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QFC to be Hales’ 99 leadss integrated with England to big QCB and SJC victory

SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 • 28 Rabia II 1437 • Volume 20 • Number 6699 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Cruising to glory Emir greets Queen Major crimes on accession anniversary

DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim decrease by bin Hamad Al Thani sent yester- day a cable of congratulations to H M Queen Elizabeth II of United Kingdom on the anniversary of her accession to the throne, reports half in Qatar QNA. Emir congratulates themselves in, expressing their desire to leave for their home coun- Governor-General Country retains spot tries for good. as most peaceful A total of 30,874 persons were of New Zealand country in the detained in the year as they were found breaking laws and procedures. Middle East The Ministry yesterday released DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim highlights of ‘Security and Services bin Hamad Al Thani sent yesterday Statistical Report” for the year 2015. Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah drives his Skoda Fabia R5 with French co-driver Baumel Matthieu on a cable of congratulations to the The rate of major crimes way to winning the Qatar International Rally yesterday. Al Attiyah sealed another win on home soil and Governor-General of New Zealand, The Peninsula declined by 48 percent in 2015 over entered his name in record books by posting the 61st win of his illustrious career. → See also page 36 Sir Jerry Mateparae, on the occa- the previous year and the ratios were sion of his country’s National Day. 90.7 percent to 99.1 percent less than global averages. DOHA: Major crimes fell by almost Complaints about major crimes half in Qatar last year, enabling it to were down by 49 percent. retain the coveted position as the There was a fall of 3.5 percent in most peaceful country in the Middle the number of complaints received Oxygen Park to promote healthy lifestyle East based on Global Peace Index. by public security agencies in 2015. But cyber crimes showed a rise Public security personnel of almost 52 percent in the year arrested 590 men and women (most By Fazeena Saleem On National Sport Day, the park (HBKU) Student Center will also activities that cater to everyone, over 2014 mainly due to the spread of them outsiders) suspected of beg- The Peninsula will offer pony rides organised by Al offer a slew of activities including young and old, in order to spread of technology and social media ging, which is a crime. Shaqab, besides Crossfit, zumba, and bowling, table tennis, volleyball, bas- awareness on the importance of well networks. The Ministry achieved ‘new boxercise classes, as well as a beach ketball, football, traditional games, being, as well as prevent diseases Users showed less caution in accomplishments’ in regional and volleyball tournament. and group fitness classes. In addition, through productive change. This is using social media and other tools international cooperation with DOHA: Oxygen Park at Education These activities will be part of events for QF staff, those with special also an opportunity for us to show and breached rules in dealing with different agencies and other coun- City will host activities by Qatar more than 60 events organised by needs, and ladies will also be hosted the hard work of our centres for the the new technology, said the Minis- tries to combat drug trafficking and Foundation (QF) after a soft opening Qatar Foundation on Tuesday to at both venues. development of health care in Qatar,” try of Interior. abuse. The Civil Defence achieved on Tuesday — the National Sport Day. promote a healthy lifestyle and well Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi, Al Muhannadi added. Some 8,900 individuals and a best average response time of 8.4 The unique park features 117 being. President of Qatar Foundation, said, Activities of QF on National companies were either banned or minutes in reaching fire sites. types of plants sprawled over more Under the theme of ‘Unlock Your “This year’s National Sport Day will Sport Day also focus on nutrition blacklisted last year for breaching Qatar, represented by the Inte- than 130,000 square metres. It has a Inner Athlete’, the activities demon- be very exciting as we have a variety and healthy eating. Through the day, human rights norms. rior Ministry, showed positive covered walkway, running track, gar- strate QF’s commitment to shaping a of activities that aim to engage the health education activities such as the Some 10,068 air tickets were statistical indicators for security dens, equestrian track and a sports healthy, sports-loving society, while entire community. Qatar Foundation Sahtak Awalan – Your Health First, provided to expatriates who could and safety systems in 2015. These pitch. inspiring people to make positive, gives priority to sports and well being, will be organised, which is aimed not pay for their travel home while indicators were in keeping with glo- The Oxygen Park is expected to long-lasting changes. and National Sport Day is at the cen- at inspiring young people to make leaving the country for good. bal benchmarks that measure the open officially in March and will ini- The annual 3km walkathon tre of our multifaceted, year-long plan healthy lifestyle choices. Authorities launched at least state of peace and security in dif- tially be accessible only to students of hosted by Sidra Medical and Research which has been specially designed As part of the activity, young peo- 90 inspection campaigns in 2015 to ferent countries. Education City before being thrown Center will be one of the highlights of to foster an active and healthy ple will get the opportunity to blend check compliance with local laws. open to the public, said QF officials QF’s activities on the day. society.” their own smoothies using specially Some 2,145 people turned → Continued on page 5 during a media briefing on Thursday. Hamad bin Khalifa University’s “We are committed to providing adapted bicycles. Special vehicles for medical emergencies Fleeing Syrians shiver

The Peninsula at Turkey border

DOHA: Hamad Medical Corporation’s Ambulance Serv- ice (HMCAS) recently launched special vehicles to deal AFP Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut with major incidents. Cavusoglu said his country would ‘Major Incident Response vehicles’ are specially keep its “open border policy” for Syr- designed rapidly deployable containers to be used by ian refugees. the Specialized Emergency Management team within BEIRUT: Thousands of Syrians “We still keep this open border HMCAS to provide medical support after a major inci- braved the cold and rain yesterday policy for these people fleeing from dent. The vehicle contains all resources needed to create at the Turkish border after fleeing a the aggression, from the regime as a temporary field treatment area with a variety of AC Russian-backed regime assault on well as air strikes of Russia,” he said. tents for treating patients. Aleppo in northern Syria that threat- “We have received already 5,000 The units are staffed by crews who will rapidly ens a fresh humanitarian disaster. of them; another 50,000 to 55,000 deploy the shelters and equipment for treating patients Syria’s government, meanwhile, are on their way and we cannot leave by Ambulance Paramedics and Critical Care Paramedics warned that any foreign soldiers who them there.” before transferring them to one of Hamad Medical Cor- enter the country would go home “in According to the Britain-based poration’s (HMC) Emergency Departments. The medical a wooden coffin”, following reports Syrian Observatory for Human decontamination unit enables clinical teams to support that Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which Rights, around 40,000 Syrian civil- other emergency response agencies after a major inci- support rebel forces, could send in ians have fled the regime offensive. dent involving a hazardous material. troops. Major Incident Response vehicles were showcased Tens of thousands of people have 435 killed at the International Conference in Emergency Medicine fled fierce fighting as government “Thousands have been sleeping and Public Health. Brendon Morris, Executive Director forces advanced this week against in the open, in fields and on roads,” of the Ambulance Service, said: “We believe the vehi- rebels, severing the opposition’s on the border and in the nearby cles position us well, should a large scale adverse event main supply route into the north- Syrian city of Azaz, said Mamun Al occur. This is part of the national effort to ensure prep- ern metropolis of Aleppo. Khatib, director of the Aleppo-based aration for a major incident of any kind.” Turkey’s Oncupinar border pro-rebel Shahba Press news agency. crossing, which faces Bab Al Salama “And because the main rebel → Continued on page 5 A tent where patients will be treated based on the seriousness of their condition. inside Syria, remained closed yes- supply route between Aleppo and terday, an AFP correspondent said. Turkey has been cut, the price of oil, Suleyman Tapsiz, governor of foodstuffs and baby milk has shot Turkey’s Kilis province on the bor- up in the north of Aleppo province,” der, said at least 70,000 people were he added. 14 dead as Taiwan building caves in after earthquake heading for the frontier and that the The Observatory said 435 peo- displaced were being accommodated ple have been killed since the regime TAINAN: Relatives of residents day as rescuers sought survivors, with were full of families who had gath- centre said a total of 156 people were in eight camps on the Syrian side. offensive began on Monday, among trapped in a 16-storey apartment more than 150 missing in the quake ered for Lunar New Year celebrations still out of contact across Tainan and Turkey — which is already home them 71 civilians most of whom died complex felled by a powerful earth- zone, reports AFP. when it collapsed and the death toll is neighbouring counties. to between 2-2.5 million Syrians — is in Russian air strikes. quake in Taiwan that killed 14 people The cluster of buildings in the rising. also able to take care of 30-35,000 were praying for miracles yesterday historic southern city of Tainan The national disaster response → See also page 8 refugees inside Syria, Tapsiz said. → See also page 6 02 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 HOME

Greeting cables sent to UK and National Sport Day activities lined up New Zealand

QNA Qatar University and other government and private sector DOHA: Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani entities gear up yesterday sent a cable of congratu- for celebrations on lations to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom on the anniver- Tuesday sary of her accession to the throne. The Deputy Emir also sent a congratulatory cable to New Zealand Governor-General Sir The Peninsula Jerry Mateparae on his country’s National Day. Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin DOHA: Qatar University (QU) has Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani sent lined up a slew of events, including similar cables of congratulations sky diving and maritime activities, to Queen Elizabeth Sir Jerry. to celebrate National Sport Day on Tuesday. The Sports and Recreation Section Qatar to host at the Student Activities Department launched National Sport Day celebra- global forum on tions on Tuesday. Activities under ‘Sports Bring Us dual disability Together’ are organised in collabora- tion with the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, Community Col- DOHA: Qatar will host the second lege of Qatar, and Katara, the official Children taking part in one of the activities organised by the Sports and Recreation Section at the Student Activities Department of Qatar University. Doha international conference to host, and include sporting and fitness discuss problems of the deaf blind events on QU campus and at Katara to (dual disability), organised by Arab promote sports and healthy lifestyles ASPIRE ZONE Union for the Blind (AUB). throughout the community. The conference from March At the QU Sports and Recreation Aspire Zone will be the ideal des- 6 to 9 aims to create a proper cli- Female Section, the program will tination for citizens and residents mate for persons with disabilities include sport and recreational activi- to celebrate the day, with the park for more interaction and part- ties such as yoga, zumba, strength and transformed into a giant sports field nership, and highlight the role of conditioning, and bubble ball games, featuring unique sporting activities Qatar and its leadership’s attention running alongside activities at Katara and a fun-filled atmosphere. to such people. that will feature a ‘March Competi- This year, 24 organisations and Dr Khalid Ali Al Nuaimi, tion’ for kids (1km) and adults (2.5km), companies will host activities in President, AUB, said nearly 100 a sky diving show by a QU team, and Aspire Zone, of which 14 are open to representatives of civil society maritime activities such as volleyball public. These are in addition to activ- organisations and governments and football. ities being organised by Aspire Zone of Arab countries, in addition to An exhibition on the side- Foundation (AZF) and its member as many participants from Qatar lines will feature two information organisations in the park’s fields and representing all relevant author- booths to engage visitors on sportive across its modern facilities. ities, and experts from Norway, and healthy lifestyles, fitness and Abdullah Al Khater, Event Man- Spain, the US, New Zealand and nutrition. ager, AZF, said: “Many prominent World Federation of the Deafblind Abdulla Al Yafei, Associate Vice- institutions and companies from the will take part. President, Student Life and Services, most important sectors have chosen Dr Al Nuaimi said the confer- QU, said, “The university is demon- AZF to celebrate the day with their ence will discuss topics, including strating the importance of a healthy employees and families. This reflects dual disability from the perspective society in the country’s development confidence in AZF’s organisational of the International Convention on and progress. We are proud to partici- capabilities when it comes to such the Rights of Persons with Disabil- pate in this national event that reflects mega events we have been organis- ities, signed and ratified by Qatar, the country’s growing reputation as a ing for past years. means of prevention and fight sporting capital.” “Our well-equipped, world-class against dual disability, the mecha- CCQ President Dr Ibrahim Saleh facilities and venues makes Aspire the nisms in place to teach people with Al Naimi said, “It also shows CCQ’s destination of choice for many organi- dual disability and their families, commitment to encourage students sations and companies, some of which Visitors at Aspire Zone during last year’s celebrations. creating an appropriate environ- to participate in the annual event and are celebrating the day with us for the ment for such people and their highlights the importance of daily fifth consecutive year, such as Ras rehabilitation. physical exercise for health and wel- Gas. We will do everything possible He praised Qatar’s efforts to fare of society.” to ensure a remarkable event.” ideal destination for all. number of activities. Justice, the Ministry of Development improve the conditions of per- Katara Operations Deputy Gen- National Sport Day plays an Through its activities pro- This is one of the major rea- Planning and Statistics, the Supreme sons with disabilities in general, eral Manager Ahmed Al Sayed said, important role in fulfilling the objec- grammes, AZF is focused on sons why oil and gas companies and Committee for Delivery & Legacy, and persons with visual impair- “Katara has diversified and increased tives of Qatar National Vision 2030, promoting healthy lifestyles and organisations from the sector have Qatar Stock Exchange, the National ment in particular. He also thanked sport and other events of National specifically the human development enhancing awareness among partic- selected AZF to host their activities Human Rights Committee, Qatar the leadership for support provided Sport Day to over 80, presented by pillar, which encourages people to ipants about the importance of sport. for the day. Center for Voluntary Activities, and for AUB since its establishment on more than 40 entities and institutions participate in sport activities. As this is a goal shared by health These include the Ministry of Al Jaish Sports Club, amongst others. 2007. He said Qatar is working on across Qatar for all age groups. By engaging organisations and organisations in Qatar, many of them Energy and Industry, Qatar Petro- People interested in visiting improving the conditions of people “They include marine and aerial their employees to contribute to activ- have chosen AZF as the place to cele- leum, Tasweeq, RasGas, Muntajat Aspire Zone on the day can find with disabilities, including those activities, athlete games, basketball, ities, the day helps support the health brate the day, including the Ministry and Qatar Shell in partnership with details of all activities through the with visual disabilities, in all areas soccer, and beach handball, as well of Qatar’s population now and in the of Health, Hamad Medical Corpora- Qatar Football Association. ‘Life in Aspire’ mobile application, the through rehabilitation, education as health tips and medical check-ups. future. AZF also supports people with tion and Qatar Diabetes Association. Many government, financial and Life in Aspire website – www.lifein- and creating jobs and the appro- We hope that Katara visitors spend a special needs to access its venues and AZF is the largest in Qatar in sporting entities will also have a pres- aspire.qa – or on any of AZF’s social priate environment. wonderful time.” facilities, making Aspire Zone the terms of space and the range and ence at AZF, including the Ministry of media channels. QC in deals to begin relief projects for Syrian refugees Ooredoo supports

The Peninsula 68th Sri Lankan

DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) has signed five agree- Independence Day ments with Islamic Dawa Organisation and the Union of Relief and Development Associations in Lebanon to implement relief projects for the Syr- The Peninsula Fatima Sultan Al Kuwari, Direc- ian refugees in Lebanon at an estimated cost of tor Community & Public Relations, QR5m divided equally between QC and Islamic Ooredoo, said: “Joining in with the Dawa Organisation. event was a great way to show that The agreements are part of what the humani- DOHA: Ooredoo supported the Sri we are all part of Qatar’s com- tarian, Gulf, Islamic and international organisations Lankan community at the 68th Sri munities, and give everyone the pledged on the sidelines of the fourth annual con- Lankan Independence Day celebra- opportunity to experience Sri ference organised by the union and sponsored by tions on Friday at the Radisson Blu Lanka’s strong traditions. Congrat- QC in Istanbul. The forum aimed to mobilise sup- Hotel in Doha. ulations to all involved for creating port for the Syrian refugees. The partnership, which is part such a joy-filled and educational The agreements were signed by Yousef bin of the company’s vision to support event.” Ahmed Al Kuwari, CEO, QC; Hammad Abdulqader Yousef bin Ahmed Al Kuwari (centre), CEO, QC, with other officials at the event. every section of the community, saw Ooredoo’s support was in line Al Sheikh, General Director, Islamic Dawa Organi- Ooredoo host a booth to promote its with its pioneering Corporate Social sation; and Hussam Al Ghali, General Coordinator lowest rates for costumers to contact Responsibility Strategy to provide for the union in the presence of Mohammed bin for sponsoring the conference and its commitment project, which will help the neediest Syrian fami- and send money to their loved ones sponsor grassroots activities for the Ali Al Ghamdi, Executive Director, International to release field reports to donors and financiers. lies in Lebanon bear the burdens of life. in Sri Lanka. community. Development, Mohammed Rashid Al Ka’bi, Relief Al Ghali praised QC’s efforts for the benefit of Through ‘Rakezet Hayah’ project, the fami- The 68th Independence Day Ooredoo offer dedicated Sri Head, Board of Directors, QC, and Mohammed the Syrian refugees in Lebanon and the Lebanese. lies will enjoy some sort of stability; and through event featured cultural activities, Lankan services and promotions, Adrdour, Relief Affairs Expert, QC. Al Kuwari said: “If it were not for the support and contribution of ‘Orphans Sponsorship’ project, problems of orphan including a performance by the including the option to send money “QC always makes sure to reinforce the spirit of its partners, the union would not have been able Syrians in Lebanon will be reduced. ‘Islamic renowned ensemble The Sparrows directly to bank accounts at 28 cooperation and partnership among humanitar- to accomplish this much,” he said. Preachers Sponsorship’ project will help reduce Dance Troupe, Sri Lankan actress banks in Sri Lanka through Oore- ian organisations for the benefit of the displaced The agreements aim to change the poor Leba- psychological problems which arise due to asylum Sheril Romen Dekker, and Ruwan doo Mobile Money. Syrians and refugees. I thank Islamic Dawa Organ- nese families and Syrian refugees from consumers and help raise awareness through advanced meth- Hettiarachchi. For more information on call isation, a strategic partner of QC, and the union.” into producers through implementation of produc- ods. As for problems the Syrian refugees face when Ooredoo’s support aimed to rates to Sri Lanka or other inter- Al Sheikh said Islamic Dawa Organisation is tive projects. The projects can be moved to Syria some of them die will be solved through ‘Waqf’ enhance unity and integrity of the national destinations, visit www. willing to sign more agreements with QC in dif- after the crisis is over so that they would contribute project through which a piece of land will be pre- diverse communities of Sri Lanka ooredoo.qa or pop into an Oore- ferent fields of humanitarian work. He thanked QC to its rebuilding. This will be done through ‘Sanad’ pared to bury the dead. living in Qatar. doo Shop. HOME SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 03 Annual camp held for kids with diabetes Ministry recalls 2005 & 2007 60 children from 14 countries attend the 16th Al Jeep models Bawasil International Camp organised by Qatar Diabetes Doha: The Ministry of Association (QDA) Economy and Com- merce, in collaboration with United Cars Almana, dealer of Jeep vehicles, The Peninsula has announced the recall of Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander models of 2005 and 2007 over a DOHA: The Annual Al Bawasil International defect in the ignition key Camp for children with diabetes hosted around cylinder. 60 participants from 14 countries. The ministry said the The 16th camp was organised by Qatar Dia- recall is within the frame- betes Association (QDA), of Qatar Foundation work of its efforts to (QF), recently, bringing together more than 60 protect consumers and children aged 7-11 from countries, including ensure dealers follow up Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Egypt. on vehicle defects and Throughout the week, children partici- repairs. pated in fun-filled educational activities, shared The ministry said it experiences and improved their knowledge of will coordinate with the diabetes self-management. dealer to follow up on The camp supports QF’s mission to maintenance and repairs strengthen healthcare provision in Qatar. This and communicate with includes taking proactive measures to help customers to ensure nec- Qataris manage prevalent health problems essary repairs are carried and providing effective ways to deal with them. out. The camp also supports QF’s mission to be It urged customers to a catalyst for change by encouraging families report any violations to its to make positive lifestyle changes. Consumer Protection and QDA organised the camp in partnership with Anti-Commercial Fraud Aspire Academy, with support from ‘Action on Youngsters taking part in a fun workshop at the camp. Department through hot- Diabetes’, El Jaish Sports Club, and Ooredoo. line: 16001; email: info@ It aimed to help participants build confi- mec.gov.qa; Twitter: @ dence and boost their self-esteem in managing MEC_Qatar; Instagram: the condition, with the goal of maintaining a to reach their full potential. importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. health team who teach children how to utilise MEC_Qatar; and the good quality of life and avoiding diabetes-related “The camp allows participants to exchange “I also enjoyed workshops like ‘Honouring insulin management techniques and nutrition ministry’s mobile app complications. ideas and share their unique experiences,” said Parents’, as they encouraged me to love and and maintain their general health. for Android and IOS: “The objective of the camp is to create a safe Dr Abdulla Al Hamaq, Executive Director, QDA. respect my parents more. It was great having The camp included two ceremonies to cele- MEC_Qatar and loving environment for children with dia- Ahmed Hatim Khotairat, a participant from students from around the region attend the brate the launch and the conclusion of the event, betes. We want to teach them how to control the Palestine, said: “I benefited a lot from the camp; camp, and I hope to participate again next year.” with enthusiastic participation of children and disease and avoid health issues to enable them I learned how to choose healthy foods, and the The camp was run by a specialised diabetes the iconic camp mascots ‘Basil’ and ‘Sukar’. QRCS holds disaster control course Second phase of arbitrators’ training begins today The Peninsula

The Peninsula on January 24 under the theme ‘Arbi- DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent Society tration Agreement and its drafting (QRCS) held a five-day basic disaster terms’ and legal bases. management course for 51 personnel Local legal experts, includ- of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) DOHA: The second phase of a 2016 ing Qatari lawyer Yusef Ahmed Al and students doctors, to prepare them programme to train arbitrators and Zaman, and Consultant and Inter- to deal with disasters. formally qualify them for the job national Arbitrator Yarub Rayyan, The course aims to build the begins at Qatar Chamber today. were among the trainers. disaster response capacity among The programme includes five The programme included prac- national professionals, practice phases and is organised by Qatar tical activities and workshops on activities of preparedness and create International Centre for Concili- how to prepare arbitration agree- well-trained teams ready for inter- ation and Arbitration (QICCA) in ment documents. The second phase vention in emergencies that require collaboration with the GCC Com- will also continue for four days and concerted efforts from civil defence mercial Arbitration Centre, with a address issues like the procedure institutions. large number of lawyers, engineers and management of arbitration It is the first step for volunteers and accountants taking part. cases. It will also include practical in the field of disaster preparedness, It aims to train and qualify activities and theoretical aspects of response and management. Qataris and GCC citizens as arbitra- actual practices of arbitrations, the The curriculum is accredited by tors to enable them to take up the job differences between free arbitration the International Federation of the of arbitration and settle commercial, and institutional arbitration proce- Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies financial and investment-related dures and formation of juries. (IFRC). Fifteen lectures were deliv- disputes through scientific training Last year, QICCA invited legal ered by 10 relief experts on a wide programs,e, the chamber said in a personalities to register to partici- range of topics, including ‘Overview statement yesterday. pate in the training and qualifying of the International Red Cross and The four-day first phase started programme for arbitrators for 2016. Red Crescent and Qatar Red Cres- cent’; ‘Disaster Management’; ‘Sphere Project’; ‘Nutrition and Food Security’; HMC personnel and student doctors attending the course. ‘Logistics System’; ‘Social and Psycho- logical Support’; ‘Emergency Needs Assessment’; ‘Water and Sanitation’; personal experiences of some mem- transplantation for kidney failure and courses on safety and security, ‘Risk Analysis’; ‘Health in Emergen- bers of QRCS’s risk reduction team patients by looking for donors; psy- public health, first aid and surface cies’; ‘Communications in Emergency’; that was deployed on relief missions chological support visits to in-patients water rescue. and ‘Registration, Shelter, and Camp in several disaster-hit countries. at hospitals; ‘This Is My Wish’ Ram- Also, there are several basic Management’. HMC is a major local partner of adan programme to provide gifts for and advance disaster management The participants were divided QRCS, implementing several joint sick children; and 54 ambulance fleet courses, culminating in the annual into working groups, which held medical projects for the vulnerable operated by medical and technical Disaster Management Camp, which brainstorming, teamwork and prac- people in Qatar. personnel with the highest training is the only Arabic event of its kind. tice sessions. They also performed Among the projects are the and qualification levels in Qatar. It seeks to build community simulation scenarios, case studies, Patient Support Fund, which covers Such courses are part of QRCS’s capacity in preparedness, which is and emergency planning. the costs of surgeries, treatment and training and qualification portfolio, a national priority pursued by Qatar The attendees were introduced to medications for poor patients; kidney which involves community lectures National Vision 2030. The programme will be held at Qatar Chamber from today. 5,600 staff of 20 private & public organisations tested for diabetes in 2015

The Peninsula The screening programme took The initiative also equips mem- A Diabetes Health Audit was people of Qatar.” place at the ministry’s offices in Lusail bers of the community with simple also provided to the ministry along Herluf Nis Thomsen, Programme over two days and was managed by 10 steps, tools and know-how to safe- with a final report which aggregated Manager, AoD, said, “On behalf of the DOHA: As part of a major workplace trained diabetes nurses and educators guard their health. screening results with follow-up AoD team, I would like to express grat- diabetes screening programme man- from the Supreme Council of Health A custom-made screening bus vis- recommendations. itude to the ministry for its cooperation aged by Action on Diabetes (AoD), (SCH), Hamad Medical Corporation, ited the ministry’s offices, fitted with Tareq Al Sada, Director, Public and assistance in helping combat one more than 5,600 employees in 20 of the Primary Health Care Corporation testing equipment to allow analyses Relations and Communication at the of Qatar’s biggest health challenges. Qatar’s largest private and public sec- and QDA. of blood glucose, HBA1C, cholesterol, ministry, said, “The partnership is in “Around half of those living with tor organisations were screened last Screening is a key strand of AoD’s BMI and blood pressure. line with our commitment to support diabetes don’t know they have it, but year. efforts to tackle diabetes in Qatar. The people tested at the bus our employees’ health. type 2 diabetes can be prevented if Taking part in the ongoing initi- Efforts focus on educating members received a personalised analysis of “Since diabetes is one of the big- risk factors are identified early enough ative, the Ministry of Economy and diabetes screening programme man- of the community and those at risk on the results, with colour-coded graphs gest health challenges in Qatar and the and changes made to improve diet and Commerce hosted a diabetes screening aged by AoD is a public-private factors that contribute to the condi- highlighting risks levels, as well as rec- world, the partnership is a great exam- lifestyle. This is why our screening pro- programme for its employees, organ- partnership initiated and funded by tion, and empowering them to avoid ommendations and advice on how to ple of our government’s commitment grammes are so important,” Thomsen ised by AoD last month. The workplace Maersk Oil Qatar. and manage it through early detection. improve the results over time. to social responsibility and support the added. 04 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 HOME

Minister visits Farmers’ market Sewage treatment plant opens

The QR3.63bn Doha North Sewage Treatment Works has become operational, with 46,000 cubic metres of sewage flow daily

Minister of Municipality and Environment H E Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi The Peninsula yesterday visited Al Mazrouah Yard. He was briefed by officials on its functioning. He also listened to the views of citizens and residents about the services. The yard for locally produced vegetables and fruits is open from Thursday to Saturday from 7am to 5pm. The markets in Umm Salal, Al Wakrah and Al Khor-Al Zakhira are the DOHA: The QR3.63bn Doha ministry’s initiative to encourage local farmers to sell their produce directly to North Sewage Treatment Works Internal view of the thermal drying plant for the sludge generated from the sewage treatment consumers without intermediaries, at reasonable prices. (STW) has become operational, process. with 46,000 cubic metres of sewage flow daily, Public Works Authority (Ashghal) said yester- of over 900,000 people by 2020. treatment works in Qatar. The 95,000 trees and 50 picnic areas day. STW has started receiving sludge is dewatered, proc- with interconnecting roads and STW is the first sewage sewage flows from the main essed through the thermal a bird-watching lagoon consid- Restaurant closed and fined treatment plant in Qatar to use pumping station in northern dryers to finally produce dried ered the first of its kind in Qatar. advanced treatment techniques Doha (PS70) in Al Kheesa. The pellets bagged and stored for The roads and picnic areas such as ultrafiltration and ultra- sewage flows are estimated at distribution. are ready, and the lagoon is The Peninsula a clear description of goods and their ingredi- violet technologies to produce 46,000 cubic metres a day. Work has substantially expected to be completed in the ents and refrain from posting any misleading high quality reclaimed water The Doha North STW became completed and the TDP is going first quarter of this year. The or false statements. for use for irrigation. The plant operational last December after through final commissioning. remaining irrigation pipe work The restaurant was made to publish the is in Umm Salal Ali, 25km to the a year of inspection and testing It includes four thermal dryers and planting are in progress as DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and Com- administrative closure decision on the min- north of Doha. processes completed by the Civil being tested utilising sludge gen- well as construction of artificial merce has announced temporary closure of a istry’s website and in two newspapers at its Ultrafiltration is an ultra- Defence and other entities, said erated at Doha North STW and mounds across the area, which restaurant offering fish in a popular commer- expense in line with Article No. 3 of the law. membrane filtration technique a statement. Doha West STW. Two of the ther- is expected to be completed by cial mall for selling Samman fish as Hamour. The ministry said it is determined to that separates large molecules The second phase of the mal dryers are expected to be mid-2017. The outlet was closed for two weeks fol- protect consumer rights and will intensify and small granules from water. project includes construction handed over in the second quar- The Doha North Sew- lowing an inspection campaign within the inspection campaigns to crack down on all The plant also uses ultra-vio- of a thermal drying plant (TDP) ter of this year, while the other age Treatment Works project framework of the ministry’s efforts to moni- violations of the consumer protection law. let technologies for wastewater within Doha North STW. The TDP two in the third quarter. includes the design and build tor commercial activities and crack down on The ministry said it will refer violators of treatment will process sludge or solid mate- Doha North STW is the first contract worth about QR2.49bn violations of consumer rights, price manipu- laws and ministerial decrees to authorities The first phase of the project rials generated from the sewage facility with comprehensive and the operate and maintain lation, counterfeit products and substandard for action. included construction of the treatment process to dispose odour control system to minimise 10-year contract worth about goods. It urged consumers to report to the Con- main treatment plant to receive them according to international the impact on the surround- QR1.14bn. The contracts were The outlet was also fined in line with Arti- sumer Protection and Anti-Commercial Fraud and treat sewage, and has been standards for safe disposal. ing environment. The Buffer awarded to “Keppel Seghers cle No. 7 of Law No. 8 of 2008 on consumer Department if they come cross any violations designed to treat up to 245,000 It will receive and treat Zone surrounding the STW will Engineering Singapore LTD and rights. The law stipulates that suppliers of and send complaints and suggestions through cubic metres of sewage a day, sludge generated from Doha be landscaped to form a lush- are expected to be completed in goods must clearly display product labels and hotline 16001 or email [email protected] serving a projected population North STW and other sewage green oasis that includes about the third quarter of next year. 30 Qataris complete Youth Leadership Acceleration Programme

The Peninsula consider themselves as future leaders. The participating students from renowned educa- tional institutions were selected on the basis of high leadership potential, and included relatives and friends DOHA: Commercial Bank, Qatar’s first private bank, of the bank’s customers. has announced that 30 Qataris aged 16-19 years have HEC Paris delivered this year’s programme for the completed the annual Youth Leadership Acceleration fourth consecutive time that indicates the success of Programme. previous programmes. The three-day programme is a partnership between Attending the programme’s closing ceremony in Tor- the bank and HEC Paris, a member of Qatar Foundation, nado Tower were the bank’s human capital senior team and ranked No. 2 worldwide in Executive Education by headed by Hamad Al Shekili, Acting Chief Human Cap- the Financial Times in 2015. ital Officer; Prof. Laoucine Kerbache, Dean and CEO, The programme aims to help young Qataris develop HEC Paris in Qatar, senior faculty members and stu- Officials with participants pose for a group photo. essential leadership skills and build confidence to dents’ families. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi, CEO of the bank, said: “Through the bank’s National Development Programme, we are investing significantly in skills and training of young Qataris as part of our drive to develop human capital in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. “Qatar’s greatest resource is its people and the pro- gramme is a demonstration of the bank’s dedication to develop this resource for a sustainable future, not only in terms of initiatives for our employees but also for the Qatari community. “I am delighted that all participants, including rel- atives of the bank’s valued customers have completed this year’s programme, which can only strengthen our client relationships.” Prof Kerbache said: “As a member of Qatar Foun- dation, our active participation in the programme is a manifestation of our commitment to positively con- tribute towards the development of a knowledge-based economy in Qatar. “Through this opportunity provided by the bank as its partner in the programme, we have been able to provide our expertise in designing and implementing a training and skills development programme for the young leaders of tomorrow. I wish to thank our staff at HEC Paris and the students for their energy and enthu- siasm that have made these past three days productive and inspirational. “I look forward to continuing our successful part- nership with the bank and our work towards developing young Qataris’ leadership skills.”

Qatar-Bangladesh ties reviewed

QNA

DHAKA: Bangladesh parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury met Qatari Ambassador Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Dehaimi and reviewed relations, ways of developing cooperation and matters of com- mon concern. HOME SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 05

Metrash2 transactions jumped by 119 percent to over 1.276 million

Continued from page 1 number of lawsuits and major crimes, Traffic violations also declined in percent growth. including murder, aggravated assault, the year which led to reduced mis- The total number of Metrash2 The state of peace and security is rape, kidnapping, robbery and arson. haps and deaths and injuries. transactions in the year jumped by measured by aspects such as major The ministry’s figures show that The number of accident-related 119 percent to over 1.276 million. crimes, improving safety procedures, crimes reported in 2015 fell 3.5 per- deaths per 100,000 residents fell Customer satisfaction level with community partnership, statistics cent over 2014 despite a population by 4.8 percent in 2015. Traffic vio- regard to the ministry’s services (number of crimes committed and growth of 9.2 percent. lations fell by 4.7 percent in the past ranges between 86 percent and 93 the services provided by various Some geographical areas wit- two years, and totalled 1.72 million percent, the survey shows. departments). nessed noticeable drop in crime rates. last year. The number of social media Also important is measuring the Dukhan emerged as the most peace- The Ministry of Interior has activists who engaged with the min- aspect of improving security aware- ful place in Qatar as no major lawsuit increase to number of its service cen- istry in six languages through the ness among community members. or crime was reported last year. tres to 18 located across Qatar. digital media showed an increase Global Peace Index has been The Capital Security Depart- They provide services related of 80 percent which made a great putting Qatar for the past five years ment’s jurisdiction saw a decline of to immigration, traffic, CEID (fin- influence in decisionmaking by as first in the Middle East in terms of 69 to 73 percent. Al Shamal and Al ger printing), nationality and travel authorities. Online campaigns on The HSBC stand at the fair. peace and security. Rayan areas witnessed 18 percent documents. social media (Facebook, Twitter and It describes Qatar as one of the decline in crimes. The total number of electronic YouTube) reached a massive 17 mil- safest countries in the world, given While the global ratio for rape services available on Metrash2 mobile lion people, said the ministry’s 2015 scarce violent incidents and the low was 25 per 100,000 people, in Qatar app has reached 120, while services Report. HSBC’s unique offer for citizens rate of crime. it was 0.25 and robbery ratio was through e-channels such as self-serv- The ministry’s transactions last Figures show a substantial 0.13 compared to world average of ice kiosks, the ministry’s web portal year totalled 53.3 million, or 6,159 decrease (48 to 49.2 percent) in the 100 (per 100,000 people). and hukoomi website recorded 25 every hour and 103 every minute. at Qatar Foundation Career Fair

The Peninsula Programme enables internationally- minded and experienced Qataris Ambulance Service attends over 100,000 calls a year to boost skill sets through struc- tured learning and experience DOHA: With promising national and opportunities. international opportunities, bespoke “The programmes provide Continued from page 1 training programmes and unparal- today’s talent with opportunities to leled development programmes, not only learn skills but also support HSBC Bank Middle East Limited is the types of behaviours that will help Morris added: “In the event of a major incident, targeting talented Qataris at the 2016 bright, driven Qataris to succeed,” the Ambulance Service specialised team will be Qatar Foundation Career Fair. added Mostafawi. activated. Whether a fresh graduate or HSBC also continues to rec- “The vehicles that are deployed will depend on a seasoned professional, HSBC’s ognise, support and develop its the type of incident and the requirements. international experience and local high-performing employees through “Each container type has a variety of resources know-how provides talented Qataris ongoing investment in developing inside — they have been designed to maximise the with opportunities to grow person- expertise and capabilities; facilitat- available space and are unique in the volume of ally and professionally. ing international exposure through supplies they can hold. “HSBC’s Qatarisation strategy is short-term assignments and global “For example. the medical container holds three aligned with Qatar National Vision career opportunities; and encour- large patient treatment tents, each air-conditioned 2030 to develop human talent to aging a culture of bespoke personal and equipped with electrical power and lighting; a become a productive workforce that and professional growth. range of medical supplies, such as ventilation units, can contribute to a sustainable eco- “As the world’s leading inter- portable oxygen, medical kits, stretchers, refriger- nomic future for the country. national bank, HSBC offers unique ators, solar power panelling and a generator with “Our approach is simple — create career opportunities for Qataris a fuel tank that can be refilled. opportunities for Qataris to succeed,” who have the ambition, drive and “This means the containers can stay on the site said Abdul Hakeem Mostafawi, CEO, talent to work in a dynamic inter- of a major incident for as long as they are required, HSBC. national working environment. Our with these sustainable power sources.” For graduates, an intensive Qatar schemes provide leadership develop- These new Major Incident Response vehicles Al Tomouh Graduate Development ment programmes that run parallel join part of the overall fleet of HMC Ambulance Programme focuses on supporting to business specific training. Service, which includes more than 160 ambulances, young, driven Qataris to develop “We believe creating tailored 20 rapid response vehicles and three helicopters leadership skills and design their opportunities for talented people to responding to more than 100,000 emergency med- career paths. shine, is key to the long-term success ical calls each year. The new Major Incident Response vehicles of HMC Ambulance Service on show at the conference. HSBC Business Academy of our business,” added Mostafawi. 06 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 MIDDLE EAST Action against IS in Libya faces hurdles

too soon to estimate when military action might begin, but cautioned it could take Washington weighs many weeks or even months. military options in “As far as I’m aware, there is no clear war-ravaged country intention to go ahead with the military- style action. There is a lot of thinking, a lot of thinking, a lot of planning,” said a Western diplomat. Reuters US and European officials describe Islamic State’s presence in Libya as increasingly worrisome, although not on the scale of its rule over swaths of Iraq WASHINGTON: The United States and its and Syria. allies are probably many weeks or even Islamic State forces have attacked Lib- months away from launching a new mil- ya’s oil infrastructure and taken control of itary campaign against Islamic State in the city of Sirte, exploiting a power vac- Libya, despite mounting concern about the uum in the North African country where group’s spread there and its attacks on oil two rival governments have been battling infrastructure, US officials say. for supremacy. The Pentagon has warned in recent Estimates of Islamic State fighters in weeks of the dangers posed by Islamic Libya range from 3,000 to 5,000-6,000. State’s growth in Libya. The US is develop- Officials openly worry that the group could ing military options, which were discussed use its Libya haven to relieve the pressure Jostling Syrian refugees fleeing the northern embattled city of Aleppo wait for tents in Bab-Al Salam, near the city of Azaz, close to at an inconclusive meeting last week of from US air strikes and local forces against the Turkish border, yesterday. President Barack Obama and his top secu- its home base in Iraq and Syria. rity aides, officials said. Under a UN-backed plan for a political Those options include increased air transition, Libya’s two warring admin- strikes, deploying US special operations istrations are expected to form a unity Syria govt tightens siege of Damascus suburbs forces and training Libyan security forces, government, but more than a month after officials say. the deal was agreed in Morocco, its imple- But the US officials, who spoke on mentation has been dogged by infighting. condition of anonymity, said enormous Ben Fishman, a former White House Reuters Mouadamiya were linked by a “The Islamist groups which besieged. “The attempts (to storm hurdles stand in the way of increased aide under Obama who dealt with Libya strip of land that served as a sup- control Daraya have been launch- Mouadamiya and Daraya) are American military involvement. policy, said there is concern in the Obama ply route. Syrian and allied forces ing rockets into the military airport continuous, they don’t stop. It is a The largest is the formation of a uni- administration that military action now took control of this strip on Friday, zone,” said Rami Abdulrahman, guerrilla war in Mouadamiya and fied Libyan government strong enough to could disrupt the government formation BEIRUT: Syrian government forces having fought for it since Decem- head of the Syrian Observatory Daraya,” Shami said. “The regime call for and accommodate foreign mili- process. Gen Joseph Dunford, chairman of have tightened a three-year siege ber, the sources said. for Human Rights. advances by one or two points, we tary assistance. the US Joint Chief of Staff, appeared to ref- on two rebel-held suburbs south- Daraya borders a military Abu Ghiath Al Shami, spokes- attack it in other places.” Getting some allies on board could also erence those concerns last month. west of Damascus by capturing airport used by Russian planes — man for rebel group Alwiyat Seif The Red Cross said on Thurs- require a new mandate from the United “You want to take decisive military land between the two and chok- which have been conducting air Al Sham, part of a rebel group alli- day it had delivered food for more Nations, they said. action to check IS’ expansion and at the ing off their supply route, state strikes for President Bashar Al ance called the Southern Front, than 12,000 people to besieged “We’re not there yet,” said one US offi- same time you want to do it such a way media, a monitoring group and a Assad since September — and the said he expected the government Mouadamiya, enough for only cial. He and other officials with knowledge that’s supportive of a long-term political rebel spokesman said yesterday. Syrian government is keen to wrest would try to attack each area sep- three weeks and that regular of internal deliberations cautioned that it is process,” he said. The suburbs of Daraya and back control of the area. arately now they were completely access was needed. Al Qaeda militants overrun police headquarters in south Yemen province

