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SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 • 7 Rabia II 1437 • Volume 20 • Number 6678 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar OPINION Microchips in vehicles to curb

Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi fuel bill fraud Acting Editor-in-Chief

The hateful lesion vehicle such as its registration number, name and location of petrol station of terrorism Woqod’s new system (where a customer prefers refuelling), designed to eliminate date, time and other details as desired. errorist blasts and oper- “It’s a very smart and convenient ations are increasing day cash transactions system that we have introduced. It Tafter day affecting dif- will provide full control to custom- ferent places and threatening ers about the details such as accurate lives of individuals and soci- bill, amount purchased etcetera. It eties. Unfor tunately, they are By Mohammad Shoeb works at all our gas stations. It will being committed by indi- The Peninsula also help reduce refuelling time,” viduals and groups calling Yousef Al Sulaiti, Manager, Infor- Portraits of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al themselves Islamic groups mation Technology at Woqod, told Thani on a building of the Sheikh Hamad Residential City in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis whereas Islam preaches reporters. yesterday. peace. The prevalence of DOHA: To check any possible wrong- Al Sulaiti said that the system is this phenomenon is linked doings such as issuing of inflated bills going to bring a significant change in to political developments and by petrol station staff or fraudulent the experience of motorists at Woqod deterioration of conditions in acts by some consumers, Qatar Fuel fuel stations. affected areas. (Woqod) has started installing elec- The chip, priced QR500 for com- Qatar gifts 1,060 new homes to Gazans Two days ago, Indonesian tronic microchips in vehicles. panies and QR350 for private vehicles, capital Jakarta witnessed In the first phase, over 60,000 takes some time to install as it needs to blasts which claimed the lives vehicles, which are already regis- be adjusted and the distance between The Peninsula reconstruction effort. Qatar is devel- Qatar was the first country to of a number of innocent peo- tered with Woqod, will be covered the ‘demo-reader’ and the position of oping the city in several phases. The finance and launch massive rebuild- ple and there were blasts in under the newly-introduced smart the microchip fixed. The modern fuel- second phase has also been launched ing effort in war-torn Gaza for which Istanbul, which resulted in fuelling and payment system. ling and payment system eliminates and is almost 25 percent complete, it initially earmarked US$407m. deaths and injuries to many A senior Woqod official said the the involvement of fuel staff at petrol DOHA: Some 1,060 housing units reports Qatar News Agency (QNA). Later in October 2014, at a donors’ people and Da’esh claimed tailor-made ‘fool-proof system’ will stations. “The system automatically built by Qatar in Gaza as part of the This phase will provide 1,200 hous- meeting, Emir H H Sheikh Tamim responsibility. Motives, justi- completely eliminate the possibil- prints an electronically generated first phase of its multi-million dollar ing units to deserving people of Gaza. bin Hamad Al Thani pledged $1bn fications and reasons leading ity of any irregularities like price invoice of the transaction with specific rebuilding project in the war-ravaged Besides this, Qatar is also financing for reconstruction and the cash was to the growth of this phe- manipulations, frequent refuelling details. The system also immediately Palestinian city are being handed over rebuilding of electricity transmis- given immediately after that. For the nomenon will vary as long as by unscrupulous motorists for pil- sends a text message on a preregis- to beneficiaries. sion networks, launching agricultural reconstruction, Qatar set up a com- there is no common defini- ferage and other issues. tered mobile number about the latest The housing units, measuring 130 projects, building healthcare facil- mittee — ‘Qatari Committee for the tion of terrorism in the world. The system, named ‘Woqodi’, transaction and other important infor- square metres each, are part of (Father ities and developing infrastructure, Reconstruction of Gaza’ with Ambas- works on a microchip affixed in a mation,” he added. Emir H H) Sheikh Hamad Residen- rebuilding homes destroyed in the sador Mohamed Al Emadi as chairman. → Continued on page 6 vehicle near the fuel tank opening. tial City being built in Gaza by Qatar last Israeli aggression and building The chip, which carries details of the → Continued on page 6 as part of its contribution to Gaza’s new housing units. → Continued on page 6 02 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 HOME

Minister of Public Health and Supreme Council of Health (SCH) Secretary-General H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani speaking at the opening of the International Conference in Emergency Medicine and Public Health - Qatar 2016 at Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday. Pic: Kammutty /The Peninsula Emergency Medicine and Public Health forum opens

By Fazeena Saleem “The conference is important as it requirements, the department is set for prevention of communicable diseases 100,000 people in 2006. It is the first- The Peninsula discusses issues affecting public health an expansion and expects the primary without an outbreak, an advance immu- of-its-kind forum in the GCC, organised and emergency medicine. Qatar is keen to health care centres to treat minor cases. nisation system, reduction in road by HMC and the SCH. “The role played by public health provide distinguished “The expansion is coming in accidents and their severity, and steps It has brought together around in preventing diseases and the emer- number of phases, primary health taken to reduce lifestyle diseases, said 1,300 experts in emergency medicine, DOHA: Most recent clinical devel- gency department as the first point of healthcare services to centres are picking up minor emer- Dr Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al public health and ambulance service opments in emergency medicine and contact in case of an emergency are the public through its gency cases to reduce the pressure Thani, Director, Public Health, Supreme at Qatar National Convention Centre. public health are being discussed at a vital. The collaboration of both will health centres, says on the department,” he said. Council of Health (SCH). Sessions are dedicated to infec- conference, opened yesterday by Min- help provide more quality services,” “The department is expanding in “In implementing the national tious diseases, disaster preparedness, ister of Public Health and Supreme said Al Qahtani. Minister terms of capacity, there is a three-sto- health strategy, we have achieved 77 pre-hospital emergencies, injury pre- Council of Health Secretary-General Qatar is keen to provide distin- rey building coming up, this will take percent in preventive health and hope vention, medical toxicology, critical H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani. guished healthcare services to the some two years, but work has begun,” to increase it to 90 percent this year. care in the emergency department, The International Conference in public through its health centres, he said Dr Al Thani. He said the satellite “The mortality rate due to road emergency education, nursing and Emergency Medicine and Public Health- said, adding that the national health about one million cases, including services provided by some primary accidents reduced to 8.2 per 100,000 other topics. Pre-conference work- Qatar (ICEP-Q 2016) under the theme strategy focuses on prevention of 45,000 paediatric emergencies. health centres and the single work- people in 2014, the severity of accidents shops were held for two days. ‘Together we move forward’, aims to diseases and improving the health of Dr Sheikh Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, ers hospital are also expected to take has reduced by 18.3 percent and fatal An exhibition on public health and learn and share experiences to improve individuals. Head, Trauma and Vascular Surgery some burden from the department. accidents by 10 percent,” he added. emergency medicine services in the quality in the areas of emergency med- Last year, the Emergency Depart- Sections, Hamad Medical Corpo- The major achievements in pub- The mortality rate due to road acci- country is being held on sidelines. icine and public health. ment at Hamad General Hospital saw ration (HMC), said to meet the high lic health sector in Qatar include the dents was recorded at 26 for every The conference ends tomorrow. QC urges people to donate more for Syrians in Madaya

The Peninsula QC launched the campaign beginning from Rihani- yya area along the Turkish border to provide kits for the displaced in Syria, and refugees in southern Turkey to enable them to keep warm during the winter months. DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) has urged citizens and res- The first consignment of the campaign included idents of Qatar to redouble their donations to support more than 250,000 kits distributed to 508,000 people. Syrians in the besieged Syrian city of Madaya. A QC delegation distributed 2,000 food baskets to Ready-to-eat meals can be donated to the residents 10,000 Syrian refugees in Rihaniyya city near the Syr- of Madaya via SMS. People can send the word “Madaya,” ian border. to 92642 to donate QR100, to 92428 to donate QR500, QC is playing a central role to alleviate the suffering to 92429 to donate QR1,000, or can contact QC hot- of refugees and displaced people in Lebanon. line 44667711. About 10,000 Syrian refugees in the Lebanese city QC has distributed food rations to the starving residents of Arsal have benefited from the relief project carried of Madaya in cooperation with Al Rahma International out by QC. Charity. The charity has distributed 1,825 basic items to 15 It has opened the doors for donations and contri- Syrian refugees’ camps in Lebanon as part of the ‘Life’s butions to Madaya, as part of a campaign ‘Syria, Harsh Backbone’ project at a cost of QR1,825,000. Winter’. People can donate to the campaign ‘Syria ...Harsh Aid included prepared food, wheat, lentils, chick- Winter’ through Rayan Bank account number: IBAN / peas, beans, semolina, sugar, corn and rice, in addition QA40MAFR000000000003111111001, or through QC to meals and fresh meat. website: qcharity.org, or through QC headquarter and its Reports of international humanitarian organisa- branches in the state, and its outlets in shopping malls. tions indicate that the majority of the deceased were People can also donate to Syria campaign via SMS, elderly and infants due to the acute shortage of food- by sending the word “Syria”, to 92632 to donate QR50, stuff, particularly milk. to 92642 to donate QR100, to 92428 to donate QR500, Thousands of Madaya residents and those of the west- and to 92429 to donate QR1,000. ern countryside of Damascus, including Zabadani and The campaign has also designated hotline 44667711 Baqin, are facing death due to the deteriorating human- for people to donate and respond to their inquiries related itarian conditions and the severe cold winter. to donations. Ooredoo unveils Windows 10 devices

The Peninsula software, enabling benefits such as free 15GB Data Card. To ensure that the ability to keep your digital life users can protect their new technol- in sync across all Window devices, ogy and enjoy the latest accessories, enhanced notifications, Xbox, Office Ooredoo will also launch Windows DOHA: Ooredoo has announced that Apps and more. extras in its shops, including cov- customers will be able to buy the lat- Customers can pick up the lat- ers, touchscreen pens, compatible est models of Windows phones and est Surface Pro4 i5 tablet starting keyboards and a docking station tablets via selected Ooredoo shops from QR4,399 and the latest Micro- for phones. and online via eShop this week. soft Lumia 950 from QR2,099. The new devices are also This is the first time Ooredoo has To celebrate the launch of 4G+enabled, allowing customers been able to sell the state-of-the-art Microsoft, all customers who buy a to get the most out of the Ooredoo Windows devices and to start-off Microsoft Lumia 950 or 950XL will Supernet, with access to superfast the company will have a selection get a free display dock, 6GB Data mobile data speeds and an incred- of the latest Windows smart devices Card, one-month free Shahry sub- ible browsing experience. available, including the brand new scription for all new and upgrading Details of Ooredoo’s plans, pric- Microsoft Lumia 950 DS, 950 XL customers. ing, and offers are available at www. phones and the Surface Pro4 i5 tablet. All customers will also get 10 per- ooredoo.qa. Ooredoo’s Windows launch has cent off Office 365 software for one For details on Windows devices, come recently after the software year for business customers. visit: https://www.microsoft.com/ company’s upgrade to its new oper- Customers who buy a Surface en-us/windows/phones. ating system Windows 10, and all Pro4 i5 tablet or smart Wi-Fi Netgear Customers can find out prices for devices now sold via Ooredoo will be device along with a new Microsoft the latest device launches at http:// compatible with the new operating Lumia will also get this offer plus a www.ooredoo.qa/eshop/.

04 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 HOME

Pakistan mission QRCS begins vocational training in Gaza starts online appointments

socio-economic empowerment of The QR2,416,460 people with disabilities are imple- DOHA: The Pakistan mented through vocational training, embassy has begun an initiative with the internship opportunities and micro- online appointment sys- Palestinian Red business projects in the areas of tem for its nationals in furniture making, hairdressing, sew- Qatar for the issuance Crescent Society will ing, embroidery, upholstery, jewellery and renewal of pass- benefit people with making, car mechanics, cooking and ports and computerised baking, professional photography, short national identity cards disabilities filmmaking, graphic design, wood (CNIC). carving, and Braille language. The new system will Based on a ‘disability database’ help Pakistani expatriates prepared by the Palestinian Central needing these services The Peninsula Bureau of Statistics and QRCS in a prior save time, particularly stage, criteria were used to select ben- those living in the remote eficiaries. A total of 215 people with areas. The old system disabilities in 18-35 age group were required an applicant to DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent Society selected to attend vocational train- visit the embassy in per- (QRCS) has undertaken $664,240 ing courses, of whom 100 will later son between 1pm and (QR2,416,460) vocational training be offered internships and another 3pm on working days and project for people with disabilities in 44 will receive micro-business grants. take an appointment for the Gaza Strip, in partnership with The project also targets 200 repre- these services. the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. sentatives of public and private sectors, To avail of the new The project is implemented through micro-business enterprises, employ- services, the applicant Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children ment agencies and vocational training will have to email the (ASDC). centres; 1,764 family members of peo- required documents It is funded by the GCC Programme ple with disabilities and 30 graduates to the embassy at pak. for the Reconstruction of Gaza and in the fields of disability. embassy.qatar@gmail. Qatar’s Al Fakhoora Foundation (Edu- A comprehensive needs assess- com. cation Above All), under the supervision ment was carried out to ensure all The applicant will of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). facilities at Atfaluna Society for Deaf Some of the beneficiaries attending vocational training. need to make a request Lasting from May 2015 until this Children are adapted to serve peo- for appointment, pro- April, the project aims to provide ple with disabilities. Other activities “The overall goal of the project is to local Palestinian economy. employment,” he added. The project viding basic information vocational training for young men include organising marathons and reduce poverty in Gaza and raise the “The project’s rights-based is part of a major joint programme such as the purpose of and women with hearing, visual or murals on International Day of Peo- quality of life for people with disabil- approach encourages and rein- between QRCS and the Palestinian Red appointment, full name, physical disabilities to help them find ple with Disability. ities, their families and communities forces changes in society’s attitudes Crescent Society to develop and reha- NIC and passport num- jobs, earn their livelihood, and inter- QRCS Secretary-General Saleh bin by improving their socio-economic towards people with disabilities by bilitate Gaza’s disability services and bers, contact number act effectively with the community. Ali Al Mohannadi said 60 percent of status, employability skills and job raising awareness about their right integration, with $5m funding from Al and residential address in Sustainable interventions for the project has been accomplished. creation, eventually supporting the to schooling, vocational training and Fakhoora Foundation and IDB. Qatar. For passport serv- ice, the applicant should attach a copy of NICC/ NICOP (both sides), a copy Katara to launch third edition of Winter Festival on January 24 of passport (front side) and a copy of visa (resi- dency permit of Qatar). To take an appoint- The Peninsula The festival will start on January The Childhood Cultural Centre is especially children, with the Qatari A birds and animals exhibition by ment for services related 24 and end on January 28 at Katara planning children’s activities, includ- cultural and national identity and Kanari World pet store, performances to documentation for a Esplanade. This year’s edition draws a ing competitions and games, with gifts. flora. by cultural bands, activities organised newborn, a copy of NICC significant participation of ministries, Qatar Heritage and Identity Centre To raise awareness about health- by the Ministry of Municipality and of parents and a copy of DOHA: For the third year in a row, Cul- institutions and private sector centres is taking part with a unique educational care during the winter season, two Urban Planning, games at the beach birth certificate attested tural Village Foundation-Katara will that will hold a wide range of diverse theatrical show to highlight the winter campaigns will be held this year. front organised by Katara, a photo by Qatar’s Foreign Min- launch its 2016 edition of the Winter events, including performances, theat- season, in addition to other entertain- One will be organised by Bin Muf- exhibition, kids workshops, paint- istry should be attached Festival. rical shows and educational workshops. ing activities, to acquaint the public, tah’s Medical Centre to raise visitors’ ing workshops for adults, a display with the request. awareness about common winter of handicrafts by Qatar University’s To take an appoint- diseases, food to eat during the sea- alumni association, and an introduc- ment for the renewal son and healthy habits to follow. The tory expo by Qatar News Agency are of NIC, a copy of NICC other will be held by Al Rabiee Med- among other programmes. (both sides) is required ical Centre to raise awareness about Cultural Village Foundation- to be attached with the skincare during the winter season. Katara has always been keen to request. Al Gannas Society is organis- organise educational and entertain- Pakistani expatriates ing information sessions for junior ing activities with the participation living in remote areas, falconers and other sessions on fal- of the private and government sec- including Mesaieed, Al conry and hunting using salouki dogs. tors. The third edition of the festival Wakrah, Al Khor, Dukhan The festival will also feature aims to attract the public, especially and Al Shihaniya will be events and activities, including children, and provide them with a given priority, according exhibitions and workshops under glimpse on Qatari lifestyle during to an embassy official. Al Galayel competition. winter. HOME SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 05

Qatar reiterates rejection of violence and extremism

QNA Violence and Extremism’, Qatar Committee for and extremism,” he said quoting Emir H H acceptance of others and peaceful coexistence. and to be a beacon for a deeper understanding the Alliance of Civilisations Vice-Chairman Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani who has The centre founded in 2007 contributed of the teachings of Islam, which guarantees Dr Hassan Ibrahim Al Mohannadi stressed the stressed our clear and categorical rejection of to building bridges of cooperation and under- peaceful coexistence of all and calls for the panel’s keenness since its inception to adopt terrorism and religious extremism regardless standing between religions, civilisations and establishment of mutual understanding among NEW YORK: Qatar has renewed its firm stance policies to contribute with the international of the analyses of their causes and means of cultures around the world, he added. peoples and nations, he added. rejecting violence and extremism in all its community to preventing and combating dealing with them. Established in 2010, the committee set the He said the Emir stressed that “bullets forms regardless of the analysis of their causes violence and extremism and disseminat- Qatar’s fight against terrorism and denial 2014-2016 plan of Qatar for UN Alliance of and bombs” were not enough to win the war and means of dealing with them. ing values of brotherhood, tolerance, peace of extremism stem from their social and cul- Civilizations to ease tensions between nations on extremism and that understanding the The state said “bullets and bombs” are and stability to serve humanity. tural threats to our society, religion and nation, and peoples, remove causes of division and root cause of terrorism was a prerequisite not enough to win the war on these phenom- He also highlighted the panel’s continu- he added. misunderstanding and build relationships to tackling its prevalence. ena and that they need a deeper and more ing mediation efforts to resolve international Qatar has established institutions and among them to achieve the humanitarian Fighting terrorism and extremism needs a strategic long-term approach and political and regional issues. agencies to spread the culture of coexist- goal of peaceful coexistence, acceptance deeper and more strategic long-term approach determination to negotiate pluralistic and Al Mohannadi referred to the committee’s ence and dialogue among civilisations and of others and respect for peoples and cul- and a strong international political determina- comprehensive solutions to regional conflicts. role in defusing conflicts and disputes between religions, fight extremism and reject vio- tures, he said. tion to negotiate pluralistic and comprehensive In a statement before the annual United religious, ethnic and sectarian groups in dif- lence, Dr Al Mohannadi said referring to the Qatar also established the Hamad Bin solutions to regional conflicts along with the Nations Alliance of Civilisations Focal Points ferent countries and achieving successes. Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dia- Khalifa Civilisation Centre in Copenhagen, adoption of binding international executive Meeting on ‘Preventing and Combating “We in Qatar reject all forms of violence logue, which seeks to spread the culture and Denmark in 2014 to serve Muslims in Europe mechanisms. Works of five artists feature at QM exhibition

the country to express views about about international art. world events though art. In line with QM’s vision to inspire The five won the ‘Luc The winners are Katrina Boyd, an indigenous culture of creativity and Tuymans Challenge’ a teacher at Al Khor International innovation in Qatar, the competition inspired by the works School; Michael Perrone, a professor at sought to engage local artistic talent VCU-Qatar; healthcare management and further inspire local creativity. of internationally- professional Mohammed Muslim; and Competitors were asked to sub- acclaimed Belgian students Devi Sari and Maryam Nasser. mit a high-resolution photo of their Each of them impressed Tuymans painting to a website, including details artist with their artworks, all of which are of inspiration behind their work and inspired by media-driven images of a brief biography. important moments in history that Born in 1958, Tuymans is regarded have affected the world and how we internationally as one of the key figures The Peninsula perceive it today. of a new generation of figurative paint- Tuymans uses art to showcase his ers, credited with having contributed views on history, media and how we to the revival of painting in the 1990s. look at images. His works are featured in museum col- DOHA: Qatar Museums (QM) yester- Aware since the outset of his career lections worldwide, including the Art day announced the five winners of the that painting as an art form is widely Institute of Chicago; Centre Georges ‘Luc Tuymans Challenge’, who will see considered in crisis, Tuymans adopted Pompidou, Paris; Los Angeles County their artworks displayed at QM’s lat- a contrasting stance. Museum of Art; MoMA, New York; Pina- Belgian artist Luc Tuymans with one of his works. His retrospective ‘Intolerance’ is on display at the QM est exhibition ‘Your View’ at the QM Painting became for him a vehi- kothek der Moderne, Munich; Solomon Gallery, Al Riwaq, until January 31. cle through which the most urgent R Guggenheim Museum, New York; gallery at Al Riwaq until January 30. Presented under the leadership and volatile issues, whether relating and Tate Gallery, London. of QM Chairperson H E Sheikha Al to history, identity, nationalism and Among his major solo shows was Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al belief, or to headline social and polit- a presentation of his portraits ‘Nice. Thani, the competition was inspired by ical events, could be opened up to a Luc Tuymans’ at The Menil Collection, the works of internationally-acclaimed nuanced debate. Houston in 2013. Previous major sur- Belgian artist Luc Tuymans, whose By bringing major international vey shows include those organised major retrospective ‘Intolerance’ is artists and their exhibitions to Qatar, by Moderna Museet Malm, Sweden on display at the QM gallery at Al such as ‘Intolerance’, QM is continu- in 2009 and Tate Modern, London in Riwaq until January 30. The compe- ing to influence aspiring artists in the 2004. In 2001, the artist represented tition invited creatives from across region and educate local communities Belgium at the 49th Venice Biennale.

The team from the Paediatric Continuity Clinic at Hamad General Hospital during the opening of the library. Library opens at Paediatric Continuity Clinic at Hamad General Hospital

The Peninsula to encourage children to read and offers Public Relations, Childhood Cultural books, magazines and educational toys. Centre. It also aims to increase children’s Children also received gifts dur- knowledge and enable them to develop ing the library’s inauguration. DOHA: Hamad Medical Corporation their language skills and creativity The clinic officially opened in (HMC), in collaboration with the Child- and engage them in fun and enter- November 2015 at the Outpatient hood Cultural Centre, inaugurated a taining activities during their visits. Department to provide patient-cen- library for children at Hamad General “The provision of this library is tred care for children. Hospital’s (HGH) Paediatric Continu- part of our ‘I read’ campaign launched It enables each patient to stay in ity Clinic. by the centre in 2012. one assigned treatment room where The library was installed as part “We provided the library to a the patient’s nurse, paediatric spe- of ongoing cooperation between HMC group of institutions, most notably cialist or medical resident comes to and the centre to foster love for read- HMC, which has always fully sup- them, so that the patient does not have ing among children visiting the clinic, ported efforts to bring happiness to to move around from place to place. said Ali Al Khater, Chief Communi- and improve the quality of life of their With eight themed treatment cations Officer, HMC. patients, especially children,” said rooms, the clinic is open from Sun- The library is attractively designed Abdullah Hamid Al Mulla, Director, day to Thursday between 7am and 3pm. 06 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 HOME The hateful lesion of terrorism RAF selects over 200 from Continued from page 1 and the evil designs of terrorists earlier. In his speech at the UN General Assem- Some believe that it is the result of com- bly meeting in 2014, His Highness made a petitions and conflicts between states, call not to push people to choose between 27 countries for scholarships helping these factions grow and spread, terrorism and authoritarian regimes. while others think it is a natural phenome- He urged the UN Security Council to non in societies where people face political, avoid double standards and selectivity in economic, social, religious and ideologi- its policies. Students will cal challenges. Terrorists are insulting Islam by giv- If we look at the environment and places ing extremist interpretations. pursue higher where these terrorist factions are operat- The Emir emphasised that Arab socie- studies at top ing, we can find societies suffering due to ties are the most affected by terrorism and, poverty and ignorance and people lack- to make people stand up against terrorism, universities in ing the basic necessities of life. there must not be any discrimination and Malaysia To fight this epidemic, there is a need practices of deprivation. for an-depth study on the reasons leading It is clear that terrorism is not a coin- to the appearance of these groups, espe- cidence but the outcome of daily lives of cially among the youth, to find sustainable individuals and groups growing up under The Peninsula solutions. influences of thoughts contradicting Islamic Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad teachings and living under unfair economic Al Thani, Allah bless him, raised this issue and social conditions. DOHA: Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Serv- ices (RAF) has selected over 200 students from 27 Arab and Islamic Gaza needs 130,000 housing countries for scholarships to pur- sue higher education at universities in Malaysia. Senior RAF officials at the press conference to announce the scholarship programme. units: Palestinian Minister RAF will earmark QR20m from its endowment fund annually to give scholarships to help students Continued from page 1 earmarked by Qatar, $230m had been used realise their dreams of pursuing RAF will sign contracts with Ibrahim, CEO, RAF. change his specialisation. for rebuilding and housing projects. higher studies in top varsities of top universities in Malaysia to “The candidate should be una- The grade point average (GPA) Hamad City is being developed and other He said tenders for other phases will the world. ensure admission for its students,” ble to finance his studies and should of a student should not be less than rebuilding projects like healthcare facilities, be invited soon and will include the fourth Details of ‘Sheikh Thani Bin he added. have a good character and should 80 percent. are being launched by the Qatari commit- phase of the development of Salahuddin Abdullah Scholarships for Uni- Malaysia was selected because keen to serve the community.” Study should not be discontin- tee in collaboration with the Palestinian Road. Al Emadi praised Palestinian con- versity Education’ were given by its universities are providing excel- The scholarships are for ued without any genuine reason and Ministry for Public Works and Housing. tracting companies and said they are playing senior officials at a press conference. lent education and are accredited courses, including law, economy, discontinuation should not be for At the allotment (the start of housing a key role in Qatar-funded development “The first batch of more than internationally. international relations, psychol- more than two semesters. unit distribution) function, Palestinian Pub- and rebuilding projects. 200 students has been selected from The country is peaceful, the ogy, mass communications, social The scholarships also aim to lic Works and Housing Minister Mofeed Al He said work on the projects was stalled some of the most deserving coun- people are good and educated and sciences, liaison (public, organ- provide a six-month refresher’s Hasayneh was also present. for almost a year due to the shortage of tries, including Syria, Yemen and the visa and residency procedures isational and individual), social course in English language, tuition He said Gaza needs some 130,000 building materials but the Qatari com- Palestine, among other Arab and are easy, said Al Sulayti. development projects, man- fees of the university throughout housing units and praised Qatar for help mittee solved the problem last March and Islamic countries, facing humani- Scholarships will be granted to agement, and information and study, air ticket from and to their in helping meet the shortage. work resumed and the first phase of the tarian crises,” said Hasan bin Hasan 50 students for bachelor’s degree technology, said Ibrahim. home countries, suitable lodging The function was to mark the beginning housing project as part of Hamad City was Al Sulayti, Supervisor-General, courses, 40 for master’s and 10 Once admitted to a programme, and food, transport and daily per- of the allotment process as the 1,060 units completed. Scholarship Programme. for PhD, said Dr Mohamed Salah a student will not be allowed to sonal expenses. will be handed to beneficiaries in a gradual Ismail Haniyah, Deputy Head of Hamas manner and proper documents to them. Politburo, said soon Hamad Hospital for The function was a celebration to mark Rehabilitation and Artificial Limbs will the completion of the first phase of the hous- be inaugurated in Gaza. The hospital has ing project financed by Qatar, aside from latest equipment and technology, he said Woqod’s new system to reduce long queues the start of the allotment of units. and praised Qatar, its leadership and peo- Al Emadi said out of the initial $407m ple for help. Continued from page 1

He said since the system eliminates the exchange of cash and reduces time, it may also QC opens new camp for help address the problem of long queues at fuel stations, especially during peak hours. The system has been tailored to let fuel start flowing from the dispensing nozzle after it is displaced Syrians close enough to the tank. The moment nozzle is out from the tank, the flow stops. This aims to ensure refuelling is done only in the des- QNA Latakia as part its winter campaign in ignated vehicle for which payment has been Syria. In a statement yesterday, QC said made. The use of the technology will also help the number of beneficiaries of these tents keep tab on vehicles used for frequent refuel- DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) has announced reached more than 6,000. Faisal Rashid ling for diesel smuggling. the opening of a new camp, including Al Fehaidh, Executive Director Opera- Al Sulaiti said in keeping with Qatari cul- 500 tents for displaced Syrians on the tions, QC, said “The establishment of ture, staff will be available to assist motorists Turkish-Syrian border. It has distributed the camp and distribution of tents aim for refuelling. a similar number of tents to affected fam- to help displaced Syrians face the cold Woqod is offering the system only to its pre- ilies in rural areas of Hama, Aleppo and winter cold. registered customers, including those with big fleet of vehicles, at limited number of places, including Abu Hamour petrol station. The sys- tem, which is not mandatory, will be offered to other corporate customers and individuals by the year-end. Yousef Al Sulaiti, Manager, Information Technology, Woqod, explaining the new system, The new system, which initially works on at a press conference at the company’s Legtaifiya station yesterday. a postpaid format, will replace the existing Pic: Baher / The Peninsula voucher system the company offers to ‘cap- tive’ customers. But, according to the official, Woqod is working to issue integrated prepaid Sidra convenient store. “The new service has “Later, it can also be integrated with other GCC cards, which can be used to pay for other serv- evoked a huge response. So we have planned countries as similar smart payment systems are ices provided by Woqod, such as car wash and to offer it in a phased manner,” added Al Sulaiti. available in neighbouring countries.” Foggy weather, poor visibility in morning forecast

The sun rises in Al Wakrah and Al Shamal Road engulfed in a thick layer of fog, yesterday. Pics: Salim & Kammutty / The Peninsula

The Peninsula forecast a foggy weather in many be 1km or even less at places. The degrees and 19 in Al Ruwais. parts of the country this morning, fog will clear as the day progresses, The night will be cold with the affecting visibility. improving visibility to four to 8km. mercury dropping to 14 degrees There will be high winds as the The night will be cold, said in Doha and 11 in Abu Samra on DOHA: While it was clear sun- day progresses, with northwest- the bureau in its routine forecast Qatar-Saudi border. The sea will rise in Al Wakrah yesterday, some erly wind moving from the colder for today. Day temperatures are be tumultuous and the weather will other parts of the country witnessed regions of Europe at speeds of eight expected to vary between 19 and be partly cloudy, with high north- foggy conditions. to 18 knots to 22 knots. Due to the 24 degrees C. In Doha, the max- westerly winds moving at speeds The weather bureau has fog in the morning, visibility could imum temperature forecast is 24 of 15 to 22 to 25 knots at times. MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 07

Comoros cuts ties IS kills 35 Syria regime soldiers with Iran

IS has advanced into the AFP northern tip of Deir Ezzor city, in eastern Syria, and MORONI: Indian Ocean archi- captured the suburb of pelago and Saudi Arabia ally the Al Baghaliyeh Comoros said it had cut diplo- matic relations with Iran over what it termed Tehran’s “aggres- sion” towards Riyadh. A foreign ministry statement AFP said the Comoros viewed Tehran as “interfering” in “the internal affairs of certain countries” and “not respecting diplomatic conventions”. BEIRUT: At least 35 Syrian soldiers and pro- Comoros’ foreign ministry said it regime militiamen were killed yesterday in a had called on the Iranian ambassa- multi-front attack by the Islamic State (IS) group dor to clear his desk. The move came on the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, a monitor said. a week after the Comoros, a member The fighting came as regime forces battled of the Arab League, recalled its own IS in the northern province of Aleppo, repelling ambassador from Tehran judging that a militant assault and killing at least 16 fighters Iran has created a climate of “gratu- from the group. itous aggression” towards Riyadh. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Relations between majority Shia said IS had advanced into the northern tip of Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia dived Deir Ezzor city, in eastern Syria, and captured after the January 2 ransacking of the the suburb of Al Baghaliyeh. Saudi embassy in Tehran and the The advance puts IS in control of around 60 Saudi consulate in Mashhad, Iran’s percent of the city, with the regime holding the second city. The ransacking came rest, according to the Britain-based monitor. amid anger over Riyadh’s execution Syrian state news agency Sana said regime of Nimr Al Nimr, a prominent cleric troops had repelled an IS attack on the area around from the kingdom’s Shia minority. Al Baghaliyeh and inflicted “heavy losses” on Following the execution Riy- the group. adh severed diplomatic relations Deir Ezzor is the capital of Deir Ezzor prov- with Tehran. Several Arab coun- ince, an oil-rich region that borders Iraq and is tries followed suit and severed or mostly held by IS. reduced relations with Iran. A Syrian Civil Defence worker carries a child wrapped in a blanket over the rubble following a reported air strike by government The regime has clung onto portions of the “One cannot violate with impu- forces on the Sukkari neighbourhood of northern city of Aleppo, yesterday. provincial capital and the adjacent military air- nity the sovereignty of diplomatic port despite repeated IS attacks. missions,” the Comoros foreign Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said Bab, the Observatory said. State television also Roughly 30km south of the Turkish border, areas controlled by IS in the province from its ministry director general Aha- heavy fighting was continuing yesterday after- reported that regime forces had repelled an Al Bab fell into rebel hands in July 2012, and IS territory in neighbouring Raqa, Abdel Rahman mada Hamadi said, referring to noon after the IS assault, which began with a assault. The Observatory said heavy fight- jihadists captured it in late 2013. The fighting in said. Meanwhile, the United Nations has unveri- the ransacking. The three islands suicide car bomb blast carried out by a mem- ing was ongoing throughout yesterday in the Al Bab is just one of up to seven fronts on which fied reports that 15-20 people died of starvation of Anjouan, Grand Comore and ber of the jihadist group. area, with Russian war planes carrying out regime forces are seeking to advance in Aleppo in the Syrian city of Deir Al Zor in 2015, where Moheli that make up the Comoros Eight of the regime forces killed were shot strikes in the region between the regime- province, capitalising on a Russian air campaign 200,000 people face sharply deteriorating con- have a total population of just under dead by IS militants, the Observatory added. held Kweyris air base and Al Bab. that began on September 30. The various bat- ditions and a severe food shortage, it said in a 800,000 people, nearly all of whom The monitor said Russian warplanes were The regime has advanced towards the town, tles are intended in part to cut rebel supply lines report published yesterday. are Sunni Muslims. Since gaining carrying out heavy air strikes in support of regime an IS bastion, in recent days, and is now within into Aleppo city, the provincial capital and Syr- The western part of the city has been under independence from France in 1975, forces as they sought to repel the jihadists. 10km of it, according to the Observatory. ia’s second city. siege by Islamic State militants since last March. the impoverished archipelago has Elsewhere, regime troops were locked in That is the closest regime forces have come The city itself is divided and regime forces are There have been no flights into the airport except witnessed more than 20 attempted fierce clashes with IS in Aleppo province, with to Al Bab since 2012. The Britain-based mon- now hoping to effectively encircle the opposition- by helicopter since September, no electricity for coups, four of which were successful, at least 16 jihadists killed after a failed attack itor also said regime forces had taken a string held east. In addition to cutting rebel access to more than 10 months and water is only availa- but it has enjoyed relative stability on a government position near the town of Al of villages nearby. eastern Aleppo city, the regime is hoping to sever ble for three hours a week, the UN report said. in recent years. 08 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 MIDDLE EAST Iran and US free prisoners as sanctions to end

will gestures ahead of the expected announcement of the lifting of inter- Two nations national sanctions against Tehran made a series of under a nuclear deal. goodwill gestures US President Barack Obama pardoned three Iranian-Americans ahead of the lifting charged for sanctions violations, and of international US officials said four others would be released, in a thaw in relations sanctions against between the two nations that has Tehran under a shaped the Middle East since Iran’s Islamic Revolution of 1979. nuclear deal The ending of sanctions would bring the Middle Eastern country of 80 million people back to the global economic stage after several years away, and increase Iranian influence Reuters in a region torn by sectarian strife. The International Atomic Energy Agency was expected to announce in Vienna that Tehran had complied with VIENNA/DUBAI: Iran freed five the requirements of a deal reached Americans including a Washington last year, under which it was to curb Post reporter yesterday as the two its nuclear programme in return for countries staged a series of good- the lifting of sanctions imposed by the United States, United Nations and European Union. Iran to buy 114 Iranian Foreign Minister Javad US Secretary of State John Kerry with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Vienna yesterday. Zarif and US Secretary of State John jets from Airbus Kerry, who developed a strong rap- port while hammering out last year’s DUBAI/PARIS: Iran plans to buy deal, met in a Vienna hotel before the “Great Satan” and part of the “axis of will be lifted immediately. Iran’s Mehr news agency reported yes- glutted market is one of the main fac- 114 civil aircraft from European announcement. evil”. “Today, with the release of the Iranian media reported that four terday that executives from two of the tors contributing to a global rout in oil aircraft maker Airbus, the trans- “Implementation day” of the IAEA chief’s report, the nuclear deal Iranian-Americans held in Iran had world’s largest oil companies, Shell and prices, which fell below $30 a barrel port minister was quoted as saying nuclear deal marks the biggest re- will be implemented, after which a joint been released and seven Iranian-Amer- Total, had arrived in Tehran for talks this week for the first time in 12 years. yesterday, ahead of the anticipated entry of a former pariah state into statement will be made to announce icans held in the United States would with state firms. Tehran says it could boost exports by lifting of international sanctions world commerce since the end of the the beginning of the deal,” Zarif was also be freed under the prisoner swap. Under the deal, Iran has agreed to 500,000 barrels per day within weeks on Iran. Cold War. It is also a turning point in quoted as saying in Vienna by state news US State Department officials declined forego enrichment of uranium, which and 500,000 more within a year, in a “We have taken the first step the hostility between Iran and the agency Irna. “Today is a good day for immediate comment. world powers feared could be used to world already producing 1.5 million bar- in agreeing with Airbus to buy United States that has shaped the Mid- the Iranian people as sanctions will be The four held in Iran include Wash- make a nuclear weapon. Once sanctions rels a day more than it consumes and 114 planes,” Abbas Akhoondi was dle East since Iran’s Islamic Revolution lifted today,” the Isna agency quoted ington Post bureau chief Jason Rezaian, are lifted, Iran plans to swiftly ramp up running out of storage space to hold it. quoted as saying by the Tasnim of 1979, and a defining initiative for him as saying. held since 2014 and convicted in Iran its exports of oil. Global companies that The deal is opposed by all of the Republi- news agency. both US President Barack Obama and The sanctions have cut Iran off from of espionage. His case in particular has have been barred from doing business can candidates vying to succeed Obama Airbus said it was not engag- Iranian President Hassan Rowhani. the global financial system, drastically been a notable obstacle to a thaw in there will be able to exploit a market as president in an election in Novem- ing in commercial talks with Iran Both leaders have faced strong reduced the exports of a major oil pro- Iranian-US relations. hungry for everything from automo- ber, and is viewed with deep suspicion until sanctions had been lifted. opposition from hardliners at home in ducer and imposed severe economic Even before the expected announce- biles to airplane parts. by US allies in the Middle East includ- countries that have called each other hardship on ordinary Iranians. Most ment that sanctions would be lifted, Iran’s expected return to an already ing Israel and Saudi Arabia. US blinked on new sanctions after Iran’s warning

Reuters Rezaian (pictured), were being released by sources. Zarif countered that if Washington Officials then abruptly pulled back, tell- Iran. Eight Iranians accused in the United States went ahead, the prisoner swap was off, the ing congressional staffers the announcement of sanctions violations were having charges sources said. had been “delayed for a few hours,” accord- dropped or sentences commuted yesterday Kerry spoke by phone that night with Treas- ing to an email seen by Reuters. The next day VIENNA/WASHINGTON: The day before the under the complex prisoner deal, according to ury Secretary Jack Lew and a White House the State Department emailed that sanctions Obama administration was due to slap new sanc- court filings and sources familiar with the cases. official and the decision was made to hold off were delayed because of “evolving diplomatic tions on Iran late last month, Iranian Foreign The moves came as broader US and inter- on any sanctions announcement, they said. work that is consistent with our national secu- Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned US national sanctions were set to be lifted after Obama’s role in the unfolding drama was not rity interests.” Secretary of State John Kerry the move could verification that it had met commitments to clear. Administration officials then told some derail a prisoner deal the two sides had been curb its nuclear program. Zarif’s ability to fend off new US sanctions, congressional staffers confidentially that some- negotiating in secret for months. But Kerry’s decision not to call Iran’s bluff even temporarily, may have bought him some thing big involving Iran was in the works, in Kerry and other top aides to President Barack in December shows how months of clandes- breathing space with Iranian hardliners who an apparent attempt to tamp down criticism Obama, who was vacationing in Hawaii, con- tine negotiations to free Rezaian and other oppose the terms of nuclear deal. They have from Capitol Hill, a congressional source said. vened a series of conference calls and concluded Americans became deeply intertwined with and military near misses between Iran and insisted that any new sanctions would be a Leading lawmakers, including some of they could not risk losing the chance to free the final push to implement the nuclear deal, the United States in recent weeks, includ- show of bad faith by Washington. Obama’s fellow Democrats, chided the White Americans held by Tehran. despite the official US line that those efforts ing a quickly defused crisis when 10 US But a bureaucratic misstep almost undid House for delaying the sanctions package and At the last minute, the Obama adminis- were separate. sailors were detained after entering Ira- Kerry and Lew’s decision. Word of their last- suggested it could embolden Iran to further tration officials decided to delay a package A US official said there was no connection nian waters. minute intervention to delay the sanctions never threaten its neighbors and destabilize the Mid- of limited and targeted sanctions intended to between the nuclear deal and the release of Details of the prisoner talks were a closely filtered down to working-level officials at the dle East. penalize Iran for recent test-firings of a bal- the Americans. held secret, so even within the Obama admin- State Department during the holiday lull. The nuclear deal signed on July 14 between listic missile capable of delivering a nuclear The prisoner swap could also come under istration few people realised how perilously Unaware of the change of plan, the State Iran and world powers had been widely hailed warhead. This account of previously unre- scrutiny from critics who have questioned the close the swap came to falling through. officials went ahead and quietly informed key as a major boost for Obama’s legacy. But he ported internal deliberations was provided Obama administration’s resolve in dealing with On December 29, Kerry told Zarif the United congressional offices the next morning about also faced criticism for refusing to make the by two people with knowledge of the matter. Iran and ability to follow through on its pledge States intended to impose new sanctions on the new Iran sanctions targeting about a dozen accord contingent on Iran’s release of Ameri- Those unilateral US sanctions were expected to keep a hard line on sanctions outside those Iran over the missile test firings, which were companies and individuals. They included copies cans known to be held by Iran. The prisoners, to be imposed quickly now that four Americans, imposed on its nuclear programme. deemed to have violated a United Nations ban, of a news release that the Treasury Depart- accused of spying and other charges, included including Washington Post journalist Jason The episode was one of several diplomatic according to a US official and congressional ment intended to issue. Rezaian and several other Iranian-Americans.

