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SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 • 25 Jumada II 1437 • Volume 21 • Number 6755 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi is Ministry regulates car parking fee

the Editor-in-Chief centres from customers. different commodities and services extensive study and also consult other The fee slabs fixed by the Ministry in the local market and profit mar- authorities concerned,” according to Shopping centres also cover VIP valet parking services. gins businesses could earmark. the Ministry. And no charges are to he CEO of Dar Al Sharq, Mr asked to comply The Ministry said in a statement Malls and shopping centres have be levied from customers who leave Abdullatif Al Mahmoud, has within 60 days. yesterday that a ceiling has been put been asked to comply with the Minis- the parking area of a shopping cen- Tissued a decision confirm- on all kinds of car parking charges terial decision within 60 days or face tre or mall within 30 minutes after ing Dr. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi and valet services at malls and shop- the consequences. waiting and failing to find a parking as Editor-in-Chief of The Penin- ping complexes. Legal action can be initiated space. The shopping outlets shall be sula newspaper. It has warned managements and fines can be imposed for viola- responsible for the safety of the vehi- The decision follows Dr. Al- By Mobin Pandit of shopping complexes and malls tions, cautioned the Ministry in its cles parked in their care, and for any Shafi’s outstanding performance The Peninsula against imposing parking charges statement. damage caused to a vehicle, relevant in the past six months and the or amending the existing ones with- The Ministry said several cases laws would be invoked. unique contributions he made to out seeking its permission. have come to its notice involving All malls and commercial cen- the newspaper organisationally Approvals to impose parking community members who are being tres shall prominently display a list and his efforts in the relaunch of DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and charges or amend the existing fee forced to pay up parking charges. of parking and valet service fees the newspaper in a new format, the helm of the news agency as Commerce has issued a decision reg- slabs are to be granted by a com- “This has prompted the Commit- approved by the Ministry. with more content. Managing Editor. ulating car parking and valet service mittee at the Ministry which is tee (at the Ministry) to set a ceiling Soon after he took over In 2009, Dr. Al-Shafi moved charges levied by malls and shopping responsible for fixing pricing of on the parking fees and conduct an → Continued on page 5 as Acting Editor-in-Chief, Dr. to the Ministry of Economy and Al-Shafi’s priorities were to give Commerce as Director of Public a remarkable, unique new look to Relations and Communication. the daily, making it further easier Later, he was delegated to the for our patrons to follow up with Foreign Ministry as media expert Al-Ays retaken in Syria More expats us on latest and relevant news and at the Office of the Minister of views. As a result, the daily today State for Foreign Affairs, a post going for Umrah is attracting prominent local and he served until the date of a new international columnists and more assignment as the Deputy to the during school readership. Head of Qatari mission in Bang- He also brought about changes kok as consultant. in terms of a wider coverage of Dr. Al-Shafi continued work- spring break news and views from various con- ing as media expert and consultant tinents and regions of the world in Qatar Media Corporation until under different sections. he was nominated Acting Edi- By Sanaullah Ataullah Under Dr. Al-Shafi, The tor-in-Chief of The Peninsula in The Peninsula Peninsula has further expanded, September 2015. incorporating separate signatures In addition to his duties and for Business and Sport to meet the responsibilities as the Editor-in- growing demand of the business Chief of The Peninsula, Dr. Al-Shafi DOHA: The number of expatri- and sport communities. has been working as Assistant Pro- ate families booking for Umrah Dr. Al-Shafi holds a PhD with fessor at the Department of Mass trips by road has surged ahead of First Honours in media. He is one Communication at Qatar Univer- the spring school holidays. Tour of competent media personalities sity since 2015. operators have come out with in Qatar. He has taken part in sev- attractive offers to cash in on the He joined Qatar News Agency eral local and international huge demand. (QNA) in 1991 as a reporter and, conferences and written articles Bookings from individuals through his sheer competence, on politics and Qatar’s domestic Syrian opposition members take positions while seizing control of Al-Ays town in southern Aleppo, have also gone up significantly, say dedication and hard work, took affairs for local newspapers. Syria, yesterday. tour operators. Most expatriates prefer to travel by bus due to the low charges. A week-long holiday for independent schools and many international schools will start Three health next week, after the end of their Mass grave found in Syrian heritage city mid-term examinations this week. Most tour operators have reduced centres to the charges for Umrah trips (by AFP “uncovered a mass grave of officers, Al Assad, the Syrian army last Sunday executioners appeared to be chil- bus) by more than 10 percent to open this year soldiers, members of the popular recaptured Palmyra and its Unesco dren or teenagers. Syria’s five-year win more customers, enquiries in committees (pro-regime militia) and World Heritage Site, which IS had war has left at least 270,000 people the market have revealed. DAMASCUS: Syrian troops have their relatives,” a military source said overrun in May 2015. dead. Few mass graves have been Umrah can be performed any DOHA: The Primary Healthcare found a mass grave containing the yesterday. During their nearly 10-month found, however. Nearly a week on, time of the year in keeping with Corporation (PHCC) said yester- bodies of 42 people executed by Twenty-four of the victims were occupation of Palmyra, the jihad- few of Palmyra’s up to 70,000 origi- the rules set by Saudi authorities, day that it will open three new Islamic State jihadists in Palmyra, civilians, including three children, he ists executed at least 280 people, nal residents have returned. in contrast to Haj, which is the health centres this year, in Raw- as Washington warned the group’s said, asking not to be named. according to the Syrian Observatory “People fear reprisal by the main pilgrimage performed dur- dath Al Khail, Al Thumama and leader will eventually “taste justice”. “They were executed either by for Human Rights, a Britain-based regime, and also the mines planted ing a specific period every year. Umm Salal. IS has in recent months claimed beheading or by shooting.” monitor which confirmed the dis- all over the city by IS,” Observatory A tour operator said that the The new centres occupy a responsibility for deadly attacks The bodies, which were found covery of the mass grave. director Rami Abdel Rahman said. charges per person have been large space and are equipped with in Brussels and Paris, but has lost on Friday, have been transferred to Soon after IS stormed Palmyra, it “In addition, many houses were reduced from QR1,200 to QR1,050. advanced facilities and modern ground in Syria and Iraq. a military hospital in the provincial shot dead 25 soldiers in the ancient flattened by Russian air strikes before Children below 10 years have been equipment meeting international Days after Syrian troops backed capital Homs and some have been Roman theatre. Palmyra was reclaimed,” he added. charged QR800 per head. standards. The Umm Salal centre by Russian forces recaptured Palmyra identified. In a major symbolic and It later released a video of is expected to open in July and will and its ancient ruins, the army strategic coup for President Bashar the mass killing in which the → See also page 8 → Continued on page 5 replace the existing health centre in that locality, said a statement yesterday. Rawdath Al Khail centre is scheduled to open in June and will Al Sadd beat Al Sailiya Ooredoo tv expected to draw provide wellness services, along with healthcare like the recently opened Labaib health centre and 80,000 subscribers by year-end Umm Salal health centre. Al Thu- mama centre is also expected to open in June and will contribute to reducing the crowding at the By Mohammad Shoeb of QR32.2bn in 2015. The company launched neighbouring Umm Ghuwailina The Peninsula ‘Ooredoo tv’ in mid-February, aiming to replace and Airport health centres. The its existing Mozaic TV. The Android powered new centres will provide health Ooredoo tv offers over 400 live channels, 4K and preventive services and will picture quality and advance control through have clinics for family medicine, DOHA: Ooredoo Qatar, the main television smartphone or tablet computers. ENT, dental, ophthalmology, non- service provider in the country, expects some “About 15,000 customers have already communicable and skin diseases 80,000 subscribers of its newly-launched subscribed to the service since its launch, and and a women and children clinic. ‘Ooredoo tv’ by the end of 2016, which is we are expecting over 80,000 subscribers by Vaccination will also be available. expected to further enhance its customer base the end of this year,” Waleed Al Sayed, CEO Other services include lab- and revenues in the country, said a top official of Ooredoo Qatar told The Peninsula recently. oratory and pharmacy, medical of the telecom giant. Al Sayed added that the launch of Ooredoo commission unit, pre-marital tests, The total number of Ooredoo Qatar cus- tv was a yet another milestone for the company, X-ray, home care, physiotherapy, tomers in 2015 crossed over 3.5 million, up by as the new product takes home entertainment among others. Al Thumama cen- Al Sailiya’s Abdulkareem Salem Al Ali (left) and team-mate Abdulrahman more than 11 percent compared to 3.15 million to the next level in Qatar. tre will have a physiotherapy unit, Mohammed Al Harazi battle for the ball with Al Sadd’s Hassan Al Haydos during in 2014. The Qatari market is important to the Ooredoo has become the first operator in stop smoking clinic, diet and nutri- their Qatar Stars League (QSL) match at Al Ahli Stadium yesterday. Al Sadd won 3-2. Ooredoo Group as with only 3 percent customer the region to offer a commercial 4K service. tion and early detection services, → See also page 29 base Ooredoo Qatar contributed about 25 per- along with other health services. cent, or QR7.89bn, to the Group’s total revenue → Continued on page 2 02 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 HOME

Qatar slams New laboratory automation system opens Syria regime’s raid on village hospitals accredited by Joint Com- mission International (JCI) under The system handles the Academic Medical Centre pro- QNA and analyses a gramme,” she added. The new system, in place since large volume of September 2015, also allows add-on DOHA: Qatar yesterday specimens and can orders to be completed electroni- condemned an air raid by accommodate up to cally without human intervention the Syrian regime on Deir and includes a compartment with a Al Asafir village in south- 96,000 tests a day. capacity of 15,000 tubes for storing east of Damascus that led varied specimens. to the killing and injuring This extra capacity is proving dozens, the majority of very useful when coping with the whom were women and The Peninsula high number of blood test requests children. received from all over the country. In a statement, the “As the population grows, we are Foreign Ministry said the receiving more and more requests for raid was in violation of DOHA: A new Laboratory Automa- tests and this type of analyser allows the ceasefire and related tion System was officially opened us to perform up to 110 types. UN resolutions, includ- by Minister of Public Health H E “The new system ensures we pro- ing Resolution No. 2268 Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari in vide a very efficient service for our of 2016. It said the attack Hamad General Hospital (HGH) yes- patients and our external partners reflected the regime’s terday. such as Army clinic, Police clinic, policies of killing civil- The system handles and analy- Medical Commission, Qatar Petro- ians and destroying ses a large volume of specimens and Minister of Public Health H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari inaugurates the new Laboratory Automation leum, Aspetar Hospital, Primary infrastructure. can accommodate up to 96,000 tests System at Hamad General Hospital. Health Care Centre and private The ministry said the a day. hospitals. attack threatened inter- The computerised control sys- “This also means we can reduce national efforts to reach tem allows more functionality the time it takes for tests to be com- a political solution that such as quality control monitor- efficiencies, reduce turnaround time Al Kuwari. Qatar through high quality and an peted from 24 hours to an average achieves the aspirations ing, auto verification of results and for tests to be returned and, more “This is another example that efficiency of service, something that of three for routine orders,” said of the Syrian people. the ability to collect data for further importantly, ensure high quality shows HMC’s commitment to improve was recently recognised when HMC Dr Ajayab Al Nabet, Chairperson, It also highlighted improvements. patient safety is maintained, thanks the care patients receive by devel- became the first healthcare system Department of Laboratory, Medi- Qatar’s invitation to the “The new system will improve to the automation process,” said Dr oping excellence in healthcare in across the globe to have all of its cine and Pathology, HGH. international commu- nity and the UN Security Council to assume its responsibility to end these crimes, protect the Qatar National Research Syrian people and pre- vent any undermining of reaching a political solu- tion to the Syrian crisis. Fund awards three Bashir hails Qatar’s projects by students

support The Peninsula the best it could be. I feel inspired to pursue further areas of research KHARTOUM: Sudanese in Qatar; I know that QNRF will be President Omar Hassan Al there to support me,” said Abdulla Al Bashir yesterday praised DOHA: Qatar National Research Suwaidi, a team member. Qatar’s role in imple- Fund (QNRF) has awarded top Second place went to Qatar Uni- menting the Doha Peace three research projects presented versity for a project ‘Synthesis and agreement in Darfur. He by students in the eighth cycle of its Pharmacological Screening of Novel said Qatar understood Undergraduate Research Experience Chemical Chaperones against Tuni- the problem and worked Programme (UREP). camycin-Induced ER Stress and Renal patiently on offering solu- The wining projects covered Cell Death’. tions that helped regain research areas, including biomed- A Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar peace and stability in the icine and health; engineering; and (WCM-Q) project ‘Gene Delivery using region. technology. Novel Cationic Cyclic Peptides’ won Al Bashir, who was First place in the competition third place. Officials with some of the winners. speaking to people in West went to a team from Texas A&M Dr Abdul Sattar Al Taie, Executive Darfur State, also praised University at Qatar (TAMUQ). Titled Director, QNRF, said, “The winning Qatar’s role in helping ‘Investigation of the Performances of projects were exceptional. They in the initial review were chosen to from Georgetown University School QNRF is a member of Qatar Foun- regain peace in the region. the Gas Electron Multiplier for Collider pushed the boundaries on all levels present to a panel of judges and the of Foreign Service in Qatar (GU-Q), dation Research and Development He said it was Qatar’s Experiments’, the project involved and demonstrate the research talent public, while the remaining teams which explored the advancement of (QF R&D). UREP was launched in efforts regionally and running experimental tests of the of Qatar’s youth.” were given the chance to present financial education for transnational 2006 and is QNRF’s longest running internationally that made gas electron multiplier (GEM) under The top 25 percent of completed their work as posters, displayed on families. programme. peace in Darfur possible. different conditions for future use in projects funded under the programme the competition day. A project on experimental inves- To date, over 2,750 students have Qatar also established Dar- applications such as high energy col- were selected to participate in the Other finalists included a team tigation of permeability and fluid loss taken part in the initiative, with teams fur Development Bank lider experiments. annual UREP competition. from Northwestern University in properties of water-based mud under across universities in Qatar paired to help finance massive “We were overjoyed with win- The best 19 projects completed Qatar (NU-Q), which investigated high pressure-high temperature con- with one or more faculty members projects, he said, add- ning first place. We worked tirelessly in 2015 were selected for an initial the engagement and empowerment of ditions by a team from TAMUQ was and research mentors to conduct ing the projects financed to develop the project and make it review. The top six scoring teams Qatari women in society, and a team also participated in the competition. research in a particular field. by Qatar helped transform Darfur from aid-seeker to a productive economy. Al Bashir said the Doha Document for peace WISE team attends SXSWedu New service an evolution in helped the people of Dar- fur avoid disasters of war and reach a historic home entertainment services achievement of establish- Conference and Festival in Texas ing peace in the region. He said Qatar’s sup- Continued from page 1 port will not cease until the peace process in Darfur The 4K picture quality allows concludes. viewers to enjoy a HD experience even on the largest screens. The new service has been Qatar attends designed as an evolution in home entertainment services, combining inauguration of apps, on-demand and live TV in one Niger President easy-to-use box. Given the wide range of the Waleed Al Sayed, CEO, Ooredoo. company’s products and services NIAMEY: Qatar partici- in Qatar, it has become one of the pated in the inauguration most important markets for the new opportunities for growth within ceremony of President Group and Qatar has been given a the Qatari market make us confident Mahamadou Issoufou of focus for further enhancing the qual- that we will continue to see success Niger yesterday at the Pal- ity of its services and customer base. in the coming year,” said Al Sayed. ais des in capital, Niamey. WISE officials taking part in the event. Ooredoo Qatar’s revenue growth In 2015, the company launched Several heads of state, is consistent in line with the growth ‘Ooredoo Supernet’, the umbrella government officials and of its customer base. Revenue in name for all Ooredoo networks other dignitaries from The Peninsula teaching and learning. Dr Sakena The programme links the projects Qatar witnessed nearly 10.5 per- and a promise of superior experi- around the world were Yacoobi, WISE Prize for Education with an international network which cent growth in 2015 compared to ence for customers. It encompasses present. Qatar was rep- Laureate, was honoured. creates opportunities for knowledge- QR7.15bn in 2014. all mobile, fixed, Wi-Fi, TETRA and resented by Minister of In her address, ‘Education, Devel- sharing and investor support. Three The Group’s global customer digital entertainment services. Transport and Communi- DOHA: The World Innovation Sum- opment and Peace in Afghanistan’, Dr WISE Accelerator project leaders pre- base reached 117 million in 2015 The company also extended its cations H E Jassim bin Saif mit for Education (WISE), an initiative Yacoobi presented her work in bring- sented their work at the conference. through its presence in nearly a nationwide fibre roll-out, position- Al Sulaiti. He conveyed of Qatar Foundation (QF), partici- ing education to Afghans under the The conference and the festival fos- dozen countries, including Indo- ing Qatar among the top five in terms greetings of Emir H H pated in the SXSWedu Conference extremes of war, displacement and ter innovation in learning by hosting nesia, Algeria, Kuwait, Oman and of fibre penetration worldwide. Over Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad and Festival in Texas, US. oppression during the Taliban rule. a diverse and energetic community Iraq, among others, representing a 260,000 homes are now connected Al Thani to President Iss- The WISE team and represent- The WISE Accelerator is a com- of stakeholders with different back- year-on-year growth of 9 percent, to Ooredoo Fibre, along with com- oufou, and best wishes atives of WISE Accelerator projects petitive programme in which selected grounds in education. The four-day according to the Group’s Annual mercial buildings and developments. to relations between the organised sessions and attended innovative education projects receive event served as an opportunity for Report 2015. “Qatar is an engine After Qatar, Ooredoo has its sec- two countries of further panels and workshops exploring a year of mentoring with members the WISE community to present its of prosperity and a driver of inno- ond largest operations in Indonesia, progress for the benefit of employment and the skills gap, the of the WISE community, providing work, bringing a global perspective vation for Ooredoo. The strength in terms of revenue, accounting for the two friendly peoples. role of social entrepreneurs and them with effective strategies and to the US-focused mega-conference of Ooredoo Supernet, positive 23 percent of the total and 60 per- the impact of social enterprise on support to ensure their development. on education. response from our customers and cent of the global customer base.

04 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 HOME QNL events to highlight QC delivers homes to Syrians importance of libraries in Two hundred community development displaced people receive homes in Wadi Al Daif in Syria The Peninsula region face, and how development will in the first phase. ensue alongside digital progress. As part of QNL’s public lectures, tomorrow Dr Scott Morrison, Senior DOHA: Qatar National Library (QNL) Lecturer of Law, Middlesex University The Peninsula will hold informative events this month London, will give a talk entitled ‘The to stress the importance of libraries in Legal Protection of Islamic Manuscripts community development. in War: International and British Law and Focusing on the vital role public and the Case of Syria’. DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) has metropolitan libraries play in communi- It will take place at Georgetown Uni- completed work on the first phase ties, the MetLib 2016 Qatar conference versity School of Foreign Service in Qatar of a housing project in Wadi Al Daif will be held from April 23 to 28 at Qatar (GU-Q) in Education City and is being con- in Syria. National Convention Centre (QNCC). Lead- ducted in collaboration with University It has delivered 200 hous- ing experts and librarians will discuss the College London Qatar (UCL-Q). ing units to beneficiaries and will One of the beneficiaries with Qatar Charity officials outside her home. growth and development of metropolitan QNL’s popular research workshop, soon start procedures for deliver- libraries in Qatar and beyond. ‘Conducting Research’ which aims to help ing the second batch of the project Engineer Saadi Al Said, Director, undergraduate students improve research comprising another 200 units four shelter, QC prioritises such projects villages once they are safe and borders. Administration and Planning, QNL, skills, will be held today at the HBKU Stu- months later. Each housing unit to save the dignity of the displaced secured,” he added. Each city has 1,000 housing said, “Public and metropolitan librar- dent Centre, covering ‘Citation Essentials’ consists of two rooms, a kitchen people. QC recently signed five units, which are environmentally ies contribute to building progressive and ‘Writing Research Papers’. and a bathroom. Mohammed Jassim Al Suleiti, agreements with Islamic Dawa friendly and facilities, including communities. In addition to events focusing on the The project will serve 2,400 Relief Coordinator, QC, said, “QC Organisation and Union of Relief mosques, classrooms, sanitation, “Because of their vast reach, activities, development of library systems, this people. It is part of QC’s efforts to has always proven itself committed and Development Associations medical points and playgrounds. and valuable resources, public libraries month’s book discussion will feature a meet the needs of the Syrian peo- to helping the brothers and sisters in Lebanon to implement relief The total amount QC has allo- contribute to the development of solid novel, Telepathy written by Sudanese ple, especially those who have in Syria. It is to alleviate their suf- projects for Syrian refugees in cated for the displaced Syrians and identities for communities.” author Amir Tag Elsir. returned to their cities and villages. fering and provide all necessary Lebanon at a cost of around QR5m. refugees is around QR376m. QNL will also participate in the 22nd The author explores the striking rela- QC completed work on 50 per- means for a better life. Having a So far, around 2,500 units have More than 6,831,000 people Annual Conference and Exhibition of Spe- tionship between a writer’s reality and cent of the project (400 housing home is essential, and this is what been entirely built or are almost are benefiting from the projects cial Libraries Association/Arabian Gulf imagination. units). Each unit is implemented at we try to do. Implementation of the done. Some of the big projects in Syria and the neighbouring Chapter (SLA-AGC) from April 19 to 21 in The narrative, set in Khartoum, a cost of QR12,600. The total cost project has come a long way. implemented in the field are ‘Al countries. The projects covered Kuwait. highlights the two sides of the Suda- of the project is around QR5m. “QC will ensure the displaced Rayyan City’ and ‘Doha Al Kheir’ the fields of food, shelter, health The conference will explore ‘Future nese capital — the bustling city and the Because of the high need for people return to their cities and City, both near the Turkey-Syria and education in Syria. Challenges of Library and Information neglected, poverty-stricken metropolitan. Profession’, and industry experts from Elsir will attend the discussion, which around the world will speak on current will be conducted in English on April 13 in and future challenges libraries in the the TV Lounge at HBKU Student Centre. HEC Paris and Heriot-Watt University hold workshop

The Peninsula Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Ooredoo tv signs 3 new exclusive Qatar University; and Nicolina Kamenou-Aigbekaen, Professor of Human Resource Management channels with Rotana Media Group DOHA: HEC Paris, ranked No. 2 and Diversity Management, Heriot worldwide in Executive Educa- Watt University. tion by the Financial Times in 2015, Key topics covered during the The Peninsula Rotana Aflam + HD, Rotana+ HD and Al joined forces with Heriot-Watt three-day event included entre- Resalah HD. University to deliver a workshop, preneurship and leadership in a The agreement, which will further Entrepreneurship 2020, in Qatar. changing world; methodology con- strengthen Ooredoo’s partnership with Twenty early career research- siderations in conducting research DOHA: Ooredoo has announced a multi- the Group, one of the biggest producers ers in the field of entrepreneurship in diverse settings and contexts; channel deal with Rotana Media Group, of Arabic blockbusters in the Middle East, attended the event from March 29 role of principles in Islamic busi- the world’s largest producer of Arabic aims to ensure Ooredoo tv customers have to 31 at HEC Paris premises (Tor- ness and strategising and project music and films. access to the latest Arabic content. nado Tower). scoping for future research The agreement will see Ooredoo tv Mozaic TV and Ooredoo Broadband It offered a networking proposals. include eight new Rotana HD channels customers can access the channels for opportunity in a diverse and inter- Participants attending one of the events as part of the three-day The discussions brought to as part of its basic package, giving view- free by using Ooredoo tv’s ‘Collect & Go’ cultural environment. Experts programme. light the role of research as a ers a boost of Arabic content, including service, meaning they can visit any Oore- from both institutes teamed up to systematic, objective collection TV series, lifestyle programming, movie doo shop and collect the new Ooredoo tv leverage academic excellence and and analysis of data about target channels, music videos and much more. box to take home. Installation is simple explore research themes. their core competencies, optimise helps us identify and back UK- markets, competition and environ- Ooredoo will also have exclusive rights and can be done instantly by customers One of the objectives of resources and enhance entre- Qatar partnerships that support mental/cultural factors. for three new Rotana channels in Qatar, at their homes. the workshop was to cultivate preneurial success,” said Prof greater economic engagement and Poster presentations and providing its customers unprecedented Ooredoo tv is available via Ooredoo research capacity in line with Laoucine Kerbache, Dean & CEO, joint research and innovation with reflective exercises formed part access to a huge library of Arabic movies shops, Starlink, TechnoBlue and Jumbo Qatar National Vision 2030. The HEC Paris in Qatar. Qatar.” of the workshop. The second day in high definition. outlets. event was sponsored by Qatar “The British Council is con- The lecturers included Profes- featured a networking event with New channels include Rotana Cinema The service has no upfront charges, no National Research Fund and the necting researchers from the UK sors Wolfgang Amann, Associate local entrepreneurs of HEC Paris HD, Rotana Khalijiyah HD, Rotana Aflam equipment costs and no ongoing contracts. British Council. and Gulf through funding grants Professor of Strategy and Busi- Alumni and delegates from the HD, Rotana Classic HD, Rotana Masriya Visit ooredoo.qa/portal/OoredooQatar/ “The workshop exposed to increase collaboration and ness Policy and Academic Director, British Council and QNRF. HD, Rotana Music HD, LBC Sat HD, M+ HD, ooredoo-tv_2 for details. early career researchers to new development of educational insti- Degree and Custom Programmes, It is envisaged that one of the perspectives and challenges in tutions,” said Frank Fitzpatrick, HEC Paris in Qatar; Laura Gallo- key outcomes of the workshop will addition to acting as the ideal Country Director of the council. way, Professor of Business and be future research collaborations opportunity to network and tap “In Qatar, we’re supporting Enterprise and Dean of Arts, with an emphasis on innovative potential collaborative research research capacity and identify- Humanities and Social Science, research, in the context of applied opportunities. We hope it had ing common research priorities Heriot Watt University; Mar- knowledge on entrepreneurship by inspired participants to exploit between Qatar and the UK. This ios Katsioloudes, Professor of 2020 in the Middle East. Al Asmakh in five-year deal with Qatar Post

The Peninsula

DOHA: Al Asmakh Real Estate Development Company has signed a five-year agreement with Qatar Post to provide mail box services to over 5,000 residents in Ain Khalid, Mushaireb, West Bay, Al Waab, Al Rayyan and the Pearl- Qatar. It is its endeavour to constantly serve its residents with value-added services that has led Al Asmakh to initiate this service in association with Qatar Post, Fadi Baraka, General Manager of the company, said Officials from Al Asmakh Real Estate Development Company and Qatar Post “We are proud to conclude the agreement with Qatar Post, a key national institution. sign the agreement. It will provide a unique postal service financed through funds created by our multiple Qatar projects. “There is no doubt this progressive initiative will convenience and providing this vital and international quality standards it enhance the experience of our clients by maximising their service within walking distance.” consistently maintains, Al Asmakh is Hamad Al Fahida, Deputy Chief one the most preferred names in the Operations Officer, Qatar Post, said, real estate management and construc- “I would like to express my gratitude tion industry and has played a vital role to the company, as one of our stra- in the development of real estate in tegic partners, for its contribution to Qatar over the years. increasing Qatar Post’s penetration in The company has a portfolio of the country. integrated towers and apartment “We are working with our part- complexes, villas, luxury residential ners to enhance our service level and accommodations, commercial, office customer experience in postal and and labour accommodations and other non-postal services, and we have set facilities. Al Asmakh is also known for a strategy to achieve the targets and its services in facilities management, a detailed implementation plan for real estate brokerage and logistics serv- expansion across Qatar,” he added. ices for medium and large real estate With its innovative service offerings projects and individual customers. HOME SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 05

RAF guidebook in Arabic Umrah bookings increase to help in studies abroad Continued from page 1 Charges include the cost of transportation from Doha to Makkah and Makkah to Madinah and back to Doha and hotel fares during the trip which normally The Peninsula format, aims to help remove hindrances faced takes 10 days. Some operators arrange guided tour to by students in Arab countries in applying for historic and holy sites in Makkah and Madinah as part admission to international universities. of the package. Fares could vary depending on the trip. The guidebook also contains sufficient “Bookings have gone up remarkably. We sent two DOHA: Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Foundation information for students on how to obtain buses a month since the beginning of the Umrah sea- for Humanitarian Services (RAF) has issued a scholarships to pursue educational dreams in son last December. But due to high demand, we have guidebook in Arabic to help students seeking those universities. arranged big buses this month and all will leave on information regarding admission to universi- It contains answers to some of the most Thursday,” said a tour operator based in Doha Jadeed. ties worldwide. frequently asked questions like the grades Pilgrims include Egyptians, Indians and Pakista- RAF already has a portal (http://www. required to be eligible for admission to an inter- nis, among other nationalities, and families, including raf-platform.com/#.) in Arabic providing free national university, where to apply, types of women and children, form about half of the total pas- consultations for university education tests a candidate needs to pass, and available sengers. “Our trips end on the second Saturday. A trip The book was published by RAF in collab- financing sources, among other things. from Doha to Makkah takes about 22 hours through oration with an association which encourages The book also tells students about how Abu Samra border post, Riyadh and Taif, with stops for science and technology in the Arab world. to choose appropriate study programmes for prayers and food,” he said. The move is response to questions from stu- their master’s and PhD degrees and how to get Accommodation for four nights in Makkah and three dents who have been following RAF’s portal. admission. nights in Madinah and transportation to holy places The followers have reached more than 125,000. Admission procedures for higher studies in in Makkah and Madinah are included in the pack- So far, the portal has provided more than international universities are time-consuming age. However, food is not included, which pilgrims 10,000 free consultations to students. and take about six to nine months, according have to arrange. Pilgrims can have their trip arranged The guidebook, which is in the printed to the guidebook. through any Umrah tour operator. A pilgrimage visa is required to enter Saudi Arabia. Visa is stamped by the Saudi embassy in Qatar as per the request of the tour operator. The pilgrims are required to submit their pass- ports having minimum six-month validity and a copy Fire at under-construction mall of the Qatari residency permit (RP) valid at least for three months. Many people in Qatar, mostly citizens, extend a helping hand to expatriates wishing to perform Umrah but cannot afford the cost. They visit the oper- ators and pay the charges on behalf the beneficiaries. “We received such donations from time to time. Free offers are being arranged in collaboration with local religious organisations,” said the operator. One of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment buildings lit up in blue to mark World Autism Awareness Day yesterday. New rules to protect consumers

Continued from page 1 Autism Awareness Day marked quality of services. It urged all mem- The list is to be dis- bers of the community The Peninsula The Day is marked on April 2 played at the main to report any violations every year. entrance of a shopping or irregularities on its Private and Public organisa- outlet and no parking slot hotline (16001); email tions also observed the day, which on the premises rented [email protected]; Twitter DOHA: The Ministry of Municipality was announced by the UN General out to a third party/par- account @MEC_QATAR; and Environment and the Ministry of Assembly following a proposal by ties without the ministry’s Instagram MEC_QATAR; Economy and Commerce yesterday Qatar. approval. in addition to the minis- A Civil Defence team doused a fire that broke out at the under-construction Mall of marked World Autism Awareness Autism is a disorder, where a The ministry said try’s app on smartphones Day by lighting up their premises child suddenly becomes introvert, Qatar near Al Rayyan Sports Club yesterday afternoon. The Ministry of Interior said the new rules are part of available on iPhone in blue to raise awareness about irritable, repetitive and stops com- on its Twitter account that the fire was controlled and none was injured. its effort to protect con- and Android devices at autism. municating effectively. sumers and improve the MEC_QATAR. 06 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 HOME

Albahie to auction Islamic and Orientalist artworks at Katara

The Peninsula armour, glass, fine furniture and Indian period jewellery. All 240 artworks are on display at the auction house’s permanent space in Building No. 22C at Katara Cultural Village. A preview exhibition is open daily from 9am to DOHA: Albahie Auction house will hold its inaugural 9pm until the day of live sale. auction of Islamic and Orientalist art on Tuesday at 4pm Albahie advises those interested in bidding on works at Katara Cultural Village. on sale to register ahead of time by email info@albahie. It offers Quranic manuscripts, Orientalist paintings com or call +974 4408 0534/4408 0535. and sculptures, enamels, a large selection of arms and Representatives are available to provide additional information such as condition reports on items on sale and guide anyone unfamiliar with the auction and bid- ding process. Albahie has made it easy for anyone to bid. Bidding can be done in four ways — in person at the auction, online via the website www.albahie.com, on the telephone or by leaving an absentee (or maximum) bid. If you choose to bid live during the auction in the sale- room, once you have registered, you will receive a paddle and can bid on any lot by raising your paddle when the lot opens. Officials with sophomores. The auction can be followed live on albahie.com and Internet bidding is a convenient and easy method of bid- ding from home. Internet registration should be done prior to the start of the auction. For telephone bidding, a representative from AlBa- 130 students recognised hie call you when your lot is up for bidding. Telephone bidding be done in Arabic, English or French and bids should be submitted up to 24 hours prior to the auction. Anyone not available during live auction can leave an absentee or maximum bid, and the auctioneer will exe- on CMU-Q Dean’s List cute an absentee bid at the lowest possible price. Absentee bids should also be submitted prior to the start of bidding. The live auction is free to attend and open to every- one. Printed catalogues are available on request to info@ the list. All CMU-Q programmes are Hanan Al Tamimi, Fiona Anthony, albahie.com and at the showroom. represented on the list — biological Omar El Agamawi, Ettaib El Marabti, Register today and come early to get your seat for Forty seniors, sciences, business administration, Sirat Farhin, Faran Farooq, Sharjeel the experience of live bidding in Qatar. For details, visit 45 juniors, 30 computer science and information Khan, Maher Khan, Nooral Hoda www.albahie.com or AlBahie, Katara Cultural Village, systems. Qaedi, Osama Qureshi, Sherif Rizk, One of the artworks to be auctioned at Katara. Building No. 22C. sophomores and 15 Senior students on the list are: Sanjeet Sahni, Farjana Salahuddin, freshmen represent Aya Hassan Ali Abd Elaal, Mustafa Safa Salim, Fariya Shabbir, Awais all programmes Abualsuod, Maryam Aghadi, Huda Shamim, Haneen Shariff, Mounir Al Abdulla, Rouda Al Assmakh, Zam- Sheikh, Shashank Shetty, Hanan — biological zam Al Assmakh, Amal Al Dahneem, Shuaib, Ibrahim Soltan, and Sannan The Pearl-Qatar hosts Family Fun Day sciences, business Muna Al Husseiny, Wadha Al Jaber, Tariq. Shaikha Al Kuwari, Ali Al Kuwari, Sophomore students on the list administration, Dana Al Muftah, Hamad Al Noaimi, are: Ali Abbas, Ahmed Abdultawab, computer science and Amna Al Sulaiti, Haya Al Thani, Dema Abou Samhadaneh, Fadhil The Peninsula Shaika Al Thani, Mehreen Alam, Abubaker, Eman Al Ansari, Shaikha information systems. Fatima Amir, Cania Antariksa, Nada Al Misned, Maryam Al Naemi, Boshra Arakji, Saad Ahmed Asim, Sana Al Sulaiti, Latifa Al Thani, Maria Ali, Britto, Nada Bukashisha, Mouza Dar- Osama Ali, Layan Azem, Manisha DOHA: The Pearl-Qatar wish, Muneera Darwish, Anas Farah, Dareddy, Nourhan El Khatib, Noor hosted a ‘Family Fun Day’ at The Peninsula Shafiya Fasalu, Aya Gaballa, Rayan El Sakka, Mahnaz Jalali, Aisha Porto Arabia with entertain- Hashim, Sharmin Islam, Mous- Kazi, Farha Khan, Jinsol Kim, ment activities on Friday. tafa Lotfi, Bushra Memon, Manar Khaoula Maatallah, Syed Hammad Many families, espe- Naboulsi, Qasim Nadeem, Narjis Mahmood, Aisha Mohamed, Sherif cially children, from Qatar DOHA: Carnegie Mellon University Premjee, Reem Saad, Bilal Sheikh, Mostafa, Shahryar Nayyer, Rohith and other GCC countries in Qatar (CMU-Q) has announced the Ummukulthum Umlai, Fathima Zahir, Krishnan Pillai, Alfred Godwin enjoyed artistic perform- Dean’s List for the Fall 2016 semes- and Marwa Zouzou. Ravindrakumar, Zain Sadeq, Fatma ances and recreational ter on March 29. Junior students on the list are: Tlili, Karen Youssef and Mohammed activities. The list acknowledges academi- Dana Abou Samhadaneh, Salman Zakaria. The day is held every cally outstanding students who had Abuhaliqa, Fazail Ahmad, Aulia Freshman students on the list Friday as part of UDC’s com- exemplary performances in the pre- Ahmad, Muhammad Yousuf Akhlaq, are: Fatema Abdul Salik, Fatima munity services, including vious semester. A total of 130 students Bashayr Al Ali, Noor Al Ansari, Sara Abdulaziz, Ommar Aburaddad, family get-togethers in an were recognised at a ceremony. Al Baloshi, Khawla Al Darwish, Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Aisha Fakhroo, entertaining environment. “CMU-Q is honoured to have such Shaikha Al Darwish, Fatima Al Mohamed Hamdi, Mohammed The Pearl-Qatar is one high calibre students, and those on Emadi, Omar Al Emadi, Mohammed Hashim, Youssef Kanbour, Hojin of the most entertaining and the list are a perfect example of the Al Hor, Roda Al Hor, Shaikha Al Kang, Aya Noor, Julian Sam, Shaden Family enjoying one of the activities at Porto Arabia. commercial places which diversity and capability of our stu- Khulaifi, Alya Al Kurbi, Noor Al Shaar, Faissal Sheikh, Haris Syed, and attracts a large number of dent body,” said Ilker Baybars, Dean Mana, Fatima Hassan Al Marzoqi, Moussa Zekak. families. and CEO. Almaha Al Mohannadi, Alanood Al For details on programmes The public walkway the quay in the Porto Arabia district for the hospitality industry and upscale bou- There are 40 seniors, 45 juniors, Muftah, Maha Al Reyahi, Amna Al offered at CMU-Q, please visit; https:// extends to Croisette along 3.5km and is home to global brands from tiques in the fashion sector. 30 sophomores and 15 freshmen on Sharif, Abdulrahman Al Subaiey, www.qatar.cmu.edu/academics Regency Shopping Complex opens in Umm Salal Ali

The Peninsula

DOHA: Shaheen bin Ali bin Shaheen Al Rabea Al Kuwari and Sryae bin Rashid bin Srya Al Kaabi have jointly inaugurated Regency Shop- ping Complex in Al Wusayl Street in Umm Salal Ali. Prominent personalities, including Shaheen bin Matar Al Kuwari, Easa bin Matar Al Kuwari, Yusuf bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Abdurahiman bin Muhammed Al Kaabi, Shaheen bin Ganem Al Muhannadi, Ibrahim bin Rashid Al Shareem, Khalid bin Ganem Al Kuwari, Ali bin Abdulla Al Kaabi, Abdulla Muhammed Ali Al Hammadi and socio-cultural leaders of expatriates com- munities were present. Ali Ahmed Ali Rabea Al Kuwari, Chairman of the complex, joined the directors of Regency Shopping Complex Ameerudheen, Shukkur Kinalur, Abdul Azeez and Abdul Latheef in wel- Shaheen bin Ali Al Kuwari and Srya bin Rashid Al Kaabi inaugurate Regency Shopping coming the dignitaries and guests. Complex in Umm Salal Ali. ‘We are proud to provide real products at real prices and shopping at the complex will be a unique and enjoying experience for all as our “We have the most beautiful vegetable ATM facility on the ground floor to serve thou- products are displayed and arranged to ensure a and fruits arrangement with a wide variety of sands of bachelors and families living in the pleasant shopping,” said Ameerudheen, Direc- choices. We have also ensured that customers area,” he added. tor and General Manager of the complex do not spend much time in queues for pricing The wide array of products on the first floor “A wide range of food products, multiple and weighing their baskets. We have recreated includes readymade garments for infants, kids choices for garment collection, ample car park- a real market experience when you shop at our and grown-ups, gifts, toys and games, station- ing and wonderful home furnishing are some fish and meat section. Again we guarantee you ery, footwear, perfumes, bath, linen and home of the salient features of the complex. the widest choice and the best price, not to for- appliances, electronics and much more. “We have a floor area of more than get the market feel. Considering the convenience of people liv- 1,500sqm shopping area on two floors. The “The most beautiful and well-stocked ing in and around Umm Salal Ali , the complex ground floor is our supermarket and fresh food roastry section will tempt any customer to enter is open from 6am to midnight daily. section. There are checkout counters on both there and grab a handful. We have well differ- The first floor also includes the home floors for the ease of customers. They will never entiated the food and non-food sections so that furnishing section, outdoor and camping equip- have to wait in long queues to exit. Our fast bill- customers can easily find their way through ment, furniture, mobile shops, Arabic ethnic ing system will reduce billing time and help you the floors easily. perfumes, and jewellery store and food court check out with less wait. “Soon we will have Ooredoo counter and and gents saloon are opening shortly. HOME / MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 07 Turkish scribe Sheep operated upon for 25 ‘balls’

