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AlA Attiyah People will enjoy energy awards 2022 World Cup inn conferred Qatar, says Xavi

WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 • 18 SHA’BAAN 1437 • Volume 21 • Number 6807 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

PM attends CCQ graduation ceremony Emir greets Humanitarian Governor-General of New Zealand goals: Qatar QNA

DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable pledges $10bn of congratulations to Patsy Reddy on the occasion of her appoint- ment as Governor-General of New Zealand. everyone agrees the focus on edu- cation is vitally important in order to Qatar has decided to protect children and prevent the loss Greetings sent to allocate almost half of generations. “Neglecting educa- Eritrean President of its humanitarian tion means that a whole generation would become more vulnerable to assistance to the human trafficking or fall prey to DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim education sector, terrorism,” he said. The Foreign Min- bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable Foreign Minister ister said that humanitarian action of congratulations to President cannot be limited to humanitarian of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki on the told the World relief, but there is a need for a com- anniversary of his country’s Inde- Humanitarian Summit mon political action at all levels to pendence Day. in Istanbul. resolve current global crises . He noted that poverty, unem- ployment, discrimination, human rights violations, and corruption Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani during the Private schools The Peninsula have provided a fertile ground for Community College of Qatar (CCQ) graduation ceremony, yesterday. → Report on page 3 extremist ideas, pointing out that cut working governments’ help in finding inde- pendent and sustainable solutions hours DOHA: Qatar has pledged to con- to gain confidence of their citizens tribute $10bn to humanitarian and would contribute to conflict preven- development goals over the next 10 tion and realisation of stability. All patient records to go digital years, Foreign Minister H E Sheikh “Conflict prevention is a multi- By Sanaullah Ataullah Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al dimensional action, aimed at The Peninsula Thani told the World Humanitarian addressing the structural errors that Summit which concluded in Istan- lead to slipping into the clutches of By Fazeena Saleem appointment details, clinical infor- possible treatment and advice to their bul yesterday. violent conflict and extremism,” said The Peninsula mation and observations, laboratory patients,” he added. CIS is already Addressing the summit, the For- the Foreign Minister, adding that the results, prescriptions, digital images fully implemented in all eight HMC DOHA: With temperature soar- eign Minister pointed to the existence efforts of Qatar in humanitarian work and automation of many devices hospitals and their Home Health Care ing, several private schools have of more than 60 million people includ- are not restricted to the region, but collecting information and provid- Service, as well as 19 PHCCs, and reduced their working hours while ing refugees and displaced people have spread to more than 100 coun- DOHA: Patients’ clinical records ing back to inform clinical decision clinics and clinicians are able to view other schools are expected to soon worldwide and those under siege and tries all over the world. He stressed across Hamad Medical Corporation making. In addition, the CIS imple- electronic health records across these follow suit. colonialism, “which makes it impera- Qatar’s commitment to the continuity (HMC) hospitals and Primary Health mentation also provides additional facilities. Nine more Primary Health Schools are also preparing for tive for all to use all capacities to cope of humanitarian work in sustainable Care Centres will be fully digitised tools to support the management of Care Centres are planning to imple- one of the longest summer holi- with this humanitarian disaster, and to ways. He said Qatar has pledged to by July with completion of the unique certain conditions, such as cancer ment the system by the end of July. days which will begin from July find solutions by relieving them, and abide by the five responsibilities that Clinical Information System (CIS), and diabetes,” Dr AbdulWahab Al “But, just as HMC and PHCC are and continue until the third week put an end to their suffering.” are based on the vision of the UN said a senior official yesterday. Musleh, Deputy Chief Medical, Aca- continuing to grow to meet the needs of September. The summer vaca- Sheikh Mohammed said that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon HMC and Primary Health Care demic and Research Affairs for CIS of the expanding population, need tion this year will include the two Qatar has decided to allocate almost explained in his report “humani- Corporation (PHCC) will replace its at HMC told The Peninsula. for the CIS implementation will con- Eid holidays as well. Most schools half of its humanitarian assistance to tarian one: a shared responsibility”, paper patient clinical records with “It provides access to clini- tinue with these development plans. that have not reduced their tim- the education sector, “as it is aware which draws roadmap for coordina- the new electronic system. Once CIS cal records at the touch of a button, The seven new hospitals HMC plans to ing until now are planning to do of the consequences of neglecting tion of humanitarian work. implementation is completed in July, which means they (clinicians) will open over the next two years will also it from the beginning of the holy it as a key element to the spread of The Foreign Minister affirmed every patient will have a single elec- have a full view of their patient’s use the same CIS system from the time month of Ramadan, that is likely extremism, violence and loss of hope Qatar’s support to the efforts of UN tronic health record which could be healthcare history, including previ- they open,” said Dr Al Musleh. to start from June 6. in a life of dignity.” Secretary-General for the success accessed electronically across both ous conditions and allergies etc. This Sheikh Mohamed noted that of the summit. organisations. “This record includes will mean they can provide the best → Continued on page 3 → Continued on page 3

Twitter drops photos Shuttered Muntazah Park awaits reopening and videos from

140-character limit By Mukesh Sharma for years. The Minister of Municipal- Muntazah have been coming across Scores of walkers and exercisers Today’s edition The Peninsula ity and Environment H E Mohamed shuttered gates of the park for a long who use the periphery of the facility Reuters bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi wants to time. “You are not allowed inside,” cannot figure out why it hasn’t reo- includes an 8-page apportion budget funds for the park’s workers in yellow overalls told this pened. “I have seen it closed for years special supplement renovation, but will seek private cap- correspondent at one of the gates of and don’t know why,” said a resident NEW YORK: Twitter Inc said DOHA: The government may rope in ital if the outlay is not available, a the park along Al Muntazah Street. not wishing to be named. yesterday that user names private investment for redeveloping source told The Peninsula. “Baladiya (municipality) work is on The source at the Ministry said and media attachments such Muntazah Park which has been closed Residents of densely-populated Al inside,” said another. infrastructure work led to closure of as photos and videos will no the swathe of green in the heart of the longer count toward the length city. “First, the road expansion and of a tweet but the 140-charac- now the Doha Metro project has kept ter limit will remain. Twitter said it closed,” said the source, adding it is the change, part of its efforts to likely to reopen after the underground simplify its microblogging serv- rail works finish. ice, will happen in the next few It has been learnt that the min- months. ister is personally monitoring the “A few simple changes to renovation of the park and devel- make conversations on Twitter opment of the new Doha Zoo, with easier! And no more removing a futuristic design covering 75 hec- characters for images or videos!” tares, seven times the size of the Chief Executive Jack Dorsey said. current zoo. The length of tweets was Experts say green spaces in the originally designed to include a city help bring down temperatures user’s name and still fit within and reduce harmful gases in the air. the 160-character SMS mes- Research has shown greenery amid saging format used for mobile urban sprawls promote feelings of phones. Additional changes well being, inspire people to work out include the ability to retweet and is aesthetically appealing. Qatar and quote-tweet a person’s own is promoting Exercise is Medicine — a posts. Links currently take up to global campaign of the American Col- 23 characters of a tweet, limit- lege of Sports Medicine — that seeks ing the commentary that users to improve public health with help of can offer when sharing articles enhanced physical activity. or other content. Date palms with other flora inside the closed Al Muntazah Park in Doha. Pic: Mukesh S /The Peninsula → Continued on page 2 02 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 HOME

Governor-General of New Zealand AAB main official sponsor of Milipol Qatar 2016 congratulated behalf of the Ministry of Interior; and Osama Abdullah Abdulghani, QNA Abdullah Abdulghani Chairman, AAB, in the presence of & Bros. Co. W.L.L signs Brig. Saoud Rashid Al Shafi, Member, Milipol Qatar Committee member; deal and provides and Serdar Toktamis, CEO, AAB. DOHA: Deputy Emir H H Sheikh QR500,000 in support Brig. Nasser bin Fahad Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani announced AAB as the main spon- yesterday sent a cable of con- for the exhibition. sor for Milipol Qatar 2016 and said gratulations to New Zealand it has provided QR500,000 as sup- Governor-General Patsy Reddy port. He said the exhibition is held on her appointment. every two years and displays the Prime Minister and Interior By Sidi Mohamed latest innovations of leading man- Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin The Peninsula ufacturers in the field of homeland Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani also security. sent a congratulatory cable to It is considered one of the most Patsy Reddy. important safety and security exhi- DOHA: Under the patronage of Emir bitions with the participation of H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al leading companies and manufac- Greetings sent to Thani, the 11th international exhi- tures in the field of state security. bition of homeland security (Milipol “The exhibition is the result of President of Eritrea Qatar) will begin on October 31 at collaboration and coordination the Doha Exhibition Center and will between officials at the Ministry last three days. and France, and Qatar is proud of DOHA: Deputy Emir H H Sheikh During a press Conference hosting such an important event”, Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani jointly organised yesterday by he said. yesterday sent a cable of congrat- Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co. To a question by The Peninsula FROM LEFT: Brig. Saoud Rashid Al Shafi, Member, Milipol Qatar Committee; Brig. Nasser bin Fahad Al Thani, ulations to Eritrea’s President Isaias W.L.L. (AAB) and Milipol Qatar Com- about how many companies are Head of the Committee; Osama Abdullah Abdulghani, Chairman, AAB; and Serdar Toktamis, CEO, AAB, Afwerki on his country’s Independ- mittee, the sponsorship agreement participating in the exhibition, he during a press conference which included the signing of an agreement, at AAB Toyota Tower, yesterday. ence Day. has been signed with AAB as the said more than 50 percent of the Pic: Baher A / The Peninsula Prime Minister and Interior main official sponsor of the event. exhibition space have been booked. Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin The agreement was signed by Abdulghani said: “AAB will display our vehicles currently used Toyota and Lexus vehicles for trans- occupied an area of about 6,055 Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani sent a Brig. Nasser bin Fahad Al Thani, have a booth over an area of 362 by ministries. portation of officials,” he added. square metres and 261 companies similar cable to Afwerki. Head, Milipol Qatar Committee, on square metres where we will “We are also providing a fleet of The 10th exhibition in 2014 from 36 country participated. Law students get insight into human rights Parks ‘vital for urbanised spaces’

Continued from page 1 parks across the country. Doha will have The Peninsula understanding signed between Al Huwail said students also learnt Director, Law Clinic programme five new parks while Al Rayyan Munici- QNHRC and QU, included practi- how complaints and grievances are at the college. Mohammed H Abu-Dieyeh, Associ- pality will get 25. cal training for the students during received and addressed under the It also raised the student’s ate Professor of Applied Plant Ecology at Al Muntazah Park, though closed, is eight sessions, said Jaber Al Huwail, Qatari laws. awareness about the basic princi- Qatar University said the importance of not barren. The hedges on the periph- DOHA: Qatar National Human Director, Legal Affairs, NHRC. With regard to human rights sit- ples of human rights and global and parks in urbanised spaces is immense. ery are lush green and pictures taken Rights Committee (QNHRC) yes- Students and their trainers uation in Qatar, the students were regional standards in relation to the “Trees not only trap dust or suspended by The Peninsula show diverse flora terday concluded its one-month discussed the establishment of able to review QNHRC’s annual Qatari laws, he added. particulate matter but help cool the air by inside, including tall palms not native training programmer for law stu- national human right institutions, reports and activities, in collabo- Students praised the pro- transpiration, a process by which leaves to the region. “Blood has an affinity to dents. Paris principles being used as a ration with authorities concerned gramme and said it provided them lose water from their surfaces”, he said. combine with carbon monoxide and car- The programme was organised basis for the establishment of these and other local and international with opportunities to learn about A gramme of water absorbs significant bon dioxide from vehicle exhaust. Plants in collaboration with College of Law institutions, aims and mandates of organisations. local and international laws on amount of heat from the surrounding air absorb these gases,” said Abu-Dieyeh. at Qatar University (QU). QNHRC, implementation of national The programme added value human rights and enabled them to as it changes to water vapour, he added. Al Bidda Park, along the Corniche The programme, part of imple- and international laws, in particu- to the education of law, said Pro- understand the rules of professional The Peninsula reported earlier that Road, has also been shut for renovation mentation of a memorandum of lar the Qatari labour law, he said. fessor Mohammed Yahya Matar, responsibility. the Ministry plans to build 59 new public a year ago. HOME WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 03

Subsidised Syrian and Jordanian sheep for Qataris from June 2 PM attends CCQ graduation ceremony

QNA of acquiring knowledge and pro- The Peninsula of Jordanian sheep are also on offer vide development on an ongoing at a price of QR850 each (35kg and basis by adopting new science and above). The beneficiaries are required technology. to produce their Qatari ID as proof. DOHA: Prime Minister and Interior He said Qatar under the wise DOHA: The Ministry of Economy They have to pay an additional QR16 Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin leadership of Emir H H Sheikh and Commerce has announced the for slaughtering, cutting and pack- Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yester- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has subsidised prices of Syrian and Jor- aging and QR34 as porters’ fee. The day attended the Community College been working to consolidate this danian sheep for Qataris which will sheep has to be slaughtered only at of Qatar (CCQ) graduation ceremony approach through implementation be on offer from June 2 until the end the Widam abattoirs. of the fifth batch of students of diplo- of Qatar National Vision 2030 so of Ramadan. The Ministry of Economy and mas in Arts and Sciences and the first that Qataris will obtain desired sta- Widam, the state-backed com- Commerce will offer community-ori- batch of Diploma in Public Admin- tus they deserve. pany will distribute the sheep to the ented services, including some food istration. He referred to the massive citizens through its abattoirs at Cen- and non-food items on discounted The ceremony at Qatar National national effort for Qataris, which tral Market, Al Khor, Al Shamal and prices. Details of the initiatives will Convention Centre was attended a has made Qatar occupy an advanced Al Mazrouah, the ministry said. Every be disclosed in the coming weeks and Sheikhs, ministers, academics, CCQ position with regard to spending on citizen will get two sheep. will be available on the Ministry’s faculty and families of the graduates education and scientific research and A total 20,000 heads of Syrian social media platforms, including Minister of State for Defence the GDP percentage rates. sheep are made available for distri- Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed He said Qatar has made strides development. He congratulated college officials bution priced at QR950 each (40kg under the name MEC_QATAR and Al Attiyah told the attendees that in building a culture and aware- He said the graduation of the fifth on their efforts and the graduates and above). Another 10,000 heads WhatsApp account on No. 66111400. the most important challenges of ness of citizens and in protecting the batch of students is part of the col- on their success and perseverance the current century are to provide homeland to emphasise that every lege’s efforts that target Qataris as to acquire knowledge and actively intellectual capital through the prep- citizen has a joint responsibility to essential pillar of comprehensive participate in comprehensive devel- First camel, equestrian and aration of national cadres capable serve the march of comprehensive development of the state. opment witnessed by the state. falcon exhibition opens today Summer working hours instruction Clinical team By Raynald C Rivera countries to showcase their products The Peninsula and services. Leading manufacturers, sup- awaited from Ministry of Education trained to use pliers, merchandisers, technology solution and service providers that Continued from page 1 DOHA: Nawasi — the first camel, represent the best in the industries changed their timing, with the also closes at noon (all levels), new system equestrian and falcon exhibition in related to these well-loved tradi- onset of summer. instead of 1pm (primary) and Qatar — opens today at Doha Exhi- tional sports and interests in the All Independent schools have PEC has reduced working 1.30pm (other levels). Continued from page 1 bition and Convention Centre (DECC). GCC will be present at the exhibition. already reduced their working hours by 30 minutes to one hour A senior official of the Birla “One hundred companies are More than the products, the hours from May 15, following for different sections, beginning Public School (BPS) said yester- taking part in this unique exhibi- exhibition will also have a strong instructions from the Ministry of Sunday. The school starts at 7am day that the school will reduce Any implementation of new technology sets tion spread on 5,000sqm exhibition cultural element as camel, falcon Education and Higher Education. and closes at 1pm. the working hours from the a challenge, as it requires training and adoption space. They come from various and equine tradition has been very Independent Schools’ KG classes The lower classes close early beginning of Ramadan. The from all staff to become fully implemented. countries such as Italy, Germany, much present in and shared by Qatar are closing at 11.10am, primary in most schools, but the parents school will start at 7.30am, “We have trained all our clinical profession- the US, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Ara- and its neighbouring countries. level at 11.45am and preparatory say that some schools keep the instead of 7am and close at als to use the new system, which was a significant bia, the UAE and Qatar,” Moutaz “There is also the cultural aspect and secondary levels at 12.35pm. KG and primary level children at 12.30pm, instead of 1.30pm. piece of work, but that has been very successful. Kamal, Managing Director, Siigns in which we have included a Maj- School officials said yester- the school, even after the classes Timing of lower levels will be During the implementation, we knew that some Projects — exhibition’s marketing lis where there will be poetry and day that they have not received are over, due to lack of sufficient different. Enquiries with some processes would take longer than usual as our and Management partner — told sharing of experiences about this any instruction from the Min- transportation facilities. other schools revealed that they staff got used to using the new system. The Peninsula yesterday. very important part of Qatari cul- istry of Education and Higher Primary classes at Al Maha have not yet taken any decision “We made sure we informed patients in One of the main aims of the ture. Nomas Centre, a Qatari centre Education until now regarding International School in Ain Kha- about changing the timing, even advance and were fortunate in that everyone exhibition, he said, is to introduce which provides education for young the summer working hours. lid now close at noon, while during Ramadan. was very patient and supportive in making each consumers to international brands Qataris to practice different heritage The Pakistan Educa- preparatory and secondary lev- Temperature rose consider- implantation a success,” said Dr Al Musleh. that offer the latest in the fields of activities will also be present at the tion Center (PEC) Al Maha els close at 12.30pm, one hour ably yesterday and is expected Once CIS is fully implemented, Qatar will camel rearing and racing, eques- expo,” added Kamal. International School and the earlier. to hit about 40 degrees Celsius become the second country in the world to have trian and falconry that’s why they The exhibition is open to the Community School are among The Community School today in Doha and some other a single, integrated Electronic Health Record for have invited exhibitors from various public until Friday. the schools that have already operating behind Aspire Park parts of the country today. every patient. Currently Estonia has such a system. 04 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 HOME

QA to expand network to Katara launches Qatar Traditional Chiang Mai in December Ships documentary book The Peninsula

Qatar Airways to DOHA: The Cultural Village Foundation-Katara has fly to the Thai city launched its latest documentary book Qatar Tradi- five times a week tional Ships compiled by a team of researchers at the Studies and Research Committee. via Yangon, former “It’s my pleasure to welcome you today as we mark capital of Myanmar, the launch of another Katara milestone publication. The book, a documentation in words, images and with an A330-200 paintings, captures all recorded literature related to aircraft old Arabian ship; its tradition, manufacture, design, types, names, famous owners and captains, litera- ture, poetry and paintings which tackle the issue and themes of dhows, one of world’s most graceful sailing The Peninsula crafts,” said Dr Nadia Al Madahka, Director, Research Department, told a press conference. Chiang Mai will be the fourth city in Thailand on the award-winning “The book, through information and photographs, airline’s global network of destinations. also depicts the unique relationship between Qataris DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) has and sailing ships, a major tool used for fishing and announced that it will expand its net- coastal trade.” Dr Nadia Al Madahka, Director, Research work to Chiang Mai in Thailand from Marwan Koleilat, Senior Vice- network and will inaugurate 14 new Dr Al Madahka stressed that the book is in line Department, Katara, shows the book during a December 16. President, East Asia & South West destinations this year and early 2017, with Katara’s mission to revive Qatar’s marine her- press conference at Katara. The award-winning airline will Pacific, QA, said: “As we are constantly including Marrakech (July 1); Pisa itage, boost national identity in the community and fly to Chiang Mai five times a week via expanding our network in South East (August 2); Windhoek (September document the relationship between the new genera- Yangon, the former capital of Myan- Asia, the popular tourist destination 28); Helsinki (October 10); Sarajevo tions and their past, traditions and history. Dr Al Madahka extended gratitude to Dr Khalid bin mar, with an A330-200 aircraft. of Thailand is an obvious target for (November 2); Seychelles (Decem- Arab dhows are strongly present at the cultural Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager, Katara, renowned The largest and most culturally growth. We have seen increased travel ber 12 ); Auckland (February 6, 2017); and heritage scene of Qatar, blending the past with Qatari researcher Ali Bin Shabeeb Al Mana’ie, the significant city in northern Thailand, demand for our services to Thailand Skopje (2017); Libreville (2017); Douala modernity, and telling the stories of Qatari ancestors Studies and Research Committee and all those who Chiang Mai will be the fourth city in and now with the introduction of our (2017); Lusaka (summer 2017); and to their children and youth. contributed to the production of the book. the Asian country to be served by QA, award-winning product to popular Nice (summer 2017). QA has 15 A330- “The old Arab wooden dhows are considered one of Katara has issued documentary books on Qatar’s which flies to Bangkok and Phuket secondary cities such as Chiang Mai 200s in its fleet of 185 aircraft and has the top and most glorious features of Qatari and Ara- heritage, including Diving for Pearls; Castles and Forts; and will commence flights to Krabi and Krabi, we provide overseas vis- been operating this aircraft type since bian Gulf heritage over centuries, particularly in the The Good Say About the Great Founder; The Tradi- on December 6. itors and tour operators with greater 2002. Flight Schedule: Doha (DOH) pre-oil discovery era, when the dhows were used for tional Dance (Al Ardha) of Qataris; The Carrier-Pigeon; With the addition of Krabi and flexibility and ease of travel when to Chiang Mai (CNX) QR918 leaves at fishing, pearl-diving, transportation, trade and other Qatar in the Qatari Journalism; and The Book of Clas- Chiang Mai to its network, QA will designing their Thailand holiday 02:30 and arrives at 14:55; and Chi- commercial activities,” she explained. sical Poets in Qatar, among others. increase its flights to Thailand from itineraries.” ang Mai (CNX) to Doha (DOH) QR919 39 to 48 a week by 2016-end. QA is rapidly expanding its leaves at 16:45 and arrives at 22:15.

Westin Wedding Open Day held AZF brings smile to Shafallah students

The Peninsula The visit was arranged as the centre’s academic year ends soon. Officials of the centre took DOHA: An Aspire Zone Foun- the delegation on a tour of dation (AZF) delegation visited departments and units that Shafallah Centre for Persons offer behaviour analysis serv- with Disabilities, a member ices; evaluation and diagnosis; of Qatar Foundation for Social social services; and counselling Work, as part of visits to social to students and their parents to institutions before and during strengthen the learning proc- the Holy Month of Ramadan. ess for students and assist them With the spirit of compas- and their families with psycho- sion being central to Ramadan, social and social adjustment. AZF organised the visit to dem- The delegates also visited onstrate its commitment to the classrooms and met supervi- local community by reach- sors and children who received ing out to social institutions sports-themed tokens and gifts. to spread joy among children, The team reassured the families and the elderly. centre that AZF’s doors are The centre provides spe- An Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) official distributing gifts to open to their students, who cialised services in accordance students during the visit to the centre. are always welcome to prac- The Westin Doha Hotel and Spa Wedding Open Day was held on May 21 from 2pm with global best practices to tise physical activity and sports to 8pm at Grand Ballroom. It was held in association with Tanagra and Harayer. help individuals with disa- independence. AZF’s team vis- about people living with at its fully equipped and acces- bilities achieve maximum its also help spread awareness disabilities. sible facilities. Cuban folkloric group wows fans at Katara

The Cuban group, ‘Salsa Y Punto’, performs at the Cultural Diversity Festival at Katara.

The Peninsula

DOHA: A folkloric performance by the Cuban group ‘Salsa Y Punto’ enthraled the audience at the Cultural Diversity Festival organised by Katara, in cooperation with the Unesco office in Doha. The band delivered performances that mirrored Cuban culture, including Salsa, Latin Jaz, Merengue, Cha Cha, and traditional Bachata. ‘Salsa Y Punto’ is a unique international band comprising top performers from Cuba and Serbia that produce a mixture of authentic Latin rhythms and sounds. The group, which brings together experienced musicians, and with its original mix of rhythms, has gained popularity with audiences in the Southeastern Europe. The band performed at exclusive events, festi- vals and concerts in various parts of the world. The festival will see Japanese folkloric performance today, followed by the Argentinian folkloric perform- ance on May 30 at Katara Esplanade. HOME WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 05 World Digital Library & QNL agree to boost ties

Officials and participants at the meeting.

the GCC and the wider region to partnership while focusing on effec- explore strategic thinking and impor- tive ways to collectively build on The 2016 Arab tant concepts and planning for the WDL’s presence in the Middle East Peninsula Regional Arab Peninsula Regional Group. and North Africa (Mena) region, espe- The workshop also highlighted cially now that QNL is expanding its Group Meeting the strategic goals for the future of digital outreach.” explored strategic the group and the importance of QNL helps realise the WDL objec- thinking and the Arab region’s contribution to the tives to promote international and WDL. intercultural understanding and important concepts Engineer Saadi Al Said, Director expand the variety of cultural con- and planning for the of Administration and Planning, QNL, tent on the Internet by supporting the said,“By hosting this annual work- regional group’s meeting. This is done group. shop, we hope to further expand our through the digitisation of thousands support to the WDL initiative. WDL of pages from QNL’s prized Heritage is an intellectual platform where Collection, making it accessible on members of the region can come the WDL website. The Peninsula together and discuss ways of man- WDL is an initiative founded by aging content contribution and how the Library of Congress, with the sup- to increase the availability of the dig- port of Unesco) and the International ital resources on Arabic culture and Federation of Library Associations DOHA: The 2016 Arab Peninsula Islamic history.” and Institutions. Led by the Library Regional Group Meeting was hosted Stressing the importance of of Congress, libraries and cultural by Qatar National Library (QNL) and the annual meeting, Dr John Van institutions from around the world World Digital Library (WDL) under Oudenaren, Director, WDL, said: “The contribute to WDL by sharing his- the theme, ‘Planning the Way For- workshop has been a great oppor- torical treasures to create a digital ward.’ tunity for the World Digital Library fountain of knowledge. Information The two-day event brought and Qatar National Library to explore contained within WDL is available together library leaders from Qatar, ways in which we can develop our in seven languages including Arabic. 06 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 HOME QSTec wins Ta’atheer Award

Maryam Al Subaiey, Qatari author of children’s books and entrepreneur, interacts with students as part of Children’s Book Week celebrations at the school. Vision International School hosts Qatari author of children’s books

Officials with the winners of Ta’atheer awards in Dubai. The Peninsula Dreams’. When Al Subaiey shared pas- sages from her book, the children were engaged and thoroughly enjoyed convers- The Peninsula Dr Khalid K Al Hajri, Chairman programme that combines sci- ing with her. and CEO, QSTec, while receiving ence, technology, engineering, DOHA: Vision International School (Al Questions filled the room: “Why did The Shams the award. We are proud of Shams art and mathematics and pro- Wakrah) welcomed Maryam Al Subaiey, you write such a happy ending? Where Generation Generation initiative and I would vides students with a hands-on a Qatari children’s author and entrepre- did you get your idea from? Is the main DOHA: Qatar Solar Technolo- like to thank all teachers and stu- approach to learning using solar neur, as part of its Children’s Book Week character based on someone you know?” gies (QSTec) was presented with solar education dents who have worked with us energy. celebrations. The Middle School classes learnt more the Best CSR Integrated Business programme of Qatar and made this solar learning pro- In Arabic, Shams means sun Al Subaiey graduated with MSc in about the young entrepreneur’s attempts Award for its Shams Generation gramme a resounding success.” and the programme stresses the Development Studies from SOAS Uni- to start a business. She shared the times solar education initiative at the Solar Technologies Seven other companies that importance of solar energy and versity and is running her talent and she failed before she succeeded and high- Ta’atheer Awards in Dubai. was honoured competed for the Best CSR Inte- sustainability. consultation company (Q Talent and U lighted the importance of being true to one Companies from across the with the Best CSR grated Business Award included This year, it will reach over Change Creative Consultancy). self’ and following one’s dreams. region competed for the annual AES Jordan; SEDCO Holding 7,000 students across schools and She was behind the innovation of the The day culminated with Al Subaiey awards that honoured their contri- Integrated Business Group; Clyde & Co,; Al Tamimi & universities in Qatar. It is gearing new Qatar Television, as she was the direc- signing copies of her books for children butions to the development of their Award in Dubai. Company; Aster DM Healthcare; up to begin its third campaign to tor of programmes and creation. She has and having her picture taken with them. societies. To receive the awards, Microsoft Gulf; and Farabi Petro- educate the young generation on published several books for children in This was a golden opportunity for stu- senior leaders of the shortlisted chemicals Company. the sustainable technologies of Arabic. In 2009, Al Subaiey co-edited dents to exchange a few words with the organisations were invited to a In addition to the award, the future. the 3rd Qatar Narrative book Dreesha, a author one-on-one and receive a signed presentation ceremony during the and potential applications of solar Shams Generation was also QSTec is a joint venture with photo-essay book that reflects glimpses of book. The day after Al Suhaibi left, stu- ceremony during the 13th MENA technologies. nominated in two other catego- Qatar Foundation for Education, Qatar; and in 2012 published her poems in dents were still excited about having met Social Impact and CSR Forum at “We wish to realise a vision ries — Best CSR Impact Initiative Science and Community Devel- Gathering the Tide: An Anthology of Con- a Qatari author. The older students wrote the Address Hotel in Dubai Marina. in which the world can meet its and Best Community Development opment, SolarWorld AG and Qatar temporary Arabian Gulf Poetry. responses to their teachers of their expe- “We recognise the importance growing requirement for energy, Initiative. Development Bank, and as such, Al Subaiey spent the day with students, riences and the younger students raved of having students learn about without its ambitions coming at Shams Generation is an education is a key mandate for the reading to the elementary classes from her about the cool book, Mother Donkey. sustainability and the benefits the cost of the environment,” said ongoing interactive learning organisation. children’s book, Mother Donkey (a won- Author visits are exciting events that derful story that highlights Qatar’s rich foster school enthusiasm. When authors storytelling traditions and folklore). come to speak to students, the youngsters She also gave a presentation for the are inspired to read, write and learn more Middle School classes on ‘Following Your about the process of writing. Kulluna: Protect children from Nasa scientists visit Qatar Foundation summer heat

The Peninsula as an international centre of excellence. The Peninsula The team learnt about QF’s role through a presentation on its activities such as its overarching endeavour to sup- DOHA: Qatar Foundation (QF) welcomed port Qatar’s growth and development. The DOHA: Kulluna, the national two Nasa scientists to Education City yes- scientists were also taken to the open-air safety campaign, has urged par- terday. On their first visit to the campus, Dr viewing platform at QF headquarters and ents to keep children protected as Ken Wolfenbarger and Dr Diane discussed shown the unique landscape formed by much as possible from the heat QF’s innovative science and research ini- the education and research buildings of during summer. tiatives and its role in positioning Qatar Education City. Children are more vulnerable The conference in progress. to heat-related illnesses as their bodies do not get rid of the heat as well as those of adults, said Dr Khalid Abdulnoor Saifeldeen, ‘Purity in Ideology; Purity in Life’ drive ends Chairman, Kulluna, and Director, Hamad International Training Centre. The Peninsula believers to maintain purity in ideology for lead- He said parents need to ensure ing a life with purity and peace. that children are kept out of direct KNM Kerala State General Secretary Swalahud- sunlight and encourage them to heen Madani delivered the keynote address. KNM drink plenty of water when they DOHA: The ‘Purity in Ideology; Purity in Life’ — a Secretary Abdul Latheef Karumbilakkal, MGM State are playing. tri-monthly campaign by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zaid President Shameema Islahiya also spoke during Leaving children in cars or in Al Mahmood Islamic Cultural Center (Fanar) ended different sessions. Akbar Qasim chaired the clos- direct sunlight during the summer with a mega conference. ing session, Siraj Iritty welcomed the gathering and heat can lead to the development Speaking at the forum, scholars urged the Najeeb Aboobacker proposed vote of thanks. of serious heat-related complica- tions and even death. Within 10 minutes, the temper- ature inside a vehicle can be up to 20 degrees hotter than the outside DeBakey hosts Science Fair temperature; after 30 minutes the vehicle’s temperature can be up to 34 degrees hotter. As part of its ‘Beat the Heat’ campaign, Kulluna also urged the public to take precautions to stay safe from the heat and be aware of the rising temperatures. Heat-related illnesses can damage the brain and other organs and, in extreme cases, cause death. “The aim of the campaign is to reduce the number of heat-related illnesses by educating the public, particularly those who work or spend time outdoors, and employ- ers about how to stay safe in the heat,” he said. “We also want to help people recognise early signs and symp- toms of heat-related illnesses to prevent cases from becoming more serious.” For people working outdoors, staying hydrated and taking DeBakey High School-Qatar hosted a Science Fair for its students, providing them with a breaks from being in direct sun- great opportunity to display their projects and present to judges, family and classmates. light is important in preventing The picture shows the Grade 9 students who were the finalists. heat stroke. MIDDLE EAST WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 07

Saudi man gets death sentence in 2004 attack

Reuters The shooting at Swiss engineer- the man but said he had assisted in ing firm ABB Lummus Global and a the assault in Yanbu, an oil and pet- subsequent police chase killed two rochemicals hub on the Red Sea. RIYADH: A man has been sentenced Americans, two Britons, one Cana- At the time, the only surviv- to death in Saudi Arabia for killing six dian, one Australian and one Saudi. ing attacker was named as Saudi Westerners and a Saudi soldier in an Three of the four attackers also died. national Mustafa Al Ansari. The other Al Qaeda attack in the city of Yanbu Reports in the pan-Arab daily al- three were all members of the same in 2004, local media reported. Hayat and other media did not name family.

Syrian men sit next to a damaged building in the town of Daraya, southwest of central Damascus, yesterday. The town was one of the first to erupt in demonstrations against the government — and one of the first to be placed under a strict regime siege in late 2012. IS attack damages Syrian base used by Russia

attack. In particular, four Russian it subsequently shelled,” Stratfor said Mi-24 attack helicopters appear to in its analysis. The British-based The images suggest have been destroyed,” Stratfor said observatory also said two days later four helicopters and 20 on their website. that continued shelling had caused lorries were destroyed by Russia has not officially com- an explosion at a fuel depot and a fire inside the T-4 base, mented on the incident and the fire that destroyed three helicopters. cause of the apparent damage could On May 15, the IS-affiliated Amaq which is also known as not be determined from the images news agency said that four Russian Tiyas and is strategically obtained by Stratfor. combat helicopters and 20 trucks located in central Syria But the BBC quoted Stratfor ana- carrying rockets had been destroyed between war-ravaged lyst Sim Tack as saying that “this was at the T-4 base by a fire but did not not an accidental explosion”. provide further details. Palmyra and Homs. It “would really be a marginal, IS seized control of large parts of almost non-existent chance for this Syria and Iraq in mid-2014, and the to be accidental,” he added. group has claimed deadly attacks in Tack said there was evidence of the West and throughout the Middle “several different sources of explo- East. AFP sions across the airport, and it shows Russia’s intervention has sig- that the Russians took a quite a bad nificantly strengthened the Syrian hit”. government in a five-year-old The Stratfor report said that “ord- civil war that has killed more than LONDON: Satellite imagery appears nance impact points are visible” in 270,000 people and driven millions to show extensive damage to an air the images and that a Syrian MiG- from their homes. base in Syria used by Russian forces 25 fighter jet also appeared to have Meanwhile, pressure mounted following an attack by fighters from been damaged. on the Islamic State group Tuesday the Islamic State (IS) group, US intelli- The Syrian Observatory for as a Kurdish-Arab alliance launched gence company Stratfor said yesteray. Human Rights had reported shell- a major assault north of the jihad- The images suggest four helicop- ing of the T-4 base on May 11 after ists’ Syrian bastion of Raqa and Iraqi ters and 20 lorries were destroyed by IS jihadists briefly took control of forces advanced on their stronghold fire inside the T-4 base, which is also part of a route between Palmyra of Fallujah. known as Tiyas and is strategically and Homs. The twin offensives marked some located in central Syria between war- “Though the Islamic State failed of the most serious ground efforts ravaged Palmyra and Homs. to cut off the road for any extended against IS since the group declared “The T4 air base was severely amount of time, it did move artil- its self-styled “caliphate” straddling damaged by an Islamic State artillery lery within range of the base, which the Syrian-Iraqi border in 2014. Experts play down explosion theory in EgyptAir crash

Reuters

CAIRO: The head of Egypt’s forensics authority dismissed a suggestion yesterday that the small size of the body parts retrieved since an EgyptAir plane crashed last week indi- cated there was an explosion on board. Investigators struggling to work out why the Airbus 320 jet vanished from radar screens last Thursday, with 66 passengers and crew on board, are looking for clues in the human remains and debris recovered from the Mediterra- nean Sea so far. The plane and its black box recorders, which could explain what brought down the Paris-Cairo flight as it entered Egyptian air space, have not been located. An Egyptian forensic official said 23 bags of body parts have been collected since Sunday, the largest of them no bigger than the palm of a hand. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said their size suggested there had been an explosion although no trace of explosives had been detected. But Hisham Abdelhamid, head of Egypt’s forensics authority, said that assessment was “mere assumptions” and that it was too early to draw conclusions. At least two other sources with direct knowledge of the investigation also said it would be premature to say what caused EgyptAir flight 804 to plunge into the sea. French investigators say the plane sent a series of warn- ings indicating that smoke had been detected on board as well as other possible computer faults shortly before it disappeared. The signals did not indicate what may have caused the smoke, and aviation experts have said that neither deliber- ate sabotage nor a technical fault could be ruled out. 08 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 MIDDLE EAST Iran sends new Palestinian PM rejects direct talks proposal AFP

delegation RAMALLAH: Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah yester- day dismissed an Israeli proposal for direct negotiations instead of a French multilateral peace initiative, calling for Haj talks it an attempt to “buy time”. Hamdallah made the comments as he met French Prime Minis- Iranian pilgrims. The two countries ter Manuel Valls, who held talks in A six-member Iranian held an unsuccessful first round of Israel and the Palestinian territo- talks last month in Saudi Arabia on ries this week to push Paris’s peace delegation will meet organising this year’s pilgrimage for initiative. Saudi officials in Iranians. “Time is short,” Hamdallah said. It was the first dialogue between “(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Jeddah today. two powers since diplomatic rela- Netanyahu is trying to buy time... but tions were severed in January. this time he will not escape the inter- Riyadh cut ties with Tehran after national community.” demonstrators burned its embassy Referring to the 1990s Oslo AFP and a consulate there following the accords and their aftermath, he Saudi execution of a prominent Shi- said “there have been negotia- ite cleric. tions for 22 years and they’ve led Tehran says Riyadh insists that nowhere.” French Prime Minister Manuel Valls (centre) and Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah arrive for a TEHRAN: An Iranian delegation was visas for Iranians be issued in a third Netanyahu has rejected the plan meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah, yesterday. travelling to Saudi Arabia for talks on country and does not allow pilgrims and called for direct negotiations. the annual Haj pilgrimage despite a to be flown in aboard Iranian air- Valls told Netanyahu when he diplomatic crisis between the Gulf craft, which Iran has rejected. met him on Monday that he would rivals, the official Irna news agency Iran and Saudi Arabia are at discuss his proposal with French Israeli minister blocks burial of Palestinians reported. odds over a raft of regional issues, President Francois Hollande, but he “A delegation of six people will notably the conflicts in Syria and has insisted that Paris plans to stick leave this afternoon for Saudi Ara- Yemen in which they support oppos- with its approach. JERUSALEM: Israel’s internal secu- response to video posted online mourners praise Alaa Abu Jamal bia at the invitation of the Saudi ing sides. The French initiative involves rity minister yesterday ordered showing a large crowd at the east as a “martyr”. “I was just shown Minister of Haj for negotiations,” it Another contentious issue has holding a meeting of foreign ministers police to stop handing over for burial Jerusalem funeral of a local Pal- the outrageous images from the quoted Said Ohadi, head of Iran’s Haj been security, after a stampede at from a range of countries, including the bodies of Palestinians killed car- estinian man who killed an Israeli funeral last night in east Jerusa- Organisation, as saying. last year’s Haj killed about 2,300 for- US Secretary of State John Kerry, on rying out attacks, defying a supreme rabbi in west Jerusalem in October lem, in which the conditions set by “The talks will be held today in eign pilgrims including 464 Iranians. June 3, but without the Israelis and court recommendation. and was then shot dead by police at the police were violated and the Jeddah.” On Friday, a senior Saudi reli- Palestinians present. Gilad Erdan announced the deci- the scene. commitments made by the terror- On May 12, Culture Minister gious leader warned against those An international conference sion on his official Facebook page in In the footage, the chanting ist’s family were broken,” Erdan said. Ali Jannati, who oversees the Haj who would “wreak havoc” under would then be held in the autumn, Organisation, said “arrangements the guise of pilgrimage, an appar- with the Israelis and Palestinians in have not been put together” for Ira- ent swipe at the Islamic republic. attendance. The goal is to eventually standstill since a US-led initiative his opposition while saying he is will- Palestinian leaders say years of nians to make this year’s pilgrimage The annual Haj and the lesser relaunch negotiations that would lead collapsed in April 2014. Palestin- ing to meet Abbas at any time. negotiations with Israel have not to Makkah at the end of the summer. pilgrimage known as Umrah draw to a Palestinian state. ian president Mahmoud Abbas has On Monday, he told Valls that ended its occupation, and they have He accused Riyadh of “sabotage”, millions of faithful to Saudi Arabia Negotiations between the Israe- welcomed the French plan, but France should host a summit between pursued a strategy of diplomacy at but Saudi Arabia has denied blocking from around the world each year. lis and Palestinians have been at a Netanyahu has repeatedly expressed the pair in Paris. international bodies. Hard-line cleric voted leader of Iran’s Assembly of Experts

AP the backing of 55 members of the 88-seat Clerics in the 88-seat Assembly serve of Iran for decades. Jannati already serves Assembly and beat two other candidates eight-year terms in the body after being as secretary of Iran’s powerful constitu- for the post of speaker, moderate Ebra- elected by popular vote. Incoming clerics tional watchdog, the Guardian Council, him Amini and conservative Mahmoud were elected in a February poll that saw which is in charge of vetting candidates TEHRAN: A hard-line Iranian cleric who Hashemi Sharoudi. He will serve as the moderate candidates and their allies make for the Assembly of Experts, as well as has been in the country’s power structure body’s speaker for two years. gains in the country’s parliament. those running in parliamentary and pres- since its 1979 Islamic Revolution was chosen Influential moderate Akbar Hashemi However, conservatives hold sway over idential elections. yesterday to lead the Assembly of Experts, Rafsanjani, a former president who has the Assembly, which supervises the coun- Tehran-based political analyst Saeed a clerical body that picks the country’s next helmed the Assembly in the past, did not try’s supreme leader, who has final say Leilaz said he believed Jannati’s election supreme leader. offer himself as a candidate in the voting. on state matters. The body’s real power showed Khamenei’s influence on the panel, The selection of 89-year-old Ayatol- Moderate President Hassan Rouhani, whose emerges after the supreme leader is gone, as well as Jannati’s own in being able to vet lah Ahmad Jannati, an ultraconservative administration secured the nuclear deal last working as an Iranian version of the Vati- and pick candidates from his post on the who called for the execution of opposi- year, also is a member of the Assembly. can’s College of Cardinals when they gather Guardian Council. tion activists after Iran’s disputed 2009 After the vote, Jannati reiterated recent to pick a new pope. “Jannati is symbol of continuation” of election and asked Iraqis to be suicide comments by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali The Assembly has done that only once hard-line policies, Leilaz said. bombers against US forces in Iraq in 2003, Khamenei that the Assembly should remain since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. In 1989, it Jannati’s biography shows that as well. signals the power hard-liners still wield “revolutionary,” state TV reported. picked Khamenei to succeed his late mentor, He travelled the world in 1989 to seek Mus- Ahmad Jannati, the head of Iran’s new Assembly in Iran despite a recent nuclear deal with “I hope to work in a way that leads to the Islamic Revolution patriarch Ayatollah lim nations’ support for the death fatwa, or of Experts, speaks during the Assembly meeting world powers. happiness of the almighty God, the supreme Ruhollah Khomeini. edict, issued by clerics against author Sal- in Tehran, yesterday. In Tuesday’s vote, Jannati received leader and the people,” Jannati said. Jannati has been in the power structure man Rushdie.

