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WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 • 1 Jumada I 1437 • Volume 20 • Number 6702 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar Emir joins Sport Day celebrations

Foundation, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Pres- Thousands of ident of Qatar Olympic Committee people thronged to and H E Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani were among Katara to watch and the hundreds of participants at get involved in over the NSD activities at Education City under the theme ‘Unlock Your 80 wide-ranging Inner Athlete.’ events combining The General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers also celebrated sport competitions, the occasion through a walkathon on health and wellness the Corniche and sport activities at Al Makhiyah Sports Club. activities to mark It was a fun-filled day for citi- zens and residents who were glutted the biggest annual with many choices of venues to go to sports celebration engage in physical activities to spend the holiday. in the country Those who opted the Corniche had the opportunity to take part in a walkathon and watch marine activ- ities such as sailing and water skiing By Raynald C Rivera as well as weightlifting and handball The Peninsula among other sports. Several ministers were also seen participating in activities held for thousands of citizens and residents DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim across the state. bin Hamad Al Thani joined citi- The Cultural Village Foun- zens and residents yesterday in the dation- Katara, the venue which activities to mark the fifth National hosted the most number of events, Sport Day (NSD), the biggest annual saw the participation of the Min- sport celebration in the country. ister of Industry and Energy, H E The Emir visited the Simaisma Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada Youth Centre and played football and Minister of Municipality and with children whom he urged to Environment, H E Mohamed bin engage in various sports. Abdullah Al Rumaihi. He watched children take part Thousands of people thronged in horse riding, camel riding, tug- to Katara to watch and get involved of-war, and traditional archery in over 80 wide-ranging activi- organised by Nomas Center of the ties combining sport competitions, Ministry of Culture and Sports. health and wellness activities, H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, entertainment for children and Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, wholesome food. H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairperson of Qatar →Continued on page 2 The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani playing football with children at Simaisma Youth Centre yesterday.

Emir condoles with Kuwait Emir School sports facilities to be open to the public

DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim The Peninsula of the respective areas, after the school work- together with support of the Qatar Olympic A large number of students, parents, teach- bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable ing hours. committee to disseminate the culture of sports ers and administrative staff of the Independent of condolences to Emir of Kuwait He added that the two ministries will soon in the Qatari community, said the official. schools as well as employees of the ministry H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al sign a memorandum of understanding in this Many Qatari and expatriate families are attended the Sport Day activities held at five Jaber Al Sabah on the death of DOHA: Sports facilities in schools in Qatar will regard. He hinted that the beneficiaries will interested to practice sports and opening venues. Sheikh Abdullah Mohamed Al soon be open to the public in the evening hours. be mostly children and families. school sports facilities to them in the eve- “We in the GCC states suffer from obesity Salman Al Sabah, praying to Rabia Mohammed Al Kaabi, undersecre- Al Kaabi was speaking on the sidelines of nings will help achieve this goal, especially and low level of physical fitness. This gives Allah to bless the deceased with tary at the Ministry of Education and Higher the National Sport Day (NSD) activities held by for women and children, said Al Kaabi. importance of this event. It is better to have mercy and grant his family and Education, said that discussions are going on the Ministry of Education and Higher Educa- The move follows a proposal on these lines daily sports activities according to the age loved ones patience and solace. between the ministry and the Ministry of Cul- tion yesterday, Qatar News Agency reported by a seminar involving academics held by the and health condition of each person, instead ture and Sports for making sports facilities at yesterday. The agreement will seek safe use Ministry of Education and Higher Education of limiting such activities to a single day,” said schools accessible to the public and residents of the facilities. The two ministries will work ahead of the National Sport Day. Al Kaabi. Nawaz Sharif arrives today

The Peninsula Call to free Palestinian journalist Guidelines soon to improve

DOHA: Pakistan Prime Minister quality of Friday sermons Nawaz Sharif will arrive today for a two-day official visit to Qatar. Sharif will be accompanied by a The Peninsula studies, Qatar News Agency measures being taken by high-level delegation. reported yesterday. The the ministry to improve its A number of Memorandums of committee will prepare a performance and achieve Understanding (MoUs) in the field comprehensive study on how its mission through various of health, radio & television, edu- DOHA: Minister of Awqaf to streamline Friday sermons communication channels. cation & research and a long-term and Islamic Affairs H E after giving a full description sale/purpose agreement (SPA) of Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak Al of the current status. It will LNG would be concluded by both Kuwari has issued a deci- identify obstacles and diffi- David Hearst sides. sion setting up an expert culties facing the preachers Column The main focus of the Prime committee to lay down in performing their duties Minister’s visit and interaction with guidelines to improve the and propose solutions. David Hearst, popular the Qatari leadership will be on quality of Friday sermons The panel is tasked with international columnist further enhancement of bilateral in mosques in Qatar. developing standards and and editor-in-chief of relations in various fields, includ- The panel headed by guidelines for improving ing energy cooperation, trade and Sheikh Dr Thaqeem bin Saair the quality of Friday sermons Middle East Eye, writes investment, defence and increase Israeli Arabs take part in a protest calling for the release of the detained Palestinian Al Shamri, vice chairman of and setting terms and condi- a column focusing on in employment opportunities for journalist Mohammed Al Qiq, who is on hunger strike, outside a hospital in the northern the Cessation Court com- tions and criteria for selection Middle East on Opinion the Pakistani workforce in Qatar. Israeli town of Afula, yesterday. The 33-year-old television reporter is determined to prises a number of Imams, of preachers and developing page. Qatar hosts more than 115,000 continue his fast until he is freed, his lawyer said. preachers, researchers their skills. The initiatives Pakistani nationals. and specialists in Shariah comes as part of a series of → Page 11 02 WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 HOME

Condolences sent to Kuwait Emir

QNA deceased with mercy and grant his family and loved ones patience and solace. Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa DOHA: Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani also sent a cable of condolences to bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable of condo- Kuwait Emir on the death of Sheikh Abdul- lences to Emir of Kuwait H H Sheikh Sabah lah Mohamed Al Salman Al Sabah, praying Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah on the death of to God Almighty to bless the deceased with Sheikh Abdullah Mohamed Al Salman Al mercy and grant his family and loved ones Sabah, praying to God Almighty to bless the patience and solace.

Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani joins citizens and residents in activities to mark the fifth National Sport Day at Simaisma Youth Centre. He also watched children take part in horse and camel riding, tug-of-war and traditional archery. Emir attends NSD celebrations

Continued from page 1

The Katara Esplanade and the beach teemed with people taking part in activities lined up by ministries, sport fed- erations and private companies under the slogan ‘Be the Champion’. Events included basketball, football, beach hand- ball, table tennis, karate, boxing, biking, yoga, weightlifting and horse riding. Some indoor activities such as chess, film screenings and exhibitions were also held. Health and well- ness companies provided free medical checks and health tips for visitors. A large number of sport and fitness enthusiasts also flocked to Aspire Zone to benefit from its world-class facilities. Aspire Zone Foundation organised activities for all seg- ments of society, including football, 3 on 3 basketball, fitness activities including 5,000-step journey, Fun Run and 200m bike race, among others. Nineteen ministries, government entities and private companies chose Aspire Zone for their programmes. Minister of Public Health H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari attended the event which, for the first time, saw the gathering of employees of the ministry, Hamad Medical Cor- poration and Primary Health Care Corporation. Activities at Museum of Islamic Art Park, the Pearl-Qatar and Asian Town also saw a big number of people in attendance. Minister of Cul- ture and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali took part in sport competitions in Asian Town. To maximise par- ticipation, sport clubs also organised activities across Qatar. HOME WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 03 Sheikha Moza takes part in NSD celebrations

By Fazeena Saleem The Peninsula

DOHA: H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson, Qatar Foun- dation (QF), joined hundreds of participants from around the coun- try to celebrate National Sport Day (NSD) at Education City yesterday. Over 60 activities were held by QF under the theme ‘Unlock Your Inner Athlete’ to inspire healthy liv- ing and enjoyment of sport. Events begun with the popular annual walkathon, led by Sheikha Moza, together with H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice-Chairper- son QF, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, President, Qatar Olympic Committee, and H E Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The 3km walkathon begun near Hamad Bin Khalifa Universi- ty’s (HBKU) Student Centre and ended in the Oxygen Park in Education City. It was hosted by Sidra Medical and Research Centre. Sheikha Moza also participated in some events and watched partic- ipants enjoy activities. “QF participates in National Sport Day every year to encourage H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser taking part in National Sport Day its employees to play sports and adopt activities in Education City. Pic: AR Al-Baker healthy, active lifestyles. We strive to inspire the community to exercise daily, and aim to educate individu- created by healthy citizens capable of tug-of-war, Zumba, aerobics and als about the importance of playing actively serving their communities.” Crossfit to cater all categories of sports year-round,” said Engineer Among the attractions to promote participants. Al Shaqab equestrian Saad Al Muhannadi, President, QF. healthy living was Weill Cornell Med- centre gave children the opportunity Fahad Al Qahtani, Group Exec- icine-Qatar’s Your Health First which to get up close with majestic animals utive Director, Administration, QF, gave a chance to make your own at the park, which had a soft open- said, “There is no doubt that National smoothie while riding bicycles. Basic ing yesterday. Sport Day is beneficial to individu- checks for BMI, blood pressure and Children aged 5-13 enjoyed pony als and the wider community. This others were conducted for visitors. rides throughout the day and the event promotes the strengthen- Visitors also took part in vol- activity was supported by ExxonMo- ing of a sport culture in Qatar, and leyball, basketball, badminton and bil, a major sponsor for Al Shaqab and informs community members about football tournaments. Traditional other QF projects. Golf edutainment, the importance of living healthy games and group fitness classes treasure hunt, and traditional Ardha lifestyles. Advanced countries are were also held, including carrom, tournament were also held. 04 WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 HOME

Premier attends Cabinet General Secretariat marks National Sport Day Lekhwiya festivities

QNA QNA

DOHA: Prime Minister and Inte- DOHA: The General Secretariat of the Cabinet yester- rior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah day celebrated National Sport Day. bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, in The celebration was attended by Deputy Prime Min- his capacity as Chief of Lekhwiya ister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs H E Ahmed Force, witnessed Lekhwiya’s cel- bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud. ebration of National Sport Day. The General Secretariat’s celebration was in accord- Directors of several departments ance with the Emiri decision No. 80 of 2011 which took part in the event along with earmarked the second Tuesday of every February as group commanders, their assist- National Sport Day. ants, officers, non-commissioned Activities started in the morning with a march on the officers, personnel and civilian Doha Corniche. Then participants headed to Al Marki- staff. The event featured some 11 yah Sports Club where activities were held along with a sports. match between the teams of the General Secretariat and Public Prosecution.

Sheikh Joaan opens NSD festivities at Pearl-Qatar Minister joins workers in NSD festivities

The Peninsula

DOHA: Minister of Culture and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali took part in National Sport Day celebrations with workers in Asian Town in Mesaimeer. He played basketball with work- ers and took part in a tug-of-war contest. He also visited the Cricket Stadium and watched a match. The event was organised by the Ibn Ajyan Group which manages Asian Town, in collaboration with the Filipino community. Games, including basketball, vol- leyball, football were held in front of Minister of Culture and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al the stadium and the cricket matches Ali took part in National Sport Day celebrations with workers in Asian inside the stadium. Town in Mesaimeer. (Below) A sport event in progress in Aspire Zone. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, President, Qatar Olympic Committee, and other visitors “More than 2,500 workers par- Pic: Baher / The Peninsula taking part in an event after inaugurating Qatar National Sport Day celebrations organised by United ticipated in activities,” said Riyaz Development Company in collaboration with QOC at the picturesque Lido Venezia Beach in the Qanat Cheeroth, Manager, Sports and sites, banners and phone calls to watching their children playing for Quartier precinct at the Pearl-Qatar. Pic: Qassim / The Peninsula Recreation of the Group. The cricket attract our community members and hours braving the cold winds. tournament started on Monday and we received a huge response,” said Mostly people were in sport dress, other games started early morning Delfin, a representative of the Fili- especially children and their male yesterday, Cheeroth added. pino community. Participants were family members. “We distributed T-shirts with the also allowed to register online. Companies selling sport prod- logo of NSD to each participant and Aspire Park was among the larg- ucts set up miniature playgrounds trophies to the winning teams in var- est crowd-pullers as thousands of inside their tents for football, bas- ious games,” he added. families visited the facility which ketball and marathon and children “We launched a week-long cam- was turned into a playground. were seen in long queues waiting for paign through social networking Families were seen sitting and their turn outside.

Visitors at Katara during National Sport Day celebrations yesterday. Pic: Salim / The Peninsula

QA marks National Sport Day with four-day promotion offering up to 40% savings

The Peninsula preferred travel agent or qatarairways.com/ sportday. The savings are based on return fares DOHA: Qatar Air- and include taxes. Seats ways (QA) is celebrating are limited and subject to National Sport Day with availability. a fabulous four-day pro- Ehab Amin, Senior People take part in a walk on the Corniche. Pic: Abdul / The Peninsula motion offering customers Vice-President Commer- in Doha up to 40 percent cial, QA, Qatar, said: “In savings on all-inclusive keeping in line with airfares to QA-oper- Qatar’s vision on pro- ated destinations across moting sports in its Europe, the Middle East, community, we are Asia Pacific, Africa and thrilled to offer our val- the Americas. ued customers on National Beginning yesterday at Sport Day an exciting four- 00:00 hours (Doha time) day promotion to explore until Friday 23:59 hours the world for less and (Doha Times), travellers travel with us to their next will have the opportu- adventurous destination. nity to explore the world “A sale such as this under- for less with QA’s four- lines our commitment day sale. towards our loyal custom- Customers can take ers for choosing to fly with advantage of the long QA which connects our travel validity during the passengers to more than promotional offer and 150 global destinations.” book tickets by Friday for QA has seen rapid travel until June 25. growth in 19 years of oper- Privilege Club mem- ation and flies a modern bers will also earn double fleet of 176 aircraft to more Qpoints during the promo- than 150 key business tion. Terms and conditions and leisure destinations apply; please review at the across Europe, the Middle time of booking. Bookings East, Africa, Asia Pacific, can be made by visit- North America and South ing any QA’s sales office, America.

06 WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 HOME CRA employees focus on team-building on NSD

Officials at the event.

Qatar University promotes sport Communications Regulatory Authority’s employees and their families at the event. and healthy lifestyles in community team-building. The highlight of the mandate of fostering a thriving com- day’s events was the Obstacle Race munications and postal sector, access Obstacle Race where teams of four employees each to digital media, protect consumers for teams of four attempted to cross incrementally dif- and manage scarce resources, with The Peninsula the official host. Vice-President, Student Life and ficult hurdles to finish the race in the goal of contributing to Qatar’s At QU Sports Hall, QU female stu- Services, QU. employees each the shortest time. Hurdles included development into a smart, digitally dents participated in sport-related “QU is demonstrating the impor- highlight of the day’s climbing, balancing, dodging among connected nation. and recreational activities such as tance of exercise for building a events other levels of difficulty. Each team CRA is the communications DOHA: Qatar University (QU) Pres- yoga, Zumba, strength and condi- healthy community engaging peo- had to work together and strategise regulator, established by the Emiri ident Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham, tioning, and bubble ball games. ple from all walks of life and age to beat the challenge. Decree No. 42 in 2014. It regulates staff, faculty, students and their fam- At Katara, the QU programme groups. We are proud to be part of To ensure participation by all the communications and information ilies took part in the annual National included a march competition for the national event and to share the The Peninsula employees, different categories of technology sector, postal services, Sports Day celebrations across the kids (1km) and adults (2.5km), a sky- Emir’s vision of a healthy nation.” activities were held, including a and access to digital media. country yesterday. diving show performed by a QU team, Asmaa Al Naemi, Head, Sports tug-of-war competition and volley- CRA uses its powers mandated Through its Sports and Recrea- and maritime activities such as vol- and Recreation Section, QU, said: ball and table tennis tournaments, by the decree to protect consumer tion Section in the Student Activities leyball and football. “The event highlights QU’s commit- DOHA: As part of the Commu- among others. rights, ensure competition, manage Department, QU conducted sport- An exhibition on the sidelines ment to strengthen strong links with nications Regulatory Authority’s One of the popular activities was the resolution of disputes and the ing and fitness events on its campus featured two booths which pro- society and engage the community in support for National Sport Day 2016, the Blind Kick which saw people lin- electromagnetic spectrum. and at Katara. vided visitors with information on the importance of following a healthy a government-led initiative that con- ing up to be blindfolded to shoot a In all its activities, CRA seeks to Activities under the theme ‘Sports sportive and healthy lifestyles, fit- lifestyle through sports. tributes to the health and wellness goal. Team-building is a highly useful ensure advanced, innovative and Bring Us Together’ aimed to promote ness and nutrition. “It also underlines QU’s mission of the communities, CRA employees activity that strengthens employ- reliable ICT and postal services sports and healthy lifestyles through- The activities were part of QU’s to provide students with practi- participated in activities to promote ees’ commitment to deliver CRA’s across Qatar. out the community. contribution to highlighting health cal skills-based opportunities that The events were organised in benefits of sports and fitness in line enhance their civic responsibility and collaboration with the Ministry of with the National Health Strategy spirit of teamwork and volunteerism Municipality and Environment, Com- and Qatar National Vision 2030, which will serve them in their future munity College of Qatar and Katara, said Abdulla Al Yafei, Associate roles as Qatar’s leaders.”

HMC officials with some of the participants at one of the events. HMC celebrations a big draw

The Peninsula “We are working towards a visitors at Al Wakrah and Al Khor healthy future for Qatar and NSD hospitals and the Cuban Hospital, demonstrates how we can all play including mini football, basketball a part in ensuring that on an indi- and table tennis. DOHA: Hamad Medical Corpora- vidual level. It was wonderful to see The main venue was Bayt Al Dhi- tion’s (HMC) staff, their families, our staff and their families engage in yafah in Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical patients and visitors participated in activities and work to improve their City where many people took part in healthy activities across its hospitals health and fitness. activities, including a 1.5km walka- and facilities to mark National Sport “The activities and the partic- thon around the campus and the mini Day (NSD). ipation of so many staff and their football tournament. Shamma Abdulla Behair, Direc- families demonstrate our com- Residents of HMC’s Muaither Res- tor, PR and Community Engagement, mitment to the importance of idential Compound, their families Corporate Communications Depart- maintaining a physically active life- and staff also held a series of sport- ment, HMC, said Qatar is one of few style and support the vision and spirit focused activities. nations in the world to dedicate a day of NSD and we thank everyone who HMC also joined the Ministry of to sport and healthy living and as the joined us today.” Public Health and Primary Health country’s principal public healthcare The HMC NSD Organising Com- Care Corporation in events, includ- provider, HMC is proud to participate. mittee held activities for patients and ing a walkathon, at Aspire Park.

The Peninsula staff mark National Sport Day

Employees of The Peninsula marked National Sport Day with activities held to inspire healthy living and enjoyment of sport. The celebration was organised at Dar Al Sharq CEO Abdulatif bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud’s ranch in Umm Amberiah. The employees took part in sport competitions, including football, volleyball, table tennis and a tug-of-war. Prizes were presented to the winning teams and those who excelled in different sports.Pic: Ibrahim Kutty

GULF / MIDDLE EAST WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 09 Govt assault on Aleppo could cut off civilians: UN

rebel-held parts of Aleppo with the main Turkish border crossing, which The assault to has long served as the lifeline for IS car bomber kills several people at police club surround Aleppo, insurgent-controlled territory. once Syria’s biggest “It would leave up to 300,000 people, still residing in the city, cut Reuters city with 2 million off from humanitarian aid unless people, amounts cross-line access could be nego- tiated,” the United Nations Office to one of the most for Coordination of Humanitarian BEIRUT: A suicide car bomber blew important shifts Affairs said in an urgent bulletin. himself up at a police officers’ club If government advances around in a residential district of Damas- of momentum in the city continue, it said, “local coun- cus yesterday, killing several people, the five year civil cils in the city estimate that some Syria’s interior ministry said, and 100,000 — 150,000 civilians may Islamic State (IS) militants claimed war that has killed flee”. responsibility. 250,000 people and Turkey, already home to 2.5 It said that a number of peo- already driven 11 million Syrians, the world’s biggest ple were also wounded in the blast refugee population, has so far kept in Masaken Barza, a middle class million from their its frontier mostly closed to the latest district where several major gov- homes wave of displaced, making it more ernment buildings are located. difficult to reach them with urgently The Syrian Observatory for needed aid. The United Nations Human Rights, which tracks vio- urged Ankara on Tuesday to open lence in Syria’s civil war, said eight Reuters the border and has called on other police officers were killed in the countries to assist Turkey with aid. blast and at least 20 wounded after Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavu- a vehicle was detonated in a parking soglu said as many as a million lot in the police officers’ club. GENEVA/AMMAN: Hundreds of refugees could arrive if the Rus- The ultra-hardline IS, in a thousands of civilians could be cut sian-Syrian campaign continues. statement carried by social media, off from food if Syrian government Fifty thousand people had reached named the bomber as Abu Abdul forces encircle rebel-held parts of Turkey’s borders in the latest wave, Rahman Al Shami and said he had Aleppo, the United Nations said yes- Ankara had admitted 10,000 so far turned his enemies’ “tranquil- terday, warning of a massive new and would allow in others in a “con- ity into horror” to avenge what it flight of refugees from a Russian- trolled fashion”, he said. called the suffering of fellow Sunni backed assault. The UN World Food Programme Muslims. Syrian government forces, said in a statement it had begun food It put the death toll at 20 with at Syrian men stand next to a damaged car at the site of a suicide attack at a police officer’s club in the backed by Russian air strikes and distribution in the Syrian town of least 40 injuries. Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah Azaz near the Turkish border for An interior ministry statement Masaken Barzeh district of the capital Damascus, yesterday. fighters, have launched a major offen- the new wave of displaced people. said security forces prevented the sive in the countryside around Aleppo, “The situation is quite volatile suicide bomber from entering the busy marketplace. It then retracted located. The blast killed over 70 of the Syrian capital have gener- which has been divided between gov- and fluid in northern Aleppo with heavily patrolled complex and that this information. The last major blast people including at least 25 Shi’ite ally subsided in the last two years. ernment and rebel control for years. families on the move seeking safety,” the blast occurred at its gates. in the Syrian capital occurred on Jan. militiamen, and was claimed by Insurgents however continue to fre- The assault to surround Aleppo, once said Jakob Kern, WFP’s country Syrian state television reported 31 in a Damascus district where Syr- Islamic State. quently fire mortars into the capital Syria’s biggest city with 2 million director in Syria. earlier that the blast took place in a ia’s holiest Shi’ite Muslim shrine is Suicide bombings in the heart from rebel-held eastern suburbs. people, amounts to one of the most “We are extremely concerned as important shifts of momentum in access and supply routes from the the five-year civil war that has killed north to eastern Aleppo city and sur- 250,000 people and already driven 11 rounding areas are now cut off, but last week before they got under way in the war in favour of its ally Presi- signed up to in December. Russia says bomber drove his car into a police million from their homes. we are making every effort to get in earnest. dent Bashar Al Assad when it joined it is targeting only Islamist militants. officers’ club in a residential quar- Since last week, fighting has enough food in place for all those International powers are due to the conflict four months ago with a Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov ter in central Damascus on Tuesday, already wrecked the first attempt in need, bringing it in through the meet on Thursday in Munich in a bid campaign of air strikes against his said there was no credible evidence blowing himself up and killing sev- at peace talks for two years and remaining open border crossing to resurrect the talks, but diplomats enemies, many of whom are sup- of civilian deaths. eral people, a Syrian interior ministry led rebel fighters to speak about point from Turkey.” hold out virtually no hope for negoti- ported by Arab states, Turkey and The complex multi-sided civil war statement said. losing their northern power base The Russian-backed government ations as long as the Russian-backed the West. has drawn in outside powers, with the The Syrian Observatory for altogether. assault around Aleppo, as well as government offensive is under way German Chancellor Angela Mer- United States leading a separate cam- Human Rights, which monitors vio- The United Nations is worried advances further south, helped at full bore. Rebels say they will not kel accused Russia this week of paign of air strikes against Islamic lence in the war, said eight police the government advance could torpedo the first peace talks for attend without a halt to bombing. bombing civilians, against a UN. State militants who control eastern officers were killed and 20 wounded cut off the last link for civilians in nearly two years, which collapsed Moscow turned the momentum Security Council resolution Moscow Syria and northern Iraq. A suicide in the blast. IS said it was responsible.

Yemen clashes kill four family Kuwait backs alliances against IS, but no troops members Reuters to sending special forces to Syria, and doing something like that,” Sheikh the United Arab Emirates has said it Mohammad said, when asked about would be willing to send troops to US hails Saudi troop offer for Syria security measures since the attack. AFP train and support a US-led coalition WASHINGTON: The United States welcomes a Saudi offer to deploy spe- “However many new procedures DUBAI: Kuwait backs international against Islamic State. cial forces to support a coalition ground operation against the Islamic State have been put in place in public areas efforts against hardline Islamist “Kuwait stands shoulder-to- group inside Syria, the kingdom’s foreign minister said. in order to make it more difficult ... be groups in Iraq and Syria although the shoulder with our brothers in Saudi Speaking after a meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry, For- it religious venues or commercial or ADEN: Clashes yesterday between Gulf Arab state’s constitution prevents on all fronts. We are always ready eign Minister Adel Al Jubeir said any operation would be US-led but that social venues.” Yemeni forces and Al Qaeda mil- it from sending troops to fight abroad, and able to provide what is needed Saudi Arabia would play a leading role. This included new legislation itants in Aden killed at least six a senior Kuwaiti official said. to our Gulf partners within the con- “The United States government was very supportive and very positive requiring government buildings to people, including four members Kuwait, a US ally and neighbour fines of our constitution,” said Sheikh about the kingdom’s readiness to provide special forces to the operation install closed-circuit television and of the same family, security offi- of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, is part of a Mohammad Al Mubarak Al Sabah, in Syria, should the international coalition make a decision to do so,” he for private institutions to have CCTV cials and witnesses said. 34-nation alliance announced by Riy- Kuwait’s minister for cabinet affairs, told reporters. “So the kingdom will be part of it,” he said. “That support with a data log in public areas. Al Qaeda controls part of adh in December aimed at countering in an interview. came from the White House, it came from the State Department, it was He described the attack as a failed the southern port city which has Islamic State (IS) and Al Qaeda in Iraq, He said this could be “intel- natural for Secretary Kerry to support such a decision.” attempt to stir up sectarian tensions become the temporary headquar- Syria, Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan. ligence-sharing, the provision of in Kuwait, which is home to a sizea- ters of the government of President Several Gulf Arab states including establishments required by the coa- ble Shia minority active in business Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi as it bat- Kuwait also provide varying kinds of lition to facilitate their activities”. He producer Kuwait, which was invaded deadliest militant attack in decades and politics. “If anything, that bomb- tles to retake large parts of Yemen support to a US-led coalition that has did not elaborate. Diplomats in the by Iraq in 1990, can declare defen- in June when a Saudi suicide bomber ing showed the world, and showed from Shia Houthi rebels. been fighting IS in Syria since 2014. region have said Kuwait has permitted sive war if under direct threat but blew himself up inside a packed Shia specifically the deranged people Forces loyal to Hadi laid siege The issue of Gulf Arab participation some foreign air forces participating offensive war is prohibited by the mosque, killing 27 people. IS claimed who adhere to this skewed doctrine, early yesterday to Aden’s central in Iraq and Syria has come to the fore in the US-led coalition to use air- constitution. Home to several US responsibility. “It’s very difficult to what it is to be Kuwaiti,” said Sheikh Mansura district and clashed with because Saudi Arabia said it was open fields in its territory. Major Opec oil military bases, Kuwait suffered its stop a lone, deranged person from Mohammad. militants, while coalition Apache helicopters provided air cover, security officials in the city said. The operation was part of a bid to drive the jihadists out of the city. Back home Prominent reformists Four members of one fam- ily were killed when a rocket hit their house in the neighbourhood of Kabouta near Mansura, a rela- back in Iran election tive said. The victims were Rowais Othman Saleh, his wife and two daughters, the relative said, adding that a third daughter aged five was AFP of clerics and jurists, of their suit- wounded. At least two gunmen ability for public office. No names were also killed in the fighting, of the new approvals have yet been officials said. officially released but a final list is A large fire also engulfed TEHRAN: Prominent but as yet expected on February 16. Alshamil shopping centre in unnamed reformists are among Parliament is now dominated by Mansura during the clashes, more than 1,400 initially rejected conservatives, and a reformist offi- according to a photojournalist. candidates now eligible to contest cial said that last month’s exclusions Residents of the neighbour- Iran’s parliamentary elections on had left only one percent — 30 of the hood said warplanes also hovered February 26, a government official group’s 3,000 candidates — eligible overhead and that they feared for said yesterday. for the election. Iran’s Interior Minis- their lives. “We live in terror... We The new approvals raise the try, which will supervise the ballot, got rid of the Huthis and now Al potential for a change in the bal- said efforts by President Hassan Qaeda militants have come to ance of power in Iran’s parliament, Rouhani’s government led to previ- turn our lives into hell,” said one a prospect that looked impossible ously barred reformists, moderates resident. Loyalists backed by a after thousands of contenders were and conservatives being approved. Saudi-led coalition have since July barred in a first round of vetting. The number of people allowed recaptured Aden and four other Displaced Iraqis, who fled regions controlled by the Islamic State (IS) group near Fallujah, carry their Anyone seeking to become one to contest the parliamentary elec- southern provinces from the Shia belongings as they arrive in the Jwaibah area, on the eastern outskirts of Ramadi, after pro-government of Iran’s 290 MPs must satisfy the tion now stands at 6,185 -- 51 percent rebels, who continue to control troops retook the region. Guardian Council, a conservative- of original applicants -- including Sana’a and other northern regions. dominated constitutional watchdog 586 women. 10 WEDNESDAY 10 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 Rebels say failure of US Zika alert talks costs Syrian lives s Zika continues to spread despite vigorous efforts to contain the virus, there is a general lack of faith among many people in Latin America about their governments’ ability tackle the warning they could lose their US credibility is plummeting within negotiating table. Acrisis. For example, a survey found that in Venezuela, only funding if they boycotted. Hijab the population of Syria but also in But Hijab says the conditions 29 percent felt confident their government could handle the says that Kerry’s approach -- to the region as a whole.” necessary for resumed negotia- outbreak while 49 percent said they did not believe government officials try to persuade Assad and Russia This week, it is Syrians near tions aren’t close to being met. could handle the crisis. In Argentina, where only two cases of Zika have to negotiate while the offensive Aleppo who are paying the price. The rebels are seeking more continues -- has actually made Regime forces, with Russian sup- financial and military support been confirmed, only 43 percent of respondents had faith the government things much worse. port, are advancing toward the to defend civilians and counter would manage the crisis. In Guatemala, where more than 100 cases have “The administration is say- Turkish border, threatening to cut the regime’s offensives, including been reported, the equivalent figure was 24 percent. The negative public ing it is testing the good faith of off opposition groups and civil- weapons that can defend against opinion points to the huge challenges the governments are facing in the other side,” Hijab told me in a ians from their source of aid. At air attacks. “This administration containing the virus as well as in creating awareness about this epidemic. phone interview on Monday. “But least 35,000 people have joined and the international community The governments are doing their best, but Zika has proved to be too when you are testing these things the flood of refugees since the col- have completely disappointed and and it fails, the price that is being lapse of the talks, ahead of what deserted us after five years,” he complicated and infectious to be tackled through the normal methods. paid is horrendous death and the many anticipate will be another in said. “The US support to the oppo- Especially in Brazil, the country worst affected by the virus, scientists and expansion of extremism and ter- a long line of starvation sieges the sition is in no way comparable to health authorities admit they are struggling to get on top of an epidemic By Josh Rogin rorism on the ground.” regime is perpetrating on cities. the support Iran and Russia has that is thought to have infected about 1.5 million people. Bloomberg Syrian forces backed by Rus- Hijab said there are now 18 cities given to the Assad regime.” More countries are reporting cases of Zika as the virus begins to cross sian air power are pressing an under siege, three more than when If history is any guide, the borders. China yesterday reported offensive against rebel groups in the talks began. failure of peace talks means its first imported case as a man was and around Aleppo, the nation’s Moscow wants the peace talks increased violence and an n the days since the col- largest city, that began before the to fail, Hijab said. He accused the expansion of both terrorism and diagnosed with the virus after he As scientists lapse of the Syria peace talks scheduled peace talks. Kerry said Russian air force of using illegal refugees. Since the last failure of and health returned from Venezuela and reported championed by US Secre- Friday, “This has to stop.” He said cluster bombs indiscriminately Syrian peace talks in 2014, the fever, headache and dizziness. tary of State John Kerry, the he would know if the other par- against civilians. (Human rights Islamic State has expanded its professionals Barbados confirmed three more humanitarian catastrophe in ties, such as Russia, were “serious” groups support those claims.) reach in Syria, spread its reign struggle to answer cases in pregnant women, bringing Inorthern Syria has grown, tens of about upholding United Nations “The situation has taken a horrible of terror from North Africa to to seven the number of people on the thousands of new refugees were Security Council resolutions on turn, specifically in terms of the Western Europe, while the Assad all the questions created, and the Russian- and Ira- protecting civilians after a meet- scorched earth policy of the Rus- regime’s sieges force millions of Caribbean island with the virus. Kenya on Zika virus, nian-backed killing of civilians ing later this week in Munich of the sian aircraft and the way that they refugees to flee. This will only has threatened to pull its athletes has increased. These are all conse- international group of countries are bombing, literally destroying get worse if the Barack Obama precaution is the out of Rio Olympics in August unless quences of the flawed US strategy, supporting proxies in the Syrian everything,” he said. “The other administration continues its cur- best strategy it got assurances they would not be according to the lead negotiator for civil war. side has been moving to ensure the rent policy, said Hijab. to contain the exposed to the Zika virus outbreak the Syrian opposition. In the eyes of the Syrian failure of any negotiation through The next president, whether in Brazil, casting gloom over the Riyad Hijab was prime min- opposition, Russia and Iran are horrendous bombardment.” Democrat or Republican, will epidemic. great event. New Zealand’s Olympics ister of Syria in 2012 under the making a mockery of the peace Hajib said the Obama admin- certainly make big changes to US dictator Bashar al-Assad; he process, and Kerry’s reluctance istration is still pressuring the policy to Syria. But over the next 11 Committee issued a warning to its became the highest-ranking to acknowledge this is putting opposition to return to talks months the situation can get much athletes and officials of the risks and defector from the regime when them in deadly harm. It also cre- despite the ongoing offensive, but worse. There’s a risk inherent in the US Olympic Committee told sports federations that athletes and staff he switched sides and joined the ates more problems for America’s the opposition is insisting that deepening America’s involve- concerned for their health should consider not going to the Games. Most rebels. He is now the leader of the regional allies, aids the Islamic Russia adhere by the UN resolu- ment, but Obama must weigh that other countries have indicated they will not withdraw. High Negotiating Committee that State and dims the prospects for tions first. In a press conference against the many costs of diplo- Precaution is the best strategy as scientists are still trying to get the represented the Syrian opposition future peace talks. “The failures with reporters last week, Kerry macy when it fails. at last week’s meetings in Geneva, of the negotiations end up lower- said of the Syrian-Russian attacks full facts about the mosquito-borne virus that has been linked to birth which collapsed after two days. ing the credibility of the moderate on civilians, “It’s not going to stop Josh Rogin is a Bloomberg View defects among babies. There is very little published research on Zika and Kerry had pressured the Syrian opposition in front of the Syrian just by whining about it.” He called columnist writing about national no single test for the virus in humans or mosquitoes. There is also a huge opposition leaders to attend, even people,” said Hijab. “United States on rebel leaders to return to the security and foreign affairs. worry that most infected people will be unaware they have the virus as eighty percent of people are asymptomatic. Then there are unanswered questions. This gives rise to lots of questions which will need urgent answers. The World Health Organisation has already declared an international Losing ‘patience’ on North Korea health emergency. With the health machinery of the entire world in readiness to fight the virus, containing this epidemic will not take time. The Washington Post threat is not imminent - and yet it is likely to non- military strategy that brought results: sanc- become so if the United States does not devise tions that strike at the regime’s inner circle. Kim a more effective strategy for containing and and his cronies are still managing to import lux- deterring the Kim regime. ury goods from China, in spite of a UN ban; they ssessing the behaviour of North Korean President Barack Obama’s policy since 2009, still use Chinese banks to do business with the Quote of the day ruler Kim Jong Un is necessarily a matter “strategic patience,” has failed. The policy has rest of the world. Those links could be curtailed Aof guesswork. In light of North Korea’s mostly consisted of ignoring North Korea while if China, like Iran before it, were designated as a launch Sunday of another long-range rocket, mildly cajoling China to pressure the regime. money launderer and US sanctions were slapped however, our favorite theory is a simple one: As the supplier of most of the isolated country’s on Chinese banks and other businesses that sup- Kim is responding rationally, even shrewdly, to energy and food, Beijing has enormous leverage. ply weapons and luxury goods. the outside world. The 30-something dictator But Chinese President Xi Jinping appears even Pending US sanctions legislation, already no doubt noticed that after the regime’s latest more committed than his predecessors to the passed by the House and scheduled for a Cyber threats are nuclear test, on Jan. 6, there was no response doctrine that it is preferable to tolerate the Kim Senate floor vote this week, would mandate among the most other than rhetoric from the UN Security Coun- regime - and its nuclear proliferation - than do these steps, while providing the administra- cil, China and the United States. Moreover, he anything that might destabilise it. tion with some flexibility. It should pass, and urgent dangers to surely observed that his provocation served to Since the nuclear test, China has been say- Obama should sign it. The administration and America’s economic widen a rift between Washington and Beijing ing that it will support another UN resolution South Korea have taken one positive step, by over how to handle him. So why not double on North Korea, but it is balking at significant announcing formal consultations on deploying and national security. down? new sanctions. Instead it calls for “dialogue,” an advanced missile defense system in South The three-stage rocket launched Sunday, by which it means negotiations between North Korea as quickly as possible. That sensible step which supposedly put a satellite into Earth’s Korea and the United States. This sounds rea- had been on hold because of China’s objections. Barack Obama orbit, could also serve as an intercontinental sonable; the problem is that talks on curbing Both China and North Korea must see that missile. If North Korea has succeeded, as it North Korea’s nuclear program and missiles they will pay a mounting price for what, to the US President claims it has, in miniaturising a nuclear war- have failed repeatedly, and Kim is now insisting United States, should be Kim’s intolerable steps head, Kim could target Hawaii and Alaska, or that the regime be accepted as a nuclear power. toward a nuclear arsenal. “Strategic patience” perhaps even the western US mainland. The What is needed is a return to the only is no longer a viable option.