AFP headquarters in Zinjibar unopposed by pro- and Ahwar, giving them complete control of who was killed in a suspected US drone strike Born in Abyan, the slain AQAP commander government forces who fled the capital of the coast road between their stronghold city on Thursday, as the “emir (ruler) of Zinjibar”. served in the past as Al Qaeda chief in Zinjibar, Abyan province, the sources said. of Mukalla in the southeast and Zinjibar. The US State Department said Jalal Belaidi but he is said to have climbed the ranks of the ADEN: Al Qaeda overran a police head- The militants have controlled other gov- Zinjibar is only about 50km (30 miles) was a regional AQAP emir responsible for mul- jihadist group to became a top military com- quarters in a south Yemen provincial capital ernment buildings in Zinjibar for weeks and from Yemen’s key southern city Aden, the gov- tiple provinces in Yemen. mander. AQAP is seen by Washington as the yesterday, strengthening their grip on the coast also have a large presence in the nearby town ernment’s temporary home after the capital The United States had offered a $5-mil- extremist network’s deadliest branch. road overlooking the Gulf of Aden, security of Jaar. Sana’a fell to Shia rebels in September 2014. lion reward for information on Belaidi over his The US has kept up strikes on jihadists sources said. Earlier this week, they seized the town The security sources also said that alleged involvement in plotting bomb attacks during months of fighting between pro-gov- The jihadists, who hold parts of the law- of Azzan in neighbouring Shabwa province. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has on Western diplomatic officials and facilities ernment forces and the Iran-backed Houthi less south of the war-torn country, seized the They have also seized the towns of Shoqra named Tawfiq Belaidi, brother of Jalal Belaidi in Sana’a in 2013. rebels who control large parts of Yemen. Dozens mourn slain Italian student in Cairo

Reuters

CAIRO: Dozens of people gathered at the Ital- ian embassy in Cairo yesterday to mourn the Italian student Giulio Regeni, whose body was found half naked at a roadside with what a sen- ior Egyptian prosecutor has said were cigarette burns and other signs of torture. Regeni, a Cambridge University doctoral student, went missing in Cairo on January 25, the fifth anniversary of the uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule. His body was found on Wednesday. He had disappeared after leaving home in a smart district of Cairo to meet a friend, accord- ing to another friend. His research had focused on trade unions in Egypt after the 2011 uprising and he had also written articles critical of the Egyptian gov- ernment under a pseudonym, according to the Italian newspaper that published them. A group of about 50 people including friends and Egyptian political activists gathered in front of the embassy yesterday, laying flowers and lighting candles. Activists and Italian nationals living in Egypt take part in a rally in memory of Italian “Giulio was here fighting for the rights of student Giulio Regeni outside the Italian Embassy in Cairo yesterday. Egyptian workers, and for the Egyptian rev- olution. The least we can do is stand here and say that we consider him to be one of us,” said Al Sisi. Tensions had been high in Egypt in the a Croatian man on the outskirts of Cairo and activist Sally Toma. “Unfortunately he died the run-up to the anniversary of the anti-Mubarak later beheaded him, but such incidents are rare same way Egyptians die every day.” uprising, with police detaining activists and and there was a heavy police presence in down- Regeni’s body had been flown to Rome ear- warning people not to demonstrate. No signif- town Cairo when Regeni went missing. lier yesterday, Egyptian officials at Cairo airport icant protests took place. On Thursday, the Italian Foreign Ministry told state news agency MENA. Rights groups say Egyptians are often summoned the Egyptian ambassador to express Il Manifesto, a left-wing newspaper based detained by police on little evidence and beaten concern about the student’s death, and Prime in Rome, published Regeni’s final article on Fri- or coerced. Scores have disappeared since 2013. Minister Matteo Renzi telephoned Sisi, asking day, describing difficulties faced by independent Egypt denies allegations of police brutality. for a joint investigation and the swift return of unions in Egypt under President Abdel Fattah Last year, Islamic State militants kidnapped his body to Italy. MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 07

Iran lets 1,500 Barriers abound more contest parliament polls

Rowhani, a moderate cleric with close ties to the reform movement, Total number to intervene and seek changes. of candidates Reformists largely stayed away from legislative polls four years ago for February 26 in protest at the disputed re-election elections as president of Mahmoud Ahmadine- jad, in 2009. reaches 6,180 Rowhani is hoping his allies can capitalise in the elections after last month’s implementation of Iran’s AFP nuclear deal with world powers lifted longstanding sanctions. Reformists have yet to announce how many of their candidates were TEHRAN: Iran has approved an re-approved. extra 1,500 candidates to contest One official had said last month this month’s parliamentary election, that only one percent of its appli- raising the total number of hopefuls cants — 30 from 3,000 — were by around a third, an electoral offi- deemed eligible but others have cial said yesterday. said many more would be allowed The increase came after previ- to stand. The 6,180 number could ously rejected candidates presented rise again, as a number of initially Lebanese activists of the ‘You Stink’ movement remove barriers while shouting slogans against the government during a protest against new evidence of their credentials, approved candidates were subse- allowing a partial reversal of the quently rejected by the Guardian the garbage crisis, in front of the Government Palace in Beirut, Lebanon, yesterday. mass disqualification of thousands Council. They have three days to last month. appeal. Those seeking to become one of “A total of 147 people were Iran’s 290 lawmakers must first be barred by the Guardian Council” screened by the Guardian Council, but if they have documents proving a conservative-dominated commit- their qualification they can object, Shabaab thrown out a day after taking port city tee of clerics and jurists. Amiri said. The vetting procedure is conten- “The Guardian Council’s opin- tious because the February 26 poll ion is absolute and final except for is an opportunity for reformists and these 147.” AFP fighters and one Somali soldier were I don’t know the number”, she added. that Al Shabaab had begun impos- moderate politicians to make gains A final list of candidates is to be killed in the clashes, and “the security AU troops had fled the city, the ing Shariah law on the city. against a currently conservative published on February 16. forces are now conducting clearing state capital of Lower Shabelle, as The historic port, some 100km majority in parliament. Former president Akbar operations inside town.” heavily armed Al Shabaab fighters (60 miles) south of the capital Mogad- On January 18, officials said Hashemi Rafsanjani, a close ally of MOGADISHU: Somali government A resident reached by tele- swept in with black Islamist flags on ishu, was captured in August 2012 by 4,700 prospective candidates had Rouhani, welcomed the decision. troops backed by African Union phone said the AU force, known by Friday, residents and local authori- African Union troops after four years been approved from more than The parliamentary poll is taking peacekeepers yesterday recap- its acronym AMISOM, used tanks to ties said, in one of the most dramatic under Islamist control. 12,000 original applications. place on the same day as the elec- tured the key port of Merka from Al recapture the port, and four civilians reverses for the multi-national force Al Shabaab are fighting to over- But 6,180 are now eligible, said tion of Iran’s highest clerical body, Shabaab insurgents, one day after the were killed after they were caught in in its nearly decade-long battle throw the internationally-backed Interior Ministry spokesman Hos- the Assembly of Experts, a powerful Islamists swept into the city, the army the fighting. against the Shabaab. government in Mogadishu, which is sein Ali Amiri yesterday, according committee that monitors the work of and residents said. “Four people died in our neigh- The Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab protected by 22,000 AU troops. to official IRNA news agency. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali “The Somali forces and AMI- bourhood and two others were said on its website that one of its lead- The group has lost ground since “In no other elections have we Khamenei. The 88-member commit- SOM peacekeepers secured control wounded, I can see AMISOM and ers, Sheikh Mohamed Abu Abdallah, being routed from Mogadishu in 2011, had so many approved candidates, tee picked to serve by voters will be of Merka again and now the situ- Somali troops returned to the city addressed hundreds of people gath- but continues to stage regular shoot- which is partly due to the increased elected to an eight-year term. ation has returned to normal,” a now and they are conducting secu- ered at the regional government ing and suicide attacks, and in recent number of registrations,” he said. That election is seen by many as Somali military official, Abdirisak rity operations”, Muhidin Osman said. headquarters in Merka after the sei- months has staged a series of brazen Among those excluded last more important than the parliamen- Mohamed, said by telephone from Another resident, Shamso zure on Friday. raids on AU bases. month were thousands from Iran’s tary ballot as assembly members, Mogadishu. Moalim, said “Al Shabaab fighters “The enemy has lost and run- Last month they stormed a Ken- reformist movement, a group with who are also vetted in advance, “There was brief exchange of pulled out of the town after putting ning away, they are fleeing from the yan army base at El Adde in southwest little parliamentary representation. will be responsible for picking a gunfire, but the (Al Shabaab) mili- up slight resistance, the Somali forces Islamic regions,” it quoted him as Somalia, in the latest incident of an On hearing of the rejections, new supreme leader when Khame- tants have fled.” and AMISOM are back”. saying. AMISOM base being overrun, before reformists asked President Hassan nei, who is 76, dies. He said “several” Al Shabaab “There are civilian casualties but Residents said earlier yesterday retreating.

Downhill task

A car goes down a snow covered hill as a man walks by in Turkey’s capital Ankara yesterday.

Israeli ‘leaders not foreign agents’

AFP the Breaking the Silence group, which provides a plat- form for former soldiers to denounce the army’s actions. She said NGOs had faced “an unprecedented wave of attacks and (the campaign’s) strength is taking root TEL AVIV: Israeli left-wing NGOs have condemned in the highest political levels, including Prime Minister attempts to depict their leaders as foreign agents, saying Benjamin Netanyahu.” such claims have led to harassment and death threats. The leaders of the NGOs claim they receive regular Five NGOs held a press conference here to express death threats and harassment. Outside the event, pro- concern at increasingly personal attacks they have testers holding placards with “Traitors” written on them been subjected to in recent months. They said they were were kept away by private security guards. speaking on behalf of 50 pro-peace or human rights A new government bill to be considered in parliament organisations. “We are facing an orchestrated effort to next week would compel NGOs majority-funded by foreign destroy civil society in Israel,” said Yuli Novak, President, governments to declare this in all of their official reports. 08 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 ASIA 14 dead as strong quake rattles Taiwan

Nearly 340 people were rescued from the rubble in Tainan, the city hit worst by the quake. more than 100 people remained missing and that rescuers were racing to find them

AP

TAINAN: Rescuers were search- ing late yesterday for more than 100 people still missing after a powerful, shallow earthquake struck southern Taiwan before dawn, causing a high- rise residential building to collapse and killing at least 14 people. Nearly 340 people were rescued from the rubble in Tainan, the city hit worst by the quake. About 2,000 fire- fighters and soldiers scrambled with ladders, cranes and other equipment to the ruins of the 17-floor residential building, which folded like an accor- dion onto its side after the quake struck. Local authorities said yester- day night that more than 100 people remained missing and that rescuers were racing to find them. Taiwan’s An aerial view of the site where buildings collapsed after a powerful earthquake hit Tainan. BELOW: Rescue personnel help a young victim at the site of a collapsed building in Tainan. official Central News Agency reported that 172 people were missing. Rescuer Jian Zhengshun said the big shake right to left”. “I stayed in apartment, drawing red circles near personnel, marched into one area of rescue work was difficult because my bed but jumped up when I heard windows of apartments they already collapse carrying large shovels. part of the building was believed to be a big bang, which was the sound of had searched. “I went to the top floors The emergency management buried underground, with the quake the building falling,” he said. of the middle part of the building, information centre said 1,236 rescuers loosening the earth. He said rescu- Authorities in Tainan said that of where we found five people, one of from outside Tainan were deployed, ers had to clear rubble for passages the 14 people killed in the quake, 11 whom was in bed and already dead,” including 840 from the army, along to reach people who were trapped. were found at the ruins of the fallen said Liu Wen-bin, a rescuer from Taic- with six helicopters and 23 rescue Hundreds of people were injured building. Rescuers found the bodies of hung. “Some people were found in the dogs. Tainan’s municipal government in the quake, but most of them had a 10-day-old infant, three other chil- shower, some in the bedroom.” said it mobilized nearly 600 profes- been released from hospitals. dren and six adults at the collapsed Elsewhere in Tainan, dozens of sional and volunteer firefighters. The quake came two days before building, Taiwan’s emergency man- other people were rescued or safely The quake was felt as a lengthy, the start of Lunar New Year celebra- agement information center said. evacuated from damaged structures rolling shake in the capital, Taipei, on tions that mark the most important One other death was reported at the or buildings declared unsafe following the other side of the island. But Taipei family holiday in the Chinese calen- site, but details were not immediately the quake, including a market and a was quiet, with no sense of emergency dar. The building had 256 registered available. seven-floor building, authorities said. or obvious damage just before dawn. residents, but far more people could Authorities said two people were A bank building also careened, but no Residents in mainland China have been inside when it fell because killed by falling objects elsewhere in one was injured or trapped. also reported that the tremor was the population might have swelled Tainan. No details were available on All told, nine buildings col- felt there. The Beijing government ahead of the holiday, when families the 14th death. Rescuers pulled out at lapsed and five careened in Tainan, offered to help as needed. typically host guests. least 247 survivors from the collapsed the emergency management infor- Because of the spectacular fall Local media said the building building, the emergency management mation centre said. As dawn broke, of the residential high-rise, ques- included a care center for newborns information center said. Throughout Taiwanese TV showed survivors being tions surfaced about whether the and mothers, and a newborn was Tainan, 334 people were rescued, the brought gingerly from the high-rise, 1989 structure had shoddy con- among those killed in the disaster. city government said. including an elderly woman in a neck struction. Tainan’s government said Most people were asleep when the The information centre said 477 brace and others wrapped in blankets. the Wei Guan building was not listed magnitude-6.4 earthquake hit at people were injured, with 380 of them The trappings of daily life — a par- as a dangerous structure before the about 4am, 35km southeast of Yujing. discharged from hospitals by yester- tially crushed air conditioner, pieces quake, and Taiwan’s interior minister, It struck only 10km underground, day evening. The Taiwanese news of a metal balcony, windows — lay Chen Wei-zen, said an investigation according to the US Geological Survey. website ET Today reported that a twisted in rubble. would examine whether the developer Tainan resident Lin Bao-gui, a mother and daughter were among the People with their arms around had cut corners during construction. secondhand car salesman whose cars survivors from the building, and that firefighters were being helped from Earthquakes frequently rattle Tai- were smashed when the building col- the girl drank her urine while wait- the building, and cranes were being wan, but most are minor and cause lapsed across the street from him, said ing to be rescued, which happened used to search darkened parts of little or no damage. However, a mag- his house first started “shaking hor- sooner than expected. the structure for survivors. Men in nitude-7.6 quake in central Taiwan in izontally, then up and down, then a Rescuers went apartment to camouflage, apparently military 1999 killed more than 2,300 people.

Australia to step up Zika testing In Indonesia, an experiment with bacteria to tackle Zika as two new Reuters mosquito also works with the Zika with insecticide. The health ministry virus,” Scott O’Neill, director of the issued a travel warning for those plan- cases reported Eliminate Dengue Program (EDP) ning to visit Latin America. told Reuters, adding that the research Funded partially by the Bill and YOGYAKARTA/JAKARTA: A is pending reviews from peers in the Melinda Gates Foundation, EDP is also PERTH: Australia will inten- researcher sits in a laboratory in Indo- scientific community. testing its methods in Vietnam. It is at sify testing for the Zika virus in nesia, his arms extended over clear Much remains unknown about the most advanced stage in Indonesia, Queensland state where Aedes plastic boxes buzzing with mosquitoes: Zika, including whether the virus a tropical country that has the world’s mosquitoes are found, authori- over the next 20 minutes, tiny bumps causes birth defects. The World Health second-highest number of annual den- ties said yesterday, adding that develop on his skin as the insects bite Organisation declared the outbreak gue cases after Brazil. two new cases among local res- dozens of times. an international health emergency Limited testing capabilities and the idents were the result of travel to The voluntary “feeding”, at which on February 1, citing a “strongly sus- usually mild symptoms that accom- affected countries. researchers take turns, is part of a pro- pected” relationship between Zika pany the Zika virus have raised Queensland’s government has gramme in the city of Yogyakarta to infection in pregnancy to microceph- concern the number of people infected earmarked A$400,000 ($283,000) try to eliminate mosquito-borne dis- aly, a condition marked by abnormally with the little-known disease may be to boost laboratory capacity, par- eases like dengue fever and — scientists small head size in babies that can hugely under-reported in Indonesia, ticularly in the northeastern city now hope, as concerns mount about its result in developmental problems. authorities say. of Townsville, where testing will spread across Latin America and the There is no treatment or vaccine The only known case in recent begin on March 1. Caribbean — the Zika virus too. and the WHO has recommended lim- years was that of a man who tested A A$1m public education cam- The mosquitoes carry a bacteria iting people’s exposure to mosquitoes. positive in 2015 and is suspected to paign will also be rolled out in the called Wolbachia, which scientists The number of dengue cases at a have contracted the virus locally, on state, which is on high alert for any introduced in earlier generations, test site in Yogyakarta where the bac- Sumatra island. entry of the disease from Austral- and they will eventually be released teria method was used fell from 10 in In Yogyakarta, the EDP scientists ia’s Asian and Pacific neighbours. to breed with wild mosquitoes. 2015 to just one this year. However, hope to expand the project to test for Queensland Health Minister The bacteria, as it spreads from the method has yet to show conclu- both dengue and Zika viruses among Cameron Dick said the state had one insect to another, reduces the sive results in the field. “I don’t believe 100,000 people this year, a 25-fold to be prepared for more cases of chances of the mosquitoes passing there is a single magic bullet,” said Adi increase from their pilot tests. Zika, linked to thousands of birth the dengue virus on to humans. Utarini, who heads the research in But challenges remain, they say, defects in Brazil. Ten cases of the Initial findings about the impact of Indonesia. “The new technology that including convincing the public the virus have been reported in the the experiment on the spread of den- we bring in is not intended to replace trials are safe and securing funding state in the past two years. gue have prompted Indonesian and all of the existing activities ... preven- from the government to take the pro- The mosquitoes that transmit Australian scientists to scale up this tion is very important.” gramme nationwide. It will be at least Zika are Aedes mosquitoes, most programme to include Zika. Indonesian President Joko Widodo three years before they see any results commonly Aedes aegypti, which “We already have evidence in our this week urged officials to step up in the field. “The challenge is not nec- A man fumigates against the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes as a vector are present in north Queensland labs that the method that impedes preventive measures like health essarily including the Zika virus (in the and also transmit Dengue fever. of the dengue and Zika viruses in Jakarta yesterday. the ability of dengue to grow in the awareness campaigns and fogging trial),” said Utarini. ASIA / PHILIPPINES SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 09

North Korea says 36-inch diameter Chinese rice cake in Manila rocket launch early as today

reported another ministry official as saying. Any launch would now UN sanctions prohibit take place before the February 16 North Korea from any birthday of late leader Kim Jong- Il, the father of current leader Kim launch using ballistic Jong-Un. missile technology. The North insists its space pro- gramme is purely scientific in The North insists its nature, but the United States and space programme allies, including South Korea, say its rocket launches are aimed at devel- is purely scientific oping an inter-continental ballistic in nature, but the missile (ICBM) capable of striking the United States says it US mainland. UN sanctions prohibit North aimed at developing Korea from any launch using bal- an inter-continental listic missile technology. While the prospective launch ballistic missile dates were changed, there was no amendment to the 7:00am-midday (2230-0330 GMT) daily window. That means the rocket could AFP blast off during the biggest annual US sports event of the year—the Super bowl, which kicks of at 8:00am tomorrow, Pyongyang time. A Filipino-Chinese child poses for a picture for her mother besides a 36-inch diameter Chinese rice cake at a food store in Binondo Chinatown SEOUL: North Korea’s widely-con- Predictions of an imminent demned launch of a long-range launch have been bolstered by recent district of Manila, Philippines, yesterday. Chinese around the world will celebrate the Year of the Monkey tomorrow. rocket could happen within a matter satellite images of fuel tankers at the of hours, after Pyongyang shortened Sohae satellite launch complex in and brought forward the start of the northwestern North Korea. launch window to this morning. The US and its allies have An updated notification sent by warned Pyongyang it would pay Pyongyang to UN agencies yester- a heavy price for pushing ahead More Chinese choose tourism over tradition day—a copy of which was released with the launch, but analysts say by the South Korean government— the North’s timing has been care- said the launch would now take fully calculated to minimise the place between February 7-14. repercussions. AFP members return home for merriment seizing the opportunity for tourism, was increasingly trumping tradition, The initial window announced With the international commu- and meals—according to tradition, they despite slowing growth in the world’s Hong Kong University sociology pro- by the North on Tuesday had been nity still struggling to find a united must be back by midnight on the eve second-largest economy. fessor Gary Wong said. February 8-25. response to the North’s January 6 of the new year. The China Youth Daily devoted its Chinese travellers are by far the The planned satellite launch has nuclear test, the rocket launch— BEIJING: While hundreds of mil- But rising individualism and finan- entire opinion page to the issue on Fri- biggest spenders in the world, splash- been slammed by the international while provocative—is unlikely to lions of his Chinese compatriots pack cial independence are seeing more and day, with writer Chen Fang saying that ing $165bn in countries they visited last community as a disguised ballistic substantially up the punitive ante. into planes, trains, and automobiles more young Chinese choose to defy many people now resent going home year, according to the United Nations missile test that amounts to another The US-led campaign to impose to return to their ancestral homes custom, while at the same time tour- because of boredom and stress, while World Tourism Organisation. serious violation of UN resolutions, harsh new sanctions on North Korea for the Lunar New Year celebration, ism and outbound travel are surging. children are less excited about custom- For the wealthiest travellers, tour following the North’s nuclear test over its latest nuclear test have faced Zhang Hao, 30, is getting as far away “There was no choice” but to go ary gifts such as new clothing. groups to Antarctica have become last month. opposition from the North’s main as he can. abroad, Zhang said. “It’s mostly the “I prefer to view Spring Festival as increasingly popular, despite costing The brief updated notice sent by diplomatic protector, China. “I decided to go abroad this year generation who grew up in the 90s a slightly longer holiday,” Chen wrote. up to 300,000 yuan per person. Pyongyang offered no reason for the On Friday, both US President because my parents are pressuring me who are taking off because they were “Wherever the people are, wherever But even those who choose tourism date change. Barack Obama and South Korean to marry,” he said. by their parents’ side the whole time the family is, that’s where the festival over tradition—and state broadcaster “The Seoul government believes President Park Geun-Hye spoke by Instead of making the 1,200 kil- they were growing up.” is.” The Chinese government estimates CCTV’s new year special, the world’s that (North Korea) completed its phone with Chinese leader Xi Jin- ometre trek from Beijing, where he He is not alone. More than 30 per- that 2.91bn trips of all kinds will be most-watched television programme— launch preparation, such as fuel- ping, urging him to back punitive works as a designer, to his icy northern cent of Chinese planning a break over taken over the holiday’s 40-day travel are concerned about the loss of ling the rocket after erecting it on measures against Pyongyang. hometown of Harbin, Zhang booked a the holiday, also known as Spring Fes- season, in what is thought to be the customs they are electing to escape. a launch pad after considering var- While infuriated by North 20,000 yuan ($3,000) trip to Thailand tival, say they are doing so because largest yearly movement of people in “To be honest, I’m a little worried about ious circumstances,”South Korean Korea’s refusal to curb its nuclear for February 6 -- one day before Chi- they want to “get far away from rela- the world. it,” said Zhang, the Thailand-bound news agency Yonhap quoted a ambitions, China’s overriding con- nese custom would dictate he ought to tives” or feel that “spending New Year Mafengwo said that among its fes- traveller. “Nowadays young people are defence ministry official as saying cern is avoiding a collapse of the be with his parents. at home is getting boring”, accord- tival season bookings, 40 percent were becoming more independent. A lot of late yesterday. regime in Pyongyang and the pos- The festival, which compares in ing to a customer survey by Chinese for tourist travel—twice the propor- my friends aren’t going to watch the South Korea’s military was on sibility of a US-allied unified Korea importance to Christmas in the West, travel planning and booking website tion of two years ago, although some Spring Festival Gala, which in the past alert and ready to respond, Yonhap on its border. marks a time when far-flung family Mafengwo. Growing numbers are also were going with relatives. Practicality was unimaginable.”

Survivors of UN rights chief in Sri Lanka for talks over war crimes Nepal quake fight freezing AFP & Reuters Lanka” and “where were you when people in Afghanistan and Iraq were temperatures killed?”. Some held banners which read, “no war crime courts, no for- COLOMBO: The United Nations’ eign judges” and “don’t send the AFP human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al military to guillotine”. Hussein began his first visit to Sri “We will not allow to set up Lanka yesterday to gauge the island’s courts to fulfill the need of Western LAPRAK: Nine months after a progress in investigating atrocities nations. Al Hussein has come here massive earthquake hit Nepal, committed by both sides during its to take our war heroes to guillotine, thousands of survivors are now prolonged civil war. but we won’t allow that to happen,” fighting sub-zero temperatures in The UN High Commissioner for Wimal Weerawansa, the NFF leader flimsy temporary shelters, await- Human Rights said he was hoping told the gathering. ing government help to rebuild their for “constructive discussions” dur- The UN Human Rights Council homes.The threat of landslides had ing his four-day visit, which will take adopted a resolution late last year forced families in the remote village him to the former warzones of Jaffna calling for credible investigations of Laprak, close to the quake’s epi- and Trincomalee as well as the cap- into wartime atrocities committed by centre in western Nepal, to relocate ital Colombo. the government-backed military as to a site a thousand metres higher. In addition to meeting with Pres- well as Tamil Tiger separatists dur- Rajani Gurung was among ident Maithripala Sirisena, Zeid will ing the island’s 37-year civil war. those who trekked to safety, car- meet with war victims as he pre- Zeid went a step further calling rying her newborn son and her pares to make a report to the UN for “hybrid courts” involving foreign two daughters. The 7.8-magnitude Human Rights Council in March on judges, a demand Colombo rejected. quake which struck Nepal on April the nation’s progress in probing war However, President Sirisena 25, killing nearly 9,000 people, crimes. “I have been looking forward has agreed to a domestic investi- reduced their house to a rubble. to coming and I am looking forward gation into allegations that troops But her new shelter of tin roof to meeting both the highest officials killed at least 40,000 ethnic Tamils and tarps offers little protection of the state as well as representatives while defeating the separatists in the against the snow that now blan- of all communities,” Zeid said soon final stages of the war which ended kets the settlement overnight.“Life after landing in Colombo. in May 2009. is difficult here because of the cold Hundreds of Sri Lankan nation- In contrast, his predecessor but we don’t have another option. alists who oppose any investigation Mahinda Rajapakse had resisted We cannot go back to our old vil- into the conduct of their country’s calls for a probe after maintaining lage,” the 28-year-old said. troops during the war staged a dem- that not a single civilian had been Bis Bahadur Gurung, another onstration outside the UN offices killed by troops under his command. villager, said they are ready to pro- in Colombo Saturday in protest at A UN report in September test if the government does not Zeid’s visit. “Al Hussein. Turn back. described horrific wartime atrocities respond soon. “If the government Go home,” stated one placard left committed by both the Sri Lankan takes longer to help us recon- outside the UN compound, which military and the Tamil Tiger rebels struct our homes we are ready to Protestors from the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna or National Freedom Front hold placards against the visit of was being guarded by a squad of An estimated 100,000 people died go and sit in front of the officials United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al Hussein, outside the UN office anti-riot police. Protesters outside in Sri Lanka’s ethnic war between in Kathmandu and protest,” the in Colombo, Sri Lanka, yesterday. shouted “Al Hussein, hands off Sri 1972 and 2009. 50-year-old said. 10 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 VIEWS

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL Aleppo under siege UN group’s protection of

yria’s vicious civil war is taking a dangerous and a whole new turn with the siege of the northern city of Aleppo by Assange is unjustified the government and allied forces. The fall of Aleppo, if it happens, will represent a lethal setback to the rebels who of an understatement because group’s conclusion is that “Swe- asylum, and that Assange’s resi- have been struggling to hold onto their gains in the face of the charges were for rape. The den is obliged by applicable law dency in the Ecuadorian Embassy Srelentless assaults by Bashar Al Assad’s forces aided by heavy Russian prosecutors issued an interna- and Convention obligations to to escape arrest itself violates UK bombardments. The opposition has been partially controlling the city tional arrest warrant. Assange recognize the asylum granted law. was detained by British author- to Mr. Assange, and no excep- Somewhat astonishingly, the since 2012, considered a trophy in the rebellion against Assad, and its fall ities in Wandsworth Prison, and tions apply.” The reason Sweden working group says Sweden is would represent a significant weakening of opposition power. All hope apparently held in isolation for is supposed to recognize Ecua- wrong because it cannot “ignore of a negotiated settlement to the Syrian crisis involving the opposition is 10 days. Then Assange was put dor’s asylum offer is that, in the the fact that there has been an likely to vanish as Assad and Putin would try to defeat the rebels on the under house arrest in the UK for judgment of the working group, elaborate evidential determi- battleground. This is the reason why the Syrian government didn’t take 550 days. Given that he was a “Mr. Assange faces a serious risk” nation that Mr. Assange faces the UN-sponsored peace negotiations recently held in Geneva seriously. flight risk, home detention seems of being extradited to the US a risk of persecution and cruel, like a proportionate and humane What would happen to inhuman and degrading treat- The government believes it is achieving its goals on the battlefields, while By Noah Feldman response to the situation, not a Assange in the US? According to ment.” But there hasn’t been any the opposition accused the Assad government and Russia of using the Bloomberg rights violation. the working group, all that mat- such elaborate determination, negotiations as a cover to step up its attacks. And rightly so. In the meantime, Assange ters is that according to Ecuador, unless you count the assertion The siege of Aleppo isn’t surprising considering the advances made sought asylum from Ecuador Assange faces “a well-founded by Ecuador. by the government forces and also the disunity among the foreign n an astonishing report, -- not on the grounds that he risk of political persecution and From a narrowly American supporters of the opposition who the United Nations Work- shouldn’t be prosecuted for rape cruel, inhumane and degrading perspective, it’s troubling that the couldn’t agree on a coherent strategy ing Group on Arbitrary in Sweden, but on the specula- treatment.” working group seems to say that Detention has accused tive grounds that from Sweden So there’s the complete logic the mere fact of a Justice Depart- to help the rebels. It remains to Sweden and the UK of he might be extradited to the US of a working group’s report: ment investigation of Assange is be seen whether the government arbitrarilyI detaining Wikileaks where he would be prosecuted Assange might be charged grounds for supporting the asy- will be able to hold on to the latest founder Julian Assange because for conspiring with Manning. He’s with a crime in the US Ecuador lum claim that he’s going to be The fall of Aleppo advances, but it’s a wake-up call to of a sexual-assault investigation been in the Ecuadorian Embassy thinks charging him with violat- persecuted. Maybe it’ll turn out would be a huge the opposition. It’s not yet late for against him in Sweden. in London ever since. ing national security law would that Assange was just exercising Arab and Western backers of the To be sure, it’s unknown To be sure, Assange isn’t amount to “political persecution” freedom of the press, and maybe strategic prize for whether he’s guilty of the charges. under indictment in the US -- or worse. Therefore Sweden must it won’t. But the working group opposition to reverse the government Bashar Al Assad. Likewise, it’s impossible to know not even a sealed indictment, give up on its claims to try him can’t be the proper body to decide gains, but that would require whether Assange criminally con- federal prosecutors have said. for rape, and the UK must ignore that. And neither can the govern- That should not determination and fast action. The spired with US Army Private A Department of Justice investi- the Swedes’ arrest warrant and ment of Ecuador. happen. opposition allies must look at all Chelsea Manning (then known gation of his conduct is ongoing. let him leave the country. Everybody should be highly options to support the rebels. Arab as Bradley) to steal classified His Ecuadorean asylum is thus a Sweden responded to inquir- skeptical of the idea that some- countries have spoken of the need material, or whether Assange way for him to escape the sexual- ies from the working group by one like Assange can avoid being to send troops to Syria. That is an and Wikileaks simply published assault charges in Sweden. explaining, very reasonably, that investigated and tried for rape that material in a manner that So what’s arbitrary about there was no extradition order because he might conceivably be option worth considering before the should be protected by the First all this, according to the work- before it. And if it had one, it charged with a crime in the US situation goes out of control. Western Amendment. ing group? Assange spent 10 days would make sure it could extra- The working group report says not countries too need to shed their lethargy and work to form a united front But what seems highly likely in prison, more in house arrest dite Assange to the US in a way one word about the interests of the against Assad. Instead of worrying about the massive influx of refugees, is that Assange’s detention is any- and is now in the Ecuadorian that was consistent with its inter- victims. That’s frankly shameful Europe should focus on ending the civil war in Syria. thing but arbitrary -- it’s because Embassy. But a legally legiti- national obligations before it did -- especially for a body that’s sup- The Aleppo offensive has caused another humanitarian disaster of the investigation of serious mate arrest warrant was issued so. What’s more, Sweden pointed posed to be part of the UN office crimes. for him. And he was a flight risk. out that international law doesn’t that focuses on human rights. of unpredictable proportions. As many as 70,000 people are expected The working group, which Under those circumstances, recognize a right of diplomatic The working group criticized to head for the border in the coming days. There are already between is under the high commissioner house arrest wasn’t arbitrary, asylum in an embassy, like the Sweden for not bringing charges 30,000 and 35,000 displaced Syrians on the Syrian side of the border for human rights, only Friday and was surely quite reasonable one Assange claims. It added that against Assange already. But being cared for by Turkey. The European Union has urged Turkey to open made public the report it wrote when compared with prison. His no one thinks it’s a good grounds a government should have the its borders to thousands of Syrians fleeing the fighting. in December. “detention” in the embassy is an for asylum for someone charged capacity to investigate in all A conflict that has killed at least 250,000 people across the country It recites the basic facts: attempt to avoid a valid warrant. with a nonpolitical crime like rape. lawful ways, including having and driven 11 million from their homes is showing no signs of an end. Swedish prosecutors began to Formally speaking, it probably All this is legally correct. So is the opportunity to question sus- investigate Assange in 2010 isn’t detention at all -- and it’s the British government’s expla- pects. The reason Assange hasn’t Even a temporary ceasefire looks remote now. “based on allegations of sex- certainly not arbitrary. nation to the working group that been charged is surely that he’s ual misconduct,” which is a bit The basis for the working it doesn’t recognize diplomatic been evading arrest.

Quote of the day Help the Afghans who helped US

The Washington Post interpret it. The new law requires that people a large number of people whose applications We still keep this open border qualifying for Special Immigrant Visas must have been pending in the first stage for some policy for these people fleeing have completed two years of service, compared time and who now will not meet the new two- ongress wisely acted last year to keep with one year in the past. Congress said the year eligibility requirements. We asked State from the aggression from the faith with thousands of Afghans who changed requirement should come into force Department officials why they did this, and regime as well as air strikes of Cworked side by side with U.S. and for any person “submitting a petition” after their answer was that they consulted with international forces in the war of the past Sept. 30, 2015. The problem is the ambiguity U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Russia. decade and a half. The defense authoriza- around the word “petition.” The first stage in and decided that Congress meant the second tion bill, which President Obama signed in the process is approval by the chief of mis- stage in the process as the point of “petition.” November,provided for 3,000 more visas for sion. Only after passing that does an applicant The International Refugee Assistance Project these courageous translators, interpreters and go to the second stage, known as Form I-360, protested that hundreds, and perhaps thou- others to enter the United States and avoid and then onward to the last two stages, a visa sands, of Afghans will lose out as a result of potentially deadly reprisals, after they com- interview and issuance. The State Department this decision, through no fault of their own. Mevlut Cavusoglu plete a 14-step, four-stage application process. has decided to interpret the word “petition” to The Special Immigrant Visa programs for This benevolent act has now been compli- mean those who have reached the second stage Afghans and Iraqis who worked alongside U.S. Turkish Foreign Minister cated by ambiguity in the legislative language by the deadline. forces have a noble goal, but implementation and a State Department decision on how to Unfortunately, this could leave in the lurch has been slow and incomplete.