Campus bomb kills two in rebel-held Yemen capital

Agencies

SANA’A: A bomb hit a university campus in the rebel-held Yemeni capital Sana’a yesterday killing two people at an event commemorating the country’s 1990 unification, a secu- rity official said. Several people were also seriously wounded, the official said, adding that death toll was likely to rise. The event was organised by the Houthi Shia rebels who have controlled the capital since September 2014 despite a 14-month-old Saudi-led military intervention in support of President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi. The Houthis were commemorating the May 22, 1990 unification of Yemen after centuries of separation between the north and the south, where British colonial rule was fol- lowed by a Soviet-backed communist regime. There was no immediate claim for yesterday’s bombing but both Al Qaeda and its rival the Islamic State group have carried out past bombings against the Houthis, whose Zaidi faith they regard as heretical. UK probes reports its cluster bombs used in Yemen

LONDON: Britain is urgently investigating reports that cluster munitions made in the country had been used by a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, foreign minister Philip Ham- mond told parliament yesterday. A report published by Amnesty International on Monday said it had documented the use of cluster bombs in Yemen that had been manufactured in Britain in the 1970s. “The MoD (Ministry of Defence) is now urgently inves- tigating the allegations that have been made,” Hammond told parliament. He said the weapons described in the report were decades old, and that it was now illegal to sup- ply such bombs under British law. Hammond said that there was currently no evidence that Saudi Arabia had used clus- ter munitions. ASIA / PHILIPPINES WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 09

Reading the pledge Malaysian Navy Duterte makes detains three fishermen in more overtures South China Sea to communists Reuters MANILA: A Malaysian naval patrol detained three Philippine fisher- Democratic Front (NDF), was men for encroaching in territorial arrested in Cebu City in 2014. waters in the disputed Spratlys this He emphasised that Duterte called the release of month, the Philippine military said returning home to political detainees a confidence- yesterday, in what may be the first building measure between the such incident involving Southeast talk peace will be his government and rebels. Asian neighbours. one and only pre- He underlined that the rebels On May 9, the Philippine ves- themselves could stipulate when, sel was about 18 miles (29 km) condition for the where and how the process of their southwest of Commodore Reef, release of political coming home would take place one of nine Philippine-held ter- -- including exiled CPP founding ritories in the South China Sea, detainees including chairman Jose Maria Sison -- and when a Malaysian patrol boat couple Benito and the talks would be conducted. intercepted it for encroaching in Davao Del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez (left) of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas Wilma Tiamzon. Sison, 77, currently resides in the territorial waters. Netherlands, after fleeing to Europe ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) officiates the oath taking of Mindanao lawmakers as new members of PDP- When the vessel tried to flee, when peace talks with the Philip- Laban in Manila yesterday. the patrol boat gave chase, and pine government failed in 1987. He briefly detained the fishermen. stressed that the time frame would Hours later they were turned over Anatolia depend how events would develop. to Philippine troops stationed on Duterte added that there should Commodore Reef. be a workable plan to assimilate the “The Western Command is Tiamzons back into society. President-elect’s burial plan saddened by the incident involv- ZAMBOANGA CITY: Incoming Pres- “I might even decide to free ing our fellow Filipinos,” Captain ident Rodrigo Duterte has again held all of them before the talks [could Cherryl Tindog said in a statement, out an olive branch to the country’s formally start],” the state-run Phil- adding that the fishermen received communist rebels, telling reporters ippines News Agency quoted Duterte for Marcos sparks outrage medical treatment. “They are in that he will release all political pris- as saying. stable condition, except for some oners if party leaders return from He said he would welcome them bruises.” The fishermen com- exile and sit down for peace nego- back if they believe his adminis- plained of having been punched tiations. tration would work for everybody AFP big win for the dictator’s family as have been laid to rest -- would trig- and kicked during questioning by Earlier this month he had “especially for the poor.” As to the it cements a remarkable political ger street protests. the Malaysian Navy after being offered the Communist Party of the criminal cases filed against detained comeback. Marcos’s two-decade rule ended apprehended, Tindog added. Philippines (CPP) posts in his new communist rebels, Duterte said it “Burying him at the (cemetery) in 1986 when millions of people took “We were treated like crimi- government to smoothe the way to would be part of the pardon. “For as MANILA: Plans by the Philippines’ will whitewash all crimes he com- to the streets in a famous military- nals,” Nelson Plamiano, one of the peace. “All I need [for an answer] is long as we deal peace in good faith. controversial President-elect to mitted against the people and will backed Marcos Jnr ran for the vice fishermen, told broadcaster GMA 7. yes or no,” Duterte said yesterday in Peace must be in good faith. I do not give late dictator Ferdinand Mar- send the wrong message to the world: presidency in this month’s elections. The Malaysian Navy did not his hometown Davao City. have an agenda just don’t fool me,” cos a hero’s burial triggered outrage that in the Philippines, crime pays,” Although he looks set to narrowly immediately respond to a request He emphasised that return- Duterte said. Duterte announced yesterday, with martial law victims Bonifacio Ilagan, who was detained lose, at age 58 he is still young enough for comment. Political analysts say ing home to talk peace will be his he would consider offering the CPP warning it would whitewash the and tortured by Marcos forces, said. to achieve his goal.Duterte said Mon- the incident was the first reported one and only pre-condition for posts in the Department of Agrarian strongman’s crimes. Ilagan, who heads a group try- day he wanted to have the body of to involve the Malaysian navy and the release of political detainees Reform, Department of Environment Rodrigo Duterte, who won this ing to stop the Marcos family from Marcos, currently embalmed and Philippine fishermen since a 2012 including couple Benito and Wilma and Natural Resources, Department month’s elections, announced on returning to power, said the highly enclosed in a glass casket, to be bur- escalation of tension in the South Tiamzon. The Tiamzons are con- of Labor and Employment and the Monday he would allow Marcos to emotional and symbolic burial of ied at the Heroes’ Cemetery to end China Sea, when China harrassed sidered top level officers of the CPP Department of Social Welfare and be buried at the Heroes’ Cemetery the dictator at the cemetery -- where decades of divisions in society over Philippine and Vietnamese fisher- and its political front the National Development. in Manila, in what would be another the nation’s most revered war heroes the issue. men in the Spratlys.

Minimising the damage 12 dead in Sri Lanka rain death toll Myanmar jade mine landslide at 101; waters recede

AFP AFP going down. At the height of the floods, a third of Colombo’s 650,000 residents were driven out of their YANGON: A landslide in Myan- homes, according to official figures. mar’s northern jade mining region COLOMBO: Floods subsided across The Finance Ministry has has killed at least 12 people and Sri Lanka yesterday revealing the estimated the damage to small busi- many more are missing, officials full extent of damage from last nesses and industries at about $2 said yesterday, the latest deadly week’s deluge that also triggered billion. The government has prom- accident to hit the shadowy but landslides, officials said, as the death ised compensation to victims, but lucrative industry. toll crossed 100. details are yet to be announced. The bodies were recovered The Disaster Management Centre Sri Lanka’s parliament has after a wall of unstable earth col- (DMC) said 101 people were known been recalled to meet Wednes- lapsed Monday night following to have died last week while another day, a week ahead of schedule, to heavy rain in the town of Hpa- 100 people were still listed as miss- discuss reconstruction and rehabil- kant in Kachin state, the centre of ing in the worst hit central district itation following the worst flooding a multi-billion-dollar trade that of Kegalle. Military officials in the in the capital in nearly a quarter of feeds a huge demand for the pre- district, 100km north-east of the a century. cious stones from neighbouring capital, said a search was still under Soldiers and relief workers were China. way for the missing people although seen distributing essential supplies “We retrieved seven dead bod- there was little hope of finding any- to people cleaning up their homes in ies last night and five more this one alive under the tonnes of mud. low-lying areas of Colombo. morning,” a police officer in Myan- “The flood waters have receded Floodwaters from the Kelani, mar’s capital Naypyidaw said. across the country,” DMC spokes- which flows to the Indian Ocean But efforts to look for man Pradeep Kodippili said. “Over through Colombo, were contam- more bodies among the rub- 530 houses have been completely inated with garbage from a dump ble have been halted as renewed destroyed and another 4,000 partly on the edge of the city as well as raw rain threatens to trigger fresh damaged.” sewage, raising concerns of a disease landslides. He said most of the capital’s outbreak, officials said. Doctors and A farmer takes care of plants covered in volcanic ash in Karo district, in North Sumatra province, after At least 15 people were injured flood-affected population had nurses were seen across the affected the eruption of Mount Sinabung, yesterday. and an estimated 30 others are returned to their homes since Mon- areas Tuesday while the authorities missing, the officer added. day when the water levels started maintained mobile medical units. Thai blaze victim ‘called for her mum and dad until voice was gone’

Reuters Malawian Saw-wa’s daughter, May, the fire. “We still need to gather evi- the school where they lit incense sticks died in hospital. Her elder daughter dence from the scene first on what and prayed. survived by jumping from a second- caused this and whether this was due Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha floor window, she said. to negligence,” said district police chief sent his condolences to the families of THAILAND: A 10-year-old Thai girl “My eldest daughter said she heard Prayad Singsin. the victims and the school. called out for her mother and father May calling for mum and dad to help A forensics officer told Reuters “The prime minister wanted to as a blaze swept through her school until her voice was gone,” Malawian evidence pointed to a loose light bulb sent a message to all the teachers and dormitory “until her voice was gone”, said. melting on the ground floor of the two- students that the fire may burn down her mother said yesterday. “Never in my lifetime will I let my storey building, causing the fire that the school buildings but don’t let it The fire broke out late on Sunday daughter out of my sight. The school killed the girls in the dormitory above. burn away their hopes,” government as the girls, aged between five and 12, must be held responsible for this. My Around 10 of the 19 girls that sur- spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd slept at a Christian school for children daughter was my heart and soul.” vived slept on the school grounds on told reporters. of hill-tribe families in the northern Five of the victims have been Monday night as their parents had yet Prayuth said he had ordered gov- province of Chiang Rai. Seventeen identified and police were seeking to to arrive from far-flung areas to pick ernment agencies to work to reduce girls died. identify the others through DNA tests. them up, said Tuenjai Tanachaikant a the number of deadly accidents in A father places a teddy bear at the coffin of his daughter, a victim of Investigators are looking at the Police questioned witnesses on local who volunteered to help at the Thailand. In Bangkok on Tuesday, a possibility of faulty lighting on the Tuesday, and said they had not yet school after the fire. blaze at a restaurant and bar killed two the Pitakiatwittaya School fire, in the northern province of Chiang ground floor below the dormitory. reached a conclusion on the cause of Some of the parents also slept at people, police said. Rai, Thailand, yesterday. 10 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 VIEWS

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL Question of rights It’s time for Turkey and hile the United States stews amid Donald Trump’s histrionics and Hillary keeps her Democratic constituency pepped up for the Wpresidential race, President Barack Obama Europe to face reality has the eastern flank in thrall. The US president’s East Asia tour is an immensely historic one, coming as it does near the end of his term that ends in 2017. with the approval of all EU member -- and its GDP per capita is less than the EU to either overturn its prin- Obama started his diplomatic tour with Vietnam. American states. So far, Turkey has managed a third of the European average. ciples to get a refugee deal, or to to open 15 chapters and to close A Muslim country with 75 million look for another solution. As a dis- history has been the most controversial in the Communist only one. citizens, bordering Syria, Iraq, and illusioned EU diplomat recently country with the Vietnam War indelibly tarring Washington’s The rationale for Turkish acces- Iran, Turkey would soon become told me: “We used to see acces- reputation. Obama kept his promise of lifting the arms embargo sion is well known: It would more the EU’s most populated country sion talks as a strength, now it’s a on Vietnam. This is likely to bring the erstwhile rivals closer as firmly bind the Muslim democracy it if joined. constraint on us.” China throws around its weight in the East and South China Seas. and NATO ally to the West while Public opinion polls in Europe Divorces are always messy, but Human rights are a concern wherever the United States tries boosting political and economic show that an ever-larger majority there is no clear path to Turkish reforms at home. The prospective of voters oppose Turkish acces- accession to the European Union. to spread its influence. Earlier in his term, Obama’s Asia pivot candidacy of a large country, jealous sion. Indeed, the issue has come Kicking the can down the road will had seen similar attempts at wooing Asian powers. However, of its sovereignty, also appealed to to symbolize the gulf between only poison relations further and human rights had come in the way. By Benjamin Haddad countries like the U.K. that want to Brussels, which is seen as try- encourage voices of discord in both Washington is always seen The Washington Post ensure the European Union remains ing to push accession, and actual Europe and Turkey. pressuring its allies and those it offers a free-trade area instead of turn- Europeans, who are more than This doesn’t mean European US President’s a hand of friendship to improve their ing into a more integrated political skeptical. In 2014, 69 percent of leaders should seek confrontation rights record. It would not be right entity. U.S. presidents George W. Germans opposed Turkey’s mem- with Turkey. The EU is Turkey’s No. East Asia visit Bush and Barack Obama also sup- bership bid (up from 52 percent in 1 trade partner, with nearly half of to say that US uses the condition of brings rights ported Turkey’s bid, furthering the 2005) while only 26 percent were Turkish exports going to Europe. human rights in other countries as an he surprise resignation of notion that NATO and EU mem- in favor. The same year, 83 per- Furthermore, from energy diversifi- and freedom instrument of coercion. In fact, the moderate Turkish Prime bership should go hand in hand. cent of the French were opposed. cation to the fight against terrorism into focus. respect for rights is deeply embedded in Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (A former French foreign minister, Even in the U.K., whose diplomats and instability in the Middle East, American political culture. A key term earlier this month has once Hubert Vedrine, spoke for many have long supported the Turkish Turkey’s strategic importance to Tagain cast doubt on the future of exasperated Europeans when he bid, only 34 percent of the popu- Europe’s southern flank is con- in the Declaration of Independence the refugee deal signed in March suggested, in response, that per- lation did in 2014. siderable -- there’s a reason it’s a is Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of between Turkey and the European haps Mexico should join the United And here comes the dirty little NATO ally. But a military alliance Happiness. This shows the extent of Union. But, whether it moves for- States.) secret of the negotiations: Turkish is not the same thing as political emphasis the country places on freedom — and rights flow ward or not, the agreement is just But domestic developments in accession is unlikely to ever hap- union. Besides, from its dithering from it. In Vietnam, Obama made no secret of his dislike for the one aspect of the broader Turk- Turkey have not fulfilled the hopes pen. At every stage, the next step on stopping jihadi fighters from rights record of his host country. Yesterday, he chided Vietnam ish-European relationship. And, in of the country’s supporters. Erdog- must be approved unanimously crossing into Syria to its exploitation for stopping a number of activists from meeting him. They light of political developments in an’s tightening hold on power and by all EU member states, with the of the refugee issue to blackmail were bloggers, dissidents and opposition activists. One of them both Ankara and Brussels, it’s high his plans for constitutional changes possibility of referendum in some Europe into concessions, Ankara time to rethink what that relation- that would further strengthen the countries. It is highly doubtful a has not proven to be a consistent complained of being followed by government agents ahead of the ship should look like. presidency have gone hand in hand consensus could be reached. (Con- partner. As an EU member in full planned meeting. Under domestic pressure to do with crackdowns on the opposition sider that voters in the Netherlands standing, Turkey would get a veto If it is hard for a democratic society like United States to shun something about the refugee crisis, and the media. In a 2015 report, recently rejected closer ties with on Europe’s collective foreign pol- the pursuit of freedom, it is tougher for a Communist nation to Chancellor Angela Merkel gave in to Freedom House denounced “sev- Ukraine, a Christian, undoubtedly icy decisions -- an unacceptable give up its authoritarian ways. In spite of a historical move by a series of demands from Turkey’s eral years of decline” of freedom European country.) outcome. the US to lift the arms embargo, Vietnam found it hard to oblige strongman president, Recep Tayyip of the press in Turkey. Yet the talks with Ankara keep At heart, the Turkish case Erdogan, in exchange for the ref- While the accession proc- going, like a bureaucratic zombie, speaks to Europe’s inability to see Washington when it came to giving dissidents freedom to meet ugee deal. Among these demands ess did spur some progress in the because the various European par- its neighborhood through any lens Obama. -- in addition to six billion euros early 2000s, it seemed to have little ticipants expect someone else other than “enlargement.” There is Obama’s next stop is going to be Japan where his visit to and the introduction of visa-free effect when it didn’t suit Erdogan’s -- probably the French or Germans legitimate reason for that. Despite Hiroshima will be keenly watched. Though Japan has been travel to Europe for Turkish citi- domestic agenda. His ruling party -- to cast the final veto and take the current trend of Euro-gloom and an unflinching ally, Hiroshima always opens up old wounds. zens -- was the promise to open complied with EU rules when it the blame. In the midst of a refugee democratic backsliding in coun- It is being said that Obama, a Nobel Peace Laureate, will not a new chapter in Turkey’s long- came to weakening the army’s role crisis, some might be tempted to tries like Hungary and Poland, it is apologise. delayed accession process to the in politics, but instead of allowing argue for keeping up the charade, undeniable that EU enlargement European Union. a newly empowered civil society if only to secure greater coopera- has been an extraordinary force The visit to Japan, the host of a Group of Seven (G-7) summit, The prospect of Turkish acces- to become a check on its authority, tion. But this does more harm than for stability and democracy on the is likely to score much above the Vietnam trip. Tokyo and sion is still remote, so Merkel’s it has only consolidated its power good. The process is the worst of European continent. The long and Washington should leave behind unpleasant memories like promise was viewed as a mostly while weakening the country’s two worlds: It’s going nowhere, but excruciating integration process, Hiroshima and take their friendship to the next level. symbolic gesture that helped hard-won secular tradition. can still be used as a scarecrow by with its extensive demands on rule sweeten the deal for Erdogan. But Furthermore, Turkey still anti-European populists. Though of law and free market norms, has given Turkey’s evolution under his refuses to recognize the Repub- unrelated to the subject at hand, greatly contributed to cementing rule, and the country’s unpopu- lic of Cyprus, an EU member, and the prospect of Turkey’s accession the transitions of Central and East- larity in Europe, it was still a very occupies the northern half of the was brandished by fear-mongering ern countries after the fall of the unfortunate one. It’s time to pull the country with about 30,000 troops, opponents of the failed EU con- Berlin wall. plug for good on Turkey’s EU can- more than it has ever committed stitution during the French and But enlargement prospects can’t Quote of the day didacy and think seriously about to NATO operations. Dutch referendum campaigns in be used as a foreign policy tool for- alternatives. Turkey’s failure to apply its 2005. Brexit partisans are trying ever. European leaders should start If that (the visa exemption) Though Turkey first applied customs agreement with the EU to to do the same today. The situa- contemplating alternatives to acces- is not what will happen... no to join the EU’s predecessor, the Cyprus led the EU Council to freeze tion is understandably a source of sion for Turkey such as making the European Economic Community, talks on key accession chapters in resentment for many Turks, whose country a “strategic partner,” an decision and no law in the in 1987, it was not until 2005 that 2006. And despite the hurdle this once-strong support for EU acces- option long favored by Angela Mer- framework of the readmission the long, drawn-out negotiations issue has already placed in Turkey’s sion has waned. kel herself: This could spur progress agreement will come out of started. Candidates for EU member- path, Erdogan has been further In addition, the conditional- in a number of areas without prom- the parliament of the Turkish ship must comply with a detailed hardening his views in recent years. ity of the EU accession process ising, or demanding, the impossible. list of rules, divided into 35 chap- Beyond the disturbing rise of -- long seen by the Europeans as It’s time for the EU to recognize Republic. ters, that deal with issues ranging political authoritarianism in the a means of leverage -- is becom- its stable borders and develop an from free movement of goods to country, many Europeans question ing more of a burden than an asset ability to defend them, reinforc- Recep Tayyip Erdogan judicial independence to norms of Turkey’s European orientation on in the case of Turkey. Feeling that ing the notion that the continent Turkish President competition. Each chapter can only geographic and cultural grounds. he has the upper hand, Erdogan is can act as a political power rather be opened and closed (when the Only 3 percent of Turkey’s terri- not inclined to make concessions than an ever-expanding interna- candidate meets the requirements) tory is, strictly speaking, in Europe on his authoritarian ways, forcing tional organization.

EDITORIAL TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR E-MAIL: [email protected] ADVERTISING TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] OPINION WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 11 It’s useless to cry for the Taliban

By Leela Jacinto The Washington Post

s the news of Afghan Taliban leader Akhtar Mansour’s demise via US drone strike in Pakistan trick- led in over the weekend, Afghan Ahands from Kabul to California took to Twit- ter to mull its implications. While many Afghans in Kabul appeared to welcome the news, international experts, aid work- ers, and foreign correspondents weren’t so sure. “Say goodbye to Afghan peace talks. There’s no way the Taliban are going to sit at the negotiating table after their leader was targeted,” posted one international news reporter. In response, an Afghan government spokesman quipped: “They weren’t com- ing to peace anyway. They picked [a] fight over peace and they deserve to pay for it. Let them count for it!” But the doves, it seems, were winning the day. A 2015 study by Max Abrahms and Jochen Mierau on the relationship between strikes targeting leaders and spasms of violence by lower-level militant mem- bers began making the rounds -- again. adds a new dimension to the game. The suffers either from amnesia, delusions of magnet on the backs of a military invasion. guessing who’s paying for all this. Islam- “Sad to see war winning over peace . . . Iran-Saudi hate fest has intensified. And grandeur, or both. Or perhaps he genu- The new money sponge on the table abad has been pushing a “quadrilateral” after 35-plus years of war,” noted a foreign Afghanistan’s intelligence agency is now inely does not understand this strange right now is the “talking to the Taliban” peace process involving Pakistan, Afghan- correspondent, while an expert wondered capable of playing its own dirty spy games, thing called peace. Or maybe he was just industry. That High Peace Council is soak- istan, the United States, and China. QCG if the Taliban would be “very angry and while its formidable Pakistani counter- waiting for the right moment to secure a ing up hundreds of millions of dollars of -- or Quadrilateral Coordination Group -- less prone to talks.” parts do everything they can to curb that favorable deal. Barely a week ago, a leaked donor money: The bill for just resettling is the new acronym du jour in Af-Pak wonk While the international community has power. We’re in a new era, in other words. draft agreement between Hekmatyar and Hekmatyar in Kabul and providing him circles. Expect to see it everywhere soon! been talking about talking to the Taliban, For the United States and the ever-spine- the Afghan government’s peace body, the guards and vehicles will total around $4 When a very green Ashraf Ghani Operation Omari, the group’s latest spring less European Union, the prospect of another High Peace Council, revealed that he was million a year, according to theNew York became president of Afghanistan two offensive -- named after the movement’s lawless hot spot is a headache. Afghanistan ready to cease all military anti-govern- Times. With money like that, starting a years ago - fresh from the annals of US deceased founder, Mohammed Omar -- is exactly the sort of place where spectac- ment activity in exchange for immunity career in the warlord business is a win- universities, the World Bank, and the Kabul blasted off with an attack last month in ular terror plots can take root. Think of Al for past crimes. win for any young Afghan. If you can grow international NGO set - he announced a downtown Kabul right next to the Afghan Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, fiddling Now, to be fair, the Afghan government up to be a Hekmatyar, the internation- new opening up to Pakistan policy. It was Ministry of Defense, killing 64 and wound- with liquid gels and printer cartridges in has included in its ranks all manner of unsa- als will pay you to fight and finance your so sweet. The folks who knew better held ing over 300 in one of the deadliest recent Yemen, of Richard Reid obtaining a shoe vory warlords touting horrendous human retirement plan. their breaths, awaiting the inevitable loss of attacks in the Afghan capital. That bombing bomb fashioned in the old southern Afghan rights records since the fall of the Taliban In the meantime, no one is talking about innocence. It came earlier than expected, seemed to presage a most violent “spring explosives labs, of 9/11. in 2001. But Hekmatyar, with his targeting the pension plan of Islamic State chief Abu when Kabul received confirmation last offensive” (a term that sounds as archaic as But that was in the bad old days when of Kabul neighborhoods during the 1990s Bakr al-Baghdadi. When it comes to that year of Omar’s 2013 death. the text in colonial-era military dispatches. Osama bin Laden and his friends ran terror mujahideen wars, the mass graves full of squad of jihadists, the United States and it In the days and weeks to come, we will In truth, the winter has ceased to mat- training camps in Afghanistan. In recent his victims, his acid attacks on women, is allies plan to bomb them out of their so- be officially presented with a new Tali- ter, as attacks continue through the bitter years, the Taliban has painted itself as a special even by Afghan standards. If war- called caliphate. The discourse these days ban mullah-in-chief. We will then have Afghan chill). Don’t forget, the Taliban -- nationalist movement. No more safe havens lords such as Hekmatyar have to be brought is that the Islamic State isn’t invincible - to explore his loyalty base and determine or some part of it, at least officially -- has for Al Qaeda training camps, the Taliban to the table with immunity deals to bring and that’s true. But in Afghanistan, from whether commander X from region Y is repeatedly said it will not participate in talks has suggested. Instead, Afghan women can peace to Afghanistan, it exposes the hid- the very start, we suffered from “good Tal- with or against the new leader. Next, we until the “foreign troops” are gone. Where- look forward to an education, access to jobs, eous copouts and failures of this entire iban-bad Taliban” schizophrenia. That’s will hope the new Taliban leader joins our upon, it will intensify its offensive to take and all the freedoms the Taliban denied 15-year-old, multibillion-dollar Afghan because Washington could not, and still can- “give peace a chance” chorus. large parts of Afghanistan, and the anti- them when the movement was in power, reconstruction mission. not, reverse gears with the group’s patron: Afghans can be surprisingly forgiv- Taliban resistence will fight back, resulting according to conflict resolution experts and The nature of the US game, time Pakistan. That would take real leadership ing about old warlords switching sides, in a civil war that will plunge the country NGOs. I want some of what they’re smok- and again, is to get in on the side of the from US politicians and imagination from making peace, breaking promises, and right back to the chaos of the 1990s. The ing. The Taliban’s senior leaders, including reactionaries, elevate ethnicity, tribe, or their advisors who can’t get over their fear doing the whole dance all over again. It group isn’t interested in talks. Like Syrian the dreaded Haqqani network’s Sirajuddin religion and set aside secular values, only that Pakistan will start plopping nuclear comes after nearly four decades of war President Bashar Al Assad, the Taliban has Haqqani -- tucked safely in Islamabad’s to lose heart somewhere in the middle, bombs around the region and a deep resignation that the wrong side calculated that it will win the civil war it pocket -- was one of Mansour’s deputies then look for an exit strategy. The latter Following the airstrikes that killed Man- will always win. The sad part is the U.S.-led is eagerly anticipating. and could replace him. Whether or not it’s is almost inevitably a recipe for a mil- sour, Pakistan has, as usual, protested the international mission in Afghanistan spent So, if the Taliban is poised to plunge Haqqani, he has the means and the clout itary re-engagement in global jihadist US breach of its sovereignty. I’m not wast- 15 years and billions of dollars, risked and Afghanistan back into war, should the United to stay atop the movement’s ranks - if not, breeding grounds. US President Barack ing another second of my time puzzling lost lives, but lacked the imagination and States just give up and leave Afghanistan he would be a formidable threat to what’s Obama oversaw a woefully halfhearted, over whether Islamabad secretly wanted will to wipe the slate clean and start afresh. to suffer a 1990s redux? Whoa, not so fast; left of Taliban high command. surge-on-a-deadline in Afghanistan. One Mansour dead, but also must maintain The United States and its allied forces went 2016 is not 1996. The rise of the Islamic State If Haqqani is the sort of winner-take- of his retired generals, David Petraeus, its public anti-U.S. rhetoric. What does it in with a patronizing “this is Afghanistan, all guy on whom you cannot rely, check has publicly called for more US air power matter? Nothing’s going to change. U.S.- this is how it works” mindset. out the latest addition to the so-called in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed co- Pakistani relations will chill again. But If the scope and ambition of our inter- peace table: Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, written with the Brookings Institution’s then they will thaw. The Pakistani military national reconstruction missions are this notorious leader of the Hezb-i-Islami Michael O’Hanlon. will seek more US weapons. Washington small, the best we can do is target a sen- militant group and among the leading It’s this sort of raw message that will will hesitate, but then cave in. It’s always ior Taliban chief here, a commander there, Say goodbye to Afghan peace talks. candidates for world’s worst war crim- elicit sighs among some wonks, NGO do- the same game. ensuring they will always be on the defen- There’s no way the Taliban are going inal. Ol’ Gulbuddin, it appears, is ready gooders, and journalists -- denizens of the In its official response to the news of sive and can never establish that emirate to sit at the negotiating table after to make peace, as he has claimed to be expert class who built their careers over Mansour’s death, Pakistan magnanimously they all seek. Well, so long Mansour. Hello, many times in his deadly, decades-long the past 15 years by peddling their exper- stated, “A politically negotiated settlement new man-in-waiting. Watch yourself, their leader was targeted. career. Problem is, he repeatedly reneges tise on Afghanistan after the country jolted is the only viable option for lasting peace though -- there are drones overhead. on his peace promises since he apparently from 1990s neglect to international money in Afghanistan.” This, I love. No prizes for Obama’s visit to Vietnam boosts international cooperation

Bloomberg States is fully lifting the arms export to improve the capabilities of the Viet- By building radar and supply facil- absurd for China to have asserted that In holding China in check in eco- embargo on Vietnam, saying, “Viet- namese Navy and on increasing US ities, China is said to have reached the the United States is the one disrupting nomic fields, the expansion in trade nam has access to the equipment it Navy vessels’ calls at Vietnamese ports. final phase of making the islands into regional stability. and investment between Vietnam and It will be a strong warning to needs to defend itself.” Vietnam is confronting China permanent military outposts. China’s Obama has repeatedly demanded such countries as Japan and the United China, which is accelerating its He says concerns remain over the over issues such as territorial rights intention may be to control almost all that Chinese President Xi Jinping stop States through the Trans-Pacific Part- Amilitarization of artificial islands human rights situation in Vietnam. But concerning the Spratly Islands in the the South China Sea region, despite China’s building artificial islands into nership trade accord will be helpful. in the South China Sea and expanding Obama probably made his latest deci- South China Sea. It is significant for having no legitimate grounds to do military bases in the South China Sea. Early effectuation of the TPP accord its effective control over the region. sion on lifting the embargo in response Vietnam to have confirmed that it will so under international law. But there has so far been no change in is needed. US President Barack Obama has to the increasingly tense situation in work jointly with the United States to In the middle of this month, there China’s self-centered stance. In April, Maritime Self-Defense made his first visit to Vietnam and held the South China Sea. deal with Chinese threats, which are was also an incident in which Chinese It is essential that the United States Force destroyers made a visit to a port talks with Vietnamese officials, includ- Washington’s providing Hanoi with intended to alter the status quo by force. fighter jets carried out an intercept, not only continue its patrol activities on Cam Ranh Bay, a strategic point for ing President Tran Dai Quang. U.S.-made reconnaissance planes and According to the US Department flying unusually close to a US military near the man-made islands to embody Vietnam, facing the South China Sea. He has become the third US presi- missiles in the days ahead will certainly of Defense, China had reclaimed land reconnaissance aircraft that was on a “freedom of navigation” on the basis It is important for Japan to cooper- dent to visit the country since the end enhance deterrence against China’s in the Spratly Islands totaling about routine patrol over the South China Sea. of international law but also to estab- ate closely with the United States and of the Vietnam War in 1975, follow- expansionist maritime advances. 13 square kilometers as of the end of This was a dangerous, provocative lish a system to intensify pressure promote defense exchange with Viet- ing Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. The US and Vietnamese leaders last year, about a six-fold increase in action of China, which may bring about against China with countries con- nam, including joint drills. Obama announced that the United also agreed on boosting cooperation reclaimed area in the space of one year. an unforeseen contingency. It is utterly cerned, including Vietnam.