The Peninsula duo defiant in A team at Umm Salal Veterinary Centre DOHA: A team of veterinary surgeons has removed more than 25 round- removes 25 round- court battle shaped objects together weighing shaped objects from 10kg from the stomach of a sheep at the stomach. Umm Salal Veterinary Centre run by the Animal Husbandry Department the former premier became presi- of the Ministry of Municipality and dent in August 2014, Turkey’s justice Environment. the centre. US President minister said in March. Each object was of the size of a As a result, the animals are los- The sheep after the surgery Barack Obama says US President Barack Obama said tennis ball and the hapless animal ing the appetite for fodder and have and (RIGHT) the round-shaped he was troubled by Turkey’s clamp- had been suffering from severe bouts begun eating things they see around objects that were removed from troubled by Turkey’s down on press freedom, the day after of stomachache. like plastic bags, ropes and cotton its stomach. clampdown on meeting his Turkish counterpart at Such cases are spreading due to from trash, he added. the White House. the fact the fodder being provided Unable to digest, these things press freedom. “It’s no secret that there are some to animals lacks some important gather in the stomach of the animals In the case of the sheep, the prob- trends within Turkey that I have been ingredients like salt, said Dr Tariq Al in different shapes, damaging their lem was diagnosed at the right time troubled with,” Obama said. Sharbini, Veterinarian in-charge at digestive system. and she was saved. AFP “I think the approach they have taken toward the press is one that could lead Turkey down a path that would be very troubling.” Algeria jostles with ISTANBUL: Two Turkish journalists Erdogan sparked fresh con- Healing touch accused of spying remained defiant troversy, when his security detail on the second day of their trial, in a clashed with the media at the Brook- refugee influx case seen as a test of press freedom ings Institute in the US capital. under the increasingly autocratic One of the guards aimed a chest- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. high kick at an American reporter Anatolia Can Dundar, Editor-in-Chief attempting to film the harassment of of leading opposition daily Cum- a Turkish opposition reporter. huriyet, and Erdem Gul, his Ankara Turkish security also tried to bureau chief, are also charged with keep out two Turkish journalists, ALGIERS, ALGERIA: The “Arab Spring” revolu- revealing state secrets over a story one from the opposition daily Zaman tions and the current regional security situation accusing the government of seek- that has been seized by the govern- have combined to turn Algeria into a temporary ing to illicitly deliver arms to rebels ment, prompting a tense standoff home for some 30,000 refugees from Syria, in Syria. with Brookings staff. Libya and Mali. The journalists could face life in “We have increasingly seen dis- Bin Olwi Mohy el-Din, a member of the prison, but a defiant Dundar voiced respect for basic human rights and African Association for Care of Refugees optimism they would be found not press freedom in Turkey,” Washing- Affairs, an NGO, said that the association had guilty at the Istanbul criminal court. ton’s National Press Club president counted more than 30,000 refugees in Alge- “We will win. We have always Thomas Burr said. “Erdogan doesn’t ria from the three countries, “most of whom won throughout history,” the editor get to export such abuse.” fled their countries because of civil war”. Half told reporters. “We think the laws Reporters Without Borders of the refugees are from Mali. will show we are right and we will ranked Turkey 149th out of 180 Algerian authorities have laid out a plan to be acquitted.” countries for press freedom in 2015, meet refugees’ needs without forcing them into The prosecution has sparked citing the widening clampdown on camps and allowing their children to enter the outrage among opposition and rights critics of the president. local school system, according to Mohy el-Din. groups in Turkey as well as in the Turkish police in March seized For his part, Addas Khalifa, a Syrian West, where it is seen as proof of control of daily, Zaman, drawing Marisol Touraine (right), French Minister of Health and Social Affairs, is welcomed by national and a member of the Syrian Refu- Erdogan’s determination to silence international condemnation. On the Palestinian girls at the opening of the Central Medical Pharmacy in Nablus, West Bank, gees League in Northern African Countries, his opponents. first day of the trial, hearing in Istan- yesterday. The project has been funded by the French Development Agency. told Anadolu Agency that the number of Syrian Almost 2,000 people have been bul was held behind closed doors for refugees in Algeria changes “from one month prosecuted for “insulting” him since reasons of national security. to the next”. 08 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 MIDDLE EAST

Turkey detains Turkey works one over Diyarbakir blast on centres to AFP

DIYARBAKIR: Turkish authorities yesterday detained the suspected receive refugees perpetrator of a car bomb attack in its main Kurdish-majority city that killed seven police, as a new bombing hit the troubled south- finger-printing migrants, registering east. The suspect, named as AC, them as well as sanitation facilities, was detained in the Kocakoy dis- Finger-printing, he said. trict of Diyarbakir, where the registration and But Turkish officials said such seven police were killed and 27 centres are not refugee camps but others wounded by Thursday’s sanitation at processing points from which the massive car bomb attack on a receiving units migrants will be sent elsewhere as police bus, the Dogan news agency soon as possible. reported. The attack was claimed “Once the health checks and reg- on Friday by the military wing of istration is done for the migrants, the outlawed Kurdistan Work- AFP they will be sent on to camps,” Dal- ers Party (PKK) which had been gic was quoted as saying. battling the security forces since “We intend to complete this work a truce broke down last summer. ISTANBUL: Turkey has begun work with them staying for as short a time The bombing — unlike previous on two centres to process Syrian and as possible,” he added. recent attacks in Turkey — was not other migrants after they return There have been fears in Tur- a suicide attack but remotely det- from Greece under a deal with the key’s fashionable Aegean resorts that onated, officials said at the time. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) greets Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) during a plenary EU which comes into force next a sudden influx of migrants could Dogan said AC is believed to week, local officials and reports prompt a backlash from locals and session of the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC. US President Barack Obama is hosting be the man recorded on security said yesterday. put off tourists. the summit to highlight accomplishments towards reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism. camera footage. Under the controversial agree- Local officials in Dikili, also in ment, Turkey is due to start receiving Izmir province on the Aegean and migrants who crossed the Aegean facing the Greek island of Lesbos Sea for EU member Greece from — have said a readmission centre tomorrow but so far details have is being established in the region Turkey shells Islamic State targets in northern Syria been vague over how the transfer for migrants being sent back from will be implemented. Greece. Work has now started on a cen- It remains to be seen how the AFP A fragile ceasefire backed by Tur- region — which has on occasion been ceasefire was implemented from tre in the major Aegean tourist resort initial transfers will proceed and if key has taken effect in Syria, but the hit by deadly IS shelling from Syria February 27. of Cesme in Izmir province, which the Dikili and Cesme centres will be deal does not apply to territory held — has been stepped up as a result, Washington had urged Ankara faces the Greek island of Chios that involved. Pictures broadcast by NTV ISTANBUL: Turkish armed forces by the IS group and Al Qaeda affili- it added. to halt its fire on the PYD and its has been a major target for migrants, television on Friday showed only a yesterday launched artillery strikes ate Al Nusra Front. From mid-February, Turkish People’s Protection Units (YPG) the town’s mayor said. barren space at the site of the pro- on positions of the Islamic State (IS) This was the the first time there artillery had also on successive days militia. Water pipes and electricity posed Dikili centre. group in Syria, reports said. had been reports of Turkey striking shelled targets of the Syrian Kurdish The issue of the Syrian Kurds had cables are now being laid for the 500 Turkish media reports mean- Turkish artillery fired shells from IS in Syria since early March. Democratic Union Party (PYD) inside caused a rare rift between Ankara square-metre area by the Ulusoy while have said the Turkish Red howitzers positioned in its border The report said the artillery Syria, with the military saying it was and Washington, which regards the harbour in Cesme, mayor Muhittin Crescent is preparing to open a region of Kilis against IS targets in strikes were carried out following responding to incoming fire. YPG as the most effective fighting Dalgic was quoted as saying by the new refugee camp further inland in settlements around the town of Azaz air raids in the same region by the But Turkey has not shelled any force on the ground against IS and Anatolia news agency. Manisa in western Turkey to accom- in northern Syria, the Dogan news US-led coalition against IS. positions held by Syrian Kurd- wants Turkey to focus on the fight The centre will have tents for modate the new influx. agency said. Security in the Turkish border ish fighters inside Syria since the against jihadists. US considering Syria’s Palmyra: Ghost more special forces for Syria: town scarred by IS Military official Associated Press Syrian flag flies in the wind. Palmyra is located about 248 kilometers AFP (155 miles) east of Damascus, the Syrian cap- PALMYRA: Explosions rocked the ancient ital. Government troops, backed by allied town of Palmyra on Friday and on the hori- militiamen and Russian airstrikes retook the WASHINGTON: US officials are zon, black smoke wafted behind its majestic town on Sunday from IS militants who had weighing sending more special Roman ruins, as Syrian army experts carefully controlled Palmyra and its environs for 10 forces troops to Syria, where the detonated hundreds of mines they say were months. contingent of American fighters planted by Islamic State militants before they Ancient Palmyra is a UNESCO heritage site currently numbers around 50, a fled the town. — an archaeological gem that attracted tens of senior military official said yes- An Associated Press crew visiting the town thousands of tourists every year. terday. Friday witnessed firsthand the destruction It was completely deserted on Friday, except A US official speaking on the inflicted by the extremist group on the town’s for Syrian army soldiers working on disman- condition of anonymity said the famed archaeological site, less than a mile away tling explosives and visiting journalists. additional troops would be used from the modern-day town of the same name, The town — about a kilometer away from to bolster US special forces sent to now completely deserted. the ruins — is completely deserted, its remain- Syria several months ago. While some parts of the site, including the ing residents had fled as the Syrian army’s “Presumably they would do Roman-era grand colonnades and amphi- offensive against IS began a month ago. more of what they’re already theater appeared relatively untouched, the Traces of the fighting could be seen all doing,” said the official, who said damage was very much visible elsewhere. around. Burned cars parked on the side of the the mission would be expected The remarkable Arch of Triumph, built road, electricity cables strewn about on the to take on “no new capabilities under the Roman emperor Septimius Severus streets, and scattered empty water tanks appar- but an increase of the current between A.D. 193 and A.D. 211, has been ently used as barricades. capabilities.” reduced to a pile of stones, blown up by IS At the entrance to the Roman amphitheater, The official said no determi- extremists who filmed the destruction for the where IS filmed children shooting captive Syr- nation has been made about the world to see. ian soldiers in the head, black graffiti is sprayed number of troops who could be The monumental arch once sat atop on a stone wall. sent or whether they will be sent the famed colonnaded streets of the “Lasting and Expanding,” it read in Arabic, at all. ancient town. a logo of the Islamic State group. “The Islamic “Nothing has been decided The Temple of Baalshamin and parts of State” is scribbled on another nearby wall. yet,” the official said. the Temple of Bel, one of the best-preserved A Syrian officer told reporters that more The Pentagon last year said Roman-era sites, are also destroyed. than 3,000 mines have so far been dismantled. it was sending about 50 special Apart from the Roman ruins themselves, “They booby-trapped everything, trees, operations troops to work with heavy damage could be seen on parts of the doors, animals,” he said, speaking of the mil- anti-IS fighters in Syria, although walls of Palmyra’s towering Mamluk-era cit- itants. Russian sappers have arrived in Syria Syrian troops in the modern city of Palmyra, part of the Homs Governorate in Syria, officials have said next to noth- adel, built during the Islamic conquest in the to help the Syrian army clear mines in and ing about their whereabouts or yesterday. 13th century. On top of the scarred citadel, a around the town. progress since, and have worked hard to ensure no information about the commandos’ presence is released, citing security reasons. US Defence Secretary Ash- Iraq PM calls for legal action over oil bribery scandal ton Carter has said the American forces are directly engaged in pin- pointing targets in Syria. AFP The Huffington Post and Fairfax affairs, to help secure contracts for defamation suit. The report on oil sec- technology.” “This has made us as Some were involved in helping Media, which reviewed thousands its clients. tor corruption has already sparked the local partner of choice for larger identify targets during coalition air of internal documents from Monaco- Unaoil clients in the Middle East action in Europe. international companies,” it says. strikes in late February to liberate BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister based firm Unaoil. included Rolls-Royce, Weatherford, Authorities in Monaco searched Iraq is plagued by endemic cor- the Syrian town of Shaddadi from Haider Al Abadi called yesterday for The report “revealed the involve- Petrofac, Clyde Pumps, Cameron/ Unaoil’s headquarters and the ruption that has robbed the country of IS control. legal action over allegations that sen- ment of senior Iraqi officials... in Natco, FMC Technologies, Saipem, homes of company officials and also huge sums of money that could other- Washington has led an inter- ior officials took millions of dollars corrupt deals and bribes related to oil SBM Offshore, MAN Turbo and questioned leaders of the firm, the wise have been spent on development national coalition against the in bribes to help major firms secure contracts during the period of pre- Leighton Offshore, according to the principality said in a statement. and services. IS group in Iraq and Syria since lucrative oil sector contracts. vious governments”, the premier’s report. This was done at the request of Abadi has announced a series of August 2014. The United States, Abadi instructed the country’s statement said. At a news conference yesterday, Britain’s Serious Fraud Office as part reform measures aimed at reduc- which has ruled out large-scale anti-corruption commission to take The investigation found that Shahristani, who is currently minis- of “a major corruption case with ing government waste and curbing troop deployments on the ground, “legal measures” and called for the Unaoil agreed to pay millions of ter of higher education, denied having international ramifications,” the corruption. But the powerful parties has stressed the importance of judiciary to pursue prosecutions con- dollars to influence Iraqi officials had contact with Unaoil. statement said. and politicians who benefit from the special operations commandos nected to the scandal, a statement including oil ministers Hussein He also said in a statement that if On its website, Unaoil says that existing system have opposed the working with sympathetic local from his office said. Al Shahristani and Abdul Karim the evidence on which the investiga- it “invests locally in frontier mar- changes behind the scenes, and lit- forces and helping to advise and The allegations of corruption Luaibi, the former of whom also tion was based is not turned over to kets to provide local capabilities at tle in the way of lasting change has equip them to fight IS. came to light in an investigation by served as deputy premier for energy the Iraqi government, it should file a international standards using leading been achieved. ASIA / PHILIPPINES SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 09 US and Philippines to hold war games

(shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises are from counter-terrorism manoeu- Richard Javad Heydarian, a political The 11-day exercises expected to show how the Philip- vres against Islamic extremists like science professor at the De La Salle pines, though severely outgunned, the Philippines’ Abu Sayyaf, to sim- University in Manila, added that the are expected to show can counter China with the help of ulations of retaking and protecting exercises “aim to enhance interopera- how the Philippines, the United States, its longest-stand- territory as disputes with Beijing have bility among allies nations and signal ing ally. escalated. However, Filipino and US their preparedness to confront China though severely China has in recent months built officials insist the exercises are not if necessary”. outgunned, can massive structures including radar explicitly aimed at China. The Philippine military said the systems and an airstrip over reefs and Balikatan spokesman Captain US High Mobility Artillery Rocket counter China with outcrops in the contested South China Celeste Frank Sayson said 55 US air- System (HIMARS), designed to shoot the help of the United Sea, sparking international concern. craft would take part in the drills, down aircraft, will be sent to Pala- Beijing lays claim to almost all of while the Philippines will deploy wan, the Philippines’ westernmost States, its longest- the waters, which are important for fighter jets it has recently acquired. island on the South China Sea, dur- standing ally. international shipping and believed While no specific staging areas ing the war games. to hold valuable mineral and energy have been disclosed, the two allies The Philippines operates one air- deposits, and neighbouring coun- have in recent years held war games strip in the South China Sea, on Thitu tries fear China could impose military at air bases just 230 kilometres (140 island, where there are around 350 AFP controls over the entire sea. The joint miles) from the disputed areas in the civilian residents. manoeuvres come ahead of a decision South China Sea. Rene de Castro, an It also keeps small military con- this year by a United Nations-backed international studies professor at the tingents in smaller outcrops, including tribunal on a legal challenge by De La Salle University in Manila, said Second Thomas Shoal, where Marines MANILA: Thousands of US and Fili- Manila to China’s territorial claims. the drills appeared to have China’s are stationed on a decaying World pino soldiers will launch annual war Adding to the tensions, the Philip- expansion in the South China Sea War II ship. The Philippines, which games tomorrow that this year are pines is preparing to host US troops in in mind. “Looking at the features has one of the weakest militaries being seen as a show of strength in five bases under a defence pact born of Balikatan -- the mobile missile- in the region, has sought to coun- A file picture of Philippine soldiers and a US army soldier taking their the face of China’s increasing assert- out of US President Barack Obama’s launchers, the fighter planes -- that is ter China’s overwhelming military iveness in the region. plan to reassert American influence an indication that the alliance is being advantage by improving ties with positions during an air assault exercise inside the military training camp The 11-day Balikatan in the Pacific. Balikatan has evolved geared for territorial defence,” he said. the United States and Japan. of Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija province north of Manila. Suspected Filipino gunmen kidnap 4 Malaysians Journal denounces attempts to discredit anti-graft drive AP said. The tugboat owner managed to Filemon Tan, who speaks for the mil- have been ordered to step up security establish contact with the remain- itary command in charge of securing and increase vigilance due to what ing crewmen, who reported that they southern provinces where Abu Sayyaf appears to be a new tactic by the kid- Reuters has promised to strike hard at both had been robbed and that four Malay- militants have an active presence. nappers, Malaysian officials said. senior and low-level officials, the MANILA: Suspected Filipino Mus- sian colleagues had been kidnapped. Ten Indonesian crewmen of a Abu Sayyaf gunmen from the “tigers” and “flies”. There has been lim militants seized four Malaysian The tugboat continued its voyage to tugboat and barge were kidnapped southern Philippines have previously persistent speculation that the graft crewmen of a tugboat in the second Tawau with a security vessel escort- recently by suspected Abu Sayyaf assaulted and staged kidnappings in BEIJING: A top magazine of China’s crackdown is also about Xi taking such attack at sea in recent weeks, ing it after the attack, the officials militants while en route to the Phil- Malaysia’s coastal resorts in Sabah. ruling Communist Party lashed out down his rivals. sparking a new security alarm, offi- said. ippines from Indonesia’s Kalimantan The two latest kidnappings tar- at critics of its ongoing anti-cor- “Some take their own coun- cials said yesterday. Philippine military officials said region, Indonesian and Philippine geted slow-moving tugboats that were ruption campaign, saying foreign tries’ anti-corruption efforts as a Eight gunmen on board a speed they had received sketchy reports officials said. relatively easy to board in the Sulu media and individuals from home just display of rule of law, but see boat took the Malaysians from the about the new kidnappings and The Indonesian foreign ministry Sea, Malaysian officials said. and abroad were intentionally trying our anti-corruption work as a ‘power MV Massive 6 on Friday night but added that Philippine authorities said the owner of the hijacked tug Abu Sayyaf, which is on US and to discredit the effort as a political struggle’ that entails shadowy busi- left behind five other crewmen were coordinating with their Malay- boat and coal barge has received two Philippine lists of terrorist organi- “power struggle”. ness,” the influential bimonthly from Myanmar and Indonesia as the sian counterparts. telephone calls, purportedly from the zations, is notorious for bombings, Chinese President Xi Jinping journal Qiushi said. Domestically, tugboat sailed to Tawau island in Philippine forces “remain on alert Abu Sayyaf, demanding a ransom. extortions and kidnappings for has pursued a sweeping campaign there are also some people who Malaysia’s eastern state of Sabah from and have taken appropriate action Following Friday’s attack, Royal ransom in the volatile south of the to root out corruption since assum- “parrot” these words, an article in the Philippines, Malaysian officials to address the situation,” said Maj. Malaysian Navy ships and forces Philippines. ing power about three years ago, and the magazine said. 10 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 OPINION

Democracy and human rights

ESTABLISHED IN 1996 aren’t Western colonial exports

CHAIRMAN If Western categories ought to around them and whether to be rejected in favor of non-West- accept them, to what extent and SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI ern ones, as these academics tell When citizens in what form. us, then what should we make in non-Western Efforts to provide Islamic var- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF of the fact that protestors on the iants on democracy or Confucian ground continue to cling to the countries clamor variants on rights thus should be DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI former in a very familiar way, for democracy, understood not as alternatives to [email protected] explicitly demanding rights, modern ideals, but as variants including women’s rights, equal- there is no reason on them. This is just as it should ity, elections and the rule of law? to suspect elitism be. Just as there are differences ACTING MANAGING EDITOR The familiarity of the protesters’ between the democratic systems By Loubna El Amine slogans is important and telling. or Western of Germany and the United States, HUSSAIN AHMAD The Washington Post The slogans are familiar not manipulation or so too would a democratic China [email protected] because of superficial resem- false consciousness. and a democratic Yemen be dif- blances between modes of ferent both from each other and activism across the world that Not everything from the U.S. and German mod- n September 2014, students somehow mask deep intellec- familiar is a sign of els. Crucially, these differences are in Hong Kong gathered in tual disagreements. Rather, they not between East and West, but a public square to protest are familiar because the situation cultural imperialism. among different countries with EDITORIAL some of the Beijing govern- they are responding to is familiar: different material realities. ment’s legislative initiatives. a state using extensive and arbi- For a non-Western conception IOne of their slogans was “When trary power. of government to completely avoid dictatorship becomes a reality, It would have been odd for people and protect the inviolabil- generating appeals to democracy Glimmer of hope revolution is a duty,” which has protesters in Hong Kong to advo- ity of human life. In other words, and rights, it would need to reject been attributed to Victor Hugo. cate for the Chinese government’s demand democracy and rights. these without simply calling for fter a year of civil war, there is a glimmer of hope During the Arab Spring, protest- return to Confucian rituals, or for Non-Western states now have the the extension of the power of the ers in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen crowds in Cairo’s the streets to same essential features of sover- sovereign state. The Islamic State, in Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition forces and the and Syria raised such slogans as: demand a return to dhimmi sys- eignty as Western ones. And so by rejecting state borders and Houthi rebels have agreed to a ceasefire starting “The people want the overthrow tem, which left minorities free to their citizens can protect them- hearkening back to a pre-modern April 10, to be followed by the United Nations- of the regime,” “Bread, freedom, pursue private religious practices selves only by fighting for these system, is trying to do precisely sponsored peace talks a week later. Paving the social justice” and “The revolution while being otherwise excluded ideals, and their intellectuals can this. But as the group conquers Away for the ceasefire and peace talks was a prisoner swap of dignity and freedom.” from political life. These scenarios support these citizens’ efforts only territory and rules people, it will which happened last week in which nine Saudi prisoners were Some academics and pub- are implausible, if not impossible, by advocating for these ideals. have to start acting like a state. In exchanged for 109 Yemeni nationals. People of Yemen, the lic intellectuals who study not because Confucian rituals and This is not to deny that many fact, it already is. non-Western societies, worried the dhimmi system are ineffective critics around the world denounce And once the Islamic State Arab world’s most impoverished country that has been nearly about imposing Western values, in themselves but because they human rights and democracy as does act like a state, we can expect destroyed in the war, are pinning their hopes on the forthcoming have expressed concern about don’t match modern realities. To Western impositions. Their pro- its subjects to start demanding truce and the peace process. the use of categories like human fight a modern state, to constrain posals, whether building on Latin rights, laws and other limits on More than 6,200 people have been killed, almost half of them rights and liberal democracy. rulers and protect minorities, one American, African, Middle East- state action. Their demands might civilians, and more than 30,000 have been injured in the year- They have instead favored draw- needs more appropriate tools. ern, Asian or various Western be couched in religious language, long war, according to the World Health Organisation estimates. ing on non-Western societies’ own In a new article, I argue that traditions, typically contend that but the debate will become more intellectual traditions and lived these tools are precisely the so- the state should intervene more, and more recognizable as a debate Hundreds of thousands have been displaced and the country’s experiences. Thus the academic called Western ideals that some rather than less, in society. They about the limits of state power, economy has been reduced to ruins. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, debate about the form of govern- academics are skeptical about: argue that the state should provide rather than as a debate internal the UN envoy to Yemen, is very optimistic about the peace talks. ment that China should adopt has democracy, rights and the rule of for social welfare, defend a par- to Islam. He said that the recent confidence-building measures taken by focused on drawing from the ide- law. These should be understood ticular view of the good life or act In short, when citizens in both sides have brightened the chances of success of the peace als of Confucianism. not as Western, but as modern: on religious maxims. non-Western countries clamor process and can speed up the political process. Yet the slogans raised by the normative tools particularly However, to justify themselves for democracy, there is no rea- The Gulf countries are keen on a negotiated settlement to the protesters are eminently famil- suited to the realities of politi- to the public, these arguments also son to suspect elitism or Western iar; they might well have been cal life under the sovereign state, inevitably build in guarantees manipulation or false conscious- war in Yemen. They were forced to intervene in this conflict a deployed in any other country, the central institution of modern against abuse, legally limiting the ness. Not everything familiar is a year ago after the Iran-backed Houthis ousted from power the whether Greece, France, Ukraine politics. use of state power and requiring sign of cultural imperialism. This internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu or indeed the United States. Pro- Sovereign states centralize states to consult with the people, is not to deny that power differ- Mansour Hadi. A Saudi-led coalition testers in Hong Kong did not politics and impose a monopoly usually through elections. These entials continue to structure the of Sunni forces began a military mention Confucianism at all, on the use of force in a way that guarantees dominate the debate relationship between the West and campaign to reinstall the government prompting one commentator on pre-modern empires could not, between advocates and opponents the East, but rather to suggest that a prominent Chinese and com- and did not. The only protection of these proposals. Even when overcoming the discourse of “us” of Hadi and prevent Houthi rebels parative philosophy blog to ask, against the risk that states will there is a desire to get away from and “them” will open up more and forces loyal to ex-President Ali “Where are all the Confucians . abuse their power is to make the democracy and human rights, the promising avenues for respond- People of Abdullah Saleh from taking control . . tonight?” government accountable to its conversation ends up centering ing to domination. Yemen are of the entire country. The Saudi-led pinning their campaign has been successful and the Houthi rebels were thwarted in their hopes on the attempts to take control of the country. forthcoming A solution to the Yemen conflict Executing Palestinians, a sign of Israel’s strength? ceasefire and lies only in the restoration of Hadi the peace government. Houthis must withdraw Despite its cruelty the murder penalty does not mean that it has from the territories they have captured of Al-Sharif was by no means an In the wake of the been taken off the agenda. The process. and pave the way for the restoration of isolated act. The grim reality is that Israeli establishment has only done the Hadi government because Houthis’ almost every day young Palestin- current intifada so for now because of the dam- ians are killed in almost similar age the execution of Al-Sharif has expansion is illegal and against the in the occupied circumstances. All it takes is for done to its claim of being a liberal international laws. a fanatic settler or trigger-happy West Bank and democracy and bastion of civilised A political solution to the conflict soldier to suspect him, or her, of Jerusalem, Israeli values. Prime Minister Benyamin will not be easy and will be time- being a “terrorist”. Netanyahu’s oft repeated mantra consuming, but the ceasefire will give a huge relief to people who Admittedly, Israel’s political politicians have that the Israeli army is the most are trapped in the war. But there is a sense of hope about the and religious establishments have revived, yet again, “moral” army in the world has been peace process. The UN envoy said that “they were planning and both encouraged this culture of exposed as a shameless canard. Dr Daud Abdullah impunity. In mid-March the chief the debate on To the Palestinians, it hardly preparing at full speed”. “The UN political experts have already Sephardi Rabbi Israel Yitzhak issued capital punishment. matters if Israel legislates to adopt been deployed to Sanaa and Riyadh in order to work with the an edict stating that it was a reli- capital punishment. It is, after all, delegations gearing up for gious imperative to kill Palestinians a postscript of a practice that has the resumption of talks. Another team is on its way to Kuwait here was no military armed with knives, and urged sol- long been in effect, all be it without to finalize the preparations,” he added. necessity for last week’s diers not to worry about the courts due process in courts of law. For The cessation of hostilities that will begin next week must be slaying of Abdel Fattah or the army on the matter. soldier who “executed” Al-Sharif. them, life under military occupa- Al-Sharif in Hebron. He For several years now Israeli More than 50,000 Israelis signed tion is no longer an option. converted into a permanent truce. With several countries in the was clearly wound, inca- politicians have been toying with an online petition demanding he Clearly, the Netanyahu govern- Middle East in turmoil, Yemen cannot continue to burn. Tpacitated and posed no imminent the idea of writing into law the death be awarded a medal; others have ment wants its people to believe threat to the Israeli soldier who shot penalty for Palestinians. In 2006, staged public rallies in support of that executions, house demolitions him. Even by Israel’s standards it the leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu the offending soldier. and deportations are all signs of was a callous act of murder. The party, Avigdor Lieberman, argued Despite these pressures it is strength. They are not. At best, they Israeli daily Haaretz newspaper during a parliamentary debate that unlikely that even the Israeli estab- reflect the weakness and ineffec- rightly described it as a “cold- Arab parliamentarians who talk to lishment will accede to calls for the tiveness of a government that is Quote of the day blooded execution”; one that can Hamas should be executed. death penalty or even exonerate politically bankrupt and incapable and must, therefore, reinforce calls Last year the Israeli news web- Azarya completely. The interna- of finding a solution to the current for an international investigation site Mako reported Lieberman as tional fallout from the execution uprising. Islamophobia is on the into Israel’s policy of extrajudicial saying: “Anyone who’s with us is yet to run its course. Philip If he is to withstand the chal- executions in the occupied Pales- should be given everything – up Luther, director of the Middle East lenge posed by opposition figures rise in the United States tinian territories. to half the kingdom. Anyone who’s and North Africa Programme at like Lieberman and his fellow trave- and US presidential When Sweden’s foreign Minister against us, there’s nothing to do – Amnesty International said: “The lers, Netanyahu must continue to Margot Wallstrom called for such we should raise an axe and cut off shooting of a wounded and inca- give a free hand to his “moral” candidates have an investigation back in January the his head; otherwise we won’t sur- pacitated person, even if they army and extremist settlers to targeted Muslims during Israeli foreign ministry dismissed vive here.” have been involved in an attack, act with impunity. Ultimately, for her intervention as “irresponsible In the wake of the current inti- has absolutely no justification and the Palestinians it is only through the election campaign. and delusional”. The shooting of fada in the occupied West Bank must be prosecuted as a potential self-defence that they will ensure 21-year-old Al-Sharif, which was and Jerusalem, Israeli politicians war crime.” Similar concerns have self-preservation. recorded on video and has since have revived, yet again, the debate been raised even from within the Recep Tayyip Erdogan gone viral on the internet, will now on capital punishment. They have normally subservient US Congress. Daud A Abdullah is a former Turkish President revive and add a greater sense of been egged on by an out pouring of A recent decision to defer a Deputy Secretary General of the urgency to her call. public support for Elor Azarya, the ministerial discussion on the death Muslim Council of Britain

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

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By Jamal Khashoggi

needed to go to Washington to find out once again the reality of Syr- ian revolution after its image was distorted. American-Syrian Association Iinvited me for its annual conference that pulled a huge crowd of Syrian commu- nity in US. A movie “Little Gandhi” was screened as part of the activities of the event. The movie was about a Syrian youth dream- ing for freedom. The youth believed that he could convince the soldiers of Bashar Al Asad and his mercenaries belonged to same nation. so his freedom is considered as their freedom and distributed bottles of water and white roses to them as gifts. But they were not convinced and killed Syrian children carry pictures of 13-year-old Hamza Al-Khatib. the boy. It happened at the beginning of the revolution. President. But they failed to penetrate This differentiation is important and people came out cheering for free- outcomes of meetings of foreign ministers The killing of Ghayath Matar who was Dariya city. because that moment is going to come dom, fear and hesitations disappeared of US and Russia or Saudi and Turkish as called little Gandhi by his friends and fans, When I was watching the movie I was when gunship firing became silence. then the regime responded with artillery major actors. Some of the analysts con- was spark of the revolution and a valid assured that three facts will draw the map And the wise leaders will sit at negotia- and amid the smokes the scene of Gha- sider the whole issue as mere anger and reason to turn a peaceful revolution into of Syrian crises in the coming days. tion table to draft a roadmap for the future yath’s peaceful revolution disappeared. revenge from Bashar who described Arab an armed struggle as a reaction to the First piont is that the revolution will of Syria based on pluralism, completely The head of the regime described leaders as half-men in one of the summits. action of the regime that did not leave back to its first stage (boyhood) as a dream free from the vision of Bashar, IS, Al Nusra demonstrators as armed gangs and con- A third analyst consider it dispute over any other option for them. of Arab spring and its ambitions, peace- and code for a Muslim. tinued killing them. He talked about oil and gas pipe linking Gulf and Europe. However, the companions of youth ful revolution, slogans of freedom in the Third point is withdrawal of Rus- foreign conspiracy (terrorism, Saudis, Syria again became on top of world in the movie and panelists in the confer- protests that returned to Syrian cities sian forces from Syria and seriousness Turkish, Qataris…) while there were no one events but all dreams and sacrifices made ence were discussing whether it could be freed from the hands of both regime and of Geneva talks and ceasefire first of except the criminal regime and victims. to achieve social peace and freedom foiled possible to make the revolution peaceful. IS. These things could not be seen in the all. It is right these things did not hap- The regime was trying to hide his crimes because of alliance between dictatorship, Obviously, they wished for peaceful areas under regime or those replaced by pen completely. Russia is still supporting and tens of thousands killed by him. Under sectarianism and rebels but revolution still revolution but there was no option. They IS. Both regime and IS are same for being the regime, talks is moving slowly and continuous killings and reactions and alive. lived under heavy bombardments. Dariya tyrant genetically even if they have dif- the regime is trying to escape from what denounces and Paris and London meet- Ghayath reminded me with Wael city was attacked by heavy artilleries then ferent images in ugliness. it deserve, an inevitable quit. Regime is ings on the cause we forgot all scenes of Ghneim one of the leaders of January fighter planes and explo- Second point was separation from Al still violating ceasefire but all these indi- the peaceful demonstrations and armed 25th revolution, released when Mubarak sive barrels as it was a Nosra front that kept pace with revolu- cate that the revolution back to its early revolution engulfed the country. resigned. Ghneim was hosted at TV pro- war front. Finally, the city tion on battleground and become different stage because the revolution did not want The scene of freedom cheers and gram al ashera masaa and when the was besieged and citizens when the revolution move towards peace to become armed. flowers disappeared and we began to presenter Muna Shazali showed bodies Go, go Bashar, same faced starvation. But it process. Protests were organised in Mar- Go, go Bashar, same cheers used talk about maps of Syria and colours of of tens of Egyptian youth killed during the is still resisting, despite rat Al Numan and Idlib, the stronghold of against Mubarak in Egypt, Saleh of Yemen, flags in a country divided between the free revolution against Mubarak, Ghneim col- cheers used against decreasing number of Al Nusra Front. Bin Ali of Tunisia and Gaddafi in Libya. It is Army, the regime and other factions where lapsed crying and fainted because he did Mubarak in Egypt, residents amid shortage The protesters did not demand Nosra new Arab Spring and despite of the blood- the ugly face of sectarianism appeared not want any to die. Saleh of Yemen, Bin of weapons and other to go but they declared freedom because sheds and frustrations it is still beating. and Da’esh with its black flag making the Today and after prevalence of death resources. spirit of Arab Sprig refuse all forms of The first scene of the revolution was scene darker. and destructions overall the Syria, no one Ali of Tunisia and Regime tried to use tyrants even from those who claimed Ghayath offering water battle and flow- The revolution begun to gain less could cry even hundreds of thousands of Gaddafi in Libya. It the armed fighters of supporting the revolution. The freedom ers to the regime’s thugs. Many scenes attention in writers articles and inter- youth have died and the only fear today Islamic State (IS) who as defined by protesters is not to impose spanned overall the nation, his talks, views that begun to focus on proxy wars, is not to see the motherland itself dying. is new Arab Spring made sabotage last week. life style on anyone and how he must lead dream, mutilation of his body, his funeral Saudi-Irani competitions and these wrong and despite of the They did not believe at all his life. Oh! Al Nosra the followers, you are which attended by many Western ambas- analysis reached its peak when Obama bloodsheds and for any peaceful protests, free to chose what you wants for your life. sadors and there were no Arab diplomat begun to repeat it in his interviews. The writer is a Saudi Arabian journalist, even the dram of Gayath You can make restriction for yourself and among them. More scenes of the revolu- On the third and fourth year of the columnist, author and the General Man- frustrations it is still for a plural democratic your poor family members but you do not tion included youth speaking about armed revolution all forgot Ghayath and Hamaza ager and Editor-in-Chief of Al Arab News beating. system in Syria includ- have right to impose your narrow-ideol- resistance, other opposed the idea, the Al Khateeb the symbols of the revolution. Channel. ing the supporters of the ogy on others. countryside came out of regime control The issue now summed up in waiting Is it time to set up checkpoints outside airports?

on the outskirts of an airport came since the March 22 attacks in Belgium the terminal. In this case, security per- your life normally, to -- quote-unquote entrances that can also sift the air for from Pini Schiff, the former security when radical Islamic terrorists struck sonnel failed to notice a three-person - not let the terrorists beat us.” Fur- their chemical fingerprints. And it’s chief at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Inter- the airport outside Brussels and the team of terrorists wheeling a very large thermore, security officials could set likely to mean more profiling, some national Airport and now the chief city’s subway, killing at least 35 peo- payload of explosives into the airport, up security checkpoints a mile from experts say. executive of the Israel Security Asso- ple and injuring 340. even though two of them were wear- the airport - as in conflict zones such “Someone who focuses on tak- ciation, an organization that provides “I think that’s going to be a rapidly ing black gloves on one of their hands as Afghanistan and Somalia - and still ing a water bottle away from some security for companies and govern- emerging question: ‘Where’s the hard- that some believe were used to hide not be foolproof, Dordal said. He said old lady will never find explosives,” ment offices. line in a free society?’ And, boy, it’s a detonators. there are checkpoints a mile from Aden Shlomo Harnoy, another Israeli secu- Schiff called the Belgium attack loaded conversation,” Hutton said. “But “I think my daughters would have Adde International Airport in Mogad- rity consultant, was quoted by Reuters “a colossal failure” for allowing the I think it’s important to think about caught that right away,” Dordal said. ishu, and yet insiders there are believed as saying. He told The Washington Post terrorists to enter the Brussels air- pushing that hardline out.” “This is a failing of aviation security, to have assisted a suicide bomber who something very similar more than five port’s crowded departures hall with a Hutton, whose clients include cor- not to be able to detect that, or at least set off an explosive inside an airplane years ago. huge amount of explosives. The rest of porations, universities, faith-based not to be able to push that screening in February. But profiling must be done in ways the world should reevaluate security and nongovernmental organizations process out further and not have it in The Transportation Secu- that can identify potential threats procedures by setting up concentric that send people overseas, said air- that common area.” rity Administration declined to say without engaging in blanket discrim- By Fredrick Kunkle circles, including checkpoints perhaps ports could perhaps require people But Dordal -- whose company whether pushing back the outer ring of ination against people based on their The Washington Post six kilometers from the airport itself, to park at satellite parking lots and helps provide security more than 40 security to airport entrances or beyond nationality, religion, or ethnicity, Schiff said in an interview with Israel undergo screening before boarding airports around the world, primarily in has been under consideration in the Dordal said. To be done fairly -- and Radio that was reported by Reuters shuttle buses to the terminals. Bag- Canada -- said he doubted Americans United States. legally -- it has to focus on suspicious and picked up in many papers. Others gage screening might also occur offsite, would tolerate security procedures, “Unfortunately, this isn’t something behaviors. he terrorist attack on Bel- talked of the importance of profiling. similar to the way that mail for the US such as setting up security checkpoints we can discuss publicly at this junc- “You can’t be selecting people gium last week caused some Jim Hutton, who is chief security Capitol or other governmental instal- on access roads, that for now are gen- ture,” TSA spokesman Mike England because of their nationality, or reli- TEuropean security officials to officer for On Call International, a New lations is sorted and inspected off-site. erally found only in conflict zones or said in an email. gion, or how they look, their facial reconsider strategies for protecting Hampshire-based travel-risk consult- Pete Dordal Jr., senior vice developing countries plagued by ter- For now, private security experts features,” Dordal said. “And the pure air travelers, including the idea that ant, said security officials have long president & managing director at rorism. The location and footprint of said it’s more likely that the United security person in me says you can’t perhaps the checkpoint perimeter talked about the appropriate point GardaWorld International Protec- most airports, especially at some of States and other western nations discount the old lady.” should be moved further out to air- for setting up a “hardline” perimeter, tive Services, said he was skeptical the nation’s older terminals, wouldn’t will continue to monitor airports Dordal said US military forces port entrances or beyond. through which attackers cannot pass. about widening the concentric rings allow it. using other methods. That’s likely to learned the hard way that giving too It’s a discussion that should hap- But they have to balance that imper- of security but wouldn’t rule out such “That’s just impractical,” Dordal involve using highly trained security much deference to customs regard- pen here too. meable limit with variables such as procedures in the United States. said. “There’s the convenience factor, personnel to look for telltale signs of ing the treatment of women at security The idea that many countries convenience, politics, economics and But the Belgian attack yet again and that’s always there weighing on a threat. Or it might entail using more checkpoints allowed the Taliban to are risking disaster by not setting up culture. highlighted the consequences of failing security, and not just at airports. It’s K-9 teams trained to detect explosives evade checkpoints by using men dis- checkpoints at the entrances or even The discussion has sharpened to detect attackers before they reach the ability to conduct commerce, to live or high-tech sensors and robots at the guised in burqas.