EDITORIAL TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR E-MAIL: [email protected] ADVERTISING TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] OPINION SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 11 Crisis brews over missing booksellers

By James Pomfret as the territory belonged to China, no for- Reuters eign officials had the right to interfere or offer “not really appropriate” comments about the city. or years Gui Minhai, a China-born Publishing literature critical of Beijing publisher of tabloid books on Chi- is not illegal in the former British colony, na’s leaders, had believed he could under the freedoms guaranteed as part of live and work overseas on a Swed- Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China. Fish passport without fear of persecution by Three associates of Gui - who specialised Chinese authorities, which ban such works in gossipy books on Chinese politics - were on the mainland. reported missing late last year, and were His disappearance, however, from Thai- only this week confirmed to be in China and land last October and his tearful appearance under investigation for unspecified “ille- last month on Chinese state television have gal activities”. undermined confidence among some diplo- Another, British passport-holder Lee Bo, mats in the protections afforded to hundreds surfaced in China last month after vanishing of thousands of foreign passport holders in from Hong Kong weeks earlier. Lee’s wife Hong Kong and China. told reporters he had left his travel permit Reuters has confirmed that at least eight for mainland China at home. governments including Germany, Japan, “I used to ask him if it was safe to be Australia, Canada and the United States doing what he was doing,” Gui’s daughter, have in private raised concerns with Chi- Angela, told Reuters by phone from Britain nese officials, saying detaining Gui and his where she is studying. “And he did mention Customers browse and buy books on Chinese politics supplied by Mighty Current, the publisher which has seen five associates breaches the “one country, two his Swedish nationality as something that systems” formula under which Hong Kong would ensure his safety.” of its booksellers disappear, at a stall set up by political activists in Hong Kong yesterday. has been governed since its return to China. While Gui said on Chinese television China’s Foreign Ministry did not immedi- that he had voluntarily turned himself in, ately respond to a faxed request from Reuters authorities from Thailand have said there China’s reluctance to provide infor- who carry foreign passports and the appar- to comment on those diplomatic concerns. was no record of Gui leaving the country. mation and its refusal to allow Swedish ent inability of foreign governments to get Earlier this week, Chinese Foreign Min- Abductions by Chinese agents in Hong or British envoys access to Gui or Lee - a access to them should they get into trou- istry spokesman Lu Kang said Hong Kong’s Kong would be illegal. breach of international conventions - is ble with China. autonomy was fully respected, and that There is no evidence that the five book- fuelling a diplomatic crisis, several senior Unease has spread among some dual sellers were abducted. Western diplomats said. nationals in Hong Kong, including financial Unease has spread China’s Foreign Ministry said this week “It’s another indication that China is not professionals, who are questioning their among some that its law enforcement officials would going the right way in behaving responsi- future in one of Asia’s most international dual nationals never do anything illegal, especially not bly in terms of international norms,” said and law-abiding cities. overseas. A number of governments have a European diplomat. “But China can do so “We are not safe,” said Sammy Lo, a in Hong Kong, expressed concern regarding the disap- now because no one can challenge them.” Hong Kong-born stock broker who holds including financial pearances, which some diplomats fear were British Foreign Office staff told Reuters a Canadian passport. “They can take you China’s reluctance to provide abductions by Chinese agents. On Friday, the privately that London is still grappling with away wherever you are.” professionals, who European Parliament called for “the imme- how to pressure China on the issue as it Lo was so unnerved that he said he was are questioning information and its refusal to allow diate safe release” of all five booksellers. seeks to strengthen economic and trade ties. speeding up plans to leave Hong Kong. Swedish or British envoys access to Fifteen diplomats from the governments In a separate disappearance, a Chinese Several hundred thousand ethnic Chi- their future in Gui or Lee — a breach of international interviewed by Reuters in Hong Kong, Beijing journalist and activist, Li Xin, vanished in nese with dual foreign nationality now live one of Asia’s most and Guangzhou all showed serious concern. Thailand last month and has since reap- in the city of 7.2 million, led by Canadians, conventions — is fuelling a diplomatic Some of them warned of a diplomatic cri- peared in China under police custody. Americans, British and Australians, accord- international and crisis. sis. They declined to be identified due to One key issue arising from the arrests is ing to figures provided by around a dozen law-abiding cities. the sensitivity of the matter. Hong Kong’s large number of ethnic Chinese foreign consulates. People who believe in conspiracy theories likely to endorse violence

“They are all Masonic; they are Loughner, who killed six and injured is sometimes an acceptable way to research shows the vast majority of playing with the world like a game, more than a dozen people, including express disagreement with the gov- people object to violence. Politically man, and we are like asses, we don’t then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Colo- ernment while only 59 percent of those motivated violence remains a minus- know what is going on, these are the rado in 2011, held similar beliefs - as with a strong predisposition towards cule fraction of all violence. From what ones who are fighting, these are the did John Patrick Bedell, who wounded conspiratorial thinking do. we can tell, conspiracy-motivated vio- ones that needs to be killed, not the two police officers in a shootout at a Naturally, the relationship between lence appears to be a fraction of that. Shi’iat, because these are the ones who Washington, D.C., Metro station in 2010. conspiracy theories and violent Since our nation includes hundreds are against us, these are the ones who Which came first, the conspiracy impulses is complicated. But the two of millions of conspiracy theorists, are making living for us like hell.” theory or the inclination to violence? may form a toxic combination. When according to our research, if only one So are people who are prone to But are conspiracy beliefs driving asked about gun control, a majority of percent of those turned to terror, the believing conspiracy theories prone the violence, or an excuse for violence those who favored less strict gun laws country would have long ago collapsed to violence as well? that would be committed anyway? Most were people with higher conspirato- into conspiracy-soaked chaos. Recent events suggest they are. Americans buy into one conspiracy rial predispositions. More recent polls But while conspiracy theory- Robert Dear, who allegedly killed three theory or another without committing have found this as well. inspired violence is rare, that is and injured nine at the Planned Par- violence. Many Americans are plenty And previous research by psycholo- sometimes lost sight of. Mass killings enthood in Colorado Springs on Nov. violent without justifying their behav- gists Karen Douglas and Robbie Sutton, have fallen in the United States over 28, 2015, had a history of spouting ior by conspiracy theories. for example, showed that conspiracy the last few decades, but conspiracy- anti-government conspiracy theo- Our research explored these ques- theorists are much more likely to agree fueled mass killings retain a strong hold ries. He encouraged his neighbors to tions, collecting the first long-term that it’s acceptable to engage in con- on the popular imagination and an install metal roofing on their homes systematic data on conspiracy theo- spiratorial arrangements in order to outsized influence on policy debates. to prevent the government from spy- rists. In one nationally representative achieve an important goal. The San Bernardino shooting, for ing on them. survey, we asked respondents a broad So conspiracy theorists are more instance, has been used in debates Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik, array of questions, and separated those likely to approve of violence, lax gun about gun control and immigration; who allegedly killed 14 and injured more inclined to conspiracy theories laws, and secret plotting. Oklahoma City the Boston bombing in discussions of 21 in San Bernardino, California, on from those less inclined. Of course, bomber Timothy McVeigh is a textbook how to stop terrorism; and if the alleged December 2, 2015, may also have been respondents are reluctant to broad- example. McVeigh was concerned with plot in Milwaukee had occurred it would Recent events conspiracy theorists. Although their cast unpopular views and surveys gun rights, believed the government have killed dozens. suggest they are. motives are only now becoming clear, are imperfect indicators of people’s was conspiring to destroy liberty, and But the dangers ought to be put in Robert Dear, who By Joseph Parent and Joseph early evidence suggests that they may positions, but that’s no more true for conspired to blow up a federal build- perspective. There is a link between Uscinski have believed that the United States conspiracy theories than for other ing in retaliation. Osama bin Laden conspiracy theorizing and violence, allegedly killed The Washington Post was in a war against Muslims. And a complex issues. was another conspiracy theorist. His but relative compared to other forms three and injured lawyer for their family invoked con- Still, the results were stunning. library included books on conspir- of violent death, the risks are extremely spiracy theories about the Sandy Hook When asked if violence was an accept- acy theories about the Illuminati, the small. nine at the Planned n January 26, FBI agents shooting to imply that US. government able way to express disagreement with Federal Reserve and, ironically, 9/11. Why do some people fear conspir- Parenthood in made public a foiled plot officials were behind events in San the government, people with a strong Which individual conspiracy theo- acy theorists more than the evidence Colorado Springs on against the Freemasons. Bernardino. predisposition toward conspiratorial rist will resort to violence is impossible warrants? That may or may not call Samy Mohamed Hamzeh Other examples are plentiful. The thinking were almost fifty percent more to predict. But which types of people for a conspiracy theory. Nov. 28, 2015, had a Owas arrested with a machine gun Boston Marathon bombers, Tamerlan likely than those least inclined toward will tend towards violent acts is not history of spouting and silencer. The FBI alleges that he and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who killed conspiratorial thinking to agree (16 entirely unpredictable. Parent and Uscinski are associ- intended to storm the Scottish Rite three and injured 264, accused the versus 11 percent). Most people, including most con- ate professors of political science at anti-government Masonic Temple in Milwaukee and US. government of complicity in the Eighty percent of those least drawn spiracy theorists, oppose violence. the University of Miami and authors conspiracy theories. kill upwards of 30 people. The com- Sept. 11, 2001, bombings not long before to conspiratorial thinking disagree Now the good news. Whether or of “American Conspiracy Theories” plaint quotes him as saying: their deadly rampage in 2013. Jared Lee with the statement than violence not they believe in conspiracies, our (Oxford University Press, 2014).

All thoughts and views expressed in these columns are those of the writers, not of the newspaper. All correspondence regarding Views and Opinion pages should be mailed to the Editor-in-Chief. 12 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 ASIA / AFRICA ICC to probe ‘outing’ of secret witnesses in Gbagbo case

AFP “Certain bloggers, journalists court “shall take appropriate meas- of the witnesses told Notre Voie. “But halted proceedings and ordered jour- and members of the public” follow- ures to protect the safety, physical and people don’t know if I am a witness nalists not to use the witness’s name. Protecting witnesses ing the case in the public gallery or psychological well-being, dignity and for the prosecution or the defence. I Reporters also had to give their names is one of the key on the Internet are “posting live com- privacy of victims and witnesses.” am a politician, I have experienced to ICC security officials. THE HAGUE: The International Crim- mentary” about the case on Twitter, A special victims and witness unit the events and I know what I have to Gbagbo and Ble Goude have inal Court said yesterday that it will efforts of the ICC as MacDonald tells the three judges. “aims to minimise and manage any say,” he added. denied four charges of crimes against probe how the names of several confi- it seeks to bring to These bloggers “are trying to find risk that may be faced by witnesses Many witnesses fear reprisals if humanity after 3,000 people were dential witnesses in the trial of former justice those behind out the identities of witnesses 9, 10 and victims who appear before the they give evidence against those on killed following a disputed Ivory Coast Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo and 11,” MacDonald said according court,” the ICC says on its website. trial, and the ICC tries to shield the presidential vote in late 2010. were accidentally revealed this week. the world’s worst to the French translation of his com- Sensitive witnesses giving evi- identities of those at risk — even Their highly-anticipated trial Friday’s incident in which a crimes ments in one YouTube clip. dence have their faces pixellated on sometimes moving them to different opened on January 28 in the court closed session of Gbagbo’s crimes But he then goes on to pronounce court cameras and their voices dis- countries to start a new life. based in The Hague and is set to last against humanity trial was mistak- the names to the judges, which could guised so they can’t be identified by Friday’s incident is not the first three to four years. enly broadcast on the court’s public prosecutor Eric MacDonald. clearly be heard. the general public. in the trial of Gbagbo and his former Gbagbo declared himself the win- channel “will be investigated”, the But the microphones are left open A fourth name was also revealed Friday’s blunder was frontpage firebrand youth militia leader Charles ner of the November 2010 elections, ICC’s head of public information Sonia and MacDonald can be heard saying later, media reports said. news in both the pro- and anti-Gbagbo Ble Goude. but major powers including France, Robla said. that he wanted to raise the issue of Protecting witnesses is one of press back in Ivory Coast. “Scandal at On Wednesday, the prosecution’s the former colonial power, the United A clip of the hearing widely cir- witness protection. the key efforts of the ICC as it seeks the ICC,” wrote the pro-Gbagbo Notre first witness, P547, accidentally gave States and the United Nations backed culated on social media including on Due to security concerns about to bring to justice those behind the Voie daily. The Nord-Sud paper, close his name as he told how forces loyal current President Alassane Ouattara, YouTube, shows ICC judge Cuno Tar- the identity of witnesses the ICC has world’s worst crimes. to the ruling presidency, spoke of “Total to Gbagbo allegedly fired on unarmed who snatched a narrow victory. The fusser calling for the trial to go into a been monitoring social networks such Under the 2002 Rome Statute panic in the Gbagbo camp”. protesters. row triggered a bitter standoff that led closed session at the request of lead as Facebook and Twitter, he says. under which the ICC was set up, the “Yes, I am on the witness list,” one Judge Tarfusser immediately to clashes on the streets of Abidjan.

Al Qaeda claims South Africa Warrior Race 101 die in Timbuktu attack Nigeria from AFP Lassa fever

BAMAKO: Al Qaeda in the Islamic outbreak Maghreb yesterday said that they carried out Friday’s attack on a UN military camp in Timbuktu in AFP Mali’s restive north. At least four suspected jihad- ists and a Malian soldier were LAGOS: A growing Lassa fever killed in the attack which the outbreak in Nigeria has killed group said was designed to send “a 101 people, as West Africa bat- clear message” of its intention and tles to contain a flare-up of the capacity to target the UN’s peace- virus, according to data from keeping MINUSMA mission. the nation’s health authorities The group said in a statement released yesterday. that three fighters from the al- Nigeria Centre for Disease Quds Brigade of its Sahara division Control (NCDC) statistics show stormed the former hotel serving as that reported cases of the haem- the mission base, one detonating a orrhagic disease — both confirmed vehicle-borne improvised explosive and suspected — stood at 175 with device at the entrance and the two a total of 101 deaths since August. others entering inside. The attack “As at today, 19 (including came three months after a similar Abuja) states are currently fol- strike on the Radisson Blu Hotel in lowing up contacts, or have Bamako and one month after a raid suspected cases with laboratory on a top hotel in Burkina Faso. results pending or laboratory con- The militant group has vowed firmed cases,” the NCDC said in a to continue with a “series of oper- statement. ations to cleanse the land of Islam Deaths from the virus were and Muslims from the dens of the recorded in the nation’s political Crusader occupiers and their mer- capital, Abuja, Lagos, and 14 other cenaries”. A Malian police source states, the NCDC said. indicated two suspects, who army While health authorities assure sources said had been arrested in Africa’s most populous country of the aftermath of the attack, were more than 170 million that they A participant crawls out of a submerged pipe during the 1st Warrior Race of the year held at Hakahana Trail Centre near Johannesburg, Saturday released. have the virus under control, there “The people arrested Friday South Africa, yesterday. The Warrior Race series sees thousands of people tackling military style obstacles over an 8km or 15km distance. are fears the actual scale of the on suspicion of being terrorists or The eight annual events are held throughout the country and sees the best athletes compete in the ‘Black Opps’ group. The fast growth of outbreak is under-reported. their accomplices have been freed the events is due to the fact that anyone can enter. Athletes from various backgrounds including cycling, running, judo, rugby, soccer and for lack of evidence,” the Timbuktu swimming compete in the difficult races. TACKLING DISEASE gendarmerie source said. The NCDC said officials have distributed large quantities of drugs, including Ribavirin tab- lets, and bottles of hand sanitizers across the country to tackle the Australian state premier offers 267 asylum seekers refuge disease. It however reported that logis- tics support and delayed reporting of cases by states are dogging the Reuters government not to return the 267 “Sending these children and their and South Asia. They usually make trauma”. The Australian government fight against Lassa fever. refugees, including 80 children and families to Nauru is not the Australian the voyage through people-smuggling says it does not place asylum seekers at The outbreak was only their families, who had been brought way ... It’s wrong. Medical profession- networks via Indonesia, often in rick- risk of harm and offers to return them announced in January — months to Australia from Nauru island for als tell us this. Humanitarian agencies ety vessels. to their countries. after the first case occurred in PERTH: The premier of an Australian medical treatment. tell us this,” he said. The detention centre on Nauru On Wednesday, the High Court August — with subsequent deaths state offered yesterday to look after a “Victoria stands ready to assist Under Australia’s immigration houses about 500 people and has rejected a legal test case that challenged reported in 10 states, including group of asylum seekers facing repa- and care for the children and their policy, asylum seekers attempting been widely criticised by human Australia’s right to deport detained asy- Abuja. triation to a camp on a remote Pacific families,” Andrews wrote in a letter to come by boat are intercepted and rights activists for harsh conditions lum seekers to Nauru, about 3,000km Last year, 12 people died in island, adding to opposition to the fed- to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull sent to camps on Nauru or on Manus and reports of systemic child abuse. northeast of Australia. The High Court Nigeria out of 375 infected, while eral government’s policy of offshore that Andrews posted on his Twitter island in Papua New Guinea. They are Andrews said sending the group, decision sparked protests, drew con- in 2012 there were 1,723 cases and detention. account. His state would take full not offered resettlement in Australia. including 37 children born in Aus- demnation from the United Nations and 112 deaths, according to the NCDC. Daniel Andrews, premier of Vic- responsibility for their housing, health Most people trying to reach Aus- tralia, to Nauru “will needlessly expose prompted church leaders to offer the In neighbouring Benin, at least toria state, called on the federal and education, he said. tralia by boat are from the Middle East them to a life of physical and emotional asylum seekers sanctuary. nine people have died in a Lassa outbreak, with a total of 20 sus- pected cases, health authorities said Tuesday. The number of Lassa fever Ice treat for sea otter Boko Haram ‘kills’ 4 in village raids infections across West Africa every year is between 100,000 to 300,000, with about 5,000 deaths, AFP Residents were “taken unawares as many according to the US Centers for people were relaxing after the late night Muslim Disease Control and Prevention. prayers,” he said. “We took to our heels to escape The disease belongs to the the attack. When we returned in the morning we same family as Marburg and Ebola, MAIDUGURI: Suspected Boko Haram Islamists discovered four persons died,” he said. two deadly viruses that lead to have killed four people following raids on villages The women died when their homes were set infections with fever, vomiting and, in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, a local offi- on fire, “but the man was shot dead with a gun,” in worse case scenarios, haemor- cial and residents said yesterday. he added. rhagic bleeding. The motorcycle-riding Islamists late Friday Ahmed Tijjani, a senior local vigilante, said Its name is from the town of raided two communities, setting homes ablaze, in the second raided village of Malari “the people Lassa in northern Nigeria where it and killing three women and a man in the village had escaped after hearing gun shots before their was first identified in 1969. of Mairi, they said. arrival.” Endemic to the region, Lassa The raids came barely a week after the attack The attackers also set ablaze all private and fever is asymptomatic in 80 per- on the village of Dalori, just outside Maiduguri, cap- public buildings in Malari, he added. cent of cases but for others it can ital of the restive state, which left at least 85 people Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari had cause internal bleeding, especially dead. The senator representing the area, Babakaka in December claimed that Nigeria had largely won when diagnosed late. Garbai, confirmed the killings. the fight against Boko Haram. The virus is spread through “They killed four persons... and burnt all the Boko Haram which seeks a hardline Islamic contact with food or household Fifteen-year-old Alaskan sea otter ‘Yutan’ is given a heart-shaped piece houses,” he said during a condolence visit to the two state in northern Nigeria has killed some 17,000 items contaminated with rats’ of ice treat by his keeper at an aquarium at the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise affected communities. One Mairi resident, Baana people and forced more than 2.6 million others to urine or faeces or after coming in amusement park in Yokohama, a suburb of Tokyo, yesterday. Bukar, said the attackers rode into the community flee their homes since the start of its insurgency direct contact with the bodily flu- “and started shooting sporadically.” in 2009. ids of an infected person. PAKISTAN SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 13 Kabul-Taliban talks expected by month-end

and is the strongest indication yet the Taliban are willing to return to The statement by negotiations six months after an ear- delegates from lier round of direct dialogue fell away. It comes as the insurgents wage Afghanistan, Pakistan, an unprecedented winter campaign China and the United of violence across Afghanistan, more States came after a than 14 years after they were driven out of power by US-led Nato forces. third round of talks “The Group stressed that the out- between the four come of the reconciliation process should be a political settlement that powers and is the results in the cessation of violence, strongest indication and durable peace in Afghanistan,” the statement said. yet the Taliban are “Towards this end, the QCG willing to return (Quadrilateral Coordination Group) countries agreed to continue joint to negotiations six efforts for setting a date for direct months after an peace talks between the representa- tives of the Afghan government and earlier round of direct Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz (centre) presiding over the third round of four-way peace talks meeting with Afghanistan, US Taliban groups expected to take place dialogue fell away by the end of February 2016.” and Chinese delegates in Islamabad yesterday. The statement added the group would hold its next meeting in Kabul with the Afghan government with- week, Afghan government Chief Exec- to joining talks, including that it be Pakistan hosted a milestone on February 23. out preconditions. utive Abdullah Abdullah said elements removed from a UN blacklist, formal first round of talks directly with the AFP & Reuters The role of Pakistan, which Senior members of the Afghan of the Taliban could join talks within recognition of a political office for Taliban in July last year. But the nego- backed the Islamist group during their Taliban said they had decided not to six months, but the latest statement the group and the release of politi- tiations stalled when the insurgents 1996-2001 rule and is accused of con- participate in yesterday’s four-way suggests officials are looking at a cal prisoners. belatedly confirmed the death of long- tinuing to provide shelter to its leaders talks in Islamabad, citing objections to more ambitious timetable. Analysts caution that any sub- time leader Mullah Omar, sparking ISLAMABAD: Direct peace talks in exile, is seen as key in persuading the presence of both the United States Despite widespread scepticism, stantive talks are still a long way off. infighting within the group. between Kabul and the Taliban are the Taliban to return to talks. and the current Afghan government. officials say the talks offer the only The Taliban has stepped up attacks The statement added the four “expected to take place” by the end The first round of the road- “We believe in dialogue and feel immediate prospect of ending the on government and foreign targets in countries “called on all Taliban groups of the month, representatives from map talks was held in Islamabad that all the issues can be resolved fighting. “We have to exert all our Afghanistan this winter, when fighting to join the peace talks”. The dominant four countries involved in pre-cur- last month, where delegates began through negotiations, but we don’t efforts and energies for keeping the usually abates, underscoring a wors- faction of the Taliban is led by Mullah sor roadmap negotiations said in a laying the groundwork for direct have any trust in the U.S. and pup- process on track,” Sartaj Aziz, the ening security situation. Akhtar Mansour, who officially suc- joint statement issued here yesterday. dialogue between Kabul and the pet Afghan government,” said a senior Pakistani prime minister’s National Observers say the intensifying ceeding founder Mullah Omar. The statement by delegates from Islamist group. member aligned with Mullah Akhtar Security Adviser, said in opening insurgency highlights a push by the A major breakaway faction mean- Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the A second round was held in Kabul Mohammad Mansour, leader of the remarks in the Pakistani capital. militants to seize more territory in an while is led by Muhammad Rasul, United States came after a third round on January 18 which urged the Tali- largest Taliban faction. In January, the group made a attempt to wrangle greater conces- whose faction is seen by some ana- of talks between the four powers ban groups to enter into early talks In an interview with Reuters this raft of demands as a pre-condition sions during talks. lysts as closer to Iran.

Top officials to Suicide bomber kills be probed over PIA employee nine in Quetta deaths

Reuters personnel were killed and 15 were AFP injured in the attack that occurred in the city centre in the late after- noon, Frontier Corps spokesman KARACHI: Pakistani police will QUETTA: At least nine people were Khan Wasey said. A 12-year-old girl investigate five officials, including killed and 35 wounded when a suicide was also among the dead, said Ajab a former adviser to Prime Minis- bomber blew himself up near a mili- Khan, a doctor at the city’s Civil Hos- ter Nawaz Sharif, for murder after tary convoy in Pakistan’s western city pital, where the casualties were taken. two airline employees were shot of Quetta yesterday, police and hospi- Rich in resources, Baluchistan is dead during a protest against pri- tal officials said. at the heart of the multi-billion-dollar vatisation. Pakistani Taliban spokesman energy and infrastructure projects which The Pakistan International Air- Muhammad Khurasani said that the China and Pakistan are planning along line (PIA) employees were killed and group, also known as the TTP, was a corridor stretching from the Arabian several more wounded at Karachi’s responsible for the attack in the capi- Sea to China’s Xinjiang region. international airport on Tuesday tal of the province of Baluchistan. The province, the poorest and least when clashes broke out between The bombing was the latest in a developed in Pakistan, has seen nearly security forces and staff, though region which is home to the planned a decade of separatist violence against authorities denied opening fire. route of a $46bn China-Pakistan eco- the government and non-Baluch eth- Police yesterday registered nomic corridor. “The suicide bomber nic groups. Baluch activists and human a case against one federal cabi- was riding a bicycle close to a Fron- rights groups claim the military has net minister, a senator, a former tier Corps vehicle,” said senior police carried out a campaign of kidnap- advisor to Sharif and two airline official Imtiaz Shah, referring to the ping, torture and extrajudicial killing officials on the complaint of PIA branch of Pakistan’s paramilitary of suspected separatists, and a secu- employees’ Joint Action Commit- Pakistani paramilitary soldiers stand beside a destroyed security truck at the site of a bomb explosion forces targeted in the attack. rity crackdown has severely limited tee, accusing them of murder and that targeted a security convoy in Quetta yesterday. At least three Frontier Corps freedom of movement. torture, senior police official Rao Anwar said. “An investigation team is being constituted to take further action,” he added. The five are accused Pakistan police arrest Afghan interior minister may quit of plotting to kill the protest- ers, although not of opening fire themselves. Reuters diplomatic sources, who spoke on Olomi had been swirling for months The authorities claim the vic- six over child wedding condition of anonymity, said Olomi after he survived moves by a group tims were shot by gunmen in had offered his resignation but that of members of parliament in Novem- the crowd. The strike continues Ghani was still considering a replace- ber to launch a no confidence motion despite Sharif’s warning the dem- AFP Pakistani lawmakers last month KABUL: Afghan Interior Minister ment before accepting it. against him over the deteriorating onstration was illegal and those withdrew a proposal to impose Noor-ul-Haq Olomi has offered his Asked whether Olomi had offered security outlook. taking part could face up to a year harsher penalties on those who resignation to President Ashraf Ghani his resignation, Ghani’s deputy The Taliban have stepped up their in prison under a law that restricts arrange child marriages after it was after mounting criticism of the wors- spokesman Sayed Zafar Hashemi insurgency since the withdrawal of union activity in state-adminis- MULTAN: Police have arrested six scuttled by a religious body which ening security situation over recent said: “Bringing reform to government most foreign troops in 2014, briefly tered sectors. people accused of arranging the branded it “blasphemous” and against months, people familiar with the entitities, including the ministry of seizing the northern city of Kunduz last All of PIA’s foreign and domestic marriage of a seven-year-old boy Islam. The proposal, which would matter said. the interior, to increase efficiency year and mounting a series of deadly flights remained grounded Satur- and six-year-old girl in eastern Paki- also have raised the legal age of The resignation offer, which the has been a government priority.” An suicide attacks in the capital Kabul. day with thousands of passengers, stan, officials said yesterday. marriages for females from 16 to 18, sources said had not yet been accepted, interior ministry spokesman said he According to the Special including Pakistani domestic work- The fathers of both children, the called for “rigorous” punishment of deals a further blow to Ghani’s strug- could not confirm the information. Inspector General for Afghanistan ers trying to fly to the Middle East, cleric performing the ceremony, and up to two years in prison for those gling government, which is without a One senior official said Ghani Reconstruction, a US Congressional stranded at airports. three witnesses were charged under who organise child marriages. permanent defence minister and which was meeting Chief Executive Abdul- oversight body, the Islamist insur- In December, Islamabad the Child Marriage Restraint Act on The original law stipulates the recently lost the head of its intelligence lah, who nominated Olomi to the gents now control more territory announced it would complete the Saturday after being arrested in Pun- age of marriage to be 16 for women service just as the Taliban has stepped ministry and who would be con- than at any time since 2001, when partial sale of the carrier by July, fol- jab province on Friday, senior police and 18 for men but Pakistani religious up its insurgency. sulted before any replacement can be the Taliban was driven from power lowing years of crushing losses and official Saifullah Khan said. scholars at the Council of Islamic Ide- It also highlights the deep appointed. The move comes as offi- by US-led forces in the wake of the mismanagement that have battered They face six months impris- ology, believe it is not in accordance fractures in the national unity gov- cials from Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Sept. 11 attacks in New York. the airline’s reputation. PIA suf- onment and/or a fine of Rs50,000 with Islamic teachings. They say there ernment which gave Ghani and Chief United States and China are meeting At the same time, the govern- fers from frequent cancellations ($500). Local police chief Mehr is no specific age limit for marriage Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the two in Islamabad to try to lay the ground ment has been hobbled by political and delays and has been involved Riaz Hussain said the accused have in Sharia as an individual can marry rival candidates in the disputed elec- for a resumption of peace talks with infighting, which has prevented the in numerous controversies over denied that the wedding took place, when he or she reaches puberty and tion of 2014, a share in power. the Taliban. appointment of a permanent defence the years, including the jailing of a but police have it on video. puberty cannot be defined by age. Three separate government and Speculation over the future of minister for more than a year. drunk pilot in Britain in 2013. 14 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 INDIA US welcomes ratification of N-liability pact

security for its large and growing economy,” he said. We believe it’s an Kirby suggested the ratification important step would help the implementation of the India-US nuclear deal which has toward creating been stalled over India’s tough 2010 a global nuclear nuclear liability law that holds the plant supplier liable for damages in liability regime: US the event of an accident. State Department “We believe it’s an impor- tant step toward creating a global nuclear liability regime and it’ll facilitate international coopera- IANS tion in expanding the use of nuclear power in India,” he said. But only the Department of Energy could spell out the next steps. WASHINGTON: The US has wel- Ratification of the convention comed India’s ratification of an which will come into force for India international convention on nuclear on May 4 marks the conclusive step energy accident liability, removing in the addressing of issues related the last hurdle for the landmark to civil nuclear liability in India, India-US nuclear deal and paving according to Indian officials. President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on board the INS Sumitra yesterday. the way for US firms to build nuclear Other steps included the launch plants in India. in June 2015 of the India Nuclear “The United States welcomes Insurance Pool (INIP) with a liabil- the action by India to join the ity cap of $222 million to assuage Convention on Supplementary suppliers’ concerns. Compensation for Nuclear Damage According to source, Toshiba President reviews naval fleet (CSC),” State Department spokesman Corp’s Westinghouse Electric hopes John Kirby told reporters on Friday. to clinch a deal to build six nuclear “Indian membership in the reactors in India by end-March in IANS signifying the common desire to use armed forces. traditions. Dressed in white cere- CSC marks another important step time for a possible visit by Prime the seas to promote peace, coopera- Mukherjee inspected the Inter- monial uniforms, they doffed their towards creating the global nuclear Minister Narendra Modi to Wash- tion and friendship”, Mukherjee said. national Fleet Review of 71 Indian caps in unison in a grand salutation liability regime called for by the ington to attend a global nuclear He said the presence of foreign naval ships from aboard the presi- resounding the sound of ‘Three Jais’, IAEA (International Atomic Energy summit. Westinghouse which is ON BOARD INS SUNAYNA: Pres- countries in such a large number dential yacht INS Sumitra. symbolising the spirit of camaraderie Agency) Nuclear Safety Action Plan.” negotiating with the state-run oper- ident Pranab Mukherjee yesterday had made the event spectacular, Also on the yacht were Prime and bonhomie across the seas. he said. ator Nuclear Power Corp of India Ltd inspected an International Fleet truly reflecting the spirit of IFR that Minister Narendra Modi, Defence The ships lined up for the review It will “also facilitate participa- (NPCIL) hopes to make a “commer- Review (IFR) which had on full dis- humanity was indeed united through Minister Manohar Parrikar and the includes both aircraft carriers, INS tion by companies from the United cially significant announcement” play India’s naval might and brought the oceans. “IFR 2016 has enabled us three service chiefs. Vikramaditya and INS Viraat, the States in the construction of nuclear during Modi’s expected US visit in together navies from across the globe to join hands and work together to The presidential yatch set off latter of which is set to retire soon. reactors in India, which will mean March and sign a final contract later along Indian shores underscoring secure our seas for the greater good after a 21-gun salute, with three more Also participating are warships INS more reliable electricity for Indians,” in the year, the report said. peace and cooperation rather than of humanity and the world,” the pres- boats, INS Sumedha, INS Saryu and Kolkata, INS Mysore, and other ships Kirby said. The contract would give a big conflict. ident said. INS Sunayna (all Saryu class patrol of the class, INS Ranvijay, INS Kad- It will also reduce “India’s reli- boost to India’s $150 billion nuclear The International Fleet Review A fleet review is a ceremonial vessels) following in the trail. mat, the latest ship to be inducted in ance on carbon-intensive sources, power programme, and a broader (IFR) off Visakhapatnam coast and stately inspection of naval war- The ships to be reviewed stood Indian Navy. that will benefit the environment, push to curb greenhouse gas brought together “navies from across ships by the President, who is the in six columns with sailors lined up Ships of Indian Coast Guard and and will offer India greater energy emissions. the globe here on Indian shores, supreme commander of the Indian in proud presentation of their naval Mercantile Marine were also present.

13 killed in bus-truck Delhi seeks Rs2,000 crore grant for civic bodies collison in IANS “Delhi should get at least Rs.2,000 in the country to control air pollution. “We don’t have a share in central of the adverse effect on air pollution. Madurai crore as basic and performance grants He said that to augment public taxes. Our tax base is narrow because Meanwhile, the striking employ- for local bodies similar to that of transport in Delhi, a special package 87.5 percent of gross state domestic ees of Delhi’s civic bodies burnt the neighbouring states. This will facili- of Rs4,000 crore from the central product is from services.” He also effigies of Prime Minister Naren- IANS NEW DELHI: Delhi’s Deputy Chief tate in tiding over the financial crisis government was required to pur- demanded that Delhi be treated at par dra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Minister Manish Sisodia yesterday in the East and North municipal cor- chase 5,000 additional buses, which with other states for share in central Arvind Kejriwal over the non-pay- presented recommendations of the porations,” said Sisodia, who is also will encourage citizens to shift to pub- taxes, which has remained stagnant ment of their salaries. The protesters, CHENNAI: Thirteeen people were city government for the union budget Delhi’s finance minister. lic transport. Sisodia said Delhi was at Rs325 crore since 2001-02. in north Delhi’s Burari area, said that killed and 32 seriously injured in at a pre-budget consultation with Sisodia said the government in being deprived of resources required This will enable Delhi to get at the Delhi and the central governments a head-on collision between a union Finance Minister Arun Jait- active collaboration with citizens for investment. “Land is a valuable least Rs5,000 crore per annum, he were playing with the employees of state transport bus and a truck in ley and demanded at least Rs2,000 conducted the odd-even vehicle resource, which we don’t have. We said. He said excise duty on diesel the civic bodies as they were not con- Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district yes- crore as grant for the civic bodies. restriction scheme for the first time don’t control land use,” he said. vehicles may be increased because sidering their demands. terday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa said. In a statement, Jayalalithaa, expressing her grief at the deaths, said the bus was bound to Kumuli Gujarat bus mishap from Tirunelveli and the lorry was bound to Sencottah from Karur, when the accident happened near toll rises to 42 T Kalupatti around 3pm. Police said that the injured have been admitted in a nearby hospital and investigations are on IANS The officer said looking at to ascertain the cause of accident. the damaged bus, the chances of She also announced a solatium survival of those still inside the of Rs100,000 to the families of the wreckage were dim. The accident dead and Rs50,000 compensation AHMEDABAD: The toll in Friday’s occurred on a bridge over Purna to the seriously injured. bus accident in Gujarat rose to 42, river near Supa village on Bardoli as five more bodies were pulled out road under Navsari rural police sta- from the wreckage yesteray. Chief tion area, he said. Baby birth: Modi Minister Anandiben Patel paid a visit Many of the injured, who were to the injured people in hospitals and rushed to government hospitals in greets Bhutan’s families of the deceased and offered Navsari, Gandevi and other towns all help from the state government. were reported to be in critical royal couple Expressing her condolences over condition. those killed in the accident, Patel The exact cause for the accident announced compensation of Rs4 was unclear so far but eye-witness NEW DELHI: Prime Minister lakh each to their families. told police that the driver took a Narendra Modi yesterday extended According to an official commu- left swerve to avoid a vehicle com- greetings to the royal couple of Bhu- nique, the chief minister has said the ing from the opposite direction, but tan on the birth of their first child. state government would bear the lost control over the wheel, crashing “Congratulations to Their complete expenditure for the med- into the side wall of the bridge and Majesties the King and Queen of ical treatment of the injured people. fell into the river some 40 feet below. Bhutan on birth of their first child Navsari Superintendent of Police The police, fire brigade and The Gyalsey,” Modi tweeted. The M S Barada said the bus carrying ambulances rushed to the spot and first child of Bhutan’s King Jigme around 60 passengers was on its way with the help of the local people Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and to Unai town from Navsari city when launched a massive rescue opera- Queen Jetsun Pema was delivered the accident occurred in the evening. tion which, however, was slowed by safely on Friday, the queen’s Face- The bus was packed to capacity darkness. book page announced yesterday. when it started around 6 pm. Arrangements for lights were “Our happiness knows no bounds, “We have recovered 20 bodies so made on emergency basis to con- as we announce the Royal Birth of far. At least 15 people, including the tinue the rescue operations at His Royal Highness The Gyalsey on Rescue workers and villagers attempt to extract the injured and dead passengers from a Gujarat State Road driver and the conductor of the bus, night as some portions of the bus February 5, 2016,” said the queen’s Transport Corporation passenger bus which plunged into the river Purna near Navsari, some 315km from were trapped inside the overturned remained trapped in mud and shal- Facebook post. Ahmedabad on Friday. bus when last reports trickled in.” low water, police said. INDIA SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 15

India and Sri Lanka for Vintage car show improving bilateral ties

for further collaboration in various Buyers’ Credit Scheme of EXIM Bank projects that have been under discus- of India,” the statement said. Both sides took stock sion, including the upgrade of Palali Cooperation in the sector of edu- of the preparations airport, infrastructure development cation was also assessed, including at Kankesanturai port, Sampur power the scholarships available to Sri under way to plant and a special economic zone in Lankan students to pursue under- begin negotiations Trincomalee. graduate, masters, Ph.d degrees in on the economic Defence being a key area of Indian universities, Indian Techni- cooperation, the joint commission cal and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and technology encouraged further intensification scholarships, and the potential to set cooperation of cooperation through the several up campuses in Sri Lanka by Indian defence-related mechanisms already institutions of excellence. agreement in place. Both sides also agreed to encour- The two sides also agreed on the age and facilitate collaboration and need to work together in the area of interaction in the agriculture sector counter-terrorism . and expedite implementation of the IANS Both sides readily agreed to work plan agreed to under the MoU enhance cooperation in the aviation signed in 2015. Ratan Naval Tata (right), Chairman of Tata Group, and Madan Mohan (second right), Founder & Managing sector and called for early signing of Both sides called for early con- Trustee of the 21 Gun Salute Heritage & Cultural Trust, have a look at the vintage cars on display at the revised air services agreement vening of the joint committee for the vintage and classic cars and the concourse show 2016 in New Delhi yesterday. COLOMBO: India and Sri Lanka that has been pending since Septem- science and technology-related reviewed the entire gamut of bilat- ber 2013. cooperation and the extension of eral issues, including defence and Renewable energy cooperation the programme of cooperation which economic cooperation and the con- was identified as a promising area had expired in 2014. tentious fishermen’s issue, besides for further cooperation India thanked Both sides agreed to find a per- signing two memorandums of under- Sri Lanka for having endorsed Prime manent solution to the fishermen Congress wants SC-monitored standing (MoUs) as External Affairs Minister Narendra Modi-initiated issue for which the Sri Lankan fish- Minister Sushma Swaraj concluded International Solar Alliance. eries minister was invited to visit a two-day visit to this island nation The Indian housing project for India soon. yesterday. construction and repair of 50,000 Two MoUs were signed following probe into Gujarat land deals Sushma Swaraj, who led an inter- houses was reviewed with the joint the meeting - one on construction of ministerial delegation and co-chaired commission expressing satisfac- a surgical unit and supply of medi- the ninth session of the India-Sri tion over the completion of 44,000 cal equipment at Batticaloa Teaching Lanka Joint Commission with her Sri houses. Hospital and another on renovation IANS “It would be in the interest of the rubbished the Congress allegations. Lankan counterpart Mangala Sama- In the tourism sector, the two of 27 school buildings in the island institution of the prime minister that “It is not the question of any alle- raweera on Friday, also held a series sides discussed collaboration on nation’s Northern Province. there is an independent probe by an gation and if it happens that one’s of meetings with Sri Lankan lead- establishing the Ramayana Trail in Yesterday, Sushma Swaraj inau- SIT monitored by the Supreme Court mother is a revenue minister and ers, including President Maithripala Sri Lanka and the Buddhist Circuit gurated a “Rise of Digital India” NEW DELHI: Demanding a Supreme so that the truth can come out, the she wants to do good things in life, Sirisena, and delegations of politi- in South Asia. exhibition, being held as part of Court-monitored SIT probe into alle- violations established and account- then the public land is not given to cal parties. The joint commission felt that the the ongoing a festival of India in Sri gations against Gujarat Chief Minister ability fixed,” he added. someone’s kin at throwaway price,” “The joint commission acknowl- small development projects (SDP) Lanka, “Sangam”. Anandiben Patel’s daughter Anar The Congress also accused Modi Sharma said. edged the depth, intensity and scheme had been an excellent model She started the day by first call- Patel of taking undue favours from of allowing nepotism, conflict of “If she feels it is okay, then it uniqueness of the multifaceted India- for the development partnership. ing on President Sirisena whom she the state government in an alleged interest and plunder of public land would be nothing but laughable. Sri Lanka relations encompassing all Projects under the SDP model include briefed on Friday’s joint commission land deal, the Congress yesterday for commercial and business pur- Nobody can self certify for his own spheres and founded upon civilisa- establishment of Civil and Mechan- meeting. She later met former Sri asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses as the chief minister of Gujarat. actions. It can be issued by SIT or the tional and close people-to-people ical Engineering complex and Skill Lankan president Chandrika Kuma- to come clean over the issue. “When we are talking of an SIT Supreme Court,” he added. linkages,” a statement issued by the Development Centre of the Faculty ratunga at the latter’s residence. “Mr Prime Minister, we ask you -- probe, it is not limited only to this Anar Patel rubbished the Con- Indian high commission said. of Agriculture, both in Kilinochchi Leader of the Opposition, R Sam- offer yourself for a fair probe so that case of the Company Wildwood gress allegations of taking undue Both sides took stock of the campus of University of Jaffna, and pathan, who belongs to the Tamil accountability can be fixed,” Con- Resorts or the Business Associates favours from the state government preparations under way to begin construction of Rabindranath Tagore National Alliance, also called on the gress leader Anand Sharma said at of Anar Patel. after reports emerged claiming negotiations on the economic and Memorial Auditorium at the Univer- visiting Indian minister. a press conference. “We want the probe to cover all dubious land dealings involving her technology cooperation agreement, sity of Ruhuna. Before leaving for New Delhi on “No government agency of the the allotments, allocations and grant business associates. according to the statement. “The joint commission also Saturday, Sushma Swaraj also met central government or state gov- of public lands, forest lands and the “We never took any favour “India will be holding a work- reviewed prominent non-SDP projects with delegations of the Sri Lankan ernment can be trusted to conduct a change of land-use during the time from any government organisation. shop in early March in Colombo on such as the construction of the Jaffna Muslim Congress and Indian origin probe in this matter when the prin- when Anandiben Patel was the reve- We strictly followed all rules and non-tariff barriers (NTB) and phy- Cultural Centre on grant basis and Tamil political parties. cipal players happen to be the chief nue minister and Modi was the chief regulations in all manners. It’s dis- tosanitary barriers (PTB), regulations the water supply projects amounting On Friday, the external minister minister and the former chief min- minister of Gujarat,” he said. heartening that my individuality is and procedures,” it stated. to nearly $475 million to be under- had called on Prime Minister Ranil ister who is now the prime minister,” The party also refuted the claims attacked based on sheer assump- The two sides discussed ways taken by Indian companies under the Wickremesinghe. he said. of Anar Patel, who on Saturday tions,” Anar said in a Facebook post.

