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QP awards contract Saez double fires to supply jet Al Wakrah to fuel to HIA victory

SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 • 5 Jumada I 1437 • Volume 20 • Number 6706 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Emir meets Abdullah Gul Palestinians Business centres plan satellite TV can divide space sports channel AFP

among firms RAMALLAH: A new Palestin- ian satellite sports channel is to carry out a pilot transmission on Wednesday, with plans to start and facilitate procedures for the regular broadcasts in the summer, Qatari investors issuance of construction licences of one of its founders said yesterday. business centres. The purpose of the Wael Romana, director of the welcome move initiative is to provide businessper- Palestinian Sport Channel, told sons, investors and entrepreneurs AFP it would cover Wednesday’s with a comprehensive and integrated friendly between the Palestinian range of investment solutions,” said and Algerian Olympic football a statement. teams in Algeria. The Peninsula Qatari investors were quick “Then the channel’s offi- to hail the move. Ahmed Khalaf, cial launch will be in four or five a prominent Qatari businessman months,” he said, adding he has described it a “right decision at the already hired about 40 staff and DOHA: In a major initiative to sup- right time” saying it will help indi- hopes to expand. port Qatari investors, businessmen vidual investors establish several “The goal is to have coverage and small and medium enterprises companies in the same premises. of Palestinian sport in all disci- (SME), the Ministry of Economy and “One person may have many plines,” he said. Commerce has allowed owners of companies functioning in different Palestine was recognised by business centres to partition their buildings. The law will now allow FIFA in 1998. facilities and lease office space to him to bring them together in one Palestinian Football Asso- one or more companies. place,” Khalaf told The Peninsula. ciation president Jibril Rajoub, a The initiative launched in col- He said the initiative will espe- constant critic of Israeli restric- laboration with the Ministry of cially help companies providing tions on the movement of Municipality and Environment offers various services and small busi- Palestinian athletes, welcomed business centre owners several nesses, since they can hire office the initiative as a “historic turning advantages including transform- space at lower rents. point” in the history of Palestin- ing offices into open workspaces or Today an office space costs ian sport. dividing them into closed ones, sep- between QR15,000 to QR30,000, A Communications Ministry arated by barriers that offer more said Khalaf. spokesperson said the Palestinian privacy. The initiative will also help Authority had bought 18 broadcast It permits owners to lease office international companies set up rep- frequencies on the Egypt-owned space to one or several companies in resentative offices at lower costs. Nilesat satellite and Saudi-based addition to representatives of local Earlier they had to hire an inde- Arabsat which it could license to companies, businesspersons, SME pendent apartment for that. Many any broadcaster it selected. owners and startups, the Ministry companies can now function in a Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani offered condolences to former Turkish President Abdullah Eighteen local television chan- of Economy and Commerce said single building. Gul on the death of his father-in-law, Ahmet Ozyurt, in Istanbul yesterday. nels operate in the West Bank and yesterday. Gaza Strip alongside nearly 90 The move “aims to streamline → Continued on page 6 radio stations.

Russia premier warns of Turkey and Saudi could send troops to fight IS in Syria: Ankara

new Cold War AFP “If there is a strategy (against IS) the most concrete proposals,” he said. coalition operations against IS, with Al Assad as essential for ending Syria’s then Turkey and Saudi Arabia could Cavusoglu added that Saudi planes from Britain, France and the civil war and are critical of Iran and enter into a ground operation,” For- Arabia, which has become an increas- United States carrying out raids inside Russia’s support of the Syrian regime. Reuters eign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was ingly close ally of Turkey in recent Syria from the base. Asked if Saudi Arabia could send ISTANBUL: Turkey and Saudi Ara- quoted as saying by the Yeni Safak months, is also sending planes to “They (Saudi Arabia) said ‘If nec- troops to the Turkish border to enter bia could launch a ground operation and Haberturk newspapers after the Turkish base of Incirlik to fight essary we can also send troops’. Saudi Syria, Cavusoglu said: “This is some- MUNICH: Violence in eastern against Islamic State (IS) jihadists in taking part in the Munich Security IS. “They (Saudi officials) came, did Arabia is showing great determination thing that could be desired but there Ukraine is intensifying and Rus- Syria, while Riyadh is also sending Conference. a reconnaissance of the base. At the in the fight against terror in Syria,” is no plan. Saudi Arabia is sending sian-backed rebels have moved war planes to a Turkish base to fight “Some say ‘Turkey is reluctant to moment it is not clear how many said the Turkish minister. planes and they said ‘If the necessary heavy weaponry back to the the extremists, the Turkish foreign take part in the fight against Daesh planes will come,” Cavusoglu said. Saudi Arabia and Turkey both see time comes for a ground operation front line, international moni- minister said yesterday. (IS)’. But it is Turkey that is making Incirlik is a key hub for US-led the ousting of Syrian President Bashar then we could send soldiers’.” tors warned yesterday as Moscow responded by accusing the West of dragging the world back 50 years. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev described East-West World Around You After Zika, rare disorder relations as having “fallen into a new Cold War” and said Nato was “hostile and closed” towards Rus- sia, in the latest sign that peace hits five LatAm nations efforts have made scant progress almost two years since Moscow annexed Crimea. Reuters “The cause of the increase in “I sometimes wonder — are we GBS incidence observed in Brazil, in 2016 or 1962?” Medvedev asked Colombia, El Salvador and Suri- in a speech at the Munich Security name remains unknown, especially Conference. GENEVA: A neurological disorder as dengue, chikungunya and Zika suspected of links to the mosquito- virus have all been circulating simul- → See also page 17 borne Zika virus is on the rise in taneously in the Americas,” it added. Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Suri- Investigations continue to deter- name and Venezuela, the World mine the cause, WHO said, noting Chill grips US Health Organization (WHO) said that there was no laboratory confir- yesterday. mation of Zika virus in patients with northeast The rare Guillain-Barre syn- GBS in Colombia and El Salvador. drome, in which the body’s immune Venezuela has reported 252 system attacks part of the nervous cases of Guillain-Barre occurring BOSTON: A dangerous cold snap system, causes gradual weakness in at the same time and place as Zika gripped the northeastern US yes- the legs, arms and upper body and infections, it said. “Zika virus infec- terday, with temperatures in some sometimes leads to total paralysis. tion was confirmed for three of the areas set to fall below zero and “In the context of the Zika virus GBS cases, including one fatal case.” Boston facing its coldest period of outbreak, Brazil, Colombia, El Sal- Venezuela’s President Nico- An artwork on display at the ‘Looking at the World Around You: Contemporary Works from Qatar February in almost four decades. vador, Suriname and Venezuela have las Maduro said on Thursday that Officials warned people to stay Museums’ exhibition at Santander Art Gallery in Financial City, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid. The exhibition reported an increase of GBS (Guil- three people had died of complica- H indoors away from “life threaten- by Fundacin Banco Santander, in partnership with Qatar Museums and under the patronage of its lain-Barre Syndrome),” the WHO tions linked to Zika virus and that ing” cold. Chairperson, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, will continue till June 19. said in a weekly report on Zika suspected cases of Zika had risen → See also page 2 virus now circulating in 34 coun- to 5,221. → See also page 18 tries, including 26 in the Americas. → See also page 18 02 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 HOME

QM artworks on show in Madrid FM meets counterparts

Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani yesterday separately met his counterparts Edward Nalbandian (Armenia, pictured), Pavlo Klimkin (Ukraine) and Borge Brende (Norway) on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Talks dealt with means of enhancing relations between Qatar and their countries and matters of mutual interest. Two of more than 160 artworks on display at the Santander Art Gallery in Financial City, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid until June 19.

The Peninsula breathed life into them. Echenique said: “The Santander The exhibition explores the Art Galley exemplifies the bank’s Quality and Safety in ‘Looking at the connection between art and his- interest in building a more pros- World Around You: tory through multiple works, from perous community through culture, DOHA: A major exhibition ‘Looking at René Magritte’s vision of the Orient creativity and education — hence our the World Around You: Contemporary Contemporary Works in Shéhérazade to the reflections of commitment to bring the best con- Healthcare forum in May Works from Qatar Museums’ is open from Qatar Museums’ today’s most dynamic, engaged Arab temporary art collections in the world for the first time at the Santander Art is open for the first artists — Hatoum, Amal Kenawy, to this gallery. Gallery in Financial City, Boadilla del Manal Al Dowayan and others — on “These collectors have several The Peninsula and clinical systems, how healthcare Monte, Madrid. The expo runs until time at the Santander problems and changes affecting the things in common with our bank: An leaders can drive improvements in June 19. Art Gallery Arab world. international scope, a modern spirit their teams and organisations, and The exhibition has been organ- Karroum said: “When Inji Effla- and dedication to supporting talent.” ways in which healthcare work- ised by Fundacin Banco Santander, in toun painted her self-portrait in “The Santander Art Gallery is DOHA: The fourth Middle East ers can enhance engagement with partnership with QM, under the lead- prison or her fellow citizens in the proud to host the first public showing Forum on Quality and Safety in patients. ership of its Chairperson H E Sheikha by foreign-born creators whose art countryside in Egypt, she was also of this major collection outside Qatar, Healthcare, a leading healthcare Minister of Public Health H E Dr Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa is related to the Arab world, such as portraying a society at a moment of an event which will create a surge of quality improvement conference Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari said the Al Thani Yan Pei-Ming and Cai Guo-Qiang historical changes that shape and interest in contemporary Arab art in in the region, will be organised by forum had become a mainstay on the Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mah- from China and Belgian master René reshape individual lives. our country.” Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) events calendar and a popular pro- moud, CEO, QM; Abdellah Karroum, Magritte. “Similarly, Ismail Fattah’s dark Those who come to see this show and the Institute for Healthcare fessional development opportunity Curator of the exhibition and Direc- Visitors to the gallery will have portraits reflect burning lives, while will have the unique privilege of dis- Improvement (IHI) in May. with healthcare industry workers in tor, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern the opportunity to contemplate, Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali Al covering how these artists see the Led by HMC’s Hamad Healthcare Qatar and the region. Art; and Rodrigo Echenique, Chair- for the first time outside Qatar, an Thani’s work speaks of wars and [...] world — particularly the Arab world Quality Institute (HHQI), the annual Derek Feeley, President and CEO, man, Santander Spain, attended the ample selection of works from QM destruction.” — around them. conference will be held from May 13 IHI, will attend the forum. He has opening ceremony. collections. The show is, in his words, “an Participating artists include: Mag- to 15 at Qatar National Convention attended previous events and said The majority of the works on How we look at the world around invitation to look again and see ritte, Fahrelnissa Zeid, Saloua Raouda Centre in Doha. It reinforces part- Qatar continues to excel in the trans- display have been loaned by Mathaf us is the central idea that guided Kar- anew; an invitation, in other words, Choucair, Inji Efflatoun, Etel Adnan, nership between HMC and IHI, a formation of its public healthcare although many pieces are from other roum in choosing and inter-relating to rethink the alignment of histories Adam Hanein, Chaibia Talal, Ahmed not-for-profit organisation that is provision. The event will include QM collections. portraits, photographs, sculptures, and how to make sense of the world Morsi, Baya Mahieddine, Farid Belka- a leading innovator in health and a poster exhibition on successful The selection of over 160 works installations and video installations today”. hia, Ismail Fattah, Marwan Kassab healthcare improvement worldwide. quality and safety improvement represents the history of contempo- that comprise the show. Sheikha Al Mayassa said: “Art can Bashi, Nja Mahdaoui, Dia Azzawi, The theme centres on a trans- initiatives, a knowledge area that rary Arab art as seen through the eyes It is an open window onto diverse create new opportunities for dia- Abdullah Al Muharraqi, Jassim Zaini, formative approach to improving allows delegates to meet and engage of 34 artists, mostly natives of Arab geographical regions and myriad logue and exchange and prompt new Sami Mohammed, Chant Avedissian, healthcare delivery by inspiring with experts, and opportunities for nations, including Qatar, Morocco, socio-political realities, from North understandings of human history”. Hassan Sharif, Mona Hatoum, Wafiqa innovation. The conference will participants to converse on health- Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, Iraq and Africa to Southeast Asia. The collaboration between Sultan Saif Al Essa, Yousef Ahmad, feature keynote lectures and sem- care improvement topics. Kuwait. Relevant themes such as histor- Fundacin Banco Santander and QM, Faraj Daham, Cai Guo-Qiang, Ali inars by local, regional and global Doctors, nurses, and allied They include Etel Adnan, Shirin ical narrative, memory and identity she said, “speaks to the privileged Hassan, Shirin Neshat, Hassan bin health experts and intensive pre- health professionals attending the Neshat, Mona Hatoum, Wael Shawky are addressed in works brimming role art can play in building bridges Mohammed Al Thani, Yan Pei-Ming, conference workshops. Topics forum are eligible to earn continuing and Yousef Ahmad, all of whom have with subtlety, beauty and strength and opportunities whose significance Ghada Amer, Mounir Fatmi, Wael will highlight the science behind healthcare education points. Partic- showcased their works in Qatar. that portray the past and present extends well beyond the museum Shawky, Youssef Nabil, Manal Al improvement, continuing trans- ipants can visit http://ihimeforum. The exhibition includes works of the artists who imagined and walls”. Dowayan, Amal Kenawy. formation of clinical interventions hamad.qa to register their interest. QC sponsors 2,500 Bosnia orphans

The Peninsula sponsored orphans is 2,150 across clothes to orphans before the end of villages and towns of Bosnia. 2015. Many orphans have received Last year, the total financial education academic or occupational sponsorship allocated for orphans education and many students have DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) has spon- reached around QR5m. Since 1994, excelled in some fields. sored 2,500 orphans in Bosnia and QC has sponsored 8,500 orphans. QC thanked Qatar’s philanthro- Herzegovina, helping them continue Some of them have graduated from pists for sponsoring orphans. QC’s higher education. One of the orphans college and are working as employ- field office in Sarajevo, capital of has won a global competition on the ees or craftsmen. The sponsorship Bosnia, was established in 1994 to Holy Quran. programmes offer comprehensive check upon the people it sponsors QC also sponsors families, stu- care in the fields of education, health and supervise its other projects. dents and Quran teachers. In the past and entertainment. QC has spent over QR202m on 10 years, it has spent over QR1.78m They also offer financial spon- social care projects, especially spon- on sponsorships. As part of its social sorships on a monthly basis. The sorships of orphans, families and care initiatives for the vulnerable programmes include holding events students. It has also built homes, groups, sponsoring orphans con- for orphans — multiple activities such schools, clinics and implemented tributes to protecting childhood and as medical tests, getting tutors, trips, water projects. Such work contrib- Officials at the press conference at the St Regis Hotel in Doha yesterday. Pic: Salim / The Peninsula saving children from going astray. It camping, competitions, educational uted to the reconstruction of Bosnia also helps save the dignity of needy and training courses and workshops. and return of the displaced and ref- families, especially in times of dis- Last year, QC held for its spon- ugees who were affected by the war asters and wars. sored orphans entertainment that hit their country in the 90s. Conference on power and water In Bosnia and Herzegovina, activities and distributed some QC sponsors over 92,000 orphans orphans receive the biggest share awards to encourage them. A QC around the world through ‘Rofaqa’ desalination in Arab world next week of sponsorship. The number of delegation also distributed winter initiative launched in December 2013.

The Peninsula Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Electric- rationalisation of production and ity and Water Company. use of electricity, current real- Between 500 and 600 partic- ity and future prospects of power ipants are expected to take part in plants, water security strategy and DOHA: A conference on power and the conference along with several techniques of water desalination in water desalination in Arab coun- decisionmakers and officials from Arab countries. tries will be held in Doha next week institutions and companies in the Engineer Said Ahmed Jassim under the patronage of Prime Minis- public and private sectors. Aljulu, Chairman, Qatar Society of ter and Interior Minister H E Sheikh The event aims to exchange Engineers, told a press conference Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al ideas between engineering unions that the conference is being organ- Thani. and associations in Arab countries ised amid the ongoing construction The conference is organised by and benefit from the experiences boom in Qatar in preparation to Qatar Society of Engineers, in coop- gained and lessons learned through host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and eration with the Ministry of Energy the presentation of Arab countries’ in accordance with Qatar National and Industry and the Federation experiences in the field. Vision 2030, particularly with of Arab Engineers on February 22 The conference will discuss regard to electricity and water and 23. more than 20 working papers sub- desalination projects and challenges The event will be held under the mitted by 10 Arab countries on faced by world economies in light theme ‘Power Sources and Water issues, including the environmen- of falling oil prices. The forum will Desalination in Arab Countries’. tal impact of the operations of the address challenges faced by Arab It is also organised in col- generation and distribution of elec- countries undergoing rapid devel- laboration with Qatar General tricity and drinking water, power opment and the increasing demand Qatar Charity has spent over QR1.78m in Bosnia in the past 10 years. Electricity and Water Corporation, plants economies, awareness and for electricity and water there. HOME SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 03 QRCS provides drinking water to 22,000 Yemenis

each family receiving 100 litres water supply. for one month. The chairman of Physical 3,150 families The project was coordinated Disability Foundation in Dhale receive tanks of with the governorate and munic- told QRCS personnel in Zabid: ipal authorities of Dhale and local “Everybody here, including me, 100 litres each for charities, which made the survey welcomed the team. I liked its one month at a cost to select beneficiaries from the mechanism and communication of QR181,859 neediest families, the displaced with the local community. QRCS communities affected by war, is the first organisation to provide and vulnerable groups (widows, drinking water in the region. We orphans, people with disabilities hope there will be more endeav- The Peninsula and others). ours to help the people in other Most towns and suburbs of aspects of life. Thanks to QRCS Dhale are experiencing a severe for this generous gesture, which water crisis due to the war, which is not strange for Qatar. May God DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent Soci- had impacted everything, includ- help you do good”. ety (QRCS) has completed a water ing basic services like water, Among the beneficiaries was project for thousands of families electricity, education and health. Abdelrahman Haydara, a disa- deprived of clean drinking water Prices are inflated, and fuel is bled person from Zabid, who said, in the Dhale and Qa’atabah dis- scarce. Dhale is one of the poor- “We thank QRCS for this kind tricts of Dhale Governorate in est regions in water resources, act of providing us with drink- Yemen, at a cost of $50,000 depending on tanks from Habil ing water. This is the first water Qatar Red Crescent Society volunteers distribute water in one of the neighbourhoods. (QR181,859). Ar Raydah, Lahij. supply project here since before Over one month, QRCS per- During a visit by the project’s the eruption of the war. sonnel dispatched trucks to management, the Dhale governor “No other organisation had Aisha Gaber, a widow and mother squash the thirst of her girls. She back and walk back under the sun. distribute clean water to house- praised the initiative for meet- brought pure water to the area. of 10 children, including two with is the breadwinner of the family, While receiving her water tank, she asked God to bless holds, with the help of local ing the needs of citizens living We hope this will be a good start permanent disabilities. and cannot afford to buy water. and reward QRCS well. volunteers. A total of 3,150 fam- in distress due to the war and and there will be more water for In her colloquial accent, she She has to leave her children ilies (22,000 people) received wished QRCS success in more citizens.” described her need of water to unattended and walk for a long tanks in neighbourhoods, with such vital projects, especially in Another beneficiary was clean her disabled children and distance to carry water on her 280 get married as part of RAF’s Ifaf 7 programme

The Peninsula The course will be held from 4pm to 8pm and will covers social, economic, psychological aspects and how couples should treat each DOHA: Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah other and avoid problems. Al Thani Foundation for Human- The Supreme Advisory Commit- itarian Services (RAF) starts this tee for Ifaf project last month held a evening qualification courses for preparatory meeting to implement Ifaf 7 project participants. the final phase of the project. Around 280 youth, including The panel said the project aims girls, will join the course which to help youth get married and qual- continues for five days. ify them by offering educational The project aims is to help sessions to establish a stable fam- future couples by providing experi- ily life. ences in establishing a stable family The six previous editions of the life and also making them aware of project saw 860 couples getting social, health and economic means married and the current one will The Supreme Advisory Committee for Ifaf project holding a preparatory meeting ahead of to lead a success family. achieve the target of over 1,000. the mass wedding. 04 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 HOME Ooredoo’s 300Mbps fibre Entries invited for Tarsheed contest speeds now available conservation of energy, water and other natural resources. The Peninsula to upgrade or buy another device, The ‘Conserving Interested parties can apply via Ooredoo has introduced the new Kahramaa website www.km.com.qa/ device offer. Building Competition’ tarsheed where they can view terms With the promotion valid until is open to all and conditions for participating and DOHA: Ooredoo has announced April-end, the device can be pur- industrial, fill up the completed form. The entry that its free speed upgrade on the chased at Ooredoo shops for QR399 is open until March 10. For details, call Ooredoo Fibre network is now live. instead of the usual QR499 for all government, 44846878. All 50Mbps home fibre plans 100Mbps and 300Mbps customers. commercial and The contest started primarily with have received a double speed The Ooredoo Fibre network is four sectors in 2012 — commercial, increase to 100Mbps, while 100Mbps available across Qatar, with over residential buildings, government, residential and indus- plans were boosted to 300Mbps 260,000 homes and businesses ben- sport venues and trial and sports venues and tourism — the fastest home fixed line con- efiting from super-fast Internet and sectors were added later. nection ever offered. next generation services. tourism sector Only existing and operational Ooredoo is also offering a Since its launch in 2011, the fibre buildings are eligible to enter the QR100 discount on a new enhanced network has not only transformed competition, excluding those with Supernet Fibre Wi-Fi Broadband the broadband Internet market but conventional window ACs and those Gateway for all 100Mbps and also the digital entertainment indus- The Peninsula having landscape with flood irriga- 300Mbps customers. try in Qatar, enabling customers to tion systems. Entries will be evaluated The gateway is a new device enjoy Next Generation Mozaic TV in several phases by a panel of experts that supports more than 40 simul- with high-definition programming representing research centres, uni- taneous connections to satisfy even and advanced features. DOHA: Qatar General Electricity versities and ministries, among the most demanding of homes and Customers who want to join and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) others. Winning buildings from each employs the latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi the ‘Fibre revolution’ can view the has started receiving entries for its sector will receive a prize and a cer- specifications. fibre availability map on Ooredoo’s fourth annual ‘Conserving Building tificate for being a role model in the measures. provide better living for residents. Yousuf Abdulla Al Kubaisi, COO, website. Competition’ as part of Tarsheed, the field of building conservation and will The competition aims to cre- Tarsheed, through its multi- Ooredoo Qatar, said: “We’re intro- The map allows them to check national programme for conservation be honoured at the fourth Tarsheed ate awareness about the building folded strategies and initiatives, aims ducing exciting new devices to let if they are in a fibre-ready ‘Green’ and energy efficiency. annual celebration on April 21. conservation concept in all sectors, to reach all segments of society to our customers experience the full area and shows them how to apply The competition launched by Buildings will be evaluated based about benefits of building conser- create awareness about conserva- power of the Ooredoo Supernet. for a fibre upgrade. the Conservation and Energy Effi- on criteria set by a team of experts vation practices (energy and water), tion and motivate people to work Our new gateway device can boost In some cases, customers are ciency Department under the theme to test efficient design of mechani- motivate consumers to adopt building together for a cause, contributing speeds and give customers incred- limited to the maximum speed 100 ‘Become one with Nature’ is open to cal, electrical and plumbing systems conservation practices in the con- to the goals and ambitions of Qatar ible Wi-Fi access to our 300Mbps Mbps. If this applies, Ooredoo has a all buildings comprising industrial, which include HVAC system, lighting, struction market and to mobilise and National Vision 2030. fibre plan.” special offer for them. government, commercial, residential, plumbing fixtures, building automa- encourage people to embrace energy The prime aim of the programme Since May 2015, all new fibre Detailed offers, pricing and tips sports venues and tourism sectors. tion, sustainability measures, specific conservation strategies. is to reduce per capita water and elec- connections have been auto- on how to measure the speed prop- The competition recognises energy/ water consumption, building ‘Conserving buildings’ are those tricity consumption by 35 percent and matically provided with the new erly are available at www.ooredoo. buildings that incorporate, sup- envelope for roof and façade, land- that reduce electricity and water con- 20 percent, respectively during five device, but for customers wishing qa, on the ‘At Home’ section. port and promote best practices in scape, operation and maintenance sumption and carbon emissions and years. 20 teams compete in CarnegieApps Hackathon competition

The Peninsula Ooredoo, the hackathon required participants to work around the clock to develop software for an innovative game, mobile or web app. DOHA: The CarnegieApps Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari, Direc- Hackathon this year saw record par- tor, Community and Public Relations, ticipation, with 20 teams competing said, “The students showed impres- in the 24-hour regional program- sive dedication and problem-solving ming competition at Carnegie Mellon capabilities and I think the winning University in Qatar (CMU-Q). team had a great idea. Competitions The best overall app prize went such as the hackathon prepare stu- to CMU-Q team ‘The Walking Cod- dents for real-life scenarios in the ers’, which included Rachel Marella, working world where they will be Sungho Park, Eishaank Gakhar and expected to solve a problem in a Shaden Shaar. They created an app short time and create something that searches through video content new from scratch.” using keywords, directing users to Munera Fahad Al Dosari, the exact mention in the video. Assistant Director, Programme Organised by CarnegieApps, a Management Office, Ooredoo, rep- student-led club, and sponsored by resented the company on the judges’ The winning teams.

panel, announced the awards and a Half Men’ from CMU-Q comprising I Love Qatar, and CEO, Haroon United delivered the closing remarks. Mohammed Fituri, Yasser El Sayed, Group; Ahmed Elmagarmid, Exec- The best rookie team award went Musab Popatia and Ahmed Shah. utive Director, Qatar Computing to CMU-Q Team ‘Hack4’ comprising The winning team’s Rachel Research Institute (QCRI); Indica Deeksha Singh, Dhrishika Megchi- Marella, an information sys- Amarasinghe, Head, Digital Incuba- ani, Sabrina Akhter and Shobiitaa tems freshman, said, “Hackathon tion Centre; and Francisco Guzman, Krishna. encourages collaboration across QCRI computer scientist. ‘Team Whatever ‘from Qatar Uni- all programmes and allows us to The hackathon is part of CMU- versity received the award for best bring our expertise and apply it to Q’s contribution to the computer design comprising Azharul Islam, real-world situations. As my first science industry in Qatar and the Naheel Kamal, Ahammed and hackathon, the rewards and expe- region, an effort that promotes Waseem Palliyali. rience has been invaluable.” an interdisciplinary approach to The best technical challenge The competition was also judged developing innovative technologi- award was won by ‘Team Three and by Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon, Founder, cal applications. QNB and MasterCard offer chance to watch UEFA Champions League Final in Milan

The Peninsula The campaign, which starts today and ends on April 10, gives QNB MasterCard credit cardholders the opportunity to earn one entry into the draw for every QR800 spent locally and three entries for the equiva- DOHA: Qatar National Bank, in collaboration with Mas- lent spent abroad. terCard, the official sponsor of the UEFA Champions The minimum amount does not include cash League since 1994, have launched a campaign giving advances, donations, fees and charges, or erroneous cardholders the opportunity to watch UEFA Champions transactions. League Final Milan 2016 live at the San Siro Stadium Raghav Prasad, General Manager, Gulf Countries, in Milan, in addition to an exclusive shopping experi- MasterCard, said: “We are committed to rewarding ence accompanied by a shopping assistant at Milan’s loyal cardholders by offering the chance to win price- finest stores. less experiences. Using a MasterCard credit card is a Tickets are courtesy of MasterCard. fast, convenient and secure way to make everyday pur- chases and is now more rewarding.” QNB’s launch of the campaign demonstrates its keenness to give customers unique experiences that will always be remembered. The campaign combines love for football, as UEFA Champions League is among the most widely watched sporting events, and unique opportunity of a private shopping experience in one of the fashion capitals of the world. QNB Group’s presence through its subsidiaries and associate companies extends to more than 27 coun- tries in three continents, providing a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. Over 15,200 employees operate through more than 635 locations, with a network of over 1,390 ATMs. HOME SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 05 QU college holds march in support of cancer patients

The event by College of Medicine also aimed for a long-term vision to establish a tradition of individual fundraising support for research

The Peninsula

DOHA: Qatar University College of Medicine (QU-CMED) held a ‘March for Cancer’ in support of patients and with a long-term vision to establish a tradition of individual fundraising support for cancer research in the country. The march was held on the Corniche and over 100 commu- nity members joined QU and CMED members. Participants met at the registra- Some of the participants during the march on the Corniche. tion point opposite Costa café at the Sheraton end of the Corniche where they received lavender-coloured increasing awareness, strengthening similar events by the college.” a large-scale event and raise consid- new protocols and strategies that models. We are also studying human scarves and balloons to represent ties among college members and rais- Dr Egon Toft, Vice-President, erable funds for cancer research at synergise with conventional cancer breast cancer in Gulf countries using support for patients. ing funds for a good cause; in this case Medical Education, QU, and Dean the college.” treatments.” micro-array technology,” he said. At 4pm, the march proceeded supporting cancer patients.” of the college said: “By participat- Dr Toft highlighted the impor- He said research will also The college recently estab- towards the Oryx statue in the mid- Community member Jeel Musfi ing, marchers expressed solidarity tance the college places on cancer investigate the development of lished two groups focused on cancer dle of the Corniche and back to the said: “I think this a nice way to spend with cancer patients and support research and some of its research chemo-resistance. “Building on pre- research — one to study cancer biol- registration point. an active, healthy and enjoyable after- for research. We aim to develop this areas: “Our cancer research aims vious findings, we aim to explore the ogy and metastasis and the other Medical student Mohammad Al noon and at the same time do it for into an annual tradition that coincides to identify prognostic biomarkers, effect of the two most onco-viruses on to explore cancer proteomics and Jaber said: “Community events like a cause. with World Cancer Day. We antici- develop novel therapeutic interven- human carcinogenesis and metasta- systems biology for personalised this have the three-fold purpose of “I look forward to participating in pate that with time, it will grow into tions for personalised medicine and sis using human cell lines and animal medicine. Preparations in full swing for equestrian, camel and falconry exhibition

The Peninsula and management partner and Doha particularly high level of regional clothing; healthcare; racing equip- agreements with several hotels to They include Four Seasons Doha, Media is event management partner. interest places this event on its path ment; and IT solutions.” meet the expectations of interna- Melia, Retaj Al Rayyan, Frasers Suites, Organisers said they are focusing to success.” Nawasi has signed partnership tional exhibitors and visitors. Marriott Marquis and Movenpick. on building partnerships and promot- Ahmed Al Kafri, Manager, Siigns DOHA: Nawasi, the one of its kind ing the event. Siigns Projects have Projects, said they are continuing to equestrian, camel and falconry exhi- announced several milestones that process expressions of interest and bition to be held in Qatar, is making have been rapidly achieved. applications for participating in the steady strides towards achieving its Moutaz Kamal, Managing Direc- event. “Our goal is to make sure we vision. The unique exhibition is har- tor, said “We are pleased to share give exhibitors with a keen interest in nessing support of Qatar Tourism that close to 80 percent of our exhib- equestrianism, camel and falconry Authority and other leading partners, iting space has been earmarked by an opportunity to be part of Nawasi,” gathering momentum in the market those who wanted to secure their he said. and attracting a high degree of indus- places early. “These are greatly loved tradi- try attention. “We have encountered an amaz- tions of the region. While these fields Nawasi was announced to the ing level of interest in Nawasi. Among can do with a fresh infusion of the local, regional and international pub- those engaging with us are interested best technology and products, we lic last September and immediately parties from London, Germany, Bra- also want the event to revive love began drawing support of equestrian, zil, the US, the GCC, Africa and the for these ancient arts. camel and falconry enthusiasts. Middle East and North Africa (Mena) “We are also ensuring that The exhibition will be held from region. Nawasi is representative of all fields May 25 to 27 at Doha Exhibition and “I am also happy to say that from attached to these regional traditions,” Convention Centre. among those building partnerships he added. Organisers are leading local, with Nawasi are industry profession- Part of the approach has been event, media and marketing man- als, manufacturers and equestrian, to organise categories for exhibitors agement companies. camel and falconry enthusiasts which are: Horses; camels; falcons Siigns Projects is the marketing from the UAE and Saudi Arabia. A equipment; equestrian and hunting QGBC to begin Sustainability Education and Professional Development Programme

The Peninsula

DOHA: Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC) of Qatar Foundation (QF) will launch a new season of its premier Sustainability Education and Professional Development Programme in March. Aimed to create technical awareness and knowledge of green buildings and sustainability, the season will feature standardised courses and workshops to highlight related topics, including sustainability in the built environment, rating systems, essentials of a green building and green buildings’ certification process. Since the launch of the premier programme in Novem- ber 2014, over 1,100 trainees have attended courses covering 16 topics related to green buildings and sustain- ability. To mark the start of the new season, QGBC has launched a survey ‘What will you learn this year, 2016?’ to understand and identify gaps in Qatar’s green building and sustainability education sector. It aims to help QGBC expand its portfolio of professional development training Since the launch of the programme in November courses to respond to the increasing demand. The sur- vey can be accessed through QGBC’s website: http://www. 2014, over 1,100 trainees have attended courses qatargbc.org/courses covering 16 topics related to green buildings and Engineer Meshal Al Shamari, Director, QGBC, said, sustainability. “Education and sustainability-oriented professional development in Qatar are key pillars of QGBC’s mission to foster awareness and understanding of green buildings with the wider community to provide a thorough insight in Qatar. QGBC is offering specialised sustainability educa- into sustainability trainings in Qatar and enhance knowl- tion programmes in partnership with leading national and edge of sustainability. international education providers, including the US Green Hamoda Youssef, Head of Communications, QGBC, Building Council. We continuously work with partners and said, “We have been delighted to witness the success of our network of sustainability professionals locally, region- the programme since its inception in 2014. Our research ally and internationally to expand the existing education and education team continuously study the market to help portfolio to bridge the gaps between theory and imple- tailor courses and workshops to the needs of the profes- mentation,” he said. The survey’s outcome will be shared sionals and for the whole industry.” 06 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 HOME Ezdan begins Sakin service to facilitate leasing

Ezdan Real Estate Company opens two centres to provide integrated leasing services and effectively manage its properties.

The Peninsula

DOHA: Ezdan Real Estate Company, a subsidiary of Ezdan Holding Group, has launched a new service Sakin Centre to provide integrated leasing services and effectively manage its properties. The branches operate from 7.30am to 9pm except on Fridays. The launch is within the frame- work of the company’s efforts to provide affordable and flexible solu- tions to facilitate contracting and leasing procedures. It is made available through two Officials and staff at the launch. branches in Doha and Al Wakrah to provide leasing, maintenance, util- ity and customer care services and Both centres incorporate con- by responding to their requests in a and that is what ‘Sakin’ service is for. products as it is available non-stop 13 by installing 120,000 water-saving payment. tracting, leasing, maintenance and timely manner and organise the con- He said the Group is working on hours daily for six days a week. devices in its villages that will result In a statement, Ezdan said Sakin financial services in a pleasant envi- tracting process for residential units developing other service solutions It is established to save time in saving up to 40 percent. service further facilitates procedures ronment. Tenants are welcomed in so that tenants can make the best out and intends to launch them in the and effort of costumers and make This is in line with the rationalisa- for customers wishing to join Ezdan comfortable waiting rooms fitted with of Ezdan services and products.” near future. all procedures easy and smooth in tion of consumption policy adopted by real estate community and benefit a queuing system that reduces wait- He said tenancy rates are at near They include exploiting tech- one-stop-shop. the state and based on an MoU signed from its products. ing time and saves time. full occupancy with 94 percent. Ezdan nology programmes to facilitate the The centres are supervised by by the Group with Kahramaa, utility Al Wakrah branch at Ezdan Vil- Ali Al Obaidli, CEO, Ezdan Hold- Al Wakrah and Al Wukair are home to processes of leasing and contracting a specialised and qualified team, distributor. lage-9 offers necessary amenities to ing Group, said: “The new service is over 70,000 dwellers over more than with customers as, he said, the com- representing various departments, The company is keen to revamp the residents of Ezdan compounds an extension to the process of expand- 15,000 housing units. pany is keen to convert contracting including leasing, maintenance, furniture of several residential units and villages in Al Wakrah and Al ing our services in the housing and Al Obaidli said the growing pop- service with Ezdan Real Estate to an finance, and customer service. in Ezdan villages and it endeavors to Wukair and the West Bay branch (in real estate development, and stems ulation encourages Ezdan to expand integrated e-service. Ezdan Real Estate has witnessed develop the rest of the compounds Ezdan Tower-2, first floor) serves from our keenness to achieve the services and launch innovative solu- He said Sakin service enjoys this year improvements and innova- is in the final stages of changing Doha residents. highest customer satisfaction levels tions to facilitate leasing procedures, unique qualities that enhance Ezdan tions to its residential compounds, furniture.