All thoughts and views expressed in these columns are those of the writers, not of the newspaper. All correspondence regarding Views and Opinion pages should be mailed to the Editor-in-Chief. 12 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 ASIA / AFRICA Vietnam swears in new president Crocodile kills AFP Reformist Prime Minister Nguyen Russian tourist Tan Dung lost out in internal party One of President elections and is due to step down next In Indonesia Quang’s first duties week, when the National Assembly HANOI: Lawmakers in communist will vote on his replacement. JAKARTA: A Russian tour- Vietnam approved a top police gen- will be to receive This is expected to be Nguyen ist was mauled to death eral for the role of president yesterday, US President Barack Xuan Phuc, currently a deputy prime by a crocodile in a popu- making the head of a controversial minister, state media said. lar diving site in Eastern domestic security force one of the Obama as Hanoi In the past, the leadership hando- Indonesia, an official said country’s most high profile politicians. seeks closer ties with ver was decided at the party congress yesterday. Tran Dai Quang won 91.5 percent its former wartime but took up to six months to be con- The body of Sergey of the votes during a ballot at the rub- firmed by the National Assembly. Lykhvar was discovered ber stamp parliament early yesterday, adversary in the face Analysts say this year things have on Tuesday in Raja Ampat having been nominated by party offi- of Beijing’s rising moved more quickly, partly because islands of West Papua, cials for the largely ceremonial role several top leaders are retiring from four days after he was during the five-yearly Communist assertiveness within politics, and also because of an reported missing. Local Party Congress in January. the contested South upcoming visit by Obama in May. search and rescue head Vietnam is in the midst of a leader- Quang, 59 and a career policeman, Prasetyo Budiarto said ship handover, with communist leader China Sea. rose the ranks within the country’s Lykhvar was reported Vietnam’s newly elected President Tran Dai Quang during the Nguyen Phu Trong reelected in January Ministry of Public Security. missing to the authori- as party secretary general in a victory Assembly for electing me,” Quang His election marks the first time swearing-in ceremony at Parliament House in Hanoi, yesterday. ties last week, one day for the party’s old guard. said as he was sworn in according to a police general has been made after he left to snorkel One of President Quang’s first a media officer at the parliament, who president, said Le Hien Duc, 84, an around the remote Min- duties will be to receive his US coun- spoke on condition of anonymity. anti-corruption activist. party from perceived threats, both of regime critics. “It’s too early to say yaifun island. Rescuers terpart Barack Obama, as Hanoi seeks Authoritarian Vietnam is run by “He worked for forty years as a top domestic and overseas. anything about Quang who still lacks spotted a large saltwater closer ties with its former wartime the Communist Party and officially security leader in the police force,” It has been the focus of criti- experience in foreign policy and the crocodile trailing behind adversary in the face of Beijing’s ris- led by a triumvirate of party secretary she said. Vietnam’s Ministry of Pub- cism from rights groups and Western economy,” said Army Colonel Tran Lykhvar’s body when he ing assertiveness within the contested general, president, and prime minis- lic Security is a powerful body with governments, who regularly urge Thanh Trung, 65. was discovered. South China Sea. ter, with key decisions being made by sweeping powers including intelli- Vietnam to improve its rights record “I don’t expect big changes,” he “We believe he was “I sincerely thank the National the 19-member politburo. gence gathering and protecting the and stop heavy-handed persecutions added. killed by a crocodile judg- ing from the missing body parts and the extent of his injuries,” he said. The 37-year-old normally snor- Giving directions kelled with his friends US plans third patrol and a guide but decided go alone the morning before he was reported missing, Budiarto said. near disputed isles He added that the loca- tion where Lykhvar’s body was retrieved was quite Reuters Mischief Reef, a feature claimed by remote, and dangerous the Philippines and which was sub- because of the strong cur- merged at high tide before China rents and sharp rocks. began a dredging project to turn it BEIJING: The US Navy plans to con- into an island in 2014. duct another passage near disputed Mischief Reef is now the site of 16 killed in islands in the South China Sea in one of three military-length airfields early April, a source familiar with China has built on man-made islands army-rebel the plan said yesterday, the third in in the Spratly Islands archipelago. series of challenges that have drawn US Navy ships regularly patrol clash in Congo sharps rebukes from China. the South China Sea, through which The exact timing of the exercise more than $5 trillion of world trade KINSHASA: Sixteen peo- and which ship would travel inside a travels every year. China claims most ple have been killed in 12-nautical mile limit around a dis- of the area, and Vietnam, Malaysia, fighting between the puted island was not immediately Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan army and rebel groups in clear. have rival claims. eastern Congo, the army The United States has conducted In recent months, with tensions said, yesterday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left) gives field guidance during a visit to the Tonghungsan Machine what it calls “freedom of navigation” rising around China’s reclamation Fighting has raged Plant under the Ryongsong Machine Complex in North Korea, yesterday. exercises in recent months, sailing activities, US ships have been fre- since Sunday in Masisi near disputed islands to underscore quently and routinely shadowed by territory in North Kivu its right to navigate the seas. US Navy Chinese ships and regular commu- province after a coalition officials have said they plan to con- nications with Chinese vessels have comprising the Dem- duct more and increasingly complex often been tense. ocratic Forces for the exercises in the future. News of the planned exercise Liberation of Rwanda The US Stennis carrier strike comes a day after US President (FDLR) - a Rwandan Hutu Boko Haram denies surrender group is currently operating in the Barack Obama met with Chinese group operating in Congo South China Sea. The next freedom President Xi Jinping at a nuclear - and two local militias of navigation exercise is unlikely to summit in Washington. attacked army positions, a be conducted by a carrier like the During the meetings, Xi told military spokesman said. in video posted on YouTube Stennis, but rather by a smaller ship, Obama that China would not accept He added that the the source said. any behavior in the disguise of free- fatalities comprised 12 Experts predict the next US chal- dom of navigation that violates its rebels and four soldiers, lenge to the various claims in the sovereignty, in a clear warning to the according to Kaiko. AFP collapse in the face of a sustained undisclosed desert location. South China Sea could occur near United States. military counter-insurgency. Shekau was still the head of the However, in Friday’s message, “West African wing”, said the masked Boko Haram maintained it was a speaker, likening Boko Haram to the NIGERIA: Boko Haram released a potent fighting force, with men hold- Islamist insurgencies in Iraq, Libya new video yesterday denying any ing AK-47s posing in front of Toyota and Syria. In March 2015, Boko Australia wants Britain to stay in EU suggestion it might surrender, just Hilux pick-up trucks and a lorry Haram pledged allegiance to the over a week after shadowy leader mounted with a military cannon. Islamic State group, another deadly Abubakar Shekau appeared in a rare “You should know that there is no terror organisation. message looking dejected and frail. truce, there is no negotiations, there Since then Nigeria’s army has Reuters the European Union would be in Aus- a betrayal in Australia, upending dec- Shekau, unseen on camera for is no surrender,” an unidentified won back swathes of territory from tralia’s interests”, according to the ades of tradition and a host of tariff more than a year, released an unver- masked man in camouflage said in the militants, liberating thousands Australian Associated Press. agreements. ified video late last month saying his a prepared script in Hausa, the dom- of people who had been living under Bishop said that she told British But now Britain takes only 2.5 time in charge of the Nigerian jihad- inant language in the north, in the Boko Haram control. The video SYDNEY: The former British colony Prime Minister David Cameron of the percent of Australia’s exports, while ist group may be coming to an end. video posted on YouTube. appears to confirm collaboration of Australia wants Britain to stay in Australian position at a meeting in China takes more than 31 percent. If the video indeed depicts “This war between us will not between Boko Haram and the Islamic the European Union, Foreign Minis- Washington on the sidelines of the Supporters of Britain’s exit from the Shekau, he appears thin and listless, stop.” The video, of markedly bet- State group, Africa security specialist ter Julie Bishop said, weeks before Nuclear Security Summit, AAP said. European Union argue that “family delivering his message without his ter quality than Shekau’s and Ryan Cummings said. An estimated Britain holds a referendum on EU Britain holds a referendum on EU ties” with Commonwealth members trademark fiery rhetoric. It prompted including Arabic subtitles, featured 20,000 people have been killed since membership. membership on June 23. such as Australia could compensate speculation from the army that the nine masked Boko Haram fight- Boko Haram began its campaign of Bishop told reporters in Wash- Britain’s entry into the Common for the partial loss of Europe’s 444 Islamist group was on the verge of ers standing on sandy ground in an violence in 2009. ington that “a strong UK as part of Market in 1973 was widely considered million customers.

Malaysia’s 1MDB financed ‘Wolf of Wall Street’: Report Military training

AFP strongly deny any wrongdoing. of stimulating local economic growth, used, the Journal added. “The Wolf of According to the WSJ, it took six years according to the story. The Red Gran- Wall Street” is based on the life of Jor- to produce the movie, which stars ite Pictures website names Riza Aziz dan Belfort, who in the 1990s become Leonardo DiCaprio and is directed -- which the Journal identifies as a wealthy stock broker by swindling NEW YORK: Some of the money to by Martin Scorsese, because Holly- Najib’s stepson -- as the company investors in a securities scam. Belfort make the hit movie “The Wolf of Wall wood studios were reluctant to invest co-founder and co-chairman. went to prison after pleading guilty to Street” was allegedly laundered from in an R-rated movie about financial Investigators in two countries fraud and stock market manipulation. a scandal-hit Malaysian firm founded corruption. believe that some $155m that orig- On the 1MDB allegations, Najib by the country’s leader, the Wall Street A small production company inated with 1MDB moved into Red claims he is a victim of political con- Journal reported. called Red Granite Pictures, which Granite in 2012 through an intricate spiracy. Singapore’s central bank Embattled Malaysian Prime Min- had made only one movie, came up route involving offshore shell com- confirmed yesterday that it has asked ister Najib Razak has been under fire with the more than $100m needed to panies, the newspaper said, citing a number of banks to provide infor- over allegations that hundreds of mil- turn the film into reality, the newspa- unnamed people familiar with the mation on fund flows as part of a lions of dollars were stolen from state per said in its report Friday. probes. probe into possible money-launder- fund 1Malaysia Development Ber- Global investigators believe much FBI agents have issued subpoe- ing related to Malaysian state firm A group of special paramilitary policemen attend a training had (1MDB), and his acceptance of a of that money was diverted from nas to several current and former 1MDB.The Monetary Authority of $681m overseas payment. Both Najib 1MDB, an investment vehicle founded Red Granite employees and to a bank Singapore issued a statement in this session in Chuzhou, Anhui Province, China, yesterday. and the now debt-stricken company in 2009 by Najib with the stated goal and an accounting firm the company regard yesterday. PAKISTAN SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 13

Foreigners Tariq Fatemi attends Nuclear Security Summit Three dead in Pakistan coal disappear mine collapse PESHAWAR: At least three workers were killed when a coal mine collapsed in northwest Pakistan yes- after enquiry terday, with several others still trapped, officials said. A gas explosion may and nationalities or passport num- have caused the mine bers, it is impossible to trace their collapse in the remote Such mysterious whereabouts,” a police officer said, mountainous Orakzai disappearances rose requesting anonymity. Similarly, he tribal district, which fol- added, the reason behind their stay lows a similar accident in suspicions about the in the capital without disclosing their the same area last month tenants and there is identity was also not known. that left seven people “Such mysterious disappear- dead. Several people a possibility that they ances rose suspicions about the were injured in the latest might have been tenants and there is a possibility mine collapse, and others involved in anti-state that they might have been involved remain buried. in anti-state activities or other prac- activities or other tices,” the officer said. practices: Official He was of the view that the Russian seeking immigration department may be Pakistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi arrives for a dinner with heads of delegations for asked to check how many foreign- bride held ers had left Islamabad during the last the Nuclear Security Summit at the White House in Washington, yesterday. Internews two months. But such a practice may in Chitral also not confirm that those who left the country were the foreigners who PAKISTAN: A Russian lived in the 65 houses in Islamabad. national who went to ISLAMABAD: Foreigners residing The inspector general of the Pakistan in search of a in 65 houses in Pakistani capital capital police, Khalid Khattak, could Executive passport centres planned wife has been arrested city of Islamabad disappeared after not be contacted for comments. and is being questioned final notices were served on them According to a household survey by intelligence agencies, to submit their details to the police conducted in February 2014, foreign- officials said yesterday. last month. ers living in 430 houses refused to in Pakistan for protocol persons Apelgans Viacheslov, a Officials in the police said that give their details to the police. The 28-year-old from Moscow, the 65 houses were among the 303 police later again conducted a sur- had put up posters in the which were under the occupation of vey and collected the details of the Internews Directorate General Islamabad” planned an executive centre on M.M. northern district of Chitral foreigners. The tenants had refused residents of 127 houses. said that the federal government had Alam Road in Gulberg. Lahore’s advertising his dream of to provide their details to the police In March this year, final notices agreed to set up executive centres Garden Town Passport Office accom- marrying a local woman by March 15. The police collected were served on the foreigners on the on the pattern of Nadra’s executive modates a good number of people and offering a one million the details about the tenants of 238 directions of the ministry of inte- LAHORE: Perturbed over the centres to facilitate the passport who seek protocol. rupees ($9,550) reward houses but found the 65 residences rior. The foreigners were told that increasing load of protocol at the applicants who could afford extra Sources said the department was to anybody who could vacant when approached after the if they did not provide their details passport offices, the Immigration and money. They said an additional fee awaiting the approval of the Interior help him achieve it, dis- expiry of the deadline. to the police within the deadline of Passports department of Pakistan is of Rs2, 500 for each passport appli- Ministry to make the new passport trict police chief Asif Iqbal There is no clue to the where- March 15, the exit and entry of the planning to establish executive cen- cant was under consideration, while offices in Sheikhupura, Pakpattan, said. The Russian was abouts of the foreigners who lived houses would be blocked. The offi- tres in all the provincial capitals of the establishment of executive cen- Khanewal and Toba Tek Singh in arrested for failing to reg- in the 65 houses. Either they moved cials said out of the 430 houses, the country to facilitate the elite class. tres would reduce 50pc burden on Punjab functional. ister with Chitral police to other localities in the capital or the police received the details of Currently, the department has the existing protocol rooms. They said the new passport station, as foreigners are left the city or even the country, the foreigners residing in 209 houses special protocol rooms at all the Sources said the trend of using offices would facilitate around required to do for security officials said. When the owners of from the Foreign Office. While col- major passport offices of the coun- influence and seeking protocol by 1,000 applicants daily and reduce reasons when visiting the the houses were approached by the lecting the details of the foreigners try to accommodate ruling elite, avoiding long queues of applicants burden on passport offices of Shah- area, Iqbal said. police, they just said the foreigners in 166 houses, the police found 65 bureaucrats, army officers, poli- was more than ever because of man- dara (Lahore), Sahiwal, Multan and no longer lived there. houses empty. Most of the houses ticians, judiciary, media and other power and logistics shortages at the Faisalabad. The new passport offices “As we have no details about the were under the use of embassies influential segments of society. passport offices and obsolete com- would also have visa extension facil- WB approves foreigners, including their names and diplomats. Sources in the “I and P puter systems. The authorities have ity, they added. $100m for job creation Heavy rain in Kabul KARACHI: The World Govt launches school Bank yesterday approved $100m in loan to create job opportunities, par- ticularly for women, in enrollment campaign Pakistan after the country again became eligible to its IBRD lending facility. Internews 25-40 per cent more children than The loan will be enrolled last year but the position the first after Pakistan will be clear after one month, Iqbal became eligible again said. He said children aged between to the IBRD facility after ISLAMABAD: With Pakistan hav- five to nine years will be enrolled jacking up its foreign ing the second-highest population under this campaign. exchange reserves to $15 of children out of school, the federal The minister added that all pro- billion at the fag-end of government has launched a month- vincial governments will take special 2014. Low-income coun- long enrollment campaign to address steps to enroll children in schools tries don’t qualify for the the emergency-like situation. during April. IBRD credit line because Federal Minister for Planning, AlifAilaan Campaign Direc- of their weak creditwor- Development and Reform Ahsan tor Mosharraf Zaidi called NPEC a thiness. Pakistan was Iqbal formally kicked off on Satur- good step. However, he said the big expelled from the list of day the National Primary Enrollment challenge would be ensuring those qualifying economies Campaign (NPEC) in the Narowal children enrolled under the cam- when the central bank’s district of Punjab - his political con- paign remain in school. reserves hit the 12-year stituency - with the slogan of ‘Chalo Although education has been low of $3.5bn three years School’ (let’s go to school). devolved to provinces with the 18th ago. The bank said the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif amendment the federal government programme will improve will also go to a school next week cannot be absolved of its responsibil- the investment climate to enroll children to take ownership ity. The planning minister stressed in the Punjab and create of the nationwide drive. Currently, that every child has to be educated to more and better jobs. Schoolchildren walk through floodwaters after heavy rains on a street in Kabul, yesterday. Due to over 24 million children are out of make Pakistan sovereign and devel- school in Pakistan. The govern- oped in real terms.” Unfortunately, a poor or non-existent water management system roads and lanes in the Afghan capital are often ment has claimed it brought down Pakistan is among the countries inundated with flood water when periods of heavy rain occur. Over 200 the figure by one million over the last having the highest number of out of year. The target of NPEC is to enroll school children. insurgents killed in Kabul KABUL: Over 200 Tali- ban insurgents have been Islamabad and Kabul have deep-rooted ties: Afghan FM killed or wounded in the ongoing military oper- ations in western Herat Internews terrorist attack in Lahore that caused its National Day reception. He also the world” he added. The ambassador Afghanistan in September 2014. province of Afghani- heavy casualties, most of whom were expressed his gratitude to the govern- lauded the immense progress made He informed the participants that stan, Khaama Press (KP) women and children. ment of Pakistan for hosting Afghan by Afghanistan in the past 14 years, Pakistan had made abundantly clear reported. A large number of Afghan digni- refugees for a long time. saying it has started to emerge as a that peaceful, stable and economi- Officials saying over KABUL: Afghan Foreign Minister taries including ministers, members Pakistan Ambassador to Afghan- stable democracy, is continuing to cally developed Afghanistan was in 70% of the district has Salahuddin Rabbani has said that of parliament, business community istan Syed Abrar Hussain addressing develop a resilient security force, and its vital national interest. been cleared of militants Pakistan and Afghanistan are bonded and members of diplomatic corps the reception said that it was highly is visualising a reformative economic Syed Abrar Hussain stated that so far. Provincial governor by geography, culture, religion and attended the reception. imperative to build a multi-pronged agenda as goals for the transforma- Pakistan and Afghanistan faced many Mohammad Asif Rahimi history and it was essential to further Speaking on the occasion, the and dynamic Pak-Afghan relationship tion decade. challenges which can be overcome said the operations will promote and strengthen the bilateral Afghan Foreign Minister said that both which is befitting to the traditions and The ambassador went on to say by forging a multi-faceted coopera- continue until the dis- relations for mutual benefit of the two Pakistan and Afghanistan had been values of the two sides. that the vision of Pakistani leader- tive relationship by the two sides. He trict of Shindand has been neighbouring countries. facing the challenge of terrorism and He said that Pakistan wanted to ship hinged on close and cooperative also underlined the need for taking fully cleared of militants. Addressing the National Day they required to jointly fight the men- promote cooperation with Afghan- relations with Afghanistan for which joint efforts to fight terrorism, pov- Shinand is among the rel- reception held at the Pakistan ace. He felicitated the government istan. “Peace and stability in Pakistan had made serious efforts erty, hunger and disease. At the end, atively volatile provinces Embassy in Kabul yesterday, Sala- of Pakistan on behalf of the people Afghanistan would ensure peace and especially since the National Unity he thanked all participants for attend- in western Herat province. huddin Rabbani condemned the and government of Afghanistan on stability in Pakistan, the region and Government (NUG) took charge in ing the reception. 14 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 INDIA

Army kills two Modi vows to beat Karbi rebels nuclear terror in Assam GUWAHATI: The army deployed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district killed two senior cadres of the with technology Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger (KPLT) and arrested another from a dense forest, an official said on Saturday. counter nuclear smuggling and Guwahati-based Defence strengthen the national detection Ministry spokesman Lieutenant India will continue architecture for nuclear and radi- Colonel Suneet Newton said the to accord a high oactive material with a dedicated two terrorists were killed on Friday counter-nuclear smuggling team. evening. The army has undertaken national priority India will also host a meeting extensive day and night operations to nuclear security of the Global Initiative to Combat in the jungles in the last few days Nuclear Terrorism in 2017. following intelligence inputs. through strong In a session on counterterrorism “The troops started an opera- institutional at the summit held under the shadow tion in the Kalyani reserve forest of Brussels and Lahore terror attacks, on Friday. The troops came in con- framework, world leaders discussed ways to pre- tact with armed insurgent cadres independent vent militant groups from obtaining around 5pm and on being chal- regulatory agency nuclear materials that could be used lenged, the terrorists attempted to make a “dirty bomb”. to escape and fired indiscrimi- Governor of Riyadh province Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz (second right) meeting with Prime and trained “There is no doubt that if these nately on army troops. This forced Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in Riyadh yesterday. and specialised madmen ever got their hands on a the army troops to fire and in the nuclear bomb or nuclear material, gun battle that ensued, two hard manpower. they would certainly use it to kill core KPLT cadres were killed and as many innocent people as possi- Prime Minister begins Saudi visit one was arrested,” Newton said. ble,” said Obama hosting his fourth One HK 33 Rifle and an auto- and last such summit. “We need to matic pistol were also seized from IANS do even more to prevent the flow of their possessio The two terrorists foreign terrorist fighters,” he told the were identified as Sojong Tisso and world leaders discussing the ongo- AFP and IANS and tours the Masmak Fortress, an talks, Kumar said, describing the visit Mokrang Bey, while the arrested ing fight against the Islamic State at important place in the unification as “very important”. one was identified as Son Tisso, WASHINGTON: Indian Prime Minis- Friday’s closing session. of Saudi Arabia,” external affairs Saudi Arabia and the US Treasury he said adding that Sojong Tisso ter Narendra Modi vowed to develop “We all have a role to play. We’re ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup this week announced joint sanctions was the finance secretary of the and deploy technology to defend all going to have to do more when RIYADH: Indian Prime Minister tweeted. on four individuals and two organi- KPLT and the security forces were against nuclear terrorism as US Pres- it comes to intelligence-sharing,” Narendra Modi arrived yesterday in Located on Al Imam Turky Ibn sations with alleged links to Al Qaeda, on the lookout for him for the last ident Barack Obama called on global said Obama. “We simply cannot Saudi Arabia where he will discuss Abdullah Ibn Muhammed street in Taliban, and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) three months. The incident took leaders to jointly confront the grow- afford to have critical intelligence energy, security, and trade coop- Ad-Dira, Riyadh, the Masmak For- — which India blames for the 2008 place barely three days ahead of ing threat of the Islamic State. not being shared as needed-whether eration with leaders of the world’s tress is one of the main attractions Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people. the first phase of assembly elec- He made the pledge on Friday at between governments or within largest crude exporter. for visitors. Among those sanctioned was tions in Assam. The four assembly the conclusion of a two-day Nuclear governments.” India, which imports around 80 The word “masmak” means Saudi-based Muhammad Ijaz segments in the district including Security Summit that brought 50 “Looking around this room, percent of its oil needs, is keen to strong, thick and fortified and that Safarash, who allegedly provided Diphu, Bokajan, Howraghat and world leaders to Washington to dis- I see nations that represent the take advantage of low crude prices is what this fortress is. financial, material, or technological Baithalangsho are set to hold polls cuss how to prevent terrorists and overwhelming majority of human- by signing overseas deals that will The castle was constructed dur- support for the Pakistan-based mil- on Monday. other non state actors from gaining ity-from different regions, races, help secure supplies to meet its grow- ing Mohammed bin Abdullah bin itant group LeT. access to nuclear materials. religions, cultures,” he said. ing demand. Rasheed’s reign and came under Modi will meet Saudi business Modi had at a working dinner for A Communique issued after the “Almost 20 percent of our crude King Abdulaziz’s rule, when Riyadh leaders today to discuss bilateral the summiteers hosted by Obama summit said “the threat of nuclear supplies come from Saudi Arabia,” was conquered in 1902. This was the investment. “Saudi Arabia is our Violence in Varanasi on Thursday night highlighted the and radiological terrorism remains Indian foreign ministry official turning point in King Abdulaziz’s fourth largest trading partner” with global nature of terrorism and how one of the greatest challenges to Mridul Kumar said ahead of the efforts to unify the country exports to the kingdom exceeding prison; two officials state actors working with nuclear international security, and the threat visit. “We have to make sure that Kumar said Modi was also $11bn, said Kumar. traffickers and terrorists presented is constantly evolving.” It reaffirmed this supply continues. And this is one expected to discuss means “to Modi’s right-wing nationalist held hostage the greatest risk. “that measures to strengthen nuclear of the key agenda points that Prime ensure the well being” of 2.96 mil- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept India, he said at the plenary security will not hamper the rights Minister will be discussing with King lion Indian expatriates in Saudi to power in 2014 promising to revive session on Friday, will continue to of States to develop and use nuclear Salman,” he added. Arabia who send over $10bn in India’s economy and create much- LUCKNOW: At least a dozen peo- accord a high national priority to energy for peaceful purposes.” The Saudi Press Agency reported remittances every year. needed jobs. ple suffered injuries in a jail riot in nuclear security through strong “More work remains to be done Modi’s arrival but gave no immedi- Modi was to meet members of Modi has bolstered ties with the Varanasi when inmates attacked institutional framework, independ- to prevent non-state actors from ate details on the visit. the Indian community and visit a six-nation Gulf Cooperation Coun- prison guards yesterday and held ent regulatory agency and trained obtaining nuclear and other radi- Modi visited the historic Masmak workers’ residential complex yes- cil — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, hostage two senior jail officials, and specialised manpower. oactive materials, which could be Fortress yesterday. terday. Security cooperation is also Saudi Arabia and the United Arab police said. Jail Superintendent He also asserted that India will used for malicious purposes,” it said. “A Fortress for unity: PM visits expected to be on the agenda of the Emirates. Ashish Tiwari and another senior official Vijay Kumar Rai are being held hostage by the prisoners and Deputy Jailer Ashish Kumar has been seriously injured. India to ratify COP21 climate pact on April 22: Javadekar It all started with a skirmish between a prison guard and an inmate, Naga Yadav. Soon, it was a IANS common but differentiated respon- percent the global carbon emission. would accrue to pursue clean energy Goyal also lamented ‘lack of com- free for all as prisoners ganged up sibilities. India was always perceived Thirty percent of the cumulative con- programmes”. mitment’ of the developed world in against a handful of prison guards to be a naysayer and negative in its tribution was that of the United States, The minister also said that the fulfilling their obligations. and attacked them. approach and took a corner seat in 50 percent by Europe, Canada and proposed Compensatory Afforesta- “India’s green energy programmes As they went on rampage, MUMBAI: India, along with 100 other most of the international conferences. other developed world and 10 per- tion Funds Bill 2015, would unlock will be carried out whether we receive prison officials resorted to firing nations would ratify the Paris ‘COP But in Paris, Prime Minister Naren- cent by China. Rs.40,000 crore of funds for the support of the western world or not”. in the air to prevent them from 21 Global Climate Agreement’ in New dra Modi introduced the concept of “Though India is not part of the ‘Green India’ initiative. The fund The United Nations Climate breaking out of the barracks. York on April 22, Union Environment climate justice driving home the mes- problem, it wants to be part of the would be released during the resumed Change Conference, Conference Several blanks were fired. But Minister Prakash Javadekar said yes- sage of sustainable development,” solution. Our commitment is reflected Budget session. of the Parties (COP) 21 was held in the situation is yet to come under terday. Javadekar said at the symposium in every programme being pursued by Union Minister of State for New December 2015 in Paris where 195 control. Security forces’ efforts to “The COP 21 agreement would titled ‘COP 21 Building Synergies, the government,” he said. and Renewable Energy, Piyush Goyal countries adopted the first-ever uni- enter the prison’s premises are yet be ratified at a high level signing Shaping Actions’. Describing the Paris agreement on the occasion said that India has versal, legally binding global climate to succeed. Senior district offi- ceremony to be convened at the UN Saying that climate change was a as a victory of multilateralism and launched the world’s largest renew- deal. The agreement sets out a global cials including Additional District Headquarters in New York on April reality with one degree rise in tem- the one which helped correct the able energy programme by scaling up action plan to put the world on track Magistrate (City), Superintendent 22,” Javadekar said at a symposium at perature caused by 150 years of image perception of India, the min- the target for solar energy by pushing to avoid dangerous climate change by of Police (City) and police force the University of Mumbai here. uncontrolled carbon emission by the ister said “If the developed world ahead the 20,000 megawatts of solar limiting global warming to well below from various police stations are “All countries have decided to developed countries, Javadekar said followed India’s example and levied electricity generation to 1,00,000 2 degree celsius. The agreement is due camping at the violence-hit prison walk the green path as per their India was responsible for only three higher taxes on coal, billions of dollars megawatts by 2022. to enter into force in 2020. premises. Trinamool accepts responsibility for flyover tragedy: Mamata

IANS responsibility and corrects it. But if Banerjee hit out at Gandhi. “Some someone lies and makes something leaders from Delhi, who do not love seem wrong then we do not believe Bengal, come down to the state dur- in that act,” said Banerjee, also the ing elections all of a sudden and go on KOLKATA: With the West Bengal’s Trinamool supremo, at a poll rally talking in an unbridled fashion,” she ruling Trinamool Congress facing fire in West Midnapore ahead of the first said, adding: “Do not listen to them. from the Opposition over the Kolkata phase of polls April 4. They have always ignored Bengal.” flyover collapse incident that killed At least 26 people died and 16 of “Congress has no capability on 26 people, Chief Minister Mamata 67 rescued, are in hospital with some its own. It is going to all states and Banerjee yesterday asserted her gov- of them battling for life, following the forging alliances and strengthening ernment takes responsibility and acts collapse of the under-construction its base,” she said. in instances of “real injustice”. Vivekananda Road flyover in north She also took pot-shots at a local “Our government is the common Kolkata’s market area Posta. media house for participating in the man’s government will never do any- The Bharatiya Janata Party sought nexus and misleading people. “Their thing to burden the common man. a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) owner is the chairman of this alli- Our government is not CPI-M or Con- probe, calling the incident an “act of ance. Reporters are not to blame. gress. We have the capacity to label fraud protected by the West Bengal Sometimes that person (the owner) injustice as injustice but if somebody government” while Congress vice goes to Delhi and falls at the feet of lies and says ‘this is injustice’, then we president Rahul Gandhi, during his BJP, the Congress and sometimes CPI- do not accept that,” visit to Bengal yesterday, alleged that M. That person wants to acquire land Rahul Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, president for West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee, visit “If Trinamool Congress sees there Trinamool leaders were involved in the from farmers through guns,” said the site of a collapsed flyover in Kolkata, yesterday. has been real injustice, then it takes construction of the collapsed flyover. Banerjee. INDIA SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 15 Three West Bengal districts vote tomorrow

in West Midnapore district, was the is fully geared up to counter any kind “There have been seat of the pro-Maoist tribal group of challenge. Our confidence building Peoples’ Committee Against Police measures with the masses have borne reports of some Atrocities (PCAPA), which was the fruit, and even if there are attempts elements trying to public face of the red rebels for sev- the Maoists will not be able to create eral years. any grounds here anymore,” an IPS disrupt the electoral Most of the PCPCA leaders have officer said. process but the either been killed in encounters with Besides ensuring elaborate the police or are in jail now. Some security arrangements, including administration is have joined the Trinamool after lay- employing choppers for aerial sur- fully geared up to ing down arms. veillance, the Election Commission PCPCA convenor Chhatradhar has also announced reducing the counter any kind of Mahato and some of his comrades duration of polling by two hours challenge”: Police are serving life sentences following in the constituencies. Polling A tribal band performs a dance to welcome Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi (not pictured) during an their conviction under the stringent will end in these areas at 4pm. election rally for the first phase of Assam Assembly election in Moran, Dibrugarh district of Assam, yesterday. Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, The Trinamool and Bharatiya Janata as also sections of the Indian Penal Party (BJP) have put up candidates in IANS Code (IPC) dealing with murder, all the 13 constituencies, while the criminal conspiracy, waging war Congress and the Left have together Mamata and Modi want to crush against the state, and the Arms Act put candidates for the seats. and Explosives Act. Holding dozens of rallies, road KOLKATA: Amid reports of a Lalgarh was on the boil for over shows and public meets across the regrouping by Maoists, the Jan- two years since November 2, 2008, three districts, the chief minister has entire opposition: Rahul galmahal area in three Left Wing when a landmine exploded on the been hard selling a “smiling Jangal- Extremism (LWE)-hit districts of route of the convoy of then state chief mahal”, crediting her development Bankura, Purulia and West Mid- minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee schemes for turning the once “blood- IANS off democracy” in the country, Gan- Stating that what Modi is doing napore go to the hustings in the first and central ministers Ram Vilas Pas- ied” red zone into a “most sought dhi said the Congress governments across India, Banerjee was emulat- phase of the West Bengal assembly wan and Jitin Prasada. after” tourist destination. in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttara- ing in West Bengal, Gandhi said: “She polls tomorrow. In June 2009, joint forces com- According to a report by the khand were brought down through also wants the monopoly of one per- Thirteen constituencies of the prising central paramilitary troopers union home ministry, not a single NIYAMATPUR: Congress vice money power. son.” He was speaking during a rally three western districts go to the polls. and crack teams of state police death has been reported in West president Rahul Gandhi yesterday “In Arunachal Pradesh, he caused here in Burdwan district. They were not long ago the hub of red reclaimed the areas. The left extrem- Bengal’s LWE districts between 2012- attacked West Bengal Chief Minister the fall of our government by giving Gandhi said whenever he met ultra activities, that peaked between ist movement gradually died down 2015 - in sharp contrast to 2010 when Mamata Banerjee and Prime Minis- money. He did the same in Utta- MPs of the Trinamool and Modi’s 2006 and 2009. after the widespread arrests and 258 such deaths were reported, while ter Narendra Modi, saying they wish rakhand because he wants there Bharatiya Janata Party in parliament, Remaining largely dormant encounter deaths. in 2011 the death toll was 45. End- to crush the entire opposition. should be only one leader in India - they complained that they were not since the killing of top Maoist leader This time, the security forces are ing the 34 years uninterrupted rule Stating that both leaders wish to Narendra Modi,” the Congress vice given any importance. Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji in a gun extra cautious because apart from of the Left Front, the Banerjee gov- run their governments single-hand- president said. “I meet her (Banerjee’s) battle with security forces in Novem- the calls for boycott, the police have ernment came to power in the state edly, he called on people to vote for He said Modi only wanted the MPs in parliament, and they ber 2011, the Maoist rebels now have also seized large number of arms and in May 2011. a Left-Congress coalition in the ideology of Nagpur (the RSS head- say only one person matters in given a poll boycott, castigating the ammunitions from several areas sus- Besides doling out sops like sub- upcoming Bengal assembly polls. quarters) to prevail in the country, Trinamool. They tell me ‘What state’s Mamata Banerjee-led Tri- pected to belonging to the rebels. sidised food grains, scholarships for Gandhi, who addressed his and tries to crush any contrary we think, what we want, that is namool Congress government of Even as it preferred not girls and students through her pet maiden election meeting for the polls viewpoint. not paid any attention to.’ The “unleashing a reign of terror” in Jan- to reject the possibility of the schemes like Kanyashree, Sabuj Sathi in the eastern state, said his party has “He wants there should be only BJP Mps say the same thing.” galmahal — the forested stretches of Maoists regrouping, the admin- and the Khadya Sathi, the Banerjee teamed up with the Left Front to take one ideology in India, one view point, Attacking Banerjee on the issue the LWE districts istration is confident of not only government’s attractive financial on Banerjee. that of Nagpur, which he wants to of corruption, Gandhi raised the The joint forces comprising cen- conducting peaceful polls but also and rehabilitation package led to a “In Delhi, Narendra Modi is the impose on the country. And wherever Saradha scam and Narada News tral paramilitary troopers and crack prevent the resurgence of the rebels. number of the rebels, including Kish- prime minister. And across India, one stands up against him, be it in a portal’s purported sting operation state police teams are posted in the “There have been reports of some enji’s close aide Suchitra Mahato, Congress is fighting against him,” university, or any Congress leader in that showed a number of Trinamool areas since mid 2009. elements trying to disrupt the elec- laying down arms and returning to he said. any state, or any bureaucrat, Naren- leaders accepting bribes in return Lalgarh, 200km west of Kolkata toral process but the administration the mainstream. Accusing Modi of trying to “finish dra Modi wants to crush it.” for favouring a fictitious company. Kerala political stalwarts left cooling their heels India furious as China blocks UN IANS legislator P C George, 64; three-time with the CPI-M leadership. She was Kerala Congress (Jacob) and has and that has been taken away by his blacklisting of legislator Johnny Nelloor, 65; and two- expecting to get a seat, but her hopes contested every election since 1991, party chairman. “I never expected time legislator V Surendran Pillai, 60. were dashed early this week when the but lost in 2006 and 2011. This time, that our party would be given just Gowri, who left the Communist CPI-M decided not to give her a seat. “I the UDF decided to give his party only one seat,” said a shocked Surendran militant chief THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: They Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) was cheated by them, and now I will one seat — to Minister of State for Pillai, who was a minister in the are considered stalwarts in the in 1994, formed her own party — make my own decision,” said Gowri. Civil Supplies Anoop Jacob, who will Achuthanandan cabinet. political arena of Kerala but have Janaathipathiya Samrakshana Pillai, one of the founding leaders contest from the traditional Piravom Yesterday, Surendran Pillai, after UNITED NATIONS: China has been left high and dry by the two rival Samithy (JSS) and till 2011 was a of the UDF, decided to leave the bloc constituency. meeting up with his supporters, told put a hold on India’s request to fronts for the state assembly elections. strong ally of the Congress led-United last year and was waiting at the “This is the biggest political reporters that he has decided to step add the head of the Pakistani The list includes former Democratic Front (UDF). After her door steps of the Left. But he was treason done by the Congress party. down as the working chairman of militant group Jaish-e-Moham- communists K R Gowri, 95, who has defeat in the 2011 polls, she has been rubbed the wrong way when the I stood like a rock with them when the Kerala Congress. ”A few have got mad to the United Nations’ Al contested every election starting playing truant and as a result her CPI-M decided to give a seat only their ministers got entangled in in touch with us and we will make a Qaeda-Islamic State blacklist, UN from the first; eight-time legislator R party split many times, and last year to his son. They were not keen to several corruption cases, and now considered decision and will be in the diplomats said on Friday, eliciting Balakrishna Pillai, 82, whose party she expressed her desire to return give Pillai a seat as in 2011 he was they have left me high and dry,” said fray this time,” said Pillai. an angry reaction from the Indian has been accommodated as a friendly to the CPI-M. And after a gap of two jailed in a corruption case that was Nelloor. Former minister Surendran Likewise Nelloor also told government. ally by the CPI-M, which has given decades, the veteran last month pursued by former chief minister V.S. Pillai’s party Kerala Congress has all reporters that he will be in the fray India accused Jaish-e-Moham- a seat only to his son, three-time came to her old party headquarters Achuthanandan. along been an ally of the LDF. But this as an independent and is considering mad of masterminding a fatal legislator K B Ganesh Kumar; six-time in the state capital and held talks Nelloor is chairman of UDF ally time his party was given just one seat, three seats to contest. attack on the Pathankot air base in India in January. India had requested that its leader be added to a UN Security Council blacklist Kejriwal of groups linked to Al Qaeda or Women stopped from Shani Temple despite court order Islamic State, the diplomats said, but China objected. opposes The Kashmir-based group IANS The chaos degenerated into a the temple complex. former NCP legislator Bhanudas Jaish-e-Mohammad has already free for all with the resolute activ- In the ensuing melee, in which Murkute was beaten up. been blacklisted by the 15-nation privatisation ists being pushed around, roughed up some village and temple adminis- A determined Desai warned that Security Council, but not its leader, and assaulted by the agitated villag- trators reportedly joined in, Desai if the women were stopped from Maulana Masood Azhar, an Islam- of IDBI AHMEDNAGAR: A day after the ers, and police virtually barricading sustained minor injuries while a going to pray right under the nose of ist hardliner and long-time foe of Bombay High Court ruled that no law police, she would lodge a complaint India. prevented women’s entry into places against the officials concerned. “We find it incomprehensible NEW DELHI: Opposing the cen- of worship, women activists were “Why is police remaining that while the Pakistan-based tral government’s move to privatise assaulted and prevented by adamant silent? Was Chief Minister Dev- Jaish-e-Mohammad was listed ... Industrial Development Bank of villagers from praying at the sanc- endra Fadnavis lying when the as far back as 2001 for its well- India (IDBI), Delhi Chief Minister tum sanctorum of the famous Shani assurance was made before the known terror activities and links Arvind Kejriwal yesterday urged Shingnapur Temple here yesterday. court? He should have issued the to Al Qaeda, the designation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi A tense atmosphere prevailed necessary orders as submitted to the group’s main leader, financier to stop the process and allow the in the pilgrim-cum-tourist destina- the court, why was it not done? and motivator, has been put on a banks to recover outstanding from tion as Bhumata Ranragini Brigade Should we lodge a police complaint technical hold,” Indian government big defaulters. In his letter to Modi, president Trupti Desai and a band even against Fadnavis?” she asked. spokesman Vikas Swarup said in Kejriwal said: “The reason being of around 200 women supporters Declaring that the BRB activists would Washington. described to privatise the IDBI is entered the village and attempted to not leave the village without praying “This does not reflect well on that the government aims to earn approach the temple precincts. in the open-to-sky sanctum sanc- the determination that the interna- money by selling its shares. If the Hundreds of villagers, including torum she squatted near the temple tional community needs to display bank is being sold with this inten- around 300 women, formed human precincts along with her colleagues. to decisively defeat the menace of sion, then it will be very wrong. chains to prevent the activists from With the villagers turning more terrorism,” he told reporters on the ”I request you to stop the pri- proceeding for ‘darshan’ at the Shani aggressive, the local police inter- sidelines of a nuclear summit in vatisation of IDBI and allow the Temple in the centre of the village. vened and whisked Desai off to a the US capital. banks to recover outstanding loans Complete chaos prevailed as waiting van and drove her to Pune Technical holds can be lifted from big industrialist defaulter. Desai and her team reached the vil- amid loud protests. and often arise when a Secu- Strict action should be taken lage and proceeded straight to the Incidentally, earlier Saturday rity Council member wants more against people like Vijay Mallya.” temple but were stopped in their morning, Maharashtra Women’s information. But sometimes they His letter came after a delegation tracks by villagers as well as police. Commission President Chitra Wagh lead to a permanent blocking of a of IDBI Officers Association met ”This is a contempt of the Bombay suddenly cancelled her proposed proposed blacklisting. Kejriwal on Friday and expressed High Court... the court had ordered symbolic trip to the temple, on Asked about China’s decision their opposition to the govern- that if women are stopped, the police grounds that she was requested by to place a technical hold on the Activists including Trupti Desai (centre) gather as they attempt to enter ment’s reported move to dilute its must intervene and allow them to go the temple administration, and as proposed blacklisting of Masood stake in the bank to less than 50 to the sanctum sanctorum,” an agi- the Shani Shingnapur Temple in Ahmednagar, some 200km east of she did not want to create a law and Azhar, Chinese UN Ambassador percent. tated Desai told media persons. Mumbai, yesterday. order situation. Liu Jieyi offered no details. 16 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 EUROPE / UK