All thoughts and views expressed in these columns are those of the writers, not of the newspaper. All correspondence regarding Views and Opinion pages should be mailed to the Editor-in-Chief. 12 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 ASIA / AFRICA

Obama calls for Obama pushes peaceful settlement of sea disputes for better rights AFP

HANOI: US President Barack Obama in Vietnam called yesterday for territorial disputes in the South China Sea to be “resolved peacefully” as Vietnam baulks at Chi- nese actions in the bitterly contested power. On his second full day in the waters. southeast Asian nation, Obama also “Big nations should not bully Nations are more met with activists and entrepreneurs smaller ones, disputes should be successful when as part of a push for closer ties with resolved peacefully,” he told an audi- the fast-growing, strategically crucial ence in Hanoi, referring to the disputed people can freely country. The visit included the lifting maritime region. His remarks won loud express themselves, of one of the last vestiges of Vietnam applause from more than 2,000 dele- War-era antagonism: a five-decades- gates including top Vietnamese leaders. assemble without old arms sale embargo. Washington and Hanoi have been US President Barack Obama receives flowers as he arrives at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, harassment and In a speech at the National Con- drawn closer together through their vention Center, Obama sought to Vietnam, yesterday. mutual concern at Beijing’s increas- access the Internet balance a desire for a stronger rela- ing assertiveness in the sea. and social media: tionship with Vietnam with efforts Hanoi area. “Vietnam will do it dif- voters get to choose their leaders in experience was teaching the world China claims almost all the South Obama to hold its leadership to account over ferently than the United States does free and fair elections “because citi- that “hearts can change.” China Sea and has rattled neighbours what activists call an abysmal treat- ... But there are these basic principles zens know that their voices count and Earlier yesterday, Obama met with with a series of reclamation and con- ment of government critics. that I think we all have to try to work that peaceful change is possible. And six activists, including a pastor and struction projects -- including airstrips Nations are more successful when on and improve.” it brings new people into the system,” advocates for the disabled and sex- -- on reefs and islets. Vietnam and four people can freely express themselves, Freedom of expression is where Obama said. ual minorities. He said several others other countries also have claims to AP assemble without harassment and new ideas happen, Obama said. Obama also traced the trans- were prevented from coming. “Viet- parts of the sea.The United States takes access the Internet and social media, “That’s how a Facebook starts. That’s formation of the US-Vietnamese nam has made remarkable strides in no position on the competing territorial Obama said. how some of our greatest companies relationship, from wartime enemies to many ways,” Obama said, but “there claims but asserts freedom of naviga- “Upholding these rights is not a began.” cooperation. He said the governments are still areas of significant concern.” tion and flights in the sea and has sent VIETNAM: US President Barack threat to stability but actually rein- Journalists and bloggers can are working more closely together Obama also referred in the speech warships near Chinese-held islets. Obama yesterday pressed Vietnam forces stability and is the foundation “shine a light on injustice or abuse” than ever before on a range of issues. to China’s growing aggression in the “As we go forward the United States to allow greater freedoms for its citi- of progress,” Obama told the audi- when they are allowed to operate free “Now we can say something region, something that worries many will continue to fly, sail and operate zens, arguing that better human rights ence of more than 2,000, including of government interference or intim- that was once unimaginable: Today, in Vietnam, which has territorial dis- wherever international law allows and would improve the communist coun- government officials and students idation, he added. Vietnam and the Unites States are putes in the South China Sea with we will support the right of all coun- try’s economy, stability and regional from five universities across the And, stability is encouraged when partners,” he said, adding that their Beijing. tries to do the same,” Obama said. Nine men charged Malian seeks pardon for razing of Timbuktu after Kenya protest turns violent AFP in The Hague at a joint hearing and 40, had told his defence lawyer, sentencing due to be held in the com- Mohamed Aouini, he was “a Muslim ing months. He stands accused of who believes in justice.” Reuters jointly ordering or carrying out the “He wants to be truthful to him- THE HAGUE: A Malian jihadist will destruction of nine mausoleums and self and he wants to admit the acts seek forgiveness from his people for a section of Timbuktu’s famous Sidi that he has committed. And he wants attacking the world heritage site of Yahia mosque, a Unesco-protected to ask at the same time for pardon NAIROBI: A Kenyan court charged Timbuktu when he pleads guilty at an world heritage site dating back to the from the people of Timbuktu and the nine men yesterday for their role in unprecedented case before an inter- 15th and 16th centuries. Malian people,” Aouini said. a protest against an electoral over- national war crimes court, his lawyer Mahdi is the first jihadist suspect “He regrets all the actions that he sight body, a lawyer said, after the said yesterday. to appear before the ICC and the first has committed,” Aouini added. fourth flare-up on the streets in a Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi will person to be solely charged with war Mahdi will admit a single charge month drew criticism from inter- become the first person to admit to crimes for an attack on a global his- of “the war crime of attacking build- national donors. war crimes charges before the Inter- toric and cultural monument. ings dedicated to religion and historic A 33-month-old black rhino seen at a game reserve near Cape Town, In Monday’s protest, a dem- national Criminal Court (ICC) based Mahdi, who is aged around monuments” in 2012. South Africa. onstrator in the western city of Kisumu died from an injury while running away, the police said. Newspapers had reported three SA govt mulls judgment dead, but a government spokes- Marine wonders man denied the higher casualty figure. Police denied using live allowing rhino horn trade ammunition. Dozens of people have been arrested in protests that began on Reuters or making the issuing of permits - April 25 and have been held on vir- required to buy, sell or possess rhino tually even Monday since then. horn - so onerous that the domestic “We are deeply concerned by trade is effectively stifled, officials the escalation of violence during JOHANNESBURG: South Afri- have said off the record. the demonstrations in Kenyan cit- ca’s department of environmental It was not clear if the department ies,” ambassadors from the United affairs said yesterday it would study could lodge a final appeal with the States, Britain and other Western and respond later to a court ruling Constitutional Court. nations said. last week which dismissed its bid The court action was initi- In a statement, they called for to uphold a seven-year ban on the ated by private rhino ranchers and an investigation into the use of domestic trade in rhino horn. associations. “excessive force” by the security The decision has no bearing on a According to the latest figures services and urged protesters to ban on international trade in rhino from South Africa’s Private Rhino act peacefully. horn. Potential domestic buyers Owners Association, about 6,200 After last week’s demonstra- could include those who see rhino rhinos are in private hands, about tion, a senior police officer said horn as a store of wealth that could a third of the national population. there would be an investigation appreciate in value and those who Rhino horn can be harvested as to see if there had been any vio- want it as a decoration. it grows back and it can be removed lations by police. “The Minister of Environmental from a tranquilised animal. The demonstrators want the Affairs is considering the implica- Supporters of rhino horn trade Independent Electoral and Bound- tions of the judgment and will brief say the money earned could be used aries Commission (IEBC) to be the public in due course,” the depart- for conservation. Opponents counter scrapped, saying it is not impartial The iconic giant Australian cuttlefish at the world-renowned breeding ground in South Australia’s ment said in a statement. that a legal trade could tempt poach- and cannot oversee fair presiden- Possibilities open to the depart- ers who kill rhinos to launder their tial and parliamentary elections Spencer Gulf. The picture was provided by the University of Adelaide yesterday. ment include changing legislation “blood” horns with clean supplies. due in August 2017. Cambodia takes solace from plough ceremony amid worst drought

Reuters ceremonial furrow in Siem Reap province, the affected,” Keo Vy said, adding that the extent two cows ate 90 percent of three out of seven of the damages was not yet known. snacks on offer in ornate bowls. Last year’s exports of 530,000 tonnes were Each year, based on the oxen’s choice of well below the target of 1 million tonnes, partly PHNOM PENH: As the worst drought in half crops and the amount the animals eat, the because of drought but also due to a lack of a century delays rice planting in Cambodia, a Royal Palace astrologers forecast coming har- finance for millers and a global supply glut. pair of oxen yesterday delved into rice, corn vests and pray for regular rainfall. This year shipments could be 10 percent and bean bowls at an annual ploughing cere- “The harvest of rice will be good,” Brah- lower again, said Kann Kunthy, chief execu- mony in an omen for good harvests for those min priest Korng Ken, dressed in traditional tive of rice miller Brico, adding that farmers crops in the year ahead. white robes, announced over loud speakers desperately need rain by July. Annual rains have come late to Cambodia, at the ceremony. Kunthy said that the industry was also exacerbating the drought and forcing farmers But rains so far this month have been insuf- concerned about the danger of floods after to wait before planting this year’s crop of rice. ficient for farmers to start planting rice, said the drought. International forecasters see the Exports of Asia’s staple are expected to fall Keo Vy, a spokesman for the National Center arrival of La Nina weather pattern increasingly well short of the 530,000 tonnes shipped in for Disaster Management (NCDM). likely this year. That typically brings more rain 2015, further exacerbating a tightening rice Authorities have had to truck water sup- to the region. market as drought has also hit top rice export- plies to 18 of Cambodia’s 25 provinces, with “Farmers are not able to grow rice because ers India and Thailand. some 2.5 million people affected by the of the drought and normally when it ends, there Cambodians during the Royal Ploughing Ceremony procession near Bayon temple Watched by Cambodia’s King Norodom drought, he said. will be floods so this is another big concern,” in Siem Reap province, yesterday. Sihamoni, and a crowd of thousands in the “We know that the harvests and exports are Kunthy said. PAKISTAN WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 13 Taliban struggle to select Mansour’s successor

senior Taliban source in northwest months after he was elevated to the Pakistan said. leadership following a bitter power Two main contenders “Mansour’s deputy and opera- struggle upon Mullah Omar’s death. have backed out of tional head of the Haqqani network, “The main challenge is to save the Sirajuddin Haqqani, has also refused Taliban movement from being further the leadership race. due to personal reasons.” divided,” another Taliban source said, That development will compli- adding that supreme council members cate the job of the Taliban’s supreme were constantly changing the venue council, which has been holding of their meetings to avoid potential AFP emergency meetings since Sunday air strikes. “It will take time to reach a at an undisclosed location in Paki- consensus for the leadership position.” stan to find a unifying figure for the Other candidates in the fray leadership post. include Mullah Abdul Ghani Bara- KABUL: The Afghan Taliban are “If the Taliban want to bring dar, the movement’s former deputy struggling to find a successor to slain unity in their movement, only Yak- who is said to be close to the Paki- chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour, mili- oub can bring all factions together stani military establishment. tant sources said yesterday, with one and be accepted by all groups,” Tali- He was jailed by Pakistan in 2010 saying the two main contenders have ban expert Rahimullah Yousafzai said. but freed in September 2013 as part backed out of the leadership race. “He is young, uncontroversial and of efforts to boost Afghanistan’s peace Mullah Yakoub, the son of Taliban a unifying figure because he is the son process. He has since been reported founder Mullah Omar, and Sirajud- of the movement’s founder Mullah to be under house arrest by Pakistani Demonstrators shout slogans during a protest in Multan yesterday against the US drone strike in Balochistan. din Haqqani, an implacable foe of US Omar... whereas Haqqani’s appoint- authorities. forces, were seen as the two front- ment would be a huge provocation to Mullah Adbul Qayyum Zakir, runners for the job after Mansour the US.” considered one of the group’s most top commanders refused to pledge The complicated search for his through a very crucial stage. We need was killed Saturday in a rare Ameri- The insurgents have yet to offi- violent and committed commanders, allegiance to him, saying the process successor risks igniting a new succes- a conciliator not a warrior to take his can drone strike deep inside Pakistan. cially confirm Mansour’s killing, is another leading contender. to select him was rushed and biased sion battle within the Taliban, which place,” one of the Taliban sources said, “Yakoub has refused to accept the which has thrown the deeply fac- When Mansour was formally as they accused him of keeping Mul- saw its first formal split last year. citing some of the commanders at the role, saying he is too young for it,” a tionalised Taliban into disarray nine elected leader in July last year, many lah Omar’s death secret for two years. “The Taliban movement is passing supreme council meeting. Islamabad says can’t confirm Taliban leader’s death Taliban shadow governor in Reuters posed “specific, imminent threats” the Taliban leader or someone else. Pakistan and the United States to US troops in Afghanistan. Khan criticised US statements have been uneasy allies in the war Helmand dead Pakistani Interior Minis- that the drone strike, which he said against Islamist militants in the ter Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told hit a car on Pakistani soil but was region. ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s interior reporters that the body recov- fired “from another country”, was US critics accuse Pakistan Reuters minister said yesterday he could ered near the Afghan border was justified because Mansour was of allowing the Afghan Taliban’s not confirm that Afghan Taliban charred beyond recognition, adding plotting attacks. leadership to take shelter on its leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour had that DNA samples would be tested “For the US government to say territory, something that Islama- been killed in a US drone strike, against a relative who had come that whoever is a threat to them will bad has denied. LASHKAR GAH: A senior Tali- and described Washington’s justi- forward to claim the body. be targeted wherever they are, that The militant movement has ban leader identified by Afghan fication for the attack as “against “The government of Pakistan is against international law. made territorial gains and car- authorities as a shadow governor international law”. cannot announce this without a sci- “This could have serious ried out a series of deadly attacks of the southern province of Hel- US President Barack Obama entific and legal basis,” Khan told a implications for the Pakistan-US across Afghanistan since Nato mand has been killed by security said on Monday that Mansour had news briefing. relationship,” Khan said, add- forces officially wound down their forces, officials said yesterday, been killed in the drone attack, and The Interior Minister did not ing that decisions would be made combat mission at the end of 2014, although the Taliban immediately Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan the Pentagon said separately that identify the relative or say whether once Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif undermining the Western-backed denied the report. The report came attends a news conference in Islamabad. Mansour was plotting attacks that he or she claimed to be related to returned from abroad. government in Kabul. days after Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed by a US airstrike in Pakistan. Omar Zwak, a spokesman for Roadside bombing the provincial governor of Hel- Consumer confidence score hits record high mand, said Mullah Muzamel had died of injuries sustained during in Kandahar an air strike in Marjah district late on Sunday. “First he was wounded leaves five dead Internews (64 percent) would be good or excel- intentions rose by one point (42 per- consumers in 63 countries throughout and later that night he died of his lent in the next 12 months — a rise of cent) from the previous quarter. Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, wounds,” Zwak said. four percentage points from the pre- Pakistan’s improved business envi- the Middle East/Africa and North Interior ministry spokesman KABUL: An Afghan official says vious quarter. ronment and positive consumer America. The sample includes Inter- Sediq Sediqqi said in a tweet that at least five civilians were killed ISLAMABAD: Pakistan started the “We have witnessed consumer sentiments have led to a favourable net users who agreed to participate in Muzamel had been killed in a spe- when their vehicle hit a road- year with a consumer confidence confidence going around the same atmosphere as depicted by the con- this survey and has quotas based on cial forces operation along with side bomb in southern Kandahar score of 104 for the first quar- range in the past year, with the index sumer confidence index. age and sex for each country. two of his commanders. However, province. ter reaching its highest level since consistently reported being above When asked about spending pat- The Nielsen survey is based only Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, a Taliban Samim Khpolwak, the gov- 2008, according to consumer confi- the optimism baseline, as Pakistan terns, more respondents admitted to on the behaviour of respondents with spokesman for southern Afghan- ernor’s spokesman, says the dence findings from Nielsen released economic reform progress and secu- have changed their spending patterns online access. Nielsen uses a mini- istan, denied the report. explosion, which took place in yesterday. It said that the consumer rity conditions improve, resulting in to cut down on household expenses mum reporting standard of 60% The shadow governor for Hel- Shah Wali Kot district early yes- confidence level is moving on a steady an increase of foreign investment. compared to last year (74 percent in Internet penetration or an online mand’s name is Haji Mullah Abdul terday, also wounded four people. stride since Q3, 2014, reporting a one- Pakistan is a key beneficiary of low Q1, 2016 against 66 percent in Q4, population of 10 million for survey Manan Akhund and he is safe, he No group has claimed respon- point increase from Q4, 2015 and a global oil prices, due to its high level 2015); spending less on new clothes, inclusion. said. “No official has been killed sibility for the attack. Kandahar is two-point increase from a year ago. of oil import which has led to a low out-of-home entertainment and new The China Consumer Confidence or wounded in Helmand,” he said. regarded by the Taliban as their According to the survey, reces- inflation environment thus allow- technology items, while putting more Index is compiled from a separate Helmand, the region that heartland. sionary sentiment has lessened ing consumers to benefit from low of the extra cash into savings as the mixed methodology survey among supplies the largest share of It had been largely peaceful for from 71 percent (Q4, 2015) to 69 per- domestic petrol prices, low inter- concerns for safety and future well- 3,500 respondents in China. The sub- Afghanistan’s crop, has seen some years until a recent resur- cent (Q1, 2016) and one in every two est rates and a reduced electricity being of their family increases. Saharan African countries in this months of bitter fighting and much gence in insurgent violence. The respondents is optimistic about their bill,” said Nielsen Pakistan Manag- Conducted in March 2016, the study are compiled from a separate of the province is under Taliban Taliban have set up many provin- job prospects in the next 12 months. ing Director Mustafa Moosajee. Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer mobile methodology survey among control but government forces cial “shadow” administrations Six in every 10 Pakistani respondents The findings also showed that Confidence and Spending Inten- 1,600 respondents in Ghana, Kenya have launched an offensive to mirroring the government. were confident that personal finances consumers’ immediate spending tions polled more than 30,000 online and Nigeria. retake lost ground.

Polio vaccination drive Five naval officers sentenced to death for Karachi shipyard attack

AFP four other officers the death penalty him in prison. for charges such as having links with “My son was denied the right to the Islamic State group (IS), mutiny, a fair trial,” he said. hatching a conspiracy and carrying Ahmed’s lawyer Inam-ur-Rahim ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has sen- weapons in the dockyard,” said Saeed said that his client was preparing to tenced to death five naval officers for Ahmed, a retired army major and file an appeal but so far had not been their involvement in a deadly attack father of one of the convicted men, given documentation relating to the on a Karachi dockyard in 2014, the sub-lieutenant Hammad Ahmed. case by the military court, including father of one of the men and their The alleged ties to IS contra- the charge sheet. lawyer said yesterday. dicts the Pakistani Taliban’s claim When contacted for comment, a The September 2014 attack on of responsibility at the time. senior navy official did not explicitly the Pakistan Navy Shipyard (PNS) Al Qaeda’s then newly-formed confirm the sentences or whether a Zulfiqar left one Pakistani officer South Asia chapter also claimed trial had taken place, but said: “Such and three attackers dead, while seven responsibility. actions were part of the National sailors were wounded. Al Qaeda and the Pakistani Tali- Action Plan (NAP) to purge the coun- Reports in Pakistan’s Dawn and ban have carried out joint operations try of terrorists.” the Wall Street Journal later said the for years, but both are hostile to the Pakistan launched a countrywide militants wanted to hijack a frigate in Islamic State group which is an campaign against militancy called Police guard Polio vaccination team, during a three-day vaccination campaign in Karachi, yesterday. order to attack US Navy patrol ves- upstart in the region. the National Action Plan starting in Pakistan is one of the last two countries, along with Afghanistan, where polio is still endemic, meaning sels in the northwest Indian Ocean. Ahmed added his son was con- 2015 after a deadly Taliban attack on infections occur within the local population or within a particular area. “My son has informed me that victed on April 12 but he only became a Peshawar school left more than 150 a naval court has awarded him and aware of it last week when he visited people — mostly children — dead. 14 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 INDIA

CBI questions Air ambulance makes emergency landing Uttarakhand CM over sting video IANS identified as Bhagwan Rai, 60, received injuries and was rushed IANS to Rao Tula Ram Memorial hospi- tal, where his condition is stated to NEW DELHI: An air ambulance be stable. NEW DELHI: The CBI yesterday coming from Patna with seven peo- “Bhagwan had received minor questioned Uttarakhand Chief ple, including a brain haemorrhage abrasion on his head and some inju- Minister Harish Rawat for about patient, on board, had to make a ries on his thighs. He is stable and five hours in an alleged political forced landing in a field on Delhi’s is being treated. He will be referred horse-trading case, in the wake outskirts, after both of its engines to Medanta hospital soon,” Rao Tula of a “sting” video showing him failed. The aviation regulator has Ram Memorial Hospital’s chief med- offering bribes to buy legislative ordered a probe into the incident. ical officer Neha Martolia said. support in the assembly. He is The air ambulance - a six-seater Martolia said that other people likely to be called again. Beechcraft’s King Air C-90A aircraft travelling in the aircraft are safe and Rawat reached the Central (VT-EQO) was only around nine kil- have been taken to Medanta hospi- Bureau of Investigation office ometres away from Delhi airport, tal in Gurgaon. here around 11.15am and was when the engine malfunction led it Apart from Bhagwan, Virender questioned around five hours, an to instead landing near Najafgarh vil- Rai (patient), pilot Amit, co-pilot official said. lage in west Delhi at around 2.40pm. Rohit, Rupesh (doctor), woman “Rawat could not furnish full An airport official said that pilots attendant Juhi and Jain Bahadur and complete detail on many were in constant touch with the ATC (technician) were travelling in the issues. He will be called again for (air traffic control) and had requested aircraft which was being operated questioning,” the official said. permission for an emergency landing. by Alchemist Airways Pvt. Ltd. The “sting operation” video Bystanders and emergency personnel gather around the wreckage of an aircraft which crash-landed in a “However, moments afterwards, According to Minister of State showed Rawat offering money to the turboprop aircraft had to make a for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma, field on the outskirts of New Delhi, yesterday. rebel Congress lawmakers to win forced landing when it was only nine the aviation regulator had ordered their support ahead of a March 28 kilometres away from the runway a probe into the incident and a team has been taken over by the specialised “Now that the probe has been actually occurred, what were the floor test in the 70-member Utta- number 10 of the Indira Gandhi Inter- from DGCA was sent to the spot to arm of the ministry -- the Aircraft ordered, a team led by DGCA offi- responses of the crew during the rakhand house. The floor test national Airport,” the official said. investigate. Accidents Investigation Bureau cials will carry out full investigations crisis,” Kanu Gohain, former direc- never happened as the state came One of the seven occupants, The investigation into the incident (AAIB)., it was reported. into the matter -- on how the incident tor general of the DGCA, said. under President’s Rule.

Kanpur receives Outdated laws record 31mm Ordinance will give NEET rainfall in a day statutory status: Nadda in use to silence IANS

IANS held in December will be conducted will be conducting their own exam- LUCKNOW: A 76-year-old record under NEET. “Government of India ination to induct students to medical dissent: HRW was broken in Kanpur yester- was always in favour of NEET and, colleges. day when the city received 31 in fact, it was the Ministry of Health Nadda said that all private med- mm rainfall in a single day in the NEW DELHI: As President Pranab and Family Welfare that had gone for ical colleges will come under the month of May. Mukherjee signed an ordinance a review petition. ambit of NEET. “All private institu- “Putting critics in prison or even The rains came in after a dust on the National Eligibility-cum- There were a lot of hurdles in the tions and medical colleges will come forcing them to defend themselves storm late on Monday night and Entrance Test (NEET) yesterday, way and there were many parties to under the ambit of NEET. The state India’s abusive laws in lengthy and expensive court carried well into the day. union Health Minister JP Nadda said the issue. But we got it cleared and we governments will get an option to are the hallmark proceedings undermines the gov- Met officials said this was this will provide it a statutory status. want the NEET to be implemented,” either conduct their own exam or ernment’s efforts to present India as the highest rainfall the city has The ordinance exempts certain Nadda said. go for NEET to fill UG (under-grad- of a repressive a modern country in the Internet age received in a single day in the state boards from the ambit of the “State governments wanted uate) seats. society, not a vibrant committed to free speech and the month of May in more than seven NEET for a year. The exempted states exemption and the issues were However, for PG (post-graduate) rule of law.” decades. The rains came as a include Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra related to parity of syllabus and courses, the exam will be held under democracy: HRW The report says the law on sedi- blessing for the farmers and the Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Mahar- option of giving exam in regional lan- NEET for 2017-18 session, in Decem- tion, which prohibits anything that common people as it brought down ashtra and Punjab. guages,” the minister added. ber this year,” Nadda said. can trigger “hatred or contempt” for temperatures drastically. Addressing a press conference Officials from the health min- “The states will have an option. the government and carries a max- Following the rains, the min- here, the health minister said while istry informed IANS that five states Approximately five states have AFP imum punishment of life in prison, imum temperature dropped from the states will be able to hold the -- Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, undertaken their test. About 6.5 lakh is among the most abused. Convic- 29 degrees Celsius to 19 degrees under-graduate medical entrance Kerala and Tripura -- have conveyed candidates have appeared in various tions are rare, but the Indian judicial Celsius. exams, the post-graduate exams to be to the central government that they state exams,” he added. system is notoriously slow and those NEW DELHI: India routinely uses charged can spend months or even outdated and loosely worded laws years in jail awaiting trial. to crack down on dissent, Human In 2012, police in the southern Rights Watch said yesterday, urging state of Tamil Nadu filed sedition the government to repeal or amend complaints against thousands of Sonowal sworn in as Assam’s first BJP CM legislation used to stifle free speech. people who peacefully protested A new report from the group the construction of a nuclear power details the use of colonial-era plant. IANS Party (BJP) last year and is largely “Our job doesn’t end at voting. laws such as sedition and criminal In 2014 -- the most recent year credited for its huge electoral victory For development it is important the defamation to clamp down on gov- for which figures are available -- 47 that dislodged 15 years of the Con- people work with the government ernment critics in the world’s biggest sedition cases were registered across gress rule in the northeastern state. together,” Modi said. democracy. the country and just one person was GUWAHATI: Sarbananda Sonowal Assam Governor P.B. Acharya The prime minister promised It comes months after the arrest convicted, according to the gov- (pictured) was yesterday sworn in as administered the oath of office and that the central “will always try to of Indian student leader Kanhaiya ernment’s National Crime Records the first BJP chief minister of Assam secrecy to Sonowal, formerly min- stay ahead, even if by a step, than the Kumar on a controversial sedition Bureau. at a massive public meeting that ister of state for youth affairs and Assam government” for the develop- charge sparked major protests and a The HRW report also says a was also attended by Prime Minister sports at the centre, and his council ment of the state. nationwide debate over free speech. law criminalising the deliberate Narendra Modi and his senior cabi- of ministers. The ceremony, also attended by “India’s abusive laws are the wounding of religious feelings has net and party colleagues. Modi addressed the gathering BJP president Amit Shah and veteran hallmark of a repressive society, not had a “chilling effect” on freedom Sonowal, 53, took the oath along after the oath ceremony which turned leader LK Advani, was held at the a vibrant democracy,” said Meen- of expression in India and has led with Himanta Biswa Sarma, the into the BJP’s show of strength on the sprawling Khanapara rally ground in akshi Ganguly, HRW’s South Asia to self-censorship by authors, art- former Congress strongman who first days of its first government in the city that was turned saffron with director, in a statement. ists and publishers. crossed over to the Bharatiya Janata the state. BJP flags fluttering all over.

Escaping baton US official: India has addressed nuclear liability concerns

Reuters nuclear energy capacity dramatically are going to be individual determi- as part of a broader push to move nations that companies are going to away from fossil fuels, cut green- have to make,” she said. Some com- house gas emissions and avoid the panies are moving into the market. WASHINGTON: A US State Depart- dangerous effects of climate change. The chief executive of Toshiba Corp’s ment official assured lawmakers India was shut out of the nuclear Westinghouse Electric said in March yesterday that India has addressed trade for decades because of its he expected to sign a deal in June to concerns over liability that had for weapons program. A 2008 agreement build six nuclear reactors in India. years kept US corporations from with the United States gave it access Senator Edward Markey ques- signing nuclear power contracts in to foreign suppliers without giving up tioned Biswal on whether India had the country. arms primarily meant as a deterrent met the requirements to join the “We believe that the steps that against nuclear-armed China. Nuclear Suppliers Group, which is India has taken have addressed by But hopes that US nuclear reactor dedicated to curbing nuclear arms and large the key concerns that have manufacturers would get billions of proliferation by controlling the been in place,” Assistant Secretary dollars of new business evaporated export and re-transfer of materials of State for South and Central Asian after India adopted a law in 2010 giv- that could foster nuclear weapons Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal told the ing the state-run Nuclear Power Corp development. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. of India Ltd (NPCIL) the right to seek Diplomats quietly launched a new She also said the United States damages from suppliers in the event push last year to induct India into the A policeman uses a baton to disperse demonstrators during a protest by government employees supported India joining the Nuclear of an accident. group, which would carry the risk of demanding their long pending arrears and a regularisation of their temporary jobs, according to Suppliers Group, a 48-member group Biswal declined to say that all US antagonizing Pakistan as well as its protesters, in Srinagar, yesterday. of nuclear trading nations. companies would now be comfort- ally, China. Beijing could veto any India wants to increase its able doing business in India. “Those application by India. EUROPE / UK WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 15

British expats lose bid to Prince Charles in Ireland vote in EU referendum

vote to leave the European Union The campaign for Britain to next month, the prime minister said leave the EU said the finance min- British expats who yesterday in the latest in a string of istry report was biased because it have lived abroad for warnings of the impact of Brexit on provided nothing on the upside of family finances. leaving the bloc, nor on the poten- more than 15 years Britain’s finance ministry said tial negative consequences of a crisis will not be able to on Monday that a “leave” vote could in the euro zone. cause an immediate drop in the The “Remain” camp holds a vote in next month’s value of the pound by 12 percent, 13-point lead over “Leave” rivals in EU referendum. resulting in higher costs for food Britain’s EU referendum campaign, and drink and accommodation for after winning support for the first families travelling overseas. time from a majority of men, those Analysis showed that on average, aged over 65 and Conservative voters, Agencies after two years, a four-person fam- according to a poll from ORB pub- ily would spend £230 more during an lished in yesterday’s edition of the eight-night holiday in Europe after Telegraph newspaper. Brexit, the prime minister said. The poll found that those who LONDON: British expats who have “All the evidence points to the definitely plan to vote, support for lived abroad for more than 15 years value of the pound falling after a remaining in the union stood at 55 will not be able to vote in next vote to leave the EU,” Cameron said percent, while that for Brexit was at Britain’s Prince Charles (centre) arrives for reopening of a church in Portaferry, Northern Ireland, month’s EU referendum, the Supreme yesterday. “A weaker pound means 42 percent. The three voter groups of yesterday. Prince Charles is on a three-day trip to Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Court ruled yesterday. people’s hard-earned savings won’t men, older people and Tory supporters A case was brought by Harry go as far on holidays overseas. had all favoured leaving the European Shindler, a 95-year-old Briton who “The choice facing the British Union when they were surveyed in has lived in Italy for 35 years, and Jac- people on 23 June is increasingly March, the newspaper said, but a quelyn MacLennan, 54, a resident of clear: the certainty and economic majority of each now backed “Remain”. Google’s Paris Belgium since 1987. security of remaining in the EU, or Pensioners, previously consid- They argued that the ban on peo- a leap in the dark that would raise ered to be the most reliable Brexit UK’s anti-fracking offices searched ple who have lived abroad for more prices - including the cost of a family supporters, now narrowly favoured than 15 years from voting in the June holiday.” Cameron said on Monday that staying in the union the survey 23 referendum was unlawful. The a vote for Brexit could cause a reces- found, with 52 percent of the over- in tax fraud probe 15-year limit applies to all elections sion, a tumble in the value of the pound 65s intending to vote to “Remain” and groups to fight on in Britain. and the loss of half a million jobs. 44 percent backing “Leave”. But their case was rejected by five AFP judges at the Supreme Court after a lengthy legal battle which took their AFP The declaration was backed bid up through the English legal sys- by local campaigners against the PARIS: French police searched the tem over recent months. scheme near the market town of Paris offices of US Internet giant “It is not arguable that there is Pickering in North Yorkshire. Google yesterday as part of a tax an interference with the right to free LONDON: Campaigners in Britain A spokeswoman for Friends of fraud investigation, a police source movement,” said Brenda Hale, one yesterday said they would take their the Earth said there were no firm said. French authorities believe of the five judges and the Supreme fight against fracking national after plans for protests at this stage but Google owes €1.6bn ($1.7bn) in Court’s deputy president. the first scheme since 2011 was given added they were looking into “all back taxes, a source close to the “We do have considerable sym- the green light. our options” for possible legal action. matter said in February. pathy for the situation in which The move came after a project The project, which will involve Google is one of several mul- the applicants find themselves. We to extract shale gas near the North fracking using an existing well two tinational corporations that have understand that this is something that York Moors National Park in north- 3.2 km deep, was the first to be come under fire in Europe for concerns them deeply, but we cannot ern England was given the go-ahead approved in Britain since 2011. paying extremely low taxes by discern a legal basis for challenging by local councillors. Then, operations at a previous shifting revenue across borders this statute.” Fracking at the site is expected project on the northwest English in an often complex web of finan- While it was not clear how many to go ahead in November or Decem- coast in Lancashire triggered trem- cial arrangements. people the ruling would affect, some ber, when weather is cold and fewer ors in the area. Its European operations are 130,000 British citizens living abroad protestors are expected to show up. A moratorium on fracking was headquartered in Ireland, which have applied to register to vote in the “Today we resolve to continue subsequently imposed, though this has some of the lowest corporate referendum since March, according to fight to remain free from frack- was lifted by Prime Minister David tax rates in the region. to the Electoral Commission. ing, to protect our communities, our Cameron’s government in 2012. Google France received a beautiful countryside, our air and A string of other applications for “notification” of the investigation Holiday costs to Europe water, and to protect the future of fracking projects around the country, back in March 2014, which did not could rise: Cameron the planet,” said a “People’s Decla- including two other sites in Lanca- give any precise figures. Meanwhile, British Prime Min- ration” issued by campaign group shire and two in Nottinghamshire, It has been raided by French ister David Cameron said the cost Friends of the Earth. “We ask peo- central England, are reportedly authorities before, in June 2011, of a family holiday to Europe could British Prime Minister David Cameron delivers a speech campaigning ple across the country to join us by under consideration by planning during an investigation into trans- rise by up to £230 ($333) if Britons to stay in the EU at Luton Airport, north of London, yesterday. supporting this declaration.” authorities. fers to its Irish headquarters. Rome suspects mafia of rigging exam for prison guard Cops fire water cannon

Reuters Naples, based where a company the ministry for clarity” after cheat- have been several criminal investi- printed the exams, may have got hold ing was discovered, he said. gations in recent years, including into at protesters in Brussels of the answers and tried to get its own In Italy, where youth unemploy- tests for a university professorship people inside a prison system that is ment has been about 40 percent for and to be a traffic policeman. ROME: For nearly 8,000 young Ital- holding 7,000 gang members, includ- three years and full-time staff jobs In a square near the Justice Min- AFP marred a mass rally against reforms ians hungry for work, the state exam ing some 700 bosses, prosecutors say. are nearly impossible to find, the istry in Rome yesterday, dozens of announced by Michel just after he last month for just 400 jobs as prison The mafia clan is also thought to exam sheds light on some of woes people in their 20s who took the test came to power in 2014. guards was a fiasco. For the mafia, it have sold the answers to other appli- that have long afflicted the economy: in April, as well as Sappe members, Three main unions oppose pro- may have been a great opportunity, cants for as much as €25,000. widespread corruption, pervasive blew whistles, waved flags and sang BRUSSELS: Belgian police fired posed reforms from Employment prosecutors in Rome say. The Rome court would not give mafia influence, a lack of meritoc- the national anthem, demanding that water-cannon during clashes with Minister Kris Peeters allowing They are now investigating wide- details of investigation but Justice racy and a rigid labour market. the government immediately hire protesters at a huge demonstration employers to impose a more flexi- spread and organised cheating, with Ministry wants to nullify the exam “Unfortunately, those who 1,000 new guards. in Brussels yesterday against the ble work week of up to 45 hours if 88 people caught wearing bracelets results. “It’s shameful,” Donato deserve jobs often do not get them,” “I would be proud to wear a uni- centre-right government’s auster- needed, followed by shorter weeks or mobile phone covers carrying Capece, general secretary of Italy’s said Mina, one of the 1,400 women to form for the state,” Mario, 25, said. ity measures, an eyewitness said. to retain the principle of the 38-hour answers to the test, or with radio biggest union for penitentiary work- take the prison guard exam. “We don’t “But it’s also a question of finding A group of around 100 masked work week. transmitters and earpieces thought ers, Sappe, said of the possible rigging get to have dreams for the future.” a job because it’s very difficult in protesters broke away from the “I am here to protest against to have been used to pipe in answers. of the exam. Cheating in exams for public jobs Italy to find employment and have peaceful main rally of around all the measures that this right- The Camorra mafia north of “We were the first ones to ask is not uncommon in Italy, and there a future.” 60,000 people in the Belgian cap- wing government is taking. They ital and started hurling objects and are attacking workers, pensioners firecrackers at riot police, they said. and the unemployed,” Michel Beis, Officers then drove them back a trade union member taking part Swedish foreign with jets of water from three cannon. in the peaceful rally said before the Poland begins logging primeval The protest is supposed to kick violence broke out. minister cleared off months of planned demonstra- “We are going backwards,” tions and national strikes led by added Jacques Warnier, a protester in graft probe forest despite activist pleas trade unions against the policies from the town of Liege. Former of Prime Minister Charles Michel’s socialist prime minister Elio di Rupo government. was among the crowd of protesters, STOCKHOLM: A Swedish anti-cor- Security had been tight amid who wore red, green and blue tops ruption prosecutor said yesterday he AFP the beetle’s presence does not pose any ashes of 40 metres, also flourish in fears of a repeat of the violence that in the colours of the main unions. closed an inquiry into Foreign Min- threat to the forest’s ecosystem. an ecosystem unspoiled for more ister Margot Wallstrom, concluding “The minister does not under- than 10,000 years. no crime was committed when she stand that this insect is a frequent The government has vowed that obtained a Stockholm rental apart- WARSAW: Poland yesterday began and natural visitor, that it has always logging would not happen in the pro- ment from a union. a logging project aimed at protect- existed and the forest has managed tected areas of the forest, which was Special prosecutor Alf Johans- ing the Bialowieza forest, which to survive,” said Greenpeace Poland designated a UNESCO World Herit- son opened a preliminary inquiry includes some of Europe’s last pri- activist Katarzyna Jagiello. age site in 1979. in January after daily newspa- meval woodland, despite protests Bialowieza, one of the last ves- Tomaszewski told reporters that per Aftonbladet revealed details from environmental groups, scien- tiges of the immense forest, covers as well as safeguarding the forest, about the apartment obtained by tists and the EU. around 370,650 acres in Poland and the operation launched yesterday Wallstrom, a 61-year-old Social National forest director Konrad Belarus. It is home to 20,000 animal will also protect tourists and rang- Democrat and the undisputed star Tomaszewski said the goal was “to species, including 250 types of bird ers from harm by cutting down trees of the government. stop forest degradation” by combat- and hundreds of European bison. that risk falling on trails. The influential municipal ing what the environment ministry In Belarus the entire forest is pro- The environment ministry previ- workers’ union Kommunal had says is a spruce bark beetle infestation. tected as a nature park, but only part ously said loggers will harvest more allowed the minister to move into a But several environmental groups of the Polish section is protected. than 1806.4 million cubic feet of rent-stabilised apartment, bypass- including Greenpeace have taken issue Europe’s tallest trees, firs tow- wood from non-protected areas of Demonstrators, protesting against government reforms and cost- ing a queue for ordinary tenants. with the government’s rationale, saying ering 160 feet high, and oaks and the forest over a decade. cutting measures, march in central Brussels, yesterday. 16 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 EUROPE

Serbian premier Vucic promises French govt breaks blockades new-style govt

to lift the blockade, part of a three- month campaign of strikes against Reuters With a fifth of the labour reforms. country’s 12,000 Adding to the pressure on the government, hundreds of thousands BELGRADE: Serbian Prime Min- petrol stations either of football fans are expected to travel ister Aleksandar Vucic promised dry or running low to France for the month-long Euro- a more open style of government on fuel, President pean football championships, which yesterday, saying he would meet begin on June 10. citizens as early as 5 am to hear Francois Hollande Hollande said he could respect their concerns and offering to talk vows not to let the legitimate claims from the unions. But to all political parties as he pre- that did not mean he could accept a pares to form an administration. activists hold France deadlock “brought about by a minor- Vucic’s Serbian Progressive hostage. ity”, he told France Culture radio. Party (SNS) won nearly 50 per- Valls called on the CGT union, cent of votes in general election, which is leading the action in protest securing 131 seats in the 250-seat at labour reforms that it believes are parliament and enabling him to AFP too pro-business, to act responsibly. continue as prime minister for a “To take consumers, our econ- second four-year term. omy, our industry hostage in this “I will invite all (political par- way—to continue actions aimed at ties) for talks about Serbia’s future PARIS: France’s government stepped getting the draft law withdrawn—is next week,” Vucic said, adding that up efforts yesterday to break block- not democratic,” he added, speak- a final decision on potential coali- ades and strikes at refineries that are ing during an official visit to Israel. tion partners would be taken at an threatening to paralyse the country A few hours earlier, riot police SNS board meeting on Saturday. just three weeks ahead of the Euro moved in at dawn to lift a block- In his first term he opted for 2016 football tournament. ade of the refinery and fuel depots coalition government to provide Police used tear gas and water at Fos-sur-Mer, on the Mediterra- political support for a series of cannon to clear a blockade at one nean coast near Marseille. The local tough reforms, such as cuts in jobs, major refinery in the south of France police authority said officers had pay and pensions. Workers on strike block the access to the harbour of Saint-Nazaire, western France, yesterday to protest where activists from the CGT union met “significant resistance”, with Vucic said he would encour- were protesting against the Socialist objects thrown, and several police against the government’s planned labour law reforms. age ordinary Serbians to raise government’s labour market reforms. and activists had been hurt. everyday problems with him in Six out of eight of the refineries Valls said: “We will continue to already been forced to impose ration- France, in Hertain, Belgium, a 24-year- tomorrow. Some 350 members of the areas such as public services and in France have either stopped oper- clear the sites, the depots, which are ing of petrol supplies. old lorry driver, who gave his name as security forces have been injured in healthcare. ating or have reduced output due to today blocked by this organisation.” Motorists in the Paris region who Amazigh, was grateful for the lifeline. demonstrations since March. “I will talk to citizens from 5 strikes and blockades. But CGT secretary general feared running out of petrol resorted “Without petrol, we don’t work. Hollande’s government says the a.m. until 8 a.m., at least one day With a fifth of country’s 12,0000 Philippe Martinez remained defiant. to tracking down fuel tankers and fol- Here, I filled up for tomorrow and I can labour reforms will free up France’s a week,” he said. “And from 8 a.m. petrol stations either dry or running Most people in France opposed lowing them to petrol stations. go back to Lille,” the French city just 18 rigid labour market, but opponents say I will be able to carry out my other low on fuel, French President Fran- the labour reforms that the union MEDEF, France’s employers’ organ- kilometres (11 miles) away. it will do little to reduce unemployment duties.” He said ministers would cois Hollande condemned what he was fighting, he told BFMTV, and isation, called on the government to To add to the government’s prob- which is stuck at around 10 percent. work in towns outside the capital said was the action of a minority of the prime minister was playing “a “re-establish the rule of law”. lems, rail unions are due to strike from The government controversially for a week every few months to lis- activists. dangerous game” trying to set the In the northeast meanwhile, Wednesday for two days. forced legislation through National Assem- ten to people there. Hollande and Prime Minister CGT against the wider population. motorists were driving over the bor- And unions have planned another bly without a vote earlier this month. The “We would be staying in army Manuel Valls vowed not to let the Some local authorities in the der to stock up at Belgian stations. nationwide day of strikes and dem- legislation still faces a vote in the Senate, barracks to bring the cost of our activists hold France hostage and north and northwest of France have Just a few minutes’ drive from onstrations against the draft law for the upper house of parliament. stay to a minimum,” he said. Russia and Ukraine commit to Minsk accords Greece starts evacuating