Drone strike kills Call to free scribe three militants PKK apologises for killing in Yemen kids in Turkey car bombing Reuters

AFP we want to convey our sadness that several of ADEN: A drone strike killed three them died and we extend our condolences to suspected al Qaeda militants in an their families,” added the PKK while also prom- overnight attack in central Yemen, ising to continue attacks against Turkish forces a local official said yesterday, as a ANKARA: Kurdish PKK rebels while claim- The PKK launched an insurgency against US campaign goes on amid a wider ing responsibility yesterday for a car bombing the Turkish state in 1984, initially fighting for civil war in the country. in southeast Turkey this week apologised for Kurdish independence although it now presses The apparent US drone attack having killed civilians and especially three chil- more for greater autonomy and rights for the targeted a car travelling on Friday dren in the attack. country’s largest ethnic minority. night in the Ruqot area of eastern Two civilians were killed in the initial bomb- A new upsurge of violence between the secu- Shabwa province, a remote desert ing near a police station by the Kurdistan Workers’ rity forces and the PKK erupted in July following area where Al Qaeda militants are Party (PKK) in the town of Cinar, and three more attacks blamed on Islamic extremists, shatter- believed to be operating. It was the lost their lives when a building collapsed due ing a fragile two-and-a-half-year truce. first such attack reported this year. to damage caused by the blast, local officials Meanwhile, the remains of 10 Germans killed Al Qaeda in the Arabian Penin- said after the attack on Thursday. in a suicide attack in the Turkish city of Istan- sula (AQAP) has taken advantage Security sources said the victims in the build- bul were flown home yesterday. of a conflict pitting Houthi militia- ing collapse were a five-month-old baby, a boy The bodies of those killed in Tuesday’s attack, men against forces loyal to President aged five and a girl aged one. which has been blamed on the Islamic State Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi to grab ter- One policeman also died in the attack. group, were put on a plane at Ataturk Interna- ritory and operate more openly. “It is clear that civilians should never be our tional Airport to be flown back to Germany for The brother and the wife of Palestinian journalist Mohammed Al Qiq (portrait) who It seized control of two towns in target in accordance with the general line and burial. Another 17 people, mostly German tour- southern Yemen at the beginning is on hunger strike, join members of the Palestinian journalists syndicate during a political objectives of our movement. The tar- ists, were wounded in the attack in the historic of December, deploying fighters demonstration demanding the release of Al Qiq from Israeli jail, in the West Bank get of this action was the security forces,” the heart of Istanbul, near the famed Blue Mosque on the streets and blowing up the town of Bethlehem, yesterday. Al Qiq, a 33-year-old reporter for Saudi TV channel Al PKK said in a statement reported by the pro- and Hagia Sophia, a towering former Byzantine house of a local tribal militia com- Majd, was arrested in November and placed under administrative detention. Kurdish news agency Firat. church that was turned into a mosque before mander before withdrawing. “In spite of our efforts not to hurt civilians, later becoming a museum. ASIA / PHILIPPINES SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 09

Indonesia identifies five Philippine poll candidates warned militants and arrests 12

it will upset out strategy. Be patient, attack in the country after receiv- when the case is closed and things are ing orders from a foreign member of Police spokesman clear we will disclose them.” Islamic State (IS) in Syria. Anton Charliyan Seven people, including the mili- “The suspect is also responsible said the Jakarta five tants, were killed in Thursday’s attack for hanging IS flags at several loca- near the Sarinah department store in tions ... to warn the government to and the 12 others the Indonesian capital’s commercial stop arresting IS members in Malay- who were arrested district. About 30 people were hurt. sia,” Khalid said in a statement. Police held up pictures of the dead No details were given about where had plans to attack and wounded at the news conference, and how he planned to attack. cities elsewhere in including a man who kicked off the Khalid said three other people sus- siege by blowing himself up in a Star- pected of being supporters of Islamic Indonesia, including bucks cafe. State were arrested this week at Kuala Bandung, which Another attacker, who opened Lumpur airport after they returned fire with a gun outside the cafe, was from Turkey. lies some 120km named as Afif. A National Counter- Malaysia has been on high alert southeast of the Terrorism Agency spokesman said since Thursday’s siege in Jakarta. Secu- capital Afif had served seven years in prison, rity has been beefed up in public areas where he refused to cooperate with a and borders have been tightened to de-radicalisation programme. prevent jihadis getting into the country. The brazenness of the Jakarta Earlier yesterday, Indonesia said assault, which had echoes of maraud- it had shut down at least 11 radical Reuters ing gun and bomb attacks such as the websites and several social media Paris siege in November, suggested accounts, including several on Face- a new brand of militancy in a coun- book that expressed support for the try where extremists typically launch Jakarta attack. JAKARTA: Indonesian police yester- low-level strikes on police. “We are monitoring many web- day named the five men they suspect Police spokesman Anton Charli- sites and public complaints about launched this week’s gun and bomb yan said the Jakarta five and the 12 this,” said Ismail Cawidu, a public attack in Jakarta, which was claimed others who were arrested had plans relations official at the communica- by Islamic State, and said they had to attack cities elsewhere in Indone- tions ministry. The government also arrested 12 people linked to the plot sia, including Bandung, which lies sent letters to social media compa- who planned to strike other cities. some 120km southeast of the capital. nies such as Facebook, Twitter and As investigators pieced together “There were general plans tar- Telegram requesting radical mate- clues from the radical group’s first geting certain places like police and rial be immediately blocked or taken attack on Indonesia, neighbouring government offices, foreigners or those down, Cawidu said. Malaysia said it had arrested a man in cooperating with foreign entities,” The alleged mastermind behind Kuala Lumpur who had confessed to Charliyan told reporters. the Jakarta attack, an Indonesian citi- planning a suicide attack in the country. zen fighting with Islamic State in Syria, “We ... have carried out acts of MALAYSIAN PLANNED ATTACK is believed to have used social media force. We have done searches, we have In Malaysia, the country’s police extensively to share his beliefs about Filipina broadcaster Korina Sanchez-Roxas, wife of presidential contender Mar Roxas, throws wristbands made arrests and we have obtained chief said a suspected militant who was the group and communicate with con- evidence connected with the terrorist arrested in a metro station in Kuala tacts in Indonesia using blog posts and during feast of Sto Nino in Manila, Philippines, yesterday. Philippine Comelec warned candidates bombing at Sarinah,” Jakarta police Lumpur on Friday had confessed to mobile messaging apps. of ‘premature campaigning’ — electioneering conducted before the official campaign period. The spokesman Mohammad Iqbal told a planning a suicide attack. Authorities believe there are at Philippines will hold its presidential and national elections on May 9, 2016. More than 18,000 positions news conference. Inspector-General of Police Kha- least 1,000 Islamic State sympathis- are up for grabs, including president, vice-president, senators, congressional representatives, provincial “We will not say how many people lid Abu Bakar said the 28-year-old ers in Indonesia, which has the world’s governors, city and town mayors and vice mayors. or what sort of evidence we have as Malaysian planned to carry out the largest Muslim population.

Nepal post-quake reconstruction plan Bus operator in Self-harm at Australia detention Japan crash ‘violated’ safety centres once every two days regulations AFP Freedom of Information laws, found there were 188 self-harm incidents involving asy- AFP lum seekers in Nauru in the 12 months to July 2015. Self-harm incidents at the Manus SYDNEY: Self-harm by asylum-seekers Island camp on PNG numbered 55 for the TOKYO: A Japanese bus opera- being held at Australia’s offshore detention same period. An immigration department tor whose vehicle plunged off a centres takes place on average once every spokesman said the number of self-harm mountain road, killing 14 people two days, a report said yesterday, with some incidents at the two offshore camps “have and injuring dozens more, is sus- prospective refugees swallowing poison, reduced considerably in recent months”. pected by officials of violating safety cutting themselves and attempting suicide. “Where an individual in a regional regulations, local media reported Under Canberra’s hardline immigration processing centre threatens self-harm or yesterday. policy, Australia sends asylum-seekers that actually self-harms they are immediately Young skiers — many in their attempt to arrive by boat to the Pacific islands provided with both counselling and medi- teens or early 20s — were asleep of Papua New Guinea and Nauru for process- cal services,” the spokesman added. on the bus when it careened off the ing. They are barred from being resettled in “The services provided in both Nauru road before dawn in the ski resort Australia even if found to be refugees. and Papua New Guinea are broadly compa- town of Karuizawa on Friday, the The Fairfax Media report, using Immi- rable with health services available within country’s worst such accident for 25 gration Department logs obtained through the Australian community.” years. Twelve students aged between 19 and 22 as well as the driver and a second driver were all killed, and 26 others injured. Police are investigating bus Nepal’s President Bidhya Bhandari Devi unveils a plaque as she formally starts the post- operator ESP and Keyth Tour, a quake reconstruction campaign in Kathmandu yesterday. Nine months after the April 25 Tokyo travel agency which organised earthquake that hit Nepal, killing nearly 9,000 people and injuring hundreds others, the the ski package tour, but authori- National Reconstruction Authority is set to start post-quake reconstruction work. ties have yet to announce the cause of the accident. Transport Minis- ter Keiichi Ishii yesterday visited the site, from where the wrecked vehicle had already been removed, with the gnarled crash barrier still Jailed Maldives ex-president showing the impact of the collision. Police suspect the driver lost control as he tried to make a sharp turn after the bus hit the barrier, to seek surgery in Britain according to broadcaster NHK. But the Transport Ministry sus- pects the bus company may have violated safety regulations — by AFP permission to former president The 48-year-old was confined failing to give the driver written Mohamed Nasheed to travel to the to jail in March 2015 on terror instructions on what route to take United Kingdom to undertake a charges relating to the arrest of — according to the Yomiuri Shimbun surgery at his request,” the foreign an allegedly corrupt judge in 2012, and the Mainichi Shimbun news- MALÉ: The Maldives’ opposition ministry said in a brief statement. when he was still in power. papers. One expert quoted by the leader Mohamed Nasheed, who The concession was on the The UN has said his trial was Yomiuri also suggested the bus oper- is serving a 13-year jail term fol- “condition (Nasheed) serve the seriously flawed and that he should ator may be at fault. lowing a controversial trial, has remainder of the sentence upon be released and provided com- “I suspect the bus operating been allowed to travel to Britain return to the Maldives after the pensation for wrongful detention. company’s negligent safety manage- for surgery, the Maldives govern- surgery”, it said. Nasheed’s law- The government of Presi- ment could be behind the accident,” ment said yesterday. yers had demanded for months dent Abdulla Yameen has refused said Hajime Tozaki, professor of Nasheed, who became the that he be allowed specialist treat- the accept the UN ruling and is public transport policy at Waseda country’s first democratically ment abroad. resisting international pressure University. The accident occurred elected leader in 2008, has com- A spokeswoman for the ex- to release Nasheed. only days after authorities imposed plained of a spinal cord problem leader’s Maldivian Democratic His lengthy jail sentence was penalties on the company for failing requiring specialist surgery that Party said lawyers were meet- commuted to house arrest in July, to give required medical checkups is not available in the small Indian ing with Nasheed at a prison island but two months later police took to some drivers. The operator did Ocean archipelago. near the capital Saturday following him back to prison, in a surprise not immediately comment but the “The government of the the hardline government’s sur- move that drew fresh criticism travel agency boss denied the com- Republic of Maldives has granted prise announcement. from the UN and the United States. pany neglected safety standards. 10 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 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 Change in Taiwan For Republicans, it’s now aiwanese have voted for change. Tsai Ing-wen of the main opposition party Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) sealed a historic landslide victory in the presidential election a Trump-Cruz race which is set to reset the state’s relationship with China. Her victory ends eight years of rule by the Kuomintang (KMT or TNationalist Party) president Ma Ying-jeou, during which there has been Trump or Cruz. “Trump and aggressively courting estab- seem to want to elect a moder- Cruz sucked all the oxygen out lishment financiers. He held a ate. Our argument is, there is an unprecedented thaw in relations between the self-ruled island and The debate brought of the room, which is bad news fundraiser Monday at the New only one conservative who has China. The voters were unhappy with Ma Ying-jeou’s policy of leaning an abrupt end to for the establishment folks,” Orleans home of Mary Matalin, a path.” too close to China which they thought had failed to deliver significant said Barry Bennett, a veteran a Bush family loyalist and close Some outside strategists economic gains and was seen as undermining the freedom of the island the chumminess GOP strategist who recently adviser to former vice-president are less bullish on Cruz, how- and Beijing. The economy too had weakened under Ma Ying-jeou, that long existed resigned as campaign manager Richard B Cheney, and drew ever. Eric Fehrnstrom, a former especially last year, provoking public anger. A postgraduate from the to Ben Carson. “It doesn’t look support there from some tradi- Romney adviser, said Trump between Trump and like much is going to stop them. tional party players. remains in “total command London School of Economics, Tsai is the first female president of Taiwan Cruz. The billionaire They’re in a tier off to them- Heading into the Iowa cau- of the field.” He said Cruz has who had narrowly lost out on the presidency four years ago. mogul and the selves, and I think our nominee cuses, the fault lines are drawn. yet to put the issue of his con- Beijing is clearly unhappy with Tsai’s victory as she is expected is going to be Cruz or Trump.” “This has become a two- stitutional eligibility to rest to reverse the improvement in ties between the two countries. The Texas senator were Republican donors, who person race: Cruz and Trump,” and suggested he “produce his president-elect has already adopted a strident tone by issuing a warning at loggerheads had long assumed that the said Bob VanderPlaats, a prom- own expert,” such as retired to China in her first comments to the media, by saying that Chinese on Friday as outsider candidates would self- inent Iowa evangelical leader Supreme Court justice San- ‘suppression’ would damage ties with destruct and that voters would who is backing Cruz. “There dra Day O’Connor, to issue a rally around someone such as were almost tears on the stage. statement confirming Cruz’s the mainland. “Our democratic system, they sought to undermine former Florida governor Jeb You could sense it, feel it and qualifications. The landslide national identity and international Bush, are suddenly adjusting see it.” The debate brought an “As long as there are space must be respected. Any forms each other their thinking and strategies. abrupt end to the chummi- differing but inconclusive inter- victory of Tsai of suppression will harm the stability Spencer Zwick, the national ness that long existed between pretations of the law, it will Ing-wen as of cross-strait relations,” she said. Her finance chairman for Mitt Trump and Cruz. The billionaire remain unresolved,” Fehrn- tough words would satisfy the people Romney’s 2012 campaign, mogul and the Texas sena- strom said. said power brokers and finan- tor, who have thrown political Bush also remains a fac- new president who have voted for her. Beijing too By Philip Rucker ciers are now trying to cozy up correctness to the wind, were tor, pushing hard against Trump is certain to reacted in anger. A foreign ministry and Robert Costa to Trump in various ways, such at loggerheads Friday as they in particular during Thursday’s unsettle relations spokesman warned that “the Chinese The Washington Post as reaching out through mutual sought to undermine each other. debate and then landing the government is rock-firm and will friends in New York’s business Their debate-night argu- endorsement on Friday of Sena- with China. never tolerate any secessionist activity community. ment over whether the tor Lindsey O Graham, R-South of ‘Taiwan independence’”. And in a “A lot of donors are trying Canadian-born Cruz meets the Carolina, who recently dropped strongly-worded editorial, China’s to figure their way into Trump’s constitutional requirements to out as a 2016 contender. s the presiden- orbit. There is a growing feeling serve as president spilled onto For Rubio, his sights are set official state news agency, Xinhua, tial primary race among many that he may be the the campaign trail Friday in on overtaking Cruz — though said the DPP’s return to power “poses grave challenges to cross-Strait moves into a more guy, so people are certainly see- Iowa, where Trump revived his his history pushing immigration relations” and had “aroused concerns” about Taipei’s relationship with urgent and com- ing if they can find a home over so-called “birther” attack in a reform in 2013, which Cruz and Beijing. Tsai also disappeared from China’s most popular social network bative phase, there there,” he said. CNN interview. his allies have been highlight- following her victory, with censors working swiftly to block searches for isA growing acceptance among Zwick cautioned that he He also hit Cruz over his ing, stands as an obstacle. “Tsai Ing-wen” and “Taiwan elections” on the Twitter-like Weibo network. Republicans, including the does not necessarily predict recent admission that he had Campaigning in New Washington and financial elite, that Trump will win, only that failed to properly disclose a Hampshire on Friday, Rubio Now that she has been elected, Tsai will have to move cautiously that Donald Trump and Ted he could, and said some of these loan during his 2012 Senate upped his tempo and darkened in her relationship with the mainland. An open confrontation will be Cruz are the two candidates donors are talking regularly campaign. his pitch, voicing anger that inimical to the island’s interests and will adversely impact the state’s most likely to become the par- with other candidates as well. Meanwhile, Cruz is start- echoed Trump. Rubio charged economy and her attempts to revive it. She needs to focus on improving ty’s nominee. “I’ve never subscribed to the ing to make an assertive case as he did in the debate that the the economy and address the many problems the state is facing. Low Their commanding per- view that [Trump] can’t be the that Trump is an untrustworthy Texas senator supports a Euro- salaries and high housing prices are major issues with voters. Taiwanese formances at the sixth debate nominee, that ‘Oh, don’t worry’ and unprincipled conservative. pean-style value-added tax, or want a strong a leader and her efficiency and leadership skills will be put — along with their contin- take on things,” he said. “It’s At the debate, the senator raised VAT, referring to Cruz’s proposal ued dominance in national and naive and foolish to think he Trump’s past claim that he had to replace corporate income to fierce test in the coming months. early state polls — have solid- can’t be the nominee.” “New York values,” charging and payroll taxes with a “busi- Taiwan is self-ruling after it split with China following a civil war in ified the conclusion of many In another sign of accept- that his once-liberal views on ness flat tax” of 16 percent. Cruz 1949, but it has never declared independence and Beijing still sees it as Republicans that the cam- ance of the frontrunner, Brett social issues were out of step disputes the VAT comparison. part of its territory and is awaiting reunification. paign is becoming a two-person O’Donnell, a longtime debate with red America. At a Cruz event in Colum- contest. coach for GOP presidential Trump got the better of bia, South Carolina, a man Long expected to become a candidates, said Trump’s per- Cruz by calmly and emotion- delivered Rubio campaign fli- race between an outsider and formance skills have improved ally recalling New York City’s ers to reporters showing Cruz, an establishment candidate, it notably and have enhanced his painful recovery from the against a backdrop of the Euro- is coming down instead as one reputation among the politi- September 11, 2001, terrorist pean Union’s flag, as a sap for a Quote of the day between two outsiders, with cal class. attacks. new tax on all goods. The man dwindling time for their rivals “He is starting to get the art But Cruz advisers believe dropped the folded document to change the trajectory before of political debate,” O’Donnell the “New York values” attack like napalm and hot-footed it the Iowa caucuses on Febru- said. “He’s starting to under- will have lasting currency out the door. We have a million problems ary 1. stand how to drive a message, among conservatives in Iowa Ray Washburne, Chris- but at the same time we have There is hope that one of the how to seize the competitive especially. tie’s national finance chairman, four establishment candidates advantage over his opponents. Through social media and predicted the race would be over a billion minds. We want may emerge as a consensus When he first started out, he releases to reporters, the Cruz monopolised by Trump and to start a system of choice and consolidate support. would just say awful things and campaign pushed out archi- Cruz until a consensus choice The two who seem best posi- mix it up. Trump has now fig- val footage of Trump in a 1999 emerges from the field of four hand-holding for start-ups. tioned to do so, Senator Marco ured out how to sound more interview on NBC’s Meet the establishment candidates, The government will be like a Rubio of Florida and New Jer- reasonable.” Press with the late modera- which includes Ohio Governor sey Governor Chris Christie, Trump says he is reject- tor Tim Russert saying that his John Kasich. “We’re going down friend and a mentor. had some sparkling moments in ing large campaign donations, “New York values” were differ- a highway with Cruz driv- Thursday’s Fox Business Chan- though he has relied heavily on ent than “Iowa values.” ing down one lane, Trump on nel debate but left the stage small-dollar donations as well “It’s a two-person race,” the other, and the other four — Narendra Modi bruised and squabbling. They as his own money to fund his Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler Christie, Jeb, Marco and Kasich Indian Prime Minister returned to the campaign trail campaign. said. “There is no one in the — we’ve got a traffic jam,” on Friday aiming more fire- Cruz, who has a more tra- moderate lane who seems to Washburne said. “Right now it’s power at one another than ditional finance operation, is be emerging. The party doesn’t ‘Let’s wait and see.’”

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Such arguments were sometimes presented through our school curriculums and reli- gious platforms. The opponents of openness tried to intimidate people by saying that this would westernize our societies, vio- late our social and cultural privacies, and that the kingdom was targeted as the last state ruled by Sharia law. Making nightmares is an old tactic used by ideological or fascist movements to frighten the public about what they want them to consider is an imminent danger, and then the danger is named in order to mobilize supporters. In the 1980s, mainstream religious lead- ers in Saudi Arabia led the first campaign against modernity- and created nightmares. The nightmares were associated with accu- By Jamal Khashoggi sations of Westernisation, Liberalism and Secularism, naming targeted individuals perhaps because they were a novelist, a poet or even a minister. The religious leaders ran’s nightmares surround Saudi Arabia misquoted them, applied political analysis from every side. However, this is just to the incorrect quotes, and then they pre- another in a long line of those within sented those figures as imminent dangers, Arabia, who seem to be determined to warning people about them. create their own nightmares to divide Osama bin Laden presented to us, in A policeman carries out an inspection after a car exploded near a mosque in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Iour society and weaken our determination. a meeting held at the beginnings of the A decade ago, I wrote an article entitled Kuwait liberation war, a pessimistic view “Strengthening by making nightmares”. At about the future of the Kingdom — talking that time we were waking up about a reli- about the American conspiracy to change them as danger greater than IS (Da’esh), and respect the right of people to dissent as gious militancy that was affecting our society the regime, end the Sharia law and West- calling for their exclusion and dismissal long as it is within the general order. The and that had infiltrated our minds, schools ernise the country. This was a reaction to from influential positions. Saudi cabinet expressed similar views to and platforms without us noticing. We did the many American soldiers then camped Some of them incited opinions against this in Ramadan 2008, when the late King not acknowledge this fact until the attacks in Arabia. Such views only helped the leader the ‘Surooriyyah’ (Salafi movement attrib- Abdullah stated that “the kingdom always of 9/11 and the subsequent incidents that of an ideological movement to mobilize uted to Mohammed Suroor) describing them seeks to consolidate basic values of Islam took place. At that time under the leader- his supporters to defend the country from as the most imminent danger and calling for such as justice, equality, Takaful (solidar- ship of the crown, the late King Abdullah, the alleged nightmare he had conjured up. their eradication! Yes ‘eradication’ which ity), tolerance and the right of people to a we began to gradually move towards open- I frequently use the term “the making is a Nazi word and I don’t know how many decent life, and freedom to disagree to the ness and deny extremism a foothold. His of nightmare” to convey the danger of such camps we will need in the desert for their extent permitted by Sharia.” words then were a crescendo for intellectu- views which aim to disunite the society and ‘eradication’. But none of the nightmare Previously I directed my criticism at the als when he said, “we are part of the world spread suspicion. This ideological movement makers identify who are the ‘Muslim Broth- religious mainstream, but I now I find that and we cannot be apart” (from it). was creating enmity between the govern- erhood’ or the ‘Surooriyyah’ that they are liberals this time are acting and behaving At that time there were some who ment and its people, between colleagues in describing as secret organisations. in the same way. were trying to keep us isolated from the universities, and even in the media- spread- The result is a contagious disease of Inciting discourses and polarisation must entire world, under the pretext of privacy, ing the habit of writing reports against each obsession, suspicions and accusations. Just end, and the elite of the liberals must stop and religious and intellectual differences. other, searching for the hidden intentions as the innovative poet was being accused by and prevent their followers from doing this. of individuals. I experienced this with the the patriotic sheikhs and jealous guardians Otherwise we are all going to be the losers, followers of the then “religious awaken- of religion as a promoter of modernity, today because our views will not match, and ours ing” leaders and one of them, who is still liberals are accusing religiously commit- thoughts and opinions regarding various The solution is to active in making nightmares, insulted me ted persons or those who care about Gaza aspects of life will remain different. This spread the culture in a poor poem written in poor language. strip of being conspirators, or of being in the could be a problem for some of us, but plu- of pluralism, Making nightmares is an old tactic Today, again I criticise the “makers of Muslim Brotherhood, or part of the alleged ralism and diversity is power for peace, and used by ideological or fascist nightmares”. But this time they are the lib- conspiracy of the American-Qatari-Turk- we need to show more tolerance, which is freedom of speech, movements to frighten the public erals who were previously being described ish alliance to overthrow ruling regimes a genuine part of our religion. and respect the by the religious groups as a danger to the in the region. about what they want them to country, deserving deportations and exclu- It is waste of time bringing together or right of people to consider is an imminent danger, and sion. These former liberals then started using making sense of all these ideological “night- dissent as long as it the same tactics that their opponents had mares” because none of them provoked the Jamal Khashoggi is a Saudi Arabian then the danger is named in order to been using against them. We see some of others, and they have no proofs to back up journalist, columnist, and author, and is within the general mobilise supporters them warning us of the danger of the Mus- their accusations. The solution is to spread the General Manager and Editor-in- order lim Brotherhood in the kingdom, describing the culture of pluralism, freedom of speech, Chief of Al Arab News Channel. Money hasn’t saved Jeb, but it still warps politics

By Richard L Hasen Sheldon Adelson’s $20m contribution deals backed by big spenders. The New The Washington Post to a super PAC supporting Newt Ging- York Times reported that “as congres- rich kept Gingrich in the race and gave sional leaders were hastily braiding voters a second and third and fourth together a tax and spending bill of more look at the candidate. than 2,000 pages, lobbyists swooped And yet a single donor’s influence in to add 54 words that temporarily t is easy to dismiss as overblown in presidential contests is tempered preserved a loophole sought by the the concern about the outsize by other factors. With billions of dol- hotel, restaurant and gambling indus- role of ultra-rich donors in the lars sloshing around on all sides, so tries, along with billionaire Wall Street American political scene. Exhibit much free media attention (espe- investors, that allowed them to put I1: Jeb Bush. Bush’s $100m in super PAC cially to outlandish candidacies like real estate in trusts and avoid taxes.” fundraising was supposed to be part Trump’s) and widespread public inter- Senate Minority Leader Harry of a shock-and-awe campaign that est, mega-donors are only one part of Reid supported the language, and would scare away competitors and a larger picture. the company of one of Reid’s top give him a smooth path to the Repub- Money can matter more to the donors admitted to being among those lican presidential nomination. Well, it outcomes of congressional and state “involved in the discussions with con- hasn’t worked out that way. Bush has races because of relative scale. Mil- gressional staff members.” been polling toward the bottom in lions of dollars spent in these contests This is how money influences the Republican race despite the war can swamp the competition and help American politics these days. In the chest, and Donald Trump, who has swing close elections, especially by wake of Citizens United, donors can spent little on his campaign despite influencing low-information voters. spend ever greater sums in ever closer Looking to Congress his billionaire status, has been on top. Merely the threat of such spending coordination with their supported can- “Hurrah for Citizens United,” gets the attention of candidates, who didates. Loose campaign finance rules and the states, we Politico’s Jack Shafer wrote in one worry about the next super PAC to line grease the wheels for industry lobby- can see that the representative piece. He asserted that Republicans Jeb Bush (left) and Senator Lindsey Graham shake hands up against them. ists to work in the shadows, securing worries about the 2010 Supreme Court in Amherst, New Hampshire. Even more significant, big money big private benefits in bills the public era of big money ruling have been proved wrong. “Expec- skews public policy in the direction scarcely pays attention to. The threat of unleashed by the tations that big money would float the Supreme Court is hurtling us toward challenge to former House majority of the wealthiest donors. In Illinois, big money scares politicians away from Supreme Court is best-financed candidate directly to a plutocracy in which the people with leader Eric Cantor than Cantor’s cam- a handful of the super-rich, includ- taking positions against the donor class. the White House have yet to materi- the greatest economic power can wield paign spent on meals at steakhouses. ing hedge-fund billionaire Kenneth The legacy of Citizens United is hurtling us towards alise this campaign season.” great political power through cam- There’s no easy correlation between C Griffin, played a key role in getting not about the ultra-wealthy simply a plutocracy in But this overly simplistic analy- paign donations and lobbying. money spent on politics and electoral Republican Bruce Rauner elected buying elections or about politicians which the people sis misses the key role of money in Bush is simply the latest in a long outcomes. governor with an agenda to slash gov- on the take. Money can’t buy you Jeb. contemporary American politics. In line of politicians whose candidacies Money, nonetheless, does matter ernment spending, impose term limits Instead, we face a subtler but equally with the greatest spite of the rhetoric of some campaign demonstrate that all the money in the to elections. Just 158 out of 120 mil- and weaken employee unions. Hedge pernicious rise of a plutocratic class economic power reformers, money doesn’t buy elections. world won’t make people buy a bad lion American families have donated funds have used campaign money and capturing private benefits for per- Instead, it increases the odds of elec- product. Consider former eBay execu- nearly half the money that’s been spent lobbying to block a potential bank- sonal gain. can wield great toral victory and of getting one’s way tive Meg Whitman, who spent $140m in on the 2016 presidential contest. Bush, ruptcy declaration by Puerto Rico that political power on policies, tax breaks and government her bid to beat Jerry Brown in the Cali- Carly Fiorina, Chris Christie and other could help its people but hurt bond- through campaign contracts. And the presidential race fornia governor’s race in 2010. The more candidates remain viable only because holders’ interests. Hasen is the chancellor’s pro- is the place we are least likely to see she spent, the less voters liked her. Or of super-wealthy donors. Without the We’re supposed to be in a post- fessor of law and political science donations and money’s effects. Looking to Congress take Dave Brat, the barely known Vir- new super PACs, they couldn’t have earmark era, yet Congress’s recent at the University of California at lobbying and the states, though, we can see that ginia college professor who spent less withstood such dismal poll numbers. must-pass omnibus bill to fund the Irvine and the author of “Pluto- the era of big money unleashed by the on his successful Republican primary The same was true in 2012. Billionaire government was full of special interest crats United.”