Belgian charged Brussels airport with terrorism over foiled to partially attack plot reopen today Reuters BRUSSELS: A Belgian national he said should take off around 2pm named only as Y A was charged (1200 GMT) were chiefly symbolic. yesterday with participating in New security Effective tomorrow, Belgium’s the activities of a terrorist group measures have airport should be back at around 20 in connection with a joint Bel- percent of capacity and able to proc- gian-French investigation into an been ordered at the ess 800 passengers an hour. apparently foiled attack plot. airport, including It has been closed since dev- Federal prosecutors said in a spot checks of astating suicide bombings in the statement that the 33-year-old had airport’s main terminal and a Brus- appeared before a judge, who had vehicles, screening sels subway train killed 32 people remanded him to custody. of all people, their ID and wounded 270 on March 22. Prosecutors said the charge Speaking at a joint news confer- related to investigation into Reda and travel documents ence, Feist called it “a sign of hope” Kriket, a Frenchman arrested in a Belgium police arrest amnesty international lawyer Alexis Deswaefat at the Bourse Memorial for victims of the and baggage. and a demonstration of “shared will” Paris suburb on March 24, and sus- that even partial passenger serv- terrorist attack, as protestors gathered against the calls for a far right-wing demonstration that was cancelled pected of planning an imminent ice could resume so soon following by Brussels Mayor before taking place in Molenbeek, Brussels, Belgium, yesterday. act of “extreme violence”. what he called “the darkest days in Y A is the third person to be the history of aviation in Belgium.” screening of all people, their ID and public transport to the airport for the Authorities in the Belgian capital, charged in Belgium in connection AP He said he was expecting the travel documents and baggage before foreseeable future, he said. fearing violent disorders, banned all with the plot. The others have been formal go-ahead from the Belgian they are allowed to enter the facility. Brussels Airport, which usu- demonstrations after a group of right- named as Rabah N and Abderrah- government. The bombers had been able to ally handled about 600 flights a day, wing hooligans congregated at the mane A. The attacks, in which three enter the airport’s check-in area with served about 1.5 million people in Feb- same square last Sunday. The latter is known to be BRUSSELS: A partial, symbolic suicide bombers also died, were suitcases packed with high explosives ruary, the month preceding the attack. In the Molenbeek neighborhood, Abderrahmane Ameroud, who airline service will begin today at claimed by the Islamic State group. and nails, and the resulting blasts col- Feist said he hopes full service can be where a far-right France-based group was convicted in 2005 by a Paris Brussels Airport after a 12-day shut- To minimise the chances of a repeat, lapsed the ceiling, shattered windows restored by the end of June or begin- had planned to demonstrate, at least court for having played a role in down of passenger service caused Belgian Federal Police spokesman and caused great damage. ning of July in time for the summer one person was detained, and wit- the assassination of Afghan resist- by a deadly bombing attack, the air- Michael Jonniaux said new secu- Until the terminal can be fully vacation season. nesses saw several minor clashes ance commander Ahmad Shah port’s chief executive said yesterday. rity measures have been ordered at repaired, Feist said departing pas- Belgian police yesterday, some on between police and young people. Massoud. Another man, Anis Bahri, Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels the airport, including spot checks sengers will first enter a temporary horseback, moved in to detain some Molenbeek, has been a hotbed of was arrested in Rotterdam on Airport Co., said the Brussels Airlines of vehicles before they arrive, structure erected on the tarmac, then two dozen protesters at Brussels’ radical Islamic sentiment and was March 27 at the request of French flights to Athens, Turin in Italy and the closing of a drop-off parking go to a specially built area for check-in. Bourse Square, breaking up a dem- home to some of the men who staged police and is expected to be extra- Faro in Portugal, the first of which area outside the terminal, and the There will be no access by rail or onstration to protest Islamophobia. the November 13 attacks in Paris. dited to France.

UN court halts Spring in London IMF must clarify on Croatian Serb rebel’s trial Wikileaks: Greece indefinitely AFP Tsipras’ office added: “The Prime Minister will immediately send an official letter to Christine Lagarde AFP over the issue.” ATHENS: Greece yesterday Those taking part in the leaked demanded “explanations” from Inter- discussion were Iva Petrova and BELGRADE: The UN war crimes national Monetary Fund (IMF) after Delia Velculescu, who have been tribunal has indefinitely halted Wikileaks said the lender sought a cri- representing the IMF in the nego- the trial of former Croatian Serb sis “event” to push the indebted nation tiations with Greece, and Poul rebel leader Goran Hadzic, who into concluding talks over its reforms. Thomsen, director of the Fund’s was provisionally released a year Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras European Department. ago for ill health, his lawyer said said he would write to IMF chief In it, Thomsen allegedly voices yesterday. Christine Lagarde and reach out to exasperation with slow pace of talks The 57-year-old is the last of European leaders after the website on the economic reforms Athens has 161 suspects charged by the Inter- published what it said was a tran- agreed to carry out in exchange for national Criminal Tribunal for the script of a teleconference in which a new €84bn ($95bn) international former Yugoslavia (ICTY). IMF officials complained that Athens bailout agreed in July after months “The decision to halt the only moves decisively when faced of negotiations that saw Greece tee- proceedings against Goran Had- with the peril of default. ter on the brink of a eurozone exit. zic... for an indefinite period was An “event” was therefore needed The IMF has yet to officially sign reached on March 24,” his lawyer, to drive the threat of default and get onto Greece’s latest bailout and is Zoran Zivanovic, said. The dead- A woman walks past daffodils on a sunny spring day in St James Park in London, Britain, yesterday. the Greeks to act, the officials say in making its participation conditional line for the prosecution to appeal the document dated March 19, and on the fact that no ground is yielded expired on Thursday, he added. released by the whistleblowing web- on the reforms needed by Athens, The decision by The Hague- site yesterday. The nature of such an especially on pensions. based court means that if Hadzic’s “event” is not specified. “In the past there has been only health improves the trial will The officials also express con- one time when decision has been resume, Zivanovic said. Vucic opposes ‘Greater Serbia’ policies cern that Britain’s referendum in made and that was when (Greeks) But “due to the nature of his ill- June on EU membership will hold were about to run out of money seri- ness, Hadzic’s health condition is up the negotiations, predicting that ously and to default,” Thomson is rather serious,” he said. AA Vojislav Seselj. The Serbian premier claiming it had failed to achieve its the vote will halt the talks on Athens’ quoted as saying in the transcript. Hadzic’s trial at ICTY opened described his country as being at fundamental goals, above all that of latest massive international bailout Later in the conversation, Velcu- in 2012 but the following year he “political, economic and moral cross- working towards reconciliation in the “for a month”. lescu reportedly replies: “I agree that was diagnosed with terminal brain roads”. Vucic said that the idea of a region. Vucic called on all citizens to The Greek government reacted we need an event, but I don’t know cancer, with doctors saying he had BELGRADE: Serbian Prime Minister ‘Greater Serbia’ was not a policy for be committed to a policy of peace. strongly to the report, saying it what that will be.” at best two years to live. Aleksandar Vucic has said that he will the future and not the policy of the Serbian Radical Party leader wanted the IMF to clarify its position. She also says that Eurogroup Proceedings were suspended strongly oppose any ‘Greater Serbia’ current Serbian government. Vojislav Seselj was acquitted of a “The Greek government is chief Jeroen Dijsselboem is trying in October 2014 as he was unable policies, because they had pushed the Serbian nationalists, including series of charges at the ICTY on demanding explanations from the to “jump start” a discussion on debt attend it because of the side effects country into isolation. Seselj’s Radical Party, continue to Thursday. The 61-year-old Serbian IMF over whether seeking to create but “not to generate an event.” of his treatment, which includes Vucic’s remarks came at a news call for more Balkan territory to be nationalist and former deputy prime default conditions in Greece, shortly Mission chiefs from Greece’s chemotherapy. Hadzic returned conference, called after a special absorbed into Serbia. minister had faced three counts of ahead of the referendum in Britain, is international lenders—the EU, IMF, to Serbia in April last year on pro- government session to discuss this However, Vucic also criticised the crimes against humanity and six the fund’s official position,” spokes- European Central Bank and Euro- visional release for treatment at week’s verdict in a war crimes case International Criminal Tribunal for counts of violations of the laws or woman Olga Gerovassili said in a pean rescue fund—are due to resume home in Novi Sad. against Serbian Radical Party leader the former Yugoslavia in The Hague, customs of war. statement. an audit of the reforms tomorrow.

Spanish police arrest three for Demonstration in Paris for housing threatening a flight by phone

AP die” in Spanish and “Allah is great” in from Europe to her country of origin, Arabic, the statement said. the statement said. On board were 315 passengers The passenger had been refused MADRID: Two men and a woman and 16 crew. entry into Schengen territory because have been arrested in central Spain The plane was escorted back of a prohibition order issued by Swit- on suspicion they caused an airliner to the airport by Spanish air force zerland, the statement said. The that had taken off from Madrid’s fighters. A runway was closed as pas- suspects were in custody yesterday in airport to turn back, police said in a sengers and cargo were inspected, a jail in the city of Tarrancon, midway statement yesterday. but police found no explosives and between Madrid and Cuenca, pending The incident occurred Decem- the incident was declared a false an appearance before an investigat- ber 14 when Spain’s airport authority alarm. The call was traced to a phone ing magistrate, the statement said. received a call with a recorded voice booth in a town near Cuenca and Authorities might seek to recover the threatening a flight bound for Sao detectives determined that the sus- cost of the airport security operation People hold placards reading “stop evictions, rent decrease, a roof for everyone” during a protest on Paulo, Brazil from Barajas using pects were linked to a passenger on that exceeded €200,000 ($228,000), the place de la Republique square in Paris, against evictions, yesterday. phrases including “today people will the flight who was being extradited the statement said. EUROPE SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 17 Greece to send back 750 migrants to Turkey

would be taken from the island of resettled from Turkey to the EU, with Lesbos to the Turkish port of Dikili the numbers capped at 72,000. Austria is planning between tomorrow and Wednesday. Athens has struggled to man- to deploy soldiers at “Planning is in progress,” Yiorgos age the influx, while hundreds of Kyritsis, spokesman for Greece’s ref- migrants have drowned cross- the Brenner border ugee coordination unit, said. ing the Aegean from Turkey to the with Italy to stem an ANA said EU border agency Greek islands. Over 52,000 refu- Frontex had chartered two Turkish gees and migrants seeking to reach expected increase in leisure vessels for the purpose, and northern Europe are already stuck migrants trying to get that Frontex police would be on hand in Greece after Balkan states sealed to escort the migrants on a one-to- their borders. to northern Europe. one basis. Amnesty International this week Government officials have been said there were “fatal flaws” in the tight-lipped on the scheme, which has EU’s migrant deal. attracted strong criticism on ethical The rights group said its research A child plays in a baby stroller at a makeshift camp for migrants and refugees at the Greek-Macedonian border Agencies grounds from the United Nations ref- in the south of Turkey suggested the near the village of Idomeni, Greece, yesterday. ugee agency and aid groups. country was forcing around a hun- Critics have warned that the dred Syrians including women and Greek registration sites would children to return home. ATHENS/BERLIN: Greek officials become de facto detention centres Meanwhile, Austria, which has 900 ‘no-go areas’ in Europe: Hungary yesterday declined to comment on a for people slated to be sent back to broken ranks with Germany in han- report it will send some 750 migrants Turkey after risking their lives and dling Europe’s migrant crisis by back to Turkey from tomorrow to kick spending a small fortune just to reach imposing border restrictions, has AFP London, Stockholm or Berlin, the seconds. “The mandatory European off a controversial EU readmissions Europe. previously said it is preparing to authorities have “little or no control” quotas increase terrorist risk in Europe deal. Parallel to this operation, Tur- introduce tighter controls if needed. and “norms of the host society barely and imperils our culture,” the website A report from Berlin said that key will begin tomorrow sending But Defence Minister Hans Peter prevail,” the site says. says. “Illegal migrants cross the borders Austria is planning to deploy sol- a first batch of refugees directly to Doskozilchoice of words appears to BUDAPEST: Europe has more Asked for the source of the infor- unchecked, so we do not know who they diers at the Brenner border with Germany. German interior min- have intensified the discourse. than 900 “no-go areas” with large mation, government spokesman Zoltan are and what their intentions are. We do Italy to stem an expected increase istry spokesman Tobias Plate this “As the EU’s external borders are immigrant populations, Hungary’s Kovacs said it came from “data pub- not know how many of them are dis- in migrants trying to get to northern week said that most of the arrivals not yet effectively protected, Aus- government claims on a hard-hitting licly available on the Internet,” without guised as terrorists,” it adds. Europe, Defence Minister Hans Peter expected tomorrow would be fami- tria will soon ramp up strict border new website aimed at drumming up giving further details. Prime Minister Viktor Orban voted Doskozil told a German newspaper lies with children, putting the number controls. That means massive bor- opposition to an EU scheme to share The website, launched this week against an EU plan in September to dis- yesterday. in the “double-digit range”. der controls on at the Brenner (Pass), out migrants around the bloc. ahead of referendum in Hungary, also tribute 160,000 asylum-seekers among In Athens, the report by state And for every Syrian refugee sent and with soldiers,” Doskozil told Die In these areas “with a high number features a ticking clock representing member states via quotas, and joined news agency ANA said that migrants back, another Syrian refugee will be Welt daily. of immigrants”, for example in Paris, a migrant entering Europe every 12 Slovakia in filing a legal complaint.

7 dead in Spain International Pillow Fight Day Poroshenko bemoans car crash timing of Dutch vote MADRID: Seven people died in a pre-dawn crash between two cars Reuters At the State Department, spokes- near the northern Spanish city of woman Elizabeth Trudeau urged Figueres, close to the French bor- Dutch voters to support the associ- der, Spanish officials said yesterday. ation agreement, which would help The collision occurred at WASHINGTON: Ukrainian Presi- spur reforms in Ukraine. Pont de Molins on the outskirts dent Petro Poroshenko bemoaned “We believe the EU-Ukraine of Figueres about 25kmfrom the timing of an April 6 referendum Association Agreement is critical the border, the regional gov- in the Netherlands on a treaty on to ensuring that Ukraine’s leaders ernment of Catalonia’s traffic closer ties between the European continue to make the needed and department said. Union and Ukraine saying it comes important reforms that will contrib- The Interior Ministry said all as Europe is debating its own future. ute to a more peaceful, democratic, five people of a car with French “The real purpose for the inter- prosperous and stable continent,” license plates were killed when it nal Dutch discussion is about the she told a briefing. was hit side-on by another car in future of the European Union and “It will provide new economic which two occupants died and one internal political clashes,” Porosh- opportunities for the Netherlands, was seriously injured. The minis- enko told reporters after nuclear for Ukraine and for Europe as a try said not all the occupants had security summit in Washington. whole.” been identified. “I think this is very dangerous for European Commission chief Regional government spokes- a country ... to become the victim of Jean-Claude Juncker has warned man Jordi Jane said the accident this discussion. This is not a timely that a rejection of the treaty by Dutch happened at a recognised traffic Citizens fight with pillows during the International Pillow Fight Day in Zagreb, Croatia, yesterday. The referendum.” voters could lead to a “continental danger spot and it appeared that Pillow Fight Day attracts tens of thousands people in more than 100 cities all over the world each The referendum is not binding, crisis.” no one in the French vehicle had year. Zagreb joined the event for the first time this year. but most Dutch parties have said Anti-European campaigners been wearing a seat belt. they would respect a rejection by have argued that an association voters, which could plunge the Euro- agreement with Ukraine would pean Union into crisis when tensions lead eventually to full membership with Russia run higher than at any for Kiev. time since the Cold War. Maintaining unity is crucial for Croatia showcases lovebird storks to draw visitors Still, Poroshenko said Ukraine Europe’s efforts to put pressure on represented a huge trading mar- Moscow to help end the conflict ket for Dutch and other European between Ukrainian government AFP year to join his handicapped mate. its Facebook and Twitter accounts who takes care of the female. producers and he was confident forces and Russian-backed sepa- The male, named Klepetan by as well as on YouTube. “Although some males tried to the Dutch would support the EU- ratists in eastern Ukraine that has locals, flew over 13,000km this week “Through this unique love join her in the nest she was stub- Ukraine Association Agreement in killed more than 9,000 people since to join Malena (or the ‘Little One’ in story our goal was to draw tourists bornly chasing them away. She was the end. April 2014. ZAGREB: Croatia is trying to attract Croatian) from his winter home in to Croatia as a destination where waiting for her Klepetan and even- Poroshenko met with Dutch The European Union, along with more visitors to its stunning Adriatic South Africa, local media reported. nice things happen,” tourist board’s tually welcomed him.” Prime Minister Mark Rutte on the the United States, imposed economic coast by showcasing the enduring The Croatian Tourist Board posted Ratomir Ivicic said in a statement. . Vokic adopted Malena more than sidelines of the nuclear summit in sanctions on Russia in July 2014, love story of a male stork which has a short animated film called ‘True “I knew he would return. He never two decades ago after hunters broke Washington where the issues was targeting its energy, banking and been flying thousands of miles every Love Always Returns in Spring’ on let Malena down,” said Stjepan Vokic, her wing. discussed. defence sectors.

Bereaved relatives fear Italy Blooming in the sun nurse ‘may have killed others’

AFP Rai said, after the nurse was accused Wednesday after a review of all the of administering fatal doses of the recent abnormal deaths at the hos- blood-thinning drug to patients in pital identified her as being the only intensive care Between January 2014 staff member involved in every case. ROME: Italian investigators have and September 2015. She is accused of having given her widened a probe into a nurse sus- “We never understood what hap- victims up to 10 times the usual dose pected of being a serial killer pened. Now we want to know if that of the drug, including in certain cases following pressure from relatives of nurse was working the day my father where it had not been prescribed by people who died at a Tuscan hospital, died,” a man known only as Massimo the physicians treating the patients. media reports said yesterday . told La Stampa daily about the death Marketed as Heparin in the Investigators believe 13 patients, of his 77-year old parent in 2014. United States and other markets, the all seriously but not terminally ill, While police said the arrest drug is used to prevent blood clotting. died as a result of being given strong averted further deaths, Bonino’s hus- The result, police said, was to doses of the anticoagulant drug Epa- band Renato Di Biagio insisted she rapidly trigger multiple and irrevers- rina in the town of Piombino—and was innocent and denied reports she ible internal bleeds which killed 12 have not ruled out uncovering other had been suffering from depression. of the alleged victims. The other one suspicious deaths. “They’ve slung all sorts of mud died from cardiac arrest. “Prosecutors and health police at us, how is a man who categori- But her lawyer, Cesarina are extending their investigation” cally believes in his wife’s innocence Barghini, told La Stampa “only two Fruit tree blossoms are illuminated by the morning sun in a field on the edge of the Oderland district into Fausta Bonino, 56, as well as supposed to feel?” he repeated in cases of death by Eparina have been near Mallnow, Brandenburg, Germany, yesterday. speaking to family members of other interviews with several newspapers. analysed and that’s really far too lit- possible victims, public broadcaster Bonino was arrested on tle to link it to Bonino. 18 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 AMERICAS Impeachment petition filed against Brazil V-P

scandal. They all deny wrongdoing. corruption scheme at Petrobras. Gomes told reporters his petition The former secretary general of The move by Cid hinged on testimony in the Petrobras Rousseff’s left-leaning party, Silvio Gomes, who served probe citing Temer, including a text Jose Pereira, was one of two people as education minister message suggesting he may have provisionally detained in the oper- received an illicit payout of $5 mil- ation, which also saw the party’s in Rousseff’s Cabinet, lion Brazilian reais ($1.4m). former treasurer, Delubio Soares, comes as it appears “My petition is Quixotic, but I am hauled in for questioning. going to fight these terrible windmills Petrobras and another top Bra- increasingly likely for Brazil,” Folha de S. Paulo newspa- zilian company also ensnared in the that Rousseff herself per quoted Gomes as saying. “Car Wash” investigation, builder This is the fourth impeachment Odebrecht, announced they plan to will be impeached. petition against Temer. Two have cut billions of dollars in costs or sell already been shelved and a third is off assets. “being processed” by the speaker of Petrobras said in a statement that AP the lower house, Eduardo Cunha, a it has approved a voluntary layoff fellow member of the vice president’s programme to reduce its workforce Brazilian Democratic Movement by about 12,000 and save 33bn Bra- Thousands of people, dissatisfied with the current government, hold banners and posters during a demonstration Party, or PMDB, according to the zilian reais (about $9.20bn) by 2020. for new general elections, at Paulista Avenue, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. RIO DE JANEIRO: An ally of embat- house’s press office. And in an interview published tled President Dilma Rousseff filed Gomes has requested his petition in Folha de S. Paulo newspaper, an impeachment petition against be examined not by Cunha — who Odebrecht’s president said the con- Vice President Michel Temer, citing is facing money laundering charges struction company has put assets Brazil top judge slams political class testimony that implicates him in the and could be stripped of his position up for sale to raise R$12 bn (US$ sprawling corruption scandal shak- by the house ethics committee — but 3.3 bn). Newton de Souza told the ing Brazil’s political class. rather by his second-in-command. newspaper the company plans to The move by Cid Gomes, who Rousseff’s chances of surviv- sell a hydroelectric power plant AP comment on the matter. to the Brazilian Democratic Movement briefly served as education minis- ing the impeachment proceedings and a road concession in Peru and The justice’s apparently off-the- Party, which broke from Rousseff’s ter in Rousseff’s Cabinet, comes as against her took a turn for the a stake in a petroleum block in cuff remarks seemed to echo the governing coalition this week. it appears increasingly likely that worse earlier this week when the Angola. sentiment of many Brazilians who are “There is nowhere to run,” said Rousseff herself will be impeached PMDB pulled out of Rousseff’s rul- Earlier, giving a respite to Presi- RIO DE JANEIRO: A Brazilian fed up with President Dilma Rousseff Barroso. “This is a disaster.” on allegations she broke fiscal laws. ing coalition. dent Dilma Roussef, Brazil’s Supreme Supreme Court justice was caught and her left-leaning Workers’ Party, Prosecutors have said the overall If she is impeached, Vice Presi- With a vote in the lower house Court ruled to take a corruption on tape calling the country’s politics which has governed the country since scheme involved more than $2bn in dent Temer would be first in line to expected as early as the middle of investigation into former presi- a “disaster” and saying the political 2003, but don’t see the scandal-tainted bribes paid to obtain Petrobras con- replace her, although his name has the month, Rousseff is scrambling dent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva away system “doesn’t have a minimum of opposition as an appealing alternative. tracts, with some money making its been cited by several operators in the to secure the 172 out of 513 votes from a crusading federal judge. The democratic legitimacy,” local news “Politics are dead,” Barroso is way to many of country’s more than snowballing probe into corruption at she needs to halt the impeachment pro-government protests across the media reported. heard saying in the recording, aired nearly three dozen political parties. the state-run oil company Petrobras. proceedings. country eased pressure on Roussef. The Globo television network by Globo. “We have a political system Newton Souza became president of In a sign of how much Brazil’s politi- Meanwhile, police yesterday Her aides said that her gov- and the nation’s top newspapers that doesn’t have a minimum of dem- Petrobras — the company, in 2015 after cal class has been tainted by scandal, carried out more detentions and ernment had had some success in said Justice Luis Roberto Barroso ocratic legitimacy.” former chief executive Marcelo Odebre- the heads of the lower house and searches in the “Operation Car Wash” drawing lawmakers from smaller was recorded without his knowledge “I’d say the problem with politics at cht was arrested. He was sentenced to Senate, second and third in the line of probe that began over two years political parties into her govern- during a meeting with university stu- this moment is the lack of an alterna- more than 19 years in prison on charges succession, are also embroiled in the ago and centers around a massive ment’s alliance, dents. The court’s press office declined tive,” he said, in an apparent reference of corruption and money laundering. Knife found at Simpson’s home not a murder weapon Police translator tainted

Reuters by a retired LAPD motorcycle officer. investigators, but Neiman said ear- knife, but the celebrity website TMZ case in girl’s death: Lawyers The retired officer told investiga- lier this month it was possible “the reported it was a kind of folding knife tors he had been given the knife by whole story is bogus from the get-go.” typically used in hunting and fishing. a construction worker, who in turn Simpson’s former wife, Nicole A medical examiner testified for AP should do the trial all over again just LOS ANGELES: Testing has ruled claimed to have found it on Simpson’s Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron- the prosecution during the trial that on the possibility that he might?” out a knife purportedly found at the property in the Brentwood neigh- ald Goldman were stabbed to death Brown Simpson and Goldman were No deadline was immediately set former home of O J Simpson as hav- bourhood of Los Angeles when the on June 12, 1994, at her condominium likely slain with a single-bladed, for the high court to rule in the case. ing been used in the 1994 murders he house was being torn down in 1998. a few miles away. 6-inch knife. SALT LAKE CITY: A Burmese Authorities say Met kidnapped was acquitted of committing in the “We don’t know if it’s a hoax, but The murder weapon has never Simpson was found liable for refugee found guilty of killing a and killed Hser Ner Moo, a Burmese “Trial of the Century,” a Los Angeles there’s no nexus to the murders, based been recovered. The sensational the deaths of Brown Simpson and 7-year-old girl from his Utah neigh- refugee who had fled to the US with Police Department spokesman said. on the testing we’ve done,” LAPD Cap- trial of Simpson, a former football Goldman by a civil court jury in bourhood was badgered by a police her parents. Her battered, tiny body Forensic investigators conducted tain Andrew Neiman said. star, was carried live on major tele- 1997 and ordered to pay $33.5m in interpreter into acknowledging an was found inside the South Salt Lake DNA and other tests on the blade Police have declined to elabo- vision networks in the United States damages to the victims’ families, a accidental role in the girl’s death and apartment he shared with four other after it was turned over to Los Ange- rate on the timeline of when the knife and transfixed much of the country. judgment that has remained largely his conviction should be overturned, Burmese men. les police within the last few months was recovered and turned over to Authorities have not described the unfulfilled. his lawyer argued before the Utah Prosecutors called it a killing Supreme Court. when the girl tried to run away, and Esar Met, now 29, was new to said that 21 blows to the child’s body the country and had a deep fear of and signs of strangulation show he Congress backs authorities after the destruction of intended to kill her. Bus set ablaze his home village and experience in Met had been in the US just a measures to refugee camps, making him partic- month. He said at a 2014 sentenc- ularly vulnerable to the aggressive ing hearing that he loved the girl volunteer interpreter who also man- and played with her, and he was at combat gangs in El gled the reading of his Miranda his aunt and uncle’s house when she rights, said attorney Herschel Bullen. was killed. Salvador prisons “He was treated very roughly, His lawyers also argue that trial he’s frightened of authority to start Judge Judith Atherton blundered with, he’s in a brand new country,” when she handed down a prison Reuters he said. sentence of life without parole in the While prosecutors acknowl- case. Bullen argued that the proper edged problems with the interpreter, starting place for sentencing was a SAN SALVADOR: El Salvador’s they say the conviction should stand. lighter 20 years to life, and that the Congress approved a series of The basic elements of Met’s story decision should have been left to the measures to regain control of its made it through the language bar- jury since the aggravated murder prisons and stem a tide of gang rier and the judge tossed out the full charge originally carried the pos- warfare that has made the coun- police interview before his trial, said sibility of the death penalty. try one of the most violent in the Assistant Attorney General John The defence has also brought world. Congress unanimously Nielsen. The trial judge did decide up what they call problems with the approved 14 measures to suspend she would allow parts of it to come evidence, including an apparent drop hearings, restrict movement in in if Met decided to testify, and his of blood that wasn’t investigated but prisons, ban visits for one year and lawyer argued that decision helped could have implicated his room- concentrate gang members in cer- keep the defendant off the stand. Jus- mates. But the state contends there tain penitentiaries. tice Deno Himonas was skeptical. is overwhelming evidence against The legislature also authorised “There’s not a shred of evidence Met, including her blood on his jacket the government to impose sanc- Soldiers patrol near a wreckage of a passenger bus, which according to authorities, was burnt by ‘Los now that your client was going to and male DNA found under the girl’s tions on telecommunication firms Urabenos’ gang members, in Belen neighbourhood, Medellin, Colombia. testify inconsistent with what he fingernails. Tests found it could not that do not block cell phone signals said at his confession,” he said. “We have belonged to his roommates. inside prisons, where gang mem- bers give orders to kill, extort or sell drugs. The measures will be implemented in seven prisons in the country. where gang members Zika mosquito’s habits force new strategy by US cities and states are concentrated. Gang violence fueled a 70 percent jump in El Salvador’s mur- Reuters in February as the virus spread rap- and Prevention officials said. agency’s Atlanta headquarters. Zika has been linked to thousands der rate last year, putting it into idly in the Americas, citing Zika’s CDC Director Dr Thomas Frieden Most mosquito abatement efforts of suspected microcephaly cases in contention as the world’s most link to the birth defect microceph- said health departments need to take in US states target nuisance mosqui- Brazil. The virus is spreading rap- murderous nation. Worse followed: aly and Guillain-Barre syndrome, an a “four corners approach,” targeting toes, those that bite at dusk and ruin idly in Puerto Rico, a tropical island In the first two months of the year, CHICAGO: US states and cities need autoimmune disorder in adults that the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes indoors picnics and barbecues but pose lit- territory of the United States that is homicides were up 118 percent. to adopt a different mosquito-fighting can cause paralysis. and outdoors as well as focusing on tle public health threat. But Aedes expected to be hardest hit by the cur- Spokesmen for the gang Mara strategy to battle the species carry- The mosquito species responsi- killing both larvae and adult insects. aegypti is a daytime biter that dines rent outbreak. Salvatrucha and its rival Barrio 18 ing the Zika virus as an outbreak ble for spreading the virus by biting “We think we can at least have exclusively on humans, biting several Zika is expected to reach southern said they would reduce homicides that started in Brazil heads north people lives in and around homes, significant knockdown and poten- people in a single blood meal. US states soon as temperatures rise in if the government did not go ahead with warmer weather in the coming making traditional evening insecti- tially significant disease control,” “Unfortunately, in some parts of spring and summer months. In Puerto with the measures, but authorities weeks, health officials said on Friday. cide fogging campaigns from sprayers Frieden told state and local health the US, it has widespread resistance Rico, the focus of the US plan is to said they would not negotiate with The World Health Organisation mounted on trucks an ineffective officials and others taking part in to some insecticides. But that doesn’t protect pregnant women from expo- them. declared a global health emergency option, US Centers for Disease Control a “Zika Action Plan Summit” at the mean it’s impossible,” Frieden said. sure to Zika-carrying mosquitoes. AMERICAS SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 1917

Trump doesn’t Hillary’s frustration grows as primary nears know much

losses and with a tough fight in New about foreign York on the horizon later this month, According to Clinton is showing flashes of frus- policy: Obama Democrats close to tration with the Vermont senator — irritation that could undermine Hillary and former her efforts to unite the party around Reuters President Bill Clinton, her candidacy. both are frustrated According to Democrats close to Hillary and former President Bill Clin- WASHINGTON: US President by Sanders’ ability to ton, both are frustrated by Sanders’ Barack Obama said that Donald cast himself as above ability to cast himself as above pol- Trump’s recent comments that itics-as-usual even while firing off South Korea and Japan should politics. what they consider to be misleading acquire nuclear weapons show attacks. The Clintons are even more the leading Republican presiden- annoyed that Sanders’ approach tial candidate is not well informed seems to be rallying — and keeping on international relations. AP — young voters by his side. Trump told The New York While Hillary Clinton’s team Times in an interview that he contends her lock on the nomina- would consider letting the coun- tion is “nearly insurmountable,” the tries build their own nuclear SYRACUSE, NEW YORK: Hillary campaign frequently grumbles that weapons, rather than having them Clinton snapped at a protester from Sanders hasn’t faced the same level count on US protection against the Greenpeace environmental group. of scrutiny as the former secretary North Korea and China. She linked Democratic rival Bernie of state, New York senator and first Obama has made no secret Sanders and conservative tea party lady. Her aides complain about Sand- of his disdain for the billionaire Republicans. And she bristled with ers’ rhetoric, claiming he’s broken his businessman, and he continued anger when nearly two dozen Sanders pledge to avoid character attacks by that theme with his repudiation supporters marched out of an event going after her paid speeches and of Trump’s pronouncements. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton holds a baby during a campaign stop at Varsity Pizza in near her home outside New York City, ties to Wall Street, and they point to “What do the statements you shouting “if she wins, we lose.” scenes of Sanders supporters booing Syracuse, New York. mentioned tell us?” Obama told “They don’t want to listen to any- Clinton’s name at his rallies. reporters at a news conference at one else,” she shot back. “We actually Actress Rosario Dawson’s allow her to wrap up the nomination with superdelegates, who later flipped — leaving him with far weaker ties the conclusion of a nuclear secu- have to do something. Not just com- 15-minute speech at a New York City by the end of the month. to the Illinois senator, gave her a to party powerbrokers. Sanders has rity summit. “They tell us that the plain about what is happening.” rally, in which she rallied the crowd But aides acknowledge that Sand- stronger case for the nomination. pledged to support Clinton if she’s the person who made the statements After a year of campaigning, by crying “shame on you, Hillary” and ers, who has raised $109m this year and Unlike eight years ago, when Cal- nominee. doesn’t know much about foreign months of debates and 35 primary noted that Clinton could soon face an has pledged to take his campaign to the ifornia Sen. Dianne Feinstein brought According to an analysis, Sanders policy or nuclear policy or the elections, Sanders is finally getting FBI interview over the use of a pri- party convention in July, is unlikely to Clinton and Obama together for a must win 67 percent of the remaining Korean peninsula, or the world under Clinton’s skin in the Democratic vate email server while at the State feel significant political pressure to drop meeting, few Democrats are in posi- delegates and uncommitted superdel- generally.” presidential race. Department, underscored the grow- out of the race, even if it becomes clear tion to broker peace between Clinton egates — party leaders and officials Obama said Trump’s candi- Clinton has spent weeks largely ing tensions between the campaigns. he cannot win the nomination. and Sanders. For most of his politi- who can support any candidate — dacy had come up as a topic with ignoring Sanders and trying to focus Clinton hopes that big victories Clinton stayed in the 2008 contest cal career, Sanders, a self-described through June to be able to clinch the world leaders on the sidelines of on Republican front-runner Donald in New York on April 19 and five against Barack Obama until the bit- democratic socialist, identified as Democratic nomination. So far he’s the summit, and he lamented the Trump. Now, after several primary Northeastern states a week later will ter end, though her initial advantage an independent — not a Democrat only winning 37 percent. state of the Republican race.

5 San Francisco Tourists’ paradise White House intruder officers found exchanging caught after scaling fence racist texts Reuters of the person detained. President Barack Obama was in Washington for a nuclear security Reuters summit on Friday and yesterday. It WASHINGTON: An intruder threw was not immediately clear if he was a backpack over the White House at the White House when the person SAN FRANCISCO: Five more San fence and then climbed over the bar- scaled the fence. Francisco police officers have been rier before being detained by Secret There were no indications from found to be exchanging racist text Service agents, a spokesman for the the Secret Service that the intruder’s messages with one another, forcing agency said. backpack contained any weapon. a review of hundreds of criminal The intruder was detained The last time a person jumped cases that may be compromised immediately after scaling the north the fence at the White House was by their bias, the city’s chief pros- fence at the president’s residence, on Thanksgiving Day in November, ecutor said. Secret Service spokesman Robert when a Connecticut man wearing an The disclosure by District Hoback said in an email. American flag scaled the north fence Attorney George Gascon came a The individual was charged with and was quickly caught. year after 14 other members of the unlawful entry and transported to In 2014, an Army veteran carry- San Francisco Police Department Washington’s Metropolitan Police ing a folded knife climbed the White were caught up in a similar tex- Department, Hoback said. House fence and pushed his way ting scandal. Tourists enjoy traditional food on board of a moored “trajinera” -traditional flat-bottomed river boats Hoback however, did not imme- into the executive mansion before The latest inquiry surfaced at Xochimilco natural reserve in Mexico City. diately provide the name and details his arrest. amid heightened scrutiny of police encounters with mem- bers of minority groups following numerous high-profile killings of unarmed black people by police across the United States since Experts say at least 17 burned at Mexican dump mid-2014. Gascon said he recommended in a letter to city Police Chief Gre- AP ers’ college students. nearby Iguala on September 26, 2014. In brief press conference, Torres said, speaking for the six-member gory Suhr that the five newly Ricardo Damian Torres, speaking Relatives of the missing students did not say when such a fire occurred fire-expert team and sitting beside implicated officers be assigned to from the offices of Mexico’s attorney have disputed government’s version or offer any explanation as to how Mexico’s deputy attorney general for desk duty to avoid adding to the general, said tests would be conducted of events and multiple previous inves- the team conducted its research and human rights, Eber Betanzos. potential caseloads tainted by per- MEXICO CITY: Experts have found in the coming weeks to determine tigations by other teams of experts reached its conclusion. Vidulfo Rosales, a lawyer repre- sonal bias exposed. evidence of a large fire in which at whether it would have been possible concluded they could not have all been “There is sufficient evidence, senting the families, said they had not The dozens of racist texts were least 17 bodies were burned at a dump to burn all 43 at the dump in the town burned at the Cocula dump. The gov- including physically observable, to reviewed the’ report. and could not unearthed in a review of 5,000 in southern Mexico, a member of the of Cocula in Guerrero state, where the ernment’s perceived mishandling of the affirm that there was a controlled discuss it. However, he expressed con- pages of material turned over by investigating team said, in the latest government has said the students’ case has dogged the administration of fire event of great dimensions in the cern on the way the attorney general’s police in an unrelated investi- twist in the case of 43 missing teach- bodies ended up after disappearing in President Enrique Pena Nieto. place called the Cocula dump,” he office was handling the investigation. gation, Gascon said. With some 20,000 additional pages still to be examined, Gascon said more offic- ers may be implicated. “While the majority of San Chicago police probe Archaeological site Francisco Police Department officers are hardworking men and women who serve with dis- shooting caught on video tinction, we cannot have this kind of conduct within the criminal jus- tice system,” he said. Prosecutors have a duty to AFP Police said the victim, a 31-year- bring the bigoted texts to the old who suffered multiple gunshot attention of defence lawyers wounds, underwent surgery and whose clients were charged in remained in critical condition. cases that were handled by the WASHINGTON: Chicago police are “He was shot by an offender that five officers and where discrim- investigating an attempted murder approached on foot, fired shots and ination on the basis of race could that the victim captured in real-time fled in a vehicle,” police spokes- be at issue, Gascon said. using Facebook Live, officials said. woman Janel Sedevic said, adding “They provide evidence of The two-minute video, which that no arrests had been made. racial bias, which is impeacha- went viral on the Internet, showed The mother of the victim told ble evidence to the prosecution,” the victim, a man wearing a cap and the Chicago Tribune that she found he added. sweatshirt, in the street talking on her son soon after the shooting. She The president of the San his smartphone in “selfie” mode. said she had seen the video, and then Francisco Police Officers’ Asso- Shots ring out and the man broke down in tears. ciation union, Martin Halloran, appears to fall to the ground, while Chicago, one of the biggest cities condemned “the appalling racist his smartphone shows the appar- in America with more than 2.7 mil- behaviour committed by a handful ent shooter holding a gun with both lion residents, has seen a surge in Point Rosee in Newfoundland, Canada, where archaeologists say they may have discovered the second of officers,” in a statement quoted hands. The video sequence registers gun violence as gangs fight for drug- Viking site ever found in North America. by news media. some 15 shots. trafficking turf.