Reuters ment said yesterday in a statement. control over the whole border with cooperation in both areas to Idomeni migrant camp Progress on implementing the Russia and the withdrawal of heavy swiftly achieve progress.” Minsk peace accords, negotiated by weaponry from the conflict zone. The EU imposed sanctions on Berlin and Paris, has stalled. The elec- “In the centre of the consulta- Russia after Moscow annexed Cri- AFP Authorities said priority would BERLIN: The leaders of Russia tions are a key step in the agreement tions were security questions and mea from Ukraine in March 2014 and be given to unaccompanied minors and Ukraine discussed with Ger- designed to end a conflict that has the preparations for local elections in stepped them up later that year when and single-parent families. man Chancellor Angela Merkel and killed more than 9,000 people since the conflict areas in eastern Ukraine,” pro-Russian rebels seized territory The transfer comes after a brutal the French President preparations April, 2014. said German government spokesman and fought Ukrainian troops in east- IDOMENI, Greece: Hundreds of winter of freezing rain and mud which to hold elections in an eastern Moscow and Kiev accuse each Steffen Seibert in a statement. ern Ukraine. Russia denies Western Greek police yesterday began clear- saw many people trying to force their Ukrainian area hit by a pro-Russian other of failing to stick to the deal, “The participants on the accusations it has supplied equipment ing the overcrowded Idomeni camp, way across the border, sometimes insurrection, the German govern- which also includes restoring Kiev’s call agreed to intensify their and tropps to the rebels. a migrant flashpoint where thou- resulting in violent encounters with sands of desperate refugees have the Macedonian police. been living for months in squalid Around midday, bulldozers moved conditions. The overcrowded and in to clear out tents, according to Upset Cyprus muddy camp on the Macedonia bor- tweets from activists at the camp. Rallying for son der has become a potent symbol of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) president calls off the human suffering and chaos as representative Vicky Markolefa said Europe struggles to cope with its worst there was “high insecurity” and “an migrant crisis since World War II. increase in stress” for the migrants peace talks meet In an operation that began who are “not fully aware of where shortly after sunrise, Greek police they are going and what will come put more than 1,000 people on for them in the next days.” AP buses to newly opened camps near In Geneva, the UN refugee Greece’s second city Thessaloniki, agency said it was sending addi- about 80 km to the south. tional staff to help the process. NICOSIA, CYPRUS: Talks aimed “The operation ... is taking place “It’s important that organ- at reunifying ethnically divided slowly and in a calm atmosphere. ised movements are voluntary, Cyprus stumbled yesterday when There has not been any need to non-discriminatory, and based on the Greek Cypriot president called use force,” government migration well-informed choices by individuals off a meeting with the breakaway spokesman Yiorgos Kyritsis said. at the moment,” UNHCR spokesman Turkish Cypriot leader after he Most media were kept at a dis- Adrian Edwards told reporters. attended a dinner of heads of state. tance, but footage and images However Markolefa noted that Cypriot government spokes- handed out by state TV ERT and a police cordon thrown around the man Nicos Christodoulides said state agency ANA, who were allowed camp—mainly to keep media out— President Nicos Anastasiades access, showed migrants queueing had also prevented access for many “regretfully” called off the meet- up to board buses and being driven humanitarian workers. ing with Mustafa Akinci scheduled away, some waving at the camera. “This complicates food handout for later this week in light of Mon- Many carried their worldly goods efforts and sanitation maintenance day’s “unacceptable actions.” in huge bin bags, while others piled for those who will remain in the He said the invitation to Akinci belongings into pushchairs, watched camp,” she told reporters. aimed to diplomatically upgrade at a distance by groups of dark blue- At its height, more than 12,000 breakaway north of island, which clad police in white helmets. people crammed into Idomeni, Leopoldo Lopez Gil (centre right), father of Venezuelan imprisoned leader Leopoldo Lopez, takes part only Turkey recognises as an inde- A group of children—one of them a camp originally opened by aid in a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. pendent state and maintains more a young boy who struggled over the groups last year to accommodate than 35,000 troops there. bumpy ground in a wheelchair— just 2,500 people during what was, played nearby as they waited for at the time, a short procedure to their turn to leave. cross the border. Dutch F-35A jets touch down in northern Europe

AFP Also known as Joint Strike Fight- “It’s a historic day for Dutch avia- world.” “This is a first for the Nether- ers (JSF), the sleek planes were tion,” he said. The jets will carry out lands,” Hennis-Plasschaert said after escorted by a business jet with at least eight flights to test the effects greeting the pilots on the tarmac. Dutch Defence Minister Jeanine Hen- of engine sound on the environment “It’s an amazing opportunity for LEEUWARDEN, NETHERLANDS: nis-Plasschaert on board after an as well as their adaptability to hang- us to have them here,” she added. Two US-assembled F-35A fighter jets eight-hour flight from the eastern ars at Dutch air bases, Dutch Air Force The planes will go on display to destined for Dutch air force landed United States which included multi- spokesman Frank den Edel said. the public for the first time ever in for the first time in northern Europe, ple in-flight refuelling. The planes have two major distin- Europe at an air show at Leeuwarden ahead of the stealth plane’s continen- Designated “AN-1” and “AN-2”, guishing features, said Rein. First is the next month, ahead of the world- tal air show debut over the summer. the planes will undergo tests before stealth technology that makes it “virtu- renowned Farnborough International The Lockheed Martin-built returning to Edwards Air Force Base ally invisible from radar,” he said. Air Show in July. They are not, how- Lightning II jets, which will form the in California. It also features what the manufac- ever, the first of their kind to fly in mainstay of the Dutch fighter fleet for “This is the first time an F-35A turers call “fusion” which is a “sensor Europe as a whole, with an Italian- the next five decades, landed at Leeu- touched down in northen Europe,” built into the airplane, all the way assembled F-35 making a test flight Members of a refugee family carry their belongings during a police warden Air Force Base in the northern Lockheed Martin spokesman Michael around, so that when a pilot views out, in September last year and crossing operation at a refugee camp at the border near Idomeni village. Netherlands late on Monday. saw. Rein told reporters. he can get a 360-degree view of the over to the United States in February. AMERICAS WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 17 US Democrats give Sanders say in party platform

count with only a few state contests acrimony between himself and the remaining. The divisiveness among party, which he joined only last year Bernie Sanders has the Democrats stands in contrast to after more than two decades in Con- remained steadfast in the Republicans, whose party lead- gress as an independent, when he said ers are slowly rallying behind Donald over the weekend that he was endors- his long-shot battle Trump, their presumptive nominee. ing Wasserman Schultz’s Democratic with Hillary Clinton Sanders’ tenacity appeared to opponent in her Florida congressional be paying off: The U.S. senator from district. for Democratic Vermont will be allowed to name five On Monday, he repeated some of nomination for the members to the 15-member commit- his criticisms of Clinton, whom he has tee that writes the platform at the suggested is vulnerable to influence presidential election. Democratic Party’s national conven- by corporate donors to her campaign, tion in late July in Philadelphia even which she denies. if he is not the nominee. Clinton will “We believe that we will have the name six. representation on the platform draft- Reuters The party said in a statement the ing committee to create a Democratic split was based on the results of state platform that reflects the views of votes to date “in an effort to make this millions of our supporters who want the most representative and inclusive the party to address the needs of NEW YORK: The Democratic Party process in history.” working families in this country and said it will give US presidential con- The party’s chairwoman, Deb- not just Wall Street, the drug compa- tender Bernie Sanders a prominent bie Wasserman Schultz, will name nies, the fossil fuel industry and other say in writing its platform this year, the committee’s final four members. powerful special interests,” Sanders Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders waves to supporters during a rally at the Anaheim a gesture that could ease tensions The Democratic Party’s rules said in a statement. between Sanders’ camp and party allow the chair to name all 15 mem- The Clinton campaign said it was Convention Centre in Anaheim, California, yesterday. leaders, whom Sanders has accused bers, suggesting that the party was pleased to see Sanders represented, of favoring rival Hillary Clinton. trying to accommodate Sanders and describing the party as a “big tent.” Clinton for being too biased toward considers herself the de facto Dem- She told labor union members in Sanders has remained steadfast his fervent supporters, who still pack “Hillary Clinton is committed to Israel, has named a pro-Palestinian ocratic nominee. Increasingly, she Detroit on Monday that, if elected, she in his long-shot battle with Clinton rallies by the thousands as he cam- continue welcoming different per- activist and a prominent environ- has turned her attention to attacking would embrace issues important to for the Democratic nomination for the paigns in California, which will hold spectives and ideas,” spokesman Brian mentalist among his picks for the Trump as a “bully” when speaking at Sanders’ supporters, including reform November presidential election, even its primaries on June 7. Fallon said in a statement. committee. campaign events while urging Sand- of campaign financing and reducing though he lags her in the delegate Sanders did little to dispel the Sanders, who has criticized Clinton has said she now ers supporters to rally to her side. income inequality. Protesters tussle House panel hears lawmaker who wants IRS chief impeached with guards at

presidential AP commissioner of hindering congres- House should focus on the nation’s impeachment effort with virtually no long detested the IRS. Those feel- sional investigations of his agency. needs, “not the kind of political chance of success, even as they try ings were only heightened when the palace in Chile “You can’t thumb your nose at agenda that an impeachment vote persuading voters that they are run- agency apologised in 2013 for sub- Congress and expect there to be no here would represent.” ning Congress constructively. jecting conservative groups seeking WASHINGTON: A sympathetic House consequences,” Chaffetz said in an While booting Koskinen has To impeach a federal official, a tax-exempt status to unusually tough Reuters Judiciary Committee is giving a high- interview last week. become a favourite cause among majority of the House must vote for scrutiny, prompting GOP lawmakers profile forum to a top Republican who In a written statement, Koskinen conservatives — Chaffetz has 73 conviction. It then takes a two-thirds to launch congressional investiga- wants to impeach IRS Commissioner said Chaffetz’ allegations against him co-sponsors on his impeachment majority vote of the Senate to actu- tions, cut the agency’s budget and SANTIAGO: Around 20 students John Koskinen, a cause that excites are without merit. He said he wouldn’t resolution — support by other Repub- ally remove the official from office. trim its staffing. protesting the Chilean govern- conservatives but seems unlikely to appear saying he’s been busy travel- licans has been tepid and Democrats The Senate’s minority Democrats Chaffetz has accused Koskinen ment’s education policies were go far in Congress this election year. ling and preparing for other hearings, are flatly opposed. could easily block the effort, leaving of failing to provide congressional forcibly removed by guards from House Oversight and Govern- but said he would be willing to testify House Speaker Paul Ryan, many to believe that Majority Leader investigators with subpoenaed evi- the presidential palace yesterday ment Reform Committee Chairman in the future. R-Wis., has yet to embrace the idea, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., won’t even dence, not testifying truthfully about after they had entered disguised Jason Chaffetz planned to testify to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, with spokesman Brendan Buck say- try. McConnell spokesman Donald the destruction of emails and taking as tourists. the GOP-run Judiciary panel. The whose department includes the IRS, ing Ryan has deferred to committee Stewart declined to comment on the three months to reveal to Congress Wearing orange baseball Utah Republican has been pushing criticised Republicans. Lew said in a leaders. Many Republicans would subject last week. that emails considered important to caps and backpacks, the students for Koskinen’s removal accusing the written statement yesterday that the rather not launch a campaign-season Congressional Republicans have the probe were missing. walked in the front entrance of the Palacio de la Moneda in downtown Santiago, cameras in hand. Upon reaching the central patio, they unfurled a banner reading, “Take Sky is the limit Exhumation of bodies note: the offensive begins today.” In dramatic scenes, guards tried to drag them outside. Many students resisted forcibly, clinging begins in Mexico to columns as they battled. According to student union Confech, the protest was a AFP several human rights organisations response to slow pace of education estimate that at least 20,000 people reforms by the left government of have gone missing in Mexico. President Michelle Bachelet. The head prosecutor in Morelos, “Today, we the students of TETELCINGO, MÉXICO: Mexican Javier Perez, was among those wit- Chile burst into La Moneda to authorities and independent experts nessing the exhumation, which could notify the president, the govern- began exhumation of more than a last up to five days. ment of Chile, that they failed,” hundred bodies buried in pits in the Dozens of relatives of the dis- Confech spokesman Gabriel Iturra central state of Morelos. Prosecu- appeared also attended, including said in a statement. tors announced that the 116 bodies Maria Concepcion and Amalia Her- “The students of Chile can’t in the mass grave—located in in the nandez, mother and aunt of the keep waiting for a partial reform town of Tetelcingo, were buried on kidnapped and murdered Oliver that does not make university free March 28, 2014. Wenceslao Navarrete Hernandez. for all and that does not end profit- Activists are questioning validity In 2013, his body was discov- making (in education).” of official record because authori- ered in a ravine and identified by Bachelet, who began her sec- ties have files on only 88 bodies in his family. But prosecutors insisted ond non-consecutive presidential the pits. The unfenced rural grave on delaying burial to obtain foren- term in 2014, campaigned on a consists of two adjacent 33-feet deep sic evidence, and over time the body slew of reforms that included holes covering an area about six disappeared from the records. shaking up Chile’s highly pri- The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds aerobatics team perform a fly-over seen from Washington, metres in length and four in width. After months of “many com- vatized education system and DC, yesterday. Morelos has been one of the plaints and many battles,” an making university free of charge. Mexican states most affected by official revealed that the victim’s drug violence plaguing the country, body had been buried in Tetelcingo including kidnappings and murders. “with signatures of false authoriza- “We recognise the tireless tion,” Hernandez told reporters. On struggle of relatives and victims’ December 9, 2014, a judge ordered Venezuela crisis draws timid international response organisations of more than 30,000 his body be exhumed. missing in this country that’s sink- The body was found under doz- ing into barbarism,” said Alejandro ens of others, “violating international AFP agree to allow a referendum on remov- The UNASUR mission drew words to wield the power of the street where Vera, rector of the Autonomous Uni- protocols that indicate that in mass ing Maduro from office this year. of encouragement from the United its political maneuvers have failed. versity of the state of Morelos (UAEM), graves bodies must be separated Maduro’s camp says that isn’t States, which Maduro accuses of plot- Polls show nearly seven in 10 who started a programme for those from each other to allow eventual happening. As if to hammer home ting his ouster. Venezuelans want to get rid of searching for loved ones who have claims,” said Roberto Villanueva, CARACAS: Venezuela is sinking the point, the president has declared US officials have been reluctant to Maduro, who is blamed for increas- disappeared in the Mexican drug war. director of a programme for vic- deeper into political and economic a state of emergency giving himself go much further than that for fear of ingly shortages of food and medicine, The United Nations along with tims at UAEM. chaos, but the international response sweeping new powers. playing into the fiery Socialist’s alle- daily power cuts, government paral- has been timid so far—and is unlikely The country faces a “long and dif- gations of a coup plot orchestrated in ysis, violent crime and looting. to put much pressure on an unbending ficult” road, acknowledged the trio of Washington at the behest of the “fas- Secretary general of the Organ- President Nicolas Maduro, analysts say. foreign mediators—Spain’s Jose Luis cist Venezuelan right.” isation of American States, Luis So far, the international communi- Rodriguez Zapatero, Leonel Fernan- Trying to strike a less confron- Almagro, has proposed sending a del- ty’s main plan of action for Venezuela dez of the Dominican Republic and tational tone, Argentina, Chile and egation to seek a solution to the crisis. has been to call for a “great national Martin Torrijos of Panama. Uruguay have proposed setting up a His comments sparked a war of dialogue,” in the words of the former They have been working in Ven- “group of friends” to get both sides to words with Maduro, who, like his presidents of Spain, Panama and the ezuela, sent by the Union of South the negotiating table. mentor Hugo Chavez, has long railed Dominican Republic, one high-pro- American Nations (UNASUR), a But that isn’t likely to work either, against the Washington-based OAS as file group trying to mediate the crisis. 12-member regional bloc, to hold said Milagros Betancourt, a professor a tool of American imperialism But with the once-booming oil talks with both sides on a crisis that of international law at Andres Bello Almagro, a Uruguayan national, giant sliding ever deeper into reces- is increasingly worrying the region. Catholic University. warned Maduro he would be a “petty sion and hyperinflation, the leftist “There’s growing action by part “I’m a little sceptical because I dictator” if he continued to reject a president and his center-right oppo- of the international community on don’t know what they can actually recall referendum. nents are so far apart that “dialogue” Venezuela,” said Felix Arellano, an negotiate,” she said. “The country is Maduro told Almagro he was seems impossible. international relations specialist at very polarised and the government “garbage” and a “traitor.” The opposition, which won control Central University of Venezuela. won’t budge an inch.” Pope Francis also weighed in of the legislature in December, refuses But “the reactions have been Meanwhile, the opposition has on the crisis in a personal letter to Relatives of missing people wait for exhumation of 116 bodies found to hold talks unless the authorities timid,” he said.. called new protests this week, seeking Maduro earlier this month. in a mass grave at Tetelcingo community in Morelos State, Mexico. 18 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 AMERICAS

Honduran family Brazil’s interim govt loses key minister seeks dismissal of US money currency on fears of further insta- bility less than two weeks after laundering case Planning Minister President Dilma Rousseff was sus- Romero Juca pended to stand trial in the Senate for allegedly breaking fiscal laws, leav- stepped aside amid ing former Vice President Temer to Reuters accusations he lead the country. “Starting from tomorrow, I had conspired to will step aside,” Juca, appointed by NEW YORK: Two members of obstruct corruption Temer after Rousseff’s suspension, a prominent Honduran fam- investigation. told reporters in Brasilia. He denied ily accused by US authorities of any wrongdoing and insisted that his engaging in a decade-long money recorded comments had been dis- laundering scheme are seeking torted and taken out of context. dismissal of charges after govern- In the recording, made before ment froze their assets and made Reuters Rousseff was put on trial and pub- paying their lawyers impossible. lished by newspaper Folha de S. Yankel Rosenthal, a former Paulo, Juca told a friend that he minister of investment under agreed on the need for a “national current Honduran President BRASILIA: Brazil’s interim govern- pact” to limit the graft probe rattling Juan Orlando Hernandez, and ment early yesterday was rocked by the political establishment. Yani Rosenthal, a former Cabinet loss of one of its key figures, Planning Asked for help by his ally, ex- member in Honduras, filed papers Minister Romero Juca, who stepped senator Sergio Machado under in federal court in Manhattan to aside amid accusations he had con- investigation in the probe, Juca dismiss their indictment. Prosecu- spired to obstruct the country’s replied: “The government has to be tors said the Rosenthals used their biggest-ever corruption investigation. changed in order to stop this bleed- businesses to engineer a scheme to Interim President Michel Temer ing,” Folha reported, adding that the Brazilian Interim President Michel Temer (centre) talks to Brazilian Minister of Planning Romero Juca (left) and launder drug trafficking and for- was counting on Juca, a close con- conversations were taped “secretly.” Brazilian President of the Senate Rena Calheiros during his visit to the Congress in Brasilia, Brazil, yesterday. eign bribery proceeds through US fidant and experienced senator, to Juca said the conversation hap- bank accounts. steer a budget bill through Congress pened either at his home or at his investigation for their alleged roles in however, the scandal had reached a Temer said in a statement Juca The motions came after to avoid a government shutdown next office but it was not clear how the the massive bribery scheme stemming fever pitch in the capital Brasilia, and would support the government from months of wrangling over their month. hour-long recording was made. from state-run oil company Petrobras. Juca announced his plans to take a leave the Senate to ensure that the budget inability to pay their lawyers due However, a recording of his Local media reported it may be con- Earlier, Juca insisted that he would of absence from the ministry until pub- and other reforms were passed. to the US Treasury Department in conversation with a suspect in the nected with Machado who has been never interfere in the investigation and lic prosecutors make public statements With over 20 years in the Sen- October taking steps that resulted investigation threatened to stain the negotiating a plea bargain deal with his comments were not incriminating exonerating him. ate, Juca was a key member of Temer’s in the freezing of hundreds of mil- new, centre-right administration, prosecutors. Machado was not imme- in any way. He said the “bleeding” he Brazil’s benchmark Bovespa stock new economic team that is racing to lions of dollars of their assets. already unsettled by a series of policy diately available for comment. was referring to was Brazil’s free-falling index was knocked lower by the news, approve a series of economic measures They pointed to a March deci- reversals during its first week in office. Juca and other ministers in Tem- economy and Rousseff government’s falling 0.8 percent. The local currency in Congress aimed at rescuing investor sion of the US Supreme Court The scandal weakened Brazil’s er’s new government are under recent paralysis. By the end of the day, lost 1.8 percent against the US dollar. confidence. declaring it unconstitutional for government to restrain assets belonging to defendants that are not linked to criminal conduct, Puerto Rico and are needed to hire counsel of Virginia governor under probe over campaign funds their choice. Lawyers for Yankel Rosenthal power bill said as a result, the government Reuters of Clinton Global Initiative, part of were completely lawful,” Elias said. On Sunday, McAuliffe hosted a was violating his “right to counsel increase plan the charitable foundation set up by “The governor will cooperate with the fundraiser for Clinton’s campaign. For of his choice by blocking funds he former President Bill Clinton, CNN government if he is contacted about it.” a $2,700 donation, a person attending otherwise could use to pay counsel sparks outrage said, citing unidentified government The Justice Department declined the event could get a photo taken with to defend against that same gov- WASHINGTON: Terry McAuliffe, officials briefed on the case. to comment. him, according to Clinton’s website. ernment’s prosecution of him.” Virginia’s Democratic governor and The foundation is not accused of Spokesmen for Clinton and the Republicans seized on the report A spokesman for Manhat- chairman of Hillary Clinton’s 2008 any wrongdoing, CNN added. Clinton Foundation did not imme- to question Clinton’s integrity. Her tan US Attorney Preet Bharara AP presidential run, is under federal McAuliffe spent 15 years as an diately respond to requests for aides have been questioned by the declined to comment. investigation over contributions to unpaid director for the foundation, now comment. A spokeswoman for Wang, FBI and Justice Department prose- The two men were charged his 2013 campaign, CNN said, citing known as the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea who has given at least $2m to the cutors in a probe into whether her in October along with Jaime SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO: Puerto unnamed US officials Clinton Foundation, until 2013, accord- Clinton Foundation through his com- using a private email server as sec- Rosenthal, former vice presi- Rico’s heavily indebted electric The US Justice Department’s year- ing to charity’s annual disclosures filed pany Rilin Enterprises, said he had retary of state broke laws. dent, and Andres Acosta Garcia, a company announced yesterday long investigation has focused, at least with the Internal Revenue Service. not been contacted by investigators. “Hillary Clinton’s campaign was lawyer with family’s Grupo Con- that it is seeking a more than 20 in part, on whether contributions to An attorney for McAuliffe’s cam- McAuliffe is a close ally of Hillary already tainted by her own FBI inves- tinental conglomerate. Treasury percent increase in the island’s McAuliffe’s gubernatorial campaign, paign, Marc Elias, said he could not Clinton, the front-runner for the 2016 tigation, so the revelation that her top Department’s Office of Foreign already high power bills, spark- including $120,000 from a Chinese confirm the CNN report. Democratic presidential nomination. political ally Terry McAuliffe is also Assets Control classified Rosenthals ing outrage among many. businessman, Wang Wenliang, vio- “Neither the governor nor his He was co-chairman of Bill Clinton’s facing a criminal probe is especially and seven businesses, including The Electric Power Authority lated the law, according to CNN. former campaign have knowledge of 1996 presidential re-election cam- damaging,” Michael Short, a Republi- Grupo Continental and its Banco said the increase would allow it Investigators have “scrutinised” this matter, but as reported, contribu- paign and chaired Hillary Clinton’s can National Committee spokesman, Continental unit, as “specially des- to keep operating and help boost McAuliffe’s time as a board member tions to the campaign from Mr Wang 2008 presidential bid. said in a statement. ignated narcotics traffickers.” its dwindling liquidity. Officials said the additional revenue also would let the company restruc- ture its $9bn debt load, reduce its dependence on petroleum and High-value art Argentine ex-security chiefs renovate obsolete infrastructure. An official not authorised to speak to the media said the jailed for protest deaths power company seeks a 10 percent increase for residential customers effective in August. That would rise AFP Mathov was sentenced to four to 23 percent over current rates years and nine months for culpable for early 2017. Commercial and homicide and culpable injuries and industrial businesses would face banned from public office for nine a 4 to 5 percent increase followed BUENOS AIRES: An Argentine court and a half years. by a 22 to 24 percent permanent jailed two former top security offi- Santos was sentenced to four increase depending on the size of cials yesterday for the deaths of five years. Two former police chiefs and the company. demonstrators in a 2001 crackdown four police officers were given sen- The power company said on protests that brought down then tences ranging from three to three it plans to release more details president Fernando de la Rua. and a half years. when it presents the plan to the De la Rua was forced to resign The sentences can be appealed. newly created Energy Commis- and flee the presidential palace at The violent police response to sion tomorrow. If the commission the height of a raging economic cri- the protests that swept Argentina doesn’t act, the temporary increase sis that triggered riots in the streets on December 19 and 20, 2001, left goes into effect automatically. after his government slashed Argen- some 30 people dead nationwide. The proposal has angered tines’ salaries and froze their bank Police outside the presidential many on an island where power deposits. palace opened fire on a crowd of bills already have averaged about The court ruled that former thousands, killing five and wound- twice those of the US mainland. security secretary Enrique Mathov ing some 100. Critics say the increase will scare and former federal police chief De la Rua, who resigned on away potential investors, force Ruben Santos were responsible for December 20 and fled aboard a more businesses to close and A woman looks at the painting ‘Le Sabbat (Imagine No. 5)’ by Wilfredo Lam, expected to sell for the deaths of protesters killed when helicopter, was cleared of respon- spark an even bigger exodus to $600,000- $800,000, during an auction preview at Christie’s in New York, yesterday. police opened fire on a crowd out- sibility for the protesters’ deaths the mainland. side the presidential palace. in 2010. Puerto Rico is mired in a dec- ade-long economic slump and faces a $70bn public debt load that the governor has said is unpayable and needs restructuring. US leg- Colombia says two more scribes missing in volatile region islators are debating a House bill that aims to create a federal con- trol board and allow for some debt restructuring. AP of journalists that had travelled to the area bordering Venezuela. on securing a deal to end Colom- who travelled to Catatumbo to cover The Electric Power Authority volatile Catatumbo region to cover Hernandez-Mora, who has lived bia’s half-century conflict with the the search for Hernandez-Mora were is the island’s only public agency the hunt for Salud Hernandez-Mora, a in Colombia since 1990s, hadn’t been ELN and the much-larger Revolu- briefly detained at a roadblock and that has reached a direct agree- longtime correspondent for Spain’s El seen since Saturday, when was spot- tionary Armed Forces of Colombia. had their equipment seized by an ille- ment with creditors to restructure BOGOTA, COLOMBIA: Two more Mundo newspaper whose weekly col- ted arguing with an unidentified man But conservative critics, among them gal armed group. its debt. journalists have gone missing in a umn in Bogota daily El Tiempo is one and then hiring a motorcycle to take Hernandez-Mora, say that any deal is It wasn’t clear who stopped the The company also has taken lawless region in Colombia where of the most read in Colombia. her to an unknown destination. bound to fall short of expectations so group. But journalists from local other steps to help generate more security forces are already carrying Authorities were refusing to call Pressure was mounting on Santos, long as vast stretches of rural areas network Caracol as well as Spanish revenue. It is cracking down on out a massive search for a prominent Hernandez-Mora’s disappearance who yesterday ordered the head of the remain ungovernable and effectively news agency EFE returned safely to delinquent clients and cutting Spanish journalist, President Juan a kidnapping, though speculation police and army to travel to the area under the thumb of heavily armed the town of El Tarra while the two off power at public housing units Manuel Santos said yesterday. heightened that she could have been to personally oversee the search. An illegal groups. reporters from RCN had not been in whose residents have not agree to Santos said two journalists from taken hostage by the National Lib- anti-kidnapping unit already was on Underscoring the challenges contact with anyone since Monday. a payment plan. It also temporar- the right-leaning network RCN are eration Army, or ELN, one of several the ground but communications are Colombia’s government faces in “We know nothing, absolutely ily cut off power at a hospital that unaccounted for and now also being illegal armed groups and drug traf- poor and security risks high. asserting control, authorities said that nothing,” said Claudia Gurisatti, owed nearly $4m. sought. The two were part of a group fickers dominant in the mountainous Santos has staked presidency a group of a half-dozen journalists director of RCN’s news division. MORNING BREAK WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 1917

ONLINE CHART BUST Jamala’s win is music to family’s ears www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Reuters

MOST READ MALORECHENSKOYE, CRIMEA: In her home in a small village on Crimea’s Dubai says opens world’s first rocky coastline, the mother of Euro- functioning 3D-printed office vision song contest winner Jamala is surrounded by magazine cuttings about Oil prices continue dip with her daughter and bouquets of flowers stronger dollar from well-wishers. Galina Tumasova is still basking in Premier League club Manchester United sack the glory of Jamala’s surprise victory managers the hard way for Ukraine 10 days ago, but she recalls her initial concerns about her daugh- ter choosing to sing “1944” — a song she composed about the Soviet deportation TWEET OF THE DAY of her Crimean Tatar ancestors. “The neighbours didn’t approve. They were all discussing the name of the song,” Tumasova told Reuters at her modest two-storey home, which is scat- tered with CDs by her daughter, whose real name is Susana Jamaladinova. “I said to her: ‘Susana, are you sure people will understand what you’re try- ing to say with that song?’” “1944” recalled the decision by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin to deport hundreds of thousands of Crimean Tatars from their homeland in that year. It had added meaning because of the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia, a move that many of the region’s ethnic Tatar minority opposed, partly because of a historical mistrust of Moscow borne Alim Jamaladinov (right) and Galina Tumasova, the parents of Ukraine’s Eurovision song contest winner Jamala, out of the wartime deportations. Tumasova’s faith in her daughter is during an interview at their house in the village of Malorechenskoye, Crimea. INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY apparent: “When she was a baby, even the sound of her crying was musical.” Crimea split Jamala’s family: she moved guests because fewer tourists come and service of her people, and not politics,” She said all her doubts about the to the Ukrainian capital Kiev while her the taxes are too high to justify keep- said Ruslan Balbek, deputy prime min- song evaporated once she saw Jamala parents, in their 60s, stayed in Crimea ing it open. Jamala was pitted against ister in the Moscow-backed Crimean perform it in the initial rounds of the under de facto Russian rule. the strongly fancied entry from Russia government and an ethnic Crimean contest. But a large framed photo of the in the Eurovision contest in Stockholm. Tatar. “She rode into first place on a “The audience cried,” she said in an 32-year-old Jamala still commands Her victory sparked celebrations in political horse,” he told journalists. interview at the house in the village of pride of place in her parents’ home, Kiev, but Russian politicians in Mos- At the singer’s family home, a 25 Graffiti Arts work by Qatari Malorechenskoye where she lives with propped up on a piano in the courtyard. cow said the contest had been hijacked km (15-mile) drive north of the town Artist Mubarak Al-Malik on her husband Alim, built in the local style On the same plot as the house is by politics. The Russian entry finished of Alushta, Tumasova said her daugh- broken walls of an empty lot centred around an open courtyard. a building which the family used to in third place. ter had composed the song based on the on Salwa Road. Pic: @Clickqass “You cannot stay silent about his- run as a small guesthouse. They said Some in Jamala’s homeland are recollections of Jamala’s great-grand- tory, that’s why Jamala sang about her since Russia took over control of Cri- ambivalent about her win. mother, who was among those deported own people.” The 2014 annexation of mea, they has stopped taking paying “Her talents should be used in the during World War Two.

Murder trial of McCartney nearly quit music after Beatles breakup

The Shield AFP of a BBC radio interview released formed in late 1971 and began by We were terrible. We knew Linda yesterday. playing small unannounced gigs to couldn’t play but she learned and, actor begins in “I was breaking from my lifelong students. looking back on it, I’m really glad we LONDON: Paul McCartney (pictured) friends, not knowing whether I was The band eventually enjoyed did it,” he said. Los Angeles said he began drinking heavily and going to continue in music,” McCa- success, but McCartney acknowl- “I could have just formed a super- almost quit music altogether after The rtney said. edged that some of the criticism group and rung up Eric Clapton and Beatles broke up, in an interview due “Suddenly I wasn’t having a good levelled in the early years was valid, Jimmy Page and John Bonham, but AP to air this week. time. It wasn’t working. I wanted to when his first wife, a novice musi- we graduated from playing univer- The music icon, now 73, admit- get back to square one, so I ended cian, was still learning how to play sities to town halls, which was quite ted the strain of leaving the Fab Four up forming Wings.” Wings, which the keyboard. funny as I’d been at Shea Stadium LOS ANGELES: A murder trial in April 1970, according to extracts included McCartney’s wife Linda, “To be fair we weren’t that good. quite recently.” began Monday for an actor who played a police officer on TV and is accused of shooting and killing his wife while their young children looked on two years ago in their AyyayayayayayayyyyLife takes off! US biochemical engineer Los Angeles home. The trial of 53-year-old Michael Jace, who appeared on the FX series “The Shield,” promises wins technology prize to explore unanswered questions about what led to the killing. Few details about the slaying AP longer have to rely on non-renew- have been released, although a able raw materials.” prosecutor has said the actor shot Finnish President Sauli Niinisto April Jace in the back and then HELSINKI: American biochemical presented the award. again while their young children engineer Frances Arnold, whose dis- In her acceptance speech, Arnold watched. coveries in “directed evolution” have said she was inspired by the natural The actor then called a police helped produce medicines, including world, “the very best inventor and dispatcher and said he had drugs for treating diabetes, yester- engineer of all time.” killed his wife, authorities say. A day was awarded this year’s ¤1m “The biological world is the most recording of the call has not been ($1.2 million) Millennium Technol- spectacular example of crowdsourc- released. Jace also phoned his ogy Prize. ing. Crowdsourcing, problem-solving father-in-law to pick up the chil- The 59-year-old professor of — nature’s been doing that for sev- dren, according to another 911 call chemical engineering, bioengi- eral billion years,” she said. “We released by fire officials. neering and biochemistry at the humans with our technologies are Jace has pleaded not guilty, California Institute of Technology way behind.” and his attorneys have said his in Pasadena, was cited for “ground- Eriksson said that Arnold — state of mind on the day of the breaking work that has a great the first woman to win the award killing will be a key element of impact on areas such as pharma- since its launch in 2004 — had been his defence. ceuticals and gene therapy,” with “clearly the most outstanding can- Jury selection began Monday, hundreds of laboratories and com- didate” in a field of 79 nominations. with a judge telling 70 prospec- panies around the world using “From the start of her career she has tive jurors about Jace’s work as methods she developed, committee been a pioneer in a previously male- an actor and noting the case has chairman Jarl-Thure Eriksson said. dominated field,” he said. received some publicity. Ques- “Directed evolution, which The Millennium Prize, for tech- tioning of prospective jurors was mimics natural evolution to cre- nological innovations that enhance to resume yesterday, with open- ate new and better proteins in the the quality of human life in a sus- ing statements expected to begin laboratory, uses the power of biol- tainable way, is awarded every two later in the day. ogy and evolution to solve many years by the Technological Academy April Jace, 40, was a financial important problems, often replac- of Finland. aid counselor at Biola University Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani witnessed last evening the arrival of Fath Al Kheir ing less efficient and sometimes Past winners include Tim Bern- and had two sons with the defend- 2 at Katara Cultural village beach. The event was also attended by H H Sheikh Jassem bin Hamad Al harmful technologies,” the citation ers-Lee for inventing the World Wide ant. The boys were 8 and 5 when said. “Thanks to directed evolu- Web, Shuji Nakamura, the inventor AThani, soldier Representative of China’s People’s of the LiberationEmir. Pic: Qassim/The Army poses Peninsula for pictures with his wife as they→ See attend also page a group 26 she was killed. Her family called tion, sustainable development and of bright blue and white LEDs, and wedding in Anshan, China. her death a senseless act of domes- clean technology become available ethical stem-cell pioneer Shinya tic violence. in many areas of industry that no Yamanaka.

PRAYER TIMINGS

FAJR 03.18 am ZUHR 11.31 am MAGHRIB 06.18 pm SHOROOK 04.45 am ASR 02.56 pm ISHA 07.48 pm

WEATHER Minimum: 30o C Maximum: 39o C

HIGH TIDE 06:00 - 19:45 Strong wind and high seas. Slight dust to dusty LOW TIDE 02:15 - 12:00 at times.