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such as rape, torture and recruitment for combat. The truth about the Kurdi family is, as ever, mixed. As told to the Middle East Eye by Abdullah, the surviving father of Aylan, and Abdullah’s uncle Khalid, it’s the story of a long march - a barber who moved from Damascus to Kobane to Tel Abyad, and finally to Istanbul in search of a living wage. He was joined by his fam- ily when IS took control of Kobane. One year passed since then, in which they struggled to make ends meet in the Eyup neighbourhood of Istanbul. What made the Syrian Kurd dream of a better life in Europe on his second attempt to break By David Hearst in? Not IS. And definitely not his uncle. The uncle, Khalid Sheno, said: “Europe will never help us. I’d rather live in Kobane and eat bread then to go to Europe. Abdul- lah walked into the danger with his eyes e live in an age of sentimen- closed. I told him to return to Kobane tality and brutality - little instead of going to Europe. But he dreamed different from Victorian of something else.” Britain or Tsarist Russia. Back to Europe, where something ForW the latest dollop of sentimental- incredible is said to be happening. Jean ity, go no further than Bob Geldof, who Claude Juncker, the EU commission offered to throw open the doors of his president, pressed on Wednesday for a homes in London and Kent as a “personal compulsory relocation of an extra 120,000 response” to the Syrian refugee crisis; or migrants - a plan that the new boys on Bono, who claimed, on the basis of nothing, the block, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, that something incredible is happening Poland and Romania are less than enam- in Europe. Perhaps Lenny Henry can join oured with. Their generosity appears to in with a red nose day, or, as this is about be tempered by religious preference. Slo- Syria, should that be red limb day? Maybe vakia, Cyprus and a French mayor were Angelina Jolie could adopt a child? The all quoted as saying they preferred Chris- German tabloids would love that. They tian refugees. have just published a “Welcome to Ber- The countries that are doing most lin” guide in Arabic. to support the war in Syria, do least in Of brutality, there are no more relia- accepting the consequences of those wars. ble suppliers than 10 Downing Street, not The eight countries that have sent most Syrian refugees wait in front of the Turkish Oncupinar crossing gate, near the town of Kilis, yesterday. that either Geldof or Bono are likely to weapons to Syria have accepted two per- be on the streets outside demonstrating cent of the refugees Germany has taken Europe has during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin in, according to Stop The War. Netanyahu’s visit on Thursday. David Even the response of Germany, nothing to Cameron’s response to the refugee cri- which has said it can take in 500,000 But let’s for a moment be honest. The Nor are Aylan and Hamza the only a nation-wide insurgency, is the direct offer Arab sis is to accept 4,000 a year for the next Syrian refugees a year, may have more reaction to Aylan Kurdi has been one giant child symbols of conflict in the Middle consequence of the British, French, Ger- five years and to announce that drone to do with its brain than its heart. Unlike selfie, a portrait of ourselves taken by East. Muhammad Al Durrah, Iman Hijo, man and American abandonment of the youth, for strikes have executed two Britons in Syria. Britain, Germany’s population is falling, people who remain conflicted about their the four boys killed on the beach in Gaza democratic process. As I wrote earlier its policy He and Francois Hollande are itching to and doing so fast. The EU commission’s identity, perturbed about their ethnic last year, and Ali Dawabsheh, the baby this year, migration from North Africa is to back start an air campaign against the Islamic projection is that it will fall from 81.3 mil- and religious minorities, and anxious burned to death in an arson attack in the was actually dropping until the military State (IS), as if the militant group is the lion in 2013 to 70.8 million by 2060. As about the future. It’s about us, not them. West Bank, are all symbols of the Pales- coup in 2013, according to Frontex the their tyrants root cause of the refugee flows. it does, the so-called dependency ratio, It’s not about Syrians nor the sacrifice tinian conflict who have aroused plenty European Border Agency. If Egypt fails and hold its Now I acknowledge that evidence the proportion of expensive older peo- of poor nations around them. (Lebanon of emotion but failed to move policy in as a state - as it could well do - Egyptians nose. This is is a tool used fitfully in firing a drone. ple to younger, wealth-generating people and Jordan have taken in four million the West. would have no other direction to turn Best guesses –eg. what one neighbour will rise. Germany will be unable to ful- refugees so far.) Aylan Kurdi has not shaken Europe than northwards. The numbers taking to the torpor whispered about another, what a target fil its needs through the European labour Nor is it about children. The desper- out of its torpor. But his brutal death has the boats would increase exponentially. Europe is in, appeared to be holding from 500 feet market alone. Lutz Schneider, an econo- ate picture of Aylan Kurdi’s washed-up rammed home one point, which we spent Two battles are being fought by mil- away - are all safer bets. But even so, mist who examined the consequences of corpse erases the memory of all the child the whole summer of drownings in the lions of Arabs - the battle for democracy a continent the link between what happened to the immigration for the Bertelsmann Foun- victims of this vicious conflict. Who now Mediterranean trying to deny. The Mid- and the battle for a better economic future. unwilling to toddler Aylan Kurdi and IS eludes me. dation, predicted to Spiegel Online that remembers Hamza Al Khateeb, a 13-year- dle East is Europe’s neighbour, whose On both fronts, Europe has nothing to uphold its own If the drone strike is about exacting the average annual number of immi- old boy from Deraa, who was swept up by conflicts and waves of human misery offer Arab youth, for its policy is to back revenge on the killers of Syrian children, grants from EU countries will decline Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s secu- no border fence is high enough to con- their tyrants and hold its nose. This is the democratic the facts point to a different conclusion: to 70,000 by 2050. “This is why we will rity forces on 29 April 2011, and whose tain. What’s happening in Iraq, Syria and torpor Europe is in, a continent unwilling standards Of the 2,236 child deaths documented be even more dependent on people from body was returned a month later, bro- Libya is a consequence, direct or indi- to uphold its own democratic standards by the Syrian Network for Human Rights third world countries immigrating to Ger- ken, battered, covered in cigarette burns, rect, of the major policy flaws and wars or share its wealth. The Middle East’s cri- or share this year, 1,804 were caused by the Syrian many for work in the future, people who and whose penis was cut off? that Britain, France and America have sis is Europe’s too. its wealth. government. IS killed 104 children and now come to Germany primarily as ref- Hamza was called in headlines at waged, and continue to wage. The cities The Middle International Coalition Forces - that’s ugees,” she said. the time a symbol of the Syrian revolu- of Syria are being gradually levelled to you and me - killed 58. By February last None of this stops the feel good factor tion. At that time it was peaceful. IS did the ground and may never again return The writer is editor-in-chief of Middle East East’s crisis is year, the UN estimated that 10,000 chil- from spreading. The ‘we-must-do-some- not exist, and yet the world stood by and to a unitary state. Eye. He was chief foreign leader writer of Europe’s too. dren had been killed in the civil war, and thing brigade’ is in full cry. “Turning back watched Assad turn an uprising into a What’s happening in Egypt, gripped The Guardian, former Associate Foreign many more subject to unspeakable horrors boats is not European,” Juncker said. sectarian civil war. by a military dictatorship and the start of Editor, European Editor. As if it is happening on another planet

that such people should be shot was born in French Guiana, an overseas chance to others who could carry the if compared to our ‘Justice Minister’ who Arish during his tenure”. Arish con- region of France on the northeast coast responsibility and perform the required wished to kill ten thousand members demned the leader of East Germany of South America, took a stance on both reforms. of the Muslim Brotherhood and their during the Communist time. “Shooting proposed amendments. She found the When someone reads such news in supporters,to retaliate for any death of at refugees is a crime and it should not amendments breached the basic rights of the morning,in the local newspapers, police-men. Besides this he engaged in be repeated”, said Oberman. the nationals, as the nationality should he might think that such individu- a dispute with the State Board when the On the other hand, the spokesman not be cancelled at all under any cir- als are from another planet, different board refused his suggestion to enable of the German Federal Police said that cumstance even if they were convicted from the planet we know and live on! juries to dispense with witnesses in clear they never shoot at innocent civilians in terrorism cases. The state should not Of course this is with the exception of violation of the right of the accused to or immigrants because they respected have right to harass the citizens after German right-wing party leader who be defended in the courts. The minister the law. “Petry’s call is inhuman and enforcement of the law. urged security forces to shoot the ref- also approved the holding of the ‘Court What the extremist”, he added,“Such statements The reluctant minister defended ugees at the border posts. I think she of Cassation’ sessions in the offices of representative of are extremist and require accounta- her stance in the French Parliament. is related to some of our Egyptian pol- the Ministry of the Interior, which is bility because they spread hatred and She realised that she was being asked iticians and media personalities, who considered an insult to the judiciary the German Federal provoke extra judicial killing”. to support a position that did not sat- cheer on killing and constantly pro- and was refused by judges. police said looks Christiane Taubira, French Minister isfy her as a Minister of Justice so she mote hatred, thinking that genocide The story of the Ukrainian minister By Fahmi Huwaidi of Justice who has occupied this port- resigned from her job. She returned to and exclusions are patriotism and can looks as if it is a joke in our situation, strange when we folio since 2012 is more open-minded. her home after her resignation, on her help the Egyptian state and regime. because there are no officials like this look at what our The Minister has rejected an amend- bicycle that she used to go to her office. Such a situation encourages us to in our country. I realise the fact that ment to the constitution of France that Taubira instantly tweeted: “Sometimes make comparisons. This is because what not all politicians on the ‘other planet’ Egyptian police and ome news has attraction, ray of was proposed,on the grounds of com- to resist means staying, sometimes to the representative of the German Fed- mentioned above are the same, but the security forces are hopes and builds trust. The leader bating terrorism, based on a call made resist means leaving” to let the last word eral police said looks strange when we important thing for me here is the polit- often doing. They Sof Germany’s main right-wing, by the President François Hollande. The be for ethics and what is right. look at what our Egyptian police and ical environment that produced them, Frauke Petry, caused political uproar amendment was called following two The third good news I have recently security forces are often doing. They compared to our environment which are using excessive by insisting that the country’s border terrorist attacks in Paris last November read about was that of the Ukrainian are using excessive force and violating has produced such ‘politicians’. Com- force and violating police should be authorised to shoot and February. The proposed amendment Minister of Economy who decided to human rights and dignity,and this fact parisons like this not only make us feel at refugees trying to enter the country was to strip convicted French born ter- leave his position and resign for an is unanimously reported by all inde- shame and regret, but also make us human rights and illegally. This call was received with rorists of their citizenship if they have unexpected reason. The media cov- pendent human right organisations. acknowledge that the distance between dignity, and this severe condemnations and some left- a second dual nationality,even if they erage on January 2, said that the man This is happening because the law pro- us and progressive values is much big- ist leaders and even German Federal were not convicted in cases related to had found himself unable to implement tects them. Article eight of the terrorism ger than we thought. fact is unanimously Police denounced her call. Reacting terrorism, regardless of if they were the required reform plans to achieve law exempts police personnel from any reported by all to the call of Petry, Thomas Oberman, born in France or not. Another proposal development in the country, because of criminal accountability if they use force prominent member of Germany’s Social was to add some articles for some emer- obstacles put in his way by the power while performing their duties. independent human Democratic Party (SPD), said “the last gency provisions in the constitution. centres. When he realised this fact he Also, the decision of the French Jus- The writer is an Egyptian journalist & right organisations. German leader who was of the opinion The black lady minister who was decided to quit his position giving a tice Minister looks mythical and fanciful columnist.

All thoughts and views expressed in these columns are those of the writers, not of the newspaper. All correspondence regarding Views and Opinion pages should be mailed to the Editor-in-Chief. 12 WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Sri Lanka must Philippine presidential election race begins confront demons of past: UN and intrigue. The current presidential front-runner is Grace Poe, an inex- rights chief The Philippines has perienced politician riding a wave of endured a turbulent popularity among the tens of millions of poor for her adopted father, Fern- AFP democracy since ando Poe Jnr. emerging from the He became one of the nation’s most loved actors by playing charac- Ferdinand Marcos ters who championed the poor, then COLOMBO: Sri Lanka must “con- dictatorship three nearly translated that into political front and defeat the demons of its success by coming second in the 2004 past”, the UN human rights chief decades ago — with presidential elections. said yesterday at the end of a visit coups, corruption, Addressing supporters yesterday to assess the island’s progress in celebrities and night at a Manila church venue that investigating war crimes. was a favourite setting for her father’s Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said Sri violence dominating films, Poe promised to fight for the Lanka had come a long way since politics millions of poor Filipinos who have this time last year, when former largely not felt the benefits of strong president Mahinda Rajapakse was economic growth under Aquino. ousted after a decade in power. “I stand before you today as a Fil- But he said opinions differed ipino, a woman who knows how to about the extent of the progress, AFP fight bullies and oppressors, a leader with police in some areas still with a heart that loves our country resorting to “violence and exces- and people,” Poe said, while repeat- sive force” and new cases of edly referring to her father. torture continuing to emerge. MANILA: A cliffhanger race to lead Poe, 47, began the presidential Filipino Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago (centre), campaigns at the Imelda Marcos Cultural Centre in He urged the country’s armed the Philippines began yesterday campaign as the front runner with Ilocos Norte province, northern Philippines, yesterday. forces to face up to the “stain on with emotion-charged rallies by a about 30 percent support, according their reputation” by addressing dead movie star’s adopted daughter, to two national surveys released in 20 percent support ready to pounce. told supporters in his home prov- the same for the rest of the country. allegations of war crimes dur- a politician who brags about killing recent days. But opponents have peti- Aquino, who has overseen growth ince of Capiz. Controversial populist “There will be killings. There will be ing the 37-year ethnic conflict criminals and other top contenders. tioned the Supreme Court to disqualify averaging 6.2 percent since 2010 and politician Rodrigo Duterte, 70, who a lot of blood,” Duterte said this week that ended in 2009, including The three-month election cam- Poe, arguing she cannot prove she is won international applause for trying is making a spectacular charge for as he pledged to wipe the streets clean the killing of tens of thousands of paign got under way with four a “natural-born Filipino” because to fight corruption, wants to hand over the presidency by vowing a ruth- of criminals if he was president. civilians. aspirants standing a genuine chance she does not know who her biolog- to longtime ally Mar Roxas. less crackdown on crime, headed to The final major contender is “Sri Lanka must confront and of succeeding popular President ical parents are. The Supreme Court However Roxas, 58, a US-edu- Manila’s most famous slum to launch Jejomar Binay, who heads the main defeat the demons of its past. Benigno Aquino, who is limited by the could also disqualify Poe for failing cated investment banker from one of his campaign. opposition party and is the current It must create institutions that constitution to a single term. to meet residency rules, because she the nation’s richest families, has con- Human rights groups have vice president -- the nation’s two top work, and ensure accountabil- The Philippines has endured a spent many years living in the United sistently trailed in the polls. Analysts accused Duterte of running vigilante posts are elected separately. ity,” said Zeid. “It must seize the turbulent democracy since emerging States and gained US citizenship blame a lack of charisma and Roxas “death squads” that killed more than Binay, 73, has spent decades build- great opportunity it currently has from the Ferdinand Marcos dictator- before renouncing it and returning sought in his rally Tuesday to remedy 1,000 suspected criminals during his ing a vast political machine but has to provide all its people with truth, ship three decades ago -- with coups, home. his perceived inability to connect with many years as mayor of the south- had to endure a barrage of corruption justice, security and prosperity.” corruption, celebrities and violence If Poe is knocked out, with a court the poor. “We will make sure that ern city of Davao. In various public allegations that have seen him lose his Zeid travelled to the former dominating politics. ruling expected during the campaign, every family is free from hunger, free events, Duterte has acknowledged front-runner status. He denies all the war zones of Jaffna and Trincoma- The run-up to the May 9 polls for the nation would be plunged into from fear and free to dream,” Roxas, the existence of the death squads, allegations but some analysts expect lee as he tried to gauge the island’s president, as well as for thousands political turmoil with three contenders who served as interior and transport boasted specifically of killing alleged the ombudsman to charge Binay with progress in investigating war-time of other posts, promises more chaos who are currently each polling about ministers in the Aquino government, drug traffickers and offered more of corruption during the campaign. atrocities. Former Nepal premier Koirala dies US urges Thailand AFP to hold election as

KATHMANDU: Former Nepal prime minister Sushil Koirala, a veteran pol- military drills begin itician once jailed for helping to hijack a plane, died in Kathmandu yesterday aged 77 after suffering from pneumo- nia, his doctor said. AFP Thailand returns to elected gov- Koirala, premier for 20 months ernance,” he said in opening until last October, played a pivotal remarks. role in drafting a controversial new “With a strengthened, sustain- constitution aimed at unifying the THAILAND: The United States able democratic system, Thailand’s impoverished country following the launched annual military exer- regional leadership role, and end in 2006 of a decade-long Mao- cises with Thailand yesterday but our alliance, can reach its full ist insurgency. repeated a call for a swift return potential.” He came in for heavy criticism for to democracy in the junta-ruled Premier Prayut Cha-O-Cha his government’s sluggish response to country. said last week elections would be a massive earthquake that devastated The two countries have held held in the summer of 2017, irre- the Himalayan nation last April and the joint Cobra Gold exercises since spective of the political conditions killed nearly 9,000 people. 1980. But Washington has come at the time. Koirala, who had battled chronic under increased pressure to scrap The US envoy’s comments bronchitis and other illnesses, was the event since Thailand’s military come as Thailand is making diagnosed with pneumonia last week, seized power in 2014 -- the latest overtures to China, a major trade his doctor Kabirnath Yogi said. coup to obstruct attempts to build partner and source of cheap loans “He was taking medicine and was democracy. whose policy is to stay out of the even showing improvement yester- Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli pays his last tribute to former Nepalese Prime Minister Some 3,600 US troops are in domestic affairs of its allies. day. But at 11 last night his condition Sushil Koirala at his private residence in Kathmandu, Nepal, yesterday. Thailand for the 11-day exercises The US has tried to walk the suddenly deteriorated,” said Yogi, an alongside soldiers from regional line between its longstanding associate professor at Kathmandu’s minority protesting against the charter, A veteran politician, Koirala culti- democracy and jailed dozens, includ- nations including Thailand, Japan alliance with Thailand and con- Teaching Hospital. He died shortly which they say leaves them politically vated strong links with lawmakers in ing some of his relatives -- one of and Malaysia. demning the coup, which has been before 1am before the ambulance marginalised. The constitution’s adop- neighbouring India. whom was prime minister. Strategic rival China will also followed by a protracted clamp- arrived, Yogi said. tion in September paved the way for He was once exiled there with his When he was in his 30s, Koirala take part in some humanitarian down on dissent. Koirala headed the country’s parliament to elect a new premier and family for their opposition to Nepal’s was involved in hijacking a plane joint exercises, at a time when the In the wake of the army power biggest political party, the Nepali Con- Koirala lost his bid for a second term then party-less “panchayat” system of believed to be carrying boxes of cash. US is closely watching Beijing’s grab, Washington suspended $4.7m gress, and was tasked as premier with to KP Sharma Oli. Hundreds of tear- local councils overseen by an absolute He and his relatives wanted to use it to plays in contested areas of the in security-related aid to Thai- writing the long-delayed new con- ful officials, ministers and opposition monarchy. fund the Nepali Congress, a party long South China Sea. land, roughly half of its annual stitution to complete a stalled peace party lawmakers converged at Koira- Indian Prime Minister Narendra dominated by his family. US ambassador to Thailand assistance. process. la’s house and at the Nepali Congress Modi paid tribute to Koirala, describ- He spent three years in an Indian Glyn T. Davies hailed the bond Thailand’s long-running The constitution, the first to be office to pay their respects. ing him as “a big leader who served jail over the crime, which was mas- between Washington and Bangkok political conflict broadly pits a drawn up by elected representatives, “He made an extraordinary con- Nepal for decades”. terminded by senior Congress leader but recognised “temporary chal- Bangkok-based middle class and was meant to bolster Nepal’s transfor- tribution to Nepali politics,” Oli told “India lost a valued friend. Pained and relative G.P. Koirala. Koirala had lenges” to the relationship. royalist elite, backed by parts of mation from a Hindu monarchy to a reporters. “All Nepalis will remember by his demise”, Modi also tweeted. a long history of poor health, under- “As deep and broad as our the military and judiciary, against democratic republic. But more than 50 his role in promulgating a constitution Koirala was born in 1939 in east- going radiotherapy for lung cancer in partnership is today, it will grow rural and working-class vot- people were killed in clashes between (and) establishing a federal democratic ern Nepal, but his family fled to India 2014 and surgery for tongue cancer 10 stronger still when, as the (Thai) ers loyal to ex-premier Thaksin police and members of an ethnic republic,” he said. in 1960 after the then-king suspended years ago. Prime Minister has affirmed, Shinawatra. Building developer quizzed over Taiwan quake as 100 still buried

AFP showed cans and foam had been used came as the 72-hour “golden win- concrete slabs to better detect signs of “I’ve been waiting since Saturday she broke through cordons and threw to fill parts of the complex’s concrete dow” for finding survivors expired. life, after completing a search of the in freezing weather at night and I have herself to the ground. President Ma framework. It was the only high-rise in the upper parts of the structure. blankets. How are they going to sur- Ying-jeou on Tuesday repeated his The district court will later decide southern city of Tainan to crumble One woman said she was losing vive buried down there?” she said. pledge to continue searching for those TAINAN: The developer of a 16-sto- whether the developer, identified as completely when the 6.4 magni- hope after three days of waiting for Distraught relatives waiting for trapped deep within the rubble, even rey Taiwan apartment complex that Lin Ming-hui, and two of his employ- tude quake struck before dawn on news of loved ones. news of loved ones repeatedly inter- beyond the 72-hour window when the collapsed during a quake was taken ees should be formally detained, said Saturday. “My brother and sister-in-law are rupted the mayor as he gave a briefing chance of survival rapidly diminishes. in for questioning yesterday as res- court spokeswoman Kuo Chen-hsiu. More than 210 people have been trapped in Building A at the bottom of on the rescue, complaining that they “The government won’t give up cuers deployed heavy machinery to The three were taken to the prosecu- rescued from the building but author- the wreckage. I feel like they’ve given had to wait for information from the any one of them. Although the golden find 100 people still feared trapped tors’ office early Tuesday. ities believe over 100 others could still up on them,” Cheng Ya-ling said. media rather than being informed 72 hours of rescue has passed, lots in the rubble. Around 40 people have been con- be buried. “I’m losing hope and losing faith directly. of rescue records in the world have Prosecutors in the southern city firmed dead and some 100 are still Tainan mayor William Lai ordered in the rescue. If there’s no miracle and “I beg you to save us. Our family beaten it,” Ma said while visiting the of Tainan launched an investigation missing after the collapse of the Wei- rescuers to start using heavy machin- they don’t come out alive, I only hope still have three people trapped inside,” central emergency operations centre into Saturday’s disaster after photos kuan building. Yesterday’s hearing ery early yesterday to remove giant they died quickly and didn’t suffer.” one tearful woman shouted at Lai as outside Taipei. ASIA / AFRICA WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 13 N Korea restarts plutonium reactor: US

espionage and cyber attack capabilities, and has sold illegal Kim Jong-un’s weapons technology to other states. secretive Pyongyang Last month, the regime tested what it said was a “hydrogen bomb,” regime continues but -- according to Clapper, US to develop cyber intelligence believes “the yield was espionage and cyber too low for it to have been successful test of a staged thermonuclear attack capabilities, device.” and has sold illegal Despite this apparent failure, North Korea has pressed on with weapons technology its ballistic missile program and to other states. Last on Saturday launched a rocket into space, a move which Washington month, the regime and Tokyo said was a banned tested what it said weapons test. was a hydrogen bomb “Pyongyang continues to produce fissile material and develop a submarine launched Rioters facing off with police as battles erupted after officials tried to move illegal food sellers from an area in Mongkok duringthe Lunar New ballistic missile,” Clapper told the lawmakers. Year holiday in Hong Kong, yesterday. AFP “It is also committed to developing a long-range nuclear- armed missile that’s capable of Dozens hurt as riot erupts in Hong Kong posing a direct threat to the United WASHINGTON: North Korea has States, although the system has not restarted a plutonium reactor that been flight tested.” could fuel a nuclear bomb and is Perhaps most worrying for AFP gun at crowds who hurled stones, bot- Lo said, adding there would be a full say add to the festive atmosphere. seeking missile technology that the Americans, however, is North tles and pieces of wooden pallet at investigation. Reports said one of those arrested could threaten the United States, Korea’s resumption of plutonium police. Police said 54 protesters aged was Edward Leung, a “localist” can- Washington’s top spy said yesterday. production -- a sign it remains bent Officers fired at least two warning between 15-70 were arrested for didate for an upcoming by-election In an annual threat assessment, on producing a more powerful bomb HONG KONG: Scores of police offic- shots in the air, multiple news outlets assaulting police, resisting arrest and on February 28. Director of National Intelligence despite international economic ers were hurt yesterday when a riot reported, a very rare occurrence in disorderly conduct in a public place, Hong Kong leader Leung Chun- James Clapper and senior military sanctions. “We further assess that erupted in Hong Kong over official the semi-autonomous southern Chi- among other offences. ying said the government “strongly and intelligence officials singled out North Korea has been operating the attempts to move illegal hawkers, in nese city. “We will consider charging the condemns such violent acts”. the authoritarian pariah state as a reactor long enough so that it could the most serious violence the city has They also used pepper spray in arrested persons for participating in “There was a riot in Mongkok in major and unpredictable menace. begin to recover plutonium from the seen since mass pro-democracy pro- chaotic scenes that played out on a riot,” Lo said. This carries a sentence the early hours of today,” the chief Lieutenant General Vincent reactor’s spent fuel within a matter tests in 2014. local television. of up to 10 years in prison. executive told reporters. “A few hun- Stewart, Director of the Defence of weeks to months,” Clapper said. Police said nearly 90 of their As criticism grew of police tactics The battles, which broke out after dred (people) attacked police officers Intelligence Agency, joined Clapper North Korea mothballed the number were injured, many by bro- in the localised disturbance, Com- officials tried to move illegal food and media.” to brief the Senate Armed Services Yongbyon reactor in 2007 under ken glass or projectiles, while dozens missioner Stephen Lo defended the sellers, have been dubbed the “fish- The standoff, which began over- Committee on the global dangers an aid-for-disarmament accord, of protesters were also hurt in the officer who fired his weapon, saying ball revolution” on social media, after night, lasted into the morning, with faced by US planners. “North but began renovating it after its Chinese New Year clash. rioters were continuously attacking a popular street dish often consumed the city’s subway operator shutter- Korea’s nuclear weapons program third nuclear test in 2013. When Demonstrators levered up bricks his already injured colleague. at Lunar New Year. ing the local station. At least four and evolving missile programs are fully operational, the reactor is from pavements in the busy Mong- “With no alternative, his police Demonstrators, including mem- journalists were also injured, one of a continuing threat,” he said. capable of producing around six kok district, charging police lines with colleague used his firearm in bers of radical “localist” groups whom was hit on the head by a brick Clapper said the Kim Jong- kilos (13 pounds) of plutonium a year homemade shields and setting rub- accordance with the use of force -- which stress Hong Kong’s separate thrown by rioters, the Hong Kong un’s secretive Pyongyang regime -- enough for one nuclear bomb, bish on fire in the middle of the road. principles to prevent his fellow col- identity from the mainland -- tried Journalists Association said in a state- continues to develop cyber experts say. One officer was seen pointing his league from being further attacked,” to defend the hawkers, whom they ment on its Facebook page. US military seeks to prepare Africa for shifting terror threat

Reuters that is home to a number of roving mil- and ISIS) are working more closely itant groups. together. It’s more than just influence, US Commander for Special Oper- they (AQIM) are really taking direction ations Command Africa Brigadier from them,” he said. SENEGAL: African forces began a General Donald Bolduc told reporters Not all security experts agree that US-led counter-terrorism training pro- on Monday that increased collabora- there are emerging alliances between gramme in Senegal on Monday amid tion between militant groups meant Islamist militant groups. Some argue what a US commander said were rising they have been able to strengthen and that competition between groups has signs of collaboration between Islam- strike harder in the region. led to more attacks. This year’s pro- ist militant groups across north Africa “We have watched that collabora- gramme, which opened on a dusty and the Sahel. tion manifest itself with ISIS becoming airstrip in Senegal’s central city of The annual “Flintlock” exercises more effective in north Africa, Boko Thies, involves around 1,700 mostly started only weeks after an attack in Haram becoming more deadly in the African special operation forces. West- Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou Lake Chad Basin (and) AQIM adopting ern partners including France and left 30 people dead. The assault on a asymmetrical attacks ... against urban Germany are among more than 30 hotel used by foreigners raised con- infrastructure,” he said. ISIS, or ISIL, countries participating. cerns that militants were expanding is used for the militant group Islamic Nathan Broshear, spokesman for US from a stronghold in north Mali towards State. Special Operations Command Africa, stable, Western allies like Senegal. Bolduc said that cooperation had said the exercises were called Flintlock, Al Qaeda (AQIM) fighters claimed increased as Islamic State exploited a after a type of firearm, to symbolize responsibility for the attack, one of power vacuum in Libya to expand its readiness for any threat.The United Senegal’s Army General Amadou Kane (centre) and US Army General Donald Bolduc (left) review the troops increasingly bold regional strikes in the self-declared caliphate, which takes up States already supports a regional task during the inauguration of a military base in Thies, 70km from Dakar, on Monday on the second day of a Sahel, a poor, arid zone between the large areas in Syria and Iraq. force against the Nigeria-based group three-week joint military exercise between African, US and European troops, known as Flintlock. Sahara Desert and Sudanian Savanna “We know in Libya that they (AQIM Boko Haram. Protests as top court hears case against Zuma Indonesia jails seven for