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 17o C Maximum: 28o C

FAJR 04.07 am ZUHR 11.37 am MAGHRIB 05.53 pm HIGH TIDE 01:15 - 13:45 Strong wind and high seas till midday. Hazy wit SHOROOK 05.24 am ASR 03.06 pm ISHA 07.23 pm LOW TIDE 09:00 - 18:45 scattered cloud.

20 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 MORNING BREAK

ONLINE CHART BUST Waist size Pillow fight www.thepeninsulaqatar.com predicts heart MOST READ disease: Study

Fire reported at under construction 1 shopping complex AFP Qatar condemns Syrian regime’s 2 aerial attack on village MIAMI: A study involving people with Al Nusra Front, other insurgents diabetes has shown that belly size is a 3 capture Syrian village stronger predictor of a dangerous kind of heart disease than body mass index, researchers said yesterday. The study released at the Ameri- TWEET OF THE DAY can College of Cardiology conference in Chicago was based on 200 people with diabetes who had not shown any symp- toms of heart disease. Researchers found that those with larger waist circumferences were more likely than smaller-bellied people to have problems with the heart's left ventricle, which pumps oxygen-rich blood to the brain and the rest of the body. Participants throw their pillows during the pillow fight at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall during "We specifically found that waist circumference appears to be a stronger the International Pillow Fight Day in Taipei, Taiwan, yesterday. predictor for left ventricle dysfunction than total body weight or body mass index," said principal investigator Boaz Rosen, a doctor at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. Having excess belly fat, or having an apple-shaped figure, has already been Guns N’ Roses reunite early at LA club linked to high blood pressure, high sugar levels, elevated cholesterol, coronary artery disease and heart failure. AFP two decades. Videos posted online bad-boy attitude that has frequently "Our research examined patients with showed the 54-year-old Rose -- still been the band's opener. diabetes, who are considered high risk for with flowing blond hair but without Years of rumors of a Guns N' Follow us on developing heart disease already, and his once constant bandana -- sing- Roses reunion came to fruition ear- found that the shape of your body deter- LOS ANGELES: The long-awaited ing alongside Slash in his trademark lier this year when the band was Snapchat mined if you were at a greater risk to Guns N' Roses reunion got off to a top-hat over his black curls. announced as headliners for the develop left ventricular dysfunction," said surprise early start on Friday, with "You know where you are?" Rose Coachella festival, which will take Open Snapchat and Brent Muhlestein, co-director of research the band playing a show at a small yelled in his soaring voice in the place later his month in the Califor- scan the Snapcode at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Los Angeles club where the rock leg- signature line of "Welcome to the nia desert. Institute in Salt Lake City. ends were first noticed. Jungle," according to one segment The band has since announced to add The Peninsula "This study confirms that having an Before a lucky 500 fans packed shot by a fan -- a technology that a full tour at arenas but had suspi- account. apple-shaped body -- or a high waist cir- into the Troubadour in West Holly- did not exist in the band's glory days. ciously left off any date in their native cumference -- can lead to heart disease, wood, singer Axl Rose and guitarist Social media posts said that Guns Los Angeles. Guns N' Roses early and that reducing your waist size can Slash performed for the first time N' Roses started the show with "It's Friday announced the show for the reduce your risks.” together in public for more than So Easy," an energetic song with a evening. Bowie the eclectic celebrated in star tribute ‘Colcoa’ film festival will

AFP Bowie died on January 10. hit Hollywood next month Transformed into a remembrance, organizers added the second night at Radio City with mostly the same NEW YORK: David Bowie had many lineup and said the two concerts AFP prominent ethnic minority actors or faces -- the attention-grabbing glam raised more than $300,000. talent behind the camera. Chocolat rocker, the inward-looking experi- Bowie released his final album, "deserves plenty of credit for using mentalist -- and for a tribute to his "Blackstar," on his 69th birthday and this kind of commercial vehicle to life, leading names in music cele- two days before he died. Despite his LOS ANGELES: The world's largest look French racism in the face and brated him by embracing his eclectic illness, the album was one of his most festival of French film hits Holly- call it what it is," noted the Holly- spirit. experimental yet as he pursued a type wood next month with a provocative wood Reporter in a mostly positive Nearly three months after the of hard jazz, his voice dueling with line-up exploring Islamist terrorism review of the film. shock of Bowie's death from an undis- the saxophone. and women's rights, and tackling the Originally styled "City of Lights, closed battle with cancer, some of the Donny McCaslin, the innovative thorny issue of racism in the enter- City of Angels," Colcoa boasts four many musicians influenced by the saxophonist picked by Bowie for tainment industry. world premieres, including "Up rock legend honored him with two the album, took to the stage to per- Colcoa will showcase a record For Love," which sees Jean Dujar- sold-out nights in New York. form "Lazarus," one of the tracks on 70 movies and TV series as part din, famous in the English-speaking Yet the concerts were not about "Blackstar" that in retrospect most of an unabashedly political pro- world for his Oscar-winning turn in dutiful covers of Bowie's hits, many foreshadowed Bowie's mortality. gram featuring a thriller held back "The Artist", return to his comedy of which went unplayed. Yet this time there could be no from theaters after the Paris terror roots. In fitting remembrance of Bowie duet with Bowie. McCaslin's richly attacks and a focus on the Armenian Highlights of the feature film -- who stayed cutting edge until the toned tenor sax posthumously took genocide. selection include the US premiere end rather than sliding into a cliche of the part of the vocals in their entirety, "This 20th anniversary deserves of Nicolas Boukhrief's "Made in an aging rocker -- the artists looked winning a standing ovation at Radio a spectacular, strong program that France," which was twice denied for new ways to explore his vast work. City. reflects the diversity of French pro- theatrical releases because of Islam- Michael Stipe of REM fame The classically inspired Calvi duction, as well as creativity and ist attacks in Paris in a grim example offered one of the most stirring per- and punk-rooted Palmer sang in a dynamism of French filmmakers and of life following art. formances by transforming "Ashes to melodic unison as the acclaimed Kro- producers," said executive producer The film follows Sam, a jour- Ashes" -- Bowie's 1980 hit that her- nos quartet created the eeriness of Francois Truffart. nalist who infiltrates a jihadist cell alded his entrance into mainstream "Blackstar" on strings. Bassist Jherek "More than ever, we are about to planning attacks in the city centre pop -- into a piano ballad. Bischoff -- who collaborated with involve audiences in a journey that of Paris. Commanding near silence in Calvi and Palmer on an EP of Bowie will stir them, make them laugh or It was initially set for a release in 6,000-seat Radio City Music Hall on covers -- wove together the non-lin- cry, tickle their curiosity and help early 2015 but distributor SND Films Friday night, Stipe appeared to be ear song, whose original was laced them remain optimistic, while rec- pulled out after jihadists struck the speaking to a Bowie in the afterlife with electronic elements. ognizing the urgent world zeitgeist." French capital in January 2015, kill- -- or, as the late rocker may have pre- The Flaming Lips -- disciples of The nine-day festival opens ing 17 people at the Charlie Hebdo ferred it, in space -- as he sang with early Bowie in their flamboyance on April 18 with the North Ameri- satirical magazine and a Jewish whispery tenderness about a bleak and fascination with space -- put can premiere of "Chocolat," a biopic supermarket. life chapter of Bowie's fictional astro- on some glam showmanship, even about the first black clown in France, Pretty Pictures picked up the naut Major Tom. though the Oklahoma band is more starring "X-Men" and "The Intouch- film but a new release date of Looking monk-like in a long white about irony than Bowie's theatrical Wayne Coyne of Flaming Lips performs on stage during The Music of ables" actor Omar Sy. November 2015 was also shelved beard and tunic, Stipe turned over a character-playing. David Bowie at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Shot on a budget of 18.5 million when members of the Islamic State haunting line to singer Karen Elson -- In a faithful cover of "Life on euros ($20 million), the film follows group attacked a Parisian concert "I'm happy / And I hope you're happy, Mars?", Flaming Lips frontman the real-life story of Rafael Padilla, hall, stadium and restaurants and too" -- as composer Paul Cantelon Wayne Coyne donned a flowing scarf provocative performance, deploy- Trump. Artists who offered compara- the titular Cuban-born circus enter- bars that very month, leaving 130 played the melancholy piano. covered with flashing neon like a ing his trademark fuzzy pedals on tively straightforward covers included tainer who confronts bigotry with dead. Colcoa will also showcase the The first day of the tribute, at bursting waterfall, all while singing "The Man Who Sold the World" Blondie, The Pixies and Perry Far- comedy. US premiere of Robert Guediguian's Carnegie Hall on Thursday, was piggyback atop a man in a Chewbacca before crouching before his guitar rell of Jane's Addiction, while jazz Its anti-racist message is likely "Don't Tell Me the Boy Was Mad," designed to raise money for music costume. like Jimi Hendrix and hoisting a US fusionist Esperanza Spalding picked to resonate in Hollywood, where about the wave of bombings and programs in schools and tickets coin- Another experimental rocker, flag that, in a brief glimpse, revealed the challengingly ambiguous "If You the film industry is currently assassinations by Armenian radi- cidentally went on sale moments after Joseph Arthur, offered the most a scribbled profanity against Donald Can See Me." soul-searching over the lack of cals against Turkish interests. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 23 QE 10,376.20 +63.32 PTS PAGE | 24 DOW 17,792.75 +107.66 PTS Qatari-SaudiQata Business BETON Ready-mix FTSE100 6,172.91 -1.99 PTS CouncilC to enhance renews partnership cooperation BRENT $36.63 -$1.55 with Renault trucks

SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 • 25 Jumada II 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Budget deficit funding to deepen Qatar’s debt market

The Peninsula Qatar remains rated AA, AA2, AA continues to drive overall growth with a robust by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch respectively. level of government capital spending and still Qatar is comfortable In fact, S&P has recently reaffirmed significant pipeline of project activity. in managing debt, as it Qatar’s rating whilst downgrading Samba’s 2016 global growth forecast was DOHA: With Qatar announcing to plug its other notable hydrocarbon exporters already relatively bearish at 2.9 percent, but deficit gap through the issuance of debt, the has the experience of including Saudi, Bahrain, Oman and it has nudged this down to 2.8 percent on new country’s debt market is expected to deepen borrowing heavily to Kazakhstan whilst Russia was placed projections for the US (2 percent), the Euro- through to 2019. Qatar is comfortable in on negative watch. zone (1.4 percent) and Japan (0.5 percent). EM managing debt, as it has the experience of bor- build up the LNG industry, S&P’s reasons for exempting Qatar growth will continue to be weak, and reces- rowing heavily to build up the LNG industry, Samba’s latest ‘Economic from a downgrade included the rela- sions are likely to linger in Brazil and Russia. Samba’s latest ‘Economic Monitor’ said. Monitor’ said. tive political stability of the country, Worries over weakening growth in Recalling the Ministry of Finance’s the fact that growth should be main- advanced economies and continuing strains announcement that the budget deficit would tained thanks to high capital spending; in Emerging Markets, (EMs) especially China, be funded by debt issuance, Samba noted that needs be, the Government seem fairly staunch its sizable financial assets and, perhaps have raised recession fears and prompted tur- “any deficits would be funded entirely through in their view that QIA should be left to do its own on the back of a fall in hydrocarbon-related most importantly, the predictability of its income moil in financial and commodity markets in debt issuance rather than the drawing down thing”. Though the Ministry announced that public sector deposits (9 percent year on year stream after Qatar signed new long-term LNG the first quarter. These concerns have been of reserves. It is the authorities’ view that the the projected deficits would be funded entirely in January). The loan to deposit ratio stood export contracts with India and Pakistan. heightened by the impression that policy mak- QIA (Qatar Investment Authority) reserves through debt issuance, the change in Qatar’s debt at 122 percent in January, the highest it has The report said non-hydrocarbon sector ers have run out of options to revive economic are to ensure future generations’ economic to GDP ratio should be relatively small compared been since December 2012. In part, the recent continues to drive Qatar’s growth. Growth activity. However, while growth is clearly still well-being and aren’t intended to be used as to others in the GCC. tightening reflects the October and November should come in at around 4 percent for 2015, fragile and policy options increasingly uncon- a stabilisation tool. The Samba report noted that liquidity in auction of government bonds and Sukuks of a rate Samba expects will be maintained ventional, available data continue to point to “Although of course the reserves are there if Qatar’s banking sector has tightened further varying maturities. through to 2017 as the non-oil economy muted global growth. 22 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 BUSINESS US rate policy & China woes pose challenges for EMs: QNB

The Peninsula Chinese equities are still down 22 The second challenge for EMs is percent year to date and Indian equi- the long-term rebalancing of Chi- The normalisation ties are down 12 percent. Brazil is still na’s economy, which is leading to of US monetary down 8 percent year to date, despite slower growth within China and DOHA: Higher US policy interest rates a 40 percent recovery since the mid- also impacting global trade. China’s and slower growth in China in 2016 policy is likely to be dle of February on the prospect that growth has slowed from 10.6 per- could continue to create challenges a gradual process the ruling party may be forced out of cent in 2010 to 6.9 percent in 2015 for Emerging Markets (EMs), leading government, which is perceived as as the economy has retreated from to volatility in financial markets. The and it will take potentially be good for the economy. an excessive debt-fuelled investment normalisation of US monetary pol- considerable time to EMs are facing two major struc- drive. China accounts for 30 percent icy is likely to be a gradual process tural challenges that are dragging on of EM GDP itself, so the slowdown and it will take considerable time rebalance the Chinese growth and are likely to persist—the will directly lead to lower growth to rebalance the Chinese economy. economy. These tightening of monetary policy in the in EMs. These major challenges will, there- major challenges will, US and slower growth in China. Weak demand in China also has fore, make it hard for EM growth to The announcement of the taper- a large impact on other EMs as it has recover in the short to medium-term, therefore, make it ing of quantitative easing in May depressed the prices of a number of QNB noted yesterday. hard for EM growth to 2013 led to higher US interest rates commodities, negatively impacting EMs experienced a strong capi- and tighter financial conditions in commodity-exporting economies, tal surge in March, according to the recover in the short EMs. EMs have subsequently faced which are predominantly EMs. Institute of International Finance to medium-term, QNB periodic bouts of capital flight, Weaker demand in China has also (IIF), with the strongest inflows for currency depreciation and higher led to slower growth in EMs that are 21 months. The inflows were broad noted. domestic interest rates. Many EMs dependent on China for exports. These based across all four major EM have high levels of US dollar debt. factors have also led to deteriorating regions. EM equity markets have also concerns about weaker growth amidst Higher US interest rates and weaker current accounts, making it harder recovered strongly since the middle the structural challenges of higher US EM currencies increased the cost of to finance external debt and further of February, rising 14.3 percent from interest rates and slowing growth in repaying and servicing this debt, tightening financial conditions. Of their lows this year. “Does this mean China. The outflows peaked in Janu- forcing EMs to deleverage. All these the 10 largest EMs, eight have cur- that EMs are now recovering from the ary 2016 at $16bn as risk off sentiment factors dragged on growth. rent account deficits, the exceptions slowing growth and capital flight they in global financial markets intensified. Tighter financial conditions in being China and Russia. have faced in recent years? We would However, as risk sentiment improved EMs are likely to persist. The Fed is Slower growth in China is, there- argue that the EM crisis is not over from mid-February, capital began to expected to continue normalising fore, likely to be a persistent challenge yet, as the structural challenges fac- return to EMs, with $5bn of inflows in monetary policy and, as QNB ana- for EMs. China’s growth is expected to ing EMs are likely to persist and recent February 2016, then $37bn in March. lysts outlined in a commentary last slow to around 6.5 percent this year capital flows are best explained as a EM equities also crashed in the first week, could well raise interest rates based on consensus forecasts. The bounce back from previous weak- few weeks of the year, but then recov- more than markets expect. This could rebalancing of the Chinese economy ness”, analysts noted in QNB Group’s ered, leaving them only 2.4 percent up lead to further bouts of capital flight, from investment and exports towards weekly ‘economic commentary’. year to date. Some of the larger EMs weaker currencies and higher inter- domestic consumption is a long-term In the seven months from July have performed particularly badly. est rates, holding back a recovery in structural change that is likely to con- 2015, $70bn flowed out of EMs on On a US dollar adjusted basis, growth. tinue for some time.

Amazon plans big Foxconn buys Sharp push to expand in $3.5bn deal Prime Now fast delivery

AP said at a news conference following Bloomberg the ceremony. “If we cannot drive change in Sharp, our global compet- itors will eat us alive.” SEATTLE: Amazon.com Inc plans TOKYO: The head of Taiwanese Sharp, a leader in LCD tech- to broaden the reach of its fast contract manufacturer Foxconn nology and a maker of flat-screen delivery service Prime Now, and is pledged yesterday to turn around televisions and smart appliances, has selling major brands promotional Japan’s Sharp Corp by driving been hit hard by fierce price compe- deals connected to the expansion, change at the struggling LCD panel tition for LCD displays. a sign the world’s largest Inter- and home appliance maker, as the Kozo Takahashi, the presi- net retailer is satisfied with early two companies signed a takeover dent of the 104-year-old Japanese results from the nascent offering. deal after a one-month delay. company, said the infusion of cap- The service — now only avail- Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai ital from Foxconn would improve able through the Prime Now app Precision Industry Co, is buying a 66 Sharp’s financial situation and allow on smartphones — will be run on percent share in Sharp for 389bn it to “invest in the new growth initia- Amazon’s website starting in May, yen ($3.5bn) in the first foreign tives that were suppressed due to the according to documents reviewed takeover of a major Japanese elec- financial challenges we have been by Bloomberg. tronics company. A giant in contract facing in recent years.” Getting Prime Now on the Web manufacturing, Foxconn assembles Both Takahashi and Gou paid puts the service in front of a larger Officials pose with the winners. Apple iPhones and other products for tribute to Sharp’s history of inno- audience, many of whom may name-brand companies. vation, which includes the world’s not have downloaded the app on The two companies held a signing first LCD calculator, and said they their phones. While shopping on ceremony yesterday at a large-screen would seek to marry it with the pro- mobile devices is expected to reach QDB and QU celebrate student LCD panel factory that they have duction and supply chain capabilities $96.2bn in the US this year, that jointly managed outside the west that Foxconn has developed in the represents a quarter of all e-com- Japanese city of Osaka since 2012. “I intensely competitive field of elec- merce, according to the research entrepreneurship programme see us as a catalyst for change,” Fox- tronics manufacturing. “My direction firm EMarketer. conn founder and chairman Terry Gou of turnaround is clear,” Gou said. Amazon is trying to sell adver- tising space to major brands for the Web launch, promising them The Peninsula experiences designed to motivate Hamad Al Kubaisi, Executive visibility with tens of millions of young Qatari’s to start up their own Director of Advisory of Qatar Devel- Amazon shoppers. The premium projects. The programme offered opment Bank, said: “The big number “Launch Hero Package” would cost students access to governmental of students who participated in “Star- $500,000 for about two weeks of DOHA: “Startup Weekend Doha”, and private sector speakers, men- tup Weekend Doha” is testament to placement on Amazon’s website a programme organised by Qatar tors and coaches that hosted vital the success of QDB’s work with part- associated with the rollout. That Development Bank (QDB) and Qatar workshops and lectures on creating ners to educate and excite Qatari’s on price includes e-mail promotions University’s (QU) Centre for Entrepre- business plans, assessing viability for the opportunities in entrepreneur- sent to Amazon customers, which neurship at the College of Business potential ideas and pitching to pro- ship. We provide local entrepreneurs Amazon said have a stand-alone and Economics, has concluded its spective investors and clients. with the tools and learning oppor- value of $100,000, according to the successful activities. Ibrahim Al Mannai, Capability tunities to help grow the SME sector documents reviewed by Bloomberg. The programme promotes Qatar’s Development Manager at QDB, and in Qatar, in line with Qatar National An Amazon spokeswoman economic diversification by sup- George Salem, Manager of Advisory Vision 2030’s aspirations.” declined to comment. Amazon porting and strengthening the role Services at QDB, were part of a panel Al Kubaisi added: “Our strategic launched Prime Now in New of SMEs in line with Qatar’s National assessing the final projects presented partnership with Qatar University York City in December 2014 and Vision 2030 and achieving the goals by students, who were all in the run- shows our belief in the importance has since expanded it to about 20 set out in the Qatar National Devel- ning to win QR25,000. At the end of nurturing young expertise to US cities and London. It has also Terry Gou (centre), founder and Chairman of Taiwan’s Foxconn, shakes opment Strategy 2011–2016. of the programme, ”Joud“ team won support Qatar’s blossoming knowl- broadened the service to include The four-day programme in first place, beside “Tech Aid” and edge economy and to provide new hand with the company’s Vice-Chairman Tai Jeng-wu (left) and Sharp delivery from local restaurants March attracted many participants “Better Kids” who were awarded sec- opportunities for students to turn Corp Chief Executive Kozo Takahashi at their joint news conference and stores, not just products from interested in learning and gaining ond and third respectively. entrepreneurial ideas into a reality.” in Sakai, western Japan, yesterday. Amazon warehouses. Two-hour deliveries are free for those paying $99 a year for Amazon Prime, and one-hour delivery costs $8. Rush delivery brings instant gratification to the convenience UK mortgage offer for Qatar-based QNB First Members of online shopping, increasing its threat to brick-and-mortar stores. The Web rollout tied to an ad cam- The Peninsula The new offer enables QNB First value or purchase price whichever Global Recognition programme and an in-depth understanding of paign suggests Amazon is getting premium banking members to book is the lower. that aim to provide customers with their specific lifestyle at home and more aggressive in charging mortgages in Qatar financed by QNB QNB First Members availing the a unique, exceptional priority bank- across QNB’s global network. brands for access to its customers. Doha starting from £150,000 equiv- new offer can also receive assistance ing experience designed especially QNB Group’s presence through its This is similar to how supermar- DOHA: QNB has recently unveiled a alent in Qatari Riyals. from their QNB First Relation- to meet their needs and exceed their subsidiaries and associate companies kets charge for more-visible shelf new attractive exclusive offer to all The loan can be repayable ship Managers in finding their ideal expectations. extends to more than 27 countries space in physical stores. Amazon QNB First Members that enables them over a period up to 20 years and is property to further guarantee their The QNB First premium banking across three continents providing a is working to get more shoppers to acquire mortgages through QNB in available to both freehold as well comfort and satisfaction through service constantly updates its serv- comprehensive range of advanced to subscribe to its Prime service, Qatar to purchase property in Eng- as leasehold properties throughout world renowned Real Estate Advi- ice offering with the most exclusive products and services. The total which also includes video and music land and Wales, thus bringing one of England and Wales. Further features sory partners. and luxurious lifestyle services with number of employees is more than streaming and photo storage. In Feb- the most flexible and competitive UK are a low interest rate and loans up This offer is the latest addi- the aim to better reward its elite cus- 15,200 operating through more than ruary, it raised the minimum order mortgage services available from any to 70 percent of the professional val- tion to the distinguished QNB First tomers to form a long-term, enduring 635 locations, with an ATM network size for free shipping to $49 from $35 Qatari bank at their door step. uation of the forced sale property line of premium services under the relationship based on mutual trust of more than 1,390 machines. for non-Prime shoppers. BUSINESS SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 23 QPMC concludes strategic site visits to UAE quarries

aggregates QPMC has procured from progress and thrive, according to, and receives all the testing requirements in alignment with Qatar’s sustainable QPMC has partnered and inspection at all points through- development strategy at the forefront with key private out the aggregate supply chain. of Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and This mechanism comes in par- its National Development Strategy.” Qatari companies allel with QPMC’s established vision The QPMC delegation comprising that are strongly aimed at ensuring that the quality- of 15 members was headed by Eisa Al grades of all the primary materials Hammadi, QPMC CEO and led thor- committed to QPMC’s QPMC has secured, via supply agree- ough inspections raising high-end mission and pledge ments from the Emirates of Fujairah conformity reports overseeing quar- to participate in the and Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE, meet ries which QPMC has recently procured and match the increasing high quality from and simultaneously held high-end ever-growing local demand on primary materials amidst meetings to ensure that the high-qual- construction sector. the thriving construction sector in ity aggregates it has secured meet and Qatar. match the Qatar Construction Specifi- Al Hammadi, QPMC’s CEO, said: cations (QCS). “QPMC has partnered with key pri- The business-to-business trip vate Qatari companies that are which lasted from March 14 to 17 Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia, honouring Qatar Chamber The Peninsula strongly committed to QPMC’s mis- was designed to ensure that the Vice-Chairman Muhammed bin Ahmed bin Towar Al Kuwari and members of the Qatari delegation at a sion and pledge to participate in the grades of all aggregates and pri- meeting held yesterday in Saudi Arabia. ever-growing local construction mary materials supplied to QPMC sector. The field concurrently works match the QCS standards. DOHA: Qatar Primary Materi- with QPMC’s mission of aiding in the Experts from the newly appointed als Company (QPMC) concluded its development of construction projects Qatari owned quality assurance strategic site visits to quarries and as per Qatar’s National Vision 2030.” company, FirstLab, accompanied Qatari-Saudi Business Council crushers owned or operated by In view of this applauded vision QPMC’s delegation throughout Qatari private companies in the UAE that stems from the terms of QPMC’s the Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah to ensure that only the desired quality strategic leadership goals, Qatari inspection trip to ensure that QPMC’s of aggregate (primary materials such private companies who own and demand for high quality aggregates is to enhance cooperation as Gabbro) enter the local market. operate quarries and crushers in met while focusing on overseeing that Qatari private companies who the UAE have pledged to abide by the delivery of the aggregate, quality own these facilities in the UAE have QPMC’s framework and have vowed assurance scheme and traceability The Peninsula the two side discussed cooperation Muhammed bin Ahmed bin Towar hailed the strategic role QPMC has accordingly to deliver high-quality and testing are all conducted at all to make those investments. Al Kuwari called on business people recently adopted such as launching primary materials at the forefront of points in the aggregated supply chain The two sides also agreed on from both sides to seize on the invest- strategic site visits, a business-to- QPMC’s pivotal milestones aimed at up to the final acceptance in Qatar. setting up a meeting between ment opportunities and the trust in business trip designed to oversee ensuring that the construction sec- During the port visit, a memo- DOHA: The joint Qatari -Saudi Busi- Qatari business people and the private sector offered by the leader- and ensure that the quality of the tor in the state of Qatar continues to randum of understanding was signed ness Council has recommended Saudi Industrial Property Author- ship in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. between Port of Fujairah General encouraging business people from ity (MODON), to get an idea of the He added that the strategic ties Manager Captain Mousa Murad and the two countries to establish real investment opportunities availa- between both countries was the Al Hammadi (of QPMC) to ensure partnerships. The council held a ble and their financing. The two foundation for strong economic and mutual cooperation and benefits that meeting in Saudi Arabia yesterday. sides then reviewed preparations investment ties. He highlighted that come from the exchange of expertise The Qatari side gave a presenta- for the fifth Made in Qatar exhibi- economic cooperation between both with regards to high quality aggre- tion on the investment opportunities tion, which will take place in Saudi sides has seen a significant leap since gate, supply chain, and technical in the industrial sector that are cur- Arabia at year-end. 2008, the date of establishing the consultations. The memorandum of rently available in Qatar. Afterwards, Qatar Chamber Vice-Chairman joint business council. understanding successfully reflected both parties’ beliefs in transparency, reliability and efficiency. QPMC also organised a work- QC to launch mobile shop conducted by FirstLab that shed Doha Bank launches new light on the significance of developing app to offer all scientific research of raw materials. Research can potentially advance mobile banking app its services online the process of gabbro production to ensure a continuous flow of high The Peninsula Officials signing an agreement. quality aggregate to Qatar. The Peninsula tradition of innovation that has seen us consistently bring advanced, technology-based bank- DOHA: Qatar Chamber (QC) is set ing solutions that make life simpler to launch a mobile application (app) DOHA: Doha Bank has launched an and more secure for our custom- within a couple of weeks. The new Opec crude HSBC Saudi unit made $42m enhanced version of its mobile bank- ers. We continue to demonstrate mobile app will offer all the serv- ing application that offers a host of that pioneering spirit today by ices provided by QC online, said a new features that add versatility and becoming the first bank in Qatar top official of the country’s oldest output up provisions to pay fines convenience for users. The enhanced to introduce biometric banking, private industry representative body. app has been launched as part of which ushers in a new era of con- This was announced by Saleh Doha Bank’s efforts to elevate the venience for customers by allowing Hamad Al Sharqi, Director-Gen- in March Bloomberg In 2014, HSBC was blocked user experience of its DBank Mobile them to access their mobile bank- eral of QC, during a workshop held from taking in new funds at its service, which brings 24/7 banking ing app within seconds,” said Dr R on ‘e-Certificate of Origin’ organ- Saudi asset-management business to customers right at their fingertips. Seetharaman, CEO of Doha Bank. ised by the QC. after local regulators found that it Doha Bank customers can Other features newly introduced At the workshop, the Chamber Bloomberg DUBAI: HSBC Holdings Plc’s Saudi breached local rules, people famil- download the revamped mobile in the mobile app include Local Fund officials provided a detailed dem- unit made provisions of SR162m iar with the matter told Bloomberg app from ‘Play Store’ or ‘App Store’ Transfer, which allows customers to onstration (on about seven types ($42m) over the past two years to in April last year. The ban was lifted and use their DBank Online user ID transfer funds to beneficiaries hav- of application forms for issuing the NEW YORK: Opec crude pro- pay levies imposed for breaching in July 2015, a spokesman for HSBC and password to log into the app and ing an account in any other bank in Certificate of Origin) on the pro- duction rose in March as Iranian regulations over 12 years and cover Saudi Arabia said Thursday, declin- gain access to DBank Mobile service. Qatar. D-Cardless Withdrawal fea- posed online services on QC website. output climbed to the highest level the expense of future fines, accord- ing to give more details on what The new version of the app offers ture allows customers to send money By introducing online services, in almost four years. ing to financial statements published regulations were breached. users the option of using their finger- instantly to anyone in Qatar via a Qatar has become the first among The Organisation of Petroleum on its website. The Saudi fines add to the weight prints to authenticate their identities Doha Bank ATM. The receiver can the other GCC member states to Exporting Countries increased HSBC Saudi Arabia Ltd made the of scrutiny HSBC has faced from reg- to sign in to mobile banking - instead withdraw the ascertained amount offer online Certificate of Origin for production by 64,000 barrels to provisions for the “settlement of his- ulators around the globe. The bank of user ID and password - making without the requirement of an ATM such a wide range of items. Other 33.09 million a day this month, torical issues, mainly relating to the paid a $1.9bn settlement in 2012 to Doha Bank the first bank in Qatar Card. Western Union Money Transfer GCC states currently provide such according to a Bloomberg survey period 2002 to 2014, identified as end US probes into money launder- to provide customers with biomet- allows customers to remit money to online certificates only for one or of oil companies, producers and a result of various Capital Market ing, and paid $618m in fines in 2014 ric access to banking services. The any country through Western Union. two items, according to Al Sharqi. analysts. Authority inspections,” and to cover after an investigation into the rigging biometric access control feature is The application also allows In this regard, the QC is closely The 13-member group set the “high degree of uncertainty as to of foreign-exchange benchmarks. available on select Apple and (iOS Remittances through Credit Card working with concerned govern- aside its output target of 30 mil- the terms on which remaining issues An independent report on HSBC’s 8 or above, iPhone 5S or above) and - a first-of-its-kind service in Qatar ment authorities, including the lion barrels a day at its December would be resolved and the timing Saudi operations produced by PwC Android (OS 6 or above, smartphones that allows customers to remit Ministry of Economy and Com- 4 meeting in Vienna. Saudi Ara- of such resolutions,” according to made 185 recommendations on and tablets with biometric reader) money to their home country via merce, the Ministry of Foreign bia, the world’s largest crude the financial statements. The bank improving risk management and devices and software versions. electronic transfer using their Doha Affairs, and the Ministry of Energy exporter, has led the group in declined to elaborate. compliance. “Doha Bank has a proud Bank credit cards. and Industry. fighting for market share against higher-cost producers such as shale drillers in the US. Iranian output rose by 100,000 barrels a day to 3.2 million, the most since May 2012. Sanctions Alibaba makes play for growing e-sports sector against the nation, that were strengthened in July 2012, were lifted in January. The Islamic republic is seeking AFP “Sports is a multi-billion dollar business in allowed players to compete with each other Brand advertising accounts for 77 percent of to regain market share after sanc- China, with massive growth potential. That is wherever they are in the world. the market, with the rest made up by e-sports tions were removed last month why Alibaba is investing heavily in this verti- “We are confident that we can make Ali- betting, prize pools, amateur and micro-tourna- upon completion of an agreement cal,” AliSports chief executive Zhang Dazhong baba’s World Electronic Sport Games a hugely ments as well as merchandise and ticket sales, limiting its nuclear programme. SINGAPORE: Chinese e-commerce giant Ali- said, according to a statement on the Yuu- successful and leading event in China’s massive SuperData said. Iraqi production rose by baba will kick off a global e-sports tournament Zoo website. gaming market,” said YuuZoo and YuuGames The market is expected to grow to $1.9 bil- 150,000 barrels a day to 4.35 this month, with big prize money up for grabs, Marking its entry into the e-sports arena, chairman Thomas Zilliacus. lion by 2018, driven by growth in direct revenue million this month, according as the Internet powerhouse makes a play for the AliSports will spend $15.4m alone for the WESG A YuuZoo spokesman confirmed that the sources like betting sites and amateur tourna- to the survey. Opec’s second- fast-growing industry. — which will be run by YuuZoo’s Chinese ven- games will start in the third or fourth week of ment platforms, it added. biggest producer pumped 4.51 Alibaba signed an agreement this week with ture YuuGames — that will see players from this month, with the finals set for November 11. Viewership was expected to have grown to million barrels a day in January, Singapore-based social networking firm Yuu- across the world compete in games like Dota YuuGames, founded in October 2014, is a 188 million in 2015, turning players and teams the highest level in monthly data Zoo to run the firm’s e-sports events in China, 2, CSGO, StarCraft 2 and Hearthstone. leading organiser of e-sport events in China. It into celebrities, it said. compiled by Bloomberg going including the AliSports World Electronic Sport E-sports generally refers to video game com- plans to launch 1,200 e-sports events this year Alibaba and YuuZoo announced the back to 1989. Games (WESG) kicking off at the end of April and petitions, which like athletic sporting events can across 15 cities in China in partnership with agreement Wednesday in Shanghai, the Sin- West Texas Intermediate for which will offer a total of $5.5m in prize money. be played before live audiences and broadcast AliSports. gapore-listed firm said in a statement posted May delivery fell 9 cents, or 0.2 Formed in September, AliSports is spear- over the Internet. SuperData, which provides statistics on the on its website. percent, to $38.23 a barrel at heading Alibaba’s bid to boost its share of China’s It dates back to video games played in global computer games market, said the e-sport Alibaba is China’s top e-commerce firm 12:57pm on the New York Mer- lucrative sports industry, which is forecast to arcades in the 1980s, gradually growing into big- market worldwide was valued at an estimated founded by billionaire Internet entrepreneur cantile Exchange. grow to $814bn by 2025. ger tournaments as faster Internet connections $747.5 million last year. Jack Ma. 24 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 BUSINESS India and China consumers top EM sentiment table

Reuters “This progress is notable, given a track record of engrained pessi- The Credit Suisse mism among Turkish consumers,” Emerging Consumer Credit Suisse said, whilst adding that LONDON: Consumer sentiment confidence indicators implied con- in India and China remains resil- survey, which sumers were not yet ready to make ient despite a challenging economic is conducted by bulk purchases. The bank suggested backdrop, but households in Rus- any incremental disposable income sia, South Africa and Brazil have market research was likely to be spent on “afforda- become more pessimistic, an firm Nielsen and ble but non-necessity” items, such as annual survey showed. is in its sixth year, alcohol, cosmetics and technology. The Credit Suisse Emerging Con- At the bottom of the table were sumer survey, which is conducted by is based on nearly Brazil, South Africa and Russia, of market research firm Nielsen and is 16,000 face-to-face which Brazil saw the greatest col- in its sixth year, is based on nearly lapse in consumer confidence. Credit 16,000 face-to-face interviews across interviews across Suisse noted that in the past, Brazil- Officials pose for a group picture. nine economies. nine economies. ians always ranked among the more Weak currencies, falling com- optimistic consumers. modity prices and heightened political Now the country is going through risk have taken their toll on emerging purchase and 23 percent saying it was a severe recession it delivered “a BETON Ready-mix renews partnership markets over the last 12 months, but an excellent time. series of dismal readings on every consumers in China and India dem- Credit Suisse said the continued yardstick”, with a significant fall in onstrated confidence in their future optimism was based on expectations spending on cosmetics, beer and even finances and expected less inflation that the government would continue internet access, which had been rela- with Renault trucks with new delivery pressure, the survey found. to support private consumption, add- tively inelastic in prior surveys. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia shared ing that the survey may not fully In markets such as India, China the number two spot on the bank’s reflect the impact of the 2016 budget. and Mexico, Credit Suisse noted a The Peninsula consumer confidence scorecard Turkey was the only country in strong growth in smartphone pene- with China, despite a plunge in oil the survey where personal finances tration, and forecast that e-commerce prices that has strained govern- were expected to improve, albeit from revenues in big emerging markets ment finances. Most Saudis surveyed a very low base in the previous year. could triple by 2025 to $2.5 trillion. DOHA: Al Attiya Motors and Trad- envisaged an increase in their dis- This helped put it in the middle of the In China, Credit Suisse estimated ing Company (AMTC), the exclusive cretionary spending, with 53 percent consumer confidence rankings, mov- online sales would grow 20-26 per- agent for Renault Trucks in Qatar, saying it was a good time for a major ing up one place to fifth. cent year-on-year in 2016-2018. delivered 12 units to BETON Ready- mix on top of the 15 units in their existing fleet. These units were handed over to Robert Terzis, Managing Direc- ADB cuts China growth forecast tor of BETON Ready-mix, by Samer Makkawi, Sales Manager of Renault Trucks Qatar. The new addition, with its advanced technical features and attributes, are expected to enhance the performance and productivity Mohammed Maali (left) and Robert Terzis of BETON Ready-mix fleet of trucks, thanks to the reliability and robust- ness of the all new K range that is with Renault trucks reaffirms the their fleet over the years. designed for harsh conditions and success of Renault Trucks and abil- Renault Trucks are distin- unforgiving climate. ity to offer the right truck for the right guished by their capacity for On the occasion, Terzis said: application. We take tremendous endurance and highly efficient per- “Our decision to buy Renault trucks pride in the fact that Renault Trucks formance which gets the job done. is based on our experience with were chosen among well-known The line-up features a diversity of current fleet, reliability and the brands to be part of BETON Ready- sizes and models, including dump exceptional performance of Renault mix fleet, a pioneering and leading trucks, fuel tankers, garbage trucks, Trucks, most importantly our confi- company in the ready-mix sector, trailer traction units and other types dence in AI Attiya Motors and Trading boasting an experience that extends of trucks of various sizes. Company, the exclusive agents for for sixteen years in this domain”. Samer Makkawi said: “The suc- Renault Trucks in Qatar, in provid- The French-made Renault cess achieved by Renault Trucks in ing excellent after-sales service both trucks gained international fame the Qatari market can be attributed in their modern service facility as and broad penetration into world- to its brand that is renowned in this well as their mobile service station. wide markets, through a wide range field, and to the excellent reputa- Mohammed Maali, the Chief of models and sizes. And through tion enjoyed by Al Attiya Motors Imported coal being unloaded from a cargo ship at a port in Lianyungang, east China’s Jiangsu Executive Officer of AMTC, AMTC, Renault Trucks achieved and Trading Company in terms of province. Huge industrial overcapacity will drag on China’s growth this year, the Asian Development expressed his pleasure at the deal great success in the Qatari market, the excellent service and transport Bank said as it cut its forecast for the world’s second-largest economy. with BETON Company, and said: and a large number of companies solutions happily offered to our “BETON Ready-mix’s choice to go and establishments chose them for customers.”

