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Mideast carriers Mutaz Barshim see highest rise in eyes glory in passenger demand Games year

FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 • 29 Rajab 1437 • Volume 21 • Number 6788 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Emir receives Qatar ‘could host phone call from Erdogan

Summer Olympics’ QNA

DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim AFP 50 degrees Celsius in the summer — Coe bin Hamad Al Thani received a said there were other considerations telephone call from Turkey’s Pres- The head of to take into account before awarding ident Recep Tayyip Erdogan. International a host, including commercial concerns They reviewed relations DOHA: The head of world athletics, and the quality of infrastructure. between the two countries, ways Turkish Prime Minister and Leader of the ruling Justice and Sebastian Coe, refused yesterday to Association of Last February, a senior official of of enhancing them and the lat- rule out a summer Olympics being Athletics Federations Qatar Olympics Committee (QOC) said Development Party (AKP) Ahmet Davutoglu addressing a press est developments in the region. held in Qatar. the country had a “vision and target” conference in Ankara yesterday. Meanwhile, Erdogan yes- Speaking at a press conference in refused to rule out of hosting a summer Olympics. terday met Minister of State for Doha, Coe said athletics aspired to being a summer Olympics QOC Secretary-General Dr Thani Al Defence Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin a global sport. “We have consistently being held in Qatar. Kuwari said Qatar would undoubtedly Mohamed Al Attiyah who was on turned up to conferences to talk about bid to host an Olympics and although it Davutoglu to step down as a visit to Turkey. globalisation and using sport to impact had ruled itself out for 2024, the coun- Dr Al Attiyah conveyed the and imprint on the lives of young people,” try could bid for the 2028 Games, said Emir’s greetings to the presi- the head of International Association Al Kuwari. “The vision and the target is Turkish PM and AKP chief dent and his wishes to him and of Athletics Federations said. what we have been, for the last 30 or 40 to host one of the Olympics, one day,” the Turkish people for further “And we have to make sure, where years, encouraging them to do.” he said. development. possible, giving those countries that Asked about concerns over Doha’s Qatar has previously bid unsuccess- Erdogan asked Dr Al Attiyah to want to stage these events to do exactly climate — where temperatures can reach fully for the 2016 and 2020 games but Reuters parliamentary election in less than convey his greetings to the Emir, remains undaunted. The country has 18 months. and his wishes to him of continued been chosen to host the World Athletics Davutoglu’s departure plunges the good health and happiness and Championships in 2019 and the foot- Nato member into political uncertainty the Qatari people more progress ball World Cup in 2022 and the 2023 ANKARA: Ahmet Davutoglu as Europe needs its help in curbing and prosperity. FINA world swimming championships. announced yesterday that he was a migration crisis and the US needs They discussed relations Since the beginning of 2015, Qatar has stepping down as leader of Turkey’s support in fighting Islamic State in between both countries and ways hosted a world handball championships ruling AK Party and prime minister, Syria and Iraq. His departure follows of enhancing them and exchanged and the paralympics athletics world bowing to President Recep Tayyip weeks of tensions with Erdogan. His views on issues of common inter- championships. Erdogan’s drive to create a power- successor is likely to be more willing est, especially in the military field The Khalifa International Stadium ful executive presidency. to back Erdogan’s aim of changing the in addition to the overall situa- in Doha will be the venue for the 2019 In a speech defending his record constitution to create a presidential tion on the Arab and international athletics championships. When Qatar but vowing loyalty to Erdogan, Davu- system, a move that opponents say arenas. was awarded football’s biggest tour- toglu said he had kept his party and the will bring growing authoritarianism. Dr Al Attiyah also held separate nament, it was initially meant to host government intact during a tumultu- Main opposition leader Kemal meetings with Turkish Defence it in the summer months. ous period and pledged that “strong” Kilicdaroglu condemned what he Minister Ismet Yilmaz and For- Despite pledges from Qatar that AKP government would continue. called a “palace coup” and rejected eign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. stadiums would be air-conditioned for After a leadership meeting of attempts by AKP officials to dismiss They discussed issues of players and spectators, football’s gov- the party founded and dominated it as an internal affair. mutual interest and ways of devel- erning body, FIFA, last year decided to by Erdogan, Davutoglu told reporters Mehmet Ali Kulat, Head of the oping them to