AFP and Reuters (EFF) opposition party marched All parties are jostling for advan- upgrade to his home. The constitu- supporting Islamic State through the city to the court, chant- tage ahead of municipal elections due tional court will decide in the next ing “Pay back the money” and “Zuma later this year that could see a fall in few days if it will hear a case to decide must fall”. support for the ANC, which has ruled whether a report from South Africa’s Reuters defendants’ intent to conspire in, assist, JOHANNESBURG: South African Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, since the end of apartheid. anti-graft authority, accusing Zuma and prepare terrorism-related activ- opposition protesters marched yester- the country’s ombudswoman, ruled The president, who has often of misusing state funds, was legally ities,” presiding judge Syahlan, who day to Johannesburg’s Constitutional in 2014 that Zuma and his family had been accused of allowing corruption binding. only goes by one name, said, adding Court, where judges heard a case over “benefited unduly” from the work on to flourish since he came to power in The 2014 report from the public JAKARTA: An Indonesian court yes- that it was not necessary to prove they public money spent on President Jacob Nkandla property. In a U-turn ahead 2009, is under pressure over South protector said that Zuma had per- terday handed down prison terms had actually carried out any attacks. Zuma’s private house. of the court hearing, Zuma last week Africa’s sharply slowing economy. sonally benefited from some of the to seven men accused of supporting The men were jailed for between three The upgrades at Zuma’s homestead, agreed pay back some of the funds, in He will make his annual state of the refurbishments to his country home Islamic State amid a security crack- and five years on charges ranging from which were valued in 2014 at about an apparent attempt to end the two- nation address in parliament tomorrow. in Nkandla, which included a cat- down on the militant group’s suspected training with a military camp in Syria 216m rand (then $24m), have become a year scandal. Despite Zuma’s new The occasion descended into chaos tle enclosure, swimming pool and sympathisers in the world’s most pop- to propagating extremist ideology symbol of alleged corruption and greed stance, the two main opposition par- last year when EFF lawmakers scuffled amphitheatre. ulous Muslim-majority nation. and raising funds to help Indone- within the African National Congress ties -- the Democratic Alliance and the with security after interrupting him to With a sharp economic slowdown Indonesia has been on high alert sians travel to the Middle East to join (ANC) government. Among the sup- EFF -- declined to drop their Constitu- protest over the Nkandla scandal. causing widespread hardship, Zuma since a bomb and gun attack in the Islamic State. posed security work was a swimming tional Court bid. In the meantime, South African has faced mounting criticism of his capital Jakarta last month claimed The government is currently pool described as a fire-fighting facil- The Democratic Alliance said in opposition parties yesterday asked leadership since he secured a sec- by Islamic State stamped the group’s reviewing its anti-terrorism laws in ity, a chicken run, a cattle enclosure, a statement yesterday that the case’s the country’s top court to rule on ond term in office in 2014. “The only presence in the region for the first the hope of containing the spread an amphitheatre and a visitors’ centre. outcome was “crucial to the success- whether President Jacob Zuma broke acceptable solution for us is if Zuma time. Eight people were killed, four of radicalism and keeping Indone- Several hundred protesters from ful functioning of our constitutional the law by spending 250m rand (then resigns,” said EFF-member Alpheus of them the attackers themselves. sian citizens from joining militant the radical Economic Freedom Fighters democracy.” $23m) on a state-funded security Mogashoa. “What was proven was the organisations. 14 WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 PAKISTAN

Private airlines Security training start inducting more jets

this month. “The other three will be received In the latest in March, April and June. These are aviation policy, the long-range aircraft, capable of cov- ering a distance of 13,000km,” said a government has senior SAI executive. “So yes we are waived duties and looking to add more international destinations including Manchester taxes on the import pretty soon.” Shaheen would ulti- of aircraft and spare mately increase its fleet size to 17 parts in a bid to aircraft by the middle of the year. International passenger traf- boost the industry fic from Pakistan has seen a steady growth of 5 percent to 7 percent but air travel on domestic routes has been held back by high taxation, Internews says Airblue Managing Director Jun- aid Khan. “The main reason for fleet expansion is the new aviation policy KARACHI: Private airlines in Paki- and exemption from customs duty on stan will put at least nine more new aircraft. That has been a big- aircraft in air over the next few ger motivating factor than the low months, as the drop in oil price oil price,” he said. But government Sindh Police Special Security Unit (SSU) commandoes give training to the students of Jinnah University For Women, in Karachi, yesterday. helped airlines around the world taxes, which make up 35 percent of post record profits after years of the domestic ticket price, have been Large areas of Pakistan are increasing security at educational institutions after a deadly assault on a university campus. Newly proposed trouble. a real worry for the airlines. legislation would make it easier for staff to carry weapons, and technology is also playing a role. Airblue received first of its four The newest domestic airliner Air Airbus 321 on Sunday and hopes to Indus, which has been facing prob- make it operational within a week. lems for the past few months, has The 220-seat, all-economy jet will also wet leased a Boeing 737-800 help the airline resume its UK flight and is awaiting necessary checks operation. before its operation starts. US to send “We will be getting the second The expansion bid of private car- PIA employees end nine-day aircraft on February 26 or 27,” said riers has coincided with the turmoil reinforcements Airblue Corporate Planning Director in Pakistan International Airlines Raheel Ahmed. “The other two will (PIA), which has cancelled hundreds to aid Afghans soon follow over the next few weeks.” of flights in the past week following strike and restore operations In the latest aviation policy, a union strike. the government has waived duties Pakistan adopted an open skies in Helmand and taxes on the import of aircraft policy in the 1990s, allowing compe- AFP Last week, two employees were Minister Nawaz Sharif. and spare parts in a bid to boost tition on domestic routes and giving killed and several others wounded at A PIA spokesman said that more the industry. But officials say the broader access to foreign airlines. Karachi’s international airport when than 50 percent of the carrier’s oper- AFP decrease in jet fuel price has also More than 20 licences were clashes broke out between security ations were restored on Tuesday. increased the airlines’ appetite for issued to the airliners but none KARACHI: Pakistan International forces and staff. In December, Islamabad fleet expansion. except Shaheen Air survived. Aero Airlines (PIA) employees yesterday “We are calling off the strike announced it would complete the KANDAHAR: The United States Airblue, which right now oper- Asia, Bhoja Air and others suc- ended their nine-day long strike today,” Sohail Baloch, the chairman partial sale of the carrier by July, fol- is set to send additional troops to ates three A321, will have a fleet of cumbed to financial troubles. spurred by plans to privatise the of PIA’s joint action committee of lowing years of crushing losses and Afghanistan’s embattled southern seven aircraft once the induction A capital-intensive business, air- national carrier, saying their repre- employees, told a press conference mismanagement that have battered Helmand province in a bid to bolster process is completed. But the airline lines are often run and sponsored by sentatives would immediately hold in Karachi yesterday. the airline’s reputation. local forces that have struggled to is also using few aircraft on wet lease people who do it more for charm and talks with the government. Baloch also encouraged his col- PIA, one of the world’s leading fend off persistent Taliban assaults, to meet its immediate requirements. prestige than the return on capital, Pakistan’s airports have been leagues to return to their jobs with airlines until the 1970s, now suf- officials said yesterday. On the other hand, Pakistan’s which takes years to come. enmeshed in chaos nationwide since “full commitment and spirit”. fers from frequent cancellations The new mission would focus largest private domestic airline The risk-averse nature of Paki- the strike kicked off that grounded He said his team was set to travel and delays and has been involved on training and buttressing the Shaheen Air International (SAI) also stani banks has not helped the international and domestic flights to Lahore on Tuesday night to hold in numerous controversies over the 215th Corps of the Afghan army expects to receive the first of its four airlines either. A narrow-body jet is and left thousands of passengers talks with Punjab Chief Minister years, including the jailing of a drunk based in the province, a spokes- Airbus 330-200 in the last week of leased for around $50m. stranded. Shahbaz Sharif, the brother of Prime pilot in Britain in 2013. man for the US army said. It will also provide additional protection for the US advisors already on the ground. “This was a planned deploy- Power cut woes in Kabul Pakistan approves draft ment of additional personnel to both bolster force protection for the current staff of advisors and to provide additional advisers to law on Hindu marriages help with ongoing efforts to re- man, re-equip, and re-train the 215th Corps,” said Colonel Michael IANS applicable to the whole country, Lawhorn, a spokesman for the US instead of just the federal territory. command in Kabul. Committee Chairman Chaudhry The spokesman did not provide Mahmood Bashir Virk regretted the more information on the deploy- ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National long-drawn tactical delay in framing ment, including troop numbers, but Assembly (NA) committee has family law for the Hindu community. said the soldiers’ mission was to approved a draft law on Hindu mar- “It was unbecoming of us Mus- help “train, advise, and assist our riages, paving the way for registering lims in general and the political Afghan counterparts”. marriages in the minuscule religious leaders in particular. We were Helmand, a poppy producing minority of the country, the media required to facilitate the legislation, province in southern Afghanistan, reported yesterday. not obstruct it,” he said. has seen some of the fiercest bat- Five Hindu MNAs were on After the 18th Amendment, the tles over the course of the war that Monday specially invited to the issues of religious minorities and began almost fifteen years ago. deliberations of the Standing Com- their family matters became pro- mittee on Law and Justice on the vincial subjects but the Balochistan Two pilots die Hindu Marriage Bill 2015, Dawn and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assem- Online reported. blies passed resolutions allowing the Though delaying tactics contin- federation to legislate Hindu mar- in air crash ued almost to the last, the committee riage law. An Afghan vendor plugs mobile phones batteries into a DC battery power supply to charge, in Kabul adopted the bill unanimously after A similar resolution is pending ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistani army yesterday. Afghan factory and business owners say that more than two weeks of severe electricity making two amendments to fix the in the Punjab Assembly while not pilots were killed yesterday after cuts in Kabul are increasing their expenses and threatening jobs. minimum age of the marrying male much has been done in this regard their plane crashed during a train- and female at 18 and making the law by Sindh Assembly. ing flight, the military said. “An Army aviation train- ing aircraft Mushshak crashed near Gujranwala while on a rou- tine training flight,” it said in a Senior Afghan Taliban member dies in Pakistan: Report statement. Gujranwala, a garrison, agri- cultural and industrial town, lies some 200km southeast of the cap- AFP Taliban sources said. Rahmani rose to promi- across the border to Pakistan after the US-led by Mullah Akhtar Mansour, who officially suc- ital Islamabad. nence as a jihadist during the Soviet occupation invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. ceeded founder Mullah Omar. Both army officers, an instruc- of Afghanistan in the 1980s and lost a leg dur- Pakistan, which was one of just three coun- A major breakaway faction meanwhile is led tor and a trainee pilot, were killed, ISLAMABAD: A senior Afghan Taliban mem- ing the conflict, according to a statement on the tries to recognise the Taliban during their period by Muhammad Rasul, whose faction is seen by it added. No loss of life or property ber has died in Pakistan after an illness, militant Taliban’s website which confirmed his death but in power, denies the council’s existence. some analysts as closer to Iran. Rahmani’s death was reported on the ground. sources said yesterday, potentially embarassing did not say where it happened. A senior Taliban leader said: “He died in in Pakistan, which was confirmed by another sen- The officers were flying a Islamabad which denies harbouring the insur- He was later appointed governor of Kanda- Quetta late Monday night and today his body ior militant source, comes as the Taliban step up Mushshak, a Pakistani built fixed gent group’s leadership on its soil. har province, the Taliban’s heartland, when the was moved to Afghanistan. The burial will prob- their attacks in an unprecedented winter surge a wing turbo-prop trainer that is Mullah Muhammad Hassan Rahmani, militants ruled the country from 1996 to 2001. ably take place in Kandahar.” The source added: year after the withdrawal of Nato combat troops. a modified version of the Saab who was in his mid-fifties and a member of Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s restive Balo- “He was a prominent figure in the Taliban lead- Nine people were killed and 18 injured in Safari. Three pilots were killed the group’s Leadership Council, died of cancer chistan province, has long been rumoured to ership and there were some rumours he might suicide attacks on Monday, days after a fresh in two training mission accidents on Monday night in a hospital in the south- host the “Quetta Shura” or Quetta Leadership soon announce his own splinter group.” round of international talks in Islamabad aimed in Pakistan last year, according western Pakistani city of Quetta, two senior Council of the Taliban — senior leaders who fled The dominant faction of the Taliban is led at reviving dialogue with the Islamist group. to an AFP tally. INDIA WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 15 NIA seeks social media data of Islamic State suspects

IANS According to sources, the NIA, Assistance Treaty (MLAT) for crimi- on January 29. These were forwarded Karnataka, respectively. telephone and other means of while seeking the remand of the sus- nal matters, the sources said. It said on to forensic analysts of the Indian According to the sources, NIA told communications.” pects yesterday, told a court that the the information was required, and Computer Emergency Response Team. the court that custodial interrogation Defence counsel M S Khan suspects also used Internet and Inter- the accused needed to be in custody During in-camera proceedings of the accused had led to pointers opposed the NIA plea to extend their NEW DELHI: The National Investiga- net-based services such as Telegram, to verify the facts that emerge from yesterday, District Judge Amar Nath about links amongst them and their custody, saying the agency had suffi- tion Agency (NIA) has sought the help KIK and Surespot. the contents of the internet-based allowed the NIA to quiz the three associations with the Islamic State. cient time to interrogate the accused. of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) This was in pursuance of a larger services used by the accused to com- accused — Sheikh Azhar-Ul-Islam All three were presented before The three have been booked for to obtain the data used by arrested conspiracy, and was aimed at identi- municate with their associates. alias Abdul Sattar Sheikh, Mohammed the court after the expiry of their criminal conspiracy and under the Islamic State suspects. fying and facilitating recruitment of The sources further added that Farhan alias Mohammed Rafiq Shaikh police remand. Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. The suspects had extensively used members and promoting the activi- many electronic gadgets, includ- and Adnan Hassan alias Mohammad “During questioning, the accused The NIA added that the trio was various social media sites, including ties the global terror outfit. ing laptops, tablets, mobile phones, Hussain — till February 19. disclosed that they are active support- involved in a conspiracy to identify, WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, to The NIA said the request to obtain SIM cards, memory cards and pen While Sheikh Azhar hails from ers of Islamic State and remained in motivate and radicalise recruits and recruit and promote the ideology of the data was being forwarded to drives, used by the accused had been Jammu and Kashmir, Farhan and Has- close contact with several active train Indians located both in India and the terrorist outfit in India. the ISPs under the Mutual Legal seized from them after their arrests san are residents of Maharashtra and members of the IS using internet, other countries. Headley: I was For the love of birds asked to recruit spies from Army

of Special Judge G A Sanap. He was specifically asked by his Headley unravelled handlers to survey and videograph before the Special the second floor of the hotel which he did along with his wife Faiza, Court how terror selected the landing site for the ves- groups in Pakistan sels which would sneak in from the function under the Arabian Sea at Colaba, and discussed everything with Major Iqbal of the United Jihad Council Pakistan Army. against India Besides Hotel Taj, Headley made videos of Leopold Cafe, Colaba Police Station, the local markets and restaurants in Colaba, the naval and air force stations, the Mahar- IANS ashtra Police headquarters, Hotel Trident-Oberoi, Chhatrapati Shiv- aji Terminus, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road and the Siddhi Vinayak tem- MUMBAI: Lashkar-e-Taiba terror- ple in Prabhadevi. ist-turned-approver David Coleman “Sajid Mir and Major Iqbal were Headley yesterday described how satisfied with the videos and pho- he was assigned to gather military tos of the hotel which I gave them,” intelligence in India and recruit spies Headley said, adding that the plan to from the Indian Army. target Hotel Taj conference hall was On the second day of his dep- later scrapped for “logistics reasons”. osition through videoconferencing All the data and locations were A man feeds seagulls on a beach along the Arabian Sea in Mumbai, yesterday. from a US jail before the Special stored in a GPS device for future TADA Court, Headley said he was uses, he added. Headley unravelled tasked with luring spies from the before the Special Court how the LeT Indian Army to work for Pakistan’s and Al-Qaeda, which he termed a Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). “terrorist organisation”, Jaish-e- In his response to questions Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahiddeen Spying case: Ex-diplomat faces 14 years in prison posed by Special Public Prosecutor and other groups in Pakistan func- Ujjwal Nikam, Headley admitted to tion under the “United Jihad Council” working both for the LeT and the ISI. and were working against India. Headley on Monday revealed He said the LeT and ISI have a IANS secretary at the Indian High Com- and defence of the nation. He said to Gupta to recall the witnesses that the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks close nexus with the ISI providing mission in Islamabad, was arrested the Official Secrets Act’s section 3(1) already examined for further cross were planned over a year in Paki- the “financial, military and moral on April 27, 2010, for spying and on (Part-I) provided for punishment up examination if she feels the same stan. Detailing the planning for the support”, Nikam later told media charges of passing on information to to 14 years. necessary to defend herself,” the high 26/11 strike, Headley said in Novem- persons. Admitting that he served NEW DELHI: Former Indian dip- the Pakistani intelligence agency. The high court set aside a trail court said. ber-December 2007 he had attended both the LeT and ISI, he said Hafez lomat Madhuri Gupta, accused of On January 7, 2012, the trial court court’s order where she was charged Gupta allegedly revealed certain a meeting in Muzaffarabad in Paki- Sayeed was LeT’s “spiritual leader,” passing on sensitive information to charged Gupta under the Official under a section attracting maximum classified information to Pakistani stan-occupied Kashmir along with Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi was its Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Secrets Act with spying, which carries punishment of three years. officials and was in touch with two his LeT contact Sajid Mir and Abu “operational commander” and (ISI), will be charged under the Offi- a maximum sentence of three years. “The material placed by the pros- ISI officials, Mubshar Raza Rana and Khafa, in which they asked him worked with the sole aim of spread- cial Secrets Act, the Delhi High Court Police had challenged the order in ecution supported with opinion was Jamshed. to conduct a recce of the Hotel Taj ing terror in India. ordered. the trial court and sought modifica- prima facie sufficient to frame charge As per the charge-sheet filed in Mahal Palace and other locations Headley said that in 2003, he Justice Pratibha Rani held that tion of charges, demanding that Gupta against the respondent/accused July 2010, Gupta was involved in a in Mumbai. was present at a LeT meeting when evidence placed by the police was be tried under sections entailing pun- (Gupta) under first part of Section relationship with Jamshed, whom At the meeting, the LeT leaders Maulana Masood Azhar made a “prima facie sufficient” to frame ishment of up to 14 years. 3(1) of Official Secrets Act attracting she planned to marry. gave information about a confer- guest speech about his anti-India a charge against Gupta under the Advocate Rajesh Mahajan, maximum punishment up to a period The charge-sheet said she used a ence of Indian defence officials and activities and his release from India more stringent section 3(1) (Part-I) of appearing for the police, had told the of fourteen years,” Justice Rani said computer installed at her residence in scientists at the luxury hotel oppo- in December 1999 in exchange for Official Secrets Act, which attracts high court that the information which in a recent order. Islamabad and a Blackberry phone site Gateway of India which they passengers of the hijacked Indian maximum punishment of 14 years. Gupta passed on to the ISI through “After the charge is amended, the to stay in touch with the two Paki- wanted to hit, Headley told the court Airlines flight IC-814). Gupta, 56, once a second emails was related to the security trial court shall give due opportunity stani spies.

MEA help sought For spicy food Sack Azam for remarks on for Dalits’ return from Dubai ‘Dawood-Modi meet’: BJP

IANS IANS “The Samajwadi Party leadership has so far given a long rope to Azam Khan and I think time has come to CHANDIGARH: The Punjab State put an end to his habit of levelling Scheduled Castes Commission LUCKNOW: The BJP yesterday baseless allegations and rein in the has written to the union Min- demanded that Uttar Pradesh Chief loose cannon,” Pathak said. He said istry of External Affairs to seek Minister Akhilesh Yadav sack his Khan’s remark was uncalled for. the repatriation of 11 Dalit youths minister Azam Khan for his “base- The BJP leader said Azam Khan from Punjab presently lodged in less allegations” that Prime Minister had earlier made a statement that a Dubai jail. Narendra Modi met underworld don Dawood had funded the birthday The commission urged the Dawood Ibrahim in Pakistan. of Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam MEA for diplomatic efforts to Azam Khan, the state parliamen- Singh Yadav in Rampur two years ensure the return of these youths tary affairs minister, has alleged that back. to India. during his brief stopover in Pakistan “Rather than checking the bad Commission Chairman Rajesh in December last year, Modi held a conduct of the minister, the silence Bagha said these youths had gone closed door meeting with Dawood of the ruling party, especially the to Dubai in search of employment Ibrahim at the residence of Paki- chief minister, seems to be embold- but were imprisoned there. He said stani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ening Azam Khan into making both their parents brought the matter to in Lahore. uncharitable remarks and unsub- the commission’s notice. The BJP’s spokesman in Uttar stantiated allegations,” the BJP A large number of people from Pradesh, Vijay Bahadur Pathak, leader said. Punjab, mostly youths, work in demanded the state governmen to Azam Khan has in the past the gulf countries as skilled and either sack the minister or furnish sparked off controversies which unskilled labour, including in the A woman removes stalks from chilli at a farm on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, yesterday. proof of his allegations. He said Khan have put the state government in a United Arab Emirates. should be forced out of the cabinet. tight spot. 16 WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 INDIA

Upgrade defence Rescued soldier battles for life capability: Pranab President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra IANS Modi lauded the ‘indomitable spirit’ of NEW DELHI: President Pranab Koppad. Modi visited Mukherjee yesterday said that a the hospital along volatile external security envi- ronment made it incumbent on with Army Chief the country to upgrade its defence General Dalbir Singh capabilities. There was a need to continue efforts at resolving all outstand- ing international issues through IANS “peaceful dialogue and negotia- tions”, he said at the inauguration of the 47th Conference of Gover- nors at Rashtrapati Bhavan. NEW DELHI: Lance Naik Hanuman- “The year 2015 was a difficult thappa Koppad, miraculously rescued year. We faced challenges from a from the Siachen glacier after being global economic slowdown, cli- buried under 35 feet of snow for six mate changes and internal and days, was in coma and battling for life external security issues. States yesterday. having international borders were Doctors said the soldier from Rescuers searching for survivors after an avalanche at Siachen. An Indian soldier presumed dead after he was buried in an avalanche six days affected by terrorist attacks that Karnataka, who along with nine ago was found alive, an army official said. had clear external linkages,” the other colleagues of the Madras Reg- president said. iment had been assumed dead, was Mukherjee said that the Indian in “extremely critical” condition at the view of his comatose state,” said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded statement said. “He also conveyed for his survival. Also, a strong will constitution was an enduring doc- Army Research and Referral Hospital. bulletin issued at 4pm. the “indomitable spirit” of Koppad. best wishes on behalf of all ranks of power to survive must have acted ument that reflected the country’s The bodies of the other soldiers “He remains extremely critical Modi visited the hospital along with the army for his early and complete as an added advantage,” said H S aspirations and it was incumbent who too were swept away by an ava- and is expected to have a stormy army chief General Dalbir Singh. recovery,” it added. In Karnataka, his Chauhan, president of the Indian on those holding constitutional lanche on February 3 at a height of course in the next 24-48 hours due Mukherjee said in a message distraught family and relatives prayed Mountaineering Foundation. positions to maintain the sanctity 20,500 feet on the southern side of the to the complications caused by to the army chief: “I am happy to for his well being. Soldiers posted in harsh icy of this sacred text. glacier in Jammu and Kashmir were re-warming and establishment of know that Koppad has survived the The soldier was luckily inside an conditions are trained to look for air “Our nation has grown from also found, the army said. blood flow to the cold parts of the avalanche... I applaud his indomitable “arctic tent” which possibly aided his pockets in case of an avalanche and strength to strength since Inde- The dead included a Junior Com- body. spirit and ability to endure adverse survival despite being under the ice know how to clear the snow near the pendence. It is primarily due to our missioned Officer. “He has pneumonia and his conditions.” sheet, army sources said. The tent nose and the mouth so that they can steadfast adherence to the princi- A medical bulletin said Koppad, investigations have revealed liver and Modi tweeted: “No words are is designed to withstand extreme keep breathing. ples enshrined in our constitution,” who was flown to Delhi yesterday kidney dysfunction. Fortunately, there enough to describe the endurance and temperatures and has a fibre- Even six days after the disaster, by he said. “It is an enduring docu- morning, was in shock with low blood was no cold exposure related frost bite indomitable spirit of Hanumanthappa. reinforced structure. While Koppad’s which most people feared that none ment that reflects our aspirations pressure and was on ventilator in the or bone injuries to him,” it said. He is an outstanding soldier.” survival is a miracle, doctors say he of the 10 soldiers could have survived, and the avenues to achieve them ICU. The next one or two days were The soldier, being treated by The army chief “commended the was possibly trapped in an air pocket the army refused to give up its search in an inclusive manner,” he added. critical for him. experts, has been given fluids and brave heart for his indomitable mental which saved him. operation in a hostile environment. Twenty three governors and “He has been placed on ventilator drugs to bring up his blood pressure. robustness and his refusal to give in “Air pocket created between the The efforts paid off late on lieutenant governors are attend- to protect his airway and lungs in President Pranab Mukherjee and to harsh elements of nature”, an army snow layers can possibly be a reason Monday. ing the conference.

2 women fight burglars with Fight for rights Leftist ideology is chilli powder in Bihar; 4 held obsolete: Rahul

IANS IANS wish to know if the CPI-M will open the closed down bars,” he said. Hitting out at Prime Minister PATNA: Two gutsy women with THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Con- Narendra Modi and the BJP, Gandhi handful of chilli powder can be gress vice president Rahul Gandhi said Modi had cheated the people deadly! A group of criminals in yesterday said that the leftist ide- and failed to deliver on what he had Bihar’s Darbhanga district learnt ology was obsolete and Kerala’s promised. this the hard way when they tried development was not possible with “He said if his party came to to break into a house at Ashfir col- an ideology that belonged to the last power, everybody will get Rs.15 lakh ony, police said yesterday. century. in their bank accounts. His prom- Archana Jha and her daughter “The Left ideology is obsolete. It ise to the housewives that prices will threw dry red chilli powder at the belongs to the last century. Kerala come down has failed to materialise. criminals while they were trying to cannot be built by a vision of the pre- He is yet to hold the hand of a farmer break the main door of their house vious century,” Rahul Gandhi said in the country and the poor farm- at Ashfir Colony near Darbhanga at a function held at the conclusion ers have been left high and dry with city on Monday. of a statewide march of Congress no prices for their farm produce and “By using chilli powder, they state unit president V M Sudheeran their land taken away,” Gandhi said. managed to keep the criminals at at Shangumukham beach. Praising Chandy, he said unlike bay for over half an hour and in the Launching the election cam- Modi, the chief minister of Kerala process got enough time to inform Policemen detain human rights activist Mohammed Ahsan Untoo as he tries to march towards the office paign of Kerala’s ruling Congress-led had delivered results. the local police,” a district police of United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to present a memorandum United Democratic Front, Gan- “Even before Modi began to official said. Police in Lahariya demanding the return of Muhammad Afzal Guru’s mortal remains, in Srinagar, yesterday. dhi attacked both the Left and the speak of start-up policy, Kerala Sarai later arrested four criminals. Bharatiya Janata Party and praised became the first state in the coun- the Oommen Chandy government. try to implement one. Today, there The impressive turnout at the are numerous start-up companies Congress rally surprised many in in the Start-Up Village where the AAP rubbishes the ruling party in Kerala, where youth are working. Chandy is one Kerala assembly adjourned over elections to the 140-member leader who took up the agenda of Congress ‘sting’ assembly are expected to be held ‘development and care’,” the Con- in April-May. gress vice-president. oppn leader’s remarks on CM Rahul Gandhi also asked the And before ending his speech, IANS opposition Communist Party of he said the party will not tolerate India-Marxist to reveal its liquor corruption. “Even the slightest of policy for the state. corruption will be dealt with strongly NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi IANS During this interval, the leaders Chandy said that it’s most unfor- “We and the people of Kerala and action taken,” he said. Party (AAP) yesterday termed of the rival fronts discussed the issue tunate that things have touched such as “fabricated” a video clip the with each other but could not come a low on the floor of the house. Congress produced to allege that to a consensus, Sakthan said upon “We are not running away from Delhi’s Food and Supplies Minis- THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The the resumption of the proceedings. any probe, but you are riding on mere ter Imran Hussain is involved in Kerala assembly was adjourned for Later Achuthanandan got up and allegations levelled by two people Victim of industrial pollution demanding a bribe from a citizen. the day yesterday following some completed his speech and demanded (Saritha Nair and her business part- “It is a fabricated sting opera- remarks made by leader of opposi- that time be allowed for the adjourn- ner Biju Radhakrishnan) who are tion and part of a conspiracy,” AAP tion V S Achuthanandan about the ment motion. When the speaker trapped in more than 33 cheating spokesperson Deepak Bajpai said, family members of Chief Minister disallowed it, the entire opposition cases and a murder case,” the chief referring to the video clip that a Oommen Chandy with regard to the members trooped to the well of the minister said. “Is it not quite natu- Congress leader showed to media ‘solar scam’. house, forcing the speaker to wind ral that when my government, unlike persons earlier in the day. The senior CPI-M leader made up the day’s proceedings. yours, took stern steps against these The video clip had neither the remarks, leading to protests from Earlier, Balakrishnan said that two people, they will come out with Imran Hussain’s voice nor his the treasury benches, after Speaker Chandy has misled the legislators revelations. You should not ride on brother’s, Bajpai said, adding that N Sakthan disallowed an adjourn- by saying something in the assem- it,” said Chandy. the allegations that Congress based ment motion moved by Kodiyeri bly and the opposite before the solar State Home Minister Ramesh on this “sting” were false. Balakrishnan, another legislator from scam probe commission. Chennithala told the house that there Delhi Pradesh Congress Com- CPI-M, to discuss the latest revela- “Even after a court asked a case is not a single case that’s there now mittee President (DPCC) Ajay tions in the scam. Trouble started to be registered against Chandy against either Chandy or any others Maken alleged at a press confer- after Achuthanandan linked Saritha and his cabinet colleague Aryadan in the solar scam case. ence that AAP minister Hussain’s Nair, the second accused in the solar Mohammed for accepting bribe... “It’s most unfortunate that our A 15-year-old mentally challenged girl (left) hugging her mother staffer had been caught on camera scam, with the CM’s family members. this government is surviving on stays chief minister, a person with almost demanding bribe on the minister’s The ensuing altercation between being obtained from the courts. He 50 years in public life, whose track at Govindsar village in Kathua industrial belt, about 105km from behalf. the treasury benches and the oppo- has to step down in the wake of the record and integrity is impeccable Jammu. Due to environmental pollution several children were born He showed a video clipping in sition then prompted Sakthan to stop serious allegations that have now is being haunted by baseless allega- handicapped and mentally retarded with multiple organ problems. support of his allegation. the proceedings for a while. surfaced,” said Balakrishnan. tions,” said Chennithala. EUROPE WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 17 10 dead and 81 injured in German train crash

and silver metal debris was strewn Underlining the difficulty of the around the crash site. emergency operation, mountain res- The rail track where “We now have 10 dead,” said police cuer Joerg Becker said “The terrain deadly train collision spokesman Juergen Thalmeier. One is not only difficult to access but the person was still missing, likely trapped large number of injured also requires occurred was fitted in the wreckage, police added. a massive coordination effort between with an automatic Eighteen people were seriously so many rescue and aid groups.” braking system injured and 63 had light injuries, “The tragic accident occurred on added police in a statement. the single-track route between Rosen- aimed at preventing The two train drivers and two heim and Holzkirchen this morning such crashes conductors were among those killed, shortly after 7am (600 GMT),” regional local broadcaster Bayerischer Rund- rail company Meridian, said. funk reported. Rainer Scharf, a Bavarian police An investigation is ongoing to officer, said that “we believe the two determine if the accident was caused regional trains collided head-on at AFP by “a technical problem or human low speed”. error,” Transport Minister Alexander About a dozen helicopters were Dobrindt told reporters after reaching deployed, with television footage the site. The rail track where deadly showing them waiting in a clearing BAD AIBLING, GERMANY: Two train collision occurred was fitted with outside the forest, from where res- commuter trains crashed head-on an automatic braking system aimed at cuers were emerging with stretchers in southern Germany yesterday, kill- preventing such crashes, he said . carrying the injured. ing at least ten people and injuring The technology has been deployed “The accident is an enormous more atleast 81, in one of the coun- across Germany’s rail network since shock for us,” said Bernd Rosenbusch, try’s deadliest rail accidents in years. 2011 and “this automatic train safety who heads the Bavarian rail company Hundreds of rescuers were scour- system was also fitted on this track,” BOB that operates trains on the route. ing for more passengers trapped in said Dobrindt. The accident is believed to be Ger- the wreckage in a wooded area near Hundreds of firefighters, emer- many’s first fatal train crash since Bad Aibling, a spa town about 60km gency services workers and police April 2012, when three people were southeast of Munich. officers were deployed in the rescue killed and 13 injured in a collision Ambulances could not reach the operation, which was complicated between two regional trains in the site, which was heavily wooded with because the forest crash site was dif- western city of Offenbach. a steep hill on one side and a river on ficult to access, said Thalmeier. The safety mechanism known as the other, so helicopters had to airlift Rescuers focused on the impact PZB 90 should automatically activate Firefighters and emergency doctors working at the site of train accident near Bad Aibling, yesterday. people to nearby hospitals. area of the trains, using electric saws the brakes of a train that is headed the At least two carriages from one to cut through the mangled wreckage. wrong way along a track or running examine why the system did not help shed light on whether there boxes had already been recovered, train were overturned, while the front Rescue workers from nearby Aus- a red light, Dobrindt said. work, he said, adding that three had been “a technical problem or and the third should be found in the of the other was crushed. Blue, yellow tria were also on site, NTV said. Investigators would now black boxes on the trains should human error”. Two out of three black course of the day, said Dobrindt. Nato to take refugee Angry drivers aid pleas seriously smash through Greek border