AirAsia to raise $259m to Ukraine on course for modest growth: World Bank

AFP and a two-percent pickup in 2017 “The current political crisis is Petro Poroshenko asked Yatsenyuk International Monetary Fund. slash debt after a 9.9-percent contraction in posing a very serious threat to that to step down over the public’s The IMF said it will wait for 2015. very fragile recovery and is posing seeming loss of trust in his ability Ukraine to resolve it political prob- KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia-based “Obviously this forecast will a serious threat to continued eco- to tackle graft and political dom- lems and appoint a possible new AirAsia, the region’s biggest budget KIEV: Ukraine is on track to return depend crucially on two things: nomic reforms. It is very important inance by a handful of shadowy prime minister before dispensing bil- carrier by fleet size, said on Friday to economic growth this year but its first, it will depend on how the in our view that the political crisis is tycoons that have plagued Ukraine lions of dollars in vital aid that has it plans to raise 1bn ringgit ($259m) pace hinges on how the eastern sepa- conflict will evolve in the east. We resolved as quickly as possible.” for decades. been frozen since last year. by selling shares to help cut its debt ratist conflict develops and resolving assume that the conflict will not Ukraine has been wracked by The apparent conflict between The nearly two-year pro-Rus- and finance the purchase of new a political crisis, the World Bank said. further escalate,” Fan told report- uncertainty about its future since Prime Ukraine’s two top leaders and a deci- sian revolt in Ukraine’s industrial aircraft. The global lending institution’s ers. “Second, and I think much Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk survived sion by two junior members to walk heartland has also affected indus- In accordance with the deal, regional director Qimiao Fan fore- more importantly, it will depend a no-confidence motion in his pro-EU out of the coalition has paralysed trial production and drained financial the airliner will issue 559 million casted one-percent expansion for on whether reforms will continue,” government on February 16. the government and drawn concern resources that are needed for invest- new shares to AirAsia founders— the former Soviet country this year he added. The vote came after President from Kiev’s Western allies and the ment on funding the war. group CEO Tony Fernandes and Chairman Kamaruddin Meranun. “The gross proceeds raised from the proposed shares issuance Domasco gives 42 Volvo FMX will be utilised for the prepayment and repayment of the AAB group’s indebtedness, financing of aircraft, trucks to Desert Stream engines and parts... ,” the company said in a regulatory filing to the The Peninsula Malaysian stock exchange. CIMB Investment Bank and RHB Investment Bank will serve DOHA: Domasco, the authorised distributor for Volvo Trucks in Qatar, recently as principal advisors for the pro- delivered 42 Volvo FMX trucks to Desert Stream, a newly established joint posed share issue. AirAsia said the venture. Desert Stream was initiated to serve the logistical needs of its two fund raising plan was expected to founding companies - Omega Engineering WLL , a well-known Road, Civil & be completed by the third quar- Electro Mechanical Contracting company with an Asphalt factory in Mesaieed ter of 2016. and The Ghandour brothers, pioneers in bulk material trading in the Middle The budget airliner in February East and Gulf region. announced a fourth-quarter net Commenting on the occasion, Faisal Sharif, Managing Director at Domasco, profit of 554m ringgit ($132m) due said: “Domasco is delighted with Volvo Trucks’ strong sales performance in to the performance of its Malay- Qatar. Volvo Trucks has increased its market penetration during the past years sian unit and lower fuel costs. For and is witnessing a solid growth. The Swedish brand continues to focus on three the full year to December, AirAsia’s core values: quality, safety and care for the environment.” profits rose to 541m ringgit from Mohammad Majeed, Sales and Marketing Manager of Commercial Vehicles at 83m ringgit the previous year. Domasco, said: “Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for business- At the end of 2015, AirAsia’s driven customers and help them meet day to day challenges.” He added, “With total fleet size stood at 170 A320 groundbreaking features, Volvo FMX trucks guarantee maximum productivity in aircraft, with the airline flying to extreme surface conditions by transporting large loads, quickly and efficiently.” The around 100 destinations across FMX range introduces a unique feature — the intelligent I-Shift automated gear- Officials celebrating the event. more than 15 countries. box technology, optimised for tough and rugged mining operating conditions. BUSINESS SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 25 Anger and uncertainty for Britain’s steelworkers

AFP wanted to put the UK steel concern up The owner of the cafe across help. There were even calls for busi- be concentrated not on propping up a for sale.” Tata’s plans to sell its Brit- from the plant says the impact of ness secretary Sajid Javid to resign waning business but on helping steel- Tata’s plans to sell its ish assets include Port Talbot and the industry’s decline will hit the after it emerged he took his daugh- workers move onward and upward,” British assets include works in Scunthorpe and Rother- local economy hard. “It’s not just the ter with him on the Australia trade it wrote. “Spending to keep the plant PORT TALBOT: As smoke rises from ham in England, which they say are steel workers... I think it will wipe trip as the Tata company board met itself in business would just prolong the blast furnaces of the steelworks Port Talbot and being particularly hit by cheap steel out south Wales,” she said. to decide the future of its British inter- the inevitable.” that employ thousands in the coastal works in Scunthorpe from China. Behind the calm exterior, the ests in Mumbai. But Coombs insists the industry Welsh town of Port Talbot, there is lit- The group had already feeling among workers is “trepida- For Coombs, the union repre- has a future and that the government tle outward sign of trouble. and Rotherham announced hundreds of jobs would tion, confusion... anger” according to sentative, blame does not lie with the should provide “for a limited period, a Workers cycle home from their in England, which go at Port Talbot, but the decision Mark Turner, a steelworker and rep- factory’s Indian owners. “It’s hard to bit of support”. “I’m convinced we can shifts in the spring weather, and the they say are being to sell puts some 15,000 jobs at risk resentative of the Unite union. blame Tata with the investment they get a buyer and we can be positive and only sign of anything untoward is a — the bulk of those employed in “People within this work- put in over the years,” Coombs said. we can move forward,” Coombs said. cluster of television crews. But beneath particularly hit by Britain’s dwindling steel industry. place want to know, have they got “There is a responsibility that’s got Daniel Helson, a 20-year-old coke the surface all is far from well after cheap steel from The Conservative government of a future, can they pay their mort- to lay at the feet of the Westminster oven labourer, insists that the govern- Indian owner Tata Steel announced David Cameron called crisis talks in gages,” Turner said. “They’re having government because they haven’t sup- ment should go further and protect plans to sell its assets in Britain China. response and the business minister to put their life on hold just in case ported our industry for a long period the industry that is the lifeblood of the The announcement could prove a flew back early from a trade trip to of bad news.” of time.” London-based magazine town where he was born and bred. critical blow to Britain’s once world- of steel. Australia as unions called for state The crisis has provoked anger The Economist argued in an analy- “Everyone knows each other outside leading steel industry, which has “It wasn’t totally unexpected but it help for the sector. The Port Talbot against the British government, with sis that Britain’s historical dominance of work. It’s devastating,” Helson said. been hit by a wave of layoffs and clo- was still a shock,” said Alan Coombs, factory, a major Welsh employer and critics drawing comparisons with the of steel manufacturing was long gone “I think we’ll have to nationalise sures as producers struggle against a representative of the Community once a cutting-edge plant, employs assistance given to the banks follow- and that the government should resist it. It has to become British Steel again. high energy costs and plunging prices trade union. “I didn’t think that they 4,000 people and many more ing the 2008 economic crisis to ask demands for a bailout. It has to be British made for British caused by a chronic global oversupply would be so direct in saying that they indirectly. why the steel industry shouldn’t get “The state’s energy should now people.”

Merger mania for Canada Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Time Inc mulls taking on private as deals reach $83.4bn equity partner for Yahoo bid Bloomberg Asciano Ltd. for roughly $6.7bn. No previous first quarter on record had more than two deals of this size. Reuters There were 18 deals in excess OTTAWA: Canadian companies of a billion dollars through March hunting for growth abroad drove 30 for a combined value of almost NEW YORK: Time Inc is consid- mergers and acquisitions to a record $69bn—more deals and at a higher ering partnering with a private $83.4bn in the first quarter of 2016, combined value than any other first equity firm on a bid for Yahoo Inc’s including an unprecedented four quarter on record. core Internet assets, according to deals of more than $5bn each. The bulk of the transactions people familiar with the matter, as The value of deals involving resulted from Canadians shopping the US publishing company seeks Canadian firms through March 30 abroad. Canadian firms acquired to boost its digital presence. surpassed the previous peak of a record $58.4bn worth of foreign The deliberations on finding a $62.3bn in 2007, which eventually targets this year, up from the previ- partner to help fund the potential became the busiest year on record ous peak of $38.9bn in 2006 during deal underscore Time Inc’s limited for Canadian M&A, according to data the first quarter. Larger deals, com- resources. Yahoo’s web business is compiled by Bloomberg. bined with the cross-border nature estimated to be worth several bil- “We’ve been in sort of a low- of many of the transactions, proved lion of dollars more than Time Inc’s growth environment for quite a while to be a boon for the big global banks. market capitalisation of just $1.6bn. and M&A has proven a way to boost Goldman Sachs was the top financial Time Inc held conversations earnings,” Charles Emond, Bank of adviser during the first quarter, fol- with buyout firms before signing Nova Scotia’s co-head of investment lowed by Lazard Ltd, which advised a non-disclosure agreement with The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta car on display at the Poznan International Motor Show 2016 in Poznan, Poland. banking, said in an interview. “The three US targets acquired by Cana- Yahoo recently that forbids bidders market has been rewarding M&A dian companies during the quarter. in the sale process from communi- growth quite successfully too.” Wells Fargo & Co, which was the cating with each other, the people The momentum in Canada sole financial adviser to TransCan- said this week. comes despite a 6.6 percent year- ada on its acquisition of Columbia, However, Time Inc is hoping over-year drop in global M&A over ranked third, followed by JPMorgan that Yahoo will allow bidders to the same period. US transactions fell Chase & Co, and Morgan Stanley. BP signs first shale gas deal in China form consortia after they submit 15 percent through March 30, the “Several Canadian companies first-round bids that are due on data show. In Canada, the quarter were successful in pursuing strategic April 11, the people added. Time was notable for a number of large- U.S. acquisitions the first quarter,” said Inc has not yet selected any private scale transactions. Darin Deschamps, co-head of Wells Bloomberg Information Administration esti- supply liquefied natural gas to China equity firm as a potential partner, “Most of these larger transac- Fargo Securities Canada. “It was great mates holds more natural gas in Huadian Corp. in a deal worth as the people said. tions had been under way since last to see equity investors support such shale rocks than any other country. much as $10bn over two decades. Several private equity firms are year and we continue to see strong transformational deals.” The Bank of China, the world’s biggest energy Shale gas exploration has spread weighing bids for Yahoo’s internet interest in international acquisi- Nova Scotia was the only Canadian LONDON: BP Plc will explore for consumer, wants access to the largest slowly around the world as most assets including Blackstone Group tions for Canadians driven by both bank to crack the top 10 list, ranking shale-gas in China with the country’s drillers’ technology to help tap these countries struggle to replicate the LP, KKR & Co LP, TPG Capital LP, the need for diversification and seventh through March 30. biggest oil company China National reserves as it seeks to boost use of success of the U.S. boom, which has Apax Partners LLP, Warburg Pincus growth,” Peter Enns, Goldman Sachs There is no reason to believe Petroleum Corp, the British produc- cleaner-burning gas and cater to ris- turned the country from gas importer LLC, Bain Capital LLC and Hellman Group Inc.’s Canadian chief execu- many of these trends won’t con- er’s first such contract in the nation ing demand. to exporter in the past decade. China & Friedman LLC, the people said. tive officer, said in an e-mail. tinue in the other three quarters of estimated to hold the world’s biggest “We are looking forward to has cut its 2020 shale gas production A potential deal structure There were four deals in the first 2016, Scotiabank’s Emond said . “We resources of the fuel. working together with CNPC on target to about a third of its original that Time Inc and its investment quarter in excess of $5bn, including like the overall picture,” he said. “The The contract is for exploration, technology, operational and subsur- estimate due to difficult geology, lack bankers have been considering is the largest: TransCanada Corp.’s pipeline is still very active.” development and production in the face techniques in unconventional of infrastructure and limited explo- a Reverse Morris Trust, the people $10.2bn takeover of Houston’s Pension funds and many Cana- Neijiang-Dazu block in the Sichuan resources,” BP Chief Executive Officer ration rights. said. This could potentially allow Columbia Pipeline Group Inc., the dian corporations are sitting on a Basin in southwest China, BP said in Bob Dudley said. BP estimates gas produced by Yahoo to divest assets in a tax-effi- data show. Fortis Inc also announced pile of cash, Emond said. Indus- a statement. CNPC will be the oper- The deal follows a broader agree- cracking open shale rocks through cient manner, the people added. a $7.2bn acquisition of ITC Holdings tries that take large amounts of ator of the project that covers about ment between the two companies last a process known as hydraulic frac- Spokespeople for Yahoo, Time Corp. in February, while a group capital investment like the indus- 1,500 square kilometres. year to explore and produce shale gas turing will account for a quarter of Inc and the private equity firms including Brookfield Asset Man- trial, energy and utility sectors were BP’s entry into Chinese shale and retail fuels jointly in China. The the total gas produced around the declined to comment. agement Inc. and Canada Pension particularly busy M&A targets in the follows Royal Dutch Shell Plc and pact was signed during the Chinese world by 2035, with China the world’s Since Time Inc spun out from Plan Investment Board agreed to early part of the year, according to ConocoPhillips’s partial pull-back President Xi Jinping’s visit to London largest contributor to supply growth, parent company Time Warner Inc buy Australian port and rail operator data compiled by Bloomberg. from the nation that the US Energy in October, when BP also agreed to according to the statement. in 2014, its chief executive, Joe Ripp, has been vocal about putting more cash into the business and expanding the company beyond its print roots. Airport check-in machines China insists economy stable The New York-based company, whose titles include People, Sports Illustrated and its namesake Time after S&P lowers outlook magazine, has been on a digital shopping spree in recent months. In February, it acquired Viant AFP Beijing posted its slowest eco- Technology, a New York-based mar- nomic growth in a quarter century keting firm that owns Myspace, an last year as it grappled with a tough early social media company. Last transition away from dependence fall, it bought HelloGiggles, a lifestyle BEIJING: China on Friday shrugged on heavy industries toward a con- website owned by actress Zooey off a decision by ratings agency sumer-driven growth. Deschanel, and xoJane, an online Standard & Poor’s (S&P) to cut its Fluctuations in the exchange magazine geared to women. outlook on the country to negative, rate and stock markets last sum- Yahoo faces increasing pressure calling on the firm to be “objective”. mer and slow progress on market from shareholders and investors to S&P cut its outlook from its pre- reforms in state-dominated sectors sell its core business instead of going vious assessment of “stable” on undermined confidence in leaders’ through a spinoff that would sep- Thursday, warning that economic willingness to push for change. S&P arate the company from its stakes rebalancing away from investment kept its rating on Chinese sovereign in Yahoo Japan and Alibaba Group. towards services was taking longer bonds unchanged at AA-/A-1+. Analysts see Verizon, the large than expected. The firm said that it could down- telecommunications company that Chinese foreign ministry spokes- grade Chinese government bonds this bought AOL last year for $4.4bn, as man Hong Lei said that the country year or next if Beijing opens the credit being a more likely candidate to was “in the process of economic floodgates and pushes investment to prevail in the auction for Yahoo’s transformation” and that economic above 40 percent of GDP in order web business. fundamentals were stable. “We hope to meet ambitious growth targets. Time Inc’s revenue annual the relevant organisation can have a S&P joined fellow ratings agency revenue fell 5 percent to $3.1bn Passengers use check-in machines at a ticket counter of Air China at a terminal of Beijing Capital comprehensive understanding of Chi- Moody’s, which cut its outlook on last year, with print and advertis- International Airport in Beijing, China. na’s economic development, and make Chinese sovereign bonds earlier in ing revenue falling 10 percent to an objective judgement,” he added. March. $1.32bn. 26 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 BUSINESS Brexit risks taking euro trading from London

Reuters British exit from the EU say predictions of its financial sector and won at the EU’s their trading back to Paris or Frankfurt,” said London’s demise as a financial centre when it second-highest court last year. Soeren Moerch, head of fixed income trading If Britain finds itself failed to adopt the common currency proved But banks and other market players at Danske Bank. “But I am much more scep- outside the European wrong, and the same would be true in the expect the tables would turn after a tical as to whether the big American banks FRANKFURT/LONDON: If Britons vote to event of a Brexit. So far, campaigning has Brexit, eroding London’s preeminence in a would move their main European trading hub leave the EU, London’s financial centre faces single market, UK-based focused on issues ranging from immigration derivatives market that has thrived in spite from London.” Graham Bishop, a regulatory losing one of its top money spinners — the institutions could lose the to the Brussels bureaucracy, with Brexit sup- of the financial crash. consultant, believes the ECB would use its trade in trillions of euros in derivatives — and right to use “passporting” porters arguing that the EU has moved far A recent legal study by the Association full powers. “It would be extraordinary for the European Central Bank will be pushing from the bloc’s original aim of merely boost- of Financial Markets in Europe, whose the ECB to allow trading and use of its money hard for the business to move onto its patch. rules which currently allow ing trade within Europe. members include HSBC, Deutsche Bank and to go on outside its control,” he said. Accord- According to eurozone central bank offi- them to provide cross- However, the City of London remains a broker ICAP, identified this risk. If Britain ing to the Bank for International Settlements, cials, the ECB is determined to tackle an major employer and accounts for 12 percent finds itself outside the European single interest rate swaps accounted for $435 tril- anomaly dating from 1999 when Britain opted border services to clients of the British economy, generating roughly market, UK-based institutions could lose lion of the world’s $550 trillion derivatives out of the euro’s launch: a dominant share of elsewhere in the EU. £66bn ($93bn) in tax revenue a year for a the right to use “passporting” rules which market in 2015. trading in the currency it issues goes on out- cash-strapped exchequer. So far, Britain’s EU currently allow them to provide cross- London-based LCH.Clearnet, in which side its jurisdiction in London. membership has helped London to maintain border services to clients elsewhere in the the London Stock Exchange owns a majority Eurozone officials are reluctant to discuss its position as Europe’s financial capital, with EU. “Under Brexit, market infrastructures stake, clears more than half of all interest rate publicly such a sensitive issue — and the risk eurozone central bank officials, requesting the result that the ECB is set apart in one could not permanently rely on the EU swaps traded globally. Daily it clears about that London could lose out to rivals Frankfurt anonymity, made the same points to Reuters. crucial respect from the Bank of England, passporting arrangements,” Simon Lewis, $3.3 trillion in such swaps, with $1.76 trillion and Paris — before the June 23 referendum The trading of euro-based securities the Bank of Japan and US Federal Reserve. the association’s chief executive, told Reuters. in dollar-denominated contracts. Euro- on a British exit from the European Union. spans trillions of euros of derivatives deals “In big currency areas — including The International Capital Market denominated contracts total €736.3bn or But Christian Noyer, a former ECB vice- as well as the ‘repo’ market providing short- sterling, yen, dollar — the central bank has Association, whose members include treasury $836.6bn and are the second largest compo- president and Bank of France governor, is term funding for banks — €2 trillion of which a significant hold on trading in the domestic departments of companies such as GE and nent. LCH, using what it says are robust risk free to make the case as he no longer holds a experts say is based in London. On top of this, currency,” said Nicholas Veron, EU financial banks like Goldman Sachs, have come to controls, essentially underwrites such deals, high office in the eurozone. “If Britain left the there is foreign exchange trading in the cur- services expert at the Bruegel think tank in the same conclusion, warning of a threat to stepping in if a buyer or seller drops out. EU, the euro area authorities could no longer rency itself. Brussels. “The eurozone is an outlier and that “London’s competitive position”. However, the ECB wants better oversight tolerate such a high proportion of financial The Frankfurt-based ECB wants over- is supported by the EU framework but if that EU governments could press the issue, of the clearing houses that one bank lobbyist activities involving their currency taking sight of this business for a practical reason: is no longer there, this outlier status might along with the ECB which since late 2014 called the ‘nuclear power plants’ of financial place abroad,” he said. if any disaster were to hit these markets like not be sustainable,” Veron added. has regulated the euro zone’s biggest banks, markets, to avert any Lehman-style collapse. “It is already very difficult for euro mem- the 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers bank The ECB has already tried to assert its although those headquartered elsewhere Nigel Farage, who leads the United bers to accept that our currency is largely in the United States, it would be responsible authority, insisting that clearing houses might be less willing to respond. Kingdom Independence Party, believes traded outside the currency area, beyond for dealing with the crisis. that process euro derivative trades should “The EU can exert a lot of pressure and London has a bright future outside the EU the control of the ECB,” Noyer wrote in an The ECB declined to comment on the be based in the 19-nation currency bloc. make rules that are so complicated that it if Britain negotiates a new relationship with article for economic think tank OMFIF. Two derivatives oversight issue. Supporters of a Britain mounted a legal challenge to defend makes sense for the continental banks to take the bloc.

Profit booking dents Move to improve image of Bank Indonesia Turkish stocks head for best India equity markets quarter in

IANS Nifty of the National Stock Exchange three years (NSE) slipped by 3.45 points or 0.04 percent to 7,713.05 points. Bloomberg “The Fed chairwoman’s cautious MUMBAI: Profit booking, along with note on Tuesday calmed global mar- caution over a US rate hike and sub- kets. Despite this, Indian markets’s ISTANBUL: Turkey’s lira headed dued derivatives expiry, depressed volatility continued amidst a sub- for its second quarterly gain and the Indian equity markets during the dued derivatives expiry,” Anand stocks are poised to cap their just concluded weekly trade. James, chief market strategist, Geojit best performance in three years Investors were spooked by the BNP Paribas Financial Services, said. as cheap valuations and a dovish ongoing issues surrounding the Vaibhav Agarwal, vice presi- Federal Reserve boost demand for domestic pharmaceutical sector and dent and research head at Angel the nation’s assets. upcoming macro-economic data. Broking, pointed out that investors The currency appreciated 0.4 Further, negative global cues such remained reluctant to chase prices percent to 2.8233 against dollar as as deflation in Europe, slowdown as they feared another quarter of of 2:32 p.m. in Istanbul, extending in China and lower crude oil prices lower-than-expected results. this quarter’s gain to 3.3 percent, deterred traders to chase prices. “Indian shares fell on Friday, a day after reports showed the econ- However, dovish comments after hitting a near three-month high, omy grew more than forecast in An employee of Bank Indonesia stands next to a giant 1,000 rupiah coin on display inside the bank’s from US Federal Reserve Chair- as investors braced for yet another the three months ended Decem- man Janet Yellen and healthy foreign weak quarter for earnings,” Agarwal headquarters in Jakarta. A new chat group on the instant messaging phone application WhatsApp is ber 31 and the trade gap narrow. fund inflows countered the down- said. Sector-wise, broader markets helping Indonesia’s central bank improve its reputation for managing market expectations, something Equities have rebounded after trend and helped key indices pare outperformed with gains of one per- it has struggled with in the past. valuations relative to emerging their losses. A hike in the US interest cent led by strong buying in the high markets dropped to a six-year low rates is expected to lead away For- beta stocks. “Banks and auto stocks following their worst annual per- eign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) from propelled the rally this week. Bank formance last year since 2011. emerging markets such as India. index gained two percent while Auto “This quarter’s rally has a lot Besides, Tuesday’s economic index gained one percent,” stated to do with the fact that lira assets reform measure to allow 100 per- Nitasha Shankar, vice president for Rate cut hopes to strengthen rupee were oversold last year,” accord- cent foreign capital in e-commerce research with YES Securities. ing to Burak Cetinceker, a money with some riders cheered investors. Nevertheless, a healthy rise in for- manager at Istanbul-based Strateji The move is expected to benefit not eign funds’ inflow supported prices Portfoy. “The market rendered the just foreign multi-brand retail enti- and countered global headwinds. IANS bi-monthly monetary policy review segment as also softness in glo- Fed will not be able to raise inter- ties like Amazon and e-Bay, but also “This market performance was for 2016-17 on April 5. bal dollar strength augurs well for est rates earlier than June and with single-brand overseas chains like largely driven by fresh inflows from “Though a 25 basis points (BPS) rate rupee outlook. This week, the rupee that, part of the money that has Adidas, Ikea and Nike. foreign investors. So while this is not cut is anticipated by market partici- is expected to continue its strength- left emerging markets last year and In addition, hopes of a rate cut by bad, the sustainability of the rally is MUMBAI: Hopes of a cut in key lend- pants, and few even expect a possibility ening bias even as RBI is expected early this year returned.” the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sup- dependant on how local factors would ing rates by the country’s apex bank, of a surprise 50 BPS cut as well, thereby to reduce policy rates.” Turkish assets rallied with ported prices. Investors expect the RBI be able to support the markets,” elabo- along with healthy foreign funds setting the tone for the new financial On technical basis the dollar/rupee emerging markets this week after to cut key lending rates on the back rated Pankaj Sharma, head of equities inflow and low crude oil prices, are year,” Hiren Sharma, senior vice-presi- pair is seen to have a steady support Fed Chair Janet Yellen said the any of the union budget’s fiscal prudence for Equirus Securities. expected to support the Indian rupee dent, currency advisory at Anand Rathi at 66.10-20 and resistance at 66.80- rate increase will be gradual, joining measures, reduction in small savings During March, FPIs bought during the upcoming week, experts Financial Services, said. 90. During the truncated week ended accommodative policies in Europe interest rates and low inflation. Rs21,143 crore in the equity markets, said yesterday. “If it does happen, equity reaction March 31, the rupee strengthened by 38 and Asia that boosted appetite for The RBI will conduct its first bi- figures furnished by the National Market observers expect the will be very positive and can further paise. Analysts attributed the rise in risk. Investors have bought a net monthly monetary policy review Securities Depository Limited Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to cut key affect rupee appreciation.” Sharma rupee’s value on lessened chances of a $1.9bn stocks and bonds this year for 2016-17 on April 5. The volatile (NSDL) disclosed. For the week under lending rates on the back of the union predicted the rupee to range from US rate hike, lower crude oil prices and through March 18, after escalat- weekly trade, led the barometer review, data with stock exchanges budget’s fiscal prudence measures, 66.20-65.80 to 66.80-67.10 during healthy foreign funds inflow. ing violence at home and abroad 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of revealed that FPIs invested in stocks reduction in small savings interest the coming week. On a weekly basis, the rupee and political turmoil after the rul- the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to worth Rs8,269.49 crore. Conversely, rates and low inflation. The cut in key Bansi Madhavani, analyst, gained by 38 paise to 66.24-25 ing party failed to win preliminary clos flat. It inched-down by 68 points the same data showed that domes- lending rates is expected to support India Ratings and Research, said: (March 31) against a US dollar from elections spurred a record selloff. or 0.26 percent to 25,269.64 points tic institutional investors (DIIs) sold the rupee’s value in the upcoming “Robust FPI (foreign portfolio inves- its previous close of 66.62-63 (March The Borsa Istanbul 100 Index Similarly, the wider 50-scrip stocks worth Rs6,858.51 crore. week. The RBI will conduct its first tor) flows especially in the equity 23) to a greenback. has rebounded, set to cap 15 percent advance this quarter, fol- lowing last year’s 16 percent slide. Bonds also gained, sending the yield on two-year government Broad base can support extension of S&P 500 rally notes down 87 basis points to 9.99 percent in the period. Turkey’s trade gap shrank in February as exports rose for the Reuters The missing piece remains corpo- percent since February 11, when the have moved higher have had greater gloomy analysts expect. Now, the first time since October, according rate profits, which will have to come rout which started 2016 ended. Over volume behind them, with the 50-day forecast is for first-quarter S&P 500 to a central bank report today. The in better than the dire results pro- the same period the S&P, which is mar- average volume on rising stocks hit- reports to show a 7-percent decline shortfall narrowed to $3.17bn from NEW YORK: The seven-week US jected for the first quarter of 2016. ket-cap weighted — meaning the bigger ting its highest since October 2011, in earnings from a year ago, accord- $4.7bn a year earlier amid a broad- stock market rally still has some room It is good news for bulls that the companies have the biggest impact on which still ranks as the best month ing to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S data. based increase in shipments. The to run and could punch through the current rally is broad-based, with returns — is up 12.8 percent. for the S&P since 1991. Earnings typically beat the data bodes well for Turkey’s cur- record high set by the S&P 500 last only a dozen companies continu- “To see the average stock outpac- Company shares are priced high gloomy expectations, so the decline rent-account deficit, the biggest May, based on a number of indica- ing to fall since the index bottomed ing the market is a healthy sign,” said relative to their earnings, but they in analysts’ forecasts that makes the among the Group of 20 nations rel- tors that are pointing the way higher. in February. The most recent rally of Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at still have room to get more expen- P/E expensive is also a lower hurdle ative to the size of the economy Among the good signs, the run-up this strength started in late August BMO Private Bank in Chicago, who sive, based on past rallies. to clear. last year, which holds the coun- has come with strong volume and is and stumbled in November, when it noted that rallies usually end with The S&P sells at 16.6 times its For the first time in 15 months, try hostage to foreign capital and supported by almost every company became apparent that only a handful fewer companies participating. expected earnings over the next 12 a technical measure of momentum shifts in global investor sentiment. in the index. Furthermore, worries of well-known companies — Micro- By the market close on Thurs- months. That is slightly above aver- is flashing a “buy” signal at traders. Another report showed the have eased about some threats to soft, Alphabet, Apple, ExxonMobil and day, more than 700 New York Stock age, but not quite as pricey as it was The so-called weekly moving aver- economy expanded 5.7 percent the bulls’ case for stocks, such as an Amazon.com were propelling much of Exchange stocks had hit a 52-week last February, when it hit 17.4. age convergence-divergence (MACD) in the fourth quarter driven by aggressive US monetary policy and the action. During that rally, 80 of the high this week, on track for the high- Earnings-based valuations could of the S&P is pointing to positive iner- household spending as families spreading weakness from China and index components continued to fall. est reading in at least a year. come down if first-quarter results tia that could smooth the way for the shrugged off political uncertainty other developing markets. The average S&P stock is up 15.3 Furthermore, NYSE stocks that come in better than particularly market to push higher. and rising violence. BUSINESS VIEWS SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 27

Foreign firms fear Shale gas hits US railroads China’s draft antitrust policy guidelines and diesel demand

By Michael Martina are well-founded,” said Yee Wah Reuters Chin, a New York-based antitrust lawyer at law firm Ingram, Yuzek, Gainen, Carroll and Bertolotti. The US Chamber of Com- OREIGN companies with merce and the American Chamber dominant market posi- of Commerce in China, as well tions could be increasingly as the American Bar Associa- forced to license tech- tion, have urged the NDRC and Fnology to competitors or face the SAIC to revise the guidelines sanctions under China’s latest before they are implemented. draft antitrust policy guidelines, In comments delivered to according to foreign business regulators in February, the two groups and attorneys. chambers said they were con- The proposals include a cerned about the effort to change so-called “essential facilities” market-determined licensing doctrine, a legal concept that terms “into a right to receive assumes some core infrastructure whatever payment the govern- and technology is so important, ment deems appropriate given or the barrier to entry so high, its industrial policy de jure.” that refusal to share constitutes Jeremie Waterman, executive monopolistic behaviour. director for Greater China with If interpreted broadly, compa- the U.S. Chamber, told Reuters the nies could be forced to licence their approach would deter innovation intellectual property (IP) to Chi- and fuel trade tensions. “No other nese competitors or lower licensing competition law jurisdiction in the costs to benefit local firms, at a time world would have such a broad, when China is seeking to promote unbalanced essential facilities domestic champions. doctrine,” Waterman said. Draft guidelines for imple- The SAIC and the NDRC did menting the country’s 2008 not respond to a Reuters request By John Kemp quantity since 1987, according to the Energy tonnage carried on the rails and 19 percent Anti-Monopoly Law put forward for comment. Chinese antitrust Reuters Information Administration. of all railroad revenues in 2014 (“Annual by two of the country’s antitrust officials have long said their pol- Coal stocks at power plants surged to 197 and quarterly commodity survey”, Sur- regulators go beyond global icies do not unfairly target foreign million tonnes at the end of 2015, up 30 per- face Transportation Board, 2015). standards, experts and lawyers business. Premier Li Keqiang told cent from the end of 2014 (“Electric power So the slump in coal combustion has say. Telecommunications, phar- a US congressional delegation on HEAP natural gas has slashed monthly”, EIA, March 2016). had an immediate and significant impact maceuticals and renewable Thursday that China “will ramp coal traffic across the US Some analysts attribute the slump in on volumes across the rail network and energy industries, all priority up efforts to nurture a fairer envi- rail network and in turn hit coal-fired power generation to clean energy the revenues of the major railroads. areas for Beijing, are likely to be ronment for market competition demand for diesel, dem- policies or a mild winter caused by the El Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad, the most vulnerable. and will bolster intellectual prop- onstrating the interlocking Nino weather phenomenon, but the main the largest coal carrier, has furloughed “China is still fundamentally erty rights protection to attract relationship between the reason is fierce competition from cheap gas. about 10 percent of its workforce owing to looking at this as though it is an more foreign investment”, Chi- Ccountry’s energy and transport systems. US Total generation at utility-scale facil- lower demand for coal and oil shipments. IP taker rather than an IP creator,” nese state media reported. rail freight declined more than 6 percent in ities was unchanged last year from 2014, The railroads are in turn one of the said Lester Ross, a partner at law While the doctrine is used at the first 12 weeks of 2016 compared with a according to the EIA, which suggests biggest consumers of diesel fuel in the firm Wilmer Hale’s Beijing office. times by other countries, Western year earlier, according to the Association of weather-related demand was not the main United States, so the rail slump has con- China’s antitrust policies antitrust law has long held that American Railroads (AAR). cause of the coal slump. tributed to the drop in distillate demand. are worrying its trading part- restrictions on access to IP are Most categories of bulk freight were Coal-fired generation fell by 226 ter- Railroads accounted for 6 percent of ners, including the United States, crucial for rewarding innovation, down compared with 2015 but by far the awatt-hours (TWh) in 2015. Renewable all diesel sold in the United States in 2014 which issued a joint statement and that consumer, not corporate, largest drop occurred in coal, the single- generation rose by 11 TWh. But gas-fired (“Sales of distillate fuel oil by end use”, EIA, with China during President Xi welfare is most important when largest commodity hauled on the network. generation increased by around 208 TWh. 2015). The Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Jinping’s state visit to Washington determining violations. The number of railcars loaded with coal The volume of natural gas burned in US railroad, now owned by Warren Buffett’s last September that both countries The drafting of the guidelines in the first 12 weeks was down by 32 percent power plants surged by almost 18 percent Berkshire Hathaway, is the second-largest would “avoid the enforcement of coincides with the Chinese govern- compared with 2015 (“AAR reports weekly to a record 10 trillion cubic feet. buyer of diesel in the United States after the competition law to pursue indus- ment’s new five-year plan plotting rail traffic for the week ending March 26”). The average cost of natural gas deliv- US Navy. Once the other major railroads are trial policy goals.” the country’s economic goals for Coal loadings are down because power ered to electricity generators declined by 40 included, the rail sector is the largest con- On March 9, US Assistant 2016-2020 and its emphasis on its plants have switched to burning inexpensive percent over 2015 compared with a 14 per- sumer of diesel fuel after road transport (63 Attorney General William Baer, so-called Internet Plus and Made in natural gas, which has cent fall in the cost of coal. Coal remained percent) and home heating (6 percent). who heads the Justice Depart- China 2025 strategies, which aim left them with record cheaper as a fuel than gas but the change Railroads consume around 240,000 ment’s antitrust division, testified to make Chinese companies world stockpiles of unburned in relative prices encouraged a shift in the barrels per day of distillate fuel, which is before the Senate Judiciary anti- technology leaders. coal and cutting deliv- generation mix towards gas. not large enough to have a major impact trust subcommittee about the risk For example, the Made in eries. That in turn is In the short term, abundant gas thanks on diesel demand on its own but in com- of China using its competition China 2025 plan calls for a pro- reducing the number of to the shale revolution, rather than climate bination with other factors has had a laws to further industrial policy gressive increase in domestic railcars moving across policies, has reduced coal combustion and material effect. and technology transfers. “This components used in priority sec- the tracks and the curbed carbon emissions. The slump in oil drilling coupled administration worries about it a tors such as advanced information Some analysts railroad companies’ pur- Coal is the single largest commodity with efforts by manufacturers, dis- lot,” Baer said at the hearing. technology and robotics to 70 per- chases of diesel, leaving moved by transportation networks in the tributors and retailers to combat The issue is likely to be dis- cent by 2025 from a target of 40 attribute the slump diesel stocks at a sea- United States, with the possible exception overstocking has led to a broad-based cussed in April when officials from percent by 2020. in coal-fired power sonal record. of crude petroleum, for which measurement drop in freight movements including on the State Administration for Indus- In recent years, China’s So in a roundabout problems prevent an accurate comparison. the roads. Oil drillers were also major try and Commerce (SAIC) and the antitrust regulators have been generation to clean way, the shale (gas) rev- By weight and distance, coal accounted consumers of diesel fuel to run their National and Development and criticised for using aggressive energy policies or a olution has battered the for 22 percent of all freight moved in the diesel-electric motors for drilling and Reform Commission (NDRC), two tactics in investigations and weak US coal industry and in United States in 2012 (“Commodity flow ancillary oilfield power. antitrust regulators to have put adherence to due process as they mild winter caused by turn hurt the railroads, survey”, Bureau of Transportation Statis- US distillate consumption dropped forward the proposals in recent have stepped up enforcement. the El Nino weather and in the process is tics, 2015). Roughly two-thirds of the coal by 60,000 barrels per day in 2015 (1.5 months, are expected in Washing- Experts in the foreign busi- worsening the imbal- moves from mine to power plant in whole or percent) after rising by more than ton for talks, according to a source ness and legal community fear phenomenon, but the ances in the diesel part by rail. In turn, coal is the biggest com- 200,000 bpd (5.5 percent) in 2014 and familiar with the situation. the guidelines will push Chinese main reason is fierce market. US power plants modity hauled across the railroad network 85,000 bpd in 2013 (2.3 percent). Distil- “The concerns of business officials to pursue protectionist competition from burned 740 million short and vital to the commercial success of the late consumption declined last year even groups about the draft IP guidelines policies. tonnes of coal in 2015, railroad companies (“Railroads and coal”, as the economy grew and gasoline use cheap gas. down 13 percent from AAR, July 2015). increased by 240,000 bpd (2.7 percent), 2014, and the smallest Coal accounted for 38 percent of all according to the EIA. Ramadan unlikely to save slumping palm oil demand in Muslim countries

By Emily Chow and Naveen Thukral end of the fasting period. “The Middle East second-largest producer after Indone- and Malaysia to boost supplies for Ramadan Reuters and Northern African countries are currently sia. Pakistan, the largest Muslim buyer of but the country has been taking only about seeing a challenging macroeconomic envi- Malaysian palm oil, reduced its imports to 60,000 tonnes since the start of 2016, said ronment amidst low oil prices,” said Aurelia about 728,000 tonnes last year, from nearly the trading manager in Kuala Lumpur and a Britsch, head of commodities research at BMI 1.8 million in 2011, the MPOB data showed. second trader also based in the city. ALAYSIA’S palm oil exports to Research in Singapore. Egypt was the third-largest Middle predominately Muslim countries “Economic growth is slowing down and Eastern importer of palm oil in 2015 from PRICES CLIMB have been falling as rising prices governments are cutting public spending due Malaysia, taking nearly 210,000 tonnes, the Palm oil prices have climbed about 24 per- for the tropical oil and weak to the deterioration in their fiscal position. MPOB data showed. However, that was down cent since June 18, 2015, when Ramadan began Mdomestic currencies are limiting imports, These two factors are weakening consumer’s from over 700,000 tonnes in 2011. last year, to close of 2,758 ringgit ($688) a tonne and the high-consumption period of Ram- spending power and demand for palm oil.” Egypt, which relies heavily on imports to last week. “Buyers have been unable to digest adan is unlikely to turn the trend. meet its food needs, has been facing a dol- the increase (in prices),” said another trader “Middle Eastern This could limit gains for benchmark MORE INFLUENCE lar shortage since a popular uprising in 2011 based in Kuala Lumpur. “The market needs to buyers have seen palm oil prices (1FCPOc3) that have rallied Predominantly Muslim countries in the has driven away tourists and foreign inves- stabilise for buyers to start coming in.” to a two-year high on concerns that out- Middle East and South Asia are exerting more tors, both major sources of hard currency. Palm prices have gained about 10 percent steep declines in put from the main Southeast Asian growers influence on palm oil markets. The combined “(Middle Eastern buyers) have seen steep since the start of the year, bucked by tighter their currencies and will fall this year because of drought caused 2015 imports from Bangladesh, Pakistan declines in their currencies and this has taken global supplies due to the El Nino - the worst by the El Nino weather pattern. Prices have and Egypt, the Muslim countries among the a toll on buying power,” said a trading man- on record since 1997. this has taken a toll gained 8 percent this month, rising for a sec- top 10 global importers, rose to 6.1 million ager at a Kuala Lumpur-based company that Industry experts have forecast global pro- on buying power,” ond month in a row. tonnes, surpassing China for the first time, is a key supplier to the Middle Eastern market. duction to fall by 2 million to 3 million tonnes The Holy month of Ramadan starts in US Department of Agriculture data showed. Iranian imports totalled 635,000 tonnes this year, which may lift prices up to 3,000 said a trading June this year and is known for its communal While Malaysia’s palm oil exports in 2013 and then slid to 331,000 tonnes by ringgit by June. “Like everybody else I’m hop- manager at a Kuala fasting. But palm oil consumption typically to those countries have declined during 2015, according to the MPOB. Bangladeshi ing demand for Ramadan will pick up, but it’s surges leading up to and during this time as the past several years, in 2015 they rep- imports dropped to about 263,000 tonnes a function of currency. Even if demand goes Lumpur-based Muslims use the oil to prepare meals to break resented, along with Iran, 8.7 percent of from 442,000 tonnes over same period. Egypt up, there’s no way trade can happen if cur- company. the fast and during large banquets to cele- exports, according to data from the Malay- typically needs to buy a total of about 80,000 rency is not available,” said a palm oil trader brate the Eid Al Fitr holiday that marks the sian Palm Oil Board. Malaysia is the world’s tonnes of palm oil a month from Indonesia based in the Middle East. 28 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 BUSINESS