serve the common switch the tournament to be played in that he would not run again for leader pollster Mak Danismanlik seen as interests of two countries. November-December 2022. at an extraordinary party congress on close to Erdogan, forecast an elec- The meetings were attended Coe was speaking ahead of the May 22. “I am telling our members, up tion in October or November. “From by Qatari Ambassador to Turkey Sebastian Coe (left), President, IAAF, and Dahlan Al Hamad, President, opening Diamond League meeting until today I was leading you. From now on, Turkey’s sole agenda is the Salem bin Mubarak Al Shafi and QAF, at a press conference at InterContinental Doha The City Hotel of the season, which takes place in now on, I am among you,” he said. presidential system and an early elec- the delegation accompanying Dr yesterday. Doha today. There could now be a third tion,” he said. Al Attiyah. 42% in Qatar read news online: Survey 48-hour ceasefire The Peninsula viewing dropped in Egypt by seven per- objectionable content, while majori- point drop from one year ago. Three- takes hold in Aleppo centage points, Saudi Arabia (16) and ties in the UAE, Lebanon and Tunisia quarters of Egyptian Internet users say Qatar (21), but television remains the believe it is the responsibility of the concerns about privacy have changed platform of choice in the Middle East individual to avoid such content. the way they use social media, second DOHA: There are more people in Qatar for watching films — 90 percent say The most evenly divided country is only to 89 percent of Saudis who agree. AFP The agreement follows an intense who get their news online than some they watch films on TV, while most in Saudi Arabia, where 50 percent believe While Internet penetration lev- diplomatic push by Moscow and countries in the Middle East, accord- the region now watch film and video responsibility lies with the government els are up in the region, Internet and Washington, co-sponsors of a Feb- ing to a six-nation survey conducted online and fewer than five percent have and 43 percent believe it lies with the smartphone penetration are signifi- ruary 27 ceasefire agreement that by Northwestern University in Qatar paid money to do so in the past year. individual. The biggest disparity is in cantly higher in the GCC than other ALEPPO: A 48-hour ceasefire took had begun to fall apart, to salvage (NU-Q) in partnership with Doha Film Amid concerns about online pri- Egypt, where 30 percent believe it is the countries included in the survey. hold yesterday in Syria’s battered sec- peace efforts. Institute (DFI). vacy, social media use in the Middle responsibility of the individual com- The UAE has the highest rate of ond city of Aleppo after President There were no signs of fresh air The study on media use in the Mid- East is shifting from Twitter and Face- pared to 66 percent who believe it is Internet penetration with most nation- Bashar Al Assad’s regime and rebel raids since the ceasefire took effect. dle East released on Wednesday, found book to direct-messaging platforms the responsibility of the government als saying they are being connected to forces gave in to mounting diplomatic As residents emerged, shopkeep- that more people are getting their news such as Snapchat and WhatsApp. The to block objectionable content. Use of the Internet this year. Closely follow- pressure. ers reopened their doors while fruit online than in print. study found video-centric Snapchat is Instagram in the region increased by ing are Qatar and Saudi Arabia, both Relieved residents returned to and vegetable markets, one of which Qatar leads in reading news online among the most popular platforms in 24 percentage points between 2013 at 93 percent Internet penetration, fol- the streets after two weeks of heavy was struck in an April 24 raid that daily (42 percent), followed by Saudi the high-bandwidth Gulf countries. and 2016 and Facebook’s popularity lowed by Lebanon (84 percent ). The fighting in the divided metropolis, left 12 dead, were up and running. Arabia (39 percent). Daily newspaper The region is divided on whose has declined in the past three years lowest levels of Internet penetration a key battleground in the five-year The Syrian Observatory for readership in Qatar is 32 percent and responsibility it is to block objection- by six percentage points. is recorded in Egypt and Tunisia at 59 civil war. Human Rights said there had been 25 percent in the UAE. able content. More nationals in Egypt, Twitter shows the biggest decline percent and 49 percent, respectively. The Syrian army said it had agreed no bombing in the city, though a civil- The study sheds new light on the Qatar and Saudi Arabia believe it is the over the past three years — 17 per- to calls from Russia and the US for a ian had died in a western district from shift from TV to online video. Daily TV responsibility of governments to block centage points — with a 12 percentage → Continued on page 2 two-day truce beginning from 1am rebel shelling that came minutes after yesterday. the ceasefire took effect. London set to get first Muslim mayor 4 dead in Saudi raid on ‘terror’ cell