PM met Dawood Greetings from exile in Lahore, claims Parliamentary panel Azam Khan slams Goa govt for IANS anti-coconut tree law

LUCKNOW/NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan yes- IANS tree status accorded to the coconut terday claimed that Prime Minister palm in order to hasten real estate Narendra Modi had met under- and industrial development at the world don Dawood Ibrahim at the cost of the environment. residence of his Pakistani coun- PANAJI: A parliamentary standing State Forest Minister Rajendra terpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore committee on science and tech- Arlekar has defended the amend- in December last year. The gov- nology, environment and forests ment, saying a coconut palm does ernment termed it as baseless, yesterday slammed the Goa gov- not fit the definition of a tree even unfounded and totally false. ernment for passing an amendment botanically. “If the prime minister asks, I de-recognising the coconut palm as Ashwani Kumar, then a union can show photographs as proof,” a tree. minister for law and justice in the Azam Khan told reporters. The The committee, headed by Rajya erstwhile United Progressive Alli- senior leader ruling Samajwadi Sabha member Ashwani Kumar, ance government, also found fault Party said Modi also met Sharif’s blamed the state government for its with the Goa government’s track mother at the Pakistani prime min- “tardy implementation of environ- record on implementation of green ister’s residence in Lahore. mental laws and regulation”, and laws. He claimed that Sharif sent recommended a review of the con- He said the parliamentary seekh kabab for Modi. “Our prime troversial legislation. committee has directed that a minister sends pashmina shawl Addressing a press conference, representative of the union min- and Malihabadi mangoes for the following a day-long discussion with istry of environment and forests Pakistani prime minister and in state government officials, tourism should engage with the state gov- return, seekh kabab comes here A Tibetan woman living in exile holds Losar symbols as preparations are under way for celebrating Losar, and mining industry stakeholders ernment to “find ways and means from Pakistan. I have proof of this or the Tibetan New Year, at McLeodganj near Dharamsala, yesterday. Tibetans follow the lunar calendar. and civil society groups, Ashwani to implement in letter and spirit all also...,” he said. Kumar said: “There was the issue possible laws intended to protect the of the definition of forests in which environment”. a coconut tree in Goa is not regarded “We have put on record our dis- as a tree, is regarded as grass which pleasure at the tardy implementation we found extremely unusual. of environmental laws and regula- “We have recommended that tion,” he said. Karnataka assures safety of African students a review of the definition of tree, Ashwani Kumar also raised the under the tree protection act be issue of the Investment Promotion undertaken,” he said. Board, which was set up by the Goa IANS incident again,” Home Minister G arising out of the shocking incident. abide by the law. “In law, we have to see the net government to facilitate speedy Parameshwara told reporters after “We have also submitted an “Our students, those who have effect of things. If the absence of a clearances. briefing visiting Tanzanian High inquiry report to Kijazi and the MEA been victimised have met the high- clear and an unambiguous descrip- “We also discussed about the Commissioner John W H Kijazi on team detailing the sequence of events est level of leadership in this state and tion of a particular species, leads to single window clearances accorded BENGALURU: The Karnataka gov- action taken against the culprits who leading to the assault, arrest of nine made their position clear for protec- its destruction, then surely the law by the Investment (Promotion) Board ernment yesterday assured Africans, assaulted and molested the 21-year- accused and suspension of three tion. We are convinced that they will will need to be changed,” Kumar of Goa whereby a general exemption especially students, living in the city old victim on Sunday night in a case policemen for failing to handle the get back their protection with the said. was given (vis a vis) obtaining of var- of their safety following a brutal of mistaken identity. situation and help the victim,” said support of the government of Kar- The Opposition parties as well ious clearances. assault on a Tanzanian woman by a The minister and senior police Parameshwara. nataka,” Kijazi said. as members of civil society have “It’s not the right way to go about mob in the suburbs last week. officers also made the assurance to Appreciating the action of the Four more accused were taken repeatedly accused the BJP-led coa- it. We believe that in non-notified “We assure all Africans liv- Kijazi and the ministry of external central and state governments, Kijazi into custody on Thursday, 12 hours lition government of amending the industrial areas also, the require- ing here of their safety. We will not affairs (MEA) team who flew into the advised African students not to mis- after five suspects were arrested for Goa Daman and Diu Preservation ment of obtaining all clearances was allow repeat of such an unfortunate city for taking stock of the situation behave with the local citizens and being part of the mob . of Trees Act, 1984 and dropping the necessary,” he said. 16 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 EUROPE Migrant influx worries Austria and Hungary

European Union last year, most of them crossing into Greece from Austrian Foreign Turkey, and then making their way Minister Sebastian through the Balkans to Germany and other northern member states. Kurz said the The influx has exposed sharp European Union did differences and called into question not seem to fully the future of the Schengen pass- port-free zone as several countries realise how serious —among them Germany, Austria, the situation is Hungary, Sweden —have re-intro- duced border controls. Despite repeated efforts to halt the inflow, several thousand peo- ple a day still make the dangerous AFP trip from Turkey to Greece and an upsurge in fighting in Syria threat- ens to make the problem even worse. Fanning the controversy, Aus- AMSTERDAM: Austria and Hun- tria media quoted Austrian Finance A family from Afghanistan sits under trees in Victoria Square, where migrants and refugees found temporary refuge, in central Athens, yesterday. gary yesterday warned that if Greece Minister Hans Joerg Schelling as cannot control the flood of refu- demanding Brussels foot a bill gees arriving from Turkey then the Vienna estimates at €600m for Aus- EU should consider reinforcing the tria taking in some 90,000 asylum Call to reduce refugee numbers in Germany borders of their Balkan neighbours. seekers last year, saying his country Austrian Foreign Minister Sebas- could only afford to pay for 35,000. tian Kurz, whose country has set a Kurier daily reproduced part of AFP many it expects this year. Europe has known since World War II. potential for right-wing extrem- refugee cap of 37,500 for this year, a letter to that effect which Schelling “As a church we say that we need a A recent example came when ism and racism in Germany.” said the European Union did not sent on January 25 to EU Commis- reduction in the number of refugees,” Germany’s eurosceptic right-wing “This ideology has evidently been seem to fully realise “how serious sion President Jean-Claude Juncker. Cardinal Reinhard Marx, chairman populist AfD party suggested last further consolidated,” he said, lament- the situation is.” The finance ministry was not FRANKFURT: The German Catholic of the German Bishops’ Conference, week that police “if need be” should ing that the belittling of foreigners had “I say this very clear —if we do not immediately available for comment. Church called for a reduction in the told the Passauer Neue Presse daily. threaten to shoot migrants seeking to “reached the upper classes.” manage to control the situation... our Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter influx of refugees arriving in Ger- Germany cannot “take in all the enter the country. Anti-Islamic group Pegida, only option will be to cooperate with Szijjarto said separately that the EU many, saying the country cannot take world’s needy,” Marx added. Border police “should be able which began as a movement in Ger- Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia,” was “defenceless from the south.” in “all the world’s needy,” according The question of how to respond to if need be to have recourse to their many in mid-2014 and has since Kurz said after an informal meeting of “If Greece is not ready or able to to an interview published yesterday. the migrant crisis, he asserted, should firearms —as laid down by law,” said spread to France and other European EU foreign ministers in Amsterdam. protect the Schengen zone ... then we Germany has been struggling to not solely be a matter of “charity but also party chairwoman Frauke Petry. countries, called on members and More than a million migrants, need another defence line, which is cope with 1.1 million asylum seekers reason.” However, Marx also expressed This type of speech is “unac- sympathisers from across Europe to mostly Syrians fleeing their war- obviously Macedonia and Bulgaria,” that arrived in 2015 and Berlin has not concern at a rise in xenophobia in Ger- ceptable,” said Marx, adding “Sadly march under the anti-migrant ban- torn country, landed in the 28-nation Szijjarto said. yet given an official estimate for how many amid the worst refugee crisis that there has always been a certain ner of “Fortress Europe”.

Dressed up for carnival Owner of Paris attacks restaurant says video row has ruined trade

AFP desperate woman’s life saved when “I had a restaurant that was doing either an attacker’s gun jammed or really well. We were loved. Now he had second thoughts. even the regulars pass by without But the publication of the footage stopping,” he said, adding that the PARIS: A Paris restaurant hit in stirred a row in France after media downturn had forced him to lay off last November’s terror attacks offi- reports claiming the Mail had paid four staff. cially reopened on Friday —with the restaurant €50,000 ($53,000) for The backlash “has really hurt me. the owner complaining business it. The A La Bonne Biere bar across It has demoralised me, I’m on anti- had been ruined by claims he sold the street from the Cosa Nostra was depressants. I don’t enjoy life any footage of the onslaught to a Brit- the first of the bars and restaurants more,” he said. ish newspaper. to reopen, in early December, amid Other businesses hit by the The Islamic State jihadists who celebrations tinged with emotion. attacks were paid €40,000 in com- wrought havoc on the streets of the But there was little fanfare as the pensation by the city authorities, French capital on November 13, even- pizzeria had its official relaunch on but the money was withheld from tually killing 130 people, raked the Friday —after reopening its doors the Casa Nostra. “That pushed me Casa Nostra pizzeria with gunfire. two weeks ago —with only around down even more. Even the state No-one was killed on the premises, 10 people showing up. thinks badly of me,” said Mohamadi. though five people perished in the Owner Dimitri Mohamadi com- His lawyer Jeffrey Schinazi said street outside. plained the restaurant was suffering Le Petit Journal television news Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper a backlash because of the CCTV spat, show, one of the outlets to make the A villager dressed as a “Felo” poses during the traditional and ancestral carnival close to the village published dramatic CCTV foot- with just eight customers on Thurs- claims about the sale of the footage, of Maceda in northwestern Spain, yesterday. age from the Casa Nostra showing day compared with 60 before the had been summonsed on a defama- the horror of the assault, with one attacks. tion suit.

Greek farmer Tying the knot Denmark backs deal to blockades pile keep Britain in the EU pressure on govt THESSALONIKI, GREECE: Greek AFP anti-immigration Danish People’s farmers protesting against pension Party. “These elements will benefit reforms heightened highway and Denmark as well as other member border protests around the country states, not just the United Kingdom,” yesterday, piling pressure on the COPENHAGEN: Danish Prime Min- he said. leftist government of Prime Min- ister Lars Lokke Rasmussen lent Cameron also said he believed ister Alexis Tsipras. support to his British counterpart the proposal “will be good for Brit- Farmers in Thessaly began who is seeking a deal that will keep ain and other European countries a one-day blockade of the main Britain in the European Union. as well.” highway between Athens and Copenhagen was the next stop “The Europe I believe in has got Thessaloniki despite compromise after Poland on David Cameron’s to be flexible enough to deal with efforts by the government. whirlwind diplomacy tour aiming the concerns of countries large and The mobilisation has created to shore up support for a deal. small,” he said in the Danish capital. . blockades at dozens of highways “I’m not intervening in British Other European leaders, partic- and border crossings to Bulgaria politics, but I’m definitely hoping that ularly in central Europe, have been and Turkey, which the farmers Britain will remain within Europe,” more sceptical, which could make open for a few hours each day. said Rasmussen at a joint press con- it hard to reach a deal at the Febru- “What we are doing is tiresome ference with the British premier. ary 18-19 meeting of leaders of the but we are not stopping. We will EU President Donald Tusk on 28 EU member nations. take it to the end and stay as long Tuesday unveiled key proposals to Denmark and Britain have both as it takes,” local protest organiser keep Britain in the bloc, including a chosen to remain outside the euro Stergios Litos said. The farm- four-year brake on benefit payments single currency and both countries ers yesterday briefly opened the for EU migrant workers and protec- have at different times requested and main border crossing into Bulgaria tion for countries that do not use the received exceptions to various EU to allow some 200 freight trucks to euro currency. regulations. enter Greece. Tsipras’ government “I support all the elements Cameron has been seeking to has announced plans to lower the regarding welfare benefits,” said renegotiate Britain’s relationship maximum pension to €2,300 from German Krasitsky (left), a cameraman from Russia, dressed as movie character Captain Jack Sparrow, Rasmussen, whose centre-right with the EU before a referendum on €2,700 currently, and introduce a and his bride Anastasiya pose for a photo as guests celebrate during their wedding ceremony in the government needs the backing whether to remain a member, which new minimum guaranteed basic southern city of Stavropol, Russia. in parliament of the eurosceptic, could be held as early as June. pension of €384 euros. EUROPE SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 17

UK press takes Enjoying sunset swipe at Assange and UN panel

devoid of judicial experience, nor any in either public international law Columnists in various or asylum or refugee law, its insti- newspapers took aim tutional competence verges on the intriguing.” at Julian Assange Siobhan Fenton wrote in The and the UN panel Independent: “We have no idea if Julian Assange is a rapist —so why that found him are we are so opposed to finding arbitrarily detained out?” “For many, it seems that his work with WikiLeaks makes him above the law —and makes it impos- sible for him to have committed an AFP assault,” she wrote. “The dramatic charade of the last five years perfectly illustrates how, when it comes to physical exploi- tation allegations, our society and LONDON: British newspaper col- some of our most important inter- umnists yesterday took aim at Julian national institutions are still skewed Assange and the UN panel that found in favour of privileged men.” the anti-secrecy campaigner had The newspaper’s main story on been “arbitrarily detained”. Assange said it had seemed for a few The WikiLeaks founder, who hours that he might leave the embassy faces a physical exploitation allega- in the hope that British police would tion in Sweden, urged Britain to let not arrest him. “Instead, the 44-year- Pedestrians watch the sunset on the shore of Lake Zug, Switzerland, yesterday. him walk free from Ecuador’s Lon- old Australian was faded into vision don embassy following the panel’s via a videolink,” it said. The Daily findings on Friday. Telegraph’s story said the United The 44-year-old Australian, Nations had been ridiculed over who has been in the embassy for the findings of its experts. The Times approaching four years, has refused said the UN panel had also accused to go to Sweden, fearing deportation Ecuador of routine torture and arbi- IS sending fighters disguised as refugees: Report to the United States over WikiLeaks’ trary detention. “The 2006 mission release of 500,000 secret mili- recorded evidence of torture and tary files. “So that settles it then violence by police and the absence Reuters had shown that Islamic State was The Berliner Zeitung newspaper Authorities also cancelled a —everyone’s to blame except Julian of records showing how many peo- deliberately planting terrorists among cited Maassen as saying that the BfV friendly international soccer match Assange,” wrote Marina Hyde in The ple were being held by authorities,” the refugees flowing into Europe. had received more than 100 tip-offs in Hanover last year and closed sta- Guardian. “It is notable with Assange it said. “Then we have repeatedly seen that there were Islamic State fighters tions in Munich at New Year due to that the higher he has gone in his The Sun’s headline said: “How BERLIN: Islamic State militants have that terrorists ... have slipped in cam- among the refugees currently staying security concerns. ‘quest for justice’, the smaller he has dare they? Fury as UN panel slipped into Europe disguised as refu- ouflaged or disguised as refugees. This in Germany. “We are in a serious situation looked,” she wrote. demands Britain pay Julian Assange gees, the head of Germany’s domestic is a fact that the security agencies are German fears about an attack and there is a high risk that there “For my money he looks more compo (compensation) after he hid intelligence agency (BfV) said a day facing,” Maassen told ZDF television. have risen since the Paris killings. could be an attack. But the security and more like just another guy fail- from justice for three years.” The after security forces thwarted a “We are trying to recognise and Two days back German forces agencies, the intelligence services ing to face up to an allegation. Daily Mail’s headline read: “Gloat- potential IS attack in Berlin. identify whether there are still more arrested two men suspected of links and the police authorities are very “Given the UN panel is made up ing Assange blasts UK government’s Hans-Georg Maassen said the ter- IS fighters or terrorists from IS that to Islamic State militants prepar- alert and our goal is to minimise the entirely of academics, seemingly ‘insulting’ response to UN report.” rorist attacks in Paris last November have slipped in,” he added. ing an attack in the German capital. risk as best we can,” he said. US and Britain eye letting spy agencies seek chat data Merkel urges better protection Reuters discussion between close allies the it difficult for foreign agencies to get companies from complying with “including making sure these Brit- United States and Britain. legal access to data needed for criminal foreign governments’ data requests. ish orders do not cover US persons of EU external The Washington Post reported and counter-terrorism investigations. This is the case even though criminal or individuals within the US, do not talks were focused on letting UK The United States and Britain are inquiries often hinge on cross-border permit bulk collection, and have due borders WASHINGTON: US and British offi- agencies, such as counter-intelligence discussing a deal that would “make communications. process protections that meet high cials are discussing possible avenues for agency MI5, serve “production orders” cross-border requests for certain As a result, the source said, US standards.” UK spy agencies and police to be able to on US firms demanding data for what electronic communications data for firms approached by foreign gov- The Post said it had reviewed a Reuters directly ask US-based media compa- the Post called “live intercepts” in law enforcement and national secu- ernment may face a tough choice: copy of a negotiating document on nies to turn over email and online chat inquiries involving UK citizens. rity purposes more effective and cooperate and break US law or the subject. The newspaper said that records from people under UK investi- The Post said UK agencies might efficient, while still protecting pri- ignore the request and comply with under the new procedures which are BERLIN: German Chancellor gation, US officials said. also be able to ask US companies to vacy and civil liberties,” a senior US. US law. being discussed between London and Angela Merkel called on yesterday As governments and online com- turn over stored data, such as emails. official said. Representative Adam Schiff, top Washington, the British government for better protection at the Euro- panies struggle to find a balance The Post quoted a US official say- A US government source, who Democrat on the House Intelligence would not be able to obtain records of pean Union’s external borders in between privacy and law enforce- ing UK nationals, including criminals, asked for anonymity on sensitive legal Committee, said Congress should Americans if a US citizen or resident’s order to maintain the passport- ment concerns, three US officials are using US data providers such as issues, said US law now generally bars keep a sharp eye on any privacy name surfaced during the course of a free Schengen zone. confirmed a bilateral deal was under Google, Facebook and Hotmail, making communication and social media and civil liberties issues that arise, UK investigation. Merkel, who opened her country’s borders to Syrians fleeing civil war last summer, is under increasing pressure to limit the influx of migrants after Up in arms UK cannot have ‘Europe more than a million arrived in Germany last year. A poll published this week showed popular support for Merkel a la carte’: EU leader had tumbled to a four-and-a- half-year low with more than 80 percent of Germans doubting her AFP Council on eurozone issues is unac- government had the refugee cri- ceptable” and risks “paralysis for the sis under control. eurozone,” added Schulz. “We need to protect our exter- He revealed that Cameron had nal borders because we want to LONDON: Britain faces opposition told him it was not Britain’s “goal” to keep Schengen,” Merkel said in her from European partners over plans hamper the eurozone during a meet- weekly podcast. to reform the EU ahead of an in/out ing held earlier. Failing to protect the EU’s referendum on membership,and Schultz conceded that Britain external borders would jeopard- should not expect “Europe a la carte,” had genuine concerns over its con- ise free movement of people which the European Parliament president troversial demand to reduce welfare is the basis for the bloc’s wealth, warned yesterday. to EU migrants. Merkel added. Martin Schulz welcomed Brit- “If movement creates practi- In particular, the protection ain’s push to make the European cal problems, if there is systematic of external borders is not turning Union more competitive, but said abuses, if schools are overcrowded out very well where the EU has sea other demands would “set a dan- and hospitals overstretched as the borders, she said, referring indi- gerous precedent for a Europe a la British government states, of course rectly to Greece, which has seen carte”, where countries could ignore these problems have to be solved,” he a huge influx of migrants and ref- aspects of the EU they did not like. said. “But a solution cannot come at ugees coming in over water via The reforms would “meet resist- the price of discriminating against Turkey, without mentioning the ance in the European Parliament”, EU citizens,” he stressed. country by name. Schultz told students at the London Cameron has promised a refer- The European Commission has School of Economics (LSE). endum on EU membership by the warned Greece it could face more The German politician also end of 2017, but it could take place border controls with other states criticised Cameron’s call for recog- as early as June. of the free-travel Schengen zone in nition that the EU had more than one The possibility of a “Brexit” is the May, if it does not fix “serious defi- currency. latest crisis to hit the EU, and Schulz ciencies” in its management of the “The currency of the union is the urged voters to remain in the union. area’s external frontier. euro, the treaties are very clear on “We Europeans have to stick Merkel will travel to Ankara this and the treaties also guarantee together more than ever,” he said. tomorrow to meet with Prime Min- an opt-out for the United Kingdom,” “Many of my colleagues say ister Ahmet Davutoglu to try and Opponents of the anti-Islam movement Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West he said. behind closed doors: ‘Don’t stop find a joint solution, including legal (PEGIDA) take part in a demonstration in Dresden, Germany, yesterday “Giving a de facto veto to any a rolling stone. If the Brits want to quotas for refugees in order to stop member state of the European leave, let them leave’. people trafficking. 18 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 AMERICAS Zika virus claims three lives in Colombia

“Other cases (of deaths linked to Fiocruz institute in Rio de Janeiro, Colombia’s National Zika) are going to emerge,” said epi- said Zika had been detected in urine demiologist Martha Lucia Ospina, and saliva. Health Institute said director of the INS. The scientists were careful to that the patients “The world is realizing that Zika clarify that there is no proof the can be deadly. The mortality rate is virus can be transmitted through died after contracting not very high, but it can be deadly.” those fluids, but said people should the virus and Most Guillain-Barre patients take precautions, especially expect- developing a rare recover, but the syndrome some- ing mothers. “Avoid sharing glasses, times causes paralysis or even death. silverware, contact with someone neurological disorder Citing the rise in babies born with who has symptoms of a possible called Guillain-Barre microcephaly, or abnormally small infection,” said the institute’s direc- heads and brains, the UN human tor Paulo Gadelha. syndrome rights office urged countries hit by In the US territory of Puerto Zika to give women access to con- Rico, officials declared a health traception and abortion. emergency over Zika and con- Women’s reproductive rights firmed a pregnant woman had been AFP are a touchy subject in largely Latin infected, bringing the number of An employee fumigates against Aedes Aegypti, mosquitoes spreading Zika virus, at a poor neighborhood America, but the UN human rights cases on the island to 22. The emer- in Guatemala City, Guatemala. office said countries urging women gency measures included freezing to avoid pregnancy —a list that the price of condoms and combat- BOGOTA: The mosquito-borne comprises Colombia, Ecuador, El Sal- ting mosquitoes. Zika virus sweeping through Latin vador, Jamaica and Panama —had The World Health Organisation, Brazil’s anti-Zika war goes house to house America has claimed three lives in to give them ways to control their which has declared the rise in Zika- Colombia, as the United Nations fertility. “How can they ask these linked birth defects an international urged increased access to abor- women not to become pregnant, but emergency, warns that Zika could AFP aegypti (mosquito),” he said. “This could be part of a problem sending tion because of fears of severe birth not offer... the possibility to stop their infect up to four million people in plant was a real incubator.” tremors across the continent. defects. pregnancies?” spokeswoman Cecile the Americas and spread worldwide. As Matuoka looked on in surprise, Brazil is pouring considerable In the first direct statements from Pouilly told reporters. The WHO has advised countries the health agent explained that mos- resources into what President Dilma government health officials blaming Many Latin American countries against accepting blood donations SAO PAULO: Sao Paulo resident quitoes are more likely to breed in Rousseff calls a “war” against mosqui- Zika for causing deaths, Colombia’s outlaw abortion or allow it only if the from people who have traveled to Juliana Matuoka always thought her certain plants than others. “They don’t toes. Officials say that simply ridding National Health Institute (INS) said mother’s life is in danger. In El Sal- affected regions. stunning tropical flowers were some- need a jungle for this, but they do need houses and public areas of standing that the patients died after contract- vador, one of those warning against The new warnings on inti- thing to appreciate from afar. Now, certain plants,” he said. water, where mosquitoes like to breed, ing the virus and developing a rare pregnancy, abortion is punishable by mate contact highlight how little is however, they are enemy territory. The mosquito hunters were work- will strike a major blow. In some neurological disorder called Guillain- up to 40 years in prison. known about Zika, a virus that was “Here, I got one!” exclaimed Mar- ing their way through the upscale places, including future Olympic sites Barre syndrome. Honduras, which earlier this first identified in Africa in 1947 but cio Hoglhammer, a municipal health neighborhood of Alto Pinheiros stop- in Rio de Janeiro, heavy spraying and Cases of the syndrome —in week declared a state of emergency had been considered relatively mild department worker who arrived along ping at Matuoka’s house because she fumigating is planned. which the immune system attacks after tallying some 3,700 cases of until the current eruption of appar- with colleagues and two young soldiers recently contracted dengue fever. The health ministry says about the nervous system, causing weak- Zika since mid-December, said it is ent complications. Both the US CDC as part of Brazil’s massive house-to- Checks have long been made in 20.7 million homes have already been ness and sometimes paralysis —have planning a full day dedicated to erad- and Fiocruz in Brazil said more house effort to eradicate the Zika virus an effort to prevent dengue. But with visited by soldiers and healthcare increased in tandem with the Zika icating the mosquitoes that carry the research was needed on person-to- and dengue-carrying mosquitoes. national and international concern workers to make checks and inform outbreak, fueling suspicions that it is virus. President Juan Orlando Hern- person transmission. Brazil has been Hoglhammer reached into the growing over Zika cases, the mos- residents. In just one day, Hoglham- a complication of the otherwise mild andez has allocated an initial tranche the country hardest hit by the out- huge leaves of the bromelia flowers quito-checking programme has taken mer managed to visit 300 houses, he tropical fever, which is also blamed of $10 million in an attempt to halt break, with an estimated 1.5 million and used a syringe to suck out water, on new urgency. said. But at the height of Tropical sum- for causing brain damage in babies the spread of the virus. cases. Colombia is next on the list, then held it up triumphantly. Matuoka, who has an art gallery, mer, with mosquitoes everywhere, the born to infected mothers. Brazil’s top research centre, the with more than 20,000 cases. “I found larvae of the Aedes said she had no idea that bromelias end to the battle is not in view.

Bull-fighting Breathalyzer test Canada to boost troops imposed for town hall meetings in anti-IS mission in Brazilian state Reuters others were injured in a friendly fire incident in Iraq. RIO DE JANEIRO: Town hall meet- Canadians’ appetite for foreign ings at a village in Brazil turned into military missions has dropped after drunken brawls so often that the OTTAWA: Canada, under pressure to 10 years of involvement in Afghan- mayor has resorted to breathalyzer stay involved in the US-led mission istan that ended in 2011, and during tests before the councillors can take against Islamic State, will boost the which 158 soldiers were killed. their seats. number of troops on training duty in The United States, Britain and The sessions in Pianco in Paraiba Iraq while keeping reconnaissance France —who worry that if Canada state had become so notorious the and refueling planes in the region, a withdraws the jets it will undermine town council is known among locals defence source said yesterday. the effort against Islamic State —have as “the dog pound” because of all the Prime Minister Justin Tru- become increasingly impatient with fighting, news reports said yesterday. deau won an election last October Ottawa over what they see as foot drag- Mayor Pedro Aureliano da Silva promising to pull out six jets that ging, said a third source with direct imposed the breathalyzer tests late have been bombing targets in Iraq knowledge of the diplomatic talks. last year and since then the munic- and Syria. Trudeau has made clear “The message to Canada is clear: ipal sessions have in fact become he will stick to that commitment, we understand you made a cam- much calmer. One city councillor, despite unhappiness with the deci- paign commitment to pull out the Antonio Azevedo Xavier, had a bottle sion among allies. jets. But you need to tell us what A bullfighter Sebastian Castella being gored during the 70th anniversary of the Monumental Plaza of whiskey fall from his coat pocket Trudeau is due to unveil the you are doing and you need to do it Mexico in Mexico City, yesterday. during one session, but was not in the revamped mission next week, soon,” the source said. least embarrassed. according to a government source US Secretary of State John with direct knowledge of the file. Kerry last week expressed con- Separately, the defence source fidence Trudeau and his officials said Canada would keep two Aurora were “working to continue their surveillance planes in the region, as contribution” to the campaign Mexico flights offered to US-bound Cubans in C America well as a refueling aircraft. against Islamic State. Canada currently has about 70 The jets are due to end their soldiers training Kurdish troops in mission in March. One option for AFP the cost, the governments of the Cen- to them in November. From there they were to make northern Iraq, a number that will be Trudeau would be to let the bomb- tral American countries said. Most of the Cubans are in Costa their own way to the border with the increased to about 300, the source ing continue until then, rather than The flights are aimed at acceler- Rica, which last month began fly- United States. The new direct flights said. Ministers have been debating pulling them out early. SAN JOSÉ: Thousands of US-bound ating a transfer of more than 9,000 ing them out to El Salvador, where from Costa Rica to northern Mexico what the trainers would and would Trudeau told reporters yesterday Cubans stranded in Costa Rica and Cuban migrants through Central they were put on buses that carried cost $790 per adult and can carry 118 not be allowed to do, according to that Canada would stay involved “in Panama will be able to take direct America to Mexico past Nicaragua, them across Guatemala to the Mex- passengers each time, Costa Rican For- the source. Last March, one Cana- a robust and responsible way” but flights to Mexico, if they can afford a Cuban ally which closed its border ican border. eign Minister Manuel Gonzalez said. dian soldier was killed and three did not give details.

Affluenza teen transferred to adult jail Celebration time

Reuters eligible for bond, Anderson said. . four people in 2013. “He is an adult. He doesn’t need No bond amount was listed on his to be housed in a juvenile facility, in online jail records. The move came my opinion,” Anderson said. as a result of a judge’s order, law FORT WORTH/TEXAS: The Texas A hearing planned for Febru- enforcement officials said. teenager who was derided for an ary 19 will determine if his case will Couch was 16 when he was tried “affluenza” defence for killing four move to the adult system, Anderson as a juvenile. He gained notoriety people while driving drunk was said. If that happens, Couch could be when a psychiatrist testifying on his transferred to an adult jail from the eligible for release on bond. behalf said he had “affluenza,” argu- juvenile centre where he has been “He was very soft-spoken. He ing his family’s wealth had left him held since he was deported from voiced no concerns about what was so spoiled that it impaired his abil- Mexico in late January. happening,” Anderson said after ity to tell right from wrong. Ethan Couch, 18, was in custody meeting Couch at the county jail. The affluenza diagnosis, not rec- in a single cell, for his protection, at Couch, 18, fled to Mexico in ognised by the American Psychiatric an adult jail in Tarrant County, Sheriff December with his mother after Association, was widely ridiculed. Dee Anderson said. His case is under apparently violating the probation Couch faces 120 days behind Thousands of people participate in the parade of the troupe ‘Cordao do Bola Preta’, one of the biggest the jurisdiction of the juvenile sys- deal reached in juvenile court that bars if he is found to have violated in the world, during a parade of the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, yesterday. tem, which means he is not currently kept him out of prison for killing the the terms of his probation. AMERICAS SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 1917 Democratic donor contacts Biden allies on possible run

The donor, Bill Bartmann, cited new that the vice president decided not polling showing Senator Bernie Sanders to get in the race,” Patrick Baskette, “We cannot afford of Vermont nearly tied with the Hillary one of the recipients of Bartmann’s to lose the White Clinton, eroding the 30-point lead the email, said. Baskette, a public affairs former secretary of state held at the end consultant in Tampa, Florida, was a House,” Bartmann of last year. Bartmann and other party special assistant to Biden during his wrote in the email, insiders are concerned that Sanders, time as a senator. a self-proclaimed Democratic social- Baskette said he was not opposed which drew a string ist, is too far to the left to win against a to either Clinton or Sanders. “I don’t of affirmative Republican in the November 8 presiden- think that they offer the solutions responses tial election. to our nation’s future that Joe Biden “We cannot afford to lose the does,” he added. White House,” Bartmann wrote in Clinton only barely squeaked out the email, . which drew a string of a win against Sanders in the Iowa affirmative responses. caucus this week, adding to fears that Reuters Biden announced in October she could lose a nomination that once that he would not seek the presi- was thought all but inevitable for her. dency, despite support from a group Clinton is widely expected to lose the of backers under the name “Draft New Hampshire primary to Sanders. . NEW YORK: A prominent Dem- Biden 2016.” But whispers have con- “Count me in,” Gary Hindes, ocratic donor worried about the tinued among some donors who hope former chairman of the Delaware party’s chances of winning the presi- that Biden could be convinced to run Democratic Party, wrote on the email dency emailed dozens of fans of Vice after all should Clinton’s campaign chain. “I am hoping that the stars line President Joe Biden on Friday, urging prove fruitless. up right and that Joe becomes the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is introduced by South Carolina Lieutenant Governor them to remain prepared to donate if “My sitting on the sidelines has nominee,” Hindes said. “Sanders is Henry McMaster at a campaign rally in Florence, South Carolina. Biden jumps into the race. a lot to do with my disappointment too far to the left,” he added.