BACK TO BUSINESS sight Duty-free boom in South Korea Japanese banks see a difficult year ahead a bust so far for new players with negative rates

By Joyce Lee By Gareth Allan and give forecasts in May. Reuters Shingo Kawamoto Standard & Poor’s estimated in Bloomberg February that negative rates will erode the profitability of regional lenders by 15 percent and major EW players setting up banks by 8 percent. Kunibe said shop in South Korea’s EGATIVE interest rates he hopes any further expansion $8bn duty-free sales will make next year a of the negative rate or widening of industry, the world’s difficult one for Japa- its application will only take place largest, are finding nese lenders and the after the Bank of Japan carefully all that glitters isn’t Ncentral bank should examine the considers the effects of the minus Ngold as Chinese tourists spend less impact of the policy before push- 0.1 percent deposit rate introduced and cornerstone luxury brands resist ing them further below zero, the on February 16. adding new outlets. new head of the country’s bank- Bank of Japan Governor Some of the biggest names in ing lobby said. Haruhiko Kuroda told lawmakers Korean business, including units of The Bank of Japan’s deci- on March 16 that it would be “the- the Samsung and Lotte conglomer- sion to charge lenders on some oretically possible” to reduce the ates, scrambled to win one of just of their reserves will generate rate to as low as minus 0.5 per- three new licences available last year. positive effects for the industry cent. The central bank has said The winners opened outlets in down- in the long run if it pulls the coun- that the impact of the policy on town Seoul targeting tourists, mainly try out of deflation, said Takeshi lenders’ profits will be limited from China, who drove duty-free rev- Kunibe, who starts his second because the rate only applies to Lee Boo-Jin (centre), President and Chief Executive of Hotel Shilla, after the opening ceremony of Shilla enue 11 percent higher in 2015. stint as chairman of the Japanese a portion of their deposits held Last week, Samsung’s Hotel IPark Duty Free shop in Seoul. Bankers Association on Friday. at the institution. Shilla joint venture formally “But bank earnings will be nega- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking opened a gleaming store boasting growing numbers of duty-free outlets. - thus far — of anchor brands in the the trio won the licences have since tively impacted in the short term.” Corp isn’t considering passing floorspace the size of the capital’s That’s a dual blow for store operators: new stores as contributing to the slow tumbled as doubts over the stores’ Bank shares are the worst on the cost of negative rates to Olympic baseball stadium. The the brands act as a magnet for other start. Hotel Shilla’s joint venture store prospects emerged: From their performers in Japan this year its depositors, Kunibe said. At the company’s original internal sales high-end labels as well as shoppers. is still in talks to bring in top luxury 2015 peaks, Hotel Shilla shares have on concern that negative rates same time, he didn’t rule out the target for the store this year was 1 “We are running everywhere brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel dropped 53 percent, Hanwha Galleria will further squeeze their interest possibility of applying them to its trillion won ($867m), a store spokes- trying to make it work,” said Jung Ki- and Hermes , a person with direct Timeworld stock is off 71 percent and income as well as impose costs largest customers such as finan- man said, but the official target now youn, an official at Hanatour Service knowledge said. Hanatour has lost 58 percent. for holding any extra funds that cial institutions in the future. stands at 500bn-600bn won. Inc, owner of a new duty-free outlet A source close to LVMH said, “The More worryingly for investors, they don’t lend to consumers and “The objective of negative With other new store operators in a tourist-heavy Seoul district that problem is that this market is very competition could intensify if Seoul companies. Kunibe, 62, who is rates is to expand Japan’s econ- making similar revisions, the govern- is generating just a tenth of expected driven by the Chinese consumer who, does grant new store licences. president of Sumitomo Mitsui omy by stimulating consumption ment plans “to lessen uncertainty in revenue. “Allowing more stores would as we have seen in places such as Hong Last November, the government Financial Group Inc’s lending unit, and investment through lowering the market” with new measures, a be nonsense,” said Jung. Kong, is very volatile, and will swiftly didn’t renew licences held by Lotte said it’s too early to tell whether and flattening the yield curve,” said finance ministry official said. Some The government’s new plans will go somewhere else depending on cur- Duty Free and SK Networks due to the policy will lead to lower rev- Kunibe. “The policy was introduced in the industry, though, say they fear “focus on the problem of short licence rency swings or security issues.” expire by this summer. But industry enue and profit next year. just as the world was moving away that could mean Seoul plans even periods and difficulty of renewal,” the “Therefore, for now, it is very executives believe Seoul may grant “That’s something each bank from risk, which dampened the more store licences. finance ministry official said. much wait-and-see for big luxury a reprieve when it announces new will have to address,’’ he said. “But impact, but I think we’ll see the Chinese visitors, while rising in South Korea overtook Britain in brands but I would think they will industry measures. if we’re working on the assump- effects coming through little by number, are spending less per per- 2010 to become the world’s biggest have to make their position clear rel- “Mid- to long-term, strong duty- tion that the negative interest-rate little over time.” son, and increasingly favour Korean duty-free market, with more than half atively soon,” the person said. free operators will have a more stable policy is going to continue, then “I think this year will mark brands with lower price tags. of sales from downtown Seoul stores Alongside the Hotel Shilla joint environment to operate in as the it’s going to be a difficult year.’’ a crucial point in whether Japan Evolving spending habits, as well rather than airport outlets. Revenue venture and Hanatour Service’s SM government is expected to lengthen Japan’s banks are expected will succeed in breaking free from as uncertainty over the government’s rose 11 percent to just under $8 billion Duty Free outlet, Hanwha Galleria duty-free licenses from five to 10 to provide guidance on how their years of deflation and return to intentions, have made luxury power- in 2015, and analysts expect it to grow Timeworld won the last new store years,” said Kim Ji-hyo, an analyst at earnings will be impacted in the a path of sustainable economic houses such as LVMH’s Louis Vuitton about 14 percent this year to $9bn. licence up for grabs last July. Eugene Investment & Securities. “But year starting April 1 when they growth,” Kunibe said. wary of setting up a presence inside the But analysts cite the absence But shares which soared when in the meantime, it will be messy.”

The Fed should still raise interest rates gradually this Capital year given the economy’s resilience. Waiting until every piece of data lines up in the correct way means Cleveland Fed President Comment waiting too long. Loretta Mester

TOP TWEETS BLOGS AND VIEWS Market Talk World Bank MENA@ Wealth Adviser WorldBankMENA #Iraq will benefit from NAME IN THE MARKET: INVESTMENT — GCC DEBT our plans to invest The Obama administration $20B in #MENA by is set to unveil a final rule 2021 next Wednesday that will impose new limits on how Argaam Plus @ brokers offer financial ArgaamPlus advice to people saving for #Kuwait signs $2.9 bln LNG deal with retirement. #Korean firms

Moody’s InvestorsSvc @ Private Equity Beat MoodysInvSvc Low natural gas prices, risk aversion weigh on US unregulated power Buyouts or majority stake companies investments accounted for $53 billion of Asian private equity deals last year, or about Morgan Stanley @ 42% of the $125 billion total. MorganStanley The volume of majority stake New #greentech could boost asset values of purchases nearly doubled US office buildings by the $27 billion of majority as much as $35 billion investments in 2014. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 31 PAGE | 35 Djokovic, Morgan eyes Nishikori reach match-winning Miami Open final knock in final

SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 • 25 Jumada II 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Handball: Qatar Al Sadd rally to win over Al Sailiya International Championship QATAR STARS LEAGUE Hussein this time punched the ball up begins today Coach Ferreira’s side in the air before pouching it safely. RESULTS Five minutes from the first-half scores three goals Al Sailiya 2 Al Sadd 3 whistle, Al Sailiya’s Omer Ibrahim The Peninsula within a space of 25 Al Arabi 0 Umm Salal 1 Hamad wasted an easy opportu- nity to convert into a goal when minutes, Umm Salal Mesaimeer 0 Al Ahli 2 goalkeeper Hussein produced a well- edge Al Arabi Today’s fixtures timed body save. DOHA: Qatar handball team Al Kharaitiyat vs Al Khor, 6.15pm at Al A minute later, the scoreboard which has qualified for the Rio Khor Stadium read 2-0 after Aaish found the back Olympics will fine tune their prep- of the net for the second time off a aration for the quadrennial multi The Peninsula Following a cagey start in the first penalty kick. discipline event by taking part 11 minutes of the match. Al Sailiya’s Seconds earlier Aaish clipped a in the 2016 Qatar International Abdulkareem Al Ali brought down pass to his player inside the box but Handball Championship. Ali Asad in the 12th minute. Referee Al Sadd defender Pedro seemingly The four-team event will begin DOHA: Doha giants Al Sadd yes- Saoud Ali Athba quickly punished Ali ‘deliberately’ poked his elbow out to at Duhail Arena today, Qatar terday rallied for an impressive 3-2 with a yellow card. stop the ball. Handball Association said here victory against Al Sailiya in their Moments later, the game picked Referee Al Athba, positioned a yesterday. round 24 clash in the Qatar Stars up with both teams battling for ball few feet away, pointed to the pen- The event will feature the par- League (QSL). possession. alty which was easily converted into ticipation of Brazil, Argentina, El Trailing by two goals in the first After a few fruitless exchanges, a goal by Aaish. Jaish Sports Club and hosts Qatar. 44 minutes, Al Sadd probably played Al Sailiya stunned Al Sadd by tak- In injury time, Al Sadd reduced Brazil, the host nation of the their best football yesterday when ing the lead through a penalty that the deficit after striker Al Haydos 2016 Olympics, have also qualified they fired three goals in the space of left Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira chipped the ball above the Al Saili- for the games and are aiming to 25 minutes at Al Ahli Stadium. red-faced. yah goalkeeper Diranth following a put a good show before the home Faouzi Aaish (28 and 44) scored Al Sadd’s Pedro Miguel brought neat through pass from the center. crowd. two goals for Al Sailiyah but Al Sadd down Al Sailiya’s Carlos Alberto close Soon after the resumption, Al QHA while announcing the hit back through Hassan Al Haydos to the goalpost, an infringement that Sadd drew level with Al Sailiyah after match schedule informed that (46), Baghdad Bounedjah (49) and was enough for referee Athba to point Baghdad fired one home in the 49th the Qatar will clash against El Morteza Mohammadjan (70) for their to the penalty spot. minute after being assisted by Xavi. Jaish sports Club in the opening 13th win of the season. Al Sailiya striker Aaish calmly Al Sadd took the lead for the first match today. Al Sadd are now in second spot put the ball into the Al Sadd net as time in the 70th minute. Captain Xavi with 45 points. Al Rayyan, the QSl goalkeeper Muhannad Naim Hus- curled in a beautifully-taken corner champions, have 61 points from 24 sein dived the wrong way to his right. kick which was headed home by Qatar to take part matches. Third-placed El Jaish have In the 35th minute, Aaish Mohammadjan by jumping high in 44 points from 24 matches. unleashed a ferocious shot from the the air. Action from the Qatar Stars League (QSL) match between Al Sailiya and in GCC Squash Lekhwiya, placed fourth, have 41 edge of the box following a goal- In another match, Umm Salal points from 24 games. mouth melee, but Al Sadd goalkeeper edged Al Arabi 1-0. Al Sadd at Al Ahli Stadium yesterday. Al Sadd won 3-2 Championship Qatar register second successive win over Singapore The Peninsula DOHA: The Qatar squash team will participate in the 22nd GCC The Peninsula with 34 runs each provided good sup- Squash Championship which will Captains of Qatar and Singapore teams during the toss QATAR’S KHURRAM WINS of the ODI match in Singapore. MAN-OF-THE-MATCH port. Kamran (29), Rizlan (25) and begin in Bahrain from tomorrow. Inam (27) excelled with the bat for The championship ends on Qatar. For Singapore, Abhinav and April 10. DOHA: Qatar defeated Singapore by Rohan bagged two wickets each. The event will features the four wickets to register their second significant contributions to the total. Abhiraj and Selladore accounted participation of players from successive win in the One-day Inter- For Qatar, Awais captured three for one wicket. Qatar Khurram She- Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Ara- national in Singapore on Friday. wickets while Nadeem accounted for hzad won the man-of-the-match bia, UAE and hosts Bahrain. Batting first, the hosts made 232 two scalps. Inam, Iqbal, and Taimoor award for scoring 44 runs.Qatar All eyes will be on Qatar’s all out in 50 overs while the visitors claimed one wicket each. had earlier won the first ODI match Mohammed Al Tamimi after he romped to victory with 11 balls to Chasing the total, Qatar lost against Singapore last week by six won the Qatar Circuit 3 event in spare. wickets at regular intervals but wickets. Doha. On the other hand, the GCC Navin top scored for the hosts romped home in the 49th over. Qatar had also emerged on top in Squash Organizing Committee will with 67 runs, while Brigu (37), Vidyut Khurram top scored for Qatar the two Twenty20 matches played meet in Bahrain on the sidelines of (26), Chetan (38), Selladore (25) made with 44 runs while Faisal, Taimoor against Singapore. the GCC event. Qatar’s Jefferson and Cherif aiming for home gold

The Peninsula of their potential when they reached served noticed that they are begin- rounds. Pool play will be held on Tues- the quarter-finals of the Netherlands ning to fulfil their potential. day and Wednesday. 2015 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Italy also send two strong pairs; On Wednesday and Thursday will Championships. Alex Ranghieri and Adrian Carambula be the single elimination rounds with DOHA: Qatari pair of Jefferson “I’m really optimistic as we’ve showed that they are approaching the quarterfinals also on Thursday. Pereira and Cherif Younousse will had some great results against strong their best by finishing fourth at the The semi-finals and medal aiming to show their home fans why opponents this season.” Vitoria Open. London 2012 Olympi- matches and awarding ceremony will they are enjoying a growing repu- The Qatar Open medal matches ans Paolo Nicolai and Daniele Lupo conclude the event on Friday evening. tation on the FIVB Beach Volleyball will be played on April 8 with the will be fighting hard for Olympic As needed, country quota playoff World Tour when the $75,000 Qatar winning team sharing the $11,000 points to ensure they take part at the matches will be played on Sunday to Open kicks from tomorrow on the first-place prize and 500 points, the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games determine the final teams in Monday’s Qatar Beach Volleyball Academy silver $8,000 and 450 points, the and served notice that they are near- qualification tournament. courts at the Al Gharafa Stadium. bronze $6,000 and 400 points and ing their best by winning silver at the The FIVB Qatar Open will be the As the host nation for the FIVB fourth place $4,500 and 450 points. Vitoria Open at the end of March. third all-time men’s FIVB event will Qatar Open in Doha, Qatar has two The two previous Qatar Open’s “A shame about the final, but we’re be held at Al Gharafa Stadium and the men’s teams pre-seeded into the main were won by German teams - Tim heading back to Italy with a silver,” second in the 2015/2016 FIVB World draw for the event. Holler and Jonas Schroder in 2014 Lupo wrote on his Facebook page. Tour.The Doha stop is the first of eight Qatar’s men’s main draw teams and Markus Bockermann and Lars “Next stop Qatar.” straight weeks of men’s events on the are eighth-seeded Jefferson/Cherif Fluggen in 2015. The FIVB Qatar Open is a men’s FIVB World Tour followed by tourna- and 24th-seeded Julio Cesar Do Nas- Bockermann and Fluggen will be Gold medallists Cherif Younousse (left) and Jefferson Santos of Qatar only event with 32 main draw teams. ments in China (Xiamen and Fuzhou), cimento Jr and Ahmed Tijan. back to defend their gold that they with their Kish Island Open winners’ trophy. It will start with a qualification Brazil (Fortaleza), Russia (Sochi and “It’s a big year for us and we’re won in November 2015 in the earlier tournament tomorrow to determine Moscow), Turkey (Antalya) and the keen to garner as many points as pos- portion of the 2015-16 World Tour the final eight spots in the 32-team United States (Cincinnati). sible,” Pereira said. calendar. Patterson, who are ranked fifth in will be confident mood after they won main draw followed by two days of So come Monday 20 of the world’s The pair won their first FIVB Bockermann and Fluggen will the FIVB Olympic Rankings and 2015 their first World Tour golds at the Rio round robin pool play. The top three best men’s Beach Volleyball duos will Beach Volleyball World Tour gold face stiff competition to defend their silver medallists Ty Bourne and John de Janeiro Grand Slam. The pair won teams in the eight pools (24 total be seeking to enhance their dreams medals at the Kish Island Open in title though. The USA will be rep- Hyden. FIVB World Championships gold at teams) will advance from pool play of playing in the Rio 2016 Olympic February after first serving notice resented by Jacob Gibb and Casey Bartosz Losiak and Piotr Kantor U19, U21 and U23 and gold in Rio to the single-elimination knockout Games. 30 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 SPORT Arsenal stay in title hunt, City win

from a Jesus Navas corner before De ENGLISH PREMIER West Ham United Bruyne -- back in the team after two months out with a knee problem -- LEAGUE drop points in race volleyed home sweetly from David Arsenal 4 (Sanchez 4, Iwobi 38, Bel- for Champions Silva’s flick. lerin 48, Walcott 90) Watford 0 Sergio Aguero added a third goal Aston Villa 0 Chelsea 4 (Loftus-Cheek League qualification in the 19th minute with a header 26, Pato 45+3-pen, Pedro 46, 59) after 2-2 home draw from Navas’s cross before Aleksandar Bournemouth 0 Manchester City 4 Kolarov slammed home a fine fourth (Fernando 7, De Bruyne 12, Aguero 19, against London rivals in stoppage time. Kolarov 90+3) Crystal Palace City trail Leicester by 12 points, Norwich 3 (Klose 45+2, Mbokani 74, with Arsenal four points better off in Olsson 90+3) Newcastle 2 (Mitrovic 71, third place. 86-pen) West Ham are now three points Stoke 2 (Afellay 13, Bojan 53) Swansea AFP below City in fifth after dropping 2 (Sigurdsson 68, Paloschi 76) points against Palace, who went Sunderland 0 West Brom 0 ahead through Damien Delaney’s 15th-minute header. West Ham 2 (Lanzini 18, Payet 41) LONDON: With the pressure off, Manuel Lanzini swiftly equalised Crystal Palace 2 (Delaney 15, Gayle 75) Arsenal and Manchester City each before Dimitri Payet put West Ham Playing today breezed to one-sided 4-0 victories ahead with another sublime free-kick, Leicester vs Southampton (1230 GMT), yesterday as they kept their Premier but Kouyate was then contentiously Manchester United vs Everton (1500 League titles hopes flickering. dismissed for a high foot on Dwight GMT) Nigerian teenager Alex Iwobi Gayle, who netted Palace’s equaliser. scored for the second game run- Rafael Benitez’s mission to steer Bottom club Aston Villa are 15 ning as Arsenal crushed their FA Cup Newcastle to safety received a seri- points from safety after their wretched conquerors Watford, while Kevin De ous setback at Carrow Road. season continued with an abject 4-0 Bruyne netted on his return from Twice Norwich went ahead, home defeat by Chelsea, for whom injury as City eased to victory at through Timm Klose’s header and Pedro Rodriguez scored twice. Bournemouth. Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck (right) tries to get past Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes during their English Dieumerci Mbokani’s rasping strike, Ruben Loftus-Cheek opened the Both teams remain some distance Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium in London, yesterday. only for substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic scoring with his first league goal and below leaders Leicester City, whose to equalise on each occasion, the sec- Alexandre Pato crowned his long- lead could be trimmed to two points if ond time with an 86th-minute penalty. awaited debut following his January Tottenham Hotspur win at Liverpool. after Martin Olsson’s dramatic 93rd- Alexis Sanchez broke the dead- completed victory. But deep into added time Olsson loan move from Corinthians with a Leicester host Southampton today. minute goal earned Norwich City a lock in the fourth minute, scoring at City had a similarly straightfor- drove home from Jonny Howson’s penalty in first-half stoppage time. West Ham United dropped points potentially pivotal 3-2 win in a rele- the second attempt after Heurelho ward afternoon at Dean Court as lay-off to earn Alex Neil’s men a vital Villa, who parted company with in the race for Champions League gation tussle at Carrow Road. Gomes had parried his header from Manuel Pellegrini’s men tuned up for victory. manager Remi Garde on Tuesday, lost qualification after Cheikhou Kou- Watford’s 2-1 win at the Emirates Iwobi’s cross. their mid-week trip to Paris Saint- Newcastle are now six points Alan Hutton to a late red card follow- yate was sent off in a 2-2 home Stadium last month ended Arsenal’s Sanchez returned the favour to Germain in the Champions League below Norwich, albeit with a game in ing a pair of bookings. draw against London rivals Crys- two-year reign as FA Cup holders and Iwobi by teeing up the 19-year-old quarter-finals by steamrollering hand, while northeast rivals Sunder- In the day’s remaining game, tal Palace. Arsene Wenger’s side claimed a meas- for a cool finish seven minutes before Bournemouth. land are two points above them after Gylfi Sigurdsson and Alberto Paloschi Meanwhile, Newcastle United ure of revenge as the teams resumed half-time and second-half goals from Fernando opened the scoring in drawing 0-0 at home to West Brom- scored as Swansea City came from 2-0 were left six points adrift of safety hostilities in north London. Hector Bellerin and Theo Walcott the seventh minute with a neat finish wich Albion. down to draw 2-2 at Stoke City. Five-star Atletico close gap on Barca

AFP FOOTBALL: GRIEZMANN SPANISH LA LIGA And the Spanish international STRIKES TWIN BLOWS Atletico Madrid 5 (Torres 36, netted his first goal from open play for Griezmann 41, 81, Juanfran 64, Partey nearly three years when he slammed 90+1) Real Betis 1 (Ruben Castro 78) home Angel Correa’s fine cross just MADRID: Antoine Griezmann struck after the hour mark. Playing today twice as Atletico Madrid moved to Fernando Torres opened the Jan Oblak looked well on course within six points of Barcelona at the scoring with a lovely dinked finish Athletic Bilbao vs Granada (1000), to register a 20th clean sheet in 31 top of La Liga with a comprehensive reminiscent of his winner for Spain Malaga vs Espanyol (1400), Eibar Liga games this season, but a rare slip 5-1 win over Real Betis yesterday. in the Euro 2008 final over Germany vs Villarreal (1615), Sevilla vs Real from the Slovenian goalkeeper pre- Sociedad (1830) Barca host Real Madrid in what after racing onto Koke’s fine through sented the ball at Ruben Castro’s feet is set to be an emotional Clasico later ball nine minutes before half-time. Playing tomorrow to slam home his 16th goal of the sea- as the Catalan giants pay homage to Griezmann doubled Atletico’s Levante vs Sporting Gijon (1830) son and reduce Betis’ deficit. legendary former player and coach advantage five minutes later thanks Played on Friday Yet, Atletico took just three min- Johan Cruyff, who died last week at to a huge error from Betis ‘keeper Rayo Vallecano 2 (Guerra 15, Miku 71) utes to restore their three-goal lead the age of 68. Antonio Adan as the French interna- Getafe 0 as more great and unselfish work Atletico and Barca also meet at tional’s scooped pass into Koke’s path from Correa teed up Griezmann to the Camp Nou in the first leg of their slipped through his legs and rolled fire home his 26th goal of the season Champions League quarter-final on into the net. Right-back Juanfran was Atleti- despite Adan’s best efforts. Tuesday and Diego Simeone’s men Adan made amends with great co’s hero with the winning penalty And Griezmann turned provider Atletico Madrid’s French forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates with will travel with plenty of confidence saves from Torres and Griezmann as in a marathon shootout against PSV in stoppage time when he squared for team-mates after scoring during the Spanish League match against Real after one of their most complete per- Atletico threatened to run riot before Eindhoven to reach the last eight of substitute Thomas Partey to round off Betis Balompi at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid yesterday. formances of the season. the break. the Champions League last month. the scoring.

Ibrahimovic stars as PSG thrash Nice Ribery’s wonder goal keeps Reuters Bayern Munich on track PARIS: Zlatan Ibrahimovic bagged a hat trick as Paris St Germain geared up for their Champions AFP GERMAN BUNDESLIGA South Korea international Koo League clash against Manchester Bayern Munich 1 (Ribery 20) Eintracht Ja-Cheol netted for relegation-threat- City with a convincing 4-1 Ligue Frankfurt 0 ened Augsburg, but could not prevent 1 home win over Nice yesterday. his club losing 4-2 at Mainz. Hanover 96 0 Hamburg 3 (Cleber 61, Ibrahimovic scored twice in BERLIN: Franck Ribery’s spectacular Argentinian forward Pablo De Ilicevic 73, Mueller 75) the first half and once in the sec- bicycle kick sealed Bayern Munich’s Blasis and Christian Clemens both ond, while David Luiz added a third 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt Mainz 4 (Clemens 13, 76 De Blasis 24, scored twice for Mainz at the Coface in the second half after Hatem Ben yesterday as the Bundesliga lead- 53) Augsburg 2 (Caiuby 9, Koo 40) Arena as the result bumped Mainz Arfa had pulled one back for the ers warmed-up for their Champions Ingolstadt 3 (Hartmann 29-pen, up to fifth. visitors early on.PSG, who were League quarter-final, first leg against Hinterseer 45+2, Lezcano 65) Schalke Augsburg are only clear of the crowned champions last month, Benfica. 04 0 relegation places on goal differ- have 80 points and with six games The 32-year-old Ribery rolled Darmstadt 2 (Wagner 26, Niemeyer ence and are level on 27 points with left lead second-placed Monaco, back the years by drilling his over- 52) Stuttgart 2 (Gentner 45, Rupp Frankfurt and Hoffenheim, who host who lost 2-1 at home to Girond- head kick into the top corner of the 45+3) Cologne today. ins de Bordeaux on Friday, by 25 Frankfurt net with 20 minutes gone Playing today Bottom side Hanover 96 remain points.Nice, who had a chance to at Munich’s Allianz Arena. Borussia Moenchengladbach vs Her- ten points from safety with six league reduce the gap with Monaco to two It was the French winger’s 70th tha Berlin (1330 GMT), Hoffenheim vs games left after going down 3-0 at points, lag in third place five points league goal for Bayern and came after Cologne (1530 GMT) home to Hamburg. behind the principality side. Bayern’s Germany midfielder Mario Schalke dropped to sixth, and risk They will be leap-frogged by Goetze had his shot blocked. losing their Europa League place for Olympique Lyonnais (49) if they Bayern claimed a league record Germany’s win over Italy with illness next season, after their 3-0 drubbing beat Lorient away on Sunday. with their eighth straight clean on Tuesday, an easy afternoon with at Ingolstadt. At the Parc des Princes, there sheet against Eintracht Frankfurt -- barely a shot on goal. Ingolstadt’s Paraguay striker was a minute of applause when the no other club has managed the feat Pep Guardiola’s Bayern host Ben- Dario Lezcano won a penalty and face of former Netherlands great eight times in a row against the same fica on Tuesday and took the chance scored their third as the Royal Blues Johan Cruyff, who died last week, opposition. to go eight points clear in Germany’s were humbled in Bavaria. appeared on the giant screen. Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski, top flight with second-placed Borus- Darmstadt pulled themselves Having lost and drawn their the league’s top scorer, had a quiet sia Dortmund at home to Werder two points away from the relega- last two league games, anything afternoon, failing to add to his tally of Bremen later. tion battle with a 2-2 draw at home other than a win would have dam- 25 Bundesliga goals this season and Bremen will be without their to Stuttgart. Sandro Wagner and Peter aged PSG’s confidence before they came off with 19 minutes to go. top scorer Claudio Pizarro after Niemeyer’s goals for Darmstadt were Paris Saint-Germain’s midfielder Adrien Rabiot (left) vies with Nice’s take on City in their Champions Frankfurt, who are second the Peru international picked up an cancelled out by first-half efforts League quarter-final first leg on forward Hatem Ben Arfa during the French L1 match at the Parc des from bottom, gave Bayern goal- injury during a World Cup qualifier from Stuttgart’s Christian Gentner Wednesday. Princes Stadium in Paris yesterday. keeper Manuel Neuer, who missed in Uruguay. and Lukas Rupp. SPORT SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 31 Djokovic, Nishikori reach Miami final

THE WORLD NO. 1 EYES It was windy, it was SIXTH TITLE IN MIAMI humid, it was warm. It was like everything “It was like everything was thrown was thrown out there. out there. I managed to stay “And to overcome those obstacles and conditions was something that I’m tough, says Djokovic proud of. I managed to stay tough in the right moments.” Djokovic, whose only defeat this year came in February when he retired against Spain’s Feliciano Reuters Lopez in Dubai due to an eye infec- tion, applauded Goffin’s performance. “He plays very clean,” Djokovic said. “Also, I think he improved his MIAMI: Top seed Novak Djokovic Kei Nishikori (right) of Japan greets Nick Kyrgios of serve. I had difficulty reading it. Phys- overcame a strong challenge from Australia at the net after Nishikori defeated Kyrgios ically, it was a great battle with lots of Belgium’s David Goffin to reach the in their semi-final at the Miami Open. exchanges from the baseline.” Miami Open final with a 7-6(5), 6-4 With Goffin initially playing victory on Friday as he continued his wayward Goffin return to end an The 28-year-old Djokovic, a five- much steadier from the baseline in pursuit of a fifth title in six years on encounter that lasted just over two times champion in Miami, is bidding the Miami heat, Djokovic came under Key Biscayne. hours. Australian Open champion to match Andre Agassi’s record of six intense early pressure and saved three The Serbian world number one Djokovic improved his stellar record titles at the event and earn a record break points in the opening game shrugged off a slow start in tough for the year to 27-1 and will next face 28th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 before holding serve. on-court conditions before hitting Japan’s Kei Nishikori, who ousted Aus- crown. Djokovic and Goffin traded serv- his stride, and sealed the win with tralian Nick Kyrgios 6-3, 7-5 in the “It was windy, it was humid, it ice breaks in the seventh and eighth a powerful first serve that forced a second semi-final. was warm,” Djokovic told reporters. games before battling to a tie-break which the Serb clinched 7-5 after his opponent, reaching high for a lob, hit a backhand volley into the net. Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand The second set went with serve against David Goffin of Belgium during their until the seventh game when 15th seed semi-final match at the Miami Open. Goffin hit a forehand long before net- ting a backhand to be broken and trail 3-4. Djokovic then comfortably served out to book his place in Sunday’s final at Crandon Park where he will seek to add another Miami crown to his titles from 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014 and last year. Goffin, 25, who reached his first Masters 1000 semi-final in Indian Wells two weeks ago, is projected to climb to a career-high 13th in the world rankings on Monday. Nishikori made his first Miami final by taking out brash young Aus- Kei Nishikori of Japan in action against Nick tralian Kyrgios in some style. Kyrgios of Australia during their semi-final “It’s a great feeling to be in my first match at the Miami Open in Key Biscayne, final in Miami and it was very good Miami, Florida. playing today so I’m very happy,” said the sixth seeded Japanese. “In the second set I got a little bit tight after I broke his service game ahead on Sunday, when he will be and we just played in Australia and I and I tried to be focused on what I had looking to break a five-match los- lost in three sets so I will have to do to do on my service game and the last ing streak against the Serbian world something better. couple of points I tried to be aggres- number one. “I hope can play another good sive.” While happy to get through he “It’s going to be tough for sure,” match,” he told reporters after the was under no illusions of what lay he admitted. “He’s been playing well game.

Woods confirms he will Golf star McIlroy senses Grand miss next week’s Masters Slam glory at Augusta Masters Reuters AUGUSTA: Tiger Woods (pictured) will miss the Masters for only the sec- ond time since his tournament debut in 1995, saying he is “not physically Agencies said the Ulsterman whose previous ready” for the year’s opening major next week. caddies have included former girl- The former world number one has been sidelined from competition since friend and tennis player Caroline August as he continues his recovery from back surgeries, and was never Wozniacki and pop star Niall Horan. likely to tee it up at Augusta National for the April 7-10 event. WASHINGTON: At just 26-years-old “The year I had my best chance “After assessing the present condition of my back, and consulting with my it’s clearly far too early to talk about at Augusta, and that was in 2011 as medical team, I’ve decided it’s prudent to miss this year’s Masters,” Woods Rory McIlroy having a Masters jinx, I didn’t play the Par-3 contest, so said in a statement on his official website (www.tigerwoods.com). but he knows that each year that goes maybe the decision not to play it “I’ve been hitting balls and training daily, but I’m not physically ready. by without him donning the Augusta this year can work in my favour,” I’ve said all along that this time I need to be cautious and do what’s best for winner’s green jacket will only crank he added. Apart from the personal my long-term health and career. up the pressure on him. achievement, a win for McIlroy would “Unfortunately, playing Augusta next week wouldn’t be the right deci- To some extent, the Northern make him the first Irishman to lift the sion,” said Woods, a four-times Masters champion. Irishman’s own precociousness is Masters title and the first European Now aged 40, Woods has not won a major title since he clinched the 14th to blame for this situation, with him since Jose-Maria Olazabal in 1999. of his career at the 2008 US Open and his form has slipped dramatically in having won the US Open, British Open Meanwhile, Charley Hoffman recent years due to injuries and the mastering of a new swing. and PGA Championship by the age remained one stroke clear after the A tie for 10th at the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship in August, fol- of just 25. weather-hit second round of the Hou- lowing a dismal season in which he missed three cuts in the majors, gave That left him on the cusp of ston Open on Friday, despite bogeying him encouragement before his health again intervened. becoming just the sixth player in the his final hole, while Jordan Spieth Three weeks later, he had a second microdiscectomy surgery to allevi- history of the game to win all four The clubs of Daniell Kang of the United States during the second round endured a frustrating day to finish ate pressure on a disc in his lower back, before needing another procedure majors - after Tiger Woods, Jack Nick- of the 2016 ANA Inspiration at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho six shots off the pace. on October 28 on the same area due to discomfort. laus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Mirage, California. One ahead of the chasing pack He has since been recuperating and in late February he posted a video Gene Sarazen. overnight, American Hoffman fired a of himself swinging a golf club in The only other active player who two-under-par 70 to post a 10-under an effort to shoot down reports that has that tantalising prospect dangling contention. “This year you have the attention total of 134 in the final PGA Tour event suggested he had endured setbacks before him is Phil Mickelson and the On that occasion he voiced sat- spread between Jordon (Spieth) going before next week’s US Masters, the during his rehabilitation. American’s increasingly heart-break- isfaction that he is getting closer back to defend and Jason (Day) win- first of the year’s four major champi- “I’m absolutely making progress, ing efforts to finally win a US Open to pulling it all together at Augusta ning for a second week in a row and onships. Hoffman, who had opened and I’m really happy with how far (he has been runner-up six times) National and that he remains confi- also there’s Adam (Scott) who has won with a scintillating 64, was two ahead I’ve come, but I still have no timeta- will no doubt spur McIlroy on fur- dent of winning there one day. at Augusta before and is coming off with one hole to play but ran up a ble to return to competitive golf,” said ther to get that first Masters win under This year, McIlroy’s form has been his back-to-back wins. five at the par-four 18th after find- Woods, who won the Masters in 1997, his belt early in his career before it steady if not spectacular and a run, as “So there’s a lot more going on ing a bunker off the tee and failing 2001, 2002 and 2005. He missed the becomes a monkey on his back. defending champion, into the World around others competing in the to reach the green in two. event for the first time in 2014 after He has already come close once Matchplay semi-finals, boosted his Masters this year already than the That left the three-time PGA Tour undergoing a microdiscectomy. before - in 2011 when he took a four- confidence. spotlight I found myself in a year ago.” winner a stroke in front of compa- “I’d like to express my disap- shot lead into the final round only to “I do feel as though I am similar to In another move that could be triot Jamie Lovemark (68), with fellow pointment to (Masters chairman) shoot 80 in a spectacular meltdown where I was with my game last year seen as a way of relieving the pres- Americans Chez Reavie (70) and Dus- Billy Payne, the Augusta National that left him in a tie for 15th. as I am very happy with my game as sure, McIlroy has decided to replicate tin Johnson (71) a further shot back at membership, staff, volunteers and Last year, when he had his first everything feels pretty good,” he said his buildup to the 2011 tournament by the Golf Club of Houston in Humble, patrons that I won’t be competing,” crack at the career Grand Slam, he at Austin. opting not to play in the Wednesday Texas. Welshman Jamie Donaldson said Woods. “It’s a very important and posted his best finish yet at fourth, “Compared to a year ago and all Par-3 tournament. and American Roberto Castro were special week to me, and it’s upset- but that was due to a superb closing the hype of winning the Grand Slam, “I’m not going to play the Par-3 also at eight under with three holes ting to miss it. I do plan to attend the round of 66 that hoisted him up the I already feel a little more mellow and contest this year as it’s just too much remaining when play was suspended (Wednesday) Champions Dinner and leaderboard. He was never really in a lot more chilled. hassle and it’s a bit of a distraction,” for the day in fading light. see a lot of old friends.” 32 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 SPORT