CRA celebrates Mock drills Business centres World Radio Day to help curb rising commercial rents The Peninsula Continued from page 1

DOHA: The Communications Regula- “This system exists everywhere tory Authority (CRA) marked World Radio in the world, including cities like Day in its role as the first communica- London and New York where com- tions regulator in the region to assign panies operate from one room. radio spectrum frequencies for pub- Then why not here?,” asked Kha- lic protection and disaster relief (PPDR) laf. He said the move could curb the applications. spiralling commercial rents boost- World Radio Day marks the anni- ing supply in the market. Firms will versary of the first broadcast by United benefit from lower rents, with no Nations Radio in 1946, when it transmit- loss for the landlord since he can ted its first call sign: “This is the United lease out the property to them on The Ministry of Interior conducted mock fire drills in Al Samlah 1 facilities of Ras Laffan Emergency & Safety College to assess Nations calling the peoples of the world.” a long-term basis without reduc- It seeks to raise awareness about the preparedness of participating parties to deal with emergencies. The General Directorate of Civil Defence, National Command Centre ing total rents. importance of radio, facilitate access to NCC, Lekhwiya, Qatar Petroleum and other entities and ministries took part. Staff-Brigadier Abdullah Mohamed Al Suwaidi, General No safety issues are involved information through it and enhance net- Director, Civil Defence, said the exercises also aimed to strengthen positives aspects and overcome negative aspects. since the offices will be operating working among broadcasters. with a proper licence. He proposed Radio plays a vital role in emergency not to limit the privilege to business situations where it is used by emergency centres but expand it to all com- and security services to communicate mercial space. in times when immediate assistance is Business centre owners can required. Ooredoo’s National Sport Day event a success acquire a business centre licence by Radio is also an effective low-cost obtaining approvals for subdivision medium to broadcast emergency news of office space from the Ministry and updates, available everywhere and of Municipality and Environment, suitable to reach remote communities and DOHA: Ooredoo’s all-day National the General Administration of vulnerable people such as the illiterate. Sport Day celebrations were a great Civil Defence and the Ministry The Unesco theme for day this year is success with thousands of people of Economy and Commerce. All ‘Radio in Times of Emergency and Disas- taking part. business centres come equipped ter’” as radio has a strong and specific role The event, which started at with support services, including in emergency communication and disas- 8.30am at Museum of Islamic Art wired and wireless communica- ter relief. Park (MIA) promised to have a tion equipment, office supplies To mark the day and align with the strong focus on getting visitors to and conference hosting and deliv- theme of the year, CRA has taken a lead- think about their fitness levels and ery services. ing role in managing the radio-frequency strength this year, and included a The ministry has given details spectrum for PPDR. host of classes, trainers and activ- of available space in business cen- At the International Telecom- ities to help the whole community tres: In Al Salata area No. 18 (Al munications Union’s (ITU’s) World get into shape. Salata towers region), the min- Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) Thousands flocked to the park imum surface area of the main in Geneva last year, the importance of to take part in the events such as office is 300sqm. Licence is granted bringing the day to the attention of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a walking group, for units of 100sqm. Owners must public was highlighted. gladiator joust, circuit training, secure a car parking space for each CRA, as part of Qatar’s delegation, was football, kayaking and more. unit (100sqm). one of the biggest supporting organisa- Highlighting their ongoing Doha Modern Towers (Al tions during the WRC-15 for the adoption commitment to providing support Dafna): The minimum surface of a resolution to recognise the spectrum and healthy living information for area of the main office is 300sqm. requirements for PPDR applications in line Qatar’s people, Ooredoo and the Licence is granted for units of with the theme of World Radio Day 2016. Qatar Sports For All Federation, in 55sqm. Owners must secure a car Qatar has achieved many PPDR tar- cooperation with the Ministry of parking space for each unit (55sqm). gets. CRA is the first telecommunications Culture and Sports, also launched Commercial and administrative regulator in the region to assign the a new app. streets of C-Ring, D-Ring, E-Ring required radio spectrum frequencies for Developed by Ooredoo in part- in different areas: The minimum certain PPDR applications in coordination nership with the Ministry of Culture surface area of the main office is with government entities, especially the and Sports, the ‘Sports For All’ app 485sqm. Licence is granted for units Ministry of Interior. Qatar is also the first enables users to easily find the of 20sqm). Owners must secure a GCC country to deploy the narrowband directions to their nearest sports car parking space for each leased Youngsters taking part in one of the activities. (Tetra Security System) and wideband (LTE arenas, so they can practice their unit Security System) PPDR applications. favourite sports and stay fit 365 “The initiative will contribute CRA’s mandate includes the man- days a year. is really important, which is why orientated yet, and we’re proud of ongoing commitment to raise to improving the business environ- agement of the radio spectrum, which is Talking about the event and we’ve teamed with the Ministry of everyone who turned up, worked awareness of the importance of ment and boost the productivity regulated as a scarce resource to ensure launch, Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari, Culture and Sports to develop the out and showed how strong they fitness and health to the people of of business people and investors, all public and commercial demands, Director Community & Public helpful Sport For All App. are.” Qatar. which will reflect positively on the including those relating to PPDR, oper- Relations, Ooredoo, said: “Liv- “This year’s National Sport Ooredoo’s support for Qatar’s Please visit www.ooredoo.qa for performance of the business sec- ate effectively. ing a healthy year-round lifestyle Day event was our most fitness National Sport Day is part of their more information. tor,” said the statement. GULF / MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 07

Red Cross aid Hope amid adversity delivered in Yemen’s Taiz

provided. All of these items are in high demand by the hospitals in Taiz Residents of that continue to receive a daily influx war-torn city of wounded people,” Grand said. Living conditions for civilians in expect more aid the city have continued to worsen, with residents facing daily insecurity Reuters and a constant struggle for medi- cal care, food and water, the ICRC said. Yemen has become one of the GENEVA: Red Cross said yesterday world’s worst humanitarian crises. it had entered the war-torn Yemeni The UN says famine looms as over city of Taiz for the first time since half the population, or 14.4 million August, delivering three tonnes of people, face hunger and not even its life-saving medical supplies to four hospitals are spared. hospitals treating the wounded. The Al Thawra hospital in Taiz Taiz has been one of the hard- has had all its windows blown out est-fought fronts in a war in which by the pressure of bombs landing local militias and forces loyal to a nearby, and several direct hits have Saudi-backed government ousted by reduced one ward nearly to dust. Houthi rebels last March are seeking ICRC spokesman Francis Markus to fight their way back to the capi- confirmed that Al Thawra was one Palestinians await permission to enter Egypt as they gather at the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday. The crossing tal Sana’a. of the four that received medical is set to reopen for two days to allow humanitarian aid into the enclave. Many residents of the city of supplies, along with Al Taawon, Al 200,000, in the southwest of the Hikma and Al Jumhoury hospitals. country, say the Houthis have “What is needed is regular unim- blocked aid from entering and peded access,” he said. bombed civilian targets. After the government fled into “This is a breakthrough and we exile, a Saudi-led alliance of Arab Shabaab claims responsibility for plane bomb hope that today’s operation will be states joined the war to restore it to followed by many more to come,” power, recapturing the port city of Antoine Grand, head of the Interna- Aden, where President Abdrabuh tional Committee of the Red Cross Mansour Hadi is now based. AFP On February 2, Shabaab “muja- attack against an airliner and shows the Muslims of Somalia.” (ICRC) delegation in Yemen, said in Riyadh and its allies have hideen carried out an operation the group was able to get around the The blast left a metre-wide hole a statement. launched hundreds of air strikes, targeting dozens of Western intel- heavy security at Mogadishu’s air- in the fuselage of the Daallo Airlines The ICRC team delivered surgical sent in ground troops and set up MOGADISHU: Somalia’s Al Shabaab ligence officials and Turkish Nato port, if it was indeed responsible for plane shortly after it took off from items, intravenous fluids and anaes- a naval blockade to restrict goods insurgents yesterday claimed respon- forces aboard an plane bound for the bombing. Somalia’s main airport, killing the thetic supplies to help treat hundreds reaching Yemen. sibility for a bomb attack which Djibouti,” said a statement issued by The Shabaab said the attack was suspected bomber and forcing an of wounded, he said. The Saudis say the Houthis, ripped a hole in a passenger plane the group. “retribution for the crimes committed emergency landing. “Essential medicines and sup- drawn mainly from a Shia sect, are shortly after takeoff from the capi- It is the first time the Al Qaeda- by the coalition of Western crusaders Two of the 74 passengers aboard plies for pregnant women were also puppets of its arch rival, Shia Iran. tal Mogadishu earlier this month. affiliated Shabaab have claimed an and their intelligence agencies against were slightly injured. Italian student found dead in Egypt ‘was electrocuted’

Reuters office said it would not publicly dis- Minister Angelino Alfano told Sky close the contents of the report as the News 24 television last week. investigation was ongoing. Reuters Egypt’s initial autopsy report was not able to obtain a copy to ver- showed Regeni had been hit on CAIRO: Egypt’s forensics authority ify the contents. the back of the head with a sharp handed over to the prosecutor gener- However, a senior source at the instrument. al’s office yesterday its final autopsy forensics authority said Regeni, a Rights groups say police often report on the Italian student who was graduate student at Britain’s Cam- detain Egyptians on scant evidence tortured and found dead in Cairo bridge University, had seven broken and that they are beaten or coerced. last week. ribs, signs of electrocution on his pri- Scores have disappeared since 2013, Giulio Regeni, 28, had been vate parts, traumatic injuries all over the groups say. researching independent trade his body, and a brain haemorrhage. Egypt denies allegations of police unions in Egypt and had written arti- His body also bore signs of cuts brutality. cles critical of President Abdel Fattah from a sharp instrument suspected Regeni was given a funeral in Al Sisi’s government — prompting to be a razor, abrasions, and bruises. his hometown on Friday and Italy’s speculation that he was killed at the He was likely assaulted using a stick prime minister once again insisted hands of Egypt’s security forces. as well as being punched and kicked, that those responsible be caught and Egypt’s interior and foreign min- the source added. punished. Italy has sent investigators isters both dismissed the notion of A second autopsy in Italy “con- to work with Egyptian authorities in security forces being behind Rege- fronted us with something inhuman, an effort to establish what happened ni’s murder. The prosecutor general’s something animal”, Italian Interior to Regeni.

Art admirer Omani Sultan in Germany for treatment

AFP

MUSCAT: H M Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman is to fly to Germany today for a medical checkup on his progress after eight months of treatment there in 2014-15, his government announced. The 75-year- old monarch will undergo a “routine medical exam- ination” during a stay that will be of “limited duration, God willing”, a statement carried by the official ONA news agency yesterday said. Sultan Qaboos, who has ruled Oman since 1970, has made only short pub- lic appearances since his A visitor looks at embroidered textile flags at Marwan Rechmaoui return from treatment in exhibition in Beirut, Lebanon. The exhibition, entitled ‘Blazon’, is featuring Germany last March. more than 400 flags and 59 shields reflecting different neighbourhoods There has never been and sectors of Beirut. The exhibition runs to May 7. any official statement on the nature of his illness. 08 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 MIDDLE EAST Russia denies striking civilians in Syria

agreement it made, Russia’s target- ing must change.” US Secretary of He accused Russia of dropping so- State John Kerry called “dumb bombs” in Syria that do not have a precise target, saying this says Russia dropping has led to the killing of civilians. ‘dumb bombs’ The differences between the stakeholders in a Syria settlement highlighted their lingering divisions despite Friday’s “cessation of hostili- ties” agreement, which was not signed Reuters by any of the warring parties on the ground — government forces and the opposition. French Prime Minister Manuel MUNICH: The United States and Valls, in a head-to-head debate with France criticised Russia yester- Medvedev, also pressed Russia to stop day for bombing civilians in Syria, a bombing civilians in Syria. charge Russian Prime Minister Dmitry “We know that to find the path to Medvedev rejected as major powers peace again, the Russian bombing of bickered openly a day after agreeing civilians has to stop,” Valls told the to a pause in combat. conference. US Secretary of State John Kerry accused Russia of hitting legitimate SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS opposition groups and civilians with If implemented, the truce deal its bombing campaign and said Mos- would allow humanitarian aid to cow must change its targets to respect reach besieged towns. But several the ceasefire deal clinched on Friday. Western countries have said there is Medvedev earlier said such accu- no hope for progress without a halt to sations were “just not true”, while the Russian bombing, which has deci- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lav- sively turned the balance of power in rov said the ceasefire was more likely favour of Assad after almost five years to fail than succeed, as Syrian gov- of conflict. ernment troops made fresh advances On Friday, Turkey’s foreign minis- around Aleppo, the biggest city in the ter said Russia was targeting schools country before the war. and hospitals with its bombing, International powers agreed on a putting the blame squarely on Moscow break in the fighting in late night talks for the wave of tens of thousands of in Munich on Friday. But the deal does displaced people who have arrived at not go into effect for a week and in the the Turkish border over the past week. meantime, Syrian President Bashar Medvedev rejected the Al Assad’s forces, backed by Russian accusations. air power, are consolidating their “There is no evidence of our IRC President and CEO David Miliband (left), George Clooney (second left), and Amal Clooney (right) meet with Syrian refugees Mona and her gains against rebels. bombing civilians, even though eve- daughter, 11-year-old Joudi, in Berlin, Germany. They discussed the Syrian’s life in the war-racked country and the reasons they had to leave. “To date, the vast majority of ryone is accusing us of this,” he told Russia’s attacks have been against the conference, sitting next to Valls. legitimate opposition groups,” Kerry Moscow wanted to protect its conflict, reported yesterday that Syr- Russia’s assertive posture in “Nearly on a daily basis, we are sometimes wonder — are we in 2016 said at the Munich Security Confer- national interests and to prevent ian government forces were poised Syria and over Ukraine has raised being blamed for the most terrible or 1962?” ence, an annual event that attracts militant extremists getting to Russia, to advance into the Islamic State diplomats’ concerns about geopo- threat to Nato as a whole, to Europe, Reacting to Medvedev’s com- leaders from across the world and Medvedev said. stronghold of Raqqa province and litical instability. Medvedev said to America, to other countries. ments, Lithuanian President Dalia where policymakers often clash The Syrian Observatory for allied Russian jets kept up air strikes Nato’s stance towards Russia was “They make scary movies Grybauskaite told the conference the openly on stage. “To adhere to the Human Rights, which tracks the on rebel-held towns north of Aleppo. hostile. where Russia starts a nuclear war. I situation was more serious. MiG-23 Turkey PM threatens military action against Syrian Kurds fighter jet AFP Turkey considers the Syrian Kurdish Dem- United States very soon to show that the PYD is shot down ocratic Union Party (PYD) and its People’s a branch of the PKK,” he said. Protection Units (YPG) militia to be branches Washington recognises the PKK as a terror of the PKK which has waged a decades-long group, as does the European Union. Turkey has in Libya ISTANBUL: Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Dav- insurgency against the Turkish state that inten- also accused some opposition groups of col- utoglu (pictured) yesterday said Turkey would, sified in the last months. luding with PKK. Davutoglu accused the PYD AFP if necessary, take military action against fight- Turkey this week reacted furiously to com- of cooperating both with the regime of Syrian ers from the Syrian Kurdish PYD, which Ankara ments by the US State Department spokesman President Bashar Al Assad — who Turkey wants considers a terror group. saying Washington did not recognise the PYD to see ousted — and his Russian allies, as well BENGHAZI: A MiG-23 fighter of “We can if necessary take the same meas- as a terror group and would continue to support as committing war crimes. Libya’s internationally recognised ures in Syria as we took in Iraq and Qandil,” its operations in Syria. “We are expecting a clear and unambig- government was shot down Fri- Davutoglu said in a televised speech in the east- “The leadership cadre and ideology of the uous stand from the United States — who we day as it carried out air strikes on ern city of Erzincan, referring to the relentless PKK and PYD is the same,” argued Davutoglu. believe to be our allies — against this slaughter opposition positions in the coastal bombing campaign last year against Kurdistan “Those who say that they are not terror of humanity,” said the premier. city of Benghazi, the military Workers Party (PKK) targets in northern Iraq on groups either do not know the region or have US State Department spokesman John Kirby said. their Qandil mountain stronghold. bad intentions,” he said, in apparent reference said last week that the Kurdish fighters “have Nasser El Hassi, spokesman “We would expect our friends and allies to to the row with Washington. been some of the most successful” in fighting for the government’s forces, said stand by us,” he added. “We will be sending documentation to the Islamic State jihadists inside Syria. the plane was “shot down in Qar- yunes, northwest Benghazi, as it bombed positions of the (Mujahe- deen) Shura Council”, a coalition of Islamist militias close to Al Qaeda. Full House Pressure on Libya The Islamic State (IS) jihadist group claimed its fighters downed the plane, according to SITE Intel- ligence Group, a US monitor of to form unity govt jihadist activity on the Internet. A military source said the pilot survived having parachuted to AFP Sirte. “The time of tactical maneu- safety, but his whereabouts were vering is over. Now it’s time for Libya not immediately clear. to show responsibility,” said Ger- It was the second military air man Foreign Minister Frank-Walter crash this week. MUNICH: Foreign ministers put Steinmeier. On Monday, another MiG-23 pressure on Libya yesterday to final- “Germany, Europe and the inter- operated by forces loyal to Libya’s ise its unity government and head off national community are ready to recognised government crashed the growing threat from the Islamic offer any help to support the Lib- near the eastern city of Derna after State group. yan government in this. attacking IS positions. “There is no time to lose for “This also applies to state-build- LANA news agency, which is the national unity government to ing and the training of security close to the recognised govern- assume its functions and securely forces,” Steinmeier added. ment, blamed “technical problems” establish itself in Tripoli,” said the Ayrault, who took over as for the downing. newly appointed French Foreign France’s foreign minister from Lau- Before crashing, the fighter Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, follow- rent Fabius this week, warned that had carried out raids on IS ing a meeting on the sidelines of the anyone obstructing the process positions around 15km from Munich Security Conference. would face international sanctions. Derna. The meeting was attended by “That point is clear,” he said. Two administrations are vying US Secretary of State John Kerry Libya has been in chaos since for power in war-ravaged Libya, and his counterparts from Britain, the 2011 ouster of longtime dictator one based in the capital Tripoli Egypt, Germany and Italy, as well as Muammar Gaddafi, with two rival backed by a coalition of militias, EU and UN representatives. administrations and armed groups and the recognised government, The speaker of Libya’s inter- fighting for control of the oil-rich exiled in the east. nationally recognised parliament, country. In early January, another MiG Aguila Saleh, was also present. A militia alliance including 23 came down in Benghazi, the His parliament has given itself Islamists overran Tripoli in August main city in the east. until today to form a new national 2014, establishing its own govern- Chaos engulfing Libya since unity government aimed at ending ment and parliament and causing the the fall of dictator Muammar years of chaos in the North African recognised administration to flee to Gaddafi’s regime in 2011 has fos- country. the country’s remote east. tered the rise of IS which has The Islamic State jihadist group Last month the recognised par- based itself in the former dicta- Egyptian lawmakers greet President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi (second right) as he stands with Speaker Ali has taken advantage of the turmoil liament rejected a 32-member unity tor’s hometown of Sirte in eastern Abdel Al (right) in the Egyptian Parliament in Cairo yesterday. to establish a stronghold with thou- government announced as part of a Libya. sands of fighters in the coastal city of UN-brokered deal. ASIA / PHILIPPINES SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 09 US deploys more Patriot missiles in South Korea

are always ready to defend against an attack from North Korea,” said The move came as Lieutenant General Thomas Vandal, the two allies plan commander of the US Eighth Army. The newly deployed Patriot bat- to start detailed tery is conducting ballistic missile discussions on defence training with the Eighth Army’s 35th Air Defense Artillery bringing in an Brigade at Osan Air Base, some advanced, high- 47km (30 miles) south of Seoul. altitude US missile The brigade has its own two Patriot battalions. defence system One Patriot battalion is report- opposed by China as edly composed of four batteries. Just hours after North Korea launched early as next week a long-range rocket that both con- demned as a disguised ballistic Objects believed to be debris from a North Korean rocket are displayed on a South Korean navy ship at the Second Fleet Command of Navy missile test, South Korea and the United States announced their in Pyeongtaek. AFP intention to start discussions on deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence System (THAAD). SEOUL: The United States has tem- The Pentagon has since stressed N Korea lacks missile technology: Pentagon porarily deployed an additional that it would like the system to be Patriot missile battery in South deployed in South Korea “as quickly Korea following North Korea’s recent as possible”. AFP However, North Korea has not are “among the most highly trained, earlier adopted tougher sanctions nuclear test and long-range rocket A senior South Korean defence been able to conduct flight tests on well-equipped, best-fed and highly against Kim Jong-Un’s regime, follow- launch, US Forces Korea said yes- ministry official said Friday detailed the highly complex system, and its motivated forces” in the country’s ing unilateral measures from Japan terday. discussions on THAAD deployment “current reliability as a weapon sys- military. Strategic SOF units “appear days earlier. The US also is leading a The move came as the two allies would kick off as early as next week. WASHINGTON: North Korea is com- tem would be low.” designed for rapid offensive opera- push for tougher UN sanctions against plan to start detailed discussions China and Russia argue that it mitted to striking the United States “The pace of its progress will also tions, internal defense against foreign Pyongyang. on bringing in an advanced, high- would trigger an arms race in the with a nuclear-armed missile, but it depend, in part, on how much tech- attacks or limited attacks against vul- And South Korean firms have altitude US missile defence system region, with Beijing voicing its “deep can’t do so without outside help, due nology and other aid it can acquire nerable targets in the ROK (South abandoned a joint industrial park opposed by China as early as next concern” over the deployment. to shortfalls in its own technology, the from other countries,” it said. Korea) as part of a coercive diplo- that helped fund Pyongyang’s nuclear week. South Korea had previously Pentagon said Friday. Pyongyang is testing a separate macy effort,” it added. weapons program. The Pentagon “This deployment is part of an declined to formally discuss bringing The report to Congress was writ- type of technology to strike the US “They operate in specialized report also said North Korea is con- emergency deployment readiness in THAAD in deference to the sensi- ten prior to a fourth nuclear test with intercontinental ballistic mis- units, including reconnaissance, tinuing to sell weapons to other exercise conducted in response to tivities of China, its most important conducted by Pyongyang last month siles launched into space but lacks a airborne and seaborne insertion, countries, circumventing sanc- recent North Korean provocations,” trade partner. and the launch of a satellite-bearing re-entry vehicle, the report added. commandos, and other specialties.” tions by using false documents and the US Forces Korea said in a press But North Korea’s contin- rocket earlier this month. A test to launch a ballistic mis- The international community has intermediaries. “North Korea uses statement, referring to the temporary ued missile testing and frustration North Korea’s KN-08 interconti- sile from a submarine in November for years tried to rein in North Korea’s a worldwide network to facilitate roll-out of a Patriot missile battery, with Beijing’s resistance to impos- nental ballistic missile “likely would ended in failure. nuclear ambitions, but the country arm sales activities and maintains a which was flown from Fort Bliss, ing harsh sanctions on Pyongyang be capable” of striking the continental The report, which is required by shocked the world last month when it core, but dwindling group of recip- Texas this week. apparently triggered a change in US if successfully designed and devel- law, made note of North Korea’s Spe- announced it had successfully tested ient countries including Iran, Syria “Exercises like this ensure we Seoul’s stance. oped, said the report. cial Operations Forces, saying they a hydrogen bomb. The US Congress and Burma,” it said. Mock election in Philippines Thai students mock military in rare act of defiance

AFP around the arena by students before destroy the rights of the people,” said the game. a student who helped make the float Coup leader turned Prime Minis- and requested anonymity. ter Prayut Chan-O-cha says he was The proposed charter is BANGKOK: Thai university students forced to take power to restore order scheduled to go up for a pub- lampooned the military at a football after months of mass street protests. lic referendum in July, but has game yesterday in a rare act of open But critics have questioned his already been slammed by critics as defiance against the junta, which has intentions in response to his sliding anti-democratic. strangled political expression since timeline for fresh elections. Thailand has seen 19 constitu- seizing power two years ago. Police allowed yesterday’s tions come and go since absolute In a colourful parade around parade to go forward despite a ban monarchy was abolished in 1932, the Bangkok stadium where crowds on political gatherings, but offic- with a string of military coups gathered to watch a match between ers did detain a student activist putting the pin in attempts at full- two of kingdom’s top universities, leader who attended the game and fledged democracy. students brought out elaborate hand- had a standing arrest warrant for The host of this year’s foot- made floats and banners mourning a previous protest against military ball match, Thammasat University, prolonged military rule. corruption. was founded in 1934 by Thailand’s The parade is a long-running tra- Police also ordered students to foremost democracy figure Pridi dition at the annual game between adjust one parade float by sawing off Banomyong and holds a hallowed rival universities Thammasat and part of a paper mache gun to make it place in the hearts of the kingdom’s Chulalongkorn and is often provoc- look “less real,” students said. pro-democracy movement. ative and political. The float took a shot at the mil- For decades it incubated stu- But the show has taken on new itary-appointed drafters who are dent activism and debate against significance in the past two years penning a new constitution to the military and elite stranglehold as a rare chance to speak out under replace the charter torn up after the on the country. It was also the site of the military junta that outlawed all coup. bloody crackdowns on student pro- political activities in Thailand after It featured a larger-than-life testers by arch-royalists and security The Philippines Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista inspects a Precinct toppling an elected government in effigy of the drafting committee forces in the 1970s. Since the 2014 Count Optical Scan Machine during a mock election held at a public school in Manila, Philippines, May 2014. chairman alongside a gun pointed military power grab, Thammasat yesterday. The Commission held mock elections in key locations across the country aimed to improve “What is the reason we have at a bloody puppet. students have been at the forefront the process at the poll and canvassing centres before the May 9 elections. soldiers [in power]? No one dares “It represents that a constitu- of the small but creative anti-coup to ask,” read one banner marched tion that comes from the army will protests that have taken place. Nepal’s former Maoist rebels pay tribute to fallen comrades

AFP decade-long civil war that eventu- Introduced in September, the their pledge of bringing equality and came under fire for abandoning rev- The constitution, the first drawn ally claimed some 16,000 lives and charter established Nepal as a secu- progress to the deeply feudal country. olutionary ideals and developing a up by elected representatives, was left hundreds of people missing. lar federal republic, reflecting Maoist “Many people lost their lives, taste for luxury. meant to bolster Nepal’s transfor- Hundreds of Maoist cadres ideology. many went missing or became dis- They alienated their voter base mation into a peaceful democratic KATHMANDU: Nepal’s former Maoist gathered at the party’s office in “The constitution is the product abled so things would change in this and crashed out in Nepal’s second republic after decades of political rebels paid tribute to fallen comrades Kathmandu, waving red flags as of our war and we take ownership of country,” Rina Tamang, a shopkeeper constituent assembly elections in instability. But it has instead sparked yesterday in a ceremony marking 20 senior leaders placed garlands on the new constitution,” Maoist chief in Kathmandu, said. 2013, finishing in third place. violence, with more than 50 peo- years since the start of an insurgency the “martyr’s pillar” -- a monument Pushpa Kamal Dahal, better known “Now we have a new constitu- “A few leaders compromised ple killed in clashes between police that transformed the Himalayan built to honour fallen and missing by his nom-de-guerre Prachanda, told tion but we are still waiting for the on their promises, a few betrayed and demonstrators from Nepal’s nation from a Hindu monarchy to a combatants. cheering cadres in Kathmandu. change the Maoists promised us. Per- the revolution for lucrative posi- Madhesi ethnic minority, who say it secular republic. The rebels laid down arms in But for many ordinary Nepalis, sonally, I have no hope left anymore,” tions in government... all this needs leaves them politically marginalised. On February 13 1996, Maoist guer- 2006 before entering politics and who voted for the party in Nepal’s first the 39-year-old said. to be rectified to bring real change,” Ongoing discussions between the gov- rillas attacked a police post in western eventually helping to draft the coun- constituent assembly elections held in After sweeping to victory in the said former guerrilla, Laxmi Prasad ernment and protesting parties have Nepal’s Rolpa district, launching a try’s new national constitution. 2008, the Maoists failed to deliver on 2008 polls, the former rebels soon Chaulagain. failed to yield an agreement. 10 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 VIEWS

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 Uneasy truce How Sanders spent his

ven the most intractable of wars sometimes throw up Soviet ‘honeymoon’ moments of hope. But Syrians are being denied even these moments of relief as an agreement reached in Munich on EFriday by world powers to cease hostilities in the war- to US intervention in Central communal apartment in Yaro- racked country is running into hurdles. Seventeen countries, America. The Yaroslavl project slavl, where the kitchen and Sanders is part of the International Syria Support Group, agreed to implement received more broad-based back- other amenities were shared a nationwide cessation of hostilities which is scheduled to begin in a ing, including from a number of with her neighbors, and she unashamed of his business people in the city.” never expected to move into a week’s time. Secondly, they agreed to begin delivery of aid this week The Soviet Union under place of her own. Less than a year leftist views, which to the besieged and hard-to-reach areas. But Russia has thrown cold Mikhail Gorbachev was opening after the Sanders visit, Ryabkov seem to appeal to water on the deal within twenty-four hours by saying that the ceasefire to the world, no longer exactly stepped down after being accused a large number of plan was more likely to fail than succeed. This comes as a huge an enemy of the US and more of pripiski, the common prac- disappointment because after five months of suffering and destruction an intriguing, unknown entity. tice of reporting an inflated rate Democratic voters. under relentless attacks by the Russian aircraft, Syrians had hoped that In 1987, Gorbachev effectively of compliance with the central His Russian trip, signed the planned econo- plan that many bureaucrats used Moscow will cease its attacks temporarily to allow the flow of much my’s death sentence, permitting to appropriate scarce resources. though, wasn’t needed aid. Hopes have been hit by the fact that Syrian government so- called “cooperatives” -- Judging by the interview, about leftist forces, backed by Russian air strikes, took rebel ground near Aleppo and essentially private companies that Sanders wasn’t particularly set their sights on the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa province. By Leonid Bershidsky could produce and trade goods impressed by Ryabkov’s claims. ideology: In 1988, The Munich deal was not perfect because it doesn’t bring on board Bloomberg as freely as the tired and greedy He noted that the quality of hous- that was much all the parties in the war. The Islamic bureaucracy allowed. Thus began ing and health care in Vermont easier to find in State group and Al Qaeda’s local the second stage of what Gor- was far better than in Yaroslavl. bachev called perestroika, or In response, Ryabkov told him Nicaragua or Cuba branch Al Nusra have been left out ermont Sen. Bernie restructuring. It also included that a typical Yaroslavl family than in the Soviet and both are capable of scuttling the Sanders’s long-ago political reforms that attempted only spent 3 to 4 percent of its ceasefire plan. But Russia, which “honeymoon” in the to shift the center of power from income on rent and utilities and Union. The Munich has been the newest entrant in the Soviet Union is held the Communist Party to the Sovi- that health care was free. Unsur- agreement to war, and which has complicated up by his opponents ets -- a system of representative prisingly. Sanders sounded as if the conflict with its brazen support Vas evidence of dubious judge- government that handled the he liked that part, on principle. cease hostilities in ment, and even Communist Soviet Union’s housekeeping. Sanders was doing what he never sang the Soviet Union’s for President Bashar Al Assad in the war-racked Syria sympathies or anti-American Soviet newspapers and mag- every American who witnessed praises. In his book, he said only name of striking the Islamic State, has tendencies. The self-described azines were beginning to publish the perestroika-era Soviet that his “honeymoon” -- actually, is running into the maximum responsibility to make socialist was questioned about documents and eyewitness Union or even read about it in a a working trip with a delegation hurdles. sure that the ceasefire agreement the visit during a debate of Dem- accounts from the time of Stalin’s newspaper did: trying to make of 10 -- had been “very strange.” is implemented. Millions of Syrians, ocratic presidential candidates in purges. It was dawning on a large comparisons and find similar- He never became a Russophile, starving and on the verge of death, October as a way to raise doubts part of the Soviet people that their ities. Yaroslavl’s Kirov Street either. As senator, he backed US must be given aid. And denying about his electability. own Communist state, and not the looked to him like Burling- sanctions against Russia after it Those descriptions and con- West, was, and had long been, ton’s Church Street: both led to a annexed Crimea, calling for the them succour will be a cruelty of cerns are based on distortions their biggest enemy. Rallies and church. In Yaroslavl, housing and political and economic isolation unimaginable proportions, especially and exaggerations: The trip, marches against the Communists’ health care were the most impor- of President Vladimir Putin. since no end is in sight to this conflict. which began the day after his monopoly on power were spring- tant issues; they were important To his credit, however, Sand- There are signs of escalation in the conflict. The Syrian army looks wedding with his second wife, ing up across the country. (Two in Burlington, too. After decades ers has continued to meet with ready to advance into the Islamic State-held province of Raqqa for the Jane, in May 1988, was under- years later, I attended one such of hostility, it was finally possible Yaroslavl delegations that kept first time since 2014. The Russian intervention has changed the map taken as part of Sanders’ official gathering in Moscow with more to travel and talk to people. That coming to Burlington long after duties as mayor of Burlington, than 1 million others -- still the wasn’t trivial: In 1988, foreign he ceased to be mayor. Irina of the war, and the Gulf region is considering Moscow’s presence an Vermont. And in any case, most biggest protest I’ve ever seen.) correspondents based in Mos- Novikova, who is in charge of the interference in our region. And rightly so. Countries like Turkey, Saudi of his critics seem to have forgot- At the same time, of course, cow still had to ask the Foreign exchanges in Yaroslavl, last saw Arabia and their allies have a duty to protect Syrians in the face of this ten that the Soviet Union at the the economy was falling apart, Ministry for permission to travel him in the US in 2013. She was foreign interference and are drawing up plans to achieve this objective. time was hardly the place for an not just because oil prices were at outside the capital. Most Russians impressed. “He’s a man of glo- Despite the several hurdles it faces, the Munich agreement must be admirer of communism to find record lows and the Soviet gov- were meeting Americans for the bal thinking,” she told me. “An honoured at any cost. Syrians need help. Images of starving, emaciated comfort. ernment was beginning to print first time. There was a sense of uncommon man, with this broad children and women may not move the hardened hearts of those killing Under Sanders, Burlington money desperately to finance new opportunities, of an emerg- perspective on the whole world.” developed sister-city programs essential programs, but because ing warmth between the two Sanders is unashamed of them, but the world has a duty to make sure that the aggressors see with places that reflected his the centralised planning system nations. “We never knew what his leftist views, which seem to reason. sympathies, notably Puerta Cabe- was rotten: Essentially, bureau- friends we had until we came to appeal to a large number of Dem- zas, Nicaragua. That pairing was crats across the country were Leningrad,” Billy Joel sang after ocratic voters. His Russian trip, in keeping with Sanders’ opposi- falsely reporting that plans and touring the Soviet Union in 1987. though, wasn’t about leftist ideol- tion to President Ronald Reagan’s quotas were being met, when in Nonetheless, Yaroslavl in ogy: In 1988, that was much easier attempts to undermine the leftist fact workers were stealing all 1988 wasn’t a pretty picture: to find in Nicaragua or Cuba than Sandinista government. Sand- they could, and their bosses were an exhausted industrial city on in the Soviet Union. Rather, it was Quote of the day ers and the Burlington Board of either lost in a stupor of incom- the Volga, its only attraction the about keeping an open mind Aldermen even wrote angry let- prehension or trying to figure out ancient churches that were kept about a bizarre land that was ters demanding that the president how the new “cooperatives” could shining white and gold for the slowly emerging after decades of “stop killing the innocent people help them get rich. tourists’ sake. The infrastructure oppression and isolation. I appre- To date, the vast majority of of Nicaragua.” During the “honeymoon” in was threadbare, falling apart like ciate the open-mindedness: My Russia’s attacks have been Burlington also had a link-up Yaroslavl, Sanders interviewed everything in the Soviet economy country has since sunk back into with the city of Yaroslavl, in Rus- Alexander Ryabkov, head of the in those days. Just four months a Soviet-style mire, and when it against legitimate opposition sia. But as Sanders wrote in his city’s executive committee -- the before Sanders’ visit, a freight opens up again, people like Sand- groups in Syria. To adhere 1998 political memoir, “Outsider Soviet equivalent of a mayor -- train derailed in Yaroslavl, spill- ers will be welcome. They always in the White House,” the motiva- for a Burlington radio station. ing almost a ton of heptyl, a highly are the first to show up. to the agreement it made, tions were quite different: Ryabkov, a career bureaucrat toxic rocket propellant that was I just hope he understood dur- Russia’s targeting must change. “Like the Puerto Cabezas obsessed with construction, gave such an extreme danger to locals ing that 1988 trip that free health project, the sister-city program a stilted account of the city’s plan that some neighborhoods had to care and housing aren’t really with Yaroslavl has been very to build an apartment for every be evacuated while more than free. I can’t tell from his speeches successful. Each has different family in the city by 2000 -- a 1,000 people dug up the con- if he did. constituencies of support. Puerto year that lay in a too- distant taminated earth and removed it John Kerry Cabezas mostly attracted the future in a country where no in trucks to be burned. energy of left-wing activists who There is nothing Sanders US Secretary of State one, not even Gorbachev him- were initially involved because self, could predict what would could have seen in the Volga River Leonid Bershidsky, a Bloomberg of their support for the Sandin- happen the following week. My city that he would have wanted View contributor, is a Berlin-based ista Revolution and opposition grandmother’s sister lived in a to transplant to Vermont. And writer.

