist the spectators. A deci- The partnership will see QA and Ooredoo launch a sion to motivate the community week-long social media competition, encouraging visi- to watch the match was taken at tors to submit videos or photographs that express their By Raynald C Rivera a meeting of community leaders experiences or memories from the festival. The Peninsula attended by Hassan Chowgule, M The most compelling and distinctive entry capturing S Bukhari, Dr Mohan Thomas, K M the true essence of the festival will win two return Busi- Varghese, Arvind Patil, Muhamad ness tickets to Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Qutb, Mohd Habibun Nabi, Safeer Hangzhou, Hong Kong or Shanghai in celebration of DOHA: Ancient and modern Chinese silk Rahman, Azim Abbas, Abdul Rah- Qatar-China 2016 Year of Culture, for which QA is an treasures are on display at ‘Silks from the man E P and T K A Basheer. official sponsor. Silk Road – Chinese Art of Silk’ exhibition To participate in the competition, festival-goers need which opened at Qatar Museums (QM) Gal- to upload their images or videos using the hashtag #QIFF lery at Katara yesterday. Al Khor Cinemas 2016 when submitting through Instagram or Twitter. Peo- H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad ple can share stories taken across all venues and activities bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar to open today of the festival. Museums, inaugurated the exhibition as Salam Al Shawa, Senior Vice-President, Marketing part of Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture. DOHA: Cinemas inside Al Khor and Corporate Communications, QA, said: “We embrace The exhibition reflects the rich artistry Mall will open to public from today opportunities to engage with people in a fun and exciting of Chinese silk in terms of art, techniques with the worldwide release of Bat- H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar manner. We are excited that residents and tourists from and fashion design over thousands of years. man vs Superman (3D and normal). around the world attending the event will get to experi- In collaboration with Qatar Museums, Museums, with Chinese Ambassador Li Chen; Curator Xue Yan; and a guest at The first show is scheduled for ence Qatar’s creativity and multi-cultural nature. the China National Silk Museum has brought the opening of the event. 11am. The release will be at the “We are excited to launch the online competition 100 silk ancient and modern pieces made of same time as in the US and other with Ooredoo and look forward to receiving stories that silk which demonstrate the artistry of the While it maps out the history of silk and minds,” said Mohammed Al Othman, Pub- parts of the world. The cinemas highlight the diversity of cultures and cuisines available Chinese silk-making culture and industry. its cultural significance over thousands of lic and International Relations Director at will have three screens and the at QIFF and captures the essence of the festival, which The exhibition focuses on the material years, the exhibition also allows visitors to Qatar Museums. first show will be from 11am. The brings people together.” properties and uses of silk, the products experience the charm of contemporary Chi- Several public programmes were held in soft opening will be followed by Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari, Director, Community and created throughout history and the tech- nese silk. the run-up to the exhibition including a talk a grand opening at a future date. Public Relations, Ooredoo, said: “We are pleased to be part niques in silk production and design. It also “This vibrant exhibition is designed to by curator Xue Yan, from the China National The biggest screen Cinema 3 can of QIFF 2016, which has in a very short time become one shines the spotlight on Zhang Qian, a Chi- enhance the mutual understanding between Silk Museum in Zhejiang, that explored Chi- seat 277 and Cinema 1 and Cinema of the most anticipated events on Qatar’s cultural calen- nese official and diplomat who played a key the people of Qatar and China, and we are nese silk on the Silk Road from the 10th to 2 can accommodate 146 and 82, dar. We are always looking for ways to innovate and offer role in opening China to commercial trade confident that this exhibition will reso- the 14th century throughout the period of respectively. The other movie to be an enhanced consumer experience that brings the entire in the 2nd century BCE, by setting up the nate strongly with local audiences, given the Liao, Song, Jin and Yuan dynasties, dur- screened today is Rocky Handsome, community together, and thanks to our Supernet, our cus- Silk Road. the significance of silk throughout the his- ing which time Chinese fashions changed a Bollywood action thriller starring tomers and QIFF visitors will be able to share experiences, The exhibition provides insight into the tory and culture of Qatar. As the second dramatically. A number of interactive tie- John Abraham. Timing: Batman vs excitement and food offerings to the world.” Silk Road, which was a bridge for economic major exhibition of the Qatar China 2016 dying workshops were also held for adults Superman (3D): 11am, 2pm, 5pm, Running until March 28, the festival is open to the and cultural exchange between East and Year of Culture, this will support the cul- and families. 8pm, 11pm; Batman vs Superman public from 1pm to 10.30pm and includes an expanded West over 2,000 years ago. Mulberry silk tural exchange and dialogue between the The expo is open to the public until (3D) (Normal): noon, 3pm, 6pm, range of activities and new attractions, including satel- weaving technology spread from China to two countries through different forms of May 9, Mondays to Thursdays and Satur- 9pm and midnight; Rocky Hand- lite venues at the Pearl-Qatar, Katara and Museum of the rest of the world through this trading art, which will challenge stereotypes, break days from 10am to 8pm and on Fridays from some: 12:30pm, 3:15pm, 6pm, Islamic Art Park. route. down barriers between cultures, and open 3pm to 9pm. 8:45pm, 11:30pm. Back to basics with Yalla Natural at QIFF

The Peninsula

DOHA: The Yalla Natural road- show is again taking part in Qatar International Food Festival, show- ing thousands of visitors that healthy food can still taste great. The roadshow is part of ‘Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First’ cam- paign run by Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q) in participation with the Ministry for Public Health. Yalla Natural aims to encourage families and children to get back to basics, using fresh, organic food, doing regular exercise and maybe growing their fruit and vegetables. To help encourage them, the Children taking part in an activity. Yalla Natural truck is fitted with lots of activities for the family, including a planting desk where families can family’s health. The festival is a great inspiring seasonal ingredients from plant their vegetable seeds to take opportunity to reach out to people the farm to the table using the fresh- home, cookery demonstrations, a and advise them about healthy life- est, ripest ingredients nature has to healthy recipe wall, from which styles, as good health is one of the offer, without added chemicals and people can choose recipes to cook core tenets of Qatar National Vision preservatives. Eric said: “As always, at home, and the blender bikes, where 2030. it is a privilege to work with Sahtak visitors are able to make delicious, One of the star attractions of the Awalan and be able to show peo- healthy smoothies while exercising. roadshow is Chef Eric Cousin, Cor- ple that you can make great tasting Nesreen Al Rifai, Chief Commu- porate Executive Chef, Amlak, who food in minutes — and that it can be nications Officer, WCM-Q, said Yalla is demonstrating how to cook quick, extremely healthy. There is too great Natural (and the wider Sahtak Awa- healthy and tasty meals, before offer- a reliance on convenient, pre-pack- lan campaign) aims to improve the ing visitors a sample of the finished aged food but I have been able to health of the whole community. dish. He also oversees Chef’s Garden, show people that food can be nutri- “Through Yalla Natural, we strive the first farm-to-table restaurant in tious and tastes better than anything to engage with everyone in the com- Qatar. Chef’s Garden, managed by you can take out of a packet yet does munity and give them the knowledge AMLAK in Education City, partners not always involve a long prepara- they need to protect their and their with local farms to bring the most tion process.”

Gulf Air backs Egyptian Women’s Association

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, sponsored an event held by the Egyptian Women’s Association of Qatar on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Wael Mattar, the airline’s Country Manager in Doha, welcomed participants and praised the opportunity for dialogue about the important role of women in the community. 06 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 HOME

NHRC receives ‘A’ certification About 70% of General Cleanliness eight million

Continued from page 1 walks of life, hailing the substantial coop- air-conditioners eration of relevant institutions and their Buildings ready: Ashghal In a separate report, QNA said that the understanding of the nature of NHRC and window units National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) its jurisdiction in spreading the culture of has received ‘A’ Certification from the human rights. Continued from page 1 International Coordinating Committee of The NHRC has become one of the National Human Rights Institutions (ICC). regional and international pillars of the This is the second time it has received protection and enhancement of human The new complex “All necessary legal actions Status ‘A’ at the level of national human tights thanks to the successful and ideal in Doha Industrial shall be taken against equipment rights institutions in the world. expertise and experiences in its history. and materials not conforming to Since its inception, NHRC has steadily The ICC is holding its 29th annual gen- Area is one the referred standards,” said a QS moved towards transparency and inde- eral meeting in Geneva in cooperation of Ashghal’s statement. pendency as one of the main conditions with the Office of the United Nations High most significant Practical studies on air con- of receiving the status, NHRC Chairman, Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). ditioners proved that their energy Dr Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, said in a press Al Marri said such meetings provide integrated services consumption accounts for about statement. the ICC and national institutions from projects. 70 percent of the total electricity He said the status is not easily obtain- the different region with an annual plat- produced in the buildings sector, able if it hasn’t been for the desire and form for promoting and protecting human and therefore reduction of air- genuine will from the state’s leadership rights by meeting with their partners from The General Cleanliness Complex. conditioning energy consumption and institutions for the promotion of any- the United Nations and civil society, said The Peninsula depends on five main factors: thing that preserves human dignity in all QNA. workers, sports facilities and addition to a playground, football improving thermal insulation in green areas with 707 parking pitch, basketball and handball houses, improving the sealed clo- spaces for trucks and buses. courts, prayer room, green areas sure of the residence against air DOHA: The Public Works Area (A) includes five build- and parking space for 99 vehicles. leakage, choosing good quality Authority (Ashghal) has ings for workers accommodation Area (C) includes an admin- energy-saving appliances, con- Pakistan National Day marked announced completion of the that consist of basement, ground istrative building consisting of a ducting periodic maintenance of General Cleanliness Buildings plus two floors and 66 rooms ground plus first floor, water tank ACs, and finally the wise adjust- Complex in Doha Industrial each, with a total of 330 rooms building, underground pumping ment of indoor temperature. Area, which is one of Ashghal’s in all five buildings. The project rooms, in addition to parking It is estimated that the most significant integrated serv- comprises of a commercial and spaces for 393 heavy trucks, 79 number of air conditioners cur- ices projects. a service building that includes a medium-sized trucks, four equip- rently installed in the State The project is soon to be ground floor with four shops and ment transportation trucks, 73 amounts to eight million units, handed over to the Ministry of other facilities including a clinic. vehicles, 12 trucks with tanks about 70 percent of which are of Municipality and Environment Area (A) also includes three to transport liquids, and 38 light the window type, according to – General Cleanness Depart- courts, a mosque, a covered stor- goods vehicles. There is also a the 2014 Statistical Book. ment and Administrative Services age area, and parking spaces for store for spare parts and tyres, a The campaign will start on Department. nine trucks. maintenance building and green July 1 and the regulatory author- The project consists of four Area (B) includes two family areas. ities will monitor ports and areas: Area (A): workers accom- accommodation buildings for Area (D) includes a gas sta- markets to ensure the applica- modation; Area (B): employees’ employees. Each building con- tion with a capacity for12 vehicles tion of energy efficiency criteria families accommodation , Area sists of a ground plus two floors and trucks. There are four build- set in the Standard. (C ): Administrative and services with a total of 24 apartments in ings for vehicle maintenance The aim of the rationalization buildings, and trucks parking and both buildings, 12 of which are and washing with a capacity for program on all electrical appli- Area (D): maintenance services, two-bedroom and the other 12 servicing 15 trucks and vehicles ances is to save an average of 20 vehicle wash and fuel station. are three-bedroom apartments. simultaneously. The area also percent of energy. The buildings cover 58,586 Area (B) also includes an includes vehicle wash facility Then it will be easy to apply m2 of the total project area which accommodation building for with a capacity for six trucks to the energy efficiency stand- spreads across 158,470 m2. The employees,that consists of a be serviced simultaneously, and ard to new buildings so that project also includes entertain- ground plus two floors compris- a building for recycling water and all buildings would become ment and commercial areas for ing of 45 studio apartments in green areas. energy-saving. Austrian group performs at Cultural Diversity Festival

The Peninsula

DOHA: Austrian group Wachauer- Folkstanzgruppe put on a dazzling performance at the Cultural Diver- sity Festival at Katara Esplanade. The festival, which runs until May, is organised by the Unesco Doha office and Cultural Village Foundation-Katara. Visitors from all walks of life were dazzled by the traditional folk performances and experi- enced live music played using Pakistan Ambassador Shahzad Ahmad hoists the national flag at the embassy traditional Austrian musical to mark Pakistan National Day yesterday. Pic: Abdul / The Peninsula instruments like accordions, flutes, guitar and horn. Sieglinde Fedele, Australian Chargé d’Affaires, said: “We are pleased to have Austria present- Austrian group WachauerFolkstanzgruppe performs at Katara Esplanade. ing at a great initiative between Unesco and Katara. It is an oppor- tunity to bring the world to Qatar.” Australia, Mexico, Italy, Hungary, List since 2001. Their hometown Austria’s capital city Vienna. WachauerFolkstanzgruppe Switzerland, the US, Canada and Kerms-Stein is more than 1,000 The festival continues to amuse have been performing and join- Macedonia. years old. The old lanes, homes, Katara visitors until May with the ing parades at international folk WachauerFolkstanzgruppe churches, abbeys, the river Danube participation of over 20 countries dance festivals in Germany, Bel- came from the beautiful Austrian and vineyard terraces make the from all over the world which will gium, Slovakia, Estonia, Czech region ‘Wachau’ which has been region very picturesque. Kerms- showcase their traditions and public, the Netherlands, China, on the Unesco World Heritage Stein is about 880km west of heritage. Quality Retail Group begins Filipino food carnival

The Peninsula

DOHA: Quality Retail Group, part of Quality Group International, has launched ‘PistangPinoy’, a car- nival of Filipino food and food products. Philippine Ambassador Wifredo Santos and Shamsudheen Olakara, Chairman, Quality Group International, inaugurated the festival at Quality Mall, in Al Hilal. Top Filipino community leaders, journalists working in Qatar and members of the commu- nity attended the opening of the event, which runs until April 2. Quality Group launched the festival to support the ambassador’s flagship project ‘Kulinarya’. “The 10-day festival highlighting the best choice of Filipino food to be available on our store’s shelf is our company’s commitment and initiative to sup- port Kulinarya,” Olakara said. “Quality Group is one of the largest companies in Qatar that provide jobs and support to hundreds of our citizens. “Today, they have organised a festival of food irrespective of geographical features and culture,” Santos told the media. As part of the culinary celebration, exclusive Philippine Ambassador Wifredo Santos and Shamsudheen Olakara, Chairman, Quality and attractive promotions are being held in all Quality retail outlets in Qatar. Group International, inaugurate ‘PistangPinoy’ at Quality Mall in Al Hilal. HOME / MIDDLE EAST THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 07

Al Kawari highlights role Greek National Day marked of Unesco in lecture at QU

Dr Al Kawari highlighted his dip- Dr Al Kawari also lomatic background and noted that he is from a country -- Qatar -- that outlines details of plays a significant role in promoting his candidature for dialogue among different cultures and religions. This placed Qatar as the post of Director- a cultural platform to advance dia- General of Unesco, logue among civilizations, he said, noting that education is at the core and his leadership of the vision of his leadership plans, plans. particularly for women and youth. “Women have the right to quality education and to participate fully in the development of their societies,” The Peninsula he said. QU colleges were also present. Dr Al Kawari underlined the piv- Dr Al Kawari gave an overview of otal role of “cultural diplomacy” in Minister of Development Planning and Statistics H E Dr Saleh bin Mohamed Salem Al Nabit (second the international organization’s role, paving the way for dialogue among DOHA: H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz and outlined details of his candida- communities towards the realization left), Greek Ambassador Ioannis Metaxas (third left), and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs H E Al Kawari (pictured), Cultural ture for the post of Director-General of human development and peace. Sultan Al Muraikhi (third right), cut a cake to mark Greek National Day in the presence of other officials Adviser to the Emiri Diwan and of Unesco, and his leadership plans. He also pointed to the importance of at InterContinental Doha yesterday. Pic: Kammutty / The Peninsula Qatar’s candidate for the post of He noted that as the national uni- developing legislation to protect of Director-General of Unesco, yester- versity of Qatar, QU is well-placed heritage and cultural diversity. day gave a lecture on ‘Towards the to host the lecture that he said was “The achievement of this vision is start of Unesco – yesterday, today among a number of lectures he will founded on the investment in human and tomorrow’ at Qatar University deliver around the world. and capital resources, as well as on Professionals in Mena eat more fruits (QU). “Unesco places education and merging our efforts and combining The audience comprised QU culture at the core of its mission”, said our experience and expertise,” he president Dr Hassan Rashid Al Der- Dr Al Kawari, adding, “The General said, adding, “We also need to fos- and vegetables than fast food ham, QU VP and CAO Dr Mazen Assembly of the United Nations con- ter collaboration with international Hasna, QU VP for Student Affairs Dr siders education as a key component media agencies, and to equip Unesco Khalid Al Khanji, QU officials, faculty, to achieve economic development in with new resources to ensure the The Peninsula claimed otherwise 30.1 percent of respondents get seven and staff. Over 100 students across various countries.” implementation of its projects.” Asked about diet, 42 percent of to eight hours of sleep on an aver- respondents said they eat vegetables age workday, followed by six to seven and fruits on a daily basis, 23.1 per- hours (29.7 percent) and less than 6 DOHA: Professionals in the Mid- cen said they eat them ‘several times hours (26.9 percent). 10.2 percent of dle East and North Africa (Mena) a week’, and 11.5 percen said they eat them said they get more than eight Day temperatures over 45 degrees on 15 days in 2015 region, including Qatar, eat more them ‘less often’. hours of sleep a day. fruits and vegetables than fast food Among the professionals who The majority of Mena profession- and majority of them claim that they agree to eating fast food, 16.7 per- als take time to exercise throughout The Peninsula meteorology department). perpendicular over a large part of are non-smokers, reveals a regional cen eat out ‘every day’, 14.1 percent the week, with 29.1 percent of them As for rainfall, Doha International the airport area which receives a survey conducted by leading career ‘several times a week’ and 23.8 per- engaging in more than 30 minutes of Airport area witnessed the maximum great deal of sunlight. The key fac- website bayt.com. cen ‘a few times a month’. exercise three or four times a week. — 114.5mm — in the year, while Mes- tors behind these high temperatures When asked about the overall The biggest challenge that pro- 18.5 percent of respondents said they DOHA: There were a total of 15 days saieed ranked second with 95.4mm. consist in the continental location, healthiness of their diet, six out of fessionals face when making healthy exercise once or twice in a week. last year when day temperatures The maximum rainfall was witnessed sky clarity and absence of vegetation. 10 respondents agree that their diet lifestyle choices is their busy sched- Only 3 in 10 respondents (30.2 peaked at over 45 degrees Celsius in in the airport area in December fol- March 23 is observed as the is healthy, with 17.5 percent claiming ule (30 percen). Other reasons cited percent) said that their companies the country. lowed by November. World Meteorological Day by the it is ‘very healthy’ and 43.1 percent, include lack of management (15.8 provide fitness facilities or benefits to And a majority eight of those 15 Al Ruwais was the most humid World Meteorological Organiza- ‘somewhat healthy’. Conversely, 26.8 percent), lack of motivation (15.3 encourage a healthy lifestyle, while days fell in July alone, official statis- place in the year with the average tion, its members and the worldwide percent of respondents believe their percent) and lack of exercise facil- 60 percent claimed the opposite. One tics on weather conditions in 2015 humidity being 67.9 percent, followed meteorological community. diet is ‘not too healthy’, shows the lat- ities in or near their workplace (10.6 out of every 10 respondents said they show. As for average temperatures by Dukhan (59.2 percent). The theme for 2016 is “Hot- est ‘Health and Lifestyle in the Middle percent). were not sure about the health bene- in 2015, the highest was in Al Kara- The brightest place in terms of ter, Drier, Wetter. Face the Future”, East and North Africa’ poll. Asked about smoking, the major- fits offered at their company. ana (36.7 degrees C), while the lowest exposure to sunlight was Al Kara- according to the Ministry release. The study also revealed that 96 ity of respondents (73.2%) said they Data for the poll was collected was in Al Ruwais in the north (30.3 ana, which had 306.1 sunshine hours In the Doha International Airport percent of the respondents believe were non-smokers. Among the 26.8 online from December 18 last year degrees C). The figures were released in the year. Dukhan had the lowest area, the highest maximum tempera- it is the employer’s responsibility to percent of the respondents who and January 12 this year. Results are yesterday by the Ministry of Devel- exposure as the sunshine hours in the ture was recorded in 2014 (47 degrees support and promote employees’ smoke, 16.9 percent smoke less at based on a sample of 8,205 respond- opment Planning and Statistics on year were only 238.5. C) while the highest minimum was in health and wellness. Subsequently, work. ents. Professionals from Qatar, the the occasion of World Meteorologi- There were an average of eight 2013 (33.9 degrees C). Last year, the 87.1 percent of respondents claimed Over half (53.5 percent) of the UAE, Bahrain, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, cal Day. The Ministry said it is issuing hours of sunshine in winter last year highest maximum temperature in the they will more likely exercise if their respondents believe that their work Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, the figures in collaboration with the while 10 hours in summer at Doha area was 42.3 degrees C while the company offers a gym subscription. schedule allows for adequate sleep, Oman, Tunisia, Qatar and Saudi Ara- Civil Aviation General Authority (its International Airport. The sun is highest minimum was 32.7 degrees C. Only 2.3 percent of respondents while 31.2 percent disagree. In reality, bia took part in the survey.

Batman in Lebanon! Seven dead Damascus sees in Libya impasse broken clashes AFP in peace talks TRIPOLI: At least seven people were killed in clashes yesterday west of Tripoli between tribesmen and forces loyal to Libya’s unrec- Reuters Mistura was finalising a document ognised government, an army for delegates at peace talks that will officer said. synthesise common points of con- The violence in the village of vergence, but is likely to stay clear Touebiya, 30km from the capital, GENEVA: The head of Syria’s del- of the divisive issue of political stemmed from a failed burglary. egation in Geneva said EU foreign transition. Tribesmen attacked the vil- policy chief Federica Mogherini had With a fragile truce in place in lage and burnt down homes, said urged his government to engage pos- Syria, warring sides are more than Colonel Abderrazaq Al Kharmani, itively in peace talks yesterday, and a week into talks on ending the con- an officer with forces that support he believed the round of talks had flict, but government officials have the unrecognised government in broken the diplomatic impasse. rejected any discussion on a politi- Tripoli. Mogherini arrived unexpect- cal transition or the fate of President “We seized one of their vehi- edly in Geneva yesterday, possibly Bashar Al Assad, who opposition cles, destroyed another and killed highlighting concerns that talks on leaders say must go as part of any seven of their fighters,” he said. Syria risk getting deadlocked unless such plan. Kharmani said the confron- headway on the matter of political Speaking before the negotia- tation broke out a day after a transition is made soon. tions adjourn today, Ja’afari said member of the tribal forces had Lebanese models dressed as Batman and Superman (right) play on the rooftop of a building during “She passed on a letter of sup- he had received a document from been beaten to death with a stick port for the Syrian-Syrian dialogue,” envoy Staffan de Mistura. “We will a photo shoot in the capital Beirut, yesterday. by a woman in Touebiya as he tried Bashar Ja’afari told reporters. “She respond to it at the beginning of the to rob her home. came to support us to engage posi- next round,” he said, declining to tively in the talks that would lead to take any questions. an end to the Syrian crisis,” he said The five-year-old conflict after the rare meeting with a senior between the government and insur- Western official. Mogherini earlier gents has killed more than 250,000 US strike kills 40 Al Qaeda militants at Yemen camp held talks with the chief coordinator people, allowed Islamic State to take for the opposition High Negotiations control of some eastern areas and Committee (HNC), Riad Hijab. caused the world’s worst refugee cri- Ja’afari told her he wanted sis. The UN envoy said on Tuesday AFP The extremists have exploited provincial official told AFP. regarded by Washington as the net- the European Union to reopen its that he aimed to establish if there a security vacuum in the Arabian A tribal source, who confirmed work’s most dangerous branch, and embassies and lift sanctions on were any points held in common by Peninsula nation since Iran-backed the toll, said the casualties were has carried out deadly attacks on the Damascus, but said that while his the different parties. If successful, he Houthi Shia rebels seized the capi- new Al Qaeda recruits training at West in the past. It has taken advan- team would return for a second would announce these today. ADEN: A US air strike on an tal in September 2014, forcing the the camp, adding that “other fight- tage of the war between the Houthis round of talks in Geneva, he had told Randa Kassis, who heads up a Al Qaeda training camp in Yemen has internationally recognised gov- ers survived the strike.” Dozens of Al and pro-government forces backed UN mediator Staffan de Mistura they Moscow-backed opposition group, killed at least 40 fighters, in a major ernment to flee. Tuesday’s strike in Qaeda militants were seen rushing to by a Saudi-led Arab coalition to could not come back before Syrian said de Mistura would distribute a blow to the jihadists who have been Hajr in the vast southeastern prov- hospital to donate blood, according expand in the south, seizing parts of elections on April 13. document of common points gath- expanding their territory in the war- ince of Hadramawt killed at least 40 to residents. Yemen-based Al Qaeda Hadramawt including its provincial Activists and diplomats said de ered from the various delegates. torn country. militants and wounded 25 more, a in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is capital Mukalla in April last year. 08 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 MIDDLE EAST

Damascus in Egypt UN envoy stopped Sisi names 10 from flying new ministers to Libyan capital AFP

TRIPOLI: UN envoy Martin Kobler in reshuffle said he was prevented from travel- ling yesterday to the Libyan capital for his work on the installation of a new unity government. pound last week. He replaces Hany Tripoli is under the control of Defence, interior and Dimian, who oversaw the finance an unrecognised administration ministry during a period of modest backed by a coalition of militias foreign ministers not economic recovery after years of including Islamists that opposes changed. anaemic growth following the 2011 the new government from start- uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni ing work inside the country. Mubarak and led to prolonged politi- “UN #Libya envoy supposed cal upheaval, along with an increase to arrive today to discuss moving in Islamist militant attacks. UN-backed unity government to Reuters The key defence, interior, and #Tripoli,” the envoy wrote on Twit- foreign ministers all kept their jobs. ter. “Again had to cancel flight to Egypt’s economy grew around Tripoli... UN must have the right 4.2 percent in 2014-15 and the gov- to fly (to) Tripoli,” he said, without CAIRO: President Abdel Fattah Al ernment has said it expects growth specifying what had blocked the Sisi named 10 new ministers, includ- to remain at a similar level in the mission. Libya has had two rival ing the finance and investment current fiscal year. Citizens of Syria work at a Syrian restaurant in an area called 6 October City in Giza, Egypt. Attracting administrations since mid-2014 portfolios, in a cabinet reshuffle Khorshid takes on the post of visitors from across the country, a market mostly run by Syrians fleeing the war has recently gained when the recognised government yesterday meant to help revive an investment minister after serving popularity in Giza. The area is known as ‘Little Damascus’. was forced from Tripoli to the far economy laid low by years of polit- as vice president of Citibank for east after the Fajr Libya militia ical turmoil and militant violence. eight years, holding several posts at coalition overran the capital. Banking veteran Amr El-Garhy Orascom Construction Industries, was appointed finance minister and and most recently serving as chief Dalia Khorshid investment minis- executive of Orascom Holdings. ter, a presidency statement said. Sisi Mohamed Hossam Abdelrehim, also named four new deputy min- who served as Egypt’s top judge in Egypt govt clobbering activists: Rights groups isters — a deputy planning minister 2014-15, was appointed justice min- and three deputy finance ministers ister, filling a role which had been for treasury affairs, tax policy and vacant for 10 days since Ahmed fiscal policy. Al Zend was sacked after making AFP accused Egypt’s security services of to freeze their assets. groups operating without legal regis- Garhy joins the finance ministry comments seen as blasphemous to carrying out illegal detentions, forced “The authorities should halt their tration or accepting foreign funding after serving in leadership posi- Islam. disappearances of activists and tor- persecution of these groups and drop could be jailed for life. Life imprison- tions at various finance institutions Other appointments were minis- CAIRO: Thirteen global rights groups, ture of detainees. the investigation,” the statement said. ment in Egypt amounts to 25 years. including Qalaa Holdings, El-Ahli ters for antiquities, the public sector, including Human Rights Watch and “Egypt’s civil society is being Five months after the fall of long- “The Egyptian authorities have Bank of Qatar and EFG Hermes, one labour, irrigation, civil aviation, Amnesty International, urged Egypt treated like an enemy of the state, time leader Hosni Mubarak in 2011, moved beyond scaremongering and of the Middle East’s largest invest- transport, and tourism. yesterday to drop a renewed inves- rather than a partner for reform and Egyptian authorities began an inves- are now rapidly taking concrete steps ment banks. The tourism industry was hard tigation of rights activists that has progress,” Said Boumedouha, deputy tigation into the funding of local and to shut down the last critical voices Garhy and Khorshid will face hit after a Russian airliner was blown strained ties with Washington. director of Amnesty International’s foreign groups that led to the closure in the country’s human rights com- the daunting task of strengthening out of the sky over the Sinai Penin- Since the 2013 ouster of Islam- Middle East and North Africa pro- of five international groups, the state- munity,” said Nadim Houry, deputy an economy battered by an acute sula in October, killing all 224 people ist president Mohamed Mursi, the gramme, said in a joint statement ment said. Middle East director at Human Rights foreign currency crisis that has on board. Islamic State militants said authorities have led a crackdown on issued by 13 global rights groups. The United States and other Euro- Watch. hampered Egypt’s ability to import they planted a bomb on board the all forms of dissent — not just Mursi’s It said that in recent weeks the pean countries condemned the move US Secretary of State John Kerry goods and dimmed prospects for aircraft. The civil aviation ministry supporters but also liberal and rights Egyptian authorities have questioned and evacuated several citizens who said last week that there was a “dete- attracting direct foreign invest- also came under criticism for air- activists. several human rights workers, barred were threatened with arrest. rioration in the human rights situation ment. The central bank devalued the port security lapses. Rights groups have regularly them from travel and also attempted Under Egyptian law, human rights in Egypt in recent weeks and months”. Yemen rivals Turkish court to hear indictment against top businessmen agree to cease Reuters years in prison on charges of setting dominated the economy until the AK in the customs taxes and value-added was 1.62 percent lower. fighting up a criminal gang, smuggling and Party, which now-President Recep taxes paid for Petrol Ofisi’s imports,” Erdogan has repeatedly accused fraud, Anadolu said yesterday, citing Tayyip Erdogan founded, swept to it said. Dogan Holding of bias against the on April 10 ISTANBUL: An Istanbul court has the indictment. power in 2002. Erdogan has fre- The case will serve as “a bell- government, which the media organ- agreed to hear a case being brought The case covers the 2001-2008 quently clashed with Dogan. wether of Erdogan’s approach to big isation denies. by the state prosecutor against the period when Dogan Holding and “We are strongly confident the domestic and foreign business,” Tim In the past month, government Reuters chairman of Turkey’s biggest listed Isbank owned stakes in Petrol Ofisi, judicial process will prove there is no Ash, strategist at Nomura Interna- authorities seized Zaman newspa- bank and the founder of its largest Turkey’s biggest chain of gas stations, legal ground for allegations regarding tional, wrote. The first hearing is July per for links with a US-based Islamic media group on charges they ran a now operated by Austria’s OMV. The the bank’s chairman and manag- 13. Dogan Holding was slapped with a cleric wanted by courts for plotting UNITED NATIONS: The warring fuel-smuggling ring a decade ago, the retailer is accused of avoiding cus- ers,” Isbank said in a stock exchange 3.8 billion lira tax fine in 2009, which against Erdogan and cut the satellite parties in Yemen have agreed to state-run Anadolu Agency said. toms taxes, Anadolu said. filing. it settled. Isbank is part-owned by the of channel IMC, accused of backing a cessation of hostilities starting Aydin Dogan, 79, who ran media- No one was available at the pros- Dogan called the charges “a very main opposition Republican People’s Kurdish militants EU and US officials at midnight on April 10 and peace to-energy conglomerate Dogan ecutor’s office to comment. ugly slander” in a statement published Party. Dogan shares fell 3.6 percent have said they are worried about the talks in Kuwait beginning a week Holding until 2010, and Isbank’s Both companies are seen as part in its paper Hurriyet. “There is no yesterday, while Isbank fell 3.8 per- state of Turkish democracy because later, United Nations special envoy Ersin Ozince, 63, face up to 24-1/2 of the secular establishment which question of lost or missing payments cent. The main Istanbul stock index of restrictions on the media. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said yesterday. There have already been sev- eral failed attempts to defuse the conflict in Yemen, which has Turkey on tenterhooks Gulf migrant workers will be drawn in regional foes Saudi Arabia and Iran and triggered a humanitarian crisis in the Arab world’s poorest country. biggest victims of oil shock “This is really our last chance,” Ould Cheikh Ahmed told reporters in New York. “The war in Yemen must be brought to an end.” By John Kemp less than 25 percent in 2000. In the government budget deep into the red A Saudi-led coalition began Reuters case of males, the share is as high as and the economy close to recession. a military campaign in Yemen a 39 percent. Intensified efforts at Saudisation year ago with the aim of prevent- The share of migrants in the of the workforce are a centre piece ing Iran-allied Houthi rebels and population and the workforce has of the government’s programme forces loyal to Yemen’s ex-pres- LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s army of increased despite attempts to encour- for adjusting to lower oil prices ident Ali Abdullah Saleh from migrant workers will be among the age the employment of locals under and creating more private sector taking control of the country. biggest losers from the slump in oil official “Saudisation” policies pur- employment. Ould Cheikh Ahmed said Saudi prices and the impact will rever- sued fitfully over the last four Even before the slump, the unem- Arabia is “fully committed to make berate to poor countries across the decades. ployment rate for Saudi nationals was sure that the next talks take place Middle East and South Asia where In 2015, Saudi Arabia hosted 1.9m 11.7 percent, according to the Inter- and particularly supports us with many of them originate. migrants from India, 1.3 million from national Monetary Fund. regard to the cessation of hostili- Saudi Arabia relies more heav- Indonesia, 1.1 million from Pakistan, But unemployment was much ties.” The UN says more than 6,000 ily on migrant labour than any other 970,000 from Bangladesh, 730,000 worse for certain demographic sec- people, half of them civilians, have large country except neighbouring from Egypt, 620,000 from Syria, and tions including women (33 percent) been killed since the start of the United Arab Emirates, according to 580,000 from Yemen, according to and young people aged 15-19 (49 per- Saudi-led military intervention the United Nations Department of the UN. cent), 20-24 (41 percent) and 25-29 whose ultimate aim is to restore Economic and Social Affairs. Smaller but significant numbers (22 percent). President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi The oil boom brought an unprec- of migrants came from Afghanistan Unemployment is worse in some to power. Ould Cheikh Ahmed said edented influx of migrants mostly (365,000), Sudan (365,000), Nepal politically important and conserva- prominent Yemeni figures would from poorer countries in the Middle (380,000), Myanmar (200,000), Jor- tive regions, such as Riyadh, Hail and be enlisted to cooperate with a East and South and Southeast Asia. dan (180,000), Ethiopia (125,000) and the Northern Borders. de-escalation and coordination The number of migrants resident Lebanon (115,000). “It is not that job creation has committee on the cessation of hos- in the kingdom has almost doubled In 2014, migrant workers sent been a problem — employment tilities and “to report on progress from 5.3 million in 2000 to 10.2 mil- home to their families an estimated growth has been strong — but rather and security incidents.” lion in 2015 (“Trends in International $36bn (“Saudi Arabia Article IV Con- the majority of these jobs have He said the peace talks would Migrant Stock”, UN, 2015). sultation”, IMF, 2015). been filled by expatriates,” the IMF focus on five areas: a withdrawal Saudi Arabia hosts more migrants Remittances from workers in observed about the economy before of militia and armed groups; a than any country in the world other Saudi Arabia play a crucial role in the slump. With growth slowing, a handover of heavy weaponry Turkish police with a K-9 dog search a lorry at Ataturk Airport in than the United States (47 million), some of the smaller and poorer econ- youthful population, and the govern- to the state; interim security Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday. Security has been tightened in the Germany (12 million) and Russia (12 omies of the Middle East and Asia. ment unable to afford to create more arrangements; restoration of state country after the Brussels attacks. million). But now that economic model public sector jobs, the need to create institutions; and resumption of Migrants account for 32 percent is under threat from the slump in more employment for nationals has inclusive political dialogue. of the resident population, up from oil prices, which has pushed the become urgent. ASIA / PHILIPPINES THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 09 Taiwan gives tour of disputed isle in bid to boost claim

AFP Taiping is an island, not a rock.” square kilometres. The trip aimed to Taiping is the Taiwan yesterday formally invited highlight the island is self-sufficient, the Hague arbitration panel and rep- giving the press tours of a farm and largest island in the resentatives from the Philippines to a water well. TAIPING: Taiwan yesterday gave its Spratlys chain and visit Taiping. Philippine foreign min- Journalists were shown other first ever international press tour of istry spokesman Charles Jose urged facilities including a hospital, post a disputed island in the South China is administered by caution, calling on all sides “to refrain office and temple, as well as visit- Sea to boost its claim, less than two Taiwan, which sees it from taking actions that will further ing a monument engraved with the months after a visit by its leader complicate the situation in the South words “Taiping Island” during the sparked protests from rival claimants. as part of its territory. China Sea”. three-hour visit. Taiping is the largest island in the But the Spratlys China, which claims almost all of Most of the island’s inhabitants Spratlys chain and is administered the sea, said it too would invite foreign work for the coastguard, which has are also claimed in An aerial view of Taiping Island in the Disputed South China Sea. by Taiwan, which sees it as part of journalists to visit the Spratlys “when about 160 staff there. its territory. But the Spratlys are also part or whole by the time is ripe,” according to foreign Rival claimants in the South China claimed in part or whole by China, China, Vietnam, the deputy foreign minister Bruce Linghu Taiping is a fully fledged island, a ministry spokeswoman Hua Chuny- Sea have been beefing up their mili- Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia said as the group visited the island. categorisation which entitles it to a ing. “The Nansha islands (Spratlys) tary presence in the disputed region, and Brunei and have been at the cen- Philippines, Malaysia The Philippines is currently in the 200-nautical-mile exclusive eco- have always been China’s territory. and other countries have complained tre of escalating rows. and Brunei. midst of an arbitration case against nomic zone. Chinese people on both sides of the China is becoming increasingly A visit to Taiping by Taiwan’s China at the Hague over the South After the tour, Ma insisted yes- strait have the responsibility to safe- aggressive in pressing its case. President Ma Ying-jeou in Janu- China Sea. A ruling on the case is terday that it was not provocative. guard our heritage,” she said. Beijing has reclaimed more than ary triggered criticism from the expected before May. “Filipino lawyers have provided As part of efforts to strengthen 2,900 acres of land from the South United States which described it as “We hope that the international As part of its case, the Philip- wrong information misleading the defence capabilities on Taiping, China Sea in less than two years in “extremely unhelpful”, as well as community will understand our posi- pines argues that Taiping and other world, so we feel we have to come out Taiwan last year inaugurated a solar- an intensive island-building cam- protests from Vietnam and the Philip- tion in safeguarding our sovereignty islands are just “rocks”, a categori- to rebuff their claims,” he said. “To powered lighthouse, an expanded paign and has deployed surface-to-air pines. But Taiwan remains undeterred in the South China Sea and our effec- sation which helps its broad claims see is to believe,” Ma added. “We hope airstrip and a pier, all stops on yes- missiles on a disputed island there, in asserting its claim. tive administration of Taiping Island,” in the area. Taiwan disagrees, saying journalists can see for themselves that terday’s press tour. The island is 0.51 according to Taipei and Washington.