Manaudou misses out on Rio 50-100m double

AFP Kazan where he won three golds. “It’s a strange feeling, I’m kind of happy not to qualify. I didn’t think I would feel like this but the 100m MONTPELLIER: France’s star hurts,” said the 25-year-old. sprinter Florent Manaudou failed “I like the 100m freestyle but in his bid to qualify for the Olym- perhaps I haven’t done enough to be pic Games 100m freestyle on an Olympic 100m champion. Guys British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes AMG GP in action during the third Friday when he finished third at the like ‘Clem’ and ‘ Jerem’ are more practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sakhir Circuit yesterday. national championships. experienced than me.” Manaudou had been hoping to Manaudou will still swim a 100m pull off a 50m-100m freestyle dou- in Rio as one of the 4x100m relay ble in August in Rio but his time of team and where France will defend BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 48.10sec was bettered by Jeremy their Olympic title. Stravius (47.97sec) and Clement Yannick Agnel, who was at the QUALIFYING TIMES Mignon (48.01). heart of controversy in midweek Qualifying N.2 Only the top two qualify for the when he finished third in the 200m Hamilton storms 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes Games. freestyle despite images showing he 1:30.039 (Q), 2. Sebastian Vettel Manaudou, the defending Olym- had touched home in second spot, (GER) Ferrari 1:30.409 (Q), 3. Nico pic champion in 50m, had been the was seventh in Friday’s 100m final. Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 1:30.535 second fastest over 100m this sea- The 23-year-old then said that (Q), 4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari son and was a standout swimmer Rio would probably be his last 1:30.559 (Q), 5. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) at the 2015 world championships in competition. Williams-Mercedes 1:30.931 (Q), 6. to Bahrain GP pole Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull-TAG Heuer 1:31.122 (Q), 7. Felipe Massa (BRA) Williams-Mercedes 1:31.374 (Q), 8. Nico Hülkenberg (GER) Force ROSBERG VOWS TO India-Mercedes 1:31.604 (Q), 9. World champion BOUNCE BACK Romain Grosjean (FRA) Haas-Ferrari records fastest lap 1:31.756, 10. Max Verstappen (NED) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:31.772, 11. Carlos ever at Sakhir Circuit Sainz Jr (ESP) Toro Rosso-Ferrari the eve of the season. “And then Lewis 1:31.816, 12. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL) to secure 51st pole produced that lap and beat me by, you McLaren-Honda 1:31.934, 13. Esteban know, just the blink of an eye! position of his career Gutierrez (MEX) Haas-Ferrari 1:31.945, “But if there is one circuit where 14. Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren- pole is not that important it is here in Honda 1:31.998, 15. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Bahrain.” AFP Red Bull-TAG Heuer 1:32.241. Vettel was more than half a sec- Qualifying N.1 ond adrift of the pace of the Mercedes. “It’s ok, I am reasonably satisfied 1. Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes with third, but not the gap. Let’s see 1:31.325 (Q), 2. Lewis Hamilton MANAMA: World champion Lewis what we can do in the race,” said the (GBR) Mercedes 1:31.391 (Q), 3. Daniel Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s France’s Florent Manaudou reacts after taking third place in the Hamilton secured the 51st pole posi- German. Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull-TAG Heuer British driver Lewis Hamilton after 1:31.403 (Q), 4. Sebastian Vettel (GER) tion of his career and second of the Kimi Raikkonen was fourth in the men’s 100m freestyle final of the French swimming championship securing the pole position in the Ferrari 1:31.636 (Q), 5. Valtteri Bottas season for Mercedes with the fastest second Ferrari ahead of Australian in Montpellier, southern France, yesterday. Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sakhir (FIN) Williams-Mercedes 1:31.672 lap ever at the Sakhir Circuit yesterday. Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, Valtteri Circuit in Manama yesterday. (Q), 6. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari The 31-year-old Briton, under Bottas and his Williams team-mate 1:31.685 (Q), 7. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) pressure after failing to top the times Felipe Massa. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:31.716 (Q), 8. Max in three practice sessions, found the Nico Hulkenberg was eighth for Verstappen (NED) Toro Rosso-Ferrari Lea added to US team pace he needed in the final minutes “I knew I had to do it and I was so Force India ahead of Romain Gros- 1:31.888 (Q), 9. Jenson Button (GBR) of another desultory exhibition of the happy when I came across the line. I jean of the new American Haas team McLaren-Honda 1:31.976 (Q), 10. new qualifying format ahead of today’s knew I had to do it after that mistake. with Dutch teenager Max Verstappen Nico Hülkenberg (GER) Force India- AFP However, the CAS panel trimmed Bahrain Grand Prix. I knew it was a good lap and all week- 10th for Toro Rosso. Mercedes 1:31.987 (Q), 11. Romain the length of his ban. Having made a mistake on his end I had finished my lap and he went The session was run using the Grosjean (FRA) Haas-Ferrari 1:32.005 Following the CAS ruling, Lea penultimate lap, he found the speed quicker so it felt good this time. “new” progressive elimination that (Q), 12. Felipe Massa (BRA) Williams- filed for arbitration under the USOC he needed to outpace Mercedes team- “It means a lot and, surprisingly was so heavily criticised at the sea- Mercedes 1:32.045 (Q), 13. Esteban LOS ANGELES: Bobby Lea, a two- bylaws, arguing that USA Cycling mate Nico Rosberg by just 0.077 after 23 years in racing, which is a long son-opening Australian Grand Prix Gutierrez (MEX) Haas-Ferrari 1:32.118 time US Olympic cyclist who had a should name him to the Olympic seconds. time, it felt just like my first pole. I was and, once again, it failed to deliver (Q), 14. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL) doping ban reduced from 16 months Long Team despite the fact that he “It’s obviously not been a smooth so excited I nearly lost my voice - it’s any thrills. McLaren-Honda 1:32.472 (Q), 15. to six, was named to the US team for was serving his suspension at the weekend in terms of pace for me – and like scoring a goal.” There were long periods without Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Red Bull-TAG Heuer the Rio Games on Friday. time of the team nomination. Nico (Rosberg) has been right on it – Rosberg, who looked set for pole any cars on track, notably in Q2, and 1:32.559 (Q), 16. Pascal Wehrlein USA Cycling announced the The arbitrator determined that but I was able to put a lap together, my position himself, wound up second the under-fire format was criticised (GER) Manor-Mercedes 1:32.806, move, which came after an arbitra- USA Cycling was required to add Lea best of the weekend, and it mattered fastest behind Hamilton in the sec- again. 17. Marcus Ericsson (SWE) Sauber- tor ruled that Lea was eligible under to its Olympic Long Team since he for me at just the right time.” ond Mercedes and will start ahead of It is sure to be analysed during Ferrari 1:32.840, 18. Sergio Perez the US Olympic Committee rules and met the selection criteria. Hamilton’s lap in one minute and the third-placed Ferrari of four-time today’s proposed crisis meeting of the (MEX) Force India-Mercedes 1:32.911, should be selected. Lea was a bronze medallist in 29.493 seconds was the fastest lap champion Sebastian Vettel. sport’s team chiefs and administrators. 19. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Renault In February, the Court of Arbi- the scratch race at last year’s world recorded at the Sakhir track and it res- “I was sure I was on pole, 100 per The second mini-session Q2 also 1:33.181, 20. Jolyon Palmer (GBR) tration for Sport upheld Lea’s doping championships. He failed to finish cued him after his error had marred his cent certain,” said Rosberg, who on began with problems with the lights in Renault 1:33.438, 21. Rio Haryanto violation for a positive test at the US the points race and was 16th in the (INA) Manor-Mercedes 1:34.190, 22. first fast lap in Q3. yesterday was being hailed a hero after the pit lane. They appeared to be stuck championships in August of 2015 for Madison at the 2008 Beijing Olym- Felipe Nasr (BRA) Sauber-Ferrari “It was fun and yeah it was a sexy it emerged he had rescued a five-year- on red and it required a marshal with noroxycodone, a metabolite of the pics and was 12th in the Omnium at 1:34.388. lap,” laughed Hamilton. old boy from drowning in Monaco on a green flag to start the action. banned substance oxycodone. the 2012 London Games. Chiefs demolish Yellow card lifts Blues over Jaguares Brumbies 48-23 AFP But after the second penalty for the Jaguares when Li was yellow carded AFP there. “The backs are electric at the for repeatedly being offside, the Blues moment. Our job as forwards is just started to cut their error rate and put a to give them some ball and it seems AUCKLAND: A yellow card to Tevita Li bit of structure into their game. whatever ball we give them they are provided the wake-up call the Auck- “It wasn’t pretty,” captain Parsons CANBERRA: New Zealand’s making the most of it,” Chiefs skip- land Blues needed as they produced a acknowledged, noting the Blues were Waikato Chiefs demolished Austral- per Sam Cane said. 24-16 win over the Jaguares in a Super in trouble early on. ia’s leading team ACT Brumbies with “It was always going to be tough rugby clash in Auckland yesterday. “We reacted well to it, stayed posi- a spectacular six-try 48-23 Super at the breakdown, they have some In a game that seldom reached tive then when we got a chance to keep Rugby romp in Canberra yesterday. world-class players in that area, we great heights, missed tackles and lost it down here we did.” The Chiefs were on a different stepped up a wee bit tonight.” possession were the order of the day In the closing 10 minutes of the first level to the Brumbies, ripping apart The Chiefs scored some wonder- with only occasional patches of qual- half the Blues chalked up 15 points with their usually strong defence for a ful tries through their improvised ity as Tana Umaga’s Blues snared their tries to Luatua and West, with West club record fourth straight win out- attacking rugby, with All Black fly- second win of the season. adding a conversion and penalty. side New Zealand and their first win half Aaron Cruden calling the shots For the Jaguares it was their fourth West’s try was the result of a long- in Canberra since 2008. and dynamic winger James Lowe consecutive defeat since winning their range counter-attack and an astute The competition’s leading scorer scoring two tries and setting up opening game against the Central break by Rene Ranger following a mis- Damian McKenzie helped himself to another for McKenzie with a chip Cheetahs, and a late Ihaia West pen- directed Jaguares clearing kick. 23 points – all the points the Brum- and regather kick. alty denied them even a bonus point A penalty to Iglesias and two more bies scored combined – from a try, Waikato scored three tries in for a narrow loss. to West saw the Blues leading 21-9 three conversions and four penalty the first half and led 20-13 at half- The Argentinean side made nine with 20 minutes remaining before a goals. time and never released their grip changes for the game and omitted a Gonzalo Bertranou try converted by The Chiefs looked championship in the second period with a further host of senior players, including cap- Nicolas Sanchez cut the margin to five contenders with their fluent attack three tries. tain Agustin Creevy. points. while two-time winners Brumbies The Brumbies looked limited Rene Ranger of But it was the Blues who were But their hopes of a late comeback took a massive hit to their chances of by comparison with both their tries the Auckland the most disorganised in the opening were thwarted by West’s fourth pen- winning the title, such was the dis- from forwards Scott Sio and Scott Blues runs with exchanges which saw the Jaguares up alty, which ensured the win for the parity between the two teams. Fardy scored from close range, while the ball during 6-0 midway through the first half from Blues. Waikato have now won four fly-half Leali’ifano finished with 13 the Super Rugby two penalties by Santiago Gonzalez However, scrum-half Martin of their last six games against the points from three penalties and two match against Iglesias. Landajo, standing in for Creevy as Brumbies and continue their rousing conversions. Argentina’s The Blues continued to do their captain, said despite being on the los- start to the season after demolishing “They played well and we were Jaguares at best to aid the Jaguares when a Lolagi ing side, his tournament newcomers another Australian team, Western just not good enough,” conceded QBE Stadium Visinia clearing kick hit team-mate relished the experience gained from Force, 53-10 last week. Brumbies skipper Stephen Moore in Auckland Steven Luatua and rebounded over the match Christian Leali’ifano kicked two after the match. yesterday. the deadball line. “This is new for us, first tourna- penalties to give the Brumbies an The Brumbies will use next At the other end of the field, a ment here. We are enjoying it, we are early 6-0 lead but the Chiefs took week’s bye to regroup, while the Luatua pass went behind James Par- learning every match. We enjoy play- charge and were in front by the 30th Chiefs are at home to the Auckland sons who had an open run to the ing with the best teams in the world so minute and were never headed from Blues. try-line five metres away. we are having fun.” SPORT SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 33

Marquez stars for Honda on ‘worse’ Argentine track

AFP

TERMAS DE RÍO HONDO, ARGENTINA: Two-time world Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s German driver Nico Rosberg champion Marc Marquez set the drives during a practice session at the Sakhir Circuit in Manama. fastest time in practice for the Grand Prix of Argentina, hammer- ing home Honda’s dominance over Yamaha on a track widely criti- cised for its poor condition. Spanish rider Marquez, who won the 2014 race at Rio Hondo, clocked 1min 41.579sec with team- mate and compatriot Dani Pedrosa 0.025sec off the pace. Maver- FIA boss Todt optimistic of ick Vinales, on a Suzuki, was the third fastest. “I think that the conditions will change a lot during the weekend, even from the first to the sec- ond session we saw the surface improve, although not as much as resolving qualifying problem we had expected,” said Marquez. “So far track conditions are worse than last season so it seems that the times will be a long way Ecclestone hits back at off those from last year.” Formula One Defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo, who won the sea- stakeholders meet ‘windbag’ drivers son opener in Qatar, could only today to discuss new manage a lowly 14th place at 1.24 British Formula sec behind Marquez on a day qualifying format One driver Lewis Reuters when temperatures rocketed to as drivers prepare Hamilton of the mid-30s. Mercedes AMG The 28-year-old Lorenzo has for season’s second GP posses with MANAMA: Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hit back at drivers always struggled at Rio Hondo, Grand Prix in Bahrain supporters at the for seeking change in the way the sport is run, suggesting they were power- finishing fifth in 2015 and third paddock at the less and simply doing the bidding of their teams. last year. Sakhir Circuit near The Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA) issued an open letter last week “The track is much worse than Manama, Bahrain. urging the sport to abandon ‘obsolete and ill-structured’ decision-making last year and I don’t know why. Reuters processes that stood in the way of progress. There are some more bumps and It was signed by former world champions and GPDA directors Jenson But- less grip,” fumed the three-time ton and Sebastian Vettel as well as chairman Alex Wurz, an ex-F1 racer, and world champion. “It looks like our addressed also to stakeholders and fans. rivals are a lot better under these MANAMA: Formula One stakehold- “They can say what they like can’t they? They can’t do anything,” Eccle- conditions. We hope it doesn’t ers will meet today to decide what stone told reporters at the Bahrain Grand Prix when asked about the drivers’ rain tomorrow and that the tar- to do with the much-criticised new desire to have a say. mac improves a little bit.” qualifying format, with the head of “They can give an opinion. Everyone has got an opinion. Really their discus- Teammate Valentino Rossi, the sport’s governing body saying he sions are with their team and the team has got a voice,” added the 85-year-old. marking 20 years as a world is confident of reaching a solution. “They are only saying what the teams have told them to say.” championship rider and the win- “I am optimistic that we will get Asked whether he considered them to be ‘windbags’, Ecclestone replied: ner in Argentina in 2015, was a unanimous agreement tomorrow,” ‘Some of them’. seventh fastest on the other fac- FIA President Jean Todt told reporters In a feisty exchange, the Formula One boss was also cutting when it was tory Yamaha, 0.986sec behind at the Bahrain Grand Prix yesterday. put to him that the drivers were not looking to put on a show of strength. Marquez. “I hope the decision which will be “They haven’t got any,” he said. “It was a difficult day for taken in the light of the second quali- of qualifying involved more action, that another option could be for the Mercedes’ triple world champion Lewis Hamilton said he supported the everybody because these were fying (of the season) will be a decision the final eight-car session in Mel- final eight-car phase to see each run GPDA action, even though he was not a member for personal reasons, and the challenging conditions,” said Rossi. which respects the fans, the media, bourne proved a flop with drivers alone on track in descending order drivers were united in their opinion that change was needed. “The track was very dirty and in the promoters and be a good step watching from the garages as the with the fastest from the second ses- “When there’s a really critical thing, like safety or something really impor- the afternoon it became better but forwards.” clock ticked away the closing minutes. sion going last. Mercedes motorsport tant, I’m there,” he said. “Such as the last race when they needed us all to stand it remained very slippery and also The Frenchman agreed the new Todt said the change had been head Toto Wolff told Reuters there together and for our love of this sport, I was there. the temperature was very high so it format which made its debut in Aus- sought by race promoters but team were several interesting possibili- “We all stand together as drivers. There are occasionally issues where a was difficult to maintain the pace tralia two weeks ago had been a managers had signalled before the ties but the sport needed to put the united front is necessary, and that was one of them.” lap by lap. It looks like we suffered disappointment, and was aware of start of the season that there would issue to rest. Button also rejected a suggestion that the drivers were being manipulated. a bit with the lack of grip on the the backlash against it, although he be a problem, unless Pirelli made “I think there are more formats Drivers have become increasingly vocal as the sport introduces changes track, we slide and also the front said that the FIA “cannot be guided more sets of tyres available or the that are worth a try but we just need that they feel are making Formula One less attractive to fans and less excit- tyre was not very good. We need only by social media.” third and final phase reverted to the to be reasonable in assessing them ing for those behind the wheel. to work.” The format was agreed only 2015 format. properly, and whatever we find out A new qualifying format introduced this season proved a failure at the weeks before the season started, He added that Pirelli could only should be implemented,” he said. Australian season-opener, with the shootout for pole position reduced to a aimed at creating more excitement in provide more tyres, at an extra cost “We just started the season, we clock-watching exercise with no cars out on track. FRIDAY’S PRACTICE the session yesterday through instant to teams, from the Chinese Grand Prix had a disastrous qualifying in Mel- There has also been concern about the sport migrating increasingly towards elimination of the slowest drivers at in Shanghai on April 17. bourne, we are trying it another time pay television, making it less accessible to the new generations of fans, and TIMES timed intervals. “One more set of tyres would now and we need to go with a safe Ecclestone’s regular criticism of the V6 turbo engines. MotoGP While the first and second phases increase the show,” Todt said, adding way for the rest of the season.” 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 1:41.579, 2. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 0.025, Spanish Formula 3. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Suzuki) One driver Fernando Drivers wanted to be 0.468, Alonso of McLaren- 4. Jack Miller (AUS/Honda Marc VDS) Honda prior to a 0.796, practice session the 5. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Honda) 0.872, Sakhir Circuit. heard, says Hamilton 6. Scott Redding (GBR/Ducati Pramac) 0.879, 7. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) AFP 0.986, 8. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Suzuki) 0.997, MANAMA: World champion Lewis 9. Bradley Smith (GBR/Yamaha Hamilton has given his explana- Tech3) 1.016, tion for the drivers’ decision to issue 10. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) an open letter requesting a radical 1.056 rethink in Formula One. Selected The 31-year-old Briton, whose spectacular speed and bold attack- 14. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha) at 1.240 ing style has made him the sport’s MotoGP star Valentino Rossi is seen with fans Moto2 biggest star, said the drivers simply before a free practice session at Termas de Rio wanted to be heard when it came to Hondo Circuit, in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. 1. Johann Zarco (FRA/Kalex) 1:44.533, decision-making. 2. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Kalex) at “I don’t have all the answers,” said 0.190, the Mercedes driver. “The same as you won’t have all the answers - just “I know what’s good on my car. “I grew up racing karts and 3. Sam Lowes (GBR/Kalex) 0.235, as Bernie wont have all the answers. I know what’s not good on my car, karting is wheel-to-wheel battling 4. Jonas Folger (GER/Kalex) 0.340, “None of us has all the answers. which is how I help the team develop -- bumper-to-bumper almost -- 5. Alex Marquez (ESP/Kalex) 0.388 We all have an opinion about some- -- and there’s things that need to be and overtaking from lap to lap... And thing. It’s picking out what the good better. that’s what we want to see. Moto3 parts and the right opinions are... “From the 10 years of my experi- “The race I had here in 2014 was 1. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Honda) “For us, as drivers, we just wanted ence -- and Jenson’s (Button) got 16 the most exciting Formula One race 1:51.137, to be included a little bit. years and Fernando (Alonso) has per- I’ve ever had. We need that more 2. Romano Fenati (ITA/KTM) at 0.105, “Not included in making the deci- haps 13-whatever years experience of often, if not every weekend.” sions, but let’s give you our input so Formula 1 -- from all those years, try- Last week Button and Sebastian 3. Andrea Migno (ITA/KTM) 0.166, you know what our limitation in the ing different things, we know what’s Vettel led calls for a radical rethink in 4. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 0.213, car is. not been good whether it be tyres, Formula One, insisting that contro- 5. Jorge Navarro (ESP/Honda) à 0.274 As a driver, I know why it’s hard downforce, engines or whatever it versial changes threaten the sport’s for me to overtake. may be. very future. 34 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 SPORT

NFL: Cowboys’ Celtics halt Warriors Tony Romo ‘recovering’ home winning streak well Agencies

to tie, but Curry misfired from three- NBA ROUND-UP point range and although Golden State NEW YORK: Dallas Cowboys’ Reigning champions corralled the rebound Barnes was off- quarterback Tony Romo said his suffer 109-106 loss as target with a desperation attempt. left collarbone is recovering from The Celtics, who had taken the surgery and he’s looking ahead to James stars in win for five of their last six games to beat the Warriors to double-overtime before off-season workouts. Cleveland Cavaliers Bulls’ record. Warriors coach Steve losing in Boston on December 11, were “My surgery has healed up Kerr had his criticisms of his players, coming off a 116-109 loss at Portland nicely,” Romo said via Twitter. but said after the defeat he congratu- on Thursday night but kept pace with “Looking forward to OTAs and lated them. the Miami Heat in the battle for the a full offseason. Let’s go!” “They just won 54 home games in third seed in the Eastern Conference. Romo was given a recovery AFP a row,” Kerr said. Miami defeated the Kings 112-106 in time of 6-to-8 weeks from a sur- “What our guys have accomplished Sacramento on Friday. gery intended to stabilise a bone is incredible. I don’t know if peo- Celtics coach Brad Stevens said the broken twice last season. ple understand the intensity it takes key was his team’s ability to hang on Meanwhile, Houston Texans LOS ANGELES: The Golden State and the work it takes to put together in the face of Golden State’s 36-point star JJ Watt played with five dif- Warriors’ record-setting home win- a streak like that.” third quarter -- keyed by Curry’s 21 ferent torn core muscles during last ning streak ended on Friday as the That said, Kerr said the Warriors’ points in the frame. season en route to winning NFL Boston Celtics defeated the reigning execution was “bad.” The Celtics scored 37 themselves Defensive Player of the Year hon- NBA champions 109-106. “You know, 22 turnovers that led in the period to take an 82-79 lead into ors for the third time, according to The Warriors had won 54 straight to 27 points ... We just weren’t able to the fourth. published reports. regular-season games on their home get a rhythm until it was really late and “I thought the biggest moments to The standout defensive end floor in Oakland, California, a record then we needed to make every play the game were us scoring consecu- also played with a broken left hand streak dating back 14 months – to Jan- and we didn’t do that.” tively when (Curry) scored,” Stevens and played three games with a cast uary 27, 2015. After Harrison Barnes drained said. “Because when he got going -- to protect it. He also had a back “It’s a weird feeling,” said Warri- a three-pointer to pull the Warriors that’s usually when they run away with injury during the season. ors star Stephen Curry. within 107-106 with 10.2 seconds to a 10-0 or a 12-0 run.” The Cincinnati Bengals have “We’ve just got to be able to move play, the Celtics called a timeout and The Warriors maintained a 4 signed receiver Brandon LaFell on from it. Maybe it’s a good reminder got the ball to Thomas, who snuck 1/2-game lead over the San Antonio to a one-year contract, the team going into the playoffs we don’t want behind the Warriors’ defense for the Spurs atop the Western Conference announced. this feeling.” game-clinching basket. standings. LaFell caught 111 passes for the The Warriors had won the last 18 The Warriors still had two chances Eastern Conference leaders Cleve- New England Patriots over the past home games of last season and had land blew a big lead but came through two seasons. He was released by Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (right) goes to the basket for opened this campaign with 36 straight in overtime to down the Hawks 110- the Patriots on March 2. in front of fans in Oakland. NBA RESULTS 108 in Atlanta. two points while drawing a foul by Golden State Warriors guard Klay Fired head coach Tom Cough- “We wanted to stop that,” admitted Charlotte 100 Philadelphia 91 LeBron James scored 29 points Thompson (centre) during the first half of their NBA game at the lin is still waiting for the New York Boston’s Isaiah Thomas, who scored Dallas 98 Detroit 89 with 16 rebounds and nine assists. He Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, on Friday. Giants to discuss the advisor role all 22 of his points in the second half. NY Knicks 105 Brooklyn 91 took his career points total to 26,718, suggested when he was fired in “As a team, we just settled down and Cleveland 110 Atlanta 108 moving past Oscar Robertson (26,710) January. got a win in a hostile environment.” into 11th on the NBA’s all-time scor- place on the scoring list. He had Pistons in Detroit and the Jazz with During an interview at a reun- Toronto 99 Memphis 95 The Warriors, who suffered just ing list. passed Dominique Wilkins for 12th a 98-85 win over the Minnesota ion radio show for “Mike and the their eighth defeat of the season, are Milwaukee 113 Orlando 110 “It’s special to be linked with a guy on Thursday night in Cleveland’s win Timberwolves. Mad Dog” Coughlin said he’s not still chasing regular-season history in Utah 98 Minnesota 85 like that,” James said of Robertson, a over Brooklyn. With matching records Dallas counting on any role with the the shape of the NBA record of 72 wins Miami 112 Sacramento 106 star of the 1960s and early 70s. Elsewhere on Friday, the Dal- and Utah occupy the last two playoff Giants. The team suggested he in a campaign set by the 1995-96 Chi- Boston 109 Golden State 106 James, a four-time NBA Most las Mavericks and Utah Jazz spots in the West, one game ahead would remain in a limited capac- cago Bulls. Valuable Player and two-time NBA boosted their playoff bids, Dal- of the Houston Rockets in the event ity or advisor role. Washington 106 Phoenix 99 The Warriors, now 68-8, must win champion, started the season in 20th las with a 98-89 victory over the so far. “I haven’t heard anything about that,” Coughlin said. “I don’t think I will be with them in any capacity this season.” In other update, injuries, off-field questions and limited NHL: Bruins, Canucks register close wins availability put a dent in wide receiver Percy Harvin’s produc- tion but he insists there is a market for his services in 2016. Agencies NHL RESULTS Artemi Panarin scored a pair of Harvin contemplated retire- Detroit 3 Minnesota 2 goals, while Patrick Kane and Bran- ment but Buffalo Bills general don Mashinter also added goals for manager Doug Whaley said he Boston 6 St Louis 5 the Blackhawks. was informed Harvin does want NEW YORK: David Krejci scored two Chicago 5 Winnipeg 4 Blake Wheeler scored twice and to play this season. Where he ends goals and added two assists and the Washington 4 Colorado 2 added an assist, Dustin Byfuglien up is unclear. Boston Bruins held on for a 6-5 win Vancouver 3 Anaheim 2 scored his 18th goal and had two help- Free agent tight end Ver- over the St Louis Blues on Friday to ers, and Nic Petan netted his second non Davis agreed to a one-year retain their slim hold on third place of the year. Mark Scheifele also had contract with the Washington in the Atlantic Division. The Red Wings moved within two assists for the Jets. Redskins. The Bruins won for only the sec- a point of Boston for third place in Canucks 3, Ducks 2 Davis, who was a first-round ond time in their last eight games as the Atlantic Division – and tied the Dan Hamhuis and Emerson Etem pick out of Maryland in 2006, they maintained a one-point lead over Philadelphia Flyers, who have two scored within three minutes of each spent 10 seasons with the 49ers the Detroit Red Wings in the playoff games in hand, for the second wild other late in the third period as Van- until he was traded to the Denver battle with four games remaining in card into the playoffs from the East- couver rallied for a win over Anaheim Broncos in October 2015. the regular season. ern Conference. at the Honda Center. Backup running backs Char- Loui Eriksson, Matt Beleskey, Dylan Larkin and Tomas Tatar Jacob Markstrom stopped 20 shots candrick West and Spencer Ware Frank Vatrano and Patrice Bergeron also scored for Detroit. Jimmy Howard in the third period and finished with signed contract extensions with also scored for the Bruins while made 20 saves. 34 saves as the Canucks won their the Kansas City Chiefs. Robert Bortuzzo, Alex Pietrangelo, Jonas Brodin and Mikael Granlund second consecutive game after a The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Kevin Shattenkirk, Jaden Schwartz scored for Minnesota. Zach Parise and nine-game losing streak. Bo Horvat defensive end Ricardo Mathews and Paul Stastny scored for the Blues. Ryan Suter had two assists apiece and contributed a goal. to a one-year contract, the team Red Wings 3, Wild 2 Devan Dubnyk made 26 saves. Josh Manson and Nate Thompson announced. Riley Sheahan had a goal and Blackhawks 5, Jets 4 scored for the Ducks, who remain one Interior offensive lineman Ted Vancouver Canucks defenceman Alex Biega (right) and Anaheim Ducks an assist and Detroit held on for a Brent Seabrook scored at 1:02 point behind the first-place Los Ange- Larsen and safety Omar Bolden centre Brandon Pirri battle for the puck in the first period of their NHL desperately needed victory against of overtime to lift Chicago over les Kings in the Pacific Division. John signed one-year deals with the game at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Friday. Minnesota at Joe Louis Arena. Winnipeg. Gibson made 25 saves. Chicago Bears. WBA Super Lightweight: Broner stops Theophane in ninth round

AFP had raised a glove – possibly to com- won with a 12th-round knockout plain of a low blow – when referee of Russian Khabib Allakhverdiev Luis Pabon stopped the fight. in October. But Broner registered “I always could do better but I 140.4 pounds (63.68 kg) at Thurs- WASHINGTON: Adrien Broner did what I had to do to get the vic- day’s weigh-in, 0.4 pounds over the stopped Britain’s Ashley Theophane tory,” said Broner, who improved to division limit and he was stripped in the ninth round on Friday in a 32-2 with 24 knockouts while The- of the title. In compensation Broner victory that left the World Boxing ophane fell to 39-7 with one drawn agreed to pay $50,000 from his Association Super Lightweight title and 11 knockouts. purse to Theophane, who weighed vacant after Broner failed to make The technical knockout punc- on the 140-pound limit. weight. tuated a turbulent fight week, with “I’ve been going through a lot The fight at the DC Armory went US media reporting that Washington this whole week and to come in ahead, and Broner, a four-division DC boxing officials agreed to license here and bottle everything up and world champion, dominated. Broner after he vowed to surrender stay focused and get it done, I want Theophane, who could have to authorities in Ohio, where police to give a pat on the back to myself,” taken the title with a victory, was have issued warrants for his arrest Broner said before turning his atten- on the ropes in the second round, on suspicion of felony assault and tion to retired pound-for-pound king and absorbed punishing blows that aggravated robbery. Floyd Mayweather, a co-promoter Ashley Theophane (left) had one eye swelling by the fourth. The charges stem from an inci- of the bout. and Adrien Broner exchange He rallied, landing some solid dent on January 21 in which Broner With Mayweather laughing at punches in their Super punches in the sixth, seventh and allegedly robbed a man after an ringside Broner challenged him. Lightweight championship eighth, but Broner had him under altercation outside a bowling alley “I come from nothing and I will bout at the DC Armory in pressure again in the ninth with a in Cincinnati. Broner was scheduled never let a man disrespect me,” said Washington, DC on Friday. body shot and a right hook. to make the first defence of the jun- Broner. “He got to come see me. We Theophane was backing up and ior super lightweight world title he got to get it on.” SPORT SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016 35

West Indies skipper Darren Sammy

FINAL ENGLAND VS WEST INDIES

Head-to-head: Played: 4; West Indies wins: 4 England wins: 0

All T20 head-to-head: Played: 13 England’s cricket team West Indies wins: 9 Stop the captain Eoin Morgan England wins: 4 (right) and West Indies captain Darren Sammy ENGLAND boundary pose with the World World ranking: Four T20 tournament trophy Squad: Eoin Morgan (captain), at the Eden Gardens Moeen Ali, Sam Billings, Jos But- cricket ground in Kolkata tler, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, flow if you yesterday. The two teams Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Adil meet in the World T20 Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Ray, Ben tournament final match Stokes, Reece Topley, James Vince, can: Sammy today in Kolkata. David Willey Coach: Trevor Bayliss Best overall performance: Reuters Champions (2010) Road to final: KOLKATA: The sight of a West Indian Group stage batsman stealing a cheeky single is a rarity * Lost to West Indies by six wickets in international cricket but skipper Darren * Beat South Africa by two wickets Windies face England * Beat Afghanistan by 15 runs Sammy does not mind as long as the fours and the sixes keep flowing from their bats. * Beat Sri Lanka by 10 runs The Caribbean side flexed their batting Semi-final muscle to storm into the World Twenty20 * Beat New Zealand by seven final against England who they beat in a wickets group stage match in Mumbai. Top scorer: Root (195 runs) Sammy is aware of the criticism of his Top wicket-taker: Willey (seven team’s poor strike rotation but believes in final showdown wickets) the power-hitters can more than make up with big shots. WEST INDIES “People say we don’t rotate our strike If Twenty20 cricket is essentially semi-final victory against hosts India. Jason Roy, Joe Root and Jos Buttler World ranking: Two well, we’ll talk about that but first thing is about power-hitting, no team does it “He is our best Twenty20 player -- have batted with refreshing free- Squad: Darren Sammy (Captain), you have to stop us from hitting bounda- Both teams look better and more unabashedly than but we have 15 match-winners in this dom and their catching has been Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, ries that has been difficult for oppositions for their second the West Indies. side,” he added. extraordinary. Carlos Brathwaite, Dwayne Bravo, once we get in that swing,” the ever-smil- World T20 title as England have first-hand knowl- The ever-smiling all-rounder Equally, if not more impressive, ing all-rounder told reporters yesterday. edge of that destructive potency, is seeking to become the first cap- has been their bowling at the death. Johnson Charles, Lendl Simmons, The semi-final against India illustrated tons of fireworks on having been blown away by Chris tain to lead a team to a second World Ben Stokes appeared to have ice Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Ashley Sammy’s point. the cards at Eden Gayle’s 47-ball century in a Super 10 Twenty20 title but West Indies are in his veins in the final over against Nurse, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni shellacking in Mumbai a fortnight ago. anything but infallible. Sri Lanka to thwart Angelo Math- Russell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome ran themselves ragged in the game, steal- Gardens today Revenge may be regarded as They showed two extremes to ews’s audacious bid to pull off a Taylor, Evin Lewis ing singles and converting ones into twos a dish best served cold but Eoin their game in the last couple of out- sensational victory as England Coach: Phil Simmons to help India post a strong 192-2. Morgan’s men would probably like ings, slumping to an embarrassing secured their place in the last four. Best overall performance: Cham- As has often been the case, the West nothing more than to exact it in the defeat to qualifiers Afghanistan Against New Zealand, Stokes pions (2012) Indian batsmen dealt mostly in bounda- Reuters heat of a World Cup final. before silencing a raucous home and Chris Jordan pacified the Black Road to final: ries to chase down the target in the final A task easier said than done crowd in Mumbai as they knocked Caps in the final four overs, which Group stage over, smashing 20 fours and 11 sixes, com- against a West Indies outfit packed out favourites India. Also, the Eng- cost only 20 runs and garnered five * Beat England by six wickets pared to India’s 17 and four respectively. with swashbuckling players who ply land they will face on Sunday is not wickets, to restrict them to a total * Beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets “I think since the inception of KOLKATA: West Indies’ rag-tag their trade in lucrative Twenty20 the same team they thumped by six that England could chase down with * Beat South Africa by three wickets Twenty20, you’ve seen West Indies is a army of short-format mercenaries leagues around the globe. wickets in the group stage last month. 17 balls to spare. * Lost to Afghanistan by six runs boundary-hitting team so that’s no sur- will be hoping they have the weap- What makes the job doubly diffi- Morgan’s side have peaked gradually Morgan has freed his batsmen Semi-final prise for me,” said Sammy, who is seeking ons to overcome a fearless England cult is that Sammy’s men have proved in the tournament since that defeat from the weight of expectation * Beat India by seven wickets to become the first captain to lead a team in today’s World Twenty20 final as in India that they are more than just a and seem to have found the right and it is showing in the team’s Top scorer: Charles (116 runs) to a second World Twenty20 title. both sides target the honour of being one-man army who bank on Gayle to rhythm and combinations. performance. Top wicket-taker: Russell (eight “We know the power we have in the first to claim a second title in the punch holes in their opponents. They accomplished a high- “That’s the way a lot of us play,” the dressing-room. So it was exciting to tournament. Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons scoring chase against South Africa, Roy said of England’s aggressive bat- wickets) watch...(Lendl) Simmons, (Andre) Russell For a group of players who nearly and Andrew Russell have stepped recovered well to subdue an upset- ting after his 44-ball innings of 78 and (Johnson) Charles displayed that type boycotted the event over a contrac- out of their illustrious team mate’s minded Afghanistan, held their nerve set the foundations for victory over Match officials: Kumar Dhar- of boundary-hitting against India.” tual dispute with their board, Darren shadow and made their own mark to edge out Sri Lanka and stunned New Zealand. masena and Rod Tucker, Marais England have looked a vastly- Sammy and his troops have waltzed in the last month. the previously unbeaten New Zea- “The whole team has got that Erasmus (third), Bruce Oxenford improved side since that loss to West Indies into the Kolkata final displaying all “We said this before the tourna- land with a near-perfect game in the kind of licence, that kind of opportu- (fourth); Ranjan Madugalle (refe- but Sammy thinks his team will be unbeat- the Caribbean flair that has earned ment that Chris is under pressure,” semi-finals. nity to go out there and do what they ree) able if they can play in the same manner. them global admiration. Sammy said after the exhilarating Their batsmen -- especially want and be free with their skills.” Morgan eyes match-winning knock

AFP record 230-run chase at Mum- remarkable turnaround from would be a great reward for bai’s Wankhede Stadium on their embarrassing 2015 World the mindset we’ve shown, the March 18. Cup exit that saw them crash dedication and the hard work.” “At the moment I’d like out of the group stage after los- England are up against a KOLKATA: Skipper Eoin Mor- to score more runs. That ing to Bangladesh. West Indies side that stunned gan yesterday said he would hasn’t happened. Hopefully, Slammed earlier for adopt- tournament favourites India England skipper rather let his bat do all the tomorrow I can make a match- ing a siege mentality, they in a sensational second semi- Eoin Morgan talking as England chase their winning contribution,” Morgan have played a new aggressive final and Morgan has great second World Twenty20 crown told reporters on the eve of the brand of cricket with Austral- respect for his opponents, who against West Indies in the title match at the Eden Gardens ian coach Trevor Bayliss and won the title in 2012. clash in Kolkata. stadium. consultant Paul Collingwood “We’re quite real about A new-look England have Morgan, 29, however has at helm. things...it is important we are played quality cricket in the led the side with aplomb, Collingwood, who was the in the right frame of mind, to sixth edition of the T20 tour- making all the right moves in captain during England’s 2010 slow it down when needed and nament but their captain’s crunch matches to gain the title triumph, has especially more importantly execute our form has been a cause of con- respect of team members. played a big hand in changing skills,” Morgan said. cern for the 2010 champions. “He’s a great captain. He’s mindsets. England were undone by Morgan’s 61 runs in five got a great work ethic. And “The key component in West Indies in their opening matches is in stark contrast to working under someone like that has been the mindset of game after Chris Gayle hit an what the other batsmen have that gives a huge amount of the players and back-room unbeaten century but Morgan contributed, with Joe Root confidence,” dashing opener staff, and it’s rubbed off on sought to downplay the Gayle leading the English batting Jason Roy had said about his everyone,” said Morgan. factor. charts with 195 runs. limited-overs skipper after the “It would mean a huge “Even before we played The left-handed Morgan side’s semi-final win over New amount (to win the title). I West Indies in the group stages also failed to get going against Zealand. think the strides that we’ve I was quite firm that Chris South Africa when his team set England have belied made in the last 12 months Gayle is not just the West Indies the tournament ablaze with a expectations to bring about a in white-ball cricket, this team,” said Morgan. 36 SUNDAY 3 APRIL 2016

10th National Show Jumping Blair stamps his dominance Competition at Golden Beach Sealine

The British rider South African books top spot on rider Wade the podium with Den on his consecutive wins at way to win the Class E2 event the Qatar International of the Qatar Endurocross series International Endurocross on Friday.

The Peninsula

GOLDEN BEACH SEALINE: British rider Ryan Blair continued his top form to win both of the feature races at the 4.5km track at Golden Beach Sealine to win top honours in the third round of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Fed- eration (QMMF) Qatar International Endurocross on Friday. Following his winning run at the second round, the outstanding British rider maintained his winning streak in Kuwaiti rider the E1 category in the third round too. Fahad Al Kuwaiti rider Mohammed Jaffar was Musallam in the biggest threat for champion Blair action during the Jaber Rashed Al Amri astride What A Lady with the winner’s in both races in their class on Friday Quad race. and occupied the second spot on the trophy after he won the Class (3) Table A, Two Phases, 115cm podium at the end of the day. His fellow event of the 10th National Show Jumping Competition which countrymen Meshari Abou Shaibah took place at the Qatar Equestrian Federation Arena yesterday. and Moaath Al Ansari finished third in the first and second races respectively. South African Wade Den is still unbeaten in E2 category after winning both races in his class in the opening round and the second round of Qatar International Enduro Cross 2016 - 2017 Season. Nobody in his class touches a scratch on his flawless record on this Ryan Blair airbourne at the 4.5km season as Wade continued his winning Golden Beach Sealine Track during streak winning both races on Friday. the class E1 event of the third round In the Quad Category, Kuwaiti of the QMMF Qatar International rider Fahad Al Musallam won both Endurocross on Friday. races. In the over 40 years age cate- gory, South African rider Geoff Den took both victories. Alloah wins QMMF T3 Challenge

The Peninsula timing of 4:04:563. Faisal Saeed Alsubaey was the third fastest in the practice run with a tim- ing of 4:10.969. GOLDEN BEACH SEALINE: As the official runs flagged Ahmed Alloah from Jordan, and off, the competitors pushed driving under QMMF Licence, their vehicles to the limits. cruised towards the victory at After two official runs, the the 3.9km track at the beautiful top four drivers, Faisal Saeed sands of Golden Beach Sealine Alsubaey, Ahmed Alloah, Jas- in the QMMF T3 Challenge for sim Al Emadi and Rashid Al 2016 - 2017 Season. Muhannadi competed again Seven competitors bat- for one final run to decide the tled for honours in the third winner. round of QMMF T3 Challenge. After a closely contested Prior to the big race, they had final run, Ahmed Alloah was a practice run at 11.50am for crowned winner of the third 40 minutes. round of QMMF T3 Challenge Jaber Rashed Al Amri astride What A Lady on their way to win Among them, Qatari Jassim for 2016 -2017 Season. Jassim Al the Class (3) Table A, Two Phases, 115cm event of the 10th Al Emadi clocked the fastest Emadi was placed second, fol- National Show Jumping Competition at the Qatar Equestrian time of 4:00.493, followed by lowed by Faisal Saeed Alsubaey Federation Arena yesterday. The podium winners of the third round of QMMF T3 Challenge with federation officials. Ahmed Alloah who recording a on the third position.

QEC Endurance Ride

The owner of Sur (Mabrouk), ridden by Matar Saeed Mohammed Al Kaabi of Dukhan Endurance team which won the 100km seniors event, receives the winner’s trophy from Hamad bin M Khayareen during the presentation ceremony of the Endurance Ride, organised by the Qatar Endurance Committee yesterday. CENTRE: Owner of the winning horse in the 80km event, Jassin Hilal Hussain Abuhadoud receives the winner’s trophy. RIGHT: Abdulla Hozam Mohammed Al Marri, winner of the 80km Novice Ride, astride Utsunomya De Kerpont crosses the finish line.