EDITORIAL TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR E-MAIL: [email protected] ADVERTISING TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] OPINION SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 11 As Myanmar powerbrokers talk, could Suu Kyi emerge as president?

by Antoni Slodkowski and Simon Webb Reuters

s Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawmak- ers smiled for the cameras at the first sessions of Myan- mar’s parliament, a summit of generals convened at a base Ajust minutes from the chamber. On every mind was the same question: who will be the country’s next president? The parallel events summed up the complex nature of the political transition: a much-publicised election of parliament speakers at which former foes from Suu Kyi’s party and the military shook hands, while behind closed doors the country’s top power brokers met to hammer out how they will run Myanmar. After a quiet period following Suu Kyi’s massive election win in Novem- ber, negotiations have entered a critical stage since a meeting between army chief Min Aung Hlaing and Suu Kyi on Jan. 26, lawmakers and diplomats close to the Myanmar’s National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi talks to journalists during her meeting with the process say. media in her office at the parliament in Naypyitaw, recently. With its huge mandate Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) can chose the next president but, under the constitution written by the army before the president”. Confirming the gathering coincided foreign spouse or children from the pres- it ceded power in 2011, she herself cannot Now, some Yangon-based diplomats with the opening week of the newly idency and so disqualifies Suu Kyi, whose take the job. The NLD wants that changed. say Min Aung Hlaing might be tempted to elected legislature, two sources familiar sons are British citizens, could be sus- “Our first priority includes amend- compromise in return for a pledge from with the matter said senior command- pended, according to Aung Ko, a former ing laws which are out of date and not Suu Kyi that she would not infringe on the ers from across the country gather a few general and Suu Kyi ally, and NLD legal in harmony with the present situation,” military’s vast economic interests nor seek times a year to discuss military matters. experts. Tun Tun Hein, a member of the NLD’s gov- revenge for abuses under years of junta But politics was likely high on the Whether that would be lawful remains erning council, told reporters after being rule. agenda - the military retains a central open to debate, and even some Suu Kyi appointed chairman of the key lower As well as burnishing his legacy, such role in the former Burma, with a quar- supporters worry about the precedent it house bill committee. “The constitution a move would also put responsibility for ter of seats in parliament reserved for it, could set. also needs amending since it’s one of the fixing an impoverished country riven by along with control of the security forces “Personally I do want Daw Aung San laws.” decades of ethnic conflict squarely on Suu and the civil service. Suu Kyi to become the president, but I hon- The army has so far insisted it wants Kyi, they say. Moreover, with its block of seats in estly don’t think the constitution should be no change to the constitution and would “If you keep her without any official parliament the military wields a veto over suspended since this is not a good tradi- Personally I do want not countenance Suu Kyi’s presidency. title she is free to strategise without the any changes to the constitution, which tion to hand down to future parliaments,” She has struck a defiant note, saying she day-to-day burden of running the coun- requires a super-majority of more than said lawmaker Ba Shin of the Arakan Daw Aung San Suu would lead the country “standing above try,” said a Western diplomat, who did not 75 percent. National Party, a large ethnic party from Kyi to become the want to be named because of the sensi- Asked about the chances that the con- Rakhine State. president, but I tivity of the matter. stitution could be amended to allow Suu The NLD has until the end of March to The New York Times on Friday cited Kyi to be president, Major General Tauk organise the presidential vote in the par- honestly don’t think two senior members of the NLD as saying Tun, the most senior military lawmaker liament, but top leaders said they may the constitution should The New York Times on Friday cited that talks with the military have included in the lower house, did not entirely rule carry it out next week or towards the end be suspended since two senior members of the NLD as a possible deal that would allow Suu Kyi to it out, while at the same time sticking to of February, suggesting the two sides be president in exchange for senior gov- the military’s line on the sanctity of the could be close to striking a deal. this is not a good saying that talks with the military ernment posts. It did not name the party 2008 charter. “They are trying to find a solution that tradition to hand down have included a possible deal that leaders and said details of the negotia- “We’ll do it according to the constitu- doesn’t step on everyone’s red lines,” said tions were murky. tional provisions,” he said. Kelly Currie, senior fellow at the Wash- to future parliaments,” would allow Suu Kyi to be president It is not known what was discussed at Even if the two sides were to agree ington-based Asia-focused think tank said lawmaker Ba Shin in exchange for senior government this week’s meeting at army headquar- to change the constitution, it would still Project 2049 Institute. “Most likely a more ters, which sits close to the sprawling require a nationwide referendum. straightforward situation is better. of the Arakan National posts. parliament complex in Myanmar’s remote To circumvent that lengthy process, Better than Suu Kyi governing but not Party. capital Naypyitaw. article 59 (f), which bars anyone with a having a position.” Why some cities get all the good jobs

human capital keep attracting important sector of the economy is cheap there, too. Does everybody nice reminder that a few people good employers and offering what he calls the “innovation sec- really have to leave them and move can make a big difference in turn- high wages, while those at the tor,” and its workers thrive in the to San Francisco to benefit from ing a place around. other extreme, cities with the presence of others like them. So one another’s company? Moretti’s book contains per- “wrong” industries and a lim- clusters of innovation such as the It so happens that the Atlantic’s haps the most dramatic example ited human capital base, are San Francisco Bay Area, New York, James Fallows has been explor- of this. Seattle in the late 1970s stuck with dead-end jobs and Boston and Austin, Texas, will keep ing these kinds of places for the was a city in decline, with man- low average wages. This divide creating good jobs, and most other past three years, flying around the ufacturing jobs disappearing and -- I will call it the Great Diver- places won’t. country with his wife in their sin- crime on the rise. The Economist gence -- has its origins in the If that’s true, then one of the gle-engine plane. They’ve been had called it the “city of despair.” A handful of cities 1980s, when American cit- most important public-policy giving progress reports along Then two young entrepreneurs with the ‘right’ ies started to be increasingly challenges is figuring out how the way, but now Fallows has who had been raised in Seattle, defined by their residents’ levels to enable more people to move attempted to sum everything up in Paul Allen and Bill Gates, decided industries and of education. Cities with many to where the good jobs are. Lack one big article. The piece is a won- to move their software startup a solid base of college-educated workers of affordable housing in already derful, hopeful reminder that this there from Albuquerque, New human capital keep started attracting even more, crowded boomtowns is a prob- country can be a wonderful, hope- Mexico. The arrival of Microsoft By Justin Fox and cities with a less educated lem. Moretti co-authored a paper ful place. It also offers something changed everything for the city, attracting good Bloomberg workforce started losing ground.” last year contending that reducing of a challenge to Moretti’s thesis. which became one of the nation’s employers and That’s from Moretti’s 2012 regulatory constraints on housing Fallows writes that he found leading innovation hubs. Mean- offering high wages, book, “The New Geography of construction in San Jose, San Fran- evidence of a flow “of people while, Albuquerque’s salaries and Jobs,” which explains much about cisco and New York could increase with first-rate talents and ambi- educational levels, which were while those at the ver the past few decades, our current economic situation, US gross domestic product by 9.5 tions who decided that someplace close to Seattle’s in 1979, have other extreme, the US job market has and perhaps something about percent. Another problem is that other than the biggest cities offered fallen way behind. been pulling apart. Lots today’s politics as well. Won- less- educated Americans are the the best overall opportunities.” So perhaps it isn’t fated which cities with the of new high- and low- der why voters are so resentful least likely to move out of state to He tells of a cluster of design- cities will thrive in the coming Owage jobs have been created, while of elites and the establishment? pursue job opportunities. Moretti and- manufacturing startups in decades. But the economic forces “wrong” industries and a limited human middle-wage ones have become Maybe it’s because that elite estab- proposes “relocation vouchers” as Duluth, Minnesota, a high-tech Moretti describes make it seem scarcer. Much of this divergence lishment has become increasingly a way to address this. steel mini-mill in small-town Mis- likely that only a few will win big, capital base, are has been along geographical lines. concentrated in a few prospering I find these arguments con- sissippi, a school system on the while most muddle along or lose stuck with dead- I’ll let economist Enrico Moretti, of metropolitan areas while much of vincing, but also depressing. The rebound in Holland, Michigan, a ground. the University of California at Ber- the rest of the country struggles. US is full of towns and cities that group of young civic-improve- end jobs and low keley, explain: In Moretti’s telling, this aren’t exactly innovation-sector ment activists in San Bernardino, average wages. “A handful of cities with the divergence is “deepening and hotbeds but are pretty nice places California. It’s purely anecdotal, Justin Fox is a Bloomberg View ‘right’ industries and a solid base of accelerating.” The most vibrant, to live. Real estate is relatively and not entirely convincing, but a columnist writing about business..

All thoughts and views expressed in these columns are those of the writers, not of the newspaper. All correspondence regarding Views and Opinion pages should be mailed to the Editor-in-Chief. 12 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 ASIA / AFRICA Taiwan earthquake toll rises to 114 Central Asia’s the building have now been accounted for, city officials said. Of a total 289 people The 6.4-magnitude quake struck tallest tower pulled out, 175 were at early dawn on February 6 at the beginning of the Lunar New Year hol- alive with 96 of iday, with almost all of the dead found hit by fire them taken to the in Tainan’s toppled Wei-guan Golden Dragon Building. ALMATY: A fire broke out hospital. No survivors Two other people died elsewhere yesterday at a construc- had been brought in the city. Rescue work has focused tion site where Central on the wreckage of the 17-storey Asia’s tallest tower is being out since Monday building. The building had 256 reg- built in the Kazakh capital evening, when more istered residents but when more than Astana, the Kazakh interior than 100 were still that number were pulled out in the ministry said. initial days after the quake, it became The blaze at the Abu reported missing clear more people were in the build- Dhabi Plaza, being built by ing when it toppled. United Arab Emirates devel- Of a total 289 people pulled out, oper Aldar Properties and 175 were alive with 96 of them taken contractor Arabtec, started Reuters to the hospital, Lai said. No survivors early in the morning and had been brought out since Monday took six hours to put out, evening, when more than 100 were the ministry said. still reported missing. Photographs on the TAIPEI: The death toll at a building The Wei-guan was the only major ministry’s web site showed that collapsed from a strong earth- high-rise building in the city of two flames leaping from several quake in southern Taiwan reached 114 million people to have completely col- different floors of the skel- as rescue efforts came to an end yes- lapsed. Its lower storeys, filled with eton girder structure of the terday, a week after the temblor hit. arcades of shops, pancaked on top of building that has been built “The search and rescue has come each other before the entire U-shaped so far. to an end,” said Tainan Mayor Wil- complex toppled in on itself. When firefighters liam Lai, in remarks carried live on Local authorities are investigating arrived, floors 11 to 25 were local television, identifying the last the reasons for the building’s collapse on fire, it said. The ministry individual to be pulled out from the and earlier this week took into cus- reported no injuries, say- rubble as Hsieh Chen-yu, who was tody three individuals, including the ing 150 workers had left part of the fallen building’s manage- developer of the Wei-guan Golden the construction site, and Heavy machines clearing up the remains of a collapsed 17-storey buiding in Tainan City, south Taiwan, ment committee. Dragon Building, on suspicion of pro- the extent of damage was All of those believed missing in fessional negligent homicide. yesterday. Taiwan completed search and rescue after retrieving the last victim from the rubbles. unclear. Abu Dhabi Plaza, due to be completed by the end of this year, will include a hotel as well as residential, retail Polls today in Central African Republic and office space. The minis- Thousands protest try said in a statement that a heater was the most likely in Burundi against cause of the fire. Two ruling party Rwanda ‘aggression’ loyalists in Burundi executed

AFP Smaller anti-Rwandan demon- Nairobi: Two people strations also took place Saturday in loyal to the ruling party the Burundi’s second city of Gitega in troubled Burundi were and in Nkurunziza’s home province “executed” overnight in NAIROBI: Thousands of peo- of Ngozi. the centre of the country, a ple took to the streets of Burundi’s Last week, UN experts told the local official and witnesses capital Bujumbura yesterday to Security Council that Rwanda has said yesterday. condemn what the country’s embat- recruited and trained refugees from More than 400 people tled government calls neighbouring Burundi, among them children, who have died in the violence Rwanda’s meddling in its affairs. wanted to remove Nkurunziza from and at least 230,000 have Around 4,000 people rallied to power. fled the country. the government’s call to demonstrate Rwanda has denied the allega- “Armed criminals arrived over Rwanda’s “acts of aggression” tions. This week Kigali announced it on a hill straddling Gacim- towards Burundi, journalists at the would relocate the estimated 75,000 birigongo and ordered the scene said. The organisers estimated Burundians sheltering on its soil to locals to come out of their the turnout at over 10,000. third countries, saying the “long- houses,” said Celestin Sin- “We condemn (Rwandan Pres- term presence of refugees so close girankabo, the head of the Workers load a United Nations truck with electoral equipment destined for polling stations at Bangui ident Paul) Kagame and his plan to to their country of origin carries commune of Gisozi. in Central African Republic ahead of the second round of presidential election today. destabilise Burundi and the entire considerable risks for all involved.” “They called out two Great Lakes region,” a placard waved Hundreds of people have been people by name and asked by one of the protesters read. killed in the unrest in Burundi, which them to step forward and Relations between Burundi and has become entrenched, with armed then shot them dead,” its neighbour to the north have dete- opposition members periodically he said. One was a local riorated since Burundi sank into a engaging in shoot outs with the secu- elected member from the Japan urges N Korea to resume abduction probe deep political crisis ten months ago rity forces. ruling CNDD-FDD party and over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s Over 230,000 people have fled the other a member of a quest for a third term in office. the fighting abroad. The pro-gov- youth league. AFP the termination of the investigation,” reinvestigate all abductions of Japa- Yesterday’s demonstration in ernment demonstrations yesterday The Imbonerakure is Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told nese citizens in what appeared to be a Bujumbura came to a halt outside have dampened expectations for a linked to the party in power a press conference in Canada, where significant breakthrough on an issue the Rwandan embassy in Bujumbura breakthrough in the crisis during and has been branded he was visiting this weekend. that has long hampered Tokyo’s rela- where Kagame was copiously booed. an upcoming visit by African heads a militia by the United TOKYO: Japan has voiced frustration “We will continue to do our best tions with Pyongyang. But there has “We are on the battlefield. Encourage of state. Nations. There has been a at North Korea’s decision to scrap an to encourage concrete action by been almost no progress since then, our soldiers! Kagame is an enemy, “Of course, Rwanda has med- resurgence of violence in investigation into its past abductions North Korea,” he said. despite Tokyo’s efforts to pressure the we are going to wash him away,” the dled in Burundi’s affairs but it’s clear Burundi after a relatively of Japanese citizens. Pyongyang on Friday scrapped North into pushing forward with the crowd sang. Nkurunziza is overdoing it. peaceful month. Ministers nevertheless said an investigation into its agents’ past probe and presenting its findings. Burundi has accused Rwanda of He’s adding fuel to the fire to While it was not imme- they hoped to somehow persuade abductions of Japanese citizens in “Considering the thoughts and backing rebels intent on overthrow- try to show he is facing an exter- diately clear who the Pyongyang to make good on its response to fresh sanctions imposed feelings of the families of the kid- ing Nkurunziza, who was returned nal aggression and not a domestic gunmen were,activists promise, saying resolution of the by Tokyo over its recent nuclear and napping victims, we will give our all to power in July elections, despite political crisis that is turning into and authorities have in the emotional issue is a priority of Prime long-range rocket tests. Under an toward achieving the homecoming of weeks of protests that were violently a civil war,” a diplomat based in past reported a number of Minister Shinzo Abe. “It is extremely agreement brokered in Stockholm in their loved ones at the earliest time repressed and calls from world lead- Burundi, who spoke on condition apparently targeted killings. regrettable that North Korea declared May 2014, North Korea undertook to possible,” Kato said. ers for him to step aside. of anonymity. Six UN peacekeepers among nine dead in Mali attacks

AFP Malian Islamist group Ansar peacekeepers constituted a war crime February had upset the former rebels what it said was a “cowardly” strike. Nigeria in Timbuktu. It was also a day Dine, responsible for several previ- and pledging to support the Malian in the Coordination of Movements of Malian President Ibrahim Bou- after the fabled city had celebrated ous assaults, claimed the attack by government. the Azawad. Azawad is the name the bacar Keita said there was a pressing the restoration of its greatest treas- a “Mauritanian jihadist” as “a mes- Suicide bombers drove a vehi- traditionally nomadic Tuareg people need to secure the north. ures -- earthen mausoleums dating to BAMAKO: Six UN peacekeepers sage to the crusader aggressors and cle into the base between two rocket of the desert use for territory they “We have to find a solution to medieval times that were destroyed were killed and some 30 wounded all those who support them” in a launches, then blew it up, the Guinean regard as their homeland, straddling this,” he said. “Kidal cannot remain during an Islamist takeover in 2012. on Friday when suspected Islamists statement carried by a Mauritanian source in the UN mission said. the southern Sahara and the Sahel. like this where attacks occur on a Responsibility for the raid on Tim- attacked their base in northern Mali, news agency. The raid coincided with a visit In a separate attack, three Malian daily basis and the international com- buktu was claimed by Al-Qaeda in officials said, while three Malian sol- The latest attacks highlighted the to northern Mali by the new chief of soldiers were killed and two others munity and we ourselves look on.” the Islamic Maghreb. diers died in an ambush as jihadists vulnerability of Mali’s sprawling, arid MINUSMA, Mahamat Saleh Annadif, were wounded near the fabled city of A customs officer and two civil- Mali’s north of the country con- intensify attacks in the restive region. north, where UN troops and Malian who said the raid was an “odious and Timbuktu, a Malian military source ians were killed in another Islamist tinues to be beset by violence having The six Guinean peacekeep- soldiers are struggling in their fight irresponsible act” that highlighted the said. “Three of our men died today strike in the northern town of Hom- fallen under the control of Tuareg-led ers were killed in an early morning against jihadists who seized vast “confusion in the ranks of the ene- between Timbuktu and Goundam bori, two days after three Malian rebels and jihadist groups linked to assault on a camp in the northeast- swathes of territory in 2012. mies of peace”. when they were ambushed by jihad- soldiers died in an explosion.The lat- Al-Qaeda in 2012. The Islamists side- ern town of Kidal belonging to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki- Annadif was in Kidal a week after ists,” a Malian officer told AFP. “Two est attack came a week after at least lined the Tuareg to take sole control, United Nations’ MINUSMA, accord- moon condemned the “massive and a peace pact eased tensions in the others were wounded but their lives four suspected jihadists and a Mal- and although they were largely ousted ing to a Guinean source in the mission complex” attack on the MINUSMA town, where the arrival of members are not in danger.” ian soldier were killed in clashes at by a French-led military operation in and a military source in Conakry. base, warning that targeting of a pro-government group early in The defence ministry confirmed a UN camp for police officers from 2013. PAKISTAN SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 13 US plans to Means of livelihood sell 8 F-16s to Pakistan

Although Congress has delayed the proposed sale, the administra- US security tion still seems interested in pushing assistance to it through, insisting that it’s in vital US interests to do so. Pakistan will At the State Department news reduce the ability briefing, an Indian journalist asked spokesman Mark Toner if US Secre- of militants to use tary of State John Kerry had received Pakistani territory a letter Republican Senator Bob Corker sent to him on Tuesday, ask- as a safe haven to ing him to stop the proposed sale to carry out terrorist Pakistan. attacks and as a “As a matter of policy, we don’t comment on proposed arms sales base of support for or transfers or even our prelimi- the insurgency in nary consultations with the Hill, with Capitol Hill, prior to any for- Afghanistan mal congressional notification,” Toner replied. But he offered to address the broader issue of US security assist- Internews ance to Pakistan, saying: “We are committed to working with Congress to deliver security A labourer works on the Orange Line Metro Train Project in Lahore, Pakistan. assistance to our partners and our ISLAMABAD: The Obama admin- allies that we believe furthers US istration notified the Congress foreign policy interests by building yesterday that it planned to sell eight the capacity to meet shared secu- F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. rity challenges.” The proposed deal will now go Responding to another question through a 30-day notification period about terrorists using safe havens after which it will be finalised. inside Pakistan to attack US troops in Call to free Herat governor soon Earlier this week, the US State Afghanistan, Toner said: “We believe Department informed Congress US security assistance to Pakistan that it was committed to improving actually contributes to their coun- Reuters the kidnapping was not clear, but the Kabul. An official in Pakistan’s for- Pakistan’s precision strike capability, terterrorism and counterinsurgency Afghan government asked Pakistani eign ministry said yesterday that which was seen as a veiled reference operations.” authorities “to use all their tools and the Afghan embassy had reported to F-16 fighter jets. Further explaining this point, he possiblities to identify the group of Wahidi missing, and local police were And on Thursday, a State Depart- added that such operations “reduce ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan’s govern- kidnappers and take action to free investigating. ment spokesman, Mark Toner, said the ability of militants to use Paki- ment yesterday appealed to Pakistan Wahidi immediately”, the foreign Pakistan and Afghanistan have at a news briefing that US weapon stani territory as a safe haven to to take action to find and free a ministry said. been seeking to mend relations in sales to Pakistan contributed to the carry out terrorist attacks and as a former provincial governor who has The former Afghan president, recent months in part to foster peace fight against terrorism and furthered base of support for the insurgency been kidnapped in Islamabad. Hamid Karzai, who is reportedly talks with the Taliban to end Afghan- America’s foreign policy interests. in Afghanistan.” Fazlullah Wahidi, (pictured) close to Wahidi, issued a separate istan’s nearly 15-year-old war. The remarks followed a move by That’s why, he said, the United former governor of Afghani- statement on Facebook about the Mistrust on both sides is deeply some US lawmakers and a campaign States believes “these operations are stan’s western Herat province, was “respectable elder”, who he said had ingrained, however, with each accus- in the US media to stop the Obama in the interests of both Pakistan and abducted on Friday afternoon in the travelled to Pakistan to apply for a ing the other of failing to crack down administration from selling eight the United States and in the interests Pakistani capital, the Afghan for- visa to the United Kingdom. The UK on Islamist militants who find safe F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. of the region more broadly.” eign ministry said. The motive for does not issue visas to Afghans in haven in lawless border areas. Pakistan president’s plea to Pakistan avoid celebrations today Parliament shifts to AFP Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, members of the district assembly solar energy on Friday unanimously passed a resolution to ban Valentine’s Day ISLAMABAD: Pakistan president celebrations. ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s parlia- Mamnoon Hussain has urged the “A particular segment of our ment is now the first parliament in nation to refrain from celebrating society wants to impose Western the world to be completely pow- Valentine’s Day, while other officials values and culture on our youth by ered by solar energy. blasted it as “vulgar and indecent” celebrating Valentine’s Day,” said the Members of the National as they moved to outlaw festivities. resolution, which was presented by Assembly met for the first time The president made the remarks a member of Jamaat-e-Islami, one while the lower house was being to a crowd of students on Friday, of the largest Islamist parties in powered by solar power yesterday. saying the day -- traditionally cel- Pakistan. Speaker AyazSadiq ebrated in the West by lovers -- had “There is no place in our culture announced that the solar panels no place in the Muslim-majority and in our civilisation for such an in the house generate 80MW of nation. unnecessary and rude day, which electricity, 62 MW of which are “Valentine’s Day has no connec- aims to spread vulgarity and inde- consumed by the National Assem- tion with our culture and it should cency amongst the youth,” it said. bly and 18MW are contributed to be avoided,” the president told stu- Authorities in the conservative the national grid. dents at a gathering held to honour northwestern Kohat district also The first ‘Net Metering’ license one of the country’s heroes of inde- instructed police to halt any cele- in the country was also issued to pendence. Hussain urged the young brations of Valentine’s Day. Despite the National Assembly by the people to focus on their studies the ban, a reporter in Peshawar National Electric Power Regula- instead. witnessed shops openly selling red tory Authority. Pakistani demonstrators hold posters as they take part in a protest against Valentine’s Day in Karachi, yesterday. In Peshawar, the capital of balloons, toys and chocolates. A Net Metering system helps in delivering and adding sur- plus production of energy to the national grid. The project is also environment friendly because it reduces emissions of hazardous Islamabad educational institutions to get security gases. Speaker Sadiq acknowledged the assistance by the Chinese gov- ernment in supporting the solar Internews through the interior ministry. Chaud- The house was told that the of the Prime Minister Educational training programmes for the staff of project. hary, while responding a question on recently-devised security proto- Reform Programme. The minister of capital schools would also be initiated He also thanked members of security at educational institutes in cols for public educational institutes state said that CADD ministry trans- by this wing. Meanwhile, a meeting to parliament, other employees at the federal capital, said the interior involve raising of boundary walls, ferred 180m to the Public Works review security arrangements at edu- parliament and the media for their ISLAMABAD: In a move to beef ministry had recently made the offer digital visitor identification systems, Department (PWD) to build walls cational institutes, markets and media confidence and support in help- up security, Frontier Constabulary to CADD. regular security inspections, and around educational institutes. houses was held at the Interior Minis- ing deliver a better future. (FC) guards will now be deployed at He said the Federal Directorate of installation of surveillance cameras. He said that like other provinces try. According to a press release, the The solar project was Pakistani Capital Islamabad’s public Education was also filling 597 vacant Through a written reply, he said, the federal government had felt the ministry directed the Islamabad SSP launched by Chinese President Xi educational institutes. positions for watchmen at 422 public boundary walls at 46 educational need to establish a curriculum wing to nominate an SP-level officer as the Jinping and Prime Minister Nawaz State Minister for Capital Admin- sector schools and colleges. Institutes had raised, while at other adding that a building had also been focal person to liaise with representa- Sharif during the former’s visit istration and Development Division Besides, FDE is also temporarily institutes the status varied between allocated for this wing. tives of media houses and educational to Pakistan last year. The prime (CADD) Tariq Fazl Chaudhry told the hiring private security guards to fill several stages of completion. The wing, he said, would resolve institutes. The interior minister has also minister is expected to formally National Assembly yesterday that the gap until the recruitment is com- Walls at the remaining schools issues related to education and curric- constituted a committee and the com- ‘switch on’ parliament’s solar pro- CADD would soon recruit FC guards pleted, the minister informed. would be raised in the second phase ulum. Chaudhary added that teachers mittee would submit an initial report. gramme later in the month. 14 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 INDIA

ISI wanted to infiltrate Showing off plumage Pune army HQ: Headley

an undisclosed location via video- cross-examination. conferencing continuously since last Meanwhile, experts in the coun- The Pune assignment Monday, barring February 10 when try believe that all these disclosures was carried out at the it was adjourned owing to certain would expose Pakistan to the world. behest of Major Iqbal technical uplinking issues on the “As for whether these revelations American side. would have any impact in the larger of the ISI, to whom The nearly 30-hour-long cross- context of the world then I would say the videos were later examination could not be completed. yes. Let the whole world know about It will be conducted sometime later it, so that we (India) can have more handed over this month after consultation with support of the world community,” the US authorities, Nikam told media former Indian Army chief General persons. Ved Malik said. An acknowledged criminal “We know that we have to fight IANS lawyer specialising in terror cases, our battle but we need to have inter- Nikam shot off over 750 questions national support as it also matters,” and supplementaries to Headley since he added. the morning of February 8. He has also listed a series of MUMBAI: Pakistani-American Headley, who was given condi- potential targets like Mumbai’s Sid- Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist-turned- tional pardon by the Mumbai Special dhi Vinayak temple and the naval air approver David Coleman Headley TADA Court on December 10 last year station, as also the National Defence told Special TADA Court Judge G after he agreed to turn approver in College here. A Sanap yesterday that post-26/11 the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, At the same time, Gen Malik said Mumbai terror attacks, he had is undergoing a 35-year-old jail term Pakistan would remain in denial in surveyed sensitive military estab- in the US. spite of Headly’s revelations. lishments in Pune. Yesterday, Headley listened to “It’s not going to take us any- A peacock shows its plumage at Soraon village on the outskirts of Allahabad. Goa has recently proposed When asked by Special Pub- three video tapes recorded dur- where as far as the question whether reclassifying the country’s national bird — the peacock — as vermin. lic Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam what ing the attacks on November 26-28, Pakistan would actually take any military establishments he referred 2008 and identified different voices action against those responsible for to, Headley readily said it was the of handlers who were guiding and Mumbai attacks as they have been in (Indian Army’s) Southern Command directing the 10 Pakistani terrorists denial and would continue with the Headquarters. from a control room in Karachi. same stand,” he said. “The intentions here were similar “This testimony is very impor- According to Rear Admiral Raja Peaceful by-polls in three states to the nuclear establishments (BARC). tant for us. He (Headley) has clearly Menon (retd), Headley’s revelations The ISI wanted to recruit military named and identified the three peo- “are substantive” but Pakistan “will officers and get ‘classified informa- ple present in the control room that continue denying that it was ever tion’ from them,” Headley told during night who were directing and guid- involved in terror acts either in India IANS No untoward incident was Shiromani Akali Dal. Its candidate his deposition on the sixth day. ing the terrorists here,” Nikam later or elsewhere in the world”. reported from anywhere in the Ravinder Singh Brahmpura faces six He surveyed and videographed made clear. “They would say that Headley is constituency as tight security other candidates, including five inde- the Southern Command HQ Building Lawyer Wahab Khan of another saying what he was required to say as arrangements were in place. pendents. The seat fell vacant after between March 16-17, 2009, pre- Indian co-accused Zabiuddin Ansari he is jail. But this does not take away AGARTALA/CHANDIGARH/ The by-election was necessitated sitting Congress legislator Ramanjit ceded by recce of Chabad Houses in alias Abu Jundal started Headley’s the fact that the (Pakistani) state is HYDERABAD: The by-elections due to the death of Congress legisla- Singh Sikki resigned in October 2015 Goa on March 15 and earlier Push- cross-examination, but could pose involved in terror acts,” he added. to three assembly seats in Tripura, tor P Kishta Reddy in August 2015. over recent incidents of sacrilege of kar between March 11-13 that year only five questions due to paucity of Another security expert, Brig- Punjab and Telangana passed off There are eight candidates in the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib. — nearly four months after the ter- time. adier Arun Sahgal, said Headley’s peacefully yesterday, officials in the fray but the main contest is between The candidate winning the ror attacks were executed in Mumbai Besides, Khan argued that he testimony “carries a greater credi- three states said. P Sanjeeva Reddy, son of Kishta Khadoor Sahib seat in the by-elec- on November 26-28, 2008. was not handed over the statement bility and to say that he would say In Tripura, around 88 percent of Reddy, from Congress, M Vijayapal tion will remain a legislator for only The Pune assignment was car- which Headley referred to during his what he is required to say is wrong the 38,270 voters cast their ballots Reddy from Telugu Desam Party and about one year as assembly elections ried out at the behest of Major Iqbal deposition and also needed to study as he is not in an Indian jail”. in the by-election to the Amarpur M Bhupal Reddy from ruling Telan- to 117 seats in Punjab will be held in of the ISI, to whom the videos were the confession of the captured and India must turn the revelations assembly seat, an official said. The gana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). February 2017. later handed over. hanged terrorist Ajmal Kasab. “into a major political campaign all polling, which was totally peaceful, In Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib seat, In Tripura, the voting remained He said that he was in constant Following a heated exchange across the world and expose Paki- started at 8am amidst tight security over 55 percent voting had been peaceful. “No untoward incident touch with LeT operative Sajid Mir, between Khan and Nikam, coun- stan further”. and ended at 5pm. Counting will take recorded till 5pm. has been reported so far and poll- who was his handler, and Al-Qaeda sel Mahesh Jethmalani intervened Senior Supreme Court lawyer K place on Tuesday. There were over 1.87 lakh eligi- ing was completely peaceful and member Abdul Rehman Pasha and told Special Judge Sanap that T S Tulsi described Headley’s reve- Over 70 percent polling was reg- ble voters in the constituency. Voting smooth. Around 88 percent votes (former LeT cadre). even if the timings were extended lations as “an exculpatory statement istered to Narayankhed assembly started amidst a boycott of the elec- were recorded when polling ended Headley has been giving his by two hours on Saturday, it would which has higher credibility in a court constituency in Telangana’s Medak tion by Congress and AAP, making at 5pm,” Additional Chief Electoral deposition from a jail in the US at not be possible to complete the of law”. district, officials said. it a one-sided contest for the ruling Officer Debashish Modak said.

Appointment Bhoj adventure festival ABVP blamed for attack of minister for on Congress leader in JNU diaspora soon

IANS Prior to the incident, Con- IANS gress vice president Rahul Gandhi addressed the students criticising NEW DELHI: Congress leader the police crackdown. Anand Sharma was attacked yes- Apart from Gandhi, party’s Delhi THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A terday by unknown assailants while unit chief Ajay Maken, Communist union minister of state with inde- participating at a protest meet held at Party of India-Marxist general secre- pendent charge and a full time Jawaharlal Nehru University against tary Sitaram Yechury, who is himself secretary would be immediately the police crackdown in the cam- a former JNUSU leader, Communist appointed to look into all issues of pus on Friday. Party of India national secretary D. the diaspora, External Affairs Min- Eyewitnesses said Sharma was Raja, Communist Party of India- ister Sushma Swaraj has assured repeatedly struck on his ear by an Marxist-Leninist leader Kavita Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. assailant which led to profuse bleed- Krishnan and other senior leaders In a press statement issued ing. The JNU Students Union (JNUSU) yesterday visited JNU and joined the here on Saturday, Tharoor, the soon issued a statement condemning protest. chairman of the External Affairs the attack, and alleged that it was an Around 2,000 people including Committee of parliament and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad students, teachers and others gath- Lok Sabha member from Thiru- (ABVP) activist who assaulted the ered in front of administration block vananthapuram, said the new former union minister. of the campus protesting against the development took place at a meet- The senior Congress leader had arrest of JNUSU president. ABVP, the ing in Delhi. gone to the JNU campus to meet student wing of the RSS, also staged “Kerala had raised strong the protesting students who have a counter-protest, shouting slogans objections when it was decided been agitating against the arrest of including “Rahul Gandhi go back.” by the Narendra Modi government Children enjoy during the month-long ‘Bhoj Adventure Festival’ in Bhopal. Activities like air rifle JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar Meanwhile, a group of scholars, to merge the ministry of overseas shooting, paramotoring, trampoline bungee, commando drill are some of the many adventure activities in a sedition case for allegedly rais- artist, writers and others yesterday Indian affairs (OIA) with that of the that are held during the festival. ing “anti-India” slogans during an initiated an online petition con- ministry of external affairs (MEA),” event on the campus. demning the arrest. Tharoor said. Sushma Swaraj has assured that very soon, a minister of state with independent charge and a full time secretary would be appointed 1.4m people die due to poor air quality annually: Study to look into all issues of the Indian diaspora, especially in the Middle East, he said. Chief Minister Oommen IANS Canada and the US estimated that Millions of families, among deaths in China in 2013, Qiao Ma, a strategies to reduce emissions from Chandy had taken up the merger despite efforts to limit future emis- the poorest in India, are regularly doctoral student at Tsinghua Univer- coal and from other sectors,” Ma said. issue last month with Modi and sions, the number of premature exposed to high levels of particulate sity in Beijing, China, noted. The findings were presented on Sushma Swaraj. The first Con- deaths linked to air pollution will matter in their own homes. Ma also calculated the expected Friday at the 2016 annual meeting gress-led UPA government under WASHINGTON: More than 1.4m climb over the next two decades “India needs a three-pronged mit- number of premature deaths in China of the American Association for the then prime minister Manmohan people die prematurely every year unless more aggressive targets are set. igation approach to address industrial in the future if the country meets its Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Singh had formed the overseas in India due to household and out- Power plants, industrial manufac- coal burning, open burning for agri- current targets to restrict coal com- Washington, DC. Indian affairs ministry headed by door air pollution, researchers have turing, vehicle exhaust and burning culture, and household air pollution bustion and emissions through a The research is an extension of Kerala leader Vayalar Ravi. estimated coal and wood all release small par- sources,” said one of the researchers combination of energy policies and the Global Burden of Disease study, A recent study on the Kerala While air pollution kills more than ticles into the air that are dangerous Chandra Venkataraman, professor at pollution controls. She found that an international collaboration led by diaspora said 90 percent of Ker- 5.5m people prematurely every year, to a person’s health. Indian Institute of Technology Bom- air pollution will cause anywhere the Institute for Health Metrics and ala’s 23.63 lakh diaspora were in India and China together account In India, a major contributor bay, in Mumbai. from 990,000 to 1.3 million prema- Evaluation (IHME) at the University various Middle East countries, of for 55 percent of these deaths, the to poor air quality is the practice In China, burning coal is the big- ture deaths in 2030 unless even more of Washington that systematically which the UAE accounted for 38.7 research showed. of burning wood, dung and similar gest contributor to poor air quality. ambitious targets are introduced. measured health and its risk factors, percent, followed by Saudi Arabia The international team of sources of biomass for cooking and Outdoor air pollution from coal “Our study highlights the urgent including air pollution levels, for 188 with 25.2 percent. researchers from India, China, heating. alone caused an estimated 366,000 need for even more aggressive countries between 1990 and 2013. INDIA SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 15

‘India needs Modi spreads red carpet for investors planetary defence’