Philippines on alert Myanmar finance chief discovers Mahathir files suit against his PhD is a fake Premier Najib KUALA LUMPUR: Former AFP organisations created by a Pakistani Malaysian premier group that ran a global fraudulent Mahathir Mohamad filed degree empire out of Karachi until a suit against scandal- its exposure last year. plagued Prime Minister YANGON: Myanmar’s incoming “I openly admit it that I stud- Najib Razak yesterday, finance minister said yesterday that ied at this fake online university in alleging corruption and he was shocked to discover his PhD my older age,” Kyaw Win, who con- abuse of power, his law- is fake after netizens pointed out firmed he would take on the finance yers said, the latest salvo he had been a victim of a high pro- portfolio, said. in his efforts to remove file scam run out of Pakistan that He explained how, like many Najib from office. But it ensnared thousands of others. others in junta-run Myanmar, he is unlikely to have any Kyaw Win was one of 18 people had a thirst for education but little immediate impact as it named on Tuesday to the incoming opportunity to study abroad. will take months before cabinet of democracy veteran Aung “Education has been my dream any case is heard. Najib San Suu Kyi, whose National League since I was young. I never stopped has come under criti- for Democracy (NLD) will take office studying my whole life. But I could cism over allegations An airport security K9 unit (centre) walks around the departures area at Manila’s international airport at the end of the month — ending not study abroad because I did not of corruption linked to yesterday. Security at all airports, seaports and public transport hubs were heightened across the decades of military-led rule. have enough money,” he said. the debt-laden state country following the attacks in Brussels on Tuesday. The 68-year-old was one of six Kyaw Win said he did not dis- fund 1Malaysia Develop- NLD members in Suu Kyi’s big-tent cover the degree was fake until the ment Berhad (1MDB) and cabinet — which also includes three the news spread on Facebook after deposits into his private army officers as well as opposition his cabinet nomination Tuesday, an accounts worth around party figures. experience he described as “really $680m. He has denied Suu Kyi, who is banned from painful”. any wrongdoing, main- Man jailed for baby formula poison threat becoming president, was confirmed Myanmar has undergone a dra- tains that he did not use as foreign minister while the other matic political transformation since the funds for personal roles are expected to be formally 2011 after almost a half-century gain and this year he was AFP Federation in 2014. In the letters, eventually arresting Kerr last year announced later in the week. of isolation under a military junta. cleared of any criminal he threatened to lace baby formula after DNA evidence linked him to However local media widely Its growing political openness was offence or corruption. destined for various markets — with the letters. Prosecutors said he published a leaked list of ear- crowned by a historic November elec- Bangladesh poll China the only country specifi- owned the rights to a pesticide marked roles, with Kyaw Win, a tion that saw the NLD storm to victory. WELLINGTON: An Auckland busi- cally named — unless New Zealand that was a market rival to 1080 and career bureaucrat and adviser to the Suu Kyi, 70, is the only woman violence: 11 dead nessman who threatened to poison stopped using 1080. would gain financially if a ban was NLD’s economics committee, taking on the incoming cabinet. There is baby formula bound for China in The threat to supplies bound for implemented. the influential finance and planning widespread speculation she will take DHAKA: At least 11 people a bid to blackmail New Zealand’s China, a major importer of Kiwi baby A High Court hearing was told portfolio. on four ministerial portfolios: for- have been killed in local multi-billion dollar dairy industry formula, was not initially disclosed last month that he was under finan- An official CV issued by the NLD eign affairs, education, energy and election-related violence in was jailed for more than eight years publicly by New Zealand authorities, cial pressure and suffering mental shortly after the cabinet announce- the president’s office. Bangladesh, seven of them yesterday. who tightened access to baby pow- health problems following his wife’s ment stated he held a PhD from a Blocked from becoming pres- shot dead by security Jeremy Kerr, 60, pleaded guilty der in domestic shops. death when the threats were made. college in the United States called ident by a junta-era constitution forces, police said yes- to two counts of blackmail after They also launched a mas- He told police after his arrest that ref- Brooklyn Park University. because she married and had chil- terday as a political crisis sending threatening letters contain- sive investigation into the threat erence to the Chinese market was But social media users quickly dren with a foreigner, she has vowed deepened. The opposi- ing a pesticide called 1080 to dairy to New Zealand’s dairy sector. just to “add some impact”, the hear- pointed out that Brooklyn Park to rule through a proxy president, the tion said there had also giant Fonterra and the NZ Farmer’s Police interviewed 2,600 people, ing was told. was one of a number of fake online recently elected Htin Kyaw. been widespread vote-rig- ging in the elections for thousands of local councils across the country, which began on Tuesday and will Couple convicted for run for four months. Much Taiwan confiscates tourists’ pebbles of the latest violence was in the southern coastal starving Filipina maid town of Mathabria, where AFP clashes broke out when thousands of ruling party supporters attacked police AFP instant noodles prepared by Chong. and border guards taking Even when Gawidan went with the TAIPEI: Taiwan authorities are confis- ballot boxes to the govern- family on a Hong Kong holiday, Chong cating pebbles collected as mementos ment headquarters. made sure to pack white bread and by tourists and returning the rocks to Vietnam blogger SINGAPORE: A Singaporean couple instant noodles for her maid. the island’s picturesque beaches as were convicted yesterday of violating Gawidan had no access to her they step up moves to preserve the jailed for 5 years employment laws for starving their mobile phone and was not allowed scenic east coast. Philippine maid until her weight to go out on her own to buy food, In the latest geological repatri- HANOI: A prominent dropped to 29kg. court papers showed. ation, a cache of stones taken from Vietnamese blogger Trader Lim Choon Hong and his About a year into her employ- outbound visitors by airport immi- was handed a five-year wife, Chong Sui Foon, both 47, admit- ment, she was made to use a gration were last week sent back to jail term yesterday on ted failing to provide enough food for bathroom next to the condominium’s Taitung county, where rugged sea- anti-state charges, a heavy sentence that a foreign domestic worker over a swimming pool whenever she had to scapes attract tourists, particularly Beach pebbles seized from tourists at the administration’s office in 15-month period. They will be sen- relieve herself or take a shower, and from mainland China. was roundly condemned Taitung yesterday. tenced at a later date. The offence is had to be accompanied by a family The haul of pebbles, collected over by lawyers and media punishable by up to a year in jail plus a member. She was only allowed to two months at Taipei’s main airport, watchdogs as a “travesty maximum fine of Sg$10,000 ($7,300). shower twice a week. weighed a total of 100kg, according to “Taking one or two doesn’t seem She added that educating the of justice”. Nguyen Huu A district court heard that Gawidan ran away in April 2014 the East Coast National Scenic Area like a lot, but our scenery will slowly public has been effective as some Vinh, commonly known Thelma Oyasan Gawidan, 40, lost and called a compatriot for help. She Administration. disappear the more it happens,” Lin visitors have sent back rocks they as Anh Ba Sam, was nearly 20kg, shed hair and stopped was taken to a migrant worker shel- Fears that tourists taking stones Wei-ling, deputy director of the have taken after realising it is illegal arrested in 2014 and has menstruating while working for the ter which helped her file a complaint will erode the island’s beaches have administration, said. when they return home. been held in detention couple at their condominium in the with the manpower ministry. prompted authorities to put up signs at Taiwan’s tourism bureau The stones returned were from ever since, accused of posh Orchard Road area. Lim and Chong will appear the most popular sites and at airports has introduced a fine as high as Taitung’s Sanxiantai — a group of disseminating anti-gov- Gawidan was only allowed two before the court again on April 22 in recent years. Tourists want to Tw$500,000 ($15,430) for those offshore islands and coral reefs — ernment articles on his meals a day, usually a few slices of after a psychiatric assessment of keep the patterned volcanic rocks as caught, but Lin says no one has yet and Baxian Cave, where natural sea wildly popular news site. white bread and small portions of them is completed. souvenirs, the administration said. been slapped with penalties. caves are carved into cliff faces. 10 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 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 Yemen ceasefire Why we criminalised Hezbollah

emen will get another chance at peace. But it’s a Hezbollah is the only organisa- organisations, because both are ‘terrorist organisations’. chance, if squandered, can be the last, according to a tion that seeks to undermine or supposedly seeking either to estab- No doubt that there is no com- United Nations official who is acting as the mediator. overthrow the existing regimes in lish a Caliphate state like Da’esh, mon definition of terrorism and The UN official’s statement is not an exaggeration, the GCC and other parts of the Arab or a ‘Guardianship state like Iran. terrorist organisations, but GCC but a dire warning about the gravity of the situation. world. The answer is simple. Every This make it necessary to develop states can develop a common law to YThe warring parties in Yemen have agreed to a cessation political or religious organisation law that criminalises affiliation to combat terrorism. The law should of hostilities starting from April 10 and peace talks in Kuwait is struggling to set up a Guardi- or practicing or supporting any of criminalise and deport any of the beginning April 18. “This is really our last chance. The war in anship state by bringing together the organisations longing to topple expatriates living in the GCC states all Muslims under one religious existing regimes in the Gulf region. affiliated to or supporting any of Yemen must be brought to an end,” the UN special envoy Ismail reference or guardian or Caliph, The law must include all GCC those organisations, whether reli- Ould Cheikh Ahmed said. His desperation and anger stem from Shiite people. The same applies states to avoid contradictions, gious or non-religious, so long as the fact that several previous attempts to defuse the conflict have By Dr Saad bin Teflah Al Ajmi to the Sunni armed organisations, such as, for example when Saudi they seeks to overthrow govern- failed, triggering a humanitarian crisis that hasn’t attracted the which may seeking to establish a Arabia and United Arab Emirates ments by force. Also, any citizens attention it deserves as the world remains preoccupied with the Caliphate regime by bringing all criminalised affiliation to Muslim belonging to such organisation or conflict in Syria and the migration crisis it has triggered. Muslims under one Islamic state. Brotherhood, which is considered supporting them must be punished. erhaps the decision taken None of the religious organisa- a terrorist organisation by Egypt, The comprehensiveness of such People in Yemen and countries in our region want the war by the Gulf Countries tions are exception in this regard. at the same time we saw the same legislation would prevent anyone in Yemen to come to an end, but this is a conflict that has been Council (GCC) and Arab Ansarullah in Yemen, the People’s organisation becoming allied to from trying to describe the com- caused and complicated by Houthis in their bid to grab power League, except two coun- Mobilisation in Iraq, ISIS, Muslim the government in Bahrain to fight batting of terrorist organisations with the support of Iran and by throwing out a legitimate Ptries- Lebanon and Iraq, defining Brotherhood, Al Qaeda, Salafi- the political Shi’ite movement in (whether they are religious or rad- government. A Saudi-led coalition was forced to intervene in the Hezbollah as a terrorist organi- Jihadist all of them never deny this that country. ical) as unjust acts or sectarian or country militarily to restore the government of President Abd- sation, gives an opportunity to fact. Those who have doubt about The same organisation works selectively taken actions. It would Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The coalition began its military campaign the decision makers in the GCC this, they should read the political freely in Kuwait, possessing also be clear to all youth in the Gulf countries to think how to deal literature of these organisations. financial, media and educational that affiliation to such organisa- a year ago with the aim of preventing Iran-allied Houthi rebels with legislation against all ter- To be honest, the political reli- institutions, and often works out- tions is against the law. and forces loyal to Yemen’s ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh from rorist organisations. The approach gious organisations are not just side of the law, although there is no However issuance of such law taking control of the country. should be holistic not selective or those struggling to overthrow the law regulating activities of politi- needs to be accompanied by other The success of next month’s talks emotional. regimes of the GCC countries, but cal parties in Kuwait. laws protecting human rights, free- would depend on Houthis’ stance. Hezbollah is an Iranian-armed, radical non-religious organisations Also, when Bahrain criminal- dom of expression, fairness and They must agree to withdraw from sectarian military group controlling such as Ba’athists, nationalists, ised Hassan Nasrullah’s Hezbollah justice, equal opportunities, fight- Lebanon, and currently support- revolutionary, leftist, communist and his supporters when they ing corruption and enhancing state territories that do not belong to ing the Bashar regime which is still are also seeking to achieve same demanded the overthrow of the law and assure enforcement of law. them and allow restoration of the committing heinous crimes against aim. These too are struggling to regime in 2012, Hezbollah at that Time is not in favour of reac- government that existed before. Syrian people. Hezbollah openly set up revolutionary regimes by time used to have ministers in the tionary policies and hesitation that Warring Both sides must strictly abide by the says that their goal is to bring Arab empowering labourers, farmers Kuwaiti government and repre- lead to confusion among our youth. parties in ceasefire that will come into force and region under the influence of Iran and revolutionary councils on sentatives in the parliament. The enemy of the Gulf States in its Yemen have enter talks with a willingness to end the and under its ‘Guardianship’ system, the wreckages of our ‘backward Such a situation creates confu- fight against terrorism are delays conflict. by setting up, supporting, leading, regimes’ linked to Imperialism and sion and weakens the power of law and non- unilateral decisions. agreed to financing, arming, and training Capitalism. and the state in the GCC. The most start peace At the same time, the government branches other branches of Hezbol- However, the immediate risk dangerous thing is to give contra- The writer is an academic and media forces and Saudi Arabia have agreed to lah throughout the Arab countries. today is coming from both Sunni dictory gestures to the public, whom expert. talks on April cooperate to bring peace. Ould Cheikh The question is whether and Shi’ite politico-religious we are trying to rescue from these 18. Ahmed himself said Saudi Arabia is “fully committed to make sure that the next talks take place and particularly supports us with regard to the cessation Currency cease-fire is welcome, whatever its cause of hostilities.” According to the United Nations, more than 6,000 people, half of them civilians, have been killed in the conflict in Arab world’s poorest engaged in a race to the bottom who dismissed the idea as “just fan- the world’s economic hopes rest- country. A continuation of the conflict will destroy what is left of while hinting their neighbors are tasy”). Paul Mortimer-Lee, the chief ing in large part on the US’s ability the country. doing exactly that. Post-Shanghai, economist at BNP Paribas and a to sustain an annual growth rate there’s even more chatter and fin- former head of forecasting at the surpassing 3 percent rather than Al Qaeda has been using the power vacuum to expand its ger-pointing than usual -- in large Bank of England, reckons the dipping below 2 percent, the dollar’s influence. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) seized part because, as is true of most wars, G-20 is engaged in “low intensity recent retracement would seem to control of Mukalla, capital of Hadramout province, last year and none of the combatants has bene- currency wars” without explicit be good news : is recruiting more followers. AQAP, formed by the merger of the fited from the battle. coordination. The recent changes may partly Saudi and Yemeni wings of the group in 2009, is considered one India’s central bank Governor But Pimco global economic be down to doubts about the Fed’s of the deadliest branches of the network. Raghuram Rajan published an arti- adviser Joachim Fels disagrees ability to raise rates further and By Mark Gilbert cle on Monday explicitly calling for and speculates that there has investor fatigue after driving the Bloomberg “a new international agreement been “some kind of tacit Shang- greenback higher for so long. But along the lines of Bretton Woods” hai Accord” to weaken the dollar, assuming the dollar’s decline isn’t to prevent “competitive devalua- similar to the 1985 Plaza agree- due simply to natural forces, a tions that leave no country better ment but using monetary policy to ceasefire -- coordinated or acci- all it the Shanghai Accord. off.” But a day later, Reserve Bank of nudge currency values rather than dental -- is a good thing. Every There’s been a burst of specu- Australia Governor Glenn Stevens market intervention to buy and sell country can’t have the weakest Clation that last month’s Group said his currency “might be getting dollars. The evidence in favour of currency simultaneously, and the Quote of the day of 20 meeting in China produced a bit ahead of itself,” even as the a cessation of hostilities includes euro zone’s dismal outlook offers a a secret agreement between pol- US revealed that its International the Federal Reserve’s recent back- compelling example of how overre- icymakers to halt the dollar’s Monetary Fund representative had track on how many rate increases it liance on a weak currency to boost I really hope that Europeans, advance against its peers in the in September “expressed concern” might implement this year (a nega- exports can let governments off in the face of the terrible currency market. Whether true about Australia trying to talk its tive for the dollar) and the European the hook on implementing struc- or not, even a modest reversal in currency lower. And former Bank Central Bank’s hint that its inter- tural reforms needed to build for threat of terrorism that the greenback’s advance against of England Governor Mervyn King est rates won’t drop much further the future. occurred in Brussels, will put the US’s major trading partners is told Bloomberg Television on Mon- into negative territory. So a communal realisation on aside their geopolitical games welcome given the fragility of the day that both Japan and the euro Whether or not explicit col- the part of the world’s authorities global economic outlook and the zone “are trying to push down the lusion has occurred, there’s no that an ever-advancing dollar isn’t and unite to prevent terrorists accompanying need for the world’s exchange rate.” question that the dollar has been the good for global growth would be from acting on our continent. biggest economy to shoulder the Monday’s comment from India’s chief victim of the trash-talking. In healthy. Provided the dollar stops burden of delivering growth. Rajan on the need for coordina- the past two years, it’s strengthened ascending and threatening to choke The first rule of currency wars tion is significant, especially given by as much as 26 percent against off the nascent recovery, it doesn’t Sergei Lavrov is that you don’t admit there’s a cur- that other officials have rejected its peers on a trade-weighted really matter why it’s halted -- so Russian Foreign Minister rency war. Policymakers expend an talk of an accord (including Chi- basis according to indexes com- long as there’s a pause to refresh awful lot of energy denying they’re nese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei, piled by the Federal Reserve. With US growth.

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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Reuters erode societal resilience,” warned recorded less than 32,000 deaths countries have shown strong eco- to safer ones, which are typically Richard Hewston, an analyst with from natural disasters since 1990. nomic growth, but infrastructure more expensive to live, he added. In all, 1.4 billion Verisk Maplecroft who led the devel- Haiti, on the other hand, is not as and welfare systems that could pro- With losses from natural disasters people in South opment of the natural hazards data. exposed to potential disasters but is tect people remain weak, as does now averaging more than $100bn a LONDON: Asia has the largest Much vulnerability in Africa and considered highly vulnerable, hav- governance, they said. year worldwide, many businesses number of people exposed to natu- Asia are exposed elsewhere is the result of poor gov- ing suffered over 230,000 deaths In Nepal, for instance, a massive are looking into ways to minimise ral disasters, but African countries are to at least one ernance - including corruption - and since 1990, many in a major 2010 2015 earthquake not only caused the threats to their factories, work- the most vulnerable to them, largely an inability to implement policies to earthquake. widespread damage and deaths, but ers and supply chains, the Verisk because of political instability, cor- major natural reduce disaster risk, Hewston said. Data on cities shows that Manila is cut off communications and transport Maplecroft report said. ruption, poverty and inequality, a new hazard, from severe “For example, in India and Paki- the most exposed city, with almost all from many outlying communities to Already private investment global assessment shows. storms to flooding stan, to some extent, there are of its 23 million people in the path of the capital. “People who survived and accounts for 70 percent to 85 percent India has a billion people at risk, building codes in place but they are cyclones and many also facing tsuna- were injured were left to cope on their of investment in disaster risk reduc- with China, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and earthquakes, very weakly implemented. You see mis or earthquakes, researchers said. own, with no emergency services and tion worldwide, it said. the Philippines, Japan and Pakistan researchers said. construction going on, on the sides Seven other major cities in Japan, no food,” Hewston said. That suggests private spending also ranked among the 10 coun- of landslide-prone mountains or in Indonesia, China, Bangladesh and Most crucially, reducing vulner- could help supplement government tries with the most people exposed flood plains,” he said. “In theory, India — particularly Tokyo, Jakarta ability to disasters, particularly in efforts in many places, particularly to natural hazards, according to data But the list of countries most vul- there’s urban planning,” he added. and Dongguan in China — also have places with large exposure to natu- as businesses are trying to protect not compiled by Verisk Maplecroft, a UK- nerable to disasters — in terms of their “So clearly corruption is an issue.” large populations at risk, they found. ral hazards, will depend on tackling only their facilities and supply chains based risk management company. ability to prepare for, respond to and In Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong, The fast pace of development in poverty and inequality, he said. but their workers and customers too. In all, 1.4 billion people in South recover from them — is topped by more than 85 percent of people are Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Providing education and health- “You can have really (strong) infra- Asia are exposed to at least one major African nations, particularly con- exposed to at least one kind of natu- Pakistan, India and the Philippines care and giving more people access structure at your site and you might natural hazard, from severe storms to flict-plagued South Sudan, Burundi ral hazard, researchers noted. But all has done little to cut that region’s dis- to services can improve their be untouched, but if there’s no power flooding and earthquakes, research- and Eritrea. three countries are classed as hav- aster risk, researchers noted. incomes and knowledge, and help and no one can get to work, you’ve got ers said. “Recent or prolonged conflict can ing low vulnerability, and together Some of the most vulnerable them move from precarious places no workers,” Hewston noted.

Niger leader for unity Britain’s Prince Harry in Nepal govt after re-election Missing Bangla tech expert AFP in early next month, warned that nations such as Niger were “frag- ile” and faced serious threats to their returns home security. “It’s an historic moment. We NIAMEY: Niger’s President Maha- must not underestimate the grave DHAKA: A Bangladeshi madou Issoufou, re-elected for a threat against our country’s very cyber crime expert who second term in a controversial week- existence as a nation. went missing while he end poll, yesterday proposed forming “We are determined to organ- was assisting a police a unity government with the opposi- ise ourselves, to unite, to equip our investigation into an tion which boycotted the vote. security forces, to pool our resources attempted $951m elec- “I am ready to put in place a with neighbouring countries and tronic theft from the government of national unity with beyond.... This is a global threat that central bank’s comput- the opposition in order to face the requires a global response.” ers, returned home early threats facing the people of Niger,” He said there was nothing “con- yesterday, his wife said. he said in an interview. “There is not tradictory” about pursuing security Tanveer Hassan Zoha dis- just a security challenge, there are at the same time as development in a appeared last Thursday, other challenges including economic country where 76 percent of the pop- two days after he accom- Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari (centre) and Britain’s Prince Harry (left) during the and social development. All these ulation lives on less than two dollars panied special police to challenges need a sacred union.” a day. “Experience has proved that inauguration of the Nepal Girls Summit 2016 in Kathmandu, Nepal. yesterday. Britain’s Prince Harry the offices of the Bang- Issoufou won 92 percent of the the three things are linked—secu- arrived in Nepal for a five-day visit and said he hopes to ‘shine a spotlight’ on resilience of Nepali ladesh Bank and told vote in Sunday’s run-off election in rity, development and democracy.” people recovering from last year’s devastating quake. reporters that he knew the impoverished but uranium-rich Issoufou said it had been a mistake three of the user IDs that West African country, which was to “disengage” from security issues hackers deployed to carry marred by low turnout in the face as part of structural programmes out the largest cyber of the opposition boycott. by organisations such as the World heist in history. Police His sole challenger Hama Ama- Bank and International Monetary delivered him to their dou, imprisoned since November on Fund. “That was an mistake. The proof 37 detained in China vaccine scandal Dhaka home, his wife shadowy baby trafficking charges, today — our countries are too weak to Kamrun Nahar Chowd- was flown to France for medical defend themselves, any development hury said, although his treatment just days before the sec- is impossible. disappearance was still a ond round. The electoral commission “Because if there is no security, AFP latest scare are a mother and daugh- “We endured melamine, we mystery. said Amadou won just seven percent there is no agriculture, no infra- ter duo from Shandong province in endured poisoned drug capsules, of the ballots cast. structure. Nothing can be achieved eastern China, Xinhua said, citing we endured milk made of leather German President Issoufou, who took office in without security. Investing in secu- investigating officials. shoes. It’s as if you’ve killed off all 2011, campaigned on pledges to rity is not throwing money out of the BEIJING: At least 37 suspects have From 2010, the pair illegally the adults and so now start on the on China visit bring prosperity to the country and window as one might have thought been detained and 13 wholesalers put sold 25 different kinds of expired or children!” cried one user on China’s vowed to prevent further attacks by in the 1980s and 1990s.” under investigation over a vaccine improperly stored vaccines worth Twitter-like Weibo. SHANGHAI: Germany’s jihadists in its vast remote north, and Referring to Niger’s latest rank- scandal that has raised deep concern more than 570m yuan ($88m), it “All those who’ve committed such president condemned Nigeria’s Boko Haram Islamists to ing in the Human Development about safety, Chinese media said yes- added. They included shots for polio, crimes and intentionally killed peo- the illegitimacy of com- the south. Index, he also pledged to continue terday. rabies, hepatitis B and flu for both ple should be shot! The ministry of munist rule in East “The security challenge requires efforts to improve agriculture, The case involves the illegal and children and adults, Caijing maga- health is nothing but a decorative Germany while on a visit a national jolt of energy and needs all food, education, health and access improper storage, transport and sale zine said, citing drug safety officials. ornament,” she added. to China yesterday, laud- Nigeriens to pull together, including to water. of tens of millions of dollars’ worth At the weekend, the Shandong Another lamented: “What we ing the benefits of human those from the opposition,” Issoufou Niger holds the lowest place on of vaccines — many of them expired, Province Food and Drug Administra- want is cheap housing, free school- rights in a provocative said. “We need a broad front so we can the comprehensive Human Devel- the official Xinhua news agency said. tion identified 107 wholesalers who ing, free medical care, non-toxic speech to Shanghai uni- respond to the concerns and aspira- opment Index drawn up each year The incident is the latest health supplied the pair, and 193 retailers food, non-toxic water and non-toxic versity students. Under tions of our people,” he said. “I am by the UN Development Pro- and safety scandal to emerge in across the country who were their air like there is in other countries.” the current adminis- prepared to discuss and debate with gramme. “We are making progress China, where 300,000 children fell clients. Public fury has erupted over Premier Li Keqiang acknowl- tration of President Xi everyone, with political parties — from with a six percent average growth ill, six of them dying, in a notorious authorities’ delay in publicising the edged in a statement on Tuesday Jinping, authorities have the majority or the opposition — and rate over the past five years. My 2008 case involving milk powder case, which only came to light this that the incident had provoked “great tightened control over with civil society.” goal is to reach seven percent dur- contaminated with melamine. month despite the pair being arrested concern and exposed the existence of academics, lawyers and Issoufou, who is due to be sworn ing my term in office. The two linchpin suspects in the in April 2015, almost a year ago. many regulatory loopholes”. the media, activists say. Drawing on Germany’s history and his own life in the former East Germany, President Joachim Gauck, Jacob Zuma in France Food shortages severe in Nigeria whose role is largely cer- emonial, condemned “dictatorship” to students Reuters most pressing and unfulfilled need, accord- at Shanghai’s prestigious ing to ECHO. “Some people are moving to Tongji University. camps as the living situation with host fami- lies becomes too harsh - it is a worrying trend Australian jailed DAKAR: People uprooted by Boko Haram vio- and sign of a deteriorating situation,” Deher- lence in northeast Nigeria are leaving host mann-Roy added. in Singapore families and moving to camps for the dis- A regional offensive by Nigeria, Niger, Chad placed as food becomes increasingly scarce, and Cameroon last year drove the militant group SINGAPORE: An Aus- the European Commission’s humanitarian Boko Haram from much of the territory it held tralian woman whose arm (ECHO) said yesterday. in northern Nigeria, undermining its six-year website published Seven million people in that part of the campaign to carve out an Islamist caliphate. made-up stories about country do not have enough to eat and almost But the militants have since struck back with foreigners that prose- one-third of them need urgent food aid, suicide bombings and hit and run attacks on cutors said incited racial according to the UN Office for the Coordina- civilians, threatening livelihoods and hinder- hatred was jailed in Sin- tion of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Nine ing aid agencies’ efforts to deliver food. gapore yesterday after in 10 of Nigeria’s 2.2 million internally dis- A Nigerian government push to stop Boko falling foul of colonial- placed people are living with host families in Haram from raising funds by selling livestock era sedition laws. Law the northeast rather than in camps, amid food has shut down the cattle trade in Maiduguri, student Ai Takagi was shortages that are raising tension in many while the conflict has stifled cross-border jailed for 10 months, the households, said Thomas Dehermann-Roy, trade with neighbouring Cameroon, Chad stiffest sentence ever head of ECHO’s Central Africa office. and Niger. imposed for the offence “It is easier to host your neighbours, The government is encouraging the dis- in strictly governed Sin- friends and family when everything is fine, placed to return home, but the continuing gapore, which clamps French President Francois Hollande (left) and South African Republic President Jacob but when food becomes scarce - tensions are arrival of newly uprooted people in Maid- down hard on any activ- Zuma visiting the Leon Bernard paediatric cancer centre, in Lyon, France, yesterday, raised,” he said. Around two-thirds of people uguri - the capital of worst-hit Borno state ity seen as promoting on the sideline of a summit on health and sanitary security. uprooted by conflict and four in five host fam- - suggests that parts of the northeast are still racial and class hatred. ilies in northeast Nigeria said food was their unsafe, according to ECHO. 12 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 PAKISTAN

Musharraf may NationalRescue operation Day celebrations go to London for treatment

Musharraf owns a luxury apart- An APML leader said ment at a posh locality of London, famous for its kebab shops, Arab and Musharraf will reach Pakistani restaurants and dazzling London within a Victoria Casino. According to Chau- han, Musharraf bought the serviced week as his doctor in apartment in 2010 out of his earn- Dubai has suggested ings from leadership lectures that treatment there. he had been delivering around the world after his self-imposed exile from Pakistan in 2008. “Pervez Musharraf had been charging up to $250,000 for one Internews lecture as he was one of the highly paid lecturers in the world,” he said. Chauhan said APML had been alerted for the arrival of his leader ISLAMABAD: All is set for the and the party was planning a befit- arrival of former president Gen- ting welcome for former president. eral Pervez Musharraf in the British “All the local leaders of the capital as he was allowed to travel APML are eager to welcome their abroad for treatment despite trea- leader,” Ali said adding that logis- Army commandoes march past the portrait of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, during Pakistan Day celebrations in Islamabad, son trial against him is pending in tics for Musharraf’s arrival are being yesterday. the Special Court in Pakistan. worked out. According to local leaders of As the APML workers are eagerly Musharraf’s All Pakistan Mus- awaiting Musharraf in the United lim League (APML), the residence Kingdom, other British Pakistanis of former president at London’s are expressing mixed opinion about Edgware Road has already been his departure from Pakistan. Gunmen shoot prepared for his stay. “I think it is a good political Rowhani to visit tomorrow Musharraf had flown to Dubai a decision by the government. The four dead few days ago after the Nawaz Sharif rift between establishment and the government removed his name from civilian set-up is never in the inter- AFP international issues during his visit international sanctions on Tehran, Exit Control List (ECL) on medical est of Pakistan,” said businessman on Friday and Saturday, the ministry which meant that cash-strapped AFP grounds following apex court deci- Javed Rizwan Hashmi who lives said. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Pakistan struggled to raise the sion. His close aides claim that he will in West London. He said Pakistan visited Iran in May 2014 and in Jan- money to build its section. Tehran seek medical care in the United King- needed stability and prosperity and ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Has- uary this year to try to ease tensions has already built its own section of PESHAWAR: Gunmen on motorcy- dom for a vertebra fusion surgery. better relations between civil-mil- san Rowhani will visit Pakistan this between Iran and Saudi Arabia. the 1,800-kilometre pipeline, which cles have shot dead two policemen “General Pervez Musharraf itary leadership would ensure that. week for talks on improving relations Pakistan is counting on a joint should eventually link its South Pars and a former intelligence official in will reach London within a week However, another resident, Tau- and strengthening economic links, project with Iran to solve a long-run- gasfields to Nawabshah near Karachi. a northwestern Pakistani province as his doctor in Dubai has already qeer Khan, was of the view that the foreign ministry said yesterday. ning power crisis. As part of an ambitious $46bn bearing the brunt of a decade-long suggested his treatment here,” Pervez Musharraf’s exit showed It said the lifting of sanctions on A $7.5bn Iran-Pakistan gas pipe- economic corridor linking western war against terrorism, police said Muhammad Ali Chauhan, APML Sec- that law was only for the poor peo- Iran following its nuclear deal with line intended to feed Pakistani power China to the Middle East through yesterday. retary Information said. His doctor ple in Pakistan. “If someone breaks the West “has opened new avenues plants was inaugurated with great Pakistan, Beijing recently started The policemen were shot in Dubai had already assessed the traffic signal, he is punished but one for enhancing economic interaction”. fanfare in March 2013. work on the section of pipeline dead on a roadside in the town medical condition and suggested a breaking constitution enjoys life of Rowhani would also dis- But the project immediately between Nawabshah and the port of Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber few days rest for him there, he said. luxury,” he said. cuss cooperation on regional and hit quicksand in the form of the of Gwadar close to the Iranian border. Pakhtunkhwa province, sen- ior police official Abdul Ghafoor Afridi said. In a separate incident, gun- Pakistan-friendly men on a motorcycle shot dead Nuclear safety credentials strengthened a retired intelligence official in the provincial capital Peshawar, diplomat freed said senior police official Kashif Internews of centres of excellence for nuclear and international organisations will establishment of the Centre of Excel- Zulfiqar. Abdul Latif retired from of all charges security, and ratifying an amendment gather in Washington for deliberating lence for Nuclear Security where the intelligence service some 18 to the international convention on on measures for countering threats to training is imparted in various months ago. He was targeted protection of nuclear material. nuclear security. nuclear security disciplines includ- near his house late on Tuesday as Internews ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan prepares Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will Pakistan’s participation in the ing physical protection and personnel he was going to mosque for night to attend the final Nuclear Security visit the US for attending the fourth process has helped address long- reliability. The centre undertakes prayers. Summit later this month in the United and final nuclear security sum- standing concerns about the security training activities in collaboration A shopkeeper was also shot States, it has further strengthened mit (NSS) being held from March 31 of its nuclear arsenal and facilities. with National Institute of Safety dead by gunmen on motorcy- ISLAMABAD: The United States its credentials in the field of nuclear to April 1. Despite a setback caused One of the important achieve- and Security (NISAS) and Pakistan cles in the northwestern town Justice Department has closed its safety and security by hosting a by Russia opting out of the summit, ments in the field of nuclear security, Institute of Engineering and Applied of Shabqadar on Tuesday, local espionage investigation into former meeting of the prestigious network it is expected that over 50 countries which Pakistan often flaunts, is the Sciences (PIEAS). police said. US diplomat Robin L Raphel with no charges, her lawyer said. Reports in the US media claimed that the FBI had also inter- cepted a conversation she allegedly G7+ ministerial meeting in Kabul Govt set to transfer flight had with a Pakistani official, indi- cating that she was sharing secrets with the official. operations to new airline The investigation quickly began to fall apart and was down- graded from espionage to less serious charges of keeping classi- Internews opposition leader present in the fied information at home. Raphel, a briefing given by finance minister former assistant secretary of state to parliamentarians said. for South Asia, has had a long asso- It has been decided to implement ciation with Pakistan. ISLAMABAD: The federal gov- all the measures as soon as parlia- She retired from the State ernment is all set to transfer flight ment gives its nod, a government Department in 2005 after 30 operations and cargo services to parliamentarian said. years of service, but returned in the newly established company, A ruling party Member of 2009 as a senior adviser on Paki- Pakistan Airways, as soon as the National Assembly (MNA) said stan under then Secretary of State proposed bill to convert Pakistan everybody knows about the week Hillary Clinton. Until November 2, International Airlines into the com- financial situation of the PIA whose 2014, she served as coordinator for pany is approved by the joint session affairs are marred by political non-military assistance to Paki- of Parliament, it was learned. recruitments. stan. Her lawyer Amy Jeffress said, A senior official, coordinating He said people’s money was “The Justice Department has now between the Finance Ministry, Civil going down the drain and the gov- completed a lengthy investigation Aviation, Privatisation Commission ernment wants to avert this situation that has fully exonerated Ambas- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (centre), Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani (left) and the Chairman and the Law Ministry, confided that by presenting the best alternative. sador Raphel of the allegations that of The High Peace Council of Afghanistan Pir Sayed Ahmed Gailani stand for the national anthem at the government plans to shift fly- This is worth mentioning that anonymous government officials the start of the G7+ Ministerial Meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Kabul yesterday. Kabul is hosting ing and cargo services to the newly the government has given com- irresponsibly leaked to the press the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the G7+ group of nations. established Pakistan Airways in first mitments to international financial nearly two years ago.” step. institutions to get rid of ailing PIA Then Pakistan Airways’ 26 per in this financial year which is now cent shares will be offered for sale on list of Privatisation Commission to private sector with a plan to invest for sale. for purchase of new aircraft and in At this point, the opposition Hijab-wearing tabla player gets applause all around other required areas. especially Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf The purpose is to make this new (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party company a success story as soon as (PPP) questioned definition of pri- Internews but almost everyone agreed that the Conference (APMC) in 2012 and struck In fact, Waris said people had it is launched. vatisation as the finance minister song’s young tabla player Sumaira gold. “I just wanted to show that a mixed feelings when she won the After attracting private sector to opined that this was not privatisa- Waris would go a long way. girl could play tabla too — that was competition too. “Most appreciated Pakistan Airways and making it in tion but just off-load of 26 per cent In fact, she garnered a great fol- always my driving force,” said Waris. me but there were those who were running position, properties of the shares in order to improve the per- LAHORE: After Nescafe Basement’s lowing after the track was released. One can understand where she comes shocked. They wouldn’t out right ask Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) formance of the company. all-female rendition of John New- According to Waris, it wasn’t always from, as Waris has always found her- me why I’m doing it but there would will be transferred to Pakistan Air- He also ensured that not a single man’s Love Me Again, social media smooth sailing. She had been playing self in a 6:1 ratio everywhere from her be an underlying question about how? ways gradually. employee will be laid off from serv- became a hotbed for all kinds of emo- the tabla for nearly a decade until she classes at school to APMC, where she How did I get here and how long will I At the same time, all liabili- ice. But the opposition didn’t agree tions. Some liked it, some did not, performed at the All Pakistan Music was often the only girl. be able to stay,” shared Waris. ties will remain with the PIA, an with the explanation. INDIA THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 13