AFP AFP

LONDON: Labour candidate Sadiq Khan looked set yesterday to become RIYADH: Saudi police shot dead two suspected militants and two others the first Muslim elected mayor of London, loosening the ruling Conserva- blew themselves up during a raid near the holy city of Makkah yesterday, tives’ hold on Britain’s financial centre. His expected victory may be a lone the interior ministry said. bright spot for the Britain’s main opposition party in local elections in Eng- “The terrorists started shooting towards security forces, which they land, Scotland and Wales. Khan, 45, son of an immigrant bus driver is pitted responded to”, leading to the deaths of a pair of suspects while the others against Conservative Zac Goldsmith, 41, the elite-educated son of a billion- “committed suicide by blowing themselves up with suicide belts,” the minis- aire financier. The winner will replace Conservative Boris Johnson, who has try’s spokesman said in a statement. Police surrounded the suspects’ hideout run the city of 8.6 million people for eight years. A top campaigner for Britain between Makkah and the mountain resort of Taif in the morning when the to leave the EU, Johnson is seen as a contender to succeed David Cameron shoot-out occurred. A simultaneous raid was conducted on a hideout in Jed- Residents walk near damaged buildings in the rebel-held area of as party leader and prime minister. dah, where two people were arrested, “and they are being investigated for → See also page 9 their involvement in the cell”, the spokesman said. Old Aleppo yesterday. 02 FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 HOME

Katara begins Deputy PM meets Sudan delegation pearl-diving contest for kids

of the nation who set the example on how to demonstrate patience, per- A total of 100 boys severance and devotion.” aged between 10 He added: “The competition is an educational journey and adventure and 14 years in where children learn good values nine teams are and skills.” Ahmad Al Hitmi, Director of Beach Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud yesterday met a delegation of accompanied by Department at Katara, said: “All par- sailors and a captain. ticipants have succeeded in the fitness the Joint Mechanism of the Sudanese government and the Arab League for supporting implementation of the humanitarian development and swimming tests held on Katara projects in Sudan. They discussed bilateral relations, ways of enhancing them in various fields and issues of common concern. The beach ahead of the competition. I’m delegation included Khalil Al Thawadi, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of National Security Sector, Arab League; Salah Halima, proud of their enthusiasm, endurance Head of Arab League Mission to Sudan; Ahmed Mohammed Adam, Commissioner General for Humanitarian Aid in Sudan; Osama Krom, The Peninsula and courage they have shown so far. Rapporteur of the Joint Mechanism at Arab League. “We’ve made all arrangements to ensure safety of all taking part in this competition at all times so they have DOHA: Katara’s third annual El Meyna an unforgettable learning experience traditional pearl-diving competition and fun at this traditional, cultural for children kicked off yesterday at and religious event.” Katara Beach. Katara has made a mark focusing 109 graduate at TAMUQ’s largest ceremony A total of 100 boys aged between on holding several annual competi- 10 and 14 years were grouped into in tions and events aimed at establishing nine teams each of which is accom- bond between children and their panied by sailors and a captain. past with its rich heritage and val- The Pearl diving competition ues. The 3rd edition of “Al Meyna” started with “Al Dashah” contest Pearl-Diving Competition is gaining which witnessed the attendance of more popularity amongst the youth parents and families of the young as the tournament to Qatar’s histor- participants. ical reliance on the sea. The competition will end tomor- Meanwhile, Katara will organize row with the closing ceremony “Al in cooperation with the Palestinian Ghafal” which will be held on Katara National Friendship Association the beach at 4pm. The traditional wel- second Palestinian Heritage Festi- coming ceremony will see participants val on Sunday. and their families present a scene that The festival will showcase impor- represents a true revival of deeply- tant aspects of Palestinian heritage rooted tradition of the Qatari people including clothes, food and arts. It will and their strong historical relation- offer the public the opportunity to rec- ship with the sea. ognize the rich Palestinian customs Katara General Manager Dr Khalid and heritage which vary depending bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti said: “Organ- on regions. izing this competition is driven by It is part of a Katara’s strategy Katara’s keenness to link children and aimed at building bridges between the youth to our great heritage and its different cultures and peoples and will noble values, so they follow the steps kick off at 6.30pm at Katara Build- of our ancestors and founding fathers ing No. 3.