‘Make in India’ IANS has become the biggest brand India

ever created. It BENGALURU: An Indian-origin has captured the space scientist says the suspected meteorite strike in Vellore, Tamil imagination of people, Nadu, last week that killed a man business, institutions, on a college campus is a glaring political leaders and reminder that the country needs to seriously think about putting media: Prime Minister in place a meteor defence and reconnaissance infrastructure and evolve a national meteor disaster preparedness policy. IANS “Catastrophes originating from outer space are no fiction,” Chait- anya Giri, who was earlier with Max Planck Institute for Solar Sys- MUMBAI: Unfolding the red carpet tem Research in Germany and is for domestic and foreign investors, currently with the Earth Life Sci- Prime Minister Narendra Modi ence Institute in Tokyo, said the opened the “Make in India Week” yes- scientist. terday, showcased as the largest event Such catastrophes “are poten- of its kind in the country to project it tial and credible threats to our as the preferred global hub for man- national interests,” he said. ufacturing. Giri said the US, in 2005, The Prime Minister also listed a mandated its NASA space number of initiatives taken by his gov- agency to build infrastructure for ernment to make it easier for doing surveillance of potentially haz- business in India, along with enabling ardous asteroids and to divert policy decisions and corrections. “I those on a likely collision course repeat, we also decided there will be with Earth. no retrospective taxation,” he said at The European Union, Japan, the inaugural. and Russia followed suit and are “Make in India has become the Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre) gestures after inaugurating the exhibition centre for the ‘Make In India’ week in Mumbai,yesterday. continually tracking comets and biggest brand India ever created. asteroids while Canada has its own It has captured the imagination of percent to global growth. It’s contribu- Earlier, Commerce Minister Nir- Authority Grounds with his Swed- sector-specific pavilions showcasing “near earth object surveillance people, business, institutions, politi- tion to the global growth is 68 percent mala Sitharaman said India was ready ish and Finnish counterparts, Kjell 11 focus sectors of the six-day event, 17 satellite” to identify unwelcome cal leaders and media,” he said at the higher than its share of world econ- as a global manufacturing hub. Stefan Lofven and Juha Petri Sipila, state exhibitions and several country visitors from space, he said. National Sports Club of India’s indoor omy,” he said, amid applause from “The idea of the Make in India respectively. The two dignitaries also pavilions. The area covered is some “Space capable India has not stadium that was packed beyond its the audience, which included chief plan was to make the environment addressed the inaugural event. 220,000 square metres and accom- joined this club,” Giri said. 5,000 capacity. Modi said the efforts ministers, ambassadors, industri- in the country from the regulated to Themed on innovation, design modates 27 halls for 190 companies In fact, the seven-foot wide were showing. “Our foreign direct alists and policy-makers. Modi said a facilitator,” said Sitharaman, adding and sustainability, the centre show- to show their prowess. satellite junk that fell off the investment inflow has gone by 48 India was particularly keen on scal- this has resulted in a vast improve- cases some of the country’s most Officials said the Make in India southern coast of Sri Lanka on percent since the day my government ing up investments in infrastructure ment in ease of doing business in the trendsetting products and manufac- Week is an enabling event to show- November 13, 2015, was identi- came into office,” the Prime Minister —from roads and railways to digital country. “This is a moment India is turing processes before the world for case India and attract investment, fied by a US ground-based sky said. He also said concerns over intel- networks and clean energy. Towards cherishing.” In his maiden Independ- the first time after the global launch of while also providing opportunities survey infrastructure while its lectual property and bankruptcy laws this, he said, interest-free bonds were ence Day address on August 15, 2014, the Make In India initiative 17 months to the states. Also planned are some fall trajectory was projected by the were also being addressed. the next on the agenda. the Prime Minister had said India ago, commerce ministry officials said. 20 sector-specific seminars in areas European Sky network, added the “Almost on a daily basis we are “Do not wait. Do not relax. must become a global manufactur- Those showcasing their respec- like policy, business climate and intel- scientist. trying to remove the bottlenecks that You should take advantage of the ing hub, with “zero defect” in product tive strengths include corporate lectual property. “While these nations have were affecting business,” he said. It immense opportunities in India.” quality and “zero affect” in its impact houses like the Tatas and Reliance The programmes will see the built up the networks to ward was, therefore, not surprising that a The event also saw the Time India on environment. The “Make in India” groups, four top oil companies, as participation of central and state of dangers from space, India is host of multilateral institutions have award conferred on Tata Steel for best campaign was launched a month later also institutions like the Indian ministers, chief ministers, senior gov- totally unprepared to counter the said India will log even better growth in class manufacturing, Hero Moto- on September 25. Space Research Organisation and ernment officials, top industrialists impact of destructive meter-scale that the present 7.5 percent in the Corp for innovator of the year and Earlier, Modi inaugurated the the Defence Research and Develop- and businesspeople from India and meteorites and extinction-level coming years, he added. Yogesh and Rajesh Agarwal of Ajanta Make In India Centre at the Mumbai ment Organisation. overseas, and several government kilometre-scale asteroids or com- “In 2014-15, India contributed 12.5 Pharma for young maker of the year. Metropolitan Region Development Make in India Centre includes and business delegations from abroad. ets,” he said. Survey shows majority of Delhiites Two soldiers Selection of candidates among seven tough for Kerala parties unhappy with AAP govt’s first year killed in J&K IANS When asked if his son Aryadan Shoukat will replace him in his IANS for the AAP if elections were held done in the Delhi circle called make IANS traditional Nilambur assembly con- again now. Delhi better with Kejriwal which is stituency in Malappuram district, he “Seventy percent believe corrup- not associated with AAP. But made THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Candi- laughed and said: “Don’t you know NEW DELHI: Seventy percent of tion has not reduced in Delhi in the by citizens of Delhi,” Rajawat said. SRINAGAR: Two soldiers and date selection for the upcoming polls ours is the Congress party. the people surveyed by a “citizen last one year,” said the survey con- The organisation said that the five militants of the Lashkar-e- for the 140-member Kerala assembly “In our party there has been engagement platform” believe that ducted by LocalCircles, a citizen survey showed 32 percent citizens Taiba (LeT) were killed, while four is going to be tough for most political a history of chopping and chang- corruption has not reduced in Delhi engagement platform that connects find that the current legislators are armymen, including a major, were parties with one candidate calling it ing and hence it’s too premature to under the Arvind Kejriwal govern- citizens at local, city and national more engaged with people than injured in a gun battle in Jammu quits from electoral politics. say anything at the moment,” said ment, but nearly 50 percent said they level and has a partnership with former lawmakers, but only 16 and Kashmir yesterday, officials The parties in the Congress-led Mohammed. Three-time Congress would vote for the AAP again. the BJP’s information cell. However, percent believe that the current said. United Democratic Front are likely legislator M A Waheed who won As per the survey, 48 percent hold LocalCircles chief strategy officer K government has kept pace with the The bodies of five militants to face a tough time selecting candi- from the Kazhakootam assembly the odd-even plan was a successfully Yatish Rajawat denied association infrastructure development work were found in Marsari village of dates given the rebel menace. constituency under which the Tech- executed experiment, said a survey with any political party. done by the previous government and Kupwara district, a police offi- The communist parties in the nopark IT campus comes said: “I will report on first year of the Aam Aadmi “We are not associated with any also believed that starting of a new cial said. recent past have come out with a be facing my toughest election bat- Party government. It also said that political party. We are an independ- business and registration of licences Security forces were look- general norm that two time legisla- tle as it is a three-cornered fight.” 48 percent say that they would vote ent platform and this survey was in city has gotten easier. ing for the bodies of several more tors will have to bow out. While the Senior CPI-M legislator and guerrillas, believed to have been CPI-M has made exceptions, the CPI former state industry minister Ela- killed, in the debris of the house is strict about it. But since there is no maram Karim, who has had two that was destroyed in the gunfight such norm in the Congress, drawing successive terms, said that they that began on Friday evening, the up candidates is a difficult job. Over will start talks for candidate selec- Malayalam poet-lyricist ONV dead official said. the years, the Congress begins the tion after the party rally led by their Personnel from the Indian job of finalising candidates first but politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan Army’s counter-insurgency is always the last to finalise their list. ends today. IANS O N V was fielded as a candidate of Rashtriya Rifles, special opera- The first round of talks in the Con- In the 2011 polls, the Congress the Left Democratic Front in 1989 in tions group (SOG) of police and gress party here has already begun that leads the UDF contested 82 seats the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha the paramilitary Central Reserve with senior party leader Ghulam and won 38, the CPI-M contested 92 elections, but lost to Congress candi- Police Force (CRPF) on Friday sur- Nabi Azad spending two days and and won 44, the CPI contested 27 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Noted date A Charles. rounded an abandoned house in speaking to top leaders in the party. and won 13, the Indian Union Mus- Malayalam poet and lyricist O N V ONV was always the first person Marsari village following informa- Meanwhile, state Power Minister lim League, the second biggest ally Kurup (pictured) passed away at a to be reached by the authorities when tion that a group of guerrillas was Aryadan Mohammed, a father figure of the Congress-led UDF, contested private hospital yesterday, his fam- it came to naming places. hiding inside. When the security in the Congress party for close to five 24 and won 20 seats, and the Ker- ily said. He was 84. Even the place where his last rites forces moved close to the house, decades, said that he has decided to ala Congress (Mani) contested 15 and Kurup was suffering from age- will be held —‘Santhikavadam’, the the militants opened fire at them. call it a day from electoral politics. won nine seats. related ailments and leaves behind state-run crematorium in the capital his wife, a son and a daughter. — was also named by him. A professor of repute who served Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in many colleges, O N V — as he was said ONV was a poet who loved both popularly known — was the face human beings and the environ- Eight die in Gujarat bus accident of the Malayalam cultural world ment and through his works took through his works which fetched him the Malayalam language to greater the country’s highest literary honour, his school days. The period saw his heights. IANS According to a GSRTC district Anandiben Patel announced a com- the Jnanpith Award, in 2007. poem “Munnottu” (Forward) about Leader of Opposition V S controller based in Junagadh, the pensation of Rs 4 lakh to the family A recipient of the Padma Shri his patriotic feelings, being first pub- Achuthanandan said he has lost a bus met with the accident when it of each deceased. The state govern- and the Padma Vibhushan, besides lished in 1946. “brother” and a person who always AHMEDABAD: At least eight per- was negotiating a turn near Luvara ment would bear the cost of their numerous other literary awards, O N He did not look back and rose stood for humanity. sons were killed and 40 passengers crossing close to Gadhakada village treatment, official sources said. Two V also has national film awards and step by step to become one of the The state government has injured when a Gujarat State Road in Savarkundla belt of Amreli district. JCB machines and five teams of ‘108’ 13 state film awards to his credit for most respected cultural personali- decided to accord him a state funeral Transport Corporation (GSRTC) bus Filled to capacity, the bus was trav- ambulance service reached the spot his lyrics. ties in the state. as and when the family decides the they were travelling in overturned on elling from Upleta to Mahuva when to rescue the victims of the accident His love for poetry began during Known for his Leftist leanings, date. a state highway in Amreli yesterday. the accident occurred. Chief Minister and take them to hospital, they said. 16 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 EUROPE Hungarians rally against Orban’s education reforms

by other unionised workers including Orban’s government miners and civil servants. Protesters say the reforms form took control of part of a centralisation drive by schools from local Orban over the past six years that has brought state media and other authorities three public institutions under his govern- years ago and a ment’s control. central body now Singing the national anthem, some protesters shouted “We won’t let this regulates the system. happen.” Others held banners saying It has increased “Don’t chase our youth away.” “This is our last chance to ensure teachers’ workload that our children live in a normal country getting good quality educa- tion instead of the destruction that is going on,” said Katalin Egressy, 46, Reuters who has four children. Marta, a former English teacher and mother-of-three, said she came to protest because her children’s future BUDAPEST: Thousands of Hun- was at stake. garians protested yesterday against “The situation is worsening day- education reforms implemented by by-day, the raising of mandatory Prime Minister Viktor Orban, which hours is overburdening teachers and critics see as another attempt by the I don’t like the mandatory textbooks right-wing leader to boost his control either,” she said, accompanied by her People demonstrate against the Hungarian goverment’s education policies in Budapest, Hungary, yesterday. over state institutions. three-year-old son. Teachers, whose demands include Orban’s government took control a sharp reduction in teaching hours of schools from local authorities three teachers’ workload and implemented a school in the northeastern town of government restore schools’ auton- responded by replacing its education and a free choice of textbooks, were years ago and a central body now reg- a new curriculum using textbooks Miskolc ignited the protests when they omy. The first big protest was held in state secretary and has started nego- joined in the rain outside parliament ulates the system. It has increased critics say contain errors. Teachers at drew up a petition demanding the Miskolc last week. The government tiations with teachers. Rights watchdog tells Poland govt to ‘slow down’ France warns UK AFP He added that controversial be adopted by the Council of Europe’s contradicts Council of Europe stand- reforms pushed through parliament Venice Commission.” ards which notably require that public by the Law and Justice (PiS) govern- This commission’s legal experts service media remain independent of ment had effectively “paralysed” the began a fact-finding mission in Poland economic or political interference,” on eurozone veto WARSAW: A European human rights constitutional court, the top judicial to determine if the PiS has violated the Muiznieks warned. watchdog urged Poland’s new right- body in EU member Poland. constitution and democracy rules. The Council of Europe is an inter- wing government to “slow down” “The paralysis of the Con- Muiznieks outlined preliminary national organisation that seeks to AFP things “how we make sure we have legislative changes, slammed both stitutional Tribunal bears heavy results of his own four-day fact-find- uphold human rights and democracy. the right relationship between the at home and abroad as unconstitu- consequences for human rights of ing mission into controversial reforms, It works closely with the European countries in the eurozone and out- tional and undemocratic. all Polish citizens,” Muiznieks said. including ones that tightened the PiS’s Union, which in turn launched its own side ... in a way that we make sure “Slow down and consult civil “The Polish authorities must find grip on state media after the party unprecedented probe into the PiS’s BRUSSELS: France warned Britain it we have the best arrangements for society,” Nils Muiznieks, the Council a way out of this situation by fully scored majority in October elections. controversial legislative changes last could not expect to win veto powers financial stability.” of Europe’s human rights commis- abiding by the rulings of the Consti- “Placing public service media month, in a move that could result in over closer integration of the euro- “Getting this all right is abso- sioner, told journalists in Warsaw. tutional Tribunal and the opinion to under direct government control... punitive measures. zone single currency area in talks lutely essential to make sure we on its own future in the EU. protect the citizens of the EU and of Negotiations on Britain’s demand course in my point of view, to pro- for key reforms, including safeguard- tect the citizens of Britain,” he added. Widow of famed ing the pound and its financial system, Last week, French President ayayayayayayayFlying in formation are going down to the wire with offi- Francois Hollande said there should cials preparing feverishly for a crunch be no further changes to the com- chef Violier to EU leaders summit next week. promises worked out to meet British French Finance Minister Michel Prime Minister David Cameron’s run restaurant Sapin said Britain and its finan- reform demands. European Coun- cial system belonged squarely in cil President Donald Tusk earlier this after his suicide the European Union and that was month compiled a package designed France’s position. to avoid a “Brexit” in a referendum “Certainly, there are changes Cameron has promised by end-2017 AFP to be made, there needs to be more but which many believe will be held democracy in the workings of this year, possibly in June. Europe but there are also some sim- Among the proposals, there GENEVA: The widow of top chef ple principles to be observed,” Sapin would be a mechanism allowing Benoit Violier, whose January 31 said in Brussels. non-euro countries to raise their suicide shocked the culinary world, “The first principle is that the concerns about decisions by euro- said she would take charge of her economic and monetary union (of zone nations which may affect their husband’s celebrated restaurant. the 19 eurozone countries) is going economies. Brigitte Violier told Swiss mag- to be deepened, that it must be Tusk notably sought to reassure azine L’Illust re that her husband’s deepened, and on that nobody can countries such as France this would former sous-chef, Franck Giovan- oppose it,” he said. “We must talk to not amount to giving non-euro states nini would run the kitchen at the those countries not in the euro but a final say on such matters. Restaurant de l’Hotel de Ville Cris- there can be no veto, no mechanism Britain, along with Denmark, has sier, hailed as the best restaurant which could hold up this deepening an opt-out on the euro but ultimately in the world just two months ago. (of the eurozone,” he added. the single currency is supposed to “Franck Giovannini is taking Britain’s finance minister, become the unit for the whole EU. responsibility for the team, while George Osborne, said he believed New states joining the 28-nation Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani witnessed last evening the arrival of Fath Al Kheir I will have responsibility for the Murmurations of wading birds fly along the coastline of The Wash near Snettisham in east Britain. there was a “real prospect” of a deal bloc are supposed to commit them- 2 at Katara Cultural village beach. The event was also attended by H H Sheikh Jassem bin Hamad Al establishment as the manager, like The spectacular display occurs when high tides force thousands of wading birds such as Knot and at next week’s summit. selves to adopting the currency when Thani, Representative of the Emir. Pic: Qassim/The Peninsula → See also page 26 I was until Benoit’s death,” Violier Oystercatcher off the mudflats and inlanduntil the tide recedes. Osborne said the finance min- their economies are judged to be on was quoted as saying. isters would discuss among other par with those of their peers. She said she never considered quitting following the death of her husband, who was considered one of the world’s finest chefs until he was found dead with his hunting rifle by his side at his home near Paris magic still enchants tourists as attack fears fade Lausanne. “We built this project together. I do not intend to aban- don it,” she told the magazine. AFP impact” after gunmen and suicide checks at tourist sites “made me feel nervousness among travellers there. France. To Navarro, the Paris attacks In the less than four years bombers went on a killing spree in a little bit safe.” Wang Yang, of the Liurenyou have “now become part of our history.” that the Violiers ran the restau- November, Navarro said. “The magic of Paris totally took travel agency in Beijing, said 60 per- “But Paris remains the capital of love, rant, it received the maximum “But security has also never over,” she said, adding she was glad cent of their clients had cancelled of gastronomy, of shopping.” three Michelin stars and it was PARIS: Some visitors may be steering been as high in Paris. That reassures to visit the Place de la Republique, a trips to France after the attack. “In Joel Haywood, 34, and his girlfriend also named the “best restaurant clear of the world’s top tourist des- tourists,” he said, adding that visitor square which has become a shrine to the mind of many Chinese tourists, Yao, who live in Beijing, were walking in the world” by the French-based tination after terror attacks in the figures were expected to pick up again the victims of the attacks. security in France is lacking,” she said. through the unusually calm quaint La Liste in December. French capital, but for lovers, shop- in March. The full impact of the terror Immortalised in song, movies and In a bid to win over Chinese tour- streets of the Ile Saint Louis, a normally In 2013, Benoit Violier won pers and gourmands who dare to go, attacks on 2015 tourism figures is not the hearts of romantics the world over, ists, France has cut visa waiting times bustling island in the heart of Paris. “It chef-of-the-year in the prestig- Paris will always be Paris. yet known, but while some backed out “there is something so particular about and Navarro said the city would wel- is just like the Paris we always heard ious Gault & Millau guide. Quaint Parisian streets have been a of their dream trip, the allure of Paris Paris”, said Navarro, who is optimistic come 55 Chinese tour operators at the about,” said Yao, adding they had been Brigitte Violier said she had no little quieter and lines outside the Lou- was too strong for others. that tourist figures will recover. end of February to “talk security and intrigued to come and see how Parisi- explanation for why her husband vre museum or under the Eiffel Towel a “At first, I didn’t want to come The city is a magnet for museum show them what the destination has ans were coping after the attacks, and chose to end a life that appeared little shorter since a November jihadist because of the attacks. But I decided lovers, with its rich history and archi- to offer.” The operators would spend found “everyone is happy.” to be full and successful. “He had attack which killed 130 people. not to give into fear... Visiting Paris had tectural gems, foodies dreaming of two hours visiting police headquar- Like many others, they shrugged everything. We had everything. Francois Navarro, head of the been one of my wishes,” said Annika, buttery croissants and little bistros, ters on their trip to Paris. off security concerns with the phrase: There is no rational explanation,” Paris region tourist board, said hotel a 23-year-old German on her first trip and shoppers looking for Parisian Chinese and Japanese tourists are “It can happen anywhere.” she told the Swiss weekly. reservations were down about 20 abroad. “I came to realise that I could glamour. The greater Paris region some of the biggest spenders in France A short walk away, across the She categorically dismissed percent, with many cancellations just as easily be hit by a car anywhere attracted some 19 million foreign and a delegation of tourism officials will Seine, Mark Woods and Samantha rumours circulating that her hus- from Japanese, Chinese and Russian in the world and I wouldn’t be able to do tourists in 2014, while France as a also visit Tokyo in June in a bid to reas- Arnold from England were waiting band was the victim of a financial tourists in the wake of the second much about it either,” she said. whole lured 83 million travellers sure tourist agencies there. in line under the gargoyles and bell fraud involving rare wines. devastating attack to hit the City of Her attitude reflects that of many from abroad, making it the world’s “We are seeing a certain impact towers of the Notre Dame cathedral. “It’s 100 percent false. One Light within a year. who keep coming to Paris, said Nav- top tourist destination. from the attacks, with the number The glowing couple can attest to hundred percent false in sub- He said it had taken Paris three arro, adding that travellers today have China, the fifth biggest contributor of tourists to France down,” said the fact that Paris is still very much stance and 100 percent false in the months to recover from the January “adapted to the fact that these tragic of tourists to France after Britain, the Hidekazu Kihara, a spokesman for the city of magic and romance. details,” she said, insisting that the 2015 attacks on the Charlie Hebdo events can happen anywhere.” United States, Germany and Italy, is one the Nippon Travel Agency in Japan. “He proposed to me, that just restaurant’s financial performance magazine and a Jewish supermarket. Annika said the presence of police of the biggest markets for growth and One Japanese official in Paris spoke proves it,” said Samantha.“Under the was solid. “There has been more of an and soldiers on the streets and bag tourist authorities are keen to allay any of a “drastic” drop in visitor numbers to Eiffel tower,” added Mark. EUROPE SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 17

Russia sanctions World enters into new Cold War: Russia to remain until Ukraine deal AFP Ukraine, this is your aggression. This But Medvedev also struck a more the biggest reinforcement to our col- Almost every day is not a civil war in Crimea, this is positive note, saying: “Our positions lective defence in decades, to send a implemented your soldiers who occupied my coun- differ, but they do not differ as much powerful signal to deter any aggres- we are accused of try. This is not a civil war in Syria, this as 40 years ago when a wall was sion or intimidation. Not to wage war, MUNICH: The world has plunged making new horrible is your planes bombing the civilian standing in Europe.” but to prevent war.” AFP into a “new Cold War”, the Russian population.” He urged more dialogue, citing Earlier this week, Stoltenberg premier said yesterday, as East-West threats either against Poroshenko warned that “pro- the “shining example” of the historic announced that plans had been tensions over Ukraine and Syria took Nato, against Europe Russian parties” were undermining meeting of Pope Francis and Russian approved for an increased Nato MUNICH: Sanctions against centre-stage at a gathering of world Europe from within with an alterna- Patriarch Kirill in Cuba on Friday. presence in eastern Europe—which Russia will continue until it imple- leaders in Germany. or against the US, tive set of values. He also called for greater military sources said would involve between ments all aspects of the Ukraine “We have slid into a new period Russian Prime “Isolationism, intolerance, dis- cooperation in Syria, where Russia is 3,000 and 6,000 troops rotating peace agreement reached in Minsk of Cold War,” Prime Minister Dmitry respect of human rights, religious backing a regime that the West wants through the region. last year, US Secretary of State Medvedev told the audience at the Minister Dmitry fanatics, homophobia—this alterna- to see removed from power. “Russia’s rhetoric, posture and John Kerry said yesterday. Munich Security Conference. Medvedev said at tive Europe has a leader. His name The US and Russian militaries exercises of its nuclear forces are “Russia has a simple choice: “Almost every day we are accused Munich Security is Mr Putin.” By contrast, Medvedev “should be in contact 10 times a day,” aimed at intimidating its neighbours, fully implement Minsk or con- of making new horrible threats either had earlier criticised the expansion of he said. Nato general secretary Jens undermining trust and stability in tinue to face economically against Nato as a whole, against Conference Nato and EU influence deep into for- Stoltenberg also addressed the forum, Europe,” Stoltenberg said in Munich. damaging sanctions,” he said at Europe or against the US or other merly Soviet-ruled eastern Europe, vowing a firm stance against Russia The Nato chief said that “some are the Munich Security Conference countries,” Medvedev added. which Russia still sees as its sphere while also boosting dialogue. concerned that we are sleepwalk- in Germany. It did not take long for those accu- of influence. “We have seen a more assertive ing toward escalation with Russia... “Sanctions are never an end in sations to resurface in Munich, as a ammunition penetrate into my “European politicians thought that Russia, a Russia which is destabilising I understand those concerns but I do and of themselves,” Kerry the US group of leaders from eastern Europe country,” said Ukraine President creating a so-called belt of friends at the European security order,” he said. not share them.” He urged a “more Secretary of State added. took the stage to criticise Russia’s Petro Poroshenko. Europe’s side, on the outskirts of the “Nato does not seek confrontation constructive and more cooperative “But we shouldn’t forget why assertive foreign policy. He addressed Russia’s presi- EU, could be a guarantee of security, and we don’t want a new Cold War. relationship with Russia... I strongly they were imposed in the first “Every single day, Russian dent, who was not present, saying: and what’s the result?” he said. “Not a At the same time our response has to believe that the answer lies with both place: to stand up for Ukraine’s troops, Russian weapons, Russian “Mr Putin, this is not a civil war in belt of friends but a belt of exclusion.” be firm.” Nato was now “undertaking more defence and more dialogue.” fundamental rights—its sover- eignty and territorial integrity. “Put plainly, Russia can prove by its actions that it will respect Fresh protests in Ukraine’s sovereignty, just as it Floods in Portugal insists on respect for its own,” Kerry said. Athens over The West accuses Russia of pouring troops and military equip- pension reforms ment into the eastern Donbass region since the conflict began in 2014. ATHENS: Thousands of dem- “The path to sanctions relief onstrators gathered in Athens is clear: withdraw weapons and yesterday in solidarity with farm- troops from Donbass, ensure ers who have blocked dozens of that all Ukrainian hostages are highways and border crossings in returned, allow full humanitar- recent weeks in protest over a pen- ian access to occupied territories, sions overhaul. support free, fair, and interna- An estimated 12,000 people tionally-monitored elections in gathered in the Greek capital’s Donbass under Ukrainian law, central Syntagma Square outside and restore Ukraine’s control of parliament, police said. its side of the international bor- More than half were members of der,” Kerry said the communist-leaning Pame trade Kerry further praised Euro- union, offering support for farmers pean governments for “showing to protest against the reforms. resolve and common purpose Around 10,000 protesters wav- in the face of Russia’s repeated ing black flags, including thousands aggression”. of farmers, marched through Athens “I am confident that Europe behind a column of tractors blar- and the United States will con- ing their horns. Vowing to keep up tinue to stand united—both in the protests throughout the week- sustaining sanctions for as long end, dozens of farmers spent Friday as they are necessary and pro- night in Syntagma Square in front of viding needed assistance to parliament. The farmers are angry Ukraine,” he said. about government plans to increase He spoke at the conference their social security contributions as A giant bear statue, covered with artificial grass is isolated by flood water in Green Park in Coimbra, centre of Portugal, after continual shortly after Russian Prime Min- part of pension reforms demanded rainfall as the Mondego river broke its banks yesterday. Portuguese weather bureau predicted heavy rainfall throughout the country in ister Dmitry Medvedev who had by Greece’s creditors in exchange the coming days. decried a “new Cold War” between for a third massive bailout. East and West. Proposals to avert Brexit Cameron confident of reaching EU deal acceptable to Poland AFP country that reaches out,” Cameron Britain’s EU membership before hold- said to thunderous applause. told guests of Hamburg’s historic ing an in-out referendum. The banquet’s host, Hamburg “Matthiae-Mahl” banquet in the He must convince his 27 fellow mayor Olaf Scholz, said Britain was AFP Merkel added that both leaders ornate town hall. EU leaders to back the controversial “irreplaceable” in European foreign agreed that “we will do all we can to HAMBURG: Prime Minister David “And I never want us to pull up reform proposals at a leaders’ summit and defence policy. keep Britain in the EU while respect- Cameron expressed confidence that the drawbridge and retreat from the in Brussels on February 18-19. “And from an economic point ing fundamental principles of the EU a deal could be reached allowing Brit- world. He said that if no deal was of view, too... we can’t and won’t do BERLIN: Poland’s Prime Minister like free movement of people.” ain to remain in the European Union “So when it comes to the question reached, “then I rule nothing out. without London,” he added. Beata Szydlo said a proposed deal to Over a million Poles live and work and avoid a so-called “Brexit”. of Britain’s future in Europe, my aim But I believe we can—and if we do, I Britain needed to show “pragma- keep Britain in the European Union in Britain, and Warsaw had said it “When it comes to the ques- is clear: I want to keep Britain inside believe we can win that referendum tism and courage... and their ability was “mostly acceptable” to Warsaw would not accept any plan that dis- tion of Britain’s place in Europe, I a reformed European Union,” Cam- and that will be good for Britain, good to compromise,” said Scholz, who is a but stressed that Polish workers in criminates against their citizens in have always been confident that eron said. for Germany and good for the whole member of the Social Democrat SPD the UK should not lose out. the UK. But following a draft agree- together we can secure the reforms “If by working together we can of Europe. party which shares power with Mer- The proposals are “mostly accept- ment unveiled by EU president Donald that address Britain’s concerns and achieve these changes, then I will Merkel insisted that “my wish kel’s conservative CDU party. able,” she said, after talks with German Tusk Warsaw has signalled that it was also work for Europe as a whole,” unequivocally recommend that Brit- is that the United Kingdom is and Drawing an analogy to football, Chancellor Angela Merkel, but she largely on board. The proposals include Cameron told a banquet in the Ger- ain stays in a reformed European remains an active member of a suc- Scholz said that “the British alone added that “what is important for us a four-year “emergency brake” limit- man city of Hamburg, where he was Union on these new terms.” cessful European Union.” will decide what the result will be, is everything must be done to ensure ing welfare payments to migrants, as guest of honour alongside Chancel- Cameron is engaged in an inten- That was not only in Germany’s whether the ball is in or out. And this Poles who are working in Britain are well as a “red card” system for national lor Angela Merkel. sive round of high-stakes diplomacy interest, “but also in Britain’s and in time, we’re all hoping the decision also respected and given guarantees.” parliaments to overrule draft EU laws. Britain has “always been a aimed at renegotiating the terms of the interests of the entire EU,” Merkel will be: In.”

In memory of refugees EU gives Greece three months to strengthen border against migrants

AFP to properly register and fingerprint scheme is being implemented. migrants during inspections at the The document was not imme- Turkish land border and several islands diately published on EU websites, in the Aegean Sea last November. which nonetheless confirmed that BRUSSELS: EU member states gave “It is of utmost importance that member states had given Athens a Greece a three-month ultimatum to Greece addresses the issues iden- three-month ultimatum to fix the remedy “deficiencies” in controlling tified in the report adopted by the problems or face effective suspen- the influx of migrants or effectively Commission as a matter of prior- sion from Schengen. face suspension from the Schengen ity and urgency,” EU ministers said If Greece fails to remedy the passport-free zone. in the recommendation that two EU problems by mid-May, Brussels The decision—taken by ministers sources said was adopted on Friday. could authorise other member states over Greek objections—culminates The document gave Greece, to exceptionally extend border con- weeks of pressure on Greece, the main which is already struggling to emerge trols within the EU’s Schengen area, gateway for the million refugees and from a massive debt crisis, one month including with Greece, for up to two migrants who entered Europe last year. to “establish an action plan to rem- years, instead of normal six months. Life jackets left by migrants on Greek beaches are pictured on columns at the Schauspielhaus concert A report adopted 10 days earlier edy the deficiencies.” Such a scenario is outlined under hall, a part of a temporary memorial project by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei to commemorate the refugees by the European Commission, the EU After a further two months, article 26 of the Schengen border who drowned on their way to Europe in Berlin. executive, found Greece was failing Greece must report back on how the code. 18 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAS Sanders draws support from young blacks

an establishment candidate. They seem less inclined than their parents Young American to reward Clinton for the outreach of Africans support her husband, former President Bill Sanders’ outspoken Clinton, and more drawn to Sanders’ outspoken views on reducing income views on reducing inequality, cracking down on Wall income inequality, Street, and cutting the cost of college. Reuters/Ipsos polling last year cracking down on showed that 36 percent of blacks Wall Street, and between 18 and 29 years old thought the country was on the “wrong cutting the cost of track,” compared with 23 percent college of blacks who were at least 60 years old. For Sanders this trend could help him chip away at Clinton’s firewall of minority voters in the southern Reuters states, after his strong showings against her —especially among the young —in the early Democratic Party contests of Iowa and New Republican candidate Jeb Bush greets supporters at a campaign at Younts Performing Arts Centre in Fountain Inn, South Carolina, yesterday. ORANGEBURG: If Democratic Hampshire, both more than 90 per- hopeful Bernie Sanders has a chance cent white. of drawing African-American voters The voting-age population in away from rival Hillary Clinton in South Carolina, one of the next stops South Carolina’s presidential nom- on the primary trail, is about 67 per- Jeb encashes Bush ‘lottery’ in South Carolina inating contest on February 27, his cent white and 27 percent black. best opportunity will be among the In Orangeburg, South Caro- young. African Americans support lina, students at the historically Bloomberg whom he’d previously mentored. in a political family. “I’ve been totally in Barbara Bush,” Bush said during the former secretary of state Clinton by black schools of South Carolina His dad, President George H W blessed to be in a unique place where rally, which came the day after spend- more than a 3-to-1 margin nation- State University and Claflin Univer- Bush? “The greatest man alive,” he said I’ve seen history unfold and I’ve seen ing his birthday on the campaign trail. wide, but among young blacks 18 to sity appeared split over which of the at a rally in Anderson, South Carolina. leadership when it was done right.” Bush’s comments come as he’s 29 years old, that margin shrinks to two candidates to support. Students SOUTH CAROLINA: As the Repub- His brother? The presidential hopeful He singled out special admiration locked in an increasingly personal bat- 46 percent for Clinton versus 33 per- praised Clinton’s work on behalf lican primary battleground shifts to says he remains nothing but proud of for the former first lady, who last month tle in the state with former political cent for Sanders, according to recent of women and minorities and her South Carolina, Jeb Bush has a new George W Bush. And Barbara Bush? appeared in football shoulder pads and student Marco Rubio, who’s accused Reuters/Ipsos polling. years of Washington experience. But way of dealing with his family history: Don’t even get him started. eye black for a picture tweeted by the him of lacking foreign policy cre- African Americans overwhelm- many said they also were intrigued embracing it. He “won the lottery” on that one, campaign in a jab at Trump. dentials. The state has been good to ingly back Democrats, but opinion by Sanders’ plans to raise taxes on The former Florida governor has he told a crowd at the Anderson, South “Frankly, when my little eyes his family and his brother, President polls in the run-up to the Novem- wealthier people and Wall Street taken the new tack in the Palmetto State, Carolina Civic Centre. “I had a front row opened up 63 years and a day ago George W Bush, in 2000 went on to ber 8 presidential election show firms, provide universal healthcare where he’s locked in a battle with Sen- seat to watch history unfold,” he told a in Midland, Texas, I opened my eyes win the nomination after losing to John younger blacks more apt to reject and offer free public college tuition. ator Marco Rubio—a fellow Floridian crowd of supporters about growing up and she was there—I won the lottery McCain in New Hampshire. Pope tells Dangerous cold snap Mexico leaders nation needs grips northeast US

‘true justice’ Reuters “It’s so important to take this seriously, to stay indoors to the max- imum extent possible, go out for as AFP little time as possible,” de Blasio told BOSTON: A dangerous cold snap reporters. “These are tough condi- seized the northeastern United tions,” he said in a statement issued MEXICO CITY: Pope Francis yes- States yesterday, with temperatures yesterday. terday called on Mexico’s leaders in some areas set to fall below zero He further ordered construc- to provide “true justice” and secu- and Boston facing its coldest day in tion crews to put cranes in secure rity to citizens hit by drug violence almost four decades. positions following the collapse of a as he addressed a National Palace Officials warned people to stay huge crane in high winds earlier this packed with politicians. indoors away from what the National month, which killed one person and Armed forces personnel receive instructions during an awareness campaign on the day of national With President Enrique Pena Weather Service described as “life injured three. mobilisation against the Aedes aegypti mosquito, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, yesterday. Nieto by his side, Francis invoked threatening” cold. Wind chill advi- At Boston’s Pine Street Inn 485- the country’s struggles against cor- sories were in effect over parts of bed homeless shelter, workers ruption and crime, one day after nine states extending from north- were finding cots, mats and even arriving on a five-day, cross-coun- ern Pennsylvania to western Maine, chairs to accommodate the roughly Brazil enlists army and cabinet try tour of Mexico. with forecasters expecting gusts up 600 people they were expecting The pope told the lawmak- to 72 kilometre per hour. tonight, said spokeswoman Bar- ers and government officials that “Wind chills will be getting bara Trevisan. social, cultural and political lead- colder and colder as the day goes “No one will be turned out for in campaign against Zika virus ers have a duty to help citizens on,” said Alan Dunham, a meteor- lack of space,” Trevisan said. “have real access to the mate- ologist with the National Weather In Boston, some were hurrying rial and spiritual goods which are Service in Taunton, Massachusetts. through their mornings to get out- Reuters said everyone needed to take part in Twenty-seven cabinet ministers indispensable: adequate housing, The temperature in Boston was door chores done before the worst the battle against the mosquito car- including central bank chief Alexandre dignified employment, food, true expected to drop to -21.7°C over- cold set in. rying Zika. There are currently no Tombini participated in the operation justice, effective security, a healthy night, but feel as cold as -34.4°C with “Right now I’m going to drink a vaccines or treatment for the virus, aimed at visiting three million homes and peaceful environment.” the wind chill. coffee” to stay warm, said Carmen BRASILIA: Brazil’s government though research institutes and phar- across 356 towns and cities. “Experience teaches us that That would be below the record Pichente, 40, en route to her job at a launched a nationwide campaign maceutical companies are working Soldiers in Sao Paulo handed out each time we seek the path of low of -19.4°C set in 1979. Boston restaurant. “Tomorrow, I’m yesterday to fight the Zika virus, with on several possibilities. fliers with the slogan “A mosquito isn’t privileges or benefits for a few to “That one looks quite breakable,” going to stay at home all day.” President Dilma Rousseff and cabinet “Brazil and the world have lost stronger than a whole country.” Troops the detriment of the good of all ... Dunham said. Others brushed it off as part of ministers personally visiting homes the battle against dengue, but we won also visited homes in Brasilia. The so- society becomes a fertile soil for New York City was bracing for life in New England. and handing out leaflets along with the war against yellow fever, which called National Day for “Zero Zika” is corruption, drug trade, exclusion its coldest night in 20 years. Mayor “It’s nothing. I lived in Boston 220,000 troops. is carried by the same mosquito. focused on raising awareness about of different cultures, violence and Bill de Blasio said officials had put all my life,” said Eddie Brown, 51, Under a scorching sun in the neigh- We will win the war against Zika,” the disease, Rousseff said. Other oper- also human trafficking, kidnap- on extra staff to help respond to res- a delivery truck driver out on his borhood of Zepellin in the outskirts of Rousseff said as she launched the ations specifically aimed at spreading ping and death, bringing suffering idents who had lost their heat and rounds. Asked why he wasn’t wear- Rio de Janeiro, which will host the campaign, which also targets other larvicides and eliminating breeding and slowing down development,” had expanded efforts to bring home- ing a coat, Brown replied, “I got long Olympic Games in August, Rousseff mosquito-borne diseases. spots will be launched later this month. he said. less people into shelters. trousers on.” Columbine shooter’s mother says saw no signs of his mental distress

AFP dressed in black trenchcoats and car- the people that Dylan harmed.” protective. And that if anything were there. He would’ve gotten help. homework. I just, I need to go to bed.’” rying four guns. They opened fire, Klebold said it is “very hard to live wrong with my kids, I would know. “I don’t ever, for a moment, mean About a year and a half before killing 13 people and wounding 24 in with the fact that someone you loved “But I didn’t know. And I wasn’t to imply that I’m not conscious of the the shooting Dylan hacked into the Columbine before killing themselves. and raised has brutally killed people able to stop his hurting other people. I fact that he was a killer, because I school computer system with friends, WASHINGTON: The mother of a teen Nearly 17 years have passed and in such a horrific way. wasn’t able to stop his hurting himself. am,” she said. earning him a three-day suspension. involved in the deadliest high school Klebold said in an interview with “The last moments of his life were And it’s very hard to live with that.” In Dylan’s later teen years Kle- Around this time police arrested Kle- shooting in US history said she saw no ABC’s 20/20 news show that has been spent in violence, sadism. You know, Klebold said her son was a shy, like- bold did notice personality changes, bold after he and a friend were caught signs of her son’s mental distress ahead living with guilt ever since. he was cruel and hateful and —and I able kid who went to parties with friends but she attributed it to adolescent breaking into a van to steal electronic of the 1999 Columbine massacre. “I am so sorry for what my son have to own that.” and grew up in a loving two-parent development. equipment. In her first TV interview since the did,” Klebold, 66, said. If another child had shot her son, household. There were no signs of Dylan’s “Sometimes he would seem ... dis- “It was terrible, I know. Abso- killings, Sue Klebold apologised on “Yet I know that just saying I’m she said she immediately would have murderous tendencies, Klebold said. tant or quiet. And I remember asking lutely. It was awful,” Klebold said. behalf of her son Dylan. The 17-year- sorry is such an inadequate response blamed the child’s parents. “If I had recognised that Dylan him, ‘Are you okay? Are you sure “And at the time, I thought that was old and his best friend Eric Harris, to all this suffering. There is never a “I think we like to believe that was experiencing some real men- you’re okay? You seem so tired,’ and the worst thing I could ever possibly 18, came to school on April 20, 1999 day that goes by where I don’t think of our love and our understanding is tal distress, he would not have been he’d stand up and say, ‘I’ve got a lot of experience.”

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ONLINE CHART BUST Refugee documentary cheered at Berlin fest

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com AFP MOST READ BERLIN: A searing Italian documentary on Europe’s refugee influx drew cheers yesterday at the Berlin 1 Zika virus may hide in organs protected from the film festival, which has rolled out the red carpet for immune system pictures offering unique takes on the crisis. Fire at Sea by award-winning director Gian- 2 Overcoming the stigma of epilepsy franco Rosi, set on the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, emerged as an early favourite among 18 contenders for the festival’s Golden Bear top 3 Turkey, Saudi could launch anti-IS ground prize, to be awarded by jury president Meryl Streep operation in Syria: Ankara on February 20. The film provides an unflinching look at the thousands of desperate people who arrive on the island each year trying to enter the European Union, TWEET OF THE DAY and the thousands more who have died trying. But Rosi, who spent several months on Lampedusa making the documentary, also offers a tender portrait of the rhythms of daily life in Lampedusa’s ancient fishing villages and efforts of local people to help those in need. “It bears wit- ness to a tragedy that is happening right before our eyes,” Rosi told reporters following a enthusiasti- cally received press preview. FROM LEFT: Giuseppe Fragapane, protagonist Pietro Bartolo, Italian director Gianfranco Rosi, The picture is told through the eyes of a 12-year- old local boy, Samuele Pucillo, and a doctor, Pietro Protagonist, Samuele Pucillo and actor Giuseppe del Volgo during a photocall for ‘Fuocoammare’ Bartolo, who has been tending to the often dehy- (Fire at Sea) at the 66th annual Berlin International Film Festival, in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. drated, malnourished and traumatised new arrivals for a quarter-century. Rosi, who clinched the Venice the perilous journey to Italy in a call-and-response films shining a light on the crisis in various ways. film festival’s 2013 Golden Lion for his film Sacro chant with other African migrants, describing what German documentary Havarie traces the fate of a GRA, also accompanied coastguard rescue missions was for many a deadly trek through the scorching small rickety refugee boat in the Mediterranean, answering the terrified SOS calls of people on over- Sahara, and the suffering endured at the hands of spotted by a tourist who made a mobile phone video crowded boats, most of them arriving from Libya. Islamic State jihadists and prison guards in Libya. from a cruise ship. They are taken to a reception centre for medical Bartolo, the doctor, said that he hoped the film Danish film Those Who Jump hands the cam- examinations and processing while awaiting trans- would open more Europeans’ eyes to the plight vis- era to a Malian migrant trapped in the high-security fer to other sites in Italy. Rosi captures the migrants’ ible in Lampedusa every day, as the political debate border facility between the EU and Africa as he and overwhelming relief to be on dry land, the shock grows more entrenched. Tim Robey of London’s hundreds of other would-be asylum seekers plot their that gives way to mourning for their dead, and the Daily Telegraph called the film “pertinent, humane” next move. And Syrian-Iraqi production Life of the crushing boredom they break up with rough-and- and “shattering” on Twitter, while Kate Muir of the Border allowed eight children in a refugee camp in tumble football games. Times pronounced it “brilliant”. The 11-day cin- the Kurdish Syrian town of Kobane to film their own In one powerful scene, a Nigerian man recounts ema showcase is also featuring around a dozen stories. The festival runs until February 21.