Roadside cricket stars Govt approves Double agent pacts with Headley admits UAE for skill development

financing LeT IANS

that he purchased in the UAE, prop- erty trading in Pakistan and his NEW DELHI: The union cabi- The terrorist-turn- business in New York. net yesterday gave its post-facto approver said On Khan’s persistent questions approval to a letter of intent (LoI) that he donated about the funds received from the signed on February 10 between the LeT and out of drug smuggling, skill development and entrepre- around 6-7m Headley became irritated and neurship ministry of India and the Pakistani rupees to countered by saying that the law- National Qualifications Authority yer was repeatedly asking him the of the UAE. Lashkar-e-Taiba. same thing, and switched over from “The letter of intent will English to Urdu and Hindi to convey strengthen relations between the same. At one point, seeing Khan the two countries and pave the smile, Headley said: “Your client’s way for bilateral cooperation Kashmiri boys play cricket on a roadside in Kangan, Srinagar, yesterday. IANS life relies on this case. You should be between the two countries on skill serious about it. Don’t joke.” development and recognition of Headley also admitted that he qualifications,” an official state- was arrested in 1988 and 1998 in the ment said after a cabinet meeting MUMBAI: Pakistani-Ameri- US on charges of drug smuggling and that in New Delhi was chaired by can terrorist-turned-approver had visited Pakistan once between Prime Minister Narendra Modi David Coleman Headley yesterday the arrests. Earlier, he claimed that Govt plans to bring stringent rules yesterday. admitted to financing terror outfit his associate Tahawwur Rana was “Following this, the cabinet has Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to the tune opposed to his (Headley’s) links with also given its approval for signing of around 6-7m Pakistani rupees. the LeT. He said Pakistani national to crack down on electronic waste of a memorandum of understand- “I have never received any Rana had knowledge that he worked ing (MoU) between the ministry of money from the LeT. I gave (them) as an operative of the LeT. skill development and entrepre- funds from myself,” Headley “Rana was aware of my associa- Bloomberg kill humans as it seeps from landfills Links, an environmental research neurship of India and the National revealed during his cross-examina- tion with the LeT and I informed him into the groundwater or farmland. and advocacy organisation. Qualifications Authority of the tion before Special Court Additional about the training imparted to me by Environment Minister Prakash The current systems with few United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Sessions Judge G A Sanap. LeT operatives. I also told Rana that Javadekar said India will mandate restrictions on dumping electronics cooperation in skill development His replies came during the I was spying for LeT. That must be NEW DELHI: India is proposing collecting 30 percent of the units raises the risk that toxic substances and recognition of qualifications,” cross-examination conducted by around 4-5 months before the 26/11 stringent new rules to crack down by 2018 and 70 percent by 2023. inside can leak into the water table, it stated . lawyer Abdul Wahab Khan, the Mumbai terror attacks,” Headley on waste from discarded electron- Those who produce the goods will farmland or atmosphere. It also said that the MoU defence counsel for Sayed Zabiud- told Khan. ics that will require those who make be required to establish a method to “Government will have to ensure would pave the way for bilateral din Ansari alias Abu Jundal, who is “Rana had objected to my asso- and sell the units to be responsible for pick up the units as their customers strict penalties for defaulters in order cooperation between India and facing trial in the 26/11 case. ciation with LeT. He asked me to stop collecting old devices that otherwise discard them. to ensure compliance and transpar- the United Arab Emirates (UAE) When specifically queried by using his office in Mumbai. I con- would end up in landfills. “A provision for financial penalty ency,” said Satish Sinha, associate on skill development and rec- Khan, Headley said: “I have donated ceded to his objections and took The rules are aimed at pre- for violation of rules has also been director of Toxics Link. The environ- ognition of qualifications in this around (Pakistani) Rs60 to 70 lakh. steps to close down the office in July venting toxic chemicals included in introduced,” Javadekar said at a press ment ministry’s inclusion of recycling regard. It was in different times — the last 2008,” Headley added. electronics from leaching into the conference in New Delhi yesterday. mercury- containing CFL bulbs in “Also the MoU will facilitate time was in 2010.” However, Headley declined to environment. For the first time, the The new rules will help improve the new norms is also a result of an workforce mobility, skill devel- To a question about source of his answer questions about his wife rules will cover compact fluorescent the accountability of companies pro- order by the country’s green tribunal. opment and placement of youth fun, Headley said it was the returns Shazia, with whom he continues to lamps, most of which include quan- ducing electronics by making them Toxics Link has been pressing for the in overseas jobs in UAE,” the state- on his investments in the few shops be legally wedded. tities of mercury that can poison or responsible for waste, said Toxics move since 2014. ment said. Family of Indian woman in blast photo to fly to Belgium

AFP In the photo, shared by millions in an official statement confirmed on social media, the mother of two that “two Jet Airways staff have sus- is seen in the tattered remains of her tained injuries in the explosion at yellow Jet Airways jacket, missing a Brussels airport”, refraining to iden- NEW DELHI: An Indian woman who shoe and with blood running down tify them with their full names. was pictured covered in dust and her face. “Depending on when the “Based on latest updates from blood after the Brussels attacks and next earliest flight out of the coun- #Brussels, our colleagues Nidhi and made newspaper front pages around try is, my brother and I will be leaving Amit are recovering well. We look the world has been identified as an by tonight or tomorrow morning,” forward to welcome them home Indian Jet Airways employee. the 40-year-old flight attendant’s soon,” the airline posted on Twitter. The brother-in-law of the brother-in-law, Nilesh Chaphekar, Many online have criticised the woman, Nidhi Chaphekar, said said. “We haven’t been able to speak publishing and sharing of Chaphek- yesterday that he and his brother to her directly yet. All we know is ar’s photo, saying that her privacy were set to fly out from Mumbai to that she is in stable condition now. should be respected. join her in Brussels where she was We have been kept informed by Jet Separately, an Indian employee hospitalised (Airways),” he said, adding that “it has of Infosys is said to be missing in the A haunting photograph of a dazed been a very traumatic experience”. aftermath of the attacks, the Banga- Chaphekar covered in debris, that Local media citing unnamed lore-based software firm said. surfaced soon after two massive Jet Airways sources on Tuesday “We are trying to reach one suicide blasts hit Zaventem Airport, identified Chaphekar and another employee with whom we have not became one of the most widely pub- employee who was also hurt in the been able to connect,” the IT out- lished images of the bombings. blasts as Amit Motwani. The airlines sourcing firm said in a statement.

Bomb threat Govt to build 10m houses to 10 IndiGo for rural poor in 3 years planes a hoax IANS shelters. The houses will also be IANS provided with basic amenities like electricity and water at cheaper rates. Prasad said that every poor NEW DELHI: Budget carrier NEW DELHI: One crore houses will family living in plains will get IndiGo Airlines was hit yester- be built with the government’s com- Rs1.20lakh and those living in “hilly day by bomb threats to 10 of its mitted financial assistance for the and difficult” areas will receive an flights, all of which turned out to country’s rural poor over the next assistance of Rs1.30lakh to construct be a hoax, police and the com- three years, as part of its ambitious a house. pany said. programme to provide shelter for all “This programme will run for Police said an anonymous by 2022 — the 75th year of India’s 6-7 years,” the minister told report- caller reported a bomb had been Independence. ers, adding the scheme will run in placed on the Jammu-Delhi flight. Communications and IT Minis- two phases. As it landed at the Indira Gan- ter Ravi Shankar Prasad announced In the first phase, he said, “the dhi International Airport, it was the “very important decision” after government will provide assistance thoroughly searched, Deputy Com- a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime for construction of one crore houses missioner of Police Dinesh Kumar Minister Narendra Modi yesterday. in rural areas over the period of Gupta said. The minister said that 2.95 crore three years from 2016-17 to 2018-19”. He said a call regarding bombs houses will be built by 2022 and for For this, the government would in 10 IndiGo flights was received at this a financial assistance of up to need to spend nearly Rs82,000crore. the airlines’ call centre in Chennai. Rs1.30lakh will be provided to each Out of this, Rs60,000crore will be IndiGo said it informed all the homeless family in rural areas. provided by “budgetary provi- security agencies about the anon- The measure is part of the gov- sions” and the “additional financial ymous threat. “All our passengers ernment’s rural housing scheme requirement” of nearly Rs.22,000 are safe.” — Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana crore will come as loan from India’s The airline gave no details Gramin — for construction of brick apex development bank National about the nine other flights which and mortar houses for all houseless Bank for Agriculture and Rural were affected. and households living in temporary Development (NABARD). 14 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 INDIA

WHO wants larger health warnings on cigarette packs

Reuters tect the industry. issued a report saying the size of region,” said Bekedam, adding that top the list. an industry lobby that has called the The government last year delayed warnings should be reduced to 50 larger pack warnings were a cost- The parliamentary panel’s report new rules drastic and impractical, has implementation of new rules that percent in the interest of the indus- effective way of reducing tobacco is not binding on the government but called the panel’s latest recommenda- asked manufacturers to cover 85 per- try and tobacco farmers. consumption. lawmakers have the political clout tions “excessive”. NEW DELHI: India must implement cent of a cigarette pack’s surface in Henk Bekedam, the WHO’s India Smoking kills about 1 million to influence decisions, as is evident India’s cigarette market was rules on printing larger health warn- warnings, up from 20 percent now, as representative, said the current debate people in India each year, BMJ Glo- from last year’s delays in implement- worth $10 billion in 2014, Euromon- ings on cigarette and other tobacco the panel sought time to assess how on reducing the size of tobacco health bal Health estimates. The Canadian ing the rules. itor International estimates. packs, the World Health Organization the industry would be impacted. warnings in India was “worrisome”. Cancer Society ranks India 136th out Activists fear the report will again The industry is dominated by ITC said yesterday, days after a parlia- While the health ministry later “Any reduction in size of pack of 198 countries that use pack warn- risk delaying adoption of stiffer warn- Ltd and Godfrey Phillips India Ltd, mentary panel called for reduction decided to implement the rules from warnings will be a great setback for ings to deter smokers, lagging nations ings on the packs. which is partner of US-based Philip in the proposed warnings size to pro- April this year, the panel last week public health in the (Southeast Asia) such as Australia and Thailand that The Tobacco Institute of India, Morris International.

Festive spirit Internet speed PM wants to increases in India but lowest boost ties with in Asia-Pacific Bangladesh IANS NEW DELHI: The global aver- age Internet connection speed India will export 100 MW of increased 23 percent to 5.6 Mbps in We are setting electricity through this line. the quarter ended December 2015 The leasing of Internet band- compared to the same period of an example for width from Akhaura in Bangladesh 2014, a report said yesterday. the world how to to Agartala, apart from helping the The report “Fourth Quarter, people of Tripura to avail more reli- 2015, State of the Internet Report” build relationship able Internet connectivity, will also was released by Akamai Technolo- with neighbours: improve Internet speed in the entire gies Inc, a global leader in content Narendra Modi northeastern region. delivery network services. India’s BSNL has leased 10 GBPS “From a global perspective, bandwidth of Bangladesh Subma- the average connection speed rine Cable Company Limited from increased 8.6 percent quarter- its Cox’s Bazar Internet port. over-quarter (QoQ) and 23 percent IANS The Prime Minister said the year-over-year (YoY) to 5.6 Mbps, power transmission to Bangladesh while the global average peak con- has provided yet another opportu- People put powdered colour on each other’s faces and dance as they celebrate the Holi festival in nection speed increased 1 percent nity for the development of the south Jammu, yesterday. Holi festival is celebrated on the full moon day and heralds the onset of spring QoQ, and increased 21 percent YoY NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Asian nation. Regarding the Inter- season. to 32.5 Mbps,” it said. Narendra Modi yesterday said that net connectivity, he said this was an South Korea had the highest India and Bangladesh have set an era of communication and it was an average connection speed in Asia- example of how neighbouring coun- opportunity to strengthen the power Pacifi c region at 26.7 Mbps, while tries can build a relationship with of communication. India had the lowest at 2.8 Mbps. each other. “Opening of the eastern gateway Hurriyat wants govt to follow Vajpayee’s vision “This quarter’s (October to “There was a time when Bang- of digital world with Bangladesh in December 2015) report shows great ladesh was afflicted with pain and itself is a great opportunity of cre- YoY growth in average connection suffering,” Modi said while jointly ating awareness for the youth, speeds and overall broadband inaugurating via video-conference especially in the northeastern states IANS countries. Vajpayee would be carried forward in adoption,” said David Belson, edi- with Bangladeshi Prime Minister of the country,” the prime minister Speaking to the media before which he said issues should be settled tor of the report. Sheikh Hasina a power transmission said. leaving for New Delhi to attend the within the parameters of ‘Insaniyat’ South Korea (95.3 Mbps) and line and an Internet connectiv- He highlighted the multiple Pakistan Day function to which High (Humanity) which is much greater Macao (83.1 Mbps) were the only ity project between the two south channels of increased connectivity SRINAGAR: Moderate Hurriyat group Commissioner Abdul Basit has invited than the parameters set by the con- countries/regions to post double- Asian nations. between the two countries in recent chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq yes- him, Mirwaiz said: “Hurriyat con- stitution” . digit quarterly gains in average “Today Bangladesh is progress- times, including road connectivity terday said they expect the Indian ference is not against any country Umer dismissed opposition to the peak connection speed at 10 per- ing to achieve greater heights... We and digital connectivity. government to carry forward the or nation. separatist leaders attendance at the cent and 13 percent, respectively. are setting an example for the world Modi offered all support to spirit of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision “We have always welcomed the Pakistan Day functions in New Delhi. “This is particularly impor- how to build relationship with neigh- Bangladesh for the launch of the that called for settling dispute within dialogue process between India and “It is like creating a storm in the tant as consumer expectations rise bours,” he said. Bangabandhu satellite. the parameters of humanity. Pakistan. We hope the two counties tea cup. We have always been attend- and many high-profile events, like The new power transmission He also extended his best wishes He hoped India and Pakistan would evolve the ways and means ing these functions at the invitation the summer games in Rio, will be line will link Surjyamaninagar to the cricket teams of both coun- would evolve ways and means to to include the people of Kashmir of Pakistan High Commission. We go streamed this year. in Tripura with South Comilla in tries for the T-20 World Cup match include the people of Kashmir in the in the composite dialogue process. there to put forth our viewpoint and “The progress we are see- Bangladesh. scheduled for today. composite dialogue between the two “We believe the vision of Atal Bihari not to oppose anybody,” Umer said. ing across our key metrics shows that, while there’s still work to be done, more parts of the world are increasingly able to support the delivery of broadcast-quality video DMDK seals poll deal with Vaiko, Left and Dalit party content online,” he added. The report also showed each of the top 10 countries/regions saw IANS who even the BJP was wooing, would and the other three parties. the ‘king’ (chief minister). Vijaykant Vijaykant will be the chief minister,” double-digit growth in 25 Mbps be the chief ministerial candidate of “This is the alliance the people said he had gone to PWF as it was a he added. broadband adoption except Hong the People’s Welfare Front (PWF). were looking for,” Vaiko, coordina- “people’s party”. “My cadres wanted CPI-M leader G Ramakrishnan Kong, which posted a 9.8 percent The announcement makes the tor of PWF, told the media. me to be the king. All the alliance and CPI leader R Mutharasan said change quarter-over-quarter. Nor- CHENNAI: Actor-turned-politician A PWF, which until now was made “The election (in Tamil Nadu) will partners have asked me to be the March 23 would be a golden day in way and Denmark saw the greatest Vijaykant yesterday announced that up of the MDMK, Communist Party now be like a Kurukshetra war,” said chief ministerial candidate,” he said. the state’s politics. yearly gains, the report cited. his DMDK will contest the assembly of India, Communist Party of India- one of the leaders in the alliance. Yesterday, Vaiko said a revolution The BJP too actively wooed the On a global basis, close to 70 elections in Tamil Nadu in alliance Marxist and the VCK, a major force in Referring to DMDK supporters’ took place in Tamil Nadu on March 6, DMDK. But the DMDK was miffed percent of the countries/regions with Vaiko’s MDMK, the Left and Dalit the May electoral battle. demand that Vijaykant should be the 1967 when DMK founder C N Anna- that while BJP national leaders met saw a QoQ increase in unique IPv4 party VCK. While the DMDK will put up can- king and not a kingmaker, Vaiko said durai became the chief minister after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayala- address counts in the last three The new alliance said Vijaykant, didates in 124 seats, the remaining 110 the leaders of PWF would be the king- defeating the Congress. lithaa when they came to Chennai, months of 2015, up 10 percent from popularly known as “Captain” and seats will be contested by the MDMK makers who would make Vijaykant “Similarly, a day will come when they ignored Vijaykant. the July-September period of 2015. Radicalisation Kanhaiya denied entry into Hyderabad varsity in Kashmir, IANS He condemned the police ‘lathi’ (baton) charge says report on students of Hyderabad university on Tuesday when they were staging a protest on the campus. IANS Expressing solidarity with the injured, he said HYDERABAD: JNU student leader Kanhaiya “lathis can’t silence our voice”. Kumar was yesterday denied entry into Univer- “This fight will continue. This fight is to save NEW DELHI: The defence min- sity of Hyderabad which witnessed unprecedented the country, the Constitution and the democracy,” istry says radicalisation and fresh clampdown amid continuing tension over the return he said. recruitment (for terrorism) in south of P Appa Rao as the vice chancellor. Kanhaiya Kumar, who was arrested last month Kashmir is a cause for concern, Police stopped Kanhaiya Kumar in the evening on charges of sedition, said they were fighting for while also expressing concerns when he along with others reached the central uni- freedom from casteism, inequality and injustice. over “developments” in Punjab. versity to address protesting students on the campus. “Our fight will continue till the dreams of Rohith The ministry’s annual report for Since the university authorities barred the entry Vemula, B R Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh are real- 2015-16 said while there is a “steep of outsiders, police stopped Kanhaiya’s convoy and ised,” he said, demanding enactment of what he decline” in terror attacks, “...devel- asked him to go back. called ‘Rohith legislation’ to ensure social justice opments in Jammu and Kashmir and Talking to reporters, the Jawaharlal Nehru Uni- on campuses. Punjab have been a cause of con- versity (JNU) student leader said a student was not He vowed to continue the fight for justice to the cern, especially cross-border terror being allowed on the campus. He said such actions family of Rohith, the Dalit research scholar who attacks and trafficking of arms and by police and the government can’t suppress their committed suicide on January 17. narcotics”. The report said: “This voice. Earlier, the JNU student leader met Rohith’s is primarily due to the protracted “I want to tell the university administration and mother Radhika and consoled her. operations of the security forces police who have prohibited us from entering the The sprawling campus of the university in the hinterland and effectiveness campus that you can’t suppress our voice,” he said. remained on boil for the second consecutive day of the counter-infiltration grid on “It is shameful that a student is not being allowed as police and paramilitary forces were deployed to Jawaharlal Nehru University’s student leader Kanhaiya Kumar speaks to the media the Line of Control and Interna- on the campus. It is unfortunate the government is prevent outsiders from entering the campus. Media tional Border.” at Hyderabad Central University in Hyderabad yesterday. not listening to voice of students,” said Kanahiya. persons too were not allowed. EUROPE / UK THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 15

Netherlands ‘Out’ campaign shuts Istanbul consulate over takes little lead terror threat ahead of vote AFP

THE HAGUE: The Netherlands EU rose to 43 percent, up 2 per- evacuated and closed its Turkish centage points from a similar poll consulate in Istanbul yesterday Support for Britain a week ago and the highest propor- because of a possible terror threat, to leave the EU rose tion in favour of a British exit since the Dutch foreign ministry said. ICM started its referendum tracker The move comes after the lat- to 43 percent, up 2 in May 2015. est attack on Saturday that killed percentage points Three months before a June 23 three Israelis and an Iranian in from a similar poll a referendum, the poll of 2,000 people a busy Istanbul shopping hub, carried out March 18-20 showed the blamed by the Turkish authori- British Prime Minister David Cameron speaks during Prime Minister’s Questions, in the House of Commons in week ago. “In” campaign on 41 percent, down ties on a jihadist with links to the from 43 percent a week ago. central London, yesterday. Islamic State group. Cameron faces one of the Foreign Minister Bert Koenders deepest crises of his decade-long “decided to temporarily close the leadership of the Conservatives after “It’s possible that the split and the voters are undecided though betting York, would prosper outside the EU. Dutch consulate in Istanbul after Reuters senior cabinet minister Iain Duncan budget is creating EU dissatisfaction by odds indicate the chances of a Brexit “I think the City would continue to a possible terror threat,” officials Smith, who opposes EU membership, proxy but equally it could be the public has risen in recent days. flourish outside EU,” Johnson told Par- said in a statement, adding “he resigned last week over plans to cut moving toward a more pro-Brexit posi- Companies such as BP and Glax- liament’s Treasury Select Committee. advises all Dutch citizens to stay spending on welfare. tion or just normal sampling variation oSmithKline have cautioned that Pro-European leaders— former away from its vicinity and stay LONDON: The campaign for Brit- Divisions over EU membership in the polls. Only time will tell,” he said. Britain’s $2.9 trillion economy would prime ministers Tony Blair and John abreast of developments”. ain to leave the European Union — an issue that helped sink the Con- The cost of hedging against sharp face years of uncertain negotiations Major, have warned that an exit could “For obvious reasons we can- has taken a 2 percentage point lead, servative premierships of Margaret swings in sterling surged to its high- if voters chose to divorce, while Gold- trigger break-up of United Kingdom by not say more about the nature of according to an ICM poll, indicat- Thatcher and John Major —have est in six years yesterday as investors man Sachs said sterling could fall by prompting another Scottish independ- the threat annd where it comes ing a dispute in the Conservative amplified such disputes within the stepped up to protect themselves from as much as a fifth. ence vote if England pulled Scotland from,” Koenders added. Party may have dented confidence party. “The Tories (Conservatives) the uncertainty of Britain’s upcoming London Mayor Boris Johnson, a out of the EU. Members of “Out” There were around 40 people in Prime Minister David Cameron’s are overtly split and that is never a vote on whether to stay in the Euro- Conservative lawmaker who is sup- campaign say such warnings are over- at the consulate when it was evac- push for the country to stay in. good look,” Martin Boon, director at pean Union. porting a British exit, said that London, blown and that Britain would prosper uated and officials were continuing Support for Britain to leave the ICM, said. Polls suggest just under a fifth of the only financial centre to rival New if it broke free. to work “from various other loca- tions,” the statement said. “The safety of my colleagues and visitors to our institutions are a top priority,” added Koenders. Slovak MPs in Holocaust star protest against far-right party Turkey is suffering from “one of the biggest waves of terrorism in its history,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on AFP The opposition MPs wore the stars liberal SaS, told journalists it was 83 to highlight this,” he said. got to do with it? We do not consider Monday, while vowing to hit back. to an inaugural session of parliament years since the German Reichstag Viera Dubacova from the con- ourselves to be fascists.” IS has been blamed for four of following the country’s March 5 elec- “approved the intention of Hitler’s servative OLaNO-NOVA also wore a In the recently held elections, Our the six bombings that have rocked tion in which the Our Slovakia party government to pass laws without Par- yellow star. Slovakia entered the parliament for Turkey in the past eight months, BRATISLAVA: Two Slovak MPs won 14 seats. liament” turning Germany into a Nazi Newly elected Our Slovakia MP the first time following an election including a massacre at a peace yesterday donned yellow stars sym- Nazi Germany forced Jews to dictatorship. Milan Uhrik denied his party was campaign in which major parties, rally in the capital Ankara in bolising the Holocaust in protest at wear yellow stars inscribed with the “It’s significant that exactly 83 fascist and dubbed the protest as “a including Prime Minister Robert Fico’s October that left 103 people dead. the “dangerous” parliamentary debut word “Jude” (Jewish in German) dur- years after this act, Slovak fascists circus, undignified for this place”. winning leftist Smer-Social Democ- A radical offshoot of Kurdistan of a far-right party they condemn as ing the Holocaust. have marched into the Slovak par- Speaking to the local TASR news racy, took staunchly anti-Muslim and Workers Party claimed the other “fascist”. Ondrej Dostal, an MP with the liament. It’s dangerous and we want agency Uhrik said “What have we anti-refugee positions. two attacks. More aid agencies pull out of Greek camps

Reuters agencies joined them yesterday. which is of great assistance to us. Nat- “The IRC alerted the (Greek) coast urally we want it to stay, under certain guard that we would not transport the rules, of course,” Citizen Protection migrants to a place where their free- Minister Nikos Toskas told Greek radio. LESBOS: More aid agencies work- dom of movement is impeded upon,” A government source said migra- ing to alleviate conditions of refugees said Lucy Carrigan, a regional spokes- tion minister Yannis Mouzalas was and migrants arriving in Greece said woman for the International Rescue trying to coax aid organisations back. they were joining a boycott of deten- Committee (IRC). The IRC will continue “He is the best placed to mediate tion centres yesterday, angered at an to support those at another makeshift with these groups,” the source said. EU deal they say runs roughshod over camp, she said. Mouzalas, a medical practitioner, had human rights. The Norwegian Refugee Council, been involved with aid agencies and Human rights organisations are a major non-governmental organisa- participated in relief missions before incensed at a pact between the EU tion, said yesterday it was suspending his cabinet appointment in Greece’s and Turkey under which hundreds of most of its activities within a detention leftist-led government last year. new arrivals have been detained since centre on the Greek island of Chios. More than 147,000 people, many Sunday, for fast-tracking registration “We are extremely close to be in fleeing conflict in the Middle East and and asylum applications. Those refu- a position where this site is danger- Asia, have arrived in Greece by sea this gees or migrants who fail will be sent ously overcrowded ... We have a large year. Almost one million arrived in back to Turkey. number of refugees including pregnant Europe via Greece in 2015. Aid agencies said cooperating women and children lying on the floor Meanwhile, a report from Warsaw with the Greeks at detention centres in the reception hall,” said Dan Tyler, quoted Poland Prime Minister Beata would make them complicit to a prac- a protection adviser for the council. Szydlo as saying that Poland can- tice which was ‘unfair and inhumane’. Tension within the facility was not accept migrants at the moment. UN refugee agency UNHCR and building up and there had already been “Twenty eight EU countries agreed to aid organisation Medicins Sans Fron- demonstrations, he said. solve the issue through relocation... But tieres (MSF), a major contributor to the Greek authorities said they needed I will say it very clearly. I do not see it relief effort, announced they would be help. “We need these international possible to allow migrants in Poland Refugees sit on the rail tracks in the makeshift refugees camp of Idomeni, north Greece, yesterday. cutting back assistance. Two other aid organisations, particularly the UNHCR at the moment,” Szydlo said.

Karadzic expects Entertaining crowd Britain’s gender pay gap little acquittal in UN changed in four years: Panel war crimes court

SARAJEVO: Wartime Bosnian Serb Reuters being addressed,” said Maria Miller, and early finishes— was key to leader Radovan Karadzic said “no chairwoman of the cross-party addressing the gender pay gap, reasonable court” would convict Women and Equalities Committee. according to the committee, which him, in an interview published yes- Miller told reporters that Britain monitors the performance of the gov- terday, a day before a UN tribunal LONDON: Britain should promote could not afford to wait 20 years to ernment’s Equalities Office. rules on whether he committed flexible working policies that encour- reduce the gender pay gap because It also called for fathers to be some of Europe’s worst atrocities age men to share childcare duties it was “not only unfair and inequita- granted three months of well-paid since World War II. while allowing women to continue ble, it’s also a drag on the country’s leave as an incentive to help with Ahead of today’s verdict from working if the country is to reduce productivity as well”. childcare and for mothers to encour- the Hague-based International the gender pay gap, a parliamentary Many women are trapped in low- aged to return to employment after Criminal Tribunal for the former committee said. paid, part-time work in which their time out of the labour market. Yugoslavia a defiant Karadzic On average women earn 19.2 per- skills are not fully used, the commit- In July, British Prime Minister said he had been fighting to pre- cent less than men in Britain. Despite tee said in a report. David Cameron vowed to end the serve peace and expected to be the government’s pledge to end the It estimates the failure to take country’s gender pay gap in a gen- “acquitted”. pay gap within a generation, it has advantage of their potential costs eration, calling it a “scandal” that a “My expectations are the same remained more or less the same for the United Kingdom economy up woman in Britain earns only 80 per- (as they always were). I know what the past four years with women over to 2 percent of GDP (gross domestic cent of a man’s pay. I wanted, what I did, even what I 40 hardest hit, the committee said. product), around 36 billion pounds The Fawcett Society, a campaign dreamed of, and there is no rea- “Far from this problem diminish- ($52bon) a year. group promoting women’s rights in sonable court that would convict ing over time, actually we are likely Flexible working for both men the workplace, said employers should me,” Karadzic told the Balkan Jugglers perform at a media preview of the Moscow State Circus to see it grow over time because the and women—including job shares, be obliged to follow the committee’s Investigative Reporting Network in north London, Britain, yesterday. factors that are driving this are not working from home, and late starts recommendations. in an interview by email. 16 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 EUROPE

French PM calls Belgium names urgent need to bolster EU 2 brothers as external borders key suspects AFP

PARIS: France’s Prime Minis- computer dumped in a rubbish bin ter yesterday said there was an near the militants’ hideout. “urgent need” to tighten controls Ibrahim El Bakraoui, In it, he described himself as on the European Union’s external 29 and his brother “always on the run, not knowing borders after deadly bombings in what to do anymore, being hunted Brussels claimed by the Islamic Khalid El Bakraoui, everywhere, not being safe any State (IS) group. 27, were identified by longer and that if he hangs around, “There is an urgent need to he risks ending up next to the person strengthen the external borders their fingerprints and in a cell” - a reference to suspected of the European Union,” Manuel on security cameras, Paris bomber Salah Abdeslam, who Valls told French radio. the prosecutor said. was arrested last week. Heightened vigilance was His brother Khalid El Bakraoui, required to stop people crossing 27, detonated a bomb an hour later into Europe with false passports, on a crowded rush-hour metro train as IS has “stolen a large number of Reuters near the European Commission Staff members at Brussels national airport and rescuers stand outside the terminal for a ceremony to pay passports in Syria,” he said. headquarters, prosecutor Frederic tributes to the blast victims, yesterday. Europe is facing a secu- Van Leeuw said. rity crisis after Tuesday’s triple Both men, born in Belgium, had bomb attacks in Brussels, and BRUSSELS: Belgium’s chief prose- criminal records for armed robbery Belgian media named that man Prime Minister Manuel Valls. the November 13 bomb and gun cutor yesterday named two brothers but were not previously linked by as Najim Laachraoui, 25, a suspected “We are determined, admittedly Brussels airport assaults in Paris that killed 130. as Islamic State suicide bombers who investigators to Islamist militants. Islamic State recruiter and bomb- with a strong feeling of pain in our Two of the suicide bombers killed at least 31 people in the most At least 31 people were killed and maker whose DNA was found on two stomachs, but determined to act,” closed till Saturday involved in the Paris attack were deadly attacks in Brussels’ history about 271 wounded in the attacks, explosives belts used in last Novem- Michel told a joint news conference found with fake Syrian passports but said another key suspect was the prosecutor said. ber’s Paris attacks and at a Brussels with Valls. “France and Belgium are and several crossed into Europe on the run. That toll could increase further safe house used by Abdeslam before united in pain more than ever.” BRUSSELS: Brussels airport posing as refugees. Tuesday’s attacks on a city that because some of the bomb victims at his arrest last Friday. Valls played down cross-border will remain closed until at least “More than 30 people have is home to the European Union and Maelbeek metro station were blown Some media reported he had been sniping over security, saying: “We Saturday, a spokeswoman said, fol- been identified as linked to the Nato sent shockwaves across Europe to pieces and victims are hard to captured in the Brussels borough of must turn the page on naivete, a form lowing deadly bombings claimed Paris attacks. Eleven are dead, 12 and around the world, with author- identify. Several survivors were in Anderlecht, but they later said the per- of carefreeness that our societies have by the Islamic State group. are under lock and key and others ities racing to review security at critical condition. son detained was not Laachraoui. known. “It is Europe that has been “The airport is closed to pas- are still wanted,” said Valls. “Were airports and on public transport. It The Bakraoui brothers were A minute’s silence was observed attacked. The response to terrorism sengers until Friday included,” some of them involved in the Paris also rekindled debate about lagging identified by their fingerprints and across Belgium at noon. must be European.” spokeswoman Anke Fransen told attacks? We will see, the investi- European security cooperation and on security cameras, the prosecu- Prime Minister Charles Michel can- More than 1,000 people gathered AFP on Wednesday, a day after the gation will reveal this,” he added. flaws in police surveillance. tor said. The second suicide bomber celled a trip to China and reviewed around an improvised shrine with can- attacks by two suicide bombers Valls again urged adoption of The federal prosecutor told a at the airport had yet to be identi- security measures with his inner cabi- dles and street paintings outside the that wrecked the departure hall. a Europe-wide system of track- news conference that Ibrahim El fied and a third man, whom he did net before attending a memorial event Brussels bourse. “We cannot say for certain if ing airline passenger names, an Bakraoui, 29, one of two men who not name, had left the biggest bomb at European Commission headquarters Belgium’s crisis coordination cen- the flights will be reopened to pas- initiative that has led to misgiv- blew themselves up at Brussels air- and run out of the terminal before with King Philippe, Commission Pres- tre kept the level of security alert at the sengers on Saturday,” she said. ings among critics over the use and port on Tuesday, had left a will on a the explosions. ident Jean-Claude Juncker and French maximum as the man hunt continued. security of personal data. Brussels suicide brothers linked to Paris carnage