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 17 JANUARY 2016 ASIA / AFRICA

N Korea seeks Taiwan opposition wins presidency peace treaty for stopping

“Our democracy, nuclear tests national identity and international AP space must be fully respected and any SEOUL: North Korea said it could stop its nuclear tests in exchange for suppression would signing a peace treaty with the US undermine stability and a stop to annual military exer- cises between the US and South of cross-Strait Korea. relations,” Tsai The North’s statement carried Ing-wen said by the state media late on Friday was a repeat of past offers that have been rejected by the US, which wants Pyongyang to commit to a complete abandonment of nuclear weapons. Reuters An unnamed spokesman of the North’s Foreign Ministry called the purported hydrogen bomb test on January 6 a justifiable move to ensure TAIPEI : Taiwan’s independence-lean- its survival against external threats. ing opposition leader Tsai Ing-wen won “In response to the US contin- a convincing victory in presidential uously invading our sovereignty election yesterday and pledged to main- and making threatening provo- tain peace with China, which claims cations, we will acquire ourselves the island as its own, though vowed with all possible nuclear attack and to firmly defend Taiwan’s sovereignty. nuclear retaliation abilities, but will Tsai, leader of the Democratic Pro- not thoughtlessly use our nuclear gressive Party (DPP), will be thrust weapons ,” the official Korean into one of Asia’s toughest and most Central News Agency quoted the dangerous jobs, with China pointing spokesman as saying. The spokes- hundreds of missiles at the island, dec- man also called the South’s decision ades after losing Nationalists fled from to restart anti-Pyongyang propa- Mao Zedong’s Communists to Taiwan ganda broadcasts along their tense in the Chinese civil war. border an “odd” provocation. Tsai risks antagonising China if she The North is extremely sensitive Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (centre) celebrates her victory in Taipei yesterday. attempts to forcefully assert Taiwan’s to outside criticism of the author- sovereignty and reverses eight years itarian leadership of Kim Jong Un of warming China ties under incum- use of force to ensure eventual unifi- up to China. “We’re not a part of China. it looked forward to working with discussion about democracy on an and has been retaliating to Seoul’s bent President Ma Ying-jeou of the cation with the island. I definitely think we should exist as Tsai. “We share with the Taiwan island Beijing says it owns, Chinese cen- loudspeaker campaigns by flying Nationalists, whose forces retreated “Our democracy, national identity two countries,” he said. “If it’s pos- people a profound interest in the sors moved swiftly to block searches for thousands of propaganda leaflets to Taiwan in 1949. and international space must be fully sible for Tsai, I want her to push for continuation of cross-Strait peace Tsai’s name on Weibo, China’s answer across the border. Earlier in the Tsai said she would establish “con- respected and any suppression would independence. More and more Tai- and stability,” it said. to Twitter. week, South Korean troops fired sistent, predictable and sustainable” undermine the stability of cross-Strait wanese people want this.” There was no immediate reaction Tsai has been ambiguous on her 20 machine gun warning shots after relations with China and not be pro- relations,” she said. Tsai, a lawyer, got an even stronger from Beijing to her election. The official China policy, merely pledging, in pub- a North Korean drone briefly crossed vocative, to ensure the status quo. Support for the DPP has swelled mandate as the DPP also won parlia- Xinhua news agency noted in a brief lic anyway, to maintain the status quo. the border. “Both sides have a responsibility to since 2014, when hundreds of stu- mentary polls which were being held report that Tsai had won the “Taiwan Beijing has warned repeatedly that The North’s H-bomb claims do their utmost to find mutually accept- dents occupied Taiwan’s parliament the same day, though the margin was region leaders’ election”. hard-earned peace across the Taiwan have been met with widespread able ways to interact with respect and for weeks protesting against a China not immediately clear. In a statement carried by state Strait could be affected by a Tsai win. condemnation and suspicion, but reciprocity and ensure no provocation trade bill in the largest display of Tsai will have to balance the super- media earlier in the day, China’s Tai- China has held out the “one country, also questions on how to stop the and no surprises,” Tsai added, having anti-China sentiment the island had power interests of China, which is also wan Affairs Office repeated it would two systems” formula, under which the country’s growing nuclear threat. taken more than half the vote. seen in years. Taiwan’s largest trading partner, and not get involved in the election, say- British colony of Hong Kong returned The Korean Peninsula remains She added, however, that she would Outside DPP headquarters, sup- the United States with those of her free- ing only that it was “paying attention to China in 1997, as a solution for Tai- technically at war because the 1950- defend Taiwan’s interests and its sov- porters cried for joy. Optometrist David wheeling, democratic home. to across the Taiwan Strait”. wan. But both the Nationalists and DPP 53 conflict ended in an armistice, ereignty. China has not renounced the Chen, 28, said he wanted Tsai to stand The US State Department said Perhaps fearful of allowing have rejected the idea. not a peace treaty. Taiwan K-pop star flag row escalates after apology

AFP A statement from the office of current President Ma Ying- jeou said he had asked TAIPEI: A row over a teenage Taiwan- officials to “clarify the ese K-pop star forced to apologise for roles of the Korean and waving the island’s flag was rapidly Chinese sides in this turning into an international inci- incident and demand dent yesterday, stealing the spotlight they seriously face it”. from Taiwan’s presidential elections. Ma later said wav- Leadership candidates running ing the flag was not a for office in pivotal vote demanded sign of being pro-inde- answers from China and South Korea pendence and it was after the video apology from a tired unacceptable that Chou and sombre Chou Tzu-yu, 16, went was forced to apologise. viral, with more than 2.6 million hits. There was also The controversy dominated news anger online in Tai- coverage in Taiwan on election day, wan. “A 16-year-old A view of damaged vehicles from two car bombs outside Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. with China ties a key issue for voters. girl is bullied by China. “There is only one China and the I sure will go voting two sides are one,” Chou said in the today,” said one post apology, posted on YouTube by South on Taiwan’s Apple Daily 26 dead in jihadist attack on Burkina hotel Korean agency JYP Entertainment. newspaper website. “As a Chinese person my improper South Korean fans words and behaviour during my activ- described the teen as AFP France and the disbelieving West”, and screams could be heard from ities abroad hurt my company and the Chou Tzu-yu, the only Taiwanese member of a political victim and according to a statement carried by inside, while on the street outside feelings of netizens across the strait,” K-Pop girl group TWICE, waves before her criticised her agency for US-based monitoring group SITE. about 10 vehicles were set alight. Chou added. “I have decided to stop departure to China at Gimpo Airport in Seoul, kowtowing to China for The attackers were members of the “It was horrible, people were sleep- my activities in China for now to seri- money. OUAGADOUGOU: At least 26 peo- Al Murabitoun group based in Mali and ing and there was blood everywhere. South Korea, on January 10. ously reflect on myself.” “This just shows ple from 18 countries were killed in run by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, SITE said. They were firing at people at close Based in South Korea, Chou is a how blinkered China an attack by jihadist gunmen on a top The security source said at least 23 range,” Yannick Sawadogo, one of singer with all-girl band TWICE. is, using a child to hotel and a restaurant in the capital of people from 18 countries were killed those who escaped, said. She waved Taiwan’s official flag the strait should be on high alert,” score political points,” Burkina Faso, before security forces in the jihadists’ assaults, adding that “We heard them speaking and they on a recent online broadcast, anger- the report said, citing an unnamed said one post on South Korea’s Naver ended the siege yesterday and killed the toll could yet rise. were walking around people and fir- ing Chinese netizens, with suggestions TAO spokesman. news portal. Analysts said the drama four assailants. Aside from the four jihadists killed, ing at people who were not dead. And she was pushing a pro-Taiwan inde- Both Taiwan’s main leadership could boost election turnout and may A total of 126 people were freed, a fifth attacker could be seen rush- when they came out they started a fire.” pendence agenda. candidates defended Chou yesterday. help the DPP. including 33 wounded, from the four- ing into a nearby bar, according to A French source meanwhile put Taiwan has ruled itself since a split “A citizen of the Republic of China Media reports said a Chinese TV star Splendid Hotel, popular with witnesses who managed to escape. the death toll at 27 dead. With Ouaga- with the Chinese mainland in 1949 (Taiwan’s official name) who shows channel had cancelled an upcoming Westerners and UN personnel, after President Roch Marc Christian dougou airport closed because of the after a civil war, but has never for- her recognition for the country should show featuring TWICE and that Chou security forces retook the 147-room Kabore, who took office just last attack, and an Air France flight from mally declared independence. not be suppressed and should not be had also been pulled from endorsing facility and the Cappuccino restaurant month, visited the hotel but made Paris to Ouagadougou was diverted Beijing sees it as part of its terri- forced to say the opposite of what Chinese smartphone vendor Huawei nearby in the early hours yesterday, no immediate comment. Communi- to neighbouring Niger. tory awaiting reunification, by force she originally meant,” said presiden- in the South Korean market. Interior Minister Simon Compaore said. cation Minister Remis Dandjinou said A US defence official said Wash- if necessary. tial frontrunner Tsai Ing-wen of the Last year, US singer-songwriter The jihadists’ assault had been the counter-assault was carried out ington could provide drone-based China’s Taiwan Affairs Office Beijing-wary Democratic Progres- Katy Perry caused a stir in both Tai- completely crushed by midday, a by Burkinabe troops with the sup- surveillance. The Burkinabe army, blamed “political forces in Taiwan” sive Party. wan and China when she appeared security source said. Four jihadists, port of French special forces. He also meanwhile, said a heavily-armed for using Chou’s case to “provoke con- “Our hearts are with all friends on stage in Taipei draped in a Taiwan- including two women, were killed in said that among those who escaped group of about 20 people had also flict”, according to a report from state who hold the flag and support the flag,” ese flag, while donning a gold dress the counter-assault. unharmed was Labour Minister Clem- carried out an attack on Friday near news agency Xinhua, posted on the said Eric Chu of the ruling Kuomintang adorned with sunflowers — a sym- Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb ent Sawadogo. the border with Mali, killing two peo- affairs office website. (KMT), set to be punished in the polls bol of anti-China student protests in (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the Earlier, a fire raged at the main ple— a police officer and a civilian “Compatriots on both sides of for its Beijing-friendly stance. Taiwan in 2014. attack saying it was “revenge against entrance of the hotel in Ouagodougou — and leaving two others wounded. PAKISTAN SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 13 2,159 terrorists killed under NAP Sharif forms panel to

National Action Plan (NAP) in Pakistan. registered, 9,340 persons were arrested reforms. Over 1,130 hardcore ele- clear RTI draft law The Ministry of Interior and Narcot- and 2,452 pieces of equipment con- ments were identified in Punjab and In a report presented ics Control presented an achievement fiscated for misuse of loudspeakers. 649 persons were booked for facili- in the National report about NAP in the National It added, 8,195 persons were tating hate speeches. Internews Assembly, the Assembly yesterday, which stated included in ‘fourth schedule’ and move- Similarly, target killing in Kara- that 332 persons had been executed ment of 2,052 people was restricted as chi decreased to 53 percent, murder Ministry of Interior so far under Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). measures against re-emergence of pro- incidents declined to 50 percent, ter- and Narcotics Control The report stated that 98.3 million scribed organisations and individuals. rorism incidents came down by 80 ISLAMABAD: If the government of SIMs had been blocked for dismantling Uniform registration and data form percent, dacoity 30 percent and extor- Pakistan is to be believed this time, said 332 persons had communication networks of terrorists. was developed by Nacta and ITMP and tion by 56 percent in the biggest city of the federal Right to Information (RTI) been executed so far At least 933 URLs and 10 websites shared with stakeholders for registra- the country due to Rangers operation. law will soon become a reality, as of militant organisations have also tion and regulation of madressahs. As A total of 69,179 criminals, 890 prime minister Nawaz Sharif (pic- under Anti-Terrorism been blocked by Ministry of Infor- many as 167 madressahs in Sindh, 13 terrorists, 676 proclaimed offenders, tured) has formed a committee to Act mation Technology (MoIT). in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two in 10,426 absconders, 124 kidnappers, clear the draft law without approval of Budget was released to strengthen Punjab were closed. 545 extortionists and 1,834 murder- the cabinet. Minister for Information and activate the National Counter-Ter- Under the NAP, list of activists and ers were also apprehended and 16,306 Pervez Rashid said that a five-mem- rorism Authority (Nacta) and steps were proscribed organisations was shared weapons seized during the Karachi ber committee of PML-N lawmakers whether issues such as national Internews also taken to establish and strengthen with the information ministry and operation. will now finalise the draft law in a security, foreign relations and law a Joint Intelligence Directorate. Pemra for strict implementation of The report of interior minister said meeting on January 21 and it will then enforcement were sufficiently pro- The report stated that 2,337 cases ban on glorification of terrorism in steps were also taken for surrender of be laid before the house as a gov- tected under the draft law, given the were registered for hate speeches media. those absconding in Balochistan and ernment bill. changing security situation. ISLAMABAD: A total of 2,159 terrorists and material and 2,195 persons were A committee headed by Adviser to reconciliation process. Likewise, 25 The law draft was approved by “The committee would invite have been killed and 1,724 arrested by arrested while 73 shops were sealed. the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs centres were established for registra- the Senate Standing Committee on feedback and input from relevant the law enforcement agencies under the Likewise, 9,164 cases were Sartaj Aziz was constituted for Fata tion of Afghan refugees. Information in April 2014 but it has stakeholders, including the civil been awaiting the cabinet’s approval society organisations such as Pil- for two years. dat,” Nasir Jamal said. The delay prompted strong criti- However, the opposition lawmak- Ban on YouTube cism from the opposition lawmakers ers are skeptical of the government’s Removing weeds and civil society. However, experts commitment. “I am skeptical because believe the draft law is one of the best 17 times the government had prom- likely to be legislations on RTI in its current shape ised to bring the draft to the cabinet if measured by global standards. meeting but they failed each time,” lifted soon “Since the cabinet meeting has said Farhatullah Babar who was head not been taking place for a long time of the Senate sub-committee which and the (RTI) bill was getting delayed, finalised the draft of the RTI law. Internews the prime minister decided to form a “The minister for information had committee to consider this law. This promised to the information committee is a way out to table the bill in Par- of the Senate more than two years ago KARACHI: Pakistan is likely to lift liament as soon as possible,” said the that the bill will be presented for cabinet the ban on YouTube within days to minister. The committee, comprising approval. . However, it seems the gov- reciprocate the move by Google, the Pervez Rashid, Ahsan Iqbal, Anusha ernment is not interested and wants to parent company, which launched Rahman Khan, Irfan Siddiqui and buy time and then pass the bill at the fade a localised version of the website Marriyum Aurangzeb, will formu- end of current term so that the rulers do in the country earlier this week, late recommendations on the Right not have to abide by the RTI.” officials at the helm of develop- to Information Bill 2014. Babar said the minister does ments confirmed. “I am sending the draft to all the not have power to bring the law in The internet giant, on Tuesday, members of the committee so that they Parliament. “I think someone else announced the launch of YouTube’s could study it before the meeting to is calling the shots as far as RTI law localised versions for Nepal, Paki- be held on Thursday and hopefully is concerned,” he said. The RTI bill, stan, and Sri Lanka, addressing the committee will clear it in single drafted in 2014 for replacing a weak Islamabad’s long-standing dispute sitting,” the minister said. legislation, Freedom of Information regarding of blasphemous content He said the draft approved by the Ordinance 2002, has passed through on the world’s largest social video Senate committee will remain largely many eyes but stopped short of land- sharing platform. unchanged. However, a senior official ing into Parliament to pass into a law. YouTube has remained blocked of his ministry said the committee will It was also sent to the international in Pakistan since September 17, 2012, “re-evaluate” the purview of Fed- RTI experts for review who declared a move initiated by Islamabad after eral RTI Bill 2014 in light of changing it the best legislation in the world if blasphemous content from its plat- security dynamic. adopted. Hence this draft law is an form was not removed. Speaking at a national RTI seminar “if” away from bringing Pakistan atop Islamabad had asked Google organised by Pildat, Director General the ranking list as its passage faces to launch a localised version of Internal Publicity Wing of the Minis- awkward delays. The FOI Ordinance YouTube, which would have bound Capital Development Authority workers cut the overgrown grass and weeds along a road amid dense try of Information Nasir Jamal said 2002, currently in practice, received the latter to block Pakistani users’ fog on a cold winter morning in Islamabad. the five-member PML-N committee 78th position in international rank- access to blasphemous content as had been tasked with re-evaluating ing of 2013. per its community guidelines. Despite several attempts, Google and the Pakistani government failed to reach any agreement. The internet giant did not accept government’s Scores of militants surrender amid dip in attacks demand, leading to the ban, which has now entered its fourth year. However, Google has now removed those objectionable videos Reuters expressed cautious hope that other, in North Waziristan, who has links the involved in the negotiations. But Saifullah Mahsud of the Islama- and launched a local version. which more senior leaders from the heav- Haqqani network, the most high-pro- “(Khan) was already in good books bad-based think-thank FATA Research means it will continue to remove ily factionalised insurgency might file threat to US forces in Afghanistan. of the authorities as he used to avoid Center cautioned against overplay- such videos in the future as well. follow the men. Their surrender was confirmed attacking the security forces in his ing the significance of any surrender “We have clear community PESHAWAR: Nearly 80 militants from “I believe this is the beginning by a Pakistani security official and native Razmak subdivision,” said one or any hope that it might weaken the guidelines, and when videos vio- Pakistan’s North Waziristan region and many more will follow them if three tribal sources involved in nego- of the members of the jirga, a tradi- Haqqani Network, which the US gov- late those rules, we remove them. In surrendered to government forces in a the surrendered militants are given tiating the deal. tional tribal gathering. ernment has said has ties to elements addition, where we have launched rare move that follows a dip in Taliban amnesty,” one tribal leader said, noting Bahadur has traditionally fought The surrender follows a dip in in the Pakistani security forces. YouTube locally and we are notified violence in Pakistan, sources involved the surrender might worsen internal Afghan and Nato forces across overall Taliban violence in Pakistan, “These groups have never been that a video is illegal in that coun- in the deal said. rifts among the militants. the nearby Afghan border rather partly caused by an anti-Taliban mil- fighting Pakistani forces anyway,” he try, we may restrict access to it,” Tribal leaders, who asked not to The men came from a militia led by than Pakistani troops. A deputy of itary offensive in North Waziristan said. “I wouldn’t say the Haqqani’s posi- Google’s Communications Manager be quoted by name to avoid reprisals, Hafiz Gul Bahadur, a powerful leader his, Halim Khan, was reportedly launched in June 2014. tion is weakened.”

Medical care Locomotive factory Video of woman being whipped in Risalpur being upgraded in Pakistan fake: Officials

Internews In its one-page report submitted Internews before the SC’s the three-judge bench Speaking before headed by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar the police, the two the Interior Ministry said after emer- ISLAMABAD: The process of ISLAMABAD:After the passage of gence of the footage, the local police up-gradation and commercial seven years, the federal govern- refused that such registered a case on April 3, 2009 at operations of Pakistan Locomotive ment of Pakistan has told the Supreme incident ever took a police station in Kabal. Factory, Risalpur, on joint-venture Court that the incident of whipping Later on, a special team was con- basis with private sector’s partic- of a woman in Swat during Taliban’s place. Statements stituted to probe into the matter. The ipation is under way, informed rule in 2009 had never taken place of elders were also report said there were rumours that Minister for Railways Khawaja and that the video footage was fake. the punishment of lashes was awarded Saad Rafique to the Senate. Former chief justice Iftikhar recorded and they to the woman. The special team sum- “Pakistan requires 500 locomo- Muhammad Chaudhry had taken suo also expressed their moned the woman and her husband tives to meet the anticipated freight motu notice of a March 2009 video ignorance to police station and their statements and passenger traffic during the footage of a 17-year-old girl being were recorded under section 164 Cr. PC. next 10 years,” he said. flogged in public by the Taliban. However, the two refused that “With this in view, many compa- The woman’s flogging had been such incident ever took place. State- nies of the world are ready to enter filmed and had attracted nationwide stated that in the video the victim was ments of elders were also recorded into cooperation with Pakistan for and international outrage after it was crying and screaming continuously and they also expressed their igno- the assembly and manufacturing put online. An eight-member bench of while being lashed for leaving home rance, the report said. of locomotives,” he added. He said the Supreme Court on April 6, 2009 without a ‘Mehram’. The exact place, “In view of the circumstance, the the process of inducting new loco- directed the interior secretary, and the where the incident had taken place, incident of whipping has not taken motives had begun and an order for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief secre- could not be identified. place and it was a bogus video as per a 55 high-horsepower engines has tary and inspector general (IG) of police However, it appeared to be filmed publication ‘Daily Pakistan’ newspa- been placed with General Electric. to prepare a detailed report on the case. somewhere in Mingora or a village in per Peshawar dated March 29, 2010. . Also present was the interior Former SC Registrar Dr Faqir Hus- Swat, he added. The registrar said it was After going through video, the A child suffering from pneumonia gets medical treatment in minister who told the House that, sain had brought the incident to the a very cruel act that had violated funda- three-judge bunch observed that the Tharparkar, Sindh province, Pakistan. so far, over 182,000 manual arms notice of the former CJP. mental rights as well as Islamic norms video, was bogus. The bench, later, licenses had been computerised. In his note to the CJP, Hussain had besides tarnishing the country’s name. disposed of the suo motu case. 14 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 INDIA Rahul leads protest Modi unveils action plan for start-ups

of incentives to promote new enterprises in Thornton India LLP. The government needs Modi yesterday the country. He also announced self-cer- to reduce red tape and get rid of the numer- tification and three-year exemption from ous permits and licenses required to run a announced a three-year inspections, an online portal and mobile app, simple business, he said. income tax holiday for an 80 percent cut in the patent application fee, Son said in New Delhi that he’s pumped a single-point hub for hand-holding, equal almost $2bn into India in the past year, and start-ups and exemption opportunities in government procurement that he’d likely scale up rather than cut back of capital gains tax and a Rs.100bn dedicated fund for start-ups. his investments if he were to reconsider his for venture capital The prime minister made these announce- plans. The country is at the beginning of a ments at an event to launch the “Start-Up “big bang” and the 21st century belongs to it, investments in them, India Action Plan”. he said, while adding challenges include slow as part of a host of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Internet connections and the need for more that a friendlier tax regime is among the wireless spectrum to be allotted to mobile- incentives to promote goals and the guiding principle is to reduce phone carriers. new enterprises in the obstacles from complex rules, at the gov- SoftBank has invested in e-commerce ernment-organised conference on startups provider Snapdeal.com and the ride-hail- country here yesterday. ing service Ola Cabs in India, as well as the “Our effort over the last few years has real-estate website Housing.com and hotel- been to restrict the role of the state essen- booking app Oyo Rooms. The company is tially as a facilitator,” Jaitley said at the event, also part of a $20bn solar power venture. Bloomberg & IANS where billionaire Masayoshi Son, the founder The World Bank ranks India 130th out of of Japan’s SoftBank Group Corp., and Uber 189 economies for ease of doing business, an Technologies Inc. Chief Executive Officer improvement from earlier years but far from Travis Kalanick are on the guest list. Modi’s goal of breaking into the world’s 50 NEW DELHI: India pledged to ease reg- Asia’s No. 3 economy is in the midst of an top business-friendly destinations. ulations to encourage entrepreneurs and Internet startup boom that’s lured billions of The nation is revising rules to make fledgling businesses as Prime Minister Naren- dollars and raised questions about whether company registrations easier, Corporate dra Modi strives for the job opportunities valuations are becoming stretched. Much of Affairs Secretary Tapan Ray said at the needed in a developing nation of 1.3 billion the money is coming from foreign investors conference. Revenue Secretary Hasmukh people. such as Son. A lack of tax breaks has curbed Adhia signaled the budget due on Febru- Congress Party vice-president, Rahul Gandhi (second right) waves during a protest Modi yesterday announced a three- the involvement of local investors. ary 29 may tackle the difference between march against power tariff hike in Mumbai, yesterday. Gandhi interacted with party year income tax holiday for start-ups and “About 70-80 percent of the fund- the capital-gains tax treatment of unlisted workers and students during his two-day visit to the city. exemption of capital gains tax for venture ing is coming from overseas,” said Harish investments and the more favourable regime capital investments in them, as part of a host Visweswara, a partner at consultant Grant for listed securities.

AAP decision on 12th century house contesting Goa Rupee weakness polls in March likely to continue IANS

IANS has drawn the markets to a state of oblivion.” PANAJI: The AAP will take a call on Another key area of concern for contesting the Goa assembly elec- rupee has been the increased out- tions in March, the party’s national NEW DELHI: Global financial turmoil, flows of foreign funds from equity, secretary Pankaj Gupta said yes- coupled with fears of further Chi- and even from the debt markets, cited terday. Gupta, who is in Goa to nese yuan devaluation and slowdown observers. oversee a series of public meetings in domestic economy, are expected In contrast, an inflow was and take stock of the Aam Aadmi to hasten depreciation of the Indian expected to have taken place via cen- Party’s organisational functioning, rupee in the coming week, experts tral and the state governments bonds, also lashed out at the performance said yesterday. as RBI had decided last year to raise of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led “The rupee value is expected to foreign investors’ exposure limits. government in the state. depreciate further on the back of weak The RBI’s decision was expected “If we contest, we will contest global cues such as the ongoing finan- to usher in around $2.5bn by this fis- to win. We are reaching out to peo- cial turmoil, slump in the commodity cal end. ple through public meetings as well prices and risk of further yuan deval- “The anticipated foreign capital as meeting prospective candidates uation,” Anindya Banerjee, associate influx into the central and the state across Goa. We will be in a position vice president for currency deriv- governments bonds has not taken to take a call whether we will contest atives with Kotak Securities, said. place, instead we are seeing an outflow Kashmiri people look at a 12th century house in downtown area of Srinagar, the summer capital of the elections in March. After that it “The rupee might devalue fur- from the bonds markets,” Banerjee Kashmir, yesterday. An ancient house made up of bricks and stones believed to be 800-years-old was will be too late,” Gupta told report- ther towards the 68-level mark which elaborated. discovered in Srinagar when a part of a road caved in, a prominent Kashmir historian, Fida Mohammad ers at the AAP’s state headquarters. was last seen in 2013. At that point, On a weekly basis, the rupee Hasnain, told local newspapers. Assembly polls in Goa are sched- we can expect a heavy intervention weakened by 96 paise to 67.60 on uled to be held later this year or from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Friday to a US dollar from its pre- early in 2017. to stabilise the rupee value,” Baner- vious close of 66.64 to a greenback Gupta and AAP spokesperson jee elaborated. (January 8). Valmiki Naik lashed out at the per- According to Banerjee, the slow- The National Securities Deposi- Buddhadeb’s clear message formance of the BJP-led government down in domestic reforms and growth tory Limited (NSDL) figures showed in Goa, especially on the environ- has dampened investors sentiments that the FPIs were net sellers dur- ment front. “The government has and this will weigh heavy on the rupee. ing the week ended January 15 2016. stopped connecting with the peo- “The weakness in the domestic They divested Rs.34.59bn or $368.3m to Congress to align with Left ple. The feedback we get from our economy, coupled with fears of a fur- in the equity and debt markets from public meetings is that the govern- ther yuan devaluation can hasten the January 11-15. ment is not in sync with the needs fall in rupee value,” Banerjee added. Similarly, the data with stock of Goans,” Gupta said. “However, a proactive central exchanges showed that the FPIs sold IANS of the people to join hands and remove in West Midnapore. The padyatra was Gupta also said the odd-even bank should limit the extreme vol- stocks worth Rs.43bn in the week the Trinamool Congress from power. organised by the Leftists under the traffic regulation scheme initiated atility in rupee value.” under review. “We Leftists have come together. banner of the Bengal Platform of Mass in the national capital was serving Market observers have predicted In addition, a major trigger in the We are urging other Leftists to come Organisations. as an “ambassador” about the par- the rupee will hover around 66.50- form of further crude oil price slide SINGUR (WEST BENGAL): Sending with us to save the state from doom. With assembly elections around ty’s administrative prowess. 67.50 to a US dollar in the coming can weaken the rupee further. The out a categoric message to the Con- We are appealing to all the parties. We three months away, the CPI-M has “With the implementation of week. slide will erode investors’ confidence gress to team up with the Left Front for are asking the Congress, on which side been repeatedly sending out feelers the scheme, we have been able to “USD/INR level wise, we see a key — leading to a panic sell-off in equity the upcoming West Bengal assembly of the fence are you? On which side are to the Congress to form an alliance convince people that we are able resistance at 67.70/75. A break will and debt markets. polls, former chief minister Buddhadeb you in this fight?” Bhattacharjee said. to take on the Trinamool. to deliver effective governance,” certainly lead the pair towards 68 and Another crude oil price plunge Bhattacharjee yesterday asked the “We are asking all sections of the Earlier, CPI-M state secretary Sur- he said. above level,” Hiren Sharma, senior is expected from Monday, as sanc- Congress to spell out its stand on the people to join hands. In the coming jya Kanta Mishra and party politburo vice president, currency advisory at tions over Iran would be lifted. This issue. struggle, we will show that we are member Mohammed Salim had asked Anand Rathi Financial Services, said. is expected to increase the oil sup- Bhattacharjee, a senior leader of Left not alone, we will remove this enemy the Congress to take a decision on the “Too much of pessimism is pre- ply manifold in the international Front spearhead Communist Party of from power,” he said, while flagging issue. A majority of Congress leaders Rs650bn tax vailing in the market. Anxiety about markets, thereby taking the prices India-Marxist, called upon other Leftists off a padyatra (march) from this rural have also expressed a desire to tie up refund this fiscal crude and especially China markets south. and political parties as also all sections hamlet in Hooghly district to Salboni with the Left Front.

NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has made refunds of a record total of Rs.650bn Kudankulam unit 1 to restart soon and unit 2 by March so far in the current financial year, the government said. “Between April (2015) and now, CBDT has issued refunds to 1.98 IANS official release said yesterday. the department of atomic energy. The unit has not restarted till date or start the fission process, for the first crore assesses for an amount of Inaugurating northern India’s The minister also said that Unit 2 of as testing of various systems is on. time sometime this year. Rs650bn. This is a record in itself,” first permanent exhibition on nuclear the Kudankulam nuclear power plant Only after successful completion of India will be signing the remaining Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia power here, Minister of State for will be operational by March this year, the tests, will the unit restart power agreements with Russia for the third said in a tweet. NEW DELHI: Unit 1 of the Kudanku- Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh said it added. generation. and fourth units at Kudankulam, esti- “In the last month’s special drive, lam nuclear power plant (KNPP) that that “unit 1 of the Kudankulam nuclear The first 1,000 MW unit at Kudanku- Officials had earlier said the mated to cost around Rs400bn. The 182,8000 assesses whose refunds shut down in June last year for main- power plant was shut down due to lam in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelvelli district, unit would restart sometime in site work is expected to begin for these were below Rs50,000 involving a tenance is to restart functioning very natural processes that are followed around 650 km from Chennai, was mid-January. two units sometime this year. sum of Rs17.93bn have been issued,” soon, while the second unit will be and it will start functioning very shut down in June 2015 for 60 days The second 1,000 MW unit at Negotiations are on with Russia he said in another tweet operational by March this year, an soon”, according to a statement by for refuelling and maintenance work. Kudankulam is expected to go critical, for fifth and sixth units. INDIA SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 15

President launches polio drive Cold wave in US tells India Valley and chill rises in Jammu and Pakistan to IANS

SRINAGAR: Despite a feeble morn- ing sun struggling to register its presence, the cold wave continued in continue talks the Kashmir Valley yesterday while people in the Jammu region piled on woollens to ward off the chill. “The minimum temperature was their shared commitment to fight- minus 4 degrees Celsius in Srinagar Washington wants ing terrorism. city. It was minus 5.8 in Pahalgam New Delhi and “That was not an insignificant and minus 6 in Gulmarg today (Sat- discussion that they had, nor was it urday). Leh town recorded minus Islamabad to an insignificant commitment that 14.5 while Kargil recorded minus continue dialogue they made, and it’s exactly the kind 13.8 today,” a meteorological depart- of commitment that we want them to ment official said. and look for ways to continue to make,” Kirby said. “In the Jammu region, the low- cooperate against The spokesperson said, “It should est night temperature was 9. It was come as a shock to no one that terror- 6.2 in Katra, 4.5 in Batote, 6.5 in the common threat ist groups will try to undermine those Bannihal, 0.3 in Buaderwah and sorts of efforts by conducting spec- 3.8 in Udhampur. of terrorism, US President Pranab Mukherjee administers polio drops to a young child as he launches the Nationwide tacular attacks - to do exactly that.” “Dry weather is likely to con- State Department The terrorists, he said, wanted Polio Programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, yesterday. tinue in the state today,” the official Spokesperson John “to sow fear, and to hopefully sow added. After many days, people in Kirby said doubt in the minds of national leaders Jammu city tried to cover them- towards a level of cooperation that selves with more woollens and can have a practical effect.” tweed coats to ward off the sud- “And obviously, we don’t want Home minister holds talks with den chill that hit the city. to see that happen,” Kirby said. The “After the festival of Lohri we IANS US was “encouraged by the dialogue normally say goodbye to cold in that has recently taken place between 13 state security agencies Jammu, but due to morning fog for India and Pakistan, and we’d like to last two days and cloudy weather see that continue.” today, the chill factor in Jammu has WASHINGTON: Describing Prime Describing India-US relationship IANS department and law enforcement state police organisations, especially increased,” the weather office said. Minister Narendra Modi’s recent as an important one, the spokesperson agencies discussed issues relating to in the area of information technology The official, however, added conversation with his Pakistani coun- said, Washington was committed to Daesh, also known as ISIL, ISIS or IS, were the additional issued discussed there is nothing abnormal about terpart Nawaz Sharif as a “welcome it and wanted to continue to improve a home ministry statement said, add- in the meeting, the statement said. Jammu sometimes getting colder sign” the US says it wants the two its excellent ties with New Delhi as NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister ing that the meeting was also attended In his concluding remarks, after Friday. countries to continue to have a dia- there was still much to be done. Rajnath Singh yesterday met repre- by senior officials of the union home Rajnath Singh said: “India’s tradi- logue to fight terrorism. “There’s still much to be done, sentatives of 13 security agencies of ministry. tions and family values will triumph “We want them to continue to and again, this is an important rela- different states here and discussed The issues discussed included over even this evil, and that the trac- Court seeks all have a dialogue and to continue to tionship that we want to continue to alarming influence of Islamic State imisuse of social media, and the tion that Daesh has got in India is look for ways to cooperate against improve,” Kirby said. (IS) over youths through social media. sources of impetus that attract per- extremely limited.” documents in a common threat,” US State Depart- “And we have excellent relations He also reviewed security aspects sons, especially youths, to IS, the He, however, noted that there was ment Spokesperson John Kirby told with the Government of India,” he said. during the day-long meeting with the statement said. a need to keep up vigil on all fronts bribery case reporters in response to a question. “We want to make them even better.” officers from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, The growth of IS’ influence in and not let down their guard in any The conversation between the two “We know how important this Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, And- India’s neighbourhood, the best pos- manner but noted that a large number KOCHI: A court hearing the now Prime Ministers was a “welcome sign”, relationship is, and I can assure you hra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Tamil sible law enforcement response, the of people and, in fact, most Muslim infamous ‘bar scam’ case yesterday he said, with both condemning the and the Indian people that the United Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Karnataka, need for appropriate welfare schemes organisations in India had come out asked the vigilance probe team to terrorist attack on the Indian Air Force States remains committed to it,” he Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. for minorities, social media strategies against both Daesh and other forms hand over all the case documents base at Pathankot and expressing said. The officers belong to intelligence to be followed and capacity building of of terrorism. to it. Giving the direction to the vigilance team, the Thiruvanan- thapuram Vigilance Court posted Jamia Milia the case for February 16. World Bank to help Bihar in computer literacy The latest direction came after the not a minority vigilance probe team led by R Suke- hsan submitted a 148-page report institution: that literally gives a clean chit to IANS is part of Nitish Kumar’s seven resolves sarkar bhavans in over 8,400 pan- At an event on Thursday evening former finance minister K M Mani, Attorney-General to ensure people of Bihar have basic chayats across the state. at Washington’s Carnegie Endowment who resigned last year after the high amenities which are part of the com- Ruhl has informed that the World for International Peace, Prabhu said court upheld this vigilance court’s mon minimum programme of the Bank would sign a memorandum of the Indian government wants to make direction to the probe team for a fur- PATNA: The World Bank may help Grand Alliance of Janata Dal-United, understanding for the Kosi Basin Devel- infrastructure growth a priority, where ther probe in the bar bribery scam. Agencies Bihar in imparting computer education Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress- opment Project later this month. transportation would be the key ele- In the report that Sukeshan sub- and communication skills to millions led government. The World Bank had approved the ment of development and growth of mitted, the highlight is that they of youths, state officials said yesterday. In fact, Nitish Kumar made the project on December 8, 2015. The cost the country. could not establish any evidence “World Bank country director Onno promise on the issues during cam- would be $376.5m, of which the bank “A proper sustainable transpor- to prove that a bribe was asked or NEW DELHI: The Attorney-Gen- Ruhl during his meeting with Nitish paigning for the 2015 Bihar assembly would provide $250m on credit. tation sector has potential to play a given. eral has told the government that Kumar on Friday evening assured all elections. The World Bank will also Meanwhile, Railways Minister key role in India’s economic growth Mani had to quit on Novem- Delhi-based Jamia Milia Islamia possible assistance for computer edu- soon release the money approved Suresh Prabhu is currently on a three- including removal of social disparity, ber 10 last year following certain is not a minority institution as cation and communication skills to for improving the quality of educa- day tour of the US capital on the request help reduce global greenhouse gas adverse remarks made by the high it was created by an Act of Par- youths,” an official in the chief min- tion in Bihar. of the World Bank, the railways min- emission,” he said. court against him, while giving the liament, days after he told the ister’s office said here. The chief minister also sought the istry said in a statement. “I do not think India can achieve nod for a further probe, as asked Supreme Court that the legisla- Ruhl was impressed with the chief World Bank’s help to fulfil another He is to deliver an address at the higher economic growth unless we by the vigilance court. ture never intended the Aligarh minister’s plan of basic computer and resolve of connecting all villages hav- plenary session on the World Bank put in place a strong transportation The case surfaced in October Muslim University to be a minor- communication skills. “Onno Ruhl ing a population of 250 or more with Conference on “Transport and Cit- sector,” he added. 2014 when whistle-blower bar ity institution. praised Nitish Kumar’s scheme for roads, officials said. ies - Key Drivers for Meeting Climate Prabhu, who is scheduled to meet owner Biju Ramesh alleged that In his opinion to the HRD Minis- youths and other initiatives of devel- Besides, the World Bank has also Goals”, the statement said. US Deputy Transportation Secretary Mani was given Rs.10m as bribe try, Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi opment,” the official added. assured the Bihar government of pro- Apart from this, his tour involves Victor Mendez, during his current visit, by Kerala’s bar owners to ensure is understood to have also quoted To impart computer education viding assistance for its ambitious a number of seminars, conference, said India wants to involve the US in its reopening of the 418 closed bars a 1967 Supreme Court judgement and communication skills to youths project of constructing panchayat meetings and events, it added. modernisation of the railways. in the state. which had said that AMU is tech- nically not a minority institution and the same principle applied to Jamia Milia Islamia. The HRD Ministry had Buffalo fight Over 8,000 birds approached the Law Ministry seek- ing an opinion on the issue. The Law Ministry had then asked the AG for his legal opinion. culled in Tripura The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions had declared Jamia as a religious minority institution in 2011. IANS in Bhopal has confirmed the samples Based on the order, Jamia had from the government farm are posi- discontinued reservation for SC/ST tive for H5 strain of Avian Influenza.” and OBC students and set aside half “It has been decided to immedi- its seats in each course for Muslim AGARTALA: With a fresh outbreak ately commence the culling of birds candidates. of bird flu being reported in Tripura, and destruction of eggs and feed mate- Sources in the Law Ministry the mass culling of more than 8,000 rial among other things so as to control quoted Section 7 of the Jamia Milia chicken and ducks began yesterday further spread of the disease with- Islamia Act of 1988 which states in the western part of the state, offi- out loss of time,” said Sarkar, who that “the University shall be open to cials said here. is personally supervising the cull- persons of either sex and of what- “We have started culling of chick- ing of birds. ever race, creed, caste or class, and ens, ducks and other poultry birds It has also been decided that all it shall not be lawful for the Uni- today (Saturday) at the government- the ducks and poultry birds would be versity to adopt or impose on any run animal farm at Gandhigram in culled within a radius of one km of person any test whatsoever of reli- western Tripura. We have told offi- the focus of infection, including the gious belief or profession in order to cials to complete the culling drive at neighbouring villages. entitle him to be admitted therein the R K Nagar government animal According to the official, in addi- as a teacher or student...” farm at the earliest,” Tripura govern- tion to the culling, surveillance would Rohatgi had told the apex court ment’s animal resource development be carried out over a further radius earlier this week that in the opin- department (ARDD) director Mano- up to 10 km to monitor further spread ion of the government, the AMU is ranjan Sarkar said. He said: “After the of infection, if any. not a minority institution. He said death of some chicken, ducks and The northeastern state of Tripura as the executive government at the birds we have sent samples to var- was first affected by avian influenza Spectators watch a traditional buffalo fight at Ahatguri, some 80km from Guwahati, the capital of Centre, it can’t be seen as setting ious local and outside laboratories. in April and May 2008, forcing the up a minority institution in a sec- Assam, yesterday. This age-old buffalo fight is organised on the occasion of the harvest festival “The National Institute of High authorities to cull several lakh poul- ular state. ‘Bhogali Bihu’ in the state. Security Animal Disease Laboratory try birds. 16 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 EUROPE

Merkel to host Mexican president’s ex-ally arrested in Spain Turkey’s PM for talks next Friday Reuters of drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guz- in Mexico. Mexico’s Foreign Ministry misled by officials and denied any Moreira’s detention man a week ago, Spanish police tweeted said it would provide him with con- wrongdoing. Guillermo Anaya, a sen- news of Moreira’s detention with the sular assistance should he need it, ior PAN politician in Coahuila, said was part of an hashtag “mission accomplished”, ech- as it does for all citizens. there was concern the loans could have MADRID: Spanish police arrested operation against oing the president’s words. In 2014, Moreira’s former finance helped the PRI fund state and even a former ally of Mexican President Details of the Spanish probe were secretary in Coahuila pled guilty to fed- national election campaigns. Enrique Pena Nieto in a money- money laundering however, not immediately available, eral money laundering charges in Texas. Elected president in July 2012, laundering probe, potentially raising and other crimes, but it raised hopes among the oppo- The man who completed his term as Pena Nieto’s campaign to be the PRI awkward questions for his ruling Insti- sition politicians that Moreira might governor is wanted in the United States candidate gained momentum under tutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). an official said face prosecution over the debt debacle. on suspicion of embezzling. Moreira. Pena Nieto has faced criti- Humberto Moreira, who was the “Nobody in the Coahuila govern- Moreira was in office from 2005 cism for failing to go after PRI officials PRI chairman in 2011 before he stood ment has explained what happened to early 2011, a period in which Coa- accused of graft, including three of its down after a debt scandal was uncov- operation against money launder- to that money,” said Senator Ernesto huila’s debts more than tripled to what former governors indicted in the United ered in Coahuila, the northern state ing and other crimes, according to a Cordero of the opposition National was then around $3 billion. States. The PRI said it had “little infor- he had governed. He was arrested at Spanish court official who spoke on Action Party (PAN), an ex-finance The state congress contracted mation” on the matter, but added: Madrid’s international airport, the condition of anonymity. minister who led initial investiga- some of the loans with falsified doc- “The institutions are not responsi- Spanish police said. In an apparent reference to Pena tions into the debt. uments, Cordero said. ble for the acts of those who form His detention was part of an Nieto’s tweet to announce the capture Moreira is not wanted by the law Moreira maintained he had been part of them.”