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SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 • 5 Jumada I 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Microsoft to support 10,000 SMEs in Qatar

By Sachin Kumar direction they want to go and work- and cost effective way,” he added. realising that if they are not techno- “Without these SMEs not being The Peninsula ing with Ooredoo to keep updating Cloud computing is a kind of logically competitive, they have no technologically competitive, they have The computing their system and using the latest tech- Internet-based computing, where chance to survive. I think that matu- no chance and many of them don’t giant is aiming to nology. We will make sure that they shared resources, data and informa- rity is here. Cloud computing offers a have financial capability to invest are up to date on what is happening,” tion are provided to computers and big opportunity with SMEs to make in heavy technology. This is where DOHA: Small and Medium Enter- help around 10,000 said Yazbeck. other devices. Cloud computing and sure that they are able to scale and cloud computing is going to be the prises (SMEs) in Qatar will get a major SMEs in Qatar in Microsoft is currently running storage solutions provide users and rather than touching 2000-3000 key,” added Yazbeck. technological boost from Microsoft. many programmes in Qatar, including enterprises to store and process their (clients) they can touch 20-30,000 The computing giant is aiming to help three years. It has BizSpark and Imagine Cup challenge, data in third-party data centres. (clients),” said Yazbeck. around 10,000 SMEs in Qatar in three supported around under which it is providing support to “SMEs have their special pricing. Assisting small and medium size Micrsoft’s cloud years. It has supported around 2,000 2,000 SMEs in the SMEs and start ups. Cloud computing is a technology what firms will be an important focus for SMEs in the last two years. Micrsoft’s cloud computing we call on demand in which basically Microsoft in 2016. computing service The support for SMEs will be last two years service has evoked encouraging you pay for only what you use. You “Our biggest line on the agenda has evoked ranging from providing training to response from small and medium don’t invest on initial capex that you that how can we help SMEs grow and employees to concessional pricing. sized firms. “Response of SMEs to don’t use. This by itself is cost effec- how can we help more SMEs to come encouraging “Last year we touched around Peninsula. “We will be helping them cloud computing is very positive. tive,” said Yazbeck. to the table. A part of our commitment response from small 2,000 SMEs, we are hoping to touch leveraging new technologies, training We went from less than 500 SMEs He said that entrepreneurs in to Qatar National Vision 2030 is how and medium-sized around 10,000 SMEs in next three their people in leveraging technol- to around 2,000 SMEs in 18 months. Qatar are gradually understanding can we help contribute to diversifica- years,” said Naim Yazbeck, General ogy, assisting them in case they need They are realising that his is the way the importance of technology. tion of this economy and how SMEs firms Manager, Microsoft Qatar told The help from Microsoft in one particular to go and that it is the most efficient “Good part is that SMEs are also can play big role in this. 22 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS

QP awards contract to ONGC plans cheaper drilling contracts supply jet fuel to HIA

Qatar Petroleum, described the project as an important contribu- The EPIC contract tion to the diversification of Qatar’s was awarded to national economy and in support of the country’s aviation sector. the Joint Venture Al Kaabi said “the project is a tes- of Consolidated tament to QP’s commitment to ensure the optimal utilisation of our natural Contractors group & resources by creating value-added Teyseer Contracting products, and to secure energy sup- Company to build a plies for the local and international markets.” The project is made up of 24-inch pipeline and a number of components including associated facilities a dedicated 24-inch pipeline from (HIA) in Doha. The EPIC contract Ras Laffan to Doha, four Jet A1 tanks that will be used to was awarded to the Joint Venture (53,000 cubic metres each), booster transport the jet fuel of Consolidated Contractors group and mainline pumps, and power and & Teyseer Contracting Company to firefighting systems. build a 24-inch pipeline and asso- When commissioned in 2019, ciated facilities that will be used to this project will be capable of sup- The Peninsula transport the jet fuel. plying all of the Jet Fuel demand of The project will ensure meet- Hamad International Airport until ing the long-term demand of JetA1 2030 and beyond. The project’s jet supply to HIA beyond the year 2030, fuel will primarily come from Laf- DOHA: Qatar Petroleum (QP) with the option of JetA1 fuel availa- fan Refineries 1 and 2, in addition to has awarded an Engineering, bility from two distinct and separate products from Pearl GTL, the world’s An Oil and Natural Gas Corp’s well at an oil field on the outskirts of the western Indian city of Ahmedabad. Procurement, Installation and Com- sources: namely Ras Laffan and largest Gas to Liquids plant and one missioning (EPIC) contract to supply Mesaieed. of the world’s largest, most complex ONGC hopes to agree new cheaper drilling contracts for its western offshore fields, two sources involved Jet Fuel from Ras Laffan Industrial Saad Sherida Al Kaabi (pic- and challenging energy projects ever in the matter said, in its biggest ever cost-saving drive in response to lower crude prices. City to Hamad International Airport tured), the President and CEO of commissioned.

GCC will have to QNB report asks how many times should the Fed hike rates this year look for innovative funding to support The Peninsula last week, QNB expects US real GDP expected to rise during 2016. projects: S&P to grow by 2.1 percent in 2016. This is With inflation at 1.5 percent and below the Fed’s December projections unemployment at 4.85 percent, the for economic growth (2.4 percent), Taylor Rule, which combines both DOHA: At the US Federal Reserve’s which makes sense given the recent inflation and unemployment to come S&P estimates that (Fed) policy meeting in December weak economic data from the US. As a up with the optimal interest rate, rec- Gulf sovereigns’, 2015, the Fed expected to increase result, our forecast for unemployment ommends that the Fed’s policy rate including Qatar, interest rates four times in 2016, by at the end of 2016 (4.85 percent) is should be at 1.1 percent at the end of 25 basis points each time. The state slightly higher than the Fed’s Decem- 2016. This would imply three 25 basis capital spending of financial markets and recent ber projection (4.7 percent). point hikes this year from the current overall over the comments from Fed officials have With regard to inflation, the Fed’s level of 0.375 percent. Although this next four years prompted markets to price in less preferred measure, which strips out is lower than the four hikes that the will be $480bn, of than one hike this year. This raises the the effects of volatile food and energy Fed expected in December, it is still question, who is right and how many prices, has started to pick up in the sec- well above market expectations of less which about 60-70 times will the Fed actually raise rates ond half of 2015, rising from a low of 1.3 than one hike this year. percent will go this year?, QNB’s ‘economic commen- percent in July to 1.4 percent in Decem- Although the Taylor Rule suggests to infrastructure tary’ noted yesterday. ber. This remains well below the Fed’s that three rate hikes would be the projects The Chair of the Fed, Janet Yellen, target of 2 percent. However, we expect optimal monetary policy this year, the has described a rule that she uses as inflation to continue its moderate rise Fed could deviate from this due to the a guide for interest rate policy, called in 2016 to reach 1.5 percent by the end current turbulence in financial mar- the Taylor Rule. The Taylor Rule is of the year. This is partly due to higher kets and recent weak global economic The Peninsula an equation that prescribes the cen- wages as the labour market contin- data. Both of these factors could be tral bank’s interest rate based on the ues to tighten. It is also due to higher seen as risks to the US economy itself, amount that inflation and unemploy- expected healthcare costs. A number but are not accounted for directly by DOHA: Gulf sovereigns as well as ment are deviating from their targets. of payments under the Medicare pro- the Taylor Rule. Indeed, in September the region’s banks will have fewer We use the Taylor Rule and our eco- gramme have kept healthcare inflation 2015, the Fed decided to deviate from resources at hand to support the nomic projections for the US economy down in recent years, but this effect is the Taylor Rule’s recommendation by region’s infrastructure rollout plan to determine the appropriate Fed expected to dissipate going forward. keeping rates on hold due to concerns Fed could continue to hold off from stabilise in the coming months, then, over the next years — especially if interest rate at the end of this year. Therefore, healthcare inflation (20 about the global economy and turmoil rate hikes for the same reasons this we can expect the Fed to press ahead oil prices decline further or remain As explained in its commentary percent weight in overall inflation) is in financial markets. This suggests the year. However, if financial markets with raising interest rates. low for longer. “This is one reason why Gulf countries are starting to look at alternatives such as public-pri- vate partnerships,” said Standard Ex-India PM says Modi govt failing & Poor’s Ratings Services. S&P estimates that Gulf sov- ereigns’, including Qatar, capital spending overall over the next four to boost economic investment years will be $480bn, of which about 60 percent-70 percent will go to infrastructure projects. And, Reuters Parliament,” he said, responding it projects that Gulf government to Singh’s criticism that the gov- spending on projects alone — ernment has not consulted the including infrastructure contracts opposition. awarded over the period 2016- MUMBAI: India’s former prime The proposed goods and 2019 - could be about $330bn. minister Manmohan Singh (pic- services tax (GST), India’s big- Taking this and other research tured) criticised his successor gest revenue shake-up since into account, S&P estimates that Narendra Modi’s government in a independence in 1947, has been about $50bn out of the $330bn that rare interview, saying it has failed stuck in the upper house where it we think will be spent on projects to capitalise on lower commodity needs Congress’ support to make will be allocated specifically for prices to propel growth. it a law. infrastructure, including trans- Speaking to the India Today Singh also said Modi should port-related projects. magazine, Singh said Modi’s focus on improving relations with This compares with S&P’s esti- government should use improv- neighbouring countries, adding mates of about$604bn in projects, ing fiscal balances to raise percent in the quarter through that the government had not suc- including $100bn of infrastruc- investment in the economy and December, but consumer infla- ceeded at making headway with ture projects that will need funding increase the availability of credit tion inched up unexpectedly last Pakistan. through 2019. The difference between to businesses. “In the hands of a month and capital goods produc- “Certainly relations with our estimates of capital spending purposeful government, this tion, a proxy for investments, fell major powers have improved... on projects and project contracts could be an opportunity to step nearly 20 percent in December. But I would say that the real test awarded is as large as $270bn through up investment in the economy in Finance Minister Arun Jait- of foreign policy is in the han- 2019. “In our view, Gulf governments a big way,” said Singh, who left ley wants to present a credible dling of your neighbours. And are protecting capital spending as office after a 2014 election loss. budget on February 29, peo- here I would say that the Modi a share of overall expenditure to Singh, regarded as the archi- ple involved in the process say, government’s handling of Paki- support growth and further their tect of economic reforms that led but the government may end up stan is inconsistent,” 83-year old diversification strategies.” to years of rapid growth, said the breaking its budget deficit targets Singh told the magazine. “It has At the same time, Gulf sover- government has not been able to to stimulate demand. been one step forward, two steps eigns are cutting in areas where take advantage of falling oil and In a rebuttal on his website back.” they can afford to, or for what commodity prices that have low- and social media accounts, Jaitley Singh, an Oxbridge-edu- we consider to be nonessential ered India’s import bill. blamed Singh’s administration for cated economist, was credited infrastructure spending. Saudi Sharp falls in import prices mismanaging the economy, add- as finance minister in 1991 for Arabia, for example, reduced its have reduced the trade deficit, ing that the opposition Congress reforms that opened up the 2016 transport and infrastruc- raising hopes that it will boost has been unwilling to support economy. ture budget by 63 percent from economic activity. But turbo reforms in parliament. But his legacy is marred by the previous year. This for us illus- charged growth figures have “Both the Parliamentary his final term marked by cor- trates the challenge Gulf countries been criticised by many analysts Affairs Minister and myself ruption scandals, ballooning will face to pay for infrastruc- for giving too flattering a view. have discussed the GST with inflation and slowing economic ture through traditional sources, The economy expanded 7.3 every senior Congress leader in growth. including government funding. BUSINESS SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 23 London property market attracts Qatari investors

The Peninsula Prime London property remained an attractive proposition for investors Traditionally popular in 2015. Traditionally popular areas areas for Qatari for Qatari buyers, such as Knights- DOHA: The US dollar’s contin- bridge and Regent’s Park, have seen ued appreciation against the British buyers, such as strong growth in capital values in pound is making residential property Knightsbridge and recent years, but many developers in London increasingly attractive for believe that other central areas, which Qataris, with younger buyers par- Regent’s Park, have are experiencing urban regeneration, ticularly looking for areas of urban seen strong growth will see greater demand and steeper regeneration, where prices are likely price rises in the coming years. to rise fastest in the coming years. in capital values in The River Thames was in the past Because the Qatari Riyal is pegged recent years, but a barrier for values in central London to the dollar, investors from the region many developers with the areas south of the river being have benefitted from the US curren- markedly different from their neigh- cy’s 11 percent rise against the pound believe that other bours north of the river. over 2015. At the beginning of this central areas, which Battersea Power Station is an exam- year, Goldman Sach reiterated a call ple of a development in an increasingly for the dollar to rise 20 percent in the are experiencing popular area on the south bank of the next three years. urban regeneration, River Thames, only 10 minutes’ drive “If you’re a buyer from a Mid- from upmarket Knightsbridge, and a dle Eastern country, say Qatar, this will see greater mere walk to Chelsea. is a great opportunity, because the demand and steeper “Because Battersea Power Station exchange rates make it a really good price rises in the itself is world-famous, it was always time to buy,” said Adam Chalice, head of going to be of global interest to buy- UK residential development at property coming years ers, but there is more to it than just the services company Jones Lang LaSalle. building,” said Rob Tincknell, Chief “At the same time, the fundamen- Executive Officer of Battersea Power a strong focus on creating a genu- “Prices in the most expensive Housing has become a central tals of the London property market $14.1bn they spent on overseas prop- Station Development Company, devel- ine community with that sense of parts of London have come under political issue in Britain, with the gov- remain strong, due to a recovering erty in 2014, according to property oper of the iconic new urban quarter neighbourhood.” pressure, while those further afield ernment introducing a capital gains economy, the fact that London is still consultants CBRE. Although many centred around one of the world’s In a recent report entitled “Mov- continue to rise,” Chegwidden said. tax on foreign-domiciled buyers in thriving as a top financial centre, and are cash buyers, current rock-bottom most recognisable buildings. ing Out”, Jones Lang LaSalle’s director “We believe that the outer core story 2013. However, the new tax has not the relative low supply of new projects interest rates and the willingness for “Many people are now realis- of residential research, Neil Chegwid- still has some time to run and that dented appetite among foreign inves- in central areas.” Middle East banks to provide mort- ing that there is exceptional value den, said such “outer core” locations the broader central London market tors in the last year, and analysts London remains a popular des- gages through their branches in to be found in areas which are being were seeing more sales and devel- will continue to be active and strong believe that the shortage of space in tination for Middle East buyers, London have also been drivers of buy- regenerated, particularly in areas opment activity, and prices were despite the general election and tax- central London will keep land and accounting for 32 percent of the ing activity. like Battersea where there is also therefore rising at a faster rate. ation concerns.” property prices trending upwards. Chicago Auto Show Qatar-US trade in goods at $5.54bn in 2015

By Mohammad Shoeb largest economy declined to $147.7m and having extensive economic The Peninsula (QR537.85m) in January, witnessing ties, including a strong trade and a sharp fall of over 78 percent com- investment framework agreement. pared to the highest value registered In addition to economic relations, in February 2015, according to fig- both the countries are coordinating DOHA: The combined value of ures available on the official website closely on a wide range of regional Qatar-US bilateral trade in goods of the US Census Bureau. and global issues and trying to fur- in 2015 stood at $5.54bn (about Similarly, Qatar’s monthly ther deepen and strengthen ties. QR20.17bn), witnessing a sharp fall exports of goods to the US for the The US is Qatar’s largest foreign of nearly 20 percent compared to year 2015 was recorded in March investor and its single largest source $6.92bn (about QR25.20bn), the high- at $225.2m (about QR820m) while of imports. est ever registered in 2014. the monthly exports for the year The US is one of the major equip- The total value of Qatar’s imports declined to $55.5m (about QR202.1m) ment suppliers for Qatar’s oil and gas of goods from the US in 2015 was in December, the lowest in 2015. industry, and US companies have $4.23bn (about QR15.40bn) and the Interestingly, January 2015 was played a significant role in the devel- value of exports was about $1.31bn the first month (over the last three opment of the oil and gas sector and (about QR4.77bn). The annual trade years) when the value of Qatar’s petrochemicals industry. balance between the two coun- exports to the US exceeded the Its exports to Qatar include tries was about $2.93bn (about value of imports, registering a mar- aircraft, heavy machinery and equip- QR10.67bn), which was skewed in ginal trade surplus of about $12.9m ment, vehicles, optical and medical favour of the US being one of the (about QR46.98m). This was possi- instruments, and agricultural prod- largest import destinations of Qatar. ble because Qatar’s monthly imports ucts. While Qatar’s exports to the US BraunAbility MXV based on the 2016 Ford Explorer is displayed during the media preview at the The decline in bilateral trade from the US for the year was the low- include liquefied natural gas (LNG), Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, USA. BraunAbility MXV gives wheelchair volume reflects the impact of plum- est in January. aluminum, fertilizers, and sulfur users the freedom of an accessible van with the style and capability of an SUV. The auto show opened meting energy prices, which is one However, Qatar has enjoyed trade among others. to the public yesterday and runs until February 21. of the major sources of revenues for surpluses with the US in the past for According to figures provided the Qatari government. four consecutive years between 1999 by the US Undersecretary of Com- Qatar’s monthly imports from and 2002. But after 2003 the trade merce for International Trade, Stefan the US in February 2015 recorded balance once again went in favour of Selig, earlier last year, Qatar’s For- the highest value for the year hitting the US. Since then the trade balance eign Direct Investment (FDI) in US $672.8m (about QR2.45bn) closely between the two countries has now was about $3.2bn (about QR11.65bn) followed by November at $632.5m grown to $2.93bn (about QR10.67bn) in 2014. However, Selig noted that Argentina and ‘vulture funds’ (about QR2.30bn), the second high- in2015 from merely $76.1m in 2003. this number may be even higher as est during the year. While Qatar’s Qatar and the US have devel- there a lot of investments from pri- still at odds over repayment monthly imports from the world’s oped a robust trade relationship vate businesses.

AFP litigation rather than accepting what discount around the time of the he called a “substantial” discount to default — have held out for full pay- his company’s repayment claims. ment and in 2012 won a court battle. On Thursday, Argentina They want about $1.75bn covering the NEW YORK: Argentina’s tough- requested a New York court to face value of their bonds and accu- est “holdout” creditors have not remove injunctions blocking its mulated interest. accepted its repayment offer despite debt payments to other creditors In its petition on Thursday to intense marathon negotiations this now that it has made a strong offer the judge in the 2012 case, Tho- week, a US mediator said late on to holdouts. mas Griesa, Argentina argued that Friday. After years of stalling by his its settlement offer shows it is mak- Daniel Pollack, the court- predecessor Cristina Kirchner, ing genuine efforts to strike an appointed mediator in the last week the new government of agreement. negotiations, said that although two President Mauricio Macri offered “Now, however, the continued of the six main hedge fund credi- the holdouts, bondholders who force of the injunctions makes it tors had accepted the “landmark” stayed out of the country’s huge difficult for Argentina to access $6.5bn offer, the other four had yet debt restructurings in the 2000s, the global capital markets to raise to accept. $6.5bn to resolve all of their claims, funds to complete the settlements,” “Intensive discussions between worth some $9bn. the petition said. and among high-ranking Argentine Pollack called the offer “an his- It said also that the injunctions government officials, principals of toric breakthrough”, and two of the create “an incentive for the remain- those four firms and me have contin- six main holdout claimants immedi- ing holdout bondholders not to ued through the week,” Pollack said. ately accepted the deal, which Buenos settle on reasonable terms.” “These discussions have gone Aires said paid about 75 percent of Brodsky though blasted the offer, late into the night and will con- their claims. saying that for him, it represents only tinue,” he said. But comments from But Aurelius and NML Capital and 70 percent “of a substantially reduced one of the hedge funds, Aurelius Cap- two others have not yet accepted. claim—a double haircut.” ital Management, suggested the new The country defaulted on about “Given the choice between government in Buenos Aires could $100bn in debt in 2001 and was accepting the substantial haircut get bogged down like its predeces- able to persuade holders of 93 per- we have offered, continuing negoti- sor in legal battles with creditors if cent of that to accept losses in a ations, and litigating, Argentina chose branded “vultures”. restructuring. to litigate. This is a baffling contin- Aurelius chairman Mark Brodsky But Aurelius and NML — hav- uation of the failed strategy of the accused the country of resorting to ing scooped up the debt at a huge past,” he said. 24 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS San Miguel seeks to halve dollar debt as peso falls

pesos each time the local currency overseas, he said. The target is worth exchange rates, the company targets weakens by one peso against the dol- about $2bn now, he said, down from to sell 80bn pesos worth of preferred The company will lar, according to the company’s latest about $5bn in equity investment terms shares in three years, with an initial borrow more in financial statement. in 2012, when Ang first began looking at batch of 30 billion pesos to be sold pesos and sell “Reducing their dollar-debt expo- the asset. “San Miguel’s problem now is this quarter. The company in Sep- sure is prudent and wise given the how to look for new investments,” Ang tember raised 33.5bn pesos from a preferred shares to outlook that as the US raises interest said. “We don’t have a cash problem.” similar fundraising. It may also sell refinance existing rates, we will see a strong dollar,” said Chairman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr peso- denominated retail bonds to Jonathan Ravelas, chief market strat- and Ang have helped San Miguel expand refinance dollar-denominated debt, dollar debt and fund egist at Manila-based BDO Unibank beyond food and drink operations to Chief Finance Officer Ferdinand Con- infrastructure projects Inc., the largest Philippine lender by create a conglomerate in infrastruc- stantino said. assets. “The domestic market remains ture, energy and telecommunications. San Miguel is preparing to start a ranging from rail and very liquid and will be accessible for Outside of the Philippines, it has man- mobile-broadband service as early as power to ports and a company like San Miguel.” ufacturing operations in Hong Kong, the first half of the year, to challenge toll roads The peso has depreciated 6.8 China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand market leaders Philippine Long Dis- percent over the past 12 months. The and Malaysia. tance Telephone Co and Globe Telecom currency is expected to weaken 2.6 per- San Miguel has rallied 46 per- Inc. Talks with Telstra Corp are ongo- cent to 48.3 a dollar by the third quarter cent this year, the biggest gainer in ing, but San Miguel can proceed even from 47.06 at end-2015, according to the Philippine Stock Exchange Index, without a partner, Ang said. Bloomberg the median estimate in a Bloomberg after falling 32 percent in 2015. The Standard Chartered PLC and Bank A logo of San Miguel Corporation is seen at the main office in Ortigas survey. It has slumped 0.9 percent this stock slumped 66 percent in the five of Commerce will provide financing to city, Metro Manila. year, the worst performer among South- years through 2015 while the nation’s San Miguel’s $1.6bn, 44km mass railway east Asia’s most-traded currencies. benchmark equities index climbed 65 project from Manila to Bulacan prov- MANILA: San Miguel Corp, the Phil- President Ramon Ang, 62, said. The are doing very well.” San Miguel gets more than half its percent. ince, to be built by EEI Corp, Ang said. ippines’ largest company, aims to cut company had $8.54b of dollar- denom- Profit at the firm, which is now revenue from oil ventures Petron Corp “A reason for the stock’s under- Revenue from infrastructure, which the portion of its dollar-denominated inated debt at the end of September, heavily invested in oil and electric- and Petron Malaysia Refining & Mar- performance in previous years was includes rails and toll roads, may reach debt by half in two to three years to 47 percent of its 855.8bn peso ($18bn) ity, fell by more than half to 6.17bn keting Bhd. That’s followed by the food, that investors were nervous about its 100bn pesos by 2020 and will account shield earnings from a weaker peso. total liabilities, according to the com- pesos for the first nine months of the beverage and packaging business and expansion outside of food and drinks, for 20 percent of the business, from The energy, infrastructure and bev- pany’s third-quarter filing. year as a weaker peso quadrupled for- its other energy ventures, according to and the debt buildup that resulted from below 10 percent now, he said. erage company will borrow more in “We will balance our debts. We eign exchange losses to 10.3bn pesos. the company’s latest financial results. these new ventures,” Ravelas said. “San The company’s earnings before pesos and sell preferred shares to refi- may not prepay all our dollar debts, Falling fuel prices cut sales at its oil Falling valuations for assets in the Miguel is showing it’s managing these interest, taxes, depreciation and amor- nance existing dollar debt and fund but we will limit future borrowings to ventures, paring revenue 15 percent oil and gas industries present oppor- risks, and some investors are begin- tization could hit 200bn pesos by 2020 infrastructure projects ranging from pesos,” Ang said. “Without the effect to 504.5bn pesos. San Miguel’s pre- tunities, Ang said. Discussions are ning to see value.” if its infrastructure projects are com- rail and power to ports and toll roads, of foreign exchange, our operations tax profit is eroded by more than 5bn ongoing for a possible acquisition To help reduce its exposure to pleted as scheduled, Ang said.

Wheat offers Warning on exploding bulk-battery Singtel profits rise remain scarce shipments on aeroplanes issued at Egypt GASC

Bloomberg them and there is no legal restriction. panel on January 28 took the oppo- Reuters Cargo companies such as United site position, saying shipments should Parcel Service Inc and FedEx Corp stop until new packaging is devel- have not followed the passenger car- oped. The ICAO Council must decide ABU DHABI: Egypt, the world’s NEW YORK: US aviation safety offi- riers in banning the shipments. Both the issue later this year. largest wheat importer, received cials are raising new warnings about companies are working on technology Three cargo aircraft accidents, two only four offers at an international the dangers of carrying bulk ship- to limit the potential for battery fires. of them fatal, have been linked to lith- tender to buy the grain yesterday ments of lithium-based batteries on The Air Line Pilots Association, ium-based batteries that caught fire, as suppliers remained reluctant to commercial flights. the largest flight-crew union in North according to the National Transporta- sell to the state grain buyer GASC The Federal Aviation Adminis- America, called on Congress to give tion Safety Board and other accident following concern about limits on tration, which regulates the aviation the FAA more power to regulate lith- investigation agencies. imports of wheat containing the industry, recently sent a notice to air- ium shipments. While many large passenger car- ergot fungus. lines urging them to study the fire and “Lithium batteries pose a riers, including United Continental Participation in yesterday’s ten- explosion risks of lithium shipments significant safety threat to air trans- Holdings Inc and Delta Air Lines Inc, der by international grain trading linked to three accidents before they portation,” Mark Rogers, head of said last year they won’t ship the power houses was even lower than one on place the volatile power packs in cargo ALPA’s dangerous goods commit- packs as cargo until new safety meas- Friday when five offers were made holds. tee, said. “It’s important that the US ures are developed, such shipments and much lower compared to ten- “FAA battery fire testing has not delegate its responsibility as a are legal and some carriers continue ders in the past few months. highlighted the potential risk of a cat- sovereign nation to an international to handle them. About 26 million peo- The lowest offer presented was astrophic aircraft loss due to damage body. The US should set the exam- ple a year fly to and from the US on for French wheat at $186.50 a tonne resulting from a lithium battery fire or ple and lead international efforts.” foreign carriers that allow lithium ship- free-on-board (FOB) and $194 a explosion,” the FAA said. The action Because of language in a 2012 bill, ments, according to the FAA. tonne cost and freight (C&F) by Souf- is the latest to highlight the safety FAA and the Pipeline and Hazardous The FAA’s advisory doesn’t apply flet, traders said. threat posed by the power supplies Materials Safety Administration, which to batteries contained devices carried The remaining three offers were for a growing list of products, from jointly regulate how hazardous mate- by passengers and crew members. for Russian wheat, two cargoes by Apple Inc iPhones to electric vehicles rials may be carried on airline flights, The agency said it “strongly recom- Union Co and one by Aston. Still, and power tools. FAA research shows have had to resort to voluntary rec- mends” that passenger and cargo traders said there was a techni- rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can ommendations instead of regulatory airlines review their battery shipments cal issue with the French freight explode so violently that they could action in recent years in spite of grow- as more evidence emerges about the price of $7.50 a tonne and it could be shear open an aircraft fuselage. ing evidence implicating the batteries. threat. Not only will the power units rejected making Russian wheat the It also comes as legislation pro- Aircraft manufacturers Boeing Co explode, but they also can emit smoke cheapest on a cost and freight basis. posed last week to set FAA policy for and Airbus Group SE warned carriers and gases that will spread to the rest of Suppliers have been presenting the next six years would continue a last year against carrying the batter- the aircraft, the FAA said in the alert. offers to GASC with a risk premium prohibition on new lithium restric- ies as cargo until new protections are “The number of cells necessary added to the price for the past two tions in the US that are stricter than developed. While it can’t impose the to produce this condition is small tenders on the back of uncertainity those adopted by the United Nations’ actions itself, the FAA in October said and can occur with just a few pack- about the allowed limits of ergot, aviation arm, the International Civil it favoured a ban on shipments aboard ages,” the agency said in the alert. A man looks at mobile handsets at a Singtel retailer shop in a grain fungus found in wheat Aviation Organisation. passenger flights until new packag- Airlines should review the types of worldwide. While most passenger airlines last ing can prevent fires and urged ICAO batteries they carry, the reliability Singapore. Singtel, Southeast Asia’s biggest telecommunications GASC only managed to buy one year banned bulk shipments of lith- to take the same position. of the companies shipping them and operator, posted a net profit of S$954m ($687m) for the three cargo of 60,000 tonnes of Roma- ium rechargeable batteries, some US An ICAO panel in October rejected their employee training, according months ended December. nian wheat in a tender on Friday and foreign airlines continue to carry such a ban. Another ICAO advisory to the agency. and soon after announced another wheat import tender for the same shipment period of March 10-20, reflecting Egypt’s pressing need to secure more of the grain. Without a buyer, Thai Air’s A340 fleet will stay grounded Egypt’s supply ministry, which includes GASC, has usually permit- ted a 0.05 percent level of ergot in wheat imports. But the agriculture the portion of revenue from bookings on its own compared with budget carriers, Siam said. The ministry surprised traders this year website to 30 percent in the next few years, from airline has hedged 40 percent of its 2016 fuel needs by not allowing any ergot content Besides trying to offload the 16 percent now, Charamporn said. at a price that is “not bad,” with the remaining 60 and rejecting a 63,000 tonne French planes, which were used “We still have a lot of unfilled seats and need percent based on spot prices, Charamporn said. wheat shipment supplied by global urgent action to spur demand for advance book- Thai Air has reported losses since 2013 in trading house Bunge.. previously for long-haul ings,” Charamporn said at his office. “Promotions the face of increased competition from budget Bunge has launched legal pro- destinations such for bookings on our website are key to the com- and Middle East carriers. An economic slow- ceedings against Egypt over the pany’s future, because our current system is so down in China and Europe, the airline’s major rejected wheat. as Frankfurt, the inferior to other competitors.” markets, may renew concern about demand for GASC’s vice chairman Mam- money-losing airline has The airline plans to introduce a new system full-service flights from business travelers, Char- douh Abdel Fattah told Reuters in the second half of the year to make it easier amporn said. exclusively on Friday that Bunge cut routes and sold assets and faster to book online, Charamporn said. It’s The carrier posted a loss of 18bn baht ($506m) had offered to send a replacement to bolster its balance also in the process of selling its holdings in three in the first nine months of 2015, compared to a for the rejected vessel and that he sheet and operations domestic hotels, including publicly traded Royal deficit of 9.2bn baht in the same period a year was studying it. Orchid Hotel Thailand. earlier. The airline aims to raise its passenger In a bid to win back confidence, Shares of state-controlled Thai Air have load factor to more than 80 percent this year to the ministries of supply and agricul- fallen 13 percent this year, compared with a 16 boost earnings, Charamporn said. It filled an ture held a joint press conference percent drop for the Bloomberg Asia Pacific Air- average 73 percent of available seats last year, on Sunday assuring suppliers their Bloomberg lines Index. “A swift sale of aircraft will offer up from 69 percent in 2014, according to a Jan- wheat shipments can contain up to President Charamporn Jotikasthira (pictured) much-needed funds for Thai Air to repay loans uary 19 statement. 0.05 percent of ergot, a common glo- said in an interview in Bangkok. “All new planes or make investments,” Siam Tiyanont, an ana- Thai Air plans to sell about 6bn baht of bonds bal standard GASC traditionally used now have two engines that can fly as long as the lyst at Phillip Securities (Thailand) in Bangkok, this year to repay maturing debt, Chief Finan- in its import tender specifications. BANGKOK: Thai Airways International will con- four engines, with much better fuel efficiency.” said. “Its goal for increased online sales is prob- cial Officer Narongchai Wongthanavimok said But traders said they were con- tinue to ground 10 Airbus A340s it hasn’t been Besides trying to offload the planes, which ably too ambitious, because a previous attempt in the same interview. cerned about the lack of a written able to sell because flying the four-engine planes were used previously for long-haul destinations delivered very slow results.” The company completed a revaluation of its statement from the Egyptian author- isn’t worth it, even after fuel prices plunged more such as Frankfurt, the money-losing airline has cut Thai Air relies heavily on agents and tour assets in the fourth quarter, helping reduce its ities, and feared that shipments than 40 percent in the past year. routes and sold assets to bolster its balance sheet companies for ticket bookings, making it harder debt-to-equity ratio to single digits, from about could still be rejected. “The fuel consumption is so uneconomical,” and operations. Thai Air also aims to increase for the airline to expand sales on its own website 14 in the third quarter, he said. BUSINESS SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 25 Worst still ahead for mining industry

central debate at the mining indus- led to oversupplies of metals, and for try’s biggest investment conference in that, the industry is largely to blame, Gold, this year’s Cape Town last week, which attracted Cutifani said. The big cost of environ- best performing more than 6,000 top executives, mental cleanups after closing a mine bankers, brokers, analysts, miners is preventing closures and prolonging commodity, is giving and reporters. the downturn. miners some hope. This year may be the worst yet “Excess supply is awash in most with prices trending lower for longer, commodities and as painful as it is, Its safe-haven status according to Anglo American Chief economically and rationally it needs makes it immune to Executive Officer Mark Cutifani, who to leave the market to create a long many of the forces says his company should be better term sustainable future,” said Graham prepared “for the winter that inev- Kerr, CEO of South32 Ltd, the spin-off that have weighed on itably comes after the summer”. The of BHP Billiton. industrial metals and Australian revealed that since he took Gold, this year’s best performing on the role 33 months ago the com- commodity, is giving miners some bulk commodities pany’s revenue had slumped by an hope. Its safe-haven status makes it average of $350m a month. immune to many of the forces that The industry is splitting into two have weighed on industrial metals classes of citizens: Those under dis- and bulk commodities. Bloomberg tress and those that will impress by “The test is going to be now with riding out the downturn and coming this pick-up in the gold price and the out on the other side in a stronger absolute confusion around the glo- position heading into the next cycle. bal economy, and watching everyone A woman holding a 1kg gold bar at the headquarters of the Australian Bullion Company (ABC) in Sydney, JOHANNESBURG: When you find Vedanta Resources CEO Tom suddenly rush back to gold and gold yourself in a hole, the saying goes, Albanese was hesitant to call the bot- equities,” said Mark Bristow, CEO of Australia. Australia’s gold producers are set to report a round of higher half-year profits next week, but the stop digging. A simple lesson that tom. Vedanta, like its peers, is focused Randgold Resources, whose shares results could pale against future gains as global economic woes light up bullion prices and miners dig more arguably has bypassed a mining on paying its debts and will be “hun- have surged 40 percent this year. metal. industry that’s wiped out more than kering down and getting that done,” Prices are strong and compa- $1.4 trillion of shareholder value by he said in an interview with Bloomb- nies are looking to acquire, said Neil battered by the slump in commod- Private equity groups are circling. investors, was blunt in his assess- digging too many holes around the erg Television. “Those businesses that Froneman, the CEO of Sibanye Gold, ity prices that’s forced producers to The value of private- equity deals in ment of the industry. When asked globe. The industry’s 73 percent are best at it will be best- recover- South Africa’s biggest gold producer. dispose of lower- quality mines and the mining industry will rise this year about the outlook for supply, he plunge from a 2011 peak is far beyond ing,” said Albanese, the former boss The time for mergers and acqui- smelters. Anglo American, which is from $3.2bn in 2015 as top produc- quipped the most abundant com- the oil industry’s 49 percent loss dur- of Rio Tinto. sitions in gold is ripe, according to selling half of its assets, will proba- ers save money and offload unwanted modity would be new shares in ing the same time. Gluts of everything from iron ore Sibanye. “This doesn’t come around bly announce sales of its coal assets operations, according to UK law firm mining companies. He expects the Just how long it will take for the to copper are the main challenge for very often, maybe every 15, 20 years,” in the country in the next two weeks, Berwin Leighton Paisner. “floodgates to open” on share sales world to erode bulging stockpiles of the industry. China’s slowest eco- Froneman said. according to the South African Min- BlackRock’s Evy Hambro, one as the industry raises cash to rebuild metals, coal and iron ore was the nomic growth in a generation has The biggest producers have been eral Resources Minister. of the most prominent mining battered balance sheets.