AFP the investigation into the Paris attacks. The police last week expected to sentence for car-jacking, according to Belgian media reports said a joint find an abandoned property as utilities daily La Derniere Heure. squad of Belgian and French police in Brussels apartment had been shut Ibrahim meanwhile in 2010 was approached the property because it off for weeks. Instead they came under handed a nine-year sentence for firing BRUSSELS: The two brothers who was rented under a false name used heavy gunfire, with one assailant at police with a Kalashnikov assault blew themselves up in the deadly train by Khalid to secure a hideout months killed and two men fleeing—including, rifle during a botched robbery, it said. and airport attacks in Brussels were earlier for the Paris attackers. it is thought, Salah Abdeslam, the top Another possible participant in the known by police for serious crimes Khalid is suspected of having Paris fugitive who would be arrested Brussels attack is suspected IS jihadist and are linked to November’s Paris rented other properties used to pre- three days later. Najim Laachraoui, who could be the massacre. pare the November tragedy in Paris, The brothers are not believed to man dressed in a light jacket seen in Khalid and Ibrahim El Bakraoui including one in the city of Charleroi have been present in those events, but CCTV images at the airport. Queen Mathilde (centre left ) and King Philippe of Belgium (centre entered the public eye on March 15 from where ringleader Abdelhamid their connection to Islamic State jihad- Moroccan-born Laachraoui is sus- right) visit the damaged departure hall at Brussels Airport, in when police raided an apartment in Abaaoud set off to lead the assault in ism was established. pected of being the bomb-maker for Zaventem, Belgium, yesterday. the Forest district of Brussels, as part of the French capital. Khalid in 2011 received a five-year the Paris attacks that killed 130 people. ‘Memory Wound’ memorial to victims divides Norwegians Germanwings crash victims Reuters his prison conditions, the government the project by Swedish artist Jonas five years ... It is good to have a place Holtane-Berge, who heads a group said it would go ahead with the con- Dahlberg in 2014, seeing it as “a sym- to go to,” Lisbeth Kristine Roeyneland, of local residents. honoured on eve struction of the memorial. bolic wound” in the landscape that head of the support group for the vic- “But we feel this is much too close. Called “Memory Wound”, the “reflected the abrupt and permanent tims of the attacks and their relatives, We can’t live in a memorial when we of anniversary OSLO: A memorial to the victims design is for a 3.5-metre gash in the loss of those who died”. told reporters. are trying to move forward,” she told of Norwegian mass killer Anders peninsula facing Utoeya Island, where But after protests by some res- But the project is divisive. A group state broadcaster NRK. Behring Breivik is dividing those Breivik shot dead 69 Labour Party idents who oppose this particular of residents opposed to the project Asked about the planned chal- affected by his attacks, with some youth activists on July 22, 2011. memorial and its location - many of said it would now try to stop it in the lenge in the courts, Roeyneland AFP suing the government to stop its con- Before the shooting, the Nazi mil- whom helped rescue teenagers from courts. said: “We are many. There are struction and others welcoming it as itant also planted a car bomb outside the lake as Breivik was conducting his “We understand the relatives thousands of us who have been a place where they can grieve. the prime minister’s office in Oslo, shooting - the government suspended and everyone else who has been affected. People have different BARCELONA: Hundreds of people In the same week that Breivik killing eight, media reports said. construction for further consultations. involved in July 22: we were a part opinions. Unfortunately, that is in Spain and Germany took part was suing the Norwegian state over A state-appointed jury picked “We have been waiting for this for of it ourselves,” said Maria Irene just the way it is, she added.” in anniversary vigils yesterday to mark the Germanwings tragedy in which a suicidal pilot crashed a plane into a mountainside, kill- ing all 150 on board. Italian surgeon fired from Remembering Chernobyl victims Ceremonies were held at the airports in Barcelona from where the ill-fated plane took off on Swedish research institute March 24, 2015, and in Dusseldorf, its intended destination in west- ern Germany. Plaques in memory of those AFP fame for carrying out first synthetic killed were unveiled at both trachea, or windpipe, transplant airports. in 2011. It was a plastic structure Dozens of relatives of the 50 seeded with the patient’s own stem Spanish victims, many dressed STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s Karolin- cells—immature cells that grow into in black, attended the ceremony ska Institute (KI), which awards the specialised cells of the body’s organs. outside of Barcelona’s Terminal Nobel Prize for Medicine, yesterday The surgeon performed three 2 on the eve of the tragedy’s first dismissed a Italian transplant sur- such operations in Stockholm and anniversary. They were joined by geon suspected of research fraud five others around the world, and emergency services workers who and ethical breaches, in an affair the exploit was initially hailed as took part in the rescue operation that has plunged the renowned insti- a game-changer for transplant as well as top officials includ- tution into crisis. medicine. ing Spain’s acting Prime Minister “It is impossible for KI to con- But six of the eight patients Mariano Rajoy. “Transportation tinue to have any cooperation with reportedly died, and allegations security must continue to be one Paolo Macchiarini. He has acted in ensued that the risky procedure of our main priorities,” Rajoy said. a way that has had very tragic con- had been carried out on at least one Flags flew at half mast and 149 sequences for the people affected individual who had not been life- candles were lit in memory of the and their families. His conduct has threateningly ill. passengers and crew who were seriously damaged confidence in “Paolo Macchiarini supplied kiled. Investigators said German KI,” human resource director Mats false or misleading information co-pilot Andreas Lubitz waited Engelbrektson said in a statement. in the CV he submitted to KI” and Liquidators of the Chernobyl catastrophe of 1986 and their relatives carry placards with portraits of until he was alone in the cockpit Macchiarini, 57, visiting profes- “demonstrated scientific negligence” lost liquidators during their march in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, yesterday. shortly after the flight took off then sor at Karolinska since 2010, rose to in his research, said the institute. deliberately crashed the plane. AMERICAS THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 17 Obama praises Argentina’s Macri for reforms

a man in hurry,” Obama told a joint still has to grapple with double-digit news conference after the two lead- inflation, a yawning fiscal deficit and The US President ers held talks. a shortage of hard currency, and has arrived on a two-day “I’m impressed because he has made securing new foreign invest- moved rapidly on so many of the ment flows a priority. visit to Argentina reforms that he promised, to create Obama said the two govern- yesterday that marks more sustainable and inclusive eco- ments would work to identify barriers nomic growth, to reconnect Argentina impeding greater trade flows between a detente after years with the global economy and the the two economies, but said a free of tensions. world community,” he said. trade agreement was something that Macri offers Obama a new ally might lie at the end of the process. in South America, a region where a “Right now there’s a lot of under- strong leftist bloc turned its back on brush, a lot of unnecessary trade Reuters Washington over the past decade but irritants and commercial irritants that where public opinion is now shifting can be cleared away administratively toward the political center ground as and that’s some of the work that we governments grapple with graft scan- intend to do right away,” Obama said. BUENOS AIRES: US President dals and an economic slowdown. Foreign companies operating in Barack Obama yesterday champi- “Argentina is re-assuming its tra- Argentina routinely complain about oned Argentina’s new centre-right ditional leadership role in the region costly customs requirements, cum- leader Mauricio Macri as an example and around the world,” Obama said. bersome red tape and strong workers’ for other countries in Latin America, His trip to Argentina to forge a rights. praising the fast pace of reforms to new friendship follows a historic Obama said Argentina could be an strengthen the economy. visit to Cold War foe Cuba that aimed effective partner in the fight against Obama, on a two-day visit to to boost Obama’s credibility across drug trafficking and organized crime Argentina that marks a detente Latin America. For years, much of and said both countries would work after years of tensions, said Argen- the region took a dim view of Wash- together in response to the Zika virus tina under Macri was poised to play ington’s longstanding policy of trying that has spread across parts of South a more influential role on the global to force change in Communist-ruled America at lightning speed. US President Barack Obama walks with Argentinian President Mauricio Macri (right) at the Casa Rosada stage, in settings like the G20 group- Cuba by isolating it, a strategy that The two countries announced an ing of major economies. Obama has cast aside. agreement on joint steps to fight cli- Presidential Palace in Buenos Aires, yesterday. In his first 100 days in office, Macri said Obama’s visit marked mate change including working to cut Macri has distanced himself from the start of new “mature” relations carbon emissions from air flights and whose presence at a Summit of the right-wing military rule. memorial to victims of the “Dirty South America’s leftist bloc, old allies in which the countries would coop- integrating solar and wind power into Americas in 2005 was met with pro- In an era when Cold War thinking War” to pay tribute to the courage of former President Cristina Fernan- erate on issues ranging from trade to electricity grids. tests and snubbed by then President often put Washington behind right- of Argentines who stood up against dez, and sought a thaw in relations fighting international drug trafficking. Crowds have cheered Obama’s Nestor Kirchner. wing governments in the region, the human rights violations, and re- with Western capitals as he seeks new Macri has lifted capital and trade motorcade as travels along Buenos But left-wing political parties have United States initially backed the affirmed that his administration investment in Latin America’s number controls, slashed bloated power subsi- Aires’ tree-lined boulevards, hand- promised protests today, which coin- 1976-1983 dictatorship, during which would declassify US military and three economy. dies and cut a debt deal with “holdout” ing the US leader a friendlier reception cides with the 40th anniversary of the as many as 30,000 people were killed. intelligence records related to the “I can tell you President Macri is creditors in the United States. But he than his predecessor George W Bush, coup on March 24, 1976, that installed Obama said he would visit a junta. Garland moves ahead with US Senate meetings Odebrecht cooperates

Reuters a brilliant legal mind and a heart of McConnell, backed by most of his McConnell has pledged to prevent in Brazil graft probe gold,” Senator Chuck Schumer, the fellow Republicans, has insisted the any Senate floor vote on confirming Senate’s second-ranking Democrat, Supreme Court vacancy resulting Garland and opposes Judiciary Com- told reporters after huddling with the from conservative Justice Antonin mittee hearings. WASHINGTON: President Barack nominee. Scalia’s Feb. 13 death be filled by Garland, considered a centrist, Reuters Rousseff’s political mentor Obama’s Supreme Court nominee “Judge Garland knows the law, Obama’s successor, who takes office could tilt the Supreme Court to the and predecessor, Luiz Inácio Lula Merrick Garland resumed meetings understands the law. He’s not an ideo- on Jan. 20, 2017. left for the first time in decades. da Silva, has been charged with with U.S. senators in a push to con- logue,” Schumer said, predicting those Garland met two senior Sen- Following Tuesday’s bombings in money laundering and fraud. A top vince Republicans who have vowed qualities will convince Republicans to ate Democrats last week after being Brussels that killed at least 30 peo- SAO PAULO: Grupo Odebrecht SA, senator who also sought a plea deal to block the nomination to reverse launch a confirmation process. nominated by Obama. ple, Schumer noted Garland led the the engineering firm at the heart recently said Rousseff, knew about course and hold confirmation hear- Garland’s nomination requires He also will hold private sessions US government’s prosecution of the of Brazil’s biggest ever graft probe, the scheme. ings this year. confirmation by the Republican-led with the relatively small number of two men convicted in the 1995 Okla- agreed to cooperate with pros- Both Lula and Rousseff deny any “It’s crystal clear after talking Senate. the 100-seat Senate’s 54 Republicans homa City federal building bombing ecutors, in a move likely to send wrongdoing. to him that Judge Garland has both Senate Majority Leader Mitch who have agreed to meet Garland. that killed 168 people. shockwaves across the political “In spite of all the difficulties and parties in the country that for years the conscience that we are not fully illegally siphoned money from state responsible for the facts that Opera- contracts. tion Car Wash investigates — which Executives at Salvador, Brazil- reveal the existence of an illegal and US to charge For a precious drop based Odebrecht targeted by the illegitimate political and electoral probe, known as “Operation Car fundraising system, - we continue Iranians in Wash,” will ask for plea bargain to believe in Brazil,” the note from deals with prosecutors, a company Odebrecht said. statement said. The political crisis comes as cyber attacks It marked a radical shift for Ode- Brazil grapples with the steepest brecht, which had previously done economic recession in decades and little to cooperate in the two-year- an epidemic of the mosquito-borne Reuters old probe. The company said the Zika virus, all of which is tarnishing decision was made to help “build a the nation as Rio de Janeiro prepares better Brazil.” to host the Olympic Games in August. The news came as the team of Odebrecht was involved in build- WASHINGTON: The Obama investigators at Car Wash uncovered ing or refurbishing at least four of administration is expected to systematic corruption at Odebre- Brazil’s 12 World Cup stadiums, blame Iranian hackers today for cht, with an office to pay bribes on including Corinthians, a new 1 billion a coordinated campaign of cyber work for World Cup soccer stadi- reais ($278m) stadium that hosted attacks in 2012 and 2013 on a sub- ums and Olympics legacy projects. the opening match — and will also urban New York City dam and Raids carried out at dawn uncovered host Olympic soccer games. several other targets, sources said. a parallel bribery scheme that helped Police also said they are looking In one of the largest foreign extract money from state-controlled into bribes at the Porto Maravilha, cyber attack cases since 2014 when oil producer Petróleo Brasileiro SA, or Marvelous Port, a regeneration of the United States charged five or Petrobras. Rio de Janeiro’s downtown port area Chinese military hackers, the US Several top executives and politi- that has been heralded by authori- Justice Department has prepared cians have already been imprisoned ties as one of the great legacies of an indictment against about a half- in the case, which could help top- the Olympics. dozen Iranians, said sources. ple President Dilma Rousseff, who The police operation, code- The charges, related to unlaw- is facing impeachment proceedings named “Xepa,” uncovered a parallel ful access to computers and other Haitians struggle to fill containers with water at a handpump in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. for an unrelated matter involving bribe-payment scheme to siphon alleged crimes, were expected alleged illegal mismanagement of money from Petroleo Brasileiro SA, to be announced publicly by US the budget. or Petrobras. officials today in Washington. The indictment was expected to directly link the hacking campaign to the Iranian government. Though the breach of back- Atlanta airport briefly evacuated over suspicious package office computer systems at the Bowman Avenue Dam in Rye Brook, New York has been reported, it was only part of Reuters after suicide bombers killed at least Stephanie Shults, originally from Ten- a hacking campaign that was 31 people and wounded 260 others nessee and Kentucky, respectively, but broader than previously known, in Brussels airport and a rush-hour now living in Belgium, have not been as the indictment will show. metro train, as airports across the heard from since they dropped a rel- In the intrusion of the dam WASHINGTON: Atlanta’s airport was United States tightened security. ative at the airport shortly before the computers, the hackers did not briefly evacuated yesterday over a Representative Devin Nunes of blasts, a family member said. gain operational control of the suspicious package while US law California, chairman of the US House “We haven’t been able to contact floodgates, and investigators enforcement agencies and travelers intelligence committee, said the air- them going on 30 hours,” Justin Shults’ believe they were attempting to were on edge a day after deadly sui- port attack may have sought to target brother, Levi Sutton, said. Parts of test their capabilities. The dam cide bombings rocked Brussels. Americans “to some degree,” noting Denver International Airport were breach coincided roughly with Passengers were ordered out of that the blast went off close to US air- briefly evacuated on Tuesday after- attacks on US financial institu- public areas of the domestic terminal line counters. noon in what turned out to be a false tions. Cyber security experts said at Hartsfield-Jackson International Apart from the eight Americans alarm over a suspicious package. these were perpetrated by Iranian Airport, the United States’ busiest confirmed as wounded on Tuesday, Visiting the Belgian embassy in hackers against Capital One, PNC by passenger volume, but the site US media reported yesterday that rel- Washington yesterday, US Vice Pres- Financial Services and SunTrust was quickly cleared and operations atives of at least four other Americans ident Joe Biden said the United States Bank . Prosecutors were consid- resumed, airport officials said. who had been traveling in Belgium is ready to give “anything we have” to A file photo of Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, where ering including those breaches in Parts of Denver airport were were still trying to track them down. help Belgium fight and prevent acts police officers patrol the check-in area. the indictment, sources said. also evacuated on Tuesday, hours Husband and wife Justin and of terrorism. 18 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 AMERICAS Bush endorses Cruz to stop Trump’s march

Offsetting Trump’s victory in Ari- election candidates. zona was a blow-out loss to Texas The poll found that Clinton tops Hillary Clinton easily senator Cruz in Mormon-dominated Trump 46 to 40 percent in a matchup defeated Democratic Utah, underscoring once again the but would lose to Ohio Governor John deep divisions that presidential race Kasich, whose only hope of gaining rival Bernie Sanders has opened in the Republican party. the Republican nomination would be in Arizona, but the Bush, whose own White House in a brokered convention. hopes were crushed under the Trump The survey indicated that Clinton Vermont senator wave, dipped back into the race to would face a close contest if matched scored resounding give Cruz a boost and take a shot at in November against arch-conserv- victories in Utah and the frontrunner. ative Cruz, who is running second to “For the sake of our party and Trump overall in the Republican con- Idaho. country we must overcome the divi- test and ahead of Kasich. siveness and vulgarity Donald Trump Some 54 percent of American has brought into the political arena or voters “would definitely not” vote we will certainly lose our chance to for Trump; 43 percent say the same AFP defeat the Democratic nominee, most about Clinton, according to the poll. likely Hillary Clinton,” said Bush. Tuesday’s voting gave the can- “That is the only way we can didates another opportunity to pile reverse President Obama’s failed up delegates on the way to the party Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton poses for selfies with supporters at Rainer Beach High WASHINGTON: Jeb Bush endorsed domestic and foreign policy agenda nominating conventions, but it did not Ted Cruz for the White House yes- and turn our country around.” dramatically alter the basic outlines School in Seattle. terday in the latest bid by party The former Florida governor of what has been the most divisive heavyweights to stop Donald Trump’s is Republican royalty, the son and race in a generation. more than 50 percent, which means he for Cruz and 145 for Kasich, according victories since March 8 in Michigan. relentless drive toward the Repub- brother of presidents. But it was “Much bigger win than antici- secures all of its 40 delegates, accord- to a CNN tally. “These decisive victories in Idaho lican nomination, after he notched unclear how much sway he has with pated in Arizona. Thank you, I will ing to media projections. On the Democratic side, Clinton’s and Utah give me confidence that we another win in Arizona. an angry electorate in a topsy-turvy never forget!” Trump declared on At this point in the Republican con- Arizona victory was tempered by will continue to win major victories Hillary Clinton easily defeated election year. Twitter. Trump corraled all 58 del- test Trump’s main objective is to amass Sanders’ impressive performance in in the coming contests,” Sanders said. Democratic rival Bernie Sanders in A new Quinnipiac University egates at stake in winner-takes-all the 1,237 delegates needed to win his Idaho, where he won the caucuses by But the delegate math looked Arizona, but the Vermont senator poll shows Trump, a billionaire busi- Arizona, where he left Cruz and party’s nomination and thwart a bid a staggering 78 percent to 21 percent, bleak for the self-described demo- scored resounding victories in Utah nessman, and Clinton to be their Kasich far behind. by the party establishment to stop him. and in Utah, results allowed him to cut cratic socialist—Clinton finished the and Idaho that show he is still a force respective party’s clear primary But Cruz bounced back in neigh- Following Tuesday’s votes, Trump into Clinton’s delegate lead. night with 1,711 delegates, compared to be reckoned with. leaders—but vulnerable as general bouring Utah, plundering the state by stood at 741 delegates, compared to 461 They were Sanders’s first state with 939 for Sanders overall.

Haiti gets new Commemorating ‘Dia del Mar’ Texas executes man who PM amid political crisis killed city inspector

Reuters officer Michael Walker was called to AFP look at a heap of rubbish that Ward and his father hoarded inside and outside their home. PORT-AU-PRINCE: Haiti’s AUSTIN, TEXAS: Texas executed a When Walker approached the interim president named a new convicted killer who repeatedly shot property taking pictures of its perim- prime minister after the last one a city code officer inspecting piles of eter, Ward sprayed the city inspector was essentially rejected by par- garbage at the death row inmate’s with a hose he used to wash his car, liament in the latest chapter of former home, a department of crim- and then argued with him. Ward the poor country’s chronic polit- inal justice official said. then went back in the house to get a ical instability. Adam Ward, 33, was pronounced gun, and shot Walker, who was 46. The new premier is Enex dead after receiving a lethal injec- “After Walker fell, Ward shot him Jean-Charles, a civil servant and tion at the state’s death chamber in again at close range. Walker sus- professor of administrative law. Huntsville. The execution was the tained nine gunshot wounds and He has also served as an adviser fifth this year in Texas. died,” the office said. to several presidents. His appoint- “There are a lot of things that are Ward confessed to killing ment was announced by acting not right in this world, I have had Walker, explaining he believed the President Jocelerme Privert. to overcome them myself. I hope city was after his family and was Haiti is mired in political crisis all that are on the row, I hope they going to tear down their home. . since a runoff presidential election find peace and solace in their life,” “This is not a capital case. I never in January was suspended amid Bolivia’s President Evo Morales (centre) and vice president Alvarao Garcia Linera (left) take part in Ward was quoted by prison officials had intended to do anything. I feel allegations of fraud. events commemorating the “Dia del Mar” (Day of the Sea) in La Paz, yesterday. The “Dia del Mar” refers as saying in his final statement. very grieved for the loss of Walker,” Privert was named acting to the day on which Bolivia lost its access to the sea to Chile during the 1879-1883 War of the Pacific. In 2005 in Commerce, about 65 Ward was quoted as saying in his president to replace outgoing miles northeast of Dallas, city code final statement. Michel Martelly and appointed a prime minister in late February— former central bank governor Fritz-Alphonse Jean. But, parlia- ment rejected his programme to Wrecked vessel washed ashore in Oregon may be from Japan tsunami form a government, so Jean was basically fired. Privert, whose mandate began February 14 and Reuters of massive tsunami waves that demol- Japan wash up on the shores.” biologists took a barnacle shell and a filled with live fish native to Japa- is to last 120 days, went back to ished a swath of Japan’s Pacific The state has provided US and planes crab for testing. nese waters washed ashore. the drawing board and has now coastline and killed nearly 20,000 Japanese officials with the boat’s ID The biology of the mollusks shows The 16-feet- long chunk of boat turned to Jean-Charles. people, debris - and sea creatures - number and could hear back within Asian origin, and the wreckage “does landed near Coos Bay, about 320 km Jean-Charles needs to form PORTLAND, ORE: Algae and an from the disaster are still finding their a couple of days. look like something that would have south of Portland, and was expected a government and get his gov- oyster are among the clues Ore- way to the Oregon shore, said Chris Barring a clear official identifica- come from the tsunami,” Chapman to be disposed of in a landfill by the ernment programme approved gon biologists believe may link the Havel, a spokesman for Oregon Parks tion, research on the animals tucked said. end of the day, said Calum Stevenson, by parliament. The acting presi- vestiges of a sea-ravaged boat that and Recreation Department. inside could help confirm whether the In 2012, a massive, 66-feet long ocean shore specialist for the Oregon dent has said he will wait for this washed up on a state beach on Tues- “That kind of a habitat attracts flotsam originated some 8,000 km dock ripped from its moorings in Parks and Recreation Department. to happen before naming mem- day to the devastating 2011 tsunami living animals even if it’s floating in away, said John Chapman, a biologist Japan and floated up 15 months later A US Coast Guard helicopter crew bers of the electoral commission in Japan. the ocean,” Havel said. from Oregon State University who is on a beach north of Newport, Oregon, spotted the boat fragment in the so the delayed president runoff can Five years after Japan’s magni- “We should not be surprised testing the samples. southwest of Portland. Pacific Ocean earlier this month and finally be held. tude 9.0 earthquake set off a series to continue to see the debris from In addition to the oyster and algae, A year ago, remains of a boat attached a tracking buoy to it. Peace a distant dream for Colombians even as conflict seems to end

AFP deserted. The streets were closed. The heard any shooting for more than a Mariela Patino, 56, is still look- children did not play outside,” he said. year,” said Major Rodriguez, head of ing for her son, who she says was At peace talks hosted by Cuba, the the local brigade. “I hope it lasts.” abducted by guerrillas in 2003. Colombian government and the left- The road in front of the police Threats drove her to abandon the TORIBÍO, COLOMBIA: Colombia ist FARC rebel force are closing in on station is still torn up from where farm where she lived and move to is on the verge of ending half a cen- a peace deal to end the conflict. attackers blew up a bus there, wound- another town. tury of conflict, but bereaved locals in They had hoped to sign a deal this ing 70 people and killing a policeman. “I reported it and started putting ruined regions such as Cauca struggle yesterday, but that deadline now looks The blast was blamed on the FARC. up notices everywhere. The FARC told to believe that peace will come easily. like it will pass with key issues in the Nearby mud houses damaged me if I didn’t leave they wouldn’t be In the town of Toribio, bullet holes negotiations still unresolved. by the explosion are now covered in responsible for my life or my family’s.” in the walls show the violence that Progress in the talks has eased the paintings calling for peace. Cauca’s mountainous terrain also has ravaged the region, in fighting atmosphere in Cauca since the FARC The Colombian conflict started as draws drug trade which has fuelled between state forces and guerrillas. declared a ceasefire in July, but secu- an uprising by the Marxist FARC in the conflict. “Between 1982 and 2015 there rity forces remain on alert. 1964 and ground into an entrenched Among the locals sorting mari- were 6,000 armed clashes. They The local police station lies behind territorial conflict, drawing in various juana leaves by roadside is Fernanda, were our daily bread,” said local high green walls pocked with bullet rebel groups and drug gangs. 21. She gets paid about 90 dollars for leader Mauricio Casso, a member of holes, its entrance protected by a bun- It has killed 260,000 people and helping pick a crop of the herb, which the Nasa indigenous group. ker of sandbags. left 45,000 missing and 6.6 million is harvested four times a year. “If the “There are thousands of widows, “The mountains are nearby. The displaced, according to officials. state helped us, we would plant some- orphans and people maimed, and guerrillas used to fire from there. They The conflict has driven families thing else,” she says. “But here we get A girl walks past a mural alluding to peace on a street in Toribio. hundreds dead. The park used to be are still around there. But we haven’t from their homes. nothing. We are abandoned.”

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 20o C Maximum: 30o C

FAJR 04.18 am ZUHR 11.40 am MAGHRIB 05.49 pm HIGH TIDE 05:30 - 18:00 Strong wind and high seas. Slight dusst with SHOROOK 05.34 am ASR 03.08 pm ISHA 07.19 pm LOW TIDE 11:45 - 23:45 some clouds.

20 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 MORNING BREAK

ONLINE CHART BUST Sensational Butterflies exhibition 3-D printer and Gecko Grippers head to ISS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

CAPE CANAVERAL: A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket loaded with supplies and science experiments blasted off MOST READ from Florida on Tuesday, boosting an Orbital ATK cargo capsule toward the International Space Station (ISS). Nigerian parliament finally passes The 194-foot rocket soared off its seaside launch pad at 1 2016 budget Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 0305 GMT. Perched on top of the rocket was a Cygnus capsule loaded with nearly China vaccine scandal widens as 3,400kg of food, science experiments and equipment includ- 2 regulators come under fire ing a 3-D printer to build tools for astronauts and non-stick grippers modelled after gecko feet. Belgium hunts IS bombings The printer works by heating plastic, metal or other 3 suspects as country mourns materials into streams that are layered on top of each other to create three-dimensional objects. The experimental Gecko Gripper is a new kind of adhe- sive that mimics the way gecko lizards cling to surfaces TWEET OF THE DAY without falling. It aims to test a method of attaching things in the weightless environment of space. Nasa is looking at robotic versions of gecko feet to attach sensors and other instruments onto and inside satellites. The Gecko Gripper technology may lead to terrestrial versions of grippers that could, for example, hold flat-screen TVs to walls without anchoring systems and adhesives, said Bjorn, aged 5, smiles as he poses with an Owl butterfly during an event to launch the lead researcher Aaron Parness with Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Sensational Butterflies exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London yesterday. Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Cygnus is due to reach the station on Saturday. Runaway zebra dies in Japan after golf course police chase

AFP broadcast live on national television, saw already stopped beating,” said Takahiro an escape, giving colleagues the oppor- officers in hot pursuit as they tried — in Taniguchi, a police spokesman in central tunity to hone their techniques. vain — to recapture it alive. After unsuc- Gifu. The zebra had bolted on Tuesday In 2012 a penguin on the run from a cessfully attempting to corral the stripy from the Mikuni West Farm in Aichi. Tokyo aquarium outwitted authorities TOKYO: A runaway zebra led police on animal, vets shot it with a tranquiliser The failed attempt to recapture for 82 days before being caught. There a dramatic chase across a golf course in dart — only to watch as it plunged into the creature came just a month after were more than 30 sightings of the 60cm Japan, until its bid for freedom ended in a small lake on the golf course. a Tokyo zoo held a drill practising this bird, known only as Penguin 337, who death when it collapsed in a water trap. “It collapsed in the pond, so we hur- very eventuality. Every year, a zoo- was spotted around various locations, The creature’s odyssey, which was riedly pulled it ashore, but its heart had keeper dresses as an animal and stages including swimming in Tokyo Bay. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

PAGE | 22 QE 10,452.28 -38.12 PTS PAGE | 24 QInvest DOW 17,502.59 -79.98 PTS Finance industry will acquires Turkey’s FTSE100 6,199.11 +6.37 PTS flourish outside EU: ERGO Portfoy BRENT $40.53 -$1.26 London Mayor

THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 • 15 Jumada II 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Gold falls Commercial Bank to raise capital up to $8.5bn to lowest in a month “To fulfil the market needs we need Bloomberg to strengthen the liquidity. The board is keen to NEW YORK: Gold futures fell to start new financial the lowest in almost a month as the dollar climbed for a fourth day, year strong,” says reducing demand for the metal as Commercial Bank an alternative asset. Federal Reserve Bank of St. CEO Abdulla Saleh Louis President James Bullard Al Raisi. said policy makers should consider raising interest rates at their next meeting, helping boost the green- back. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot By Satish Kanady Index headed for the longest rally The Peninsula in five weeks. Gold has risen 15 percent this year as fluctuations in equi- ties and slowing growth in China DOHA: To further boost its liquid- increased the metal’s appeal as a ity, Commercial Bank is set to enter Commercial Bank Chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali bin Jabor Al Thani and other members of the board of directors at the bank’s annual haven. Bullion’s gains have slowed the Global market in a big way. The general meeting yesterday. Pic by: Baher Amin/The Peninsula this month, with prices dropping bank’s annual general assembly met in three of the past four sessions, here yesterday gave approval to raise equivalent in Qatari riyal with a max- While Chinese bonds may be either profit margin. The banks risk the Bank’s operations as Qatar’s first as some Fed policy makers said capital of up to $8.5bn through the imum maturity of 30 years. in Renminbi or US dollar, European management team has launched a private sector bank “Since open- recent economic data justify issuance of different debt instruments. The meeting approved the issu- bonds will be issued in US dollar. number of initiatives to avoid this ing our doors for business in 1975, tighter monetary policy. Higher The shareholders approved a glo- ance of debt notes for up to $1.5bn The issuance of $1.5bn debt notes in future, he said. our development has mirrored the rates reduce the allure of gold, bal programme for the issuance of under the programme with a max- is further to the $5bn Euro Term Note The AGM also approved the board incredible growth of Qatar, driven which doesn’t pay interest. certificates of deposit, US and Euro- imum maturity of 30 years. These Programme approved by the share- of directors recommendation to dis- by the spirit of entrepreneurship, “You’re starting to get a number pean commercial paper in different bonds may be issued in several for- holders in February 2011. tribute a cash dividend of 30 percent ambition and innovation. of Fed governors talking about April currencies up to a maximum amount eign currencies and listed in global “We are preparing for strengthen- of the share’s nominal value to the “In February 2016 a Qatari gov- being back squarely on the table for outstanding at any one time of $5bn markets. ing our financial position. To fulfill the shareholders, means QR3 for each ernment entity has subscribed to our the next interest rate hike,” Frank or its equivalent in Qatari Riyal of up The Japanese bonds may be issued market needs we need to strengthen share held. QR2bn unsecured perpetual non- McGhee, the head dealer at Alliance to five years . either in Japanese Yen or US dollars. the liquidity. The board is keen to start Reading out the bank Chairman cumulative Additional Tier1 notes. Financial LLC in Chicago, said in a The shareholders meeting also Australian bonds may be issued either new financial year strong,” Commer- Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali bin Jabor Al Given these positive indicators, we are telephone interview. “In general, gave the nod to launch a Global in Australian dollar or US dollar. cial Bank CEO Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi Thani’s speech, Abdulla Saleh Al confident Commercial Bank remains you have a stronger dollar resulting Medium Term Notes (GMTN) pro- Swiss bonds may be either in said. Raisi said the year 2015 marked a well-positioned to generate additional from a higher interest-rate envi- gramme to allow issuance into the Swiss franc or US dollar. Thai Bonds The difference in currency historic milestone for Commercial value and we are optimistic about the ronment, and gold has an inverse US markets for up to $2bn or its might be either in Thai or US dollar. exchange rates are lowering the bank, completing four decades of Bank’s long term prospects”. relationship.” World oil demand likely to grow by 1.25m b/d in 2016

By Sachin Kumar held at Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The Peninsula Dr Al Amari said that ‘OECD Americas’ oil demand is projected to grow by 0.29 mbpd in 2016 DOHA: The global oil demand is compared with the previous year. expected to grow by 1.25 million bar- Chinese oil demand in 2016 is pro- rels per day (mbpd) to average 94.23 jected to increase by 0.29 mbpd mbpd in 2016. Speaking at the inter- compare to 0.33 mbpd in 2015. national conference on the impact of He said the oil market has under- oil prices, Dr Ali Al Amari, Counselor gone some substantial changes since for Economics and Finance, Prime the last three years. Prices fell from Minister Office, Qatar said that the above $80 per barrel then to the James Robinson, Professor, Harris School of Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago, speaking at the 15th International Conference of the Middle East oil demand is likely to mid-40 per barrel range in Janu- Middle East Economic Association at Ritz-Carlton Doha, yesterday. Pic by: Baher Amin/The Peninsula increase by 0.18 mbpd in 2016. ary 2016. Prime Minister and Interior Min- Throwing light on supply side, he ister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser said that total non-Opec (Organi- bin Khalifa Al Thani opened the 15th sation of the Petroleum Exporting to be 50 tbpd, revised down by East, amounting to around 66 percent education, infrastructure, health. political institutions seems to be the International Conference of the Countries) oil supply in 2015 was 10 tbpd due to ongoing geopolit- of the Opec total. “Oil wealth can be enormously best recipe for utilising oil wealth in Middle East Economic Association revised up by 110 thousand bar- ical conflicts. Total oil supply is James Robinson, Professor, Har- valuable to society. Sitting in Qatar, the interests of society. (MEEA), hosted by Doha Institute for rels per day (tbpd) to average expected to fall to 1.22 mbpd in ris School of Public Policy Studies, you can see the fruits of it. The oil He said that MENA (Middle East Graduate Studies. Minister of Econ- 57.09 mbpd. Despite weaker oil 2016, he added. University of Chicago (USA) deliv- wealth has had incredible trans- and North Africa) is a very diverse omy and Commerce, H E Sheikh prices, non-Opec supply in the first Opec’s oil exports represent about ered presentation on ‘Why Nations formative effect on the society and region, but the challenge for many of Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani was also quarter of 2016 was a higher-than- 56 percent of the total world crude Fail: Implications for Oil Producing welfare of the citizens. It has allowed the large oil and gas producers is how present. expected by 0.41 mbpd to average oil. According to current estimates, Economies’. to institutionalise itself and pro- to build inclusive institutions while The three-day conference on 56.94 mbpd. Middle East oil sup- more than 80 percent of the world’s He said that Oil rents in the Gulf vide enormous amounts of services respecting their individual heritages. ‘The Impact of Oil Price Changes on ply declined by 80 tbpd y-o-y to proven oil reserves are located in have allowed for both for state for- and public goods to citizens,” said Their success so far is based on this the Economic Growth and Develop- average 1.26 mbpd in 2015. The Opec Member Countries, with the mation and for massive investment Robinson. modernisation of tradition and it’s a ment in the MENA Countries’ is being total decline for 2016 is expected bulk of Opec oil reserves in the Middle in socially desirable things such as He added that having inclusive good model for the future. 22 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 BUSINESS QInvest acquires Turkey’s ERGO Portfoy

management close to $1bn. its assets under management to just After the completion of this under $1bn and this expanded capa- After the completion 100% acquisition, ERGO Portfoy bility positions us even more strongly of this 100% has been rebranded as QInvest for future growth”. Portfoy and is a subsidiary of QInvest LLC already has a number acquisition, ERGO Qatar’s QInvest. The senior man- of international offices and strategic Portfoy has been agement of QInvest Portfoy will partnerships in important financial remain with the firm and will be centres. rebranded as QInvest led by Murat Vanli, the General The launch of QInvest Portfoy will Portfoy and is a Manager of ERGO Portfoy, and will increase QInvest’s commitment to subsidiary of continue to operate from Istanbul. the fast growing Turkish market and The company has been granted its follows on from the establishment of QInvest. license to operate by The Capital QInvest’s representative office in Tur- Markets Board of Turkey (CMB) and key in 2011. Since 2011, QInvest LLC is licenced to offer portfolio man- has been active in the Turkish market agement to both individual and mainly focusing on external financ- The Peninsula institutional investors. ing transactions. QInvest Portfoy is one of the “The combination of these two leading asset management groups in FROM LEFT: Tamim Hamad Al Kawari, Dr Ataf Ahmed and Murat Vanlı businesses will allow us to make the Turkey with over 1.5bn Turkish Liras most of the support and additional DOHA: QInvest, Qatar’s leading in assets under management, pro- in Turkey. QInvest Portfoy is expected launch of QInvest Portfoy marks a Dr Ataf Ahmed, Managing Direc- resources that QInvest can provide. investment group and one of the viding pension and mutual fund and to play a major role in attracting new very significant moment for QIn- tor and Head of Asset Management, Our existing clients will continue to world’s most prominent Islamic finan- discretionary portfolio management investments into Turkey, delivering vest. It is in line with our long-term commented: be serviced by the same team, but cial institutions, announced yesterday services. high value services to a larger cli- strategy of developing our Asset “The launch of QInvest Portfoy will now also benefit from the greater the acquisition of ERGO Portfoy, one It has generated strong perform- ent base. It will also benefit from the Management division, as one of will accelerate our current growth access that the combined business of the largest and fastest growing ance in recent years, outperforming world-class capability that QInvest the three key business lines within strategy and position QInvest Asset will provide. We are very pleased to asset management companies in the peer group, and its unparalleled currently provides. QInvest, and it is an important mile- Management as one of the leading be joining the QInvest group and to be Turkey. Following the completion client servicing capabilities have QInvest’s Chief Executive Officer, stone in our mission to maintain our global Islamic asset management contributing to its future growth and of this acquisition, QInvest Asset helped it to become the largest Tamim Hamad Al Kawari, said: “The position as a leading global Islamic groups. Within just three years QIn- success”, said Murat Vanlı, General Management will have assets under Islamic asset management company acquisition of ERGO Portfoy and the Investment institution.” vest Asset Management has grown Manager of QInvest Portfoy. Drake & Scull Rail wins QR340m Doha Metro Depots Phase1 contract