AFP from packing migrants into over- loaded boats for the perilous blockade crossing to Greece. Turkey is the main gateway for BRUSSELS: Nato will take any request migrants and refugees crossing into Reuters to help with the refugee crisis “very Europe, more than half of them flee- seriously”, chief Jens Stoltenberg said ing the war in Syria. yesterday after Germany and Turkey Stoltenberg recalled that in SOFIA/ATHENS: Four Bulgarian agreed to seek its assistance in com- December, Nato allies agreed a truck drivers smashed through batting human smugglers. package to reassure and support barriers set up by Greek truckers Defence ministers from the Turkey after Russia launched a mas- along the countries’ shared bor- 28-nation alliance will discuss the sive air campaign against rebels in der yesterday , saying they were issue at a meeting in Brussels today Syria fighting against Moscow ally fed up with Greek protesters bar- Soldiers building a second border fence at the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija. and tomorrow when they will review President Bashar al-Assad. ricading roads over a planned Nato’s response to a more assertive This package included deploy- revamp of their country’s pen- Russia and the security threat posed ing AWACS surveillance aircraft, air sion system. by the Syria crisis. policing and an increased maritime According to reports, Greek Macedonia building another “I think we will take very seri- presence, and was agreed after Tur- farmers have been sporadically ously the request from Turkey and key shot down a Russian fighter jet in blocking roads into Bulgaria and other allies to look into what Nato November for violating its airspace. motorways across Greece for can do to help them cope and deal As the crisis in Syria deepens, about three weeks now, incensed fence to block illegal migrants with the crisis and all the chal- some member states are wary of by pension reforms proposed by lenges they face, not least in Turkey, getting sucked into a conflict which the government that will triple “ Stoltenberg told a news conference. defies solution, especially as Assad’s their social security contributions AFP “The idea is to send a message to Recently Macedonia has intermit- Former Norwegian premier forces now retake ground in a major over the next four years. migrants that there is a double fence tently closed the border to refugees Stoltenberg said he had spoken with Russian-backed offensive. The move is part of a wider so give up crossing illegally,” a sen- and it is now allowing across only the Turkish and German defence min- Sources said the proposal had overhaul to save Greece’s strug- ior army official said. those wishing to go to Germany or isters yesterday to discuss the issue, come as a surprise and Nato minis- gling pension system €1.8bn ($2bn) SKOPJE: Macedonia has begun More than 68,000 refugees have Austria, following similar decisions adding that the migration crisis was ters were waiting for concrete details. this year, and a key condition of building a new razor-wire fence par- been registered entering Macedonia further along the migrant trail. “of great concern for all of us”. Greece, whose relations with the €86bn bailout that Athens allel to an existing one on its border since the beginning of the year, and Macedonian Foreign Minister “I expect the ministers to discuss Turkey are strained over a host of signed with international back- with Greece to make it harder for police say they stopped about 4,000 Nikola Poposki said in January that the request from Turkey and then issues, contacted Berlin yesterday to ers last year. migrants to enter the Balkan coun- people trying to cross illegally in Jan- his government had no intention to agree on how we can follow up,” he insist on safeguards if such a mission Yannis Tourtouras, head of the try, an army official said. uary alone. fully close the border, but would coor- said, stressing that nothing as yet went ahead. A government spokes- farmers’ committee at the main Since November only refugees The European Commission last dinate with the European Union and had been decided. man in Athens said Greek Prime Greece-Bulgaria border crossing, from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq month pledged to increase security “do whatever necessary” to help solve German Chancellor Angela Minister Alexis Tsipras had told said the Promahonas crossing have been allowed to cross the border at the Greek-Macedonian frontier, the crisis. The new fence will be at a Merkel said on a visit to Ankara on Merkel “that any involvement by had been open for only 30 min- on their journey to western Europe, where there are currently more than distance of 16 feetfrom the one erected Monday that Turkey and Germany the alliance must be confined solely utes in the last 48 hours, causing but migrants from other countries 60 police officers from other coun- in November on both sides of the bor- would ask Nato to help police the to the Turkish coast and guarantee a tailback of trucks at least 15 kil- have still tried to get across. tries to help control the influx. der crossing for refugees at Gevgelija. Turkish coast to prevent smugglers Greek sovereign rights.” ometres long. “Yesterday was a difficult night for us, 4-5 trucks tried to break the blockade,” he told reporters. “They were driving like crazy, the police Swedish prosecutor still Red alert in Spain tried to stop them with their guns, he added.” One of the drivers that broke aims to question Assange the blockade told Bulgarian Nova TV, “it was a spontaneous decision ... I was the third truck AFP He has refused to travel to Stock- stranded in the blockade for a holm for questioning amid fears second day.” Sweden will extradite him to the Bulgarian police officials United States over WikiLeaks’ release issued tickets to the drivers who STOCKHOLM: A Swedish prosecutor of 500,000 secret military files on the broke the blockade, but they were said yesterday she still aims to ques- wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. hailed by colleagues in Bulgaria, tion WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange Last week, the UN Working who organised a counter-block- at the Ecuadorian embassy in London Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled ade on the Bulgarian side of the over a allegation in Sweden, despite a that Assange’s confinement to the border stopping trucks, cars and UN report condemning Stockholm for embassy amounted to an arbitrary busses. his “arbitrary detention”. detention by Sweden and Britain. Bulgaria has urged Athens “Concerning the report that was But Stockholm and London to provide a transit corridor for issued last week, I would like to state angrily rejected the findings. trucks and complained to Brus- that it does not change my earlier “Mr Assange is free to leave the sels that Greece is preventing assessments in the investigation,” embassy at any point and Swedish the free travel of people and Marianne Ny said in a statement. authorities have no control over his goods. She said she was “working on a decision to stay at the embassy,” the “We have sent a letter to the renewed request to interview Assange Swedish foreign ministry had said. European Commission and it will at Ecuador’s embassy in London”. Sweden has tried to ques- launch a procedure against Greece Assange sought refuge in the tion Assange since March 2015, and over non-implementation of the embassy in June 2012 after Swed- reached a judicial agreement with EU legislation,” Bulgarian Foreign ish authorities issued a European Ecuador that Quito said was necessary Municipal workers clear debris at the Peligros beach after rough weather hit during the night, in Minister Daniel Mitov said on Tues- warrant for his arrest over an 2005 to pave the way for Swedish prosecu- Santander, Spain, yesterday. A red alert has been declared in the country due to the bad weather. day. “It is possible that Greece may allegation of physical exploitation . tors to interrogate him. be fined.” 18 WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 EUROPE Hollande set to reshuffle cabinet today

former premier Laurent Fabius is constitutionality of laws. ministry would also restore the gen- The French President likely to step aside as Hollande seeks Reports say Hollande —never an der balance in the cabinet that was fresh political momentum with just 15 ally of his —will announce the move disturbed when Christiane Taubira is haunted by the months left in office. today. “You can see it in the way he is quit last week as justice minister over pledge that he made Hollande’s popularity rose acting and his staff are already pack- her opposition to the government’s after he took a tough approach on ing up their things,” one source close moves to strip French nationality at the start of his security following the November to Fabius said. from bi-nationals convicted of ter- mandate that he 13 jihadist attacks on Paris which Segolene Royal, Hollande’s former rorist offences. killed 130 people. partner and mother of their four chil- Other names in the frame are would not run again But three months later, the prob- dren, has been tipped to leave her role former prime minister Jean-Marc if he did not improve lem that has plagued him since he as environment minister and take Ayrault and, perhaps more surpris- came to power in 2012 —France’s over the foreign brief. ingly, Matthias Fekl, the 38-year-old the jobless rate stubbornly high unemployment —has Royal, a failed presidential can- foreign trade minister. Mladic’s former dragged him back down to popularity didate in 2007, remains a largely Fabius will quit the splendour ratings of around 19 percent. popular figure to Socialist Party of the foreign ministry at the Quai right-hand man AFP Hollande is haunted by the pledge of stealing its clothes, partly with supporters. d’Orsay on the back of the success that he made at the start of his man- his moves to increase powers for Her departure could allow Hol- of the UN climate talks hosted by date that he would not run again if the security services following lande to bring a member of the Greens France in December, in which he dies in UN jail he did not improve the jobless rate. the attacks, and partly with his back into his cabinet, a move which was acclaimed for his role in hold- PARIS: French President Francois Now he finds himself under fire, attempts to liberalise the economy would also allow him to extend his ing the process together. Hollande (pictured) is expected to not only from the opposition right- through the government’s rising appeal to green-minded voters. Fabius, who has given short shrift AFP set in motion today a government wing Republicans of his predecessor star, 38-year-old Economy Minis- But Hollande has to play a care- to rumours that his health is failing, reshuffle aimed at boosting his appeal Nicolas Sarkozy, but increasingly ter Emmanuel Macron. ful game because his right-leaning stills holds the distinction of having to voters ahead of a bid for a second from within the ranks of his own Fabius, 69, will almost certainly prime minister, Manuel Valls, is hated been the youngest prime minister in THE HAGUE: Bosnian Serb general term in 2017. Socialist Party. exit the cabinet to chair the Consti- by many ecologists. French history, having taken the post Zdravko Tolimir (pictured above) Veteran foreign minister and The right accuses Hollande tutional Court, which rules on the Moving Royal to the foreign aged 37 in 1984. died in jail in The Hague, where he was handed a life sentence for genocide in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, the Yugoslav war crimes court confirmed yesterday. British PM’s Kosovo flag with nails and stitches “He died overnight,” an offi- cial of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia mother signs (ICTY) said, declining to be named. The ICTY said in a statement that Tolimir “had passed away petition last night in the UN Detention Unit (UNDU) in Scheveningen,” a sea- against cuts side district of The Hague. “The medical officer was called immediately and Dutch LONDON: British Prime Minis- authorities have commenced ter David Cameron’s mother has standard investigations as man- signed a petition against spend- dated under Dutch law,” the ICTY ing cuts that would affect children said in a statement. in the region he represents in par- Once considered the right- liament, a report said yesterday. hand man of Bosnian Serb army Mary Cameron, 81, has put her chief Ratko Mladic, Tolimir, 67, was name to a petition to save dozens sentenced to life in 2012 for crimes of children’s centres in Oxford- committed “on a massive scale” shire, southern England, the Daily during the 1990s Bosnian war. Mirror newspaper said. ICTY has “ordered a full inquiry” Cameron, 49, leads the Con- to be conducted by former Interna- servative Party, which currently tional Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda controls the Oxfordshire County president, judge Vagn Joensen, it Council local authority. added. Previous reports have said “My name is on the petition that Tolimir, who was arrested in but I don’t want to discuss this Bosnia in May 2007 was suffering any further,” Mary Cameron told from cancer. the Mirror. Tolimir’s wife Nada Tolimir The prime minister has earlier told Serbia’s Kurir newspaper that voiced his “disappointment” at its she learnt of his death late Monday. planned cuts to libraries, museums, “He was ill, but the idiots did and day centres for the elderly. But not allow him to come here and get council leader Ian Hudspeth insists treatment at home. I was surprised the moves are due to central gov- by the news,” she said. ernment funding cuts. In April, the ICTY appeals Jill Huish, from the Save Oxford- chamber upheld Tolimir’s life shire Children’s Centres campaign, sentence for genocide and crimes told the Banburyshire Info website: against humanity and war crimes. “It seems to be a bizarre situation Trial judges described Tolimir as where David Cameron is unable to Mladic’s “eyes and ears”, particularly defend children’s centres against in the July 1995 massacre at Sre- the cruel cuts he’s allowed his own Pupils of a primary school make a Kosovo flag with nails and stitches on the eve of the eighth anniversary of Kosovo’s independence in brenica, where Bosnian Serb forces government to impose on local Pristina, Kosovo, yesterday. slaughtered almost 8,000 mostly authorities.” Bosnian Muslim men and boys. Dissident Irish nationalists 14 Poles arrested for planning to attack asylum centre claim fatal Dublin shooting AFP 60 km south of Stockholm. Three of the 14 men arrested on of abating, many countries, including “They are Polish citizens and they Monday evening were involved in last Austria, Germany, Denmark, Swe- belong to the far-right sphere,” police month’s incident, said Alvarsjo. den, France, have tightened their Reuters criminals to target republicans,” the spokesman Lars Alvarsjo said. Sweden took in about 163,000 asylum rules in a bid to discourage BBC quoted the man as saying. “This STOCKHOLM: Swedish police said “We believe the migrant cen- asylum seekers in 2015, putting it new arrivals. will not be an isolated incident.” yesterday they had arrested 14 Polish tre was the target,” another police among the European Union states In Sweden, the tougher rules Asked about the claim of respon- far-right activists for allegedly plan- spokesman, Hesam Akbari, said. with the highest proportion of refu- come against the backdrop of rising DUBLIN: Irish nationalists opposed sibility, Justice Minister Frances ning to attack an asylum centre, after Aftonbladet daily reported that gees per capita. concern over conditions in the coun- to Northern Ireland’s peace process Fitzgerald said he would comment finding axes, knives and iron pipes in some of the suspects were living and More than one million people try’s overcrowded asylum facilities. have told the BBC they were behind on it only after the claims are thor- their cars. working in Sweden. Last month, doz- travelled to Europe last year—the Swedish officials have called a fatal shooting last Friday at a Dub- oughly investigated. Authorities said they detained the ens of masked men believed to belong majority of them refugees triggering for stepped-up security after an lin hotel, saying it was retaliation for Irish Republicans oppose British men on Monday after being tipped to hooligan gathered in central Stock- worst migration crisis since World employee at a centre for unaccom- the killing of an ally in 2012. rule in Northern Ireland and many off about a planned attack against a holm and distributed leaflets calling War II. panied child refugees was fatally According to reports, one man defend the use of force against it. migrant centre in Nynashamn, some for attacks on young migrants. With the influx showing little sign stabbed in January. was killed and two others were Dissident Republicans do not rec- wounded when gunmen dressed ognise 1998 ceasefire in Northern like special forces operatives Ireland by the Provisional Irish opened fire with automatic weap- Republican Army, which fought Brit- ons at a boxing weigh-in in Dublin, ish rule for three decades until the Man sets self on fire an assault that has become an issue ceasefire. before a general election on Feb- Police have in the past said a ruary 26. number of dissident groups are outside London palace The country’s justice minister involved in criminal activity. has described the manner of the Sinn Fein, the former political attack, which happened at a hotel wing of the provisional IRA, is hos- Reuters Three hours later, officers were in broad daylight with children tile to the dissident groups and has called to a site near the locked parks present, just four kilometers from condemned the shooting. of the palace, located in Kensing- central Dublin, as “unprecedented.” But rival parties have highlighted ton Gardens in central London, after In a statement to the BBC in the fact that the provisional IRA LONDON: A man died yesterday reports of a man acting suspiciously. which an agreed codeword was brought in large numbers of auto- after setting himself on fire outside When they arrived they found the used, a man claiming to speak matic weapons similar to those used Kensington Palace, the London home man, in his 40s, ablaze. He was on behalf of the leadership of the on Friday to Northern Ireland in the of Prince William and his wife Kate, declared dead not long afterwards. dissident group Continuity IRA 1970s and ‘80s. police said. Kensington Palace is the offi- said its members were responsi- Senior Sinn Fein member Pearse The incident was not being cial London residence of William ble, saying it was retaliation for Doherty denied on Monday the leg- treated as suspicious or related to although he, Kate and their two chil- the fatal shooting in September acy of the Provisional IRA was a terrorism, they added. Police said dren, George and Charlotte, spend 2012 of Alan Ryan, another mili- factor in Friday’s attack. they had been alerted just after most of their time at their country Forsensic officers afix a label to an evidence bag under a tree where a tant nationalist. “The (provisional) IRA is gone. midnight by officials from a central mansion in Norfolk, eastern England, “We are not going to stand The arms have been put beyond use,” London hospital to say a man in their close to where the prince works as man died after being discovered on fire in the park outside the wall of back and allow drug dealers and Doherty told journalists. care had failed to return. an air ambulance helicopter pilot. Kensington Palace in London, yesterday. AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 1917 Obama unveils cybersecurity ‘action plan’

“The Social Security Administra- tion uses systems and code from the The US President 1960s. No successful business could asked for $19bn for operate this way. Going forward, cybersecurity efforts we will require agencies to increase protections for their most valued in his budget request, information and make it easier for with $3bn earmarked them to update their networks.” Obama said his plan would to help modernise “address both short-term and the patchwork of long-term threats, with the goal of providing every American a basic computer systems level of online security.” used in government The moves come after disclosures last year that personal data from some agencies 20 million federal employees, contrac- tors and others had been leaked in a massive breach at the Office of Per- sonnel Management. That followed AFP news of attacks hitting health care People snap up copies of budget, as they go on sale at the Government Publishing Office bookstore, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, DC, yesterday. networks, retailers affecting tens of millions more, and a devastating cyber attack on Sony Pictures. WASHINGTON: President Barack “These cyberthreats are the most Obama yesterday unveiled a new dangers to America’s economic and $4.1trn spending plan proposed in budget cybersecurity “national action plan” national security,” Obama said. “That’s calling for an overhaul of aging gov- why, over the past seven years, we ernment networks and a high-level have boosted cybersecurity in gov- AFP Congress have already vowed to draft need to expand economic opportunity spent on “countering Russian aggres- commission to boost security aware- ernment—including integrating and their own plan, “rather than spend for everybody in the United States,” sion and support European allies.” ness. The announcement responds quickly sharing intelligence about time on a proposal that,” according to said spokesman Josh Earnest. While politics may have doomed to an epidemic of data breaches and cyberthreats—so we can act on threats House Budget Committee Chairman The budget is laden with measures this budget, the plan might have its cyber attacks on both government even faster.” WASHINGTON: US President Barack Tom Price, “will double down on the designed to wean the United States off biggest impact on the campaign trail, and private networks in recent years, Obama issued an executive order Obama unveiled the last budget of his same failed policies.” fossil fuels, including a $10-a-barrel where Hillary Clinton and Bernie and passage last year of a cyber- creating a 12-member cybersecurity presidency yesterday, a four-trillion- Adding insult to White House levy on crude. A “computer science for Sanders are fighting a tougher-than- security bill that aims to facilitate commission to make recommenda- dollar plan that is dead-on-arrival in injury, spending announcements that all” programme would give schools expected battle for the Democratic better threat sharing. tions to both the public and private Congress but could shape the 2016 would have made waves in the first $4bn to teach a “new basic skill” and Party’s presidential nomination. Obama asked for $19bn for sectors. The panel is to issue a report White House race. year of Obama’s administration are help modernize workforce skills. Sanders’ electrifying support in cybersecurity efforts in his budget to the president by December 1. Legislatively, the future looks bleak likely to quickly dissolve into satura- Looking farther afield, the pro- early voting states has exposed a bat- request, a 35 percent increase from A White House statement said for Obama’s 2017 fiscal plan, which tion coverage of the New Hampshire posal will include $7.5bn—a 50 percent tle for the soul of the party. current levels, with $3bn earmarked the plan calls for a new federal chief covers spending on everything from presidential primary. increase from the previous year—to The self-styled democratic social- to help modernise the patchwork of information security officer to direct cybersecurity to the environment. Still, the budget provides Obama fund the campaign against the Islamic ist’s message has eclipsed Clinton’s computer systems used in govern- cybersecurity across the govern- It includes big-ticket investments with one of his few remaining oppor- State group. That includes $1.8bn to more moderate and, she claims, real- ment agencies. ment. It would also step up efforts in America’s creaking infrastructure— tunities to fashion national and pay for over 45,000 more GPS-guided istic message. The pair virtually tied in “It is no secret that too often gov- with the private sector to help con- to the tune of $320bn over the next Democratic party priorities. smart bombs. Iowa and the last polls showed Sanders ernment IT is like an Atari game in sumers improve online security, in decade—and ramps up research into The White House promised a state- The budget would also invest more leading Clinton in New Hampshire by an Xbox world,” Obama said in a col- part by adding new protection to clean energy technologies and cancer. ment of intent that will be a “coherent, than $19bn on cybersecurity, a 35 per- nearly double digits. Obama is unlikely umn in the Wall Street Journal. services requiring passwords. But Republicans who control prioritised budget that reflects the cent jump. Some $4.3 billion would be to withhold endorsement from either. Sikh American Homegrown terrorists barred from Mexico-US flight a threat to US: Official over turban Reuters has demonstrated “unprecedented online proficiencies,” he said. While the United States “will AFP almost certainly remain at least WASHINGTON: Attacks by “homeg- a rhetorically important enemy” rown” terrorists are among the most for many foreign militant groups, MEXICO CITY: A Sikh Indian- imminent security threats facing the “homegrown violent extremists ... American actor and designer said United States in 2016, along with will probably continue to pose the that he was barred from boarding dangers posed overseas by Islamic most significant Sunni terrorist an Aeromexico flight from Mex- State and cyber security concerns, threat to the US homeland in 2016,” ico City to New York because he the top US intelligence official said he said, referring to Sunni Muslim refused to remove his turban. yesterday. jihadists. “This morning in Mexico City In his annual assessment of “The perceived success” of I was told I could not board my @ threats to the United States, Director attacks by such extremists in Europe aeromexico flight to NYC because of National Intelligence James Clap- and San Bernardino, California, of my turban,” Waris Ahluwalia per warned that fast-moving cyber “might motivate others to replicate wrote in his Instagram account. and technological advances “could opportunistic attacks with little or The actor posted a picture of lead to widespread vulnerabilities in no warning, diminishing our ability himself holding up his boarding civilian infrastructures and US gov- to detect terrorist operational plan- pass and another in front of an Aer- ernment systems.” ning and readiness,” Clapper said. omexico customer service desk. The Terrorism remains a top con- General Vincent Stewart, direc- Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush (centre) and his wife Columba Bush thank supporters outside House of Waris chief was heading cern in President Barack Obama’s tor of Defence Intelligence Agency, the polling place at Webster School on primary day in Manchester, New Hampshire, yesterday. to New York’s fashion week. “Dear last year in office, Clapper said in told Senate Armed Services Com- NYC fashion week. I may be a little prepared testimony before the Sen- mittee that IS aims to conduct more late as @aeromexico won’t let me fly ate Armed Services and Intelligence attacks in Europe during 2016 and New Hampshire votes in US primary with a turban. Don’t start the show Committees. Clapper outlined an has ambitions to attack inside the without me,” he added. array of other threats from Russia United States. The Mexican airline issued and North Korean nuclear ambitions The group is taking advantage a statement saying that it was to instability caused by the Syrian of the refugee flow from Syria’s civil AFP set up outside with a Sanders poster, great again.” obligated to follow “federal migrant crisis. war to hide militants among them said he plans to stay all day. “He seems to be speaking for requirements in terms of security “In my 50 plus years in the intel- and is adept at obtaining false doc- “This is my main thing, to stand the silent majority,” agreed Chris determined by the US Transpor- ligence business I cannot recall a umentation, Clapper said. out here with the sign,” he said. “He’s Skora, an auto mechanic from Lou- tation Security Administration to more diverse array of crises and Al Qaeda affiliates, most notably MANCHESTER: New Hampshire the only one that’s worth support- don, after casting his vote for the real review passengers.” The airline said challenges than we face today,” the one in Yemen known as Al Qaeda voters headed to polls at the snowy ing. Hillary makes it clear it’s the estate magnate. “A lot of us feel that it “regrets the inconvenience to any Clapper said during the hearing. in the Arabian Peninsula, have break of day yesterday for the cru- same old, same old. Bernie talks way and it seems like this day and passenger from the application of Islamic State poses the most proven resilient and are positioned cial first US presidential primary, about all the things that need to be age we can’t say these things with the these procedures” and it vowed to danger among militant groups to make gains this year despite pres- with Donald Trump chasing victory done. Hopefully he’s really creating PC police all around.” transport all passengers regardless because of the territory it controls in sure from Western counterterrorism and Hillary Clinton looking to narrow a movement.” The New York billionaire has of their religious beliefs. Iraq and Syria, Clapper said. It also operations, Clapper said. the gap on Bernie Sanders. A RealClearPolitics poll average energised broad swaths of blue-col- The northeastern state, home to shows Sanders —who has called for lar Americans, angry about economic just 1.3 million people, sets the tone nothing short of a “political revolu- difficulties and frustrated at what for the primaries —and could shake tion” —leading 53.3 percent to 40.5 they see as their country losing its out a crowded Republican field as the percent for Clinton in New Hamp- stature in the world. Mexico finds bones of two missing people arch-conservative Senator Ted Cruz shire. But a week after the Iowa But Trump needs to turn his soar- and establishment candidates led by caucuses kicked off the White House ing lead in the polls into a convincing Marco Rubio battle for second place nomination race, everything remains win in New Hampshire if he is to AFP 16-year-old girl and four men —all in a statement issued to the press. behind the frontrunner Trump. in play in New Hampshire due to a recover from the embarrassment of in their 20s —that police dogs found Police also found indications that In the picturesque town of Can- high number of registered independ- finishing second behind Cruz in Iowa. bone remains and blood stains at a the ranch was used to hold drugs, terbury, population 2,000-3,000, ents, who can choose to vote in either Trump told MSNBC as voting ranch in Tlalixcoyan, in the eastern store stolen fuel and materials for bitterly cold weather and a thick party, along with up to 30 percent of began he had been urging the sup- MEXICO CITY: Mexican authorities state of Veracruz. modifying cars, the ministry said. coat of snow on the ground greeted voters still undecided in recent days. porters packing his rallies in the state have found the bones of two of five DNA tests concluded that the Seven state police officers have early rising voters who stopped by “Trump!” laughed Karen Carone, to get out and cast ballots. young people who vanished after remains were those of two from been arrested and charged with the polling station at the town hall a care giver from the small town of “Look, you know, I like to win,” they were detained by police offic- the group, who disappeared in the “forced disappearance” —a term used before heading off to work. Loudon, when asked who she voted Trump said. “I mean, that’s what I do, ers last month, the government said. Veracruz town of Tierra Blanca on for abductions committed by officials, David Emerson, a wood worker for. “I believe he will make America I win. I didn’t go in it to lose.” Officials notified families of the January 11, the interior ministry said the statement said.

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 16o C Maximum: 22o C

FAJR 04.55 am ZUHR 11.48 am MAGHRIB 05.26 pm HIGH TIDE 06:15 - 18:00 Moderate temperature during the day with SHOROOK 06.12 am ASR 03.00 pm ISHA 06.56 pm LOW TIDE 13:00 slight dust and cold by night.

20 WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 MORNING BREAK

ONLINE CHART BUST Bananas may www.thepeninsulaqatar.com help detect and cure skin MOST READ cancer: Study Saudi Arabia ready to manage oil market but all 1 must cooperate: Al Hayat newspaper AFP Russia’s Karymsky volcano spews 2 ash up to 3,000 meters PARIS: The black spots on old Dubai airport 2015 traffic up 10.7 pct, banana peels may unlock a faster, 3 world’s busiest easier diagnosis of human skin cancer, boosting survival chances, scientists said Monday. When bananas ripen, their skin TWEET OF THE DAY is covered in small, round black spots caused by an enzyme known as tyrosinase. The same enzyme is present in human skin, and in greater quantities in people suffer- ing from melanoma — a potentially deadly form of skin cancer. A team of scientists used this observed commonality to build a cancer scanner, which they then Dr Nicholas Opie holds a stent-based electrode called stentrode at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, in refined and tested at length on banana peels before moving on Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. to human tissue. First, research- ers at the Laboratory of Physical and Analytical Electrochemis- try in Switzerland concluded that Australian scientists offer the enzyme is a reliable marker of melanoma growth. In the earliest stage 1 of cancer, the enzyme is not very apparent, becoming widespread and evenly new hope for paraplegics INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY distributed in stage 2, and unevenly distributed in stage 3 -- by when the cancer has started spreading to AFP described the device, or stentrode, Two years earlier, a collaboration other parts of the body. The earlier as revolutionary. between researchers in the United the cancer is detected, the greater “Our vision, through this device, States and the German Aerospace the chances of survival. is to return function and mobility Centre enabled a paralysed woman to Education City According to the American Can- SYDNEY: Australian researchers to patients with complete paraly- lift a drink to her lips with a thought- Career Fair at cer Society, people have a 10-year have created a “bionic spinal cord” sis by recording brain activity and controlled robotic arm. Qatar founda- survival rate of 95 percent if the they said yesterday could give par- converting the acquired signals Oxley said that all the other tion student melanoma is detected in stage 1 — alysed people hope of walking again into electrical commands, which brain-machine interface technologies centre falling to 43 percent by mid-stage through the power of thought, with- in turn would lead to movement of had involved inserting an electrode Photo by Abdul 3. The team developed a scanner out resorting to open brain surgery. the limbs through a mobility assist directly into the brain. Basit and tested it on banana peel spots— The system would use a device device like an exoskeleton,” he said He said the aim was for the new which are roughly the same size as the size of a paperclip implanted in a in a statement. device to work much like a car- melanoma spots on human skin. blood vessel next to the brain. “In essence this a bionic spi- diac pacemaker, which is typically “By working with fruit, we The stent-based electrode would nal cord.” The research, which will inserted without open-heart surgery. were able to develop and test a record the brain activity needed for see the first in-human trial at The “The cardiac pacemaker is essen- Traffic gases linked to facial dark spots diagnostic method before trying movement and this would be trans- Royal Melbourne Hospital in 2017, tially the classic bionic device—it it on human biopsies,” team leader lated into commands to control was published yesterday in Nature goes inside a vein, it sits next to the Hubert Girault said in a statement. wheelchairs, exoskeletons, prosthetic Biotechnology. heart and it works for a lifetime,” LONDON: Have you observed formation of dark spots on the cheeks of The scanner has eight flexi- limbs or computers. It shows the device could record Oxley said. “And we are essentially women over the age 50? A new study has revealed a link between traffic- ble microelectrodes, spaced like “We have been able to create high-quality signals emitted from trying to do the exact same thing related air pollution and air pollution-associated gases with the formation of comb teeth, that pass over the skin the world’s only minimally invasive the brain’s motor cortex, without the for the brain. Go up a vein, leave it dark spots on the skin of women. "In addition to particulate matter, traffic- to measure the quantity and distri- device that is implanted into a blood need for open brain surgery, based on there, and have a lifetime of record- related air pollution is characterised by increased concentration of nitrogen bution of tyrosinase. “This system vessel in the brain via a simple day research using sheep. Brain-machine ings coming out of it.” dioxide (NO2)," said lead author Jean Krutmann IUF-Leibniz Research Insti- could obviate the need for invasive procedure, avoiding the need for high interface is one of the main areas of It is hoped that the research, tute for Environmental Medicine, Dusseldorf, Germany. tests like biopsies,” the team said. risk open brain surgery,” researcher research in paralysis treatment. which involved 39 scientists from "While NO2 exposure is known to be associated with low lung function and “Our initial laboratory tests Thomas Oxley said. In 2014, scientists in the United the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the lung cancer, the effect of NO2 on human skin has never been investigated. This showed us that our device could Oxley, a neurologist at The States said they had demonstrated University of Melbourne and the is important because environmentally-induced lung and skin aging appear to be be used to destroy the cells,” he Royal Melbourne Hospital and how a monkey could use only its Florey Institute of Neuroscience closely related," he said. Lentigenes, also known as liver spots, are small, dark- said. The research was published research fellow at The Flo- thoughts, transferred by electrodes and Mental Health, could also be ened areas of the skin. Although they may first appear small, they may enlarge in the German science journal rey Institute of Neurosciences via a computer, to manipulate the used to treat epilepsy, depression and separate patches may merge on the face, forearms, hands, and upper trunk. Angewandte Chemie. and the University of Melbourne, arm of a fully-sedated fellow primate. and Parkinsons. Radiations emitted from cellphones won’t give you brain cancer

IANS date, there is no evidence from studies of the pineal gland in the brain which helps cells, animals, or humans that radiofre- regulate other hormones and maintains the quency energy can cause cancer,” explained body’s circadian rhythm. Dr. Indu Bansal Aggarwal, senior consult- “Impaired concentration, eye prob- NEW DELHI: If you are terrified after ant (oncology) at Paras Hospitals. lems, increased stress and chronic pain, reading studies claiming that cellphone Radiofrequency energy emanating negative effect on emotions, heart disor- radiation is a menacing health hazard and from cellphones is a form of electromag- ders, decreased sperm count and decreased can even cause brain cancer, nothing could netic radiation that is non-ionizing. hearing are some major health issues aris- be further from the truth. No study or research about cancer has ing out of excessive use of cell phone,” According to health experts, radiations proved that non-ionising radiation causes Aggarwal said. emitted from cellphones will not give you cancer. If someone speaks on mobile phone As for children, scientists have discov- brain cancer but, yes, excessive cellphone for a long time, it generates heat. ered that a mere two-minutes phone call use can lead to other health conditions, “The only known biological effect of can alter the electoral activity of their brain especially among children. radiofrequency energy is heating. Radiof- for up to an hour. Some time back, the World Health requency exposure from cellphone use does “The disturbed brain activity could Organisation’s International Agency for cause heating; however, it is not sufficient impair children’s learning ability and lead Research on Cancer (IARC), classified to measurably increase body tempera- to other behavioural problems,” Aggar- mobile phone use and other radiofrequency ture,” added Dr S Hukku, director (radiation wal said. electromagnetic fields as a possible car- oncology) at the BLK Super Specialty Hos- To avoid this, keep phone calls short, cinogen but with a rider that there is no pital in the capital. But when it comes to use air tube headset for calls, avoid using research to back the claim. excessive use of cellphones, there are health a cellphone in an enclosed metal space The study also revealed no evidence of conditions that can affect people. such as an elevator and do not keep increasing risk with progressively increas- According to a report by networking mobile phone close to the body when ing number of calls, longer call time, or giant Cisco, the number of mobile users switched on. years since beginning cellphone use. in India is projected to grow 4.4 percent to “Do not place your smartphone under “Mobile phones don’t cause cancer or 990.2 million by 2020 - covering about 71 a pillow and avoid calls when the signal promote the accelerated growth of exist- percent of the country’s population. strength is low to reduce the impact of cell ing tumors. Although there have been some Smartphone addiction can reduce phone radiation on health,” Hukku sug- concerns that radiofrequency energy from melatonin hormone levels, which may gested. Above all, spend some time with cell phones held closely to the head may lead to neuro-degenerative diseases later your family where the smartphone is not Two masked tourists use a mobile device during carnival celebrations in Valletta, Malta. affect the brain and other tissues, but to in life. Melatonin is a hormone secreted by an invitee! www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

PAGE | 28 QE 9,698.37 + 77.80 PTS PAGE | 30 Sanofi gets shot DOW 15,935.04 -92.01 PTS Coca-Cola profit in the arm from FTSE100 5,632.19 -57.17 PTS tops estimates, dollar strength BRENT $32.70 -$0.18 helped by cost cuts

WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 • 1 Jumada I 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Qatar and Saudi ministers discuss investment plans

The Peninsula by the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Industry in several sectors. Minister of Economy The Qatari delegations attended and Commerce meets four workshops that highlighted DOHA: H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Saudi Arabia’s commercial licensing Al Thani, Minister of Economy and with Saudi Minister system, consumer protection, corpo- Commerce, met with H E Dr Tawfiq rate control and information system; Al Rabiah, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of and regulations and laws. Commerce and Industry in Riyadh. vibrant trade sector and key major On Monday, Sheikh Ahmed bin Meeting discussed prospects of projects that offer opportunities for Jassim met with Deputy Governor of joint cooperation between the two foreign investments. The presenta- Saudi General Investment Author- countries, particularly in the areas of tions also included Qatar’s healthy ity (SAGIA) Prince Saud bin Khalid economy, trade and investment and business environment and its eco- Al Faisal in Riyadh. ways of enhancing them. The Qatari nomic diversification story. They discussed possibilites of delegation, accompanying the Minis- The Saudi side also made a pres- joint cooperation in various invest- H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce, with Dr Tawfiq Al Rabiah, Saudi ter made presentations on the Qatar’s entation on the achievements made ment fields. Arabia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, in Riyadh yesterday.