Maersk Line to Dana Gas seller turns buyer on $2bn Iraq Kurd region award scrap ships at

Bloomberg dilemma for a very long time and $2bn from arbitration against Iraq’s manager at Quantum Investment Bank environment,” Chehayeb said. That certain Indian we think that’s about to change,” Kurdistan Regional Government. It Ltd. who specializes in Shariah-com- may include buying cheap energy Chehayeb said in a phone interview also reached a settlement that month pliant assets, said by phone on Monday. assets, he said. beach sites from Dubai, where SanctaCapital has with RWE’s trading unit in which the “In normal market conditions, maybe Dana Gas is still seeking to recover DUBAI: Ghassan Chehayeb, who a research office. “We believe that German company will become a part- the good news flow could have been more than $1bn in payments for past correctly bet that United Arab Emir- they received a substantial amount of ner in Dana Gas’s Pearl Petroleum positive for the price, but now inves- production in Egypt and the Kurdish Reuters ates-based energy explorer Dana Gas money” from a settlement with RWE venture in Iraq. tors are in risk-off mode and not eager region of Iraq. The amount it’s owed in PJSC would miss debt payments in AG and from the Kurdish region. He Dana Gas convertible bonds due to touch high-yield names.” Egypt rose by $19m to $252m at the end 2012, says he’s now a buyer. declined to say how much SanctaCap- in October 2017, of which $350m are Dana Gas declined to comment, of September, and payments outstand- COPENHAGEN/BRUSSELS: Mae- Chehayeb, who helps manage ital has invested in Dana Gas bonds outstanding, are yielding 19 percent, citing upcoming earnings. Chehayeb ing from Kurdish authorities increased rsk Line said on Friday that it had about $30m of assets at Houston- and stock, other than that they are near the record reached last month, said he expects the company to report by $58m to $804m. chosen four shipbreaking yards based SanctaCapital Group, correctly “core” holdings. and are one of the cheapest dollar $300m to $500m of additional cash Plans to recover cash Dana Gas is along India’s Alang beaches to predicted Dana Gas would miss pay- Low oil prices have compounded bonds in the Middle East, accord- from the settlement and stake sale to owed in Egypt will take longer than handle an increase in vessels that ments on its Islamic bonds in 2012. Dana Gas’s woes, hurting profits after ing to data compiled by Bloomberg. RWE. Dana Gas may also get about the company expected. In January need to be scrapped, to the dismay Now, he says the $2bn award that delayed payments in Iraq and Egypt After reporting a third-quarter loss $40m from the Kurdistan Regional 2015, Dana Gas said it had mapped of some organisations that say the Dana Gas and partners won in and disputes over rights meant the of Dh28m ($7.6m) in the third quar- Government as part of the arbitra- out a plan to collect overdue pay- operations there are polluting and November from Iraq’s semi-auton- company failed to repay about $1bn ter, Dana Gas said it expected to be tion, he said. The explorer had $142m ments for natural gas it sold in Egypt unsafe. omous Kurdish region, along with a in Shariah-compliant debt in 2012. It “financially challenged” in the fourth in cash and bank balances on Sep- by 2018. Oil has tumbled about 40 The world’s largest container settlement of a commercial case the restructured the debt and sought to quarter. Results for the period are due tember 30. percent since then, and in Novem- shipper says the four yards in same month, will “materially change sell assets while pursuing arbitration to be released today. “This should allow the company ber, Chief Executive Officer Patrick the Alang coast of western India the balance sheet”. and overdue bills. In November, Dana “Cash flow is still challenging,” to quickly de-lever, while providing it Allman-Ward pushed that date back have been certified according “Dana Gas has had a liquidity Gas said it and partners were awarded Montasser Khelifi, a Dubai-based senior dry powder to take advantage of this to 2019. to the Hong Kong Convention — health, safety and environmental standards developed by the Inter- national Maritime Organisation. It said it will see a spike in the number of vessels it will need to Plenty of e-tailers scrap in the coming five years and that using other facilities in Turkey and China will cost it $150m more. Maersk argues that as over 70 hitting the mall percent of all global vessels are scrapped at yards along the coasts of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, “where serious challenges exist to Bloomberg relationship with Nordstrom cuts both improve current negative environ- ways. Bonobos can reach older cus- mental and social conditions”, it is tomers and women shopping for men. better to work with those few that Nordstrom pulls in younger shoppers meet international standards. NEW YORK: Amazon’s plans to open who know Bonobos. “These yards have chosen to as many as 400 brick- and-mortar “Thousands and thousands of invest so it’s really important that bookstores, revealed last week by a customers have discovered us through we and other shipowners sup- mall executive, may seem an unlikely Nordstrom,” said Bonobos Chief Exec- port them. If we don’t, I’m pretty turn of events. But should Amazon utive Officer Andy Dunn. “It’s been a sure these yards would lose moti- proceed, it will have plenty of com- huge stage in the brand evolution. We vation to go for these standards,” pany. view it as a way to reach a much more said Maersk’s head of sustainabil- In recent years, a rash of e-tail- diverse audience much more quickly.” ity Annette Stube. She said the first ers from Warby Parker to Bonobos Last summer Birchbox, an online vessel should arrive within months have opened stores. Some are popups, cosmetics seller, opened seven pop- and Maersk would work with the but others are designed to be perma- ups in Gap stores across the United yards to improve their standards. nent. Three key forces are driving this States. Again, both companies stand Critics say it would be difficult trend. Malls, keen to find new tenants to benefit from the experiment. Gap to make these beach-based places, as struggling traditional retailers was “interested in seeing the inter- where huge vessels are taken apart Customers wait in line to enter the Amazon Books store in Seattle. In recent years, a rash of e-tailers from close stores, see online merchants play between beauty and fashion, by often poor migrant workers with- as potential traffic drivers. E-tailers learning how to talk to a new audi- Warby Parker to Bonobos have opened brick-and-mortar stores. out the help of proper equipment, have discovered that a physical loca- ence or their audience in a different safe and environmentally clean. tion helps consumers discover their way, “ said Birchbox CEO Katia Beau- customers; about 80 percent of sales voice-activated Echo speaker and Fire happy to talk about it, saying he’d NGO Shipbreaking Platform brand. Traditional retailers, mean- champ. Her company, meanwhile, got happen online. TV streaming device—a clear attempt heard the company planned to open says their beach location can cause while, are buying or partnering with access to a wider range of customers. In many cases, opening a tradi- to give shoppers a chance to play with 300 to 400 locations. toxic paint from vessels to flow into online merchants and opening bou- Increasingly, e-tail startups tional store is less about selling lots of them before buying. In remarks to analysts on Tuesday, the sea and a lack of cranes means tiques inside their stores. have a brick-and-mortar strategy stuff than brand-building. Olga Vidi- “This is a consumer electronics Mathrani said the likes of Amazon, that when ships are spliced, large “All these slick e-commerce star- from the get-go. When Ryan Baben- sheva, founder and CEO of Shoptiques, store housed in bookstore clothing,” Bonobos, Birchbox and Warby Parker parts can crash to the ground, tups have realized, ‘What a great zien founded sneaker startup Greats a site that gives brick-and- mortar bou- said Michael Pachter, a Wedbush were coming to appreciate the bene- potentially hurting workers or send- way to get customers,’” said Howard in 2013, he told investors that other tiques an online platform, says physical Securities analyst. “One of the rea- fits of brick and mortar because it’s an ing more debris into the waters. Tubin, a New York- based retail ana- e-commerce companies had it all stores “really are billboards.” sons people think Best Buy will be effective way to get goods to shoppers. “For the last eight years they lyst. “Open a store, let people touch wrong when they said opening phys- Which brings us to Amazon, once around forever is because most peo- Consumers still do the bulk of their (Maersk) have been working with and feel and try on your product, and ical locations would be prohibitively deemed the least likely e- tailer to ple are too stupid or too scared to buy buying and returning in stores, even some of the most advanced ship then convert them to e-commerce.” expensive. Greats, he said, would use open physical locations. In November, electronics without first seeing them.” if they research online first, Mathrani recycling facilities in the world in Bonobos, an online purveyor of stores to spread awareness and tell the the company launched a book- Amazon declined to comment on said. E-commerce is “actually your China but now they’re completely menswear, is in all Nordstrom loca- company’s story. Backers bought in. store in hometown Seattle. Besides plans to open more stores. But Sand- friend not your enemy,” said the man turning their backs on them,” said tions and has opened 20 standalone Today, Greats uses a location inside books, the location gives pride of eed Mathrani, who runs mall operator who once had good reason to fear Patrizia Heidegger, Executive Direc- stores around the United States. The a Brooklyn optical store to attract place to Amazon gadgets such as the General Growth Properties Inc., was Web disruptors. tor of NGO Shipbreaking Platform. 26 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS

Smallest Indian wheat First A320neo delivered to Lufthansa crop set to spur imports

already prompting calls from flour no rainfall when we needed.” mills to scrap the tax on imports to A second straight year of decline Production is set to avoid a surge in domestic prices. in output will be the first time in four decline 5 percent to That may help boost futures in Chi- decades and may spur imports by cago, which capped the third straight bread and biscuit makers. Mills in 84.5 million tonnes annual decline in 2015, the longest southern parts of the country may in the year through streak since 1999, amid rising glo- import at least 500,000 tonnes in bal inventories. the year beginning April from Aus- June from a year “The overall demand and supply tralia, about the same as last year, earlier. That’s the situation is getting tight and that will for blending with local wheat, said P lowest since the lead to imports of all kinds of wheat Gunasekaran, president of the Tamil not only for blending,” said Prerana Nadu Roller Flour Mills Association. 80.8 million tonnes Desai, vice president for research “It will be rational to lift the in 2009-10, Farm at Edelweiss Integrated Commod- import duty on wheat to con- ity Management Ltd. in Mumbai. trol prices in the open market,” Ministry data show. “Though the weather improved in the Gunasekaran said. “We are request- The government’s last two weeks, the fact that most of ing the government to not extend the the time the temperatures were high import duty of 25 percent on wheat target is set at 94.8 could result in early maturing of the as the crop is going to be lower than million tonnes crop, and that in turn will reduce the last year. Wheat can come provided yields.” the duty is abolished.” Indian farmers faced an almost India first imposed a 10 per- dry winter after the first back-to-back cent duty on imports in August and Bloomberg shortfall in June-September monsoon increased it to 25 percent in October, rain in three decades, which cut out- citing a decline in global prices and put of rice, corn, cotton and sugar cane. adverse impact on domestic grow- The area under wheat fell to 29.3 mil- ers. Overseas purchases are seen at NEW DELHI: India may harvest its lion hectares (72.4 million acres) as of 500,000 tonnes in 2015-16, com- smallest wheat crop in six years after January 28, from 30.6 million hectares pared with 52,000 tons a year earlier, two successive years of below-aver- a year earlier, the Agriculture Minis- according to the US Department of age monsoon rainfall stresses crops, try estimates. Agriculture. potentially opening its doors to more Northwest India received 26 per- Wheat for March delivery on the imports. cent less rain than normal between Chicago Board of Trade tumbled to Production is set to decline 5 October and December, while in $4.55 a bushel, the lowest level for the percent to 84.5 million tonnes in the central parts the deficiency was most-active contract since June 2010. year through June from a year earlier, 63 percent , according to the India Mills in India may find it easy to according to the median of estimates Meteorological Department. The two source wheat from the global market. from seven analysts, traders and regions account for the bulk of the Farmers across the world will bring flour millers compiled by Bloomb- country’s wheat production. in a record 735.4 million tonnes this erg. That’s the lowest since the 80.8 “The weather has not been as season, outpacing demand, accord- million tonnes in 2009-10, Farm Min- cold as it should be which is not good ing to the USDA. The country had An Airbus A320neo plane with the logo of German airline Lufthansa stands on the factory site of istry data show. The government’s for the crop,” said Muni Devi, 61, a 23.8 million tonnes of wheat in state target is set at 94.8 million tonnes. second-generation wheat grower in stockpiles at the start of the year, Airbus in Hamburg, northern Germany. The first Airbus A320neo plane was delivererd to German The prospects of a smaller crop Uttar Pradesh, the nation’s biggest down from 25.1 million a year ear- airline Lufthansa. and dwindling state stockpiles are producer. “It’s warm and there was lier, government data show.

Repsol to shut unprofitable Indonesia’s wealth managers bank on tax amnesty for take-off Norway oil field Reuters be a timely shot in the arm for the product, Widodo is offering gener- advantage of the amnesty. “There The finance ministry estimates industry that, still in its infancy and ous incentives to tax evaders to step must be investment instruments like amnesty will boost tax receipts by 60 Bloomberg dwarfed by neighbouring Singapore, forward. Those who come forward those provided now by offshore finan- trillion rupiah ($4.40 billion) this year. was heading into even rougher waters during the programme will also cial institutions,” he said. Citi’s Jaya said that assuming a tax JAKARTA: Competition is so tough as the economy slowed and the assets escape criminal prosecution. Indonesia’s wealth management rate of 1-6 percent, it implies officials OSLO: Repsol SA plans to shut among Indonesia’s wealth manag- of its tycoons shrank with it. People who disclose their wealth industry is small, with only about expect up to 6,000 trillion rupiah to down its unprofitable Varg oil ers that one offers clients helicopter “The tax amnesty will have a posi- in the first month of the amnesty will $20bn in assets under management be declared. “Our money abroad is not deposit in the North Sea, the first rides to soar above Jakarta’s notorious tive impact on the wealth-management be taxed at just 1 percent, said Luhut compared with $1.8 trillion in Sin- just a little, but a lot, an extraordinar- time a Norwegian field will be traffic jams, others provide golf clin- business,” said Anggoro Eko Cahyo, Pandjaitan, Widodo’s chief legal min- gapore, the favoured destination for ily large amount,” Finance Minister closed because of the crude-price ics, airport limousines and exclusive director of consumer banking at Bank ister. Previously, the government said Indonesians moving money offshore, Bambang Brodjonegoro said. collapse. money-managing seminars. Negara Indonesia, whose “Emerald that taxpayers disclosing their wealth according to the Economist Intelli- Even if little wealth is repatriated, “Varg has been cash-negative Now, business may be about to Priority” members are wafted by hel- in the first three months would be gence Unit. the government hopes to expand its since August 2015,” the company look up for the industry helped by icopter across the capital when they taxed at 2 percent, rising to 4 percent Some $200bn in Indonesian base of taxpayers. Only 10 million said in a December 1 presenta- President Joko Widodo’s tax amnesty are in an emergency. “We will proac- the following three months and up to money is thought to be stashed in Sin- Indonesians now file an annual tax tion to Norway’s Petroleum Safety plan that could encourage rich Indo- tively approach individuals, be they our 6 percent by the end of 2016, when the gapore, and wealth managers there return, out of a population of 250 Authority obtained by Bloomberg. nesians to declare assets previously existing customers or prospective cus- programme ends. are anxious Indonesia’s amnesty will million. But not all wealth manag- Further investments in the field concealed from the authorities, either tomers,” Cahyo said. That compares with the top tax lead to an outflow of assets. Taxation ers are convinced about a windfall. aren’t economical, it said. at home or abroad. Indonesia joins India, among rate for individual income of 30 per- revenue comprises about 10 percent “It’s not yet clear that banks will get Repsol acquired Varg as part The scheme will offer the well- other countries, that have rolled cent and the corporate rate of 25 of the Indonesian economy, compared a share of this,” said Jahja Setiaatm- of its $13bn purchase of Talisman heeled incentives to bring money back out tax amnesty schemes to recover percent. Parliament will begin debat- with 13-15 percent in Southeast Asia’s adja, the president director of Bank Energy Inc in 2014. It has since ter- to the country but it won’t require revenue and plug deficits. With tax ing the draft law in coming weeks. four other main economies. Central Asia. “This tax amnesty does minated its contract with Teekay taxpayers to repatriate their assets, receipts tumbling, from slumping Local bankers such as Citi Indo- Analysts say significant revenue not require funds to be repatriated, Corp for the field’s floating pro- which means a flood of funds from oil and commodities prices, and the nesia’s head of wealth management has been lost through tax evasion it’s just that it gives an incentive ... and duction vessel, which will leave abroad is unlikely. budget deficit starting to test a legal Ivan Jaya accept that they will have since the overthrow of late strong- the money may have to go to govern- the area on August 1, Grethe Elise Still, bankers are hoping it could limit of 3 percent of gross domestic to raise their game to take full man Suharto in 1998. ment bonds.” Foldnes, a spokeswoman for the Spanish company, said by e-mail. Repsol’s decision is rare. Even though oil prices have plunged 70 percent since mid-2014, only 0.1 Late-day buying could be start percent of global production has been curtailed on the grounds that it’s become unprofitable, according to a report this month from consult- of turnaround on Wall Street ants Wood Mackenzie Ltd. Most oil companies have sought to ride out the slump by reducing spending, Reuters trading, appears to have bottomed 48.7 percent of investors were bear- cutting jobs and delaying projects. on Friday. ish, near a three-year high. One exception is AP Moeller- The rationale behind the index is Bill Stone, chief investment strat- Maersk A/S, whose oil unit has that professionals tend to dominate egist at PNC Wealth Management sought approval from UK author- NEW YORK: As US stocks continue to activity later in the trading session, in Philadelphia noted the severely ities to shut the North Sea Janice struggle in 2016, equities are show- and buying in the latter stages is a bearish sentiment and said in a note field in the second or third quarter, ing some signs selling pressure may positive signal. “My suspicion is that to clients, “while this might seem without giving a specific reason. be reaching an end. you are seeing institutions nibble at counter-intuitive, high amounts of Royal Dutch Shell Plc said at the The S&P 500 is down about 13 extremely compressed valuations,” negative sentiment versus positive end of 2014 that it might close its percent from its record high in May, said Peter Kenny, equity market strat- sentiment often are a prelude to a Draugen field in the Norwegian as oil remains mired below $30 a egist at Kenny & Co LLC in Denver. move higher in stocks.” Sea a decade earlier than planned barrel, while concerns about stability “The bottom line is, if you are Earnings also will remain in play because of low prices, higher costs among banks and uncertainty about ending the session with a positive next week, with names such as Price- and a tax increase. the US Federal Reserve’s path of rate trend, that tends to give the impres- line.com and Wal-Mart providing Varg, in which Repsol holds a 65 hikes have pushed investors away sion that there are buyers out there.” insight into the health of the consumer percent stake, started production in from risk assets. But recent trading However, while late-day buy- after a positive retail sales report on 1998 and has entered its so-called action on an intraday basis suggests ing may be a good sign, it also could Friday. Investors will also get data tail-production phase, though it was investors may be starting to warm be preventing selling pressure from next week on regional manufactur- expected to operate until 2021, the up to stocks again. In three of the last being exhausted — the so-called ing in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Norwegian Petroleum Directo- four losing sessions, late-day buying “capitulation” that some market regions, which has been weak, as well rate said on its website. Remaining took over in a pattern that had begun watchers are waiting for before they as inflation data and the minutes from reserves are about 8.7 million bar- to emerge at the end of January. race in to buy. Even Ablin, who sees the most recent Fed meeting. rels of oil equivalent, half of which Jack Ablin, chief investment the bright side, says shares have to “If the US economic landscape is oil, according to the NPD. officer at BMO Private Bank in Chi- fall another five to ten percent before remains non-recessionary, if we con- The field, 30 percent owned by cago, views that as a positive sign. they are fairly valued. tinue to see gains in several of the Petoro AS and 5 percent by Det Nor- He pointed out in a recent note to cli- Another contrarian indicator major data points that have provided ske Oljeselskap AS, produced about ents that the so-called Smart Money released this week that could bode for a fairly constructive, maybe not 4,800 barrels of oil a day in Novem- Index, which compares trading action well for stocks is the AAII investor equity market, but economic narrative, Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York. ber, according to the latest data. at the beginning and end of day sentiment survey, which showed then we see some traction,” said Kenny. BUSINESS VIEWS SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 27

Little fuel-related Britain’s economy will be benefit for profitable consumer firms worse off if it leaves EU

By Martinne Geller Jean-Paul Agon said he was Reuters surprised by the lack of any fuel-related benefit. “When I ran L’Oreal US ten years ago, every 10 cent, or 20 cents less ONSUMER companies are in the price of the gas translated offering investors a small immediately into more consump- Cdegree of relief from the tur- tion,” Agon said. “We started the moil in banking and resources in a year, last year, with the idea that results season dominated by fears the reduction in the price of gas about slowing economic growth. would probably mean an accel- But those companies say eration of the consumption ... and lower oil prices no longer trans- honestly, we did not see it at all.” late into a traditional boost for “We did not see it in America, we spending on their products did not see it in Western Europe. So because households are using the we don’t have some precise expla- money saved at the gas pump and nation about it. Maybe some people on energy bills to stash cash, pay are doing more savings or spending off debt or on other items. money on other categories.” This means those compa- With global oil consump- nies may not be as much of a safe tion around 95 million barrels haven investment as they used to per day, the drop in prices from be in times of low commodities $115 per barrel in June 2014 to prices or economic stress. around $30 now has resulted in Since 2008, food and bev- savings of about $8bn per day erage stocks have offered a 142 for oil importers, said Laith Kha- percent total shareholder return, lef, senior analyst at Hargreaves nearly double that of the market Lansdown Stockbrokers. overall, according to Thomson Part of the reason the fuel Reuters global equity indices. price benefit is more muffled than Since the start of the year, they in previous cycles, analysts say, have lost 3.4 percent, versus 12 is because consumers are paying percent for the global index. down their own debt, uncertain “In the context of a market about their future wage growth. that’s in meltdown, the perform- Another reason is that there are A worker answers a telephone in the office of Brexit group pressure group “Leave.eu” in London. ance consumer goods has been more things to spend money on delivering is pretty good,” said Jef- that are not tracked by traditional feries analyst Martin Deboo. measures, such as online home- Consumer stalwarts PepsiCo, sharing service Airbnb or car ride By Ana Nicolaci da Costa polled expected trade to worsen with Brit- Carney highlighted the risk in January Unilever and French cosmetics service Uber. Reuters ain struggling to negotiate a favourable when he said that “relying on the kindness firm L’Oreal all reported bet- “The consumer has arguably trade deal with its former EU partners after of strangers” in the current “febrile” global ter-than-expected revenue in been swinging his money around, renouncing membership of the world’s larg- economic environment was not optimal. contrast to dismal results from and is not consistently going est trading bloc. “Brexit could generate a UK balance of banks including Credit Suisse and anywhere,” said Liberum ana- RITAIN’S economy would be Against this backdrop, a slim majority payments crisis,” Daniel Vernazza, lead Deutsche Bank and oil, gas and lyst Robert Waldschmidt. “This worse off if voters decide the of economists see Britain’s hefty current UK economist at UniCredit, said. “It’s an mining firms. Tobacco company month it’s at the retail outlets, country should leave the Euro- account deficit widening, underscoring a illusion to think that the UK can retain Philip Morris International gave next month it’s at the cinema and pean Union, according to an risk highlighted by the Bank of England. access to the single market and have more a strong outlook and liquor giant maybe after that it’s a new app.” overwhelming majority of econ- Britain has been among the fastest- flexibility.” Diageo reported improvements. Consumer staples stocks, Bomists polled by Reuters who also gave it a growing rich economies in recent years. UniCredit estimates that the value in There have also been good which include Procter & Gam- 40 percent chance of happening. But economists worry that an exit from trade would fall by one-eighth if Britain results from General Motors, Adi- ble and Anheuser-Busch InBev, All but one of 28 economists in the poll the EU could hurt its prospects if exporters left the EU and joined the European Free das and Norwegian Air, and have been trading at historically taken this week said the Britain would take face higher barriers, a weaker pound makes Trade Association, costing Britain 6 per- analysts are on the lookout for simi- high multiples, anywhere from 18 a hit if the vote — which could take place imports more expensive and uncertainty cent of GDP over the next decade or so. lar trends next week in reports from times earnings to more than 30 by June — meant exiting the EU. The sole over the shape of a post-EU Britain curbs Uncertainty could also prompt the Nestle, Michelin, Puma and Royal times, buoyed by the fact that they dissenter said the econ- investment. “A Brexit outcome will make me Bank of England to wait until the outcome Caribbean Cruises. are stable, have decent yields in omy would be unmoved, more pessimistic for our growth prospects of the referendum to move on interest Consumer confidence has a low interest rate environment not better off. Arguments in the second half of 2016 and the medium rates. Out of the 28 economists polled, 21 risen in the United States and and exposure to emerging mar- about the economy are term,” Costas Milas, professor of finance at expected the BoE to hold off raising inter- Europe, nearing 2007 levels, and kets, which up until recently, were central to the debate. the University of Liverpool, said. est rates until after the vote, just as more car sales, which analysts call a significant offsets to weak mature Supporters of Britain He said it would trigger “huge” investor costly imports put upward pressure on good proxy for discretionary markets. leaving the EU say com- uncertainty and make it more expensive for inflation. spending, are showing promise Consumer staples do never- panies would be less the government to sell British debt. Inflation has hovered near zero for of staying healthy in 2016. theless offer income, which may bound by red tape, the “This higher yield will add to the cost of months and wage growth is slowing, But companies need to work become more scarce as com- Economists worry country would be able to borrowing that companies face and will which together with a weak global econ- harder to win over consumers, panies such as miner Rio Tinto that an exit from strike its own free trade delay their investment decisions.” omy, has made the BoE reluctant to deliver according to PepsiCo Chief Exec- scrap their dividend payout poli- deals and its existing EU As well as the risk of Britain losing its its first hike in nearly a decade. utive Indra Nooyi. “In the past, we cies. With dividend payout ratios the EU could hurt partners would not want unfettered access to its biggest trading part- But a sharp depreciation in sterling used to say when gas prices came in the 80 to 90 percent range, its prospects if to hurt bilateral trade. ner, its companies might find it harder to tap post-Brexit and rise in import prices could down there used to be a percepti- tobacco stocks like Philip Mor- But analysts at into the pool of potential employees in the see the BoE rushing to move rates higher. ble increase in convenience store ris and British American lead the exporters face higher some of the world’s big- rest of the EU to fill their vacancies. Brit- Tony Yates, professor of economics traffic,” Nooyi told analysts this pack of consumer staples with barriers, a weaker gest banks said an exit ain could also end up outside an area that at the University of Birmingham, said week. “Yes, we did see an increase yields of 4.5 percent. could shrink Britain’s accounts for just under a third of the value he sees a risk of an “an emerging-econ- in convenience store traffic (of “Things could be going bet- pound makes imports economy by as much as of all cross-border investment. omy-style ‘sudden stop’” where capital about 6 percent), but I think that ter, but if people are looking for more expensive 2 percent over the next Even though some analysts said an exit flows out of Britain, particularly out of game has played out. Now it’s defensive qualities and income and uncertainty couple of years and could prompt a fall in sterling and make Brit- the financial sector. going to be how much innova- from their equity investments, could take as much as ish exports more attractive abroad, 23 out Public opinion polls on the EU refer- tion you put on the shelves and staples gives you both of those on over the shape of a 10 percentage points off of 28 economists expected it to hurt Brit- endum question give a confused picture. how you execute.” a fairly reliable basis,” said Morn- post-EU Britain curbs GDP over the next dec- ish trade, while 15 said Britain’s current Polls done by telephone suggest the “in” L’Oreal Chief Executive ingstar analyst Philip Gorham. ade. Most of the mainly account deficit could widen. At 3.7 percent camp is ahead by a double-digit margin, investment UK-based market and of GDP, the deficit is already large by inter- while online polls show a tight race that academic economists national standards. BoE Governor Mark the “out” camp could win. There are still a few tricks seen up central bankers’ sleeves

By Simon Kennedy While he thinks targeted lending could help interest rates increasingly embraced by the accommodation for markets, especially com- Bloomberg achieve that, he advocates what he calls likes of the Bank of Japan and European Cen- ing out of the US,” Fiotakis said in a telephone “cold fusion” in which politicians would cut tral Bank do more harm than good by hitting interview. “If things turn really bad, market taxes and boost spending with central banks bank profits. fears start to be realized and growth slows f one line of reasoning for the plunge in covering the resulting rise in borrowing by That hasn’t stopped JPMorgan Chase & Co. there is room for support from the US There is bank stocks is that monetary policy has purchasing even more bonds. economists led by Bruce Kasman suggesting a buffer.” The trick may be just to show more Ilost its punch, investors would do well to “The next generation of policy tools is central banks could cut much deeper without commitment to igniting inflation, said Nick recall a law of modern investing: “Don’t fight likely to be designed to act more directly on any major side effects so long as they limit the Kounis and Maritza Cabezas, economists at Some Wall Street the Fed.” As the week draws to a close, some final demand, using persistently below tar- reserves they are targeting. Citigroup yester- ABN Amro Bank NV. economists and Wall Street economists and strategists say get inflation as a lever to justify policies that day that Israel, the Czech Republic, Norway “The Fed should communicate more deci- monetary authorities have plenty more tricks will be anathema otherwise,” Englander said. and perhaps Canada could also join the sub- sively that rate hikes are on ice until the clouds strategists say monetary up their sleeve — even after more than 635 In a similar vein, Hans Redeker, head of zero club in the next couple of years. lift,” they said in a report on Friday. “While the authorities have plenty interest-rate cuts since the financial crisis by global foreign- exchange strategy at Morgan Themos Fiotakis, co-head of foreign ECB and BOJ are heading towards more eas- Bank of America Corp’s reckoning and with Stanley in London, is declaring it’s time for exchange and rates strategy at UBS Group ing, it is unclear to investors that they really more tricks up their central banks now sitting on more than $23 central banks to begin using quantitative eas- AG, also calculates that past quantitative eas- will do ‘whatever it takes’ to lift growth and sleeve — even after more trillion of assets. ing to buy private assets having previously ing is still lifting stocks and bonds and won’t inflation. We think central banks will eventu- “Time and time again policy makers have focused on government debt. fade any time soon. ally deliver, with global reflation efforts likely than 635 interest-rate shown themselves to be bolder and more “I would actually look into the next step His estimates, contained in a report sent to intensify. The risk is that damage to the out- cuts since the financial inventive than asset markets give them credit of the monetary toolbox,” Redeker said in a to clients on Wednesday, show that central look has been done in the meantime.” crisis by Bank of America for,” Stephen Englander, Citigroup Inc.’s New Bloomberg Television interview. “We need to bank easing and communication account for The upshot is central banks may still York-based global head of Group-of-10 cur- fight demand deficiency.” more than half the decline in bond yields and carry more clout than investors now think. Corp’s reckoning and with rency strategy, said in a report to clients late Critics say that’s the source of the prob- 60 percent of the rise in equity valuations “Policy makers have both been aggressive central banks now sitting on Thursday. “Pessimism is unwarranted.” lem. There’s little more bond-buying and rate across the four main industrial economies and imaginative in the design of policies when His proposal is that officials focus their cutting can do to stoke the real economy. And since 2008. He is betting that this boost will they have been pushed against the wall,” said on more than $23 trillion policy more on boosting demand rather than markets, they say, now recognise that. be sustained and that there is still scope for Englander. “Where investors have made mis- of assets just increasing liquidity in the hope that con- Part of this week’s pain in markets has policy makers to do even more. takes is in assuming that the set of policy tools sumers and companies will find a need for it. stemmed from the concern that the negative “There is significant room for is limited to those currently on the table.” 28 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS BACK TO BUSINESS

Mission incomplete: Rajan’s sight overhaul of India central bank As gold soars, China

By Suvashree Choudhury and India buyers & Neha Dasgupta Reuters show little love

N A video conference in mid- Reuters jeweller saying retail demand 2014, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had “almost vanished.” governor Raghuram Rajan told Prices in other major trad- employees that he wanted to hire ing centres have also dropped. talented external candidates and SINGAPORE: As gold trades In Hong Kong, premiums fell to Iimprove the quality of research at the near its highest in a year on a 80 cents to $1 an ounce, from 90 81-year-old central bank. wave of safe-haven buying, cents to $1.10 last week, against The proposals, described to Reu- traditionally active buyers of the global price. In Singapore, ters by three officials who heard physical gold in the major Asian they have dropped to $1 from up Rajan speak, would hardly seem out markets have shown little inter- to $1.20 last week. “Our buy back of place in any major institution on est so far. Consumers in China amount from consumers is more the planet. But in the storied halls and India tend to typically buy than our sales amount,” said a of the RBI, where staff have to pass gold in jewellery form, swooping source at one of Japan’s biggest comprehensive examinations to join in to hunt bargains or if they are bullion dealers. Tokyo gold prices public service and spend decades confident of a sustained rally. were also at a discount. RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan during a conference after the bi-monthly monetary policy review in Mumbai. slowly moving through its ranks, A lack of interest from China Consumers who bought gold Rajan’s ideas were seen by some staff and India — which together over the last few years had their as controversial, the sources said. emphasising research, while also These include introducing inflation reviews to six from eight per year. account for about 45 percent fingers burnt as prices fell by a “(The) entire process is being strategically bringing in outside targeting, tackling crony capitalism and One RBI official said he ended dated of world gold demand — could third between 2013 and 2015. hurried up,” a protest letter writ- expertise. “In general, I am not try- successfully asserting the RBI’s inde- practices, such as an RBI official put a dent on the metal’s biggest Gold had enjoyed a 12-year bull ten United Forum of Reserve Bank ing to swamp the place,” Rajan said pendence with New Delhi. Government hand-delivering copies of monetary rally in years, though panic buy- rally before that. The metal is up Officers and Employees, the central in response to questions about exter- sources say he has struck a personal policy statements to government offi- ing of gold coins and bars led by 16 percent this year as mounting bank’s staff union, read, accord- nal hires following the RBI’s monetary relationship with Prime Minister cials. Statements are now directly Western consumers could cush- concerns over the global econ- ing to a copy seen by Reuters at the policy announcement. “When out- Narendra Modi, even though he was uploaded to the web site. ion the impact. omy have hit stock markets. time. “There is a need for better clar- siders come in they have to show appointed by a rival administration. Such rapid change, however, has “We had a client call up The Western interest in gold ity, communication — both internal that they can actually deliver as The former International Mone- brushed against the bank’s slow and this morning and order a mil- bars and coins backs up a belief and external, consensus and fairness advertised. It shouldn’t be seen as a tary Fund chief economist has also deliberative style, one that prizes lion dollars of gold,” said Bron that the rally is spurred by safe- to all stakeholders.” privileged position just because they become a source of confidence for consensus-building among stake- Suchecki, the manager of anal- haven buying. The US Mint has Rajan did not formally respond got a foreign degree.” those investing in India and a leading holders, though some changes have ysis and strategy at Australia’s sold 40,000 ounces of Ameri- to the letter, according to several At stake are both Rajan’s legacy voice for emerging markets on global been welcomed. People who work Perth Mint, adding that the cli- can Eagle gold coins so far this sources. Since then, Rajan has only and wider confidence in India’s ambi- economic policy issues. “There is no closely with Rajan describe him as ent was an individual investor month, already much higher hired one permanent staff externally. tious reform agenda, which seeks to alternative to officials like Rajan if genial and easy-going, compared and that much of the interest is than the 18,500 ounces sold in It is not clear what role, if any, opposi- make its economy and markets more India wants to signal that it is serious with the more formal interactions from Western clients. all of February 2015. Sales of tion from the rank-and-file RBI staff robust and globally integrated. His in its reform process,” said Lombardi. favoured by past governors. Upon “We have had a really big gold coins surged in Europe last played in the low number of external tenure expires in September and cen- his arrival, for example, four officials pick up in the first couple of month on safe haven demand. hires. Rajan’s calls for out-of-the-box tral bank watchers say he may only be QUICK CHANGES said Rajan reached out to younger weeks of February,” he added. Gold-backed exchange thinking were reiterated in a memo last able to finish the job if he is appointed Rajan, who likes to start his day staff, especially researchers, to hear “The question is whether the traded funds have seen inflows month, seen by Reuters, which urged to a second term. with an 8:30 breakfast, early by their views and have lunch with Western-fear money flow could as well. But the real test for gold increased accountability and perform- Domenico Lombardi, an econo- Indian government standards, is seen them, stepping away from the 18th outweigh the lack of love from will be when top consumer ance and was described by a half dozen mist who has served on the boards of by many RBI employees as fast and floor executive dining area with its India and China?” China returns on Monday after a mid-level officials as toughly worded, both the World Bank and the IMF, said decisive. On his very first day at work expansive view of Mumbai. Signs this week point to a week-long Lunar New Year hol- sparking similar misgivings among it is vital for Rajan to persuade sceptics in September 2013 and as the rupee At the same time, Rajan remains pull back in demand in Asia iday. Gold prices are currently some in the bank’s rank-and-file. within the RBI and the government to was still near record lows, Rajan an exacting boss. One senior offi- immediately following the spike about $70 an ounce higher from Such reactions highlight what integrate India into the world economy. announced a slew of initiatives to cial described a recent initiative to in prices, a bearish sign for Chi- last Friday, when the Chinese has probably been one of the hard- “Central banks are very conservative stabilise markets. research the direct impact interest nese demand when they are markets were last open. est fights of his tenure: transforming environments, and it takes far more Barely four months later, he set rates have on inflation and growth back in the market next week. Chinese prices were already what many see as a slow-moving and than a three-year stint to change their about reshaping monetary policy, using econometric models, a much Dealers in India, the world’s at a small discount of 20 cents bureaucratic RBI of 17,000 staff into a culture,” Lombardi said. shifting the bank’s inflation target to more demanding level of economic second-biggest consumer, were an ounce last week, and some modern, nimble central bank. Since taking over as governor in consumer prices away from whole- analysis than was requested by pre- offering a record discount of $40 fear that could widen once they Rajan said he also wants to 2013 in the midst of India’s worst cur- sale prices, the biggest central bank vious governors. As Rajan put it in a an ounce to the global bench- are back as traders and consum- improve training for staff, through rency turmoil in two decades, Rajan, change since the country began eco- speech in July last year: “The kind of mark, with one Mumbai-based ers take profits from the rally. initiatives such as sending them 53, has overcome several challenges nomic liberalisation in 1991. economics we need is based on rig- to other central banks for short to steer some of the biggest changes Rajan also streamlined opera- orous fundamentals — blood, sweat, stints, creating scholarships, and in the central bank’s history. tions, scaling back scheduled policy tears, and toil.”