The Peninsula

DOHA: Drake & Scull International PJSC (DSI), a regional market leader in the integrated design, engineer- ing and construction disciplines, has announced that the Fujita Corpora- tion has awarded Drake & Scull Rail (DSR) a QR340m contract related to the delivery of the first phase of One of the service centres. the Doha Metro Depots. The Fujita Corporation is undertaking the con- struction of the Red and Green Lines Al Mana partners with Woqod of Doha Metro’s Depots. Under the terms of agreement, Drake & Scull Rail will undertake the to provide quick vehicle service supply, installation, testing and com- missioning of all MEP building services to be provided in both the Depot & Sta- Ahmad Al Naser, MD, Drake & Darko Macura, Operations DOHA: Al Mana group will begin “Partnering with Woqod gives Al Eng Ibrahim Al Kuwari Woqod’s bling yard pertinent to the Red and Scull Engineering. Director, Drake & Scull Rail. implementing a vehicle mainte- Mana unique opportunity to make sure Chief Executive Officer stated Green lines and their associated build- nance business venture with Woqod. that our clients have a convenient and “Woqod is optimistic about this new ings with a scheduled delivery slated The opportunity to have quick lane special experience that can help them business venture with Ford Almana for 2019. Drake & Scull will also be the successful delivery of the Doha us a competitive edge in the Rail experience in the automotive section reduce time and effort,” said Bader Al Motors. The Quick Service vehicle actively involved in the design verifi- Metro. We look forward to success- sector. We are confident about secur- will be combined with high levels of Mana Al Mana: “Our goal for this busi- maintenance is aligned with our cation process as a participant in the fully executing and delivering the ing more rail projects in the region, service to meet Al Mana’s customer’s ness venture is to offer customers wider retail strategy of developing smart design review meetings. project in collaboration with our backed by the extensive Drake & vehicle maintenance needs quickly options to choose from. These include partnerships with Key Auto Brands Ahmad Al Naser, Managing sister company DSI Qatar.” Scull International PJSC group of and efficiently. convenient locations,with Ford Al Mana within Woqod Retail Auto Care”.He Director, Drake & Scull Engineer- Darko Macura, Operations Direc- companies’ regional network of Established in 1965, Ford Al Mana Quick Service available in Woqod petrol further commented “this initiative ing said: “The Doha Metro Phase 1 tor, Drake & Scull Rail said: offices and personnel.” Motors focuses on customer care, station at Wadi Al Banat and the Pearl. provides Ford Customer’s the con- Project is a landmark urban trans- “We have engaged with leading Drake & Scull Rail is an interna- professional and international serv- The Quick Service will be open venience and comfort of having their port project in the GCC region and global Rail experts and technology tionally recognised enterprise with ice standards, and offers a complete from 6am to 10pm initially on a warranty services executed at ded- our second major rail project fol- service providers and have entered a proven record of over 40 years, in range of services, including man- cash and card basis. Ford customers icated Ford Quick Service lanes at lowing the Airport Passenger mover into strategic partnerships and con- delivering turnkey rail construction ufacturer approved, trained and with prepaid service will be accom- our Wadi Al Banat and Pearl serv- at the Dubai Airport. Our experi- sortiums and we are actively bidding and maintenance projects in Europe supported sales and service personnel. modated at a later stage. Existing ice stations. ence and skills on iconic projects and tendering for several high profile and East Asia. Drake & Scull Rail Our range of vehicles includes luxury customers with the prepaid service Ford customer’s also have the in the UK such as the St. Pancras Rail networks and urban transport offers complete EPC solutions for all cars, pick-ups, 4WD vehicles and large plan will have to use the Landmark opportunity to avail themselves of Station Redevelopment, the Chan- projects in the UAE, KSA and Qatar systems and services for Stations, family-size vans. Our modern work- or industrial area quick service loca- additional services such as tyre and nel Tunnel Rail Link Infrastructure, markets. Our global experience, Depots and Tunnels, catering to shops and qualified and experienced tions .Our professional and trained battery change all done under the the Jubilee Line Extension, and the traditional MEP expertise, ISO cer- industrial, manufacturing, govern- technicians provide excellent after- team will be ready to assist and serve confines of Woqod “one stop auto Stratford and Ebbsfleet Train sta- tified management processes and mental and railroad clients across sales service our customers quickly and efficiently. care centre”. tions in the UK will prove critical in modern technology platforms give MENA and South Asia.

Al Faisal Center to organise conference Kaizen Institute Qatar launched on social responsibility on Saturday

The Peninsula and the emergence of inter-relation- ships. The third explores the reality of social responsibility and its role in the knowledge economy, how to DOHA: Al Faisal Social Responsi- avoid obstacles that prevent it from bility Center will organise the First playing that role, and build strategic International Conference on Social scenarios to deal with the horizon of Responsibility in Qatar. Staged under social responsibility. the banner of “Reality and Future Inspired by its slogan “Stand up Outlook”, the conference will be and leave your Mark” Al Faisal Social inaugurated by Sheikh Faisal bin Responsibility Center aims to build Qassim Al Thani (pictured), on Sat- bridges between peoples and cultures urday at Qatar National Convention of the world. It takes pride in being Centre and will run until March 28. government and private sectors. the first integrated center in Qatar The topics covered in the conference The conference promises to be and the region. It is driven by the include Social Responsibility Foun- highly engaging and is built around desire to foster the culture of com- dations & Starting Points, Reality of three pillars. The first pillar traces munity service, and to build a better Social Responsibility and Future Out- the emergence of social responsi- human being who is responsible for look. bility and related concepts, trends themselves and their development. The conference will target key and schools of thought embodying The Center is committed to contribute audiences including academics, the philosophical values and objec- positively and effectively to the ren- researchers in educational institu- tives which aims to achieve, and the aissance of its community and Qatar Dr Saad Ibrahim Al Khalaf (left), President of Kaizen Al Arabia, announcing the inauguration of Kaizen tions, graduate students, training impact they have on humanities. as a whole. It aspires to work with all institutions, media and market- The second pillar focuses on the peoples to build a better world. Institute Qatar (KIQ), at a function held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Doha. Seated from left are ing experts, opinion leaders in the measurement of reality, knowledge An exhibition featuring compa- Eng Mahmoud Taha, Managing Director, Kaizen Institute UAE, Risa Imai Cox, Executive Director, Kaizen community, civil society organisa- of opportunities for communities, the nies, centers and individuals active Institute Ltd, Bud Cox, President, Global Operations, Kaizen Institute Ltd, and Eng Osama Abu Baha, tions, charitable organisations and internal and external challenges for in social responsibility initiatives will Vice President, Kaizen Institute KSA. Pic by: Salim M/The Peninsula social responsibility officials in the social responsibility, moral obligation form part of the conference. BUSINESS THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 23

‘Top UK firms Nod for Mannai’s stake buy in French firm by April pay lip service to women, many keep them off “We are waiting boards’ for the last French regulatory approval Reuters and hope that it will be done by the end of this April,” LONDON: Nearly two-thirds of Alekh Grewal, Group Britain’s 350 biggest listed compa- CEO and Director of nies have failed to reach a target of having 25 percent of female board Mannai Corporation members, and four-fifths have two said. or fewer women on their boards, an inquiry into gender diversity said yesterday. Top jobs remain dominated by men, with nearly three-quar- By Mohammad Shoeb ters of companies in the FTSE 100, The Peninsula the biggest firms listed on the London Stock Exchange, and 90 percent of the next-biggest FTSE 250 companies, having no female DOHA: Mannai Corporation, one executive directors, the Equalities of the most diversified listed com- and Human Rights Commission panies in Qatar Exchange, is likely said. “The good work of a for- to get final regulatory approvals by ward-thinking minority masks next month to acquired 51% stake in that many top businesses are still a French IT firm—GFI Informatique— only paying lip service to improv- at a whopping price of over a billion ing the representation of women Qatari riyals. on boards,” said the head of the “We are waiting for the last commission, Laura Carstensen. French regulatory approval and hope- Official figures published last ful that it will be done by the end of year showed that firms in the FTSE The officials of Mannai Corporation at the AGM of the company, yesterday. From Left: Keith Higley, Ali Yusef Kamal, Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdulla this April,” Alekh Grewal, Group CEO 100 had reached their target, set in and Director of Mannai Corporation bin Khalifa Al Thani, Sheikh Suhaim bin Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, Mohamed Ali M Al Kubaisi and Alekh Grewal. Pic by: Salim M/The Peninsula 2011, of 25 percent female board told The Peninsula yesterday on the members and that there were more sidelines of the company’s Annual concert with two current shareholders European dimension to Mannai’s cash dividend of 50% (QR5 per share). CEO) said that the acquisition of the women on FTSE 350 boards than General Meeting (AGM). to make tender offer to the market to business base and further improve The company had reported a net French company will further diver- ever before, with representation “The Company (GFI Informatique) acquire all the balance shares.” the diversity of Mannai’s earn- profit of QR533m for the last finan- sify Mannai’s international footprint of women more than doubling has big operations in France. In addi- “As touched on earlier, in pursuit ings stream,” said Sheikh Hamad cial year ended December 31, 2015. and earnings stream. “The reason since 2011. But the inquiry found tion, it also has development centres of new opportunities for growth and bin Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, The Group’s turnover in 2015 stood at for acquiring the French IT company that less than half of the 350 big- in Spain, Portugal and Morocco,” he further diversification, Chairman of the Board of Directors QR5.9bn. The Return on Equity was is because we have good presence gest companies actually increased said. Mannai made an offer in Decem- of Mannai in his speech at the com- 24 percent and Earnings Per Share in Qatar’s IT sector, and this will the proportion of women in their He added that the Public Listed ber 2015 to acquire a 51% stake in pany’s AGM. was QR 11.68. help us expand our IT businesses boardrooms, while 46 percent company has wide-range of prod- GFI Informatique, a French Pub- The Chiarman’s speech was read Sheikh Suhaim added: “The cap- overseas.” either kept the same proportion ucts, clients and significant exposure lic Company, for a consideration by Sheikh Suhaim bin Abdulla bin ital and reserves of Mannai have He further said that the Mannai of women board members or to outsourcing businesses with a total of approximately €290m (over Khalifa Al Thani, Vice Chairman of almost tripled over the last 5 years zeroed down on GFI Informatique reduced it. annual turnover of about €900m QR1.18bn). GFI specialises in IT solu- the Company, who chaired the meet- from QR866m to QR 2.4bn at the end after a lot of research on companies, Almost one-third of companies (about QR3.66bn). tions in France and across a number ing on Sheikh Hamad’s behalf, and of 2015, and earnings from overseas and the acquisition has been done used outdated “old boy” networks “The price we quoted have been of countries in Europe. Mannai’s bid highlighted the company’s financial operations have grown to 43% of the with due diligence. “The company to identify new candidates for their accepted by the major stakeholders has been accepted by the Board of GFI performance in 2015. overall profit of the Group. Qatar has still has a lot of potential and we are boards and did not advertise the of the Company. The deal is currently and is presently awaiting regulatory The AGM ratified all the agenda continued to provide a solid base for now planning to enter new segments posts in any other way, limit- for 51% stake but effectively once we approval in France. of the meeting, including the Board’s the Company and its future growth.” of business such as telecom and bank- ing opportunities for women to acquire majority stakes, we will be in The business of GFI will add a recommendation to distributing a Meanwhile, Alekh (the Group ing sector.” apply, it added. “Unfortunately the recruitment practices of too many businesses still remain trapped in permafrost and that’s holding back women and ultimately the compa- Bedaya holds workshop nies themselves,” Carstensen said. for entrepreneurs Android Pay to launch in UK in few months The Peninsula One of the participating entre- preneurs, Ibrahim Al Emadi shared his entrepreneurial experience, and NEW YORK: Alphabet Inc’s talked about all the difficulties he Google unit said yesterday its one- DOHA: The Bedaya Center for Entre- faced. He emphasised that despite touch payment app for Android preneurship and Career Development the hardships, he continued living the devices, Android Pay, will be (Bedaya Center), a joint initiative adventure and ultimately fulfilled his launching in the UK in the next by Qatar Development Bank and dream. It’s been three years since he few months. Silatech, recently hosted a workshop started his first business, and now he Android Pay will support Mas- titled ‘Stand out from the crowd’ in has ventured into his second “Black terCard Inc and Visa Inc credit and collaboration with a group of lead- Rock Grill”, where the workshop took debit cards issued by UK banks ing Qatari entrepreneurs. place. Ibrahim also offered his help to such as Bank of Scotland, HSBC, This initiative is part of Bedaya all attendees and urged them to kick Lloyds Bank and M&S Bank, the Center’s monthly Second Sunday Net- off their own projects. company said in a blog post. working event where many young Another entrepreneur, Razan Al Commuters traveling around entrepreneurs and business profes- Suleiman, stressed on the impor- Participants at the workshop. London will be able to pay using sionals gathered to gain guidance, tance of using all available resources, the app on the city’s buses, trains training and support. During the especially social media platforms to this success through diverse social levels. Aisha talked about her own meetings as well as workshops. This and the London Underground, workshop, the young locals enhanced promote business. According to her, media platforms. brand “Darz” that was launched in month we touched upon several ways Google said. their knowledge and acquired prac- this should be considered one of the Aisha Badid Al Mannai, owner 2000 and specialises in classic Aba- in which a project can be designed The payment platform will tical experiences that offered them a most important mediums to pre- and general manager of Darz Design, yas that reflect the traditional image in order to characterize and sustain also be available at outlets such as wider understanding on how products serve and maintain the brand’s image. further talked about the ease of start- of Qatari women. the business. We also discussed and supermarket chains Waitrose and can be designed to stand out and be Razan also talked about the launch of ing any project, however small it Reem AlSowaidi, General Man- deliberated on some of the best prac- Aldi, British sandwich chain Pret different from one another in terms her brand ‘Fanilla Couture’ in 2011, might be. She asserted that the most ager of Bedaya Center, said: “At tices that could be adopted to promote A Manger and pharmacy chain of ideas, implementation, marketing which is gaining popularity in Doha important factor is to maintain the Bedaya Center, we strive to tackle ideas and products, which eventu- Boots. Android Pay will compete and customer services, said a state- as well as the whole GCC. Nowadays, service level and remain focused useful and beneficial topics for ally results in the success of those with Apple Inc’s Apple Pay, which ment yesterday. Razan is preserving and maintaining on the ambition to reach the highest entrepreneurs during our monthly projects.” launched in the UK in July.

GDI hosts GCC Sanofi appoints Jean-Paul contractors forum Scheuer as new country Chair

The Peninsula DOHA: Sanofi, a glo- different ways including bal healthcare leader, driving scientific innova- announces the appoint- tion, and helping improve ment of Jean-Paul access to healthcare, DOHA: Gulf Drilling International Scheuer (pictured), as among others. (GDI), hosted 13th GCC National Country Chair and Gen- Jean-Paul Scheuer said: Drilling Contractors forum at Four eral Manager, Rx, for Gulf “Sanofi has emerged as a Seasons Hotel, Doha yesterday. Countries, effective from strong healthcare leader in Participants shared experiences March 10, 2016. He suc- the region. Our efforts in the and exchanged knowledge about ceeds Ayman Mokhtar, Gulf are directed towards onshore and offshore drilling oper- the former Country Chair and Gen- meeting patients’ needs in countries ations. eral Manager. where we operate — through diverse The forum was attended by Sanofi Gulf includes Qatar, the product offerings and meaningful senior management and delegates UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and partnerships with health authorities. from GDI-Qatar, Kuwait Drilling Yemen. With around 250 employ- We are also playing a positive role Participants at the forum held at Four Seasons Hotel Doha, yesterday. Company- Kuwait, National Drill- ees working every day to improve in shaping the healthcare industry. I ing company- UAE and Abraj Energy health, the affiliate is an active am honored to lead the business at an Services –Oman. oil field service company in Qatar. covered by companies during this contribution made by all above GCC partner of local health authorities. exciting phase of growth while contin- GDI is a subsidiary of Gulf Inter- Shale shaker and screens and cost conference. GDI Management drilling companies that had resulted It demonstrates its contribution uing the organization’s long standing national Services which is the largest optimisation were the main topics appreciated the participations and in a successful event. to meeting health challenges in legacy and commitment.” 24 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 BUSINESS

Saudi Aramco Finance industry will flourish starts gas production at outside EU: London Mayor Hasbah field

conversations I occasionally have Chairman Norman Blackwell, Royal Reuters with leading bankers is how finely Bank of Scotland Group Plc director Boris Johnson, a balanced they believe it to be, and Sheila Noakes and Arbuthnot Bank- leading opponent of they say they don’t think it will do ing Group Plc Chairman Henry Angest any damage to London’s position as as examples of “very distinguished AL KHOBAR: State oil company Prime Minister David a leading financial center,” Johnson bankers in favor of Brexit.” Saudi Aramco has started pro- Cameron’s campaign told the House of Commons Treasury Johnson’s comments jar with pub- ducing natural gas at the offshore to keep the UK in the Committee in London on Wednesday. lic warnings against “Brexit” made by Hasbah field, it said in its weekly “When you dig into these people’s executives of banks including Bar- magazine The Arabian Sun yes- 28-nation bloc, says opinions, they’re much less strongly clays Plc, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. terday, ahead of peak summer support for staying held than you might suppose.” and HSBC Holdings Plc. While some demand in the world’s largest oil Johnson announced he would hedge-fund bosses have spoken in exporting country. in the EU is “shallow” be backing a so-called Brexit last favor of withdrawal, the City of Lon- From its seven single-well among business month in a blow to the premier and don, the local-government body for platforms about 150 kilometres the “Remain” campaign. His decision the financial district, said this month Mayor of London Boris Johnson at the Britain’s Parlimentary Treasury (95 miles) northeast of Jubail in leaders. has won him the support of rank-and- that it would support the UK staying Select Committee in central London, yesterday. the Gulf, Hasbah will provide up file members of the Conservative in the EU. to 1.3 billion standard cubic feet Party and made him favorite with The mayor, who compared “exaggeration to the point of a mis- we could amend those regulations; per day (scfd) of gas while the bookmakers to replace Cameron as “scaremongering” about the effects representation” by the committee without Brexit you can do nothing,” adjacent Arabiyah field will pro- Bloomberg prime minister. of Brexit to the exaggerated warnings chairman, fellow Tory lawmaker Johnson said. “They are not ideally vide around 1.2 billion scfd. The The latest opinion poll, by ComRes over the “Millennium bug” infect- Andrew Tyrie, as he was asked tailored to the needs of this country.” gas will be handled by the Wasit for ITV News, showed 48 percent of ing computers at the start of 2000, about allegations he has made about Johnson argued that the EU’s processing plant, helping to meet respondents backing “Remain” with dismissed warnings from some fore- over-regulation by the EU on issues recent experience of crises meant domestic demand for power gen- LONDON: London’s finance industry 41 percent for “Leave.” That’s the casters that sterling could plummet if as diverse as coffin sizes, children’s other nations in the bloc would want eration. The Hasbah field has much would “flourish mightily” if Britain smallest “Remain” lead in a ComRes Britain leaves the EU, saying the econ- party balloons and the composting to secure a quick post-Brexit trade higher levels of hydrogen sulphide votes to leave the European Union telephone poll since last May’s general omy would become more competitive. of tea bags. Some of the stories are “a deal. “They would want above all to and carbon dioxide than Arabiyah, in the referendum on June 23, Mayor election. More frequent online poll- The pound “will be as strong and figment of your imagination,” Tyrie minimize uncertainty and delay,” he making it a technical challenge. Boris Johnson told lawmakers. ing by other organizations has shown robust as the U.K. economy,” he said. told Johnson. said. Citing discussions with uniden- leads for both sides. “The risks are with remaining in the Johnson defended his statements Accused by opposition Labour tified senior bankers, Johnson, a “I think the City would continue EU. Why should we remain tethered and said he would provide the com- Party lawmaker Helen Goodman of Global Islamic leading opponent of Prime Minister to flourish outside the EU, flourish to this anti-democratic system?” mittee with detailed evidence to back not knowing whether he wanted an David Cameron’s campaign to keep mightily,” Johnson said. “The critical Johnson said that “there are good them up. The broader issue that they arrangement with the EU like that bond sales: the UK in the 28-nation bloc, said mass is here in London for all sorts of political arguments” for staying in the illustrate is the influence of European of Norway, Switzerland or Canada, support for staying in the EU is “shal- reasons that have nothing to do with bloc “but I don’t think there are good regulation on British life and business, Johnson responded: “I don’t want to Malaysia follows low” among business leaders. the EU.” economic arguments.” he said. imitate the Canadian deal, I want a “What has struck me in private Johnson cited Lloyds Bank Plc The mayor was accused of “The advantage of a Brexit is British deal.” Indonesia

Bloomberg Employees protest Zain Saudi reviews options

on telecom towers KUALA LUMPUR: Islamic bond sales are off to a racing start this year as Malaysia plans to tap the Reuters tower companies are very much market following Indonesia’s interested by the Saudi market for $2.5bn issue, which was more than this kind of activity.” three times oversubscribed. Citing sources familiar with the Global sukuk offerings of RIYADH: Telecommunications matter, Reuters reported on March $11.3bn are already 30 percent firm Zain Saudi is considering joint 16 that Kuwait’s Zain, Zain Saudi’s more than the first quarter of last ownership or a sale of its mobile parent company, was narrowing year and are approaching the $12 transmitter towers, its chief exec- the field of potential bidders for its billion for the same period of 2014, utive said yesterday. towers in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. data compiled by Bloomberg show. Telecoms operators are increas- Proceeds from any sale of Zain Sau- Malaysia selected JPMorgan Chase ingly keen to dispose of towers that di’s 7,000 towers would be used to & Co., CIMB Group Bhd., Malayan now provide little competitive pay off some debt, the sources said. Banking Bhd. and HSBC Holdings advantage due to broadly simi- Selling towers can also allow Plc to arrange investor meetings lar network quality and coverage, operators to reduce their capital and for as early as the end of next although no such deals have been operating costs. Kabbani didn’t say week, said people familiar with the completed in the Middle East. whether joint ownership or a sale matter, who asked not to be identi- The comments from Hassan was more likely for the company’s fied because the process is private. Kabbani follow a report by Saudi towers, but said both options were Emerging-market dollar financial news website Maaal last under consideration. bonds are rallying this quarter month that Zain Saudi, along with the “I cannot talk about where we after commodities rebounded kingdom’s two other telecom opera- are on that potential activity, but can and the Federal Reserve signaled tors, Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) and Saudi tell you that we are considering this a more gradual pace for US inter- Telecom Co (STC), were in talks to as one option,” he said. est-rate increases. A recovery in establish a company that would share “All operators are considering crude has helped make the ring- ownership of their towers. tower sales because the network git Asia’s best-performing currency “We hear like you hear that our has reached a level of maturity. this year, and should also shore up Employees demonstrate outside a McDonald’s restaurant in Paris, yesterday. competitors are also considering Most operators are sitting on pas- government finances in Malaysia, this,” Kabbani told reporters on the sive assets so maybe if they sell these which has a higher credit rating sidelines of a conference. “Many assets, they can be optimized.” than Indonesia.

European banks urged to rethink US says it’s not deterring foreign banks in Iran business model Reuters explain what the US saw as legitimate business with Iran and what it viewed AFP as illegitimate. He said that while US banks were still banned from dealing DUBAI: The United States is not with Iran as part of a trade embargo standing in the way of foreign banks that remains in place - effectively FRANKFURT: Low interest doing business with Iran, a senior US blocking US dollar transactions, since rates and exposure to substantial official said yesterday, but his com- they would ultimately be cleared in amounts of bad debt have severely ments appeared unlikely to satisfy the United States - Washington would weakened Europe’s banks, and frustrated businessmen and Iranian not penalise foreign banks for doing should cause them to re-evaluate officials. business in other currencies. their business models, the region’s Most international sanctions However, Backemeyer also said banking supervisor said. against Iran’s economy were lifted foreign banks would need to dem- “Such challenging times are in January after Tehran implemented onstrate they had performed due also good opportunities for the a deal with world powers to curb its diligence to ensure they were not banks to review their business nuclear programme. But Washing- doing business with sanctioned enti- models, to reassess the sustaina- ton kept some sanctions that were ties in Iran, such as companies linked bility of their models,” said Daniele originally imposed over missile pro- to the Revolutionary Guards. Nouy, president of the Supervisory liferation and alleged support of That appeared unlikely to reas- Council at the European Central terrorism. The fear of being caught sure bankers from Europe, the Middle An Iranian money changer with a US dollar and Iranian rials, at a currency exchange shop in Tehran. Bank. “And I believe that they have up in those remaining sanctions has East and other countries, who say the room for manoeuvre,” she told a deterred most foreign banks from remaining sanctions are so complex, news conference. restoring links with Iran, angering the and the risks of errors in due diligence their position.” The banker was refer- the sanctions, he charged. “In West- companies how much due diligence “We see the adjustment of Iranian government, which complains so high, that they still don’t dare to ring to billions of dollars of fines paid ern countries and places which are they should do to insulate themselves business models as the biggest it is not getting economic benefits it engage with Iran. by international banks to US author- under US influence, our banking from remaining US sanctions, because challenge for the European bank- was promised in the nuclear deal. “It’s all very well for the US go ities in the past several years to settle transactions and the repatriation that would depend on the nature of ing sector,” continued Nouy, who Chris Backemeyer, Principal Dep- vernment to say this, but the reality charges that they failed to prevent of our funds from their banks face their business. has been in charge of the supervi- uty Coordinator for Sanctions Policy is that it’s still dangerous ground to money laundering, tax evasion and problems ... because (banks) fear the “Banks, because they have to be sory authority since it was set up at the US Department of State, said US do business with Iran as an interna- other abuses. Americans,” he said. used for any sort of financial transac- in 2014. officials were meeting business lead- tional bank,” said a foreign banker in Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Backemeyer denied that. “We tion, by definition have the potential She noted that cost-to-income ers around the world to assure them Dubai when asked about Backemey- Ali Khamenei, on Sunday accused are a good faith partner,” he said. “It to get exposed to all sorts of risks,” he ratios were still relatively high. that Washington was complying with er’s comments. the United States of undermining is not in our interest just to sanction said. Asked about companies’ concern “They could go down, banks the nuclear agreement. “The large international banks the nuclear agreement by deliber- for no reason, so we’re not going to that the nuclear sanctions could “snap could be more efficient. Many are “We’ve tried to make it 100 per- have a low risk appetite because of the ately sowing uncertainty among be in a position where we’re looking back”, Backemeyer said the United already working on this,” Nouy cent clear,” Backemeyer told reporters legacy of fines and deferred prosecu- foreign banks. This was making it to trick someone, that’s never been States would not reimpose them as said. Digitalisation provided a new in Dubai, where he was meeting local tion arrangements against them, and hard for Iran to obtain billions of dol- our objective.” Nonetheless, he said long as Iran continued to adhere to opportunity for banks. and international companies to it would take a lot for them to change lars of its funds that were frozen by Washington could not tell individual its commitments. BUSINESS THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 25 Jailed UK Libor

Saudi bourse asks trader told to banks to pitch for IPO advisory roles

DUBAI: The Saudi Stock pay $1.25m Exchange has asked banks to pitch for roles advising on its own ini- tial public share offer, innocence,” he added. “The practices sources said yesterday. for which I have been imprisoned Saudi Arabia is expected The penalty is were industry standard practice and to privatise and float a substantially less had been for 20 years. I have every number of state-owned intention of telling the general public assets in the com- than the £2.45m the truth about Libor and will do so ing years as it seeks to sought by Britain’s at the earliest possible opportunity.” raise cash to help bridge The SFO had sought around the the budget short- Serious Fraud Office. £2.45m that Hayes earned in bonuses fall caused by lower as a yen derivatives trader in Tokyo oil prices, as well as to between 2006 and 2010. The agency improve the efficiency of argued it was impossible to sepa- the economy by reform- Reuters rate ill-gotten gains from honest ing state companies earnings. and bringing in profes- Peter Binning, a partner at law sional investors. The firm Corker Binning, said the order stock exchange, Tadawul, LONDON: Tom Hayes, a former star was significant because the SFO said in December that it trader serving an 11-year jail sen- case was not based on evidence planned to list its shares The 2017 Nissan GT-R on display during the media preview of the 2016 New York International Auto Show tence for manipulating Libor interest of any actual loss to Hayes’s trad- in 2018, but there has rates, was yesterday ordered to pay ing counterparties and had simply in Manhattan, New York, yesterday. also been talk of privati- £878,806 ($1.25m) by a judge or face confiscated a proportion of awarded sations, including IPOs, further time in prison. bonuses. involving national oil firm Judge Jeremy Cooke, who sen- Judge Cooke, who has overseen Nissan unveils GT-R at NY Auto Show Saudi Aramco, as well tenced Hayes in August and has the case against Hayes since 2013 as the kingdom’s ports, held him up as an example to errant and is retiring, said he expected Hay- flour mills and utilities. bankers worldwide, said he expected es’s wife Sarah Tighe to sell The Old An invitation was sent Hayes’s wife to sell a seven-bedroom Rectory, a country house in south- Bloomberg development Keno Kato told press upgraded with higher-quality out by Tadawul to local house to help pay the penalty aimed ern England that is in her name and at the debut. To back up his claim, Nappa leathers, new steering-wheel- and international banks at clawing back proceeds from Hay- valued at about £1.9m. the new model gets 565 hp on its mounted paddle shifters, revised at the start of March ask- es’s crimes. Hayes, who can appeal the 3.8L twin-turbo V6 engine, which is front seat design, a simplified switch ing them to submit bids The penalty is, however, sub- penalty, might also be asked to NEW YORK: Nissan unveiled the lat- a 20-hp improvement over the pred- layout and with NissanConnectSM to advise on the IPO, with stantially less than the £2.45m contribute to the costs of the trial, est version of its halo car, the Nissan ecessor and the most horsepower on with Navigation, Mobile Apps and responses due at the end sought by Britain’s Serious Fraud which the prosecution described GT-R, yesterday at the New York Auto the standard model of any car in its ServicesNissan. of the month, two of the Office (SFO). Hayes, a 36-year-old as “astronomical”. Lawyers told the Show. The early debut is expected to class. The engine is hand-assem- An 8-inch touch-panel monitor sources said. former UBS and Citigroup deriv- court they would try to reach agree- be one of the highlights of the auto bled by one of five master craftsman, replaces the 7-inch one from last year atives trader, was the first person ment later. show this year. called takumi, at Nissan’s plant in and now features large icons on the Canada’s stimulus convicted by a jury for rigging the Apart from the property, other This is the latest update to the Yokohama, Japan. display screen, while a new display London interbank offered rate recoverable assets listed by pros- two-door, 2+2 sports car the com- The new model has a new set of command control on the carbon- budget aims to (Libor), which helps set rates on ecutors have included Tighe’s pany unveiled in 2007. Nissan had four rounded tail lights and redone fiber center console is meant to allow revive economy about $450 trillion of financial con- engagement ring and wedding rings. wanted a car that could compete rear bodywork, freshly angled head- easier operation. Nissan also intro- tracts worldwide. On Wednesday, the court was told against the likes of the Audi R8, BMW lights, a sharper new grille, a new duced a new “Blaze Metallic” (burnt OTTAWAL: Canada’s new “The Serious Fraud Office has “immediately realisable assets” M6, Chevy Corvette, and Porsche 911 hood, and updated refined air intakes orange) color for the 2017 model. A Liberal government on tried to take everything from me included Hayes’s car, his bank but that would cost significantly less that give it a snarling grin. It has also total-remake successor is planned, Tuesday unveiled a stim- - from my liberty to my wedding account and watch. “It is obvious than those. been refined for improved stability but it is still a few years off. The 2017 ulus budget to revive ring,” Hayes said in a statement from what the position is,” said Cooke. “This is the best GT-R in Nissan’s and aerodynamics. Nissan GT-R hits dealerships this sum- growth with infrastruc- prison. “I vehemently maintain my “The house has to be sold.” history,” Nissan head of product Inside, the interior has been mer. Pricing has yet to be announced. ture spending and said it would run a deficit nearly three times larger than promised during last year’s election. The PetroChina profits slump 70% Oil market sinks as US government said the budget was expected to raise growth 0.5 percent in the first year and 1.0 inventories surge percent by the second after the party of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau AFP News of rising US stockpiles usu- warned last month an ally pushes oil prices lower because oil price plunge had they indicates weaker demand in weakened Canada’s the world’s top oil consuming nation. economic and fiscal out- LONDON: World oil prices dived Crude futures had dipped in earlier look. The government yesterday on news that US crude trade after industry body the Amer- projected a C$29.4bn inventories ballooned last week, wors- ican Petroleum Institute said that US ($22.5bn) deficit for fis- ening the stubborn global supply glut. crude stocks rebounded by 8.8 million cal 2016-17, higher than At about 1745 GMT, US benchmark barrels last week, indicating weaker the C$28.6bn forecast West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for demand and fuelling the supply glut. in a Reuters survey, and delivery in May sank $1.33 to $40.12 Traders eyed a crucial producers’ gave no target date for per barrel. Brent North Sea crude for meeting in Qatar next month. Ana- returning to a balanced May delivery lost $1.04 to $40.75 a bar- lyst Daniel Ang at Phillip Futures said budget. rel compared with Tuesday’s close. there may be some price volatility The US government’s Energy if top Opec and non-Opec mem- Sweden limits Information Administration reported bers agree on a production freeze yesterday that American crude oil when they meet in Doha on April 17. mortgage loans reserves surged 9.36 million barrels Renewed optimism that producers to 105 years last week to 532.5 million barrels. would strike a deal to freeze output A station attendant pumps fuel into a customer’s car at PetroChina’s petrol station in Beijing. PetroChina That was almost quadruple market also buoyed prices. Opec Secre- reported a 70 percent slump in its full-year 2015 profit, with earnings upstream and in the marketing expectations for a gain of 2.5 million tary-General Abdalla El Badri said Stockholm: Swedish segment both taking a hit from lower prices. barrels, according to experts polled in Vienna on Monday that 15 or 16 lawmakers adopted yes- by Bloomberg News. nations would join the Doha talks. terday a law limiting mortgage loans to 105 years as the Scandinavian nation seeks to come to grips with high property Germany’s ‘five wise men’ New US single-family home sales rise prices and debt lev- els. There had previously been no legal limit on the trim 2016 growth forecast Reuters the West last month, which reversed with its seasonally adjusted Purchase duration of mortgages, January’s 32.7 percent dive. Sales Index falling 1.0 percent from a week and in fact many Swedish plunged 24.2 percent in the North- earlier. The index, however, increased homeowners have been AFP “In view of the slightly weaker east and tumbled 17.9 percent in the 25 percent from a year ago. taking loans which only external economic environment, WASHINGTON: New US single-fam- Midwest. They fell 4.1 percent in the While economists and realtors their grandchildren would our previous forecast for 2016 has ily home sales rebounded modestly in populous South. Excluding the West, expect a fairly busy spring selling have a chance to pay off. been revised downward slightly,” February as a surge in the West off- home sales were down 8.1 percent. season, they caution that the persist- The practice developed FRANKFURT: Global uncertain- the economists said. Nevertheless, set sharp declines in other regions, New home sales account for about ent shortage of homes on the market, as a strategy to cope ties will shave around 0.1 percentage “the moderate uptrend is continu- pointing to a gradually improving 9.2 percent of the housing market. which is limiting options for buyers and with high property prices point off growth in Germany this year, ing, driven by domestic consumer housing sector amid a dearth of prop- The report came on the heels of pushing up prices, was a challenge. as a longer term means but Europe’s economic powerhouse spending,” they insisted. erties available on the market. data on Monday showing a 7.1 per- There were 1.88 million existing monthly payments are remains in a moderate uptrend, an The labour market remained The Commerce Department said cent drop in sales of previously owned homes available for sale in February, lower. But inheritors are expert panel said yesterday. robust, fiscal policy was expansive yesterday home sales rose 2.0 per- homes in February, which was blamed up 3.3 percent from January, but 1.1 left with repaying the bal- The German Council of Eco- and monetary policy was “extremely cent to a seasonally adjusted annual on tight inventories, bad weather and percent lower than a year ago. House ance of the mortgage, nomic Experts, known as the “five accommodative,” the experts said. rate of 512,000 units. January’s sales difficulties adjusting the data during prices have been rising by more than often by selling the home. wise men”, said it is forecasting gross “The turbulence seen in the inter- pace was revised up to 502,000 the month with a leap day. 5 percent, outpacing wage growth. New mortgages will have domestic product (GDP) growth of national financial markets at the units from the previously reported The S&P homebuilding index While the inventory of new a 105-year repayment 1.5 percent this year — fractionally beginning of the year does not point 494,000 units. “The housing mar- was down 0.88 percent, in line with homes on the market rose 1.7 per- limit as borrowers will be lower than their previous prognosis to a global economic contraction,” ket is improving, though in fits and a broadly weaker US stock market. cent in February to the highest level required to reimburse a from last November — and 1.6 per- the panel continued. starts and not uniformly across the Shares in D R Horton Inc, the largest since October 2009, it remained less minimum amount of the cent growth in 2017. The sharp drop in financial mar- nation,” said Joel Naroff, chief econ- US homebuilder, fell 1.4 percent and than half of what it was at the height loan capital each year, The panel is actually made up kets in January was largely due to omist at Naroff Economic Advisors rival Lennar Corp slipped 0.8 percent. of the housing bubble. At February’s after a five-year grace of four men and one woman and a decline in banking stocks that in Holland, Pennsylvania. A separate report from the Mort- sales pace it would take 5.6 months period on loans for new advises the government in eco- reflected investor concern about New single-family home sales gage Bankers Association showed a to clear the supply of houses on the homes. nomic affairs. banks’ profitability, the experts said. were driven by a 38.5 percent jump in dip in home buying activity last week, market, unchanged from January. 26 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 BUSINESS