Independent auditors’ report to the unit holders of QNB Debt Fund STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 In Qatari Riyals Report on the financial statements We have audited the accompanying financial statements of QNB Debt Fund (the “Fund”) which comprise of the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2015, and the statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in net assets attributable to unit 2015 2014 holders for the year then ended, and notes, comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

Management’s responsibility for the financial statements Income Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with International Financial Interest income 4,624,557 3,990,448 Reporting Standards and the applicable provisions of the Qatar Central Bank regulations and for such internal control as management determines is Net foreign exchange loss (11,758) (5,444) necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. Net loss from nancial assets at fair value through prot or loss (4,150,321) (69,166) Auditors’ responsibility Total income 462,478 3,915,838 Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with International Expenses Standards of Auditing. Those standards require that we comply with the ethical requirements and plan and perform audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. Management fees (621,658) (553,352) Custodian fees (76,440) (76,440) An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidences about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures Investor service fees (33,342) (31,632) selected depend on our judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, we consider internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial Administration fees (83,285) (77,055) statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the Legal and professional fees (65,000) (65,000) effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Other expenses (1,747) (1,383) Total operating expenses (881,472) (804,862) We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion. (Decrease) / increase in net assets attributable to unit holders (418,994) 3,110,976 Opinion In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as at 31 December 2015, and its STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and applicable provisions of Qatar Central Bank regulations. FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 In Qatari Riyals

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements We have obtained all the information and explanations we considered necessary for the purpose of our audit. The Fund has maintained proper 2015 2014 accounting records and its financial statements are in agreement therewith. We are not aware of any violations of the applicable provisions of the Qatar Central Bank Law No. 13 of 2012 and Fund’s articles of association during the year which might have had a material adverse effect on the business of the Fund or its financial position as at 31 December 2015. Cash ow from operating activities 31 January 2016 Gopal Balasubramaniam (Decrease) / increase in net assets attributable to unit holders (418,994) 3,110,976 Doha KPMG Adjustments for: State of Qatar Qatar Auditors’ Registry No 251 Unrealised loss / (gain) on revaluation of nancial assets at fair value through prot or loss 1,952,863 (299,402) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION Changes in: AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2015 In Qatari Riyals Financial assets at fair value through prot or loss (5,815,110) 3,416,884 2015 2014 Other receivables (769,996) 190,435 Assets Cash and cash equivalents 3,248,380 5,785,182 Other liabilities 13,938 (907) Financial assets at fair value through prot or loss 71,037,616 67,175,369 Net cash (used in) / from operating activities (5,037,299) 6,417,986 Other receivables 1,435,476 665,480 Total assets 75,721,472 73,626,031 Cash ow from nancing activities Liabilities Proceeds from issue of redeemable units 28,097,729 13,772,923 Other liabilities 104,271 90,333 Payments for redemption of redeemable units (25,597,232) (18,885,276) Total liabilities 104,271 90,333 Net assets attributable to unit holders 75,617,201 73,535,698 Net cash from / (used in) nancing activities 2,500,497 (5,112,353) Number of units in issue 7,144,065 Units 6,913,905 Units Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents (2,536,802) 1,305,633 Net asset value per unit 10.585 10.636 Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 5,785,182 4,479,549 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 3,248,380 5,785,182 These financial statements were approved by the Fund Manager and signed on its behalf by the following

Adel Abdulaziz Khashabi General Manager - Assets and Wealth Management

QNB Debt Fund Annual Report for 2015

Call +974 4440 7339 or visit qnb.com

28 WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS

Opec deal unlikely and Philippine economy up 5.8% oil glut worsening: IEA

bpd. That figure is much lower than “The number could be higher of Stock building to Opec’s January output of 32.63 mil- course and many senior international lion bpd. oil company figures have said so but continue into second “Persistent speculation about there is a lingering feeling that the big half of 2016 a deal between Opec and leading fall-off in production from US shale non-Opec producers to cut output producers is taking an awful long appears to be just that: speculation. time to happen. Perhaps resilience It is Opec’s business whether or not still has some way to go,” the IEA said. Reuters it makes output cuts either alone or The agency also said it saw the in concert with other producers but dollar remaining strong as it benefits the likelihood of coordinated cuts is from its safe-haven status, mean- very low,” the IEA said. ing more downward pressure on oil LONDON: The world will store Oil prices collapsed over the past prices. unwanted oil for most of 2016 as 18 months to below $30 a barrel from With weaker global oil demand, declines in US output take time and as high as $115 as Opec opened its likely new gains in Iraqi, Iranian and Opec is unlikely to cut a deal with taps to drive higher-cost producers Saudi output, low chances of an Opec other producers to reduce balloon- such as US shale companies out of deal, resilient U.S. production and a ing output, the International Energy the market. strong dollar — the IEA said the glo- Agency said. Low oil prices have spurred glo- bal oil glut was only poised to worsen. The agency, which coordinates bal demand but it was not enough It said that even if Opec pro- energy policies of industrialised to absorb all crude produced. As duction remained flat, global stocks countries, said that while it did not a result, unwanted oil went into would build by 2 million bpd in the believe oil prices could follow some storage, leading to record global first quarter, followed by a 1.5-mil- of the most extreme forecasts and stockpiles of over 3 billion barrels. lion-bpd build in the second quarter. fall to as low as $10 per barrel, it was US shale oil output has started “Supply and demand data for equally hard to see how they could to decline because of low prices and the second half of the year suggests rise significantly from current levels. Opec has said it sees the market more stock building, this time by 0.3 The Paris-based IEA trimmed its rebalancing sometime later in 2016 million bpd. If these numbers prove forecast for 2016 oil demand growth, when demand finally meets supply. to be accurate, and with the market which now stands at 1.17 million But the IEA said supply may still already awash in oil, it is very hard Filipinos perform a Dragon dance at the Philippine Stock Exchange’s electronic board in Makati’s financial barrels per day (bpd) following a exceed demand throughout the whole to see how oil prices can rise signif- five-year high of 1.6 million in 2015. of 2016 and added it saw non-Opec icantly in the short term. In these district, Manila, Philippines, yesterday as they celebrate the Chinese New Year. The Philippine economy It cut its call on Opec crude for output falling by just 0.6 million bpd conditions the short-term risk to the grew at 5.8% in 2015, a slower rate than the previous year and missing the government’s annual target. 2016 by 100,000 bpd to 31.7 million in 2016. downside has increased.” Gulf Air boosts Dubai to press ahead Sanofi gets shot in the arm from regional network dollar strength, profit jumps with largest mall DOHA: Gulf Air, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national carrier, has boosted its regional network this Reuters “We will be reacting to the AFP month by increasing the airline’s demands of the market. The project Jeddah service to operate four is massive and complex and will daily flights between Bahrain have to be built in stages,” said International Airport and King DUBAI: Dubai said yesterday it Ahmad bin Byat, vice-chairman PARIS: French pharmaceutical giant Abdulaziz International Airport would press ahead with plans to and managing director of Dubai Sanofi reported a healthy rise in prof- in Jeddah the Kingdom of Saudi build the world’s largest shopping Holding, a company owned by the its yesterday thanks to the strong Arabia effective from February 22. mall despite an economic slow- emirate’s ruler that is responsible for dollar, benefitting from a foreign Additionally, earlier this down looming in the region, but the project. exchange windfall. month, the airline supplemented would assess market demand before He predicted it would still Sanofi’s net profit for 2015 came its existing Kuwait service and proceeding with the project’s later become the world’s largest shop- in at €7.4bn ($8.3bn), up 7.7 percent began operating six daily flights stages. ping destination, adding that the from the previous year. between Bahrain and Kuwait. The Mall of the World project, first phase — representing about a Much of Sanofi’s earnings are in “The enhanced Gulf Air serv- encompassing 8 million square feet quarter of the project’s size — would dollars, resulting in higher profits ices give travellers a greater (745,000 square metre) of shopping be completed before Dubai hosts the when converted into euros, the com- selection of morning, afternoon space connected to a theme park, Expo 2020 exhibition. pany’s reporting unit, during times of Sanofi’s CEO Olivier Brandicourt attends a news conference to present and evening flights,” said Gulf 100 hotels and serviced apartment Plans for the remainder “will greenback strength. the company’s annual results in Paris yesterday. Air A/Chief Commercial Officer buildings with 20,000 rooms, was be dependent on market dynam- Stripping out currency factors, Ahmed Janahi.“This supple- announced in mid-2014, just as oil ics”, Byat told a news conference, earnings fell 0.9 percent. mentsour current schedules with prices began a precipitous plunge. saying the project would be funded Sanofi’s sales were €37bn rise of close to 30 percent. said. Animal health also had a good complementary flight times that Oil makes little direct contri- through an equal split of his compa- euros, somewhat below analysts’ But sales of Sanofi’s flagship anti- year, but Sanofi is still hoping to spin not onlysatisfy passenger need bution to Dubai’s economy, but its ny’s internal resources, institutional expectations. diabetes drug Lantus suffered from off its animal health unit Merial, in a for more choice and flexibility but drop has dampened consumer and investors and debt. Sanofi’s rare disease division competition from generics. swap for the consumer health unit of alsocreate improved connections investor confidence in the Gulf’s He estimated the total bill would Genzyme, which it acquired in 2011, But Sanofi’s own generic drugs German peer Boehringer Ingelheim. for those passengers connecting to financial and tourist hub as neigh- be nearly Dh80bn ($22bn) and that continued to underpin the group’s sold well, mostly in emerging mar- Net profit in the fourth quarter Gulf Air’s network of onwards des- bouring governments slash subsidies Dubai Holding would provide “just overall performance with a turnover kets, as did vaccines, the company alone was €1.7bn, down 6.5 percent. tinations across the globe.” and economists cut growth forecasts. shy” of Dh30bn. Deutsche Bank Global stocks extend losses on fears over growth says has cash to Reuters since September 2013, which was touched earlier in the session. Turmoil in Asia set the tone for the session, with yields on longer- pay risky debts NEW YORK: Stock indexes world- term Japanese bonds falling below wide tumbled for the third straight zero for the first time and Japan’s session yesterday on fears of slowing Nikkei plummeting 5.4 percent. Chi- global growth, with particular con- nese markets are closed through the AFP Europe,” Cryan wrote. But Deutsche cern around the health of the banking week for the Lunar New Year. Bank “remains absolutely rock-solid, sector, while benchmark US Treasury MSCI’s all-country world equity given our strong capital and risk posi- yields hit fresh one-year lows. index was last down 2.25 points, or tion,” he insisted. “On Monday, we The European banking index fell 0.62 percent, at 358.56. FRANKFURT: Deutsche Bank, Ger- took advantage of this strength to 4.6 percent after sinking 5.6 percent The Dow Jones industrial aver- many’s biggest lender, felt compelled reassure the market of our capac- on Monday on fears of worsening age was last down 32.19 points, or 0.2 yesterday to reassure investors and its ity and commitment to pay coupons bank profitability and capital strength percent, at 15,994.86. The S&P 500 employees that it has sufficient cash to investors who hold our Additional from sustained low interest rates. was down 1.29 points, or 0.07 percent, to pay its riskiest debts, as banking Tier 1 capital. This type of instrument Deutsche Bank shares fell 4.1 per- at 1,852.15. The Nasdaq Composite shares around the world take a ham- has been the subject of recent mar- cent after slumping 9.5 percent on was up 1.77 points, or 0.04 percent, mering on slowdown fears. ket concern,” Cryan said. Monday on concerns about its ability at 4,285.53. In a short statement on Monday In addition, markets appear to to maintain bond payments. Shares The FTSEurofirst 300 index ended and subsequently in a letter to employ- be concerned about the huge legal of US banks also stumbled, with the down 1.4 percent at 1,222.11. ees yesterday, the bank —whose bills Deutsche Bank may be facing S&P financial index last down over Yields on benchmark 10-year shares have plummeted by nearly 40 as its battles as many as 6,000 dif- 1 percent. Treasury notes, known for their rel- percent since the beginning of the year ferent litigation cases. “The market US shares recovered ground on ative safety, extended Monday’s — said that it is financially “rock solid” also expressed some concern about improvement in technology stocks, declines to hit 1.682 percent, their and has more-than-sufficient means the adequacy of our legal provisions but all three major US indexes were lowest in a year. The notes were last to pay coupons on its riskiest debt both but I don’t share that concern. We will flat to lower, with losses being felt in up 3/32 in price to yield 1.7226, from this year and next year. almost certainly have to add to our energy and financial stocks. Stocks a yield of 1.735 percent late Monday. Deutsche Bank’s new chief exec- legal provisions this year but this is lost more than 1 percent Monday. Gold, another safe-haven asset, utive, John Cryan, who was brought already accounted for in our finan- “The general thematic (risk) con- rose in price and was just below the in to steer the group out of its current cial plan,” he said. tinues to be the European banking 7 1/2-month high struck the previ- woes, acknowledged in the letter to In its statement late Monday, situation that has unhinged the risk ous day. Oil prices fell, dragged lower employees that volatility on the stock Deutsche Bank said that its “2016 market and slowly crept into the by the broad decline across major markets was having an impact on payment capacity is estimated to be credit markets,” said Chad Morgan- financial markets and by a grow- earnings. approximately €1bn”, sufficient to lander, portfolio manager at Stifel, ing expectation that global demand “Volatility in the fourth quar- pay so-called additional tier 1 (AT1) Nicolaus & Co in Florham Park. will not grow quickly enough to erase A businessman looks at the Nikkei Stock Average in Tokyo yesterday. ter impacted the earnings of most coupons of approximately €350m on The FTSEurofirst 300 index the overhang of unwanted crude any Tokyo’s 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average was down 918.86 points, or major banks, especially those in April 30. slumped but was off its lowest level time soon. 5.40 per cents, to close at 16,085.44. BUSINESS WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 29

Over 40% Qataris prefer McDonald’s Japan forecasts ‘running own businesses’ first full-year profit in 3 years

The survey was nationally rep- are actually contributing to employ- Majority (58%) of resentative of males (54 percent) ment growth and developing natural TOKYO: McDonald’s Corp’s and females (46 percent), and all the business leaders for a vibrant private Japan business forecast Qataris marked respondents were based in Doha and sector. that it will return to full- money as a top they were aged between 16 and 29 The majority (58 percent) of year profitability for the years old. Qataris marked money as a top moti- first time in three years, as motivator, with About two-thirds of those who vator, with helping the society (57 the company deploys new helping the society worked, full or part-time, worked percent) serving as the next closest measures in an attempt to in government or semi-government motivator. win back customers after (57%) serving as next roles (68 percent) and the remaining Yet it is interesting that such a being hit by a series of food closest motivator 32 percent in either the private sector high percentage of Qataris consider crises. or family-owned businesses. entrepreneurship to be their ideal Net income will prob- Similar views of entrepreneurism job role. Rather than simply having ably be 1bn yen ($8.7m) for as an ideal job role were reflected in an increase in public and private sec- the year ending December By Mohammad Shoeb Saudi Arabia (37 percent) and Oman tor wages. 2016, the fast-food chain The Peninsula (34 percent), however only 11 percent The consulting firm also rec- said in a statement yes- of Emiratis surveyed viewed ‘running ommended that the government terday. The company has my own business’ as an ideal role. should provide additional, targeted said in April it would shut DOHA: Over 40 percent of young The military served as the top support for budding Qatari entrepre- early support for these high-potential remains a high demand for public stores and cut jobs to cope Qataris prefer to become entrepre- job for Qataris, with 46 percent of neurs, including perhaps government Qatari entrepreneurs is much more sector roles, these findings suggest a with the scandals includ- neurs and run their own businesses respondents considering a military employees themselves. cost-effective than employing the growing constituency moving away ing foreign objects found as their ideal job rather than work- role to be their ideal job. In a statement the HR consulting equivalent public sector employees for from the public sector. in its food. ing for others, reveals the findings of The report (Qatar Employment firm said that in order to maximise an entire career,” said the statement. These young Qataris should be ”We’ve seen a consider- a latest survey. Report: Insights for 2016) made the investment in entrepreneurism, It said that government should groomed for private sector roles by able reversal of momentum For the survey, conducted by several recommendations on employ- government should identify and focus also focus on developing natural busi- receiving globally recognised profes- in the later half of 2015 Oxford Strategic Consulting, over ment strategies for entrepreneurs and on some six percent of high-potential ness leaders for private sector roles. sional qualifications, such as those and the momentum con- 300 Qatari nationals aged under 30 future private sector business leaders entrepreneurs who actually contrib- A further 27 percent of Qatari from the Chartered Management tinues to grow,” President were interviewed to know about their in Qatar, such as helping entrepre- ute to employment growth, known as respondents considered the gov- Institute (CMI) and the Chartered Sarah Casanova said at a views and attitudes towards employ- neurs making money for themselves, ‘Gazelles’, should be identified. ernment or public sector to be their Institute of Personnel and Develop- post-earnings press con- ment in Qatar. focusing on those entrepreneurs who “Providing seed funding and least favoured industry. While there ment (CIPD). ference in Tokyo, adding she’s planning to acceler- ate the company’s recovery. ”There’s a possibility to grow profitability more. UAE to ratify federal Unveiling GreenTech project It’s difficult to put a time- line on it.” The fast food chain, which last month intro- debt law this year duced the salty-sweet “McChoco Potato” fries to Japanese customers, saw its first increase in customers Reuters level would give the Emirates since April 2013, as visitors another fund-raising option and to its stores open at least a could reduce pressure on the indi- year rose 17 percent in Jan- vidual emirates to draw down their uary and sales increased 35 DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates assets. percent. The improvement is likely to ratify a law by the end Fitch Ratings expects the larg- comes as its parent pon- of this year that will allow the fed- est emirate, Abu Dhabi, to cover ders selling a stake in the eral government to issue bonds, part of its deficits in 2016 and 2017 Japan unit, as Oak Brook, after which the UAE would issue by drawing down assets at its sov- Illinois-based McDonald’s about Dh80bn to Dh100bn ($22bn ereign wealth fund, the Abu Dhabi reviews its ownership strat- to $27bn) worth of debt, a senior Investment Authority. egies worldwide. finance ministry official said. It predicted Abu Dhabi Invest- Casanova said it’s pre- “I expect the law to be rati- ment Authority’s assets would fall to mature to comment on the fied in six to nine months,” Younis $475bn this year from an estimated parent’s stake sale and Al Khouri, under-secretary at the $502bn at end-2014. added the company will ministry, told Al Arabiya television Khouri said yesterday that after complete store closures in yesterday. the law was ratified by the UAE’s the first half of this year. It The seven individual emirates national assembly and rulers, the plans to shut 30 to 60 out- in the UAE issue bonds, but the fed- central bank would be responsible lets this year, it said. eral government has not done so in for issuing the dirham-denominated Net loss for 2015 was the absence of such a law, which has bonds. 34.7bn yen in the year been in preparation for years. He said the projected issuance ended December, compared However, a plunge in oil prices of Dh80bn to Dh100bn dirhams was French Minister for Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy Segolene Royal (right) and Economy with a loss of 21.8bn yen the since mid-2014 has pushed state smaller than initial expectations. Minister Emmanuel Macron attend a news conference to unveil the “GreenTech” project at the Ecology previous year. finances into deficit. He did not say when the debt ministry in Paris yesterday. Issuing bonds at a federal might be sold.

BA goes head to head with Ryanair Facebook’s India stumble could embolden other regulators with new routes Reuters Facebook,” said Naveen Menon, lead all websites and data on the Internet solar-powered planes, satellites and but India-born Karthik Naralasetty, analyst at AT Kearney in Singapore. be treated equally. lasers, and pairing with local entre- whose blood donor matching serv- LONDON: British Airways said it “Not only because India was expected Critics and Internet activists argue preneurs to provide wireless hotspots. ice Socialblood is available in more would begin flying from Stansted to be such a critical piece of the over- that allowing free access to a select Expanding these approaches with than 20 countries via Free Basics, said Airport, establishing a presence SINGAPORE/MUMBAI: India’s deci- all Internet.org success story, but more few apps and Web services disad- or without the operators was one Facebook was already re-thinking its at London’s No. 3 airport for the sion to effectively ban Facebook’s so because it has potential danger- vantages small content providers and option for Facebook now, as well as approach. first time and bringing it into direct pared-back free Internet service is ous knock-on effects for the universal start-ups that don’t participate. legal workarounds where the service “Facebook is re-thinking what it’s competition with budget carrier a major blow to the social network’s access initiative in other markets.” Ram Sevak Sharma, chairman of is repackaged, said Martin Geddes, a doing, coming up with better plans,” Ryanair on leisure routes. plans, and may prompt other regula- Internet.org is Facebook’s the Telecom Regulatory Authority of UK-based telecoms consultant. he said by telephone. “Communica- British Airways, owned by tors to demand equal online access umbrella initiative to bring Internet India (TRAI), said he hoped its rul- Facebook could also challenge the tions will have to improve. They have International Airlines Group, said for their users. access to the unconnected. Part of ing would clarify ambiguity about net ruling in the courts, but a more likely to get the buy-in of different gov- yesterday that from May it would Facebook will have to reconsider that is the Free Basics programme, neutrality and “that India has set the move, said Marc Einstein, Asia-Pacific ernments before they go into those fly to Faro in Portugal, as well as its approach in the light of India’s new which Facebook has launched in record straight that will be followed director at Frost and Sullivan, would countries.” Ibiza, Malaga and Palma in Spain, rules preventing Internet service pro- around three dozen emerging coun- world over.” be to sit down with the TRAI “to try to For one thing, said Neil Shah, a from £49 ($71) one way. viders from having different pricing tries. The service has been criticised In Facebook posts after Monday’s come up with a solution that’s deemed director of Counterpoint Research in The full-service operator, policies for accessing different parts outside India, too, with Facebook ruling, founder Mark Zuckerberg a little more neutral.” Mumbai, Free Basics made little head- which provides complimentary of the Web, analysts said. accused of infringing the principle said Free Basics was just one part Facebook executives were not way in India before it was suspended refreshments on flights, will com- “This is a major setback for of net neutrality — the concept that of a larger initiative that includes immediately available for comment, in December, gaining 1 million users. pete directly on those routes with no-frills Ryanair, whose cheap- est flights in May cost about 325 one way. British Airways’s move into Pichai gets record $199m stock grant secondary airport Stansted enters traditional budget carrier territory, a change from a wider trend of low cost airlines increasingly fly- Bloomberg company. cloud business since November. Greene ing from a city’s main airport and Pichai, the former deputy of Google received equity worth $148m last year stealing market share from full- co-founder Larry Page, was named to run after Google acquired tech company service airlines. the search engine unit following the reor- Bebop Technologies Inc, which she Stansted, 35 miles north of NEW YORK: Google Inc’s Sundar Pichai ganisation into holding company Alphabet founded. London, will become British Air- (pictured) is poised to become one of last year. Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat, ways’s fourth airport in the region. the highest-paid executives of a publicly The award is the biggest ever given to who joined from Morgan Stanley last year, It already flies from London’s traded company this year after parent a Google executive officer whose equity received equity worth $38.3m that will Heathrow, Gatwick and City Alphabet Inc. awarded him restricted grants have to be reported in filings, vest under the same conditions as Pichai’s airports. stock worth about $199m. according to data compiled by Bloomb- award, a filing shows. British Airways said that the Pichai, who is Google’s chief executive erg. It is Pichai’s first award since taking An Alphabet spokesman didn’t imme- flights would be operated by officer, received 273,328 Class C shares over the company’s highest-grossing unit. diately respond to a request for comment. its BA CityFlyer subsidiary on on February 3 that will vest in quarterly Alphabet also awarded $42.8m in Google typically grants equity awards two-cabin 98-seat Embraer jets increments through 2019 if he remains restricted stock to Diane Greene, a co- to executives once every two years, a which are usually based at Lon- on the job, according to a filing on Friday founder and former CEO of software strategy it has said “encourages executives don City. from the Mountain View, California-based maker VMware Inc, who’s led Google’s to take a long-term view of the business.” 30 WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS

Fortis to buy Credit risk measures in Europe increase powerline Financial Index of credit-default swaps up in the much bigger story which is points to 229 basis points and subor- show. The spread above benchmarks for increased nine basis points to 312 basis turmoil in financial markets.” dinated swaps rose five basis points dollar-denominated debt also climbed, operator ITC The cost of insuring points, according to data compiled by Deutsche Bank’s Co-Chief Exec- to 444 basis points, according to data with investors seeking an extra 2.13 debt climbed to the Bloomberg. utive Officer John Cryan is struggling based on London closing prices. percentage points for investment-grade highest levels since Investors are trying to determine to convince investors that he’s able to Other measures of credit risk notes, the highest since June 2012. For for $6.9bn if banks are strong enough to weather boost capital buffers and profitabil- increased as investors demanded higher junk-rated bonds they sought a more 2013 a downturn as emerging markets slow ity by cutting costs and eliminating yield premiums to hold financial and than four-year high of 8.51 percent- and commodity prices fall. Deutsche thousands of jobs as volatile markets corporate debt. age points, the data show. NEW YORK: Fortis Inc of Canada Bank AG became the largest lender in undermine revenue and outstanding The yield premium above “When a story does the rounds agreed to buy ITC Holdings Corp, at least four years to feel compelled regulatory probes raise the specter of benchmark government debt for like Deutsche Bank, that gets inves- the transmission-line owner with Bloomberg to reassure investors and employees continued legal charges. euro-denominated bonds sold by tors’ attention and they use that as the highest rate of return among US that it has enough funds to service its His assurances failed to stop a sell- financial institutions rose to 1.6 per- an excuse to take risk off,” said Luke electric utility owners, for $6.9bn in riskiest debt. off in Deutsche Bank’s debt. Its $1.5bn centage points, the most since July 2013, Hickmore, an Edinburgh-based sen- cash and stock to add stable, reg- The statement provides “welcome of 7.5 percent notes fell 1.9 cents to according to Bank of America Merrill ior investment manager at Aberdeen ulated returns. LONDON: Credit risk measures for clarity” on the German lender’s abil- a record 73 cents, according to data. Lynch index data. Asset Management, which manages Fortis, a power and natural gas banks and insurers in Europe rose for a ity to pay coupons, said Roger Francis, Credit-default swaps on the Ger- Investors demanded a premium of about £291bn ($420bn). “Whether this distributor based in St John’s, New- ninth day, reversing an earlier decline. a credit analyst at Mizuho Interna- man lender rose for an eighth day to 1.6 percentage points to hold invest- feeds back into a broader weakness in foundland, will pay the equivalent of The cost of insuring the debt tional Plc in London. “There’s not a the highest levels since 2011, and have ment-grade bonds in euros and 6 the macro economy in the next cou- $44.90 for each ITC share, accord- climbed to the highest levels since 2013. lot of carry over from the statement more than doubled this year. Contracts percentage points for sub-investment ple of months, that’s what is worrying ing to a statement issued. That’s a The Markit iTraxx Europe Subordinated to the other bonds. Those are tangled on its senior debt climbed nine basis grade debt in the currency, index data investors.” 14 percent premium to Monday’s close, and a 33 percent premium to the close on November 27, before Bloomberg reported that ITC was exploring a sale. The offer, which Coca-Cola profit tops Financial meet in Islamabad totals $11.3bn including assumed debt, will comprise $22.57 in cash and 0.752 Fortis shares. The sale comes as power com- analyst estimates, panies, grappling with flat electricity demand and rising capital costs, seek deals in other areas promis- ing better growth. Southern Co is helped by cost cuts buying natural-gas distributor AGL Resources Inc for about $8bn in cash and Duke Energy Corp is buying Piedmont Natural Gas Co for about Bloomberg The currency impact contributed $4.9bn. “Fortis has grown its busi- to an 8 percent decline in operat- ness through strategic acquisitions,” ing revenue, which came in at $10bn Chief Executive Officer Barry Perry last quarter. The company also had said in the statement. “The acqui- NEW YORK: Coca-Cola Co, the six fewer days in the period than a sition of ITC – a premier pure-play world’s largest soft- drink company, year earlier. Analysts had estimated transmission utility – is a continu- posted fourth-quarter profit that beat $9.89bn on average. ation of this growth strategy.” analysts’ estimates after Chief Execu- Coca-Cola also said yesterday that Novi, Michigan-based ITC tive Officer Muhtar Kent’s (pictured) it will complete the sale of its wholly earned an adjusted return on equity $3bn cost-cutting programme helped owned US bottling plants three years of more than 17 percent in 2014, improve margins. early and is widening the program above the 11 percent average of its Earnings were 38 cents a share to sites in China. Franchise partners peers including Consolidated Edi- in the period, excluding some items, will run all bottling facilities in North son Inc and Sempra Energy. It’s the the Atlanta-based company said in a America by the end of 2017, including only publicly-traded US company statement. Analysts estimated 37 cents all cold-fill production sites, the com- that owns only transmission lines. on average. Keeping a tighter lid on pany said. Coca-Cola also reached a Fortis intends to sell $2bn of debt expenses helped Kent cope with the preliminary agreement for partners and as much as 19.9 percent of ITC to crushing impact of the strong US dol- Cofco and Swire Beverage Holdings other investors to finance the cash lar, which has reduced the value of Ltd. to take over bottling operations portion of the deal, according to the Coca-Cola’s sales in other countries. it owns in China. statement. ITC will continue as a The CEO reduced expenses, revamped “The acceleration of our global stand-alone transmission company, the company’s bottling system, and refranchising marks a step change in Queen Maxima of The Netherlands shakes hands with Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Finance Minister, during according to the statement. Fortis, introduced more package sizes last our efforts to refocus the Coca-Cola a workshop organised by the State Bank of Pakistan and the World Bank in Islamabad yesterday. the biggest Canadian utility owner year to counter declining soda con- Co. on its core business of building The Dutch royal is on an official visit to Pakistan in her capacity as the UN Secretary General’s Special by market value, plans to retain all of sumption in the US and other major strong, valuable brands and leading Advocate (UNSGSA) for Inclusive Finance for Development 2016. ITC’s employees and maintain cor- markets. The soda maker also was a system of strong bottling partners,” porate headquarters in Novi. helped by low commodity costs, even Kent said. Coca-Cola has been shift- as some overseas economies showed ing US bottling plants to franchise signs of faltering last quarter. operators since 2013, and outlined a “We delivered on this plan despite disposal of nine sites in September. an increasingly challenging global The strategy lets Coca-Cola focus on macroeconomic environment,” Kent more the profitable business of pro- UK trade deficit widens in fourth quarter said in the statement. ducing drink concentrates and syrups.