20 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 MORNING BREAK Dollhouses from the past

The Washington Post

WASHINGTON: When people today talk about a tiny house, they prob- ably mean the trendy living space that’s about the size of a shed. But you would have to be 5 inches tall to live in the original tiny houses. Doll- houses, which have been around for several centuries, don’t offer shel- ter to real people, but they provide a glimpse of life in times and places both real and imaginary. The National Building Museum lets visitors time travel in this tiny Jenny's Home, one of the exhibit's more modern dollhouses, gives world through “Small Stories: At Home in a Dollhouse,” an exhibit visitors a taste of 1960s fashion, furniture and interior design. that opened Saturday. It features 12 dollhouses from the Victoria and That dollhouse, which is inside stacked apartment house from the Albert Museum in London, England, a painted cabinet, was John Killer’s ’60s and a brightly coloured 21st-cen- that contain amazing pint-size fur- gift to his wife and five daughters. tury design. nishings. But the curators, or those The girls were allowed to play with The end of the exhibit shows how people who put together the exhibit, the house — unlike some of the imaginative design sometimes works also wanted visitors to know the dollhouses in the exhibit — but they best in small spaces. characters. probably also learned a few lessons, The Building Museum asked 24 “It’s 300 years of British homes Sage said. artists, designers and architects from told through their inhabitants,” said “The kitchen would have been the across the United States to each cre- Alice Sage, a curator from the Lon- perfect way to teach the girls about ate a “dream room” from the past, don museum. the management of a home,” she said, present or future. The 15-inch boxes So as visitors peer inside the Tate noting the miniature dishes and pots. include a bathroom for a banana, Baby House, a fancy townhouse from Just around the corner, young vis- card-playing Peeps and a bedroom 1760, they can push a button to hear itors can step into a kid-size kitchen. created with a 3-D printer. a young woman get a lecture from Servant costumes, dishes and a pre- The bedroom scene, called “An her mother on the proper way to run tend stove help bring the 19th century Ordinary Evening,” is anything but a home. In the Killer Cabinet house, to life. ordinary in today's design world for a servant named Betsy complains Those who prefer a more mod- houses big or small. But 10 years from about the problems of city life in the ern look won’t be disappointed. The now, who knows? Your next house 1830s. “We’ve got the cat to keep the last two rooms of the exhibit include might be furnished entirely with the rats away,” she says. a white, cube-like villa from 1935, a push of a button. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 23 QE 9,664.85 -16.69 PTS PAGE | 25 DOW 17,699.10 +206.17 PTS Nokia and Ooredoo FTSE100 6,219.26 +82.83 PTS BoE Governor set to revolutionise defends message BRENT $48.61 +$0.53 ICT in Qatar on Brexit risk

WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 • 18 SHA’BAAN 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Al Attiyah energy awards conferred

Al Attiyah Foundation’s Lifetime Al-Naimi, former Minister of Petro- Foundation is very proud to now have Achievement Award for the Advance- leum & Mineral Resources, Saudi such an eminent alumni group of 30 Abdullah Bin ment of the Qatar Energy Industry. Arabia; Adnan Z Amin, Director-Gen- winners recognized over the last 4 Hamad Al-Attiyah The Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Atti- eral, International Renewable Energy years,” he said. International Energy yah International Energy Awards, now Agency (IRENA); Claude Mandil, former Every year the nominees for the in its fourth year, recognize individu- Executive Director, International International Energy Awards for Life- Awards recognise als for their lifetime achievement in Energy Agency; Dr Bassam Fattouh, time Achievement are reviewed by individuals for their fields of work that have made a dis- Director, Oxford Institute for Energy an International Selection Commit- tinguished contribution to the global Studies; and Margaret McQuaile, tee of respected peers, which in 2016 lifetime achievement energy industry over the span of a former Senior Correspondent, Platts. included Abdalla Salem El-Badri, Sec- in the industry. career. Alongside Al-Mohannadi, Dr ‘’Excellence, creativity and passion retary General, Opec, Dr Fatih Birol, Majid A Al-Moneef, Advisor to the are characteristics that are integral to Executive Director, International Royal Court of the Kingdom of Saudi our human spirit, but also to our suc- Energy Agency, Nasser Khalil Al-Jai- Arabia, received the 2016 Award cess as professionals, and all the 2016 dah, Board Member, QP, and Narendra The Peninsula for the Advancement of Opec, and Award Winners have these qualities Taneja, Chairman, Energy Security Adnan Z Amin, Director-General of in abundance,” said H E Abdullah bin Group, Federation of Indian Cham- the International Renewable Energy Hamad Al Attiyah, who presented the bers of Commerce and Industry, India. H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah (centre) presenting the award to DOHA: Hamad Rashid Al Mohan- Agency, accepted the accolade for the trophies to the distinguished group The Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Atti- nadi, the former CEO of RasGas, was Advancement of Renewable Energy. of nominees at the annual celebra- yah International Energy Awards were Hamad Rashid Al Mohannadi during the 4th Al Attiyah International honoured last night here as the 2016 The 2016 International Energy tion held at the Museum of Islamic conceived to celebrate the legacy of Energy Awards function at MIA yesterday. Dr Ibrahim Ibrahim, Economic recipient of The Abdullah Bin Hamad Award winners include Ali bin Ibrahim Art (MIA), Doha. “The Al-Attiyah Al-Attiyah. Adviser at Emiri Diwan, is also seen. Pic: Kammutty VP/The Peninsula 22 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 BUSINESS

GCC states urged to protect GE to invest in Saudi Arabia economy from systemic risk

banks. Many countries in the Arab contagion risk, real estate expo- region, particularly the GCC, were sure risk and other risks related to There is a need ahead of others around the world in linkages between different com- to strengthen the implementing some measures now ponents of the financial sector, widely accepted as macroprudential structural indicators and financial regulatory capacity tools. These measures include the infrastructure. to monitor and assess loan-to-deposit ratio, regulations on There is an urgent need to personal lending such as debt serv- address the challenges related to systemic risks. ice to income ratio and limits on loan Basel III implementation. While a tenor, and limits on concentration, number of Arab countries are ahead including on real estate exposure. in implementing Basel III require- However, there is a need to ments, others are in the early stages By Satish Kanady strengthen the regulatory capacity of applying these standards. Fur- The Peninsula to monitor and assess systemic risks. ther efforts are needed to enable Arab countries have to strengthen Arab countries to implement Basel A woman reflected on the door of a General Electric (GE) refrigerator at a store in Montebello, their capacities for monitoring time- III regulations. California. General Electric said it would invest $1.4bn in Saudi Arabia in support of the kingdom’s DOHA: The macroprudential frame- varying, and cross-sectoral, risks. The Arab regulatory authori- recently unveiled plan to diversify the oil-dominated economy. work of GCC economies needs to be Effective early warning systems ties should work on addressing the strengthened to protect the financial and regular assessments of systemic challenges they are likely face to system from potential systemic risk, risks are integral parts of macropru- cope with the Basel III framework, an IMF working paper released yes- dential policies. Macro stress testing especially with regard to liquidity terday said. would help the regulators to align the standards. The oil-exporting GCC economies macroprudential toolkit with the On the potential vulnerabilities Qatar-Saudi trade at QR6.94bn are heavily reliant on the extrac- changing nature of financial risks. in credit, the IMF document said the tion sector for their fiscal revenues. Better monitoring of systemic majority of the Arab world’s bank Their export earnings are translat- risks and addressing financial vul- domestic credit is concentrated in ing into increased vulnerabilities to nerabilities could be achieved the private sector, except for Qatar, By Sachin Kumar Arab Emirates in the GCC region. in 2012, the trade between the two oil prices shocks, the IMF document through several steps, including Algeria, Yemen, and Lebanon which The Peninsula Qatar imports a number of items countries was at QR7.3bn. that discusses the experience of Arab developing a financial stability risk have a high percentage in the pub- from Saudi Arabia, including live- The bilateral trade between countries in implementing the poli- map. lic sector. stock, milk products, iron structures the two countries is expected to cies noted. The document ‘Macroprudential Private sector credit distribu- and other metal products, chemicals increase in coming years as both Arab countries have made policy and financial stability in the tion also varies within the GCC and DOHA: The bilateral trade between and other food items. countries have taken steps to boost important strides toward strength- Arab region’, co-authored by Anan- Arab oil importing countries. Bah- Qatar and Saudi Arabia touched Though the trade between the two trade. Qatar Chamber will organise ening the stability of their financial thakrishnan Prasad, Heba Abdel rain, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia QR6.94bn in 2015. Qatar’s imports countries declined in 2015 compared the fifth edition of ‘Made in Qatar’ systems.Since the global financial Monem, and Pilar Garcia Martinez have a high percentage of their pri- from Saudi Arabia were at QR5.11bn to the previous year, the trade has wit- exhibition in Riyadh from Novem- crisis, they have sharpened pruden- suggested the concerned regulatory vate credit for trade, industry, and while exports stood at QR1.83bn last nessed gradual increase in the past ber 6 to 9 this year. The exhibition tial regulation by tightening capital authorities should work on identi- finance sectors. year, according to data provided by years. The trade between Qatar and will open new avenues of coopera- and liquidity requirements and fying systemic risks through, for However, banks in the GCC Qatar Chamber. Saudi Arabia stood around QR8bn in tion between entrepreneurs of Qatar are in the process of implement- example, “financial stability risk countries and Mauritania have a Saudi Arabia is a major trade 2014, up from QR7.9bn in 2013. and Saudi Arabia. The exhibition will ing Basel III standards on capital, map.” large share of the credit portfolio partner of Qatar. As per the Quarterly Qatar’s imports from Saudi Ara- see participation of all kinds of com- liquidity, and leverage. This map includes all the risk ele- in personal consumption loans. For Bulletin on the Foreign Merchandise bia were at around QR5bn while panies ranging from Qatar’s biggest A number of central banks have ments crucial for financial stability, many GCC banks’ credit is also con- Trade Statistics- First Quarter 2016, exports to the Kingdom were at companies to small and medium established a separate financial sta- including credit growth, financial centrated in the real estate sector. released recently by the Minister of around QR3bn in 2014, while in enterprises. The total area of the bility office/unit and set up an early activities, and interconnectedness. Furthermore, many GCC countries Development Planning and Statistics, 2013, imports from Saudi Arabia here exhibition will be 10,000 metres, warning system, in addition to con- In addition to market risk, the map face borrower concentration risk in Saudi Arabia was the second biggest were at QR4.43bn while exports from giving ample space for participants ducting periodic stress testing of would also identify liquidity risk, their credit portfolio. source of imports after the United Qatar were at QR3.5bn. A year before to exhibit their products Doha-based law firm bags Achievement Award GCC boards need to focus more on diversity: Experts The Peninsula He added: “The legal environment in the State of Qatar is undergoing a radical transformation and upgrade The Peninsula are not going the right way,” Valls and we believe that our job is to con- added. DOHA: Al Ansari & Associates, a tribute positively to such change.” According to the BDI 2015 report Doha-based law firm, has beaten off The fifth annual Corporate Coun- on Board Effectiveness in the Gulf, competition from the Government of sel Middle East Awards was hosted DOHA: Influenced by shifting eco- 59 percent of respondents do not Dubai Legal Affairs Department to by ACC Middle East and Legal Week nomic, social and regulatory trends, believe that all board members make win the Achievement Award at the which is a leading source of news diversity of thought is becoming meaningful contributions during recently held ‘Association of Cor- and analysis on the commercial legal increasingly important at board board meetings in the GCC. porate Counsel (ACC) Middle East’ sector, and dedicated to commercial level, experts said during the 22nd “I think a board can only be annual awards ceremony held in lawyers in the UK and major inter- edition of the Foundation of Direc- as effective as its directors. This is Dubai. national jurisdictions. The awards torship Workshop conducted by the why making sure there is a right mix The ACC is an international asso- are directed to celebrate both per- GCC Board Directors Institute (BDI) not only of skills and expertise but ciation supported by over 35,000 sonal and team legal achievements on May 23 and 24. also of personalities and diversity members in 85 countries. and innovation in a number of legal The workshop participants, of thought is essential, along with a Mohammed Al Ansari, the sectors. board directors and senior exec- culture of trust and mutual respect Founder and Managing Partner of the In 2014, the law firm bagged the utives from leading regional so as to foster open and constructive law firm, said: “The award represents award for ‘Middle East Law Firm of businesses, represented compa- discussions,” said Dr Amer Al Rawas, our clients’ trust, and confirms the the Year’ as well as the ‘Best Local nies including Saudi Mechanical CEO, Tasneea Oil & Gas Technology, An official of Al Ansari & Associates with the award. dedication of our entire team.” Deal of the Year’. Industries, Tasnee, Saudi Telecom during his keynote speech at the GCC Company, Premier Group, Shahini BDI alumni dinner, which preceded Holding Group, General Organi- the workshop. zation for Social Insurance, ACWA “Effective boards are essential Batelco no longer Power, RAK Gas, Commercial Bank for the sustainability of economies International and IPIC. and prosperity of societies. BDI in talks to “The characteristics of a model is playing a pivotal role in pro- board do not stop at specific indus- moting professional directorship buy Malta’s GO try knowledge or detailed expert through effective learning programs, understanding,” said Jane Valls, knowledge sharing platforms, and Reuters Executive Director, GCC Board networking events in our region. Directors Institute (BDI). “To ensure With a regionally focused mission corporate governance is effective, and very well balanced agenda, BDI DUBAI: Bahrain Telecommuni- diverse thinking and authentic dia- provides an excellent platform for cations Co (Batelco) is no longer logue at board level, it is important a constructive dialogue amongst in talks to buy Maltese telecoms for companies to diversify the type ourselves and with the regulatory company GO, the Bahraini firm of thinkers in the boardroom, going authorities to share best governance said yesterday. beyond characteristics like age, gen- practices,” added Dr Amer. Last week, Batelco announced der, skills and life experiences; with The GCC Board Directors Insti- it had submitted a bid for GO, the right mix of attitudes and behav- tute has established one of the which is 60 percent owned by iour, coupled with a charismatic region’s largest and most influen- Emirates International Telecom- chairman, boardrooms can better tial networks of close to700 board munications (EIT), a unit of Dubai steer the discussions and challenge members in the region. Holding. each other with candour when things These discussions have now ended, Batelco said in a state- An artist’s impression of The Mall of Qatar. ment to Bahrain’s bourse. Batelco said negotiations had been for it to buy as much as 100 percent of GO but did not provide fur- Mall of Qatar wins another award ther details. GO said in a statement ear- lier on Tuesday that it had chosen former monopoly Tunisie Telecom The Peninsula This prestigious award was our developer UrbaCon Trading & as the final preferred bidder for designed to highlight the best new Contracting for Mall of Qatar.” said the sale of its entire issued share retail and leisure schemes from the Rony Mourani, General Manager of capital. most successful and exciting develop- Mall of Qatar. “This prestigious award EIT, which is selling its stake DOHA: UrbaCon Trading & Contracting ment company of the last 12 months. recognizes the most innovative retail in GO, also owns 35 percent of Company had the privilege of accept- Mall of Qatar is proud to have had its and leisure super-regional develop- Tunisie Telecom, according to the ing the Developer of the Year award at accomplishments in the retail and lei- ment in Qatar,” he added. Dubai-based firm’s website. Retail and Leisure International’s elev- sure sectors recognised with such a The Mall of Qatar and the Al Its subsidiaries include hotel enth edition of the Global RLI Awards high honour. Rayyan Hotel are amongst UCC’s Dr Amer Al Rawas, CEO, Tasneea Oil & Gas Technology, delivering group Jumeirah and real estate held at the Natural History Museum in “It was with great pleasure that largest contributions to these developer Dubai Properties. London, on May 5 ,2016. we received this award on behalf of sectors. keynote speech at the GCC BDI alumni dinner. BUSINESS WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 23 Nokia and Ooredoo set to revolutionise ICT in Qatar

vating cutting-edge technologies, “The high speed of internet is help- voice, video and other data applica- exponentially more connected The Finnish company which include solutions related to ing the fast adoption of new services tions for mission-critical services for devices. For every device connected 5G development, microwave trans- that we at Nokia are introducing here public safety and IoT applications. to the Internet today, 10 more will join demonstrated how mission, 5G radio, and Internet of together with our customers,” Danny Danny stressed that Nokia is it in the near future. to improve customer Things (IoT), said a top official of the Atme (pictured), Head of West Mid- committed to supporting operators Through IoT and smart city con- company. dle East, Nokia told The Peninsula in Qatar to enable IoT and smart cities cepts, we can automate our lives by experience with The Finnish multinational com- yesterday. with next-gen critical communiac- connecting mobile devices to appli- high-quality and munications and information He added: “We are very happy to tions network for public safety. ances, lights, roadways and just about technology leader showcased its latest be part Ooredoo Qatar and working “Nokia, a global leader in the everything – a shift that will improve secure networks. innovations at Oryx Rotana Hotel to in close cooperation. Over the next technologies that connect people efficiency and enable economic, help local operators, enterprises and three years together we will be inno- and things, is demonstrating its lat- social and environmental sustaina- government agencies to develop new vating and bringing new solutions to est innovations to telecomoperators bility in Qatar. IoT revenue streams, enable smart keep the innovation sprit that Qoore- to enable the eco-system to build “Markets such as Qatar, the UAE By Mohammad Shoeb cities with next-gen critical commu- doo has. This is something that we are smart cities with IoT)and critical- and Saudi Arabia, where you have The Peninsula nications network. proud of. Today we are demonstrating communications network for public mobile penetration in excess of 200 The company also demonstrated here some of the latest technologies safety while ensuring a world-class percent, as each person has at least to telecom operators how to meet the and solutions that we earlier show- mobile broad band customer expe- two phones or subscriptions. So the DOHA: Tech giant Nokia and Oore- ever-increasing demand for network cased in Mobile World Congress in rience for the subscribers in Qatar,” growth will be in new services, such doo Qatar are working together to capacity, speed and coverage, and Barcelona.” he said. as IoT and creating new use case that redefine the future of information improve the customer experience with He said that these network tech- He also noted that the world is operators can offer to their custom- and communication system by inno- high-quality and secure networks. nologies will enable high-bandwidth becoming more urbanised, with ers base,” added Dannay.

Volkswagen makes progress toward deal on emissions

Reuters

SAN FRANCISCO/WASHING- TON: Volkswagen AG has made substantial progress toward reaching a final settlement by late June with car owners and the US government over the German automaker’s cheating on diesel emissions tests, a federal judge said yesterday. US District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco also reiter- ated that a settlement will include Participants at 15th Annual CEO Forum. “substantial compensation” for owners of 482,000 polluting vehi- cles that emit up to 40 times legally allowable pollution. Exploit new opportunities: Qatargas CEO Breyer said lawyers for owners suing Volkswagen and the US Jus- tice Department, Environmental The Peninsula hosted both events and engaged with Qatarization program. It also pro- Graduate Development Program. motivational speeches by Qatari Protection Agency, Federal Trade the young nationals. vided participants the opportunity The aim of this learning module is to nationals who have excelled in Commission and the company “Qatargas is committed to main- to share their experiences and high- gain a better understanding of roles their careers and progressed to key were on track to file the final pro- taining its status as the world’s light challenges they face during their and responsibilities which will sup- position in the Company after com- posed settlements by June 21. DOHA: Qatargas recently held its Premier LNG Company. As national development. port executing the role of a coach and pleting their development program. The “parties ... have reported 15th Annual CEO Forum for National graduates, you are the cornerstone The feedback and suggestions National Graduate as a learner more Ali Mohammed Al Emadi, LNG Mar- that in the month since we last Graduates on May 17 and National of this incredible journey we are provided will help further improve effectively. keting Division Manager shared his met they have made substantial Trainees on May 19 at QNCC. The undertaking. At Qatargas, we value the training and development pro- For Trainees, a new Techni- success stories with the National progress in intensive daily efforts CEO Forum is an annual event dur- our national workforce and provide grams on offer. cal Preparation Programme (TPP) Graduates; and Mones Khider Al to finalize the agreement, and ing which nationals, who are part of you with guidance as well as the nec- The event announced launch of is under provision, which is more Rwaili, Head of Shutdown Operations, most importantly are on track Qatargas’ Training and Development essary means and tools to grow in new IDP platform this year, in an focused on vocational training and Onshore Support Operation shared his to meet the court’s deadline,” Programme, meet with the Chief your professional life,” said Al Thani effort to further support National aligned to targeted positions as tech- success with National Trainees. There Breyer said. Executive Officer, and participate in addressing the nationals. Graduates throughout their Individ- nicians and rover operators. were also several group activities and Breyer said engineering stud- discussions regarding their individ- The CEO urged them to take own- ual Development Program. The new The programme is based on presentations. ies and testing were continuing ual development and the company’s ership of their own development and platform is developed to increase standards set by Qatargas together At the end of the forums the toward a resolution for the owners Qatarisation programme. career path. He encouraged them to effectiveness of IDP system user expe- with other oil and gas companies. graduates and trainees had the of 80,000 larger 3.0 litre vehi- The theme of this year’s forum, develop their skills and take advantage rience and reporting. The program content has been devel- opportunity to ask any questions or cles but offered no timetable. The “My Career My Responsibility”, was of the opportunities provided to them in This year L&D launched National oped jointly by the companies and raise concerns directly to the Chief vehicles emit up to 9 times legally supported by Qatargas’ Learning and order to progress in their careers. Graduate Development Program endorsed by QP. The program mate- Executive Officer. The CEO presented allowable pollution. Development Department and facili- The Forum focused on the e-learning training to assist Division rial is now under development and awards to the best national graduates The so-called Dieselgate scan- tated by the Focus Group. development of Qatargas’ national Heads, Coaches and our National the first batch is planned to start on on scholarship and development, and dal, which has hurt VW’s global Qatargas’ Chief Executive Officer, graduates and trainees, and pro- Graduates to understand the pur- September 2016. trainees on development for their out- business as well as its reputation, Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani, vided updates on the Company’s pose and objectives of the National The Forum also included standing performance in 2016. erupted last September. US new homes sales hit 8-year high as economy improves

Reuters units sold than previously reported. June if data continued to point to Economists had forecast new home an improvement in second-quarter sales, which account for about 10.2 growth. The Fed raised its benchmark percent of the housing market, ris- overnight interest rate in December WASHINGTON: New US single-fam- ing to only a 523,000 unit-rate last for the first time in nearly a decade. ily home sales recorded their biggest month. The PHLX housing index hit a gain in 24 years in April, touching a New home sales increased one-month high on the new home more than eight-year high as pur- broadly, with the exception of the sales data, with shares in the nation’s chases increased broadly, a sign of Midwest. April’s increase, however, largest homebuilder, D.R. Horton Inc, growing confidence in the econo- probably exaggerates the housing increasing 4.3 percent and Lennar my’s prospects. market strength given that home- Corp jumping 4.7 percent. Yesterday’s report from the builders confidence has stagnated Toll Brothers shares vaulted 7.6 Domasco and Tokyo Freight Services officials at the handover ceremony. Commerce Department, which also since rising in January. percent, also boosted by a nearly 31 showed a surge in new home prices New home sales are extremely percent surge in quarterly revenue to a record high, offered further volatile month-to-month and pre- after the homebuilder sold more lux- Volvo tractor heads for Tokyo Freight evidence of a pick-up in economic liminary figures are subject to large ury homes at higher prices. growth that could allow the Federal revisions because they are mostly The dollar was trading higher Reserve to raise interest rates soon. drawn from building permits data. against a basket of currencies while “Consumers are taking the leap Still, last month’s gain pushed new prices for US government debt fell. The Peninsula “Volvo Trucks is witnessing solid the market is to provide efficient and and buying the biggest of big ticket home sales well above their first- The housing market is being growth while retaining a leading fast delivery service to continuously items of their lives and this speaks quarter average of 531,667 units. underpinned by a tightening labor position in the Qatari market. Safe- support our customers from whom to confidence. The Federal Reserve The new home sales report came market, which is starting to lift guarding the investment of our clients we owe our success, that’s why we’ve can raise rates at their June meeting in the wake of fairly upbeat data on wages, as well as still very low DOHA: Doha Marketing Services Com- with superior equipment and after chosen Volvo FM400 tractor head without fear the economy is going to home resales and residential con- mortgage rates. But a shortage of pany (Domasco ) recently delivered a sales support is our prime goal.” said due to its high quality and when it’s slow,” said Chris Rupkey, chief econ- struction. It also added to retail sales properties available for sale remains large number of Volvo FM 400 4X2 Faisal Sharif, the Managing Director coupled with value added services omist at MUFG Union Bank in New and industrial production reports in a hurdle and house prices have risen Tractor Heads to Tokyo Freight Serv- at Domasco. provided by Domasco we expect an York. New home sales jumped 16.6 suggesting that the economy was faster than wages, sidelining some ices, a well-knownfreight forwarding Muthanikatt Abdulla, Managing increase in our fleet uptime”. percent to a seasonally adjusted gathering speed after growth slowed first-time buyers. and shipping company founded in the Director at Tokyo Freight Services, Mohammad Majeed, Sales and annual rate of 619,000 units, the to a 0.5 percent annualized rate in the “The spring home buying sea- year 1992. With this recent purchase, said, “It was quite an aggressive Marketing Manager of Commercial highest level since January 2008. first quarter. son is in full swing as builders have Tokyo Freight has expanded its fleet decision for us to buy 58 trucks with Vehicles at Domasco said,“Volvo The percent increase was the larg- Minutes from the Fed’s April been picking up steam through the significantly with the right vehicles for trailers during the current global trucks are brawny steel titans that est since January 1992. 26-27 policy meeting, published last first quarter,” said Bill Banfield, the extraordinary operation conditions recession. However, we believe that can take on any extreme road con- Data for February and March week, showed most officials consid- vice president at Quicken Loans in in Qatar market. the only way to stay competitive in dition or climate variances in Qatar.” were revised to show 39,000 more ered it appropriate to raise rates in Detroit. 24 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 BUSINESS SWIFT to unveil security plan after Dhaka heist

but little-noticed theft from Banco at users. “Many of the less protected del Austro in Ecuador last year that banks are in countries were skills Some finance netted thieves more than $12m, and are really scarce,” he said, pointing industry executives a previously undisclosed attack on the finger at providers of services to Vietnam’s Tien Phong Bank that was banks. “We will have to create an say SWIFT has not not successful. ecosystem of providers and partners, been as active The crimes have dented the for example by introducing certifi- banking industry’s faith in SWIFT, a cation requirements for third-party as it should be in Belgium-based co-operative owned providers,” he said. improving security. by its users. However, some finance industry The Bangladesh Bank hack was executives say SWIFT has not been a “watershed event for the banking as active as it should be in improv- industry”, Leibbrandt said. ing security. Reuters “There will be a before and an Users frequently do not inform after Bangladesh. The Bangladesh SWIFT of breaches of their SWIFT fraud is not an isolated incident ... systems and even now, the co-oper- LONDON: The SWIFT secure mes- this is a big deal. And it gets to the ative has not proposed any sanctions saging service that underpins heart of banking.” for clients who fail to pass on infor- Total Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanne attends a shareholders meeting in Paris, France, yesterday. international banking said yester- SWIFT wants banks to “drasti- mation, which SWIFT itself says is day it plans to launch a new security cally” improve information sharing, key to stopping future attacks. programme as it fights to rebuild its to toughen up security procedures Some critics say SWIFT should reputation in the wake of the Bang- around SWIFT and to increase their also be more active in auditing cli- Total to ‘review’ investments in France ladesh Bank heist. use of software that could spot fraud- ents and be ready to cut off members The Society for Worldwide Inter- ulent payments. whose security is not up to scratch. bank Financial Telecommunication In an apparent concession to But the messaging service says (SWIFT)’s chief executive, Gottfried banks, Leibbrandt said SWIFT was other authorities also have a role. AFP the investment plans we have for all directors,” he said. The refinery Leibbrandt, told a financial services ready to help lenders detect possible “SWIFT is not all-powerful, we sites in France” under a restructur- blockades are part of demonstrations conference in Brussels that SWIFT frauds. “We can provide tools and best are not a regulator and we are not a ing programme. against the government’s labour mar- will launch a five-point plan later practices for such a detection at the policeman,” Leibbrandt said. “If our colleagues want to take an ket reforms that opponents say are this week. receiving bank,” he told the conference. Former SWIFT Chief Executive PARIS: Blockades of five refineries industrial asset hostage for a cause weighed in favour of business. Banks send payment instructions SWIFT will also provide tighter Leonard Schrank said it appeared run by Total in France will cause the that is foreign to the company, you In the face of persistently weak to one another via SWIFT messages. guidelines that auditors and regula- that SWIFT’s security efforts had French oil giant to “seriously review” have to ask whether that is where we oil prices, Total has slashed costs In February, thieves hacked into the tors can use to assess whether banks’ not kept pace with the criminals its domestic investments, the group’s should invest,” Pouyanne told report- and said it would be ramping down SWIFT system of the Bangladesh cen- SWIFT security procedures are good increased sophistication and that the CEO said yesterday. ers on the sidelines of a shareholders’ investment in 2016, with investment tral bank, sending messages to the enough. co-operative needed to work hard to Patrick Pouyanne said strikes and general meeting. in its own businesses now seen falling Federal Reserve Bank of New York Leibbrandt again defended restore its reputation. blockades by union activists that had “In any case, we should reflect short the $19bn (€17bn) announced allowing them to steal $81m. SWIFT’s role, saying the hacks hap- “They really have to earn that fully or partially crippled its refiner- clearly on the question, both the in February. That figure was already The attack follows a similar pened primarily because of failures credibility back,” he said. ies “will lead us to seriously review management and the board of down on $23bn for 2015.

Chinese group buys 65% of Spotify subscriptions pump up revenue, but loss widens sports rights Reuters more than 30 million paying users, advertising nearly doubled to €195m. Luxembourg, where it files its finan- two hours of custom-made music firm MP & Silva is facing tough competition from oth- However, the Stockholm-based cial reports each year. recommendations. ers such as Apple Music and Alphabet company, which provides free on- MIdiA Research forecast in Janu- “This is the future of music and Reuters Inc’s Google, which offers YouTube demand music or ad-free tunes for ary that total revenue from streaming you should expect to see a lot of STOCKHOLM: Spotify’s revenues and Google Play Music. paying customers, made an operat- would grow from $4.5bn in 2015 to progress in this area during the com- rose 80 percent in 2015 as it gained Filings obtained by Reuters from ing loss of €184.5m in 2015, compared $8.5bn in 2020. Its report said Spoti- ing years,” it said. more subscribers for its music stream- Luxembourg’s company registry yes- with 165.1m in 2014. fy’s market share was 37 percent last The battle for users has intensi- MILAN: A Chinese group has ing service, but heavy spending on terday showed Spotify’s revenues rose Spotify attributed its loss to year. fied in recent months and Spotify has bought a 65 percent stake in Ital- product development and inter- to €1.9bn ($2.1bn) in 2015, almost substantial investments in prod- Key additions to its catalogue rolled out new content to attract new ian-owned sports media rights national expansion meant a bigger double the pace of growth from the uct development, expansion and of music in 2015 included bands users. It now offers video, podcasts group MP & Silva (MPS), accord- operating loss. previous year. new personnel. Of its global staff of such as The Beatles and AC/DC. from the likes of TED Talks and NPR ing to a statement yesterday from The privately-owned Swed- Subscriptions made up the bulk about 2,000, half are based in Stock- It also launched the popular Dis- and a feature which matches music Beijing Baofeng Technology Co Ltd, ish firm, global market leader with of revenues, while income from holm. The company is registered in cover Weekly feature which offers to the pace of a user’s run. which is one of the investors. Reuters had earlier reported, citing a source familiar with the matter, that China Everbright and Beijing Baofeng were set to take a German confidence slips stake of around 60 percent in MPS, valuing the company at just over $1bn. after bumper quarter A second source confirmed the deal valued MPS as a whole at around $1bnn. Bloomberg jump in construction that pushed Headquartered in London and up capital investment by 1.8 per- Singapore with an annual turn- cent, the Federal Statistics Office in over of $600m, MPS distributes Wiesbaden said on Tuesday. Private media rights for a series of sports BERLIN: German investor confi- consumption rose 0.4 percent. federations and clubs, including dence dropped for the first time in Investment contributed 0.4 per- Italy’s top-flight Serie A soccer three months in a sign that growth centage point to growth in the first league. momentum is set to slow after the quarter, with consumer spending Its main shareholders, Italian economy expanded at its strongest adding 0.2 point and government businessmen Andrea Radrizzani pace in two years. consumption 0.1 point, according to and Riccardo Silva, own an overall The ZEW Center for European the report. Net trade subtracted 0.1 80 percent of the company. Carlo Economic Research in Mannheim percentage point from GDP expan- Pozzali is the third founding part- said its index of investor and ana- sion as imports outpaced exports. ner and a minority shareholder in lyst expectations, which aims to “Growth was broad-based, with the business. predict economic developments six private consumption and construc- The investment is the latest in months ahead, fell to 6.4 from 11.2 tion investment shouldering a great a series of sports-related acquisi- in April, reflecting concerns over a share,” Johannes Gareis, an econ- tions by Chinese companies. UK exit from the European Union. omist at Natixis in Frankfurt, said Baofeng said it would exploit Economists in a Bloomberg survey before the report. “Looking to sec- its strong position in China along predicted an increase to 12. ond-quarter growth, we think the with MPS’ relationship with rights Earlier yesterday, data from the German economy is unlikely to A Toyota logo at the 2016 Washington Auto Show in Washington, DC. holders and broadcasters to help Federal Statistics Office in Wies- repeat the blockbuster performance the company grow in China and baden confirmed Europe’s largest seen in the first quarter, also due to globally. economy grew 0.7 percent in the some payback from the boost to President Xi Jinping, an avid January-March period on the back construction investment from mild soccer fan, has made it a goal for Toyota to recall 1.6million more of an investment surge. weather.” the country to one day win the “There is a feeling that the ‘good The Ifo institute’s business-cli- World Cup and a recent string of times’ are probably not here to stay,” mate index due on Wednesday will deals is raising China’s profile in Dominik Rehse, a researcher at ZEW, provide some clues on the severity of the game. cars in US over Takata airbags told reporters in Mannheim. Risk the slowdown. A survey of purchas- Earlier this month, former factors include “continued doubt ing managers sent mixed messages Italian Prime Minister Silvio Ber- over China growth, nationalist party on Monday, suggesting private- lusconi opened exclusive talks with successes in Western Europe and sector growth in Europe’s largest a group of Chinese investors about AFP In early May, US auto safety reg- between 2006 and 2011. whether public consumption and economy accelerated in May at the selling a majority stake in soccer ulators ordered Takata to recall “Depending on the vehicle model, construction will continue at the fastest pace this year as companies club AC Milan. between 35 million and 40 mil- dealers will replace the air bag infla- current pace,” he said. worked through their backlogs, A Chinese magnate last week lion airbags installed in US cars tor or the air bag assembly at no cost,” The Bundesbank predicts that while a gauge measuring new orders agreed to buy English soccer club LOS ANGELES: Toyota said it will -- including in Toyotas, Hondas Toyota said. growth will slow somewhat in fell to the lowest level in 10 months. Aston Villa. recall nearly 1.6 million more vehi- and other big-name vehicles -- in a US investigators have linked the current quarter, even though ZEW’s gauge of current conditions Property group Dalian Wanda, cles in the United States to correct push to replace dangerously explo- accidents in which airbag infla- it expressed confidence that the in Germany rose to 53.1 from from 47.7, which last year bought a 20 per- possible defects in front passenger sive inflators. The decision came after tors ruptured, injuring drivers and country’s economy can retain its more than analysts expected. A gauge cent stake in Champions’ League air bag inflators made by the Japa- the NHTSA concluded that the infla- passengers with shrapnel, to the underlying strength. Record-low of confidence in the euro-area econ- finalists Atletico Madrid, has also nese company Takata. The decision, tors are prone to ruptures, adding deterioration of the inflators’ ammo- unemployment is underpinning con- omy fell to 16.8 from 21.5. acquired Swiss sports-marketing which was announced on Monday, to nearly 29 million Takata airbags nium nitrate propellant under high sumer demand and companies are “The strong growth of the Ger- company Infront. was made based on recent infor- already recalled in the US. humidity and fluctuating heat benefiting from a cyclical recovery man economy in the first quarter Chinese companies have also mation from both Takata and the Some 50 million have been conditions. in the 19-nation euro area driven by of 2016 appears to have surprised made a series of investments in US National Highway Traffic Safety recalled globally. More than 100 incidents and 10 European Central Bank stimulus. the financial market experts,” ZEW some major German technology Administration (NHTSA), Toyota said The decision affects some mod- deaths have been linked to the issue In the first quarter, German President Achim Wambach said in businesses. in a statement. els of Corollas, Lexus and Scion made in the United States. growth was driven by a 2.3 percent a statement. BUSINESS WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 25

Falcon 8X scale model Singapore closes BoE Governor BSI bank unit as probe widens defends message Reuters

SINGAPORE/ZURICH: Singapore closed down BSI’s operations in the on Brexit risk city-state, while Switzerland began criminal proceedings against the private bank, in the biggest inter- national crackdown on financial entities dealing with a scandal-hit Mark Carney had Malaysian government fund. The Monetary Authority of Sin- warned of the risk gapore (MAS) said yesterday it had of a sharp slowdown withdrawn BSI Bank’s status as a merchant bank in Singapore for in economic growth serious breaches of anti-money and a rise in laundering rules, the first time in 32 years it has taken such action inflation. against a bank. In a statement that highlighted an “unacceptable risk culture,” Reuters regulatory lapses and gross mis- conduct of some of BSI’s staff, MAS Visitors stand behind a scale model of Falcon 8X of the French plane maker Dassault Aviation during said it was also reviewing transac- the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, yesterday. LONDON: Bank of England Gov- tions of other banks in Singapore. ernor Mark Carney (pictured) to keep the country in the EU. The central bank has referred defended the central bank’s decision Rees-Mogg has previously five former executives of BSI Bank to flag the risks of leaving the Euro- accused Carney of venturing into to the public prosecutor for pos- pean Union yesterday, hitting back politics with his Brexit warnings and sible criminal charges, including at one of his toughest critics who has called for him to resign. its previous Asia CEO, Hanspeter called for him to resign. But Andrew Tyrie, chairman of Indonesia opens several new Brunner,m and another suspended Carney said the outcome of the the committee quizzing Carney and executive. “BSI Bank is the worst June 23 referendum could require other BoE officials yesterday, said case of control lapses and gross the Bank to make a big reassess- lawmakers would have criticised misconduct that we have seen in ment to how it sets interest rates, the governor if he had stayed silent sectors to foreign investment the Singapore financial sector,” something it needed to explain to on Brexit. said Ravi Menon, managing direc- businesses and households. Carney said he did not expect tor of MAS. The Singapore central “It’s important not just for those the central bank to make substan- bank’s action was “a shot across in financial markets to understand tial fresh comments about the risks AFP to operate in Indonesia had long but the new regulation came into the bow to the industry,” said Chris that, but it’s important also to (be) of Britain leaving the EU before the complained of rising protectionism force on May 18, presidential spokes- Wilson, a partner at PwC Consult- straight with the British people about referendum next month. pushed by nationalist politicians and man Ari Dwipayana confirmed. The ing, specialising in anti-money that,” he said. The Bank is due to make a domestic firms worried about losing new list was posted on a government laundering and financial crime. The BoE has angered campaign- monthly policy statement on June JAKARTA: Indonesia has opened a out to foreign competitors. website on Tuesday. “This sends a strong signal to ers who want Britain to leave the EU 16, a week before the in-out vote. string of new sectors to foreign busi- Peter Fanning, chairman of the The move comes as Indonesia is senior management of any institu- by talking of the risk of a sharp slow- Speaking to members of par- nesses to attract more investment International Business Chamber in seeking new ways to boost its econ- tion out there that they could also down in economic growth and a rise liament yesterday, Carney said he and help pull Southeast Asia’s big- Jakarta, said the changes were pos- omy which grew at its slowest pace face these issues,” he said, adding in inflation. thought the Bank’s nine monetary gest economy out of a slowdown, an itive but cautioned more still needed for six years in 2015. that regulators in other countries Carney said earlier this month policymakers had largely said what official said yesterday. to be done. It has been hard hit by a slow- may now review their own rules there was a risk of a two-quarter they had to say on the issue. Restrictions have been eased on “I think it’s a move in the right down in demand for its key or step up enforcement. recession. “We in my judgment have high- investing in host of industries from direction,” he said. commodities exports, particularly The Swiss Financial Market Jacob Rees-Mogg, a Euroscep- lighted the key economic issues tourism and agriculture to transpor- The changes were made through from powerhouse China, as well as Supervisory Authority or Finma tic lawmaker, renewed his attacks around, including short-term uncer- tation and entertainment. alterations to the Negative Invest- falling prices. said in Zurich that Swiss-based BSI on Carney, calling the BoE a “crea- tainty and the potential change in Foreign firms are allowed to ment List, which bans foreign The central bank has cut inter- AG had committed serious breaches ture of the government”. the trade-off between output and own different shares in businesses companies from operating in cer- est rates three times this year in an of money laundering regulations Prime Minister David Cam- inflation, so I would not expect depending on the sector, according tain sectors. attempt to encourage lenders to give through transactions linked to the eron and finance minister George something substantially different to the new regulation. The move was first announced by out more loans and spur economic corruption scandals surrounding the Osborne are leading the campaign to be said (on June 16),” he said. Overseas companies seeking President Joko Widodo in February growth. Malaysian state investor.