Baby sea lion In Texas, law is hard and mistakes are common found napping AFP time had a notoriously blood thirsty information Centre. cases in 2015, according to a study in June after 12 years behind bars. DA,” Samuel Gross of the University Studies have shown that Harris Gross published recently. The vast majority of exonera- in restaurant of Michigan law school said. County prosecutors were three times Many of those who spent years tions are in drug cases where people Home to the sprawling city of Hou- more likely to seek the death pen- behind bars until they could prove caught up in the system are pressured LOS ANGELES: A hungry baby WASHINGTON: Among the 3,000 ston, Harris County accounts for nine alty against African Americans than their innocence are African Amer- to plead guilty because they have little sea lion picked the best seat in counties that make up the United percent of all modern US executions. against white defendants between icans like Alfred Brown, who was hope of clearing their names. the house after wandering into a States, there is one in Texas where it’s It has executed more people than 1992 and 1999. Juries there were more arrested in 2003 at the age of 21 for “It’s shocking but it is very com- beachside restaurant in San Diego. best not to mess with the law, because that any of the 31 states which admin- than twice as likely to impose death a double homicide and sentenced to mon,” said Jim Cohen, a professor The cleaning crew of The justice is hard and mistakes are com- ister the death penalty, except for the sentences on African Americans dur- death in 2005. at Fordham Law School. “They are Marine Room found the female pup mon. state of Texas as a whole. ing the same period. Prosecutors suppressed phone pushed by the prosecutor and they snoozing in a booth with a view of Harris County has executed “There are four major reasons Lawyers for Duane Buck, sen- records showing Brown was at his are pushed by the defence attorney the ocean. “She said, ‘Can I see the a record 125 people since the US why Harris County has put so many tenced to die in Harris County in 1997, girlfriend’s home at the time of the because the defence attorney is say- menu?’ I asked if she had a reser- Supreme Court overturned the death people on death row: overzealous filed an appeal with the Supreme crime and jailed his girlfriend on per- ing, ‘if you don’t plead guilty and you vation,” chef Bernard Guillas joked. penalty in 1976. prosecutors, poor legal represen- Court because an expert witness told jury charges until she agreed to testify are convicted after trial, you’re going His photos showed the little sea “The best answer I know is that it’s tation, racial bias, and the absence jurors he posed a higher risk of recid- against him, according to a series to get a much bigger sentence’.” lion perched in the plush booth. a huge county —four million people — of a life without parole sentencing ivism because he was black. of columns which netted Houston But the evidence which pushed One photo showed her resting her that’s very conservative, in an active option until 2005,” said Robert Dun- Harris County also accounted for Chronicle reporter Lisa Falkenberg them to confess was often flawed or head on the windowsill, as if gaz- death penalty state, and for a long ham, director of the Death Penalty a third of the nation’s exoneration a Pulitzer Prize. Brown was released even inadmissible. ing out at the view.

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A family takes a selfie with a sculpture of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King in Chinese mythology, during the River Hongbao festival in Singapore.

Follow us on Predictions galore in Year of the Monkey Snapchat AP Year of the Monkey are held to be master Louis Wong foresees “a lot of China’s Western Han Dynasty around Open Snapchat and playful, mischievous and clever — fires happening around the world, 200 B.C., said Chen Qifang, the head much like a monkey. “Many people especially in the forests. So we need of Lin’an City Martial Arts Coun- scan the Snapcode say people born in the Year of the to watch out for fire hazards,” he cil in Zhejiang province. “It’s a kind to add The Peninsula BEIJING: The new Chinese year is Monkey are smart and have a very said. “Southeast Asia will see a lot of of kung fu that attempts to imitate account. the one to go bananas over. On Feb- good imagination, but it is thought viruses or disease, so we need to be a monkey’s lively, mischievous and ruary 8, the zodiac calendar enters that their chances of achieving suc- very careful about Zika virus now.” cute features with some of its typi- the Year of the Monkey — the ninth cess are not very good as they are To enhance a couple’s relation- cal moves like leaping, somersaulting, of 12 animal signs. Plastic monkeys less capable of executing things,” said ship this year, Wong advises placing scratching ears and looking around are adorning shopping centres and Beijing resident Wang Jinping, whose a pink crystal on the woman’s side of as if for peaches or to see if someone office buildings, and government zodiac sign is the monkey. the bedroom and a purple crystal on is attacking its territory.” Because of departments have been giving out MORE BIRTHS EXPECTED: This the man’s side. He added: “And if we its somersaults and other challeng- toy monkeys. year, not only has China’s one-child want them to have fewer quarrels and ing moves, it’s not as popular as other BMI a ‘wrong measure’ of health Having a baby in the Year of policy been loosened to a two-child arguments, we can put a firecracker styles, says Chen. the Monkey is generally thought to policy, but some superstitious Chinese behind the door.” While watching out MONKEY BUSINESS: The Year be more auspicious than in that of will be raring to give birth. During for fire risks, of course. of the Monkey gives a little-needed IANS its predecessor, the sheep, and the the previous 12 months, the Year of A Hong Kong brokerage that pub- excuse to reference the much loved cute creature is in any case largely the Sheep or Goat (it’s the same char- lishes a tongue-in-cheek annual feng Monkey King character from the 16th beloved by the masses for its play- acter in Chinese), some people were shui report said the Chinese territo- century adventure novel “Journey to NEW YORK: Using body mass index (BMI) to gauge health is a wrong prac- ful and human-like characteristics, reluctant to have children as they ry’s Hang Seng stock index would the West”. The supernatural Monkey tice as it is a deeply flawed measure, reveals a study while adding that BMI despite a penchant for stealing food. considered the year inauspicious perform decently until a down- King, also known as Sun Wukong, should not be the primary goal for maintaining good health. The new lunar year is already and believed sheep babies would be ward swing mid-year, followed by a accompanied a monk on a journey BMI incorrectly labelled more than 30 percent of those with in the “nor- boosting a fighting style that imi- more likely followers than leaders. recovery. “Overall, it’s a year for slow, to retrieve sacred scriptures and the mal” range — about 20.7 million people — as healthy whereas they were tates the movements of a monkey. It According to China’s national statis- considered expansion, not for raucous story has inspired countless TV shows actually unhealthy based on their other health data, the study said. also offers an excuse to cash in on tics, there were 16.55 million births in monkey antics,” it advises. and movies over the years. Also, more than two million people who are considered “very obese” by China’s most famous monkey — Sun 2015, compared with 16.87 million in JUNGLE OUT THERE: Also on Unashamedly trying to capitalise virtue of having a BMI of 35 or higher are actually healthy. That’s about 15 Wukong, or the Monkey King — a 2014. Some state media reports have the agenda: A revival in houquan, or on the new zodiac year, yet another percent who are classified as very obese. “The data shows there are tens of fabled demon-slayer. attributed the drop in births last year monkey kung fu. Practitioners imi- Monkey King adaptation will be millions of people who are overweight and obese and are perfectly healthy,” Less happily, feng shui predic- to the Year of the Sheep. tate monkey moves, in the same way released on the first day of the lunar said A Janet Tomiyama, assistant professor at University Of California, Los tions foresee fire, disease and volatile FIRES AND VIRUSES: Market as other strands of martial arts are new year. The 450m yuan ($68m) Angeles. There are people who are healthy and are penalised based on a stocks. A look at what mischief the ups and downs, fires and viruses, based on animals such as tigers and budget movie stars Aaron Kwok as faulty health measure, while the unhealthy ones of normal weight are fly- Year of the Monkey may have in store. the Year of the Monkey is predicted white crane. Sun, Feng Shaofeng as the monk and ing under the radar of BMI, she added. MISCHIEF: Those born in the to have them all. Hong Kong feng shui The monkey style dates back to Gong Li playing the skeleton demon. Milk and exercise Miffy the rabbit gets her own museum raise children’s vitamin D levels AFP into 10 rooms designed specifically what we’ve tried to do in the museum with kids in mind, where they can play as well.” Absent from the museum and learn, and find out a little more though are the computer animations IANS about the man who created their idol. and games seen in many exhibits today. UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS: To Although she celebrated her 60th birth- “If it’s not a real experience, but a virtual some she’s just a plain white bunny, day in 2015, Miffy has changed very one, it’s different,” said Van den Berg. LONDON: Sufficient intake of milk to others she’s a prime example of little down the years. Bruna wrote more Bruna, 88, was born in Utrecht in with vitamin D supplements and minimalist art. But for six decades than 120 picture books of which 32 are 1927, and had been expected to follow physical activity are significantly Miffy has been delighting young kids devoted just to Miffy. his father’s footsteps and join the fam- important for vitamin D levels in around the world, and now she’s get- Small and square, designed to fit ily publishing company, which was children, according to a new study ting a museum of her own. little hands, each book tells a simple once the largest in the Netherlands. conducted by the University of After a two-year renovation tale such as a outing to the zoo, a day But drawing and art were his first Eastern Finland. project, what was formerly known at school or playing in the snow. They love, and during a long study tour in According to the researchers, a as the Dick Bruna Huis (house) in the have sold more than 85 million copies Paris in the 1940s he became heav- sufficiently high vitamin D level is Centraal Museum of the Dutch city of and been translated into more than 52 ily influenced by the works of French associated with better bone health Utrecht, is reopening this weekend as languages, including Russian in 2011. painters Henri Matisse and Fernand and may also be related a lower a bright, playful space dedicated to It is her endearing simplicity, Leger. Returning to Utrecht, he started risk of many chronic diseases. Miffy herself and carefully re-imag- along with her friends like Poppy drawing book covers for the novels The study, published online in ined as a hands-on experience for her the kind pig lady and Snuffy the dog, published by the Bruna company. British Journal of Nutrition, saw young fans. which has cemented the books’ uni- It was during a family holiday in 512 children aged six to eight years The original space devoted to Mif- versal appeal to pre-schoolers down 1955 on the North Sea coast that he participating in the baseline meas- fy’s creator — Dutch artist, author and the decades. spotted a white rabbit hopping around urements in 2007-2009, constituting graphic designer, Dick Bruna, who was Miffy is a white girl bunny drawn the garden, and turned it into a draw- a representative sample of their age born in Utrecht — opened in 2006 and with thick black outlines, pointy ears ing for his young son Sierk. Thus Miffy group. The children whose blood drew some 50,000 visitors a year from (although in her early days they were was born. The simple pictograms in samples were taken in the autumn all over the Netherlands, but also largely slightly more floppy), two dots for eyes, the Miffy books “have room for imag- had the highest vitamin D levels. from Japan where she is a huge star. and an X for her mouth. She is always ination and fantasy. They’re very clear The scientists recommended But it was primarily more of an drawn against a background of bold lines,” said Evaline Reeskamp, educa- 2.5-3 glasses of dairy milk fortified adult museum, packed full of a per- primary colours, especially mixed for tion officer with the museum. with vitamin D per day and two- manent collection of Bruna’s original Bruna, mainly blue, green, yellow and Bruna himself retired in 2011, and three servings of fish per week. drawings. And the question on every what is known as “Bruna red”. now the Utrecht museum has faith- The diet should also contain veg- child’s lips was “where’s Miffy?” said “What he wanted to do with his fully preserved his fastidiously neat, etable oil-based spreads which are curator Yolanda van den Berg. books was to create a safe world in light-filled top floor studio where he Yolanda van den Berg, curator of the Miffy Museum, poses with a stuffed fortified with vitamin D along with So now children are getting an invi- which children can explore by them- worked for 30 years, and opened it up sufficient outdoor exercise. Miffy toy at the museum in Utrecht. tation to visit Miffy’s house — divided selves,” said Van den Berg. “And that’s to the public to visit. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 • 28 Rabia II 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

QFC to be integrated with QCB and SJC

By Mohammad Shoeb implemented within 2-3 months. We opportunities. “Our legal judicial envi- companies were licensed, and in the The Peninsula will send it to the Council of Ministers ronment will be under the umbrella current year he is expecting over 20 QFC’s legal judicial (for approval) next week, which will of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) percent growth (in terms of number environment will be go through normal routes and other reporting to the Minister of Justice and of firms). legal process, including the Shura head of the SJC,” he said. He also noted that the decline DOHA: The Qatar Financial Cen- under the umbrella Council,” said Al Jaida on the sidelines He also said that in addition to in oil prices is a bad news, but at tre (QFC) Authority, the country’s of the Supreme of a seminar organised by Doha Bank. providing better positioning to the the same time he sees it as a “bless- independent onshore financial cen- The proposed law aims to be in QFC companies in the local market, ing in disguise” since government is tre, is set to be officially integrated Judiciary Council line with other free-zone laws (in the under the revised law, courts of the more excited about the diversifica- with other Qatari regulator and judi- region) with onshore access. With the QFC and Qatar International Courts tion efforts, which has become more cial body such as Qatar Central Bank enforcement of the new law, judi- will be open for non-QFC compa- important than ever before. (QCB) and Supreme Judiciary Council regulatory environment by integrat- cial environment for QFC-licensed nies as well. Al Jaida said that with Al Jaida was one of the pan- (SJC) within three months, a top QFC ing the QFC Regulatory Authority firms will change significantly as the implementation of the upcoming elists at the discussion on “Growing official told reporters. (QCRA) with the QCB, which means the existing QFC judicial system will revised law, at least two QFC-licensed Opportunities in Qatar” held at Doha Yousuf Mohammed Al Jaida, CEO there will be common areas of regu- be reporting to the Supreme Judicial companies will get listed at Qatar Bank’s headquarters. The other pan- and Board Member of the QFC said the lation between both the entities,” Al Council of Qatar. This will help repo- Exchange (QE) within three months. elists were Rashid bin Ali Al Mansoori, revised QFC law, which is currently on Jaida added. “The QFCRA, that regu- sitioning QFC-firms in terms of legal He said that the number of com- CEO of Qatar Exchange; Dr Seethara- his table for the final review, will be lates the QFC-licensed firms, and QCB perspective providing more access to panies licensed from the onshore man, Group CEO, Doha Bank; Fahim Yousuf Mohammed Al Jaida, CEO sent to the council of ministers within both shares a common chairman.” the entire Qatari economy with more financial centre has witnessed a dou- Alghussein, CEO, Amwal, a local asset a week. “We are creating a better “The new law is expected to be avenues of investments and business ble digit growth. In 2015, some 65 new management company. and Board Member of the QFC. 22 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS Qatar economy sustainable in long-term: Experts

CEO, Qatar Exchange (QE); Yousuf and uneven US economic recovery.” Mohamed Al Jaida, CEO and Board He said that Qatar’s 2016 GDP Strong macroeconomic Member of QFC. growth is expected to be 4.3 percent. fundamentals Dr R Seetharaman, Group CEO Qatar has budgeted for revenues of Doha Bank invited the Guests of of QR156bn and expenditures of suggest the economy Honour at the function. Aslo present QR202.5bn for the year. Health, will continue to were prominent Qatari businessmen, education and infrastructure distinguished guests and senior accounted for the largest share of the have a vibrant and diplomats from Japan, the UK, India, 2016 expenditure. sustainable outlook Singapore, Mexico, Kenya and Canada. Major infrastructure expenditures Yousef Gamal El Din, Founder of amounting to QR50.6bn would include Medialitera FZE and the Master of railways, the new Doha port, several Ceremony said: “There was so much large roadways and the expansion negative news on account of fall in oil of electricity, water and sewage By Mohammad Shoeb prices and against this background networks. The Peninsula Doha bank would like to showcase Al Mansoori from Qatar Exchange, the opportunities in Qatar. Investors said: “Qatar is one of the fastest should be more concerned about long growing economies and youngest term view. We are witnessing global stock market. Qatar has become an DOHA: The current challenges slowdown, easing monetary policy emerging market in recent years. QE’s faced by Qatar economy are short- since financial crisis and uncertainty. mission is to support Qatar economy. term, but in the long-term, strong We are in unchartered waters and will It has 43 listed companies. We have macroeconomic fundamentals look forward to leadership, certainty programmes to improve sentiment for suggest the economy will continue and content from the key speakers retail investors. We have introduced to have a vibrant and sustainable today.” government bonds and are planning outlook supported by massive public Dr Seetharaman, providing the to introduce Exchange trade funds spending in the run-up to FIFA games concept note, added: “Even after (ETF) and provide alternative for in 2022, experts from the local seven years since the global financial investors. We would like to increase banking and financial sector say. FROM LEFT: QFC CEO and Board Member Yousuf Mohammed Al Jaida, Amwal CEO Fahim Alghussein, Doha crisis the sustainable growth is not the presence of both foreign and Providing examples of untapped visible in global economy. Monetary local institutional investors in Qatar Bank Group CEO Dr R Seetharaman, and Qatar Exchange CEO Rashid bin Ali Al Mansoori, at a panel discussion business opportunities, Fahmi easing had continued since the global exchange.” on “Growing Opportunities in Qatar” at Doha Bank headquarters. Pic: Abdul B/The Peninsula Alghussein, Amwal CEO, said: “Only financial crisis from the US, Eurozone Al Jaida of QFC, added: “Qatar 2 percent of wealth is managed by and Japan Central Banks. The Fed had economy will face fiscal and current professionals in Qatar as against 5 Qatar. The private wealth of GCC lying sharing session on “Growing created by lower oil prices remain for commenced rate hike last December account deficit however Qatar’s percent in Saudi Arabia, which is overseas should also be channelised opportunities in Qatar” hosted by investors. and it needs to be seen whether it resilience is further supported by even higher in developed countries. into the regional markets.” Doha Bank at its headquarters, The other guests for the evening will continue with so much volatility diversification of central government Hence it is a great opportunity to be in Fahmi, speaking at a knowledge however, noted that the challenges included Rashid bin Ali Al Mansoori, in global financial markets this year revenue and growing private sector.” Oberoi Group offers NBK wins top awards at Qatar Motor Show luxury onboard on Nile The Peninsula

The Peninsula world, and I am confident that The DOHA: Nasser Bin Khaled Auto- Oberoi Philae, Luxury Nile Cruiser mobiles, the exclusive dealers of will continue this tradition and offer Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, accom- travellers an unparalleled experi- plished huge success in Qatar Motor DOHA: The Oberoi Group ence on the Nile”. Show 2016, one of the most impor- announced that The Oberoi Philae, Mahmoud Nourelden, Boat tant auto shows in the Gulf region, Luxury Nile Cruiser, Egypt will sail Manager, The Oberoi Philae, Lux- attracting big number of guests to its between Aswan and Luxor, offer- ury Nile Cruiser added, “The luxury pavilion which received “The Best ing a four and six night itinerary. The Nile cruiser will offer the discerning Stand” from Auto Sport magazine. Group already operates another lux- traveller an oasis of tranquility with Besides, Mercedes-Benz G ury cruiser, The Oberoi Zahra, and service which is warm, intuitive and 500 4x4 Square 2016 and SL 63 will be increasing its presence on the personalised. We are confident that AMG Championship edition were Nile with The Oberoi Philae. the cruiser will add tangible value to included in the top ten cars of the Adding to the luxury provided the hospitality sector in the Egypt.” exhibition, as per Auto Sport mag- by The Oberoi Zahra, The Oberoi The luxury cruiser will fea- azine survey. Philae will offer guests unrivalled ture some of the most spacious The participation in the show views of the River Nile, as they expe- accommodation on the Nile. The 22 demonstrates the company’s rience the legendary Oberoi service luxuriously appointed cabins and commitment towards the local and explore 5,000 years of Egyp- suites feature large French win- community and loyal customers. tian culture. dows that offer picturesque views As a brand name, Nasser Bin Kha- PRS Oberoi, Executive Chair- of the River Nile. led Automobiles is deeply associated man, The Oberoi Group said, “We The cruiser also incorporates with a history of premium quality are pleased to present The Oberoi the latest technology including high service and market leadership. Philae, Luxury Nile Cruiser which speed WiFi. Khalid Shaaban, General offers the highest standards of lux- The restaurant offers extraordi- Manager, Nasser Bin Khaled Auto- ury and hospitality. The Oberoi nary culinary options of Western, mobiles said: “receiving the “Best Group has been consistently rec- Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine Stand” award, Nasser Bin Khaled ognised as amongst the best in the with uninterrupted views of the Nile. Automobiles and Mercedes-Benz reiterate their connection with cre- ation, innovation and excellence. This also reflects our position as leaders of the luxury cars segment in the market. In this stand, we were Khalid Shaaban, General Manager, Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles, and other officials with the award. able meet our clients’ requests and demands, and offered them a wide selection of our best cars in a lux- the cars with comfort and privacy. spans more than 35 years. With its are only 19 white and 19 black cars of ury, comfortable ambience”. “We Along with its creative design, The continuously improved technology this edition in the world. The Qatar are pleased to have two of our cars stand extended on over than 900 and high-class equipment specifi- Motor Show took place for the 6th time in the top ten cars in the exhibition. square meters, displaying a range of cation, this cult all-terrain vehicle from January 28 to February 1 at Doha It is a clear indication that we are 14 cars from different categories that has consistently satisfied the highest Exhibition and Convention Center. always on top”, Shaaban added. will appeal to all styles and choices, expectations of off-road fans. The show included outdoor screen- Nasser Bin Khaled Automo- including the recently launched SUVs, The SL 63 AMG Championship ings, also in motocross, and test drives. biles and Mercedes-Benz stand sporty cars to the most luxuries series edition was also one of the top ten The exhibition has become a regular won the “Best Stand” Award for its that captures souls and minds. cars in 2016 car exhibition. It co-cre- date in the calendar and offers one of luxury and spacious spaces that The G 500 is beginning a new ated by Formula 1 champions Lewis the best informative platforms on the The lobby of the Nile Cruiser. allow the visitors to move among chapter of its success story which Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. There subject of car manufacturing. Apple asks US court to reject Samsung appeal Brazil inflation hits 12-year high

AFP Apple’s designs and should pay the appeal said. The arch-rivals have damages that the statute expressly battled in close to a dozen coun- Rio de Janeiro: Brazil’s inflation rate rose to a 12-year high, authorises,” Apple said in its response, tries, with each accusing the other of officials said, as the world’s seventh-largest economy contin- first reported by the blog Foss Patents. infringing on various patents related ued to struggle through a protracted recession. WASHINGTON: Apple has asked “While this litigation may be high- to their flagship smartphone and tab- Driven by rising food prices, the annual inflation rate hit the US Supreme Court to dismiss profile, it is legally unexceptional, and let products. 10.71 percent, the highest since November 2003 and well Samsung’s appeal in the block- Samsung has shown no reason for this Florian Mueller, who publishes the beyond the central bank’s target ceiling of 6.5 percent, said buster patent case between the two court to prolong it.” Foss Patents blog, said the case could national statistics institute IBGE. Meanwhile the monthly smartphone giants, saying the rul- Attorneys for the South Korean present an opportunity for the top inflation rate was 1.27 percent, the highest recorded for the ing followed “well-established” legal consumer electronics titan argued in court to review the issue of “design month of January since 2003, it said. precedent. December that the massive payout patents,” a key element of the case. The combination of spiraling prices and a contract- A filing from the California giant was not warranted, because smart- “The Supreme Court hasn’t heard a ing economy has put Brazilian policymakers in a jam. Last came in response to Samsung’s phones “contain countless other design patent case in about 122 years,” month the central bank decided to leave the key interest rate appeal seeking to overturn a $548m features that give them remarkable he wrote. untouched at 14.25 percent, fearing that raising it to combat award for patent infringement related functionality wholely unrelated to “It’s so obvious that a lot of things inflation would only deepen the recession. Brazil’s economy to copying features from Apple’s their design.” have changed during that period, and shrank by more than three percent last year, and the IMF is now predicting a 3.5-percent contraction this year — a far cry iPhones. “Samsung had its day in “Even if the patented features the role design patents play in con- An iPhone 6 Plus is pictured on from the strong growth the country posted in the 2000s. court —many days, in fact — and the contributed one percent of the value nection with complex technology sale at an Apple Store in Los properly instructed jury was well-jus- of Samsung’s phones, Apple gets 100 products really needs to be adjudi- Angeles, California. tified in finding that Samsung copied percent of Samsung’s profits,” the cated again.” BUSINESS SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 23 Combined credit Arbitration cases on the rise in Qatar

By Sachin Kumar because this process is comparatively of Qatar banks The Peninsula fast and companies get privacy. Unre- lated persons do not come to know which companies are settling disputes and on what matter,” said Thani bin DOHA: More companies in Qatar are Ali Al Thani, Board Member, Qatar surges by 19.5% opting for out-of-court settlement to International Center for Conciliation resolve their commercial disputes. and Arbitration. Last year about 30 cases of com- Most of the cases from Qatar mercial disputes from Qatar reached gone for arbitration process came the credit to the sector declined by International Chamber of Commerce from construction and energy sec- Facility to real estate QR1bn. (ICC) arbitration body, whereas as a tor- the two sectors dominating The central bank data indicates decade ago in 2005, the number of Qatar’s economy. There are many sector increased the commercial banks’ credit to pri- cases from Qatar for arbitration were mega development projects going on to QR117bn in vate sector in November 2015 rose less than five. in Qatar involving many contractors to QR418bn from QR338bn a year “There were around 30 cases and sub-contractors. The point of dis- November 2015 ago. Domestic investments rose to from Qatar last year (2015). Rising pute were related to pricing or delay from QR89bn QR144bn from QR128bn in Novem- cases means growth in local economy in the delivery of projects. “Construc- ber 2014. and that there is more international tion and energy sector exhaust most Qatar’s total money supply (M1) business in Qatar,” said Andrea Car- of the cases coming to arbitration,” rose to QR125bn in November, up levaris, Secretary-General, ICC said Carlevaris. 1.9 percent compared to QR123bn International Court of Arbitration, Andrea Carlevaris, Secretary-General, ICC International Court of Going forward more companies By Satish Kanady recorded in the same month in pre- talking on the sidelines of the first Arbitration, at the opening of Energy disputes conference in Doha. from Qatar are likely to go for arbi- The Peninsula vious year. The country’s average International Arbitration Conference Pic: Abdul B/The Peninsula tration process because of fluctuation movement in money supply (M2) on Arbitration and Dispute Resolution in energy prices in the global market. continued to grow to hit QR518bn organised by the International Cham- Expert said that fluctuation in energy or 3.1 percent up on year-on-year. ber of Commerce Qatar last week in private and public sector,” he added. resolution, flexibility and privacy. prices were one of the important rea- DOHA: Qatar banks’ combined M1 measures a country’s most Doha.“More cases also mean that Globally arbitration is preferred Usually companies stuck in a com- sons behind increasing number of credit facilities surged 19.5 per- liquid components of the money Qatari parties are relying on the ICC by many as a way to resolve com- mercial disputes do not like to get cases coming for arbitration. cent to QR740bn in November on supply, as it contains cash and assets as reliable dispute settlement mech- mercial disputes. It has significant unnecessary publicity and seek pri- “Fluctuations in the energy prices year-on-year. Qatar Central Bank’s that can quickly be converted to cur- anism. ICC arbitration system is advantages over litigation in court, vacy in settlement. has been a significant factor in the (QCB) data for the month of Novem- rency. M2 includes savings deposits, considered reliable not only by inter- such as party control of the proc- “Companies prefer out of the boom of these cases,” said Carlevaris. ber 2015, shows collective credit money market mutual funds and national investors but also by Qatar’s ess, lower cost and shorter time to court settle through arbitration facility jumped QR18bn on month- other time deposits, which are less on-month. liquid and but can quickly be con- The banks’ domestic credit rose verted into cash or deposits. to QR654bn in November 2015, The quasi money supply is up 3.5 from QR559bn recorded in Novem- percent on year-on-year. It jumped ber 2014. to QR393bn from QR379bn recorded Leather makers eye Gulf’s $6bn industry Credit facilities to outside Qatar in November 2014. Quasi money rose 41.66 percent to QR85bn. Pub- means saving and deposits of pri- lic sector credit rose to QR235bn in vate sector, government institutions, The Peninsula Convention and Exhibition Centre, The GCC is also a leather man- leather supplier Afriwest. Conceria November 2015, up from QR220bn and semi government institutions in and will return following a rousing ufacturing hub as $1.9bn worth of Superior from Italy headlines the during the same month in 2014. Qatari Riyal plus their deposits in industry response to the inaugural dressed leather, luggage, handbags, first-time exhibitors taking part in The credit to real estate sector foreign currencies. show in May 2015. saddlery, harnesses and footwear 2016. surged to QR117bn in November ’15, According to the central bank DOHA: International leather mak- More than 125 exhibitors are were produced in the Gulf region in All will build on the show’s brea- from QR89bn in November 2014. data, the combined assets of com- ers are training their sights on the expected at the three-day event in 2014, with Saudi Arabia ($1.1bn), the kout debut success, where nearly Credit to trading sector increased mercial bank rose to QR1.09 trillion Gulf region’s $6bn leather industry, 2016, all eager to capitalise on the UAE ($468m), and Qatar ($250m) are 2,400 trade buyers from 66 countries to QR55bn from QR47bn a year ago. from QR978bn a year ago. with several big names confirming GCC’s leather trade that according the region’s big three leather produc- passed through, while 86 exhibitors Credit facility to the industries sec- The central bank’s total assets their participation at the Middle East’s to analysts Euromonitor, was val- ers. Many exhibitors are returning to from 16 countries showcased their tor stood at QR12bn, up from QR10bn declined to QR197bn in November only trade show covering the global ued at $4.09bn in 2014. That figure Leatherworld Middle East 2016 after latest wares, from hundreds of var- a year ago, while the facility to con- 2015 against QR232bn a year ago. leather industry’s entire value chain. includes the import and export of successful debuts in 2015, headed iations of animal hides, production tractor sector rose to QR37bn from QCB’s net international reserves also The second edition of Leatherworld semi-finished and finished leather, by Dani, the Italian supplier of sus- machinery and chemicals, to leather QR29bn. slipped to QR138bn in November Middle East will take place from April accessories, travel goods, handbags tainable leathers, Indian companies handbags, footwear, accessories, and However, on month-on-month 2015 from QR167bn on year-on-year. 26 to 28 at the Dubai International and footwear. Hidesign, and C&E; and UAE-based garments.

US trade deficit grows in 2015 Obama claims victory as exports fall for jobless rate drop

WASHINGTON: The US trade def- icit grew in 2015 as exports fell for Reuters the lifetime of most of the people in the first time since the recession this room,” Obama said, noting the amid a slowing global economy, unemployment rate was 10 percent while the gap with China hit a in 2009, when he took office. “We’ve record. WASHINGTON: US President Barack done it faster, stronger, better, more The US trade shortfall in goods Obama said Americans should feel durably than just about any other and services widened 4.6 percent good about the economy after the lat- advanced economy,” Obama said. from a year ago to $531.5bn, the est jobs report on Friday showed the The White House has griped that largest since 2012, the Commerce US unemployment rate at an eight- Obama does not get enough credit Department said. year low of 4.9 percent. for turning the economy around, a Exports fell for the first time Obama, in his eighth and final complaint Obama joked about on since 2009, and outpaced the year in office, made a relatively rare Thursday during a visit from the decline in imports as a strong US and unexpected appearance in the Golden State Warriors basketball dollar and weak foreign demand White House briefing room to talk champions. “You defied the cyn- weighed on the world’s largest about how the economy had recov- ics, you accomplished big things, economy. Exports dropped 4.8 ered under his watch. you racked up a great record, and percent to $2.2 trillion, the low- “We have recovered from the you don’t get enough credit — I can’t est level since 2012. Imports fell US President Barack Obama delivers a statement on the economy following the release of the January jobs worst economic crisis since the imagine how that feels,” Obama said, 3.1 percent to $2.8 trillion. report, in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, on Friday. 1930s, the worst in my lifetime and drawing laughter. “The US economy remains resilient to global weakness and will expand through 2016, driv- ing stronger demand for imports,” said Emily Mandel of Moody’s Strong consumption to lift US growth above potential: QNB Analytics. She said that stronger US con- sumption likely would stimulate economic activity overseas this The Peninsula exports. The sum of these components spending. However, any such effect is (Fed) is expected to year, particularly in Europe and yields a measure of aggregate demand likely to be small and offset by rising continue its mone- Asia. China became the largest US in the economy that is termed gross house prices. Indeed, surveys show tary tightening while goods trading partner in 2015, with domestic product, or GDP. So how do consumer confidence is high and ris- the other major cen- $598.1bn in goods and services, DOHA: Despite the fourth quarter we see each of these components far- ing, undented by the recent decline in tral banks, notably pushing Canada into second place. slowdown, strong consumption will ing in 2016? equity prices,” the QNB report said. in the Euro Area and The 28-nation European lift US growth around 2 percent in “We expect private consumption The picture is not so rosy for Japan, are projected Union, as a bloc, continued to 2016, slightly above potential. to continue to grow in 2016 at around investments. Lower oil prices are to ease further. As a eclipse China, having $698.7bn The US economy experienced 3.3 percent. This is by far the larg- pushing US energy firms to cut their result, we expect net in goods trade with the US. strong growth in the second and third est component of GDP, accounting for capital spending. “In addition, inven- exports to subtract But the trade gap with China quarters of 2015, expanding by 3.9 nearly 70 percent. The US consumer is tories have been rising at a fast and around 0.4 per- hit a record $365.7bn in 2015, up percent and 2.0 percent respectively. enjoying an array of favourable con- unsustainable pace, which is likely centage points from 6.2 percent from 2014. US lawmak- However, the strong performance was ditions. Wage growth has picked up in to be a drag on growth in 2016. On GDP, in line with ers have long criticised the Chinese derailed in the fourth quarter, which recent months to reach 2.5 percent in the other hand, we expect other com- what happened in government for keeping the yuan saw the economy growing by only 0.7 December. Employment has increased ponents of investments to grow at a Q4 2015,” it said. currency undervalued to gain an percent. The slowdown was largely by an average of over 220k per month moderate pace, especially residential Adding up the unfair trade advantage. due to divestments in the energy sec- in 2015, and unemployment has fallen investments, boosted by a recovering different expend- The trade gap with the EU tor and a negative contribution from to 5.0 percent. The strong recovery in housing market. Overall, we expect iture components, also increased to a new record at net exports. The drag from these two the labour market and the decline in investment growth to slow from 4.8 we expect growth $153.8bn, up 7.7 percent from 2014. factors is expected to continue in the unemployment rate implies that percent in 2015 to 1.6 percent in 2016, to pick up from 0.7 The shortfall with Canada nar- 2016, but we project that strong con- higher wages are benefiting more the slowest growth rate since 2009,” percent in Q4 2015 rowed slightly to $14.8bn. sumption will lift US growth, QNB’s people. Consumers’ spending power the QNB report said. continue to be a drag on the econ- to 2.1 percent in 2016. Strong con- The year ended with a return weekly ‘economic commentary’ noted has been further strengthened by QNB projects government spend- omy. The rising US dollar has already sumption growth should be the main to the widening trend in the US yesterday. the decline in oil prices, which has ing to have only a minor effect on increased real effective exchange driver of overall economic growth. trade deficit. The activities in the US economy freed up some of their income. One growth. Fiscal policy in the US is rate, a measure of the loss in price It is expected to more than offset the After shrinking in November, can be analysed by examining its might argue that the recent decline currently neither expansionary nor competitiveness of exports, by 15.6% headwinds from investments and net the trade gap increased to $43.4bn different components: personal con- in equity prices (7.5 percent so far contractionary and therefore unlikely since the beginning of 2014. The US exports, given that private consump- in December, in line with analyst sumption, private-sector investments, this year) might reduce consumers’ to impact growth significantly. dollar is likely to continue rising in tion accounts for the majority of total estimates. government expenditure and net wealth, which could reduce their “We expect net exports to the future as the US Federal Reserve spending in the economy.” 24 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS Argentina offers $6.5bn cash deal to end debt row

Reuters than two months after President Mau- negotiator, former Economy Minister through new sovereign debt issuances. majority. A deal would likely further ricio Macri took office and expressed Axel Kicillof, an academic, frequently Alejo Costa at the Buenos Aires-based bolster investor confidence in Macri’s Two out of six leading his commitment to a deal. If Macri clashed with bondholders. investment bank Puente said a cash government, which has already won bondholders have manages to clinch an agreement, the “The agreement was awesome,” payment placed the financing risk market approval for ending capital NEW YORK: Argentina offered a cash-strapped country will be able Caputo told reporters after emerging in Argentina’s hands and offered the controls, unifying Argentina’s multi- $6.5bn cash payment to creditors already accepted the to emerge from default and return from the mediator’s office in New investors a premium. ple exchange rates and cutting export suing the country over defaulted offer. The turning to global capital markets to finance York. “We have had a good reception Mediator Daniel Pollack praised taxes in a bid to provide a more busi- bonds yesterday, seeking to end a badly-needed infrastructure such as of the proposals and I feel optimistic.” Macri’s “courage and flexibility”. ness-friendly framework. festering 14-year legal battle that point in the legal new roads and railways. Montreux Equity Partners and Macri’s focus on reaching a deal The offer contained two separate transformed it into a financial mar- fight comes less than Lower borrowing costs would also Dart Management were the two funds with holdouts contrasts starkly with proposals. The first offers holders of kets pariah. be a boon for corporate and regional that accepted the proposal, according the hostile stance of his predecessor defaulted debt who never joined the Two out of six leading bondhold- two months after finances in Latin America’s third larg- to the ministry. Cristina Fernandez, who refused to US lawsuit full payment on the prin- ers have already accepted the offer, President Mauricio est economy. The two lead creditors Elliott settle with the creditors, whom she ciple value of their bonds plus 50 the US court-appointed mediator said, The Argentine finance ministry Management and Aurelius Capital referred to as “vultures”. percent, mirroring a deal reached hailing the proposal by Argentina’s Macri took office said the offer entailed “a payment of Management, both declined to com- “A happy day for everyone,” said with 50,000 Italian creditors ear- new, business-friendly government and expressed his approximately $6.5bn if all the bond- ment. “This is a big step in the right a grinning Pollack, as he stopped to lier this week. The second proposal as an “historic breakthrough”. commitment to a deal holders accept it”. It followed five days direction but this is not the end of it. speak with reporters before resum- applies to all creditors who have sued The offer, if accepted by all liti- of intense talks in New York led by Until the main holdouts accept a deal ing his walk north on Park Ave. If a Argentina through the US law courts. gating bondholders, would represent Finance Secretary Luis Caputo. it is not over,” said Diego Ferro, co- settlement is reached, Macri’s next It offers a 30 percent reduction on a a roughly 25 percent discount or so- point in the legal fight stemming The former Deutsche Bank bond chief investment officer at Greylock challenge will be to push it through creditor’s total claim. If the investor called haircut for creditors who filed from Argentina’s record default on trader brought a market mindset to Capital Management in New York. Argentina’s left-leaning Congress, agrees within two weeks, the hair- claims of about $9bn. The turning around $100bn in 2002 comes less discussions after Argentina’s previous The payment will be financed where no party holds a lower house cut will be trimmed to 27.5 percent.