AFP

Macedonia opposition threatens to boycott polls BERLIN: Chancellor Angela Merkel (pictured above) will host Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu for talks next Friday, her spokesman Reuters said, with discussions to centre on the suicide attack in Istanbul that claimed 10 German lives. Tuesday’s “attack in Istanbul SKOPJE: A European Union-brokered will play a central role” in the talks, deal to end a political crisis in Mace- said Steffen Seibert, spokesman for donia hung in the balance yesterday Merkel. after opponents of conservative Prime The two leaders will also discuss Minister Nikola Gruevski threatened to issues on both countries’ priority boycott an early parliamentary elec- lists, including their fight against ter- tion in April. All sides had agreed last rorism and a record refugee influx year to an April 24 election, two years to Europe. ahead of schedule, under EU mediation The talks are part of a series to end months of bitter standoff over of so-called government con- allegations against Gruevski’s gov- sultations that Germany has ernment of illegal phone-tapping and with only a handful of coun- widespread abuse of office. tries, including India and China, But opposition Social Democrat Seibert further said . leader Zoran Zaev said overnight that Friday’s meeting would be the not all conditions had been met for a first with Turkey’s cabinet and will free and fair election in the tiny ex- include interior, foreign and defence Yugoslav republic, citing a lack of media ministers from both sides. reform to reduce government influ- Turkey has a special relation- ence and failure to conduct a thorough ship with Germany as the biggest review of the electoral roll. EU economy is not only home to “We won’t accept elections with- around three million people with out timely regulation of the media or Turkish roots, but also its biggest timely clearing of the voter list,” Zaev trading partner. told reporters after emerging from late- Macedonia Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski talks to the media in front of the residence of EU ambassador in Skopje, yesterday. Turkey, which shares a border night talks with Gruevski and the EU’s with war-torn Syria, is also a key enlargement commissioner, Johannes player in the current record migrant Hahn, who brokered the original deal. last year by allegations of illegal sur- denied this and dismissed the accu- “to take the country even deeper into to stick to the election agreement, influx to Europe, with EU coun- “If there are elections on April veillance, meddling in the media and sations as a plot to bring him down. crisis”. “He just wanted to postpone elec- promising the poll would be closely tries needing Ankara’s help to stem 24 we will not take part,” Zaev said. judiciary, rigging elections and appoint- He submitted his resignation to tions, without any serious arguments.” monitored by European observers. the flow. “We will continue to fight for free, ing party faithful to public sector jobs. parliament on Friday, in line with the Gruevski’s commands enough votes He warned of the need for an effec- It has also stepped up its involve- fair and democratic conditions in The accusations stemmed from a deal, but said it would become effec- in parliament to endorse his resigna- tive government capable of confronting ment in the US-led coalition against which to hold elections.” slew of phone-taps released by Zaev, tive 100 days before the election, which tion and force an election regardless terms of the economy challanges and the Islamic State group, through Almost a decade in power, who said the government had con- has yet to be officially called. of Zaev’s threats to boycott. a large wave of migrants crossing its air strikes as well as the hosting Gruevski’s government was bombarded ducted the surveillance. Gruevski Gruevski accused Zaev of trying Hahn said he still expected all sides territory from Greece. of war planes. EU regulators to meet Pressure on Ukraine to boost fight against corruption on EU-US data transfers Bloomberg do reforms, but is still lagging behind to carry out “effective reforms,” while a bid to ease reignited Cold War ten- on some of the few issues that are really the EU should respond to Ukrainian sions. While the end-2015 deadline Reuters transfer data across the Atlantic. necessary,” Jensen said in a telephone demands for assistance, according to to fulfill the deal was missed, world These would cover binding cor- interview. “If they don’t live up to their a document. leaders say the pact is the only way porate rules within multinationals, KIEV: Nine European governments part, I am sure that Moscow will take Ukraine faces the “huge” issue of to resolve almost two years of unrest model clauses between companies or including Germany, the UK and Poland that as a challenge to step out.” passing a constitutional amendment that the United Nations estimates has BRUSSELS: European Union privacy requests to people for their consent. pressed Ukraine to step up the fight Denmark pushed for a nine- to allow special status to breakaway killed more than 9,000 people. regulators aim to agree next month EU data protection authorities also against corruption to meet the terms of nation draft that’s been prepared for eastern regions, Jensen said. EU governments need to discuss on whether and how data transfers urged the United States and EU to agree its peace accord with Russian- backed discussion at a meeting of European The conflict in Ukraine’s eastern- whether the proposed Nord Stream to the United States should continue a new data transfer framework in the separatists, Danish Foreign Minister Union foreign ministers in Brussels. most regions has eased since a second 2 project, a pipeline from Russia to as the European Commission weighs same period, failing which they could Kristian Jensen said. Ukraine’s government and lawmak- peace agreement was sealed last Feb- Germany that would bypass Ukraine, Washington’s latest proposals on a start taking enforcement action against “Ukraine has shown a lot of will to ers “urgently” need to step up efforts ruary in Minsk, Belarus’s capital, in should proceed, Jensen said. new EU-US data-transfer pact. companies if they decided that alterna- European data protection authori- tives such as model clauses offered no ties will gather in Brussels on February greater protection against US snooping 2 to find a common position on which than the old Safe Harbour did. Suspected gas legal channels companies can use to The United States submitted In support of womenkind shuffle personal data across the Atlan- a package of proposals on a new blast kills five tic after the simplest system, known Safe Harbour deal this week. These as Safe Harbour, was quashed by the included a letter from US Secretary of top EU court due to concerns about Commerce Penny Pritzker explain- people in Italy the US snooping. ing US commitments on the oversight The 15-year-old Safe Harbour of a possible new framework by both framework used by over 4,000 firms to the Department of Commerce and Reuters transfer Europeans’ data to the United the US Federal Trade Commission, States was declared invalid by the according to a person familiar with European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the discussions. ROME: An explosion probably October 6 because the court found If acceptable to the EU, a new caused by a gas leak killed five peo- US national security requirements framework could be submitted for ple in a town in Italy early yesterday, trumped privacy safeguards. This approval by all 28 EU commission- flattening a two-storey building and meant that the data were not ade- ers on February 2 to coincide with the damaging several others. quately protected. regulators’ meeting, the person said. Five bodies were recovered from Under EU data protection law, However, further details may need the rubble of the residential building companies cannot transfer EU cit- to be ironed out after that. in Arnasco, a town in the Liguria izens’ personal data to countries EU regulators have been analysing region, and a woman was taken to outside the EU deemed to have insuf- the legality of transfer mechanisms hospital in a serious condition, fire ficient privacy safeguards, of which such as binding corporate rules and service spokesman Luca Cari said. the United States is one. should reach a common position on “It was a large blast because it Revelations of mass US surveil- February 2, said a spokeswoman for brought down an entire two-storey lance programmes where American the French data protection authority, building,” Cari said. “We haven’t yet authorities collected private infor- which will chair the meeting. completed the investigation into the mation directly from big tech firms “It is evident that we will sanction cause of the explosion, but it’s com- like Apple, Facebook and Google riled any transfers of personal data which patible with a gas leak, and that’s Europe two years ago, and set the are solely based on the old Safe Har- the only hypothesis we have.” .” stage for the ECJ ruling. bour decision,” said Johannes Caspar, All of the building’s residents As Washington and Brussels head of the Hamburg data protec- were accounted for but firefighters stepped up discussions on a new tion authority in Germany which continued to dig the debris in case pact, EU data protection authori- polices Google and Facebook. He any of them had visitors. Inspec- People take part in a solidarity demonstration against the violence against women in Berlin, Germany, ties gave businesses a three-month said a new Safe Harbour framework tions were also being carried out grace period in which they could would have to include a number of at nearby buildings damaged by yesterday. set up alternative legal systems to legal safeguards. the blast, Cari said. EUROPE SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 17

Germany for EU Beginning of tulip season extra levy to meet refugee costs

on every litre of gasoline at a specific amount,” Schaeuble told Sueddeutsche The proposal moved Zeitung newspaper in an interview. by Finance Minister “We have to secure Schengen’s external borders now. The solution Wolfgang Schaeuble of these problems must not founder has drawn criticism due to a limitation of funds,” the vet- eran politician said. from his own party Asked if all EU countries should increase their payments to Brussels to finance joint refugee-related costs, Schaeuble said: “If someone is not will- Reuters ing to pay, I’m nonetheless prepared to do it. Then we’ll build a coalition of the willing.” Schaeuble gave no details on how high the extra levy on gaso- BERLIN: German Finance Minister line should be and whether Brussels Wolfgang Schaeuble has proposed or the EU member states would be in the introduction of a special tax on charge of collecting it. gasoline in European Union mem- “I’m strictly against any tax ber states to finance refugee-related increase in light of the good budg- costs such as strengthening the con- etary situation,” said CDU deputy tinent’s joint external borders. Julia Kloeckner who wants to win a Schaeuble’s proposal drew crit- regional election in the western state icism from members of his own of Rhineland-Palatinate in March. conservative party, the Christian Germany achieved a larger-than- Democratic Union (CDU), as well as expected budget surplus of €12.1bn from the Social Democrats (SPD), in 2015 and will use the windfall to junior partner in Chancellor Angela pay for accommodating and integrat- Merkel’s ruling coalition. ing refugees. “I’ve said if the funds in the “We Social Democrats want to hold national budgets and the European society together instead of dividing it People from Amstelveen pick tulips placed in front of the Royal Palace at the Dam Square to celebrate the beginning of the tulip season budget are not sufficient, then let us with a new refugee toll à la Schaeuble,” in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, yesterday. agree for instance on collecting a levy SPD deputy Ralf Stegner said. Probe launched into tragic France drug trial Spacewalk suspended after

AFP error in the trial’s procedures or in the this morning is entirely committed to manner” what had happened. leak in Briton’s helmet substance tested, a new drug meant to assisting the investigators and to fully France’s national drug safety body treat mood disorders such as anxiety. cooperating in the investigations under confirmed it was the worst-ever inci- A total of 90 volunteers—healthy way,” Francois Peaucelle told jour- dent to have taken place in a drugs Reuters his helmet pad was damp and a ball RENNES: French authorities launched men aged between 28 and 48 —were nalists at a press briefing at the site. trial in the country. of water had collected in his helmet, three investigations yesterday at a given the experimental drug in the The investigators and inspectors Each year thousands of volunteers prompting NASA to end the mission. research laboratory in Rennes after Phase I trial. Six of them were taken “are trying to understand.... what could participate in clinical drugs trials and The leak increased as Kopra and a drug trial conducted there left one to hospital last week. have happened and how it could have experts point out that tragic results CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA: NASA cut Peake returned to the airlock. person brain-dead and three others Pierre-Gilles Edan, head of the neu- resulted in such an a tragic situation,” are rare. But the incident in Rennes short a spacewalk at the International “It was quite noticeable,” Kopra facing potentially irreversible brain rology department at the hospital in he said, adding that there was no news has raised concerns about such Space Station after one of the astro- later told ground controllers. damage. Rennes where the volunteers were of any change to the condition of the experiments. nauts reported a leak in his spacesuit NASA tightened its flight rules after Judicial police late Friday carried taken, said that aside from the man hospitalised volunteers. A university teacher in Rennes who helmet, the US space agency said. a spacesuit worn by Italian astro- out the first searches at the Biotrial who was clinically dead, three others Representatives from Bial were also has participated in such trials told jour- Tim Peake, who on the mission naut Luca Parmitano leaked during a lab which had performed the trial on were suffering a “handicap that could on site and taking part in the probes nalists he would not do it again. became the first astronaut from Britain spacewalk in July 2013, nearly caus- behalf of Portuguese pharmaceutical be irreversible” and another also had with “total transparency”, according “I will not do it anymore and I’m to walk in space, and US astronaut Tim ing him to drown. company Bial. neurological problems. to Peaucelle. going to advice against it,” said the Kopra had finished the primary goal NASA eventually tracked down They were joined yesterday by rep- The sixth volunteer had no symp- The Portuguese firm had issued a 33-year-old, who requested anonymity. of their outing when Kopra reported the source of the problem and outfit- resentatives of France’s social affairs toms but was being monitored. The statement on Friday insisting it had fol- He admitted to being attracted a water ball had formed in his helmet. ted the helmets with absorption pads inspectorate general (IGAS) and the head of Biotrial said yesterday the lab lowed “international best practice” in by the “easy money” participants The astronauts were not in any and breathing snorkels as additional national drug safety agency (ANSM). was cooperating with the investigators. developing the drug and said it would received and that he had taken part danger, but NASA curtailed the space- safety measures. The probes are seeking to deter- “Our thoughts remain with the vic- cooperate with the investigation to in about 15 trials at the Biotrial lab walk as a precaution, flight director Chief astronaut Chris Cassidy, mine if the tragedy was caused by an tims and their families but our energy “determine in a rigorous and exhaustive since 2005. Royce Renfrew said during an inter- who was Parmitano’s partner dur- view on NASA TV. ing the aborted 2013 spacewalk, said Peake, 43, a former army major, the cold temperature of the water blasted off to the station as part of a indicated a leak from somewhere in EU opens probe six-month mission for the European the spacesuit’s backpack, which con- Fun on the snow Space Agency in December, becoming tains a cooling system. the first Briton in space since Helen In an interview on NASA TV, Cas- into Antwerp Sharman travelled on a Soviet space- sidy called it “a significant concern.” craft for eight days in 1991, and the Kopra and Peake had replaced port container first to do so under a British flag. a failed voltage regulator in the sta- His mission has attracted wide- tion’s power system shortly after operators spread attention in Britain, with news leaving the station’s airlock at around channels beaming live coverage of 8 a.m. the spacewalk. They were scheduled to spend “We’re all watching, no pressure! more than six hours outside the sta- Reuters Wishing you a happy stroll outdoors tion, a $100bn research laboratory in the universe,” British musician Paul that flies about 250 miles above McCartney said on Twitter. Earth, on other maintenance chores. BRUSSELS: The European Commis- About three hours into Friday’s That work will be rescheduled, sion said it had opened an in-depth spacewalk, Kopra, 52, reported that NASA said. investigation into alleged state aid to two container terminal opera- tors in Europe’s second busiest port, Antwerp in Belgium. The Commission said conces- Time to say goodbye sion agreements for PSA Antwerp NV and Antwerp Gateway NV contained a requirement for the handling of a minimum tonnage. The two did not reach this between 2009 and 2012, meaning they would have to pay compensa- tion to the port authority. Snow kiters at the snowy Wasserkuppe mountain near Fulda, western Germany, yesterday, However, the Antwerp Port Authority decided in 2013 to reduce the minimum tonnage retroactively, reducing the compensation to 80 percent. The Commission said it received a complaint from a com- Five held for exploiting farm workers petitor and opened investigation to determine whether a private inves- tor would have acted in the same AFP in southern Spain after a complaint to work in the fields”, police said. way to reduce the compensation due. was lodged in the northern Basque “The workers did not receive any If not carried out on market Country. A man of Romanian nation- kind of financial remuneration for their terms, it would constitute state ality said he was lured by a promise work,” added police, accusing those aid. The Commission would have MADRID: Spanish police yesterday of a dignified salary and a decent job behind the exploitation of hoarding to determine whether to author- said five Romanians have been arrested in the (Spanish) agriculture sector. the workers’ salaries. ise such aid under rules allowing suspected of exploiting their fellow Once he and others had arrived Aside from arresting five people, member states to grant state aid countrymen after luring them to work in Spain from Romania, they were police conducted searches and iden- for certain public interest goods. in the fruit and vegetable harvest in “squeezed into often abandoned tified the administrator of a company The concession contracts were Leader of Union Party Josep Anton Duran i Lleida (centre) waves Spain and then not paying them for houses, in deplorable sanitary con- tasked with negotiating work con- concluded in 2004 for a period of 42 after announcing his resignation as president during the National their labour. ditions” where they were “threatened tracts with farmers —which were often years related to the transhipment of Council of Union in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday. The arrests were made in Seville and which they could not leave except merely verbal agreements. containers in the Deurganck dock. 18 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 AMERICAS Hillary embarks on ad blitz as primaries kick off

The first quarter is a crucial period in the presidential nominating con- The first quarter test. It kicks off with the Iowa caucus is a crucial period on February 1, followed by the New in the presidential Hampshire primary on February 9 and a series of other early votes through nominating contest. March, including “Super Tuesday” It kicks off with on March 1 when 11 states hold nom- inating contests. the Iowa caucus Many of the contests during March, on February 1, the report notes, “are in big states with expensive media markets.” In followed by the New 2015, the campaign devoted nearly 10 Hampshire primary percent of its spending to technology and digital tools, about a fifth of the on February 9 and a budget on list-building and almost series of other early another quarter on state organizing, votes through March, according to the year-end document. List-building refers to amass- including ‘Super ing names of potential voters who a Tuesday’ on March 1 campaign wants to woo. The Clin- ton campaign declined to comment when 11 states hold on the spending report. nominating contests The increased focus on advertis- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (centre) arrives at the National Assembly in Caracas early yesterday to present his ‘Report and Accounts’ ing spending comes as the campaign or annual budget to Parliament. expects to shrink the ratios of spend- ing in other areas, especially those Reuters that appear related to infrastructure. State organising, for example, is projected to go from 23 percent in Maduro admits economic ‘catastrophe’ 2015 to 18 percent in the first quar- NEW YORK: Democrat Hillary Clinton ter of this year. plans to pour half of her presidential List-building is expected to go AFP in another era of regressive neoliberal presidential sash, Maduro periodi- last-minute compromises set the stage campaign’s budget into advertising from 21 percent in 2015 to 14 per- and capitalist policies would surely cally sipped from a white coffee cup, for Maduro to deliver his annual pres- in the first three months of this year cent in the first three months of 2016. have pushed (the Venezuelan) peo- as his mentor, late leftist firebrand idential report. as she seeks to fend off an increas- The report comes two weeks ple into unemployment,” said Maduro. Hugo Chavez, used to do. After the opposition won a landslide ingly tough challenge from chief rival before the Iowa contest, with Clin- CARACAS: Venezuelan President Earlier, the leftist leader sought to At other points, Maduro sounded election victory last month, Maduro Bernie Sanders, according to a sum- ton locked in a tightening race with Nicolas Maduro admitted before a seize the initiative in his standoff with a more conciliatory note, saying he secured a Supreme Court injunction mary of her spending plans reviewed Sanders, the fiery U.S. senator from hostile legislature early yesterday the legislature, decreeing a 60-day was ready for dialogue. reducing its majority from two-thirds by Reuters. Vermont who has been drawing big that the oil-rich nation is mired in a state of “economic emergency”, Addressing the issue of what the to three-fifths, limiting his rivals’ pow- The first-quarter advertising blitz crowds in the early-voting states with “catastrophic” economic crisis, hours It gave the administration special opposition calls political prisoners ers to force him from office as they would represent almost a doubling his calls to crack down on Wall Street. after decreeing a two-month state of temporary powers to boost produc- from within its ranks — one of its most have vowed. of the proportion of money that the The emphasis on fiscal pru- emergency. tion and ensure access to key goods, acrimonious disputes with Maduro The opposition Democratic Unity campaign devoted to such spending, dence is part of a broader effort by Maduro’s first state of the nation including taking over private compa- — the president said: “We are ready Roundtable (MUD) initially defied what on average, during 2015. the Clinton campaign to reassure sup- address before the newly opposi- nies’ resources, imposing currency and willing to talk about this and any it calls the pro-Maduro court. The report, prepared by her team’s porters that it has learned from her tion-held National Assembly, which controls and “other social, economic other issue necessary to discuss for the But it bowed to pressure from the finance committee, aims to paint a pic- 2008 campaign, which was plagued is locked in a bitter power struggle or political measures deemed fitting.” peace that Venezuela demands of us.” judiciary on Wednesday, when three ture of a fiscally prudent campaign by missteps, including a failure to with his administration, came as Ven- Addressing the legislature, Maduro National Assembly speaker Henry of its lawmakers agreed to quit while operation that has been spending heav- match the organisational and dig- ezuela’s central bank released its first said the plunge in oil prices over the Ramos Allup, a fierce Maduro oppo- authorities investigate them over the ily on digital tools and organising last ital prowess of Barack Obama, who economic growth and inflation sta- past year and a half had the country nent, delivered a scathing rebuttal to his Maduro camp’s allegations of elec- year and is now ready to ramp up ad ultimately won the Democratic nom- tistics in more than a year. trapped in an “economic storm” that address. “For 17 years, we’ve followed a toral fraud. Leaders have been wary spending as the 2016 White House race ination — and the general election. The figures show the magnitude pitted two models against each other. wrong-headed economic model. Here of fanning tensions, mindful of deadly moves into a critical new phase. Clinton’s campaign raised more of the country’s recession: the econ- “The socialist model is the only one, are the numbers to prove it,” he said, street clashes in 2014. “The significant early resources than $112m last year for the pri- omy shrank 4.5 percent in the first nine not the neoliberal model that wants to referring to the new statistics. The so-called “supermajority” mobilized by our Finance Committee mary fight, according to a previously months of 2015, the central bank said, come and privatise everything,” he said The current National Assembly, would have allowed the opposition in 2015 helped us make smart early released statement from January 1. while inflation for the same period to jeers from opposition lawmakers. inaugurated 10 days ago, is the first to launch constitutional measures to investments in key areas — and will That includes $37m raised in the fourth came in at a painful 108.7 percent, “You will have to come and controlled by the opposition since cut short Maduro’s mandate, which enable us to continue with strategic quarter. The campaign had nearly fueled by crippling shortages. overthrow me if you want to pass a Chavez came to power in 1999. expires in 2019. Maduro accuses capi- allocations in Q1 of 2016,” the report $38m in cash on hand headed into “These catastrophic figures (are) privatisation law. No, no and no!” Institutional arm-wrestling threat- talist forces of waging “economic war” reads. this year, according to the statement. the result of an economic situation that Dressed in his red, yellow and blue ened to paralyse the legislature until on Venezuela by starving it of goods.

Call to stop deportations Guzman’s lawyers slam treatment First group of weary in Mexico jail Cubans reach US AFP

AFP of all Cubans,” said another, 20-year- ALMOLOYA DE JUÁREZ: Law- old Lilian de Gonzalez. yers for recaptured Mexican drug The dozen were among 180 who lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman set out from Costa Rica this week, condemned prison authorities MIAMI: The first few dozen of thou- first by plane to El Salvador — skip- late on Friday for refusing them sands of Cubans trying to reach the ping over Cuba ally Nicaragua, which access to their client, after being United States after being stranded would not let them pass — and then denied permission to bring him for months in Costa Rica crossed the by bus through Guatemala to Mexico. fluffy slippers, a toothbrush and Mexican border into Texas yesterday, That bus trip alone took 13 hours. other items. ending a dangerous odyssey. It was organised by regional gov- Two of Guzman’s lawyers gave They were processed in a Mexi- ernments and the International an indignant press conference out- can immigration office in the border Organisation for Migration (IOM). side his maximum-security prison town of Nuevo Laredo and walked They were allowed to travel to after they were not allowed to visit out on the other side of the frontier in Mexico after its government reached their client and bring him clothes Laredo, Texas. Migrants group Cuba- an agreement with various central and other personal items. Lawyer nos en Libertad, an organisation which American countries. But nearly 8,000 Juan Pablo Badillo said he feared helps Cubans arriving in Texas, said others remain stranded in Costa Rica, Immigration advocates rally outside the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, yesterday as justices for Guzman’s health and safety. 59 had crossed the border. waiting since late last year to make consider whether or not to hear the appeal of a November ruling that upheld a 2015 decision to stop “There’s a growing fear (among Most came to join family members the trip north to the United States and US President Barack Obama’s action to shield more than four million immigrants from deportation. Guzman’s lawyers) that something already living in the United States, the lure of a better life. Participants of the rally called for deportations to stop. may happen to him, because it’s many of them in Florida, said a repre- Thousands of Cubans have left the suspicious that they won’t even let sentative of the group, Alejandro Ruiz. Communist island in recent months his defence attorneys look at him, “Last night 12 arrived after over concerns that the re-establishment ask him how he’s feeling, what he’s traveling by plane to Nuevo Laredo of US-Cuban diplomatic relations will been through, whether he’s been and this morning another 47 arrived prompt Washington to drop its policy of tortured,” he said. by bus,” he said, after the 40-hour giving them automatic residence when US issues travel alert over Zika virus “I hold the prison directors and drive from the southeastern state of they set foot in the United States. For the interior minister responsible if Chiapas. Under US law, they auto- many of the Cubans, their trip began Guzman is the victim of any illness matically get permission to stay and in Ecuador, where until recently they Reuters Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Ven- caused by the cold,” said lawyer are put on a fast track to permanent could travel without a visa. ezuela, and the US Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Jose Luis Gonzalez, showing jour- residency after one year. From there they made their way It also includes advice that women who are trying to nalists the items he had packed in That welcome is the sweet reward through Colombia, into Panama and become pregnant should consult with their doctor before a small blue suitcase for his client. the Cubans sought after a grueling trek then Costa Rica, often traveling along NEW YORK: US health officials issued a travel warn- traveling to those areas. Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes Guzman, the kingpin of the pow- through South and Central America smuggling routes. Many of the Cubans ing for 14 countries and territories in the Caribbean and species mosquitoes, which also spread dengue and chikun- erful Sinaloa drug cartel, escaped that was fueled in part, and ironi- experienced extortion and kidnap- Latin America where infection with Zika, a mosquito- gunya viruses and are common in Texas, Florida and from the same prison outside Mex- cally, by the thaw in US-Cuban ties. ping threats along the way. The trip borne virus, is a risk. elsewhere in the United States. ico City on July 11. “We are happy because we through Mexico is particularly daunt- The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Zika is usually a mild illness with fever, rash and joint He was recaptured a week ago achieved our goal,” said one of the ing: there, crime and drug gangs are (CDC) in particular cautioned pregnant women not to pain. There is no preventive vaccine or treatment. CDC after six months on the run and sent Cubans, Randy Cuevas, 29, in a video known to prey ruthlessly on migrants, travel to those areas as Zika has been linked to a serious said all travelers should take protective measures against back to prison — this time with two posted on the Facebook page of Cub- often kidnapping and holding them birth defects. The travel alert applies to Brazil, Colombia, mosquitoes, such as netting and repellent, if they travel tanks posted outside and heavily anos en Libertad. for ransom and then killing them if El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, to areas where the infection is present. beefed-up security measures. “This was my dream, the dream no one back home pays up. AMERICAS SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 1917 Tennessee couple first official winners of jackpot

intend to donate funds to their church and a children’s hospital and to help John and Lisa friends. Robinson said they Rebecca Hargrove, President of had barely slept since the Tennessee Lottery Corporation, said they would have to wait 10 days defying the odds to for their actual winnings, which the hit the jackpot, but commission would pay after retail- ers send in the proceeds of record they smiled when ticket sales. a lottery executive “They’ll get a small cheque today for a few million,” said Hargrove. handed them a The couple have opted to receive giant check before a a one-time cash payment of $337m rather than $528.8m divided into phalanx of television annual payments over 29 years. There cameras is no state tax on lottery winnings in Tennessee. “More stress comes with that ticket,” Lisa told a news conference in Nash- AFP ville after flying in from New York, where the couple had appeared on national television. The Robinsons said they had con- NEW YORK: Lottery officials con- sulted the Internet and followed the firmed late on Friday that a Tennessee advice they found there, hiring an couple held one of three winning tick- accountant and a lawyer to help them ets for a world record $1.6bn jackpot navigate their riches. and handed them a symbolic cheque Their lawyer, Joe Townsend, asked for $528.8m. the media to give them time to rest John and Lisa Robinson said they before deciding on any further media had barely slept since defying the odds appearances. “They’re almost 48 hours to hit the jackpot, but they smiled when without any sleep,” he told reporters. a lottery executive handed them a giant The family’s life changed forever check before a phalanx of television when John bought four Powerball tick- cameras. ets at his wife’s request just a few hours John works at a maintenance before Wednesday’s live television draw, distribution centre and Lisa for a then headed off to sleep because he Powerball jackpot co-winners Lisa and John Robinson (left) of Munford and Tennessee Lottery President and CEO Rebecca Hargrove ight)(r dermatologist. Their adult daughter was not feeling well. Tiffany stood next to them with their It was his custom to buy four tickets, attend a news conference at the headquarters of the Tennessee Lottery in Nashville. The couple revealed on the Today televisionhow s that they rescue dog Abby. one for each member of his immedi- held a winning ticket to claim their share of the $1.6bn Powerball prize. The Robinsons, from the tiny town ate family. The couple also have a son. of Munford, with barely 5,000 resi- Only after checking the numbers come on in the morning and confirm got particularly high in hopes of get- night, but I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ll stop’... I winning ticket holders have not been dents, appeared overwhelmed by their three times did an astonished Lisa alert there had been a winner in Munford, ting “a little piece of the pie”. wasn’t feeling good, and I handed the revealed. A ticket in California was incredible luck in the Powerball jack- her husband. which is northeast of Memphis. John said he did not make enough tickets to her and said, ‘I’m going to go bought at a Los Angeles convenience pot draw on Wednesday. The chances “I went running down the hallway, Lisa said there had been no time to money to play every week. “Actually, I lay down’,” he said. store and one in Florida from a Mel- of winning were 1 in 292.2 million. ‘John, John, you’ve got to check these plan how to spend the money but she was on way home from work, and she The winning numbers were 4, 8, bourne Beach supermarket. The couple told reporters that they numbers!’” she told NBC’s Today show. does not intend to quit her job. “I’ll be had called me and she said, ‘Are you 19, 27 and 34, drawn from five white The previous US jackpot record of wanted to pay off their daughter’s stu- He checked the ticket four times, there Monday,” she promised. going to stop and get a couple lottery balls, and 10 as the so-called Power- $656m, on March 30, 2012, was scooped dent loans, but had no plans to move but even then couldn’t quite believe it, The Robinsons said they only tickets?’” John told NBC. ball number on a red ball. by three winners from North Carolina, and wanted to continue working. They so the couple waited for the news to played the lottery when the jackpot “I really didn’t feel like stopping that The identities of the two other Puerto Rico and Texas.

Canada’s top court delays Oregon refuge new assisted dying rules occupier arrested

AFP Reuters The group, led by the sons of a Nevada rancher who with a large group of heavily armed men success- OTTAWA: Canada’s high court gave fully stared down federal agents in a parliament another four months late OREGON: A member of the group 2014 dispute over grazing fees, had on Friday to rewrite the law in order of armed men who have seized a US earlier made a public call for help to allow doctors to help gravely ill wildlife refuge in Oregon in an anti- with supplies to cope with the win- patients die upon request. government protest has been arrested ter weather, with temperatures at the The government had asked for after driving a government vehicle to reserve expected to dip below freez- time to amend the nation’s Crimi- a local supermarket, officials said. ing in the coming days. nal Code after the court in February The arrest was the first made since That plea led to shipments of sex 2014 quashed a section prohibiting the group took over buildings at the toys, glitter and nail polish, which assisted suicide, effectively author- Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on prompted online video complaints ising it for consenting adults with January 2 in the latest conflict over by the occupiers. serious health problems. the US government’s control of land The occupiers declared their move The court had already sus- in the West. a show of support for two local ranch- pended its ruling for one year to Law enforcement officials had ers, Dwight Hammond Jr. and his son allow legislators an opportunity so far kept their distance from the Steven, who were returned to prison to enact new rules surrounding the site, located about 48km south of the earlier this month for setting fires Sheryl Goldfarb, a Porter ranch resident of over 27 years, holds a placard expressing her feelings as divisive issue. small town of Burns in Oregon’s rural that spread to federal land. residents from Porter Ranch and neighbouring communities attend a town hall meeting at the Shepard But a new Liberal government southeast, in an effort to avoid a vio- A lawyer for Hammond family of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch, California, to discuss the Aliso Canyon gas leak. won an October general election and lent confrontation. has said that the occupiers do not asked for a further six-month delay. But police arrested Kenneth speak for the family. Granting the further extension Medenbach, a 62-year-old resident Residents have expressed a mix- is an “extraordinary step,” the court of Crescent, Oregon, after he drove ture of sympathy for the Hammond California residents vent frustrations said in its decision, “since its effect is a vehicle owned by the US Fish and family, suspicion of the federal gov- to maintain an unconstitutional law.” Wildlife Service to a local supermar- ernment’s motives and frustration However, the court also agreed ket late on Friday, the Harney County with the occupation. The chair of a to a few exemptions that would allow Sheriff’s office said in a statement. local Native American tribe called on over state’s biggest gas leak some patients to proceed now with He was charged with unauthorised federal officials to remove the occu- assisted suicide, notably in Quebec use of a motor vehicle. Medenbach piers. “Armed protesters don’t belong province, which rolled out Cana- could not be reached for immediate here,” said Charlotte Rodrique, chair Reuters & Agencies by a broken injection-well pipe sev- The Environmental Protection da’s first assisted dying framework comment and it was unclear if he had of the Burns Paiute Tribe. “They should eral hundred feet beneath the surface Agency had said early this month last month. retained an attorney. be held accountable.” of the 3,600-acre field. that it was investigating a massive Local media said two people in The company aims to complete ongoing natural gas leak. Quebec had already asked for help LOS ANGELES: California residents a relief well to stop the leak by late More than two months after the dying. One of them was approved sickened and forced to evacuate their March. leak started, methane gas continues and died in hospital. Health offi- homes in the biggest methane gas leak The late Friday meeting marked to escape from an underground pipe cials are still considering the second in state history voiced their frustra- the highest level delegation of Cali- at Southern California Gas Compa- request. Elsewhere in Canada, until tions at a public meeting late on Friday, fornia officials to the Porter Ranch ny’s Aliso Canyon facility. June when the injunction is set to with many saying they opposed the area since Governor Jerry Brown vis- Thousands of residents, however, expire, a patient may seek permis- resumption of work at the natural ited the site on January 4, prompting said the gas smell — stemming from sion from a judge to proceed. gas facility. him to declare a state of emergency. an odorous additive called mercaptan The Supreme Court’s Febru- Neither the state nor the utility About 1,000 residents attended the used to signal a leak -- made them ary 2015 decision had reversed its have been able to stop the leak that meeting to voice their concerns to a feel sick, bringing on headaches, diz- own 1993 ruling in the case of Sue has affected thousands of residents panel of local and state officials that ziness and nausea. Rodriguez, a pioneer in the fight since it was detected on October 23 included Mark Ghilarducci, the director “”What are you doing now?” meet- for the right to die in Canada. At at an underground natural gas stor- of the governor’s office of emergency ing attendee and longtime Porter Ranch that time, the court had expressed age field in Porter Ranch in northern services, and Matt Rodriquez, Secre- resident Scott Barrer said. “Legislation concern about protecting vulnera- Los Angeles. tary of Environmental Protection in down the road doesn’t work. We’re still ble persons, but in its newer ruling Environmental activists such as California. paying gas bills to the people who are last year pointed to changed Cana- Erin Brockovich have called it the worst Attendees held signs that read “Shut poisoning us.” dian social values. Polling shows a leak in the United States since the 2010 it ALL Down”, and asked about the Southern California Gas Co has strong majority of Canadians — 85 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. immediate impact on their health, said stopping the leak is its highest percent — support the right to die. Southern California Gas Co, one of whether they had stayed in their homes priority and is committed to work- Some form of physician-assisted the country’s biggest gas utilities and or decided to relocate, with expenses ing with the community. It could not dying is legal in Belgium, Luxem- Occupier Duane Ehmer and his horse stand at the entrance to Malheur a division of San Diego-based Sempra to be covered by Southern Califor- be reached for comment about the bourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland Energy , has said the leak was caused nia Gas Co. meeting. and in a handful of US states. National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters in Burns, Oregon late on Friday.

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 14o C Maximum: 24o C

FAJR 05.01 am ZUHR 11.44 am MAGHRIB 05.09 pm HIGH TIDE 10:00 Strong wind and high seas. Partly cloudy. SHOROOK 06.21 am ASR 02.46 pm ISHA 06.39 pm LOW TIDE 03:30 - 17:15

20 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 MORNING BREAK

ONLINE CHART BUST The Melody of Sunset Men over 30 are outdoing www.thepeninsulaqatar.com women with MOST READ their selfies

Two DFI-funded films nominated for IANS 1 Oscars

Qatar weighs setting up intellectual LONDON: Posting a selfie after age 2 property centre 40 is pretty much a global taboo, but in the over-30s, more men post Syria regime in major operation across selfies on Instagram than women, 3 Aleppo province according to a study. The team behind Selfiecity project that analyses thousands of Instagram pics from New York, TWEET OF THE DAY London, Berlin, Moscow, Bangkok and Sao Paulo, studied 3,840 pub- lic photos — 640 for each city — to find that just four percent of the pic- tures on Instagram were actually selfies, thenextweb.com reported. More than 80 percent of selfies tagged in Moscow were taken by A cameraman takes video of an ice sculpture called “The Melody of Sunset”, created by participants women, compared to just 55 percent in from the city of Barnaul, during the annual International festival of snow and ice sculptures “The Magical Bangkok, where the guys were clearly Ice of Siberia”, on an embankment of the Yenisei river, with the air temperature at about minus 26 more cool about snapping a nice pic degrees Celsius, in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, Russia, yesterday. to show the world, the study said. Young women were the major posters of selfies in all the five major cities. But female selfies were par- ticularly abundant, and the women were particularly young, in Moscow. DiCaprio has ‘no nerves’ over Oscar pick The team combined AI analysis using the Orbeus ReKognition API with help from Amazon’s Mechanical AFP have absolutely no control over the survival and revenge in which DiCap- Turks to try to help them establish the outcome,” he told BBC radio. rio ate raw buffalo liver, climbed snowy mood, pose and different features, like “You’ve done the work, I do not mountains and bathed in icy rivers as whether people are wearing glasses. LONDON: US actor Leonardo DiC- know why I should be nervous. While he played the legendary trapper Hugh Combining different attributes, they aprio claimed to feel no nerves at the you’re on the set and you give every- Glass. The film is up for 12 Oscars. found that just three men in the data- prospect of claiming his first Oscar thing, that’s all you can do,” he added, “It feels great, man. It really does,” set were aged over 40, live in New for his role in The Revenant, saying after film’s British premiere. The actor DiCaprio said. “This is an epic art film. York City and do not wear glasses. he had “done the work” and could has been nominated four times for So to have something not only do as According to the database, across do no more. the Best Actor award but has never good as it’s been doing in the box office, the world it’s happy or calm over “The one reassuring thing about got his hands on the famous statuette. but to get having this movie recognised grumpy, keeping our eyes open and all this award season stuff is that you The Revenant is an odyssey of by our peers, it does feel amazing.” our mouths closed.