QE INDICES SUMMARY QATAR STOCK EXCHANGE QE Index 10,452.28 0.36 % QE Total Return Index 16,741.13 0.36 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,001.4 0.68 % QE All Share Index 2,865.4 0.09 % QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 2,821.02 0.30 % QE All Share Industrials 3,108.28 0.20 % QE All Share Transportation 2,540.68 1.21 % QE All Share Real Estate 2,522.78 0.45 % QE All Share Insurance 4,610.47 0.20 % QE All Share Telecoms 1,108.46 0.15 % QE All Share Consumer Goods & Services 6,617.52 0.22 %

QE MARKET SUMMARY COMPARISON 23-03-2016 Today 22-03-2016 Previous day Index 10,452.28 10,490.40 Change 38.12 45.47 % 0.36 0.44 YTD% 0.22 0.59 Volume 12,163,708 9,518,349 Value (QAR) 408,731,465.00 415,007,158.36 Trades 5,520 5,685 Up 12 | Down 24 | Unchanged 05

WORLD STOCK INDICES Index Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low All Ordinaries 5204.312 -26.473 -0.51 5379.6 4762.1 Cac 40 Index/D 4451.66 19.69 0.44 4586.11 3892.46 Dj Indu Average 17582.57 -41.3 -0.23 18351.4 15370.3 Hang Seng Inde/D 20615.23 -51.52 -0.25 21794.84 18278.8 Iseq Overall/D 6206.86 27.91 0.45 6791.68 5611.89 Karachi 100 In/D 32928.3 -94.57 -0.29 33304.4 29785 Nikkei 225 Index 17000.98 -47.57 -0.28 18951.12 14865.77 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2134.72 1810.1

EXCHANGE RATE Currency Buying Selling US$ QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 UK QR 5.1317 QR 5.2044 INTERNATIONAL MARKETS - A LIST OF SHARES FROM THE WORLD Euro QR 4.0486 QR 4.1060 COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME CA$ QR 2.7599 QR 2.8137 NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED Swiss Fr QR 3.7143 QR 3.7676 Yen QR 0.0320 QR 0.0326 A C C-A/D 1363.25 -2.05 28206 F D C-B/D 180.05 0.4 5505 Kalyani Stel-T/D 159.2 1.2 73573 Thirumalai-B/D 174.4 -3 8975 Aus$ QR 2.7346 QR 2.7883 Aarti Drugs-B/D 473.45 -1.55 1193 Federal Bank-A/D 49.7 -0.1 71095 Kanoria Chem-B/D 54.3 -0.1 14872 Timexgroup-T/D 30.15 -0.7 17116 Ind Re QR 0.0541 QR 0.0352 Aban Offs-A/D 184.65 0.4 302526 Ferro Alloys-B/D 4.4 0.11 24312 Kg Denim-B/D 74.7 1 129253 Tinplate-B/D 67.05 1.25 50559 Ador Welding-B/D 258.9 -9.5 1608 Fgp Ltd-Xd/D 2.85 -0.13 7257 Kilburnengg-Xd/D 69.55 2.45 49761 Ucal Fuel-B/D 97.5 1.2 4679 Pak Re QR 0.0344 QR 0.0352 Aegis Logis-B/D 95.25 -4.45 50676 Finolex-A/D 351.7 -14.95 13861 Kinetic Eng-B/D 79.5 -1.95 1592 Ucal Fuel-B/D 97.5 1.2 4679 Peso QR 0.0779 QR 0.0794 Alembic-B/D 36.6 0.3 52531 Forbes-B/D 1225 19 1020 Kopran-B/D 51.3 -0.35 58090 Unitech P -A/D 5.17 -0.09 11314537 SL Re QR 0.0245 QR 0.0253 Alok Indus-A/D 4.77 -0.2 2324178 Gail-A/D 356.1 -5.65 46864 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 356 10.2 49299 Univcable-B/D 73.5 -0.15 24822 Apollo Tyre-A/D 175.15 -3.45 201407 Galada Power-B/D 14.65 -0.05 2449 Lloyd Metal-B/D 17.2 0.35 32694 Uppergsugar-T/D 95.25 2.6 26623 Taka QR 0.0460 QR 0.0470 Asahi I Glass-/D 153.35 3.8 34172 Gammon India-T/D 12.45 1.46 778587 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 4.74 -0.03 44218 Nep Re QR 0.0340 QR 0.0347 Ashok Leyland-/D 105.95 2.5 2094328 Garden P -B/D 22.35 0.6 5991 Lumax Ind-B/D 420 -2.2 1739 LONDON SA Rand QR 0.2362 QR 0.2408 Ballarpur In-B/D 13.08 0.68 1068948 Godfrey Phil-B/D 1210.3 32.85 32838 Lupin-A/D 1524.5 -25.25 183385 Bata India-A/D 507.85 4 35930 Goodricke-B/D 170.6 2.9 113936 Lyka Labs-T/D 82.25 2.75 71634 3I Group/D 459.3 1.8 503347 Bayer Crop-A/D 3816.95 20.15 3513 Goodyear I -B/D 483 4.8 2167 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 240 11.7 1671 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 3448.3 18 81343 GOLD AND SILVER Beml Ltd-A/D 1089.05 -1.6 26281 Hcl Infosys-B/D 43.9 1.85 1506045 Mah.Seamless-B/D 145.2 5.3 8906 Barclays/D 158.555 1.3 14206082 Bh Electronic-/D 1199.25 6.95 42183 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 15.6 -0.3 3266154 Mangalam Cem-B/D 228.1 -8 16250 Bp/D 360.7145 -0.1 7582353 GOLD QR144.3135 per gramme Bhansali Eng-T/D 18.1 0.45 86092 Himat Seide-B/D 193.1 -1.65 26216 Maral Overs-B/D 24.4 -0.05 3980 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3998.5 15.5 770929 Bharat Bijle-B/D 888.75 -2.5 20611 Hind Motors-T/D 5.27 0.11 64314 Mastek-B/D 136.2 -4.1 39123 SILVER QR1.8191 per gramme Bt Group/D 443.9 -0.95 3796278 Bharatgears-B/D 66.95 3.55 5183 Hind Org Chem-/D 15.58 2.27 303757 Max Financial-/D 326.8 -2.4 13781 Centrica/D 226.2 0.2 3256120 Bhartiya Int-B/D 461.2 -20 1929 Hind Unilever-/D 872.6 1.25 640024 Mrpl-A/D 63.55 4.45 635787 Gkn/D 289.163 -0.7 1133982 Bhel-A/D 116.55 -0.2 818096 Hind.Petrol-A/D 748.95 -18.35 111474 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 24.6 -0.5 10866 Bom.Burmah-B/D 383.45 9.25 31081 Hindalco-A/D 91.25 4.25 2444170 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 24.6 -0.5 10866 Hsbc Holdings/D 446.75 -1.15 5730541 Bombay Dyeing-/D 46.5 0.45 96251 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1163.1 -3.45 73561 Nahar Spg.-B/D 93.65 0.85 19630 Kingfisher/D 363.7 13.1 2211267 Gulf bourses end Canfin Homes-B/D1050.25 18.85 2916 I F C I-A/D 24.15 -0.2 338863 Nation Alum -A/D 38.6 -0.95 713188 Land Secs Grou/D 1078 -2 516951 Caprihans-Xc/D 80.1 -1.15 8740 Idbi-A/D 70.8 1.7 1891528 Navneet Edu-B/D 81.4 -0.35 10946 Legal & Genera/D 238.4 -0.7 3324775 Castrol India-/D 374.55 -2.15 52074 Ifb Agro-B/D 397.1 0.5 3611 Nepc India-T/D 1.56 0.07 55162 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 68.96 -0.4 20111263 mixed; Egypt up Century Enka-B/D 178.8 -0.1 5638 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 323.8 0 1022 Neuland Lab-B/D 701.5 20 17592 Marks & Sp./D 411.2 3 1248397 Century Text-A/D 518.5 -3.65 238977 India Cement-A/D 86 -0.2 233501 Nrb Bearings-B/D 122.8 5.8 5168 Next/D 6665 70 110939 Chambal Fert-B/D 54 0.4 30491 India Glycol-B/D 85.45 -0.85 21547 O N G C-A/D 214.55 -1.75 466683 Pearson/D 901.5 -11.5 755189 Chowgule St-T/D 13.7 -0.2 12281 Indian Card-B/D 212.1 5.1 5875 Oil Country-B/D 25.2 -0.35 2854 Prudential/D 1346 -9.5 945396 Reuters Cimmco-B/D 77.95 4.6 51511 Indian Hotel-A/D 98.5 1.85 14942 Onward Tech-B/D 66.8 -0.55 1870 Rank Group/D 258.9 2.3 46817 Cipla-A/D 532.5 -4 580172 Indo-Tcount-T/D 913 -18.5 7826 Orchid Pharm-B/D 38.8 -0.35 59135 Rentokil Initi/D 173.3 1 282234 City Union Bk-/D 92 0.6 11465 Indusind-A/D 928 0.6 194401 Orient Hotel-T/D 21.4 0.65 2928 Rolls Royce Pl/D 685.5 -9 1084115 Colgate-A/D 840.55 -10.7 19807 J.B.Chemical-B/D 253 1.05 9860 Orient.Carb.-T/D 494 15 1034 Rsa Insrance G/D 475.4 1.3 516240 DUBAI: Egypt’s stock market rose yesterday after Pres- Container Cor-/D 1219.6 6 15026 Jagatjit Ind-X/D 63 0.95 1800 Orient.Carb.-T/D 494 15 1034 Sainsbury(J)/D 280.7 0.7 3237935 ident Abdel Fattah Al Sisi reshuffled his cabinet, while Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 353.9 -3.3 1521 Jagson Phar-B/D 36.55 -0.65 8865 Oudh Sugar-B/D 64.2 0.2 57718 Schroders/D 2722 -4 93526 Gulf bourses were mixed in the absence of fresh incen- Dcm Shram Ind-/D 105.85 0.2 5217 Jamnaauto-B/D 141.2 2.6 95044 Patspin India-/D 7.66 -0.4 1000 Severn Trent/D 2154 9 214832 tives to trade. Dhampur Sugar-/D 85.1 1.5 323599 Jbf Indu-B/D 187.05 2.65 11676 Punjab Chem.-B/D 136.5 7.5 4635 Smith&Nephew/D 1129.85 3 574125 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3047.25 -15.35 35045 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.31 -0.01 20648 Radico Khait-B/D 95.3 -0.35 25268 The sweeping Egyptian reshuffle appeared to focus Smiths Group/D 1098 -14 330016 E I H-B/D 103.3 -1.3 203159 Jct Ltd-B/D 5.25 -0.02 456226 Rallis India-A/D 170.75 -0.55 30532 on improving economic performance - banking veteran Standrd Chart /D 490.6 -4.1 3972089 E.I.D Parry-A/D 207.15 -0.4 140908 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 7.75 0.22 15211 Rallis India-A/D 170.75 -0.55 30532 Amr El Garhy was appointed finance minister and Dalia Tate & Lyle/D 560.1481 8 132768 Eicher Motor-A/D 18505.5 278.05 4213 Jik Indust-B/D 0.84 0.03 2510247 Reliance Indus/D 423.6 -3.2 96063 Khorshid, formerly an executive of Orascom Construc- Tesco/D 198.4 -3.25 5376132 tion, as investment minister. Eimco Elecon-T/D 328 8.7 1109 Jindal Drill-B/D 128.6 -1.1 1402 Ruchi Soya-B/D 32.2 2.05 1386105 Electrosteel-B/D 19.1 -0.45 54086 Jktyre&Ind-A/D 85 1.45 438878 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 499 -3.6 1331 Unilever/D 3157.5 55 849469 Egypt’s index edged down in early trade before the United Util Gr/D 911.6152 -1 274594 announcement, but closed 0.9 percent higher in active Emco-B/D 26.55 -0.35 14622 Jmc Projects-T/D 215 -1.7 4075 Salora Inter-B/D 43.2 -4 197769 Escorts Fin-B/D 4 0.06 34014 Kajaria Cer-A/D 932.65 -12.65 2788 Saur.Cem-B/D 59.45 -0.25 86848 Vodafone Group/D 220.022 1.9 9991674 volume. Two Orascom group affiliates, controlled by Whitbread/D 3907 1 116246 members of the Sawiris business family, surged: Orascom Escorts-A/D 139.75 3.8 263873 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 186.9 27.1 138363 Savita Oil-B/D 469.9 2.4 4247 Construction jumped 4.8 percent and Orascom Tele- Eveready Indu-/D 239.45 -2.45 13082 Kalpat Power-B/D 214.55 9.7 147391 Tanfac Indust-/D 25.6 -0.25 3800 com Media rose 6.8 percent. Egyptian Resorts jumped 9.8 percent after saying it had swung to a consolidated net profit last year from a loss in 2014. Investment bank EFG Hermes rose 0.5 percent although it reported that 2015 net profit shrank to 649m Egyptian pounds ($73.1m) from 707m pounds in 2014. European travel sector stocks bounce back The Saudi index fell 0.3 percent as much activity focused on second-tier stocks favoured by local spec- ulators; Wafa Insurance jumped its 10 percent daily AFP All had slumped on Tuesday 0.5 percent, and airline Deutsche and less dramatic in recent years, Yoav Nizard at FXCM, an online limit in unusually heavy trade. Petrochemical blue chip after news broke of the triple blasts Lufthansa rose 1.3 percent. compared with the aftermath of the currency trading house. Saudi Basic Industries dropped 1 percent. Zain Saudi that killed some 35 people and left Asian markets broadly September 11 attacks”. In Tokyo, the US crude stockpiles shot up last added 2.9 percent. around 250 injured in Brussels that retreated, playing catch-up with Nikkei 225 was down 0.3 percent week much higher than analysts Dubai’s benchmark edged down 0.1 percent, although LONDON: Airline and travel stocks were claimed by the Islamic State losses incurred on Wall Street fol- at 17,000.98 points; in Shanghai, expected to strike a new record Drake & Scull rose 1.3 percent after saying it had won a rebounded yesterday after sharp jihadist group, but had rallied to lowing the bombings in the Belgian the Composite was up 0.4 percent level of 532.5 million barrels. The QR340m ($93.4m) contract for work on the Doha Metro. falls caused by the deadly Brussels post small gains. Yesterday, police capital. Asian investors played it at 3,009.96 points, while in Hong figures “confirm the major dise- Abu Dhabi edged up 0.1 percent as telecommuni- attacks, with European equity mar- identified two of the suicide bomb- safe with few catalysts to drive trade Kong, the Hang Seng was down 0.3 quilibrium between supply and cations blue chip Etisalat climbed 1.7 percent. It had kets ending mixed overall. ers as brothers linked to the prime as dealers eye the long Easter break percent at 20,615.23 points. demand” said Nizard, as well as tumbled late last week and early this week as retail “Stocks in Europe erased early suspect in the November 13 Paris that starts tomorrow, analysts said. Wall Street also moved lower, risk oil prices could fall further. investors, who had loaded up on the stock in anticipa- gains and slid into negative ter- attacks, as a manhunt for a third The mood across regional trad- with energy and natural resources Meanwhile shares in sneaker tion of its inclusion in FTSE equities indexes, dumped it. ritory as oil and resource shares assailant gained pace. ing floors remained “cautious to following commodity prices down- maker Nike stumbled 3.4 after Qatar’s index fell 0.4 percent but Qatari Investors dropped amid falling commodity After having slid Tuesday, travel negative”, Jackson Wong, Hong ward. Chevron was down 2 percent failing to clear the bar of analysts’ Group jumped its 10 percent daily limit as it resumed trad- prices,” said CMC Markets analyst and airline stocks fought back. Kong-based associate director and ExxonMobil was off 0.2 percent. expectations with its third quar- ing. The company had planned to hold an extraordinary Jasper Lawler. “Travel and leisure stocks staged at Simsen Financial Group, said. The Dow was down 0.1 percent at ter sales figures. shareholders meeting on March 6 to discuss delisting. However London’s benchmark a recovery on Wednesday with Car- “Investors are reluctant to get in (the 17,563.62 points in afternoon trade, The dollar gained against the That meeting did not take place because of the lack of FTSE 100 index rebounded. The nival and Merlin Entertainments market) at this point,” Wong said. the S&P 500 was down 0.4 per- euro and yen following comments a quorum, and the firm said that the session had been index was up 0.1 percent at 6,199.11 recouping losses brought on by the All Nippon Airways lost 0.51 cent at 2,042.35 points, while the by a US Federal Reserve member rescheduled to April 12. points; in Frankfurt, the DAX 30 was attacks in Brussels,” said Lawler. percent and Korean Air Lines Nasdaq was down 0.7 percent at that the next hike in interest rates Gulf Warehousing jumped its 10 percent limit for a up 0.3 percent at 10,022.93 points; Cruise line operator Carnival dropped 1.48 percent in trading 4,788.77 points. could come in April. The dollar had second straight day after the Qatar Central Securities in Paris, the CAC 40 was down 0.2 rose 1.9 percent, while attractions and on Wednesday. Bernard Aw, a mar- “The fall of oil prices following weakened sharply last week after Depository said on Tuesday that it had raised the max- percent at 4,423.98 points, while hotel operator Merlin Entertainments ket analyst at IG trading group, said announcement of the US Depart- the Fed indicated it would likely imum foreign ownership percentage in its shares to 49 the EURO STOXX 50 was down 0.4 climbed 1.6 percent. easyJet climbed “the impact of terror attacks on ment of Energy, contributed to the raise interest rates twice this year, percent of capital. percent at 3,040.66 points. 0.7 percent, tourism group TUI won financial markets has become less drop in the indices,” said analyst instead of four times. BUSINESS VIEWS THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 27

Mounting debts could Algeria woos energy investors derail China plans to to boost oil revenues cut steel and coal glut

By David Stanway risk assessment and collateral Reuters valuations to control exposure to industries suffering overcapacity. A lawyer who handles steel hina’s campaign to slim industry non-performing loans down its bloated indus- for mid-sized Chinese banks tries could be derailed said: “Banks’ fear is not without by more than $1.5 trillion reason. The steel sector’s contin- Cof debt in its steel, coal, cement ued slump increases the difficulty and non-ferrous metal sectors, of disposing of outstanding non- which threatens to overwhelm performing loans.” local banks. As well as seeking cuts in Tackling industrial overca- value-added tax and relief from pacity has become a priority for expensive “social functions” like Beijing to make its slowing econ- healthcare and education, the omy more efficient and address coal delegates urged government a supply glut that has hammered to provide additional funding and coal and steel prices. policy support, and establish China is providing more than “debt-to-equity” mechanisms to 100bn yuan ($15bn) in the next handle the problem. two years to handle layoffs from “Because the mechanisms and coal and steel, but that will only related policies for state-owned be made available once debts firms exiting the market are not have been settled. complete, closing them will raise Critics say there is no clear thorny problems like the settle- mechanism for tackling the debt ment of debts,” said Liang Tieshan, burden, which will put huge strain chairman of the Henan Pingding- on the weakest sections of the shan Coal Group. banking sector. Average debt-to-equity ratios A file picture of a technician standing at the Krechba gas treatment plant, about 1,200km south of Algiers. The debt figures, revealed in at steel firms rose 1.55 percentage papers submitted to China’s par- points to 70.1 percent in 2015 and liament this month, highlight the for at least five firms exceed 100 dilemma facing state firms grap- percent, figures from the China By Lamine Chikhi and Patrick Markey process, include oil and gas fields across the Massoud. Southern gas fields already in pling with surplus capacity and Iron and Steel Association (CISA) Reuters centre and south of the country in places development with foreign partners are how difficult it will be to pull off show. Coal executives estimate such as Ouargla and Adrar provinces, and expected to come online through 2018 this central plank of Beijing’s eco- their sector average exceeds 75 Illizi near the Libyan border. As part of the after delays in initial start-up dates, and nomic reform plans. percent. campaign, Sonatrach chief Amine Mazouzi the government has said it expects gas Costs for the estimated 1.3 In plans published in February, fter a deep slide in oil prices, Alge- will travel to China at the end of the month output to increase by 13 percent by 2019. million coal-sector layoffs alone Beijing promised to slash 100-150 ria’s Sonatrach is shifting strategy for meetings with Chinese oil companies After multiple delays, the In Amenas are as much as 195bn yuan, and million tonnes, or up to 12.5 per- to offer foreign firms direct nego- SINOPEC and CNPC, which are already oper- gas plant—which produced 11 percent of coal industry delegates attending cent, of crude steel capacity and tiations to buy stakes in 20 oil and ating in Algeria. Algeria’s gas before the 2013 attack by parliament urged government to as much as 500 million tonnes, or gas fields in a bid to attract inves- Algeria’s energy potential is not in doubt, Islamists militants—is expected to be back provide more support to deal with 9 percent, of coal production in Ators and increase output, a source at the state but oil executives say tough terms on pro- in full operation in April. That would bring the mounting debts of hundreds over three to five years. energy company said. duction-sharing contracts, bureaucracy and its gas production from 16 million cubic of stricken “zombie” firms. Liang of Pingdingshan Coal The campaign to bring in energy invest- other problems, such as customs delays and meters a day to 20 million. The four sectors targeted in said state banks responded by ment comes at a crucial time for the North archaic banking systems, make the country Oil executives say beyond the tough the battle against overcapacity implementing tougher credit poli- African OPEC producer as it tackles lower a less attractive prospect. financial terms and short exploration owe around 10.2 trillion yuan cies and recalling some loans. revenues and stagnating production. Reforms to open up the and gas sector to periods, other problems in Algeria can ($1.56 trillion), according to docu- He said one mine in Henan Algeria, a key gas supplier to Europe, is foreign investment in 2005 were reversed a be traced back to bureaucracy, delays in ments submitted to parliament by was facing a 40bn yuan repay- also in talks with European Union officials year later, adding a windfall tax and more data processing, and slow decision-mak- Wang Mingsheng, head of Anhui- ment bill that was unlikely to be on holding a summit in Algiers in May that Sonatrach control, when oil prices were high ing at Sonatrach and ALNAFT. based coal firm Huaibei Mining. rolled over. will discuss energy investment opportuni- and Algeria’s reserves were in good shape. Mazouzi last October begun a restruc- China’s statistics bureau puts The February policy docu- ties in Algeria as EU leaders look to diversify Security is also a factor after the 2013 turing aimed at saving money and coal and steel debts alone at 8 tril- ments said China would create a from Russian gas. attack on the In Amenas plant run by BP and streamlining bureaucracy to tackle the oil lion yuan, of which about a third special mechanism to restructure The switch to bilateral deals follows two Statoil with Sonatrach in which 40 oil work- crisis. New assistants were put in charge is bank debt. industry debts and non-perform- energy bidding tenders that failed to attract ers died. BP and Statoil on Monday said they of downstream, upstream, transport and If 20 percent of that were to ing assets while introducing much interest. A bid scheduled for last year were reducing staff in Algeria after rockets pipelines, and commercial operations. go bad in 2016, which industry incentives to write off bad debts was cancelled because of low crude prices. hit another gas plant last week. But the state company itself has been analysts say is not unrealistic, it or transfer them to special- “Direct negotiations are a more efficient, Oil executives said bilateral contracts in constant flux, several former Sonat- would raise Chinese banks’ non- ist asset managers, but officials less expensive, a faster, may offer flexibility, but Algeria’s legal rach officials and analysts say, after four performing loans by nearly half. said more specific measures were and a less bureaucratic framework and red tape remained a major changes in top management and the loss Bankers say city and regional required. “To cut capacity we can- approach,” the Sonat- concern for some companies and it was of hundreds of technicians and engineers banks set up by party or provin- not just shout slogans and issue rach source said of the still unclear what terms Sonatrach would in recent years to overseas jobs. cial government officials are most targets - we must have a realistic talks. “Sonatrach is be offering. Two corruption scandals and trials exposed, and that official NPLs, and effective mechanism,” said already in negotiations “They will need to change the contract of former energy officials have also left which already doubled last year, Wang at Huaibei Mining Group. with ENI and several terms in order to get real investment,” said Sonatrach ranks nervous and slowed deci- underestimate the scale of their He said it was unreasonable to other foreign firms.” one oil executive with Algeria experience. sion-making, former company officials problem lending. expect local governments to take The source did not Reliant on its mature fields, Algeria’s and executives said. “China needs to set up a new the initiative in closing zombie give details of the other output as been declining for a decade. It “Sonatrach is a huge company but it organisation, a special bank just coal firms, given the contribution The campaign to bring firms and ENI declined peaked at 233 million tonnes of oil equiv- is not a great company,” Said Beghoul, a to take over these debts in order coal makes to local GDP, employ- in energy investment to comment. The stakes alent in 2007, before dipping to 187 million former Sonatrach official who is now an to avoid the local banks going ment and government revenue. being sold are expected tonnes by 2012. Last year it was estimated oil consultant, said. “It is in serious need bankrupt,” said steel industry China’s industry ministry comes at a crucial time to leave Sonatrach the at 190 million tonnes, but the government of reform.” consultant Xu Zhongbo. and the commission responsi- for the North African majority holder as Alge- sees it at 224 million tonnes by 2019. At a North African oil conference in China’s banking regulator ble for state assets did not return rian law dictates. Sonatrach is now focussed on maxim- Algiers late last year, foreign executives didn’t return a request for com- requests for comment on how Opec producer as it The 20 fields, which ising output at its mature fields and seeking repeatedly urged better incentives and ment, though earlier in March sent government will deal with the tackles lower revenues the source said Sonat- foreign partners for technology. That effort flexibility while welcoming dialogue with notices to joint-stock banks and debt burden, or how it would rach took over from state centres on Hassi Massoud, Hassi Berkine the government to cut delays that can drag city commercial lenders to boost affect their plans to cut capacity. and stagnating hydrocarbons agency and Illizi in the southwest and west. Japa- on for years. Even Algeria’s energy minis- production. ALNAFT in September as nese firm GJC last month won a $339 million ter last year called for Sonatrach to speed part of the streamlining deal to help increase production at Hassi up work. Helicopter money takes flight as latest drastic monetary idea

By Simon Kennedy some form being implemented somewhere.” in countries where rates are negative. economic adviser to HSBC. “If this sounds too Bloomberg The theory — never attempted by a mod- To Dalio, the founder of $154bn Bridge- good to be true, that’s because it is.” ern major economy—is to fuse monetary and water Associates, that means the next step Draghi last week said that while the fiscal policies now both running out of room. should be to do even more to spark demand. ECB has not studied the concept “it clearly fter more than 600 interest-rate cuts Cash-strapped governments sell short-term “If you look around the world, our risk is not involves complexities, both accounting- wise and $12 trillion of asset purchases debt straight to their central bank for newly inflation and our risk is not overheating econ- and legal-wise.” Colleague Peter Praet, nev- Afailed to move the inflation needle printed money that is then injected straight omies,” he told Bloomberg Television’s Erik ertheless declined to rule it out as an option enough, central banks may need to head even into the economy via tax cuts or spending Schatzker on March 3. “They’re going to have when asked. The debate may remain aca- deeper into uncharted territory. programs. The usual intermediaries, like to go more directly to spenders.” demic. In the US, prices are shifting higher The way to get the world out of its dis- banks, are bypassed. So what’s not to like? Critics say spray- and the International Monetary Fund still inflationary rut could lie in them directly The idea is to spur spending and invest- ing money around would eventually mean forecasts inflation in advanced economies financing government stimulus — a strategy ment directly rather than influence bond Weimar-style runaway inflation and bloated to accelerate next year to 1.7 percent from known as deploying “helicopter money” after yields or sentiment. Central banks can be government debt. The independence and 1.1 percent. a 1969 proposal from Nobel laureate Milton saved from permanently underwriting gov- credibility of central banks would be poten- “I don’t think helicopter money gets rolled Friedman. Economists at Citigroup Inc, HSBC ernments by establishing growth or inflation tially damaged. And the policy could backfire out quite yet,” said Ewen Cameron-Watt, chief Economists at Citigroup Holdings Plc and Commerzbank AG all pub- limits. In a 2002 speech that earned him the if households sit on the money. investment strategist at BlackRock Inc. “You Inc, HSBC Holdings Plc lished reports to investors on the topic in the nickname “Helicopter Ben”, then-Federal Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann need a considerable downturn and further past two weeks, while hedge fund titan Ray Reserve Governor Ben S. Bernanke said tak- has already said “helicopter money” would decline in inflation expectations first.” and Commerzbank AG Dalio sees potential in the idea. European ing to the skies would “almost certainly be “rip huge holes in central bank balance Still, if economies do slide anew, Jonathan all published reports to Central Bank officials are already squabbling an effective stimulant to consumption and sheets” and leave governments and taxpay- Loynes of Capital Economics Ltd. in London, investors on the topic in about what President Mario Draghi calls a hence to prices.” ers to “pay the bill in the end”. noted central banks have shown willingness “very interesting concept”. Reviving the debate is the failure of Then there’s the law. The ECB is pro- to revisit once-rejected ideas. the past two weeks, while “We don’t know for certain that ‘helicop- inflation to accelerate in much of the world hibited from financing states and lacks a “The clear lesson of recent years has been hedge fund titan Ray ter money’ will be the next attempted silver despite Bank of America Corp.’s calculation single Treasury to work with, while the Fed that seemingly unimaginable policy measures bullet, however the topic is receiving consid- that as of early February central banks had is constrained in what assets it can buy. “The previously confined to the theory or history Dalio sees potential in the erably more attention,” said Gabriel Stein, an cut rates 637 times and spent $12.3 trillion helicopter option is simple, easily imple- books can become reality if extraordinary idea. economist at Oxford Economics Ltd. in Lon- on assets since the financial crisis in 2008. mented and, for some, offers the closest thing economic circumstances persist for long don. “The likelihood is reasonably high of It also estimated 489 million people now live to a free lunch,” said Stephen King, senior enough,” he said. 28 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 BUSINESS

BACK TO BUSINESS sight Britain’s road traffic rises Half of world’s stocks embrace amid lower fuel prices the bull market

By John Kemp Britain’s petrol consumption By Srinivasan Sivabalan they are still mostly negative on Reuters has declined continuously since the Bloomberg a net basis. Analysts may take millennium but diesel use has risen some convincing. In a sense, the every year with the exception of the world economy is guilty until recession in 2008 and 2009. Britain proven innocent.” HE volume of traffic on imposes the same fuel duty on petrol MONG the world’s 63 The first quarter has been a Britain’s roads is grow- and diesel. Roughly similar numbers major stock indexes, 28 roller-coaster ride for stocks. The ing at the fastest rate for of gasoline and diesel cars were sold with a combined value emergence of bull markets from almost two decades, and in 2015, according to the Society of of $28.5 trillion are in Brazil to Russia in quick succes- exceeded its pre-recession Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Abull markets. Another 10 with $4.3 sion over the past month marked peak for the first time in But the changing composition of trillion are poised to join them. a contrast with the first three T2015. More traffic is resulting in the first traffic, as well as government meas- Global shares are rebound- weeks of the year when as many sustained increase in fuel consumption ures targeting vehicle fuel efficiency, ing from the worst January as 40 equity markets with a total since 2007, a development that will be have resulted in a big shift in the fuel plunge in seven years as oil value of $27 trillion had plunged welcomed by refiners and retailers but mix. In 2004/2005, Britain’s super- prices recovered and the Fed- into bear territory. Traders typi- which complicates the government’s markets, refiners, traders and other eral Reserve slowed the path of cally define a bull run as a move climate plans. commercial vendors sold roughly interest-rate increases, adding of at least 20 percent from a bear- Cars, light vans and heavy goods equal amounts of petrol and diesel to signals the world’s major cen- market low, and vice versa. The vehicles drove almost 512 billion kil- by weight. By 2014/2015 diesel sales tral banks remain dovish. That MSCI gauge slipped 0.3 percent ometres on the nation’s highways in were more than 80 percent higher helped to ease investor con- yesterday, paring its monthly gain 2015, up from 500 billion kilometres rural roads. Car traffic has risen by van man” in reference to the ubiqui- than gasoline (“Energy Trends”, cern over the drag on the world to 6.5 percent. in 2014, and 489 billion kilometres 3.6 percent in the last two years while tous white vans, they accounted for Department of Energy and Climate economy from China’s weakest Concerns that overshad- in 2013. Traffic grew by more than heavy goods vehicle traffic is up by 11 percent of all kilometres driven on Change, 2015). growth in a quarter century. The owed markets at the turn of the 4.6 percent in 2014/15, the fastest almost 3.2 percent. the country’s roads. Since then, the Petrol sales have fallen from MSCI All- Country World Index year haven’t gone away: China’s two-year increase since 1996/97, But by far the fastest increase share of traffic attributable to LGVs 19.5 million tonnes in 2004 to just has jumped 12 percent since its grind to a slower pace of growth, according to data published by the UK among all road classes and vehicle has increased almost every year and 13.0 million tonnes in 2014. Mean- February 11 low. increasing political risks in Department for Transport. Volumes types is the volume of light goods hit 15 percent in 2015. while diesel sales soared from 18.5 Still, some money managers emerging markets and the glut have now passed the pre-recession vehicles, also known as vans. LGV Between 1997 and 2015, the million tonnes to 23.5 million tonnes. question the strength of the rally in oil markets. Yet, Barclays record of 505 billion vehicle-kilome- traffic surged by almost 12 percent number of kilometres driven by pas- Total fuel consumption has declined citing lower expectations for believes 2016 will be charac- tres set in 2007. in the last two years, with increases senger cars has increased by only 9 almost 2.6 million tonnes per year, 6.6 corporate earnings. While profit terised by “a slightly brighter Britain’s traffic growth is closely ranging from 13 percent on the motor- percent but the distance driven by percent, since 2007. But all that has forecasts for global companies economic backdrop” compared correlated with the economic cycle, way network and 14 percent on major LGVs rose by nearly 58 percent. The come from lower petrol sales (down have increased marginally in with the last year, Hobbs said. rising in booms and declining dur- rural routes to almost 20 percent on increase in LGV traffic relative to cars 4.8 million tonnes) while diesel sales March, they remain 15 percent “The US ISM manufactur- ing recessions. Much of the recent minor rural routes. and HGVs reflects a complex set of have increased (2.2 million tonnes). below a record high reached in ing at the beginning of April increase has therefore reflected a Even on major urban routes, social and economic shifts, includ- The shift from petrol to diesel 2007. Analysts are waiting to will obviously be very impor- growing economy. But lower fuel where traffic from other types of ing declining car ownership and use has helped Britain meet energy effi- see stronger proof of improving tant here, as it tends to lead a prices may also have stimulated vehicles declined last year, LGV in urban areas and the rapid rise in ciency and carbon emissions targets economic activity before raising decent chunk of global earnings traffic growth, according to the traffic continued to increase, albeit parcel and food delivery services. but has had the unintended conse- their projections, according to estimates,” he said. Department of Transport. only by 2 percent, and is up by 8 per- The increase in small package quence of worsening air pollution, William Hobbs of Barclays Plc. Manufacturing probably In 2015, the average price of gaso- cent since 2013. LGVs, weighing less deliveries to homes and offices as a especially in urban areas. Some com- “For this to be confirmed improved for a third month in line was 17 percent cheaper than in than 3.5 tonnes, are the mainstay of result of the growth in online retailing mentators have talked about peaking as a bull market, rising prices March, economists said before 2013, while the average price of die- the country’s army of self-employed is profoundly reshaping the type of oil consumption, mostly as a result should be accompanied by rising the Institute of Supply Manage- sel was down 18 percent, according workers and small businesses, as well traffic on the roads. Fewer kilometres of improved vehicle fuel efficiency, earnings estimates,” said Hobbs, ment’s report on April 1. Other to the Department of Energy and as construction companies, contrac- are being driven by HGVs and more by changes in demographics and the the head of investment strategy data the same day may show Climate Change. Traffic is growing tors and the growing number of parcel LGVs as the pattern of distribution from advent of electric vehicles. at the wealth-management unit US employers hired at least rapidly among almost all types of and food delivery companies. manufacturers to wholesalers, retail- But Britain’s total fuel sales (pet- of Barclays in London. “The esti- 200,000 workers for a second vehicles and classes of roads, though In 1997, when LGVs became iden- ers and end customers changes. The rol plus diesel) rose year-on-year in mates are recovering some lost month and unemployment held the fastest increases have been on the tified with a distinct demographic increase in LGV driving is also accel- 2014 for the first time since 2007 and ground in some markets, but at an eight-year low. inter-urban motorway network and and economic group dubbed “white erating the shift in fuel consumption. increased again in 2015.