Indonesia economy Recession clouds Continental says 5m vehicles dampen Carnival spirit in oil-reliant may have faulty air bags Trinidad

Reuters a concrete block wall at about 50mph will likely need to be recalled even- SPEYSIDE: Plunging oil prices are (80kph) and the airbags failed to tually. Earlier this week, Toyota Motor darkening Trinidad and Tobago’s deploy, according to NHTSA records. Corp said it was recalling 320,000 Carnival party, which is ramping Honda told its dealers that 2003-2006 US vehicles because of up as the Caribbean nation slumps WASHINGTON: Continental Auto- replacement parts are in very short improper programming that could deeper into the sort of unpredict- motive Systems said it supplied supply and can only be ordered for allow them to deploy when not able recession that is gripping potentially defective air bag control vehicles with crash damage or with necessary. energy-reliant countries globally. units to 5m vehicles used by Honda, airbag issues. Honda will not have Regulators have increased their Trinidad and Tobago’s gross Fiat Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, and enough parts for replacement for all attention after General Motors Co domestic product contracted in three other manufacturers built over vehicles until autumn. delayed the recall of 2.6m older 2015, and is forecast to shrink fur- a five-year period worldwide, wid- Fiat Chrysler said it is recalling Cobalt and other cars in 2014 linked ther this year - and possibly even ening an air bag safety crisis. 112,000 US vehicles for the same to at least 124 deaths and 275 inju- next - without a rebound in crude Continental Automotive, a unit issue, including the 2009 Dodge ries for faulty ignition switches that oil prices and changes to wean the of Germany-based Continental AG, Journey, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand prevented air bags from deploying in economy off oil and gas production. told the US National Highway Traffic Caravan and Chrysler Town and some serious crashes. Like neighboring energy pow- Safety Administration that electronic Country and 2009 Volkswagen The latest Continental recall erhouse Venezuela, Trinidad and systems built from 2006 through Routan that it had assembled for the developed over years. Tobago - the Caribbean’s top 2010 and used in 5m vehicles may German automaker. Continental said in documents exporter - has benefited from oil fail and air bags may not deploy in Fiat Chrysler has reports of filed with US regulators it received a and gas reserves that boosted rev- a crash or may inadvertently deploy as many as 25 inadvertent air bag control unit from Daimler in January enues and spending five years without warning. deployments. Continental told the 2008 after a vehicle owner com- running. Continental spokeswoman NHTSA the callback would also plained the air bag warning light had Energy accounts for about 40 Mary Arraf said the recall involved involve vehicles built by Volvo Trucks illuminated. An investigation found percent of the economy here, but between 1.5m and 2m vehicles in the North America and Mazda Motor a problem with the control unit that with crude now trading at just over United States. Corp. led to a design change in a semicon- $30 a barrel, the twin-island coun- Honda Motor Co said it is recall- Mazda was aware of Continen- ductor in 2008. try of 1.4m faces the job losses and ing 341,000 Accord models from tal’s recall and investigating and VW Continental said it built 3m units tough choices that emerging mar- 2008-2010 to replace control units did not know how many Chrysler- from 2006 until the design change kets of all sizes face over reforming linked to failures in Continental built Routan minivans are involved, and 2m after it that are covered by an economy heavily reliant on vol- systems. At least two injuries are according to company spokespeo- the recall. It did not receive any com- atile global markets. attributed to the defect. ple. The other manufacturers could plaints after another change was Cases of the Zika virus in Honda said it has received 1,575 not be reached immediately. made at the end of 2010 and com- nearby Venezuela and Barbados warranty claims, 83 field reports and This is the latest large-scale US pleted in 2011. may also crimp travel to Trinidad two confirmed injuries related to the recall related to air bag problems. To NHTSA opened an investiga- and Tobago, though it poses less defect. It also said there have been 74 date, 14 automakers have recalled tion in August after a complaint of a economic pain than to more tour- injury allegations related to air bags about 25m vehicles for air bag infla- crash in a 2008 Accord in which the ism-reliant neighbors. that did not deploy but those are not tors made by Takata Corp that could air bags did not deploy. The recession that began early Delivery workers move goods along a street in Jakarta. confirmed. rupture, emitting potentially deadly In October, Daimler’s Mercedes- last year has some anxious Trini- In one case, a parent in Belleview, metal fragments. They are linked to Benz USA unit recalled 126,000 Indonesia’s economy grew at its slowest pace in six years in dadians skipping Carnival season Florida, filed a complaint that their 10 deaths and more than 100 injuries. C-Class 2008-2009 models and 2015, data showed with plunging commodity prices and falling parties, while many of the feath- son was injured driving their 2008 NHTSA said tens of millions of certain 2010 GLK-Class vehicles to exports to key markets including China. ered and sequined costumes that Accord last March after running into other vehicles with Takata airbags address the issue. are usually sold out by New Year’s were still available in Port of Spain shops in January. “A month before Carnival, that is unheard of,” said Marla Dukha- McDonald’s edging out KFC and Pizza Hut in China revival battle ran, group economist at RBC Caribbean. In October, the newly-elected government said manufacturing Reuters A Reuters analysis of same-store reflecting underlying growth, also including Yum’s China spinoff, due before food safety crises. Same-store and the paltry agriculture and tour- sales data suggests McDonald’s is returned to growth in the second later this year. sales data reflects organic growth ism sectors were part of an “urgent recovering faster in China than larger half - but more slowly, leaving annual Yum is still the largest fast food rather than that driven by new stores. priority” to diversify the $29bn rival Yum as both seek to bounce back China sales falling for the first time. chain in China, but McDonald’s has The analysis, using same-store economy and offset “uncertain- SHANGHAI: Yum Brands Inc, the from a slew of food safety scandals Researchers and consumers said one in-built advantage: the country’s sales growth data to roughly track ties facing our energy sector.” home of KFC and Pizza Hut, is fall- dating back to 2012. there’s no simple answer to explain diners remain particularly sensitive growth since a starting point in 2011, But economists are skeptical ing behind rival McDonald’s Corp as McDonald’s said last week fourth- why McDonald’s is faring better about chicken products, which were suggests Yum’s sales are below 80 of a quick restructuring since little the pair battle to revive flagging sales quarter same-store sales in China than Yum. A weaker economy and at the heart of the scandal in 2012. percent of the level they were then. happened after energy meltdowns in China - a headache for Yum as it rose 4 percent, a second straight strengthening local rivals are among a “Hearing all the rumours about McDonald’s sales, meanwhile, are in 1986 and 2008. Many expect a looks to spin off operations in its big- quarter of growth. On Wednes- complex cocktail of issues both firms chickens, I now very rarely go to KFC back to above 95 percent of that level. 1 to 2 percent slump this year after gest market. day, Yum said its same-store sales, must deal with in future strategy, or eat McDonald’s chicken wings,” “The scandals have stuck to KFC the economy shrank by about 2 said Yang Luo 26, a sales manager much more than McDonald’s in con- percent in 2015. in Shanghai. “Hamburgers are okay, sumers’ minds,” said James Roy, Any growth next year will likely though.” Shanghai-based associate principal depend on oil. “We are blessed with Yum’s 0.4 percent sales drop at China Market Research Group. collective Alzheimer’s in Trinidad in 2015 in China, after two years A Yum spokeswoman in China, and Tobago,” said Dukharan, who of flatline growth, underlines how however, said positive same-store predicted five years of crisis would managers have struggled to repair sales growth in the second half indi- be needed to bring necessary struc- its reputation. Chinese diners once cated customers were coming back. tural changes. flocked to its outlets - as well as to “We will continue to expand in China Down 70 percent since mid- McDonald’s - helping drive revenue with a focus on our core products,” 2014, oil is not expected to rebound growth of nearly 30 percent each year she said in an email to Reuters. until later this year or early next. between 2006 and 2012. McDonald’s officials in China The rout has sent larger producers “After the food scares erupted, me didn’t respond to requests for com- such as Nigeria and Azerbaijan into and my family didn’t go for a long time ment. The problem for Yum as it looks loan discussions with the World to these fast food chains,” said Zhao to revive its growth momentum is Bank. Ruoqing, 24, a student in the western there is no single factor behind its Trinidad and Tobago’s energy- Chinese city of Chengdu. China malaise, a senior Yum execu- related revenues fell by more than “I’m not sure I totally trust either tive said. That makes life complicated half last year, prompting promises chain yet, but I now go to McDonald’s as Yum readies to split off its China of more production and explora- when I’m in a rush because I prefer business with a view to a separate tion. But job losses are growing. the atmosphere,” said Zhao, adding he listing, either in Hong Kong or the Leslie James, 39, has done more liked that the chain had maintained a United States. work scuba diving with Tobago more authentic American feel. “Everyone is looking for a silver tourists since October when his The Reuters analysis of same- bullet,” the executive said, asking not employer, US based Tidewater, store sales data suggests McDonald’s to be named as he wasn’t authorised trimmed operations supplying food is now outpacing Yum in efforts to to speak to the media. “All factors and generators to oil rigs off Trini- A McDonald’s logo is seen next to a logo of KFC in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. restore sales to the level they were at contribute - it’s a complex market.” dad’s coast. BUSINESS SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 25 Luxury and sports cars biggest draw at India auto expo

IANS Mercedes or BMW,” banker Chetan Vij said after sitting inside a few lux- ury models at the Mercedes pavilion. Audi’s long and appealing cars GREATER NOIDA: Though mid- were also the star attractions. India dle-class Indians buy cars from Test skipper Virat Kohli recently manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, launched the fastest Audi model Hyundai and Honda, they always in India - the R8 V10 Plus - and aspire to purchase the bigger and also unveiled the new A4. The two the better vehicles. cars easily proved to be the biggest This was more than evident at attractions of that hall. the India Expo Mart as hordes of Besides the German manufactur- car enthusiasts headed towards the ers, iconic American SUV brand Jeep stalls of the most expensive luxury unveiled the Wrangler and brought and sports cars at the 13th edition of in a lot of appreciative looks. the Auto Expo, being held here from Legendary names in the sports February 5 to 9. car segment - the Nissan GT-R along The pavilions of German manu- with the Chevrolet Corvette - also facturers BMW, Mercedes-Benz and drew a lot of crowds. Audi drew legions of automobile fans Expensive cars and bikes were with extremely long queues form- not the only attraction at the expo as ing outside. automobile manufacturers ensured Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar that all those attending the biennial recently launched the new BMW 7 event got their share of entertain- series and almost every car lover ment too—especially those whose wanted a piece of the beautiful and sole love is not vehicles. attractive machine. Though the Jaguars, Nissans, A model poses next to the newly launched Triumph Bonneville T120 motorcycle at the Indian Auto Expo 2016 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Along with the 7 series, several BMWs and Mercedes’ were on dis- other vehicles were on display at the play for the ogling eyes at the India on the outskirts of New Delhi, India, on Thursday. BMW pavilion and left aficionados Expo Mart, other draws included drooling over them. several virtual gaming centres, on- a public relations professional, told “The device reads the electrical the pockets when ballet dancers took There was also a ball-tricks per- The newly-unveiled BMW X1 the-spot drama performances and IANS as his son Rehan was busy rac- signals produced by our brain. Using to the stage. formance in synchronisation to the drew a lot of enthusiasts, who were lucky draws among several other ing in the simulator. those signals we have given them Honda Cars India also brought amazement of the crowd, drawing a eager to check out the exteriors as attractions as the show opened to the Similarly, Tata Motors, Maruti concentration scores which then in from Japan their famed human- lot of “oohs” and “aahs”. well as interiors of the sports utility public for five days here on Friday. Suzuki and Hyundai have also set move the cars automatically, mean- oid robot, Asimo, which can perform American manufacturer Chevro- vehicle (SUV). Japanese car firm Nissan had up many virtual gaming centres and ing the more you focus the more the dance steps. On Thursday, they intro- let has put up small football centres The longest queue was probably placed their GT-R simulators which enthusiasts were waiting in long cars move,” a volunteer at the cen- duced 15-year old Nihal Bitla, who where children as well as their par- seen at the pavilion of market-leader drew huge crowds. While the fathers queues to get their chance to play tre said on condition of anonymity suffers from progeria, a debilitat- ents took a few shots at the goal. Mercedes-Benz. Automobile fans were busy admiring the iconic Nis- the videogames. as he was not authorised to speak on ing disease which advances ageing, A couple of theatre groups also were more than eager to check out san GT-R sports car, their sons were South Korean automotive maker behalf of the company. to Asimo. Nihal, based in Bhiwandi, drew crowds as they performed the open-top S-Class Cabriolet and racing them in virtual simulators. Hyundai has put up a unique gaming The large Honda pavilion also Maharashtra had expressed a desire stand-up dramas on social issues. dashing SUV GLC. “It is good they have put these centre called NeuroSky MindWave drew a number of people with its to meet Asimo. Popular eateries have also set up “I drive a Honda City. If I make up. Many families have come and in which the “power of the mind” music and dance show. Professional Tata Motors put up large posters shop and hordes of people headed enough money some day, I will def- I am sure not all family members pushed toy cars forward on an elec- dancers performed in groups and the of footballing great Lionel Messi, the to them for their favourite burgers, initely buy a sports car, preferably a are interested in cars,” Umair Iqbal, trical racing platform. mobile phone cameras came out of company’s global brand ambassador. chicken dishes and coffees.

Audi labour boss presses for China P2P investors culture change face $7.6bn losses

Reuters AFP was Zhang Min, the president of Ezubao’s parent firm, who said its products were better and safer than GERMANY: Audi’s labour boss said other assets. he will “hold management respon- SHANGHAI: When Wang Dehong In a television advertisement also sible” for adopting a new leadership saw the female boss of a Chinese shown on CCTV, Zhang appeared in culture, raising pressure on the lux- online lender interviewed on state a white jacket and tan skirt with a ury carmaker to implement change television CCTV, promising both slogan urging investors to “have suc- as it grapples with its emissions safety and high returns, the stay-at- cess” with Ezubao. scandal. home mum thought she had found Clad in an orange prison uni- Audi submitted a plan this week her ideal investment. form, a tearful Zhang said in a to US authorities to fix about eighty So she put her savings of 180,000 broadcast on the same television thousand 3.0 litre diesel cars that yuan ($27,000) into the financial network on Monday: “It was a typ- were found evading emissions lim- products of Ezubao, or “easy rent ical Ponzi scheme.” its and keeps pushing a probe into treasure”, one of hundreds of peer- Such public confessions while the scandal after suspending two to-peer (P2P) lending firms in China in custody are a regular event in engineers last November. that match lenders and borrowers Communist-ruled China, with crit- Audi’s labour leaders have long through the Internet. ics saying there is no way to tell Tata Motors’ new hatchback car “Zica’ is seen at the Indian Auto Expo 2016 in Greater Noida. been calling for a new leadership For six months, she received reg- whether the detainee is speaking culture by making it more open, ular messages on her smart phone under duress. less hierarchical, and by promot- showing payments into her Ezubao Police quoted by state media said ing greater trust among workers account, earning her as much as 12.8 Ezubao concocted fake projects to and managers. “Now we also want percent annually—far more than she attract investment and pocketed Tata Motors invites suggestions a thorough implementation” of new could hope to get from a bank. funds instead of passing them to leadership principles, Audi works Now the firm has collapsed, borrowers to generate a return. council chief Peter Mosch said in an with police saying it bilked 900,000 One officer describing the firm as a to rename its hatchback ‘Zica’ interview. “I am really holding man- investors out of $7.6bn—among the swindle that moved money from the agement responsible.” biggest financial frauds in recent operator’s “left pocket” to its “right US regulators said in Novem- history. pocket”. ber that Audi used undeclared The state broadcaster this week China has nearly 2,600 platforms IANS lucky contestant” whose selection Great” campaign, with the motto— auxiliary software to allow Audi, paraded some of the 21 arrested described as P2P businesses, accord- matches the final name, stands a “What drives us from within is what Porsche and VW vehicles to emit executives involved with Ezubao— ing to website www.wdzj.com which chance to win the car (if within India) makes us great.” excess emissions. including the same executive it tracks the industry, with transactions or win a reward of equal value if The new car is being showcased The 3.0 litre diesel engine was interviewed in May last year—con- valued at around $150bn last year. MUMBAI: Automobile major Tata located outside India. publicly for the first time at the ongo- designed by Audi at its factory in fessing the business was nothing The sector has created a source Motors yesterday invited sugges- The company is conducting the ing Auto Expo 2016 in Greater Noida. Neckarsulm, Germany. “Appreci- more than a “Ponzi scheme”. of funding for small, private firms, tions on a new name for its hatchback activity on social media and mobile “While it will carry the ‘Zica’ ative and trustful leadership is a The scandal highlights both poor which are typically shut out of the which was earlier brought in as Zica. platforms like Facebook, Twitter, SMS label for the duration of the event key part of corporate culture,” said regulation in the world’s biggest P2P state-dominated banking system. The company initiated the and WhatsApp. (Auto Expo), the new name will Mosch who also sits on the super- market, and how China’s small inves- But the area is poorly regulated process through crowd-sourcing On Tuesday, automobile major be announced after a few weeks, visory boards of VW and Audi. tors fail to recognise financial risk. and some Chinese P2P companies activity—“#Fantastico Name Hunt.” decided to rename its soon-to-be ensuring all necessary consumer/ Separately, Mosch urged manage- With China’s one-year bank operate without licences and use “The company will be looking launched hatchback, whose ‘Zica’ branding and regulatory aspects ment to help train workers amid the deposit rate now standing at just 1.5 offline methods to find lenders and forward to suggestions from its fans name was derived from “Zippy Car”. are addressed, and the launch will increasing web-connectedness of percent and few choices for invest- borrowers, unlike platforms in other and audiences around the world to ‘Zica’ unfortunately turned out to be take place thereafter,” the statement traditional industry, dubbed “Indus- ment in the face of a volatile stock countries, experts say. share what they think should be the similar to the “Zika” virus that has added. trie 4.0” in Germany, and said robots market, declining currency and weak “Regulations have typically been name of the car,” the automobile burst upon the world scene recently The Zika virus, native to parts may carry out more specialised property values, customers flocked slow to react to new forms of online major said in a statement. and assumed epidemic proportions of Africa and Asia, has for the first functions even when interacting to Ezubao’s “guaranteed” return of finance so that new companies are, According to the company, it in South America. time been introduced into the Amer- with humans. principal and interest rates of 9.0 to in effect, allowed several years of expects to receive suggestion entries “Empathising with the hardships icas where it is spreading locally “We will reach a point in coming 14.6 percent. unregulated growth and develop- through its social media channels being caused by the recent Zika virus among people who have not trav- years where certain jobs will dis- “It all looked very reliable, com- ment before officials begin clamping over the next three days. outbreak across many countries, Tata elled abroad. There is currently no appear and likewise new ones will pared with the rest of the investment down,” non-profit organisation Posi- “The hunt for the new name will Motors, as a socially responsible com- vaccine against the virus or antivi- emerge,” he said. “We must tell this channels I saw,” said Wang, the tive Planet said in a report in August. end today,” the statement pointed out. pany, has decided to re-brand the ral treatment. to workers now and tie them in.” mother of a five-year-old son, who Even so, Ezubao was authorised “The company will further short- car,” the company said. More than 22 countries in the Mosch also said Audi will keep has turned back to the Internet to sell by regulators. Dozens of its investors list these entries for viewers to vote The automobile manufac- Americas have reported the sporadic hiring this year in production and shrimp from her native Shandong from across the country protested for their favourite name.” The com- turer elaborated that the new car Zika virus infections, indicating its administration, echoing optimism province at 64 yuan a kilogramme to in Beijing on Thursday, demanding pany elaborated that “one of the is backed by Tata Motors’ “Made of rapid geographic expansion. by management. make ends meet. CCTV’s interviewee authorities pay back their losses. 26 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS Chinese yuan to fall further but no big devaluation: Poll

in the yuan by end-2016,” said Jason since early September 2010. Almost a Daw, head of Asian FX strategy at Soci- fifth of the respondents in the survey China currently ete Generale. predicted the yuan would breach 7.00 holds $3.33 trillion “We think the Chinese government to the dollar in a year and the lowest can probably get capital outflows largely forecast was 8.00. in currency reserves, under control, which would then require But the outlook for the dollar itself is about the size of less selling of foreign exchange reserves uncertain, due to doubts over the Fed- to manage the currency.” eral Reserve’s next interest rate hike. the UK economy. Its The yuan, also known as the ren- A strong majority of analysts who holdings are projected minbi, has lost over 1 percent so far answered an extra question in the to have fallen by over this year and is down almost 6 percent survey, 28 of 36, said the PBoC was since early August, when the People’s unlikely to devalue the yuan sharply $100bn in January, Bank of China devalued it. before mid-year. “The potential cost of according to a Since then, the yuan’s fortunes a sharp devaluation, in terms of mount- have been among the main sources ing depreciation pressure and capital Reuters poll of financial market speculation and flight, could be tremendous. Unless they turmoil, compounded by growing con- lose the ability to intervene, which is not cerns about the underlying health of completely impossible, they wouldn’t China’s slowing economy. go for devaluation,” said Amy Zhuang, Reuters While no one can predict with any analyst at Nordea. real conviction what exactly Beijing’s Societe Generale estimates about next moves will be, foreign exchange $657bn of investor money has left China experts both inside and outside China since mid-2014. The PBoC would be BEIJING: The Chinese yuan will slide expect the yuan to weaken. unable to defend the yuan for more to a multi-year low in the coming 12 They forecast the yuan to trade than two to three quarters if that rate months based on expectations of more around 6.60 a dollar by the end of Feb- of capital flight continues, they argue. US 100-dollar banknotes and Chinese 100-yuan banknotes are seen in Beijing. China’s foreign exchange monetary policy easing, continued out- ruary and then fall steadily to 6.72 by China currently holds $3.33 trillion flows of capital and further pressure end-July and further to 6.80 by end-Jan- in currency reserves, about the size of reserves remain abundant despite recent declines and risks from cross-border capital movements are under from a relatively strong dollar, accord- uary next year. Although that 12-month the UK economy. Its holdings are pro- control, the country’s foreign exchange regulator said. ing to a Reuters poll. consensus is just about 4 percent lower jected to have fallen by over $100bn in But the survey of over 50 currency than Friday’s trading rate of 6.56, it January, according to a Reuters poll, as the currency steadily trading lower to yuan-dominated capital pools, to sta- Friday, dragged by the Chinese yuan. strategists taken this week suggested is the weakest median since compa- the PBoC stepped into currency markets calm jittery investors concerned of its bilise the exchange rate. The Indian rupee is forecast to fall a sharp depreciation of the yuan, at rable polling on the currency began to buy the yuan in the face of relent- intentions. The poll also predicted the South only slightly over the coming year on least by June, was unlikely. three years ago. less selling by investors. Beijing has also imposed meas- Korean won would lose about 2 per- expectations that the Reserve Bank “Our base case scenario is for a If the forecast is proved correct, it The PBoC has fixed higher mid- ured capital controls, such as imposing cent to trade around 1,215 per dollar in of India (RBI) will cut interest rates at gradual and controlled depreciation would mark the lowest level for the yuan points for the yuan in recent days despite limits on cross-border flows from the next twelve months from 1,195 on least once more this year.

Lukoil’s plans in Poland HSBC to pay $601m Budgetary hopes and global for shoddy US data to steer Indian rupee mortgage practices AFP

IANS government may increase expenditure, positive liquidity coming in from the WASHINGTON: British banking announce tax concessions and pave PBoC (People’s Bank of China), which giant HSBC is to pay more than the way to reduce the non-perform- has also put in certain restrictions. $600m to US authorities for its ing assets (NPAs) level of the banking Sharma predicted that markets abusive mortgage lending and MUMBAI: Expectations of cheering sector. will keenly await for domestic budget. foreclosure practices in the hous- budgetary announcements, coupled Expectations are rife that the cen- “We will continue to hold rupee in ing market, officials said. with global macro-data and a rebound tral government may be able to at least the range from 68.20/25 to 67.50/30 HSBC, Europe’s biggest bank, will in commodity prices are expected to get the new bankruptcy code passed in very near term,” Sharma added. pay $470m to settle the allegations steer the Indian rupee’s trajectory in during the upcoming budget session. On a weekly basis, the rupee by the US government, 49 states and the coming week, experts said yes- “There are expectations from the strengthened by 14 paise at 67.64-65 the District of Columbia, the Justice terday. budget side, especially for announce- (February 5) to a US dollar from its Department said in a statement. Global-macro data such as the Chi- ments on the banking system. Any previous close of 67.78-79 to a green- “This agreement is the result of nese Forex reserves data expected to be good news will contain the volatility back (January 29). a coordinated effort between fed- announced today can make or break in the rupee,” Banerjee noted. However, the Indian rupee eral and state partners to hold HSBC the week for all emerging markets According to other market remained weak through-out the period accountable for abusive mortgage (EMs) currencies, especially the rupee. observers, rupee’s value is expected under review. The weakness in the practices,” said Stuart Delery, act- “Today’s Chinese Forex data will to strengthen further in-line with a India rupee’s value indicates the mas- ing associate attorney general, in the give an idea about how much has rebound in crude oil prices. sive outflow of foreign funds from the statement. been spent on keeping yuan and the Crude oil prices have slightly equity and debt markets. Separately, the Federal Reserve Chinese markets liquidated. If a posi- edged-up to above $32 per barrel The National Securities Depository announced it had fined HSBC $131m, tive set of numbers come out, then we from its recent lows of $26-$27. Limited (NSDL) figures showed that the maximum allowable by law, for can expect a rally in all EM curren- “Crude seems to be rebalancing the FPIs (Foreign Portfolio Investors) “deficiencies in residential mort- cies, especially the rupee,” Anindya here at current levels. And a price rise bought Rs.2,568.58 crore or $379.87m gage loan servicing and foreclosure Banerjee, associate vice president for can only lift market sentiments going in the equity and debt markets from processing.” currency derivatives with Kotak Secu- forward. Also, US Fed Advisor’s state- February 1-5. Under the settlement agreement, rities, said. ment that rate hikes will be slow due In contrast, data with stock HSBC will pay $370m in consumer According to Banerjee, Friday’s to global weakness has supported the exchanges disclosed that the FPIs relief by July to help homeowners US non-farm payroll data will act as markets as well,” sold stocks worth Rs.940.71 crore in struggling with their mortgages. an amplifier to the effects of the Chi- “Fortunately China markets are the week under review. Part of the amount will be used to nese Forex figures. closed from February 8-12, and some On technical levels, dollar-rupee reduce the amount of principal owed “If it is a positive Chinese figures, calmness will prevail. And unless pair showed a critical support at 67.50 by homeowners at risk of default. A Lukoil petrol station in Poznan, Poland. Russia’s Lukoil oil then the US data will support the rally, there is a continuity in Yuan weak- to a US dollar. “A rally towards 68.20/25 The bank also will pay $100m, company said that they will sell 230 fuel stations in Poland and or else it will act as an additional damp- ness, markets will have a breather can be expected. Only a close below including $59.3m that will go into a the Baltic states to Austria’s AMIC Energy Management. The ener,” Banerjee elaborated. going forward.” 67.50 will lead to fresh selling in USD/ fund run by the states to help borrow- deal is expected to be finalised in the second quarter of 2016. Besides, currency market partic- Further, the Chinese Yuan has been INR spot,” Hemal Doshi, Chief Cur- ers who lost their homes to foreclosure ipants are hopeful that the central holding on a steady trajectory with rency Strategist, Geofin Comtrade, said. between 2008 and 2012. Sri Lanka requests IMF bailout Portugal cuts package to tackle budget deficit deficit target LISBON: Portugal said that it had cut its budget deficit target for 2016 to 2.2 AFP The IMF, which sent a mission this week to percent of gross domestic product (GDP) review Sri Lanka’s economy, said yesterday it had from a previously announced target of warned the authorities they should make a “stronger 2.6 percent. effort” to immediately reduce the budget deficit. The government — under pressure COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has made a formal “The mission has advised the government from Brussels to adopt more austerity request for an IMF bailout package to aid its to urgently make a stronger effort to narrow the — also cut its GDP growth forecast to struggling economy after a sharp slowdown fiscal deficit and put the public finances on a sus- 1.8 percent for this year from 2.1 per- in growth and with its budget deficit widen- tainable path,” the IMF said in a statement. cent previously, Finance Minister Mario ing, officials said yesterday. Sri Lanka’s government sought an IMF bail- Centeno said at the presentation of his The International Monetary Fund confirmed out immediately after taking power in January draft budget. the island nation had asked for assistance, but did last year but the fund turned down the request, “It’s a responsible budget which not give details on the value of a potential pro- saying the country’s reserves were at a comfort- respects our international commit- gramme or say whether it would grant the request. able level. ments but it’s also a different budget “The IMF has received a request for a pro- It received $2.6bn from the IMF in 2009 to which shows that there is an alternative” gramme with Sri Lanka,” the fund said in a boost its financial reserves, which had dropped to an austerity policy, he said. statement from its headquarters in Washington DC. below $1bn at the height of fighting between Tamil The European Commission on Fri- Sri Lanka enjoyed a blistering economic growth Tiger rebels and government forces. day approved Portugal’s draft budget for rate averaging more than 8.0 percent for two years The IMF also said yesterday that it had warned 2016 but warned that more efforts would after a prolonged civil war ended in 2009. of rising debt levels saying the Sri Lankan gov- be needed by the socialist-led govern- But the pace of expansion has since slowed, ernment had been unable to keep to its budget ment to avoid a breach of EU rules on falling to 4.8 percent in the third quarter of 2015, deficit target last year and that it was unlikely to spending. Portugal received a massive according to official data. meet it in 2016. international debt bailout in 2011 that Portuguese Finance Minister Mario Centeno (left) receives documents from Under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told “These imbalances are also set against an saved it from defaulting, but in return parliament last month that he was keen on nego- increasingly less benign external environment,” the country had to introduce a string Secretary of State of Budget Joao Leao before a press conference to present the tiating an IMF bailout to deal with the fallout of the statement said. “Set against such risks, the of austerity measures. The Portuguese state budget in Lisbon. Portugal said it had cut its budget deficit target for 2016 to a global economic downturn on his country of mission emphasised the urgent need for Sri Lanka government pledged to implement addi- 2.2 percent of gross national product (GDP) from a previous target of 2.6 percent, 21m people. to bolster its economic defences.” tional measures to save ¤1.1bn. announced last month. BUSINESS VIEWS SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 27

Growth, migration Payment delays and stock build worries put EU deficit rules to new test bleed cash from corporate China

By Jan Strupczewski Sapin did not address the struc- Reuters tural deficit cuts, but stressed that Paris would deliver on its head- line deficit obligations. lmost half of euro zone “France will bring the defi- countries are facing a clash cit below 3 percent in 2017, as Aover EU deficit reduction it promised,” Sapin said in a rules unless they change policies, statement. European Commission forecasts During the debt crisis, when showed, posing a challenge to EU many euro zone economies were laws that set limits on spending to hardly growing or in recession, protect the value of the euro. the Commission emphasised the The rules, sharpened dur- structural balance of government ing the sovereign debt crisis that books, because it was not depend- threatened the very existence ent on the economic cycle. of the single currency, are now Now that almost all euro zone under pressure because of the countries have returned to growth, migration crisis, which is putting the EU executive arm has shifted a new strain on public finances of focus back to the nominal deficit, several countries. often easier to bring down without Governments also argue that major structural reforms. they need to spend more on secu- Italy, while safely below 3 per- rity following the attacks in Paris cent with its headline deficit, will in November and many say they see an increase in its structural need to use the public purse to gap to 1.7 percent of GDP this year stimulate domestic demand and from 1.0 percent in 2015. EU rules investment to accelerate medio- call for a minimum 0.5 percent cre economic growth. reduction every year. Yet EU rules oblige govern- Rome’s structural deficit A man is seen from inside the offices of a subcontractor company as he walks through the construction site of Zixia Garden ments to keep the headline deficit is to ease only to 1.4 percent in below 3 percent of gross domes- 2017, again below the minimum development complex in Qianan, Tangshan City, Hebei province, China. tic product and every year cut the required cut. structural gap, which excludes the Spain, still without a govern- effects of the business cycle and ment after inconclusive elections By James Pomfret and Umesh Desai involuntarily funding their customers for 112 one-offs, until their books reach in December, was asked to cut its Reuters days, up from 76. structural balance. headline deficit to 4.2 percent in “The rate of growth of receivables has If they fail to do so, they face 2015. But the Commission’s fore- exceeded sales growth in the industrial a disciplinary procedure in which casts showed it missed that target sector for the past few years... The picture EU finance ministers set deficit recording a 4.8 percent gap. f, as the adage has it, turnover is van- one gets from data is that this is a nagging reduction targets and deadlines Madrid was asked to take the ity, profit is sanity, but cash is reality, problem,” said Cliff Tan, Bank of Tokyo-Mit- The Reuters analysis, for them. The process can end deficit down to 2.8 percent this a Reuters analysis of working capital subishi UFJ analyst. up in fines. To be able to react year, but unless policies change at 1,200 Chinese firms shows much of “One sign that the problem is worsening which covered all before it is too late, the Commis- it will end up with a 3.6 percent corporate China is hurtling towards a is the emergence of funky shadow banking companies on the sion, which is the guardian of EU shortfall, the Commission said. Ireality check. products, because of a lack of access to more law, issues forecasts for the econ- Structurally, Spain’s deficit has As China’s economy hits its slowest traditional banking products,” adds Tan. Shanghai and Shenzhen omies of the 28-nation EU three been rising since 2014 rather than growth in 25 years, businesses are finding At the sharp end is Danny Lau, boss of bourses with a market times a year, projecting key indi- falling. Spain’s acting economy ever more cash tied up in unsold stock and a construction panel factory in Dalang, a cators such as growth, inflation, minister, Luis de Guindos, said it unpaid invoices as industry shirks the pain factory town in the southern province of value of more than $500 budget deficits and debt. was too early to assess whether of trimming capacity and struggling cus- Guangdong, which makes around a quar- million, shows that on The latest forecasts showed the 2015 goal would be missed, tomers take longer to pay. ter of China’s exports. that the euro zone’s second big- adding that the main uncertainty KPMG China partner Fergal Power, who His construction firm clients have pres- average they wait about gest economy France, which has a was the country’s autonomous specialises in distressed companies, says sured him to take lower downpayments than 59 days to be paid by deadline to cut its headline budget regions, which have overspent most Chinese companies prioritised market the usual 20 percent, and to extend repay- customers, compared gap to 2.8 percent in 2017, will in recent years. share and revenue growth in the boom years, ment times, tightening his cash flow and instead have a deficit of 3.2 percent Portugal, where a social- with “less discipline magnifying the risks to his business. with 37 days in 2011 next year, unless it takes action. ist government has taken over in managing working “One client said he’d write a three- The Commission has been last November, is also in trou- capital in China than month forward-dated cheque, but when calling on France to acceler- ble, because it was supposed to we have seen in other I got it, it was for six months,” he said, as ate structural reforms to boost cut its headline deficit to 2.5 per- markets”. fork lifts trundled by with stacks of freshly growth and cut spending, but cent already last year, but instead The Reuters analysis, spray-painted red panels. Lau has been that is politically difficult for Paris, ended up with a 4.2 percent gap. which covered all com- forced in turn to delay paying some of too, especially for industrials, where they which faces presidential elections Without policy changes, it panies on the Shanghai his 50 or so downstream suppliers in the rose to 26.5 percent of sales from 22.7 per- next year. will not bring its deficit below 3 and Shenzhen bourses Pearl River Delta, dubbed the Factory of cent, and technology companies, where In structural terms, EU percent this year either and its with a market value of the World. they grew to 23.7 percent from 20.9 percent. finance ministers asked France structural deficit is also rising more than $500 million, Two of Lau’s rivals have already gone When cash is tied up in assets, it has last year to reduce the deficit by sharply, rather than falling as As China’s economy shows that on average bust, he said, and his firm’s cash reserves direct consequences on the shop floor. 0.5 percent of GDP in 2015, but it should. Lisbon is negotiating hits its slowest growth they wait about 59 days had now been almost exhausted, forcing him Yang Jiafen, a labour broker in Dong- the Commission estimated the cut changes to the 2016 budget with in 25 years, businesses to be paid by customers, to borrow to buy raw materials and service guan, said firms have been increasingly was only 0.2 percent. the Commission to avoid having compared with 37 days fresh orders. unable to sustain wages for a large perma- The forecasts said the reduc- the draft formally sent back for are finding ever more in 2011. “If this continues, a lot more companies nent workforce, so 80 percent of workers tion in the structural deficit in re-working. cash tied up in unsold For some sectors and factories will collapse,” he added. she now recruits for Pearl River Delta fac- 2016 in France will be only 0.4 But not only southern Euro- the picture has dete- “Many of these companies are hugely tories are on temporary contracts, up from percent—half of what EU min- pean countries have problems stock and unpaid riorated much more leveraged and seeing a sharp slowdown in around 70 percent a year ago. isters asked—and the gap will sticking to structural deficit invoices as industry sharply; energy compa- demand,” said London-based Sanjiv Shah, Temps have fewer labour rights and actually rise 0.2 percent next year reduction rules. The Commis- nies now wait 80 days, up Chief Investment Officer at Sun Global benefits than permanent staff and are paid rather than fall by 0.9 percent as sion expects Austria, which cut shirks the pain of from 24. For industrials, Investments. “So this means they’ll be fac- lower hourly rates. asked by the EU. the structural gap to 0.3 percent trimming capacity and which already waited 61 ing huge growth in inventories, plus what Jong Hsu, the Taiwanese owner of Asink Commenting on the forecasts, last year, to increase it to 1.0 per- days to get paid in 2011, customers are left will be demanding better Corporation, a small factory in nearby French Finance Minister Michel cent this year. struggling customers that has climbed to 94, and longer credit terms so payments receiv- Huangjiang making cooling panels for LCD take longer to pay while information tech- able will increase.” televisions, said he wouldn’t pay a year-end nology companies are Inventories have gone up over the period, bonus to his 50 staff this year. Doubting India’s ‘fastest-growing’ GDP stats, economists devise their own