SpaceX to launch ocean satellite, try water return The press conference about new AFP law

LOS ANGELES: A $180m satel- lite to study the world’s oceans in a changing climate will blast off Sun- day atop a Falcon 9 rocket, which SpaceX will try to land on a float- ing platform after launch. The satellite, known as Jason-3, aims to offer a more precise look at how global warming and sea level rise affect wind speeds and cur- rents as close as 1km from shore, whereas, past satellites were lim- People standing near a tree house in the Kyauk Ye village on the ited to about 10km from the coast. “That is a significant advantage outskirts of Yangon. over our predecessors,” said Jim Silva, Jason-3 programme manager at the National Oceanic and Atmos- Rampaging elephants force pheric Administration (NOAA). The technology will also monitor villagers to tree-top refuge global sea surface heights, tropical cyclones and help support seasonal and coastal forecasts. During a five- AFP they have been terrorising, are some year mission, its data will also be of the casualties of Myanmar’s alarm- used to aid fisheries management ing rate of deforestation, one of the and research into human impacts fastest in the region. on the world’s oceans. The satellite TAIK KYI, MYANMAR: Pushed from The country lost almost 20 per- is the fruit of a four-way partnership their forest home by encroaching farm cent of its forest cover between 1990 between NOAA, Nasa, the French land, wild elephants are driving fear- and 2010, according to the UN Food space agency CNES (Centre National ful villagers in a Myanmar township and Agriculture Organisation. d’Etudes Spatiales) and the European to seek refuge in tree houses while Experts say the chief drivers of Organisation for the Exploitation of the animals storm their rice paddies forest loss are logging and large-scale Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). looking for food. land concessions for commercial agri- The launch is scheduled for The elephants have trampled culture handed out under decades of today at 1842 GMT from Vanden- crops, destroyed homes and even, opaque junta rule. berg Air Force Base in California. villagers say, killed people in their path Myanmar’s population of wild After the rocket sends the satel- — forcing families in Kyat Chuang to Asian elephants is thought to be one lite on its way, the first stage of the build new shelters made of wood and of the largest in the region, according Falcon 9 will power back toward bamboo on higher ground. to the World Wildlife Fund. Earth in a bid to set itself down on “We have had to move our huts into But the endangered species is a barge, or droneship, as SpaceX the trees, so we are safe,” explained increasingly threatened by habitat calls the floating platform. San Lwin, who dashes several metres loss, a thirst for ivory, and traffickers The attempt is the latest in up a tree to his thatch-roofed shelter who smuggle the animals into Thai- a series of trial runs as SpaceX when the elephants are near. land for the tourist industry. attempts to make rocket parts reus- Villagers in Kyat Chaung, a The newly-elected National able, lowering the cost of spaceflight farming community 100km north League for Democracy (NLD) — the and making it more sustainable and of Yangon, said they yearned for the pro-democracy party of Aung San accessible. Currently, expensive days before the elephant rampages Suu Kyi that swept to a thumping rocket components are jettisoned started three years ago. majority in landmark elections in into the ocean after launch, wast- Now they scamper up home-made November — said on Thursday that ing hundreds of millions of dollars. bamboo ladders to their elevated huts it would address Myanmar’s medley The California-based company whenever they hear the thundering of environmental issues after assum- headed by Internet entrpreneur Elon sound of elephant feet, which is usu- ing office later this year. Musk managed to land the Falcon ally several times a week. “We will try to restore the envi- 9’s first stage—the long, towering “We want them to be taken away ronment in Myanmar that has been portion of rocket—on land at Cape ... so we can live peacefully,” said Than ruined for many decades,” Soe Nyunt, Canaveral last month. But an ocean Shin, a 57-year-old farmer. vice chairman of the NLD’s Environ- landing has proven elusive, with Spurred by the loss of their forest mental Conservation Committee said. prior attempts ending in failure. habitats, the elephants, and villagers “It will not be easy,” he added. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

PAGE | 26 QE 9,185.12 -220.12 PTS PAGE | 22 Bond investors DOW 15,988.08 -390.97 PTS Corbyn moots ban on waiting for FTSE100 5,804.10 -114.13 PTS dividend payments Draghi’s next move BRENT $28.94 -$1.94 by low-wage firms

SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 • 7 Rabia II 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Market worries hit smartphone sales Among expatriates,

change in the trend of customers. “Peo- Absence of major ple, unlike before, no longer prefer to Sri Lankans gained shift from one phone to another just for technological small changes, as there are no major innovations, stiff innovations taking place in any next generation smartphones.” most in currency fall competition from “Qatar’s smartphone market is dif- Chinese brands and ferent from other markets. First, the mobile penetration here is very high. rapidly changing A significant percentage of population By Sachin Kumar 12.75 per riyal. Bangladeshi taka consumer behaviour in Qatar already keeps more than one The Peninsula was trading at 21.36 per riyal at smartphones. Secondly, a lot of tech- the start of 2015 and it ended the take the toll savvy customers look for value addition year at 21.52 per riyal. and innovation in their new phones. Last year was the year of Changing mobile phones frequently is DOHA: Among the expatriates in decline for all major currencies By Mohammad Shoeb no longer a popular thing here to do.” Qatar, Sri Lankans gained the most across the globe as many coun- The Peninsula He also added that more or less all in 2015 from the currency depreci- tries witness fund outflows due the latest smarphones; stiff competi- retail price. “Compared to last year, I high-end smartphones carry identical ation. Sri Lankan rupee declined by to strengthening of the US dollar. tion from relatively inexpensive Chinese do not see any big growth in demand of features with very negligible differences. a massive 10 percent, or 3.6 rupees, The Qatari riyal has also gained brands with similar features; and rapidly consumer electronics items and mobile So there is a stiff competition among against Qatari riyal last year. The against other currencies as it is DOHA: As mobile phone companies go changing consumer behaviour. Aiming phones, including smarphones and tab- the players. In addition, some Chinese currency started the year at 36 per pegged to the dollar. aggressive to grab Qatar’s market share at boosting the declining sales, most lets, as there are not much innovations brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi, Len- Qatari riyal and ended at 39.55 per Sri Lankan rupee depreciated in the new year, the local electronic outlets are offering heavy discounts in the products across all the leading ovo and ZTE, with similar features and riyal in 2015. A depreciating cur- massively against dollar because market is witnessing a perceptible slow and attractive combo-offers, even on brands,” a top official of a Korean elec- specifications, are giving tough time to rency benefits expatriates because of the domestic factors, along with down. The sales of electronic gadgets flagship smartphones that were sold tronics giant told The Peninsula. leading brands. they get additional income due international factors. The cen- and other items, especially the high-end like hotcakes immediately after their He said: “In the rapidly changing Samsung’s global market share dur- to decline. tral bank of Sri Lanka, last year, smartphones, have witnessed a decline launch. market scenario, smartphones have ing Q3, 2015 declined to 24.6 percent Pakistani and Nepali expatri- decided that it would stop quoting over the last few months in Qatar com- For instance, smartphones such also become like perishable items. They from 26.7 in Q2, 2015, but the Korean ates also benefitted significantly a reference rate for the currency pared to the same period a year ago. as Samsung’s Galaxy S6, priced at have very short life-span in markets in electronics giant is still No 1 in terms of from currency depreciation as and would let markets determine Enquiries with several dealers of QR3,099 with 32 GB and 4G specifi- terms of excitement, and manufactur- the global smartphone brand by ship- Pakistani currency lost 1.13 rupee, the rate. some major smartphone brands have cations (equipped with all the other ers are faced with the challenge to clear ment followed by Apple. Apple’s global while Nepalese currency fell close “All major currencies bore revealed that there is not one but a com- latest features like Lollipop OS, 3GB RAM their stocks quickly before the arrival market share in smartphone has also to 1 rupee against riyal in 2015. the brunt of dollar strengthen- bination of factors responsible for the dip and 16MP camera), are being sold at just of a next generation phone.” declined to 13.7 percent in Q3, 2015 from Pakistani rupee was trading at ing. Anticipation of rate hike in in the demand, which include absence about QR1,999, nearly at a massive dis- He also said that other impor- 15.4 percent in Q2 2015, according to 27.27 per riyal at the start of Janu- interest rate by the central bank of major technological innovations in count of over 35 percent at the market tant factor for falling demand is the available data. ary 2015, while on December 31, it of US and finally a hike in rate in was trading at 28.80 riyal. Nepa- December last year triggered fund lese currency started 2015 at 27.27 outflows in many countries. Fund per riyal on January 1 and ended withdrawals by foreign investors the year at 28.31 against one riyal. weakened major currencies,” said AIIB to boost regional Indian rupee depreciated about 5 Zuber Abdul Rahman, Operations percent, or 87 paise, against riyal Manager, Al Zaman Exchange. last year. “Devaluation of yuan by Chi- investments, says Xi Other currencies such as euro, nese central bank was another Egyptian pound, Philippine peso big blow for many countries that and Bangladeshi taka also depreci- weakened currencies,” he added. ated last year, but not significantly. China, the world’s second-larg- BEIJING: The new Asian Infrastruc- the US and Japan — is viewed by some Egyptian pound fell from 1.96 per est economy after the US, devalued ture Investment Bank (AIIB) will boost as a rival to the World Bank and ADB. riyal in January 1 to 2.14 at the end its currency in August last year investment in the region while con- “The funding and inauguration of 2015, while euro started the year (and in the first week this year) tributing to “fairer” global economic of the AIIB will effectively boost at 0.22 per riyal to 0.25 riyal at the in a bid to boost its exports and governance, Chinese President Xi investment to support infrastructures end of December. Peso was trad- expand economy. China is grap- Jinping said yesterday at the formal development in Asia. It will serve to ing at 12.29 per riyal at the start pling with a softening economy and opening ceremony in Beijing. channel more resources, particularly of year and finished the year at wild swings in the stock market. Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) unveiling a sculpture during the The China-backed AIIB — which private investment, into infrastruc- has 57 members but notably excluding tures projects,” he said. opening ceremony of AIIB in Beijing yesterday. Lexus launches GS F four-door luxury sports sedan

The Peninsula exhilarating performance. The GS F on some of the most famous tracks of support over the years.” The GS F is embodies the philosophy of the ‘F’series the world, including Fuji Speedway based on the partially revamped GS which stands for fast dynamic response, in Japan and the Nürburgring in Ger- model and boasts outstanding perform- high efficiency and seamless perform- many,” added Yaguchi. ance; the 5.0-liter V8 engine features DOHA: Lexus announced the launch of ance on everyday roads in addition Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Rep- enhanced response and engine-revolu- the performance-oriented GS F four- to race tracks that can be enjoyed by resentative, Middle East and North tion smoothness, while chassis stiffness door sports sedan in the Middle East. everyone. Africa Representative Office, TOY- has been improved through cutting- With a style eminently suited to eve- The GS F is the first new ‘F’ series OTA Motor Corporation, said, “True edge technologies such as laser screw ryday driving, the Lexus GS F conveys sedan model since the launch of the to the spirit of all the ‘F’-line mod- welding. the appeal of the ‘F’ series to a wide IS F in 2007. According to Chief Engi- els, we developed the GS F to create a Furthermore, the vehicle comes demographic, thus enabling Lexus to neer Yukihiko Yaguchi, “With the GS sense of excitement for our customers equipped with a variety of standard further enhance its brand image of F, our aim was to develop a car that whenever and wherever they drive it. features to ensure both excellent driv- exhilarating performance. combines the versatility of a sedan The GS F’s high-speed performance ing stability and an enjoyable ride, Lexus launches the GS F to reveal with the agility and dynamic charac- and handling, which have been nur- including Torque Vectoring Differential an exhilarating luxury sports sedan ter of the ‘F’ brand. A car that is fun to tured on race tracks around the globe, (TVD), Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Sat 16 Jan 2016 19:43 drive every day, whether it is on a busy reflect our attempt to provide the ulti- Management (VDIM) that incorpo- DOHA: Lexus announced the launch street or a winding road, regardless of mate driving experience.” rates an Expert mode and an Anti-lock of the performance-oriented GS F four- one’s driving skills. Having the driver Yoshitsugu added: “The sedan Braking System (ABS) that utilizes ver- door sports sedan in the Middle East. say ‘That was fun’, ‘That was great’ embraces the virtues of sound, response tical acceleration sensors. With a style eminently suited to eve- after driving the car – that’s what the and limitless power feel to support The interior and exterior of the GS ryday driving, the Lexus GS F conveys ‘F’ brand is all about.” Lexus’ ‘F’ brand identity of a perform- F fuse a breathtaking simplicity and the appeal of the ‘F’ series to a wide “To enhance its dynamic perform- ance car. We look forward to delighting elegance of design, and capture the demographic, thus enabling Lexus to ance and hone its handling, our team our customers with this latest model mature, luxurious sportiness unique The new GS F on dispaly. Pic: Baher/The Peninsula further enhance its brand image of also spent countless number of hours and would like to acknowledge their to the ‘F’ series. 22 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 BUSINESS

China devaluation creates Gold futures gain most in spillover risks in EMs: QNB six weeks as equities drop risk of a balance of payments crisis in US to EMs. While a balance of pay- Certain emerging specific EMs remains a clear. ments crisis in China is unlikely, some Financial markets have had their emerging markets are vulnerable due NEW YORK: Gold gained the markets, such as worst start to the year for some time. to their large current account deficits, most in six weeks as Chinese China, Thailand and The selloff was broad-based across high external debt and low levels of stocks retreated into a bear most equity, fixed income and com- foreign exchange reserves. market and US retail sales Malaysia, appear well modity markets. The last large-scale balance of capped the weakest year since positioned to tackle In the first full trading week, glo- payments crisis was the 1997/8 Asian 2009, increasing demand for a bal equity markets fell 6.1 percent, Financial Crisis (AFC), which has some haven. Platinum fell to a seven- any potential crisis the worst weekly performance since alarming similarities to current events. year low. the eurozone crisis in 2011. Oil prices In the early 1990s, as the US was recov- Bullion rebounded from collapsed to their lowest level since ering from a recession, the Fed, under the biggest drop of the year 2004. The global rout was triggered Alan Greenspan, began raising inter- as Chinese equities slipped The Peninsula by a devaluation of the Chinese ren- est rates. after investors lost confi- minbi, which fell 1.6 percent against This led to a stronger US dollar and dence in government efforts the dollar during the week. capital flight from Asia as past invest- to manage the country’s mar- One may question why a relatively ment flows were reversed. A number kets and economy. US equities DOHA: The risk of a balance of pay- small depreciation of China’s currency of South East Asian currencies were headed for their lowest lev- ments crisis in certain Emerging had such dramatic ramifications across pegged to the US dollar . els in 15 months, and crude Markets (EMs) pose danger. This could global financial markets. The weak- The stronger currencies eroded low and maintain large buffers of for- Indonesia and South Africa are vul- oil plunged below $30 a bar- be triggered by a further slowdown in ening of China’s currency appears to export competitiveness leading to cur- eign exchange reserves. So, where do nerable. These countries run current rel. Gold extended gains after China and devaluation of its currency, have raised concerns about the risk rent account deficits. With capital flight, EMs stand today compared to 1996, account deficits, which require financ- US government data showed lower commodity prices or higher US of further devaluations, capital flight these deficits became un-financeable, the year before the AFC? ing from foreign investors. In many sales at retailers fell in Decem- interest rates, QNB’s ‘economic com- and, potentially, a full-blown balance international reserves evaporated, US EMs vary on their vulnerability to cases, these are Chinese companies ber, wrapping up the smallest mentary’ noted yesterday. of payments crisis in China. dollar pegs were broken and curren- a potential crisis. Some EMs, such as investing in mining, agriculture and annual advance of the current The QNB believes the reaction China is the largest contributor cies collapsed. China, Thailand and to some extent infrastructure. These investments may economic expansion. of financial markets during the first to global GDP growth and the largest External debt became unsustaina- Malaysia, appear well positioned. These not continue with the slowdown in The metal has been whip- week of the year to China’s devalua- consumer of most commodities. The ble as capital flows dried up, economies countries run current account sur- China and its lower consumption of sawed this week, after rallying tion appears overdone. The risk of an risk of slower growth leads to negative slowed and weaker exchange rates pluses, have low external debt (with the commodities. In addition, the vul- to a two-month high last Fri- external crisis in China is low with its sentiment towards countries that are increased the cost of repaying foreign exception of Malaysia) and substantial nerable countries have relatively low day, as investors sought a current account surplus, low exter- dependent on Chinese demand as well debt. The crisis ended in severe reces- foreign currency reserves. They appear international reserves, which raises the store of value following the nal debt and significant international as commodity producers. In addition, sions, high inflation, an IMF bailout to have learnt from Asia’s experience risk of sharp currency depreciation. rout in Chinese shares that reserves. Some other EMs are also well higher US interest rates are also work- and widespread defaults on debt. To during its financial crisis. Their high external debt levels spread across the globe. Fed- positioned to avoid a crisis, such as ing against these EMs by encouraging avoid a repeat of the crisis, a number However, a number of other would become more burdensome to eral Reserve Bank of Boston Thailand and Malaysia. However, the the reversal of capital flows from the of countries tried to keep foreign debt countries, such as Argentina, Chile, service as currencies depreciate. President Eric Rosengren said this week that estimates for US economic growth are fall- ing, putting the projected path for interest-rate increases at Malabar Gold opens its risk. Tighter monetary policy makes gold less competitive against other assets that pay interest or offer dividends. 145th outlet in Dammam “A recovery in bullion is prompted by the equity weak- ness overnight in China, and it’s The Peninsula Malabar Group; Gaffoor Edakkuni, been reinforced by the declines Regional Director, Malabar Gold and today,” James Steel, the chief other dignitaries were present at the commodities analyst at HSBC opening ceremony. Securities (USA) Inc. in New DOHA: Malabar Gold & Diamonds The showroom conveniently York, said in a telephone inter- opened its 145th outlet globally in located at Dammam, the capital of view. “We might be getting to Dammam, Saudi Arabia at the new Eastern Province, will be their second the point where it’s trigger- Lulu Hypermarket. showroom in the city. Like all other ing some safe-haven buying.” It was opened jointly by Prince Malabar Gold & Diamonds outlets, this Gold futures for February Saud bin Abdulla bin Abdul Aziz and showroom will also display a signif- delivery gained 1.6 percent to Yusuff Ali MA, Managing Director of icantly large collection of traditional settle at $1,090.70 an ounce Lulu Group. as well as contemporary jewellery in at 1:56 pm on the Comex in Dr P A Ibrahim Haji, Co-Chairman gold, certified diamonds, platinum New York, the biggest advance of Malabar Group; Shamlal Ahamed and precious stone jewellery from since December 4. Prices slid MP, Managing Director - International across the world that can hold one 0.7 percent. Operations, Malabar Gold; Abdul spell-bound with their awe-inspir- Prince Saud bin Abdulla bin Abdul Aziz and Yusuff Ali MA, Managing Director of Lulu Group, inaugurating Salam KP, Group Executive Director, ing beauty. Malabar Gold & Diamonds outlet in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Corbyn moots ban on dividend S&P raises Barclays Best Private Iceland’s credit Bank in Qatar: EMEA payments by low-wage firms rating to ‘BBB+’

The Peninsula on-ground expertise, with our glo- bal reach and capabilities.” Reuters REYKJAVIK: Standard & Cedric Lizin, Head of Middle East, Poor’s announced it had Africa and Japan, Barclays Wealth bumped up Iceland’s credit DOHA: Barclays was named Best Pri- and Investment Management added: rating by one notch to BBB+, vate Bank for high net worth clients in “Through our focus on becoming the LONDON: British Opposition Leader citing progress over the eas- Qatar for 2015 at the EMEA Finance “Go-To” Bank, our clients will con- Jeremy Corbyn said yesterday he would ing of capital controls imposed Middle East Banking awards, con- tinue to have access to award-winning stop big companies from distribut- during the 2008 banking cri- firming the bank’s leading position research, best in class products and ing dividends unless they paid their sis. “The upgrade primarily in the wealth and investment man- services, as well as proactive advi- workers the living wage as part of his reflects the further progress agement industry across the Middle sors that allow the client to access the proposals to promote fairer working Iceland has achieved in resolv- East region and in Qatar. best investment opportunities and conditions. ing the issues standing in the The awards, which are organised make the best investment decisions.” Corbyn, a socialist who won control way of capital account liber- by one of the leading international “Barclays Wealth and Investment of the Labour Party in September, said alisation since June 2015,” the banking and finance publications, management business has witnessed too much of the proceeds of growing ratings agency said in a state- acknowledged Barclays’ initiatives an impressive growth, increased prof- company profits benefit the wealthiest ment. and level of service provided to private its and enhanced efficiency over the and called for “pay ratios” to be intro- The 2008 economic crisis banking clients in Qatar, as well as past year, in spite of challenging mar- duced to help tackle income inequality. caused the sudden collapse of the full range of bespoke investments, ket conditions. The key to this success “Only profitable employers will be the island nation’s financial credit and wealth advisory products is the bank’s client service focus, as paying dividends. If they depend on sector, forcing the country to provided by the bank. In addition, demonstrated through regular cli- cheap labour for those profits then I ban the outflow of capital for the award recognised Barclays’ ‘Inte- ent feedback surveys.” Commented think there’s a question over whether fear of draining the economy grated Banking Model’, which allows Christopher Moore, publisher of EMEA that’s a business model to which we of all its resources. clients of the Wealth and Investment Finance. should be turning a blind eye,” Corbyn S&P added in a statement Management division in the Middle He said, “Barclays is providing told a socialist conference in London, that the upgrade “reflects our East to access Barclays’ regional and new and innovative ways to serv- his first major speech of the year. expectation that general gov- global capabilities available through ice clients allowing them to access Britain has already announced ernment debt will continue the Investment Bank and the Corpo- unique investment opportunities. a compulsory ‘national living wage’ to decline over the next four rate Bank. For example, the bank is leading the of at least £7.20 ($10.26) an hour for years, lowering government Ihab Al Derzi, Head of Qatar and way in applying behavioural finance people aged over 25 in April, rising to expenditure on interest Saudi Arabia, Barclays Wealth and techniques to their clients’ investing around £9.35 an hour by 2020. Jeremy Corbyn delivers the keynote speech in London yesterday. payments”. Investment Management, said: “We strategies.” Corbyn’s proposals were criti- The current rating remains are proud to receive this prestigious “First, the bank assists its clients cised by a leading employers’ group, six notches below the highest accolade for our Wealth and Invest- to define their financial personali- the Confederation of British Industry Corbyn, whose election was seen holds back growth. A more equal soci- ever assigned to Iceland by S&P ment Management division in Qatar. ties and investment philosophies, and (CBI), which said it did not support his as a major shift back to the political ety is not only fairer, it does better in -- the second best “AA+” grade These recognitions are a testament then the bank leverages its integrated idea of intervening in company wages. left for the Labour Party, also pro- terms of economic stability and wealth -- between 1996 and 2006. to the quality and breadth of prod- banking model and global research “The idea of politicians stepping posed maximum “pay ratios” between creation,” he added. The outlook for the country ucts and services that we offer our to tailor a portfolio that matches cli- into the relationship between a pri- the highest and lowest salaries within Corbyn’s leadership has split is “stable” given the expected clients in the Middle East, especially ents’ investment philosophies. This vate company and its shareholders companies. He said Britain’s pay ine- Labour lawmakers between his left- slowdown in growth in 2016 in the Qatari market.” client centric focus goes along way, would be a significant intervention, quality was only second to the United wing allies and moderates, some of due to an expected tightening “We will continue to provide our particularly when trying to exceed and not one that we would support,” States among the Group of Seven (G7) whom have questioned his ability to of monetary policy, said S&P. high and ultra-high net worth clients the already high demands of typically Matthew Fell, CBI chief of staff, added economic powers. lead the party to victory in a 2020 with bespoke solutions that combine very sophisticated high net worth cli- in a statement. “Not only is this unfair, it actually election. in-depth regional knowledge and ents,” he said.

24 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 BUSINESS GE to sell appliances unit to China’s Haier

amid objections from US antitrust Co., said in a note. The deal, potentially regulators, advances CEO Jeffrey Buying a GE business that makes Immelt’s plan to focus the Fairfield, $8,500 refrigerators underscores the the largest Chinese Connecticut-based company on indus- rise of a Chinese company once known purchase of an trial manufacturing. He’s selling the for making inexpensive fridges for consumer-focused business -- which college dormitories. The deal — poten- overseas electronics makes stoves, washing machines and tially the largest Chinese purchase business, highlights microwave ovens -- and unloading of an overseas electronics business, the bulk of GE’s lending arm. Mean- surpassing state—backed Tsinghua Haier’s global while, GE is expanding divisions that Holdings Co.’s plans for a $3.8 billion ambitions make products such as gas turbines, investment in Western Digital Corp. oilfield equipment and jet engines. — also highlights Haier’s global ambi- GE fell 2 percent to $28.49 at the tions. The company wants to expand close Friday in New York amid a broad outside its own region and boost its Bloomberg market rout. The company’s shares 1.1 percent share of the US market. rose 23 percent last year compared “It may be a step for the Chinese with a 0.7 percent drop in the Stand- company to build up an international ard & Poor’s 500 Index. network while its overseas exposure HONG KONG: General Electric Co. Haier was one of several prospec- now is still small,” said Andrew Song, agreed to sell its home-appliances tive buyers, including China’s Midea an analyst at Guotai Junan Securities business to China’s Qingdao Haier Group Co., in the final round of bidding, Co. “It’s also likely that they will have Co. for $5.4 billion after scrapping a people familiar with the matter have more synergy, as Haier is develop- deal with Electrolux AB last month. said. Haier paid 10 times the appli- ing smart appliances.” Haier has used The new pact’s premium over the ance division’s earnings over the last international acquisitions to achieve $3.3 billion failed Electrolux agreement year before interest, taxes, deprecia- quick expansion and to consolidate was driven in part by GE’s investment tion and amortization, GE said Friday its overseas resources. The company in the century-old unit to make it in a statement. bought control of New Zealand’s Fisher more competitive, said Chip Blank- The Shanghai-listed company said & Paykel Appliances Holdings Ltd. General Electric appliances are on display for sale at a store in Westminster yesterday. enship, chief executive officer of GE it paid a premium for GE’s long his- in 2012 and took over part of Sanyo Appliances. tory, brand value and supply chain. Electric Co.’s washing-machine and to the tumultuous US market. After the management team after the Haier sale. approved by both companies’ boards, is “We’ve been on a multiyear journey Under the agreement, Haier can con- refrigerator businesses from Pana- effort was stymied by the financial cri- Blankenship said the deal will give the subject to regulatory and shareholder since 2012 to introduce new products, tinue using the GE brand for 40 years, sonic in March to expand its presence sis, Immelt announced plans to invest GE business greater resources to expand approvals, GE said. The company expects improve quality,” Blankenship said in including in China. in Southeast Asia. In 2008, before the $1 billion to make the appliances busi- research and development. the sale to be completed in mid-2016. an interview. “Our earnings are sub- “Haier had always fancied them- canceled Electrolux agreement, GE ness more competitive. The sale will generate an after-tax GE and Haier also entered into a long- stantially improved.” selves the GE of China so now they said it would explore options to sell GE Appliances will keep its head- gain of about 20 cents a share after clos- term partnership around health care, The quick turnaround from the get the real thing,” Steven Winoker, or spin off the appliances business, quarters in Louisville, Kentucky, and ing, which will be offset by restructuring advanced manufacturing and software- Electrolux deal, which was canceled an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & concerned that it was too heavily tied continue to be run by its current costs, GE said. The deal, which has been focused digital operations.

Yen gains to 4 US stocks slump after retail sales fuel concerns month high as

Bloomberg in the fourth quarter, and downgrades retail sales add to to global profit growth haven’t been this bad in seven years. global concern NEW YORK : US stocks pared losses, Stock index futures extended after the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declines earlier after reports showed earlier tumbled past a trough hit on retail sales decreased in December to August 25, as the rout in oil persisted cap the weakest year since 2009 and Bloomberg and data showing falling retail sales a Fed gauge of manufacturing in New rekindled concern about the health York slumped. The 0.1 percent drop of the economy. in retail sales matched the median NEW YORK : The yen rallied to the Energy and technology compa- forecast of economists surveyed by strongest since August as US retail nies led losses in the S&P 500 Friday Bloomberg. The New York Fed’s Empire sales declined in December, fuel- as all 10 industry groups declined. manufacturing index plunged to minus ling concern American consumers Goldman Sachs Group Inc. fell 3.3 19.37, lower than the minus 4 econo- won’t drive economic growth when percent after agreeing to settle a US mists had forecast. other sectors of the economy are probe into its handling of mortgage- “The growth picture in the US is slowing. backed securities, a move that will cut getting cloudier, and the fact that the The Japanese currency, which its fourth-quarter profit by about $1.5 Fed tightened in a weak environment tends to benefit when investors seek bn. Citigroup Inc. and Wells Fargo & is certainly not helping,” said Krishna safe assets, rose against all of its Co. lost at least 3.7 percent even after Memani, chief investment officer at 16 major peers. The dollar and the reporting quarterly earnings that Oppenheimer Funds Inc. in New York. euro rose against most of their big- topped projections. Wal-Mart Stores “The data is clearly supporting how the gest counterparts, reflecting haven Inc. dropped 1.6 percent after saying markets are feeling at the moment.” demand as stocks and crude oil it plans to close 269 stores. The Fed has stressed the pace of extended losses. Higher-yielding The worst start to a year in US equi- further rate increases will be gradual, currencies slumped, led by South ties on record has left them trading at but data-dependent. Traders are pric- Africa’s rand and the Mexican peso. the most attractive level versus bonds ing in about a 30 percent chance of the “It’s a safe haven, so the yen is in a year based on one valuation meas- central bank acting in March, while the obvious trade,” said Lee Fer- ure. Dividend yields in the S&P 500 odds for an increase this month have ridge, the head of macro strategy have climbed 30 basis points above the stayed low since the December liftoff. for North America at State Street in yield offered by 10- year Treasuries, a Intel Corp. dropped 8.5 percent Boston, which oversees $2.4 trillion. reversal from just last week when the after its quarterly sales forecast missed Global financial markets were payout from bonds was higher. The estimates. BlackRock Inc. fell 4 percent roiled this year as Chinese pol- S&P 500’s multiple based on profits after the world’s largest money man- icy makers struggled to stabilize is also at a cheaper level. The gauge is ager reported fourth-quarter earnings stocks and the yuan while com- trading at 16.8 times reported profits, that missed analysts’ estimates as ris- modity prices slid. a 8.6 percent discount to its average Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Friday. ing expenses offset higher revenue. Some analysts are becoming multiple over the last year. Marathon Oil Corp. and Transocean more concerned that turmoil in The S&P 500 dropped 2 percent is on oil and weaker oil bleeds beyond this panic period to move forward.” yesterday. The measure is poised for Ltd. retreated 7.1 percent or more. All international markets will jeop- to 1,880.74 at 3:10 p.m. in New York, the energy sector,” said Joe Quinlan, Oil plummeted to fresh new lows, its third weekly decline. energy stocks in the S&P 500 except ardize the US economy. after earlier falling as much as 3.3 per- New York- based chief market strat- hovering around $29 a barrel, and the The Chicago Board Options one declined today. The median probability for a cent to the lowest level since October egist at US Trust, Bank of America Shanghai Composite Index entered a Exchange Volatility Index jumped 14 Goldman Sachs said in a report US recession in the next 12 months 2014, when the Federal Reserve was Private Wealth Management. Quin- bear market. percent to 27.22. The measure of mar- that oil will turn into a new bull mar- jumped to 19 percent in this month’s ending its bond-buying stimulus pro- lan, who recommends buying beaten Concern over China’s slowdown and ket turbulence known as the VIX has ket before the year is out as the price Bloomberg survey of economists, the gram. Volume on stocks in the index 61 down stocks that have growth poten- deepening crude losses have dominated surged 50 percent so far in 2016. rout shuts down production, putting highest since February 2013. The yen percent higher than the 30-day aver- tial like in defense spending, water investor sentiment in 2016, prompt- Corporate earnings may offer cues the US shale-oil boom into reverse in rose 0.9 percent to 116.98 per dollar age at this time of day. The Dow Jones infrastructure and global health care, ing a 7.9 percent plunge in the S&P on the strength of the US recovery, the second half of the year. As US pro- at of 5pm in New York. It touched the Industrial Average slid 392 points, or also said, “This is one of these market 500. Losses pushed Tobias Levkovich, with seven S&P 500 companies posting duction slumps by 575,000 barrels a strongest level on an intraday basis 2.4 percent, to 15,987.19. moments when fear trumps all ration- chief US equity strategist at Citigroup, results today. Analysts project earnings day, global oil markets will tip from since August 24. The euro gained “The laser focus with the markets ality. We will have to work through to trim his 2016 target on the S&P 500 for firms on the gauge fell 6.7 percent surplus to deficit, the bank. 0.5 percent to $1.0916 per dollar. Junk bond ETFs fall to lowest level as oil drops

Bloomberg obligations. of distress outside of energy and natural ETF also fell to its lowest level since November 2012. A similar measure wonder if it makes sense to start buying Energy companies’ bonds were resource companies, that’s trouble,” said mid-2009. Falling commodity prices for investment-grade debt rose 0.063 corporate bonds after a rough start to hit hardest as oil prices fell to $29.73 Russ Koesterich, global chief investment lifted credit fear gauges to their highest percentage point to 1.1 percentage the year for the sector. a barrel, a 12-year low. strategist at BlackRock Inc. levels in three years. points, a three-year high. “I think people are taking it too NEW YORK: Exchange-traded funds Risk premiums on bonds in the BlackRock’s iShares iBoxx High The risk premium on the Markit Lower oil prices helped drag down far,” said John McClain, a portfolio that hold US junk bonds dropped to their sector — a measure of the extra yield Yield Corporate Bond exchange-traded CDX North American High Yield Index, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index to its managerhead of US high yield at lowest levels since 2009 as the global that investors demand for holding fund declined to its lowest level since a credit-default swaps benchmark tied lowest level since August 25, leaving Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. in growth fears that clobbered stock mar- companies’ credit risk -- widened by mid-2009, when the global financial to the debt of 100 speculative-grade the index down 12 percent from its Philadelphia. kets also raised doubts about whether 0.12 percentage point for investment system was slowly pulling out of the companies, jumped 0.29 percentage May record. Lower oil prices helped drag down companies’ would continue to gen- grade credit, and 0.58 percentage point worst of the financial crisis. point to 5.55 percentage points at It is the worst start to the year for the Standard & Poor’s 500 index to its erate as much cash to pay their debt for junk bonds. “If you start to see signs The SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond 4:38pm in New York, the highest since the index on record. Some investors lowest level since August 25. BUSINESS SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 25 JPMorgan proves Brazil optimist after the collapse

from Brazil last year, says sales may on liability management, much less Rising US interest actually pick up in 2016 as companies in financing capex.” tap the market to refinance matur- The real fell 1.2 percent Fri- rates and a global ing debt. The New York-based bank day, bringing its decline over the slump in junk-rated predicts an increase of as much as 50 past year to 35 percent. “Debt mar- percent to almost $11 billion. kets will still be very depressed this bonds will also “As soon as we external improve- year, with higher spreads and shorter make it harder for ment and some recovery in the maturities,” said Cristina Schulman, secondary market, we might see executive superintendent for debt cap- companies to sell some primary issuance,” said Ricardo ital markets at Santander Brasil. “This debt and this will be Leoni, the head of Brazilian debt cap- trend of shrinking the total volume ital markets JPMorgan. “We might see issued could continue this year.” The a difficult year for companies issuing debt if a market Madrid-based bank is the sixth-big- international debt window opens up as we start to come gest underwriter of overseas bond issuance closer to upcoming maturities in 2017.” sales from Brazil. Brazilian companies have some After contracting 3.73 percent last $16 billion of bonds coming due in year, Latin America’s biggest econ- 2017, according to data compiled by omy will shrink 2.99 percent in 2016, Bloomberg. according to a central bank survey Bloomberg In the longest drought since at least released Monday. 1999, no Brazilian company has sold Rising US interest rates and a glo- bonds abroad since June as the nation’s bal slump in junk-rated bonds will biggest-ever corruption scandal, a also make it harder for companies BRAZIL: After Brazil’s overseas bond political crisis and a collapse in com- to sell debt, according to Guilherme market suffered an unprecedented col- modity prices send borrowing costs Paes, the head of investment bank- lapse in 2015, it’s not surprising that to a seven- year high. ing at BTG Pactual. bankers are less than sanguine about To Augusto Urmeneta, Bank of “This will be a difficult year for the prospects for this year. America’s head of debt capital markets international debt issuance,” he said. Banco Santander SA, Grupo BTG for Latin America, Brazil’s economic “With US interest rates rising, Pactual and Bank of America Corp., woes mean companies will slash cap- American high-yield facing more for example, say debt sales will be lit- ital expenditures, reducing the need difficulty accessing the market, the tle changed from last year’s total as for bond financing. cost of funding is higher and com- Brazil’s suffers its deepest recession Charlotte, North Carolina-based panies will remain very cautious since 1901. Sales sank 83 percent in Bank of America is the fifth-biggest to come to market. It will be simi- 2015 to a seven-year low of $7.8 billion, underwriter of overseas bond sales lar to last year.” data compiled by Bloomberg show. from Brazil. “For 2016, the expectation for But not all banks are succumb- “We expect to see less activity the region is that we will see some ing to the gloom and doom. JPMorgan out of Brazil with more refinancing,” recovery, hopefully including Bra- Chase & Co., the second-biggest under- Urmeneta said by telephone from New zil,” he said. “We probably went too writer of international bond offerings York. “There will likely be a lot of focus far in terms of deterioration.” JPMorgan Chase building in New York. HSBC & BNP to cut securities units Dow sinks 390 points