The Peninsula TAMUQ’s Interim Dean Dr Ann region and the world. Now that you will The graduating class is 35 percent Kenimer said, “TAMUQ is exceed- be stepping out into the multifaceted female and represents 24 countries. ingly proud of this year’s graduates. world which has its own challenges, I VIP student speakers included Commencement is not the end of their urge you to always uphold the ethics, Meera Mohammed Amin Abu Soufah, DOHA: More than 100 new engineers journey, but the beginning, and we are professionalism and moral charac- a Class of 2016 chemical engineer- received their diplomas yesterday dur- confident this class will become leaders ter you have developed at university; ing graduate; student speaker Jassim ing Texas A&M University at Qatar’s in their field and dedicate themselves and always keep in mind your obliga- Khalifa A A Al Sowidi, a Class of 2016 (TAMUQ) annual commencement exer- to lifelong learning. tions to yourself, to your family and graduate in mechanical engineering; cises on the Education City campus. Minister of Energy and Industry to your country. and Loganathan Lokesh, a Class of Eighty-nine Aggie engineers H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada “Qatar is looking to you graduates 2017 chemical engineering major earned bachelor’s degrees in chemical, was the invited speaker. to lead ahead the decades of growth, who led the Aggies in singing ‘Spirit electrical, mechanical and petroleum He congratulated the graduates for development and prosperity. You need of Aggieland’. engineering, 43 of them Qataris. This their achievements, recognizing the to dream to contribute to the achieve- Dr Mark H Weichold, former dean is the largest graduation ceremony pressures and challenges the students ment of Qatar National Vision 2030; and CEO of TAMUQ from 2007 through of TAMUQ. faced during their academic years. Qatar is here to help you to realize 2015, formally inducted the graduat- The branch campus also awarded “We all have gathered to celebrate your dreams.” ing Aggies into Texas A&M University its largest ever batch of master’s degrees your accomplishments, and we are very The May 2016 graduating class Association of Former Students, which in chemical engineering, with 20 proud of you. Tonight’s ceremony is an is diverse, with 20 graduate and 17 comprises over 436,000 graduates of handed out tonight. Since 2007, TAMUQ affirmation that you have the skills, undergraduate chemical engineers, the university worldwide. Weichold is Young participants of the third El Meyna pearl-diving competition has awarded a total of 725 degrees, determination and vision to go forth 24 electrical engineers, 30 mechanical a Class of 1978 electrical engineering wave goodbye to their families at Katara Beach, yesterday. including 43 master’s degrees. and make a difference for Qatar, the engineers and 18 petroleum engineers. graduate of Texas A&M. Workers Cup tournament ends today Smartphone penetration The Peninsula in Qatar on the rise: Survey

DOHA: The fourth edition of Workers Continued from page 1 Cup tournament comes to a thrilling end this evening with two matches, a joint initiative of Qatar Stars League However, Internet penetration in and the Supreme Committee for Deliv- these countries is up since last year — ery and Legacy. by 14 percentage points in Egypt and The first match will be a 3rd/4th five points in Tunisia. playoff between Larsen & Toubro and Smartphone penetration is high- Mowasalat. Both narrowly missed out est in the UAE (99), Qatar (95), Saudi on the final and will look to finish on Arabia (95), and Lebanon (90), and a high and claim third place. lowest in Egypt (61) and Tunisia (43). Larsen & Toubro were edged out TV is the most used platform for by a solitary goal by Taleb group, while listening to music (65 percent of all Mowasalat lost 4-2 on penalties to nationals), compared to the Internet finalists Gulf Contracting Co. The match and radio (41 and 35 percent). starts at 4.45pm at Al Ahli stadium. The Middle Eastern music is prov- The main event will see Gulf Con- ing significantly more popular than Action from one of the earlier matches. tracting Co take on Taleb group in American music across the region. the fourth final. Over 6,000 fans are Similar to the trends in film view- expected to see one of the sides lift 90 minutes during the knockout phase an eye-catching 3-1 win in the round of ing, younger