There is no basis for continued depreciation of the yuan Capital as the balance of payments is good, capital outflows are David Samra, who oversees normal and the exchange rate is basically stable against about $20bn for Artisan Comment a basket of currencies. Partners

TOP TWEETS BLOGS AND VIEWS Market Talk Moody’s Ratings News @ MoneyBeat MoodysRatings NAME IN THE MARKET: GROWTH OUTLOOK Rouble deprecia- tion will erode Russian banks’ capital ratios Markets confront the ‘doom and loan performance loop,’ and worries over banks mount. Fear trumps BlackRock @blackrock greed as investors pile into Sub-zero is becoming the yen and government the new mantra in gov- ernment bonds after bonds, despite minimal (or 2016’s yield plunges negative) yields Jim Yong Kim @ JimKim_WBG Wealth Adviser For #MENA—for all regions in the world— the path to stability is through inclusive Investors in many of the #governance. largest money-market mutual Deutsche Bank @ funds haven’t received any DeutscheBank benefit from the Federal #Gold price rose yes- Reserve’s December rate terday - at times to increase: At 13 of 20 large more than 1,250 USD/ fund classes, yields haven’t troz. Investors see the precious metal as crisis changed since then. currency. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 31 PAGE | 34 If it is EPL, then Sparkling 600 lliftsifts only Liverpool Kang Sung too for Suarez share lead

SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 • 5 Jumada I 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar Saez double fires Al Wakrah to victory

A late rally propels El Jaish look for a Umm Salal to sixth win of the QSL season different approach

The Peninsula evening, Qatar Sports Club meets The Peninsula Al Sadd with the kick off set for 7.15pm at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium. DOHA: El Jaish Sports Club will Head coach Sebastiao DOHA: A late goal by Jorge Sebastian be looking to make a differ- Lazaroni is hoping Qatar Sports Saez powered Al Wakrah to a 3-2 win ent approach when they face Al Club can take advantage of against Al Sailiya in their Qatar Stars Gharafa when the two sides meet Al Sadd’s mixed run of results League football match played at Al in their Qatar Star League Round- and expects a difficult match Ahli Stadium yesterday while Umm 18 game this afternoon. against Sadd, who lost on pen- Salal produced two second-half goals Head coach Sabri Lamouchi, alties to United Arab Emirates to beat bottom-placed Mesaimeer at speaking at the pre-match press side Al Jazira in an AFC Cham- Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium to carry conference said: “This match pions League qualifier earlier in away the honours of the day. comes after our participation the week. Saez, who had earlier opened the in the AFC Champions League “We are still fighting to avoid scoring for his team in the round 18 against Naft Tehran in Iran relegation,” Lazaroni told the Qatar Stars League (QSL) clash, sealed which we won. We didn’t have media at the pre-match press the deal with his second goal in the 86th enough time to prepare for Al conference. “We go into this game minute of the game to give his team Gharafa game. We are aware that with no alternative but to win, but the second win in the last three QSL it is going to be a difficult game at the same time we have to be matches they played. taking into consideration that Al very cautious. Al Sadd is a team in After Saez’s first goal in the 10th Gharafa made several changes a transitional phase but they have minute at Al Ahli Stadium, Al Wakrah in the technical staff as well as plenty of young and talented play- went 2-0 up in the 35th minute when the players.” ers. They played in the Champions Mahir Yusuf Bakir found the back of He continued: “As long as we League this week, so that shows the Al Sailiya net. are playing totally two differ- they are a big team with quality Despite trailing 2-0, Al Sailiya hit ent matches, we will be facing players.” Lazaroni’s men go into back through Carlos Alberto who man- Al Gharafa with a different style the home game on the back of aged a quick double. than the one we used in the ACL. morale-boosting draws against Alberto scored the first goal in the Concentration is number demand Al Arabi and Umm Salal, and the 38th minute but barely a minute after in all games.” Brazilian is confident his men the restart, he scored his second goal in On the other hand, Al Gharafa can keep the momentum going the 39th minute to help Al Sailiya back Sports Club head coach Caxinia as they aim to close the seven- Al Wakrah’s Mohsine Moutaouali (left) vies for the ball with two unidentified players of Al Sailiya during their in the game. said: “We are also aware that we point gap between them and Al Saez’s late strike disappointed Al QSL match played at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. are facing a very strong opponent. Kharaitiyat, who currently sit in Sailiya who were looking to post their El Jaish is going through a 12th place. third successive win. very positive phase with good Al Sadd on the other hand Al Sailiya are now placed seventh FOOTBALL: QATAR STARS his duty on both occasions, allowing chief, said: “We are delighted to pick performance and results. In have struggled to find any con- in the QSL points race with a tally of LEAGUE the ball through his hands as Adam up three points. I am sure we can build return we know our potentials sistency since Jesualdo Ferreira 25 points from 18 rounds. Al Wakrah, produced feeble headers from close on this fine fight on the pitch. We need and qualities . The players have was installed as head coach. placed eighth, have 23 points in their range. to keep working hard in the remain- worked hard recently as we also A victory over runaway lead- account. Umm Salal are now in sixth spot ing matches.” focus on our methods to over- ers Al Rayyan apart, it’s been a At Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium last Adam to score their win. Their first with a tally of 27 points, whereas, Yesterday’s win was Umm Salal’s come the opponents. We have difficult start under the Portu- evening, Mesaimeer held off a strong goal came in the 72nd minute while Mesaimeer have lost seven successive sixth of the season. Today, El Jaish will prepared well for this game and guese. Sadd are currently fifth Umm Salal side for most part of sec- the second one was headed home in games in a row. Mesaimeer have only take on Al Gharafa at Jassim Bin Hamad a strategy is in place in order to and need at least a draw against ond half when the winners relied on the 83rd minute with Mesaimeer goal- 4 points from 18 matches. Stadium while hosts Qatar SC face Al gain the three points. Qatar Sports Club to move back two headers from Abdulqadir Ilyas keeper Basel Samih Zaidan failing in J Ahnaash, Umm Salal’s football Sadd at Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium. In the second game this into the top four.

Al Arabi’s Osama Sammy dunks to shoot El Jaish up Adel Mohamed leaps to score a basket against Al Wakrah which the The Peninsula After taking a 30-11 lead later won 91-81. in the first quarter, Al Wak- QATAR BASKETBALL rah went into extend the lead LEAGUE at the end of the second quar- DOHA: Sammy Monroe ter, adding 22 more points in Junior II shot 30 points and reply to Al Arabi’s 13. managed six assists with Al Arabi came back seven rebounds as El Jaish strongly in the third quarter, pulled off a comfortable 98-71 adding 34 points to reduce the win against Al Ahli Sports gap while Al Wakrah managed Club at Al Gharafa Indoor only 21. Hall in their Qatar Basket- Al Arabi added 23 in the ball League game yesterday. final quarter, five more than El Jaish’s score also what Al Wakrah netted, but included 25 points shot by that was not enough for them Vernon Macklin who was also to secure a victory as Al Wak- involved in three assists and rah became the deserving eight rebounds apart from winners with 91 points while those added by Yousuf Mohm- Al Arabi had to satisfied with med (10 points with six assists 81. and 15 rebounds) and Babcar It was more like a two Dieng (12 points with three man affair for Al Arabi as assists and three rebounds). Temi Narcellius Soyebo (32 For Al Ahli, Terrence Joy- points and 11 assists) and Todd ner Junior (26 points with Edward O’Brien (29 points three assists), Ndoye Elhadj and three assists) shared 61 Seydou (20 points and two points between them while assists) and Mustafa Elsadiq Boney Harold Watson was (20 points and nine rebounds) the star for winners. made useful contributions. Watson dunked 24 points Later in the afternoon at while also involving in eight the same venue, Al Wakrah assists and three rebounds beat Al Arabi in a game which while Adamu Saaka (20 El Jaish’s Yousuf Mohmmed attempts to dunk during their Qatar Basketball League game hung in the balance until the points, two assist) also shone against Al Ahli which El Jaish won 98-71 at Al Gharafa Indoor Hall yesterday. final quarter. for Al Wakrah. 30 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT

Inter face ‘tough’ Viola trip, says Man United top-four hopes fade Mancini

FOOTBALL: ENGLISH AFP De Gea own goal PREMIER LEAGUE hands Sunderland MILAN: Roberto Mancini expects a vital win as Chelsea Sunderland the points and increased “tough” away encounter at Fioren- trounce Newcastle the pressure on embattled United tina today as Inter Milan dig in for United 5-0 manager Van Gaal. their impending battle to secure “It will be very difficult now (to Champions League football next finish in the top four) because we season. give five points away, Chelsea and With one win in their last six AFP now,” Van Gaal said, referencing last outings dropping Inter to fifth weekend’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea. “It’s place at 11 points behind leaders too much at this time.” Napoli, Mancini’s men already look LONDON: Louis van Gaal conceded United face Danish side FC to be out of the title race. that Manchester United may need to Midtjylland in the Europa League last And with Roma moving up win the Europa League to qualify for 32 next week and Van Gaal agreed to third following Friday’s 3-1 the Champions League after their 2-1 when it was put to him that his side’s win at Carpi, and Fiorentina one defeat at Sunderland yesterday. best chance of reaching the Champi- point ahead in fourth, Inter’s main Bidding to close the six-point gap ons League is to win the competition. objective of a top three finish and separating them from the Champions “After this match, I think that is possible Champions League qual- League places, United fell behind in the best route,” he told BT Sport at the ification also looks at risk. the third minute when Wahbi Khazri’s Stadium of Light. One of Inter’s heaviest defeats free-kick from wide on the Sunder- Compounding United’s misery, this season was a humiliating 4-1 land left crept in. Italian right-back Matteo Darmian reverse at home to Fiorentina in Anthony Martial levelled before sustained a dislocated left shoulder September when Nikola Kalinic’s half-time, but an unfortunate that Van Gaal said would keep him hat-trick stunned the San Siro into 82nd-minute own goal by United out for “several weeks”. silence. goalkeeper David de Gea gifted With Antonio Valencia, Marcos Defeat away to Fiorentina Rojo, Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Guill- today would heap further pres- ermo Varela and Luke Shaw already sure on Mancini, who won seven ENGLISH PREMIER sidelined, United finished the game trophies including three consecu- LEAGUE RESULTS with Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, tive league titles in a previous spell 19, and 21-year-old Donald Love at with the club (2004-2008). Bournemouth 1 (Ritchie 57) Stoke 3 Manchester United’s Memphis Depay (left) challenged by Sunderland’s Lamine Kone (centre) during the full-back. But he told media yesterday: (Imbula 9, Afellay 52, Joselu 55) Khazri had set up Jermain Defoe English Premier League match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain, yesterday. “Our first game against them was Crystal Palace 1 (Adebayor 45) for a late equaliser in Sunderland’s strange, tomorrow it will be totally Watford 2 (Deeney 16-pen, 82) 2-2 draw at Liverpool and he made an different. Everton 0 West Brom 1 (Rondon 14) early impression on his home debut United were last week reported A masked Diego Costa, who broke and leaders Leicester City visiting “We’ll try to concede as little Norwich 2 (Brady 54, Hoolahan 65) with a free-kick that eluded everyone to have approached Jose Mourinho his nose in training, slotted Chelsea in third-place Arsenal today, defeat as possible, but it will be a tough West Ham 2 (Payet 74, Noble 76) to nestle in the bottom-right corner. about succeeding Van Gaal. front after five minutes and the Blues was doubly frustrating for United game -- Fiorentina have good, Sunderland 2 (Khazri 3, De Gea 82-og) United built up a head of steam The Dutchman has described the were three ahead with 17 minutes on as they had a chance to close on technical players.” Manchester United 1 (Martial 39) and equalised in the 39th minute story as a media invention and when the clock after Pedro and Willian the top four. But they held onto fifth Defeats to Sassuolo and city Swansea 0 Southampton 1 (Long 69) when Martial artfully dinked in his asked if he felt like the result at Sun- punished lackadaisical Newcastle place because West Ham United fell rivals AC Milan (3-0), as well as 10th goal of the season after Vito derland had put him under more defending. Newcastle staunched the just short of a stirring comeback after three draws with Atalanta, Carpi Chelsea 5 (Costa 5, Pedro 9, 59, Willian Mannone had parried Juan Mata’s pressure, he replied: “No.” goal flow until the hour mark when coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at and Verona have seen Inter tum- 17, Traore 83) Newcastle 1 (Townsend 90) low shot. Mourinho’s former club Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas’s pass sent Pedro away Norwich City. Dimitri Payet celebrated ble from the top spot they held just But Sunderland regained the lead trounced Newcastle United 5-0 in a to make it 4-0 before Bertrand Traore his new West Ham contract by scor- before Christmas. Playing today when the unmarked Lamine Kone most convincing display of the sea- added a fifth. ing and then teeing up Mark Noble Mancini’s men face Juventus Arsenal vs Leicester (1200 GMT), met Khazri’s right-wing corner with son to extend their unbeaten run Andros Townsend grabbed a late for a thumping 76th-minute equal- and Roma in the coming weeks, Aston Villa vs Liverpool (1405 GMT), a powerful header that found the net under Guus Hiddink to 12 games and consolation for Newcastle. iser after goals from Robbie Brady and and although he says the league is Manchester City vs Tottenham (1615 via Martial’s right foot and De Gea’s left Newcastle United in the Premier With fourth-place Manchester Wes Hoolahan appeared to have put far from over, the former Manches- GMT) right elbow. League relegation zone. City hosting Tottenham Hotspur Norwich in control. ter City and Galatasaray handler admits securing a Champions League place just got harder. “We started the season with that objective and we had a great first half. Now, Fioren- Ronaldo double keeps pressure on Barcelona tina and Roma are in contention, and we also have to keep an eye on a resurgent AC Milan,” added Mancini. AFP SPANISH LA LIGA with a trademark drive into the bot- Ahead of today’s visit of Genoa, tom corner from outside the box for Milan are in sixth at five points RESULTS just his fifth goal of the season. Kroos behind Inter. MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo struck Real Madrid 4 (Ronaldo 3, 87, then put the game beyond Athletic. With two wins in their past six twice as Real Madrid overcame a Rodriguez 37, Kroos 45) Athletic Ronaldo came close to extend- outings, Fiorentina have fared bet- stiff test from Athletic Bilbao to move Bilbao 2 (Eraso 10, Elustondo 90) ing the lead when he struck the post ter than Inter of late, but only just. within a point of Barcelona at the top Playing today from range just after the break. Navas Coach Paulo Sousa, a mid- of La Liga with a 4-2 win yesterday. Real Sociedad vs Granada (1100), was also called on to make another fielder with Inter in his playing Ronaldo’s early opener was Sevilla vs Las Palmas (1500), Eibar fine save to smother Aduriz’s effort days, admits they have lost some of cancelled out by Javi Eraso before a vs Levante, Getafe vs Atletico Madrid on the edge of the area after a rare their early season thrust and have two-goal burst just before half-time (both 1715), Barcelona vs Celta Vigo wayward pass from Kroos. to get firing on all cylinders again. from James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos (1930) Madrid had to see out the final “Right now we’re lacking the put Madrid in control. seven minutes with 10 men as Varane winning consistency we had at Real were reduced to 10 men late home his 31st goal of the season. saw a second yellow card for lead- the start of the season, but I still on as Raphael Varane saw a red card, However, Athletic reacted well to ing with his elbow in an aerial clash believe, despite a few hiccups, but Ronaldo made sure of the points going behind in a hugely entertain- with Aduriz. we’re having an extraordinary before Gorka Elustondo grabbed a ing first-half with chances flowing Yet, even with a man less, Ron- season,” said Sousa. consolation in stoppage time. at either end. The visitors were level aldo got his second of the afternoon “I’m optimistic. We’re sitting in Barca have two games in hand on 10 minutes when Varane’s errant to move ahead of Luis Suarez as La a league position that is normally on Madrid and face Celta Vigo in the backpass was only parried by Key- Liga’s top goalscorer by controlling occupied by our rivals. We want first of those today. lor Navas into the path of Eraso to Lucas Vazquez’s cross before firing to, and we can realistically com- Ronaldo had been much criticised slot home. home from close range. pete with them.” for his poor performance as Madrid The Basques were made to pay Athletic did eventually get the After a lightning start to the struggled past Granada last weekend, for their profligacy as Madrid showed second goal their performance season, a combination of fatigue Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring during but was sharp from the off back on their firepower with two goals in deserved in stoppage time when and injury niggles has seen the Spanish League match against Athletic Club Bilbao at the Santiago home soil as he turned inside from eight minutes before half-time. Elustondo rounded off the scoring Croatian striker Kalinic drop off Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid yesterday. Karim Benzema’s pass and smashed Rodriguez regained the lead from Oscar de Marcos’s cross. the pace. PSG warm up for Chelsea clash with Lille draw in Ligue 1

AFP top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, cap- FRENCH LIGUE 1 cleared off the line in a first period tain Thiago Silva, Thiago Motta and low on excitement. Maxwell. RESULT Verratti, the Italy midfielder PARIS: A much-changed Paris That quartet were all rested with Paris Saint-Germain 0 Lille 0 whose presence is seen as critical Saint-Germain warmed up for their one eye on Tuesday’s last-16, first leg Playing today against Chelsea, replaced the disap- Champions League showdown with at home to an improving Chelsea, and Lyon vs Caen (1300 GMT), Saint- pointing Javier Pastore at the start of Chelsea with a low-key goalless draw Blanc made eight changes altogether Etienne vs Monaco (1600 GMT), Nice vs the second half and Paris passed up at home to struggling Lille at the Parc to the side that beat Lyon 3-0 in the Marseille (2000 GMT) a glorious chance to open the scor- des Princes yesterday. French Cup in midweek. ing in the 56th minute. Scottish Premiership Results Edinson Cavani had the best Of the likely starting line-up Nigerian keeper Enyeama chance for the runaway Ligue 1 lead- against the Premier League side, only Celtic 2 (Griffiths 45+1, Boyata 57) dropped a cross from the PSG left and ers but somehow missed the target goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, David Luiz, Ross County 0 the ball fell to Cavani, who somehow with the goal gaping in the second Blaise Matuidi and Angel Di Maria Hamilton 0 Dundee Utd 0 contrived to blast the ball high and half. started, while Marco Verratti was Motherwell 0 Kilmarnock 2 (Kiltie 56, wide despite being left with a gap- The result ended a run of 16 con- back on the bench after being trou- Slater 61) ing goal. secutive wins in all competitions bled by injury recently. Postponed Enyeama then saved from a but it did allow Laurent Blanc’s side Lille, meanwhile, were without Hearts vs Partick (waterlogged pitch) deflected shot by Lucas, who had to extend their record-breaking their biggest creative threat Sofiane come on for Di Maria, as Lille held out unbeaten run in Ligue 1 to 35 matches Boufal due to suspension and Por- they have the meanest defence in the for the first goalless draw at the Parc and left them still undefeated domes- tugal striker Eder, freshly arrived on division after their opponents and des Princes in Ligue 1 since Decem- tically since March last year. loan from Swansea City, was absent were rarely troubled in the first half. ber 2014. PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi (second right) heads the ball next to Lille’s Lille will be delighted with a point due to injury. Vincent Enyeama saved well from PSG are still a huge 25 points clear that boosts their fight against relega- It was always going to be a backs young forward Jean-Kevin Augustin at the top of the table from Monaco, Eric Bautheac (second left) during the Ligue 1 match at the Parc des tion, but this was a Paris side missing to the wall job for the away side but and Layvin Kurzawa saw his header who visit Saint-Etienne today. Princes Stadium in Paris, yesterday. SPORT SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 31

Mourinho talks would be If it is EPL, then only a blow, admits Van Gaal

AFP The Foxes sit five points clear of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur and third-placed Arse- nal with just 13 games remaining Liverpool for Suarez LONDON: Louis van Gaal says and the previously unthinkable he would be upset if it is true prospect of the unfashionable that Manchester United have outfit winning a first ever top- approached Jose Mourinho flight title is now a genuine The Barcelona star behind his back. possibility. Embattled United boss van But the task of successfully Injury ends prefers to stay with Gaal takes his team to Sunder- completing an unexpected title the Spanish club for land yesterday with speculation bid proved too much for Liv- Collison’s mounting that Mourinho is wait- erpool in the closing weeks of many more years ing in the wings to take charge at the 2013-14 season and many Old Trafford. pundits still believe Leicester’s career United have refused to deny unheralded players, who only reports they have spoken to last year were fighting to avoid AFP AFP Mourinho in recent weeks fol- relegation, will crumble in sim- lowing their team’s slump and ilar style. the former Chelsea boss is said However, England striker LONDON: Former West Ham and to have made it clear he is ready Vardy insists there are no signs of Wales midfielder Jack Collison LONDON: Barcelona striker Luis to replace van Gaal if the Dutch- any nerves in the camp ahead of (pictured) announced on Satur- Suarez would only return to the Eng- man is sacked or departs at the this weekend’s crucial clash with day he is retiring from football at lish Premier League if it was to rejoin end of the season. the Gunners in north London. the age of 27 due to injury. former club Liverpool, he revealed in Van Gaal concedes it is plau- “We’re just enjoying it aren’t The midfielder, capped 17 a British newspaper interview pub- sible the club have made contact we? We’re enjoying the ride,” times by Wales, made 121 appear- lished yesterday. with Mourinho in secret, but he is Vardy said. “If you start think- ances during an injury-hit time “I’d prefer to stay here (Barce- hoping that is not the case. ing about it too much it’s going to with West Ham, moving to Peter- lona) for many more years,” he told the “Then I shall be disappointed affect you, it’s as simple as that. borough last year to try and Daily Mail. “I know it doesn’t always (if contact has been made),” he Arsene Wenger’s team kickstart his career. turn out that way. But if I had to return said. pounded Leicester in a 5-2 He made 12 appearances for to the Premier League, I would only “Because that is the conse- victory inspired by an Alexis the League One outfit, but has now go to Liverpool. quence of what I have said. In a Sanchez hat-trick in Septem- decided to call time on his career “I wouldn’t go to another team. football world that is possible, I ber and in the process extended due to persistent knee problems. It wouldn’t be a move for money. I’d know, but I do not think that. their 22-year unbeaten league “My passion for playing is also love to play again for Ajax as they “I have a relationship with record against the Foxes to 18 slowly dying out, but my passion allowed me to develop as a player in (executive vice chairman) Ed matches. for football is burning ever so Europe.” (Woodward) and the Glazers, But Vardy is confident strong and I intend to stay within Suarez, 29, scored 82 goals for they (would) tell me I think.” Leicester, steeled by their recent the game and make my mark in Liverpool in a three-and-a-half-year Meanwhile, Jamie Vardy is triumphs at City and Tottenham, other areas,” said Collison who spell and almost inspired the team to adamant Leicester City remain have learnt the lessons of their will now focus on a coaching and Premier League glory in 2014 before unfazed by the mounting pres- heaviest defeat of the season media career. leaving for Barcelona. sure of the title race as the shock and will provide more obdurate “I have had plenty of time to The Uruguayan quickly struck up leaders prepare for a summit opposition for Arsenal this time mull this over and have not acted an understanding with Lionel Messi meeting with Arsenal today. around. hastily in this decision and I must and Neymar at the Camp Nou and For the first time this sea- Liverpool, dumped out of say that Peterborough United have their goals fired Barca to a treble of son, Claudio Ranieri’s side find the FA Cup by West Ham United acted with class throughout.” La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champi- themselves the bookmakers’ in midweek and rocked by their ons League titles in his first season. favourites to be crowned cham- fans’ recent walkout over ticket Barcelona are currently three pions after their fairytale rise prices, could also do with a McGuinness points clear in La Liga with a game reached a new high with last morale-boosting win when they in hand, but Suarez admits that he weekend’s stunning 3-1 win at face bottom-of-the-table Aston misses the competitiveness of English title rivals Manchester City. Villa. leaves football - typified by Leicester City’s current position as league leaders. United “In the Premier League you never really know what is going to happen,” AFP he said. “There is very little between Leicester and Arsenal play the teams. Here, three or four teams aside, there is a difference with the LONDON: Paul McGuinness, the smaller teams. pass the pressure son of former Manchester United “I don’t mean this to sound dis- manager Wilf McGuinness, left his respectful, but there are some games role as coach of the club’s under- where you look at the press and they AFP gap, Arsenal have more pres- 18 team on Friday as Old Trafford are asking: ‘Let’s see how many goals sure because they have spent chiefs started their overhaul of the Barcelona are going to score today.’ more money. under-performing youth academy. “In the Premier League, you never “Tell me why I must feel pres- McGuinness had been in know what is going to happen and that Barcelona’s striker Luis Suarez LONDON: Leicester City man- sure? We are close to continuing charge of the Under-18s since is something I miss.” ager Claudio Ranieri has scoffed to dream with our fans. Nobody 2005, but a dramatic slump in at suggestions that the Pre- wake us up please.” standards has left his side bottom mier League leaders are under With City and second-place of the Premier League’s Under-18 increased pressure ahead of their Tottenham Hotspur guaranteed North Division with only 11 points trip to title rivals Arsenal yester- to take points from each other from 19 matches this season. Malaysia in talks over 2017 A-League entry day. on Sunday, Ranieri’s side have United’s youngsters have suf- Long considered plucky an extra incentive to claim a first fered 12 straight league defeats and overachievers, Leicester went win at Arsenal since September crashed out of the FA Youth Cup Reuters FOOTBALL: AUSTRALIAN striker also suggested a Malaysian con- five points clear after win- 1973. It is a mark of how seriously after a 5-1 thrashing by Chelsea. A-LEAGUE sortium could buy an A-League club for ning 3-1 at Manchester City last Leicester’s challenge is being “It has been an honour and a A$6 million ($4.26 million), fill the team weekend and were subsequently taken that both City manager privilege to follow in my father with local players and base themselves installed as title favourites by Manuel Pellegrini and his Arse- Wilf’s footsteps and to serve Man- KUALA LUMPUR: The Football Asso- the MalayMail. “Without doubt the pos- in Kuala Lumpur. some British bookmakers. nal counterpart Arsene Wenger chester United in a variety of roles ciation of Malaysia has held discussions sibility of playing in the A-League will He dismissed concerns about travel They can put eight points have declared them favourites, for a total of 28 years,” McGuinness about sending a team to play in the Aus- help uplift Malaysian football and also times and said the benefits of joining the between themselves and third- doubtless in the hope that they said in a statement. tralian A-League next year, former give it a new dimension to football in 10-team Australian league were many place Arsenal if they win at the will crumble beneath the weight “I will be forever grateful to Socceroos striker Dave Mitchell has the country.” fold for the Malaysians, who ended a Emirates Stadium and Rani- of expectation. Sir Alex Ferguson for making my said. Mitchell said he had proposed Both the FAM and Football Feder- four-year agreement last year to have eri says that their new status as While City and Arsenal con- dreams come true and inviting me the idea to the FAM after being given ation Australia, the governing body for a youth side compete in the Singapore front-runners is something to be tinue to compete on multiple to represent Manchester United as the authority to do so by an unnamed soccer in Australia, were unavailable league. “In fact, it’s faster to travel to savoured. fronts, Leicester have only the a player and for the last 23 years as A-League consortium and was await- on Saturday to comment on the report. Malaysia than some parts in Australia,” “The pressure is for the other League to concentrate on, but a proud member of staff.” ing their verdict. Mitchell, who played and managed in the former Chelsea, Feyenoord and Syd- teams, not us,” the Italian, whose Wenger is hopeful that the lack McGuinness, who added he “While they agreed it would be Malaysia before retiring, said he was also ney Olympic player said. club have never finished higher of distractions will prove a dis- would pursue a future in the game difficult for FAM to send a team to the under instruction from the consortium “Cost-wise it will not be an issue as than second in the English top traction in itself. away from United, saw 86 acad- A-League because of the duration and to discuss the idea with clubs in Thai- a substantial subsidy is given to partic- flight, told his pre-match press “Time to think can be a dis- emy products go on to make a also to assemble the national team for land and also Indonesia. Indonesia are ipating teams besides travel also taken conference. advantage if you not are thinking first-team debut, with 23 becom- fulltime, they said there are other ways currently serving a FIFA ban for govern- care of by the Football Federation of “The money and the big gap? in a positive way and the pres- ing full internationals. to go round the problem,” Mitchell told ment interference. The Scottish-born Australia. We have pressure for our little sure is on,” he said. No CONCACAF endorsement in FIFA vote yet

AFP However Mainka raised the possi- said the region should not be blamed meanwhile, is expected to win back- bility of CONCACAF eventually giving for the actions of its leaders. ing from the majority of Europe’s 53 firm backing, saying the issue may be Prince Ali welcomed CONCACAF’s members and has also secured an discussed at a meeting in Zurich on apparent reluctance to vote as a block endorsement from South America’s MIAMI: A meeting of the ruling the eve of the February 26 FIFA vote. as it had done under former President governing body CONMEBOL (10 votes) body for football in North and Cen- CONCACAF officials had met to Warner. and the regional grouping of Central tral America and the Caribbean discuss a proposed package of FIFA CONCACAF represents 35 of the American federations, UNCAF, (7 (CONCACAF) ended on Friday with reforms. Mainka said the region had 209 votes which will be cast in the votes). The leader of the Caribbean no decision over who the federation given “unanimous support” to the FIFA election, making the region a Football Union - which accounts for may back in the upcoming FIFA pres- FIFA overhaul. potentially pivotal battleground in 25 of CONCACAF’s 35 votes - said Fri- idential election, a senior official said. UEFA executive Gianni Infantino the race to succeed ousted president day it had not decided who to back in After two days of meetings which and Asian Football Confederation Sexwale gave presentations to CON- investigation. Sepp Blatter. the election. included presentations from four of (AFC) chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebra- CACAF officials on Thursday in Miami. Webb’s predecessor as CONCACAF Sheikh Salman is likely to carry If any candidate in the FIFA race the five men vying for world football’s him al-Khalifa are widely seen as CONCACAF has been at the heart chief, Jack Warner, is also charged support from Asia and the Confed- secures a two thirds majority in the top job, CONCACAF deputy general frontrunners for the FIFA vote, ahead of football’s global corruption scandal, in the investigation and is fighting eration of African Football (CAF) has first round they win the election secretary Jurgen Mainka said the of Jordan’s Prince Ali bin al Hussein, with former president Jeffrey Webb against extradition to the United already said it plans to back the Bah- outright. body had not decided if the federa- South Africa’s Tokyo Sexwale and and his successor Alfredo Hawit both States from his native Trinidad. raini official. If not, voting goes to a sec- tion would give blanket endorsement France’s Jerome Champagne. arrested last year in separate raids in In his address to CONCACAF dele- Together, Asia and Africa hold 100 ond round where a simple majority toapatcuato a particular ca nd ddate.idate. All otecaddateseceptof the candidates except Swit ze rla and p ro mpted by a US -led ed gates in Mi ami on Thu ur sday, Prin ce Ali votes in the t e FIFA elect e ectio n. Infa ant ino, pevas.prevails. 32 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT

WTA RESULTS Venus bags Semi-finals Nadal into Argentina tough win to Roberta Vinci (ITA x2) bt Ana Ivanovic (SRB x4) 7-5, 6-4 reach final Belinda Bencic (SUI x1) bt Darya Open semi-finals Kasatkina (RUS) 6-4, 6-3 TAIPEI: Venus Williams fought a challenging match to defeat Rus- ARGENTINA OPEN AFP one hour and 51 minutes on court. sia’s Yulia Putintseva 7-5, 6-3 It was the Spaniard’s 346th win yesterday, securing her spot in the Quarter-finals on clay as he remains on track to Taiwan Open final. BUENOS AIRES: Top seed and claim a 48th career title on the sur- The seven-time Grand Slam Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Paolo defending champion Rafael Nadal face which has brought him his winner bagged a suspenseful win Lorenzi (ITA) 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 reached the Argentina Open semi- greatest success. in the opening set with Putintseva Dominic Thiem (AUT x5) bt Dusan finals on Friday, braving sweltering Nadal will now face Austria’s closing in on Williams’ early lead Lajovic (SRB) 6-4, 6-2 temperatures of 33 degrees to clinch world number 19 Dominic Thiem after a pep talk from her coach. a 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 win over Italian jour- for a place in the final. The second set also started out Nicolas Almagro (ESP) bt Jo-Wilfried neyman Paolo Lorenzi. “The conditions were really evenly matched with the score tied Tsonga (FRA/N.3) 6-2, 7-5 Nadal, the world number five, extreme and they made me very at 2-2, but errors by Putintseva is back on his favourite clay court tired,” said Nadal who needed to take handed victory to the top seed. ATP MEMPHIS surface and is playing his first event tablets during the match for a stom- “What a tough opponent today. since his shock opening round loss to ach complaint. She has so much energy,” said Quarter-finals compatriot Fernando Verdasco at the “So I am happy to be in the semi- Williams, the world number 12, Australian Open last month. finals as this is an important week for according to the WTA website. Kei Nishikori (JPN x1) bt Mikhail He had seen off close friend me. I thank all the fans who put up “It was very difficult to win, Kukushkin (KAZ) 6-2, 6-4 Juan Monaco of Argentina in Thurs- with the heat to support me. but I’m very glad to be in the final day’s first round but faced a slightly “It’s tough for the players but also tomorrow,” she said. Sam Querrey (USA x4) bt Yoshihito tougher test Friday when 34-year- the spectators too.” Williams will face Misaki Doi Nishioka (JPN) 6-3, 6-4 old Lorenzi, the world 52, clawed his “He is a very good player and has of Japan in the final, the first time way back from a 4-1 first set deficit. won many tournaments in the past they will play each other. Ricardas Berankis (LTU) bt Donald But 29-year-old Nadal clinched year on this surface,” said Nadal of “I’ve never played her before. I Young (USA x3) 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 victory on his first match point after Thiem. have no idea what to expect,” Wil- Taylor Fritz (USA) bt Benjamin liams said of Doi who sailed to the Becker (GER) 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5) final after defeating local hope Hsieh Su-wei 6-0, 6-2. Kohlschreiber sends Cilic Top seed Nishikori marches crashing out in Rotterdam into semi-finals in Memphis AFP

ROTTERDAM: German Philipp Kohlschreiber (pictured) stunned second seed Marin Cilic 3-6, 6-3, Japanese star crushes 6-4 on Friday to move into the semi- Mikhail Kukushkin finals of the Rotterdam World Tennis 6-2, 6-4 to book clash at the eighth attempt. The 32-year-old improved to 6-3 with Sam Querrey over former US Open winner Cilic as he won a comeback duel in just over two hours. “I gained a lot of confidence after my break in the second set and it AFP gave me belief that I could win the match”, Kohlschreiber said. Spanish sixth seed Roberto Bautista “It feels great to stun a great Agut 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (8/6), 6-0. Klizan player like Marin in such a big was unaware of his impressive rear- WASHINGTON: Top seed Kei tournament. guard action against Bautista Agut, Nishikori moved closer to a fourth “Sometimes everything falls into the winner of the Sofia title last straight ATP Memphis title on Fri- place. Looking back, I made the right week and who was bidding for a 15th day, saving all five break points he decisions on the decisive moments,” match win of the season. faced in a 6-2, 6-4 quarter-final vic- he said. “I thought it was only two match tory over Mikhail Kukushkin. Kohlschreiber, ranked 33rd in points,” Klizan said. “All I could do Japan’s world number seven, who the world, fought off 15 Cilic aces out there was to fight on every point. has now won all five of his meet- while producing nine of his own, “There was not really a turning ings with Kazakhstan’s Kukushkin, along with 38 winners and 20 point in the match, every ball was reached his first ATP semi-final since unforced errors. difficult, there were no easy points. Tokyo in October. Fifth seed Gael Monfils stopped We had a lot of rallies and it was He’ll face fourth-seeded Ameri- an upset bid from German teenager good to watch.” can Sam Querrey in a rematch of their Alexander Zverev, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, with Bautista Agut, ranked 17th, semi-final clash here last year. the Frenchman making life hard on missed a chance for a straight-sets Querrey ended the dream run of himself. victory when he was broken for 5-5 Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka Monfils was broken while serv- in the second set despite saving four 6-3, 6-4. Kei Nishikori of Japan hits a return to Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan (not in picture) in the quarter-finals ing for the first set before salvaging break points in the game. Although he emerged with the it in a tiebreaker. Klizan seized his chance, holding of the Memphis Open at the Racquet Club of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, on Friday. straight-sets win, Querrey said it Leading 3-1 in the second, he for 6-5 and won a tiebreaker to take wasn’t easy against the Japanese sent over a double fault to suddenly the match into a deciding third set, left-hander. face three break points, saving them where he dominated to love with the “We had a lot of close games, it world, upset second-seeded Steve victory over third-seeded American all for 4-1 win in two and three-quarter hours. was a tough match,” said Querrey, Johnson on Thursday and followed TENNIS: ATP MEMPHIS Donald Young. The showman finally finished Klizan will next face French who served up 11 aces and saved both up with a hard-fought 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 QUARTER-FINALS “Maybe it wasn’t Young’s best day off the win on a second match point qualifier Nicolas Mahut, who put break points he faced to win in 72 (7/5) victory over Germany’s Benjamin today,” said Berankis, who reached after saving three more break points out eighth seeded Viktor Troicki of minutes -- ending Nishioka’s dream Becker. Becker served for the match his second career ATP semi-final. in the final game. Serbia, 6-2, 6-1. of facing compatriot Nishikori. at 6-5 in the third set, but Fritz broke never forget that.” Fritz fired 13 aces “He didn’t really have a plan B and He will next face Kohlschreiber Mahut, ranked 54th in the world, In Saturday’s other semi-final, him to force the tie-breaker. and saved six of the 11 break points thought I would put myself in trou- against who he boasts a 11-2 career has a winning past in the Nether- 18-year-old American Taylor Fritz “It’s incredible, I can’t believe it,” he faced in the two-hour, 20-minute ble with fast shots and mistakes, but lead. lands, earning a pair of trophies at will battle Lithuania’s Ricardas Fritz said. “To come back in that way, duel. Berankis, ranked 102nd in the it didn’t work out for him,” added the Slovakia’s Martin Klizan saved the grass event at Rosmalen in 2013 Berankis. Fritz, ranked 145th in the with him serving for the match, I’ll world, advanced with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 player. five match points to stun in-form and 2015. Bencic to meet Williams pulls out of Dubai Open Vinci in final AFP tournament in a semi-final two years AFP ago, losing to Alize Cornet. Kerber said: “I am very sad to announce that I have to withdraw from this great SAINT PETERSBURG: Top seed DUBAI: Top seeds Serena Williams tournament in Dubai due to an injury Belinda Bencic will face second (pictured) and Angelique Ker- of my right upper thigh. seed Roberta Vinci in the WTA ber have withdrawn from the WTA “I wish all of you a lot of fun and St Petersburg Ladies Trophy final Tennis Championships, organisers great week of tennis.” after defeating Darya Kasatkina announced yesterday. In addition to Williams and Ker- 6-4, 6-3 in yesterday’s semi-final. “We regret to announce that Ser- ber, other absentees include 2012 Vinci, the US Open runner- ena Williams and Angelique Kerber champion Agnieszka Radwanska, up last season, overcame former have withdrawn due to illness and Switzerland’s Roland Garros semi- French Open winner Ana Ivanovic, injury,” the Dubai Duty Free Tennis finalist Timea Bacsinszky, Dane Belinda Bencic of Switzerland returns the ball to Darya Kasatkina of seeded fourth, 7-5, 6-4. Championships wrote on their official Slam title. Williams, whose pullout Caroline Wozniacki, the winner in Swiss teenager Bencic, ranked Russia during their semi-final of the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy in St Twitter account ahead of the draw. was her third in four years on short 2011, plus China’s Peng Shuai and 11th in the world, won her first ever Petersburg, Russia, yesterday. The news is a double blow for notice in Dubai, said: “I’m disap- injured Frenchwoman Cornet. WTA meeting with Russian Kasat- organisers with Williams and Kerber, pointed to have to withdraw from the Defending champion Simona kina to ensure she will finish the me from my early childhood. This is a the peak of her career, but now I’m the world’s top two players, seeded Dubai Tennis Championships. Halep of Romania is now the top week inside the Top 10. very big day for me. in the top 10 and in the final so I will number one and two respectively. “I have come down with the flu seed in the tournament which starts “It’s a huge achievement for me “Vinci is a very experienced player just enjoy it. The 28-year-old German shocked and I am not at 100 percent, so I need tomorrow with world number five to be in Top 10,” said Bencic, 18. and it will be very tough to oppose “Of course I want to win but I will Williams, 34, in the Australian Open to take this time to recuperate.” Garbine Muguruza of Spain moving “It was always like a dream for her tomorrow as she’s currently on be relaxed in the final.” final last month to win her first Grand Williams last appeared at the up to second seed. SPORT SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 33 Kamworor, Aprot win Kenya IAAF Permit cross titles