Bloomberg that “if necessary, Prudential could be as crude nears $29 resolved in a rapid and orderly fash- ion without creating systemic risk.” GE Capital outlined what it WASHINGTON: HSBC Holdings Plc described as a “controlled liquida- Bloomberg 12-year low is sending shock waves and BNP Paribas SA would ditch their tion” strategy. The parent company, around the world at the same time securities units if they were to fail, GE, is reshaping itself by selling most concern is mounting that China’s while American International Group of the assets in GE Capital, and plans to policy interventions will fall short Inc. would spin off its non-life insur- ask regulators to rescind the finance NEW YORK: Stocks tumbled around of stoking growth in the world’s sec- ance divisions. unit’s systemically important desig- the world, with US equities sinking to ond-largest economy. US regulators gave a glimpse Friday nation. GE agreed on Friday to sell its their lowest levels since August, and Figures on retail sales and man- at how about 125 financial firms pro- home- appliances business to Chi- bonds and gold jumped as oil’s plunge ufacturing Friday showed the US pose to wind themselves down if they na’s Qingdao Haier Co. for $5.4 billion. below $30 sent markets reeling. Treas- economy ended the year on a weak were to collapse. Excerpts of so-called Similar portions of the living wills uries extended gains as economic data note, and the start of 2016 wasn’t any living wills released by the Federal of 12 large banks, deemed the most and earnings added to concern that better. Reserve and Federal Deposit Insur- complex -- including JPMorgan Chase global growth is faltering. Energy firms are laying off work- ance Corp. show that the strategy of & Co., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Bank The Dow Jones Industrial Average ers and currency markets from many banks is to leave subsidiaries of America Corp. and Credit Suisse sank 391 points, European stocks fell commodity- producing countries are operating while their parent compa- Group AG -- were released in July. into a bear market and the Shang- in turmoil. The slump is also dent- nies go to bankruptcy court. In 2014, the Fed and FDIC told the hai Composite Index wiped out gains ing the outlook for inflation, causing Plans of non-US banks including A man walks past a logo of HSBC branch in Hong Kong. largest banks to improve their living from an unprecedented state-rescue traders to curb bets on how far the Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto-Domin- wills after saying lenders had failed to campaign as global equities added Fed will raise rates this year. ion Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland Plc be to sell everything to a single large Electric Co.’s finance unit. Prudential’s write blueprints that could take them to the worst start to a year on record. “Markets have to go through sev- and Banco Santander SA were among bank, though it suggested private- failure would see its financial units through bankruptcies without hurting Oil touched $29.28 a barrel before eral stages and right now they’re those disclosed. equity firms or a company like Fiat dumping their outstanding derivatives the broader financial system. closing at a 12-year low. A measure of just holding their head and crying,” RBC said it would likely sell assets Chrysler Automobiles NV may have the positions in bankruptcy, while its more JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, Bank of default risk for junk-rated US com- Krishna Memani, chief investment operated through its capital markets “incentive and the ability to purchase a traditional insurance arms would be America and Credit Suisse were among panies surged to the highest in three officer at Oppenheimer Funds Inc. division into the market rather than portion” of the bank’s consumer lend- rehabilitated through their primary the firms ordered to amend their plans, years. Yields on 10-year Treasury notes in New York, said. “The drama and seeking a single buyer for that unit. ing unit. Proposals also were released state regulators, the insurer said. which are required under the Dodd- dipped under 2 percent as doubts issue overnight is more related to oil RBS said if it were to face failure, it by three companies deemed systemi- Prudential said in a statement that Frank Act. Those banks are awaiting grow that the Federal Reserve will prices not finding a floor. If it was would look to shed its US operations. cally important by US regulators — AIG, its plan — most of which will only be word from regulators on whether their raise interest rates. Gold surged the just China and everything else was Banco Santander’s preference would Prudential Financial Inc., and General seen by the regulators -- demonstrates plans are sufficient. most in six weeks. Crude’s drop to a OK, we’d see through that,” he added. Citigroup tumbles as revenue gains seen as ‘soft’

Bloomberg profitable and its earnings more pre- corporate and investment- banking, dictable -- a push that helped cut private bank and transaction-serv- fourth- quarter costs from legal mat- ices businesses. ters and restructuring to the lowest Adjusted equity-markets revenue NEW YORK: Citigroup Inc. tumbled level since he took over in 2012. The climbed 29 percent to $606 million, 6.4 percent, the most in four years, bank also benefited from last year’s coming in short of the $771 million after reporting fourth-quarter rev- global surge in corporate dealmaking. average estimate of four analysts. enue gains that some analysts said “We have sharpened our focus on Fixed-income trading revenue rose came from too many one-time items. target clients, shedding over 20 con- 7 percent from a year earlier to $2.22 The shares dropped to $42.47 at 4 sumer and institutional businesses” in billion, beating the average estimate pm Friday in New York after falling as recent years, Corbat said in the state- of $2.14 billion. low as $41.85. They’re down 18 percent ment. “We have undoubtedly become That still left total trading reve- this year, the third-worst performer a simpler, smaller, safer and stronger nue down 21 percent from the third in the 24-company KBW Bank Index. institution.” quarter, worse than the 15 percent to “It was a quarter with a great many Revenue at Citi Holdings, the port- 20 percent range projected by Chief special items,” Chris Kotowski, an ana- folio marked for disposal, jumped 61 Financial Officer John Gerspach last lyst at Oppenheimer & Co., said in a percent to $2.91 billion including an month. report after the New York-based bank accounting adjustment. The company Lenders have been focusing on released its financial results. He called completed sales of businesses such costs as they struggle to boost revenue. revenue “soft.” as subprime lender OneMain Finan- Before earnings reports began Thurs- Net income climbed to $3.34 billion, cial and a credit-card unit in Japan. day, analysts estimated the nation’s six or $1.02 a share, from $344 million, or David Konrad, an analyst at Macquarie largest banks would cut fourth- quar- 6 cents, a year earlier, the bank said Group Ltd., had predicted revenue of ter expenses to the lowest since 2008, in a statement. Adjusted earnings per $2.47 billion. where results get a little more mixed. Citigroup’s investment-banking adjustments climbed 4.2 percent to helping to produce their highest com- share of $1.06 beat the $1.05 average “It would certainly be a bigger cat- Revenue growth has been sluggish.” unit brought in $1.13 billion of revenue, $18.6 billion, beating the $18 billion bined profit in a decade. of 26 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. alyst for the stock if you saw a surprise Wells Fargo & Co., which just sur- a 5.5 percent increase from a year ear- average estimate of 20 analysts sur- The 2015 efficiency ratio at Citi- For the full year, the company reported out of the various units in Citicorp,” the passed Citigroup as the third-largest lier, surpassing the estimates of four veyed by Bloomberg. Expenses fell 23 corp came in at 57 percent, compared adjusted net income of $17.1 billion, the company’s primary business unit, rather US bank by assets, also posted fourth- analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Matt percent to $11.1 billion. with the mid-50 percent target set by most since 2006, helped by cost cuts. than in sales of unwanted assets, Shan- quarter profit that beat estimates, Burnell, an analyst at Wells Fargo, esti- Adjusted profit at Citigroup’s insti- Corbat in March 2013. The firm gener- Chief Executive Officer Michael non Stemm, an analyst at Edward Jones though lending margins and revenue mated revenue of $965 million, while tutional clients group, run by President ated a return on assets of 0.94 percent, Corbat has been disposing of unwanted & Co. in St. Louis, said in an interview. missed some analysts’ expectations. Konrad projected $1.07 billion. Jamie Forese, fell 18 percent to $1.35 bil- or 94 basis points, meeting its target businesses to make the company more “When you look into Citicorp, that’s The shares declined 3.6 percent. Total revenue including accounting lion. The unit houses the bank’s trading, of 90 basis points to 110 basis points. 26 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 BUSINESS Walmart to close 269 stores affecting 16,000 jobs

bid to create a network of small cor- stores, which employ an average of Plan will affect less ner stores to compete with dollar-store about 300 people, will be shuttered. chains and drugstores. Walmart will Most of the closings will occur by the than 1 percent of its continue its larger-size Neighborhood end of the month. Last year, Walmart total square footage Markets effort, though 23 poor-per- shut three supercenters. forming stores in that chain also will The closing of the smaller-format and revenue be closed. stores signals a retreat for Walmart The company is still expanding from one of its main efforts to try to its footprint in the US, adding 69 new boost slowing US sales. When the stores and 6,000 jobs in January alone. company introduced the stores in Bloomberg “We invested considerable time assess- 2011, the aim was to attract shop- ing our stores and clubs and don’t take pers who didn’t want the hassle of this lightly,” McMillon said. “We are going to a sprawling supercenter to supporting those impacted with extra pick up a carton of milk after work. NEW YORK: Walmart Stores Inc pay and support, and we will take all Other retailers, including Target Corp, plans to shutter 269 stores, the most appropriate steps to ensure they are have also been making a push into in at least two decades, as it aban- treated well.” smaller stores. dons its experimental small-format Walmart shares fell 1.8 percent The experiment seemed to be Express outlets and looks to stream- to $61.93 in New York as the broader working. As recently as 2014, Wal-Mart line the chain. market tumbled. They have lost 29 announced plans to open an addi- The move by the largest pri- percent of their value over the past tional 90 Express stores and touted vate employer in the US will affect 12 months, dragged down by slow their “solid” sales growth. But the com- about 10,000 jobs domestically at 154 growth and profit declines. pany said it was planning instead to locations, according to a statement. Some investors may be disap- focus on the mid-sized Neighborhood Overseas, the effort will eliminate pointed that the cuts aren’t deeper, Markets, which are about the size of 6,000 jobs and includes the closing said Brian Yarbrough, an analyst with a grocery store, and its supercenters, of 60 money-losing stores in Brazil, a Edward Jones. “I don’t think this is which sell everything from avocados country where Walmart has struggled. enough to move the needle,” he said. to windshield wipers. Customers visiting a sale at a Walmart store in Alexandria, Virginia. The plan will affect less than 1 per- “I think they need to exit some mar- The closings are good news for cent of its total square footage and kets totally and close a lot more than dollar store chains, which had the revenue, the company said. they are closing.” most to lose from Walmart expand- and 800,000 abroad. McMillon had this year and 85 to 95 neighbourhood fiscal year. Earnings are expected to Chief Executive Officer Doug The shutdowns will reduce earn- ing its small format, said Yarbrough. signalled to investors that he was con- markets, which are about the size of a decrease 6 percent to 12 percent in McMillon took the step after reviewing ings from continuing operations by Walmart will give employees the sidering closing some stores during the typical grocery store. That is a slightly the year ending January 2017. Sales the chain’s 11,600 stores, evaluating about 20 cents to 22 cents a share, the chance to relocate to nearby stores. company’s investor meeting in October. slower pace of growth than the 115 it haven’t been growing fast enough to their financial performance and fit Bentonville, Arkansas-based com- It also will provide 60 days of pay Still, the move doesn’t mean Wal- added in 2014. offset the billions of dollars that Wal- with its broader strategy. pany said, with as much as 20 cents and one week of severance for each mart is reducing its overall US stores, Walmart has come under increased mart is spending on higher wages for The move also marks the end of its of that coming in the fourth quarter. year with the company. Walmart the retailer said on Friday. It plans to pressure to cut costs after giving a its workers and improvements to its pilot Walmart Express programme, a Twelve of its massive supercenter has 1.4 million employees in the US open 50 to 60 supercenters in the US gloomy profit forecast for the next website.

Banks brace for Bond investors waiting on Draghi Petrobras boosts asset bigger losses as oil as inflation wagers collapse sale list to meet target drops below $30 Bloomberg RIO DE JANEIRO: Petroleo EDINBURGH: With a plunge in glo- Brasileiro SA increased its Bloomberg thousands of workers in an effort to bal commodity prices threatening the asset sale list and included a conserve cash. In 2015, 42 oil and European Central Bank’s already dis- major transport subsidiary to and gas producers went bust owing tant inflation goal, bond investors will guarantee the company will more than $17bn, according to law be watching Mario Draghi this week for meet a $14.4bn divestment tar- NEW YORK: The Wall Street banks firm Haynes & Boone LLP. signs of a response. Euro-area govern- get this year amid the worst oil that financed the US shale boom are The weakness in oil and gas ment bonds have returned 0.8 percent market in a generation, Chief facing growing losses as oil falls below lending was a hot topic during bank since December 3, when the ECB deliv- Financial Officer Ivan Mon- $30 a barrel. earnings calls this week, and it’s clear ered stimulus that was seen by some teiro told reporters. Losses are spreading from bond- that the potential for losses is snow- investors as inadequate. Turmoil in The asset sale is the com- holders to banks amid the worst oil balling the longer prices remain low. China has further clouded the outlook pany’s main bet to reduce the crash in a generation. Wells Fargo & Wells Fargo’s energy reserves of $1.2bn for global growth and fueled concern biggest debt in the oil industry, Co, Citigroup Inc and JPMorgan Chase are enough to cover 7 percent of the that the Frankfurt-based central bank’s and Petrobras, as the state- & Co have set aside more than $2bn $17bn of the bank’s outstanding oil goal for 2 percent annual-price growth European Commissioner in Charge of Economic and Financial Affairs controlled company is known, combined to cover souring energy and gas loans. is becoming unattainable. Pierre Moscovici (left) and Mario Draghi, the Italian President of the will enlarge and renew the list loans and will add to that safety net JPMorgan Chase boosted energy The policy meeting will come just until the target is met, he said. European Central Bank (ECB) chat during a Eurogroup finance ministers if prices remain low, the companies loan-loss reserves by $550m last year two days after a report analysts said “Oil prices fell in an unen- meeting at the European Council headquarters in Brussels. reported this week. and said it will add another $750m will confirm the euro-area inflation viable speed,” Monteiro said. Losses are mounting as more oil if oil stays at $30 for 18 months. Citi- rate stayed at just 0.2 percent last “If the group of assets is not and natural gas producers default on group increased reserves by $250m month, while a gauge of future price 5pm London close on Friday. The price up the pace of purchases. enough, we will add to it”. debt payments and declare bank- and that will go up by an additional growth favoured by Draghi reached rose 0.39, or 3.90 euros per €1,000 The five-year, five-year forward The company has included ruptcy. Wells Fargo lost $118m on its $600m in the first half of 2016 if oil the lowest since October on Friday. ($1,097) face amount, to 104.925. The inflation-swap rate, a rolling gauge of its logistic and fuel transport energy portfolio in the fourth quar- prices remain at $30. If oil falls to “The tone of Draghi’s comments nation’s bond due in February 2026 inflation expectations that Draghi cited subsidiary Petrobras Trans- ter and Citigroup lost $75m. $25, that number may double. will now be quite dovish given the yielded 0.54 percent, down from 0.59 in the past when advocating mone- porte SA, known as Transpetro, “It takes time for losses to emerge, Lenders are walking a tightrope recent downward inflation surprises percent when it was sold at auction tary stimulus, slumped to 1.58 percent in a group of 20 to 30 assets and at current levels we would expect between helping their clients stay and the increased risk to the ECB’s on January 13. ECB officials will keep on Friday, the lowest since October 2 under consideration for sale, to have higher oil and gas losses in afloat and looking out for their own medium-term inflation outlook,” said the deposit rate at a record-low minus based on closing prices. The euro has Monteiro said. 2016,” John Stumpf, Wells Fargo’s bottom line. Borrowers with risky Nick Stamenkovic, a fixed-income 0.3 percent on January 21. At the cen- jumped against all but one of its 16 Transpetro owns oil and chairman and chief executive officer, credit typically put up their oil and strategist at Edinburgh-based broker tral bank’s December meeting, policy major peers since the ECB’s December gas pipelines, 49 terminals and said during an earnings call. gas properties as collateral for their RIA Capital Markets Ltd. “It’s a ques- makers extended their 60 billion-euro gathering, further depressing con- 54 oil ships, according to its Oil plunged 36 percent in the past loan. Historically, lenders managed tion of when, rather than if, for the a month bond-buying programme to sumer-price pressures. website. year, putting an end to the debt-fueled to get all of their money back, even in ECB. That’s going to give good sup- March 2017 from September 2016. Italian 10-year government bonds Petrobras hired a bank to drilling spree that pushed US oil pro- bankruptcy, by liquidating the assets. port to bunds near term.” A summary of last month’s meet- fell for the first time in three weeks, evaluate the asset and lead duction to the highest in more than 40 However, foreclosing on a troubled The yield on the Germany’s 1 per- ing, published on Thursday, showed with the yield rising four basis points the process, he said, without years. After years of spending more borrower comes with the risk that cent bund due in August 2025 fell four some members of the Governing Coun- to 1.57 percent. The yield on similar- disclosing the bank’s name. than they made, shale companies the properties will sell for less than basis points, or 0.04 percentage point, cil argued in favor of making a deeper maturity Spanish bonds climbed four Assets are in different have parked drilling rigs and fired is owed to the bank. this week to 0.47 percent as of the cut to the deposit rate and stepping basis points to 1.75 percent. stages of negotiations and won’t necessarily be sold, Monteiro said. Petrobras is also negoti- ating with multiple potential investors about selling its fuel Carrefour’s sales growth hit by France and China distribution unit, BR Dis- tribuidora, Montiero said. Fertilising units drew atten- tion from possible investors. Reuters resilient in the quarter, despite a slower cost cuts and expanding into smaller “Fertilising surprised us,” economy. convenience stores, while also revamp- he said. Trading conditions remained ing its hypermarkets. Exploration and Produc- difficult in China, amid slowing con- Carrefour’s quarterly performance tion head Solange Guedes said PARIS: Carrefour’s sales growth sumption, the company said in a was ahead of the 0.3 percent like-for- Petrobras will start a second slowed in the fourth quarter, as the statement. like sales decline reported by Casino. round of negotiation with sup- Paris attacks in November and mild Carrefour said its 2015 recurring Closely watched same-store sales at pliers to reduce daily rates for winter weather weighed on its core operating income would be in line with Carrefour’s French hypermarkets eased major contracts including drill business, the French retailer said. expectations of €2.45bn. 0.7 percent after a 0.7 percent increase ships, helicopters and boats. Carrefour’s Chief Financial Officer Europe’s largest retailer said fourth- in the third quarter. Non-food sales Lower Brent prices also Pierre-Jean Sivignon told journalists quarter sales were €22.43bn ($24.41bn), were impacted by particularly mild made the state-controlled that the Paris attacks had weighed on in line with the average of analyst esti- temperatures notably in December. producer postpone specific its French sales in the quarter, echoing mates of €22.4bn. In Brazil, an emerging market Car- projects to wait for recovery, French rival Casino which on Thurs- Stripping out fuel, currency and refour has earmarked for expansion, Guedes said. day also identified an impact. calendar effects, revenue grew 2.4 per- same-store sales rose 8.5 percent in The revitalisation of Mar- Despite the quarterly slowdown, cent year-on-year, a slowdown from the quarter, against 7.4 percent in the lim field, one of the biggest the world No. 2 retailer achieved its 4.2 percent growth in the third quarter. third quarter. in Brazil, was postponed one fourth straight year of rising sales for Carrefour, which makes 73 per- Sales in China were hit by weak year, she said. 2015 as a whole, as a recovery plan cent of its sales in Europe, has suffered consumption and were down 15.7 per- “Oil majors are doing the started by Chief Executive Georges from a reliance on the hypermarket cent. Carrefour is pursuing a plan there same,” she said. Plassat in 2012 bears fruit. format it pioneered, as customers shift to expand in e-commerce and conven- In Brazil, the group’s second-larg- to local and online shopping. ience stores and open logistics centres A Carrefour worker sorting supermarket trolleys in Mexico City, Mexico. est market after France, business was The company is making price and to cut costs. BUSINESS VIEWS SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 27

Loonie’s losing Yellen in 2010 foresaw streak portends more panic more stimulus on cards

the Canadian dollar is making the pain especially acute for Canadi- By Ari Altstedter ans, analysts from Houston- based and Allison McNeely Tudor Pickering Holt & Co. said in Bloomberg a Jan. 12 note to clients. “We think the US is bad, but Can- ada is even worse,” the analysts wrote. “The longer this downturn record losing streak in lasts at these levels, the more likely the loonie, plunging it is that balance sheets continue bond yields and about to get stretched, pushing a Cana- $150bn wiped out in the dian growth story to the far right.” stock market have left Energy companies led stock ACanadian investors hanging by a declines on Friday, falling 3.5 per- thread. Panic is starting to set in. cent. Financial services weren’t “The word fear is finally start- far behind, dropping 2.6 percent. ing to come up,” Martin Pelletier, Royal Bank of Canada, the coun- managing director and portfolio try’s second-biggest bank by assets, manager at TriVest Wealth Counsel plunged 3.6 percent to C$67.05, its in Calgary, said by phone. “Clients biggest drop in more than five years. and people are starting to panic. “Oil is flowing through the pipe- It’s sinking in, but no one knows line to other sectors and it’s causing what to do.” fear and panic. People are hitting The country’s benchmark the sell button in the other areas,” Standard & Poor’s/TSX Compos- Pelletier said. “If you’re out east, ite Index fell 2.1 percent to 12,073.46 you’re not isolated. This is going at 4 p.m. in Toronto, undoing Thurs- to impact you.” day’s rally and resuming a sell-off Daniel Lloyd, founder and that’s pulled Canada into a bear portfolio manager at Sui Generis market. Stocks plunged 7.2 per- Investment Partners in Toronto, cent this year and are down about said he sees another 10 percent 23 percent from a September decline for Canada’s stock mar- Chair of the US Federal Reserve Janet Yellen at a House Financial Services Committee hearing on the Fed’s semi-annual 2014 record. The Canadian dol- ket this year. Monetary Policy Report to Congress and the state of the US economy in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC. lar slumped to a new 13-year low “This isn’t dissimilar from the and yields on five- year government tail end of the bull market that bonds fell to a record low of 0.511 ended in 2007,” Lloyd said. “The percent on Wednesday as specu- flashpoint of the 2015 iteration is Jeanna Smialek and the Great Depression. While they contem- lation builds the Bank of Canada obviously the collapse in energy Christopher Condon plated an exit strategy from stimulus at the will cut interest rates next week. markets and the broader com- Bloomberg start of the year, the recovery would prove Canada’s economy, heavily modity complex, where you have disappointingly elusive, leading officials to weighed toward resource indus- hundreds of billions of dollars of start a second round of large-scale asset pur- tries such as oil and mining, has debt issued by companies who are chases aimed at boosting expansion. been rocked by concerns about the cash flow negative.” ederal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen The Fed in 1995 began its policy of releas- slowdown in China that has pushed Anxiety levels are rising in voiced concern in 2010 that the nas- ing verbatim discussions with a five-year lag Yellen also proved the price of West Texas Interme- Alberta, home to the world’s cent US recovery was shaky and under pressure from Henry Gonzalez, the right about inflation in diate crude below $30 for the first third-largest oil reserves -- and told colleagues they would have Democratic chairman of the House Bank- 2010, as she worried time since 2003. Prices for Cana- one the most expensive places in to do more stimulus beyond the ing Committee in the early 1990s. da’s heavy crude, which trades at the world to produce. More than Fsecond round of asset purchases — a fore- Yellen, now 69, said at the April meet- repeatedly about weak a discount to the US benchmark, 40,000 jobs in the energy indus- cast that later proved prescient. ing that she was “heartened” by recent data price pressures even have sunk to around $15 a barrel. try have been cut nationwide and “We should and will end up purchasing showing a stronger economy. By June, her “We probably haven’t yet seen billions of dollars in investments roughly $1 trillion of longer-term securities,” outlook had soured somewhat after a Euro- as some colleagues felt the impact of the lower oil price have been scaled back. Yellen said at the November 2010 Federal pean debt crisis flared. risks of inflation were transmitted to the rest of the econ- “People in the oil patch, either Open Market Committee meeting, according “I still ascribe to the view that the economy omy yet,” said Daniel Solomon, chief on the financial side or operating to transcripts released Friday in Washington. is on a recovery path of moderate growth and rising investment officer at NEI Invest- side, you spend everything that you She said the $600b the Fed was committing very low inflation, but significant downside ments in Toronto, which oversees think you are going to make, I find, to was “a sufficient step for today.” Yellen risks to the outlook have once again materi- about C$6 billion ($4.1 billion) in so there is a lot of stress,” Jennifer was president of the San Francisco Fed that alised and that implies that we should avoid assets. “We have skipped a reces- Stevenson, energy portfolio man- year until October, when she became Fed altering policy in any way that could impede sion for now, but maybe one will ager at 1832 Asset Management LP, vice chair. a fragile recovery,” Yellen said at the June come.”Investors “can probably said in an interview in Toronto’s Yellen’s previously unreported remarks FOMC meeting. expect a rate cut,” Solomon said. Bloomberg office this week. in 2010 may offer new clues on her approach By August she was calling the economic The Canadian dollar fell for an Stevenson said friends of her to raising interest rates outlook “unusually uncertain,” as the Fed in September 2012 approved using $85bn 11th-straight day Friday, continuing husband are boat dealers. Peo- this year, with the Fed try- approved reinvesting principal payments a month to purchase Treasuries and mort- its worst streak ever. That’s fueled ple laid off in the oil patch in the ing to take stock of a US from holdings into longer-term Treasuries, gage-backed securities, with no scheduled speculation the Bank of Canada will summer were spending their sev- labour market near full a policy still in place today. She said she was end. Purchases were tapered gradually cut its benchmark interest rate to erance checks on boats because employment, inflation concerned about falling inflation and said that before ceasing in October 2014, after about its 2009 financial crisis level. One they thought the oil price would below the central bank’s while “a further disinflation seems unlikely,” $1.7 trillion was added to the Fed’s already US dollar bought 1.4529 Canadian come back. goal and weak economies the possibility of “a Japan-style deflation bloated balance sheet. It remains now at cents at 4 pm “Now, they are not selling any around the world. remains a relevant worst-case scenario for about $4.5 trillion. The sell-off mirrored a global boats, partly because the US dol- The transcripts from The transcripts from us going forward.” Yellen also proved right about inflation decline in equities as the Dow Jones lar is up and they are all made in FOMC meetings in 2010 In November, policy makers restarted in 2010, as she worried repeatedly about Industrial Average dropped 2.4 per- states, but guys have no dough,” FOMC meetings in detail Yellen’s behind- mass bond buying. Officials said in that weak price pressures even as some col- cent, European equities slipped she said. 2010 detail Yellen’s the-scenes approach month’s statement that progress toward the leagues felt risks of inflation were rising. into a bear market and Chinese Amid all the stock-market car- to policy during a piv- committee’s objectives had been “disappoint- “With various measures of utilization stocks wiped out gains to add to nage, investors are toying with behind-the-scenes otal time for the Fed, as ingly slow.” The FOMC said it intended to buy still showing significant margins of slack, the worst start to a year on record. trying to time a bottom, said Rafi approach to policy Chairman Ben S Ber- $600bn of longer-term Treasury securities I expect the downward trend in inflation The combination of oil and Tahmazian, a fund manager. nanke and colleagues by the end of the second quarter of 2011, a to continue,” she said at the March meeting. during a pivotal time attempted to nurture a pace of about $75bn per month. The Fed’s preferred measure of infla- for the Fed rebound from the worst Yellen’s prediction of further stimulus tion hit 2.2 percent in January 2010, slowing economic downturn since would turn out to be too conservative. The Fed to 1.2 percent in November of that year. BHP faces music on shale spurring belief dividend is next

By David Stringer and James Paton Rio Tinto Group freeze wages for 2016 and Jac Nasser told investors at an annual meeting week after falling the past two years, prompt- Bloomberg Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corp. take in Perth in November. The company declined ing tens of billions in impairment charges as a charge of around $650 million against its to comment Friday on the prospect of any companies including Royal Dutch Shell Plc nickel project in Madagascar. change to its dividend. and Chesapeake Energy Corp reassessed the “In what’s probably a protracted period of The writedown on its US shale assets value of their operations. For BHP, the world’s HP Billiton Ltd.said it expects to take lower commodity prices, there’s this write- would extend to about $8.7bn the post-tax largest mining company, oil and gas prices a writedown of $4.9bn on the value down and probably other writedowns to come charges BHP has booked against the opera- have remained below the levels that it said of its US shale assets due to the tum- elsewhere in the portfolio,” Tim Schroeders, a tions in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. The last year it needed for its onshore division to ble in oil prices. Its next safeguard Melbourne- based portfolio manager at Pen- new impairment will reduce the value of the be cash flow positive. against the commodities collapse gana Capital Ltd, said by phone. business to about $16bn, BHP said Friday in “BHP forked out a reasonable sum of money Bmay be to abandon its decade-old pledge to “They are getting close to having to come a statement. to buy all these US assets,” said David Lennox, maintain or raise its dividend. clean on the progressive dividend.” Schroeders BHP rose 1.3 percent to A$15.07 in Syd- resource analyst at Fat Prophets in Sydney. The Melbourne-based producer, the big- helps oversee about $1bn in equities, includ- ney, paring its decline in the past 12 months “It’s not good that this has happened, but they gest overseas investor in US shale, is cutting ing BHP shares. to 40 percent. After its London- listed shares are in the business of producing oil and gas, capital expenditure and seeking other sav- BHP will cut its dividend payment by half to jumped 6 percent Thursday as iron ore and and the shale assets are going to be around ings as it grapples with the slide in prices of 31 US cents in the six months to December 31, oil gained, there had been expectation of a for another 40 years. We expect energy prices BHP will cut its rig count metals and energy, and the costs of Novem- according to Bloomberg Dividend Forecasts. stronger gain in Australian trade, according will recover in the latter half of this year,” ber’s deadly dam breach at its iron ore venture “At the moment, the biggest concern they to Melbourne-based IG Ltd. analyst Angus Lennox said. in the shale unit from in Brazil. have is can they fund their dividend, can they Nicholson. BHP will cut its rig count in the shale unit seven to five by April Iron ore, the company’s top earner, has fund their capex plans?” Citigroup Inc. analyst “This announcement has clearly taken from seven to five by April and has put invest- and has put investment slumped more than three-quarters since its Clarke Wilkins said by phone from Sydney. a lot of steam out of that,” he said by phone. ment and development plans for the remainder 2011 peak, while oil this month plunged below BHP is likely to trim both its dividend and “All things considered, it’s probably a bigger of this fiscal year under review, according to and development plans $30 a barrel for the first time in 12 years. project spending when it announces half-year writedown than many had expected, even if its statement. for the remainder of this BHP’s post-tax charge against its US onshore results next month, he said. some were pricing in a writedown.” The pro- “While we have made significant progress, assets, acquired for $20 billion in 2011, is part BHP will balance its commitment to a strong ducer’s Sydney shares on Wednesday slumped the dramatic fall in prices has led to the disap- fiscal year under review of a rolling response to the slump in raw mate- balance sheet and maintaining its credit rating to their lowest since May 2005. pointing writedown,” Chief Executive Officer rials, which this week has seen rival miner as it considers the dividend payout, Chairman Crude oil prices dipped to a 12-year-low this Andrew Mackenzie said in the statement. 28 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 BUSINESS BACK TO BUSINESS

Meet Henrik Fisker’s new, sight $268,000 Force 1 supercar Polish rating cut

Bloomberg as S&P warns on power grab ston Martin has nothing to worry about. Reports surfaced ear- Bloomberg discipline Poland’s new ruling lier this week that Aston party for exerting greater sway lawyers sent celebrity over the state, fueling a debate Adesigner Henrik Fisker a letter warning WARSAW: Poland had its rat- about whether eastern Europe him not to unveil his VFL Automo- ing downgraded by one of the is slipping back into its author- tive Force 1 supercar in Detroit on three major credit assessors for itarian past. Wednesday. They were said to have the first time as Standard & Poor’s S&P’s move to lower Poland’s claimed that the car looked too sim- warned that policies of the new sovereign rating doesn’t reflect ilar to the Aston Martin DB10 and to government are imperiling the “economic and financial analy- have demanded that Fisker change nation’s institutions. sis,” the Polish Finance Ministry the design in order to avoid conflict The company cut Poland’s said in its e-mailed statement. with Aston Martin’s copyrights. debt grade to BBB+, the third- “This decision is contradic- Following the VFL Automotive lowest investment level, in the tory to assessments presented Force 1’s debut on Wednesday, nobody first rating move for the country by other rating agencies, the would confuse Fisker’s car with any- since 2007, according to a state- biggest international financial thing so beautiful. ment issued on Friday. institutions and financial-mar- Yes, the rear end has elements that, The country’s outlook is neg- ket participants,” according to from some angles, could resemble that ative, meaning there’s at least a the ministry. DB10, but the rest of it is aggressively one-in-three chance of another Fitch said Friday that it differentiated. The massive, long hood cut over the next 24 months. Fitch affirmed Poland’s credit rating has air vents like a rib cage with the Ratings affirmed its A- rating in with a stable outlook, reflect- arrogance of a Corvette; the carbon a separate assessment. ing the country’s “strong macro fiber wing sits so far up on the top of The Law & Justice party has performance, resilient banking the carbon fiber roof that it looks as future, but just like we don’t want to facilities in California and manufac- tried to assert its influence over system and governance indica- if it has been misplaced. (One man I eat salad every day, we want a steak turing facilities in Michigan to make state institutions after winning tors,” according to the report. know compared it to a poorly rendered very once in a while, or maybe a des- the new model, not to mention chassis an unprecedented parliamentary S&P’s move sent the zloty to lower back tribal tattoo; no comment.) sert. This is steak and dessert,” he said. supplied by Fisker Automotive. That majority in an October election, its biggest daily drop since 2011 The sides are cut out and low, like a Fisker isn’t yet allowing test drives means their costs, even when they limiting opposition oversight over on a closing basis. The Polish cur- radiator scooping the ground. of this beast. But with a chassis sup- use such elements as that pure carbon secret services and increasing its rency was trading at 4.4822 versus The car’s best feature is its tiny, plied from Karma Automotive, a bunch fiber rooftop, are pretty low. influence over the constitutional the euro at 4:48 p.m. in New York, curved side windows, which follow of torque in the lower gears, and that Fisker has a lot on his plate as it is. court and a public broadcaster, the weakest since January 2012. the line pulling from the front nose V10 engine, suffice it to say that Force He will unveil a Benetti yacht in Feb- moves that have sparked street Among its peers in developing through the side, ending in elegant 1 will be extremely unique. (He told me ruary at the Miami Boat Show, host a protests in the European Union’s Europe, the zloty is the second- wisps that point down toward the proudly that it’ll be something you can TV show with Esquire that will offer biggest eastern economy. The worst performer against the euro rear. Fisker said they’re a new ele- “have a lot of fun in without breaking a competition among car designers, Polish Finance Ministry said in after the Russian ruble in the past ment in keeping with the main idea the speed limit.”) and develop an as-yet unnamed com- a statement Friday that the S&P three months. The country’s 2025 of the car: to show off. One thing Force 1 really isn’t about: pany that will deal with electric cars. decision is “incomprehensible.” euro- denominated bonds slid “This is an American supercar, and making money. Fisker said the rea- (He sold the rights to make the Fisker This is an Amercian “The downgrade reflects our the most on record. American cars are always about ‘show son he made this car is so wealthy Karma but retains rights to the name.) supercar, and view that Poland’s system of insti- “This is a new era in ratings, what you got—be upfront,’” Fisker said. men will have an American option The Force 1, more than anything, is tutional checks and balances has where ratings agencies are tell- “European cars are more about what’s for spending $268,000 on a car. (It an exercise for a prolific designer who American cars are been eroded significantly as the ing us that they increasingly care underneath. But this is all about show- will be sold globally, but I expect most just loves cars. always about “show independence and effectiveness more about politics and the ing the power.” buyers will be American.) “When I design a car, I want people of key institutions, such as the reform outlook than any posi- The long hood, too, is there for a He said he expects that these men to look at it and go, ‘Wow, that’s kind what you got- constitutional court and public tive economic fundamentals that reason. It makes up more than half will already own several other luxury of interesting’ and do a second take,” upfront”. European broadcasting, is being weakened may support a country’s story,” the car in order to house a 8.4 liter cars—Land Rovers, maybe a McLaren— Fisker said. “When you are pulling by various legislative measures Simon Quijano-Evans, an econ- V10, 745-horsepower engine. Force and will relish the opportunity to buy into a restaurant for dinner, you will cars are more about initiated since the October 2015 omist at Commerzbank AG in 1 will go 218 miles per hour and will something born in the U.S.A. Better be the only one to have this car. We what’s underneath. election,” S&P said in its report. London. He recommended cli- hit 60mph in 3 seconds. It all makes yet, he doesn’t really need to make want to be a little niche player with The surprise decision comes ents reduce their exposure to sense, again, because Fisker says the that many of them—his new venture this company, to offer that to people.” But this is all about two days after the European Polish Eurobonds to underweight car is an exercise in ostentation. with GM icon Bob Lutz, VFL Auto- He’ll make only 100 or so of them showing the power Commission took a first step to from marketweight. “We will have electric cars in the motive, is using preexisting design this year. Production starts in April.

The $100-billion Asian Infrastructure Investment Capital Bank will boost infrastructure investment in Asia and improve integration. The Bank will channel China’s President Xi Jinping Comment more private investments into the projects in Asia

TOP TWEETS BLOGS AND VIEWS Market Talk Steinberg clears of World Bank Energy @ DealB%k insider trading case WBG_Energy NAME IN THE MARKET: SOFTWARE USE CASE Renewable energy Bloomberg case, the government in October imports from N Africa Banks will have very little dropped charges against Stein- can increase Europe’s berg as well as six other men who energy security leeway once debt problems MANHATTAN: Michael Stein- pleaded guilty and cooperated arise. If the Federal Reserve berg, a former fund manager at in the case. Dealogic @Dealogic SAC Capital Advisors LP, is free Barry Berke, a lawyer for raises interest rates again, and clear of all allegations that Steinberg, didn’t immediately Qingdao Haier’s $5.4bn banks should earn a bit he traded on insider tips after a respond to voice-mail and e-mail bid for the appliance 3 1/2-year fight with prosecutors messages left seeking comment business of GE is the more, though not enough to and regulators. on the SEC’s decision to dismiss third largest China increase big returns A Manhattan federal judge on the case. M&A into the US on Friday granted the dismissal of The 2014 appeals court ruling record the US Securities and Exchange made insider-trading prose- Commission’s insider-trading cutions more difficult. The US World Bank @WorldBank lawsuit against Steinberg fol- Supreme Court declined to hear MoneyBeat lowing an October decision by the government’s challenge of the federal prosecutors to abandon appeals court decision. #Didyouknow: 4b ppl the criminal case against him. The SEC decision signals that or 60% of the world For Steinberg, who was the the regulator recognizes it faces population are not longest-serving employee at the same hurdles in pursuing civil online? If the recent market SAC Capital to be convicted in insider-trading cases as crimi- turbulence is frightening you, the US probe of insider trad- nal prosecutors do. ing, the dismissal is the final Steinberg, who handled you need to make sure you The Economist @ victory in his years-long battle technology, media and tele- understand why you own against the US government. He communications stocks at SAC TheEconomist was found guilty in 2013 of an Capital’s Sigma Capital Man- For well over a dec- risky assets in the first place insider scheme involving tech agement unit, was accused of ade, China has been stocks and sentenced to 3 1/2 years trading on illegal tips on tech- the engine of glo- in prison. After a federal appeals nology stocks provided by his bal growth. Can it court reversed the convictions of former securities analyst. He continue? two fund managers in a related denied wrongdoing. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 32 PAGE | 35 Mavericks come Brilliant Broad from behind to bowls England to beat Bulls series victory

SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 • 7 Rabia II 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar Qatar ‘fight’ delights coach Sanchez

The home team brimming with confidence and looking for another good outing against Qatari midfielder Ahmad Moein Syria tomorrow Doozandeh (right) and Iran’s Ali Karimi vying for the ball Qatar coach possession during their AFC U-23 Championship game on The Peninsula Felix Sanchez during their Friday. Group A clash of the AFC U-23 DOHA: Qatar coach Felix Sanchez was Championship delighted to see the ‘fight’ from his boys against Iran after the home team beat Iran 2-1 in which the home their Group A clash on day four of the team won 2-1 on AFC U-23 Championship on Friday. Friday. “It was nice to see the players fight on the pitch,” coach Sanchez said yes- terday. “To achieve six points from two games gives us confidence,” he added. and prepare for next game,” he said. FOOTBALL “Now we play Syria. We will play against a powerful Iran side. our opponents well. We stuck to our “No team is sure of reaching next round Sanchez thanked the fans for the large to win. The coach has given us a plan. “We deserved to win since we bat- plans. We ran well and created pres- AFC U-23 CHAMPIONSHIP though,” he said. turnout at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. We have been playing strong. We are tled all the way,” Al Saadi yesterday. sure,” Afif said yesterday. In what was a dominating perform- “It was great to see so many fans waiting to play the next clash,” he said. “We dominated play most of the time. “We did not deviate from the plan ance, Ahmed Alaa and Abdelkareem cheering the team,” Sanchez said. 2-1 win against Asian powerhouse Defender Yasser Ahmed said: “To “Our consistent run helped us over- of the coach,” he said. “Winning and Hassan on Friday produced a dare- “The players enjoy such support and as ‘important’. Qatar won 2-1 in their qualify for the next stage, we must con- come Iran,” Al Saadi said. “Iran is one getting three points makes us happy. devil show to fire the two goals for get good vibes during a game. This is AFC U-23 Championship match at Al tinue to fight. We gave our best and we of the more stronger sides in Asia. They We are looking to another good outing the winners. a long event. There are many matches Sadd Stadium. need to keep playing in the same played well against Syria also. There against Syria (tomorrow),” Afif said. Alaa scored the first goal in the to go. Tough teams are here in Qatar. “This is an important win,” Has- vein.” was a clear determination from our “Like our coach said, we will go 40th minute while captain Hassan Thankfully I have all players at my dis- san said after scoring one of the two He added: “We are happy to get side to win. Now we turn out focus on step by step. We need more luck and found the net in the 56th minute at posal. Iran have a good side. They are goals on Friday. “We want to reach the three points. This gives us confidence. Syria,” he said. we can do wonders.” Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. For Iran, physically also strong. But my players quarterfinals and I am hopeful we are I am sure we will be playing in the Influential Qatar midfielder Akram “There was tension before the China the deficit was reduced by Ali Karimi counter-attacked well. They did not on right track,” he said. same way. It will be a tough game but Afif said his players ‘did well’ against game but we feel that’s all gone now. in the 91st minute. let them dominate,” he said. Hassan scored twice in Qatar’s we are ready.” Iran in which the home side won 2-1. We can’t wait for the next match. We “Now we are looking at the third Qatar captain Abdelkareem Has- 3-1 win on Tuesday against China in Qatar player Ahmed Al Saadi said “We played well as a team. It was a will play to win, for sure. We have a clash. We will celebrate this win, rest san, meanwhile, termed his team’s Group A. his team ‘deserved’ to win their match difficult game, I have to say. We studied steely resolve to win,” Afif said.