By Rafael Nam and Asia’s third-largest economy is doing well economy in the world,” said Ritika suffered two consecutive dry years. Rajesh Kumar Singh at a time when firms report poor sales, Mankar Mukherjee, an Ambit economist “Demand is very weak because Reuters bank lending is slow and investment is in Mumbai. farmers’ income has been squeezed by weak. “No matter how you cut it, while there drought,” said a Mahindra and Mahindra “It doesn’t feel like we are growing are certain segments of the economy tractor dealer in Aurangabad, in the state rom rural motorbike sales to rail at 7-8 percent,” said one official familiar holding up such as IT or e-commerce, of Maharashtra, who reckons his sales freight, economists and even the with the Reserve Bank of India’s research large parts of the economy are actually are down more than 20 percent from a Fcentral bank are devising their own methods. slowing down.” year ago. ways to measure Indian growth. Like other economists, the RBI is Economists have drawn on techniques Ashish Kumar, who recently retired as Their verdict? It’s a good deal weaker now turning to hybrid models that mix used by colleagues covering China, where the head of India’s statistics office, says than official data showing India to be the elements of the old and new GDP methods GDP figures are widely suspected to have economists are using the wrong gauges world’s most dynamic big economy. to get a better feel for the underlying been smoothed for years by its communist to understand data that measures value Doubts about the accuracy of India’s health of the economy. rulers to underpin popular faith in their addition. gross domestic product figures persist a The RBI looks at two-wheeler sales, economic stewardship. “You have to understand that the new The new data is a year after its statisticians unveiled new car sales, rail freight, and consumer Ambit looks at criteria such as motor GDP data essentially captures efficiency,” readings they say better capture value goods sales in rural areas “to get a better vehicle sales, power demand, and imports he said. “Comparing it with volume-based headache too for Finance addition down the goods and services understanding of the ground realities”, of capital goods to determine the real rate indicators would be a mistake.” Minister Arun Jaitley, who supply chain. this official said. of expansion. Meanwhile, Citigroup has RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has Under the new methodology, The new data is a headache too for developed a heat map of 18 economic also endorsed the new GDP readings, faces tough choices in economists expect India will report GDP Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who faces activities including two-wheeler sales, saying sliding input costs are offsetting his February 29 budget growth of 7.3 percent tomorrow for the tough choices in his February 29 budget air traffic, and diesel sales. shrinking corporate revenues and inflat- over whether to hike October-December quarter, according over whether to hike borrowing and Downbeat assessments of growth ing value-addition. Put more simply, sales to a Reuters poll. That’s a touch slower spending to compensate for the sluggish would more closely correspond with may be slow but profits are rising. borrowing and spending than the previous quarter but comfortably private sector. trends under the old GDP calculation Still, the statistics office is readying to compensate for the surpasses the 6.8 percent growth posted By its own proprietary measure, method that until a year ago showed India tools to better capture services sector data by China. Ambit Capital estimates the economy may experiencing the longest spell of sub-5 for GDP calculations and supplement it sluggish private sector While that number appears strong, have grown an annualised 5 to 6 percent percent growth in a quarter of a century. with employment generation data. the lack of a historical series - still in the in the October-December quarter. The slowdown is especially “Once we have all these data points, works - makes it hard to conclude that “India is not the fastest growing pronounced in rural areas, which have we will get a better picture,” said Kumar. 28 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 BUSINESS BACK TO BUSINESS

Sharp shows Japan Inc may be sight more open to foreign interest The answer to old ‘rent or buy?’ By Takashi Umekawa and Emi Emoto Reuters question is your call

f Sharp Corp’s rescue plans are Noah Smith for you to find a new work in the anything to go by, Japan’s insu- Bloomberg area, also tends to cut the value lar technology sector is finally of your house. So owning a house opening up to foreign investors, makes it more likely that eve- spurred by a shift in political rything will go wrong in your Ithinking and a drive for improved hould you buy a house or financial life at the same time. corporate governance. rent? It’s one of the most The third big downside of Battered by losses in display pan- Scontentious topics among owning is mobility. Selling a house els even after two bank bailouts, economists and econ writers, takes time and money, making Sharp has opted for Taiwan’s Fox- and there’s still no general agree- it inconvenient to move — espe- conn as its preferred suitor, paving ment. Recently, it was the subject cially if you need to sell the old the way for the biggest foreign take- of an online debate between Alex house to raise the money to buy a over of a Japanese tech company — at Tabarrok of George Mason Uni- new one in a different place. This around $5.6bn. versity and Timothy B Lee of Vox. exacerbates the danger of get- Japanese policymakers, espe- Tabarrok gives reasons why rent- ting caught in a local economic cially bureaucrats at the Ministry of ing is the right financial move, slump — the exact time when you Economy, Trade and Industry which and Lee counters with reasons need to move to find a new job supervises the Innovation Network why buying is smart. will be the time it’s the most dif- Corp of Japan (INCJ), initially hoped If you really want to own a ficult to do so. the fund would buy Sharp and bro- house, buy a house. If it isn’t very Some of the reasons usu- ker multiple mergers among weaker important for you to own a house, ally given for owning a home domestic tech companies, said people don’t do it just for the supposed are actually just reasons to buy with knowledge of the matter. financial benefits. With this rule REITs. People like Lee point out But, over time, those close to of thumb, you can avoid all the that houses have lower returns Prime Minister Shinzo Abe set aside shareholders. Japanese firms have said Takatoshi Itoshima, chief port- complicated back-and-forth and than stocks, but they also have concerns about Sharp’s technology long been criticised for neglecting folio manager at Commons Asset probably get the decision right. lower risk, because their prices falling under foreign ownership, and their stockholders. Management. But anyway, on to the pros and fluctuate less than stock prices. warmed to the idea that a Foxconn That focus played a part in per- “The move can boost investor cons, which are interesting to House prices are also not per- deal could help Japan boost foreign suading Sharp’s board, which may confidence ... foreign investors may think about. fectly correlated with stocks, so direct investment, political sources otherwise have sought to please increasingly feel it’s worth investing The main reason to rent is they can actually help diversify. said. Abe has said he wants to double trade ministry officials, to opt for in the Japanese market.” diversification. When you own But both of these are arguments Japan’s inbound foreign direct invest- the higher, and foreign, offer. “We There will still, though, be parts a house, a huge chunk of your in favour of buying not one house, ment to 35 trillion yen ($300bn) by finally saw a situation in which Sharp of Japan Inc that are off-limits to wealth is tied up in a single asset. If but a small piece of many houses 2020. realised it needs to be accountable foreign buyers — including some tele- your town has an economic slump, scattered across the city, state or A person close to Abe said Nis- to shareholders, and would need to communications technology and that or if local zoning laws change, or nation — in other words, shares san Motor Co’s turnaround following take offers into serious consideration related to possible use by military Japan’s push to if there’s a pollution incident your in a REIT. a 1999 rescue by French automaker even from overseas,” said a mergers intelligence, such as sensors. attract foreign home’s value will go down, tak- Homeownership isn’t without Renault was raised as a positive and acquisitions banker. But sectors such as house- ing your net worth with it. But if true upsides, of course. It means example. “Nissan’s corporate culture Singapore-based activist fund, hold appliances, struggling against investment included you rent, and you invest the extra you don’t have to pay rent each may have changed, but its perform- Effissimo Capital Management, urged cheaper Asian rivals, are likely to a corporate money in a diversified portfo- month. Rent itself can be highly ance didn’t deteriorate after that Sharp last month to explain clearly attract more foreign interest. governance code lio of financial assets — stocks, volatile and homeownership deal,” the person said, also citing the to shareholders how it would decide The INCJ had been expecting to bonds, real estate investment defrays this risk. “Wimbledon Effect”, a mixed econ- between the offers from Foxconn, broker a deal between Sharp’s house- to encourage board trusts — you will be safe from Notice that except for avoiding omy/tennis analogy highlighting formally known as Hon Hai Preci- hold appliances business and that of members to be local shocks like that. rent volatility, most of the points Britain’s success in attracting for- sion Industry, and the INCJ, then the Toshiba Corp, which was hit by an Homeownership also puts in favour of homeownership are eign talent while producing few of frontrunner. accounting scandal last year. held accountable you in double jeopardy if you psychological, not financial. The its own champions. The vote by Sharp’s board on Toshiba CEO Masashi Muromachi to shareholders. lose your job. Since both house only really good reason to buy “Opening doors the way the UK Thursday to go with the Foxconn said he hadn’t entirely given up on prices and local labour markets a house is if you want to own a did is one way of bolstering an econ- talks spurred a 29 percent jump in a deal with Sharp, but remains Japanese firms have are tied to the local economy, the house. No financial planner can omy,” the person said. Sharp shares over two days. open-minded. long been criticised same slump that cost you your tell you what price to put on your Japan’s push to attract foreign “Sharp’s decision to choose Hon “If that doesn’t pan out, a sale job, and which makes it harder dream. investment included a corporate Hai over a state-backed fund sent to a foreign manufacturer is also for neglecting their governance code to encourage board a message to foreign investors that an option,” he told reporters on stockholders members to be held accountable to it left the decision to the market,” Thursday.

It’s frightening to see major financial stocks trading Capital at prices below their financial crisis levels. Stocks Jeffrey Gundlach,founder prices of powerhouse banks Credit Suisse and and chief executive officer of Comment Deutsche Bank are lower than they were in 2009. DoubleLine Capital LP

TOP TWEETS BLOGS AND VIEWS Market Talk ECB reveals $547bn Christine Lagarde @ Wealth Adviser in central bank assets Lagarde Strong policy actions NAME IN THE MARKET: CHINA ACQUISITIONS by emerging & Bloomberg quantitative easing programme advanced economies Exchange-Traded Notes — the increase in the total level are a win-win for the face a popularity problem. of holdings during the sovereign global economy ETNs never caught on with debt crisis has led to accusa- FRANKFURT: The euro area’s tions that national authorities investors in a big way— Qatar Tourism @ 19 national central banks hold were printing money to serve the market value of ETNs investment assets worth almost their own governments, a prac- QTACorporate half a trillion euros, according tice that would be illegal under 47 of Qatar’s hotels are outstanding was $20.8bn at to previously secret information European law. joining us to celebrate the end of 2015, compared published by the European Cen- ANFA sets quotas for each #QatarInMotion tral Bank in Frankfurt. country and aims to prevent with $2.12 trillion in ETFs The ECB set out details of national central banks’ invest- the so-called Agreement on Net ment activity from interfering Financial Assets, a document with monetary policy. Moody’s Ratings News @ signed before the introduction “Although ANFA was previ- DealB%k of the euro a decade and a half ously a confidential document, MoodysRatings ago that regulated how the pre- the ECB and the national central Moody’s B3 Nega- viously independent national banks of the Eurosystem took tive List hits six-year central banks would manage the unanimous decision that high, signaling a rise in Online lender Ezubao took their holdings of foreign cur- publishing the text along with defaults for 2016 rencies and bonds. While some an explanatory document would $7.6bn in Ponzi scheme. of those national authorities better serve their commitment The online company, once have still to publish their indi- to greater transparency,” the Bank of America News @ a dynamo of the industry, vidual accounts, the ECB said ECB said. the outstanding amount stood National assets have grown BofA_News offered mostly fake at €490bn ($547bn) at the end at an average rate of 5 percent Women are a critical, investment products to its of 2015. per year since the introduction yet underrepresented Even though the assets are of euro banknotes in 2002, part of corporate nearly 1m investors: Xinhua separate from those built up the ECB said, adding that the leadership. by the ECB for monetary policy increase was slower than that purposes — such as the current for cash in circulation. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 31 PAGE | 34 United hold Kittel crowned talks with Dubai Tour Mourinho: Reports winner

SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 • 28 Rabia II 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar Aspire Zone to come alive on NSD

as the spacious outdoor fields and pitches each test, participants will receive a at Aspire Park. There are a greater certificate recording how their results A 5,000-step journey number of activities in this year’s pro- compare to a number of athletes and among a host of family gramme as well as a number of new ones world champions. compared with previous years. One of the highlights in this year’s activities planned on Aspire Dome, which is regarded programme of activities is the 5,000 National Sport Day at as the ideal setting for families to take steps walkathon which will start at 9am part in challenging activities and group in Aspire Park next to the Burgeri restau- Aspire Zone sports, will host a number of physi- rant. The walk consists of 12 stations at cal activities that cater to all members which participants will receive valuable of the family, young and old. These tips and advice about physical activity are designed to help those taking part and leading a healthy lifestyle. Partici- The Peninsula build up endurance and muscle mass, pants will receive a booklet at the start and enhance flexibility. They will take line and will need to collect a stamp at place from 9am to 3pm. each station along the way to indicate DOHA: Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) The Aspire Academy Sports Science that they have completed the whole is organising a variety of activities on Department will be running a series of route. Designed to promote the value of National Sport Day (NSD) designed to “come and try” activities taking place walking in maintaining a healthy life- encourage people to stay fit and pro- at the indoor athletics track at Aspire style, the walk is open to all ages to take mote sports activity. Dome between 10am and 4pm. These part. The programme for NSD aligns with include a 20 metre sprint for people to People interested in visiting Aspire the Foundation’s objective of enhancing see if they can run as fast as Usain Bolt, Zone on National Sport Day can find full healthy lifestyle behaviours and build- a throwing speed test to see if people details of all the activities on offer on the ing a healthy community, contributing can match Major League baseball pitch- day through the Life in Aspire mobile to the fulfilment of the Qatar National ers, a vertical jump test to see if people application, the Life in Aspire website Vision 2030. can fly like Michael Jordan and a 200 – www.lifeinaspire.qa – or any of the NSD activities will take place across metre bike race for friends and fam- Aspire Zone Foundation’s various social all of AZF’s facilities and venues as well ily to race one another. At the end of media channels. Youth taking part in fun activities at the Aspire Dome in this file picture. 30 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT

Klopp Sheikh Salman’s quashes FIFA bid gets Sturridge African boost exit talk AFP AFP

KIGALI: received a massive boost on Friday with the LONDON: Jurgen Klopp has Asian football chief getting the powerful backing of the slammed claims that injury-prone African continent. striker Daniel Sturridge is look- The Confederation of African Football (CAF) agreed ing to leave Liverpool at the end to support the Bahraini’s bid to succeed Sepp Blatter as of the season. president of world governing body FIFA in an election Sturridge has been sidelined in Zurich later this month. since early December with a ham- “The executive committee decided that CAF will string problem and has made just give full support to Sheikh Salman with his candidacy six appearances this season and for FIFA presidency,” CAF first vice-president Suketu playing in only 19 games last Patel said after an executive committee meeting dur- term. ing the African Nations Championship tournament His current injury is the latest in Kigali. in a long list of fitness issues which CAF second vice-president Almamy Kabele Camara have made the England interna- Leicester City’s Robert Huth (second from left) shoots to score during the English Premier League soccer match against said the decision to support the 50-year-old Asian Foot- tional unavailable for much of his Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain yesterday. ball Confederation (AFC) president had been reached three years at Anfield, with Reds “unanimously”. boss Klopp voicing his frustrations “I am proud, of course,” said Sheikh Salman briefly both privately and publicly. afterwards. “If I have the support and trust, I have to be.” Reports on Friday suggested Already considered as one of the leading candidates to Sturridge was unhappy with public succeed Blatter along with Swiss Gianni Infantino, the criticism of his injury record and a UEFA number two, Sheikh Salman now takes the man- perceived lack of desire and could tle of favourite. seek to secure a transfer in the Huth double pushes close-season. But Klopp was dismissive of the report when quizzed by report- ers on Friday and maintained there Koeman confirms was little substance to the claims. “If someone wants to ask me Wenger bust-up something about what they have Leicester further up heard about, then they can ask me, but not ‘suggestions’ - I am AFP not interested in this,” Klopp said. ENGLISH PREMIER over Watford at White Hart spirit is fantastic but I’ve said “The Daniel story is not a story. LEAGUE Lane. this from my first moment here How can it be a story? You cannot A 3-1 win over Leicester, complete outsid- in Leicester,” he said. LONDON: Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has create stories and then ask me.” Manchester City ers at the start of the season, Newcastle United clawed confirmed he had a post-match row with Arsenal boss “Daniel has been back in train- sends Leicester six ruthless 3-1 demolition of Man- have 53 points from 25 games. their way out of the relegation Arsene Wenger, but insists the bust-up won’t damage ing two days and that is great, so chester City at the Etihad to go Spurs are on 48, one ahead of zone with Aleksandar Mitrovic their relationship. everything looks good in this points clear at the six points clear at the top. City with Arsenal, playing away scoring in a 1-0 home victory Koeman and Wenger were reported to have moment.” top Defender Robert Huth at Bournemouth on Sunday, on over West Bromwich Albion. exchanged words in the tunnel following Tuesday’s “What Daniel needs, what each scored twice and Algerian magi- 45. Newcastle moved above Nor- goalless draw at Emirates Stadium. player needs, is consistent training. cian Riyad Mahrez fired in his Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester wich City who dropped into the Wenger, incensed that decisions went against Arse- That is normal to be fit for Premier 14th league goal of the season face Arsenal next weekend and bottom three after a 2-0 defeat nal in a match that saw them lose ground on Premier League football.” Reuters as Leicester sent a clear message the Italian said all the pressure at basement side Aston Villa. League leaders Leicester, was said to have shouted at “Obviously there were a few of intent to those who still doubt was on the league’s big guns Sunderland, in 19th place, referee Lee Mason: “It’s always the same with you”, problems in the past with a few they have the quality to become in the most unpredictable of scored twice in the final eight with Koeman responding to the Frenchman by say- injuries, not just since I was here, champions. seasons. minutes to draw 2-2 at Liverpool ing “No, it’s always the same with you.” and that is part of the truth, but LONDON: Leicester City’s Tottenham Hotspur moved “We know it’s a crazy while Everton struck three times Koeman admitted the incident had taken place as this is the past and it would be cool unlikely assault on a first Pre- above Manchester City into league. We have to try in this in the first half on the way to a it was reported, but was adamant it was all in the heat if we could leave it there and we mier League title gathered more second place, Kieran Trippier crazy league but there are some comfortable 3-0 win at Stoke of the moment and that it would not affect his friend- can start from now on,” Klopp said. momentum yesterday with a scoring the goal in a 1-0 win big teams who have to win. The City. ship with Wenger. Al Wakrah crush Qatar SC in QBL clash

The Peninsula points and 1 assist. Al Muf- tah Abdulrahman Ibrahim (10 points and 1 assist) also reached double figures for Qatar SC. DOHA: Al Wakrah rode high Yousif Ahmad scored 4 points. on the brilliant performance of In the second game played Saaka Adamu (27 points) to beat at the same venue, Al Rayyan Qatar SC 79-52 in their Qatar beat El Jaish in a closely con- Basketball League (QBL) game tested battle in which the final yesterday. scored read 78-71 in favour of Adamu also managed 3 Al Rayyan. assists as Al Wakrah sailed over Al Rayyan was on top from their opponents at Al Gharafa the beginning but a tight battle Indoor Hall. was clearly visible throughout Watson Boney Harold (15) the game. and Ndour Mame Souleye (14) Davon James Dominic was also chipped in with their val- the pick of the day for the win- The chief guest at the opening ceremony of the Qatar Rugby 7s 2016 Championship League which uable contributions. ners as he netted 25 points Harold managed an aston- whille making six assists. kicked off at Aspire Zone yesterday, Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al ishing 10 assists while Souleye Quintin Immanuel Alex- Sada (centre) with other distinguished guests watching the opening game between Camels 1 and scored 3 assists. ander (16) and Musa Yasseen DRFC Hurricanes. Pictures by: A Basit/The Peninsula Mujkic Emir was the next Ismail (14) also made useful best scorer for Al Wakrah with contributions. 6 points. Samm Monroe Jun- El Jaish’s Leon Macklin Vernon (second For Qatar SC, Jefferson Con- ior II (28) and Leon steveous scored 19 points and Vernon Macklin (26) were the from left) shoots while Al Rayyan players managed a tally of 2 assists. most successful shooters for El looking to spoil his effort during their QBL White Malcolm Anthony Jaish while others failed to con- game played at Al Gharafa Indoor Hall enjoyed a high game with 17 tribute in a significant way. yesterday. Al Rayyan won 78-71.

TODAY’S GAMES At Al Gharafa Indoor Hall 5:30pm Al Arabi vs Al Shamal 7:30pm Al Khor vs Al Ahli

Ruggerites in action during the opening game of the Qatar Rugby 7s 2016 Championship League. Qatar SC’s Jefferson Consteveous shoots during their QBL game against Al Wakrah . The later won 79-52. SPORT SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 31

Hiddink reveals Van Gaal circled by Chelsea approach from Chinese League managers past and present

AFP AFP

LONDON: Chelsea interim man- ager Guus Hiddink revealed on Friday that he had been LONDON: Manchester United’s ten- approached to manage in the Chi- tative resurgence will be tested today nese Super League. when Louis van Gaal (pictured) Hiddink returned to Stam- pits his side against a Chelsea team ford Bridge for his second spell as slowly finding their feet under his Chelsea caretaker in December countryman Guus Hiddink. following Jose Mourinho’s sacking, It is only two weeks since United but the veteran Dutch coach was were booed off at Old Trafford after also offered the chance of taking a 1-0 home defeat by Southampton, a job with a team in the cash-rich but consecutive wins - 3-1 at Derby Chinese league. Jose Mourinho County in the FA Cup and 3-0 at “I had some possibilities to go home to Stoke City in the league - there in the recent past,” Hiddink have convinced Van Gaal that his told reporters without expand- side can still win the title. Mourinho’s shadow looms large ing any further. Jiangsu Suning United go into the weekend 10 above Van Gaal’s head, while Hid- are managed by former Chelsea points below leaders Leicester City dink knows that he is only keeping defender Dan Petrescu, while Sven in fifth place and five points below the seat warm for whomever Chelsea Goran Eriksson and Luis Felipe the Champions League berths. decide to appoint as the long-term Scolari are also bosses in China. United hold talks with “We don’t have to exaggerate, successor to the Portuguese. Ramires was sold to Chinese but I have the feeling if we shall Guardiola, 45, will join a posse side Jiangsu Suning by Chelsea beat Chelsea - although that is very of highly regarded forty-something last month during the January difficult, because under Guus Hid- coaches in England that already transfer window and Brazilian dink they don’t lose - then I think includes Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp midfielder Alex Teixeira moved to Mourinho: Reports our league is starting again,” Van and Tottenham Hotspur’s Mauricio the same club for 50 million euros Gaal said. Pochettino, and at 64 and 69 respec- to become China’s record signing. “Michael Carrick said to me tively, Van Gaal and Hiddink could China’s spending in its cur- and I have the same feeling, the be forgiven for feeling like yester- rent transfer period, which closes The BBC said no agreement has competition is not yet finished, not day’s men. MAN UNITED LIKELY TO on February 26, to 258.9 million Manchester United GET NEW BOSS been reached between Mourinho for Manchester United or the other Hiddink can at least console euros and Hiddink knows that and United, with the club making teams. himself that unlike his compatriot, makes the country an attractive refuse to comment no comment. “We have the feeling, and that’s he is not deemed to be sitting on an option for many. on reports that the However, Woodward and owners because we are winning twice in a ejector seat. of this season. Van Gaal has endured the Glazer family are believed to be row and with sparkling football.” The objectives of his mission club held talks with stinging criticism from former United keen to line up a major managerial United played with scarcely seen were clearly defined from the start City announce Mourinho party players and the club’s fans for his coup after watching Bayern Munich’s enterprise against Stoke, rejuvenated and for the moment he is fulfilling conversative tactics, with reports much-prized coach Pep Guardiola captain Wayne Rooney scoring his them, having stabilised Chelsea in pre-season visit suggesting he was twice talked out agree to take over at hated neigh- seventh goal in seven games and the league and steered them into the of quitting by executive vice-chair- bours Manchester City at the end of Anthony Martial capping a flowing FA Cup fifth round, ahead of their to China Agencies man Ed Woodward earlier this term. the season. move by curling in a goal that left Champions League last 16 clash with Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes If ex-Real Madrid chief Mourinho the pundits purring. Paris Saint-Germain. is said to have spoken to United over did take the United job it would once But United remain a puzzling But although the champions are AFP the last two weeks, increasing the again put him in direct competition team and Van Gaal continues to be unbeaten in nine games under Hid- LONDON: Jose Mourinho’s rep- likelihood that he will take charge with former Barcelona boss Guar- dogged by speculation about his dink, they have won just two of the resentatives have held talks with of United after being ignored for the diola after the pair were arch rivals future, with reports emerging on Fri- seven league matches he has over- LONDON: Manchester City on Manchester United about replacing role when Alex Ferguson retired in during their time in Spain. day that the club’s hierarchy have seen, and he sees Sunday’s game at Friday announced they will visit Louis van Gaal as manager of the 2013 due to concerns in the Old Traf- Mourinho was axed by Chelsea made an approach to Jose Mour- Stamford Bridge as an opportunity China as part of their pre-season Premier League club, according to ford boardroom about his volatile just months after leading them to the inho, who was sacked by Chelsea to make a breakthrough. preparations with impending new reports. personality. Premier League title, with the Blues in December. “This is a big match,” Hiddink manager Pep Guardiola. Mourinho has been strongly The 53-year-old is believed to languishing near the relegation zone The excitement sparked by the told his pre-game media conference. The news comes two months linked with the Old Trafford post prefer to take over in the close-sea- following the breakdown of his rela- announcement of Pep Guardiola’s United, who have not beaten after a consortium of high-profile since being sacked by Chelsea in son when he can start with a clean tionship with several members of the impending arrival as Manchester Chelsea in nine encounters, could Chinese investors acquired a 13 per December and the BBC and Manches- slate rather than inheriting van Gaal’s squad. However, Manchester United City manager has only served to welcome back Phil Jones (ankle), but cent stake in the club’s holding ter Evening News claim discussions problems with no chance of changing have refused to comment on reports underline the sense of uncertainty remain without Bastian Schwein- company the City Football Group. have started with a view to the Por- the squad now the transfer window that the club have held talks with rep- hovering over the dug-outs at both steiger, Ashley Young, Marcos Rojo, Full details are yet to be tuguese coach taking over at the end has shut. resentatives of Mourinho. United and Chelsea. Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw. revealed but the matches City play will be in the International Cham- pions Cup, a prestigious friendly tournament series which annu- ally features some of the world’s glamour clubs. Blatter to attend appeal hearing, says spokesman The competition is likely to be among the first public tests for Guardiola, who will arrive from AFP FIFA’s appeals commission just 10 hearing in person. Both Blatter and activity against Blatter and Platini. Bayern Munich at the end of this days before the extraordinary con- Platini were banned for eight years on Depending on the FIFA judges’ ver- season to take over from current gress in Zurich on February 26 when December 21 over a two million Swiss dict, both men could take their boss Manuel Pellegrini. a vote will be held to appoint the new franc payment that Blatter author- respective cases to the Court of Arbi- The announcement was LAUSANNE: Suspended FIFA pres- President. Blatter’s hearing is sched- ised for Platini in 2011 for work done tration for Sport in Lausanne. made in a press release detailing ident Sepp Blatter (pictured) will uled 24 hours after that of fallen UEFA a decade earlier. Blatter, who has headed FIFA a number of initiatives the club attend his February 16 appeal hear- president Michel Platini, who is also FIFA’s ethics committee said it since 1998, has spoken of his wish to are undertaking to celebrate Chi- ing against an eight-year ban from appealing against his eight-year would appeal against the sentence preside at the upcoming presidential nese New Year and which further football, his spokesman confirmed suspension. saying it is too lenient. Anti-cor- election, in which Platini was seen emphasises the club’s growing on Friday. Spokesman Klaus Stoehlker con- ruption investigators had originally as the favourite to succeed the Swiss links with the Asian country. Blatter’s appeal will be heard by firmed that Blatter would attend the sought a life ban from all football before the scandal erupted. S avea try assures France edge out Italy in thrilling draw Six Nations opener Reuters SIX NATIONS RUGBY

AFP Aussie team. We are through, but come tomor- row it means nothing.” Australia try-scorer fullback Maxime Medard, side- Lewis Holland said of the draw: “We knew it PARIS: Virimi Vakatawa and stepped a tackler and touched would be a massive challenge and it was, it Jules Plisson shone in a new- down for the first try of the SYDNEY: Ardie Savea scored after the full- came right down to the wire and I guess that is look France team who secured tournament. Louis Picamoles time siren to grab New Zealand a 17-17 draw what we have to work on, closing those games a hard-fought 23-21 victory over limped off the pitch with a right with hosts Australia in an exciting climax to out in the dying seconds. Italy in their Six Nations opener leg problem after less than 20 the opening day of the Sydney Sevens yes- “Today is a building block, it’s all about yesterday. minutes. terday. day two, we have got to regroup, recover and Coach Guy Noves made a Parisse dived over with the The All Blacks trailed 17-5 at half-time tighten up on a few loose areas and come out winning start as sevens stalwart ball in his armpit when the Italy and 17-12 into the final seconds before Savea tomorrow with our heads switched on, those Vakatawa, who had not played forward drove over the try line streaked away to score under the crossbar for nerves are settled now, and really put on a 15-man rugby in more than two after a lineout as Italy regained a converted try to clinch the draw. show tomorrow.” years, scored the first try from the lead. Les Bleus, playing in Savea’s last-ditch try denied Australia World Series leaders South Africa will the wing. Damien Chouly and a tricolore shirt, scored their only their ninth win in 63 meetings with New tackle Argentina in their quarter-final Sun- Hugo Bonneval also crossed the second try shortly before the Zealand on the World Series circuit. day after topping their group. South Africa line and flyhalf Plisson kicked a interval after Gael Fickou took Australia looked primed for a massive managed to hold on for a 26-19 victory over conversion and two penalties. a tap penalty and Chouly dived upset before a big partying home ground Kenya to top Pool B. Juan de Jongh scored their Italy responded with tries by over at the end of an overlap. to dominate all but the final seconds of the only second-half try but Kenya kept them on Sergio Parisse and Carlo Canna, Canna slotted home a pen- thriller. New Zealand will play the United their toes until the final whistle after Oscar who also added a drop goal, a alty to put the Azzurri in front States in today’s quarter-final with Australia Ayodi cut the deficit to seven points with a penalty and a conversion. Kelly again and the flyhalf picked up taking on England. minute to play. Kenya will play in Sunday’s Haimona kicked a penalty. the ball and touched down after “We did it in Wellington on the first night other quarter-final against Fiji, who breezed They showed great attack- Parisse was halted a couple of and just believed if we could get hold of the through with victories over Samoa, France ing intentions, passing the ball metres before the line. He con- ball we could stick some pressure on them, and Argentina to top Pool C. around quickly, but scrumhalf verted his own try to give Italy they are a great team and when they hold It was closer than their meeting in Wel- Sebastien Bazy misfired three an eight-point lead. the ball they are really physical and fast so lington but Fiji came out on top again over times before handing over the However, Vakatawa made made it tough for us,” New Zealand captain Argentina after tries from Semi Kunatani and kicking duties to Plisson. the decisive break for Bon- Tim Mikkelson said. Savenaca Rawaca. Argentina did keep it alive Italy went ahead with a neval’s try, which was converted France’s Virimi Vakatawa (rear) evades a tackle from Italy’s “Both teams won their first two games with Axel Muller’s try cutting the margin to fine drop goal by Canna but by Plisson, who slotted home the and were automatically through, so it was a five with time for a restart, but they went too Leonardo Sarto on his way to score a try during their Rugby Six France hit back when the burly winning penalty from almost 50 chance to test yourself against a very good long and Fiji made it three from three again. Nations match at the Stade de France in St Denis, France yesterday. Vakatawa, perfectly set up by metres. 32 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT

IPL MONEY LIST Players with deals worth $1m or more Star bat Watson is top draw MS Dhoni $1,865m Virat Kohli $1,865m Gautam Gambhir $1,865m Shikhar Dhawan $1,865m Suresh Raina $1,865m David Miller $1,865m as IPL sides pick their players Rohit Sharma $1,865m Chris Gayle $1,417m Shane Watson $1,417m Lasith Malinga $1,417m Ajinkya Rahane $1,417m The Australian Sunil Narine $1,417m opening batsman Ravindra Jadeja $1,417m goes for $1.4m Pawan Negi $1,268m while discarded Kieron Pollard $1,119m England player Kevin AB de Villiers $1,119m R Ashwin $1,119m Pietersen is bought Brendon McCullum $1, 119m for $515,000 Yuvraj Singh $1,044m Chris Morris $1,044m Players with deals worth $700,000 or more AFP Mitchell Johnson $970,000 Mohit Sharma $970,000 Glenn Maxwell $895,000 BANGALORE: Australian all-rounder Harbhajhan Singh $820,000 Shane Watson (pictured right) Ashish Nehra $820,000 received the highest bid of $1.4m David Warner $820,000 while banished England star Kevin Pietersen was sold to a new franchise Steven Smith $820,000 at a glitzy Indian Premier League auc- James Faulkner $820,000 tion yesterday. Mitchell Starc, $746,000 Watson lived up to his billing as Robin Uthappa $746,000 one of the most sought-after players, Pietersen was bought for $515,000 Aaron Finch, Australia’s injured being sold to Royal Challengers Ban- by Rising Pune Supergiants, one of the T20 captain, and in-form New Zea- galore for Rs95m ($1.4m) at an auction two new teams in this year’s tourna- land batsman Martin Guptill went attended by business big-wigs and ment that will be played from April 9 unsold. South African speedster Dale Mumbai Indians former stars including ex-Australian to May 29 across various Indian cities. Steyn, laid low by injuries, was the last skipper Ricky Ponting. The out-of-favour batsman last man to be auctioned in the first round coach Ponting Thirty-four-year-old Watson, played for England in 2014 but proved at $500,000. who remains one of the top players in his worth in the recent Big Bash Many of India’s uncapped play- happy to have Twenty20 cricket, was sold for more League with the Melbourne Stars. ers were sold much above their base than four times his reserve price in The Gujarat Lions, based in the prices, including left-arm spinner Buttler, Southee the first round of marquee bidding in western city of Rajkot, are the other Pawan Negi who was snapped up for the southern Indian city of Bangalore. new IPL entrant following the two- a whopping $1.2m by Delhi. IANS “Incredibly excited to join (RCB). year suspension of the Rajasthan The IPL, boasting an enviable Can’t wait to meet up with my Royals and Chennai Super Kings over brand value with Bollywood stars new team-mates in April,” Watson a corruption scandal. and big businesses as investors, has BANGALORE: Mumbai Indians tweeted. India’s Yuvraj Singh was sold to been dogged by controversies ever (MI) head coach Ricky Ponting yes- Bangalore director Amrit Thomas Sunrisers Hyderabad for $1.03m, a since its first edition in 2008. terday said he was happy to have said the addition of a utility player like far cry from the $2.3m that he com- The 2013 IPL season saw police England wicket-keeper batsman Watson would make his team more manded at last year’s auction. launch legal proceedings against Jos Buttler and New Zealand pacer competitive. South Africa’s Chris Morris was several officials and players from Tim Southee in the side after the “We were looking for Shane picked for a surprise $1m yesterday, 14 Rajasthan and Chennai franchises players went under the hammer Watson to get the balance right in the times his base price after the Mumbai over a betting and spot-fixing scan- in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Retired New Zealand player Daniel Vettori is seen during the Vivo IPL team and finally we got him at the Indians and Knight Riders went neck dal. Both Chennai and Rajasthan are players’ auction here. bargain price,” Thomas was quoted and neck, only for the Delhi Daredev- expected to return to the IPL after 2016 Player Auction held at the ITC Gardenia hotel in Bangalore, India, The 27-year-old Southee who as saying by the Press Trust of India. ils to grab him in the end. their bans end in 2017. yesterday. RIGHT: The IPL trophy at the same auction. had a base price of Rs.1 crore was bought by the defending champi- ons for Rs.2.5 crore while Buttler, who had a base price of Rs.1.5 crore, was bought for Rs.3.8 crore. Young all-rounder Marsh “We have got two boys, two overseas players, Jos Buttler and Tim Southee. We are very happy with those picks,” Ponting said via a video message posted by MI on makes it to the elite group Twitter. “I was very keen to have But- tler to have as a backup batsman and a wicket keeper as well. Tim is a very good new ball bowler and Agencies can easily take the place of Lasith Australia’s Malinga. So we are happy with the Mitchell Marsh buys,” the two-time World Cup SYDNEY: On the day he was snapped prepares to winning former Australian skip- up for a million Australian dollars in bowl during the per said. the IPL auction, Australia’s Mitch- second one-day On the other hand, veteran ell Marsh looked to be worth every match against Australian all-rounder Shane penny. New Zealand at Watson commanded the high- Marsh was delighted to put Indian Westpac Stadium est bid of Rs.9.5 crore from Royal Premier League (IPL) riches to the in Wellington Challengers Bengaluru while Australian player Brad Hodge and actress Preity Zinta are seen during back of his mind as he completed a yesterday. star batsman Yuvraj Singh was the Vivo IPL 2016 Player Auction held at the ITC Gardenia hotel in man-of-the-match performance in snapped up by Sunrisers Hydera- Bangalore, India, yesterday. Australia’s four-wicket win over New bad for Rs.7 crore. Zealand in Wellington. “Incredibly excited to join @ A mature innings of 69 not out RCBTweets. Can’t wait to meet from the all-rounder helped Australia up with my new teammates in ‘IPL works when Indian recover from a mid-innings wobble to April.#IPL2016,” Watson posted chase down 282 in yesterday’s second on Twitter. players perform’ one-day international and set up a South African all-rounder series decider in Hamilton tomorrow. Chris Morris, who was bagged by Marsh, who had earlier claimed Delhi Daredevils for Rs.7 crore, Agencies two top-order wickets in New Zea- tweeted: “Unbelievably grateful! land’s innings, shared an unbroken Very excited to be part of @Del- seventh-wicket partnership of 84 hiDaredevils #humbled.” BANGALORE: Kings XI Punjab owner Preity Zinta was her usual sporting with John Hastings (48 not out), Among other big buys, medium self after she was forced to pay way over and above what the management ensuring the tourists did not waste pacer Mohit Sharma went for had in mind for India pacer Mohit Sharma. the good work of openers David Rs.6.5 crore to Kings XI Punjab, When the Haryana speedster came up for auction toda y, KXIP and Kolk- Warner (98) and Usman Khawaja while Hyderabad splurged Rs.5.5 ata Knight Riders went in aggressive pursuit. But shortly into the bidding (50). crore for veteran left-arm pacer war, KKR pulled out and it seemed Punjab had Mohit in the bag for a little Yet Marsh could have been for- Ashish Nehra. over Rs4 crores when Sunrisers Hyderabad jumped into the fray, a report given for not being fully focused The 2016 season of the Indian in India Today said yesterday. SRH played around for a while before back- when he went out to bat, after dis- Premier League, abbreviated ing off, leaving Mohit with KXIP for a whopping Rs6.5 crores. But Zinta was covering he had been bought by new as IPL 9 or Vivo IPL 2016, will unphased with the extra money she had to pay. IPL franchise Pune Supergiants for a be the ninth season of the IPL, a “Mohit is going to get married soon, so it’s a small wedding gift from us,” fee of 480 lakhs, approximately one Twenty20 cricket league estab- said the Bollywood star with her trademark dimples in place. “Look the tour- million Australian dollars. lished by the Board of Control for nament works when Indan players perform so we don’t mind.” “I was waiting to bat and some Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2007. Zinta did not want to accuse SRH of purposefully tampering with their bloke yelled out to me in the crowd The tournament is scheduled plans and budgets around Mohit’s purchase but said teams often did these ‘well done, you’ve just gone for a mil- to be played between 8 April and things intentionally to upset the available purse in rival camps. lion dollars’,” said Marsh in a report 29 May 2016. “I am not saying anyone did this intentionally but sometimes teams do posted on www.sportal.co.nz. The season will have two that. Every team wants to buy the big players, so I don’t think it’s always “I didn’t really believe him and new teams which will replace intentional.” just tried to block it out. It was pretty the Chennai Super Kings and Mohit, who plays for Haryana, said he was happy to turn out for KXIP. amazing, then Shaun (Marsh’s elder the Rajasthan Royals, which will “It seems I have always played for Kings XI Punjab. I have known Virender brother) sat next to me with a lit- remain suspended for two years, Sehwag for very long now and he has helped me a lot. I am happy to play tle grin, gave me a little nudge and up to 2017. Two new franchise- with him again,” Mohit said. I found out. the game. Your bank balance doesn’t Marsh has appeared in 13 Tests based teams, namely Gujarat Lions Sehwag, who retired from all forms of cricket last year, is now a men- “I was really happy I was able give you runs,” Marsh was quoted as for Australia and 29 ODIs since mak- & Rising Pune Supergiants, have tor with KXIP. to block that out and really focus on saying. ing his Australia debut in 2011. been added for two years. SPORT SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 33 Hales’ 99 leads England to big win

sedate 73, while Hales played a cru- cial anchor role for England before The opener misses he was fifth man out for 99. century by one run Hales and Joe Root (38) put on 97 for the second wicket and made but guides team in sure England were always up with comfortable chase the required run rate. “They managed it very well and against South Africa set it up for Jos Buttler, who played a at Port Elizabeth magnificent knock,” said De Villiers after the match. Hales looked set for his sec- ond one-day international hundred AFP before he gloved an attempted pull shot against Kyle Abbott to wicket- keeper Quinton de Kock with his side still 61 runs away from their target. PORT ELIZABETH: Alex Hales fell Buttler, who made a century in one run short of a century but did Bloemfontein, hit three boundaries enough to set up a five-wicket win in an over from Abbott, who finished for England over South Africa in the with three for 58. second one-day international at St Then he put the issue beyond George’s Park yesterday. doubt by hitting three sixes off suc- The victory gave England a two- cessive balls from leg-spinner Imran nil lead in the five-match series after Tahir. He made 48 not out off 28 balls, a game where batsmen from both while Ali was unbeaten on 21 off 15 sides struggled to play fluently on a balls. A double strike early in the last slow pitch. ten overs of the South African innings Hosts South Africa made 262 for prevented the hosts from making a seven and England needed a late bigger total. flurry of strokes by Jos Buttler and De Villiers and JP Duminy were Moeen Ali to reach the target in 46.2 dismissed in the space of three balls overs. after sharing a 107-run fourth wicket England’s Alex Hales plays a shot during the second ODI of the five-match series against South Africa in Port Elizabeth yesterday. RIGHT: David England captain Eoin Morgan partnership. praised his players for adapting to The pair were threatening to go Warner of Australia hits a four against New Zealand at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. conditions that were much-changed an all-out assault when De Villiers from those in Wednesday’s first was superbly caught in the deep by match at Bloemfontein which they a running, diving Chris Jordan off Villiers said his players felt “a little won in a high-scoring clash. Ben Stokes. hard done by” after decisions went “They were completely differ- In the next over Duminy was leg against Duminy and Rossouw, with Bold batting helps Australia ent conditions,” said Morgan. “That before wicket to left-arm opening South Africa having no more reviews is what has impressed me most. The bowler Reece Topley for 47. after an earlier failed review by De challenge was adapting to conditions. “We were about 20 or 30 runs Kock. crush hosts New Zealand Alex Hales was magnificent.” short,” said De Villiers. “I tried to pick The normally free-scoring De Captain AB de Villiers top-scored it up at the end but then I got out and Villiers took 72 balls to reach his for South Africa with an unusually we lost a couple more wickets.” De slowest one-day international half- century in eight years, with just three AFP SCOREBOARD fours, two of them from reverse SCOREBOARD sweeps. NEW ZEALAND AUSRALIA De Villiers edged another four WELLINGTON: Australia, propped up M Guptill c Khawaja b Marsh 31 U Khawaja c&b Santner 50 SOUTH AFRICA ENGLAND and seemed finally to be taking con- by 98 from David Warner, held their B McCullum b Boland 28 D Warner lbw Santner 98 trol when he pulled Jordan for a six, nerve to beat New Zealand by four H Amla b Topley 4 J Roy b Abbott 14 K Williamson c Smith b Zampa 60 S Smith c Ronchi b Henry 2 Q de Kock lbw Stokes 22 A Hales c De Kock b Abbott 99 only to fall in the next over. He faced wickets to win the second ODI in Wel- a total of 91 balls. lington yesterday and send the series H Nicholls c Wade b Marsh 4 G Bailey b Henry 0 F du Plessis c Jordan b Rashid 46 J Root b Abbott 38 Duminy hit only two fours in a to a decider. G Elliott c Maxwell b Zampa 32 G Maxwell b Boult 6 A de Villiers c Jordan b Stokes 73 E Morgan c De Villiers b Morkel 29 66-ball innings. After Warner’s dismissal, Australia C Anderson c Wade b Hazlewood 16 M Marsh (not out) 69 J Duminy lbw Topley 47 B Stokes b Morkel 0 The tall Topley took four for 50, were still 90 runs short of their tar- L Ronchi c Marsh b Boland 19 M Wade c Milne b Santner 2 the best figures of his seven-match get with an unbeaten 69 from Mitchell