Malaysian growth slows down Turkey cuts key interest rate as markets welcome new cabinet

AFP minister in charge of economy, which Ozgur Altug, chief economist came as a relief to markets. Inves- at BGC Partners in Istanbul, also tors had been closely watching the suggested that “from markets’ per- composition of the new cabinet amid spective, the new cabinet appears to ANKARA: Turkey’s central bank yes- speculation that market-friendly be broadly positive (or not as bad as terday cut a key interest rate hours Simsek might be replaced by the feared) given the fact that Mr Simsek after a new cabinet line-up was president’s son-in-law Berat Albayrak remains in the cabinet”. unveiled by the incoming prime min- who, however, remained energy min- After the shock departure of ister, a loyalist of President Recep ister instead. former Prime Minister Ahmet Dav- Tayyip Erdogan. The markets reacted well to the utoglu amid a series of rifts with The central bank said the over- news. The Turkish lira rallied against Erdogan, the Justice and Develop- night lending rate was trimmed to 9.5 the dollar, which dropped to below ment Party (AKP) government has percent from 10.0 percent while its 2.98 lira from around 3 before the been keen to show a public front of one-week repurchasing rate remained announcement. unity and business as usual. at 7.5 percent. The overnight borrow- Simsek’s continuing role “pro- William Jackson, senior emerging ing rate, at which banks lend to each vided some relief for the markets,” markets economist at London-based other at the end of the day, was also Deniz Cicek, economist at Istanbul’s Capital Economis, said it seemed that kept intact, at 7.25 percent. Finansbank, wrote in a note to clients. the bank was “being influenced by Yesterday’s announcement came “By easing concerns, Simsek’s pres- demands from Erdogan and his allies A view of Kuala Lumpur City from the observation deck of the Kuala Lumpur Tower yesterday. Malaysia’s shortly after Turkey’s incoming Prime ence could help the government in for lower interest rates”. economy expanded in the first quarter at its slowest rate since the global financial crisis as the energy- Minister Binali Yildirim unveiled his limiting market reaction to its expan- Erdogan has often pressured the new cabinet line-up, with most key sionary policies in the present fragile nominally independent central bank exporting country grapples with falling oil prices and weak overseas demand. ministers keeping their jobs, includ- economic and political situation,” she to trim rates to trigger growth and ing Mehmet Simsek, deputy prime commented. investments, European Union and energy firms seek Algerian gas cooperation

Reuters LNG shipments across the Mediterra- 2021 and European companies are developed ... be demanding with document from a March meeting by pipeline and LNG were up 30 per- nean Sea is widely underused. pushing for more flexible deals given us, but we will be demanding too,” with EU officials, oil companies had cent in the first 4 months. Declining European demand has the more competitive gas market, Total’s executive committee mem- six areas of concern, including lack of “We are listening to investors to cut into Algerian exports, but the though Algerian officials appear com- ber Philippe Sauquet told the forum, quality offers and clearer data, rigid remove any constraints they face, ALGIERS: European Union officials amount of gas for export has also mitted to long-term arrangements. also attended by state oil firm Sonat- contracts, fiscal terms, taxes, and the and if necessary, to make improve- and energy firms urged Algeria yes- been hit by a combination of slowing Algeria has dozens of projects, rach and the energy ministry. need for more flexibility. ments in this,” Energy Minister Salah terday to adapt to more competitive production from mature fields, low mostly in its southern Sahara, that Oil industry sources say the prob- Still, there have been signs of Khebri said, without detailing what energy markets so as to attract the investment and Algeria’s own rapidly the government expects to generate lems Algeria has struggled with over progress since last year, industry amendments the government was investment needed to pump more gas expanding need for gas to generate new production and help keep its flow the past decade have stemmed from sources, EU and Algerian officials say. considering. north again after years of dwindling power. of gas exports to Europe stable. But it a glacial bureaucracy, tough con- Talks between technical teams But he said any review to Alge- exports. “Algeria needs to bring in more has failed to attract the investment tract terms, security worries, delayed are working on common ground. ria’s long-term, oil price-indexed gas Algeria is seen as a natural part- investment if it is to maintain its needed to discover and develop new projects and turmoil at state oil com- Sonatrach, long hampered by rapid contracts to a more spot based model, ner for the European Union as it looks exports to the EU in the long term,” fields and maintain old ones. pany Sonatrach. management turnover and scandals, would need financial guarantees from to diversify energy supplies after the EU Climate and Energy Commissioner Executives from major European Yesterday’s forum was also dis- is starting to appear a little more agile, banks willing to accept the change. Ukraine conflict again exposed the Miguel Arias Canete told a business firms at the forum, including Spain’s cussing renewable energy sources and offering direct negotiations as a more The collapse in oil prices does risks of relying too much on the bloc’s forum in Algiers yesterday. “If this Repsol, ENI, and Norway’s Statoil, energy efficiency, as well as technol- flexible approach. risk making Algeria less attractive top gas supplier, Russia. continues in the long term, then Alge- acknowledged Algeria was a key sup- ogy for alternative energy sources as And gas exports to Europe are ris- for companies just when the country The North African country is the ria’s position as a key supplier may be plier, but urged officials to reduce red Algeria looks to reduce its reliance on ing, Algerian officials say, helped by needs them most, but analysts say the EU’s third biggest gas supplier behind compromised.” tape and address security concerns gas to produce electricity and free up new fields. Sonatrach says shipments leaner times, and falling government Russia and Norway, yet its export Algeria’s long-term gas contracts and tough regulatory terms. more for export. will grow 15 percent to more than revenues, may now also prompt more capacity through three pipelines and to Europe are due to expire through “Only the best projects will be According to a Sonatrach 50bn cubic meters in 2016. Shipments flexibility from the state. 26 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 BUSINESS

QE INDICES SUMMARY QATAR STOCK EXCHANGE QE Index 9,664.85 0.17 % QE Total Return Index 15,637.09 0.17 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,799.32 0.26 % QE All Share Index 2,705.36 0.21 % QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 2,598.04 0.42 % QE All Share Industrials 3,034.82 0.39 % QE All Share Transportation 2,491.6 0.37 % QE All Share Real Estate 2,377.49 0.63 % QE All Share Insurance 4,126.21 1.23 % QE All Share Telecoms 1,077.36 1.47 % QE All Share Consumer Goods & Services 6,449.04 0.84 %

QE MARKET SUMMARY COMPARISON 24-05-2016 Today 23-05-2016 Previous day Index 9,664.85 9,681.54 Change 16.69 43.28 % 0.17 0.45 YTD% 7.33 7.17 Volume 4,023,910 4,870,942 Value (QAR) 151,757,504.43 178,440,502.61 Trades 3,140 3,742 Up 13 | Down 22 | Unchanged 04

WORLD STOCK INDICES Index Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low All Ordinaries 5361.903 -22.977 -0.43 5483.7 4762.1 Cac 40 Index/D 4388.31 63.21 1.46 4607.69 3892.46 Dj Indu Average 17492.93 -8.01 -0.05 18229.8 15370.3 Hang Seng Inde/D 19830.43 21.4 0.11 21794.84 18278.8 Iseq Overall/D 6338.95 76.92 1.23 6791.68 5611.89 Karachi 100 In/D 36582.35 -141 -0.38 36848.02 29785 Nikkei 225 Index 16498.76 -155.84 -0.94 18951.12 14865.77 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2132.82 1810.1

EXCHANGE RATE Currency Buying Selling US$ QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 UK QR 5.2885 QR 5.3630 INTERNATIONAL MARKETS - A LIST OF SHARES FROM THE WORLD Euro QR 4.0450 QR 4.1016 COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME CA$ QR 2.7446 QR 2.7981 NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED Swiss Fr QR 3.6496 QR 3.7007 Yen QR 0.0329 QR 0.0336 A C C-A/D 1446.2 25.85 16094 Eveready Indu-/D 235 -0.3 268325 Kg Denim-B/D 96 1.8 18168 Timexgroup-T/D 34.65 0.7 15900 Aus$ QR 2.5826 QR 2.6334 Aarti Drugs-B/D 464.75 -11.85 1448 Federal Bank-A/D 49.5 0 354834 Kilburnengg-Xd/D 59.3 2.1 29269 Tinplate-B/D 69.6 -1.65 36710 Ind Re QR 0.0533 QR 0.0543 Aban Offs-A/D 189.7 -7.55 288508 Ferro Alloys-B/D 4.57 -0.03 6095 Kinetic Eng-B/D 81.1 -0.95 1608 Ucal Fuel-B/D 105.4 -1.3 3933 Pak Re QR 0.0344 QR 0.0352 Aegis Logis-B/D 107.95 -2.2 37176 Fgp Ltd-Xd/D 2.75 0.13 1000 Kopran-B/D 52.05 2.05 175649 Ultramarine-B/D 133.5 -5.75 8807 Peso QR 0.0770 QR 0.0786 Alembic-B/D 34.95 -0.2 29651 Finolex-A/D 391.8 -8.75 14828 Lloyd Metal-B/D 24.5 -0.45 16081 Unitech P -A/D 3.77 -0.19 11290052 Alkyl Amines-B/D 314.6 3 2336 Gail-A/D 371.05 -0.55 87119 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 4.93 0.02 19416 Univcable-B/D 81.85 -0.65 8956 SL Re QR 0.0244 QR 0.0251 Alok Indus-A/D 3.79 -0.08 1214696 Galada Power-B/D 13 0.62 4524 Lumax Ind-B/D 495.45 -4.45 1213 Uppergsugar-T/D 171 -6.25 31355 Taka QR 0.0458 QR 0.0469 Apollo Tyre-A/D 147.7 -3.75 160647 Gammon India-T/D 10.79 -0.33 80056 Lupin-A/D 1465.75 -0.75 336599 Nep Re QR 0.0335 QR 0.0341 Asahi I Glass-/D 148.15 -0.2 6130 Garden P -B/D 25 -0.5 4160 Lyka Labs-T/D 68.7 -2.2 11439 LONDON SA Rand QR 0.2304 QR 0.2350 Ashok Leyland-/D 101.7 1.75 743135 Godfrey Phil-B/D 857.1 -12.75 12873 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 326 -3.55 6168 Ballarpur In-B/D 17.4 0.1 624575 Goodricke-B/D 164.7 -7.25 30248 Mah.Seamless-B/D 219.1 -6.95 50089 3I Group/D 520.3409 0 879779 GOLD AND SILVER Bannari Aman-B/D 1745 -1.5 1008 Goodyear I -B/D 517.95 -10 4748 Mangalam Cem-B/D234.45 -4.4 7519 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2929 29 196732 Bata India-A/D 559.5 4.45 24416 Hcl Infosys-B/D 39.75 -0.4 349837 Maral Overs-B/D 28.2 2.05 20522 Barclays/D 178.2 2.5 12813512 GOLD QR145.8216 per gramme Beml Ltd-A/D 821.25 -29.25 45051 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 15.9 -0.2 460931 Mastek-B/D 136.85 2.2 18828 Bp/D 358.2 0.7 8998638 SILVER QR1.9154 per gramme Bh Electronic-/D1106.05 6.1 24461 Himat Seide-B/D 217.45 -5 43237 Max Financial-/D 379 7.45 3991 Brit Am Tobacc/D 4151.5 35.5 581569 Bhansali Eng-T/D 19.75 -0.65 26657 Hind Motors-T/D 4.88 0.01 12240 Mrpl-A/D 64.55 -0.95 77164 Bt Group/D 446.2 6.35 7599603 Bharat Bijle-B/D 816.05 -14.3 4146 Hind Org Chem-/D 14.9 -0.45 12570 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 26.5 -0.15 1331 Centrica/D 202.761 -0.2 3531281 Bhartiya Int-B/D 505.55 -4.95 5070 Hind Unilever-/D 823.05 3.5 39873 Nahar Spg.-B/D 120.3 2.4 15824 Gkn/D 271.8 -0.5 1311258 Bhel-A/D 117.55 -1 2052100 Hind.Petrol-A/D 807 -22.9 82970 Nation Alum -A/D 42.35 0.8 185495 Hsbc Holdings/D 433.5 6.25 9417477 Bom.Burmah-B/D 360 -6.45 7371 Hindalco-A/D 86.25 -0.7 1156252 Navneet Edu-B/D 89.25 0.65 13006 Kingfisher/D 371.1 10.6 5597595 Gulf mostly rises; Bombay Dyeing-/D 43.95 -1.6 94502 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1176 15.4 54268 Nepc India-T/D 1.42 0.06 3306 Land Secs Grou/D 1199 12 1063215 Canfin Homes-B/D 1139 -27.2 2357 I F C I-A/D 22.85 -0.45 466960 Neuland Lab-B/D 750 -36 5770 Legal & Genera/D 230.2 5.2 5053484 quieter as Caprihans-Xc/D 82.9 -0.1 4386 Idbi-A/D 64.1 -0.35 262116 Nrb Bearings-B/D 113 -0.05 2242 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 71.46 1.24 63108764 Castrol India-/D 365.75 -4.65 159283 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 340.5 -12.25 18437 O N G C-A/D 206.65 -1.65 215005 Marks & Sp./D 444.8 3.7 1557146 Century Enka-B/D 201.35 -2.4 8352 India Cement-A/D 84.2 0.1 223262 Oil Country-B/D 29.2 -1 2083 Next/D 5444.4 40 221296 Ramadan nears Century Text-A/D 586.4 -8.1 78235 India Glycol-B/D 82.35 -1.35 5458 Onward Tech-B/D 72 3.6 6060 Pearson/D 813.5708 2 560489 Chambal Fert-B/D 64.4 1.75 61192 Indian Hotel-A/D 114.8 -0.15 101419 Orchid Pharm-B/D 37.35 -0.6 67605 Prudential/D 1345 21.5 1241953 Chowgule St-T/D 17.45 0.45 3837 Indo-Tcount-T/D 900 1.9 6006 Orient Hotel-T/D 24 2 7545 Rank Group/D 249.2 3 40869 Reuters Cipla-A/D 494.9 -2.5 241058 Indusind-A/D 1043.6 -12.7 18738 Orient.Carb.-T/D 449 -13.35 3236 Rentokil Initi/D 178.2 0.6 412034 City Union Bk-/D 104.3 1.05 84663 J.B.Chemical-B/D 245.1 -3 11033 Orient.Carb.-T/D 449 -13.35 3236 Rolls Royce Pl/D 637.5 2.5 672044 Colgate-A/D 835.3 23.9 215859 Jagson Phar-B/D 33.95 0.8 2958 Oudh Sugar-B/D 78.6 -1.75 104962 Rsa Insrance G/D 486.7 7.3 571261 DUBAI: Most Gulf stock markets rose yesterday but Container Cor-/D 1380.9 8.5 110183 Jamnaauto-B/D 147 -1.4 47977 Punjab Chem.-B/D 163 -6.4 1457 Sainsbury(J)/D264.0581 5.8 1422078 trading volumes were small as some investors stayed Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 373 -13.65 1900 Jbf Indu-B/D 202.9 -0.7 17392 Radico Khait-B/D 84 -1.8 12998 Schroders/D 2607 26 66986 away because of the approach of the holy month of Dcm Shram Ind-/D 128.8 0.05 5626 Jct Ltd-B/D 4.56 -0.1 578246 Rallis India-A/D 204.8 -0.4 19193 Severn Trent/D 2269.1919 57 242026 Ramadan and summer holidays, when activity tends Dhampur Sugar-/D83.85 -1.8 167285 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 7.72 -0.16 11217 Rallis India-A/D 204.8 -0.4 19193 Smith&Nephew/D 1165 8 332438 to decrease in some bourses. Dr. Reddy-A/D 3025.25 -5.45 23260 Jik Indust-B/D 0.74 0.03 2000 Reliance Indus/D 388.5 -8.95 51222 Smiths Group/D1095.6364 0 486714 Dubai’s index spent most of the day little changed E I H-B/D 109.35 -0.4 6652 Jindal Drill-B/D 162 -3 3892 Ruchi Soya-B/D 22.2 0.25 38973 Standrd Chart /D 531.3 6.8 2403580 but closed 1.0 percent higher after a surge in the final E.I.D Parry-A/D 231.4 -2 29907 Jktyre&Ind-A/D 80.15 0.05 50627 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 461 -7.9 2200 Tate & Lyle/D 602.3659 -9.5 226409 half-hour. Eicher Motor-A/D 18175.65 -81.45 2895 Jmc Projects-T/D 264.1 -4.6 1818 Saur.Cem-B/D 64.1 -3.45 252700 Tesco/D 166.1 6 9963309 Investment bank Shuaa Capital jumped 3.7 percent Electrosteel-B/D 17.65 -0.55 129057 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 502.65 -26.45 2895 Tanfac Indust-/D 32 -1.05 1350 Unilever/D 3091.5 21 661687 in unusually heavy trade after sources said that it cut about 15 percent of its workforce at the end of last week, Emco-B/D 24.8 -0.15 4014 Kalpat Power-B/D 224.05 0.4 2589 Tanfac Indust-/D 32 -1.05 1350 United Util Gr/D 969.5 13.5 485241 ahead of a possible sale of a stake in the company by Escorts Fin-B/D 4.43 -0.51 40043 Kalyani Stel-T/D 163.85 3.75 119649 Thirumalai-B/D 243.8 -7.75 12921 Vodafone Group/D 226.6 0.75 11916566 Dubai Group. Escorts-A/D 171.1 3.9 142178 Kanoria Chem-B/D 65.75 -1.55 7550 Til Ltd.-T/D 294.85 5.35 1644 Whitbread/D 4272 9 444631 Dubai Group mandated Emirates NBD in April to arrange a sales process for its 48 percent stake in Shuaa. There is speculation in the market that a major financial firm in Dubai or the Middle East could buy the stake; Shuaa did not respond to requests for comment. European shares climb as financial stocks rally GFH Financial, the most heavily traded stock, added 2.1 percent after it invited its shareholders and investors to attend a briefing by senior management in Dubai on Wednesday afternoon on its future prospects. boosted by an apparent ebbing in Chairman Axel Weber that trad- who is determined to fight against possible exit by Britain from the Saudi Arabia’s index rose 0.8 percent in its thinnest the chances of a leave vote in Brit- ing activity will pick up after a clearly harmful Brexit for the European Union overshadows volume since early January, with the petrochemical sec- European markets ain’s upcoming referendum on EU the Brexit vote. Flows out of the British economy which would better-than-expected economic tor index climbing 1.1 percent. firmed yesterday membership. much-hated financial sector have also provoke a period of uncer- data. But Al Yamamah Steel, which had jumped 15 per- London’s benchmark FTSE abated since the Fed realigned tainty in the eurozone.” The investor confidence index cent in its first two days of trade since listing on Sunday, boosted by a rise 100 index climbed 1.4 percent expectations of a US rate hike Carney has been outlining the calculated by the ZEW economic fell back 2.4 percent. in financial shares, compared with on Monday’s this summer,” he added. risks of Brexit to lawmakers. institute decreased by 4.8 points Abu Dhabi’s index rose 0.6 percent. Abu Dhabi Com- close, while the pound picked up Shares in Barclays climbed “Sterling saw a big move to 6.4 points in May, the think mercial Bank climbed 1.5 percent but seven of the 10 a drop in the euro a couple of cents against both the 3.2 percent and RBS jumped higher during the appearance of tank said in a statement. most heavily traded stocks were flat or lower. and oil prices rising dollar and euro. Frankfurt’s DAX 4.8 percent in London, while in Bank of England governor Mark “The strong growth of the Qatar fell 0.2 percent as real estate firm Ezdan lost 30 index rose 2.2 percent and the Paris shares in BNP Paribas rose Carney at Brexit-focused infla- German economy in the first 0.9 percent but drilling rig provider Gulf International for the first time in Paris CAC 40 jumped 2.5 percent. 3.7 percent and Societe Genarale tion hearings, whilst another poll quarter of 2016 appears to have Services, again the most heavily traded stock, surged three days. “European markets firmed shot up 5.4 percent. In Frankfurt showed rising public support for surprised the financial market 2.6 percent. yesterday boosted by a rise in Deutsche Bank shares gained 2.6 Britain remaining in the EU,” said experts. However, they seem not Egypt’s index rebounded 1.1 percent, buoyed by Glo- financial shares, a drop in the percent and Commerzbank added Lawler. The pound rose to $1.4629 to expect the economic situa- bal Telecom, which added 1.3 percent. AFP euro and oil prices rising for the 2.7 percent. from a close of $1.4484 on Mon- tion to improve at the same pace Real estate firm Medinet Nasr, which rose 2.0 per- first time in three days,” said Meanwhile, Yoav Nizzard at day. Against the euro, it climbed going forward,” said ZEW presi- cent on Monday when it reported that quarterly net profit Jasper Lawler, market analyst at FXCM currency traders said that to 1.3120 from 1.2909. dent Achim Wambach. jumped 90 percent, gained a further 1.7 percent after traders CMC Markets. “European markets are sustained Investors brushed off a survey “Uncertainties regarding saying it was considering taking out a 1 billion Egyp- LONDON: European stock mar- “Investors in the banking sec- by a return in risk appetite by the showing that investor confidence developments such as a possible tian pound ($113 million) loan to speed up development kets rebounded yesterday, led tor have seemingly taken heart intervention of Mark Carney, the in Germany fell unexpectedly ‘Brexit’ currently inhibit a more of one of its plots. sharply higher by banking shares from the suggestion from UBS governor of the Bank of England, in May as uncertainty over a optimistic outlook,” he said. BUSINESS VIEWS WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 27

Debt repayments in Investors bank on bookies for Brexit crude cripple poorer oil producers trends as pollsters sow confusion

By Libby George and when oil traded at $100 per barrel. Dmitry Zhdannikov Last week, Venezuela said it Reuters had reached a deal with China to improve the terms of loans, giv- ing its economy “oxygen”. It did not disclose the new terms. oorer oil-producing coun- Nigeria and Iraq also owe bil- tries which took out loans lions of dollars repayable in oil to to be repaid in oil when companies such as Shell and Exx- the price was higher onMobil, according to national oil Pare having to send three times firms and industry sources. as much to respect repayment Iraq is trying to renegoti- schedules now prices have fallen. ate contracts for investment and This has crippled the finances development of new oil fields that of countries such as Angola, Ven- it has with companies including ezuela, Nigeria and Iraq and Exxon, Shell and Lukoil. It was created a further division within supposed to repay the compa- the Organization of the Petroleum nies $23bn this year with oil but Exporting Countries. is now arguing that it will only Ahead of an Opec meeting have enough crude to repay $9bn. next week, poorer members have Nigeria owes $3bn this year continued to push for output cuts in oil repayments to big oil com- to lift prices but wealthier Gulf panies which have helped the Arab members such as Saudi Ara- country fund its share of joint oil bia, which are free of such debts, field development. are resisting taking any action Iraq’s semi-autonomous despite prices falling 60 percent region of Kurdistan has lever- The United Kingdom EU (Brexit) referendum poll card is displayed in London, Britain, yesterday. in the past 2 years. aged all its oil production, worth Angola, Africa’s largest $3bn, to trading houses Vitol and oil producer has borrowed as Petraco as well as to Turkey to By Jemima Kelly Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conserv- camp ahead, prompting sharp moves on much as $25bn from China since fund a fight against Islamic State, Reuters atives would win a majority. This is one the financial markets, before the Scots 2010, including about $5bn last according to its natural resources reason why investors are turning to the voted “No” by 55 to 45 percent. December, forcing its state oil minister. likes of William Hill and Ladbrokes, bet- In some cases, the odds are set by firm to channel almost its entire Ecuador, one of Opec’s ting-shop chains more commonly associated the punters themselves. Websites such oil output towards debt repay- smallest member countries, nvestors seeking guidance on whether with horse racing and football than politics. as Betfair, owned by high-street book- ments this year. borrowed up to $8bn from Chi- Britons will vote to leave the European The bookmakers say they can set the maker Paddy Power, work as peer-to-peer This year Angola, Nigeria, Iraq, nese and Thai firms, repayable Union are relying as much on book- odds to incorporate nuances that the polls gambling exchanges so punters bet with Venezuela and Kurdistan are due to with oil, between 2009 and makers and punters as the established cannot, such as psychological research sug- each other. repay a total of between $30bn and 2015, according to the national trackers of political trends, opinion gesting that undecided voters tend to opt in Such sites allow gamblers to get in and $50bn with oil, according to Reu- oil company. Ipollsters. the end for the status quo. In this case, that out of positions, much like stock or cur- ters calculations based on publicly In contrast, Opec’s Gulf Arab A month before the referendum, book- means voting to keep Britain in a bloc that rency traders, so the odds react even faster disclosed information and details members — Saudi Arabia, the makers’ shops on British high streets and it joined more than 40 years ago. to news than traditional bookies’ odds. given by participants in ongoing United Arab Emirates, Kuwait betting exchanges on the internet are offer- Investors also like the fact that the These are set by political betting spe- restructuring talks. and Qatar — have very few joint ing something that the polling industry has “bookies” and online betting exchanges can cialists who consider a wide variety of Repaying $50bn required ventures with oil companies, do failed to provide: a clear trend. adjust the odds in real time to reflect devel- factors ranging from where the money is only slightly over 1 million bar- not have pre-payment deals with Bookmakers are offering odds of 1/6 opments that could affect the vote, allowing going to their personal opinions, though rels per day (b/d) of oil exports China and do not need to borrow - indicating a more than 80 percent prob- them to make trading decisions faster. they say they try to remain as unbiased when it was trading at $120 per from trading houses. ability — that Britain will vote to remain in When President Barack Obama warned as possible. They also watch which way barrel but with prices of around While Saudi Arabia saw every the EU on June 23. By contrast, opinion polls last month that Britain would be at the “back influential customers are betting. “Some $40, the same repayment would dollar from its oil sales going to present a confusing picture of voters’ inten- of the queue” for a trade deal with the United customers’ bets shape the market more require exports of over 3m b/d. state coffers, the poorer members tions, with some saying the “remain” camp States if it left the EU, the probability of than others, for example political jour- “All of those oil nations had a large part of their oil reve- has a big lead while others have put the two Brexit on betting website Betfair immedi- nalists’ punts,” said Paddy Power politics — Angola, Nigeria, Venezuela — nue eaten up by debts, leaving no sides neck-and-neck. ately fell to 31 percent from 33 percent before specialist Stephanie Anderson. That said, have taken money for survival money to invest in infrastructure “Betting is the market’s attempt to sum- he began speaking. Britain’s top reporters also failed to pre- but haven’t got any money left and field development. marise the polls and adjust for all of their “The price is the price that people are dict the Conservative majority last year. for investments. That is very dam- As a result, Nigeria and Ven- fragilities,” said Insight Investment currency paying — it doesn’t get any more live than With the referendum odds stacked in aging to their long-term growth ezuela are now facing steep fund manager Paul Lambert. He says he that, whereas polls have lags,” said Mizuho’s favour of a vote to stay in the EU, those prospects,” said Amrita Sen from production declines at a time looks more at the odds than the polls when head of hedge fund currency sales, Neil wanting to “take a punt” with a small Energy Aspects think-tank. when Saudi Arabia is preparing deciding how to trade currencies affected Jones. While sterling jumped immediately sum tend to choose the more potentially “People tend to look at current to further ramp up supplies as it by the vote - particularly sterling, but also on Obama’s remarks, investors had to wait profitable option, however unlikely it is, production volumes but if you invested heavily in new fields. the euro. several days for the first polls incorporat- bookies say. A 10-pound winning bet on have committed your entire pro- This helps to explain why With most econo- ing the voters’ reaction to be published. In “remain” yields a return of less than 1.50 duction to China or other buyers Saudi Arabia is resisting a global mists agreeing that the the end, they suggested Obama’s interven- pounds after a month’s wait at the current under loans — then you cannot deal to reduce output because the British economy would tion had little overall effect. odds. The same sum staked on a Brexit invest to keep growing and won’t lack of debt means it is able to use take at least a short- Bookmakers naturally aren’t infallible. would return 40 pounds at the current benefit from higher prices in the the money for development and term hit from a “Brexit”, For instance, Matthew Shaddick, head of 4/1 odds. future.” reinforce its dominant position in financial markets are political odds at Ladbrokes, said his firm Paddy Power says 60 percent of its China has also become oil markets. sensitive to any signals lost more than 1 million pounds ($1.45 mil- individual bets have been on a Brexit, yet Venezuela’s top financier via Nigeria and Venezuela, mean- on how the nation will lion) on the 2015 election mainly because they make up only 14 percent of the total an oil-for-loans programme while, are desperate for a deal that vote, including opinion the Conservatives won an outright major- amount staked. While the average size of a which since 2007 has funnelled would reduce output and push up Betting is the market’s polls. Sterling strength- ity - an event that few if any bookmakers, “leave” bet has been 36 pounds, the average $50bn into Venezuelan coffers prices to help them invest in oil attempt to summarise ened sharply last week pollsters or pundits saw coming. bet on a “remain” vote is almost 10 times in exchange for repayment in fields and repay fewer barrels to after an IPSOS-MORI However, Shaddick said the betting odds that, at 333 pounds. crude and fuel, including a $5bn creditors. the polls and adjust poll showed 55 percent had clearly signalled that the Conservatives Some people in the financial markets deal last September. “It may ultimately be mount- for all of their supported remaining in would be the largest party in parliament, are also placing personal referendum bets, While details of the loans have ing supply disruptions in stressed fragilities, said Insight the EU, with only 37 per- whereas the polls implied a very close result. such as 69-year-old trader Simon Cawk- not been made public, analysts states, rather than collective cent backing Brexit. A Scottish referendum in 2014 marked well. Nicknamed “Evel Knievel” after the from Barclays estimate Caracas cartel action, that causes an Investment currency But the polls’ fra- a more comfortable victory for the book- late motorbike stunt rider for his auda- owes $7bn to Beijing this year and accelerated market rebalancing,” fund manager Paul gilities were exposed in ies as the betting odds consistently implied cious bets, Cawkwell is going against the needs nearly 800,000 b/d to meet RBC Capital’s head of commodity last year’s parliamen- that voters would reject independence by trend that Brexit punts are more modest: payments, up from 230,000 b/d strategy Helima Croft said. Lambert. tary elections, when a wide margin. In the final run-up to the he has staked a four-figure sum on a Brit- they failed to signal that vote, one opinion poll put the independence ish departure from the EU. Buhari’s Lagos no-show dismays Nigerian business

By Alexis Akwagyiram meeting in his place — despite thousands of Buhari argues that this is about end- Economists said. “The economy might still and Chijioke Ohuocha posters welcoming “the People’s President ing speculation, as well as a decades-long find itself on a slightly firmer footing towards Reuters to No1 Africa’s mega city” — is another sign cycle of devaluations that has hit ordinary year-end, but this will largely depend on of his disdain. Nigerians in the form of high inflation and Abuja abandoning some of its unconven- “It is rather unfortunate that the federal discouraged the investment needed to build tional economic policies.” government would raise the expectations of a serious domestic factory sector. Vice President Osinbajo hinted at changes t least the taxi drivers of Lagos are the people... only to cancel the presidential “It is extraordinarily frustrating for when he called this month for a “substan- happy, even if businessmen in Niger- showing, seemingly with no obvious cogent those of us in the business community who tial” review of foreign exchange policy, but Aia’s commercial capital are not. A year reasons being given,” said Yemi Adeleke, supported him that he has chosen to be there are few signs of this filtering down to after becoming president, Muhammadu director of World Trade Center, a trade and intransigent about something it seems as if the Central Bank of Nigeria, which announces Buhari pulled out of his first official visit to investment agency. he doesn’t really understand,” said Timi Sol- its latest monetary policy decision on Tuesday. Lagos on Monday, averting citywide gridlock Buhari’s spokesman Garba Shehu said the eye, president of CRYO Gas and Power. Over the last year, Governor Godwin but angering business leaders who say the president, who is based in the capital, Abuja, Critics, including the International Mon- Emefiele’s speeches have chimed closely with 73-year-old former military ruler is deaf to was forced to postpone his visit after being etary Fund, point to a currency trading at Buhari’s views on the economy and currency, With Africa’s largest their plight. “faced with scheduling difficulties”. Buhari almost half its official value on the black mar- and this month the bank explicitly denied an economy now contracting, With Africa’s largest economy now con- will visit the port city after the Muslim fasting ket, fuelling expectations of a devaluation online media report of an imminent devalu- tracting, the foreign exchange market frozen month of Ramadan which ends at the start of that are now so widespread that investment ation to 290 to the dollar. the foreign exchange by red tape and a new Niger Delta insurgency July, he added. Foremost among private sector has dried up. This view received support on One-month deliverable forwards - essen- market frozen by red tape sending oil output to a 20-year low, it is a complaints are foreign exchange curbs ini- Friday, when the National Bureau of Statis- tially a view on the currency one month out plight that gets worse by the day. tially introduced to protect currency reserves tics revealed the economy shrank 0.4 percent — hit 245 to the dollar on May 16 after the and a new Niger Delta Yet businessmen say Buhari, who swept hammered by the decline in the price of oil, in the first quarter, with industry and manu- devaluation report, but have retraced to 224 insurgency sending oil to power in an election a year ago, remains but which are now a pillar of Buhari’s vision facturing shrinking 5.5 percent and 7 percent this week, reflecting a more sober analysis oblivious and continues to sacrifice short- of a transformed economy. respectively. “It is now clear that the adverse of the chances of a weaker naira. output to a 20-year low, it term growth in pursuit of his long-term dream In order to keep the naira at 197 to the effects of the oil price shock have filtered All but one of 12 analysts polled by Reu- is a plight that gets worse of overhauling the way Africa’s most popu- dollar, the central bank has scuppered the through to the demand side of the economy, ters this month said the currency would be by the day. lous nation works. interbank foreign exchange market, block- and we maintain our view that Abuja’s current devalued, with a median expectation of a 15 To many, sending Vice President Yemi ing access to dollars for anybody not armed policy framework only serves to exacerbate percent weakening — although many were Osinbajo, a Lagos commercial lawyer, to the with a valid overseas invoice. the oil shock,” Cape Town-based NKC African reluctant to be pinned down on the timing. 28 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 BUSINESS

BACK TO BUSINESS sight More challenges than cheer Morgan Stanley’s Gorman says ‘stay tuned’ for Apple chief on Asia tour for better returns Bloomberg directly answer the question, but said Asia had “been on the By Himank Sharma India” initiative. “Now it’s for Apple to back foot the last year or two” and Matthew Miller talk about their plans,” the Modi aide and cited prospects for capital to Reuters said. Apple declined to comment on organ Stanley Chief flow out of the region’s markets. what Cook achieved on his Asia trip. Executive Officer James “I’m not sure there’s accel- Apple’s brand awareness ranks MGorman sounded a pos- erated growth in Asia relative 10th in India, trailing Samsung, Sony, itive note about the Wall Street to what’s going on the US,” he ith slowing iPhone sales Blackberry and some local rivals. bank’s business, telling investors said. “But that said, we’re long- in China, Apple Inc is Almost half of respondents in a Mor- to “stay tuned” for better per- term buyers if you will of China having to take India gan Stanley survey said they do not formance as markets recover. and of greater Asia.” more seriously, but know Apple. Speaking to Bloomberg Tele- In the same interview, Gor- Winvestors hoping for a stock price fillip While Apple is likely to double vision in Beijing, where the firm man played down concerns from CEO Tim Cook’s week-long Asia its share in the $400-plus segment is hosting its China summit, Gor- about the outlook for China’s trip instead were given a taste of the to 40 percent, it “has to significantly man said a 6 percent return on economy, after Autonomous daunting challenges that lie ahead. increase its store presence, ramp up equity in the first quarter was Research analyst Charlene Chu The second leg of Cook’s trip, to marketing, and add local content,” the in “a very challenging envi- said that a “massive bailout” was India, the world’s third-largest smart- brokerage said in a recent note. ronment” and he sees “a lot of needed to tackle the nation’s bad phone market, comes at a crucial time A first Apple retail store in India upside.” loans. as Apple battles slowing growth in A pedestrian walks past an Apple iPhone 6 advertisement at an is unlikely to open its doors until “As these markets start to China’s growing faster than China, its second-biggest market. But electronics store in Mumbai, India. next year at the earliest. In internal rebound to a more normal envi- other economies and, while bad the challenges suggest it will be years meetings, Cook stressed how Apple ronment, which is what we’re loans will rise, the nation’s four before India is anything close to a major network and the economics, the mar- market than China, and Apple’s rel- wants to increase its retail operations seeing now relative to early big state banks are “tremendous earnings pillar for the US tech giant. ket potential has not been as great,” atively expensive iPhones are out of in India and work with re-sellers to February, Morgan Stanley will earnings engines,” Gorman said. “With China saturating, every- added Cook, likening India to the Chi- reach to most Indians, who on aver- make its products available more obviously do better,” he said. The $10 trillion economy’s body has no choice but to look at nese market 7-10 years ago. age live on less than $3.10 a day widely. “We’ve been hiring for India Shaken at the start of the complicated shift from export- India, and Apple’s rivals have been In meetings with India’s two according to World Bank data. retail and distribution for the last few year by a slump in trading rev- led to domestic demand makes strengthening there in the last two largest carriers, Bharti Airtel and With per capita income of $1,570 months, and Tim’s message was that enue, big US investment banks “some bumps” inevitable, he said. years. Apple is playing catch-up,” said Vodafone, Cook discussed ways to as of 2014 and the average smart- we need to double down on that,” said are trimming jobs and cutting Gorman said he guessed that Ville-Petteri Ukonaho, a senior ana- work more closely to sell iPhones, phone selling for less than $90, a an Apple official in India. costs. While Morgan Stanley’s the UK will choose to remain lyst at Strategy Analytics. including whether a contract pricing third of the global average, India’s In China, where iPhone sales profit exceeded analysts’ esti- in the European Union—“the While the numbers in India sug- model could work in India. He said market growth is predominantly led slumped in January-March and some mates for the first quarter, it fell British have uncommon com- gest huge potential — fewer than two Apple sees opportunities to expand by cheaper phones. High-end smart- online entertainment services were 53 percent from a year earlier mon sense.” An exit would have in every 10 of the country’s 1.3 bil- in the market as operators roll out phones - costing from $300 - make suspended, Cook also had little to to $1.13bn. a limited effect on investment lion people have a smartphone - the 4G services. up only 6 percent of the market, or cheer investors. “Three years ago, in that banks, such as expenses from world’s fastest growing major market “The trip was more about under- just 6 million units, according to Mor- At meetings with Chinese offi- kind of environment, Morgan setting up in separate juris- operates differently to other mar- standing the Indian market, but was gan Stanley. cials, Cook emphasized Apple’s Stanley would have lost a billion dictions, and he was more kets where Apple has enjoyed stellar also about signaling to the world that Rebuffed by India’s government in contributions to China’s economy - dollars, so the model works,” concerned for “markets” and the growth and high margins. Apple has arrived in India,” said Vishal its plan to import and sell used, refur- creating jobs, generating revenue and Gorman said. “Maybe I was on EU, which had been “an extraor- Apple’s traditional model is to Tripathi, research director at Gartner. bished iPhones, Apple has seen only slow paying taxes - said people familiar my own on this, but I felt pretty dinary success.” sell its phones at full price to local Another challenge for Apple is growth in a market dominated by Sam- with the matter. His visit came just good about the first quarter.” On reasons for optimism telecoms carriers, which then dis- how to be a premium-end player in sung Electronics and Chinese brands. days after Apple announced a $1 bil- At the firm’s annual meeting about Morgan Stanley’s outlook, count them to users in exchange for a low-income market. That issue was not resolved in lion investment in a local ride-hailing on May 17, Gorman said he stood Gorman cited what he described charging them for data as part of a “In India, incomes are so low that talks with Indian Prime Minister app firm, a move Cook says will help by a goal to boost ROE, a meas- as a “fortress balance sheet.” multi-month contract. Not so in India. not many customers appreciate the Narendra Modi - which a Modi aide Apple better understand China. ure of profitability, to at least 9 “We have $70bn of cap- “In India, carriers in general sell full value of the Apple ecosystem, and called “extremely successful” - and But when he asked about the percent by 2017. ital. When I started this job virtually no phones and it is out in it will take a lot more effort for Apple government officials have pressed shutdown of online services and Asked in Beijing about head- six-and-a-half years ago, we retail - and retail is many, many dif- to sell the Macs and iPads in Indian Apple to set up manufacturing facil- emphasized that Apple had followed count and expansion plans in had $40bn,” he said. “We have ferent small shops,” Cook told analysts stores compared to China,” said Strat- ities in India, said officials involved in procedures in establishing those Asia — “where are you look- over $200bn of liquidity — the recently. “Because smartphones there egy Analytics’ Ukonaho. discussions, a move that would cre- services, he was told only that China ing to grow?” — Gorman didn’t firm’s in great shape.” are low-end, primarily because of the India is a more price sensitive ate jobs and boost Modi’s “Make in would look into it, the people said.