Aspetar provides Korea Republic’s Lee Changmin Korea Republic seal big win all-inclusive (left) heads the ball during their AFC U-23 Championship The Peninsula And after the Suwon Sam- much for Yemen, Kwon added a medical services match against sung Bluewings midfielder second in the 31st minute with a Yemen yesterday. completed his hat-trick at the simple near-post header. Korea Republic end of the opening 45 minutes, Kwon then completed his The Peninsula won 5-0. DOHA: Kwon Chang-hoon Ryu Seung-woo and Kim Seung- hat-trick four minutes before scored a first-half hat-trick as jun sealed the win in the closing half-time with a rising strike Korea Republic maintained stages as Shin Tae-yong’s side from inside the area following DOHA: In keeping with its pivotal role sup- their perfect start to the AFC U23 underlined their credentials by more slick build up, with Ryu porting all global sports championships and Championship after recording a comfortably handing Yemen their providing the assist after Sim events hosted by the State of Qatar, Aspetar is convincing 5-0 win over Yemen second defeat of the campaign. Sang-min’s throw-in down the providing medical support for the AFC U-23 at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Sta- Korea Republic were left touchline had been helped Championship, taking place in Doha from 12-30 dium yesterday. rewarded after just 14 minutes on by Hwang. January 2016. Kwon, who was a second-half as Kwon sent Yemen goalkeeper They added a fourth with 17 The championship features 16 teams from substitute as the South Kore- Salem Al Harsh the wrong way minutes remaining as Shin’s side the Asian Football Confederation, with the top ans kicked-off their Group C with a scuffed finish from inside cut through the Yemen defence three qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. campaign with a 2-1 win over the penalty area from Hee-chan’s and Ryu beat the offside trap on Aspetar provides medical services and sup- Uzbekistan on Wednesday, forward pass following a swift the edge of the area before firing port for the duration of the championship. opened the scoring after just 14 build-up from Shin’s side. across goalkeeper Al Harsh and Medical staff will be present on-site at the minutes before heading home a And with their fast-paced into the far corner with a com- multiple venues and stadiums in use during second 17 minutes later. direct attacking style proving too posed finish. the championship. The team from Aspetar includes 40 sports medicine experts, emergency medical techni- cians and nurses all providing a full range of medical care and support. Japan march into knockout On-site first-aid, intervention and support AFC U23: Two crucial games for serious injuries, and medical advice for the participating teams are included in the serv- ices being provided by Aspetar. phase after crushing Thailand on the cards today Since 2007, Aspetar, the world’s leading orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, has The Peninsula comprehensively beaten by Jordan in provided comprehensive, world-class medical The Peninsula semi-finalists are assured of In Group B, Captain Jang their first game of the championship, care to the Qatar national team through the a place in the quarter-finals Kuk-chol scored five minutes with Toshiya Miura’s side falling to a National Sports Medicine Programme (NSMP). thanks to their better head-to- from time to salvage a point for DOHA: Australia aim to put their AFC 3-1 defeat. Through this programme, the hospital pro- head record over their fellow DPR Korea as their seesaw bat- U23 Championship campaign back on The UAE, meanwhile, will take vides dedicated sports medicine staff to supervise DOHA: Japan became the first east Asians. Suzuki opened tle with Saudi Arabia in Group track against Vietnam today follow- on Jordan with both teams knowing the team year-round, including sports med- team to secure their place in the scoring for a dominant B of the AFC U23 Champion- ing an opening round loss against the victory would put them on the verge icine experts and doctors, physiotherapists, the knockout phase of the AFC Japan in the 27th minute before ship ended in a thrilling 3-3 United Arab Emirates in Group D. of advancing to the next phase of the massage therapists, nutritionists, rehabilita- U23 Championship yesterday Yajima made it 2-0 four min- draw at the Suhaim Bin Hamad The Olyroos slipped to a 1-0 defeat competition as they seek to take a step tion experts and more. when goals from Musashi utes into the second half while Stadium in Doha yesterday. to the UAE on Thursday thanks to a late closer to qualifying for the Olympic In addition, Aspetar is a strategic partner Suzuki, Shinya Yajima and a Thitiphan Punagjan missed a Later, Humam Tareq scored own goal by Giancarlo Gallifuoco at Games in Rio de Janeiro later this year. to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and late Yuya Kubo brace secured a penalty five minutes later as an 81st minute winner as Iraqs Grand Hamed Stadium. Jordan coach Jamal Ahmad remains was recently praised at the fifth AFC Medical 4-0 Group B win over Thailand Thailand pushed for a way back secured a thrilling 3-2 come- And with Australia rounding off focused on his side’s goal of claiming Conference that took place in New Delhi for its for Makoto Teguramori’s side. into the game. back win over Uzbekistan at their group stage campaign against their first-ever AFC U23 Champion- role in developing sports medicine regionally Victory moves the Japa- Kubo, on a substitute, Suhaim Bin Hamed Stadium. opening day winners Jordan on Wednes- ship title as the nation continues to and internationally. nese onto six points from their added Japan’s third 15 min- The result also ensured day, Australia must get their campaign build for the future having finished The hospital provides its medical and sci- opening two games after an utes from time before scoring the defending champions and up and running back at Grand Hamad third at the AFC U-22 Championship entific capabilities to enable athletes to train earlier 1-0 success over DPR from the penalty spot in the Korea Republic qualify for the Stadium. Australia face a Vietnam side at the start of 2014. and compete at the highest possible level. Korea and the London 2012 84th minute. quarter-finals from Group C. 30 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 SPORT

Nadal wary Sharapova of Verdasco in good after epic Troicki retains Sydney title shape 2009 duel

AFP AFP after Dimitrov thriller MELBOURNE: Maria Sharap- ova yesterday said she is in good MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal admit- TENNIS: ROAD TO at Olympic Park to 12 matches, said Wimbledon semi-finalist served up shape and not worried about a lack ted yesterday he faces a “very, very The Serbian loses AUSTRALIAN OPEN after the presentation ceremony. three double faults to lose his open- of match practice going into the Aus- dangerous” Australian Open first- first set but fights “I guess I was just a bit more ing service game and then simply tralian Open after an injury-hit start round clash against Fernando lucky at the end but this is the game crumbled, the nadir coming when to the year. Verdasco with memories still fresh back to win his The tough 29-year-old Serbian, of tennis, sometimes you have luck he tried a between the legs trick The fifth seed, attempting to of their epic 2009 semi-final duel. second Sydney who won the title as a qualifier last and sometimes you don’t.” shot and completely fluffed it. win her first title at Melbourne Park At five hours and 14 minutes, that year, looked dead and buried after Dimitrov showed off all his “It’s been a while since I was in a since 2008, pulled out of the sea- battle seven years ago was then the International title Dimitrov coasted through the first weapons in the absorbing two hour, final, I’m pretty disappointed,” said son-opening Brisbane International longest match in the tournament’s set but evened up the contest when 16 minute contest but will rue not Dimitrov, before giving thanks to with a left forearm problem, but history with a shattered Nadal show- the talented Bulgarian suffered a making the most of his chances to a stony-faced Davin. the upbeat 28-year-old said she’s ing incredible resilience to win 6-7 second-set meltdown. clinch his first title in 18 months. Troicki, who has battled his way raring to go. (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (1/7), 6-4. Reuters The crowd at Ken Rosewall Foremost among those was the back up the rankings after serv- “I feel really good, I got to Mel- Despite the brutal but high- Arena were then treated to top- net volley he had on champion- ing a one-year ban for missing a bourne earlier than I wanted to. But quality marathon, he went on to quality tennis during which both ship point in the tiebreak, which doping test, is a dangerous man to it gave me a chance to practice here spend another four hours and 23 players had championship points the 24-year-old only managed to give a break to and it is he who will this week. Had great days on a lot minutes on court to beat Roger Fed- SYDNEY: Viktor Troicki will go into before Troicki kissed the line with flick into the tape. now travel to Melbourne Park with of the courts,” she said. erer in the final and win his only the Australian Open with his con- an angled crosscourt winner to take It was a second-set perform- momentum. The world number 22 Sharapova has been plagued Australian Open title. fidence sky high after retaining his the third set tiebreak 9-7. ance that was as disappointing as plays Spain’s Daniel Munoz De La by injury since July, after she lost in The two Spaniards have been title at the Sydney International “What a match! We really fought his first set was impressive that his Nava in the Australian Open first the Wimbledon semi-finals to Ser- pitted together again at Melbourne with a thrilling 2-6, 6-1, 7-6(7) vic- until the end,” Troicki, whose vic- new coach Franco Davin will have to round and Dimitrov faces Italy’s ena Williams, but insisted she has Park and despite Verdasco slipping tory over Grigor Dimitrov yesterday. tory extended his winning streak ponder most, however. The former Paolo Lorenzi. shrugged off any lingering effects. down the rankings to 47, Nadal Despite not playing a match knows he has his work cut out. this year, she said she was expe- “Very tough first round. Not a rienced enough to make the best use lucky first round, I think, for me. For Viktor Troicki of Serbia of her time on the practice courts him either,” said Nadal, seeded five. returns a shot to Grigor to compensate. “Will be a tough match. I need Dimitrov of Bulgaria “You can’t replicate what you do to be ready to play very good ten- out on the court when you’re play- during the men’s final at nis if I want to be through.” ing a match in front of thousands the Sydney International Nadal endured his worst season of people, there’s nothing like it, Tennis Tournament, in a decade last year and is looking you can never compare it,” she said. for a solid start to 2016. in Sydney, Australia “But I’ve always been some- The former world number one’s yesterday. one that’s been able to treat their reign as French Open king ended practice as something meaning- at the quarter-final stage in 2015, ful, there’s something on the line, and he also failed to reach the semi- you’re not just going through the final of the US Open, Australian motions. Open and Wimbledon. “That’s one of the reasons I If he gets past Verdasco, his believe in myself knowing, okay, I next major challenge should come may not have played five matches against Swiss fourth seed Stan in Brisbane, but if I commit myself, Wawrinka in the quarter-finals. train well, get some practice sets in, I know with that mindset I’ll be able to take it. “Yes, I might be rusty, make Fit-again a few more unforced errors than I would like, but I’m ready to go.” Azarenka The latter half of Sharapova’s 2015 season was wrecked by inju- ries, first to her right leg which forced buzzing with her to miss the US Open. excitement

AFP Cornet hammers Bouchard

MELBOURNE: Victoria Azarenka to take Hobart title said yesterday she was buzzing with excitement ahead of the Australian Open as the music-loving former world number one gets back in the Reuters groove after a torrid two years bat- tling injuries. The Belarusian, a two-time champion at Melbourne Park, strug- HOBART: France’s Alize Cornet thrashed an gled with foot and knee problems in World number error-prone Eugenie Bouchard 6-1, 6-2 to 2014 and only played nine tourna- two Andy win the Hobart International title yesterday, ments, also battling depression and Murray bringing the Canadian former Wimble- a split from long-term boyfriend Ste- don semi-finalist’s nascent resurgence to fan Gordy, better known as Redfoo, a shuddering halt. the US musician and reality TV star. Cornet dominated the contest on a blus- Then a painful thigh strain in tery day in Tasmania, winning the first 2015 sent her spiralling down the set at a canter after an early exchange of world rankings. Baby comes first for Murray breaks and rattling off six straight games But she won the build-up Bris- in the second to secure her fifth WTA title. bane International last weekend in “I was just focused on what I had to convincing fashion, and can’t wait Reuters so it’s something new for me to deal do, the wind didn’t make it easy for either to get going at the opening Grand with and handle, which is good. of us,” the world number 42 said after the Slam of the season. “New experiences are always trophy presentation. “I feel good, I’m feeling excited. good, something to learn from. “I just tried to do my best on the court. I had a pretty good week of prac- MELBOURNE: World number two “When I’m on the practice court I’m so happy I could lift this trophy, it’s my tice here,” she said ahead of her Andy Murray has repeated, emphati- and stuff, I’m very focussed there. fifth one only so it makes it really special.” first-round encounter with Belgian cally, that he will abandon the pursuit Just obviously after your practices Bouchard had a miserable 2015 sea- Alison Van Uytvanck. of his first Australian Open title if his and when you’re away from the court, son after her breakthrough 2014, plunging “So, yeah, I’m looking forward wife goes into labour early. it’s a bit different.” from seventh to 49th in the rankings and to it.” The men’s final of the year’s Murray’s off-season was short- exiting the US Open after a nasty fall in the Azarenka, nicknamed “Vika” opening grand slam is scheduled ened after leading Britain to their first Flushing Meadows dressing rooms. and renowned in the past for fiery for January 31 and with his wife Kim Davis Cup title in 79 years by beat- The 21-year-old’s season ended in tears on-court outbursts, won the tour- expecting their first child in mid-Feb- ing Belgium in the final in November. in Beijing with a withdrawal after she suf- nament in 2012 and defended her ruary it should give him time to return The twice grand slam champion fered a recurrence of concussion symptoms. title the following year. home to Britain for the birth. then spent a significant amount of Back-to-back wins at the Shenzhen It is her most successful Grand The Scot, who said late last year time practicing with coach Amelie Open to open the season and her run to the Slam and one of her favourite events that he would abandon the tournament Mauresmo, who returned to his sup- final in Hobart had triggered hopes that of the year. if his wife went into labour during it, port team after she had her first child she might be returning to her best form “I’ve always loved Australia. was asked yesterday whether he had last August. in time for next week’s Australian Open. It gives me a special energy. I feel changed his mind. “I went over to Dubai and then Her game all but fell apart yesterday, really good here. I love the fans here, “The same thing would happen,” came over here earlier than I had however, with five double faults and a 48 they’re really passionate. Always in the 28-year-old Briton told reporters. ever done before ...(and) we got to percent success rate on her first serve ena- a good mood and excited. It’s always “For me, my child is more important spend the time in Dubai, which was bling Cornet to establish her dominance. fun,” she said. to me, and my wife is more important good,” he said. “It was a tough one for me today, some- Her success in Brisbane, where to me than a tennis match.” “We have a good relationship. times these things happen,” Bouchard said. she dropped just 17 games in four Murray insisted he was still Obviously when you do spend like “My opponent was playing some great ten- matches, has put her on the radar focussed on achieving one of his pri- four, five months away from anyone nis and I wasn’t on top of my game today.” as potential title challenger once mary goals for 2016 and winning his that you’re working with, it takes a lit- Both players will now make the short again although she is reluctant first Melbourne Park title after los- tle bit of time to get back into things. journey across the Bass Strait to Melbourne to talk up her chances, with Ser- ing four previous finals, though the “It’s good that we got to spend for the year’s first grand slam, where Bou- ena Williams the favourite to win impending arrival of his first child quite a lot of time together, close to chard will face Serbian Aleksandra Krunic another Grand Slam. was proving a welcome distraction. a month of practicing, preparation. in the opening round. “I just feel excited, I’m not think- “I think most days I think about “After I’m finished here, I’m going Cornet will play Bojana Jovanovski, France’s Alize Cornet celebrates her victory against Canada’s ing about the chances. As I said, I that. Just now it’s a big change com- to be at home for four or five weeks. another Serbian, in the first round with try to live in the moment,” said Aza- ing. It’s very, very exciting,” he said. I’ll take some time to rest and recover world number two Simona Halep poten- Eugenie Bouchard in their women’s tennis final at the Hobart renka, seeded 14. “I’ve never been in this position, after I’m finished here.” tially lying in wait in the second. International in Hobart yesterday. SPORT SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 31

New chief named for Bolt shocked by reports, Russian athletics against wiping records AFP

MOSCOW: Russia’s embattled athletics body yesterday elected a new “anti- crisis” president, regional sports bureaucrat Dmitry Shlyakhtin (pictured), who has promised to rescue its reputation from doping claims ahead of the The Jamaican sprint Rio Olympics. king feels IAAF has Shlyakhtin, who has served as a regional sports official, was backed by Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko and elected unanimously to head the failed athletes the All-Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) after two other candidates with- world over but adds drew themselves from the vote. He will serve as an “anti-crisis” head of the there is no point body for the next several months, through the in erasing existing Olympic Games in Rio, before another vote in September or October, Mutko told journalists records from books ahead of the decision. “In this difficult period for Russian athlet- ics, my task is simple, to return the federation to the international level, to reinstate trust of REUTERS IAAF and WADA, to give our athletes the oppor- tunity to compete in international events,” he told journalists after the vote. “We must solve all of these problems quickly,” KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Six-times he said, after Mutko said he hoped to “rein- Olympic champion Usain Bolt said he state all the powers of our athletics federation felt shocked and let down by the scan- in March.” dal-hit IAAF, but the Jamaican sprinter Virtually unknown outside of Russia, Shlya- was against resetting athletics world khtin has been sports minister of the Samara region on the Volga river for records as the sport attempts to move the last three years. Before that he headed the CSKA athletics club. on from the doping crisis. Mutko further called Shlyakhtin an “ideal candidate” and man of great Thursday’s second instalment of experience reorganising CSKA. a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) “It’s a critical situation, but we will be helping him,” the minister told report slammed the International Asso- R-Sport agency. “We have to build back trust, I hope together we will man- ciation of Athletics Federations (IAAF), A view shows the logo of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) headquarters in age this.” accusing its former head, Lamine Diack, Monaco yesterday. The former head of world athletics Lamine Diack ran a clique that covered up organised The IAAF provisionally suspended the ARAF in November and outlined of running a clique that covered up doping and blackmailed athletes while senior officials looked the other way, independent investigator Dick strict reinstatement criteria last month, including severing ties with Rus- organised doping and blackmailed Pound said on Thursday. sian athletics officials, officers or staff with any past involvement in doping. athletes as senior officials looked the Possibly due to this, ARAF secretary general Mikhail Butov withdrew his other way. candidacy ahead of the vote yesterday. Butov had been invited for the sec- The first part of the report by inde- “So for me to hear something like Russian officials and the blackmail- 100 metre and 200m world records retary general post by ex-ARAF chief Valentin Balakhnichev, who is now pendent investigator Dick Pound, a this was quite shocking and you feel ing of the athletes to allow them to of 9.58 and 19.19 seconds in 2009 banned by IAAF for life from the sports field. former head of WADA, in November let down as an athlete to be wanting to continue to compete. and shared in the 4x100m mark of Another candidate Alexander Shustov, Russia’s 31-year-old veteran high- led to athletics superpower Russia actually help clean up the sport, and The reports noted that Diack 36.84secs in 2012, was against the jumping athlete, also retracted his candidacy. being banned from competition for then something like this to come up “sanctioned and appeared to have proposal. “We decided not to task anyone from among former employees or athletes state-sponsored doping. about the body. had personal knowledge of the fraud “As far as I’m concerned it’s really with work in the new athletics federation leadership,” said Gennady Aleshin, Jamaican sprint king Bolt, the big- “It’s kind of a letdown, so hope- and the extortion of athletes carried pointless,” he said. who has been de-facto Russia’s athletics representative in his capacity as gest name in athletics with a plethora fully there’s no such thing, but we’ll see out by the actions of the illegitimate “What’s done is done, you have to head of an interim coordination commission of Russia’s Olympic Committee. of titles, records and commercial deals, what happen (with the investigations),” governance structure he put in place”. just move forward and try to make the “We must demonstrate consistent and tough work to eradicate our prob- said the IAAF had failed their athletes. he said. Diack stepped down last year UK Athletics (UKA) released “A upcoming championships and Olym- lems, to ensure that our athletes make it to the Rio Olympic Games,” he told “When I heard it was quite shock- after 16 years leading the IAAF and Manifesto for Clean Athletics” on pics and the next (world) records as journalists. ing for me to hear that because as far was replaced by Briton Sebastian Coe. Monday, calling for world records to best as we can and just look forward to Russia is facing an uphill battle after a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as I was concerned I think they were The Senegalese is already under be wiped clean and drug cheats to be the future,” added the 11-times world independent commission alleged widespread state-sanctioned corruption doing a good job to clean up the sport,” formal investigation in France on banned for at least eight years in rad- championship gold medallist. and doping in the country’s athletics. Bolt told reporters in Kingston after suspicion of corruption and money ical proposals aimed at heralding in “You can’t worry about the past, Over four thousand Russian athletes have been banned from interna- collecting his sixth National Sports- laundering linked to the concealment a new era for the sport. but try to build on the future,” he said tional competition and sports authorities are launching reforms and making man of the year award. of positive drug tests in concert with The 29-year-old Bolt, who set the yesterday. promises to get the ban lifted in time for Rio. adidas celebrates Messi’s big award with new platinum boot

The Peninsula

DOHA: After winning a record fifth Ballon d’Or, Leo Messi (pictured right) has cemented his place as the great- est player in the history of football. adidas Football marked the Michael Phelps adjusts his googles before the 100m butterfly final moment with the launch of their new during the Arena Pro Swim Series in Austin, Texas. campaign “I’m here to create”, a cel- ebration not of Messi’s records, but of his most jaw-dropping moments in football. Phelps wins, Sjostrom, Today, the sports giant has contin- ued to honour the greatest player of all Ledecky shine in Texas time by presenting Messi with a new platinum boot for the ultimate crea- tor, containing real platinum elements, AFP United States with a time of 56.38 never seen before on a football boot. to Vollmer’s 57.61. Creators are athletes who seize Sjostrom won the 100m free in every opportunity to redefine their LOS ANGELES: Olympic superstar 53.12 with Ledecky, better known for sport. Michael Phelps won the 100m freestyle her dominance in distance freestyle, They create for their squad, for at the Pro Swim meeting in Austin, second in a personal best of 53.75. their country, for the millions of fans Texas, yesterday, sharing the open- Abbey Weitzeil was third in 54.00, who then try to recreate a never before ing day spotlight with Sarah Sjostrom while Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu fin- seen piece of skill. and Katie Ledecky. ished off the podium in fourth in 54.37. It is their sense of self-belief which Phelps, out of retirement and aim- Ledecky’s 100m free time would drives them to win, and to create the The platinum boot design is based and the back of the boot is embossed position as the ultimate creator. But ing to add to his record tally of 18 have won at the 2012 US Olympic tri- new. on the current in-line Messi15 mode- with four gold and one platinum embel- in the new campaignlaunched yester- Olympic gold medals at the Rio Games als and made her the second-ranked Messi is the ultimate creator, and land uses pearlescent Argentinian lished dotsto commemorate Messi’s day, titled “I’m here to create”, adidas in August, powered home to win the American in the event last year behind the platinum Messi 15 marks his other premium leather, enhanced with pure record haul of Ballon d’Or titles. declared that Messi is not here for the 100m butterfly in 51.94sec, with fel- Missy Franklin. No US woman has worldly achievements in football. metallic platinum elements. The Spanish phrase found on the records, or for the praise. He is here low American Tom Shields second in ever raced the 100m, 200m, 400m Gold is for winners, platinum is The Messi logo and the adidas logo insole of the boot “el másgrande de to create. 52.39 and Tim Phillips third in 52.61. and 800m freestyles at one Olympics. for the greatest. are both made out of real platinum, todoslostiempos” means “the great- adidas is the global leader in “I’m happy to be able to do that Even if Ledecky doesn’t pursue est of all time”. football. double and go 51.9,” said Phelps, who the 100m free in Rio, the 18-year-old The signature Messi15 boot, the It is the official sponsor / official also swam 49.77 in the men’s 100m is clearly staking a claim to a spot on first unique boot made for a player by supplier partner of the most impor- free, good for sixth in a race won by the 4x100m free relay team. adidas, is designed for Messi’s iconic tant football tournaments in the world, America’s 2012 Olympic gold medal- But the 100m free was just a playing style which has seen him create such as the FIFA World Cup™, the FIFA ist Nathan Adrian in 48.91. France’s warm-up for Ledecky, who returned some of the most celebrated moments Confederations Cup, the UEFA Cham- Jeremy Stravius was second in 48.96, to win the 400m free in a scintillat- in football history. pions League, the UEFA Europa League with American Jimmy Feigen third ing 3min 59.54sec -- fifth-fastest ever The Messi 15 is not for the goal scor- and the UEFA European Champion- in 49.20. in the event. ing records, the trophies, or the praise. ships. adidas also sponsors some of Sweden’s Sjostrom produced a Ledecky owns four of the five fast- It’s designed for the close dribbling the world’s top clubs including Man- gold medal double, winning the 100m est 400m free times ever, including style that has seen Messi change the chester United, Real Madrid, FC Bayern butterfly and 100m free in US Open her world record of 3:58.37 set in 2014. game forever. Munich, Juventus, Chelsea and AC records. Sjostrom, who twice low- “I think going under four min- To create the moments that made Milan. Some of the world’s best play- ered the 100m fly world record in utes was really good coming off the fans gasp and defenders blush. ers also on the adidas roster are Leo winning the world title at Kazan, Rus- hundred, and I can still take away Winning football’s most coveted Messi, Gareth Bale, Thomas Müller, sia, last year, edged 2012 Olympic a lot of things coming off those two individual prize for an unparalleled Luis Suárez, James Rodríguez, Diego gold medalist Dana Vollmer of the races,” Ledecky said. fifth time has firmly established Messi’s Costa and Mesut Özil. 32 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 SPORT Mavericks come from behind to beat Bulls

NBA RESULTS seven rebounds. Center Zaza Pachulia Dallas had more (nine points, 10 rebounds) and guard Washington 118 Indiana 104 J.J. Barea (nine points) also contrib- energy down the Oklahoma City 113 Minnesota 93 uted to the win. stretch to pull off an Boston 117 Phoenix 103 A day after scoring a career-high 53 points in an overtime win over the 83-77 victory over Portland 116 Brooklyn 104 Dallas 83 Chicago 77 Philadelphia 76ers, Bulls guard Jimmy Chicago Butler was noticeably exhausted and New Orleans 109 Charlotte 107 struggled offensively. Milwaukee 108 Atlanta 101 He finished with four points on 2 Miami 98 Denver 95 of 11 shooting from the field. He went Cleveland 91 Houston 77 scoreless in the first half. Agencies “He was tired,” Bulls coach Fred 39 for 28.2 percent after two quarters. Hoiberg said of Butler. The second half belonged to the “He played a ton of minutes last LOS ANGELES: The Bulls and Maver- Mavericks, however. night with a superhero performance icks showed signs on Friday that both They shot 19 of 38 from the field game. There is no doubt about it. He teams have had busy schedules of late and held the Bulls to 31 points on 13 was out there trying to battle through but in the end Dallas had more energy of 41 in the second half. it, but it was tough after the overtime down the stretch and pulled out an “It was a tale of two halves,” Mav- game last night.” 83-77 win at the United Center. ericks guard Deron Williams said. “The Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 18 The Mavericks were playing their first half we couldn’t make a shot. We points, followed by center Pau Gasol third game in four days, and the Bulls looked out of synch, out of rhythm. (17 points, eight rebounds) and forward were on their fourth in five days. Both “The second half we decided to get Taj Gibson (nine points, 11 rebounds). teams had also participated in over- after them defensively. We knew they Bulls centre Joakim Noah dislo- time games earlier in the week. would be a little tired coming off the cated his left shoulder in the second “With this schedule and the mag- game they had last night, an OT game, quarter and immediately left the floor nitude of opponents, you got to scratch having to fight back from 24 (points). for the locker room. He did not return and claw to get anything you can,” said “We just kind of tried to outlast to the game. Hoiberg said Noah will Cleveland Cavaliers’ players LeBron James (right) and JR Smith (centre) team up against Houston Rockets’ Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, whose them. We got stops when we needed have an MRI on Saturday morning. team snapped a two-game losing streak them. We made some big shots.” Rose said it was difficult to see player James Harden in the second half of their NBA basketball game at the Toyota Center in Houston, and improved to 23-18 on the season. Williams and forward Dirk Nowit- Noah, the team’s emotional leader, Texas, yesterday. “Hey, it didn’t look good early. We zki came through for the Mavericks in get injured. were missing shots. We weren’t guard- the fourth quarter. “It hurt, it hurt,” Rose said. “Know- 91-77.Kyrie Irving and LeBron James efficient while Kevin Love chipped in two-of-10 shooting. He missed all five of ing them well. The guys hung in, and The lead was exchanged for the ing how hard he works, how hard he carried a sporadic offense but the Cav- 11 points and 13 rebounds, but Cleve- his three-point attempts and commit- we gave ourselves a chance, and we 13th and final time on the night when wants to be on the court, how much he aliers relied on their defensive might land closed the trip 5-1 by digging in ted eight of the Rockets’ 19 turnovers. did just that.” Williams connected on a 3-pointer to means to the team. It’s devastating.” to beat the Rockets at Toyota Center. defensively, especially against Rock- He seemed resigned to his fate, tak- The Bulls (23-16) were held to less put the Mavs ahead 71-69. The basket The Bulls later also lost guard Kirk Cleveland (28-10) limited the Rock- ets guard James Harden. ing just three shots in 18 second-half than 100 points for the first time in 14 began a 11-3 run for Dallas. Hinrich with a left quad contusion. ets to a season-low points total while “We came in with the mindset that minutes as Cleveland sent multiple games and have dropped four of their Williams scored 10 of his 18 points Meanwhile, with their season-long, Houston (21-20) shot just 35.1 percent we had to defend, we had to cut the head bodies his direction defensively. last five games. in the fourth quarter and Nowitzki had six-game road trip coming to an end, (26 for 74) from the floor, including off the snake, and that’s Harden, and Harden was not alone in his strug- Chicago were the better team in five of Dallas’ final seven points. Cleveland recognized the need for one 6-for-25 shooting from behind the then just try to defend everyone else gles. Excluding Patrick Beverley, who the first half and held a 46-36 lead Nowitzki scored 11 of his game- determined push across the finish line three-point arc. at the same time,” James said. “And shot five of eight, every member of the at halftime, though much of that was high 21 points in the second half. He and rebounded from their first loss this James (19 points, seven rebounds, we did that.” Rockets’ starting lineup missed more down to the Mavericks shooting 11 of shot six of 15 from the field and had month to beat the Houston Rockets seven assists) and Irving (23 points) were Harden scored just 11 points on shots than they took. Brown and Williams Chara lifts Boston over Buffalo to miss play-off match Agencies NHL RESULTS Boston 4 Buffalo 1 AFP Chicago 4 Toronto 1 BUFFALO, NEW YORK : Zdeno Chara floated in the go-ahead goal from the Vancouver 3 Carolina 2 left point 29 seconds into the third Tampa Bay 5 Pittsburgh 4 NEW YORK: NFL receptions leader period and the Boston Bruins beat the Winnipeg 1 Minnesota 0 Antonio Brown and Pittsburgh rush- Buffalo Sabres 4-1 on Friday. Anaheim 4 Dallas 2 ing leader DeAngelo Williams were Ryan Spooner scored an insur- ruled out on Friday for today’s play- ance goal with 9:07 left and added Lehner made his first appear- off game at Denver, putting a huge two assists, and Brett Connolly scored ance since spraining his right ankle load on questionable quarterback into an empty net with 1:09 remain- midway through the second period Ben Roethlisberger. ing. Matt Beleskey had a goal and an of Buffalo’s season-opening 3-1 loss It’s the first time in NFL history assist, and Boston snapped a 0-2-1 to Ottawa. He stopped 27 shots in his a team will be without its top rusher skid and improved to 2-4-1 in its past first complete game since playing for and receiver for a playoff game. seven. Ottawa last season, when he stopped Brown has been in treatment for The Bruins beat Buffalo by over- 25 shots in a 7-2 win over Edmonton a concussion since being hit in the coming a 1-0 first-period deficit and on Feb. 14. head by Cincinnati linebacker Von- after squandering third-period leads Boston tied it 61 seconds into the taze Burfict last weekend, a blow that in losing each of their past two: A 3-2 second period after Sabres defense- resulted in a penalty which helped set loss at Philadelphia on Wednesday man Jake McCabe misplayed the puck up the Steelers’ winning field goal. night and a 2-1 loss at the New York at his blue line. Ryan Spooner broke Brown made 136 catches for 1,834 Rangers on Monday night. in alone and had his shot stopped by yards and 10 touchdowns this sea- Clermont’s English wing David Backup Jonas Gustavsson stopped Lehner, but Beleskey swooped in and son, enjoying a stellar campaign that 33 shots, including the final 24 he converted the rebound. included 16 catches for 189 yards and Strettle (left) and Ospreys’ Welsh faced. Fourth-line centre David Leg- The Sabres opened the scoring two touchdowns in a comeback vic- fullback Daniel Evans jump for wand scored for Buffalo. with 5:23 left in the first during a tory at Denver -- the best receiver the ball during their European The Sabres ended a two-game scramble in front. showing against the Broncos’ defense Rugby Champions Cup group winning streak and are 0-5-1 in their Tim Schaller first had his shot hit all season. stage match at the Liberty past six home games. That matches off the post and then was foiled on a “You can never just plug some- stadium in Swansea, south Wales Buffalo’s worst home skid since los- wrap-around attempt. Bruins defense- one in for AB because AB.is pretty on Friday. ing six straight from December 31 to man Colin Miller had the puck poked special,” Roethlisberger said. February 5. off his stick by Buffalo’s Matt Moul- “We’ve had guys step up all year. Chara scored after Beleskey won son behind the net. We have faith and confidence that sprained right shoulder in the victory a faceoff to the left of Buffalo’s net, The turnover went directly to Leg- the next guy will step up and be the over Cincinnati, is expected to try and and Spooner fed the puck back to wand, who circled the goal and stuffed best player they can be.” throw his best despite the soreness Chara at the point. After taking a a shot in through Gustavsson’s legs. Bengals cornerback Adam Jones, and use what players remain to upset step to his left to avoid an oncoming The Sabres’ power play was who accused Brown of faking the the American Conference top seeds. defender, Chara snapped a shot that blanked on three consecutive chances injury, apologised on Friday on his “I thought he did a nice job,” Steel- glided through a crowd and went in during 7-minute stretch in the sec- Instagram page, saying, “I apologize ers coach Mike Tomlin said of “Big just inside the far post. ond period. sincerely. Get well.” Ben” in Friday’s practice. “He did eve- It was Chara’s sixth goal of the Buffalo managed nine shots on Williams, who ran for 907 yards rything we asked him to do. I was very season and first in 19 games. goal during that span but was una- and 11 touchdowns on 200 carries specific about what I asked. I wanted Chicago Blackhawks’ right wing Patrick Kane (88) celebrates his Spooner’s goal came when he fired ble to beat Gustavsson. His best save this season and caught 40 passes for to see enough, no more. third goal of the game with left wing Artemi Panarin (72) in the third a shot from the right boards that went came when he tracked across the goal 367 yards, will be sidelined by a right “We’ve been without people period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The in off the inside of goalie Robin Leh- line to stop Brian Gionta’s redirec- foot injury. before. That’s just the nature of this Blackhawks beat the Maple Leafs 4-1. ner’s stick. tion of Moulson’s pass into the slot. Roethlisberger, who suffered a thing.” Ospreys rally past Clermont to boost European hopes

AFP quarter-finals. Clermont, last year’s “We were much too ill-disciplined.” nine days’ time, they will win the group teams have got, but what we have got Clermont led by 13-7 at half-time thanks runners-up, had held the advantage Ospreys, looking to become the first and secure a quarter-final place. is a massive team ethic and a massive to a Wesley Fofana try on six minutes until the final 15 minutes but paid for Welsh side to qualify for the knock-out “I am extremely proud of the play- spirit in the group. “There are not too and two Morgan Parra penalties. SWANSEA, UNITED KINGDOM: ill-discipline with their progress now stages in four years, overtake Cler- ers,” head coach Steve Tandy said. many days that I have been prouder Things got worse for the Welsh Sam Davies came off the bench to lift out of their own hands. mont on top of Pool 2 with 16 points. “They battled throughout the of this group, if I am honest. when fly-half star Dan Biggar limped Ospreys to a gritty 21-13 comeback “I’m frustrated, angry and disap- Clermont have 14 points, with pool game, and to come back from 13-6 “It has got to be up there with one off after 48 minutes. But his replace- win over French side Clermont to top pointed,” said Clermont coach Franck rivals Exeter (10) travelling to French down against a really experienced of our best performances, but we still ment Davies took charge and kicked Pool 2 in the European Champions Azema. club Bordeaux-Begles (6) on Saturday. Clermont team who have got to how haven’t achieved what we want to. We four penalties and a drop-goal -- to Cup on Friday. “We return with zero points. We To finish first and qualify directly many finals in European rugby, was have got one more game to go, other- add to two earlier Biggar penalties. Fly-half Davies kicked 15 points made a good start to the match, we Clermont will have to win at home a real team effort. wise it will be all for nothing.” Clermont’s task was hampered by after the break to put the Welsh dominated outrageously up front and against Bordeaux-Begles in the final “We probably haven’t got as many It had looked as if it was going to the sin-binning of Viktor Kolelishvili, region within touching distance of the were weak behind. pool game. If Ospreys beat Exeter in glittering individuals as other European be a frustrating night for Ospreys as for pushing referee Wayne Barnes. SPORT SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 33