It’s time to lift the embargo, but even if we Capital lifted the embargo tomorrow, Cubans would not realise their potential without continued US President Comment change here in Cuba. Barack Obama

TOP TWEETS BLOGS AND VIEWS Market Talk Dealogic @Dealogic MoneyBeat

Sponsor backed #IPOs have fallen 91% glo- NAME IN THE MARKET: GLOBAL GROWTH bally to $1.1bn in 2016 Central banks are losing sway #finance #markets #privateequity in markets as attempts to stimulate the economy have Bloomberg Business @ increasingly less impact. But business central bank watchers might Credit Suisse shares rise after 2,000 more be looking for the impact in job cuts announced - the wrong place: try the credit but still down 32% this year markets.

Deutsche Bank @ DeutscheBank Wealth Adviser

Market miscalcula- tions: #renminbi hasn’t An arbitration panel ordered weakened. #China’s Morgan Stanley to pay more currency worth even more in #USD than at than $34 million to the estate start of year of deceased Home Shopping Network co-founder Roy M. Standard & Poor’s @ standardpoors Speer and his foundation, after Tepid industrial activity Speer’s widow alleged there & stressed corporate was excessive and unauthorized borrowers to weigh on asset quality & capitali- trading in Speer’s accounts. zation of India’s banks www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 34 PAGE | 36 Westbrook’s 15th Gymnasts ready as triple double World Cup Series sparks Thunder kicks off in Doha

THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 • 15 Jumada II 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar Qatar out to maintain unbeaten streak

confidence and reinforced the team as a strong unit and help us attain a Home advantage as better position in the FIFA rankings.” dominant Qatar look Carreno said “great amount of to test their skills work needs to be done” if his side have to qualify for the World Cup in Russia. against Hong Kong “Our prime objective for us is qualifying for Russia, We are doing our best, it is a difficult story, there are strong teams in the AFC, we do trust The Peninsula our team and players but we feel that a great amount of work needs to be done,” said the Qatar coach. Carreno said he will not mak- DOHA: Unbeaten Qatar will be aim- ing drastic changes and said all the ing to extend their winning streak in 28 players in his squad are fit and all the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Asian Zone of them are ready to take the field in qualifying when they take on Hong today’s match. Kong in Group C match here today at Meanwhile, Brazilian-born Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. 35-year-old Rodrigo Tabata is likely Coach Daniel Carreno side has to make his international debut for already made it to the next phase Qatar. of the qualifying with an unbeaten Carreno expressed full confi- record leading with 18 points but aim dence that the addition of Tabata, an A key striker in the strong Qatari to keep the winning momentum going. outstanding player for the last two Team officials pose for a photograph with the jerseys which will be worn outfit, Hassan Al Haydos, in action In contrast, Hong Kong, who are seasons in the Qatar Stars League, during yesterday’s training session. placed second in Group C, are look- will add value to his team. during today’s game. The Group C match will be played at the Jassim Bin ing to either a draw or victory to have “Tabata is a good player, he played Hamad Stadium today evening. an outside chance of qualification for very well this season and also last sea- the next phase. son. Tabata can contribute a lot to the Having collected six wins in Group teams effort in terms of technical per- AFC groups will progress to the final C, consisting of Maldives, Bhutan, formance and physical play,” Carreno round of qualification. Hong Kong and China, ‘Al Anabi’, are said, while justifying Al Rayyan mid- Currently Hong Kong are the in mood to stop and are eager to pick fielder’s inclusion in the team. team with the fifth best record, but up their seventh consecutive win. Commenting on striker Sebastian victory in Doha could change that. Coach Carreno speaking on the Soria, Carreno said he is an “impor- Three points in Qatar would eve of the match said that his boys are tant member of the team, he played be especially sweet as it could also all pumped up to pick full points. very well in the season this league deny China -- third in Group C -- any “We have to win the match, we and a very distinguished player and chance of getting to Russia. enter the field with a single objective admired for his capabilities.” “It will be a big achievement for that is to win every match, all the play- For Hong Kong, today’s match us to stay second with the big coun- ers and team have victory on their will be crucial if they are make it to tries like China, said coach Kim mind when they take to the field,” the next phase. Pan-gon. said the 52-year-old Uruguay tacti- They sit second in the group, “We know it’s an amazing story.” cian, who took charge of the team in three points ahead of huge rival Following completion of the sec- May last year. China, who have two games to play. ond round of qualifying, 12 teams Elaborating further as to why they A victory in what is their final from the AFC -- eight group winners, are targeting full points even after group game could see them progress including Qatar, and the four best los- having qualified for the next phase to the third round of qualification. ers -- will begin competing later this Carreno said: “ Even though we have The four second placed teams year to secure one of four guaran- qualified, a win will give us more with the best records in the eight teed berths in Russia.

Qatar players in action during a training session on the eve of their 2018 FIFA World Cup, Asian Zone qualifying match against Hong Kong. INSET: Qatar coach Daniel Carreno 30 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 SPORT

Delhi India stay alive after last-ball thriller confirmed as semi-final venue The home team survive huge scare as AFP Bangladesh choke in the last over bowled NEW DELHI: New Delhi’s Feroz by Pandya Shah Kotla Stadium has been confirmed as a semi-final host of the World Twenty20 after receiving the final green light from municipal authorities, AFP a senior cricket official said yesterday. There had been growing fears that the first semi-final BANGALORE: India scraped to a on March 30 would have to be one-run win against a tenacious shifted from the Indian capital Bangladesh in Bangalore in a thrill- over safety fears surrounding ing match yesterday, keeping their one of the stands. hopes of World Twenty20 glory alive. But Chetham Chauhan, India were restricted to 146 for vice-president of the Delhi and seven after being sent in to bat at the District Cricket Association, Chinnaswamy Stadium, thanks to Indian players celebrate the wicket that led to the victory of India on the last ball during the World T20 told reporters at Wednes- some spirited Bangladesh bowling. cricket tournament match against Bangladesh at The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore yesterday. day’s match between England Bangladesh came tantalisingly and Afghanistan that the final close to chasing down the total, but The aggressive batsman put on consecutive fours, before holing out clearances had now been poor shots and three critical dismiss- 44 runs with Sabbir Rahman for the to Shikhar Dhawan on the mid-wicket obtained. als by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni second wicket, but Rahman was also boundary. “On behalf of DDCA, I am eventually saw the home side scram- stumped for 26 as he looked to carry With two runs needed from two pleased to announce that we ble home by the slimmest of margins. on the momentum. balls, Mahmudullah was inexplicably have received the permission India’s group stage victory bol- Shakib Al Hasan made a quick- also caught in the deep for 18. from the required autjority, sters their chances of reaching the fire 22 off 15 before he was caught by Incoming batsman Mustafizur that is South Delhi Municipal semi-finals, but they must now defeat Suresh Raina at slip off Ravichandran Rahman had no choice but to race Corporation, to use the entire Australia on Sunday to secure a place Ashwin. down the wicket, after Shuvagata block of RP Mehra (stand),” he in the final four. Soumya Sarkar managed 21 as the Hom stabbed and missed the final said in a statement. But defeat means that Bangladesh, required runs were gradually ticked ball, and was run out by Dhoni. “With this last approval, I who have lost all three of their Super off, but Indian spinners Ravindra Confirmation of the dismissal by am happy to say on behalf of 10 games so far, have no chance of Jadeja and Ashwin kept their cool the TV umpire sent the crowd and the the association that we have progressing further. under pressure and continued to take Indian team into wild celebrations. received all the approvals.” Opener Tamim Iqbal top-scored wickets. India, with one loss and one win Uncertainty over the sta- for Bangladesh with 35 off 32 balls, With Bangladesh needing 10 heading into Wednesday’s match, dium readiness to stage any before he was stumped by the runs off five balls in a gripping final couldn’t afford to lose if they were to matches in the tournament Indian skipper just as he was look- over sent down by Hardik Pandya, keep their dream alive of becoming led to a delay in the release ing dangerous. Mushfiqur Rahim (11) smashed two the first country to win the World T20 of tickets. Although authori- title twice. ties did grant permission for SCOREBOARD But their total of 146 for seven matches in the group stages seemed below par, thanks to some to take place, it held back INDIA BANGLADESH gritty bowling by Bangladesh, who from approving the March 30 R Sharma c Sabbir b Mustafizur 18 T Iqbal st Dhoni b Jadeja 35 were looking to beat India in this for- match. S Dhawan lbw Al Hasan 23 M Mithun c Pandya b Ashwin 1 mat for the first time. Mumbai’s Wankhede Sta- V Kohli b Hom 24 S Rahman st Dhoni b Raina 26 Al-Amin Hossain took two wick- dium is scheduled to stage the second semi-final on March 31 S Raina c Rahman b Hossain 30 S Al Hasan c Raina b Ashwin 22 ets for Bangladesh off two balls, while newcomer Shuvagata Hom claimed India’s while Kolkata’s Eden Gardens H Pandya c Sarkar b Hossain 15 M Mortaza b Jadeja 6 the critical scalp of Virat Kohli for 24. captain and is to host the final on April 3. M S Dhoni (not out) 13 S Sarkar c Kohli b Nehra 21 Indian openers Dhawan (23) and wicketkeeper Y Singh c Hossain b Mahmudullah 3 Mahmudullah c Jadeja b Pandya 18 Rohit Sharma (18) put on a patient Mahendra Singh R Jadeja b Rahman 12 M Rahim c Dhawan b Pandya 11 42-run partnership before both lost Dhoni looks ICC upholds their wickets in the space of six balls R Ashwin (not out) 5 S Hom (not out) 0 down at the as they tried to accelerate. Extras (LB-2, W-1) 3 shattered wicket M Rahman (run out-Dhoni) 0 Kohli and Raina put on 50 before Taskin Total (for 7 wkts in 20 overs) 146 Extras (LB-4, W-1) 5 Hom clean bowled Kohli just as he of Bangladesh’s Did not bat: A Nehra, J Bumrah Total (for 9 wets in 20 overs) 145 was looking dangerous. captain Mashrafe suspension bin Mortaza Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-45, 3-95, 4-112, Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-55, 3-69, 4-87, 5-95, Al-Amin then struck, with Raina (not seen) after 5-112, 6-117, 7-137. 6-126, 7-145, 8-145, 9-145. caught by Sabbir Rahman for 30, and Reuters he was bowled Bowling: Mortaza 4-0-22-0; Hom 3-0-24-1; Bowling: Nehra 4-0-29-1; Bumrah 4-0-32-0; Sarkar taking a spectacular diving catch on the boundary to claim Pan- out during Hossain 4-0-37-2; Rahman 4-0-34-2; Al Has- Ashwin 4-0-20-2; Jadeja 4-0-22-2; Pandya dya for 15. yesterday’s NEW DELHI: Bangladesh an 4-0-23-1; Mahmudullah 1-0-4-1. 3-0-29-2; Raina 1-0-9-1. Dhoni battled to an unbeaten 13 game. failed in their frantic bid to runs off 12 balls. get paceman Taskin Ahmed’s bowling suspension over- turned to help revive their flagging World Twenty20 campaign after a judicial com- missioner upheld the ban for Ali’s late order batting saves the day for England an illegal bowling action. The right-arm bowler and his team mate, left-arm AFP England’s Moeen SCOREBOARD spinner Arafat Sunny, were Ali plays a shot suspended from bowling on during their ENGLAND Saturday after both were World Twenty20 J Roy b Hamza 5 reported for illegal actions NEW DELHI: Eoin Morgan breathed match against J Vince c&b Nabi 22 following a March 9 quali- fier against the Netherlands in a sigh of relief about England’s Afghanistan at J Root (run out) 12 strength in depth after a late flour- Dharamsala. Feroz Shah Kotla E Morgan b Nabi 0 ish from Moeen Ali and David Willey “Taskin Ahmed’s sus- Stadium in New spared the team’s blushes yesterday B Stokes b Khan 7 pension from bowling in Delhi yesterday. against Afghanistan at cricket’s World J Buttler c Nabi b Shenwari 6 international cricket has been Twenty20. M Ali (not out) 41 upheld, following a review hearing conducted by a Judi- Ali and Willey shared an unbro- C Jordan c & b Khan 15 ken 57-run partnership for the eighth cial Commissioner,” the D Willey (not out) 20 wicket to reach 142 for seven after International Cricket Coun- being 85 for seven at one stage as Eng- Extras (LB-6, W-8) 14 cil (ICC) said in a statement on land eventually beat the minnows by Total (for 7 wkts in 20 overs) 142 yesterday. 15 runs. Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-42, 3-42, 4-42, After Taskin requested an After losing early wickets, Afghan- 5-50, 6-57, 7-85. expeditious review of his case and judicial commissioner istan never looked like overhauling Bowling: Shapoor Zadran 4-0-34-0; Michael Beloff held a telecon- their illustrious opponents but went Hamza 4-0-45-1; Nabi 4-0-17-2; Khan down fighting as they reached 127 for ference on Tuesday, the global

4-0-17-2; Shenwari 4-0-23-1. nine at New Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla governing body explained stadium. Afghanistan have now no AFGHANISTAN their decision. chance of progressing to the semi- M Shahzad lbw Willey 4 “Having carefully consid- finals but England are in second place Noor Ali Zadran c Morgan b Ali 17 ered those arguments and in their group ahead of their final A Stanikzai c Root b Jordan 1 the responses of the ICC, Mr match on Saturday against Sri Lanka. Beloff has now notified all G Naib c Stokes b Willey 0 Morgan, who was bowled for a spinner did not disappoint, snar- Khan and Samiullah Shenwari joined The minnows slipped further after parties concerned of his deci- golden duck, said that the team should ing dashing opener Jason Roy in the the party to remind England of their spin was introduced as Moeen and R Khan c Morgan b Ali 15 sion that Taskin’s suspension not have been caught unawares by the third over. humiliating 2014 World T20 exit when Adil Rashid struck in their first overs M Nabi c Jordan b Rashid 12 from bowling in interna- more turning conditions in New Delhi James Vince, who came into the they lost to the Netherlands. to give Afghanistan a taste of their own S Shenwari c Root by Stokes 22 tional cricket shall be upheld and had failed to adapt to their new side in place of the injured Alex Hales, But Ali’s 33-ball knock, which medicine. The Afghans were never in Najibullah Zadran (run out) 14 and indicated that a written reasoned decision will be pro- surroundings. then tried to counter-attack along with was laced with four boundaries and the mix after being reduced to 13 for Shafiqullah (not out) 35 Moeen’s unbeaten 41 was the one in-form Joe Root with a 26-run sec- a six, knocked some of the gloss off two and then 39 for five as England vided in due course,” it said. innings of real note but he was ably ond wicket partnership. the Afghan figures. gained control of proceedings. A Hamza (run out) 1 After being reported supported by Willey who hit two But Mohammad Nabi’s intro- Afghanistan’s chase was dealt a Leg-spinner Rashid soon got Shapoor Zadran (not out) 0 in Dharamsala, Taskin, was sixes in a sparkling 20 off 17 balls. The duction reaped immediate rewards severe blow after destructive opener another scalp in Mohammad Nabi Extras (LB-2, W-4) 6 assessed at the ICC-accredited penultimate over yielded 25 runs as as the veteran off-spinner soon had Mohammad Shahzad (four) was and Afghanistan’s journey in their Total (for 9 wkts in 20 overs) 127 test centre in Chennai where, according to media reports, Amir Hamza took a battering. both danger men trudging back to the trapped lbw off David Willey with the fourth World T20 appearance was Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-12, 3-13, 4-35, The Afghan slow bowlers made dugout. third ball of the innings. all but over. his bouncers were found to 5-39, 6-64, 85-7, 8-94. England sweat on a hot and sunny Vince was caught and bowled Willey and new-ball partner Chris Shenwari (22) and Shafiqullah (35 exceed the ICC limit of elbow afternoon in the Indian capital to while the departure of Morgan and Jordan kept up the pressure to rattle not out) tried to breathe some life into Bowling: Willey 4-0-23-2; Jordan 4-0- extensions. After fixing his reduce them to 85 for seven. Root in quick succession spelt big trou- the Afghan top-order with danger men the chase with a few lusty blows in 27-1; Plunkett 4-1-12-0; Ali 2-0-17-1; action, Taskin, who turns 21 Skipper Asghar Stanikzai gave the ble for England. With the batting was Stanikzai and Gulbadin Naib manag- the finale but could do little to alter Rashid 3-0-18-2; Stokes 3-0-28-1. next month, could apply for a new ball to Hamza and the left-arm in a shambles, leg-spinners Rashid ing one and nought respectively. the outcome. re-assessment, the ICC said. SPORT THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 31

Kenya warns We don’t deserve less money, action needed to say angry WTA Tour top guns avoid ban AFP Serena World number one NAIROBI: Kenya’s Olympic chief Kipchoge Keino warned Tues- Novak Djokovic backs hopes Miami day that time was running out to off after fuelling escape a threatened ban if action home turf is not taken to ensure doping is money debate on stopped. Monday, says he was can bring The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has given Kenya until April misunderstood by 5 to tighten its anti-doping law and fans and media another title provide the funding for the new Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK). AFP Keino said the lack of action so far had hampered preparations for AFP the Rio Olympics. MIAMI: World number one Serena “Time is running out. Unfortu- Williams, who lost finals at the Aus- nately, up to now we have not sat tralian Open and last week at Indian down with the Ministry of Sports MIAMI: World number one Novak Wells, is counting on the Miami Open to give them our plan for the train- Djokovic backed off comments that to revamp her title-winning form. ing of the team,” Keino told AFP. men’s tennis players should make The 34-year-old American is But Keino said he was confi- more than women yesterday as ten- top seed for the WTA and ATP hard- dent that the ADAK Anti-Doping nis queen Serena Williams and British court event as well as the three-time Bill and Policy would be passed star Andy Murray led a stinging cho- defending champion with eight wins before it goes on recess on Friday rus of criticism at the remarks. overall. for a two-week holiday. A furious row over the gender pay “This is a tournament I’ve grown “I have hope our parliamen- gap in tennis erupted at the week- up with. This is my home,” Williams tary committee will do us proud end, when Indian Wells tournament said yesterday. “Things click for me to be able to pass the document director Raymond Moore said women here.” and the Head of State to sign the should get “on their knees” to thank The 21-time Grand Slam singles bill into law,” he said, adding “we male players for money in the sport. champion failed to add another major need to criminalise doping to pro- Moore was forced to apologize Serena Williams fields questions from the media during the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park title to her haul in January, falling to tect our athletes.” before resigning late on Monday. Tennis Centre in Key Biscayne, Florida. Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the Over 72 athletes have already Djokovic fuelled the controversy, Australian Open final. And she lost qualified for Rio, in addition to however, after stating that he believed men and women, who have brought so said had been made while he was strange and pretty disappointing to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the both men’s and women’s rugby the pay gap was justified, adding that much vision to the sport. Every ath- affected by the “euphoria and adren- coming right before a final like that. Indian Wells final, dropping back- teams, a boxer and one compet- women go through “hormones and lete works extremely hard. alin” of his win at Indian Wells. It didn’t make sense.” to-back finals for the first time since itor in archery. different stuff.” “If I had a son and a daughter I “I’ve made some comments that Women’s tennis found other 2004. He said the National Olym- Williams, who has won 21 Grand would never tell them one deserves are not the best articulation of my defenders, such as Japan’s Kei “Feeling positive and really good,” pic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) Slam singles crowns to 11 for Djok- more because of their sex.” view, and I would like to clarify them,” Nishikori. Williams said. “You have to keep needed to fundraise more cash to ovic, condemned the Serbian star’s Britain’s Murray even noted Djok- Djokovic said. “You see great women’s tennis going. You can’t stop. That’s kind of ensure all who can go to Rio. remarks yesterday. ovic’s notion that men should receive “We all have to fight for what we too,” he said. “A lot of people want my attitude. At this point in my career, “I am asking the parliamen- “It has been, I would say disap- less than women if their matches were deserve. to see women’s tennis, especially I’m just having a lot of fun.” tarians to approve the document, pointing,” Williams said. less well attended, citing an exam- “This was never meant to be made Serena.” Watching Azarenka show top and we will be able to move for- “I wouldn’t say my son deserved ple of how many would show up to into a fight between genders and dif- Two-time Wimbledon champion form after battles the past two sea- ward and start looking for funds,” more money than my daugh- watch who if Williams and Ukraine’s ferences in pay, but in the way all Petra Kvitova called Djokovic’s com- sons with nagging foot injuries helped he said. ter because he’s a man. It would be Sergiy Stakhovski each had a match players are rewarded for their play ments “very disappointing.” motivate Williams in more ways than “We also need to start prepa- shocking.” in a ticketed session. and effort. “We are training 100 percent the one. rations so that we can come back Djokovic has a 17-month-old son, “I think there should be equal pay “This was my view all along and I same as the men. We’re more troubled “We all know I hate losing more home with more medals than we Stefan, but Williams openly wondered 100 percent,” Murray said. want to apologise to anyone who has with hormones and other things? He than anything,” Williams said. “See- did in Beijing. This cannot just hap- how he would explain himself to a “The whole thing doesn’t stand taken this the wrong way.” should not have said what he said.” ing someone else do well motivates pen overnight.” future daughter. up. It depends on the matches day by Murray, meanwhile, said he “What he said was not right at all,” me. It’s a rivalry. It’s a friendly rivalry “He’s entitled to his opinion,” Wil- day. The men’s game has had some was baffled to hear of Moore’s out- said two-time Grand Slam champion but it’s an intense rivalry. liams said. “If he had a daughter, he great rivalries for the past few years. burst ahead of Sunday’s final, where Stan Wawrinka. “It was really impressive. She has has a son right now, he should talk to The whole of tennis should strengthen Williams lost 6-4, 6-4 to Victoria “We work so hard for this, spend been through a lot. She has always Bolt to run his daughter and say, ‘Your brother from that, not just the men’s game.” Azarenka. so much time practicing. I don’t think been a really good player.” deserves more money than you.’ Djokovic later issued a statement “You had it before a great wom- we do any less than the men,” Poland’s While seeing a star fall short of “I would never use sex to com- on Facebook, offering a qualified en’s final with 16,000 people,” Murray Agnieszka Radwanska said. “We don’t the crown could offer encouragement in London pare. We have so many great players, apology for his comments, which he said. “The whole thing was pretty deserve less prize money.” to sharks circling ever closer, none of Williams’ top-rated rivals saw a drop Games in form coming in an event she has dominated for years. “Always when she’s in the tourna- Reuters You can be anywhere in the world ment, she’s the favourite,” said Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro. “She’s not like a machine or a LONDON: Six-time Olympic gold robot. She can’t win every tourna- medallist Usain Bolt will run in the ment she plays. She’s always the best London Anniversary Games ahead and something can happen: Serena because she always wants more.” of his multiple title defence at the No one realises that more than Rio Olympics in August. Kerber, who imposed a fifth career The Jamaican world record Grand Slam singles final loss upon holder in the 100 and 200 metres AFP Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic Williams. will participate in the IAAF Dia- said that she refuses to surrender to Andy Murray of “She is still the best player,” Ker- mond League meeting on July 22 at fear. Great Britain ber said. “She’s still the number one. Queen Elizabeth Park in London. “We can’t (worry). We can’t do talks to members She is still a champion.” “The London Anniversary MIAMI: Deadly attacks such as those anything about that,” Kvitova said at of the media But Kerber, who like Azarenka Games will be one of my last races inflicted on Monday in Belgium have a media conference. during Day 2 of could see Williams in the Miami final, before the Olympic Games in Rio,” become part of the new normal for “It’s very sad news to wake up to. the Miami Open has a big confidence boost after her Bolt said in a statement. athletes whose travels to make money As a European, it’s tough. When they in Key Biscayne, Melbourne breakthrough. “It will be good to return to the can put them in jeopardy. open the border, it’s hard to close it Florida. “I recognise I am a Grand Slam Olympic Stadium on the Friday “It’s just a really dangerous time in again. champion. I have a lot more things to night and get more of the special the world right now,” women’s tennis “I think people could be nicer. do,” Kerber said. “It’s a different pres- atmosphere that the fans always world number one Serena Williams Maybe one day.” sure than I had before. I have much produce,” the 29-year-old sprinter said yesterday. Swiss two-time Grand Slam more confidence inside of me. It feels added. “I always get great support “You can be anywhere in the champion Stan Wawrinka says ter- different but I know I need to go with in the UK and I expect the stadium world and something can happen. We rorist incidents also make it harder to what worked because this is why I to be packed.” should all have to be kind of on alert. leave home for the next event. had the highlight of my career.” Earlier on Tuesday, Bolt con- “No city is safe at this point. You “When you travel you have to put Two-time Wimbledon champion firmed this year’s Olympics will be have to be alert.” that aside but for sure that’s a tough Petra Kvitova says there is less shock his last, snuffing out the possibil- The 21-time Grand Slam singles way to travel,” Wawrinka told media in Williams losing but she is still the ity of extending his career to the champion, top seed for the ATP and people. player to beat. 2020 Games in Tokyo. WTA Miami Open that began Tues- “It’s really sad what has hap- “She’s always the target,” Kvitova The Jamaican sprint king had day, said people cannot just set aside pened. When you say that, it’s sad said. “But I’m not surprised. Women’s raised the prospect of prolonging the tragedy but must be attentive for for all the people and families and tennis is always open and the level his Olympic career in January after those with bad intentions as well as friends. It’s tough.” ATP AND WTA MIAMI OPEN SCORES is really close. Vika just played very revealing that his coach Glen Mills mourn for the dead and injured. Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska good.” had suggested his fitness would MIAMI: Scores on Tuesday from the first day of the ATP and WTA Miami Open: “You just have to pray for the peo- says sometimes things that happen Azarenka’s return impressed carry him through to Japan. ple involved and their families,” she far away leave the most unnerving Women - 1st rd Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska, Howevers Bolt said subsidiary said. impression. Teliana Pereira (BRA) bt Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 who was stunned by both Williams SID in an interview that the curtain Australian Open champion Angel- “Those kind of things happen far Daria Kasatkina (RUS) bt Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) 6-2, 1-6, 6-2 defeats. would come down on his Olympic ique Kerber of Germany called the from us, they are always scary,” she Zhang Shuai (CHN) bt Sofya Zhuk (RUS) 6-1, 6-2 “I didn’t expect her to lose in Aus- career in this year’s games in Rio attacks “really sad and terrible” and said. Madison Brengle (USA) bt Camila Giorgi (ITA) 6-4, 6-3 tralia,” she said. “And back here Vika de Janeiro, where he is targeting noted how tough it is to shake off the Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro played great tennis. She was on fire. three more gold medals. Barbora Strycova (CZE) bt Anna-Lena Friedsam (GER) 6-2, 6-0 effects of such bombings and continue takes inspiration from such tragedy You could see she was back.” “It’ll definitely be my last on with the life of a global traveling to make sure she lives each day to Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) bt Alexandra Dulgheru (ROM) 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-3 Williams said her focus was on Olympics,” Bolt said. “It’s going to tennis star. the fullest, knowing the next is never Margarita Gasparyan (RUS) bt Annika Beck (GER) 6-3, 7-5 the three remaining Grand Slam be hard to go four more years for “Sometimes you are thinking you guaranteed. Nicole Gibbs (USA) bt Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) 6-4, 6-2 events of the year moreso than the me, to keep the motivation that I travel every week,” Kerber said yes- “It’s sad to hear about the events Danka Kovinic (MNE) bt Denisa Allertova (CZE) 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 Olympics. And she did say she hopes want, especially if I accomplish terday. “Sometimes it seems hard. But in Brussels. You never know what is Peng Shuai (CHN) bt Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL) 6-3, 7-5 to become a mother one day. what I want to in Rio. It’s going to at the end, you have no choice,” Ker- going to happen,” she said. “We have “I want to have kids,” Williams be hard to keep the motivation to ber said. to enjoy the life because you never Zarina Diyas (KAZ) bt Olga Govortsova (BLR) 6-0, 6-1 said. “I am pushing the envelope, go on for four more years so it’ll Two-time Wimbledon champion know what’s going to come.” Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) bt Laura Robson (GBR) 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 though.” definitely be my last one.” 32 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 SPORT

Germany’s Mario Goetze during a training session for Big-spending China international friendly against England. The two countries play a friendly in Berlin on facing World Cup woe Saturday.

Chinese football clubs New FIFA president Gianni spent more than Infantino (left) $371m on players in signs a ball for South Sudanese the Jan-Feb transfer Football window in an attempt Association (SSFA) to boost standards President Chabur Goc Alei during the inauguration of the new SSFA AFP headquarters in Juba yesterday. Infantino’s visit BEIJING: China’s spending power is his first official has taken football by storm but the international national team is facing more World trip since being Cup heartache heading into a qual- elected FIFA ifying showdown today. President about a Chinese clubs splurged a world- month ago. leading €331m ($371m) on players in the January-February transfer window, and President Xi Jinping is leading a concerted push to turn China into a footballing power. But Team Dragon will proba- bly have to wait until Qatar 2022 to reach their second World Cup after a stumbling attempt to make the next edition in Russia in 2018. While Japan, Australia, Iran, New FIFA chief visits Saudi Arabia and even lowly Thai- land look likely to join already qualified South Korea and Qatar in the next round, 96th-ranked Chi- na’s hopes are hanging by a thread. war-torn South Sudan INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES China host Maldives today and unbeaten Qatar on Tuesday, needing Today to win both games to leapfrog Hong AFP its opening of the SSFA, calling it “the whose visit was not announced in Malta vs Moldova 5:00 Kong into second place in Group C. first of many projects to come, for the advance amid security concerns, Estonia vs Norway 9:00 Even then, China have five development of football here in South said he would help develop football Greece vs Montenegro 9:00 countries ahead of them in the race JUBA: Newly-elected FIFA president Sudan.” in a country left in ruins after dec- to progress as one of the four best- Gianni Infantino visited war-torn Infantino promised a “new era of ades of war. Turkey v Sweden 9:45 performing second-placed teams, South Sudan yesterday, the world’s developing football.” “There is a lot of work to be done, Denmark v Iceland 10:00 along with the eight group winners. newest nation, on one of his first offi- After gaining independence from it is not at the standard that it has to Ukraine v Cyprus 10:00 The matches double as qualifi- cial trips since taking up the post. Sudan in 2011, South Sudan erupted be...South Sudan is one of my key ele- Czech Rep v Scotland 10:45 ers for the next Asian Cup, meaning Infantino, who formally inaugu- into civil war in December 2013, set- ments of my campaign and program Italy vs Spain 10:45 China is likely to have to go through rated the office of the South Sudanese ting off a cycle of retaliatory killings to help develop football,” Infantino Wales vs Northern Ireland 10:45 a separate round of games to reach Football Association (SSFA) in the that have split the poverty-stricken, said. the 2019 tournament in the UAE. capital Juba, is also due to watch landlocked country along ethnic lines. “We will come up with something Tomorrow “Frankly speaking, from China’s an African Cup of Nations qualifier Tens of thousands have been killed. concrete that people of South Sudan Armenia vs Belarus 7:00 point of view, the Maldives national between South Sudan and Benin. Both the government and rebel will be proud of.” Luxembourg v Bos-Herze 10:15 team doesn’t represent the slightest Officials dressed Infantino in tra- sides have been accused of perpe- Infantino’s first official interna- Slovakia vs Latvia 10:30 threat,” striker Yang Xu told Chinese ditional robes and made him dance. trating ethnic massacres, recruiting tional visit was earlier this month to Netherlands vs France 10:45 broadcaster CCTV before the game They also produced a large cake to and killing children and carrying the United Kingdom. R. of Ireland vs Switzerland 10:45 in Wuhan. “We have to be confident. celebrate Infantino’s 46th birthday out widespread rape, torture and Later this month he is due to visit And we should seal the game early.” yesterday. forced displacement of populations the scandal-hit South American foot- Portugal vs Bulgaria 11:45 Interim coach Gao Hongbo “It is a great pleasure for me to to “cleanse” areas of their opponents. ball confederation CONMEBOL on Saturday, March 26 leads the team after Frenchman be here today in Juba,” Infantino Infantino, who met with South March 28-29 in Asuncion, the cap- Russia vs Lithuania 7:00 Alain Perrin was shown the door said after cutting a ribbon to mark Sudan President Salva Kiir, but ital of Paraguay. Austria vs Albania 7:30 following November’s 0-0 draw Poland vs Finland 7:30 with Hong Kong which left China staring at elimination. Azerbaijan vs Kazakhstan 8:00 Elsewhere former Tottenham Hungary vs Croatia 8:00 Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp will Shirt sponsor Germany vs England 11:45 hope to inspire Jordan’s campaign Sunday, March 27, 2016 as he begins a two-game stint with Romania vs Spain 11:45 the Middle Eastern team. Monday, March 28, 2016 Al Nashama (The Chivalrous) trail Australia by two points in Andorra vs Moldova 8:00 revenue is up Group B with two matches left, Liechtenstein vs Faroe Islands 9:00 culminating in Tuesday’s clash with Ukraine vs Wales 10:00 the Asian Cup-holders in Sydney. Northern Ireland vs Slovenia 10:45 “Do I think we will reach the Reuters with €163 spent on shirt sponsorship Tuesday, March 29 finals? I hope so,” Redknapp said in 2015-16, an increase of nine per- Georgia vs Kazakhstan 8:00 this week, ahead of today’s home cent on its outlay last season. game against Bangladesh. LONDON: Revenue from shirt spon- Germany (€136m) is the second Montenegro vs Belarus 8:00 “We will try everything in our sorship in Europe’s top leagues has highest followed by the United States Estonia vs Serbia 9:00 power to do that. We will give risen 13 percent to €830m ($933m) (87 m), driven largely by investment Greece vs Iceland 9:30 everything we have to do that.” this season, powered by a 35 percent from the automobile sector. Gibraltar vs Latvia 10:00 Unfancied Thailand, the world increase in England’s Premier League, Meanwhile, t he Belgian national Macedonia vs Bulgaria 10:00 number 118, play their final game according to a new report. team will not train for a second day against Iraq today needing only a The Repucom European Football following the Brussels bomb attacks, Norway vs Finland 10:00 draw to take their place in the third Jersey Report said revenue in 2015-16 calling off a scheduled session on Luxembourg vs Albania 10:15 round of qualifying. had gone up from €736m last season. Wednesday in the wake of the deaths Austria vs Turkey 10:30 Chilly conditions in neutral The document covered shirt of at least 30 people, the country’s Sweden vs Czech Rep 10:30 venue Tehran are among the major sponsorship deals in the Premier football association said Switzerland vs Bos-Herze 10:30 concerns for the champions of League, Germany’s Bundesliga, The team, who are preparing for a Germany vs Italy 10:45 steamy Southeast Asia, who have Spain’s La Liga, Ligue 1 in France, friendly in Brussels against Portugal drafted in a doctor to help them Italy’s Serie A and the Dutch on March 29, had called off a session Portugal vs Belgium 10:45 cope. “The weather in Tehran championship. on Tuesday soon after the blasts at R. of Ireland vs Slovakia 10:45 is a concern as it is quite cold,” The biggest rise was in the Pre- the Zaventem airport and on a rush- England vs Netherlands 11:00 said coach Kiatisuk Senamuang, mier League with shirt sponsorship hour metro train. France vs Russia 11:00 according to the Asian Football revenue reaching €330m, almost 40 They had planned a session yes- Scotland vs Denmark 11:00 Confederation (AFC) website. percent of the total for Europe’s top terday morning but decided to also ** Please note: All Qatar times. Fixtures are subject to change. “We have contacted a doctor six leagues. call that off. They were still consider- in Iran already so the boys will be “At its current rate of growth we ing a run out today afternoon. looked after well. We have come could see European football shirt The game against the Portuguese, many days in advance to help the sponsorship investment top one set for the King Baudouin Stadium, Germany’s head players get used to the weather billion euros within the next few sea- remains in jeopardy, although Bel- coach Joachim here.” sons,” said Repucom UK and Ireland gian press reports said coach Marc Loew plays Australia play Tajikistan at managing director Jon Stainer. Wilmots and players wanted to go with a football home today before taking on Red- “The Premier League contin- ahead with the game and had rejected during a training knapp’s Jordan next week, while ues to drive this trend with year a possible plan to move it to Portugal. session in Berlin Group A leaders Saudi Arabia host on year investment growing faster “We had been in contact with the yesterday. struggling Malaysia this week. Iran, than any other league on the con- Portuguese for much of Tuesday and Germany will who top Group D, play bottom side tinent. It is an industry that attracts consulted several different security India, and Japan host Afghanistan big money from abroad which under- authorities, although understand- play England Wales’ Joe Allen and his team- before a showdown next week with lines the appeal European football ably they have been absorbed with in a friendly on war-wracked Syria, who trail the has internationally.” more urgent matters,” a statement mates are seen during a training Saturday. Blue Samurai by just a point in The United Arab Emirates is the from the Belgian football associa- session at Cardiff City Stadium, Group E. biggest investor in the top six leagues tion KBVB said. Cardiff, Wales. SPORT THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 33 Germany get ready for England, Italy