people are more likely to the Workers Cup trophy. and will hope for a similar defensive 16 against Shapoorji Pallonji. They will listen to non-Arabic music (one-quar- Gulf Contracting Co took third spot performance. hope to cap off a memorable maiden ter of those between 18 and 24 years Younger adults (18-24) are also The comprehensive annual sur- in the 2015 edition, and will look to Taleb Group have defied expec- appearance and go all the way to lift old listen to American music, com- nearly twice as likely to listen to music vey examines the use of and attitudes go one step further this time. They tations and reached the final at the the title. It promises to be a fascinat- pared to only four percent of those online than on the radio (56 percent toward media among 6,058 adults have enjoyed a fine run to the final, first time of asking. ing afternoon of football, packed with above 45) but are also more likely to compared to 31 percent), but only six (4,529 nationals) in Egypt, Lebanon, and have been defensively resolute. They have remained unbeaten excitement as four sides look to battle listen to music from their own coun- percent say they have paid to do so in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the They have not conceded a goal in throughout the tournament, including it out for Workers Cup glory. try than older people. the past year. UAE. ISLAM FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 03 Israa and Miraj: The miraculous Night Journey

By Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi certain acts to be pos- certain places and enables him to observe what- sible and others to be ever he is required to observe. For it is beyond Israa and Miraj beyond the range of the power of man to view the universe in the he Israa and Miraj refer to, two parts invite us to possibility are under- manner God can. While God does not stand of an miraculous journey that Prophet standable if these acts in need of visiting a certain place in order to Muhammad (peace be upon him) took renew our faith are deemed to have observe something that exists there, man does in one night from Makkah to Jerusalem in the majesty, been performed by need to do so. The same holds true of having Tand then an ascension to the heavens. creatures in exercise a direct encounter with the Creator. Although Israa is an Arabic word referring to Prophet power and of the natural powers God is not confined to a particular place, man Muhammad’s (PBUH) miraculous night jour- glory of Allah with which they are needs to experience His presence at a defined ney from Makkah to Jerusalem – specifically, endowed. place where the effulgence of His Being might to the site of Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem – as and in the However, when it be focused. For it is beyond man’s power to referred to in Surah (chapter) Al Israa in the trustworthiness is clearly stated that it encounter God in His limitlessness. Quran. It is believed to have been followed by is God Who did some- Let us now consider the second objection. the Mi’raj, his ascension to heaven. According of His Blessed thing out of His power, That too is fallacious for the simple reason to some of the Hadith scholars this journey is Messenger any doubts about the that the objects shown to the Prophet repre- believed to have taken place just over a year possibility of these acts sented , in symbolic form, certain truths. For before Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated to Muhammad can be entertained instance , a mischievous statement has allegor- from Makkah to Madinah, on the 27th of Rajab. (peace be upon only by those who do ically been represented by a fat ox that could Holy is He Who carried His servant by night not believe God to be not return via the small hole through which it from the Holy Mosque (in Makkah) to the farther him) . all-powerful. had come. (See Ibn Kathir, Tafsir, comments Mosque (in Jerusalem) – whose surroundings Those who reject on Bani Isra’il 17:1 – Ed.) Or the other allegory We have blessed – that We might show him the Hadith as such relating to those who indulge in fornication – some of Our signs. Indeed He alone is All-Hear- met several great Prophets in different heav- His servant by night from the Holy Mosque raise several objec- that they prefer to eat rotten meat when fresh, ing, All-Seeing. (Quran 17:1) enly spheres. ) Finally, he reached the highest to