Lower China growth means we need to move to world with Capital more engines firing. Janet Henry, Global Chief Comment Economist, HSBC

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Asia dominates the @ books at nonfinancial companies SNLFinancial ranking rose 1% last year to $1.84 trillion, of the world’s largest banks by assets total debt grew roughly 15% to $6.6 trillion. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 32 PAGE | 35 MManan United sack Van One winning streakak GaalG as Mourinho over, Rosberg aimsms waits in wings for another

WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 • 18 SHA’BAAN 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar El Jaish eye quarter-finals Team Qatar trains ahead of WC qualifiers

A brace from Brazilian Romar- eliminated at the Round of 16 in the AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Sabri Lamouchi’s boys inho and further goals from Moroccan 2013 edition. TODAY’S FIXTURES Abderrazzaq Hamdalleh and Lekhwiya, meanwhile, will be $Sydney FC (AUS) vs Mohamed Methnani have put El Jaish looking for an early goal if they are have the edge over Shandong Luneng FC (CHN) in a commanding position to advance to have any chance of advancing to their counterparts, At Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney to their first ever quarter-final of the the last eight for the second succes- $FC Seoul (KOR) vs Urawa Red but expect a tough continental competition. sive year. Diamonds (JPN) game against “We achieved an important and And they go into the tie with big result in the first leg and this result renewed confidence following a pen- At Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul revenge-seeking got us closer to the next round,” said alty shootout victory against Al Sadd $El Jaish (QAT) vs Lekhwiya today Lamouchi on the eve of the important after a 2-2 saw them lift the Emir Cup. Lekhwiya (QAT) Lekhwiya game. “We know that our task will be At Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha “However, that doesn’t mean our very hard after the big defeat in the (Kick off at 7.00pm) task will be easy because I believe first leg,” said Lekhwiya coach Djamel $Zobahan (IRN) vs The Peninsula Lekhwiya will be strongly motivated Belmadi, who will again be without Al Ain (UAE) to avenge their defeat.” injured striker Mohammed Muntari. At Foolad Shahr Stadium, Isfahan, Iran Making only their second appear- “But we will not give up and we will try ance in the AFC Champions League, El our best to get the best possible result. DOHA: Qatar Stars League side El Jaish won their opening three group In football anything is possible and we World Cup Stadium, South Korea. Jaish will have their eyes on a berth D fixtures, before picking up a draw will be fighting to win until the end”. Iraq’s Nafit Al Wasat will look to in the quarter final stage of the AFC against Uzbekistan’s Nasaf to secure “We have prepared well for the continue their maiden AFC Cup cam- Champions League when they meet their last 16 qualification with two match and hopefully we can have a paign with victory over Syria’s Al Jaish their Qatari counterparts Lekhwiya games to spare. good performance and get the result in today’s last 16 tie, with coach Falah at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium “We need to fully concentrate we are looking for.” Hassan counting on his side’s impres- today. and play as if we didn’t win the first In other fixtures of the day, Syd- sive record at PAS Ghavamin Stadium. Lekhwiya suffered a humiliating leg. Lekhwiya’s win in the Emir Cup ney FC will meet China’s Shandong Yeaterday, Wu Lei’s dramatic defeat in the first leg of round of 16 [over Al Sadd on Saturday] will give Luneng, with the A-League side out injury-time winner put Sven-Goran Qatar national football players in action during a training camp held at and coach Sabri Lamouchi is urging them motivation to win this match and to convert a 1-1 draw from last week’s Eriksson’s Shanghai SIPG into the caution ahead of today’s clash despite we should not underestimate them,” first leg while FC Seoul meets Japan’s quarter-finals against a dumbfounded Aspire Academy yesterday, in preparation for World Cup Russia 2018 their four-goal lead from the first leg. added Lamouchi, whose side were Urawa Red Diamonds at Seoul FC Tokyo. qualifiers. 30 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 SPORT Djokovic and Murray advance

Dutchwoman Bertens stuns Kerber while fifth seed Azarenka quits after a knee injury

AFP

PARIS: Top seed Novak Djokovic launched his bid for a first French Open title with a routine victory as Novak Djokovic serves the Andy Murray battled through to round two yesterday, while Australian Open ball to Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan champion Angelique Kerber crashed during the French Open at out. Roland Garros yesterday. Djokovic, a three-time Roland Garros finalist, faced little resistance French Open from Taiwan’s world number 95 Lu Yen-Hsun as he eased to a 6-4, 6-1, order of play 6-1 victory. Great Britain’s Andy Murray reacts during his first round match against Czech Republic’s Court Philippe Chatrier The Serb, bidding to become just Radek Stepanek at the Roland Garros 2016 French Tennis Open in Paris yesterday. (0900GMT/1100 local) the eighth man to secure a career RIGHT: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus gets medical help during her match against Karin Simona Halep (ROU x6) vs Zarina Grand Slam, needed just 90 minutes Knapp of Italy. Diyas (KAZ) on Court Phillipe Chatrier to book a second-round encounter with Belgian Garbine Muguruza (ESP x4) vs qualifier Steve Darcis. against just two losses. The fourth- over Vasek Pospisil. David Ferrer, sister Serena, edged out Estonia’s made an early exit, the Serbian 23rd Myrtille Georges (FRA) “Well, second and third set were seeded Spaniard made quick work the 2013 runner-up, thrashed Rus- Anett Kontaveit 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4), seed dumped out by Tatjana Maria Andy Murray (GBR x2) vs Mathias really good. I thought I found my of 100th-ranked Sam Groth, taming sia’s Evgeny Donskoy 6-1, 6-2, 6-0. while 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic as the German won for the first time Bourgue (FRA) rhythm. First set, you know, was the Australian’s powerful serve with Austria’s Dominic Thiem strug- held off French wildcard Oceane in Paris. Serena wasted little time in Milos Raonic (CAN x8) vs Adrian up and down. But I’ll take the pos- eight breaks in a resounding 6-1, 6-1, gled initially against Inigo Cervantes, Dodin in three sets. demolishing Slovakian Magdalena Mannarino (FRA) itives out of it, and I’m hoping I can 6-1 win. dropping the opening set to the Span- Former runner-up Sam Stosur Rybarikova as the world number one Court Suzanne Lenglen progress as the tournament goes on,” However, Kerber became the iard, but the 13th seed rallied to claim overcame Misaki Doi of Japan 6-2, kicked off the defence of her French (0900GMT/1100 local) said Djokovic. tournament’s first major casualty as a 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, 6-1 victory. 4-6, 6-3, but Francesca Schiavone, Open title with a 6-2, 6-0 victory. The However, Murray was forced to Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens consigned Thiem, who retained his Nice title the 2010 champion, bowed out in American, will next face either Brazil- Petra Kvitova (CZE x10) vs Hsieh recover from a two-set deficit to over- the German third seed to a 6-2, 3-6, over the weekend, is one of just three straight sets to French 26th seed Kris- ian Teliana Pereira or Czech Kristyna Su-Wei (TPE) come 37-year-old Radek Stepanek 6-3 defeat. players alongside Nadal and Pablo tina Mladenovic. Jelena Jankovic also Pliskova. Stan Wawrinka (SUI x3) vs Taro 3-6, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 in a match last- Another former Melbourne cham- Cuevas with multiple clay-court tour- Daniel (JPN) ing three hours 41 minutes in total. pion, Victoria Azarenka, retired in nament wins this season. Richard Gasquet (FRA x9) vs Bjorn The second seed had been trailing her opening-round match with Ita- John Isner fired 40 aces to Fratangelo (USA) by two sets to one but up a break in ly’s world number 118 Karin Knapp. advance 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (14/12), 7-6 (9/7), Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x2) vs the fourth when play was suspended Fifth seed Azarenka quit with a 7-5 over Australian John Millman, Caroline Garcia (FRA) on Monday due to darkness. knee injury down 4-0 in the third set while Bernard Tomic put recent strug- Court 1 (0900GMT/1100 local) The Scot duly returned to com- having already saved a match point gles behind him to dispatch American plete the job after making the crucial in a second set tie-break. Brian Baker in three sets. Kei Nishikori (JPN x5) vs Andrey breakthrough at 5-all in the decider Both Kerber and Azarenka were Swiss eighth seed Timea Bac- Kuznetsov (RUS) to set up a second-round encounter in champion Serena Williams’ sec- sinszky swept past Spanish lucky Lucie Safarova (CZE x11) vs Viktorija with 164th-ranked French wildcard tion of the draw. loser Silvia Soler-Espinosa 6-3, 6-1, Golubic (SUI) Mathias Bourgue. Sixth-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wil- while 12th seed Carla Suarez Navarro Gilles Simon (FRA x16) vs Guido While Murray toiled, there were fried Tsonga strolled to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 needed three sets to beat Czech qual- Pella (ARG) no such problems for nine-time victory against German qualifier Jan- ifier Katerina Siniakova. Sloane Stephens (USA x19) vs champion Rafael Nadal who extended Lennard Struff, with Tomas Berdych Seven-time major winner Venus Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) his record at Roland Garros to 71 wins also cruising to a straight-sets win Williams, who lost the 2002 final to Ana Ivanovic of Serbia in action against Oceane Dodin of France. Australia’s Henriques IPL: De Villiers steers and Starc recalled for Bangalore into final

Sri Lanka tour AFP unbeaten 91-run partnership with Iqbal Abdullah (33) to stun the oppo- sition in front of a raucous home AFP selected in the final XI. crowd. “We know his ability, he takes BANGALORE, India: South Africa’s Man of the match De Villiers wickets continually in first class AB de Villiers hit an unbeaten 79 to smashed five fours and five sixes cricket and he impresses when we single-handedly steer Royal Chal- during his 47-ball stay as the top- SYDNEY: All-rounder Moises Hen- select him to play Test cricket,” he lengers Bangalore into the Indian order batsman snatched victory out riques earned a surprise recall said. Premier League cricket final, beat- of the jaws of defeat. Tuesday to Australia’s Test squad But Pattinson’s omission is a set- ing Gujarat Lions by four wickets in Earlier put into bat Gujarat rode for Sri Lanka after James Pattinson back, failing to recover from the back the first Qualifier yesterday. on West Indies batsman Dwayne Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman AB de Villiers plays a shot was ruled out injured, with Stephen problem he picked up on the New Chasing 159 for victory at Ban- Smith’s 41-ball 73 to post a respect- O’Keefe included as a second spinner. Zealand tour. during the first qualifiers of the IPL match against Gujarat Lions at galore’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, able 158 all out in 20 overs. Australia are embarking on their “Unfortunately his back pain the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, yesterday. the Royal Challengers were reduced Smith lifted Gujarat from a pre- first Test tour of Sri Lanka in five continued... and after further inves- to 68 for six before De Villiers’ blitz carious nine for three to stitch a years, as part of a two-month series tigation it confirmed that he has had a fired the team home in 18.2 overs. 85-run fourth wicket partnership that also involves five one-day inter- recurrence of a back stress fracture,” Gujarat medium pacer Dhawal with Dinesh Karthik as the duo nationals and two Twenty20s. said Cricket Australia physiotherapist India new boy Thakur Kulkarni (4-14) hurt Bangalore with counter attacked with great effect. Henriques was an unexpected David Beakley. early strikes as red-hot openers Virat The Windies allrounder took choice, returning for the first time “James will continue to spend the Kohli (0) and Chris Gayle (9) were charge to teach the Bangalore spin- since 2013 with pacemen Pattinson winter recovering from this injury, at relishing Windies chance back in the dug out early. ners a bitter lesson as he smashed and Peter Siddle both ruled out with which point we hope to have a clearer Coming in at number three De five boundaries and 6 sixes during back injuries. view of timelines for his return to Villiers stayed calm to stitch an his entertaining knock. Nathan Coulter-Nile was also play.” included in the 15-man squad for The top-ranked Australia play AFP Trophy, taking 89 wickets over the SCOREBOARD the July-August Test series, along Tests in Kandy, Galle and Colombo past two seasons. with O’Keefe who was picked for last from July 26 with Lyon and Khawaja “It is good to see Shardul Thakur GUJARAT LIONS T R Binny 1-0-4-0. summer’s final Test against the West the only players to have previously being rewarded for bowling his heart out A J Finch c Gayle b I Abdulla 4 ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE Indies but overlooked for their two- experienced the five-day game in Sri MUMBAI: Uncapped Shardul Thakur for Mumbai,” Indian batting great Sunil match tour to New Zealand on green, Lanka, when Michael Clarke’s team has vowed to do his “homework” on Gavaskar told NDTV. Only two changes B B McCullum c de Villiers b I Abdulla 1 C H Gayle b Kulkarni 9 seaming pitches. won their last series 1-0 in 2011. the West Indies after the right-arm have been made to the India Test squad S K Raina c Aravind b Watson 1 V Kohli b Kulkarni 0 Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc Meanwhile, Sri Lankan pace- pace bowler earned his first India that faced South Africa at the end of last K D Karthik b Jordan 26 A B de Villiers (not out) 79 returns to Test cricket after a six- man Dushmantha Chameera will call-up for the Test tour of the Car- year for the tour. Fast bowler Mohammed D R Smith c Kohli b Chahal 73 K L Rahul c Smith b Kulkarni 0 month injury absence. return home from England with ibbean. Shami returns to international cricket “This squad has proven experi- a lower back injury, his country’s The 24-year-old, who has starred for the first time since 2015 after over- R A Jadeja c Gayle b Watson 3 S R Watson c Smith b Jadeja 1 ence in sub-continental conditions,” cricket board announced yester- for Mumbai in domestic cricket, is the coming injury. Right-arm pacer Varun D J Bravo b Watson 8 Sachin Baby c Jakati b Kulkarni 0 said national selector Rod Marsh. day, compounding the team’s woes only new face included in India’s Aaron and all-rounder Gurkeerat Singh

E R Dwivedi c Kohli b Watson 19 S T R Binny lbw Jadeja 21 “Henriques comes into the squad on the tour. 17-member squad that will play four Mann drop out. to give the flexibility of an additional The islanders lost pace bowler Tests in July and August. Ace batsman Virat Kohli will P Kumar b Jordan 1 Iqbal Abdulla (not out) 33 all-rounder option, having already Dhammika Prasad to a shoulder “Obviously I will speak to the captain India, with Ajinkya Rahane D S Kulkarni (run out) 10 Extras (LB-7, W-8, NB-1) 16 shown he plays and adapts well to injury even before the first test at senior players to get an idea about acting as his deputy. S B Jakati (not out) 1 Total (for 6 wkts in 18.2 overs) 159 spin-friendly conditions. Leeds, which England wrapped up what to expect in the Caribbean,” India Test squad for West Indies “He has been working hard with inside three days. Thakur told the Press Trust of India tour: Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, Extras (LB-6, W-5) 11 Did not bat: C J Jordan, S Aravind, Y S Chahal. his fitness and we believe he is in Australia: Steve Smith (capt), news agency following the squad Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Total (all out in 20 overs) 158 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-25, 3-25, 4-28, 5-29, prime condition to serve us well David Warner, Jackson Bird, Joe announcement on Monday. Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-6, 3-9, 4-94, 5-107, 6-68. should he be selected to play. Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Josh “I will definitely do my home- Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, 6-115, 7-145, 8-145, 9-156, 10-158. Bowling: P Kumar 3.2-0-32-0 (2w); D S “Jackson Bird and Nathan Coul- Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, work before leaving for the tour,” he Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Kulkarni 4-1-14-4; R A Jadeja 4-0-21-2; S B ter-Nile join the squad and will give Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitch- added. Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Bowling: S Aravind 3-0-13-0; Iqbal Abdulla Jakati 3-0-45-0 (1nb, 1w); D J Bravo 3-0-26-0 us good control and pace.” ell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Peter Nevill, Thakur has been in scintillating Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar 4-0-38-2 (1w); S R Watson 4-0-29-4 (2w); C J (1w); D R Smith 1-0-14-0. He added that O’Keefe would Stephen O’Keefe, Mitchell Starc, form for Mumbai in India’s domestic Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Jordan 4-0-26-2 (2w); Y S Chahal 4-0-42-1; S complement Nathan Lyon well, if Adam Voges. first-class championship, the Ranji Thakur, Stuart Binny. SPORT WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 31 Nervous France beefs up security

director Christian Prudhomme This file photo taken on (pictured below) and afterward July 18, 2015. shows a More than 23,000 announced exceptional security gendarme holding a yellow policemen to monitor measures. flag to signal a danger to proceedings of the Securing the Tour is unusually riders during the 178,5- difficult, as crowds of fans gather km 14th stage of the Tour de France race informally on narrow mountain roads 102nd edition of the Tour this year, organisers in and city streets along thousands of de France cycling race kilometers around France. In past between Rodez and Mende, Paris have confirmed years, motorcyclists from the Republi- in southern France. can Guard escorted the cyclists. “Security is our priority - I might say the Tour de France organisers’ No. 1 priority. Security of the participants, Agencies security of the fans along the roads,” Prudhomme said. In addition to the at least 23,000 PARIS: Cyclists at the Tour de police, Cazeneuve said: “We are cur- France will be under the watch of rently assessing the need for a larger an unprecedented force of 23,000 involvement of our security forces.” police, including SWAT-like inter- Cazeneuve said he asked the GIGN vention squads, as the government intervention squad “to follow the Tour tries to ensure security amid extrem- de France through to the end of the ist threats. event and stand ready to intervene France has been in a state of at any moment if it proves necessary.” emergency since attacks on Paris He promised similarly tough in November killed 130 people, with security around the Euro 2016, and soldiers guarding landmarks and reli- acknowledged “a number of unfor- gious sites. The emergency measures tunate mistakes” in security efforts were extended last week to cover the at the Stade de France on Saturday European soccer championship next that he vowed to fix. month and the Tour de France, which Mneahwile, former champion runs from July 2-24. Vincenzo Nibali said he is ready to bite Interior Minister Bernard Caze- into his deficit to Giro d’Italia leader neuve met on Tuesday with Tour Steven Kruijswijk on his way to stop- ping the Dutchman making history in Turin next Sunday. Lotto team leader Kruijswijk Italian a massive 2min 51sec behind with saddle sores, while Spanish con- stages 17 and 18 hold little opportunity climbs in an otherwise short but is poised to become the first Dutch his Dutch rival. tender Landa (Sky) retired through for Nibali to claw back time, stages intense 132 km penultimate stage. winner of the three-week Italian Nibali says there is now only one sickness last week. 19 and 20 will be decisive before the With Spaniard Alejandro Valverde race after stretching his overall lead option if he is to wrest back the pink Nibali virtually admitted the pink final, celebratory ride into Turin next in fourth place and 38secs behind on pre-race favourite Nibali to nearly jersey. jersey could be heading to the Neth- Sunday. Nibali, the Italian could find a will- three minutes. “I will attack as I have done erlands for the first time if Kruijswijk Stage 19 is a 162 km run from Pin- ing ally to help him unseat Kruijswijk. Nibali (Astana), nicknamed ‘Lo before,” said the Sicilian, who none- holds firm. erolo which takes the peloton over the But despite their “mutual respect” Squalo’ (The Shark), was in second theless admitted he is hoping fate will “If Kruijswijk doesn’t collape, it’s tough Col d’Agnello - the highest peak of each other, Nibali admitted: “Let’s place at only 41secs behind Kruijsw- play a hand. a no-brainer. He will win the Giro.” in this year’s 99th edition - before a say it wouldn’t be easy.” Instead, ijk after Saturday’s ‘Queen Stage’ in “Things can change every day on But the 31-year-old Italian, one long descent into France and the sub- Nibali hopes to turn his hurt pride the Dolomites mountains. this race: (Tom) Dumoulin was really of only six riders to have won all sequent climb to a summit finish in -- following his dismal time trial per- But a mediocre performance strong and now he’s gone home. So the Grand Tours of Italy, France and Risoul, where the Italian won a stage formance -- to his advantage. in Sunday’s 15th stage uphill time has (Mikel) Landa.” Spain, said he’s not defeated yet. on the 2014 Tour de France. “My pride’s been hurt but I’m still trial, when he lost further time due Dutchman Dumoulin (Giant) Following the race’s final rest day The decider will likely be stage 20 confident,” he added. “I’ve always to a mechanical problem and a sub- spent several days in the pink jersey on Monday, another hard day in the next Saturday, when the peloton tack- achieved my best successes after a sequent bike change, has left the before pulling out on the 11th stage mountains awaits the riders. Although les the Vars, Bonette and Lombarda defeat.”

Rumours of my demise are greatly I shouldn’t have made ‘I’ve got exaggerated, Schiavone says AFP millions’ boast, says Tomic PARIS: It was a heart-tugging moment: As Francesca Schiavone (pictured) went down to defeat in the first round of the French Open, the tournament organisers announced she was retiring, and the crowd had seen her last Roland Garros campaign. AFP But one person didn’t feel very warm and sentimental: Schiavone. The retirement was PARIS: Australian star Bernard Tomic news to her. admits he shouldn’t have made his Roland Garros’s Twitter feed notorious rich-boy boast but refused had carried the announcement. to backtrack entirely from the The tweet was quickly deleted, remarks which also led to him snub- but several reporters took bing the Olympics. theinformation into the news The 23-year-old breezed past conference room after Schia- Brian Baker, the 662nd-ranked Amer- vone’s 6-2 6-4 loss to Kristina ican, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the second Mladenovic . round of the French Openyesterday. “Roland Garros announced But his first victory on clay this my retirement, but I didn’t,” Sch- season was overshadowed by his iavone told them. “So you can ongoing problems. stand up, all of you, and go back His decision to skip the Olympics to work in the office, because I came after he was widely lambasted didn’t say that.” Bernard Tomic of Australia in for his poor form over the European Schiavone lifted the Suzanne spring where he had played four clay- action against Brian Baker of the Lenglen Cup at the 2010 French court tournaments and lost in the first USA during their singles first-round Open and was runner-up in 2011. round every time. match at the French Open at Roland She turns 36 next month, an age when tennis players start hanging up their He made headlines in Madrid Garros in Paris. racquets. But Schiavone would prefer not to be hurried along. when he turned his racquet the wrong “I will announce when I will want to stop,” she said. way to face a match point against “When I finished, everybody stood up. I say, I don’t know if it’s respect, Fabio Fognini. I love, I appreciate this situation. But I think that everybody thought this Tomic later told his post-match because Roland Garros announced it. It was not the last one for me.” news conference: “I don’t care about Next up for the 26th-seeded Mladenovic is American Samantha Crawford. that match point. Would you care “I would love to say I have ten “I was just in that moment. I just “Playing bloody well, so I think if you were 23 and worth over $10 million US dollars, but maybe ten mil- said that and I was talking to my the week I had training prior to this million?” lion Australian,” said Tomic yesterday. friends about some things, so it just has given me the best chance to feel American tennis player Lepchenko It prompted Australia’s Olympic “Yeah, I shouldn’t have said that, sort of came out.” good.” chef de mission Kitty Chiller to call but that’s in the past. That was my However, he added: “I don’t really Tomic made the Wimbledon tight-lipped on meldonium claim his behaviour “appalling”. fault. You got me there. care -- maybe if I had 100 that’s quarter-finals in 2011 as an 18-year- different.” old but has been unable to push on. Dubbed ‘Tomic the tank engine’ Injury -- as well as on and off- AFP by sections of the Australian media, court problems -- helped push his Tomic lasted just eight minutes in ranking down to 130 in 2014. his opening clash at the Rome Mas- But he insists he can be a top-five PARIS: America’s Varvara Lepchenko refused to comment yesterday on ters earlier this month, retiring after player as long as he can ignore the claims that she served a ‘silent ban’ after testing positive for meldonium, a medical timeout when leading sport’s many distractions. the drug which has put Maria Sharapova’s career on hold. Frenchman Benoit Paire 2-1, saying “I don’t need to train much to be The Uzbekistan-born world number 64 didn’t play on the WTA Tour he had been “feeling bad all night”. where I am, 30, 20 in the world. I from February to May. World number one Novak Djoko- always have the talent,” said Tomic. The reason, according to allegations made by Russian physio Anatoly vic, a potential last-16 opponent at the “If I want to get more in my Glebov, was that she had tested positive for 1mg of meldonium. French Open, blasted Tomic for being career and life, I have to be 100% in However, as that is below the limit set by the World Anti-Doping Agency The shoes of immature and lacking commitment. everything. (WADA) she was allowed to return to competition in Rome earlier this month. Ironically, Tomic has been hitting “You have to give 100% all the Eight times Lepchenko was asked to address the allegations, but eight Rafael Nadal of with Djokovic -- a neighbour of his in time and compete all year. That’s times she refused after losing to Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova at the French Spain are seen Monaco -- in practice in Paris. been one of the things I’ve probably Open yesterday. as he serves to “I was practising with a lot of been struggling on prior to this year.” “At the moment I have no comment on any of this. I’m here just to answer Sam Groth of quality hits. Novak a few days ago. Tomic will take on Croatian teen- tennis questions. If you have any questions about my match, I would gladly Australia. Good to see and get good rhythm,” ager Borna Coric for a place in the answer them,” she said. he added. last 32. “But otherwise, I just have no comments.” 32 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 SPORT Man United sack Van Gaal as

Mourinho waits in wings United fire managers winning a record-equalling 12th trophy-laden reign eventually caused FA Cup victory not FA Cup for the club,” executive vice a rift throughout the club and in the the hard chairman Ed Woodward said in a stands. enough for the statement on the website of the club For generations of fans brought up way Dutchman to retain owned by the American Glazer fam- to expect high octane attacking foot- ily (www.manutd.com). ball, Van Gaal’s stultifying approach his place as coach in “He has behaved with great pro- was hard to swallow, particularly a season of insipid fessionalism and dignity throughout when it did not work well, after he AFP his time here. He leaves us with a spent almost £300m($434.34 m) on performances legacy of having given several young players. players the confidence to show their This season’s dire statistics, MANCHESTER, United King- ability on the highest stage.” beyond the key one of fifth place, are dom: There is no easy way to Van Gaal, though gushing in his a damning indictment of the Dutch- sack a Premier League manager Reuters appreciation of the chance to man- man’s tactics. and Manchester United have found age the club, was not so happy to be United scored 49 goals in 38 that out the hard way with their moving on. “I am very disappointed games, in contrast to their previous firing of Louis Van Gaal (pictured). to be unable to complete our intended Premier League average of over 76 Some are calling the manner LONDON: Manchester United sacked three-year plan,” he said. and fourth-placed Manchester City’s of the Dutchman’s departure from manager Louis van Gaal on Mon- “It has been an honour to manage 71. United a “public relations disaster” day after an FA Cup triumph failed such a magnificent club as Manches- They had the joint-highest for England’s most famous club as to make up for the club’s inability to ter United FC, and in doing so, I have number of goalless draws in the divi- it prepares to name Jose Mourinho. qualify for the Champions League fulfilled a long-held ambition. sion, while Opta noted that United’s The Dutchman was “appar- amid widespread discontent with a “I have been privileged during 430 shots on target was 15th in the ently informed” of his impending season of insipid performances. my management career to have won 20-team league and they made more departure by his wife Truus on Sat- The Dutchman was dismissed two 20 trophies but winning the FA Cup, backward passes than any other side. urday night after United had won days after United’s win over Crystal which is steeped in so much history, It was not just supporters who the FA Cup, the BBC reported. She Palace in the Wembley Cup final, will always be one of the most special were disgruntled either. had just read a news report on the their first trophy in three years, pav- achievements of my career.” A story in Monday’s Guardian Internet. ing the way for the widely-expected That success, however, could not newspaper said squad members Van Gaal’s predecessor David appointment of former Chelsea boss gloss over a season in which United had talked among themselves about Moyes also found that he was to be Jose Mourinho as his successor. finished fifth in the standings, missing openly defying the Dutchman’s rigid fired from the media before he was News of Van Gaal’s impend- out on Champions League qualifica- tactical directions, which allegedly told by Manchester United. ing departure from the club leaked tion, and where dull performances included instructions to players not Calacus sports public relations out minutes after Saturday’s 2-1 had the fans booing their own team to take first-time shots. agency managing director David extra-time victory over Palace and, even after victories. It also reported that the two most Alexander said Van Gaal’s sack- following relentless media specula- After replacing David Moyes two senior players, Wayne Rooney and ing may not be a surprise given tion and a day of negotiations, it was years ago, Van Gaal got the team into Michael Carrick, had raised concerns the results of the American-owned confirmed by both sides on Monday the Champions League in his first with Van Gaal about his post-match club. evening. season. “evaluation sessions” in which he But he said: “It is a pub- “I’d like to thank Louis and his However, United’s inability to publicly criticised players in front of lic relations disaster for news to staff for their excellent work in produce the free-flowing football their team mates leak that he was to be replaced the past two years culminating in that characterised Alex Ferguson’s With such widespread dissat- Jose Mourinho is pictured as he returns to his home in London yesterday. almost before his team had even isfaction it easy to forget that the changed out of their playing kit Mourinho is on the verge of fulfilling his dream of managing Manchester 64-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam, after savouring an extra-time vic- United after Louis Van Gaal’s troubled two-year reign at Old Trafford Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Neth- tory at Wembley.” erlands coach was seen as the safe came to a bitter end. “United clearly had not learnt option when he was hired by United in from their previous mistakes,” he May 2014 following Moyes’s sacking. Bournemouth and Norwich City and introduction of the youngsters, bought added. He got the club back in the Cham- they exited the Champions League Van Gaal time but in the bigger pic- A source close to the club said pions League with a fourth-place after finishing third in a modest ture it was not enough to change the only that United had been “ham- finish but, despite heavy spending on group behind VfL Wolfsburg and PSV mood. Hovering in the background pered” in their communications the likes of Memphis Depay, Anthony Eindhoven. since his sacking in December has because of the rules they face as Martial and Bastian Schweinsteiger, At home to Southampton United been Mourinho, once the scourge of a quoted company. United stagnated after topping the were booed off the pitch and in Old Trafford for Porto and Chelsea but United should have put more table at the end of September. Denmark the supporters, already now seemingly about to be welcomed emphasis on “confidentiality” French striker Martial apart, frustrated by finding their team play- with open arms. among staff, Alexander said of the the new players struggled to justify ing in the Europa League, chanted The Portuguese is hardly a grad- sacking rumours. their fees, and Van Gaal increasingly obscenities about how bad Van uate of the swashbuckling school Statements should have been turned to talented youngsters such Gaal’s side were in a 2-1 loss to FC of soccer himself but his remarka- prepared in advance and “senior as Marcus Rashford, who has rapidly Midjytlland. ble record of success across Europe, executives should have ensured emerged from United’s youth team Despite recovering with a 5-1 win combined with a larger-than-life per- that a meeting with Van Gaal was to earn a place in the England squad. in the second leg, United then lost to sonality, mean that, if he is appointed, held quickly to ensure that he was Workers walk past a mural depicting present and past football play- By mid-December United were Liverpool in the round of 16. United fans will at least be able to look appraised of the situation.” ers and managers outside Manchester United’s Old Trafford football out of the top four after succes- A late challenge for fourth place, forward to next season rather than The Dutchman negotiated his stadium in Manchester, northwest England, yesterday. sive defeats by promoted clubs the Cup run and the fan-pleasing dreading it. departure with a top employment lawyer on Monday, two days after the reports started. There had been widespread reports of player unrest over Van Gaal’s tactics. But some said they Ronaldo confident of Champions League glory felt Van Gaal was treated badly. “The manager of a top club in England is naturally under much more pressure but over the AFP miss Saturday’s final and his partici- last six months he has not been pation at Euro 2016 is now in jeopardy treated fairly,” said United’s Dutch due to a hamstring injury. defender Daley Blind. Varane was unlikely to start at “I think a manager like Louis MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo played the San Siro in any case with captain van Gaal, who has achieved so down fears over his fitness ahead of Sergio Ramos and Pepe Zidane’s pre- much already, deserved more Real Madrid’s Champions League final ferred central defensive partnership. respect,” Blind told reporters at against Atletico Madrid on Saturday An 11th European Cup would cap the Netherlands’ training camp after the three-time World Player of a sensational start to Zidane’s senior in Portugal. the Year limped off towards the end management career having turned Van Gaal and Manchester of training yesterday. around Real’s fortunes with 21 wins United “was a mismatch,” the “I am fine. I had a little problem in from 26 games since replacing the Dutch daily Trouw said. But it training, a dead leg as they say here, sacked Rafael Benitez in January. added that the major question but tomorrow or the next day I will “I think everybody feels the now is whether Van Gaal, 64, “still be fine,” he said. fun comes back a little bit when he wants to, or can” go on with an Ronaldo will be aiming to break arrived,” said Real midfielder Toni illustrious career that saw him win his own record of 17 Champions Kroos. major honours at Barcelona, Bay- League goals in a season in Milan However, the Frenchman -- ern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam. having already netted 16 in the com- who won the Champions League for Of his departure Van Gaal petition so far this campaign. Madrid with a sensational volleyed himself said only that he was “dis- His 17th two years ago came in the winner in the 2002 final --- insisted appointed” not to be able to carry final against Atletico as Real ran out he still has a lot to learn as a coach. out the third year of his contract. 4-1 winners after extra-time. “I have a lot to learn, the desire But media reports said he “It would be nice to equal or even Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo smiles as he addresses journalists during the club’s I have to learn is tremendous and I was given a pay off of more than pass the record, but I am not obsessed Open Media Day at Real Madrid Sport City in Madrid yesterday. am convinced I am going to improve,” five million pound (6.5 million with that because the most important said Zidane. euro/$7.3 million) in part not to thing is to win,” he added. “I have a lot to do to be a good and speak publicly. And Ronaldo insisted Real will season, including shutouts at home behind the ball,” continued Ronaldo. didn’t play in a practice match on Sat- important coach in football.” The Daily Mail newspaper show they are the kings of the Span- to Barcelona and Bayern Munich in “It is no coincidence that Barca urday as a precaution, but expects And Zidane rejected Ronaldo’s said Van Gaal “feels aggrieved at ish capital once more despite winning dumping the Spanish and German and Bayern couldn’t score many goals him to be fully fit for the final. assertion that Atletico’s success in his treatment and the fact that his just once in 10 games against Atletico champions out at the quarter-final against them.” “There will be no problem. He felt reaching a second Champions League finest hour at United was ruined since lifting their 10th European Cup and semi-final stages respectively. Ronaldo has been dogged by a something on Saturday when we had final in three years is solely due to by news of Mourinho’s imminent in Lisbon. Atletico also managed a 1-0 win persistent thigh injury which forced a game between us and he didn’t play their defensive record. appointment.” “We will see who is the best. I am at Real’s Santiago Bernabeu to inflict him to miss three games last month. as a precaution,” said Zidane. “It will be a difficult game because “United’s executives and com- positive. I think Real are better than Real coach Zinedine Zidane’s only La He also came off at half-time of “He will be ready for Saturday we are playing against a team that munications team certainly have Atletico, but we have to show it on the Liga defeat in four months in charge Real’s final La Liga game of the season and I think we are in good shape doesn’t just defend well. lessons to learn after this episode,” pitch.” when the sides last met in February. -- having scored twice in the first-half physically.” “Everyone talks about them said Alexander of Calacus sports. To do so Real must break down a “Atletico always play the same to take his tally for the season to 51 -- However, there isn’t such good defending well, but they are a com- “Once is careless but for it to hap- rock solid Atletico defence that has way. We know there will be very few at Deportivo la Coruna 10 days ago. news for French defender Raphael plete team. They can also cause you pen twice does not reflect well on kept 35 clean sheets in 56 games this opportunities because they all play Zidane confirmed Ronaldo also Varane as Zidane confirmed he will problems playing with the ball.” a club of United’s stature.” SPORT WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 33

Squash: David faces fresh challenge in Septuagenarian dreams of World Series hat-trick bid