FOOTBALL: “His ambition is undiminished I have fight on my Schweinsteiger ruled INTERNATIONAL and extremely high.” FRIENDLIES Loew will celebrate a decade in hands to make out of both games charge after Euro 2016 from June 10 after re-injuring his to July 10. shown his teeth by dropping Wolfs- Under his stewardship, the Ger- Euros: Jagielka right knee during burg’s striker Max Kruse for off-pitch mans have reached at least the training indiscretions after the player got into semi-finals of every World Cup or an argument with a female reporter European championships since. AFP and in another incident left 75,000 “Each of us knows that the team euros ($83,970) in cash in a taxi. is capable of extraordinary achieve- AFP Security around the Germany ments, when the focus is on the big LONDON: Everton captain Phil team has been raised in the after- tournament,” said Loew. Jagielka admits he has a fight on math of the Brussels terror attacks “When we go into camp, the his hands to secure a berth in and 30 police officers oversaw Tues- exertion from the players is at it’s England’s squad for the European BERLIN: Germany coach Joachim day’s first training session in Berlin. maximum. championships. Loew says the battle for places in “We are sure the situation is “The players often switch Jagielka, 33, said he believed the world champions’ squad for Euro under control,” said Germany’s between playing for their clubs, the coach Roy Hodgson had already 2016 starts in earnest with their high- assistant coach Thomas Schneider. national team, in the Champions settled on three of his back four. profile friendlies at home to England Loew’s captain, Bastian Sch- League and in the different leagues. The centre-back’s last inter- and Italy. weinsteiger has been ruled out of “But when the European cham- national appearance was in the Roy Hodgson’s Three Lions play both games after re-injuring his pionships begin, I know that we are Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Germany at Berlin’s Olympic Sta- right knee during Tuesday’s first able to switch up another gear.” Lithuania in October, but that dium this Saturday before Italy face training session with the Germany Security for Saturday’s match was followed by two months on the world champions at Munich’s Alli- squad in Berlin. against England in Berlin will be the sidelines with injury that ruled anz Arena on Tuesday. But Loew is backing the Man- high, especially after Germany’s him out of England’s two friendlies Last Friday, Loew named a chester United star to prove himself final friendlies of 2015 coincided against France and Spain. bumper squad to face England and at the European championships, as he with the November Paris terror “We will find out more in these Italy as the quest begins to add the did two years ago at the 2014 World attacks. two games, if not the three before European crown to their world title. Cup, putting in superb displays in Their defeat to France at the the finals,” said Jagielka, recalled “These games are a prelude to Brazil on the back of an ankle injury Stade de France was overshadowed for upcoming friendlies against what awaits us in the European before the tournament. by the terrible scenes across the Germany and the Netherlands. championships,” Loew said. “Of course he needs to catch French capital on November 13. “You would have to ask Roy “Both opponents are top teams up physically and at the moment Then Germany’s home friendly (but) it looks like you have proba- and amongst the favourites. These he is not at 100 percent,” said against the Netherlands four days bly got Nathaniel Clyne, Gaz (Gary are good test matches. The battle for Loew. later in Hanover was called off on Cahill), Chris (Smalling) and a places gets serious now.” “But there is still a relatively long police advice amidst threats of a ter- left-back. “There are eight weeks left until way to the European championships. ror attack. “That is probably the starting the end of the season and we have “He hardly put in a full session at “What happened in Paris, and in back four with Joe (Hart) in goal. Germany’s forward Mario Goetze attends a training session in Berlin chosen a big squad to talk to the play- the training camp for the 2014 World the weeks thereafter, was not easy “Obviously John (Stones) is ers about what is expected.” Cup, but he was there for the impor- to deal with, but we have worked yesterday. The German team will play England in a friendly match at looking to get back in there as The Germany boss has already tant games. through that,” said Loew. Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on Saturday. well but I’ve got to think I have a chance. “I am not going there to wash people’s boots and clean the kit. I am going there to try to get a game. “I am not sure where I stand Belgium-Portugal friendly cancelled after attacks exactly. Obviously I missed the last trip. “I will go there, keep my head down and see where it AFP venue of the game to Portugal after for Friday evening “will take place as evening’s match in the Dutch capital. tournament which starts June 10. takes me. originally struggling to get a positive scheduled” despite the terror attacks Meanwhile, UEFA is not considering The bomb attacks in Brussels, and “It is a case of waiting to see response from officials at home about in neighbouring Belgium, the Royal staging the European Champion- the Islamic State operation in Paris what happens between now and going ahead with the tie. Dutch Football Federation said ships in France behind closed doors in November, have put an intense the end of the season. There is BRUSSELS: Belgium’s friendly Marc Wilmots the national coach, yesterday. but is working on “contingency plans” security spotlight on the month-long some good competition for places. international with Portugal, due who was an all-action midfielder, The Dutch are scheduled to meet because of security fears after the tournament in France.Designated fan- “A lot can happen between in Brussels next Tuesday, has been who played at four World Cups for Les Bleus at the Amsterdam Arena Brussels attacks, a UEFA spokesman zones which could attract hundreds of now and the tournament. It is called off following the deadly explo- the Red Devils himself, had wanted in the wake of Tuesday’s bombings said yesterday. thousands of supporters from across important we put pressure on the sions that rocked Brussels airport and the game to go ahead as scheduled in Brussels, which officials say have “We are confident that all secu- Europe have caused particular con- people playing.” metro, local football authorities con- in Brussels. killed at least 30 people. rity measures will be in place for a cern. French authorities have already Meanwhile, France striker firmed yesterday. Meanwhile French Prime Min- “The match will take place as safe and festive Euro and therefore confirmed that stadium security will Karim Benzema will find out “For security reasons and also as ister Manuel Valls promised this scheduled,” KNVB spokesman Hans there are no plans to play matches be stepped up because of the attacks. next month whether he is eligi- a measure of precaution, the Brus- summer’s Euro 2016 football tour- van Kastel told AFP. behind closed-doors,” spokesman Giancarlo Abete, a UEFA vice ble to play for his country at Euro sels City hall asked us to cancelled nament would go ahead as planned “We are, however, taking our Pedro Pinto said. president, told Italian media on Tues- 2016, French Football Federation the March 29 home game with Portu- in France between June10-July 10, directions from the authorities,” he “Nevertheless we are working day that while games behind closed president Noel Le Graet revealed gal, so the match is off, a communique for which Belgium are amongst the added. on contingency plans and on multi- doors could not be ruled out it was on Tuesday. from the Belgian Football Union said. favourites. Asked whether it was wise “We are closely following all news ple scenarios around crisis situations not yet being considered. “We’re going to talk with our The move came a day after the to maintain the event, given the level and developments,” a KNVB spokes- since we take the security of all par- “From a technical point of view, legal advisers,” said Le Graet triple blasts that killed some 30 peo- of threat of there being another ter- man told the daily tabloid Algemeen ticipants very seriously,” he said. the risk of ‘closed doors’ can always during a press conference in ple and left around 250 injured in the rorist attack, Valls said not to do so Dagblad. His comments came after an Ital- exist because we are talking about a Clermont-Ferrand. Belgian capital. would be “a victory for terrorists.” Van Kastel confirmed that so ian UEFA vice president said Europe’s competition where the matches must “We will make a decision (on Local media said the Belgian foot- An international friendly between far no extra measures have been governing body could not rule out take place,” the Italian vice president Benzema’s eligibility) before April ball Union had proposed to switch the Netherlands and France scheduled taken to beef up security for Friday holding games without fans for the told Radio 24. 15.” Messi, Suarez return for South American qualifiers

AFP bottom of the table to within striking South America 2018 mates and staff) it will be a strange distance of the automatic qualifying feeling, but there is also the pleasure Argentina’s positions. World Cup Qualifying of seeing them all again. I haven’t seen team player Messi’s return however has been Fixtures them for nearly two years,” Suarez told Lionel Messi MONTEVIDEO: Barcelona team- offset by a wave of injuries that has Playing today: Spanish newspaper El Pais in a recent takes part in a mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez deprived Argentina coach Gerardo At La Paz interview. training session will make a long-awaited return to “Tata” Martino of a slew of foreign- “There is pleasure and satisfaction Bolivia vs Colombia in Ezeiza, Buenos World Cup duty this week when South based stars, most notably Juventus’s that (the ban) is all over and now I can Aires yesterday. At Quito America’s marathon qualifying com- in-form striker Paulo Dybala, Paris enjoy being with them again,” added Argentina will petition for the 2018 finals in Russia Saint-Germain’s Javier Pastore and Ecuador vs Paraguay the 29-year-old, who has scored 37 face Chile in a resumes. Benfica’s Nicolas Gaitan. goals in all competitions for Barcelona At Santiago FIFA World Cup Suarez has not kicked a ball for With Carlos Tevez dropped, this season. Chile vs Argentina Russia 2018 Uruguay since he was slapped with Martino has turned to unheralded Suarez meanwhile said Uruguay’s At Lima South American a global ban after chomping on the Argentina-based forward Lanus solid start to qualifying -- three wins shoulder of Italy defender Giorgio to bolster his attacking options for Peru vs Venezuela in four games -- showed that the team qualifier in Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup finals today’s clash. Playing Tomorrow: were more than a one-man band. Santiago today. in Brazil. The 28-year-old was a team- At Recife, Brazil “I am quite calm because these Messi meanwhile missed the mate of Messi’s in the Argentina squad Brazil vs Uruguay days the national team works as a opening four matches of Argentina’s that won the gold medal at the 2008 group, it is not about the individual,” Playing on March 29: 2018 qualifying campaign earlier this Olympics but is yet to win his first full he said. season after suffering a knee injury international cap for the two-time At Barranquilla, Colombia “I am just going to work together while on club duty for Barcelona in World Cup winners. Colombia vs Ecuador and do my little bit for what Uruguay September. Argentina will face a Chile side At Montevideo is doing in these qualifiers. I am not The five-time FIFA World Player more or less at full strength, with Uruguay vs Peru under any pressure, on the contrary I of the Year could not be returning at Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo At Barinas, Venezuela am just there to contribute what I can a better time for Argentina, who face Vidal (suspension) the only significant with my football.” a demanding trip to Santiago today absentee. Venezuela vs Chile In other matches this week, to face reigning champions Chile in Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, At Cordoba, Argentina Ecuador will be looking to maintain a rematch of the Copa America final. Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo Argentina vs Bolivia their 100 percent start with victory Argentina made a shaky start to and Inter Milan’s Gary Medel are all At Asuncion over Paraguay in Quito on Thursday qualifying, suffering a shock home available for newly appointed Chile Paraguay vs Brazil while Colombia travel to the thin defeat against Ecuador in October, coach Juan Antonio Pizzi, who took air of La Paz aiming to bounce back before draws against Paraguay and over in January following the abrupt from the disappointment of defeat to Brazil. resignation of Jorge Sampaoli, the Argentina in their last outing. However the 2014 World Cup Argentine who masterminded Chile’s team-mates for the first time in nearly Peru meanwhile will be chasing runners-up breathed life into their Copa America triumph. two years when La Celeste travel to their second win of the qualifiers campaign with a 1-0 away win against Uruguay striker Suarez meanwhile Recife to take on Brazil on Friday. when they host Venezuela -- bottom Colombia in November, a crucial is relishing the prospect of being “Obviously after a long time of the table after four defeats from four victory that lifted them from near the reunited with his international without seeing them (Uruguay team matches -- in Lima. 34 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 SPORT

LA to host Hall of Famer All-Star Game Mutombo caught in Belgium for record blast horror sixth time AFP

Agencies LOS ANGELES: NBA Hall of Fame star Dikembe Mutombo Los Angeles: Los Angeles was on Tuesday emotionally named by the NBA on Tues- described the chaos of being day as the host city for the caught up in the deadly Bel- 2018 NBA All-Star Game, the gium bombings which left record sixth time the South- around 35 people dead. ern California metropolis will The 49-year-old Congolese stage the event. legend had been transiting The 67th showdown through Zavantem Airport in between elite squads from Brussels when it was rocked the Eastern and Western by two explosions, possibly conferences will be played caused by suicide bombers, in February 18, 2018, at the Sta- the check-in hall. ples Center, home arena for Mutombo, who was return- the NBA Los Angeles Lakers ing from a visit to the hospital and Los Angeles Clippers. in Kinshasa his foundation “Los Angeles is known opened, told CNN he had for first-class hospitality and been asleep in a passenger entertainment, making it the lounge when the airport was perfect host for NBA All-Star,” attacked. said NBA commissioner Adam “I heard people start Silver. “The city is home to Russell Westbrook of the screaming and everyone start some of the most passionate Oklahoma City Thunder goes running,” Mutombo said. basketball fans in addition to for a basket against the “It was very crazy. I feel extraordinary facilities.” Houston Rockets on Tuesday very bad. A mom trying to “We couldn’t be more at Chesapeake Energy Arena push her two kids. You have excited to see the All-Star in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma . everybody running. It was Game coming back,” Garcetti very sad,” added Mutombo, said. “Let’s think: It’s 2004, who retired in 2009 after 18 2011 and now 2018. We might years in the NBA. just have to move it here per- manently, Commissioner, but we certainly are ready for the task.” James scaling Staples Center hosted the Westbrook’s 15th triple NBA All-Star Game in 2004 back social and 2011. The nearby Forum in Inglewood hosted the 1972 media activity and 1983 All-Star Games, and the soon-to-be-demolished AFP Los Angeles Sports Arena hosted the 1963 game. double sparks Thunder “I’m biased, [but] this is LOS ANGELES: LeBron James the greatest city in the world, said on Tuesday he planned so the All-Star Game should Westbrook’s contribution shots from the field, including six of to scale back his social media be here every other year, any- Durant and Westbrook included a decisive spell late in the eight in the final 12 minutes. NBA RESULTS activity slightly earlier than way,’’ said Lakers coach Byron fourth quarter when a three-point “I think (Batum) is just confi- usual as he prepares for the Scott, an Inglewood native. share 43 points play put Oklahoma 92-90 ahead dent. He made Jeremy play really well Charlotte 105 Brooklyn 100 Cleveland Cavaliers’ post-sea- Los Angeles previously hosted between them as a before he added a free throw imme- again tonight,” Charlotte coach Steve Miami 113 New Orleans 99 son NBA campaign. the NBA All-Star Game in 24-point effort from diately afterward to extend the lead Clifford said. Oklahoma City 111 Houston 107 James set tongues wag- 1963, 1972, 1983, 2004 and to three points. “Nicolas really made the plays LA Lakers 107 Memphis 100 ging earlier this week when he 2011. Houston’s James Houston clawed their way back to with the game on the line. When we unfollowed the Cavs official NBA legend Bill Russell Harden ends in vain trail by only one point with 11.8 sec- needed him, he really made the big Twitter feed, with specula- was the Most Valuable Player onds left but a superb defensive play plays.” whose 24-point haul included nine tion the move was fueled of the 1963 All-Star Game at from Dion Waiters, leaping high to Nets centre Brook Lopez points in the final five-and-a-half by unhappinhess in Cleve- the Los Angeles Sports Arena, deflect a pass, effectively saved the bemoaned his team’s failure to com- minutes. land or frustration with the when the East beat the West AFP game for the Thunder. plete a comeback victory after they “He’s developed his overall game,” management. 115-108. Other past MVPs Elsewhere, the Charlotte Hornets had recovered their early deficit. said Wade. “There are other times However, James insisted from All-Star Games in Los gave their fans another rollercoaster “I think it really just came down when he ducks in and we’re able to Tuesday the move was moti- Angeles include Jerry West of ride to score a 105-100 victory over to them making shots and we didn’t,” get him the ball in his sweet spot on vated by a desire to start the Lakers in 1972, Julius Erv- LOS ANGELES: Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets in New York. Lopez said. the post. He was the biggest guy out paying less attention to social ing of Philadelphia in 1983, Russell Westbrook sparked the Okla- The Hornets had recovered from a “We got some good looks, and there.” media as the post-season the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal in homa City Thunder to a hard-fought 22-point deficit to stun the San Anto- ours just didn’t go down. It was unfor- Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said looms. 2004 and Lakers guard Kobe win over the Houston Rockets on nio Spurs on Monday but on Tuesday tunate that we put ourselves in a hole Whiteside made crucial defensive “A little bit sooner than Bryant in 2011. Tuesday as a 24-point effort from the shoe was on the other foot as they in the beginning of the game.” plays down the stretch, highlighting normal. But you know I under- Last month’s NBA All- James Harden ended in vain. survived blowing a 17-point lead to In New Orleans, Dwyane Wade his improvement. stand that it’s right around Star Game in Toronto was the Durant bagged 23 points while hang on for the win. scored 25 points as the Miami Heat “You saw him challenging in the the corner and I want to start highest-scoring contest in the Westbrook collected his 15th triple Nicolas Batum scored 23 points notched their 12th victory in 17 last five minutes of the fourth quar- mentally preparing myself for event’s history. Next year’s double of the season with 21 points, 15 and Jeremy Lin added 21 as the Hor- games with a 113-99 victory over ter basically everything at the rim,” the distance. So mentally I’m 2017 NBA All-Star Game will assists and 13 rebounds as the Thun- nets held their nerve in the decisive the Pelicans. Spoelstra said. just being a little more sharper be staged in Charlotte, North der improved to 49-22 with their fifth fourth quarter. But the crucial contribution “You can’t just play the rim, and minded as of late, just gearing Carolina. straight victory. Batum and Lin made 15 of 28 came from Hassan Whiteside, he’s taken steps forward with that.” toward it.” Rays outclass Cuban national team El Shorbagy starts British in historic exhibition game Open title defence

AFP long as it took. Eventually Mueller, Agencies who often attacked creatively, was pressured into landing three drop shots into the tin in the last four ral- KINGSTON UPON HULL, United lies of that pivotal game. HAVANA: James Loney homered and Kingdom: Mohamed El Shorbagy It supported El Shorbagy’s con- had three RBIs to lead the Tampa Bay admits he got exactly what he didn’t tention that he has continued to Rays to a 4-1 victory over the Cuban want to begin the defence of his improve his mentality, something national team on Tuesday in Havana British Open title on Tuesday, but which came under scrutiny again in a game witnessed by Presidents managed to handle the discomfort after his failure to get past the third Barack Obama and Raul Castro. anyway. round of the World Championships The Rays’ trip to Cuba was the The world number one from at Washington in November. first by a major league team since Egypt’s well-taken 11-7, 12-10, 11-4 He may indeed need to show it 1999 when the Baltimore Orioles win over Nicolas Mueller, the former again, because his second-round visited. top-20 player from Switzerland, sug- match is against James Willstrop, Obama and Castro sat side by side gested he has been developing the the former world number one who behind the plate to watch the game in knack of keeping the mindset he was his conqueror in that sensational Estadio Latinoamericano. The near- needs. World Championship upset. capacity crowd cheered loudly when Winning the second game, in The 32-year-old Englishman, both men entered the stadium. which Mueller was only prevented now ranked 13, proved again that on US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama watching the action along with Cuban President Loney singled in Kevin Kiermaier from taking an 8-7 lead by El Shor- his day he can still beat anyone with with the first run in the second inning Raul Castro during an exhibition baseball game between the Cuban National team and the MLB Tampa bagy’s successful video appeal a 5-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-7 victory over and homered in the top of the fourth Bay Rays at Estadio Latinoamericano in Havana on Tuesday. against the referee’s penalty point Tarek Momen, the world number six to give the Rays a 3-0 lead. Rays decision, was doubly important. from Egypt. starter Matt Moore pitched six innings right shin during a pre-season game Ethier’s spot in left field is Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the team Not only did that prevent diffi- The last match of the day pro- and gave up no runs, six hits and one against the Arizona Diamondbacks expected to be shared between Carl announced. culties from becoming prolonged, it duced the most significant exit of walk while striking out three. last week, but initial X-rays came Crawford and Scott Van Slyke, the Heathcoff was reassigned to assisted with El Shorbagy’s need to a seed so far. Karim Gawad, the Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder back negative. Dodgers’ website said. New York’s minor-league camp. The preserve energy early in the tourna- 24-year-old Egyptian who rose to Andre Ethier will miss the opening However, a further CT scan on Ethier batted .294 with 14 home 25-year-old Heathcoff was 1-for-22 ment, ready for probable big battles a career-high world number seven months of the new Major League Tuesday revealed the 33-year-old had runs and 53 runs batted in for the in 11 spring-training games. later. after capturing the Swedish Open Baseball season after suffering a bro- suffered a broken tibia. The injury is Dodgers last season. Heathcoff drew the ire of the Yan- He kept the pace high, his mind title last month, overcame his com- ken leg, the club confirmed Tuesday. expected to mean Ethier will be out The New York Yankees optioned kees last week when he missed the calm, and the ball tight, and was pre- patriot Omar Mosaad, the fourth Ethier was hit by a pitch on the for up to 14 weeks. outfielder Slade Heathcoff to Triple-A bus for a spring training game. pared to play out the rallies for as seed, in four games. SPORT THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016 35 Katara ready for QNB Doha Tour finale

The three-leg series A horse gets a warm-up run at concludes this week Katara in Doha yesterday. as top international entries get set for CSI4* competitions inside Katara

The Peninsula

D O H A : Qatar’s top riders and entries from 14 other countries will be bat- tling for honours at the third and final leg of the QNB Doha Tour that kicks off at a special sea-side site inside A rider trains at Katara. Katara yesterday. The three-day equestrian com- petition will see top-ranking local, regional and international riders com- 11:00am: Competition No (1) CSI2* Table (A) Against the Clock peting in CSI 4* events. Article (238.2.1) The main event will be held on Fences: Height 125 cm Saturday. Speed: 350 m/m The three-day gala will start today (One Horse per Rider) with the first show jumping event at 1:30pm: Competition No (2) CSI2* Two Phases Article (274.5.3) 11am followed by another competi- tion beginning at 1:30pm, organisers tents and tables for guests at the site, horses. QEF President Al Attiyah Al Attiya said yesterday. Fences: Height 135 cm said yesterday. organisers said. also visited the venue to witness the “This is the third edition of Doha Speed: 350 m/m A horse show has also been A large jumbo tron has final preparations of the three-day Tour. (One Horse per Rider) scheduled at 4;30pm today, a Qatar added more detailed view of all event taking place. “In previous years it was an 4:30pm: Competition No (3) CSI4* (Teams Comp.) Two Phases Equestrian Federation (QEF) official competitions. The QNB Doha Tour series tro- event that attracted riders from the Article (274.5.3) confirmed yesterday. The make-shift site also consists phy will be awarded to the overall region,” he said. Fences: Height 145 cm This will be the first time that an of a judges room and a press cen- champion who has won the most “Now we have upgraded the FEI-approved show jumping event is tre while the events will be covered points over the three events. event to an international series, Speed: 350 m/m going to be staged at Katara. by live streaming and TV coverage. “We are glad to get the sup- throwing the gates open to interna- ( One Horse per Rider) The first two legs of the 2016 QNB A market place has also been port of QNB who have supported tional entries as well,” Al Attiya said. 6:30pm Competition No (4) CSI4* Table (A) Against the Clock Doha Tour were staged at QEF’s Main set up with 12 shops to provide fans our events in the past. This is not “With ranking points at stake, With J. Off. Article: A 238.2.2 Arena and at Al Shaqab Arena. the chance to buy merchandise and the first time they have joined us in we will see a high level of com- Fences: Height 145 cm “The original idea of staging the show jumping equipment. promoting the sport,” Al Attiya said. petition among home riders and Speed: 350 m/m CSi4* QNB Doha Tour was put forward Oraginsers yesterday carried “QNB were with us last month international entries,” Al Attiya at the end of last year by Hamad bin out the traditional vet check on the also during the Emir’s Sword Meet,” said. (Two Horses per Rider) Abdulrahman Al Attiya, President of QEF,” a QEF official said. “Gradually the concept devel- oped into a remarkable spectacle that is totally made in Qatar,” the official added. The attractive seaside venue site consists of a main arena of 80 x 50 m, large enough accommodate any inter- national show jumping event with a warm-up area for riders and horses. The main stand can accommo- date 400 spectators, details revealed yesterday. There’s a VVIP and a VIP stand to welcome guests who will enjoy unhin- QEF President Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiya during his visit to the venue site at Katara dered sea view at all times. yesterday. RIGHT: A view of the makeshift show jumping arena at Katara. PICS: Lotfi Garsi In addition, there are private VIP

QSL UPDATES Al Gharafa beat Al Shamal to reach Al Sadd return to training DOHA: QSL side Al Sadd has resumed training following their 3-2 victory over rivals Lekhwiya in round 23. final as El Jaish edge Al Rayyan Jesaldo Ferreria’s side are preparing for the upcoming game against Al- Sailiya in Round 24 of the QSL, which will be played on April 2 at Al Ahli stadium. The training session was held in the absence of seven key Qatari internationals including Mohammed Kasola, Abdelkarim Hassan and Has- The Peninsula san Al Haydos who have been called up for the upcoming matches against Hong Kong and China in the 2018 World Cup/2019 Asian Cup joint qualifiers. The remainder of the side underwent a physical training programme, while there was also a focus on technical skill drills in small areas. DOHA: Massey Jeremiah Timotheus’s 29 points and a spectacular tally of 21 by Galloway Kevin Dwayne helped Al Al Rayyan head back to training Gharafa to reach the final of the Qatar Cup with an easy win over Al Shamal. DOHA: QSL champions Al Rayyan has resumed training following their 2-1 Al Gharafa beat Al Shamal 84-65, defeat to rivals El Jaish in round 23. thanks to the dominant displays from The squad will now focus for the upcoming game against Al Gharafa in Jeremiah and Dwayne. Round 24 of the QSL, which will be played on Friday the 1st of April at Al Ndoye Hassino chipped in with 16 Sadd stadium. points as Al Gharafa maintained their The training session was held in the absence of five key players who stranglehold over their opponents at have left their national teams. Omar Barry, Ahmed Alaa, Sebastain Soria Al Gharafa Indoor Hall. and captain Rodrigo Tabata Qatar in the upcoming 2018 World Cup qual- Jeremiah managed 3 assists ifiers against Hong Kong and China, while midfielder Koh Myong-jin has while Dwayne produced 5 assists in joined up with the South Korean national side. Al Gharafa’s win. Hassino also man- In team news, Al Rayyan will be without defenders Nathan and Musa aged 3 assists. Haroon for the upcoming Gharafa tie. Saad Abdulrahman Mohamed and Both players will now be serving domestic bans after Nathan picked Salem Omar Abdelkader managed a up his fourth yellow card of the season, whilst Haroon was sent off in the tally of 8 points each in the Al Ghara- defeat to El Jaish. fa’s big win. Action from El Jaish’s win over Al For Al Shamal, Ambres Mildon scored 26 points while team-mate Rayyan at Al Gharafa Indoor Hall Al Kharaitiyat delt injury blow Hachad Mohamed Kamal sparkled yesterday. El Jaish won 79-78. with 18 points. DOHA: QSL side Al Kharaitiyat will be without two key players in their Kamal had 8 assists also. Kosar Mohmmed Yousuf (12) also reached quest to beat relegation. Abdulqadir scored 9 points while double figures for El Jaish in the tense Al Kharaitiyat ’s medical team confirmed that star striker Hassan Abdel Avdic Faris and Adam Khalid Abdalla clash. Abilmona Fadi Hani scored just Al Fattah will be absent for at least two weeks after picking up a calf injury managed 4 points each. 5 points but managed an astonishing in the 1-1 draw with Al Gharafa. In the second game of the tally of 16 assists. The Jordanian striker will miss national team duty to focus on getting back evening, El Jaish pipped Al Rayyan For Al Rayyan, Dominic also spar- to full fitness. Whlilst Ivorian defender Assie Koua Vivien pulled his groin 79-78. Although Davon James kled with 8 assists in the tense loss. against Gharafa and the Al Kharaitiyat medical team has announced that Dominic managed a monumental Hill Lawrence scored 19 points he will be unavailable for a month, effectively ending his domestic season. tally of 43 points but it was El Jaish while experienced Yasseen Musa This will be seen as a major blow for Amir Osim’s side, as Vivien has who prevailed with gutsy late fight. scored 15 points. been a mainstay at center back for Al Kharaitiyat. Bell Rashad Ernest scored 22 The teams clash for a place in the Al Kharaitiyat will now be hoping that Fattah can be fit ahead of their Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) President Sheikh Saoud bin points for El Jaish while team-mate final on March 26 for the return game. must win relegation clash against Al Wakrah in round 25. Macklin Vernon Leon chipped in The final of Qatar Cup will be Abdulrahman Al Thani making presentations at a special ceremony The Thunders are currently in thirteenth in the QSL standings, just one with 16 points. Ali Ali Turki (15) and played on March 29. prior to yesterday’s games. point ahead of the dreaded drop zone. 36 THURSDAY 24 MARCH 2016

Qatar’s Al Attiyah eyes record-breaking sixth victory

Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah is favourite to The Peninsula points-scoring system in this year’s champi- clinch this week’s Kuwait Rally. KUWAIT RALLY STARTS TODAY onship. The FIA has revised the traditional 25 points for a win, 18 for second and 15 for third-style format for FIA Regional Rallies. FINTAS: Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah is regional rally series in their Ford Fiesta R5 In addition to these points, additional the clear favourite to claim a record-break- and realise the importance of reaching the bonuses are to be awarded according to ing sixth victory in the Kuwait International finish if they are to have any chance of win- the classification of each leg on the scale Rally, round two of the FIA Middle East ning a maiden title. of seven down to one. Rally Championship as the three-day action Al-Suwaidi won the Kuwait event out- Therefore, the winner of the rally will gets under way today with a timed super right in 2012 with British navigator Nick be awarded 25 points, plus an additional special stage at the Sirbb Circuit. Beech. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari has endured seven for winning the second day and up to Already nine points clear of his nearest a torrid start to his season in a second a maximum of seven more points for lead- rival in the regional series after winning the Skoda: a heavy crash in Qatar and a cou- ing after day one. Qatar Rally for a 13th time last month, the ple of mechanical breakages and a crash The R5 cars are more powerful and 11-time Middle East champion is chasing a in Rally Mexico have left the Qatari empty- have better handling and body strength 62nd victory in the series and his second handed from his opening two events of the than their NR4 counterparts, although the in a Skoda Fabia R5 with French navigator season, but he and Irish navigator Killian remainder of the entry on the event being Matthieu Baumel. Duffy were due a run of better fortune, after hosted by the Basil Salem Al Sabah Motor The second R5 car will be driven by the remains of their wrecked Skoda was Racing Club (BMRC) consists of an impres- Khaled Al Suwaidi, another Qatari to fall returned to Europe after the Qatar Rally. sive array of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions foul of bad fortune in Mexico last month. Engine issues meant that Kuwait’s Masoud and Subaru Imprezas in the hands of driv- Al Suwaidi and Italian navigator Gio- Al Saleh was not able to join the final list ers from Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, Turkey vanni Bernacchini hold second place in the in his Ford Fiesta S2000. There is a new and Saudi Arabia. Ali Al Hitmi

A gymnast trains on the Gymnasts ready as World Cup eve of the Ninth Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series at Aspire Dome Series kicks off in Doha today yesterday.

Qatar’s Farah hopes for a successful return to showpiece event as over 100 contestants excited to showcase their skills at iconic Aspire Dome

By Fawad Hussain The Peninsula

DOHA: A real treat awaits fans in Doha as the FIG’s showpiece event – Ninth Artis- Ali Al Hitmi, President Qatar Gymnastics Federation (centre) poses for a group picture along with the participating tic Gymnastics World Cup Series gets gymnasts on the eve of the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series at Aspire Dome yesterday. Qatar’s Farah Tareq under way today with top gymnasts from around the globe ready to display their Mahmoud Redha (second left) and High Bar World No.1 Nicolas Cordoba of Argentina (left) is also seen in the picture.

SCHEDULE b e s t a t s t a t e - o f - t h e - s t a r t A s p i r e D o m e . give his best. “It’s an Olympic year and I of her speciality events. She will be joined Redha. “ It’s a huge event and “ This event is being praised Over 100 gymnasts, the best from would give my best to prepare for Rio.” by Diana Bulimar (ROU) and Teja Belak I am delighted to return,” said as one of the best competi- Today (2pm-7:30pm) their respective 33 countries are par- Among the many stars who will be (SLO), both medallists from last year’s Farah who missed the last tions,” said the QGF chief. “We Qualification competition for men (6 ticipating in the three-day event being seen in action during the event is five- World Challenge Cup. year’s event due to injury. are comparatively a new fed- apparatus) organised by the Qatar Gymnastics Fed- time Olympic medallist Catalina Ponor On the men’s side, five-time Olym- “I will go step by step and eration but we have gained Women (4 apparatus) eration (QGF). (ROU) who will make her comeback to pic and World champion Zou Kai (CHN) my first aim is to reach the enough experience and we Over the years, Doha has become the international competition in Doha. Ponor is bound to catch the audience’s attention. finals.” are ready for the 2018 World Tomorrow (5pm to 8pm) best venue for the gymnasts due to best was the most decorated gymnast at the The 28-year-old has typically had Farah will take part in Championship.” Apparatus Finals ‘facilities’ and ‘hospitality’. Athens 2004 Olympics, winning gold in good results performing before the Qatari the uneven bars competition “Our hospitality is why “ I love to come to Doha and com- the team event, on floor and on balance public: he won the floor and horizontal where she will be up against athletes love to come here and Men’s events: Floor Exercises-Pommel pete,” High Bar World No.1 Nicolas beam. Bar titles in 2011 and 2012, as well as the the world’s best. compete and we are looking Horse –Rings Cordoba told reporters on the eve of the She retired from Gymnastics follow- Floor and team event at the 2006 Asian “The competition is going forward to hosting another suc- Women’s events: Vault-Uneven Bars opening day of the competition. ing the London Olympic Games, where Games. to be tough and I will give cessful event.” March 26: (4:30pm-7-30pm) “This is my fifth time in Doha and she took silver on floor and bronze with Gymnasts from Iraq and Syria are my best to achieve success Today’s event includes every time I come here I feel a renewed the team. also expected to attract gymnastics fans. on return to the event.” QGF qualification competition Apparatus Finals excitement as I enjoy the support from In addition to Ponor, the international Top officials of different gymnastics President Ali Al Hitmi said the for men (6 apparatus). Fans Men’s events: Vault-Parallel-Bars- fans,” said the Argentinean before rating field includes 2015 European All-around federations will also expect to visit Doha Artistic Gymnastics World eager to watch the proceedings Horizontal Bar the competition as the best gymnastics champion Giulia Steingruber of Swit- during the competition. Cup Series which has become can book their ticket online at event. zerland, who returns to Doha hoping to Hosts Qatar will field three gymnasts a major FIG event was not just www.q-tickets.com while tick- Women’s events: Balance Beam-Floor Cordoba said this year’s event holds repeat her excellent performance from including Mahmoud Mohammed Al Saadi, an achievement for his feder- ets will also be available at Exercises much importance for him, promising to last year that won her the titles on both Ahmed Saleh and Farah Tareq Mahmoud ation but also for Qatar. Aspire Dome.

Qatar International Table Tennis Open begins

Natalia Partyka of Poland in action on the opening day of 2016 Qatar International Table Tennis Open at Ali bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena in Al Sadd Sports Club yesterday. CENTRE: A Qatari player in action during women’s event on the inaugural day. RIGHT: A Qatari player returns the ball during his men’s event match. With $220,000 up for grabs, the event features the participation of players from 43 countries. The event is organised by Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) in coordination with the International Table Tennis Federation. The Qatari men’s squad includes; Ahmad Khalil Al Mohannadi, Fahad Al Mughni, Lee Beng, Mohammad Abdulwahab and Abdulrahman Al Najjar.