Reigning world cross country champion Kamworor beats arch-rival Bedan Karoki to win the Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) celebrates with centre Martin Hanzal (11) after beating the Calgary Flames 4-1 at Gila River men’s race, Aprot Arena on Friday. tops women’s race in six attempts Avalanche edge Red AFP Wings in shoot-out NAIROBI: Reigning world cross country champion Geoffrey Kam- woror beat arch-rival Bedan Karoki to win the men’s race at the IAAF Agencies NHL RESULTS Kenyan international cross country Buffalo 6 Montreal 4 at Nairobi’s Uhuru gardens yesterday. Los Angeles 5 NY Rangers 4 In a fast race, Kamworor, Karoki DETROIT: Semyon Varlamov made and Leonard Barsoton, the African 43 saves and Blake Comeau scored in Pittsburgh 2 Carolina 1 champion, led the runners through both the third period and the shoot- Colorado 3 Detroit 2 Kenya’s long distance runner Alice Aprot competes in the IAAF Permit/National Cross Country championships a punishing pace before opening up out to lift the Colorado Avalanche Tampa Bay 4 Nashville 3 in Nairobi yesterday. a three horse-race on the final lap. to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red St Louis 5 Florida 3 Karoki went into the lead with Wings on Friday. Arizona 4 Calgary 1 100 metres to go with Kamworor Matt Duchene also scored for the closely behind him. But Kamworor in Cardiff, where I will defend my knocked down on the muddy and Cameroon.” Faith Chepngetich, the Avalanche, who won despite being their ninth straight home win. unleashed a powerful kick in the last title.” slippery ground,” Aprot told report- women’s defending champion was the outshot 45-21. Colorado has won JT Brown and Nikita Kucherov 40 metres to hold off his rival and win Alice Aprot made the front run- ers after the race. biggest casualty, as she dropped out nine of its last 12 road games. also scored for the Lightning. Ben in 28min 19sec. Karoki, the defending ning and was delighted to win the “I have always finished among the of the competition with a leg injury. Jonathan Ericsson and Pavel Bishop made 27 saves to give him a champion was second in 28:24 while women’s race after six attempts. top three since 2010, so this is a sweet But the World 1,500m silver Datsyuk scored for Detroit, which victory over all 30 NHL teams. Barsoton (28:26) was third. It was the African 10,000m victory for me. medallist Chepngetich’s elder sister had its three-game winning streak Nashville got goals from Mike “I was determined to come champion’s third victory in the IAAF “Last season I was very upset Beatrice Mutai managed to stay in the snapped. Fisher, James Neal and Filip Fors- here and win the title after finish- cross country permit series this sea- when I failed to make the team for contention to finish a distant second The Avalanche, who won at berg. Pekka Rinnestopped 24 shots ing second to Karoki last year,” said son, after wins in Campaccio, Italy the world cross country champi- to Aprot in 33:28. Ottawa on Thursday, improved to and is 5-1-1 against Tampa Bay. Kamworor. and Antrim, Northern Ireland in onships in Guiyang, China, but this After the event, Kenyan selectors 6-2 on the season in the second Johnson got the winner after “This is an important year for me January. season I have been in fine form and named a 32-member team to compete game of a back-to-back. The shoot- skating in from the right wing and with the Olympics in Rio, and the “I decided to do all the front run- I hope to do well at the African cross in the March 12 African cross coun- out went four rounds, and Comeau beating Rinne from in-close. world half marathon championships ning because I was avoiding being country championship in Yaounde, try championships. ended it by beating Petr Mrazek with Stamkos pulled the Lightning a wrist shot to the glove side. even at 3 on a goal from above the Datsyuk scored Detroit’s only left circle with 26.6 seconds to play goal of the shootout. Varlamov in the third. It was just his second in denied Dylan Larkin, Brad Rich- the last 11 games. ards and Gustav Nyquist. After Neal scored his 20th goal Golden State Warriors want season Nathan MacKinnon scored Colo- during a breakaway at 4:01 of the rado’s first goal of the shootout on third, Forsberg put Nashville up 3-2 the third attempt by the Avalanche 7:46 into the period on his fourth goal — Detroit would have won if Mrazek in the last three games. had stopped him. Neal has 20 or more goals in all win mark, but NBA title is top goal Duchene opened the scoring in eight of his NHL seasons. the first after the Red Wings were Brown (8:22) and Kucherov sloppy with the puck in their own (10:07) both scored on rebounds zone. Colorado’s Mikhail Grigor- of their own shots 1:47 apart in the AFP beat the Bulls mark from 20 years enko backhanded a pass to Duchene, second to put Tampa Bay up 2-1. ago. who scored from near the edge of Kucherov’s goal came as he was “That’s off the pace we’ve already the crease. being held by defenseman Ryan Ellis. MONTREAL: Stephen Curry is play- set,” Curry said. “We still have a lot of Detroit evened it up in the sec- Brown has four of his seven goals ing better than he did last season, tough games to get through. ond when Ericsson’s wrist shot from over the last seven games, while when he was the NBA’s Most Valuable “We’re still talking about the ‘95- the point deflected off Duchene and Kucherov has a point in 19 of his last Player, and he has the Golden State 96 Bulls and what they accomplished. then skipped off the ice surface and 23 games. Fisher opened the scoring Warriors winning at a historic rate. (We want it) pretty bad because we past Varlamov. from the top of the right circle 9:40 Curry is leading the league with have come this close. How many Comeau put Colorado ahead in into the first. 29.8 points a game, six more points times do you have a chance?” the third with a shot from the slot, Neal almost made it 2-0 with 5 a game than he averaged last season, The Warriors, 24-0 at home so far but the Red Wings answered on a minutes left in the first, but his shot and his 245 3-pointers are on pace to this season, have felt opponents raise power play when Datsyuk back- went off Bishop and hit the post. shatter the one-season NBA record of their games against them. The pur- handed the puck past Varlamov Rinne made a nifty glove save on 286 he set last season. suit of history and their defence of the from in close with 10:09 remaining a first-period left circle shot by Ryan On top of that, the defending crown have added to the intensity of in regulation. The Avalanche had Callahan, who played in his 600th champion Warriors are on pace their regular season. 25 blocked shots to Detroit’s four, NHL game. to surpass the best season in NBA “We’ve had a lot of playoff atmos- underscoring just how much of the Anze Kopitar’s third goal of the history, the 72-10 campaign of the pheres making it feel like April, May game was played in Colorado’s zone, night with 29.7 seconds remaining Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in Golden State Warriors player Stephen Curry talks to reporters during and June,” Curry said. “We’ve had a but the Red Wings came away with forced overtime, then Tanner Pear- the 1995-96 season when they went media availability in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Friday. lot of different guys contribute every just the one point for the shootout son won it with 1:50 remaining in the on to win the title. night. We have so many pieces to loss. Nyquist had a great chance in extra period as the Los Angeles Kings For all their regular-season suc- throw out there who can impact the overtime when he swooped in alone rallied for a 5-4 victory against the cess, including the best record in Thompson put it: “73 wins doesn’t “It matters,” Curry said. “But more game. That’s where we want to be in on Varlamov, but his backhander New York Rangers on Friday. history at the NBA All-Star Game mean a thing without the ring.” importantly it’s all a part of winning, the post-season. was stopped. Marian Gaborik also scored for break at 48-4, the Warriors are try- But having gotten off to such a which we’re doing as a team. We’re on “Those are the type of atmos- In another match, Steven Stam- the Kings before leaving the game at ing to keep the focus on claiming great start, including an NBA record pace for that Bulls record. We’ll see pheres we’re going to have to get kos scored the tying goal late in the Madison Square Garden late in the another championship ring rather 24 wins in a row to open the cam- what happens. That’s a special kind through to win another champion- third period, Tyler Johnson won it first period with a lower-body injury. than chasing the regular-season paign, Curry does not mind if the of moment. Hopefully in the playoffs ship. You need those tests once in 1:04 into overtime and the Tampa The Rangers also received goals record for wins. Warriors make some history on the we’re playing our best basketball.” a while to prepare you for the big Bay Lightning beat the Nashville from Kevin Hayes, Viktor Stalberg, As Golden State guard Klay way to repeating as champions. The Warriors must finish 25-5 to games.” Predators 4-3 on Friday night for Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello. Athletes concerned about Zika before Rio Olympic test event

Reuters Cup and 270 athletes from 50 countries are and 4,314 suspected cases of microcephaly, a due to compete. condition marked by abnormally small head Athletes and visitors planning to come to size that can result in developmental prob- RIO DE JANEIRO: International athletes set the Olympics have expressed concern about lems. Of those cases, 462 were confirmed as to compete in an Olympic diving test event in Zika, a virus linked to birth defects in new- microcephaly and 41 were determined to be Rio de Janeiro next week have asked about borns, which has been reported in more than linked to the Zika virus. Olympic organizers risks linked to the Zika virus, but have not 30 countries, according to the World Health previously said the games would be held dur- cancelled participation because of the out- Organization. ing Rio’s winter when there tends to be fewer break, one of the organisers said on Friday. US tennis player John Isner said on Friday mosquitoes. “They are concerned and are being given that he was taking precautions before the Rio However, a report this week showed there advice on how to proceed,” Cassius Duran, a Open scheduled to begin on Monday, but said was not always a decline in mosquito-borne former Brazilian diver, told reporters at the he was not very worried and had no inten- infections during that season. inauguration of the remodeled Maria Lenk tion of skipping the Olympics because of Zika. Rio’s Mayor Eduardo Paes said the city was Aquatic Center, where the Olympic diving will “This will not be a reason to not go to the pulling out all stops to ensure the safety of be held in August. Games,” said athletes. “We are doing everything to avoid Duran said organisers were telling ath- Isner, ranked No. 12 in the world and No. any type of danger for any of the athletes who letes to use repellents to protect themselves 1 in the United States. come,” he said. against mosquito bites, the primary means of “In six months, I think they will have this “There is a Zika problem, but I think there transmission of the virus. well under control.” is also a ncertain amount of exaggeration and View of the Maria Lenk Aquatic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday, which will host The test event, which runs from Febru- Brazil late on Friday said it was investigat- ignorance. It is this that frightens more than the synchronised swimming and diving competitions at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. ary 19 to 24, is a stage of the Diving World ing the potential link between Zika infections the virus itself,” he said. 34 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT

Mets reliever Mejia banned for Sparkling 60 lifts Kang Sung to life for doping share lead at Tour Pebble Beach Reuters NEW YORK: Major League Base- ball (MLB) on Friday issued a SCORES GOLF: TOUR PEBBLE BEACH lifetime ban to former New York Mets closer Jenrry Mejia after he South Korean golfer -11 Kang Sung-Hoon (Korea) 72 60 SECOND ROUND tested positive a third time for a Hiroshi Iwata (Japan) 66 66 on top along with performance-enhancing sub- Japan’s Hiroshi Iwata, -10 Phil Mickelson (US) 68 65 stance. Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden) 65 69 “It was a good day, I really got off Mejia, 26, tested positive for one stroke clear of Chez Reavie (US) 63 70 to a great start it was a lot of fun,” said anabolic steroid Boldenone. He USA veteran Phil -9 Justin Rose (Britain) 66 68 Mickelson, who went back to his old was in the midst of a 162-game -8 Roberto Castro (US) 66 70 driver after putting a new one in his suspension for both Boldenone Mickelson Mark Hubbard (US) 70 66 bag on Thursday. and Stanozolol, for which he tested Ricky Barnes (US) 65 70 “I drove it great, the ony fairways positive while serving his original -7 Jim Herman (US) 69 67 I missed was with my three-wood,” 80-game ban last summer. Ryan Ruffels (Australia) 67 70 said Mickelson, who unlike some tour The lifetime suspension is the Jonas Blixt (Sweden) 67 69 pros says he enjoys the pro-am format longest drug-related ban MLB has AFP -6 Bill Haas (US) 69 68 that features amateurs and celebrities issued. Stewart Cink (US) 70 68 playing alongside the title contenders. Mejia, who failed three tests Jason Day (Australia) “I appreciate and enjoy this tour- in less than a year, may apply to nament for what it is,” he said of his MLB commissioner Rob Manfred LOS ANGELES: South Korea’s Kang Kang, who therefore didn’t realize a success in the event. for reinstatement in one year, but Sung fired a scintillating 60 to seize birdie at his last hole, the par-three “I have great amateur partners ... would have to sit out a minimum a share of the second-round lead in ninth, would have given him a 59. we just try to enjoy the day. of two years before being able to the Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Friday, He missed the green with what It’s a chance to get to know peo- pitch again in the majors. never realising how close he was to he called his “worst shot of the day” ple and then also to play some of the “We were deeply disappointed golf’s magic number of 59. but confidently rattled in a par putt to best golf courses in the world,” added to hear that Jenrry has again vio- Kang had nine birdies and an claim his share of the lead. the golfer. lated Major League Baseball’s eagle in his 11-under effort on the “I made almost every putt inside Reigning major champions Jordan Joint Drug Prevention and Treat- Monterey Peninsula course, one of 15 feet today,” said Kang, who said his Spieth and Jason Day were having a ment Program,” the Mets said in a Kang Sung of three in use over the first three rounds prior career best round was a 61. bit more fun on Friday. statement on Friday. South Korea of the PGA Tour event. He hit 15 of 18 greens in regula- Australia’s PGA Champion Day “We fully support MLB’s policy plays his tee He shared the lead with Japan’s tion and needed just 24 putts. fired a five-under 66 at Monterey toward eliminating performance shot on the Hiroshi Iwata, who carded a 66 at Iwata’s round also included an Peninsula to move into a tie for 13th enhancing substances from the fourth hole Pebble Beach Golf Links to reach 11 eagle, at the par-five sixth, along with at six-under, while world number sport. As per the Joint Drug Pro- during the first under. six birdies and two bogeys. one Spieth, the Masters and US Open gram, we will have no further round of the They were one stroke clear of The leading duo have plenty of big champion, followed up his one-under comment on this suspension.” American Phil Mickelson, Sweden’s names chasing them, starting with first-round with a two-under 69 at Mejia’s Mets career ends with a AT&T Pebble Freddie Jacobson and overnight five-time major winner Mickelson -- Monterey Peninsula. 3.68 ERA in 113 appearances. Beach National leader Chez Reavie. a four-time winner at Pebble Beach. “I drove the ball spectacular,” said MLB suspensions are honored Pro-Am at the Kang, who notched two victories Mickelson carded a six-under 65 Spieth, adding he’d made adjustments by affiliated leagues in other coun- Spyglass Hill Golf in Asia in 2013 -- in the CJ Invitational at Monterey Peninsula, highlighted after Thursday’s erratic round. tries, such as in Japan, South Korea Course on Friday and Kolon Korea Open – said he didn’t by his eagle at the 10th. “I feel very, very comfortable and Mexico. in Pebble Beach, realize Monterey Peninsula played to He had burned up the front nine ball-striking. I just couldn’t get it in A former top prospect, the California. par-71, unlike the par-72 layouts of with five birdies before the turn, but the hole,” added Spieth, who said he Dominican right-hander was the Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill. was slowed by two bogeys on the back hoped for better success on firmer Mets’ closer as recently as the 2015 “I still thought par was 72,” said nine -- including the 18th. greens at Pebble Beach. Opening Day, before an elbow injury landed him on the disabled list and thrust Jeurys Familia into that role. Mejia’s first suspension Thitiphun clinches Asian occurred during that stint on the disabled list. By the time Mejia returned Tour title in Bangladesh from the 80-game suspension last July, he had been replaced as closer by Familia. That same month he again tested positive for Stano- AFP really hard for this,” said Thitiphun, zolol and received a 162-game who is nicknamed ‘Tote’ -- or “slow” suspension. -- by his friends. Mejia, who had 99 games left “I practised with Sutijet a lot to serve on his second suspension, DHAKA: Thailand’s Thitiphun back home and we are very good claimed the closer’s role in 2014 Chuayprakong clinched his maiden friends. I knew he will play good when he posted a 6-6 record with Asian Tour title when he carded today and he did. I guess I am lucky,” 28 saves and 98 strikeouts in 93 four-under-par 67 in the final round he added. 2/3 innings. to claim a two-shot victory at the Sutijet, who was also bidding for Meanwhile, the New York $300,000 Bashundhara Bangla- a breakthrough win, tipped his hat Yankees and closer Aroldis desh Open yesterday. to Thitiphun for being a deserving Chapman agreed to a one-year, The 23-year-old Thai, who went winner. $11.325m contract to avoid salary to the final round with a three-shot “I think I put up a good fight arbitration. lead, kept his composure to hit five today. I did my best but Thitiphun Chapman, who was acquired birdies against a lone bogey for a was just too good with his short from the Cincinnati Reds in the winning total of 21-under-par 263 game,” said the 28-year-old Suti- offseason, had requested $13.1m at the Kurmitola Golf Club. jet, who fired eight birdies against in arbitration. The Yankees coun- Compatriot Sutijet Kooratana- three bogeys. tered by offering $9m. pisan mounted a late charge with The left-handed Chapman was five-under-par 66 to secure the 4-4 with a 1.63 ERA and 33 saves second place, his best finish on the SCORES for the Reds last season. He struck region’s premier Tour. 263 Thitiphun Chuayprakong (THA) out 116 in 66 1/3 innings. India’s Shubhankar Sharma 65-66-65-67. The Oakland A’s acquired signed off with a splendid 65 to take 265 Sutijet Kooratanapisan (THA) outfielder Khris Davis from the the third place on his own on 270, 67-67-65-66. Milwaukee Brewers in exchange while compatriot Chikkarangappa for minor-league right-hander 270 Shubhankar Sharma (IND) Thitiphun Chuayprakong of Thailand poses with the championship trophy after the final round of the S. (73) shared fourth with Phach- Bubby Derby and minor-league 66-68-71-65. Bangladesh Open golf tournament at the Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka yesterday. Chuayprakong clinched ara Khongwatmai of Thailand (68) 272 Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) League catcher Jacob Nottingham, on 272. his maiden Asian Tour title when he carded four-under-par 67 in the final round to claim a two-shot victory the team announced. 68-69-67-68, Chikkarangappa in the event. Compatriot Sutijet Kooratanapisan mounted a late charge with five-under-par 66 to secure the “I have been waiting for this win S. (IND) 68-66-65-73. Davis hit .247 with 27 homers for a very long time. I have worked second place. in 2015.

2016 Chubb Classic Michael grabs lead at Tshwane Open

AFP Club. “I’m very, very pleased with just get focused for tomorrow. I’ll SCORES the way I hit the golf ball today,” just stay in the moment, stay in the Schwartzel told europeantour.com. present.” 133 Anthony Michael (RSA) 64-69 “It was a massive improvement to a Joburg Open winner Haydn Por- 135 Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 71-64 PRETORIA: Anthony Michael led few months ago. teous was at four under after a 66, 136 Theunis Spangenberg (RSA) 65-71, the Tshwane Open after the second “I hit it beautifully today, had so alongside fellow South African The- Haydn Porteous (RSA) 70-66, Dan- round on Friday, but the South African many chances and the course is play- unis Spangenberg who signed for a iel Im (USA) 68-68 will be under pressure from compa- ing really difficult. 71, and American Daniel Im who reg- 137 Dylan Frittelli (RSA) 68-69 triot Charl Schwartzel going into the “The greens are very difficult to istered a 68. weekend. read, and I didn’t hit a lot of bad putts Another home favourite, Dylan 138 Jamie McLeary 68-70, Justin Hard- Schwartzel, a 10-time European but it’s frustrating when you miss six- Frittelli, registered a 69 in the morn- ing (RSA) 63-75, Dean Burmester Tour winner, had opened with a dis- footers and still shoot 64.” ing to sit a further shot back, one (RSA) 70-68, Shaun Norris (RSA) appointing 71 but then fired a brilliant Michael, playing in just his 22nd ahead of countryman and overnight 68-70, Steven Jeppesen (SWE) 64 to catapult himself into contention. European Tour event, said he was leader Justin Harding. 70-68, Jaco Van Zyl (RSA) 66-72, Richard Sterne (RSA) 68-70 The South African shot an eagle happy with his round of 69. The four-time Sunshine Tour and four birdies on Friday that fired “I left a couple out there but made winner had recorded the ninth hole- 139 Doug McGuigan 69-70, Bobby him up the leaderboard and he will a few clutch putts so it was definitely in-one of the season on the 14th but Wyatt (USA) 71-68, Zander Lom- Colin Montgomerie of Scotland hits a tee shot on the second head into round three just two shots steady putting,” he said. also had a double, six bogeys and a bard (RSA) 72-67 hole during the first round of the 2016 Chubb Classic at the behind Michael, who battled his way “The breeze caught me out a bit birdie to sit alongside fellow South TwinEagles Club on Friday. to a 69 in the morning on another day and club selection off the tee boxes Africans Dean Burmester, Shaun Zyl, Swede Steven Jeppesen and Scot of tough scoring at Pretoria Country was what really got me today so I’ll Norris, Richard Sterne and Jaco Van Jamie McLeary. SPORT SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 35 Australia hail ‘Sir Voges’

AFP

WELLINGTON: Adam Voges was dubbed the new “Don” as the impeccable Australian batsman scored another century against New Zealand yesterday to lift his Usman Khawaja of Australia pulls the ball average to more than 100. towards the boundary during the second Voges ended the second day of the first Test against New Zealand at day of the first Test in Welling- the Basin Reserve in Wellington yesterday. ton unbeaten on 176 as Australia reached 463-6 to stretch their first innings lead to 280. The legendary Don Bradman, widely considered the greatest cricketer of all time, retired in 1948 with a Test average of 99.94 from an 80-innings career - a mark that has now been overtaken by Voges Voges, Khawaja in his 19th Test innings. Australian batsman Adam Voges plays a The 36-year-old Voges will shot during the first resume his innings on Sunday Test match against New building on a 100.33 average and Zealand in Wellington the Australians were quick to dub yesaterday. him the new “Don”. put Aussies on top “I already have,” said Usman Khawaja, Australia’s other batting hero who scored 140 and featured in a 168-run stand with Voges for AUSTRALIA VS NEW Boult to dismiss Mitchell Marsh, but Since then, Voges has added 169 SCOREBOARD the fourth wicket. that occupied a split second on a day runs in an innings that has lasted 286 “He’s got an average higher In his 19th Test ZEALAND 1ST TEST New Zealand (I innings): 183 where the bat otherwise dominated. deliveries and includes 26 boundaries. than Don at the moment so I might innings, Voges’ batting Voges and Khawaja’s firm grip on Boult hinted a fightback for New Australia (I innings): just have to call him ‘Sir Voges’.” average surpasses and Voges, given a life on seven, was the game in a 168-run stand for the Zealand was possible with two wickets J Burns c Watling b Southee 0 Voges has scored centuries 100, bettering unbeaten on 176. The 36-year-old fourth wicket left New Zealand with in three balls during the middle ses- D Warner c Watling b Southee 5 in his last three innings, post- Voges, in his 19th Test innings, saw his few moments to relish on a day of toil sion yesterday to remove Khawaja and U Khawaja lbw Boult 140 ing 269 not out and an unbeaten Test average rise to more than 100, bet- under the baking sun. Marsh and have Australia 299-5. 106 against the West Indies in Bradman’s 99.94 S Smith c&b Craig 71 tering Don Bradman’s 99.94 from an It was a sublime partnership But the euphoria in the New Zea- December. 80-innings career. that lasted 50 overs and offered few land camp quickly disappeared as they A Voges (batting) 176 Voges had an unexpected life Voges has scored centuries in his chances. BJ Watling missed a stump- laboured through another 27 overs and M Marsh c&b Boult 0 in the last over of the first day on

AFP last three innings, posting 269 runs not ing opportunity when Khawaja was on 96 runs before Peter Nevill was the P Nevill c Watling b Anderson 32 Friday when, on seven, he was out and an unbeaten 106 against the 34 and Mark Craig was confident with next wicket to fall. P Siddle (batting) 29 bowled by Doug Bracewell. West Indies in December. an lbw appeal that was turned down Boult outsmarted Khawaja by The umpire called it a no ball Extras (B-4, LB-2, W-2, NB-2) 10 The combined total of 551 over- when Khawaja was on 104. bowling wide of the crease and as the but television replays showed it WELLINGTON: Adam Voges boosted takes the previous record of 497 runs A review showed the ball would left-handed batsman shaped to turn Total (for 6 wkts) 463 was a legitimate delivery. his Test average to more than 100 between dismissals held by Sachin have grazed the outside of leg stump the ball to the on-side it straightened Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-5, 3-131, 4-299, Voges received a late call up to yesterday as he and Usman Khawaja Tendulkar. and the umpire’s original not out deci- and slammed into the back pad. 5-299, 6-395. Test cricket, playing his first inter- scored centuries to set Australia up for For his part, since his recall to sion remained. Marsh was out to a spectacular Bowling: Southee 28-5-76-2 (w1); Boult national eight months ago against a huge lead in the first Test against New the Australian side last year Khawaja Voges had his moment of luck in catch off the second ball he faced when the West Indies and at 35 years 27-6-80-2; Bracewell 25-4-97-0 (nb2); Zealand. Australia were 463-6, head- has averaged 128.80 from six innings the last over on day one when he was he drove hard at a Boult delivery, and of age became the oldest man to ing New Zealand by 280 on the first which include four centuries. bowled by Doug Bracewell, only for the left-arm paceman flung himself Anderson 14-0-68-1 (w1); Craig 32-2-128- score a century on debut. innings at stumps on the second day. The single highlight of the day was umpire Richard Illingworth to wrongly high to his right to snare the ball in 1; Williamson 4-0-8-0. He has now scored five Khawaja was out for a classic 140 a stunning caught and bowled by Trent call the delivery a no ball. his right hand. centuries. India, Sri Lanka clash Narine and Pollard out of World T20 in T20 series decider Reuters Narine, picked last month Kieron Pollard Sunil Narine despite being banned from the international arena due to an ille- gal bowling action, told the WICB IANS Indian batters, who had failed mis- KINGSTON: West Indies’ hopes that he was withdrawing because erably in the first game, ensured of winning the World Twenty20 he had made “insufficient they give it back to the Sri Lankan for the second time in four years progress” with his rehabilitative bowlers. suffered a setback on Friday when work. VISHAKAPATNAM: Having won Openers Shikhar Dhawan and off-spinner Sunil Narine and all- He also pulled out of the their last game, hosts India would Rohit Sharma put on a partnership rounder Kieron Pollard pulled out squad for last year’s 50-over look to seal their second T20 series of 75 runs in seven overs. of their squad. World Cup to work on his bowling on the trot as they take on Sri Lanka Dhawan was the aggressor as he The West Indies Cricket Board action, which was first reported in in the final game today. blasted his way to a 25-ball 51. (WICB) also announced that all 2014. The WICB have not named India came back from an Hardik Pandya helped India get the players would be given until a replacement for the 27-year-old embarrassing defeat in Pune to con- closer to the total of 196/6 hitting 27 today to settle a dispute by sign- Narine who has taken 40 wickets vincingly beat the visitors by 69 runs runs of just 12 balls. In the field too, ing their tournament contracts. at an average of 17.75 in 34 Twen- in Ranchi to level the series. Dhoni’s tricks did not backfire. Earlier this week, captain ty20s. The board said Pollard, 28, In the first T20 after the 3-0 The plans worked and Sri Lanka Darren Sammy said mediation had told them he could not play in win in Australia, India went in as failed to even get closer to the target. was the best way to settle the next month’s World Twenty20 in the favourites, but they struggled to The Indian skipper also had a good row if the board would not “con- India because the knee injury he cope with the pace and bounce of the day behind the wicket effecting two sider our request to double the sustained in South Africa’s Ram strip, which Indian skipper Mahen- crucial stumpings. match fees (of $6,900), share 50 Slam T20 in November had not dra Singh Dhoni referred to as an The only cause of concern for the percent of sponsorship fees and fully healed. “English wicket”. hosts today will be Rahane’s form. award 100 percent of prize money He will be replaced in the Pacers Kasun Rajitha and Dasun Dhoni might just think of having to players”. squad by Carlos Brathwaite. Shanaka tore through the Indian Manish Pandey but then again will batting line up and bowled them out he disturb a winning combination? for a paltry total of 101 runs. The Indian bowlers have bowled Sri Lanka had little hiccups well in both the outings and maybe in their chase too, as veteran fast they will stick to the ploy of open- Windies seek return to glory in U-19 against India bowler Ashish Nehra and Ravichan- ing with Ashwin. dran Ashwin kept chipping at the Sri Lanka would ideally want wickets but the islanders managed a repeat of the Pune game, but the AFP tournament favourites Bangladesh tournament. to England in the quarter-final of the to get over the line with five wick- wicket here will be anything but with a thrilling three-wicket win in “It also give a glimpse that West previous edition in the United Arab ets and two overs to spare. green, so they might have to bat out Thursday’s semi-final. Indies do have talents, if not as much Emirates two years ago. Two days later, the battle ground of their skins if they are going to DHAKA: The West Indies will hope Skipper Shimron Hetmyer, as before,” he said. They have also won 20 of its 21 shifted to Ranchi and this time and clinch the decider. to rekindle memories of their former Shamar Springer and the hard-hit- He said that the West Indies one-day matches since January 2014. glory in the Bangladeshi capital ting Gidron Pope starred in both the should have “programmes in place” India Under-19 captain Ishan Kis- Dhaka today as they take on mod- run-chases, while fast bowler Alzarri to turn talented youngsters into world han said they are not intimidated by ern-day giants of the game India in Joseph’s fiery spells have often been beaters like their predecessors of the the West Indies’ fast bowlers, who the ICC Under-19 World Cup final. timed at above 145kph (90 mph). 1970s-90s. also include opening bowler Che- Bangladesh finish third The young Caribbeans exceeded Former Caribbean fast bowler Ian India will start the match as the mar Holder. all expectations to reach the final of Bishop said he believed West Indies favourites being the only unbeaten “Most of us who are batting in the the prestigious meet, despite start- cricket still had a deep reservoir of side so far, but West Indies captain top order play domestic cricket back in U-19 World Cup ing the tournament on a wrong foot talent. Hetmyer is not too concerned. in India,” said Kishan. with a 61-run loss to England in their “(The) kids have done better than I “They are a very good team and “We face senior fast bowlers in opening match. thought they would have,” Bishop said are unbeaten but two days ago we first-class cricket. So, it’s not a prob- IANS Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium But they have not looked back in an interview yesterday. played against Bangladesh who were lem. But it is about how we plan to yesterday. since, beating Fiji and Zimbabwe “I wouldn’t say they were as pre- unbeaten. We beat them,” Hetmyer tackle them and how we execute it Having bowled Sri Lanka out in the group stage to qualify for the pared as they could have been. So to said. on the field.” FATULLAH: Hosts Bangladesh for 214, Bangladesh survived a mid- quarter-final. get to the final... I think it will encour- “We just go out and play our best India won the tournament three squeezed past Sri Lanka with three innings crisis that resulted in three They reserved their best for age a lot of West Indian supporters.” cricket in the tournament, tomorrow. times previously and are making deliveries to spare to take third place run-outs before Jaker Ali hit the win- the knock-out rounds, first stun- Bishop, a member of a great West Let’s hope we come out on top.” their fifth final. The West Indies will in the ICC Under-19 cricket World ning boundary off seamer Lahiru ning Pakistan by five wickets before Indies team of the 1990s, is in Dhaka India are on a 15-match winning be chasing their maiden title, having Cup with a three-wicket win at the Kumara. ending the dream of hosts and as a television commentator for the streak in the tournament since losing reached their second final. SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2016 36

Doha hosts ‘Challenges in Football Injuries’ conference

The Peninsula ASPETAR JOINS HANDS role as a world leading institution reached 2.7 injuries per match. How- WITH FIFA AND ISAKOS TO of its kind in sports medicine, given ever, this figure has decreased to 1.7 INCREASE AWARENESS its partnerships with the world’s injuries per match recently. DOHA: Aspetar, the world’s leading most prominent sports and medical “Such progress has been achieved orthopaedic and sports medicine organisations such as the FIFA Med- due to a number of factors includ- hospital, in partnership with the Inter- ical Committee. ing stricter referees, better player national Society of Arthroscopy, Knee expressed his delight with hosting a Aspetar is also a FIFA Medical preparation, and, most importantly, Surgery & Orthopaedic Sports Med- conference of such significance and Centre of Excellence and a partner improvements in the provision of icine (ISAKOS) and the FIFA Medical importance, and one attended by the of ISAKOS in areas such as research, medical care services.” Dr Michel D’Hooghe, Committee, concluded a medical con- world’s leading experts. and the two organisations have con- Dr. Philippe Neyret, President of ference on the ‘Challenges in Football He highlighted the benefit of the ducted a number of joint studies that ISAKOS, thanked Aspetar for organ- member of the FIFA injuries’ in Doha. conference in offering these experts have proven significant in improv- ising this conference. Executive Committee The two-day conference was held the opportunity to discuss and share ing methods of surgical intervention “Aspetar is truly unique, as it is the and Chairman of the on February 11 and 12 at the Torch their different experiences tackling in sports. only place where one can find such FIFA Medical Committee ballroom in Aspire Zone. football injuries. Dr Michel D’Hooghe expressed comprehensive information about speaks during the two- The conference was attended by Given the sport’s popularity, such great pleasure in being part of the athletes and sports medicine, pre- day medical conference Dr Michel D’Hooghe, member of the injuries present some of the most sig- conference and visiting Aspetar spe- sented by a group of leading experts in Doha on Friday. FIFA Executive Committee and Chair- nificant challenges faced by medical cifically, given that it is a FIFA Medical who are doing fantastic work in this man of the FIFA medical committee. institutions and sports medicine Centre of Excellence. institution,” he said. It was designed to build aware- experts. He congratulated the organisers The conference discussed a ness, develop understanding and He added that the conference on the success of the conference and number of important medical topics share best practice in the field of covered the most crucial aspects of the timeliness and importance of the that present challenges to football football injuries, focusing on some preventing football injuries, as well topics it covered, particularly those professionals and enthusiasts, with of the specific challenges and areas as the best rehabilitation processes related to football. special attention to knee injuries. of debate in this field of medicine to help footballers return to match On football injuries specifically, These topics included ACL inju- including knee injuries, ankle inju- fitness – one of the main areas of D’Hooghe said: “Across the last ten ries, screening for hip and groin pain ries, cartilage injuries and more. interest for doctors and athletes. FIFA World Cup tournaments and spe- in football players, and the epidemi- Dr Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari, Al Kuwari added that hosting cifically the 2002 World Cup in South ology of football injuries in the Middle Acting Director General of Aspetar, the conference reinforces Aspetar’s Korea and Japan, the injuries record East. Real Madrid enter final after thriller

when he might have done better. The early ‘Los Blancos’ edge out chance was a sign, however, that Madrid were beginning to dominate and, as the second half Red Bull Salzburg 9-8 in progressed, they had a series of opportuni- penalty shoot-out in tense ties, culminating in an equaliser in the 64th minute of the match. semi-final clash in Doha Following superbly worked inter- play through the midfield, the unfortunate Julian Goelles put through his own net while The Peninsula attempting to clear the danger. Things rapidly got worse for Red Bull, as they fell behind within three minutes. A through ball from Alberto Garcia was not cut out, and Ismael Lohoba raced clear to finish DOHA: Real Madrid emerged victorious from smartly, making the score 2-1. a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Red Bull Having survived a first half when they Salzburg that finished 9-8, after the game of were the lesser side, Real were now looking the tournament so far had ended 2-2 in nor- like convincing winners, and it was Red Bull mal time. who were finding progress difficult. ‘Los Blancos’ had remained unbeaten In response, their head coach Marco Rose throughout Al Kass Cup, although their quar- made three changes within five minutes in ter-final match against Kashiwa Reysol was a a desperate attempt to save the game, but goalless affair that was also settled on penal- time was against them, and a series of half- ties. Prior to that game, the Spanish side had chances came and went for the Austrians as demonstrated their pedigree with emphatic Real Madrid goalkeeper Real counted down the clock. performances against Paris Saint-Germain Francisco Pujante With 90 minutes up, the fourth official sig- and Al Ahli. gestures during the naled three minutes of added time, and Red Meanwhile, Red Bull Salzburg had shown Al Kass Cup semi- Bull poured forward. themselves to be a highly organised and a tac- finals against Red Bull Sensationally, with time almost up, they tically aware outfit, progressing to the semis by Salzburg at Aspire Zone found a precious breakthrough when Gabriel easily beating Glasgow Celtic, with only a nar- in Doha yesterday. Bocchio played a through ball to Benjamin row defeat to Estudiantes blotting their copy Wallquist, who had abandoned his defensive book before they eased past Aspire Academy. post to aid the attack. This was set up to be a fascinating contest, Finishing like an attacker, he levelled the pitting Austrian steel against Spanish flare. The scores with practically the last kick of the first half began cagily, with both sides seek- game, with a low shot into the far left corner. ing an early foothold. Once again, the Al Kass crowd were Red Bull looked to have rehearsed their shots on target, in the first 20 minutes. Madrid defence. Stumberger was by now beginning to treated to a penalty shootout, which produced tactics and were seeking to beat Madrid’s off- were making life difficult for Red Bull cen- AL KASS CUP SEMIS: REAL find his range, picking up loose balls in front more extraordinary drama. side trap and put in their speedy and imposing tral midfielder, Dominik Stumberger, who had SHOOT OUT SALZBURG of defence and spraying accurate passes that The first ten penalties were all scored, and striker, Abdelahim Montie, who ran across shone in their previous games, while the Span- tested Madrid. It was the Austrian playmaker sudden death ensued. Incredibly, the next four Madrid’s backline purposefully in order to iards’ offside trap was effectively utilised to who broke the deadlock on 44 minutes from spot kicks were missed or saved, meaning provide an outlet. keep the opposition at bay. the penalty spot, after Francisco Torres was that the teams stayed on level terms, and this The Austrians did not appear to be cowed Then, on 20 minutes, Phillip Strum passed wing, where Jordi Merlin hoisted in a cross adjudged to have shoved Kenan Kirim in the remained the case until, unbelievably, each by Real Madrid’s reputation and undoubted down the right, finding Julian Goelles, whose that was met by captain Adrian de la Barquilla, area. side had taken 10 kicks each, and it came talent and, if anything, appeared to be hav- first time cross eluded Montie by a whisker. with a powerful header that cannoned off the Real manager, Marcos Casal, responded down to the goalkeepers to take penalties. ing better of the early exchanges, but always The Austrians had signalled their intent, but bar. to going behind on the stroke of half time by Real’s Francisco Pujante scored easily, and had to be wary of Madrid’s quick breaks and it was Real who came closest to opening the Real had belatedly woken up, and began to introducing Pedro Delgado in an effort to inject then saved his opposite number Felix Wilfing’s incisive passing. scoring soon after. push forward as the game passed the half hour some urgency into his forward line. effort, sending an elated Real side through to In spite of some spirited play from both A free kick on the right-hand side of the mark, but were finding it difficult to create The striker was soon in on goal, but his the final as Red Bull’s hopes at the champi- sides, there were few clear cut chances, and no Red Bull area was half cleared out to the left genuine chances against a resilient Austrian weak effort rolled wide of the right-hand post onship disintegrated into thin air.

Qatargas Chess Championship to conclude today

Pictures show action during yesterday’s proceedings at the Qatargas Chess Championship which is under way at Al Muntaza Model Primary School for Boys in Doha. The four-day event is being organised by Qatar Chess Association. The competition will conclude today. Pics: A Basit/The Peninsula