R Rossouw c Buttler b Topley 11 J Buttler (not out) 48 M Santner (not out) 45

one-day international career. Marsh and John Hastings not out 48, get- J Hastings (not out) 48 F Behardien (not out) 23 M Ali (not out) 21

Stokes took two for 54 but Eng- ting them over the line. A Milne c Smith b Hazlewood 36 Extras (LB-2, W-6) 8 K Rabada c Morgan b Topley 12 Extras (LB-11, W-3) 14 land’s two slow bowlers, leg-spinner Warner was nudging his sixth ODI M Henry b Hazlewood 0 Total (for 6 wkts in 46.3 overes)283 K Abbott (not out) 7 Total (for 5 wkts in 46.2 overs) 263 Adil Rashid and off-spinner Moeen century when he was undone by New T Boult (not out) 2 Fall of wickets: 1-122, 2-133, 3-133, 4-144, Extras (LB-8, W-9) 17 Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-117, 3-169, 4-176, Ali, were mainly responsible for Zealand’s match ace Mitchell Sant- Extras (LB-4, W-4) 8 5-191, 6-197. 5-202. South Africa’s innings becoming ner, but by then he had done enough to Total (for 7 wkts in 50 overs) 262 Total (for 9 wkts in 50 overs) 281 Did not bat: A Zampa, S Boland, J Hazle- Bowling: Abbott 9-1-58-3 (1w); Rabada 9-0- becalmed in the middle overs. ensure the world champions were in a Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-53, 3-98, 4-205, Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-88, 3-95, 4-158, wood. 5-206, 6-225, 7-245. 35-0; Morkel 8.2-0-31-2 (1w); Imran Tahir 10- Both bowled their allocation of dominant position. ten overs in single spells and they Australia lost six wickets as they 5-164, 6-193, 7-205, 8-266, 9-266. Bowling: Boult 9.3-0-66-1 (w3); Henry 10-0- Bowling: Topley 9-1-50-4 (2w); Willey 7-0- 0-66-0; Behardien 6-0-35-0 (1w); Duminy 57-2; Williamson 2-0-16-0 (w1); Milne 9-0- 4-0-27-0. conceded a total of only 84 runs. chased down New Zealand’s 281-9 with Bowling: Hazlewood 10-0-61-3 (w1); Hast- 33-0 (1w); Stokes 9-0-54-2 (2w); Rashid 10- By contrast, England did not 21 balls to spare. ings 10-1-42-0 (w1); Boland 10-0-61-2; Zam- 58-0 (w1); Santner 10-0-47-3; Elliott 3-0-20- Result: England won by five wickets. 0-43-1; Ali 10-41-0 (3w); Jordan 5-0-33-0 allow South African leg-spinner After New Zealand won the first pa 10-0-57-2 (w1); Marsh 6-0-30-2 (w1); 0 (w1); Anderson 3-0-17-0. (1w). Series: England lead the five-match series 2-0. Imran Tahir to settle. He conceded match by 159 runs the series will now Maxwell 4-0-26-0. Result: Australia won by four wickets. 66 runs in four separate spells. go to a decider in Hamilton tomorrow. Aspire Academy hammer Shanghai Greenland

The Peninsula

DOHA: Aspire Academy yesterday crushed Shanghai Greenland 6-1 on day two of the Al Kass International Cup yesterday. Also yesterday, Real Madrid beat PSG 4-0 to score a convincing win against the French side. Earlier on Friday. Iter Milan ham- mered Shanghai Greenland 7-0 while Aspire Football Dreams held Benfica to a 2-2 draw. In the third match on the opening night, FC Redbull Salz- burg beat Celtic Glasgow 3-1. Aspire Academy yesterday showed genuine promise in coasting to vic- tory over Shanghai Greenland in the second game of Day 2’s Al Kass Inter- national Cup 2016. The Chinese youngsters had been given just over 24 hours to recover Real Madrid players celebrate one of their four goals against PSG at Aspire Academy in Doha on day two of the Al Kass International Cup yesterday. Real Madrid won 4-0. RIGHT: from their morale-sapping seven-goal Aspire Academy players celebrate one of their 6 goals against Shanghai Greenland. Aspire Academy won 6-1. humiliation at the hands of Inter Milan the previous day. allowed to continue. Almost immedi- It was clear that the Chinese expected to score. The chance was otherwise unoccupied keeper Mar- the industrious Luo Fan Liu, and the And, within two minutes of the ately, the home side had the ball in the defence was struggling to contain just one of several that Aspire created wan El Din. tall midfielder kept his composure to kick-off, Shanghai were behind again. net once again, only for Abdulrash- the Aspire number seven, and Ibrahim in the opening stages as the limited Aspire immediately coun- shoot low past keeper El Din. Liu had Andri Syahputra waltzed through a eed Ibrahim’s header to be correctly fired the Academy further ahead on Chinese side showed little defensive ter-attacked, and the effervescent been Shanghai’s best player through- lethargic defence before smashing ruled offside. 24 minutes, latching on to a through resolve and limited attacking prow- Ibrahim ran clear on goal before out the tournament thus far, and the a fine effort into the roof of the net Shanghai had been unable to ball from captain Nasser Alarhak ess. Indeed, with sharper finishing rounding the keeper and finishing goal was a deserved reward for his from the edge of the area to put Aspire manage a single shot on target against before producing a composed fin- the Academy boys could have been from a tight angle to make the score perseverance. one up. Inter, and in the early stages they were ish that gave keeper Kai Yuan Lin no at least five goals ahead within the 3-0. In today’s games, Celtic Glasgow Two minutes later the Acad- similarly unconvincing, with Aspire chance. opening half hour. The Aspire youngsters had play Estudiantes De La Plata on pitch emy should have had a penalty after completely dominant. They should Two minutes later a fine run With 35 minutes on the clock established a commanding lead, 5 at 3:35pm while PSG take on Al Ahli Shanghai captain Lian Ming Lin have scored a second after 17 minutes, down the right from Khaled Man- –125 minutes into their Al Kass play- but fleetingly let their discipline on the same pitch at 5:45pm. In the hauled back Abdulla Almurisi inside but Ibrahim had once again strayed sour found Ibrahim free six yards ing experience - Shanghai Greenland slip moments later, and paid the last game of the day, Aspire Foot- the area, but referee Mohammed narrowly offside before tapping into out, but the busy forward miskicked finally managed their first shot on tar- price. Centre back Abdul Nizha was ball Dreams play Kashiwa Reysol at Shabir was unsighted and play was an open goal. over the bar when he would have get, but it was smartly saved by the robbed just outside his own area by 7:55pm. 34 SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 SPORT

Ko, Jang share Willett leads as McIlroy third-round lead

makes late charge in Dubai AFP MIAMI: World number one Lydia Ko was tied for the lead with Jang Dubai Desert Classsic was languishing eight shots behind Ha-Na at seven-under par when The Englishman the leader. darkness halted play in the third Third Round Scores breaks through a The Northern Irishman was two- round of the LPGA Coates Cham- 200 Danny Willett (ENG) 70-65-65 over par after a terrible front nine, but pionship. tight leaderboard 201 Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP) then made six birdies on the back nine New Zealand’s Ko and second to end the day one 67-67-67 to finish on 68. round leader Jang, of South Korea, 202 Andy Sullivan (ENG) 70-66-66, Henrik Stenson, the second best both completed six holes before the shot ahead of Spain’s ranked player in the field at number horn blew to end play at the Golden 203 Joost Luiten (NED) 69-67-67 Cabrera-Bello six, was one shot better than McIlroy Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club 204 Hadyn Porteus (RSA) 72-66-66, at nine-under par after a 70. course in Ocala, Florida, where 205 Scott Hend (AUS) 71-68-66, Chris Three time Dubai Desert Classic the tournament was still playing Wood (ENG) 68-68-69 champion Ernie Els, who started the catch-up after thunderstorms on 206 Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 70-70-66, day one shot behind overnight leader Thursday. Ko started the round one AFP Nathan Holman (AUS) 69-70-67, Cabrera-Bello, struggled all day and stroke back of Jang but made birdie Brett Rumford (AUS) 67-70-69, for the first time in the history of the on the par-three fourth to move Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN) 72-64-70 tournament, he posted an over-par into a tie for the lead. DUBAI: Danny Willett underlined 207 Joachim B Hansen (SWE) third-round score of 74. While putting on the par-four his growing stature in European golf 72-71-64, Mikko Ilonen (FIN) Willett, who saw his ball mirac- sixth hole Ko had to take a step when a second consecutive round of 70-70-67, Bryson DeChambeau ulously bounce out of water on the back because she wasn’t sure seven-under par 65 at the Emirates (USA) 70-69-68, Byeong-hun An opening day, needed no such luck whether she brushed the ball at Golf Club yesterday gave him sole (KOR) 71-67-69, Graeme Storm yesterday. her address. possession of the lead going into the (ENG) 68-70-69, Richard Bland He hit the ball well, making 14 “Yeah, I wasn’t sure because final round of the Dubai Desert Clas- (ENG) 69-69-69, Henrik Stenson greens in regulation, but putted even it’s obviously getting a little dark, sic. (SWE) 69-68-70, Alvaro Quiros better, needing just 26 putts to com- and with the steepness of the The Englishman broke through a (ESP) 68-69-70, Trevor Fisher Jnr plete the round. greens, you never know if it does (RSA) 67-68-72 tight leaderboard with a superb eagle The highlight of the round was the Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts during the third round of the move or not,” she said. on the par-5 13th hole and ended the 208 Roope Kakko (FIN) 72-69-67, Ale- eagle three on the 13th hole, where he “The rules, we cleared every- Omega Dubai Desert Classic 2016 Golf tournament at Emirates Golf day one shot ahead of Spain’s Rafael jandro Canizares (ESP) 71-69-68, drained a curling 40-footer putt. That thing, so now I can just go to bed Club in Dubai yesterday. Cabrera-Bello on 16-under par 200. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 70-70-68, came moments after he had made his and have a good dinner and come Cabrera-Bello, the 2012 champion Rory McIlroy (NIR) 68-72-68, only bogey of the last two rounds on out here early, but this happened here, submitted his third straight card Bradley Dredge (WAL) 70-70- the 12th hole. it in there close.“Did everything right Classic champion. “There is more to me last year at this tournament, of five-under par 67, while England’s 68, Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) Willett was delighted with his really. A couple hiccups in there today chances on the back nine and the second round or something, Andy Sullivan was third one behind 68-71-69, Johan Carlsson (SWE) form and said: “We came off the first where it could have been a little dif- more opportunities for birdies, but and it happened at KPMG, too, the Spaniard at 202 after a round of 71-67-70 obviously bogey in two days on 12, ferent, but kept the head on and kept you know, there’s no reason why I so I just wanted to clarify it so it 66. which was playing pretty tricky today. moving forward.” shouldn’t be playing better golf on wouldn’t be a problem tomorrow.” All three players have something and he finished runner-up. “So, come off a silly five there McIlroy felt the front nine had the front nine. Jang, who also held the first to prove in Dubai. Cabrera-Bello’s biggest moment of and two five-woods, a little bit of a killed his chances this week. In the “That’s really what’s cost me this round lead, had a one-shot cushion Willett finished second in the despair of his career came in Dubai different story to Thursday when we last two rounds, he is five-over par week. I might be just a few shots too over Ko and Japan’s Haru Nomura Race to Dubai to Rory McIlroy after when he was leading the DP World bounced off the rocks. Today, I hit a for the front nine, and nine-under par far back to make that up tomorrow. after Friday morning’s completion his brave attempt went down to the Tour Championship by two shots good one and saw a pretty good line for the back. “It’s going to be a long shot. I of the second round. wire at last year’s DP World Tour before losing to Henrik Stenson in straightaway. “I just think I haven’t quite fig- came back from seven shots behind Jang’s third round began with Championship here. 2014 when he made a triple bogey “Played some great golf yesterday ured out the front nine yet. Obviously, at Wentworth (2014), so it’s not out of a birdie on the par-four opening In that same tournament, a McIl- on the 16th hole on Sunday. and today. Kept the ball under fantas- I’ve played the back nine much bet- the realms of possibility, but this is a hole, then she followed it up with roy win had denied Sullivan the title World number two Rory McIlroy tic control with some crosswinds, hit ter,” said the two-time Dubai Desert great field.” a bogey on No. 2. American Kim Kaufman got off to a fast start Friday afternoon, moving into a share of the lead by making birdie on four of her first eight holes before dropping a shot Fun-loving Hahn takes one-shot lead in Phoenix at the par four 10th. Kaufman was tied for third at six-under par through 12 holes, along with Jessica Korda, Lexi Reuters ond round of the Phoenix Open at the fun and became a YouTube sensation Thompson and Nomura. Tai- same venue. three years ago when he followed a wan’s Candie Kung and rookie The 34-year-old, who was born final-round birdie on the raucous par- Chun In-Gee were tied for eighth SCOTTSDALE, Arizona: James Hahn, in South Korea but educated in the three 16th hole at the Phoenix Open at five under.Meanwhile, South renowned for his “Gangnam Style” United States and now lives close to with his rendition of the “Gangnam African’s Shaun Norris claimed moves at the TPC Scottsdale in 2013, the Scottsdale layout, fired a flaw- Style” dance. a seven-shot lead over his rivals used a fast start and solid finish to less 65 to post a 10-under halfway “It’s the one week out of the year yesterday in the third round of the edge one shot clear after Friday’s sec- total of 132 in front of an announced where you’re allowed to do any- Leopalace21 Myanmar Open, the record Friday attendance of more thing you want and not get fined,” he country’s richest sporting event. US PGA Tour Phoenix than 160,000 fans. explained. The one-time Asian Tour win- Bidding for his second PGA Tour “So the fact that the PGA Tour is ner started the day tied for first Open scores victory, Hahn birdied three of his first a little lenient on us doing whatever with India’s S.S.P. Chawrasia but 132 James Hahn 67-65 six holes and three of the last eight to things you want to do on that hole, stormed ahead of the pack with a 133 Rickie Fowler 65-68, Danny Lee end a sunny day in the Arizona desert it’s good for golf, good for the game, 11-under-par 61 at the Royal Min- (NZL) 67-66 one ahead of American world number good for the fans.” galardon Golf and Country Club 135 Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 65-70, four Rickie Fowler (68) and New Zea- “Gangnam Style” was a block- in Yangon. Shane Lowry (IRL) 65-70, Harris land’s Danny Lee (66). buster hit single recorded by the South The big drive brought him up English 68-67 Japanese Hideki Matsuyama Korean musician Psy in 2012. to a three-day total of 23-under- (70) and Irishman Shane Lowry (70), Psy’s video is the most watched par 193 at the tournament, which 136 William McGirt 69-67, Chad Campbell 68-68 joint leaders with Fowler after the ever on YouTube, with more than is sanctioned the Asian Tour and weather-delayed opening round, James Hahn lines up a putt on the ninth hole during the second 2.5 billion views, while Hahn’s ren- Japan Golf Tour Organisation 137 Jeff Overton 71-66, Scott Piercy were a further two shots back in a round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in dition has had more than 364,000 (JGTO).“It was definitely a very 72-65, Keegan Bradley 68-69 tie for fourth with American Harris Scottsdale, Arizona on Friday. views. exciting day,” Norris said accord- 138 Bubba Watson 69-69, Brandt English (67). Fowler, who missed the cut at last ing to quotes provided by the Asian Snedeker 67-71, Tyrone Van Enjoyment was the watchword conditions to take over at the top. opportunities to make birdie. “And I’m week’s Farmers Insurance Open after Tour.“Right from the start, every- Aswegen (RSA) 68-70, Jon Curran for Hahn, who claimed his first PGA “Fun, I’m having fun out there,” sleeping in my own bed this week. I winning the previous week at the thing went well. I could read the 69-69, Colt Knost 69-69, Ben Tour title in a three-way playoff for a smiling Hahn told reporters. “I’m live about 10 minutes away from here. European Tour’s Abu Dhabi Cham- line and was striking it well, hit- Crane 68-70, Alex Cejka (GER) last year’s Northern Trust Open, as making a lot of putts, hitting a lot I’m looking forward to a good week- pionship, was delighted to maintain ting the ball into places which I 70-68, Michael Kim 70-68 he totalled only 25 putts in breezy of fairways, giving myself many end.” Hahn has always enjoyed having his new-found form on the greens. wanted it to be.” Kittel crowned Dubai Tour winner

AFP Etixx-QuickStep and had aready TOUR OF DUBAI LAST team-mate and two-time Tour de won the first stage of the Dubai Tour, France winner Chris Froome. outpaced Italy’s Elia Viviani, who STAGE RESULTS A group of five riders had bro- DUBAI: Germany’s Marcel Kittel won came second, in yesterday’s 132 km 1. Marcel Kittel (GER/ETI) 132 km in 02hr ken away early and led for most of the Tour of Dubai yesterday after he city-based course that ended under 50min 47sec, 2. Elia Viviani (ITA/SKY) the race yesterday, only to be reeled outsprinted his rivals, claiming vic- the world’s tallest building -- Burj same time, 3. Mark Cavendish (GBR/ in with less than 10 kilometres to go. tory in the final fourth stage of the Khalifa. DDD) s.t. 4. Andrea Palini (ITA/SKD) s.t. “It was quite a straightforward race. “My confidence is a thousand 5. Sacha Modolo (ITA/LAM) s.t. day today which was really nice after He replaced Italy’s Giacomo times higher than one year ago... This Overall the last few stages which have been Nizzolo, who had seized the over- win in Dubai is a perfect base to start 1. Marcel Kittel (GER/ETI) 14hr 46min all-go and quite hectic,” Kennaugh all leader’s blue jersey on Friday but the season,” said Kittel. 54sec, 2. Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA/TRE) at said. had to settle for sixth place in Satur- Last year’s winner, Britain’s Mark 4sec, 3. Juan Jose Lobato Del Valle (ESP/ “It was nice to sit back, keep the day’s race. Cavendish came third in the final MOV) 6, 4. Silvan Dillier (SUI/BMC) 16, 5. cadence low and the legs fresh for Nizzolo took second place in stage but is way behind in the over- Gorka Izaguirre (ESP/MOV) 23. tomorrow.” the overall standings, four seconds all standings. Spanish sprinter Juan Yesterday’s stage was ear- behind Kittel. Jose Lobato Del Valle who won the a sprint after a straightforward race, marked for sprinters with rising “I’m really, really happy. I was key stage three of the Dubai Tour on just pipping Italian Niccolo Bonifazio star Caleb Ewan seen as the rider dreaming about this moment,” Kittel Friday ended in third place, six sec- (Trek-Segafredo). to beat. He finished sixth behind said. “My team was fantastic all day onds behind Kittel. “It was a really close finish with fellow Australians Steele Von Hoff and we did an incredible job to beat In Melbourne, American cyclist Bonifazio,” admitted Murphy after the (ONE), Jesse Kerrison (State of Mat- all the other teams, staying calm and John Murphy won the third stage of 146.2-kilometre ride from Traralgon ter/MAPP) and Anthony Giacoppo attacking at the right moment.” Australia’s Herald Sun Tour in a photo to Inverloch in Victoria state. (AUS/Avanti IsoWhey Sport). “There wasn’t any major tactic to finish yesterday, but Britain’s Peter “Definitely pretty happy to have In the overall standings, Austral- stop Nizzolo - we just said it’s all or Kennaugh maintained his overall lead that photo.” ia’s Jack Bobridge (Trek-Segafredo) nothing and fully concentrated on the ahead of the final ride. Olympic gold-medallist Kennaugh is in third position followed by com- German cyclist Marcel Kittel of the Etixx-QuickStep team celebrates as final sprint,” he said. Murphy (United HealthCare) maintained his lead in the overall patriot Jack Haig (Orica-GreenEDGE) his wins at the fourth and last stage of the Dubai tour riding over 137km The German who rides for closed out the stage which ended in standings, 13 seconds ahead of Sky and New Zealander Dion Smith (ONE). from Dubai International Marine Club to Busines Bay, in Dubai yesterday. SPORT SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 35

The Qatari handball team in action during the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship held at Lusail Complex in this January 2015 file picture. Qatar finished second at the championship. The handball also earned a ticket to Rio in the Asian qualifying tournament held in Qatar in November. Right: High jumper Mutaz Barshim, competes during one of his events in this file picture. QOC encourages everyone to #BeOlympic

Qatar Olympic Bassem Hassan Mohammed Committee urges people to take part in National Sport Day activities on Feb 9

The Peninsula

DOHA: It is just two days to go until the whole of Qatar will come together in a shared celebration of sport for annual National Sport Day. With less than six months to go until this year’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) is encouraging everyone to #BeOlym- pic on National Sport Day. With activities on offer across Qatar’s national equestrian team Championships in January 2015 after Junior World Champion in the Ham- Qatar for all ages and abilities, there were among the first athletes to qual- a narrow defeat in the final to Olym- mer Throw and much like established is something available for everyone, ify to Rio 2016. pic and World Champions France. superstar Barshim, he too gradu- whether you are an aspiring Olym- Headed by Sheikh Ali bin Kha- They were the first non-European ated from Qatar’s world-class Aspire pian or simply want to participate lid Al Thani and composed of Ali side in history to make the final. They Academy for Sporting Excellence. for fun. You can find a full list of the Al Rumaihi, Khalid Al Emadi and later went on to earn their qualify- More recently experienced skeet activities available on the QOC’s web- Bassem Hassan Mohamed, the trio ing spot to Rio in an amazing 28-19 shooter Rashid Saleh Hamad secured site: http://bit.ly/1RYGdxV. had a massively successful year in victory over Iran in the Asian Qualifi- his spot in Rio during the Asian National Sport Day also provides 2015 where they consistently ranked ers, in front of an elated home crowd. Qualifiers in New Delhi in late Janu- an opportunity for Qatar’s National in the top ten in the world. Qatar’s Athletics Federation ary, together with teammate Vitaliy Federations to identify young sport- The team won gold in the 2014 is slated to send six athletes to the Dovgun who competes in the 50m ing talent who could go on to become Asian Games in Incheon but it was Rio 2016 Olympic Games including Air Rifle. Qatar’s future Olympic heroes. during the Furusiyya 2015 Series in gravity-defying high-jumper Mutaz All four sports will be available Qatar has a huge pool of talented Abu Dhabi where the equestrian team Barshim, as well as upcoming star to try on National Sport Day, with the young athletes and has made signif- secured their well-deserved qualify- Ashraf ElSeify. opportunity to emulate these Olym- icant progress on the sporting field ing spot for Rio – the first time Team Barshim grabbed the bronze pic heroes. Over 30 sports in total will over recent years. Qatar has qualified for the Olympic medal in the 2012 London Olympics be offering activities. Athletes in four different sports Equestrian Competition. and has developed considerably since, Qatar is one of the only countries have already qualified to represent The Qatari National Handball securing gold medals in World Indoor in the world to have a public holiday Shooter Rashid Saleh Hamad, who clinched a Rio Olympics place at Qatar at the Rio 2016 Games and here team made history twice on their Championships, Asian Champion- dedicated to sport and it aims to bring the Olympic qualification tournament in New Delhi on February 2. For we look at the athletes who will be way to Rio. ships as well as holding the indoor the nation together in a shared cele- Rashid, this will be the second time he will be representing Qatar at hoping to make our country proud The team placed second in world record. bration of sport and inspire people the Games, the last time he did was in 2008. in Brazil. the 24th Men’s Handball World ElSeify meanwhile is a two-time to lead active and healthy lifestyles. Al Rayyan and Al Khor register contrasting wins in QSL

The Peninsula since 1995. Jorge Fossati’s men had stunning return to the top division. three goals disallowed and also had At Wakrah Stadium, Julio Cesar’s to contend with an inspired perform- bicycle kick gave Al Khor a 1-0 win ance from Mesaimeer goalkeeper over Al Wakrah to move up to eighth DOHA: Qatar Stars League (QSL) Basel Zaidan. position in the QSL standings. leaders Al Rayyan and Al Khor reg- Time and again the on-loan El The Knights followed up last istered contrasting wins in the Round Jaish stopper prevented Rayyan week’s 1-0 win over El Jaish with 17 matches yesterday. from taking the lead. He produced a another strong performance to leap- Al Rayyan struck late goals to good double save in the 12th minute frog Wakrah in the table and make it collect full points against Mesaimeer to deny Soria’s close-range shot and, five games unbeaten. while Al Khor held on to the 26th moments later, a 30-yard effort from Brazilian striker Cesar scored the minute goal against Al Wakrah. Tabata. only goal at Saoud Bin Abdel Rah- At Grand Hamad Stadium, cap- His best save came late on though man Stadium. Madsen’s 26th minute tain Rodrigo Tabata’s stunning when he tipped Babou Barro’s cross- free-kick from distance ricocheted free-kick and a late header from cum-shot over the bar in the 86th off the post and, with goalkeeper Fahad Khalfan gave Al Rayyan all minute. Hassan Dicko stranded, Cesar pro- three points against Mesaimeer. In the end, Rayyan’s persist- duced a brilliant acrobatic finish from Tabata produced a perfect right- ence paid off as they claimed a fifth six yards out. footed effort from just outside the box win in a row. Tabata’s brilliant free- The Blue Waves pushed for- in the 89th minute, before Khalfan kick clipped the bar on its way past ward in the second half in search nodded in Sebastian Soria’s cross in Zaidan, who could do nothing to stop of an equaliser but they failed to added time to secure the Lions’ 16th an effort. penetrate Khor’s steadfast defence, win of a memorable campaign. Khalfan’s goal in the dying which was well marshaled by vet- It was a deserved victory for embers of the game simply confirmed eran Qatari defender Waleed Rayyan after a largely frustrating the result and sent the travelling fans Mohyaden. night against the league’s bottom side. into raptures. The result is the perfect tonic for They stuck to their task however, There are nine games to go in the Khor, who will go into next week’s and now boast a 13-point lead at the QSL season but Rayyan look nailed match with runaway leaders Al Action from the Qatar Stars League match between Al Khor and Al Warkah at Wakrah Stadium yesterday. top as they target a first Falcon Shield on to claim the title, and with it a Rayyan full of confidence. SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2016 36

Newey warns of Formula One spending race

Reuters

LONDON: Moves to open up engine development in 2017 will trigger a Formula One “spending frenzy” likely to increase the dom- inance of champions Mercedes and Ferrari, Red Bull technical head Adrian Newey has warned. “More spending, simple as that,” he told Reuters when asked about the consequences of plans to scrap the current power unit ‘token’ system and allow unre- stricted development. The change, confirmed last week by Renault Sport managing Desert king races to 61st victory director Cyril Abiteboul, is part of a deal agreed with the manufac- turers to provide privately-owned teams with far cheaper engines. Formula One switched from V8s to a complex and costly V6 turbo hybrid power unit in 2014 and it soon became apparent that Qatar’s rally star Al Attiyah sets Mercedes were far ahead. The German manufacturer’s works team has won both drivers’ and constructors’ championships for the past two years while others using their engines have also had a considerable advantage. Red record with another home win Bull, champions for four years in a row between 2010 and 2013 with Renault power, finished fourth last year behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Ace driver breaks Mercedes-powered Williams. “If you look back on the orig- Ben Sulayem’s inal technical working group long-standing FIA meetings and minutes from 2012- 13, the agreement at that point was Middle East Rally that the engines would be frozen Championship record but teams that were behind would still be allowed to keep developing. in the season-opening That’s not happened,” Newey said. round of MERC “So it becomes a spending frenzy...the numbers being spent by the big manufacturers are eye- watering and so I think potentially for companies such as Renault who The Peninsula aren’t prepared to spend that sort of money, it means actually the gaps get bigger not smaller.” DOHA: Qatar’s rally star Nasser Speaking at a Formula One Saleh Al Attiyah sealed another win charity auction (www.zoom- on home soil and entered his name auction.com), Newey described in record books yesterday when he as ‘quaint’ the notion that power topped the field at the Qatar Inter- units would converge in perform- national Rally. ance as a result of the development With co-driver Baumel Matthieu Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (right) and co-driver Baumel Matthieu celebrate their win at the Qatar International Rally in Doha yesterday. shackles being removed. providing reliable support, Al Atti- Right: Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah giving a thumbs up sign after winning the Qatar International Rally. In exchange for supply- yah raced away to win in their Skoda ing 12m-euros engines that cost Fabia R5 across what many consid- 20-25m euros to make, the man- ered a tough terrain over the course Middle East Rally Championship vic- “First of all the race was bril- Al Suwaidi and his Italian co-driver Mitsubishi Evo drivers. Qatar’s ufacturers were making sure of of two days. tories with his win yesterday. liantly organised by QMMF. The stages Bernacchini Giovanni grabbed the Abdulla Al Kuwari and compatriot voting rights on key committees, Al Attiyah and Matthieu clocked Al Attiyah has created the record were very carefully planned which second spot in their Ford Fiesta R5. Adel Hussein finished in fourth spot he said. a time of 2:03:20. in his 14th season whereas Ben ensured a great challenge for all us,” Al Suwaidi and Giovanni clocked in a time of 2:21:26. That meant Mercedes and It was Al Attiyah’s first win of the Sulayem took 18 years. Al Attiyah said. a time of 2:09:34. Jordanian duo Husam Salem and Ferrari could ensure, without com- season after the 2012 Qatar Olympic This week’s Qatar International “I guess experience counts a lot Qatar’s Rashid Al Nuami and co- Nancy Al Majali grabbed the fifth spot plaint, that their own works teams Games hero finished second at last Rally was the first stop on the 2016 and the experienced drivers emerged driver Nicola Arena finish in third spot in a time of 2:34:31. still had an advantage. Mercedes month’s gruelling Dakar Rally. MERC calendar. on top,” he said. in their Subaru WRX Sti, clocking a Lebanese pair Rodolphe Asmar and Ferrari are each supplying Yesterday’s win was the 61st of “This was a good win. We are very “I was a bit apprehensive of our time of 2:20:42. and Joseph Matar ( 2:40:09) finished three teams apart from their own Al Attiyah’s amazing career that has happy to have won on our home soil,” new car Skoda Fabia - it is not a new Al Nuaimi said: “This is a great in sixth spot whereas Italians Stefano this season, while Renault have seen him bag 11 Middle East Rally Al Attiyah said. car but we were using here for the first achievement in my career. I had never Marrini and Roberto Mometti (3:01:01) two and Honda -- the newest Championship (MERC) titles in 13 “Both of us done really well and time,” he said. “But my apprehensions gotten this kind of a result. I have ben- were placed seventh. entrants who have more ground seasons. this was another race win that will quickly faded away once we kicked efited immensely by competing this QMMF President Nasser bin to make up -- just McLaren. The Qatari has entered the his- enjoy together,” Al Attiyah added. off the rally. week. Khalifa Al Attiyah said: “This is a big “It’s very curious to me that we tory books by eclipsing Mohammed “I would like to thank all the peo- “It was a strong rally. I think once He added: “Hopefully I will com- achievement by Qatar’s finest athlete. have this set of regulations where Ben Sulayem’s long-standing 60 FIA ple and fans who have supported me we got the lead, we continued with pete in more races and get even To create a new record of this nature the manufacturer has to sup- over the years. I could not have done confidence,” he said. better.” is not easy.” ply the same hardware to other Qatar International this alone. Qatar’s Abdulaziz Al Kuwari Al Nuaimi said: “It was a great He added: “I am sure the entire teams but it’s no under no obliga- “I take this opportunity to thank crashed out of the rally on Friday experience to see so many Europe- country will be proud of this record. tion to supply the same software Rally Results QMMF President Nasser bin Khalifa Al and Al Attiyah paid tribute to his ans drivers at the rallt. Their presence We wish this pair all the success for and therefore the same perform- 1. Al Attiyah Nasser - Baumel Matthieu Attiyah for his support. It is a victory compatriot. makes for exciting racing. Some of the many years to come. We see three ance,” said Newey. Skoda Fabia R5 (SY6 21E) RC2 2:03:20.5 for everyone,” Al Attiyah said. “I hope he remains strong and Qatar drivers are obviously so good Qatar drivers on the top and we hope “Nobody is complaining about 117.6 “Obviously this win feels different comes back on the circuit,” Al Atti- at this level.” to see similar performances in the this because the customer teams 2. Al Suwaidi Khalid Mohammad - Ber- for a special reason,” Al Attiyah said. yah said. Qatar’s Khalid Mohammed The next four slots all went to future also.” can’t complain because their con- nacchini Giovanni Ford Fiesta R5 (PY63 tract doesn’t allow them to.” LYT) RC2 2:09:34.6 Newey said Renault, who fell 3. Al-Naimi Rashid - Arena Nicola Sub- out with Red Bull last season but aru WRX Sti RC2 N 2:20:42.5 have patched up a relationship that looked to be irreparable at one 4. Al-Kuwari Abdullah - Hussein Adel Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X RC2 N 2:21:26.1 point, were an exception. “They have always given the 5. Salem Husam - Al-Majali Nancy Mit- same power units in every sense subishi Lancer Evo IX RC2 N 2:34:31.4 of the word, including software, 6. Asmar Rodolphe - Matar Joseph Mit- to their customer teams as their subishi Lancer Evo IX RC2 N 2:40:09.8 works teams,” he added. 7. Marrini Stefano - Mometti Roberto Mit- “Of course it’s an option for subishi Lancer Evo IX RC2 N 3:01:01.8 Red Bull and it’s an option for Retirements Renault (to continue together),” SS3 Al-Kuwari Abdulaziz - Clarke Marshall he said, looking beyond this sea- Škoda Fabia R5, Youth & Sports Qatar son when Red Bull will use Renault Rally Team RC2 Accident engines with Tag Heuer branding. SS6 Al-Attiyah Khalifa Saleh - Laos Sav- “The problem of course is that vas Subaru WRX Sti, RC2 N Retired if Renault are not able to compete with the spend and development SS6 Koivio Kim - Savela Petri Mitsubishi race then we are put in a position Lancer Evo IX, RC2 N Retired where neither they nor us can be SS8 Timur Yigit Alpaslan - Uluocak Ufuk fully competitive.” Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Toksport WRT Newey recalled how in the RC2 N Retired 1960s Ford and Colin Chapman, Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (sixth from left), winner of the Qatar International Rally, poses for a picture with Qatar Motor and Motorcycle SS5 Diker Vedat - Oral Erdal Mitsubi- whose Lotus team had exclusive shi Lancer Evo X Toksport WRT RC2 N Federation (QMMF) President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah (fifth from left, standing), officials and other competitors during the victory ceremony use of the dominant Cosworth DFV Retired in Doha yesterday. engine.