AFP Tokyo after Games blow

DUBAI: Squash legend Nicol David (pictured) acknowledges that she Makenzie Fischer of is still adapting to one of the sport’s I left my business at biggest changes as she seeks to add the United States another major achievement to her 63 and decided to swims after the ball unique list this week. move to Germany in front of Bronwen The eight-time world cham- Knox and Nicola pion from Malaysia would to compete Zagame of Australia complete a internationally. My during the 2016 hat-trick of Olympic team trials titles in the strongest motivation at the Uytengsu PSA World is the feeling I get Aquatics Center Series finals from riding: Hoketsu in Los Angeles, if she were to California. win the tour’s revived flag- ship event in Reuters front of the Burj Khalifa. David has, BERLIN: Japan’s Hiroshi Hoketsu however, won only one big tour- (pictured) will miss out on a chance nament in the 17 months since to become the oldest ever Olympian the last of her eight world titles, at Rio due to his horse’s ill health but not long after which the Profes- the 75-year-old remains hopeful of sional Squash Association lowered establishing the record at Tokyo 2020, by two inches the height of the tin some 56 years after his first Games. -- equivalent to the net in tennis. Hoketsu, who made his Olympic It made the dimensions of debut in show jumping at the 1964 the women’s game the same as Tokyo Games before turning to dres- the men’s and offered significant sage and riding in the 2008 Beijing assistance to the more daring Olympics and 2012 London Games, shot-makers. said a spot in Tokyo would see his “A lower tin does give a little career come full circle. extra focus on how the game is “If I can do it and be in Tokyo, played,” said David, whose default that would be marvellous,” Hoketsu style has been based on speed, told reporters in an interview, days movement, and patiently patterned after he conceded defeat in his bid to rallying. “And so different players reach Rio. are coming into the scene.” “Four years from now I will be 79 She added: “Some players are and I have to see if it will still be phys- adapting faster and coming in ically possible.” and take it on board to their own Hoketsu’s 2012 appearance made advantage, and you see quite a bit him the third oldest Olympian, with Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn cur- recently that would make combin- After swapping show-jumping for to bury his Olympics dreams just yet of change in momentum.” rently the oldest when he competed ing proper treatment and attempting dressage in his mid-thirties, Hoketsu and has cast an eye on Tokyo. That may be an oblique ref- at the 1920 Antwerp Games aged 72. to qualify impossible. made the cut for the 1988 Seoul Olym- “My strongest motivation is the erence to two hard-hitting young Instead of being in Rio this August, “When a horse coughs they pics but after making the trip to the feeling I get from riding every day Egyptians, Nouran Gohar, the the soft-spoken Hoketsu, who has stretch their neck and put the head South Korean capital with his horse, and that I can say, ‘ok, it looks like 18-year-old world junior cham- lived in Europe for 13 years, will be down,” the Germany-based horse- was ruled out of the Games due to I am making some progress in rid- pion, who beat her in the China treating his horse Brioni W for a nag- man said. quarantine problems. ing’. That’s my biggest motivation,” Open in Shanghai in September, ging cough and watching from afar “When he starts coughing you In 2003, he moved to Europe and he said yesterday. and Nour El Sherbini, the 20-year- with his hopes of a fourth Games cannot ride. When they start cough- started competing internationally, The Tokyo native is already fairly old who succeeded David as world appearance dashed for now. ing during the competition you have improving his chances of a dressage certain which horse could be ready champion last month and is now “That’s life, you can’t do anything to give up,” he added, opting to treat spot on Japan’s Olympic team and by then. world number one. about it,” Hoketsu, who rode Whisper his horse without the burden of com- earning two more Games appear- “It won’t be Brioni W, he is going David may need to atone for in 2008 and 2012, said. “I am sorry for peting in Olympic qualifiers. ances in 2008 and 2012. to be too old,” he said. “But another that loss if she is to qualify for the myself, ok, but that is the situation.” This, however, is not the first “I left my business at 63 and I horse I have, that one could be it.” semi-finals for Gohar is in her Brioni W, a 15-year-old gelding Olympic setback for the retired former decided to move to Germany to com- With 44 years separating Hoket- round robin group. So too is Laura acquired a few months ago as Hoketsu pharmaceutical company executive, pete internationally,” he added. su’s first and second Games, few will Massaro, the English woman who focused on finding a competitive nicknamed the “Hope of Old Men” in Despite the Rio Games disap- be betting against him making his was world number one until the partner for Rio, developed a cough the Asian media pointment, Hoketsu is not prepared fourth Olympics in four years time. end of April, and Amanda Sobhy, the first American to reach the world’s top ten. Sherbini is now the favourite in a major event for the first time and heads the other group. It includes McIlroy concerned about compatriot Raneem El Welily, the world number one for a while last year, and a fourth Egyptian, Omneya Abdel Kawy, a former world finalist, as well as Camille Zika ahead of Olympics Serme, the former British Open champion from France. Stylisti- cally it is a uniquely varied field. “There are different styles of AP “I used to view the Olympics with a bit of resentment play in the women’s game,” David because it made me really think about who I was and commented. “At the same time where I was from,” McIlroy said. “If there was just a North- everyone has been going back to LONDON: Rory McIlroy has concerns about the Zika virus ern Irish team, I’d love to play for a Northern Irish team. the drawing board to be ready to as he prepares to play at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. But it doesn’t quite work like that. I’ve always played golf take on what’s been coming. The four-time major winner said he is monitoring the for Ireland.” “So for me it’s more get- outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus, which has been Meanwhile, Masters champion Danny Willett insists ting used to that, and, along with linked to serious birth defects. he will not risk the health of his family in pursuit of Olym- what I have achieved in nine “I have been reading a lot of reports about Zika and pic glory in Rio de Janeiro in August. years, to take a step back and keep there have been some articles coming out saying that it The Englishman is keeping a close eye on the spread rebuilding. might be worse than they’re saying and I have to moni- of the Zika virus in South America and will not compete “With the 17-inch tin you have tor that situation,” McIlroy told the BBC. at the games if he or his family are in any danger. to adjust some areas a little bit, and McIlroy is scheduled to play for Ireland as golf makes The virus is a threat to unborn babies and McIlroy (yet) I also have to get back to what its return to the Olympics for the first time since 1904. also spoke about his intention to start a family with his feels right and consistent for me. Of The 27-year-old McIlroy said he and his fiancee, Erica fiancé Erica Stoll. course it’s difficult when you are Stoll, may consider starting a family “in the next cou- “We are monitoring it,” Willett told reporters at Went- used to one system,” the 32-year- ple of years.” worth ahead of the European PGA Championship. Northern Ireland’s Rory old acknowledged. “Right now, I’m ready to go but I don’t want anything “I had an e-mail from the WHO (World Health Organ- McIlroy celebrates with Even though these changes to affect that,” he said. isation) and we are keeping on top of it. the trophy after winning have occurred at a critical stage of Zika has been linked with microcephaly, a condition in “It’s not great, is it? There’s going to be 500,000 peo- the Dubai Duty Free her career, David has nevertheless which babies are born with undersized brains and skulls. ple watching the Olympics, and you have 11,000 athletes Irish Open on Sunday. welcomed the merger of the men’s McIlroy said he is planning to get vaccinations today. right in the heart of where it’s at. and women’s tours which has trig- “At least I will be immunized for whatever — if I do “But I’m not a doctor; I don’t know the ins and outs gered them, and other significant get bitten by a mosquito down there,” he said. of it, but I’m going to have a sit down with the guys this changes too. There is no vaccine for the Zika virus. week and just double-check everything. GOLF WORLD RANKINGS They include a revival of the Australian golfer Marc Leishman has pulled out of “If it turns out that it would be a massive threat to 1. (1) Jason Day (Australia) 13.23 14. (13) Louis Oosthuizen (SA) 4.93 PSA World Series finals, for the the Olympic tournament, citing concerns over the health myself or to Nic or to Little Man (son), then I probably 2. (2) Jordan Spieth (US) 10.78 15. (14) Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) 4.67 women after a three-year inter- of his family because of the Zika virus. Leishman’s wife, wouldn’t go. 3. (3) Rory McIlroy (Britain) 9.64 val. They have also brought a Audrey, nearly died last year from toxic shock syndrome. “Family comes first. But as it stands at the minute, I 16. (19) Brooks Koepka (US) 4.25 season-end climax returns which Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and think everything should be okay. 4. (4) Bubba Watson (US) 7.73 17. (16) Brandt Snedeker (US) 3.97 5. (5) Rickie Fowler (US) 7.41 has a women’s record prize fund of Vijay Singh have also said they won’t compete at Rio, “We’re down to go, and hopefully, they can give us 18. (17) Phil Mickelson (US) 3.85 $160,000 which has brought par- mostly due to scheduling commitments. some proper guidelines as to how to keep it at bay and 6. (6) Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 7.08 19. (18) Zach Johnson (US) 3.82 ity with the men’s purse. Despite his Zika concerns, McIlroy said he would be keep it under control so that it doesn’t ruin what could 7. (7) Adam Scott (Australia) 6.94 “It (the changes) opens it up proud to represent Ireland. be potentially a fantastic Olympics.” 20. (23) Matt Kuchar (US) 3.80 8. (8) Dustin Johnson (US) 6.70 to seeing what I can add to what I “As it gets closer, I am relishing the thought of going Willett is playing in England for the first time since 21. (20) J.B. Holmes (US) 3.63 have right now, and to all the expe- down there and competing for gold,” he said. winning the Green Jacket after missing the cut in the Play- 9. (9) Danny Willett (Britain) 6.13 rience I’ve gained from years of McIlroy, who won the Irish Open on Sunday for his ers’ Championship at Sawgrass and finishing in a tie for 10. (10) Justin Rose (Britain) 5.91 22. (21) Charl Schwartzel (SA) 3.58 playing,” David concluded. “It’s first title of the season, had been eligible to compete for 23rd at last week’s Irish Open. 11. (11) Branden Grace (SA) 5.25 23. (28) Russell Knox (Britain) 3.53 another challenge to take on either Britain or Ireland at the Olympics. He eventually The 28-year-old played with McIlroy, and Russell 12. (15) Sergio Garcia (Spain) 5.09 24. (22) Paul Casey (Britain) 3.45 board, but it brings a whole dif- chose Ireland, which he had represented throughout his Knox, in the final round at the K Club, in Dublin, and ferent perspective to my game,” amateur career and twice in the World Cup. saw the Irish crowd cheer their favourite son to the title. 13. (12) Patrick Reed (US) 5.04 25. (24) Kevin Kisner (US) 3.42 34 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 SPORT

Warriors star Green escapes ban Raptors stun Cavs to tie series for Adams kick

AFP Lowry and DeRozan score more than LOS ANGELES: Golden State War- 30 points each in riors star Draymond Green has been fined $25,000 but will escape Toronto’s win over a suspension for his kick on Okla- Cleveland in the homa City Thunder centre Steven Adams, the NBA said on Monday. Eastern Conference Green left the Warriors sweat- ing on the prospect of a possible ban after kicking Adams in the AFP groin during Golden State’s rout to the Thunder in Game Three on Sunday. Golden State’s management MONTREAL: Kyle Lowry and DeMar and Green had insisted the inci- DeRozan scored more than 30 points dent in the first half -- which left each as the Toronto Raptors withstood Adams doubled over in pain -- was a ferocious Cleveland Cavaliers fight- accidental. back to level their Eastern Conference Kiki VanDeWeghe, the NBA’s final series on Monday with a 105- executive vice president of basket- 99 victory. ball operations, said Green’s foul Lowry scored 35 points while had been upgraded to a flagrant DeRozan weighed in with 32 as two -- meaning he would have Toronto completed a victory that been ejected from the game if the leaves the best-of-seven series tied officiating crew had given that rul- at 2-2 with three games to play. ing on the court. The win continues a remarka- “After a thorough investigation ble transformation in fortunes for that included review of all avail- Toronto, who had lost the opening able video angles and interviews two games of the series heavily to with the players involved and trail 2-0. the officials working the game, The Canadian franchise -- playing we have determined that Green’s in its first Eastern Conference finals -- foul was unnecessary and exces- held its nerve to hang on for a thrilling sive and warranted the upgrade Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) dribbles the ball between Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and centre Bismack Biyombo (8) in win on Monday. and fine,” said VanDeWeghe. “They played well the first two game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on Sunday. “During a game, players -- games and they protected home,” at times -- flail their legs in an Lowry said. “Now we’ve protected -- and open up a 3-1 series lead -- the rebounds, bemoaned the Cavs lack- scoring while Cavs got seven points to narrow the gap and soon trailed by attempt to draw a foul, but Green’s home.” Raptors rallied again, going on an 11-3 luster start to the game. “We got off to from Kyrie Irving. one point after Channing Frye made actions in this case warranted an With Lowry and DeRozan in scoring run in the closing minutes to a horrible first half and we were play- Toronto went 13 points clear with his second straight three-pointer. additional penalty.” Thunder star imperious form, the Raptors had claim the win. ing catch up,” James said. 4:35 left in the second when Patrick James then gave Cleveland a fleet- Russell Westbrook had fueled the surged into an 18-point lead midway “I thought we had control of the “We had a chance to win the ball- Patterson laid up before Lowry ing one-point advantage before the controversy by stating that the through the third quarter. game, built a three-point lead, but game but we can’t dig ourselves a hole drained a three.Toronto were com- lead changed hands several times in flagrant foul looked deliberate. It However, the Cavs rallied we just made some defensive mis- like we did in the first half.” fortably ahead 57-41 at half-time a frenzied finale. followed another collision between superbly through LeBron James, who takes that you can’t make down Toronto’s defensive giant Bismack and early in the third led by 18 after The crucial passage came when Green and Adams in Game Two. finished with 29 points, and Kyrie Irv- the stretch,” Cavs coach Tyronn Biyombo produced another towering another DeRozan basket. first Lowry and Biyombo sank free “The way I look it looks inten- ing to haul themselves back into the Lue said. performance near the rim, mopping However two Irving three-point- throws to put Toronto five points tional to me,” Westbrook said. contest. “Each time we made a mistake up 14 rebounds to keep the Cavs at ers helped trim the deficit for the Cas ahead with 2:22 left. “That’s two times in the last two With just over five minutes of the they made us pay. bay. while J.R.Smith’s three cut the lead Irving’s three-pointer put the Cavs games.” fourth quarter remaining, the Cavs “We had an opportunity to not The Raptors had led 27-24 after to seven. within two, but Toronto held on. Green, however, said ahead of had wiped out the deficit and taken play well and win that game. They the first quarter after opening up an The Raptors hung on however to “We were solid down the stretch, the ruling on Monday he did not a 92-89 lead. executed every time we made a eight-point lead at one stage. lead 78-69 at the end of the third. understanding that when they scored expect to be suspended based on But just when it looked as if the mistake.” DeMarre Carroll had seven first- But Cleveland then reeled off the we had to come down and get a his in-game conversation with ref- Cavs might score a vital road victory James, who also had nine quarter points to lead the Raptors first five points of the fourth quarter bucket” DeRozan said. eree Scott Foster.

NFL tried influencing Sharks one win away from concussion study first Stanley Cup finals

Reuters Reuters NHL PLAY-OFFS Ward scored with one second left in a roughing penalty to Shattenkirk SEMIFINAL RESULTS at 4:37 to tie the game at 2-2. Later Sunday, May 22 in the period, after Shattenkirk was MIAMI: The House Committee on NEW YORK: Joe Pavelski scored his Tampa Bay 4, Pittsburgh 3, called for hooking, Pavelski scored to Tampa Bay leads series 3-2 Energy and Commerce has found second goal of the game 16 seconds pull the Sharks into a 3-3 tie at 18:33. On Monday in a 91-page report that the NFL into the third period as the San Jose The Blues used a power-play San Jose 6, St Louis 3, improperly tried to influence a Sharks beat the St. Louis Blues 6-3 San Jose leads series 3-2 goal of their own, from Robby Fab- study regarding the detection of on Monday to put them one win away On Tuesday bri at 11:58 of the middle period, to chronic traumatic encephalopa- from their first Stanley Cup finals. take a 3-2 lead. It was Fabbri’s fourth Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay thy, or CTE, in living patients. Leading the Western Confer- goal and team-high 15th point of the May 25 According to ESPN’s “Outside ence finals 3-2, the Sharks can seal playoffs, the most by a Blues rookie St Louis at San Jose Joe Pavelski of the San the Lines,” Congressional inves- the series with a win on Wednesday since Joe Mullen scored 18 points in Jose Sharks celebrates tigators have concluded at least a at home in Game 6.A deciding Game the 1982 playoffs. After the Sharks after scoring a third half-dozen top NFL health officials 7, if necessary, would be played in St. record to 5-1 this year in games fol- scored the game’s first goal, from period goal against the waged an improper, behind-the- Louis on Friday. lowing a playoff loss. Six of Pavelski’s Marc-Edouard Vlasic 3:51 into the St Louis Blues in Game scenes campaign last year to Pavelski redirected a shot by goals have come in those six games. game, the Blues responded with goals Five of the Western influence a major US government Brent Burns past goaltender Jake San Jose goalie Martin Jones from Jaden Schwartz, his first in 14 Conference Final research study on football and Allen to break a 3-3 tie. It was his 12th made 18 saves while Allen stopped games, at 7:04 and from Troy Brou- during the 2016 NHL brain disease. goal in 17 games in the playoffs, the 21 of the 25 shots he faced. wer, his team-leading eighth of the The report describes how most in the NHL this season. The Sharks scored a pair of playoffs, at 15:08 to take a 2-1 lead. Stanley Cup Playoffs the NFL pressured the National The Sharks added two empty-net power-play goals in the second Brouwer’s eight goals have at Scottrade Center in Institutes of Health to strip the goals in the final minute, from Chris period to twice come back from one- come in 19 games, after the vet- St Louis, Missouri on $16 million project from a prom- Tierney and Joel Ward, his second goal deficits and tie the game, both eran forward came into this year’s Monday. inent Boston University researcher goal of the game. goals coming with Blues defenseman playoffs with seven career goals in and tried to redirect the money to The win improved the Sharks’ Kevin Shattenkirk in the penalty box. 78 games. members of the league’s commit- tee on brain injuries, according to ESPN. The study was to have been funded out of a $30m “unre- Hamilton of Rangers to have season-ending surgery stricted gift” the NFL gave the NIH in 2012. Meanwhile, the National Football League Players Asso- Reuters in April, but more problems with bone in his right wrist, the Royals a three-time All Star, is hitting just BASEBALL RESULTS ciation and lawyers for New his knee arose. He is already on the said on Monday. .211 with four home runs and 10 Pittsburgh 6 Colorado 3 England quarterback Tom Brady 60-day disabled list. Gordon sustained the injury when RBIs thus far this season. Moustakas on Monday officially filed a NEW YORK: Texas Rangers out- A five-time All-Star and the 2010 he collided with team mate Mike missed the team’s game against Min- Chicago W Sox 7 Cleveland 6 petition for a rehearing of his fielder Josh Hamilton will undergo American League MVP, Hamilton hit Moustakas in Sunday’s 3-2 loss to nesota on Monday, and is also listed NY Mets 7 Washington 1 suspension ruling with the Sec- left knee surgery next month that is .253 with eight homers in his limited the Chicago White Sox. as day-to-day. Detroit 5 Philadelphia 4 ond Circuit Court of Appeals in expected to sideline him the rest of action for Texas last season after bat- Royals manager Ned Yost said Elsewhere, Clayton Kershaw Miami 7 Tampa Bay 6 New York. the season, the Rangers Radio Net- ting .263 with 10 homers in 89 games Gordon was expected to miss 3-4 won his fifth straight decision and Led by former US Solicitor work reported on Monday. for the Los Angeles Angels in 2014. weeks but would be reevaluated in helped Los Angeles to a shutout win LA Angels 2 Texas 0 General Ted Olson, Brady’s legal Hamilton made his decision Hamilton’s five-year, $125 million 10 days. “He was OK after the game,” over Cincinnati in the series opener Cleveland 5 Chicago W Sox 1 team requested the court rehear after receiving a second opinion, contract expires after the 2017 season. Yost told reporters. “But when we flew at Dodger Stadium. Kansas City 10 Minnesota 4 the matter en banc, meaning all the network said, with the operation He is making $30m this season and and he landed it was really, really Kershaw (7-1) did not have much 13 of the active Second Circuit scheduled for June 8. next season, although the Angels are sore, so they set him up for a CT scan offense to work with as the game was St Louis 4 Chicago Cubs 3 judges will decide whether or not Hamilton, 35, underwent two pro- paying a good portion of that. and MRI (in Minneapolis). scoreless until the bottom of the sixth LA Dodgers 1 Cincinnati 0 an appeal of their ruling on the cedures on his knee in 2015 when he Meanwhile, Kansas City outfielder “They did see the scaphoid inning, but he was dominant nonethe- Oakland 5 Seattle 0 Deflategate incident should be played in just 50 games. Alex Gordon has been placed on the (fracture in Chicago), which is a less, shutting out the Reds in his 24th San Francisco 1 San Diego 0 heard. He began a rehab assignment 15-day disabled list with a broken smaller bone in the wrist.” Gordon, career complete game. SPORT WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016 35 Frustrating QSL campaign for Belmadi’s Lekhwiya

Nam Tae Hee and Yusef Msakni were the Red Knights most consistent play- Red Knights look to ers over the course of the 2015/2016 Al Sadd fans celebrate . get back into QSL title season. Nam Tae Hee grabbed ten goals and mix following their assists for his side, with his pace and Emir Cup success technique causing opponents plenty of problems. While Msakni’s return Season of transition of fourteen goals made him the sides top scorer in the league, the duo where The Peninsula formidable on the break and eventu- ally pushed Lekhwiya into the top four for Al Sadd SC picture. Domestically, Lekhwiya looked DOHA: Having made their presence felt shaky and only secured three victo- The Peninsula The match gave Al Rayyan their at the 2014/2015 domestic season after ries in the final ten games of the season. first defeat of the domestic season securing a domestic double, Lekhwiya A 5-0 humbling by Al Rayyan in late and the fans of Al Sadd a glimpse stepped into the next season on a high. February essentially handed the title of what they could expect under However, management and player to the Lions, in what must go down as DOHA: Al Sadd grabbed the head- Ferriera. changes left the Red Knights slightly one of the poorest performances of the lines last summer when they In a season of transition for Al unstable ahead of the big kick-off. season. announced that FC Barcelona star Sadd it was a young Qatari player Their head coach Michael Laudrup Djamel Belmadi’s side limped into Xavi had signed a two-year deal with who stood out for the Wolves. Left moved on and Lekhwiya brought in the top four essentially by the virtue of the Wolves. back Abdulkarim Hassan was a reg- former coach Djamel Belmadi who had winning one more game than draw spe- Immediately the midfielder was ular starter for the side, and came up helped the side lift their first ever fal- cialists Umm Salal. Having qualified for handed the captains armband, and with a number of crucial goals for his con shield. the Qatar Cup, expectations were high many expected his presence would team, including a last gasp winner The Algerian tactician was charged that Lekhwiya could retain the trophy galvanise Al Sadd to mount a title tilt. against Al Sadd. with retaining the league title. Player they lifted last term. Everything started so well for Xavi The young defender also had a wise, Sebastian Soria left the club They certainly surprised many with and Al Sadd, a comprehensive 4-0 string of appearances at national to newly promoted Al Rayyan with their 3-1 semifinal defeat of league win- win over newly promoted Mesaimeer level which lead him to deservedly Lekhwiya turning to Qatari interna- ners Al Rayyan and faced off against along with an assist highlighted a pick up the U23 player of the year tional Mohammed Muntari of El Jaish local rivals El Jaish in the final. It was positive season ahead. Indeed Sadd prize at the recent QFA awards. Going as a replacement. Jaish who edged Lekhwiya 2-1 with a only dropped points on two occasions into the second half of the season, Al The Red Knights started the sea- last gasp penalty to seal the win. in the next five games, winning three Sadd started poorly picking up only son well. Victories in the league against Despite the heartache, Lekhwiya and drawing two against Umm Salal one win in their first five matches. Qatar SC (3-1) and Al Sailiya along with still had the Emir Cup to concentrate (2-2) and Al Khor (0-0). Defeats to Al Wakrah (3-1) and one of Lekhwiya’s most impressive per- on. Lekhwiya comfortably progressed Sadd managed back to back relegation threatened Qatar SC (1-0) formances of the season in the 7-0 win to their maiden Emir Cup final, aveng- draws coming back from behind to effectively curtailed the Wolves’ title over Al Kharitiyat. The Red Knights ing the Qatar cup loss by defeating El save the points against Al Arabi in an ambitions and highlighted plenty looked confident and capable of retain- Jaish 2-1. entertaining 2-2 draw. of work ahead for Ferriera and his ing their QSL crown. The Red Knights came from behind However the fans had been voic- coaching staff. A run of poor form followed, which to reach their first ever Emir Cup final ing their dissent in Hussain Amotta’s Still the Wolves had to realise saw Belmadi’s side only pick up one thanks to goals from Mohammed Mussa tactics. Solid wins were recorded their top 4 ambitions and an eight point from a possible fifteen. Defeats and Nam Tae Hee. In the final they took over Al Gharafa (1-0) and Al Khar- game undefeated streak to finish the to the likes of Al Rayyan (3-1) Al Arabi on Al Sadd who were looking to retain itiyat (4-2) but following a last gasp season confirmed a place in Qatar (3-2) and local rivals El Jaish (2-0) put the trophy. Lekhwiya showed plenty 4-2 defeat to rivals Lekhwiya, the Cup for another year. Highlights Lekhwiya way off the title pace. The of fight to push the tie into penalties, first of Al Sadd’s season, Amotta from the end of season run included expectations of the Lekhwiya manage- coming from two goals down restor- was replaceed with Portuguese tac- a 3-2 win over Lekhwiya and a solid ment began to weigh heavy on Belmadi. ing parity with late goals from Nam Tae tician Jesaldo Ferriera drafted in from 2-2 draw against QSL champions Al Thankfully an eight game win- Hee and Chico Flores. Zamelek in Egypt. Rayyan, which suggested Ferriera ning streak stretching from November In the penalty shootout Lekhwiya The former Porto coach was no had turned the corner with his team. to January pulled Lekhwiya back into kept their cool slotting away all of their stranger to lifting titles, and was After finishing third in the league, the top four places. Important wins penalties eventually running out 4-2 charged to change the side to play Al Sadd were knocked out in the against Al Wakrah (6-2) and a 4-2 win winners to claim their first ever Emir to a more dominant, attacking style Qatar Cup at the first hurdle, losing over rivals Al Sadd highlighted that Cup. Club management will be dis- of play. Ferriera didn’t exactly have 3-2 to a spirted El Jaish side. Belmadi’s squad where slowly begin- appointed in the way the side failed the desired impact in his first ever Whilst in the Emir Cup, Sadd ning to find their feet. In January, to regain the league title, however the match as Al Sadd coach, losing 2-1 progressed to the final after beat- Lekhwiya secured the services of Alain club did reach minimum requirements to Al Sailiya. ing rivals Al Rayyan 3-2. In the final Dioko from Gharafa with tricky winger by finishing in the top four and picking However Ferriera certainly deliv- Lekhwiya ran out 4-2 winners in the Vladimir Weiss moving the other way. up the Emir Cup. ered in his second match, edging out penalty shootout. Lekhwiya players celebrate after the penalty shoot-out which ensured This fascinating move would ulti- An interesting summer waits for Al Rayyan 2-1 in the Qatar Classico The defeat was a bitter blow for their victory against Al Sadd in the Emir Cup final played at Jassim mately curtail any title ambitions Lekhwiya who will be plotting how to in what was the best performance of the young squad, who will now look Bin Hamad Stadium in this file photo. Lekhwiya had. International midfielders get back into the QSL title mix. the season from the side. to prepare for the 2016/2017 season. One winning streak over, MONACO GRAND PRIX STATISTICS Lap distance: 3.337km (78 laps). Total distance: 280.286km Race lap record: Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) Red Bull 1:18.063 (2015) Rosberg aims for another 2015 pole: Lewis Hamilton (Britain), Mercedes 2015 winner: Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes Start time: 1200 GMT (1400 local) Reuters all of us after the race but it’s now F1: MONACO GRAND chapter closed and looking ahead WINS PRIX ON SUNDAY to Monaco. It’s an incredible feel- $Mercedes have won 36 of the last 43 races. ing making a car dance through $Triple world champion Lewis Hamilton has 43 career MONACO: One winning streak those streets, one of the purest victories, putting him third in the all-time lists and one win ended with a bang for Nico Ros- returns in the form of his life. thrills you can have in a racing car. ahead of Ferrari’s four-times world champion Sebastian berg in Spain but Monaco’s tight, “I have memories from every “I’m approaching this week- Vettel. metal-fenced streets could see the corner going right back to my end with only one result in mind.” $Schumacher holds the record of 91, with Alain Prost on continuation of another remark- school days and I always have Ferrari and resurgent Red Bull 51. McLaren’s Fernando Alonso has 32 wins, Ferrari’s Kimi able run for the Formula One great support there from my fam- can hope to be contenders as well Raikkonen 20, Rosberg 18 and McLaren’s Jenson Button 15. championship leader on Sunday. ily, my friends and the fans, which at a track where outright engine Only one man -- triple world gives you that extra boost through power matters less than drive- Rosberg has more wins than any other non-champion in the champion Ayrton Senna -- has the weekend,” he said. ability. The new ultrasoft Pirelli history of the sport. won more than three times in a “It’s been amazing to win there tyres, making their debut, could $Ferrari have won 224 races in total, McLaren 182, Wil- row in the Mediterranean princi- for the past three years -- but I also help. liams 114, Red Bull 51 and Mercedes 49. McLaren have not pality’s showcase race but Rosberg know it will be tough to repeat Both the current Ferrari driv- won for 62 races, a run that dates back to Brazil 2012. is on the cusp of stepping up that with Lewis, the Ferraris and ers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi alongside the late Brazilian. the Red Bulls all so strong now.” Raikkonen -- second in the stand- POLE POSITION The Mercedes driver, whose Hamilton has not won since ings and 39 points off the pace $Mercedes have been on pole in 41 of the last 43 races. hopes of an eighth successive win he took his third world champi- -- have won in Monaco before, $Hamilton’s pole position in Spain was the 52nd of his ended at the previous race in Bar- onship in Texas last October, and but not for the Italian team, whose career. Vettel has 46. celona when he and triple world the collision at the Circuit de Cat- last victory there was with Schu- champion team mate Lewis Ham- alunya left him 43 points behind macher in 2001. POINTS ilton collided on the opening lap the German with 16 races remain- Red Bull, whose Austral- $Williams are the only team to have scored points with while fighting for the lead, com- ing, but he is still the bookmakers’ ian driver Daniel Ricciardo set both cars in both races this season. pleted his hat-trick last year. favourite. the race lap record last year, had Four wins would still be one Monaco -- the glamour high- already targeted Monaco as their MONACO behind the Brazilian, who won five light of the season -- is also special best chance of a victory before $Rosberg has won the last three Monaco Grands Prix. in a row and six in total, but still a for him, a race the boyhood Senna 18-year-old Dutch driver Max Ver- $Only four drivers have ever won three in a row in the sequence that multiple champi- fan has always loved, and he needs stappen won in Spain on his debut ons like Graham Hill, Alain Prost to start reeling in Rosberg as soon with the team. principality: Graham Hill, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and and Michael Schumacher never as possible. “The trend now is we’re com- Rosberg. Senna won five in a row. managed. “Barcelona was the worst feel- ing stronger and stronger,” said $The driver on pole has won 10 of the last 15 races in Monaco is a home race for ing but, like I always say, the true Ricciardo. Monaco. In 1996, Frenchman Olivier Panis won from 14th on most of the drivers but even test is how you get back up when “Monaco is for me the best cir- the starting grid -- the lowest winning start position to date. more so for Rosberg, the German- you’ve been knocked down,” said cuit to drive one... there’s no circuit $Six former Monaco winners will be on Sunday’s grid: born son of Finland’s 1982 world the Briton, who won in Monaco on the calendar that gives me that Rosberg (2013, 2014, 2015), Vettel (2011), Button (2009), champion Keke, who grew up and with McLaren in 2008. same feeling, that same adrenaline Nico Rosberg Hamilton (2008), Alonso (2006, 2007), Raikkonen (2005) went to school there and this time “It was a tough moment for and that feeling of wanting more.” 36 WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2016

Stallions conclude successful Dubai tour

The Peninsula exhibition game which was organized People will enjoy as part of the inauguration. This was the very first tour organized by Stal- lions Basketball Academy Doha and DOHA: Stallions Basketball Acad- was a great experience for the young emy, member of the Stallions Sports players of the Academy. Services W.L.L., recently concluded Stallions Sports Services is a 2022 World Cup in a successful tour of the UAE. leading academy in Doha currently The Doha Stallions participated providing coaching in Cricket, Bas- in several matches, taking on some ketball and Badminton for the juniors of the leading basketball academies from the age of 6 to 18 years. Stallions in the UAE and recorded three wins cricket Academy has finalized all during the tour, losing one. The tour arrangements to tour England form Qatar, says Xavi was organised in conjunction with July 23 to August 02, 2016 with their the inauguration of Stallions Basket- Under 15 and Under 11 cricket teams. ball Academy in Dubai. The children The academy concluded cricket of Stallions Basketball Academy Doha tours to England, Sri Lanka and UAE were fortunate to be a part of the during the past two years and plan- Xavi Hernandez opening ceremony and were able to ning to tour Australia, South Africa, showcase their talents in front of their India, Malaysia and Singapore in opponents and spectators during an future.

they face. Qatar can host a fantastic designs are spectacular. People will Guardiola. It is a great opportunity and historic World Cup for football,” enjoy this World Cup and in Decem- but there will also be a lot of pressure, The Catalan Xavi said. ber the weather is great to really enjoy because everyone always expects midfielder enjoys The Terrassa-born midfielder, the country.” a lot from Pep Guardiola. But he is who collected an astonishing 28 titles The Catalan midfielder also without doubt one of the best coaches his stay in Qatar in a glittering career with Barcelona revealed some of his favourite places in the world at the moment.” and hails World Cup and the Spanish national team, also in Qatar after making the move from The skillful midfielder, who was preparations sent a clear message to those who Barcelona last summer. a crucial part of Guardiola’s team at criticize Qatar without having been “It is a fantastic country, very hos- Barcelona, added that it was Guardi- to the country. pitable. You have different types of ola’s attention to detail which made “My message is that people should entertainment, great cuisine, leisure him such an innovative force in world come and see the country. Peo- activities for different budgets. I like football. “Guardiola thinks about The Peninsula ple talk about Qatar without having Katara cultural village, which is fan- football all the time, he is obsessive been here. They have to come here tastic, the Pearl, where you can go for in his attention to detail. We still talk and share time with the people, get a nice walk. You also have the desert, regularly and discuss football.” to know the people – they are good where you can go for a safari, and With the midfield maestro plac- DOHA: Former FC Barcelona captain people who put a lot of emphasis on Dukhan is nearby, where my daugh- ing huge importance on Guardiola’s and dominant Al Sadd midfielder Xavi sports. I have gotten to know people ter was born. It is a small country but arrival in England, Xavi also pointed Stallions Basketball Academy players and team officials pose for a Hernandez says he has seen from who decide things in Qatar and they a very welcoming one. My family and out that the ‘tiki-taka’ philosophy of close quarters how quickly Qatar is are very noble, so I would say to the I feel very comfortable here.” play which he has come to embody is photograph during their recent tour to UAE. preparing for the 2022 FIFA World people who talk badly about Qatar to Moving onto the English foot- also being taken up in Qatar. Cup. come here and see it.” ball scene, the Al Sadd skipper says “There are many teams here in The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner Looking out across Khalifa Inter- his long-time coach Pep Guardiola Qatar who have taken on the philos- made these remarks during an inter- national Stadium – the first proposed will take English football to greater ophy of Barcelona and the Spanish view with the Supreme Committee for host venue to be completed for the heights once he takes over at Man- national team, or even now like Delivery and Legacy in Doha. 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar when chester City this summer. the German team, they like to play Mujahid wins U-18 “I have seen a country with a major construction concludes at the “It is a big opportunity for him an attacking style of football with total focus on construction, not only end of this year – Xavi said visiting at Manchester City. I think he will domination of possession. A lot of the stadiums but also the infrastruc- fans had something to look forward change the face of English football,” coaches here are working in this ture. They are building a new metro to in six years’ time. Xavi said. The Spanish midfielder style now. There are different styles tennis crown system to make sure the traffic is not “Khalifa International Stadium said Guardiola would revolutionise in the league here but the coaches so dense. They are preparing very will be spectacular. All of the stadi- the way football is played in England. . are well prepared, and the Qatar well on all these fronts, and they ums will be marvellous and people “If there is anyone capable Stars League will continue improv- have time to solve any challenges will be surprised because the stadium of changing that mentality, it is ing,” Xavi added. The Peninsula Action from the Smash Tennis Academy DOHA: Mujahid Khan won the boys Championship under 18 singles title in the eighth edi- Al Rayyan looking forward to train at tion of the Smash Tennis Academy Championship which concluded at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Com- plex on Monday. The under 18 final was an all- top class SC training facilities: Tabata Bay Club InterContinental Doha affair with Mujahid overcoming the challenge of fellow trainee Joud Al The Peninsula level. We are willing to look everybody, Azmeh in the final. Bay Club Inter- including Asian heavyweights Iran and South Continental Doha trainees also won Korea, in the eye and fight it out. Fighting hard two more titles. Taym Al Azmeh won and getting good results in the qualifiers will the U-14 boys singles title defeating DOHA: Al Rayyan captain and 2015-16 Qatar instil confidence in the youngsters leading Mohammad Ameral in the final. Football Association (QFA) Player of the Year up to 2022. Taym went on to complete his Rodrigo Tabata has had a season to remem- “Playing a FIFA World Cup in front of double, clinching the boys U-14 boys ber, helping his side to win the Qatar Stars home fans will be a historic occasion and the title in partnership with Adil Khan. League (QSL) title and notching the top-scorer national squad is eagerly looking forward to More honours came Bay Club award. giving a performance befitting the first ever InterContinental Doha way with The prolific striker says he is eager to Middle Eastern tournament,” added Tabata, coach Cliff Acaso winning the top experience Al Rayyan’s new state-of-the-art whose 21 goals in 24 QSL matches were the place in the men’s doubles. training facility ahead of the next football driving force behind Al Rayyan’s first title win Organised by Smash Tennis her victory over Amna Homoud. season. since 1994-95. Academy and the Qatar Tennis Fed- Meanwhile, the QTF Open ten- “I am thankful that the Supreme Commit- Tabata also shed light on the prevailing eration (QTF), the event saw the nis tournament is in progress at the tee have looked after the club’s requirements mindset in Jose Carreno’s side, who will play participation of 300 players in dif- Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex and invested in the facility, which I am sure their first match in third round qualifying in ferent age groups. Nasser Al Motawa and will end on May 30. will be top class,” Tabata told www.sc.qa Tehran’s Azaadi Stadium on 1 September: claimed the boys U-10 title defeating More than 250 players are com- on the sidelines of the QFA Awards. “I look “Iran and South Korea have achieved a lot in Mostafa Khaled in the final match, peting in the Under-18, U-14, U-12, forward to training there ahead of the new Asian football but we will not be overawed while In girls U-12 event, Cristal Olivi- U-10, U-9, U-8 sections, in both boys season.” against them. The first game against Iran is era took the gold medal following and girls categories. The new training facilities will be located the biggest challenge. We need to go there next to the site where Al Rayyan Stadium – to fight and claim three points. The mind- the club’s new home ground and a proposed set will not be to come away with a point.” host venue for matches up to the quarter- Tabata said his previous experience of finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar - is playing in one of Asia’s iconic football ven- currently being constructed. Tabata was also ues will prove beneficial in the opener. “I have present when the design for the new stadium played at the Azaadi in the AFC Champions was revealed last year. League – playing in front of 100,000 away The Al Rayyan fans’ favourite, who shared fans is a massive challenge but a positive one. the season’s Mansour Muftah top-scorer This is what you look forward to as a foot- award with El Jaish forward Abdulrazak baller and I am sure the atmosphere in Tehran Hamdullah, predicted a tougher 2016-17 title will lift my performance as well as that of my defence for the ‘lions’. teammates.” “El Jaish were very strong in the second The skilful forward also contributed 10 half of this season and they have had a good assists in the QSL season, his best since join- run in the AFC Champions League as well. ing the club in 2011-12, and thanked coach Lekhwiya and Al Sadd are strong contenders Jorge Fossati – who won the QFA Coach of Al Rayyan and Al Arabi and Al Gharafa are outsiders. So the Year Award – for devising a system to captain and there will be a close fight next year.” bring out the best in himself as well as fellow 2015-16 Qatar Tabata also pointed out that the whole attackers Sebastian Soria and Sergio Garcia. Football country was behind the Qatar team enter- “The coach was very flexible and told the Association ing the final phase of 2018 FIFA World Cup three of us to interchange positions at will. Mujahid Khan, Joud Al Azmeh, Taym Al Azmeh, Adil Khan, players (QFA) Player qualifying in September. Winning was important, not who scored the of the Bay Club InterContinental Doha, podium winners at the 8th of the Year “Qatar will give 100 percent and more. goal. I also have to thank my other teammates edition of the Smash Tennis Academy Championship, pose for a Rodrigo Every single one of us wants to qualify for who were fantastic right through the season. picture with coach Cliff Acaso at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Tabata Russia 2018. There is good internal compe- They deserve my awards as much as I do,” tition for places, which has lifted each one’s concluded Tabata. Complex.