Reuters Trade will likely appear as a drag 2015 as a whole, helping Britain’s trade year, contributing to a disappointing on economic growth at the end of last balance as it is now a net oil importer expansion in gross domestic product year when revised figures for gross after declines in North Sea fields. of just 0.4 percent. domestic product are released, the The deficit in goods alone nar- Finance minister George Osborne LONDON: Britain’s trade deficit with ONS said. rowed to £9.917bn from £11.503bn, has warned that the economy was fac- the rest of the world worsened in the The trade in goods deficit for 2015 compared with economists’ forecasts ing a “dangerous cocktail” of risks from fourth quarter and likely dragged on as a whole widened to £125.028bn from for a smaller fall to £10.4bn. overseas in 2016, as growth slows in economic growth, despite improv- £123.143bn, the biggest on record. The deficit in the trade of goods major emerging markets, stock mar- ing in the month of December, official In December alone, the total trade to the European Union widened to a kets tumble and a slump in oil prices data showed yesterday. deficit, including services, narrowed record £23.191bn in the fourth quarter, reduces demand from oil-exporting The Office for National Statistics to £2.709bn from £4.031bn, helped by up from £21.521bn in the third quarter, nations. said Britain’s total trade deficit wid- the value of oil imports falling to their driven in part by imports of pharma- Sterling strength also acted as a ened to £10.352bn in the fourth quarter lowest since February 2009 as crude ceutical products. headwind to exports for much of 2015, from £8.575bn in the previous quarter, prices plunge. Britain’s overall trade deficit lopped but it has fallen sharply over the last marking the biggest trade gap since Brent crude oil prices slid 16 per- 1 percentage point off quarterly eco- couple of months and on Monday hit the start of 2015. cent in December and 35 percent for nomic growth in the third quarter of this a 13-month low. Tension rises in bank-to-bank lending but far off crisis peaks

Reuters since mid-2012 in the United States. and in the aftermath of the Lehman the sense that there’s not The euro forward BOR/OIS con- Brothers collapse in 2008 the spread a lot of worry about coun- tract starting in March and ending in traded at just below 230 bps. terparty risk like there June hit its highest since June 2014 at Its US equivalent briefly rose above was in 2008 or 2011,” said LONDON: Signs of strain in bank- around 18 basis points (bps) on Tues- 30 bps and on Monday also posted its Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou, to-bank lending, the epicentre of the day before falling just below 16 bps. biggest daily rise since 2012. managing director of glo- 2007-08 banking crash, hit some of It had traded in the 10-12 bps area “There is risk aversion towards the bal asset allocation at JP their highest levels in more than a year for the past eight months before ris- banking sector, not like we’ve seen at Morgan. yesterday, though tensions were far ing on Monday by its most since March the beginning of the financial crisis but “The recent fall in from financial crisis peaks. 2013, when the Cypriot crisis led to one of the most significant since the ECB bank shares has more The spike in interbank stress this a radical restructuring of its bank- intervened,” Commerzbank rate strate- to do with some of week, coinciding with sharp falls in ing sector and clients taking losses on gist Rainer Guntermann said, referring these banks having asset many lenders’ share prices, under- their bank deposits. to ECB President Mario Draghi’s 2012 quality problems and lined worries that European Central Coming after years of relative promise to do “whatever it takes” to profitability problems ... Bank steps to revive and reflate the calm in a market that helps deter- preserve the euro. There’s ample liquidity in economy are choking the life out of mine borrowing costs for consumers Since then, the ECB has offered interbank markets, and eurozone lenders. and companies’ across the currency banks hundreds of billions in long- the probability of credit Banks have been hit by lower long- bloc, it prompted some analysts to draw term loans and launched a bond-buying events in the banking sys- term interest rates, which have fallen parallels with the build-up to the glo- stimulus programme meant to print tem is low.” as the growth outlook deteriorates, and bal financial crisis. about €1.5 trillion. Excess liquidity in Dollar funding mar- by negative short-term rates, which “It’s similar,” said Andrew Lap- the banking sector, which measures the kets also show some make bank deposits unattractive. thorne, global head of quantitative funds banks have beyond what they tension but no panic. Key measures of interbank stress, strategy at Societe Generale. “We’re need for their day-to-day operations, Three-month cross cur- The new headquarters (right) of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt. derived from the difference between going into the slowdown with record is now €650bn, around the highest rency basis swaps, which overnight bank-to-bank lending rates levels of net debt and ... that’s a concern.” levels since 2012. measure the cost of swapping euros They fell as low as minus 32 bps 185 bps in 2008. When the spreads on a forward curve and longer-term However, at the height of the euro- “Libor-OIS spreads used to be indic- into dollars without the exchange rate early yesterday, from minus 28.75 bps are negative dollar funding comes at Euribor or Libor rates, hit their highest zone sovereign debt crisis in 2011-2012, ative of banking crises, but we’re not risk, show the highest premium for dol- on Monday and 26.25 bps last week. a premium to euro funding and the since June 2014 in the eurozone and the same spread was almost 150 bps seeing a banking crisis right now in lars since the end of last year. They were minus 150 bps in 2011 and reverse is true when they are positive. BUSINESS VIEWS WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 31

Wall Street crooks get a Plight of garment workers screen test and this time in Europe under scrutiny pull in big audiences

By David Gaffen and Paul Giamatti as a determined Jennifer Ablan US attorney with his sights set on Reuters Damien Lewis’s canny hedge fund manager. There are some echoes of the case of Steve Cohen, who all Street villains are hav- walked away largely unscathed ing their big moment on from nearly a decade of investi- Wboth television and the gations into accusations of insider big screen. With the 2008-2009 trading at his former hedge fund, financial crisis and the accompa- SAC Capital. A person familiar nying Great Recession not only with the situation said Cohen fresh in many people’s minds but has watched “Billions,” though still having an impact on many there was no word on whether lives, stories about greed on Wall he enjoyed it. Street and concern about growing The biggest recent box office income inequality are resonating success was 2013’s “The Wolf of well beyond a niche audience. Wall Street,” which grossed nearly This is being reflected in the $400 million worldwide en route battle to be the next US president, to several Oscar nominations for particularly as Hillary Clinton Viacom Inc subsidiary Paramount defends herself from accusa- Pictures. That studio also distrib- tions she will be soft on Wall uted “The Big Short,” which has Street because of the money she so far grossed more than $100 has received from bankers and million. More are on the way, hedge fund managers. including “Money Monster,” which The atmosphere has created stars George Clooney as a finan- an opening for a boomlet of mov- cial television personality with ies and television shows about some similarities to CNBC’s Jim Wall Street - including two tel- Cramer. evision films about disgraced There is also “Equity,” which financier Bernard Madoff. One stars “Breaking Bad” co-star Anna of those, starring Richard Drey- Gunn and recently premiered at By Laura Stefanut people work in more than 10,000 factories decrease pay accordingly. If salaries are fuss, aired last week on ABC. the Sundance Film Festival. Reuters in the clothing, textile and leather industries late, inspectors first ask the employer to Those Madoff films come as Prior to the financial crisis, in Romania and Bulgaria, according to gov- pay up and can only impose fines if the Showtime recently premiered the success of finance-themed ernment statistics. The sector is among the firm does not comply. its show “Billions,” about a hedge movies was spottier. top exporters in both countries. Mohora says Maglierie Cristian is fund manager under investiga- Two television shows that utside a clothing factory in Factory owners say they face intense one of the better local employers. Some tion for alleged insider trading, premiered at the end of the tech- Calafat in southern Romanian pressure from brands to keep costs low. companies, he said, try to avoid paying and as “The Big Short” stands as nology bubble in 2000, Fox’s “The early one morning, hundreds Workers, who are overwhelmingly wages and taxes by modifying con- a top contender for the Oscar for Street,” and TNT’s “Bull” - got so of workers crowd around women, are often hired on the legal min- tracts after they have been signed and Best Picture, when the awards are few viewers that they were pulled makeshift stalls to stock up imum wage of less than ¤200 ($220) a get employees to work overtime with- given out on February 28. off air before their first seasons Oon snacks and drinks for their shift. month net and may earn even less, say out extra pay. And many of these movies had finished. The Italian-owned knitwear factory, workers and campaigners such as the Calafat’s deputy mayor, Dorel Mit- and programs seem to have wider By contrast, “Billions” has Maglierie Cristian Impex, is the largest Fair Wear Foundation and Clean Clothes uletu, said the town of around 17,000 appeal than in the past, with siz- increased viewers every week, employer in the area and one of the largest Campaign. people on the banks of the Danube strug- able audiences being pulled in. according to Entertainment clothing factories in Romania, with about From late January to mid-July last year, gles to attract investors and the Maglierie While clearly a few movies like Weekly, and it has already been 1,000 staff. It has produced clothes since Cristina says she was paid twice, receiv- Cristian factory is its “breath of life”. Oliver Stone’s 1987 “Wall Street,” renewed for a second season. 1997 for big names such as Kenzo, Escada, ing a total of around 1500 lei (¤340) from Reports from workers from other fac- and the raucous 1983 comedy Showtime’s new financial drama Marc O’Polo, Faconnable and Inditex, the the factory that has received European tories can be worse. Romania’s Labour “Trading Places” were very suc- delivered the best original series Spanish-based giant whose brands include Union funding to “enhance economical Inspectorate said inspections between cessful, there have also been debut performance ever for the Zara and Massimo Dutti. competitiveness”. 2013 and 2015 found the Zendoo Style many failures in the past 30 channel, according to Variety. But some workers mutter they have not In April 2014, more than 300 employ- factory in Calarasi, about 100km east of years, including TV series that “People are still recovering - been paid while others say they received ees at the Maglierie Cristian factory staged the capital Bucharest, did not respect the were dropped before the end of the real estate market, it’s gone up wages only once every two or three months a wildcat strike over late wages. law on salary payments, working hours, their first season. and down and as has Wall Street,” last year. “Work, work, work - but no pay,” Cristi Deseanu, 29, a mechanic at the overtime and rest time for workers. Almost all of the shows and said Linda Berman, executive complains one worker, 34-year-old Cristina, plant, says people were eventually paid but The company, which employed about movies that are resonating have producer of ABC’s Madoff pro- who did not want her real name disclosed. he and other vocal protesters were fired and 80 people, was fined for failing to rectify a “law and order” theme, usu- duction. “There’s a fascination Activists have railed he lost his job that paid 250 euros a month. these issues, the inspectorate said. ally Wall Street bad boys being with how we’ve gotten into this against the plight of gar- The Calafat factory is majority-owned A report on 10 eastern Europe coun- chased down by the FBI. The kind of trouble and who are the ment workers in recent by Enzo Mantovani, the founder of a lux- tries and Turkey in 2014 by the Clean good-vs-evil themes are simi- characters who are involved in it.” years but their focus ury cashmere brand, and his sons. Clothes Campaign, a group that lobbies lar in many ways to the tales of Berman did not say how much has often been on Asia. The Romanian business posted a turno- to improve conditions for workers in the gangsters and corrupt officials the network spent to produce the But even inside the ver of more than ¤8.3m in 2014, according sector, found poverty-level wages, dan- that have been a Hollywood two-night drama. European Union — in to the Romanian Ministry of Finance. Indi- gerous working conditions and forced mainstay in the past. Alysia Reiner and Sarah Romania and Bulgaria tex said last September that its social audits overtime were “endemic throughout the “Our collective fascination Megan Thomas, who produced particularly — workers had found the plant complied with its Code garment industry”. with money and power has only and co-starred in “Equity,” said Workers, who are can endure poverty- of Conduct. In January this year, however, It noted that the minimum wages in risen in this post-financial crisis they saw an opening for a female- overwhelmingly level wages, long hours Inditex said the factory was now “under a some of the countries it surveyed were world,” said Andrew Ross Sor- driven film, after analyzing the and arduous condi- correction plan”. It did not specify details lower than in China and Indonesia. Fac- kin, who is co-anchor of CNBC’s success of films like “The Wolf women, are often tions to make clothes of the plan. tory owners in Romania and Bulgaria Squawk Box and co-creator of of Wall Street,” “Arbitrage” and hired on the legal for major brands. The other brands mentioned in con- say there is little they can do to increase “Billions.” “Margin Call.” Campaigners are nection with the factory did not respond wages under cost pressures from brands. “So much of today’s national “All these films made a healthy minimum wage of less demanding that cloth- to email or telephone requests for com- “They just want to put the prices down, conversation is about the influence profit,” said Reiner. than €200 ($220) a ing brands take full ment or did not answer the questions they down, down and that’s it,” says Radina of the super wealthy, inequality “Money Monster,” judging by its responsibility for their were asked. Bankova, president of the Bulgarian Asso- and whether the American Dream preview, looks to take a more direct month net and may production chains, with Catalin Mohora, a local labour inspec- ciation of Apparel and Textile Producers is still attainable,” he said. approach, as Clooney’s television earn even less. decent pay and condi- tor, said it can be legal for an employer to and Exporters. “Billions,” which premiered host is held at gunpoint by a man tions for all the workers pay less than the minimum wage if, for Some employers, however, have man- on Showtime in January, stars who has lost a fortune in stocks. involved. example, demand for its products was low. aged to give their workers a better deal, in Some 345,000 An employer could cut working hours and collaboration with fashion brands. The $102bn of bank debt that’s making investors nervous

By Tom Beardsworth and Cordell real fears that the European banking sys- problem is the securities are untested and if also worried about whether banks will Eddings tem may be weaker and more vulnerable to a troubled bank fails to redeem them at the redeem the notes at the first opportunity. Ris- Bloomberg slowing growth than a lot of people originally first opportunity or halts coupon payments ing borrowing costs may make banks less thought,” said Gary Herbert, a fund manager investors may jump ship, sparking a wider likely to redeem the notes, which would force at Brandywine Global Investment Manage- selloff in corporate credit markets. investors to hold the bonds for longer than ast year’s sure thing in credit markets is ment LLC, which oversees about $69 billion “It’s the first thing that gets cut from port- they had hoped. quickly becoming this year’s nightmare in global fixed-income assets. “It’s the epi- folios,” said David Butler, a portfolio manager “It’s a risk factor that seems more press- Lfor bond investors. The riskiest Euro- center of growth concerns globally. And it at Rogge Global Partners, which oversees ing to the market,” said Jonathan Weinberger, pean bank debt generated returns of about 8 doesn’t look pretty,” he added. about $35bn of assets. “When the wider credit global head of capital markets engineering percent last year, according to Bank of Amer- Money managers’ concerns are spreading market turns, it leaves investors exposed.” at Societe Generale SA in London. “Cer- ica Merrill Lynch index data, beating every even to safer bank bonds, underscoring how The notes were issued in Europe and offer tain bank treasuries would be economically type of credit investment globally. In less than investors are running away from risk across some of the highest yields in credit markets, advantaged to let them extend rather than Investors are increasingly six weeks this year, those gains have been all a broad range of assets now, from stocks to at an average 7 percent, compared with an call and refinance.” concerned that weak but wiped out, even after interest payments. commodities to corporate bonds. The cost of average yield for European junk credits of less It wouldn’t be the first time a bank has Investors are increasingly concerned that protecting against defaults on safer US and than 6 percent, according to Bank of Amer- passed up the chance to call notes. Deutsche earnings and a global weak earnings and a global market rout will European financial debt known as senior ica Merrill Lynch indexes. Bank didn’t redeem 1 billion euros of subordi- market rout will make it make it harder for banks to pay the interest on unsecured notes has jumped to the highest But critics say banks are too opaque, the nated bonds in 2008, saying it would be more at least some of these securities, or to buy them level since 2013. European banks are look- notes are too complex to be properly under- expensive to refinance the debt. That led to a harder for banks to pay back as soon as investors had hoped. The bonds ing less solid since their last earnings reports. stood, they’re too varied and too much like slump in the bank’s shares and a jump in the the interest on at least allow banks to skip interest payments without Deutsche Bank for example last month posted equity to be considered bonds. With so cost of insuring its borrowings against default. defaulting, and they turn into equity in times of its first full-year loss since 2008, and its many unknowns, the risks are high. “Basi- Still, money markets show little sign of sys- some of these securities, stress. Deutsche Bank may struggle to pay the shares have plunged. Credit Suisse’s shares cally you have the upside of fixed income and temic concerns. Two-year euro interest-rate or to buy them back as interest on these securities next year, a report plunged to their lowest level since 1991 after the downside of equity,” said Gildas Surry, swap spreads—the difference between what soon as investors had from independent research firm CreditSights the Swiss bank posted its biggest quarterly a portfolio manager at Axiom Alternative banks and governments pay to borrow—were earlier on Monday said. The bank took the unu- loss since the crisis. Investments. “AT1s are instruments of reg- 35.1 basis points on Monday. That’s less than hoped sual step of saying that it has enough capacity Banks have issued about 91 billion euros ulators, by regulators, and for regulators.” the five-year average of 48.6 basis points and to pay coupons for the next two years. ($102 billion) of the riskiest notes, called Investors are not just concerned about far below the height of the global financial cri- “The worries about these bonds represent additional Tier 1 bonds,since April 2013. The banks missing interest payments, they are sis, when spreads surpassed 120 basis points. 32 WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS BACK TO BUSINESS

For sugar tax supporters, this sight year may be the sweet spot As Chinese tourists Reuters tighten belt, retailers

016 could be the year of the face unhappy times sugar tax, as several large nations consider levies on sweetened food and drinks to battle obesity and fatten Reuters Hong Kong Tourism Board. government2 coffers. Streets in Sheung Wan dis- For years, public health advocates trict, lined with stores selling have called for such measures as one dried seafood and various ton- prong of an attack against a grow- SYDNEY/HONG KONG: Watch- ics, are quiet rather than bustling. ing obesity epidemic that has fuelled ing a lone browser in his Sydney Shop owner Lin Ying Jui says trade rates of heart disease, diabetes and Chinatown shop, Bing Chen for his abalone, edible birds nests other illnesses, in both the developed is worried business is being and natural medicines is the and developing worlds. squeezed this Lunar New Year worst in decades. “I have been Supporters hope the taxes will of sugar taxes. They referred ques- 2011, up from 290 in 1991, accord- Nonetheless, Chile, Barbados and by what’s ailing the world econ- here for around 20 to 30 years, raise the cost of high-calorie products tions to trade group the International ing to a Coca-Cola company chart. Dominica instituted taxes in 2015 and omy at large — the weakest this year’s business performance and lead to a decline in consumption, Council of Beverage Associations. That compared with 2011 averages Belgium introduced one in January. Chinese economy in 25 years. is the worst,” said Lin Ying Jui in the same way that tobacco taxes ICBA Executive Director Kate Loat- of 403 in the United States and 92 In years gone by, Chen would Fuelling growth in the overall have helped reduce smoking. man said the bottler association in worldwide. BUSINESS IMPACT stay open until the wee hours, sell- number of Chinese tourists is a Opponents say taxes provide no Mexico opposed the tax and “worked In the first year after the 1 peso In India, a government-appointed ing kangaroo skins and Australian new breed of younger, independ- health benefits, unfairly target cer- with lawmakers and the media to ($0.07) per litre tax was implemented, panel has proposed a tax of as much wool to crowds of Chinese tour- ent travellers from the mainland. tain types of product, hurt jobs and make the point that the tax would raising prices by about 10 percent, as 40 percent on sugary drinks as part ists. But as the Year of the Monkey Countries like Australia are burden the poor. do nothing to improve public health”. consumers on average bought 6 per- of a broader fiscal overhaul. begins, stores like Chen’s are seeing investing in targeting that market, Scandinavian countries have had When asked about India, the cent fewer soft drinks per month, Coca-Cola India, which employs a drop in trade with newly budget- and more than 100,000 Chinese such taxes, with varying degrees of Philippines, Indonesia and Britain, according to research published last 25,000 staff, in December said the conscious Chinese either staying nationals applied for visas to visit success, for many years, and in 2012, she said: “While we understand that month in the BMJ journal. However, proposal would lead to a “sharp home or spending less. Australia in January alone, a record France and Hungary joined the list, there are discussions occurring in the decline accelerated over time, decline” in sales and that in such cir- “Our customers have halved,” for a single month. followed by Mexico in 2014. those countries, the bottom line is that reaching 12 percent by December. cumstances it would “have no option said Chen, standing by neatly But numbers of large, eld- But some public policy experts see taxes do not improve public health in There was also a 4 percent increase but to consider shutting down” cer- stacked shelves at his Sydney erly tour groups are dwindling in them becoming more widespread, as any country.” in purchases of non-taxed drinks, tain factories and plants. store. “We had to work till 2am Sydney’s Chinatown. How much nations seek to bolster their finances The tax debate has focused on such as bottled water, the study found. India and other developing markets and there were still customers they and others will spend over in an uncertain global economy and soda as health campaigners say they “The implementation of this tax in have been key to soft drink makers, as buying things but not any more.” the Lunar New year remains to a new generation of savvy consum- offer so-called “empty calories” with Mexico as a measure to prevent obes- their swelling middle classes buy ever While record numbers of be seen, and traders are bracing ers is more concerned about health scant nutrition and that those who ity and diabetes has positioned our more packaged goods. That has helped Chinese are travelling outside for customers being picky where and less trusting of big corporations. drink them do not feel as full as when country internationally as a leader offset weaker trends in mature mar- the mainland — 109 million last they once were spendthrift. “This puts political leaders in a they eat solid food like chocolate or in public health,” the National Insti- kets like the United States, where soda year, according to researcher GfK “Price is extremely impor- stronger position to enact policies candy and so do not eat less. tute of Public Health of Mexico, an sales have fallen for 10 straight years as — Chen’s fears echo data show- tant,” said Chenchao Zhuang, such as taxes because the companies As a result, duties in some coun- independent public health institu- more people choose drinks they regard ing growth in tourist spending is chief executive of Chinese travel aren’t considered unbreakable,” said tries such as France cover only drinks, tion associated with the Ministry of as healthier. dropping off quickly. platform Qunar Cayman Islands Kelly Brownell, dean of Duke Univer- and in some other places where the Health, said in October. The proposal in the Philippines The China National Tour- Ltd . “Consumers will have a wish- sity’s Sanford School of Public Policy tax is wider, such as Mexico, the levy But the impact on public health — which cleared a House of Repre- ism Administration in December list of places, and wherever has in North Carolina. on high-sugar food is less than that is a point of debate. Tom Sanders, a sentatives committee in November forecast 2015 outbound tourist the deepest discounts, that’s Now India, the Philippines and on drinks. professor of nutrition and dietetics at but still has a long way to go before spending at $194bn, according to where they’ll go.” Indonesia have said they are studying King’s College London, said the level passage - would see a tax of $0.22 state media. That equates to per Back in Sydney’s Chinatown, similar levies while Britain debated HEALTH IMPACT UNCLEAR of decline seen in Mexico would be per litre on soft drinks. That is three tourist spending growth of just shop owner Anna Liu said Chinese the issue in parliament late last year The Mexican tax, implemented equivalent to a person consuming times as much as the Mexican tax and 1.5 percent, compared with a 16.5 tourists - her target customers and Prime Minister David Cameron in January 2014, was part of a gov- about one sugar cube less per day, or would certainly upset a high-poten- percent rise the previous year. - “wouldn’t even haggle” in the said in January that he would not rule ernment policy aimed at improving “a drop in the caloric ocean”. tial market, analysts say. China’s slowing growth is also past as they bought handfuls of out a sugar tax. the health of one of the world’s fat- What is more, a 2014 study com- To keep up with changing showing up in weaker tourism vitamins, honey and kangaroo Brownell said Mexico was a test nations, where 70 percent of missioned by the European Union demand, drinks companies have spending much closer to home and shark extract products. “They watershed given the popularity of adults and 34 percent of children found that while food taxes reduce also expanded line-ups of low-calorie than Sydney. are more reluctant to spend their soft drinks there. “The fact that they are overweight or obese. It covered consumption of the taxed products, drinks, which are often exempt from In Hong Kong, visits from the money now,” Liu said. “They are (drinks companies) lost in Mexico was sugar-sweetened foods and drinks, consumers will often just switch to such taxes. Companies in the United mainland were down 15.5 per- more careful, they look up the pretty staggering,” he said. the consumption of which had rock- cheaper brands. And given how lit- States have also removed full-calo- cent in December, compared to prices online before they come Coca-Cola Co and PepsiCo, which eted over the past two decades. tle empirical data is available, it said rie sodas from schools, put calorie the year earlier, according to the to compare.” dominate a global soft drink market For example the average Mexi- evidence was inconclusive about the labels on the front of drinks, and worth nearly $870bn in annual sales, can drank 728 eight-ounce servings extent to which such taxes could aid funded physical activity and nutri- declined to comment on the issue of Coca-Cola Co’s various drinks in public health. tion programmes.

The world is not right….You always run this balance Capital between creating social unrest and creating David Samra, who oversees bubbles, and we’ve erred on the side of creating about $20bn for Artisan Comment bubbles Partners

TOP TWEETS BLOGS AND VIEWS Online ‘red envelopes’ Market Talk rocket for Chinese NY Moody’s Ratings News @ MoneyBeat MoodysRatings NAME IN THE MARKET: AFRICA’S MINERAL WEALTH Prime Money Market AFP Tencent, China’s largest Inter- Funds – Euro: Investors This market remains under net service portal. Exit in Droves, Pro- The service took off and pelled by ECB Actions, severe pressure from competitors soon joined the fray. Search for Yield mounting concerns about BEIJING: Billions of online Now Alipay Wallet, the pay- money transfers have taken ment system run by online retail growth, tumbling oil prices, place in China as the ancient giant Alibaba, and Tencent are Dealogic @Dealogic a strengthening dollar and Lunar New Year tradition of going head to head for a share handing out red envelopes of of the online payments. Global core investment shrinking earnings. cash met the Internet age. Alipay currently has 70 banking (IB) revenue of For centuries parents, rel- percent of the overall online $3.9bn in January 2016 atives and employers have payment market — which also was the lowest for the handed out “hong bao” — small includes bill settlement and month since January gifts of money — to children or internet shopping — with Ten- 2012 ($3.8bn) menial workers to celebrate the cent accounting for 20 percent. Wealth Adviser dawn of the new year. It’s a high-stakes game in China, World Bank Energy @ But in increasingly tech-savvy where online mobile payments WBG_Energy China, givers are abandoning the were worth some 2.420bn yuan red paper envelopes and opting ($368m) in the third quarter of #DidYouKnow that 1 instead to transfer money via last year, local media reported, billion+ ppl still lack Think twice about forecasts their mobile phone. On Sunday, cited market research group access to electricity? for economic growth and the eve of the Year of the Monkey, iResearch Consulting as saying. a staggering eight billion hong bao Even China’s Communist inflation before writing off were exchanged, eight times the Party has got in on the action bonds completely. number gifted last year, Internet in an attempt to court web users. World Bank @WorldBank giant Tencent said. To win a share of 300,000 The idea of electronic hong yuan-worth of electronic “red Only 15% of the world’s bao was introduced in recent envelopes” offered by the party population has high- years by WeChat, a mobile mes- on Alipay, users must first enter speed internet access! saging system with over 650 phrases coined by President Xi million users and operated by Jinping. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 37 PAGE | 39 Nadal to warm up NBA: James leads for Wimbledon at Cavaliers over Queen’s Club Sacramento Kings

WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 • 1 Jumada I 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Children show their judo skills during the National Sport Day celebrations in Doha yesterday. Energetic Qatar displays passion for sport on NSD

Thousands go outdoors for various activities as QOC celebrates historic year of cycling to commemorate the special day Minister of Public Health H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari (right), Minister of Culture and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali (centre) and AZF Acting CEO Mohammad Khalifa Al Suwaidi during the National Sport Day celebrations at Aspire Zone in Doha yesterday.

The Peninsula Ministers gather for NSD DOHA: The Qatar Olympic Commit- tee (QOC) has celebrated National Sport Day 2016 and ushered in a year celebrations at Aspire of cycling in Doha by hosting a ‘We Ride for Doha 2016’ cycling event at Qanat Quartier, The Pearl. DOHA: Thousands of sports enthu- National Sport Day.” Five ministers Elsewhere, National Sport Day siasts and families from across Qatar join members of the community to (NSD) has seen all ages and abilities yesterday turned out at the Aspire celebrate National Sport Day at the come together and ‘Be Olympic’ by Park yesterday to take part in the Aspire Zone. participating in Olympic activities country’s largest National Sport Day These included H E Salah bin across Qatar. celebrations. Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali, Minister of Speaking after the ‘We Ride for The event marked the culmi- Culture and Sports H E Dr Moham- Doha 2016’ event, the President of nation of months of planning with med bin Saleh Al Sada, Minister of the QOC, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad a programme carefully designed Energy and Industry; H E Dr Saleh Al Thani said: “The Qatar Olympic to take full advantage of Aspire’s bin Mohamed Al Nabit, Minister of Committee’s We Ride for Doha 2016 world-class venues and facilities Development Planning and Statis- event was a great way to usher in a and provide visitors with a unique tics H E Dr Hassan Lahdan Saqr Al year of cycling in Qatar. In addition and unforgettable experience. Mohannadi, Minister of Justice; and to the annual Tour of Qatar, this year Acting CEO of Aspire Zone Foun- H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, will see another historic first for Doha QOC President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani (left) takes a selfie with QOC Secretary-General Dr Thani dation (AZF) joins the Minister of Minister of Public Health. They were and the region with the hosting of the Al Kuwari (right) and Qatar Cycling Federation President Sheikh Khalid bin Ali Thani at Qanat Quartier, The Sport and Culture to launch the Fun joined by a number of senior dig- UCI Road World Championships in Pearl, Qatar yesterday. Run race nitaries and officials of public and October.” From early morning, huge private sector. “Over 1,000 cyclists from 75 Cookson, Belgian Cycling legend and Katara Cultural Village, the Corniche, crowds of people registered to take The visiting Ministers praise suc- countries around the world will com- multi-tour winner Eddy Merckx, the NATIONAL SPORT DAY Aspire Park and Al Gharafa as well as part in the Fun Run – one of the cessful organisation of Aspire Zone pete in the World Championships Ambassadors of several nations, the ACTIVITIES many others. major events of day – which took Foundation’s National Sport Day which we hope will raise the bar for presidents of Qatari Sporting Feder- In the year of the Rio 2016 Olym- place between 9:00am to 11:00am. activities, and encourage all mem- future editions, as well as inspire new ations, as well as members of Qatar’s pic Games, Qatar’s excited residents Open to all members of the commu- bers of the community to lead active, audiences in the Middle East who will cycling community. inflatable human foosball, wall- turned up in droves to celebrate NSD nity, the Fun Run course covered a healthy lifestyles. witness the event for the first time. It ‘We Ride for Doha 2016’, spon- climbing and much more. 2016 and ‘Be Olympic’ by trying over distance of 3 kilometres, starting Building on its commitment to was an honour to unite with our QOC sored by Al Meera, Strikke, Flash Cycling fans also had a chance to 30 different sports. close to Aspire Dome and taking promote a sports culture amongst colleagues and stakeholders to cele- Bikes and Aspetar, took the cyclists witness professional cyclists compete Commenting on the success of in a route that included a number young people in Qatar, Aspire brate this milestone year for cycling around the scenic Qanat Quartier in the Tour of Qatar as they passed this year’s National Sport Day, QOC of Aspire Zone’s main venues and Zone Foundation this year laid on in Qatar.” area of The Pearl after which partic- through The Pearl– giving them a Secretary General Al-Kuwari said: “It landmarks. a number of children’s activities The event was organised by the ipants enjoyed the QOC and UDC’s glimpse of the excitement to expect in is a hugely important year for sport Commenting on the day’s activi- including wall climbing and judo. QOC and the United Development numerous family-friendly sporting the upcoming UCI Road World Cham- in Qatar and around the world and ties, Mohammad Khalifa Al-Suwaidi, Children took part in sessions Company (UDC) and Sheikh Joaan activities and entertainment. pionships 2016 which will be held for we were extremely pleased to see so Acting CEO of Aspire Zone Founda- under the watchful eye and close along with the QOC Secretary General Taking place on the stunning the first time in the Middle East from many of Qatar’s residents celebrate tion, said: “Aspire Zone Foundation supervision of expert trainers who Dr Thani Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, setting of The Pearl’s Lido Venezia October 9 to 16 in Doha. the National Sport Day and share was fortunate today to receive vis- taught them the basics of climbing led the ride for all ages and abilities. Beach, the public were able to partici- Meanwhile, Qatar’s National the Olympic spirit by participating its from a number of Ministers and skills. Large numbers of children Joining them were numerous VIPs pate in football, volleyball, basketball, Sport Federations hosted a litany of in sporting activities all across the officials, and we thank their Excel- aged 8-12 also participated in judo including President of the UCI Brian fitness classes, an outdoor gym, an activities throughout Qatar including country.” lencies for joining us to celebrate training. 34 WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT

Celtic subdue Benfica AIPS Congress in Doha in five-goal thriller

yards out, in the inside right chan- the Bhoys a lifeline that their tepid Kenneth Mearns nel, and drilling a low shot that fizzed display thus far had scarcely merited. wide of the left-hand post. The second period began in a scores match winner The young Scots were struggling similar fashion to the first, with in 90th minute for to find cohesion in their build-up Benfica creating by far the better play, perhaps owing to the number chances. On 50 minutes,Semedo cut Scottish side against of personnel changes that had been in from left, but he dragged his shot Benfica in Al Kass made since the previous game, and wide. Then, approaching the hour International Cup they were made to pay for their hes- mark, Vasco Oliviera stepped out of itant approach on 23 minutes, when defence and hammered a fine strike Benfica broke the deadlock in tre- from outside the area that only just mendous style. missed, to the relief of McAdams in Edi Semedo set off on a maraud- goal. The Peninsula ing run from his own half, sprinting Four minutes later, Benfica clear to go one-on-one with McAd- deservedly regained the lead after ams, before a heavy touch from Dantas retrieved a loose ball on the DOHA: Celtic secured a sensational the Portuguese striker allowed the right of the area, chipping back in for last-ditch 3-2 victory against a Ben- keeper to save. Ricardo Campos to power his header fica side who had dominated from However, the Scots did not clear past a helpless McAdams. Christy White of Special Olympics, speaking at the 79th session of International Sports Press start to finish, to climb above their their lines, and the ball fell to Dantas- Despite their generally uncon- Portuguese rivals in the Al Kass Inter- wide on the left. He swung in a cross, vincing performance, Celtic Association (AIPS) Congress organised by Qatar Sports Media Committee in Doha yesterday. national Cup 2016 rankings. which Ricardo Campos met on the continued to show the fight that had Hundreds of people had flocked edge of the area with a powerful first- characterised their earlier matches, to Aspire Zone to participate in time volley that flew into the net. The and this battling approach again National Sport Day, and those who strike was undoubtedly a contender brought reward on 78 minutes, when attended the opening game of Day for Goal of the Tournament, and no Keiran Campbell picked up the ball 5 were treated to a marvellous foot- less than The Glorioso deserved for on the right corner of the area and National Sport Day balling spectacle. a dominant display. fed Christian Antoniazzi, whose first Both sides had failed to make it Indeed, Benfica should have been touch took him away from his marker to the knockout stage, having each two up on the half hour when Da before shooting low into the right- been drawn in particularly challeng- Fonseca was first to a bouncing ball hand corner for an equaliser that had ing groups. in the area, but he shanked his half seemed most unlikely on the balance Five minutes in, Benfica had a volley wide from eight yards, with of play. chance to open the scoring, when only the keeper to beat. Despite being under the cosh for full back Vasco Oliviera delivered The game was completely one- almost the entire game, Celtic rode an accurate cross from the left and sided at this stage, and Benfica their luck all the way to the 90th Pedro Correia climbed highest to should have been out of sight by half minute when, unbelievably, they stole thump a header just wide of the far time. Instead, on 43 minutes, Celtic the lead, and the game, in dramatic post. snatched an equaliser with their first fashion. Full back Stephen Welsh’s The Portuguese were making attempt on goal. Kerr McInroycrossed crossed from the left, and the ball fell most of the early running, and skip- from the left to Max Potter, who took to Kenneth Mearns 12 yards out, who per Tiago Dantas went close on 12 a touch before lashing the ball high volleyed home first time to secure a minutes after picking up the ball 25 into the net from close range, handing victory.