the farther Mosque… ” (verse 1) itself indi- tions against the traditions concerning this clean meat is available to them. (Loc.cit ; see This is a reference to the event known as point in the heavens and was graced with an cates that it was an extraordinary event which incident. It seams that only two of these objec- also Ibn Hisham, vol. 1 p. 406 – Ed.) The same Mi’raj (Ascension) and Israa (Night Journey). experience of the Divine Presence. On that took place by dint of the infinite power of God. tions are worth of any consideration. holds true for the punishments to which sin- According to most traditions – and especially occasion the Prophet received a number of For quite obviously, to be able to perceive the First, it is claimed that the contents of the ners will be subjected in the Next Life – they the authentic ones – this event took place one directives including that Prayers were oblig- kind of things mentioned in connection with traditions relating to the Ascension imply that are anticipatory representations of the suffer- year before Hijrah. Detailed reports about it atory five times a day. the event, either in a dream or by means of God is confined to a particular place. For had ings to which they will be subjected in the Life are found in the works of Hadith and See- Thereafter, the Prophet returned from the intuition, is not so wondrous that it should be that not been the case, it is argued there would to Come. The main point which needs to be rah and have been narrated from as many as heavens to Jerusalem, and from there to the prefaced by the statement : “Holy is He Who have been no need to transport the Prophet in appreciated regarding the Ascension is that it twenty-five Companions. The most exhaus- Holy Mosque in Makkah. Numerous reports on carried His servant by night…” ; a statement order for him to experience the presence of belongs to a genre of experience through which tive reports are those from Anas ibn Malik, the subject reveal that the Prophet was also which amounts to proclaiming that God was God. Second, it is questionable whether the each Prophet is enabled to observe- consonant Malik ibn Sa’sa’ah, Abu DharrAl Ghifari and enabled on this occasion to observe Heaven free from every imperfection and flaw. Such Prophet was enabled to observe Heaven and with his standing and mission – aspects of God’s Abu Hurayrah. Some other details have been and Hell. It may be recalled that according to a statement would make absolutely no sense Hell and to see people being chastised for their dominion of the heavens and the earth. Once narrated by ‘Umar, ‘Ali, ‘Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud, authentic reports when the Prophet narrated if the purpose of it was merely to affirm that sins even though they had not yet been judged the material barriers to the normal vision of ‘Abd Allah ibn Abbas, Abu Sa’id al-Khudri, Hud- the incidents of this extraordinary journey God had the power to enable man to have either by God. How is it that people were subjected human beings are removed, it becomes possi- hayfah ibn al-Yaman, and ‘A’ishah among other the following day to the people in Makkah, visions in the course of a dream, or to receive to punishment even before the coming of that ble to view physically, the realities which the Companions of the Prophet . the unbelievers found the whole narration information intuitively. In our view, the words Day when all will be judged? Prophets are required to summon others to The Quran here only mentions that the utterly amusing. of the experience or a dream vision, was an Both these objections, however, carry little believe in as part of faith in the Unseen. This is Prophet was taken from the Ka’bah to the The details of the event provided by the actual journey, and the observation in question substance, The first objection is to be rejected done in order to distinguish the Prophets from mosque in Jerusalem, and specifies that the Hadith supplement the Quranic account. There was a visual observation. All was contingent on the grounds that although the Creator is infi- mere speculative philosophers. For a philos- purpose of the journey was such that God might is no reason, however, to reject all this supple- upon God’s will that truths be revealed to the nite and transcends both time and place, yet opher’s contentions are based on speculative “show him some of His signs”. Beyond this, The