Modi drops Amir’s ‘promising’ start lifts $3.3m civil case against spirits in Pakistani camp Cairns

CRICKET: PAKISTAN’S TOUR Agencies Coach Waqar Younis OF NEW ZEALAND

Sydney says the young WELLINGTON: I n d i a n b u s i n e s s - fast Cricket: bowler Pakistan will coach be Waqar man Lalit Modi has discontinued Thunder Younis impressed by Mohammad it moves so fast. He has a clear role for his civil action against former New Amirgetting on his comeback the team Amir at the top of the order. Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns, his knock off breakthroughs with “I’m expecting Amir to give break- lawyer says. the new ball soon throughs with the new ball, which I “He’s decided to bring the civil think he’s got the capability to do,” he matter to a close and draw a line Sixers by said. “You really have to work as a unit. under it,” Rajesh Vyakarnam said. If someone goes bad someone else has The legal action had proved 46 runs to cover that up. Umar Gul bowled one costly for Modi, who lost in court IANS over where they took him on and the to Cairns in 2012 after the player other guys came to the rescue.” sued him over a tweet which alleged Younis praised opener Moham- he had been involved in match-fix- IANS mad Hafeez who was the mainstay of ing in the Indian Cricket League. AUCKLAND: Pakistan coach Waqar the Pakistan innings, hitting 61 from Cairns has always strongly Younis gave controversial pace bowler 47 balls to help the tourists to a com- rejected any involvement in fixing. SYDNEY: After four demoralis- Mohammed Amir a pass mark in his petitive total. Modi ran up substantial costs ing and soul-searching years, the return to international cricket. “We always know that when Hafeez in his 2012 legal battle with Cairns, Sydney Thunder have done every- The 23-year-old, who was banned gets going it’s hard to stop him. I want to which took place in London. His thing they can to secure themselves for five years when he was found guilty praise Mohammad Hafeez... whenever own legal costs were £900,000 a finals spot with a 46-run victory of spot fixing by deliberately bowl- you come on a tour, you never know ($2.002m). in front of a record NSW crowd at ing no balls in the Lord’s test of 2010, what you’re going to get first game. As a result of his loss in court, the SCG. produced figures of 1-31 from his four “Playing here in Auckland you Modi paid $NZ3.12m to Cairns Mike Hussey (pictured above) overs as the tourists defeated the Black never know if it might swing around --including $NZ200,000 in dam- left the SCG for the last time in front Caps by 16 runs at Eden Park on Fri- or bounce a bit more. I thought Hafeez ages, Cairns’ legal fees and his of 38,456 onlookers after earlier day night Younis earlier in the week adjusted really well. He took his time, lawyer’s success fee, plus an insur- grinding out a clever 41 from 29 said that the media should be posi- and once he knew the pace of the pitch, ance premium Cairns had taken out. balls, but he was more than happy to tive about his return to international off he went.” Cairns declined to comment on play second fiddle to Shane Watson cricket and give him a chance. Younis suggested strongly that he the developments. (66 from 41) and Andre Russell (46 “I’m very pleased with Moham- will not change a winning team for the Speaking on behalf of Black from 20) who showed that experi- mad Amir’s comeback,” said Younis second T20 in Hamilton today. Caps captain Brendon McCullum, ence can be bought as the Thunder at the press conference. The team is preparing for the World who Modi needed as a witness in powered to 5-202 – the highest score Amir was unlucky to have two T20 in March and Younis believed that the civil action, lawyer Garth Gal- in BBL05. catches put down off his bowling a series win over New Zealand away laway said: “He (McCullum) gave Nic Maddinson’s fighting 70 from which would have improved his bowl- from home would be ideal for the team’s evidence when he was asked to by 40 balls – he almost scored more ing figures. confidence. the crown and the Modi trial has runs yesterday than he has in the “I wanted those catches to be taken “We would like to win first – and nothing to do with him. Brendon entire tournament – put the Sixers because it would have really given then see if we can give somebody a go. won’t be making any comment.” ahead of the required run rate, but him that confidence at the beginning We’ve got the PSL and Asia Cup coming In the Southwark Crown sadly for them, there were no Jor- of the game,” said Younis. up, so we’ve got to decide before the Mohammad Amir of Pakistan Court trial which began on Octo- dan Silk heroics like last season or “Unfortunately that’s part of the Asia Cup. “They are all happy. They’re bowls during the first T20 clash ber 5, Cairns was accused of lying Michael Lumb fireworks. game. I’m sure he knows that he will all excited. We don’t have much time against New Zealand at Eden under oath in his 2012 libel trial Off-spinner Chris Green stole come back.” The fast bowling great before the next game, so we’ve really Park in Auckland on Friday. win against Modi. the show with 3-27 for the men in said that T20 is a tough game because got to focus.” Modi paid for a lawyer to sit lime as the Sixers were bowled out through almost two months of evi- for 156 in the 18th over. dence, at the end of which Cairns There is the potential, however, and his former legal adviser Andrew if both the Stars and Renegades win Fitch-Holland walked free. their final matches, the Thunder’s Both were charged with aspirations of making the final four Captain Dhoni may make India attempting to pervert the course could evaporate before their eyes, of justice, for trying to get self-con- meaning they have a nervous wait fessed match-fixer Lou Vincent to following their second victory over provide a false statement to the Modi their cross-town rivals this season. hearing. It was remarkable to think the chase in third one-dayer today Modi had in 2010 tweeted Cairns two teams – who between them had been excluded from the Indian have won none of their last eight Premier League (IPL) auction due games – were still even in with a to his “past record of match fixing”. chance of sneaking into the finals. Agencies bowler Josh Hazlewood, who has been Cairns, who had no record of The Sixers were 2-50 from five given a break for the remainder of the match-fixing, took legal action. and passed 100 in the ninth over, home international season. Central to allegations he faced but once Maddinson and Haddin SYDNEY: Back-to-back one-day “Josh has played all six Tests this in Southwark Crown Court was departed, the inflated run rate defeats in Perth and Brisbane have summer and has had a high work- his statement in the Modi case he prompted players to take more risks forced India captain Mahendra Singh load,” team coach Darren Lehmann “never, ever cheated at cricket” and than they normally would have. Dhoni to rethink his strategy of opting said yesterday. nor would he “contemplate doing With no Jacques Kallis, Shane to bat first against Australia, who have “On that basis the decision has been such a thing”. Watson was promoted to the top of taken a 2-0 lead in the five-match series made to give him a break to allow him The jury at Southwark Crown the order with Aidan Blizzard. He by chasing down 300-plus targets. to recharge both physically and men- Court took 10 hours and 17 min- cut and drove with aplomb, while Dhoni won the toss in both matches tally ahead of the (February) tour of utes of deliberation to reach their Blizzard sweated on anything short, and after India posted scores of 309 New Zealand. verdicts. dispatching Johan Botha over the and 308 and watched as the hosts Hazlewood, who was recently Cairns said the British legal sys- deep square leg fence to continue reeled them in with powerful dis- named the ICC’s Emerging Cricketer tem had vindicated him. a rollicking pace. plays at the crease. of the Year, played all six Tests of the “I’ve been put through the mill The pair added 48 in the power There was also a suggestion of a Australian home summer, against New and come out the other side, so I’m play when before Sean Abbott struck lack of discipline about India’s bowl- Zealand and West Indies. just a very happy man.” with his first delivery, as Blizzard ers, who leaked 23 wides in the two He took 21 wickets across the two Modi had cast a shadow over (20 from 17) gifted Brad Haddin the matches. Test series, including a match haul Cairns, even as he was acquit- simplest of catches. Ahead of today’s third one-dayer, of 9 for 136 against New Zealand in ted, making outright celebration Watson passed his fifty from 34 Dhoni wondered if chasing a target Adelaide. premature. balls with a towering six towards was a better option for India. The Australia squad for the final It had been thought Modi was the Member’s pavilion. India’s captain “I feel even if we cut down the two matches of the India ODI series likely try to claw back more that $1m He then set his sights on Lyon, MS Dhoni extras we will have to score more will be announced after today’s third in costs and damages he was made whose first two overs yielded a fields during runs,” said Dhoni. ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, to pay after the 2012 trial, as a civil respectable 13 runs, testing those the one-day “There are two options: either put CA said. action did not require such as high hamstrings of his by getting down international pressure on the batsmen and score Australia lead the series 2-0 after level of proof as the “beyond rea- on one knee and slapping the Aus- cricket match 330, or chase down the score, give a seven-wicket victory with six balls sonable doubt” of the perjury trial. tralian tweaker behind square for against them the batting first. to spare at Brisbane’s Gabba ground Modi immediately responded consecutive fours. Watson went for Australia in “We will have a look and decide on Friday. to the verdict. one too many as he was caught in Brisbane on what suits us the best.” Meanwhile, Australia fast bowler “I am aware of the verdict at the deep by Jackson Bird, but the While Rohit Sharma burnished James Pattinson has shin soreness and Southwark Crown Court. As you Friday. damage was done as a healthy plat- his reputation in limited-overs cricket will not be available for his Melbourne know, I am limited in what I can form set for a juicy total. with a second successive century in Renegades team in the Twenty20 Big say as I am restricted by the injunc- 0/29 from three overs doesn’t Brisbane, skipper Dhoni said he was Bash League tomorrow, Cricket Aus- tion put in place following the 2012 make for pleasant reading, but seeking even more his batsmen. tralia said yesterday. libel trial,” he said. the best players back their skills, “As a team we have to win, irre- Pattinson, who took 13 wickets in “I will consider how this affects so when Lyon removed New Zea- spective of which department is not the recent Test series against the West my own civil claim against Mr Cairns land import Henry Nicholls for doing well, and for that we have to Indies, experienced soreness in his left in due course.” three, caught at backward point, score 20-30 more runs,” Dhoni told shin towards the end of that series. Cairns told media he would he offered a wry smile. reporters. CA said Pattinson will be una- think about Modi “next week”. Andre Russell appeared to pull a “That will put a lot of pressure on vailable for the Renegades’ BBL clash Irrespective of the news the hamstring early in his knock, hence the batsmen, because the moment you with Adelaide Strikers in Melbourne Modi hurdle had now been cleared, the flat-batted, crowd-killing sixes take your guard right from the first on Monday. Cairns had already accepted his that followed. However, he was able ball, on the back of your mind would CA said the decision to stand Pat- reputation had been ruined and felt to motor between the wickets there- be ‘we have to get 330-340 odd runs tinson down from Renegades duty was he could not work in cricket again. after on his way to making a valuable to be on the safer side’ and that would taken by the organisation’s medical At his peak around 2001 he had 46. The Sixers’ fielding was well put a lot of pressure.” staff in consultation with the BBL team. been one of the world’s best all- below the high standard they set Meanwhile, p aceman John Hast- “It is felt to be a prudent approach rounders and high-regarded in New themselves and they repeatedly let ings has been retained in Australia’s to the ongoing management of his shin, Zealand cricket circles. the Thunder off the hook, ending a squad for the third one-day inter- especially with a tour of New Zealand, “Reputationally, I’m completely disappointing campaign for them national against India in Melbourne Twenty20 internationals in South Africa scorched, burnt completely, but it which resulted in just two wins from this weekend, Cricket Australia said and the ICC World Twenty20 to fol- hasn’t stopped me and it won’t stop eight attempts - their worst effort yesterday. low after the Australian season,” CA me. in five years. Hastings steps in for fellow seam said in a statement. “I’ll keep going forward.” 34 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 SPORT Liverpool, United look for winning balance

FOOTBALL: PREMIER Klopp’s men to host LEAGUE PREVIEW Van Gaal’s team at Anfield today as both “I think in recent times we’ve done sides hope to improve very well against them, obviously this year at Old Trafford and last season we’ve got very good results, so we’re very confident of going there and caus- ing them a problem,” he said. AFP Klopp is up against United for the first time as Liverpool manager and he is relishing the occasion, describ- ing showdowns between major rivals LONDON: Despite starkly contrasting as “the salt in the soup”. playing philosophies, Liverpool man- The German has also been high- ager Jurgen Klopp and his Manchester lighting the importance of balance, but United counterpart Louis van Gaal are in his case he was referring to emo- grappling with similar problems ahead tional factors. of their meeting at Anfield today. Former Liverpool captain Steven While Klopp espouses hard-run- Gerrard was sent off just 38 seconds ning, high-pressing, “heavy metal” after coming on in last season’s equiva- football, Van Gaal is all about patient lent fixture, for a crude stamp on Ander ball retention, but both men are yet Herrera, and Klopp has urged his play- to find a consistent formula for scor- ers to keep their heads. ing goals. “You can be over-motivated, that’s Liverpool’s return of 22 goals from possible,” he told his pre-match press their first 20 league games this season conference. was the worst in their history, while “You don’t have to think too much United have not scored so few goals about motivation in games like this at this stage of a season (27) since the because everybody knows about the 1992-93 campaign. importance. When the two teams do manage “But the balance is always the most to make it happen up front, problems important thing. In football everything arise elsewhere. is about timing and the right thing in Both sides scored three goals in the right moment.” Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson reacts during the English Premier League match mid-week, but both also let three in at With Dejan Lovren and Martin against Arsenal FC at Anfield in Liverpool last Wednesday. RIGHT: Manchester the other end – Liverpool at home to Skrtel still sidelined by hamstring Arsenal on Wednesday, United away United’s Wayne Rooney reacts at the final whistle after the match against problems, Kolo Toure and Mamadou to Newcastle United the night before. Newcastle United in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on Tuesday. Sakho will continue in central defence Liverpool at least had the satisfac- for Liverpool. tion of a last-minute equaliser against Christian Benteke has scored in his Arsenal, Welsh midfielder Joe Allen at the death after the visitors had led “They’re key times in the game and months of tinkering. But United won after defeat by Liverpool, having tri- last three league appearances against slamming home a volley that left Klopp’s 2-0 and 3-2. we need to make sure we’re switched only one of their last six league matches umphed in all of his three matches United, but with Roberto Firmino having men five points below the Champions “It’s about finding that balance so on.” and 10 months on they continue to toil, against them to date. netted a classy double against Arsenal League places in ninth place. we’re not giving away these sloppy goals United won 2-1 on their last trip to having won only two of their last 11 Indeed, United have a strong recent the Belgian striker could find himself United are three points better off just before half-time and just before Anfield in March, which came in the games in all competitions. record in the rivalry, winning six of on the bench again. in sixth place, but they were on the the final whistle,” said United centre- middle of a six-game winning streak One consolation for Van Gaal is the last eight league encounters, and Van Gaal has ruled out central mid- wrong end of a 90th-minute goal at back Chris Smalling, echoing a theme that suggested Van Gaal had finally set- that he has yet to encounter the oppro- Smalling believes that his side will con- field pair Bastian Schweinsteiger and Newcastle, Paul Dummett equalising picked up by captain Wayne Rooney. tled on a winning strategy after seven brium that can greet a United manager tinue to enjoy the upper hand. Michael Carrick through injury. Wenger in search of Stoke revenge

AFP so tightly packed, Arsenal could find He added: “Looking at their themselves in third position by the time (Stoke’s) results against the big teams, they kick-off against Stoke if Leicester they have maybe more consistency. City and Manchester City have both “We will see that on Sunday (today). LONDON: Arsene Wenger returns secured victories 24 hours earlier. They can fight with anybody today, to Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium this The north London club would have Stoke. They play out from the back, weekend for the first time since he established more breathing space had they’ve improved a lot in the quality was forced to endure one of the lowest they been able to hang on to the lead at of their build-up game.” points of his 20-year reign as Arse- Liverpool midweek, eventually con- Alexis Sanchez is likely to return nal manager. ceding an equaliser late on as the home to the squad after finally recovering The visit in December 2014 ended side fought back to claim a 3-3 draw. from a hamstring injury and new sign- with Wenger and his players forced to Wenger believes the challenge ing Mohamed Elneny could feature run a gauntlet of angry Arsenal fans posed by Mark Hughes’s side will be after arriving from Basel. as they boarded a train back to Lon- equal to the one they faced at Anfield. “Elneny is available for selection, don following a 3-2 defeat that left “It is a similar test to Liverpool I haven’t decided yet (on whether to the Gunners in sixth place, 13 points where on our side we need the same play him),” said Wenger. “I have to see adrift of leaders Chelsea. intensity again four days later and the how everyone has recovered. Elneny Those critical voices had largely same desire and focus again,” the vet- is a possibility to be in the squad for been silenced by last May after a dra- eran manager said. Sunday.” matic improvement during the second “What we have learnt in this Pre- While he can expect an easier ride half of the season that was capped by mier League? You think ‘How many from his own supporters, Wenger is the FA Cup triumph. surprises we have seen today? That expected to again be targeted by Stoke’s And having sustained that progress, will not happen again’. The week after fans after he refused to leave his dug- Wenger’s side head into the latest round it happened again, and again and again, out during last season’s meeting. of matches positioned at the head of since the start of the season. The Frenchman claimed the move the table and with a growing belief “That shows the consistency of was designed to take the heat out of they can lift the Premier League title. your focus, the consistency of your the abuse he traditionally receives in Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud (right) celebrates with team-mates after scoring the fifth goal making the score Wenger is entitled to feel vindi- determination, will certainly play a the Potteries, dating back to his criti- 3-2 during their English Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield, Liverpool last Wednesday. cated although the leading group is big part in the outcome of this league.” cism of Tony Pulis’s Stoke teams.

Ex-Reds ace Garcia Ben Arfa fires signs for Mariners Barca to face Bilbao in Copa del Rey brace of penalties

Reuters as Nice claim win AFP Deportivo la Coruna 4-1 on aggre- gate in the last 16, will face Sevilla. AFP SYDNEY: Central Coast Mariners Gary Neville’s Valencia cruised into the have signed Luis Garcia until the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey in end of the 2015-16 season, hoping MADRID: Defending champions Bar- comprehensive fashion with a 3-0 win PARIS: Hatem Ben Arfa scored the former Liverpool midfielder can celona will face Athletic Bilbao in the away to Granada to seal a 7-0 aggre- two late penalties as Nice came rescue the club languishing at the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey after gate victory on Thursday. from behind to beat second-placed bottom of the A-League standings. Friday’s draw threw up a repeat of last Neville is yet to taste victory in Angers 2-1 in Ligue 1 on Friday. The 37-year-old former Spain season’s final. La Liga in five attempts since taking Angers had appeared to be on international, who came out of Barca beat Athletic 3-1 with Lionel charge last month, but has now won course to strengthen their grip on retirement in 2014 to play in the Messi scoring twice in a final played each of his three cup ties as Valen- second spot when Pierrick Capelle Indian Super League, will make his at the Camp Nou, before the Basque cia take their place in Friday’s draw put the visitors in front in the first Mariners debut against Western side gained a measure of revenge by alongside holders Barcelona, Sevilla, half at the Allianz Riviera with his Sydney Wanderers on January 23. winning when the teams met again Athletic Bilbao, Celta Vigo, Las Pal- second goal in as many games. “This is a huge opportunity for in the Spanish Supercup at the start mas and Mirandes. Ben Arfa netted a first penalty not only the Central Coast Mariners of this season. to bring Nice level 10 minutes from and the Central Coast region but The teams will meet at San Mames the end after Jean-Michael Seri was also for football in Australia,” club in the first leg next Wednesday with QUARTERS LINE-UP fouled inside the area. chief executive Shaun Mielekamp the return leg to come a week later. Celta Vigo vs Atletico Madrid The home side was awarded said in a statement on Saturday. Meanwhile, La Liga leaders Atletico Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona another spot-kick in the 84th minute “It continues our journey Madrid will meet Celta Vigo while Gary when a Niklas Hult cross struck the Valencia vs Las Palmas Barcelona’s Brazilian striker Neymar (centre) celebrates with team- towards becoming the most enter- Neville’s Valencia were drawn against Sevilla vs Mirandes arm of Vincent Manceau. Ben Arfa taining, innovative and community Las Palmas. mates, Uruguayan Luis Suarez (left) and Argentinian Lionel Messi after stepped up again to send Alexan- NB - first legs to be played January 20 minded sports brand in Australia,” Mirandes, the only survivors from scoring a goal during their Spanish Primera Division match against Real dre Letellier the wrong way from or 21; second legs the following week. he added. the second tier after they eliminated Sociedad at Camp Nou in Barcelona, in this November 2015 file photo. 12 yards. SPORT SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 35 City back on top as Chelsea salvage last-gasp draw

Tottenham, Southampton and Newcastle also record victories at Premier League

Paris Saint-Germain’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (right) AFP celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 match against Toulouse yesterday in Toulouse.

LONDON: Sergio Aguero sank Crys- tal Palace to send Manchester City top Ibrahimovic hands PSG of the Premier League table yester- day, while John Terry’s 98th-minute equaliser earned Chelsea a remark- able 3-3 draw with Everton. slender win at Toulouse Aguero scored twice, with Fabian Delph and David Silva also on target, as City beat Crystal Palace 4-0, and AFP Terry atoned for an earlier own goal FOOTBALL: PSG CLAIM to earn Chelsea an improbable point 9TH CONSECUTIVE WIN at Stamford Bridge. City provisionally top the standings on goal difference PARIS: Not for the first time, Paris above previous leaders Arsenal, who Saint-Germain were grateful to Zlatan Pastore -- starting a league game for visit Stoke City today, and Leicester City. Ibrahimovic as the Swede’s second- the first time since October -- hob- City manager Manuel Pellegrini half goal secured a 1-0 win away to bled off with an apparent calf problem made a bold approach at a snowy Toulouse in Ligue 1 yesterday. to be replaced by Edinson Cavani in Etihad Stadium by aligning Aguero It was far from a vintage per- the 18th minute. up front with Kelechi Iheanacho in a formance from the champions and Toulouse were the better team in 4-4-2 formation. relegation-threatened Toulouse were the first half and their leading scorer After City goalkeeper Joe Hart had unlucky not to take anything from the Wisam Ben Yedder, fresh from net- parried an early header by Damien game on the day their refurbished ting eight times in five games, came Delaney, Delph opened the scoring stadium was officially inaugurated closest to breaking the deadlock, lash- Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero (right) runs with the ball as Crystal Palace’s French in the 22nd minute with a skidding before a full house of around 33,000. ing a shot off the bar from 12 yards. 30-yard shot that beat Palace goal- midfielder Yohan Cabaye follows during their English Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium in Ibrahimovic converted from close His free-kick then came to nothing keeper Wayne Hennessey at his Manchester yesterday. range in the 73rd minute after David after Marquinhos had brought down left-hand post. Aguero made it 2-0 Luiz had helped on a Lucas corner to Tongo Hamed Doumbia right on the shortly before half-time with an effort give PSG their ninth consecutive win edge of the penalty area. from outside the box that was deflected problem, but Aguero struck again up a five-point lead over Manchester in all competitions and allow them to Marquinhos also came off hurt on past Hennessey by the head of Scott 22 minutes from time by tapping in FOOTBALL: PREMIER United, who visit Liverpool today, and a extend their enormous lead at the top the hour mark, making way for Gre- Dann. a low cross from Kevin De Bruyne. The LEAGUE WRAP four-point lead over West Ham United, of the table to 23 points from Angers gory van der Wiel, but Paris started The hosts had left-back Aleksandar Argentine could have had a hat-trick who lost 2-1 at Newcastle United. Jonjo in second. to threaten and Ibrahimovic teed up Kolarov stretchered off in the 52nd in the 84th minute, but after sprinting Shelvey shone on his Newcastle debut Laurent Blanc’s side are still unde- Lucas Moura to fire just wide. minute with an apparent left calf clear of the Palace defence he unself- following his £12m ($17.3m) move from feated in domestic competition this Ibrahimovic finally got the break- ishly squared for Silva to tap in City’s 91st minute from Gerard Deulofeu’s Swansea City, sparking the moves that season and this result allowed them through soon after, beating Toulouse’s fourth goal. cross, only for Terry to flick home a led to early goals for Ayoze Perez and to extend their club record unbeaten 16-year-old goalkeeper Alban Lafont EPL RESULTS Champions Chelsea remain six last-gasp equaliser despite an appar- Georginio Wijnaldum. run in the league to 30 matches going to score his 16th league goal of the points above the bottom three after ent offside. Tottenham Hotspur tasted Substitute Nikica Jelavic hit back back to last March. season, all of which have come in Bournemouth 3 (Gosling 10, Daniels interim manager Guus Hiddink avoided victory in 2016 at the fourth attempt for West Ham in the 49th minute after Toulouse remain in the relega- his last 14 games. 54-pen, Afobe 75) Norwich 0 the first defeat of his second stint at with a one-sided 4-1 home success intercepting a back-pass from Chan- tion zone but they had lost just once Such a scoring run would have Chelsea 3 (Costa 64, Fabregas 66, the club by the narrowest of margins. over Sunderland in which Christian cel Mbemba, but Newcastle held on in nine outings before this game and impressed Just Fontaine, the France Terry 90+8) Everton 3 (Terry 50-og, Everton went 2-0 up early in the Eriksen scored twice. to escape the relegation zone at the they will at least have been buoyed striking great who was present at Le Mirallas 56, Funes Mori 90) second half as Terry scored an inele- Sunderland, chasing a third straight expense of Shelvey’s old club Swansea. by their display in the first of three Stadium to help unveil a stand that gant 50th-minute own goal and Kevin league win, took a 40th-minute lead Bournemouth pulled five points meetings with the capital side in quick will carry his name. Manchester City 4 (Delph 22, Aguero Mirallas followed up with a slick turn when Adam Johnson released Patrick clear of danger by beating fellow succession. On Friday, Angers lost 2-1 at Nice, 41, 68, Silva 84) Crystal Palace 0 and shot, both goals created by Leighton van Aanholt to score. strugglers Norwich City 3-0, with Dominique Arribage’s team travel who moved above Cote d’Azur rivals Newcastle 2 (Perez 6, Wijnaldum 15) Baines. Cesc Fabregas brought Chel- But Eriksen equalised 91 seconds Dan Gosling, Charlie Daniels and £10m to Paris on French Cup duty on Tues- Monaco into third as two late pen- West Ham 1 (Jelavic 49) sea back into the game, freeing Diego later, following up to score after Sunder- record signing Benik Afobe on target. day evening and then go back to the alties by Hatem Ben Arfa turned the Southampton 3 (Ward-Prowse 5, Costa to round Tim Howard and reduce land league debutant Jordan Pickford Meanwhile, James Ward-Prowse Parc des Princes in the semi-finals of game around after Pierrick Capelle’s 35-pen, Tadic 72) West Brom 0 the arrears in the 64th minute before had thwarted Harry Kane, and goals scored a fine free-kick and a penalty as the League Cup on January 27. first-half opener. Monaco can go sec- equalising with a deflected shot less from Mousa Dembele, Eriksen and Southampton, watched by new striker PSG were missing the injured Thi- ond and trim PSG’s lead to a mere 21 Tottenham 4 (Eriksen 42, 67, Dembele than two minutes later. After Costa had Kane, with a penalty, gave Spurs victory. Charlie Austin, won 3-0 at home to ago Silva and Angel di Maria due to points with a win at Lorient on Sun- 60, Kane 79-pen) Sunderland 1 (Van limped off injured, centre-back Ramiro Spurs, who occupy the fourth West Bromwich Albion, with Serbian injury and their afternoon did not day before Saint-Etienne host Lyon Aanholt 40) Funes Mori put Everton ahead in the Champions League berth, opened winger Dusan Tadic also scoring. get off to the best of starts as Javier in the Rhone-Alpes derby. Brilliant Broad bowls England to series victory over SA

JOHANNESBURG: Stuart Broad pro- SCOREBOARD duced a sensational display of fast CRICKET: ENGLAND IN bowling as England swept to a series- SOUTH AFRICA South Africa(I innings): 313 F du Plessis c&b Broad 14 clinching victory over South Africa on England (I innings): T Bavuma b Broad 0 the third day of the third Test at the A Cook c Vilas b Viljoen 18 D Vilas c Taylor b Finn 8 Wanderers Stadium yesterday. a short ball which hit his glove and Broad took six for 17 as South Africa went on to the stumps. A Hales c De Villiers b Rabada 1 C Morris b Stokes 1 were bowled out for 83 in their sec- Broad was rested with figures of N Compton c Elgar b Rabada 26 K Rabada c Bairstow b Stokes 16 ond innings. five for 14 from 10 overs, eight of which J Root c Vilas b Rabada 110 H Viljoen lbw Anderson 6 England won by seven wickets to were bowled after lunch. J Taylor c Bavuma b Morkel 7 M Morkel (not out) 4 take a winning 2-0 lead into the final But the carnage continued. Ste- B Stokes c&b Morkel 58 Extras (LB-2, NB-1) 3 Test in Centurion next week. ven Finn had Dane Vilas caught by J Bairstow c Van Zyl b Rabada 45 Broad ripped the heart out of the a diving Taylor at short leg and Chris Total (all out) 83 South African batting, taking the first Morris was bowled by a full ball from M Ali c Vilas b Morris 19 Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-28, 3-30, five wickets for one run in the space Ben Stokes. S Broad b Rabada 12 4-31, 5-35, 6-45, 7-46, 8-67, 9-77.

of 31 balls after lunch. Kagiso Rabada made a quick 16 S Finn c Vilas b Morkel 0 Bowling: Anderson 10-1-26-1; Broad 12.1-6-17-6; Stokes 8-1-24-2; The defeat toppled South Africa before he was caught behind off Stokes. J Anderson (not out) 0 from top spot on the International Eight wickets fell for 55 runs between Finn 3-0-14-1 (1nb). Extras (B-1, LB-14, NB-3, W-9) 27 Cricket Council’s Test rankings. lunch and tea. England (II innings): Total (all out) 323 England led on the first innings by The last two wickets fell quickly A Cook c Vilas b Morris 43 10 runs after being bowled out for 323 after tea. James Anderson took only his Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-22, 3-74, A Hales lbw Elgar 18 and the match was evenly poised as second wicket of the match when he 4-91, 5-202, 6-242, 7-279. N Compton c Morkel b Elgar 0 South African opening batsmen Dean had Hardus Viljoen leg before wicket Bowling: Morris 15-1-71-1; Rabada Elgar and Stiaan van Zyl put on 23 runs and Broad dived full length down the 23.1-5-78-5 (1nb, 3w); Morkel 20-1- J Root (not out) 4 at the start of the second innings, with pitch to take a return catch from Faf 76-3; Viljoen 15-0-79-1 (2nb); Van Zyl J Taylor (not out) 2 Broad having conceded 13 of the runs. du Plessis. 3-0-4-0. Extras (B-4, LB-2, W-1) 7 Then Broad struck, having Elgar Morkel tested Alastair Cook with South Africa(II innings): Total (for 3 wkts) 74 caught behind off a ball that lifted and some fast, lifting deliveries at the start D Elgar c Bairstow b Broad 15 moved away from the left-hander. England’s Stuart Broad gestures as he celebrates the dismissal of South of England’s second innings, but he Fall of wickets: 1-64, 2-68, 3-71. S van Zyl c Stokes b Broad 11 Van Zyl was dropped, a difficult Africa’s captain AB de Villiers (not pictured) during the third Test in and Hales took England to within ten Bowling: Morkel 5-2-7-0; Rabada chance to James Anderson at third slip, Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday. runs of victory before part-time spin- H Amla c Taylor b Broad 5 4-0-28-0; Viljoen 4-2-15-0 (1w); and the single that was taken as the ner Elgar dismissed Hales and Nick A de Villiers c Bairstow b Broad 0 Morris 6-2-8-1; Elgar 3.4-1-10-2. ball looped away was to prove the only Compton in successive overs. run that Broad conceded while tear- out to a roar of appreciation from a Hashim Amla was superbly caught Cook made 43, his highest score of ing the heart out of the batting. near-capacity crowd but was caught at short leg by James Taylor off a full- the series, but was caught behind off five-wicket haul to restrict England’s match, took five for 78 and led the Souh Van Zyl was caught at gully. South behind for nought off a delivery which blooded leg glance and Temba Bavuma Morris with three runs needed. first inning lead to 10 runs. African attack, bowling at pace with African captain AB de Villiers came cut back sharply to take an inside edge. was bowled when he ducked to avoid Earlier Rabada claimed a maiden Rabada, 20, playing in his fifth Test consistent control. SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2016 36

Dakar dozen for Peterhansel, Misfer Qatar National Rally Al Attiyah finishes second

Frenchman takes the title with over half an hour to spare as Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah finishes in runner-up spot

AFP Prize winners after the Misfer Qatar National Rally staged by Qatar Motor and Motorcycling Federation (QMMF) yesterday. The rally is staged in memory of top rally driver Misfer Al Marri. RÍO CUARTO, ARGENTINA: France’s The young Qatari rally driver, the winner of the 2010 Middle Dakar Rally legend Stephane Peterhan- East Rally Championship, died in February 2014 following an sel celebrated his 12th title yesterday illness. Abdulla Al Kuwari was first, Rashid Al Naimi second as motorbike rider Toby Price became and Edith Weiss, the woman driver, was third. the first Australian to etch his name on the gruelling event’s roll of honour. The 50-year-old Peterhansel avoided any late drama to safely cross the finish line of the closing 13th stage FIM Asia gala at Rio Cuarto to give French manufac- turer Peugeot their first win since 1990. “It’s extraordinary. The pressure was very high, but we came through,” Peugeot driver Stephane Peterhansel (left) of France and Mini driver Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar react at the said the Dakar’s all-time record winner. end of the 13th and final stage of the Dakar Rally 2016 in Cordoba province, Argentina, yesterday. “Some of my wins count more than others, but this one’s definitely in the top 3.” with a 15th consecutive crown. driving a Toyota took third over an Price, 28, who came third last year He had a tidy 39-minute cushion Dakar Rally hour adrift. Peterhansel won the first on his debut, dominated the two-week over his Slovakian teammate Stefan of his six titles on two wheels in 1991 bike race after lifting the second stage Svitko with Chilean Pablo Quintanilla and his 11th victory behind the wheel last week. at 48min in third. line, he ended the day a full one hour of a Mini in 2013. “Being the first Australian to win While he was savouring opening clear of last year’s winner Nasser Al- “It’s too early to think about the the Dakar is just insane,” Price said. his Dakar account, Peterhansel was Attiyah behind the wheel of a Mini. future,” he said. “I don’t know what to say, I don’t adding a new chapter to his love affair After safely coming in ninth behind “One thing’s for sure, getting the know what to think... I’m in shock, I with the iconic event he first competed final stage winner Sebastien Loeb, same number of victories on a bike never would’ve thought I could win in back in 1989. Peterhansel took the title with over and in a car was the last big goal in this race in my second participation. He made what ultimately proved half an hour to spare from Qatari Al my career. Now that it’s done, I don’t “This is incredible for my fam- to be a decisive step towards the 2016 Attiyah. think there are many things left to FIM Vice-President and Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation ily, my friends and my fans back in title on Thursday’s drive from Belen For Peugeot this was a superb motivate me.” Australia!” to La Rioja. achievement coming just two years The quads category was won for the President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah after presenting awards at The rider from New South Wales With his Peugeot team-mate and after their return to the iconic event third time by Marcos Patronelli with the FIM Asia Awarding gala held following the FIM Asia General finished fourth on the final day to wrap arch rival Carlos Sainz coming to a following a 26-year absence. Dutchman Gerard de Rooy annexing Assembly (AGA) in Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, Malaysia, yesterday. up the title and supply his KTM team grinding halt 30 kilometres from the South African Giniel De Villiers his second truck title. Qatar Swimming Association to hand bid for world championships

The Peninsula President of the QSA Khaleel Al for the 2021 and 2023 World Aquatics of which have hosted the event before. 2007. Germany, Japan and China were Jabir (pictured) had met in Doha lately Championships in Budapest on Jan- Melbourne, hosts in 2007, is one of the organisers in 1978, 2001 and 2011 with FINA officials to discuss the Qatari uary 31. It will coincide with World two Australian cities interested along respectively. DOHA: The Qatar Swimming Asso- bid and their interest in staging the Aquatics Gala and Award Dinner due with Sydney, while Wuhan and Nan- Budapest had originally been ciation (QSA) will today hand over in event. Al Jaber said that the bid was to be held in the Hungarian capital on jing, which staged the 2014 Summer selected for the 2021 competition, Lausanne the bid file to host either endorsed by President of Qatar Olym- the same day. Youth Olympic Games, are in the mix but its hosting was brought forward the 2021 or 2023 FINA World Cham- pic Committee H E Sheikh Joaan bin The decision will be announced for China. to 2017 after Mexican city Guadala- pionships. Hamad Al Thani. after the first meeting of the year of There are ‘two potential’ unnamed jara pulled out last February due to Officials at the QSA said that the Doha hosted the World Short- the ruling FINA Bureau. cities from Germany, according to world falling oil prices. Qatar file has been prepared for a long Course Championships in December Last June, FINA confirmed it had swimming’s governing body, as well Gwangju, the South Korean city time and expressed their confidence 2014. received expressions of interest from as interest from Japan. which hosted last year’s Summer Uni- that they will be a strong match to The International Swimming Fed- seven countries for the Championships, Australia has hosted the Champi- versiade, is due to host the 2019 edition Japan and China. eration (FINA) will choose the host cities including Argentina and Turkey, neither onships three times, in 1991, 1998 and of the biennial event. Al Shamal notch win over Al Ahli Rashid, Deena top in Skeet events of

The Peninsula Qatar Cup

DOHA: Adam Khalid Abdalla Mohamed and Hachad The Peninsula Mohamed Kamal did the bulk of scoring for Al Shamal in their 90-67 win over Al Ahli in the Qatar Basketball League here yesterday. Adam Khalid found the target DOHA: Rashid Saleh Al Atbha and 28 times while Hachad 27 times. At the end of the first Deena Al Tobaishi emerged on top in quarter, Al Shamal led 23-12 and maintain their hold the Skeet events of the Qatar Open over proceedings thereafter. at Losail Shooting Range. Rashid defeated Ali Ahmed Al Ishaq by 14-12 in the final shoot off to emerge the champion in the men’s section. The podium winners at the Qatar Cup pose for a picture with officials Saeed Hamad Abusharib and Masoud Hamad Al Athba were of Qatar Shooting and Archery Association at Losail Shooting Range locked at 14-all, Saeed winning yesterday. the shoot off 4-2 to take the bronze medal home. In the women’s section, Deena Al Tobaish defeated Hajar Moham- med through the shoot off 5-3 and bagged the gold medal. Earlier, both shot 10 each to be deadlocked. Hannan Haji claimed the bronze medal when she defeated Hajar Mohammed 11-8. Junior shooters Lolwa Al Mullah and Sarah Moham- med were other two to have reached the semi-finals. Sarah emerged the champion in the junior class, while Action from the Qatar Basketball League match between Al Gharafa and El Jaish at Al Gharafa Indoor Lolwa finished the runner-up. Stadium yesterday. Al Gharafa won 77-67. Right: Action from Al Ahli and Al Shamal match. Al Shamal won Mubarak Ahmad Al Kuwari won 90-67. the Junior Skeet title.