National Sport Day celebrations organised by Qatar Tennis Federation at Katara, Barzan Youth Centre (Umm Salal), Duhail School for girls, Global Academy and the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex A Celtic striker scores a goal past Benfica goalkeeper during their Al Kass International Cup at Aspire Zone yesterday. in Doha yesterday. Record participation at Dolphin Energy Doha Dash

The Peninsula

DOHA: An impressive 3,746 partic- ipants took part in the fourth annual Dolphin Energy Doha Dash that was held yesterday at Losail International Circuit as part of Qatar’s National Sport Day. Double Olympic gold medal- list Dame Kelly Holmes took part in the popular community event as she joined runners in the 10km race. Supporting the vision behind the Qatar National Sport Day, the Dol- phin Energy Doha Dash 2016, which has established itself as one of the most popular community events in the Qatari Capital, has attracted thousands of runners to Losail Inter- national Circuit today. Presenting the winners’ trophies this year were Dolphin Energy, GO Sport and Dame Kelly Holmes. The participants at the Dolphin Energy Doha Dash at Losail International Circuit yesterday. Right: The podium winners at the Dolphin Energy Doha Dash. Shamilah Halford came in first place in the women’s 5km run and finished the race in 21 minutes and first place with three minutes and 57 respectively. fun and this is a key message from family is also here with me, my wife challenge.” Jamie Cunningham, CEO three seconds, while in the men’s 5km seconds and Alex Watkins finished Double Olympic medallist Dame today’s event. ” and daughter enjoyed the activities and founder of Professional Sports race Hillary Rotich finished in 17 min- in three minutes and 46 seconds. Kelly Holmes and official Dolphin Mohamed Omar, a participant in in the Race Village. The event is well Group said, “The Dolphin Energy utes and eight seconds. Nicoleta Hodrogea and Hillary Nget- Energy Doha Dash 2016 ambassador the 10km race, said after completing organised which means that I will be Doha Dash has established itself as a As for the 3km women’s run, Ellie ich were named the winners of this said: “It has been a great opportu- the race: “This is the first time I run back next year.” key event in the Qatari National Sport Walters placed first with 11 minutes year’s newest addition, the 10km run, nity for me to return to Doha and one of the Doha Dash races; I enjoy Maylene Corazon who came with Day calendar. We at PSG are proud of and 56 seconds. Oliver Guilhem came that attracted hundreds of seasoned join the runners again this year. It athletics and the 10km race was a her friends added, “We look forward the success and support of the Qatari first in the men’s race and finished in runners from across the city they were was refreshing to see many families big mental and physical challenge to Doha Dash every year; I finished the community and would like to thank 10 minutes and 27 seconds. Erin King able to finish in 41 minutes 41 sec- coming out to participate and cheer for me, so I am glad I made it to the 3km run today and my friends espe- all the sponsors and partners for mak- finished the 1km run for children in onds and 31 minutes and 42 seconds each other on. Sports can be so much finish line in a reasonable time. My cially enjoyed the GO Sport basketball ing this possible.” SPORT WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 35 European clubs against 40-team World Cup Prince Ali backs Extending the World ECA GENERAL ASSEMBLY Cup from 32 to 40 call for FIFA teams would put too “The clubs acknowledge the election chief to much burden on clubs importance of national teams to the and inflict physical federations but we have a responsibil- stand down overload on players, ity to the players,” Gandini explained. Gandini revealed that Infantino says ECA had presented his manifesto to them AFP yesterday and that the Swiss intended to extend the World Cup to 40 teams AFP by 2026 if elected. PARIS: FIFA presidential con- “We have only recently agreed tender Prince Ali bin Al Hussein a new international calendar until yesterday backed a call for the PARIS: The European Club Associ- 2022, so we would be disappointed if world body’s election chief to stand ation (ECA) insisted yesterday that they were to try and impose a change down. extending the World Cup from 32 to already,” Gandini added. The former FIFA vice-presi- 40 teams would put too much burden “But we wish Gianni well, he dent from Jordan spoke out after on clubs and inflict physical overload deserves the best and FIFA deserve the Liberian FA chief said he would on players. the best. go to the Court of Arbitration for “We are satisfied with the bal- “We understand he needs to Sport if Domenico Scala, head of ance of interest and any change would attract votes from all over the world FIFA’s ad-hoc electoral committee, need very careful review,” insisted now, but on this point we cannot back does not stand down by Thursday. ECA vice-president Umberto Gandini. him.” Scala is Swiss-Italian like The AC Milan director was speak- “We had a good relationship with Gianni Infantino, the UEFA gen- ing at the end of a two day working him at UEFA and he was always on eral secretary who is also one of session in Paris with a bouquet of our side, so while we cannot endorse European Club Association (ECA) General Secretary Michele Centenaro talks with ECA 1st Vice-Chairman five candidates in the February subjects on the club lobby group’s a candidate for an election in which Umberto Gandini (left) during a press conference following the 16th ECA General Assembly in Paris, France, 26 election to head the scandal- agenda, chiefly aimed at combating we do not yet have a vote, we wish yesterday. tainted world body. Scala pulled FIFA reforms to the World Cup. him well and look forward to work- out of the organisation of last ECA said “the burden on players ing with him or whoever is elected,” negotiating a 150 million euros ($169 5800 euros per player per day, start- leader of the group’s predecessor the year’s FIFA race because he has the has become too much” and described Gandini said. million) compensation package for ing two weeks before the tournament G14 explained that all teams who had same nationality as Sepp Blatter. the new proposal by FIFA presidential The ECA was set up in 2008 and teams whose players are selected for begins and running until the day fol- players participating in the Euro 2016 “The suggestion by the Libe- candidate Gianni Infantino as lead- has 2220 members from 53 associ- the Euro 2016. lowing their elimination. Jean-Michel qualifiers, would get around 4000 rian Football Association that the ing to physical overload. ations and they have succeeded in The cash is to be paid at around Aulas the Lyon president and one time euros per player per game played. head of FIFA’s ad-hoc electoral committee should step down is a valid request and in keeping with the precedent set by the committee chairman exactly one year ago,” Prince Ali said in a statement. “Avoiding even the appearance English Premier League unveils new look of a conflict of interest is partic- ularly important at a time when AFP Federation (FSF), which represents people around the world, including SPONSOR-FREE IDENTITY fans in England and Wales, said it players and fans, are question- UNVEILED would convene a meeting to dis- ing FIFA’s integrity and ethical LONDON: The English Premier cuss coordinated action, including standards.” League unveiled its new, sponsor- a simultaneous fan walkout at top- Prince Ali said all 209 mem- free “visual identity” yesterday, which before Barclays itself took up the flight fixtures. ber associations “must have full will take effect from the 2016-17 sea- reins three years later. “The FSF will be convening a confidence that the integrity of the son onwards. Barclays paid £120 million ($173.2 meeting of representatives of sup- election is beyond question. The money-spinning English top million, 154.8m euros) in 2012 for its porters’ organisations across the “If any member association flight is ending its 12-year associa- most recent three-year contract. Premier League to discuss the next has concerns about the imparti- tion with Barclays bank in favour of By dropping its title sponsor, the steps in the campaign,” FSF chief ality of the electoral process, those becoming a ‘clean brand’ and will Premier League is bringing itself in executive Kevin Miles told the concerns must be respected and from now on be known simply as line with major American sporting Telegraph. taken seriously.” Liberian FA chief ‘the Premier League’. competitions such as the NFL and “There are a number of options. Musa Bility wrote to Scala on Mon- The new logo -- a crowned lion’s NBA. The Liverpool walkout very success- day calling for him to stand aside head gazing to the right, accompa- The Premier League is the most fully highlighted the whole issue of over a potential “conflict of inter- nied by either the words ‘Premier lucrative football championship in the affordability of football and the est”, the BBC reported. League’ or ‘PL’ -- will replace the cur- the world, with 17 of its clubs fea- clubs need to be made to listen.” “Following an unprecedented rent logo of a lion with its left paw on turing in the top 30 of financial Supporters in England are angry period of sustained turmoil and a football. consultants Deloitte’s most recent that ticket prices are rising at a time damage for Fifa as an institution, “From next season we will move football rich list. when Premier League clubs stand the fairness and integrity of the away from title sponsorship and the The coming year will see its to receive a windfall of around £8 current electoral process are abso- competition will be known as the wealth swell yet further, with a new billion from new television rights lutely vital for FIFA,” Bility wrote. Premier League, a decision which domestic television rights deal worth deals. Liverpool cancelled plans to Bility had wanted to be in the provided the opportunity to consider £5.14 billion due to kick in at the start hold a question-and-answer session FIFA campaign but did not pass how we wanted to present ourselves of the 2016-17 season. for fans with chief executive Ian Ayre FIFA’s eligibility check. He warned as an organisation and competition,” The forthcoming sale of overseas on Monday, but the club said they Scala that if he did not receive said Premier League managing direc- TV rights for the period 2016-2019 is would revisit the matter. word within three days “that you tor Richard Masters in a press release. expected to add around a further £3 The club’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, are stepping down ... with immedi- “We are very pleased with the billion to the pot. said that “everyone in the club has a ate effect, the Liberian FA reserves outcome: a visual identity which is Meanwhile, football fans in Eng- big interest in finding a solution for its right to challenge that decision relevant, modern and flexible that land are considering a mass walkout this”. by all available routes.” will help us celebrate everyone that in protest at rising Premier League Liverpool great Jamie Carragher The BBC quoted a FIFA spokes- makes the Premier League. ticket prices, the Daily Telegraph joined in with the walkout at Anfield man as saying there was no “We look forward to sharing reported yesterday. on Saturday and was pictured on conflict of interest. Apart from more details of our new positioning An estimated 10,000 Liverpool social media posing with a fan out- Prince Ali and Infantino, Asian in the coming months.” supporters left Anfield in the 77th side the ground. confederation chief Sheikh Salman Canadian brewery Carling was minute of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Meanwhile, former Newcastle bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa of Bah- the Premier League’s first title spon- Sunderland in protest over plans to United striker Alan Shearer used his rain, South African tycoon Tokyo Chelsea’s Diego Costa (right) vies for the ball with Manchester United’s sor between 1993 and 2001. introduce a most expensive match role on the BBC’s flagship ‘Match of Sexwale and former FIFA official Chris Smalling during the English Premier League soccer match in London, Barclaycard, an offshoot of Brit- ticket of £77 ($112, 99 euros). the Day’ highlights programme to Jerome Champagne of France are Britain, on Saturday. ish bank Barclays, took over in 2001 The Football Supporters condemn clubs for raising prices. standing in the election. Klopp says owners want solution to Liverpool ticket row

AFP “I heard about this problem but “LFC thanks fans for submitting solution. “I heard about this problem questions for tonight’s Q&A however I’ve had a lot of things to do in the questions for tonight’s Q&A however ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE but I’ve had a lot of things to do in due to ongoing ticketing discussions, last few weeks, but now I know it is due to ongoing ticketing discussions, the last few weeks, but now I know it this will no longer take place,” said LONDON: Jurgen Klopp says Liver- my problem too, of course,” Klopp this will no longer take place,” said is my problem too, of course,” Klopp a statement on the club’s Twitter pool’s owners are keen to heal their said on Monday ahead of today’s a statement on the club’s Twitter and everything was okay.” Mean- said on Monday ahead of the FA Cup account. rift with the club’s fans after the FA Cup fourth round replay at West account. while, Klopp says Liverpool’s owners fourth round replay at West Ham. Klopp was back at work after his Anfield walkout protest over ticket Ham. Klopp was back at work after his are keen to heal their rift with the “But everything I could say about surgery scare over the weekend hav- prices. “But everything I could say about surgery scare over the weekend hav- club’s fans after the Anfield walkout this now would make it more com- ing decided he was healthy enough An estimated 10,000 Reds this now would make it more com- ing decided he was healthy enough protest over ticket prices. plicated because first of all I have to to be involved in preparations for the supporters made a 77th-minute plicated because first of all I have to to be involved in preparations for the An estimated 10,000 Reds collect a few bits of information. West Ham clash. departure, timed to relate to the £77 collect a few bits of information. West Ham clash. supporters made a 77th-minute “What I know is everyone in the “I feel good and I am back in the ($112, 99 euros) it will cost for the most “What I know is everyone in the “I feel good and I am back in the departure, timed to relate to the £77 club has a big interest in finding a race,” Klopp said. expensive match ticket at Anfield next club has a big interest in finding a race,” Klopp said. it will cost for the most expensive solution for this. “I figured if I feel bad I should stay season, during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at solution for this. “I figured if I feel bad I should stay match ticket at Anfield next season, “It is not what we want, we don’t at home, but I feel good. home to Sunderland. “It is not what we want, we don’t at home, but I feel good. during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home want the people leaving the stadium “If I am not fit then I cannot help Liverpool manager Klopp was not want the people leaving the stadium “If I am not fit then I cannot help to Sunderland. before the game is finished. here and I would be at home. Every- at the Premier League fixture as he before the game is finished. here and I would be at home. Every- Liverpool manager Klopp was not “That is all I can say about this, but thing is okay and we don’t have to talk was undergoing emergency surgery “That is all I can say about this, but thing is okay and we don’t have to talk at the Premier League fixture as he of course when I heard it (the walk- about this any more. on an appendix problem. of course when I heard it (the walk- about this any more. was undergoing emergency surgery out) I was disappointed.” “I am very thankful for our doc But having been prevented from out) I was disappointed.” “I am very thankful for our doc on an appendix problem. The club have cancelled a ques- (club medic Andy Massey) because answering questions about the pric- The club have cancelled a ques- (club medic Andy Massey) because But having been prevented from tion and answer session with chief he said we should go to hospital -- I ing structure before the match the tion and answer session with chief he said we should go to hospital -- I answering questions about the pric- executive Ian Ayre scheduled to be was not too sure -- and the surgeon German now says he has sympathy executive Ian Ayre scheduled to be was not too sure -- and the surgeon ing structure before the match the broadcast on the club’s television was great, a season ticket-holder with supporters and expects US-based broadcast on the club’s television sta- was great, a season ticket-holder German now says he has sympathy station on Monday evening as the who told me we both didn’t want to owners Fenway Sports Group to find tion on Monday evening as the row who told me we both didn’t want to with supporters and expects US-based row over ticket prices continues. see the game, I had the best nurses a solution. over ticket prices continues. see the game, I had the best nurses owners Fenway Sports Group to find a “LFC thanks fans for submitting and everything was okay.” 36 WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT

Teams must compromise Top clubs to review Champions on ticket prices: Lyon League format with UEFA President AFP

can bring to have the most attractive breakaway league. FIFA threatened The European football product,” ECA vice-chairman national associations, clubs and play- PARIS: Lyon President Jean Michel Umberto Gandini told a news confer- ers with suspension if they joined the Aulas predicted yesterday that Club Association is ence yesterday. proposed Super League. market logic would prevail in the working with UEFA to “This is a process that will last six UEFA killed off the plan by Premier League ticket price rift to nine months maximum.” expanding the Champions League, because full stadiums make excit- review the format of All teams currently have to qual- offering clubs a greater slice of tele- ing football, which in turn makes the continent’s elite ify for the competition by virtue of vision and sponsorship revenue, and exciting and lucrative television. their domestic league position in the increasing prize money. “In football one of the funda- competition previous season. The Champions League group mental elements is the presence Former Germany striker Rum- stage was expanded from 24 to inside the stadium of a certain AFP menigge, who is chief executive of 32 teams while the Cup Winners’ amount of spectators,” Aulas said, Bayern Munich, told a German news- Cup and UEFA Cup competitions when asked his views on the £77 paper last month that a European were merged to form the Europa it will cost for the most expensive PARIS: Europe’s biggest soccer clubs, league was a possibility. League. match ticket at Liverpool next keen to secure automatic entry into “I don’t rule out that in the future European club competitions season. the Champions League, are working a European league will be founded, run in three-year cycles and major At Anfield on Saturday over with UEFA to review the format of the in which the biggest teams from Italy, changes to the structure only take 10,000 Liverpool supporters left continent’s elite competition. Germany, England, Spain and France place at the end of each cycle. The Anfield in the 77th minute (to relate The European Club Association will play,” he said. current cycle will end after the 2017- to the £77 ticket) of the 2-2 draw (ECA) represents over 200 clubs However, Olympique Lyonnais 18 season. with Sunderland in protest at the including all the major ones such as president Jean-Michel Aulas believes “We are following the usual path, hike in price. Club great Jamie Car- Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, that is currently a step too far. every three years we analyse with ragher joined in and was pictured Bayern Munich, Manchester United “It’s premature to consider the UEFA, within the ECA, the success of on social media posing with a fan and Chelsea. idea of a ‘super league’,” he said the competition, the possible amend- outside the ground. ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rum- yesterday. ments, changes, and this is exactly Liverpool manager Jurgen menigge has suggested the top clubs Proposals for a so-called Euro- the phase we’re in at the moment,” Klopp says the club’s owners are should get direct entry into the lucra- pean Super League, featuring the Gandini said. keen to resolve the row. tive Champions League, which continent’s top clubs, have come and The independent ECA, which “What I know is everyone in European governing body UEFA gone over the years. replaced the G-14 group of leading the club has a big interest in find- launched in the 1992-93 season to In 1998, Milan-based sports mar- clubs in 2008, promotes its members ing a solution for this,” he said on replace the European Cup. keting company Media Partners held interests on European club matters Monday. A file picture of the Champions League trophy. Europe’s biggest “We’re starting the review proc- talks with leading clubs, including and aims to be involved in the deci- “It is not what we want, we ess of the Champions League to see AC Milan and Manchester United, sion-making process of the game’s clubs, are working with UEFA to review the format of the continent’s don’t want the people leaving with UEFA which improvements we as they sought to build support for a governing bodies. elite competition. the stadium before the game is finished.” Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer used his role on the BBC’s flagship ‘Match of the Big European sides support Infantino for FIFA presidency Day’ programme to condemn clubs for raising prices. For Aulas, club owners need to listen to rumblings of discontent from the terraces. Reuters and the ECA,” Gandini said. “We see and South African Tokyo Sexwale, of the World Cup from 32 to 40 teams “When the price is right some- his candidacy as a nice opportunity a former political prisoner who was - an idea supported by Infantino. thing happens when you get a full for him which hopefully will benefit jailed alongside Nelson Mandela. “This is in the hands of FIFA and stadium, and that makes for better PARIS: Europe’s biggest soccer clubs football worldwide. UEFA’s Infantino and Asian it will be in the hands of the new television and more television rev- have backed UEFA interim chief “He has the skills to perform very Football Confederation (AFC) chief FIFA structure after the election,” enue,” explained Aulas, who was Gianni Infantino’s (pictured) FIFA well,” he added ahead of this month’s Salman are front-runners to win the said Gandini. attending a two day European Club presidential campaign having worked vote at the scandal-plagued world February 26 vote at FIFA, which has “We will expect to be at the table Association ECA meeting in Paris. closely with the Swiss through their governing body. been embroiled in a huge corruption to discuss all the possible reforms and “A balance has to be found. umbrella European Club Association The independent ECA, which scandal with 41 people and entities we will bring our contribution and And if there is this reaction today (ECA) group. replaced the G-14 group of indicted by the US Department of our evaluation, which can only be from supporters groups obviously ECA vice-chairman Umberto leading clubs in 2008, has two rep- Justice. negative today. the club directors will realise it.” Gandini announced the decision resentatives on the UEFA executive Salman has the backing of his “We are not there yet (at the point Aulas said he felt that there on yesterday at a news conference committee but has no direct role in own AFC and the Confederation where changes to the World Cup for- was so much money in England during the general assembly of the the presidential voting which is con- of African Football (CAF), while mat would be made) but we are not because clubs had invested, but organisation, which represents over ducted by FIFA’s 209 members. 45-year-old Infantino, UEFA’s gen- now in a situation of supporting such that without the famously enthu- 200 clubs including major ones such The other election candidates are eral secretary, has the support of his an idea,” he added. siastic English fans they might see as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman Bin Ebra- European organisation along with the The ECA promotes its members a turn around in affairs. and Bayern Munich. him Al Khalifa, ex-FIFA executive 10-member South American confed- interests on European club matters “They are lucky to have such “We know Gianni very well. He committee member Prince Ali Bin eration CONMEBOL. and aims to maintain a high level of massive television revenues,” he has been instrumental in the crea- Al Hussein, former FIFA deputy gen- The ECA also voiced its strong involvement in the decision-making said. tion of the relationship between UEFA eral secretary Jerome Champagne opposition to the possible expansion of the game’s governing bodies. “Much higher ones that in other countries. However that’s because they have invested in that. In the game, on stadiums, on the atmos- phere and fans have a great deal to Fairytale title bid is piece of cake for relaxed Ranieri do with that atmosphere so clubs will realise it’s in their interests to find the right balance.” At the same meeting AC Milan AFP greeted with widespread ridicule. win at Manchester City, Ranieri’s men striker Gary Lineker before describing sacked by Chelsea, where his con- director Umberto Gandini also Ranieri’s unfashionable club head find themselves installed as the book- the July appointment as an “uninspir- stant rotation of the team led him expressed admiration for the to title rivals Arsenal on Sunday sit- makers’ favourites for the title. And, ing choice”. to be unflatteringly labelled “the Premier League and its colossal LONDON: As Claudio Ranieri ting five points clear at the top of the in an era where the ‘greed is good’ Former Tottenham boss Harry tinkerman”. revenue, but pointed a finger at the returned to Leicester’s Belvoir Drive table as they chase the most remark- mantra of the league’s superpowers Redknapp questioned how Ranieri The 64-year-old has never won a competitive roll commercial reve- training base on Monday to start plot- able triumph in the history of English grows more unpalatable by the year, could “walk back into the Premier top-flight league title during an itiner- nues had on certain clubs. ting the latest chapter in his club’s football. Only last year Leicester were Leicester are also the choice of neu- League” after being sacked as Greece ant 30-year managerial career, which “It’s an amazing league and fairytale challenge for the Premier fighting a desperate battle to avoid trals captivated by the unexpected coach, while a significant section of featured stops at 12 clubs including has consistently high revenues. If League title, it was hard to believe relegation under Ranieri’s predeces- renaissance of the colourful Ranieri. Leicester’s fanbase were equally Juventus, Roma and Inter Milan, while you look how revenues are distrib- that just seven months ago the Ital- sor Nigel Pearson. “Claudio Ranieri? Really?” scathing. Ranieri had been away his last major silverware was the 1999 uted at English clubs it’s a situation ian’s arrival at the plush facility was Yet, after Saturday’s stunning 3-1 tweeted former Leicester and England from England for 11 years since being Copa del Rey with Valencia. of real equality,” he said. Mercedes expect McLaren to raise their game in new season

Reuters FORMULA ONE 2016-17 Mercedes domination. McLaren fin- SEASON ished ninth of 10 teams last season, plagued by unreliability and a lack LONDON: Formula One champions of power. Mercedes expect to be beaten by Fer- “They have come in quickly and rari this season and also see McLaren third title and winning 10 grands prix they are learning in front of the pub- catching up fast after a dismal 2015 to team mate Nico Rosberg’s six. The lic but they’re hugely determined, for the Honda-powered team, engine team have won 32 of 38 races in the and partnered with McLaren, who head Andy Cowell said. last two years. are hugely determined,” said Cowell. “Nobody here is assuming we McLaren, the sport’s second “We know exactly how McLaren are going to win. Everybody here is most successful team after Ferrari, work in terms of a data-driven assuming we’re going to get beaten by have not won a race since 2012 and approach, so they are going to make Ferrari, and Honda are a big threat,” were powered by Mercedes engines some big, big gains,” he added. the BBC quoted the Mercedes execu- until starting a new partnership with Cowell said there was plenty tive as saying on a recent factory visit. Honda last year. more to come from the Mercedes Ferrari won three of 19 races last They have Spaniard Fernando engine, with some ‘mind-blowing’ season, the first year at Maranello for Alonso and Britain’s Jenson Button, gains seen in the area of thermal effi- four-times champion Sebastian Vet- both champions, racing for them. ciency -- how much of the energy in tel after the German’s move from Red Honda faced a steep learning the fuel is converted into power from British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton (centre) of Mercedes AMG GP and Head of Mercedes-Benz Bull. curve, returning a year after the the engine. Mercedes won the rest, with Brit- introduction of the new V6 turbo The season, with a record 21 Motorsports, Toto Wolff (left) pose with Petronas officials during the Petronas Winning Formula press ain’s Lewis Hamilton clinching his hybrid engines triggered the era of races, starts in Australia on March 20. conference at Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in this December 2, 2015 file picture. SPORT WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 37

Barty’s return to court a loss for cricket

Reuters back into tennis this week by playing doubles at a $25,000 event in Perth on the second- tier ITF circuit. MELBOURNE: Ashleigh Her 2011 girls title at Barty’s short stint as a pro- Wimbledon at the age of 15 fessional cricketer has helped raised hopes in Australia the former Wimbledon jun- she might one day become a ior champion refresh for grand slam singles champion. the grind of the tennis tour, As it turned out, she according to her cricket coach enjoyed more initial success Andy Richards. in doubles. The 19-year-old Austral- A stellar 2013 saw her ian announced her return pair up with compatriot to the court on Monday, 17 Casey Dellacqua and make months after stunning her the women’s doubles finals T wo umpires banned for life home country by quitting the at three of the four grand game that promised so much slams. for her. There were more modest Barty’s second stab at her returns the following season announced yesterday. Kirill Par- Croatia had his certification sus- announced, to be overseen by the TIU. first love has been warmly and she walked away from fenov of Kazakhstan was banned for pended on August 1, 2015 for 12 Explaining why Parfenov and Pit- welcomed by local players the game after the 2014 US Fixing scandal hits life in February 2015 for contacting months for sending information on ner’s bans had not previously been and tennis fans alike, but the Open having pocketed over tennis world as another official in a bid to “manipu- the physical well-being of a player to made public, the ITF and TIU said door will always be open for $930,000 in prize money. direct contacts with late the scoring of matches”, the ITF a coach during a tournament and reg- it was because they had been sanc- a return to cricket given the It was not long before said in a joint-statement with the Ten- ularly logging on to a betting account tioned under a code of conduct for aptitude she showed for the the competitive fires raged gamblers found nis Integrity Unit (TIU). from which bets were placed on ten- officials that did not allow for pub- team game. again and Richards was Croatia’s Denis Pitner was sus- nis matches.” lic disclosure. “She could have played immediately impressed by pended for a year last August after The Guardian said that the They said that future sanctions cricket for Australia inside 12 the teenager who pitched up passing on information about a play- offences related to matches in eastern of a similar nature would be made months,” Richards, her coach in Brisbane for a first crack Reuters er’s fitness to a coach and accessing a Europe on the Futures Tour, which is public. The ITF and TIU also con- at Queensland Fire and Bris- at Australia’s favourite team betting account that was used to place the lowest level of professional tennis. firmed that four other umpires have bane Heat, told yesterday. sport. bets on tennis matches. Confirming The story follows allegations been suspended pending investiga- “She’s one of those “I chucked her on a bowl- a story broken by the Guardian, the about elite-level match-fixing made tion by the TIU. unique individuals who is ing machine. She hit about LONDON: Two tennis umpires have ITF and TIU said: “Kirill Parfenov of by the BBC and BuzzFeed shortly “In order to ensure no prejudice multi-talented. She made 150-odd balls and didn’t nick been banned for corruption and Kazakhstan was decertified for life in before the start of the Australian of any future hearing we cannot pub- the transition very, very eas- any of them. Middled most of four more are currently suspended February 2015 for contacting another Open last month. In response to licly disclose the nature or detail of ily ... I’d be more than happy them. It was quite startling, while under investigation, the Inter- official on Facebook. those claims, an independent review those investigations,” the two organ- to have her back.” even if she wasn’t technically national Tennis Federation (ITF) “Separately, Denis Pitner of into anti-corruption measures was isations said. Unranked, Barty will ease correct,” he said. Nadal to warm up for Wimbledon at Queen’s Club Baby girl for British

Reuters tennis star Murray GEARING UP FOR WIMBLEDON AFP after the defeat to Djokovic, saying: LONDON: Spaniard Rafael Nadal “You have been a legend the last two will sharpen his grasscourt game many good players,” Nadal said in weeks, thank you so much for all of at London’s Queen’s Club ahead of a statement. your support. Wimbledon in June, organisers of the Before his thoughts turn to grass, LONDON: British tennis star Andy “I’ll be on the next flight home,” Aegon Championships said yester- however, Nadal will seek to return Murray has become a father for the he said. During the tournament in day. to the kind of form that once made first time after his wife Kim Sears Melbourne, Murray and Sears suf- The 14-times grand slam cham- him dominate men’s tennis, partic- gave birth to a baby girl on Sunday, fered a major scare when her father pion, ranked fifth in the world, has ularly on clay. the BBC reported yesterday. Nigel, a tennis coach, collapsed fond memories of Queen’s, having Nadal suffered a disappointing Murray and Sears, who are both courtside and was taken to hospital. won the title there in 2008 before first-round exit at the Australian 28, got married in the world number The Lawn Tennis Association, going on to beat Roger Federer a few Open and with his 30th birthday two’s home town of Dunblane in the sport’s governing body in Brit- weeks later and claim his first Wim- looming, his aura is in danger of Scotland in April last year. ain, yesterday tweeted a picture of bledon crown. fading. The Scot, who has won two Murray and Sears on their wedding Defending champion Andy He has not won a title since Grand Slams in his career, reached day with the message: “Congratula- Murray is also confirmed for the tra- August in Hamburg and has not the final of the Australian Open last tions to @andy_murray & Kim Sears ditional warm-up event which starts added to his grand slam collection month but lost to Serbian world on the birth of their baby girl!” on June 13. since the 2014 French Open when he number one Novak Djokovic. Murray last year reached the “Holding that trophy again would ruled at Roland Garros for a record Spain’s He made a dash to the airport to semi-finals of the French Open and be amazing although I am well ninth time. Rafael Nadal fly home to his pregnant wife after Wimbledon and steered Great Britain aware of the difficulties because He is top seed at this week’s Bue- his defeat on January 31. to its first Davis Cup title in almost the tournament always has so nos Aires Open. Murray sent a message to Sears 80 years. Kenya fears Zika may put athletes at risk

Agencies Impact of Zika

NAIROBI: Kenya’s Olympic chief virus on Olympic has raised the possibility of pulling out of the Rio Olympics this sum- preparations mer if the outbreak of the Zika virus worsens in Brazil, reports said yesterday. AUSTRALIA Kipchoge Keino, the National Australia’s Olympic Committee said no athletes have indicated Olympic Committee of Kenya they intended to withdraw, but it would “totally understand” if (NOCK) chairman, said the East they did. African nation may consider pull- ing out of the competition should National Olympic Committee BRITAIN the disease reach epidemic British Olympic Association Chairman Lord Sebastian Coe said levels. of Kenya chairman Kipchoge none of the country’s athletes were reluctant to go. But British “We will wait until the last Keino. minute. We are relying on advice rower Andrew Triggs Hodge said his wife Eeke would not ac- from health organisations in company him because of the “very real and frightening threat” Rio, Brazil, to enable us make an posed by Zika. ZIKA OUTBREAK AHEAD informed decision,” Keino said, OF OLYMPICS according to Kenya’s Standard JAPAN newspaper. Japan’s Olympics Committee Chairman Tsunekazu Takeda said “If the Zika virus is serious, no athletes were thinking of “boycotting the Olympics”. then we will not attend the games. However, Zika was first dis- We will not expose our youths. The covered in East Africa, in Kenya’s A municipal agent sprays anti Zika KENYA health of our people is more impor- neighbour Uganda. mosquitos chemical product at the Kenya threatened to pull its elite runners and other athletes out tant than the games... but if the Zika Jackson Tuwei, the Athletics sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro in of the Rio Olympics unless it got assurances they would not be virus is not so dangerous, we will Kenya President, said they would this January 26 file photo. Brazil is exposed. go.” first seek the advice of the health mobilising more than 200,000 troops Kenya is famed for its athletes authorities and the government to go “house to house” in the battle NEW ZEALAND and marathon runners, topping before making a decision. against Zika-carrying mosquitoes, New Zealand’s Olympics Committee issued a warning to its the medal table in last year’s world “We will have intense con- athletes and officials of the risks. Any competitors who decide athletics championships in Beijing, sultations with the government blamed for causing horrific birth defects to opt out would receive the committee’s “absolute support”, a taking seven golds, six silvers and and all other stakeholders. I think in a major regional health scare. committee spokeswoman said. three bronze medals. by August we will have a solu- The Zika outbreak, a largely tion,” Tuwei said, according to the mosquito-borne virus believed to Standard. their health over the Zika virus officials and leaders of US sport one should go to Brazil “if they UNITED STATES be linked to severe birth defects, Earlier, the United States should consider not going to the federations in late January, accord- don’t feel comfortable going. Bot- The United States Olympic Committee told sports federations has sparked fears of infections in Olympic Committee also told Rio Games in August. ing to two people who participated tom line,” said Donald Anthony, that athletes and staff concerned for their health should con- Brazil, which will host the Olym- US sports federations that ath- The message was delivered in in the call. president and board chairman of sider not going to the Games. pcsbetweepics between A ugust5ugust 5-23. letesetes an d stastaff con cern ed fo or acoa confe ere nce ceca call involv voving gUSOC USOC Fedeed erat atoions sweetodt were told that at no USA Fe nc ing. 38 WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT SL pacemen hand India defeat in Pune

CRICKET: SRI LANKA TOUR Unheralded Rajitha TO INDIA and Shanaka grab three wickets each unbeaten 31 to be the highest scorer to demolish strong for India. Indian batting line-up Asked to bat first on a green wicket, the Indian batsmen struggled as visitors win by five to cope with the appreciable swing wickets and off-the-pitch movement gener- ated by the Lankan pacers. Rajitha handed Sri Lanka the advantage right at the start by dis- missing Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya IANS Raane in the opening over. Sharma virtually gifted away his wicket, placing a lofted drive off Rajitha neatly into the hands of Cha- PUNE: Sri Lanka rode on a strong meera at long-off. Rahane also fell bowling performance to defeat India to a careless shot, offering and easy by five wickets in their first Twenty20 upper edge to Chandimal at short International (T20I) at the Maharash- extra cover while attempting to play tra Cricket Association Stadium here across the line. yesterday. The right-arm pacer should have Chasing a meagre target of 102 bagged another wicket in his second runs, the Lankans were boosted by a over when Suresh Raina was sur- 39-run partnership by Dinesh Chan- prised by the extra bounce of a short dimal (35) and Chamara Kapugedera pitched delivery. The upper edge car- (25) to romp home with two overs to ried to third man where Danushka spare. Gunathilaka dropped a sitter. Earlier, rookie pacers Kasun Shikhar Dhawan enjoyed no Rajitha (3/29) and Dasun Shanaka such luck a short while later when he Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka (left) celebrates after trapping India’s Hardik Pandya LBW during their first T20 International at theCA M International (3/16) played a crucial role for the vis- attempted to smash a slightly outgoing itors with a three-wicket haul each. delivery to the leg side. The ball took Cricket Stadium in Pune yesterday. Rajitha enjoyed a memorable the flew off the top edge to third man debut, bagging two wickets in his where Gunathilaka made amends for very first over in international cricket. his previous error. Ashwin tried to produce a late pacer Ashish Nehra dismissed debu- Chandimal and Kapugedera put Lankans in some trouble by bag- Fast bowler Dushmantha Cha- When Shanaka sent back Raina fight-back lower down the order, but tant opener Niroshan Dickwella in the then took charge, ably negotiating ging two wickets for just 13 runs in his meera (2/14) also bowled well, picking and India skipper Mahendra Singh rapidly ran out of partners as wick- third ball of the Sri Lankan innings. the Indian bowling despite a cou- three overs. But Milinda Siriwardana up a couple of wickets, including that Dhoni with a couple of beautiful deliv- ets continued to fall at the other end. Gunathilaka – the other opener – ple of close calls. The introduction of (21 not out) played a spirited innings of star batsman Yuvraj Singh. eries in the ninth over, India were in Defending a small total, the hosts went cheaply as well, miscueing a pull Ashwin into the attack paid rich div- lower down the order to guide the vis- Ravichandran Ashwin scored an deep trouble at 51/5. had a glimmer of hope when veteran off a short pitched delivery by Nehra. idends for India as the off-spinner itors to victory with 12 balls to spare.

SCOREBOARD De Kock, Amla INDIA Bowling: Rajitha 4-0-29-3; Perera 3-1-10-0; World T20: Smith takes centuries help SA R Sharma c Chameera b Rajitha 0 Senanayake 3-0-18-1; Chameera 3.5-0-14-2; S Dhawan c Gunathilaka b Rajitha 9 Shanaka 3-0-16-3; Prasanna 2-0-11-0. sink England A Rahane c Chandimal b Rajitha 4 SRI LANKA N Diwckwella c Dhawan b Nehra 4 S Raina b Shanaka 20 PRETORIA: Centuries from open- M Gunathilaka c Dhawan b Nehra 9 over as Australia captain Y Singh c & b Chameera 10 ers Quinton de Kock and Hashim M S Dhoni c Dickwella b Shanaka 2 D Chandimal lbw Raina 35 Amla guided South Africa to a

C Kapugedara lbw Ashwin 25 seven-wicket victory over Eng- H Pandya lbw Shanaka 2 AFP land yesterday that kept alive their R Jadeja lbw Senanayake 6 M Siriwardana (not out) 21 hopes of winning the five-match D Shanaka c Raina b Ashwin 3 R Ashwin (not out) 31 series of one-day internationals. A Nehra c Siriwardana b Chameera 6 S Prasanna (not out) 3 Joe Root made a sparkling 125 J Bumrah (run out) 0 Extras (LB-3, W-2) 5 SYDNEY: Australian selectors yes- as England, after winning the toss Extras (B-2, LB-1, W-8) 11 Total (for 5 wkts in 18 overs) 105 terday dumped Aaron Finch as and electing to bat, piled up 318 for captain in favour of Steve Smith for eight in 50 overs. Total (all out in 18.5 overs) 101 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-23, 3-62, 4-84, 5-91. the World Twenty20 which begins De Kock (135) and Amla (127) Bowling: Nehra 3-0-21-2; Bumrah 4-1-19-0; Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-5, 3-32, 4-49, 5-51, next month in India, while Peter then amassed 239 for the first Jadeja 3-0-18-0; Pandya 3-0-18-0; Ashwin 6-53, 7-58, 8-72, 9-100, 10-101. Nevill replaces Matthew Wade as wicket to lay the platform before 3-0-13-2; Raina 2-0-13-1. wicketkeeper. South Africa reached the target Finch has been skipper since with 22 balls to spare to cut their October 2014 but with Smith already series deficit to 2-1. De Kock, 23, captain of both the Test and one-day was particularly brutal as he teams, national selector Rod Marsh became the youngest player to PCB proposes to play T20 said it was the right time for him to record 10 ODI hundreds. now take over in the shorter format. Amla cut and pulled his way “Aaron Finch has done a very to a 22nd ODI century, and third games on neutral venue good job captaining Australia in in a row at Centurion Park. Ear- T20 cricket. He will have benefited lier, Root eased to his seventh ODI enormously from the leadership century with a masterful display of opportunity and will remain a power and placement. AFP highly-respected leader within the Australian squad,” said Marsh. “However since he became T20 SCOREBOARD captain, there has been a broader LAHORE: Pakistan’s cricket chief leadership transition in Test and ENGLAND said a proposal was given to play one-day international cricket with J Roy (run out-Morkel) 20 their World Twenty20 matches on Michael Clarke retiring and Steve A Hales c Morkel b Rabada 65 neutral venues next month in the Smith assuming the captaincy in Test J Root (run out-Wiese) 125 event that Islamabad does not allow and one-day cricket. J Buttler c Duminy b Rabada 0 the team to tour India. “We think now is the right time India host the ICC World for Steve to lead Australia in all E Morgan c Amla b Wiese 8 Twenty20 from March 8 to April 3 three forms of the game as it offers B Stokes c Behardien b Abbott 53 but Pakistan’s participation is sub- visit by Modi to Lahore to attend us important continuity, not only M Ali c Amla b Morkel 3 ject to government clearance as Sharif’s birthday and a family ahead of the World T20, but beyond C Jordan c Duminy b Abbott 3 there are specific threats, Pakistan gathering. that tournament as well.” D Willey (not out) 13 Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar But last month’s attacks on an The World T20 gets under way Khan (pictured) said. Indian air base in Pathankot derailed on March 8 with Australia, who have A Rashid (not out) 13 Steve Smith will lead the Aussies at the forthcoming World Twenty20 “We have told the ICC (Inter- the peace process leading to the can- never won the tournament, opening Extras (B-4, LB-3, W-8) 15 in India. national Cricket Council) now and cellation of talks between the foreign their campaign on March 18 against Total (for 8 wkts in 50 overs) 318 before as well, the decision (to tour secretaries. New Zealand in Dharamsala. Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-161, 3-162, India) is with the government and Khan said there have been inci- Smith said he was looking for- 4-187, 5-269, 6-284, 7-291, 8-291.

it will consider if there is a specific dents recently which suggested that ward to the new challenge. forward to it.” A key surprise in the by the part-time off-spin of Glenn Bowling: Abbott 10-0-50-2 (3w); Raba- Pakistan oriented security threat,” there are indeed Pakistan-specific “It’s a fast-paced game, you have 15-man squad was the inclusion of Maxwell while Josh Hazlewood Khan told media. threats. to really think on your feet, be ahead Nevill, who is yet to play limited- spearheads the attack. da 10-0-65-2 (3w); Morkel 10-0-63-1 Khan said a proposal was given “They are not general threats, of the game,” he said of captaining a overs cricket for Australia, but he was Finch (hamstring), Nathan (1w); Wiese 10-0-64-1; Imran Tahir 8-0- during the ICC Board meeting in like Australia had in Bangladesh T20 team. preferred to Wade whose recent form Coulter-Nile (shoulder) and James 56-0 (1w); Behardien 2-0-13-0. Dubai last week. “Someone in the and they did not send their team for “The World Cup is going to be a with the gloves and bat prompted the Faulkner (hamstring) were all named SOUTH AFRICA ICC meeting said that if there are the Under-19 World Cup,” Khan said. big challenge for us. It is one of the change. in the squad subject to proving their Q de Kock c Root b Rashid 135 doubts over extremists (at Pakistan Australia withdrew from the Jan- trophies that has eluded this side. “We feel our batting depth in this fitness. H Amla c Buttler b Jordan 127 matches) we are ready to play at uary-February Junior World Cup “We’re going to be playing in dif- squad is sufficient enough that we “Overall, we believe the squad D Wiese b Ali 7 neutral venues in case our govern- over security fears. ferent conditions where we haven’t can have a specialist wicket-keeper we have selected is well-balanced ment does not give the permission “PCB could hold a meeting with had a lot of success. It’s going to be in the squad,” said Marsh. and has the experience and talent F du Plessis (not out) 33 to tour India,” said Khan. the BCCI officials in Mumbai (the a hard tour but I’m really looking “We want Australia’s best wicket- required to be successful in India A de Villiers (not out) 0 Neighbours Pakistan and BCCI office was the scene of protests keeper playing in this tournament and help us win the World T20 title Extras (LB-5, NB-3, W-9) 17 India share a volatile relationship. by Shiv Sena activists in October SQUAD and we consider Peter Nevill to be for the first time,” said Marsh. Total (for 3 wkts in 46.2 overs)319 There was a thaw recently as Paki- 2015), Pakistan singer Ghulam Ali’s the best in the country right now.” “We were able to look at a Fall of wickets: 1-239, 2-249, 3-311. stani prime minister Nawaz Sharif concerts could not be staged twice Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Shane Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa, number of players during the Big Watson, Steve Smith (capt), Glenn Max- briefly met his Indian counterpart over threats and before that a book both yet to play T20 cricket for Aus- Bash League and the recent T20 Bowling: Willey 5-0-40-0; Topley 6-0- well, Mitch Marsh, James Faulkner, John Narendra Modi on the sidelines of launch for Khursheed Kasuri (the tralia, claimed the spin spots ahead of international series against India 46-0 (1w); Stokes 8.2-0-54-0 (1nb; 2w); Hastings, Peter Nevill, Adam Zampa, a climate change meeting in Paris former Pakistani foreign secretary) Test stalwart Nathan Lyon and Cam- and have selected the best short-form Jordan 7-0-54-1 (1nb, 4w); Ali 10-0-75-1 Josh Hazlewood, Aaron Finch, Nathan (1nb; 1w); Rashid 10-0-45-1 (1w). late last year. was disturbed,” said Khan of the Coulter-Nile, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye eron Boyce. players available for the conditions That was followed by a surprise recent events in India last year. They will be complemented we will encounter.” SPORT WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 39 Rugby: Ireland great O’Connell calls time on career

AFP played a single game for them. “Since in 2009, on the latter occasion as sustaining the injury at the World Cup captain. I have been fully focused on return- He won three Six Nations titles ing to fitness and starting an exciting with Ireland, including the Grand DUBLIN: Former Ireland and Brit- new chapter for both myself and my Slam in 2009, and two European ish and Irish Lions captain Paul family in Toulon. Unfortunately this Cups with Munster -- the only club O’Connell has been forced to retire will no longer be possible,” he added. he ever played for -- as well as the with immediate effect due to injury, “I have been blessed to be a pro- Celtic League three times. he announced yesterday. fessional rugby player for over 14 His last appearance proved to be “It is with deep regret that I have years and to be part of Munster and Ireland’s 24-9 World Cup pool victory decided to retire from professional Ireland teams that have experienced over France in Cardiff last October, rugby following medical advice,” success. which saw him leave the field on a O’Connell, 36, said in a statement “I have played with some of the stretcher after tearing his hamstring. published on the Irish Rugby Foot- best players to ever line out in the red Ireland lost to Argentina in the ball Union (IRFU) website. of Munster and the green of Ireland quarter-finals, after which O’Connell “I would like to take this oppor- and have had the privilege of captain- announced his retirement from Test tunity to thank all at Rugby Club ing my country. rugby. He is Ireland’s third most- Toulonnais for their understand- “I would like to thank those at capped player, behind Brian O’Driscoll ing and support over the past few Young Munster RFC, Munster Rugby, (133) and Ronan O’Gara (128). months.” the IRFU and Lions Rugby who have O’Connell’s former Ireland and O’Connell, who won 108 caps for supported me over the course of my Lions team-mate O’Driscoll wrote Ireland at lock and seven caps for playing career.” on Twitter: “Really disappointing to the Lions, retired from international “His medical state has not see @Paul_OConnell having to retire. rugby late last year after a hamstring improved recently,” Toulon president Sensational career in Red and Green. injury forced him out of the World Mourad Boudjellal confirmed to AFP. Simply irreplaceable.” Cup. Munster tweeted: “#ThanksPaulie O’Connell also paid tribute to his He had intended to see out his for a magnificent and trailblazing family and supporters. career with French Top 14 giants career!” “Special thanks must go to my Toulon, having signed for them from The talismanic O’Connell was part wife, Emily, for her unwavering sup- Munster last year on a two-year deal. of the triumphant Lions tour of Aus- port through the good and the bad Ireland captain Paul O’Connell (left) poses for a picture with fans as he holds the Six Nations trophy on But his injury has forced him to tralia in 2013 and also toured New and to my parents, Michael and She- arrival at Dublin International Airport in this March, 2014 file photo. abandon those plans without having Zealand in 2005 and South Africa lagh,” he said.

Super Bowl MVP Miller James leads Cavs over Kings credits Peyton, coaches for win Cleveland superstar NBA ROUND-UP posts triple-double Reuters in 120-100 victory as Clippers rally to beat halftime lead to as many as 24 in the SAN FRANCISCO: Super Bowl third quarter. James capped his tri- MVP Von Miller etched his place 76ers ple-double with his 10th rebound in in NFL history but on Monday was the final minute of the third period. full of praise for Peyton Manning, He said he didn’t realize until saying the Denver Broncos’ tri- the end of the quarter that he had umph was about much more than achieved the triple-double. just his dominant defensive effort. AFP “I just go out and continue to play Miller led the way in shutting the game,” James said. “If it happens, down the high-octane Caro- it happens. If it don’t, it doesn’t. lina Panthers offense in Sunday’s “The only concern is how we can Super Bowl but after a late night LOS ANGELES: Cleveland super- close out quarters and win the ball of celebrations, was grateful for star LeBron James posted his 40th game.” Manning, even if the future Hall career triple-double -- and his first It was another encouraging per- of Fame quarterback did not have this season -- to lead the Cavaliers to formance from Irving, still returning his best game. a 120-100 NBA win over the reeling to full strength after missing the first “We carry each other,” Miller Sacramento Kings on Monday. two months of the season as he con- said on Monday during his MVP James had 21 points, 10 rebounds tinued to recover from the knee injury news conference. and 10 assists and teammate Kyrie he suffered in the first game of last “If it wasn’t for Peyton making Irving added 32 points and 12 assists season’s NBA Finals. decisions that he made to throw to pile on the misery for the Kings, “I think we are just starting to the ball short so we could punt who have lost four straight and eight settle into our roles every game out,” the ball, get the ball back ... We of their last nine. Irving said. “Last few games felt really all had a percentage in this Super Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (right) shoots against Sacramento Kings centre Willie Cauley- Sacramento coach George Karl good.” Bowl win.” reportedly could be fired before next Cavs forward Kevin Love, back Stein in the third quarter of their NBA game at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Tuesday. Manning, who turns 40 in weekend’s All-Star break. from a one-game absence with a March, was far from his vintage Cleveland were in control bruised thigh, scored 11 points and self during Sunday’s 24-10 victory throughout, stretching a 16-point surpassed 9,000 for his career in -- including two late in an overtime in Philadelphia. Jamal Crawford and lead before pulling out the dramatic but he did just enough to become the first half. in which Portland outscored Memphis J.J. Redick scored 23 points each and victory. the oldest quarterback to win a NBA RESULTS “We were happy that we were 10-4. Portland trailed 102-100 with center DeAndre Jordan scored four The Indiana Pacers also held on Super Bowl. able to maintain the lead,” Love said 7.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter of his 12 points in the extra session. for a win, 89-87 over the Los Ange- He completed 13 of 23 passes Charlotte 108 Chicago 91 of a Cavaliers team that has some- and attempted three shots -- the last Point guard Chris Paul added 19 les Lakers in Indianapolis. for 141 yards and one interception Cleveland 120 Sacramento 100 times struggled to finish off wins. an equalizing tip-in by Allen Crabbe points, seven assists and six rebounds Paul George scored seven of his and his team never trailed despite Indiana 89 LA Lakers 87 “We were able to maintain and keep with one-tenth of a second left. for Los Angeles, who trailed by 19 21 points in the final one minute and having the fewest total yards by a LA Clippers 98 Philadelphia 92 enough distance there.” In Atlanta, the host Hawks led points in the first half and by eight 11 seconds as the Pacers thwarted a Super Bowl winner. The Portland Trail Blazers, the Magic by 20 in the first quarter with six minutes left in regulation. Lakers rally. Miller, who had 2-1/2 sacks, 6 Brooklyn 105 Denver 104 Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clip- but Orlando battled back, erasing an It came down to the wire in The Lakers trailed by as many as total tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 Toronto 103 Detroit 89 pers all notched overtime victories. 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to tri- Brooklyn, where Nets forward Joe 17 in the third quarter and were down hurries and a pass defense, was Orlando 117 Atlanta 110 Portland point guard Damian Lil- umph 117-110 in overtime with the aid Johnson hit the game-winning three- 75-68 before Kobe Bryant led a rally the driving force behind Denver’s Portland 112 Memphis 106 lard scored a game-high 33 points in of 28 points and 12 rebounds from pointer with one-tenth of a second that put the visitors up 84-80. win but was happy to deflect the New Orleans 116 Minnesota 102 the Trail Blazers’ 112-106 win over center Nikola Vucevic. remaining to give the hosts a 105-104 George scored the next six points accolades. the Grizzlies in Memphis. He made The Clippers rallied for a 98-92 triumph over the Denver Nuggets. with three free throws and a three- “It was truly a team effort. Eve- Oklahoma City122 Phoenix 106 10 of the Trail Blazers’ 14 free throws overtime triumph over the lowly 76ers The Nets had wasted a 16-point point play as the Pacers held on. ryone’s used to seeing Peyton go out there and throw for 45 points a game,” said Miller. “But this year, it was truly a team effort.” Miller, who is set to hit free Penguins down Anaheim Ducks agency and likely to command a huge contract, also gave credit to the Broncos coaching staff, includ- ing defensive coordinator Wade Agencies NHL RESULTS Red Wings 3, Panthers 0 Phillips, who he said had the per- Petr Mrazek made 23 saves for sonality and vision to make the NY Rangers 2 New Jersey 1 his fourth shutout of the season and Denver defence among the best Pittsburgh 6 Anaheim 2 ninth of his career and Pavel Dat- of all time. NEW YORK: Sidney Crosby had two Ottawa 5 Tampa Bay 1 syuk scored twice as Detroit shut “He had a magical personality,” goals and two assists for the Pitts- Detroit 3 Florida 0 down Florida. Miller said. “You have a 68-year- burgh Penguins, who snuffed the Tomas Tatar also scored for the old guy who is hip to everyday six-game winning streak of the Ana- Red Wings and Henrik Zetterberg had events and everyday dances and heim Ducks. Ducks in a Jan. 16 trade. Kris Letang two assists. all that stuff. It’s truly an energy The Penguins won their fifth added two assists. Florida’s Jaromir Jagr, 43, played boost.” Broncos coach Gary Kubiak home game in a row and improved to Rangers 2, Devils 1 his 1,600th career game. He has said Miller’s work ethic and love 7-1-0 in their past eight home games JT Miller scored his 17th goal and played the most games of any active for the game propelled him to the against Anaheim. Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves as NHL player and is 10th all-time. MVP honor. Crosby’s goals came on breaka- New York held on to defeat New Jer- Senators 5, Lightning 1 “Von did not miss a football ways, including a third-period goal sey. The Rangers have won three Mark Stone recorded two goals practice this year unless I sat him he scored while he was falling with straight and are 6-2-0 in their past and an assist as Ottawa recorded only down during training camp, make the Ducks’ Cam Fowler chasing and eight games. Kevin Klein also scored its third two-game winning streak him take a rest day, he did not miss poking at him. Crosby has 26 points for New York. since December with a victory over a practice,” Kubiak said. since January 1. The Devils’ Cory Schneider Tampa Bay. Jean-Gabriel Pageau had “He loves to play and as a foot- Chris Kunitz, Conor Sheary, Carl turned aside 35 of 37 shots. Travis a goal and two assists and Zack Smith ball coach, there’s a lot of talented Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby (left) skates with the puck as Hagelin and Olli Maatta added goals Zajac scored a shorthanded goal late scored on a line with Stone as the trio players out there, but when you Anaheim Ducks centre Andrew Cogliano chases during the first period for Pittsburgh. Hagelin recorded his in the third period for the New Jer- has nine goals and 11 assists in four find the guys that just really love at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh on Monday . first since he was acquired from the sey side. games since being united. to play,” he said. WEDNESDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2016 40

Riders in action during the second stage of Men’s Tour of Qatar from Katara Cultural Village to Qatar University yesterday. Pics: Salim M/The Peninsula

TOP-10 FINISHERS FROM STAGE TWO OF TOUR OF QATAR Kristoff holds off feisty 1: Alexander Kristoff (Nor), Team Katusha, 3:11:26 2: Mark Cavendish (GBr), Dimension Data 3: Roy Jans (Bel), Wanty - Groupe Gobert 4: Greg Van Avermaet (Bel), BMC Racing Team 5 : Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor), Dimension Data 6: Andrea Francesco Palini (Ita), Skydive Dubai 7: Sacha Modolo (Ita), Lampre - Merida Cavendish in tense finish 8: André Looij (Ned), Roompot - Oranje Peloton 9: Tomasz Kiendys (Pol), CCC Sprandi Polkowice 10: Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Rus), Team Katusha

Norwegian rider just GENERAL CLASSIFICATION five seconds behind AFTER STAGE 2 Tour of Qatar Golden 1: Mark Cavendish (GBr), Dimension Data, 6:39:51 Jersey holder 2 : Alexander Kristoff (Nor), Team Katusha, 0:00:05 3: Sacha Modolo (Ita), Lampre - Merida, 0:00:14 4 : Andrea Guardini (Ita), Astana Pro Team, 0:00:17 By Rizwan Rehmat 5: Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor), The Peninsula Dimension Data, 0:00:18 6: Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Rus), Team Katusha 7: Greg Van Avermaet (Bel), BMC Racing Team, 0:00:20 DOHA: Norwegian rider Alexan- 8: Arnaud Gerard (Fra), der Kristoff yesterday closed gap on Fortuneo - Vital Concept, 0:00:21 golden jersey owner Mark Cavendish 9: Sven Erik Bystrøm (Nor), Team Katusha with a daredevil surge to win stage 10: Manuel Quinziato (Ita), BMC Racing Team two at Tour of Qatar. Overnight leader Cavendish POINTS CLASSIFICATION rode like the wind near the finish line drawn close to the entrance 1: Mark Cavendish (GBr), of the College of the North Atlantic Dimension Data - 32 points (From third left) UCI President Brian Cookson, pearl white jersey holder Sven Erik Bystrom, golden jersey holder Mark Cavendish, stage but Kristoff of Team Katusha edged 2: Alexander Kristoff (Nor), Team Katusha - 27 the British rider to win in a time of winner Alexander Kristoff, Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary General Dr. Thani al Kuwari and President of the Qatar Cycling Federation, 3: Sacha Modolo (Ita), Lampre - Merida - 17 3 hours 11 minutes and 26 seconds. Sheikh Khalid Bin Ali Al-Thani (second from right) pose for a photograph after the presentation ceremony at the Qatar University yesterday. 4: Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor), It was the fourth stage win for Dimension Data - 14 Kristoff in Qatar. 5: Greg Van Avermaet (Bel), BMC Racing Team - 12 Cavenidish, winner in 2013, I was not sure I took it. Maybe it was of the stage was rather slow. After group managed to catch up with the battle it out for victory. Well led out 6 : Andrea Guardini (Ita), Astana Pro Team - 9 struggled to break free of the final just a few centimetres. So yeah, it was only two kilometres, four men man- front group and the pack bunched by his Katusha boys, Kristoff only just 7: Roy Jans (Bel), Wanty - Groupe Gobert - 9 brunch but once he weaved his way really close,” Kristoff said. aged to break away from the pack: up at 84km. managed to capture the win, beat- 8: Sam Bennett (Irl), Bora-Argon 18 - 7 through, it was a battle between him “I knew I would have a shot Lieuwe Westra, Preben Van Hecke, That was the moment chosen ing Cavendish to the line by just a 9: Andrea Francesco Palini, (Ita) Skydive Dubai - 5 and Kristoff which the Katusha rider today. He really crushed me yester- Gediminas Bagdonas and Brian van by two men to take off: Preben Van few inches. 10: Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Rus), Team Katusha - 4 sealed with a final lunge finish. day (Monday). I wasn’t sure if I would Goethem. The gap rapidly grew and Hecke, again, and Gatis Smukulis. Cavendish said he wasn’t disap- Belgium’s Roy Jans (Wanty - manage to do it today,” the Norwe- reached 1’30” at 25km. The second bonus sprint set on the pointed with his performance on day Groupe Gobert) and compatriot gian said. But after a change in direction, finish line of the next ‘Worlds’ was two of the five-day event. YOUTH CLASSIFICATION Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing “It’s quite hectic. There are a lot heading back south, the pace dra- won by Van Hecke ahead of Smuku- “I am happy to keep it but it was 1: Sven Erik Bystrøm (Nor), Team) completed the top five in stage of corners and u-turns. I think the matically changed and the pack lis while the peloton led by Boasson a difficult stage,” Cavendish said. Team Katusha, 6:40:12 two that saw riders cycle through challenge will be managing the cor- broke up into several groups. While Hagen, third, remained 43’’ adrift. “There was headwind but nothing 2 : Søren Kragh Andersen (Den), route of the 2016 UCI World Road ners,” he said. the front four were caught at the The front duo’s advantage on my side and Alex had it. It was Team Giant-Alpecin Championships. “It was looking hectic in the 35km mark, just over 20 men pow- reached a maximum 1’ lead at km a good, long sprint. We were two in 3 : Soufiane Haddi (UAE), Skydive Dubai, 0:01:43 Cavendish now leads Kristoff by 5 paper and it was indeed very hec- ered away at the front. Among the 110 before teams Dimension Data, the front, in the last couple of hun- 4: Mekseb Debesay (Eri), Dimension Data seconds in the general classification. tic,” Kristoff said. “I didn’t notice the group were the likes of Kristoff, BMC and Katusha started chasing dred meters. I am not disappointed in 5: Moreno Hofland (Ned), Team LottoNl-Jumbo Italian rider Sacha Modolo (Lam- crash near the finish line,” Kristoff Boasson Hagen, Bennett, Guardini them down. They were eventually this race with Alex,” Cavendish said. 6: Simone Antonini (Ita), Wanty - Groupe Gobert pre - Merida), who finished in second said when asked about the crash sec- and Hofland. At the first intermedi- caught at 125km. “I think so but it is not exactly a 7: Xhuliano Kamberaj (UAE), Skydive Dubai spot on Monday, is 14 seconds adrift onds before the end of the stage. ate sprint (39km mark), claimed by After exiting the Pearl circuit, team effort. I think everybody’s got 8: Nils Politt (Ger), Team Katusha of golden jersey star Cavendish. “Tomorrow is another day. I am Kristoff ahead of Boasson Hagen and the pack remained bunched all the a good shot. Hopefully we can keep 9 : Daniel Eaton (USA), UnitedHealthcare Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen not good at time trial. So we will see Kuznetsov, the chasing bunch includ- way to the final straight by the Qatar the golden jersey. It was windy like Professional Cycling Team (Dimension Data) is 18 seconds how it goes,” he said. ing Cavendish and Modolo were 14 University. we knew it would be. The wind was 10: Lukas Postlberger (Aut), Bora-Argon behind Cavendish in General Clas- “I am up there in the lead. So we seconds adrift. On the slightly uphill sprint, sev- coming from a different direction.” The third stage of Tour of Qatar, an 11km indi- sification (GC). “The team did a great will try to do well. I know I won’t do That gap grew to 50’’ as the eral riders, including Guardini (AST), “I don’t think final circuit will job on the lead-up. It was a great day. well in the time trial but we will see leaders entered the Pearl World Brown (DPC) and best young rider cause any splits. You will be tired vidual time trial will be held near the Lusail I am happy I held off Cavendish. It how we do in the next stage,” he said. Championship circuit (79km). Andersen (TGA) suffered a crash. though. It is difficult wherever you International Circuit today. was one of the closest sprints I had. Facing the wind, the first part Eventually, the golden jersey That didn’t prevent the big guns to are,” he said. Tour of Qatar organisers have done a good job: UCI chief

The Peninsula people of Qatar for a great cycle race. This is present. When asked about QCF’s attempt my first visit and I am enjoying myself. This is a to get an upgrade to World Tour status next very nice place. Nice environment and friendly year, Cookson said: “”Let’s wait and see. It people. Anyone who comes here in October for is interesting to know they have applied for DOHA: Tour of Qatar organisers yesterday got the UCI World Championships, they will have an upgrade (in status). I think it is a very well the thumbs-up from UCI President Brian Cook- a good time,” Cookson said. organised race. We have to go through a proc- son who said the popular race has ‘developed “I think it is going to be a great World ess of appraisal and assessment.” well’ in the last 15 years. Championships. I am sure the riders will enjoy He said: “I would congratulate the organ- The Tour of Qatar cycling race for men was the event,” the Briton added. isers what they have done so far. You have to first held in 2001 by Qatar Cycling Federation Earlier yesterday, Cookson also flagged- ask the riders for how they feel about the world (QCF) which is headed by Sheikh Khalid bin off a group of 136 riders who featured in the championships. It’s not a hilly course, it’s not a Ali Al Thani. 145.5km stage two. He also took part in a mountainous course. It is challenging course. “The Tour of Qatar is a very well organ- cycling exhibition with H E Sheikh Joaan bin The wind is going to be difficult but the event ised race. They have been developing it for 15 Hamad Al Thani, President of Qatar Olympic will provide worth world championships. But years,” Cookson said at the finish of second Committee (QOC). I am sure it will be strong riders who will win stage two of Tour of Qatar. Dr Thani Al Kuwari, Secretary General of this one,” Cookson said. UCI President Brian Cookson (left) with Tour of Qatar golden jersey holder Mark “It is getting better every year and I con- QOC, Sheikh Khalid, President of QCF and Bel- The five-day Tour of Qatar ends on Feb- Cavendish at the end of the second stage at Qatar University yesterday. gratulate the organisers, sponsors and the gian cycling legend Eddy Merckx were also ruary 12 at Doha Corniche.