mentary information on the grounds that it is Prophet in this fashion. in dealing with His creatures He has to have reason and hence are essentially conjectural. Quran does not concern itself with any detail. opposed to the Quran. Nevertheless, if someone Now, let us consider the matter carefully. recourse to the means which are finite and are Were a philosopher to recognise his true posi- However, according to Hadith reports, Gabriel is not quite convinced and hence does not accept The Quran tells us, in clear terms, that the circumscribed by time-space limitations. This tion – the position of a philosopher – he would took the Prophet at night from the Ka’bah to some of the details concerning the Ascension Prophet, went from Makkah to Jerusalem and is because of the inherent limitations of man. shrink from testifying to the truth of his con- the mosque in Jerusalem on a buraq (the name mentioned in the Hadith as true, he should not then returned to Makkah during the night (obvi- Hence when God speaks to His creatures, He tentions. In contrast, what the Prophets say is of the heavenly steed on which the Prophet be considered an unbeliever. On the contrary, ously, without the use of anything resembling employs, of necessity, the same means of com- based on their direct knowledge and observa- rode on his journey from Makkah to Jerusa- if someone were to clearly deny any part of the an aircraft), owing to God’s power. Now, if we munication which can be comprehensible to tion. They can testify before others with full lem and then to the heavens). account categorically mentioned in the Quran, believe this to be possible, what justification the latter even though His Own speech tran- conviction that whatever they expound are On reaching Jerusalem the Prophet along he would be deemed to have gone beyond the can there be to reject as inherently impossible scends the means employed in the speech. In realities which they themselves have directly with other Prophets offered Prayers. Gabriel fold of Islam. the additional details of the event mentioned in like fashion, when God wants to show someone perceived. then took him to the heavens and the Prophet The Quran says: “Holy is He Who carried the traditional sources? Statements declaring the signs of His vast kingdom, He takes him to www.islamcity.org 04 FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 GULF / MIDDLE EAST Palestinian woman dead after Israeli shelling Over 64,000 AFP Israel and Hamas, the Islamist rulers Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last newspaper, said the Islamist movement Syrians stranded The exchanges of fire of Gaza, that has held since the 50-day month hailing the “breakthrough in was not looking for a wider conflict. war left more than 2,251 Palestinians the ability to locate tunnels”. The army “What happened are feelers and at Jordan border with Hamas fighters and 73 Israelis dead. Hamas’s armed has kept the nature of the alleged tech- will not lead in the near future to a GAZA CITY: A Palestinian woman was were the first direct wing, the Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades, nology secret and Lerner refused to showdown between the resistance Amman: Increased fight- killed when Israeli tank shells hit her accused Israeli forces of encroaching elaborate. and the occupation,” he said, saying ing in recent weeks home in the southern Gaza Strip yes- clashes and come into Gazan territory and said it was However the Shin Bet security Hamas was sending a message to Israel around Aleppo has terday, the second day of exchanges as a new tunnel ready to respond. service said a Hamas tunnel expert to stop its incursions. “I think the mes- swelled the number of of fire with Hamas fighters. The army announced a new tunnel was arrested in the weeks before the sage has been delivered.” Syrian refugees stranded They were the first direct clashes reaching into Israel was found yesterday, after a first one first discovery. Mahmud Atawnah, 29, Israeli General Yoav Mordechai at the border with Jor- between Israeli soldiers and Hamas was discovered. was discovered in mid-April. Israeli from Jabalia area of northern Gaza, denied reports about a cease-fire dan to more than 64,000, militants since the devastating Gaza army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel was taken into custody at the begin- agreement between the sides. “The Jordanian border guards war in 2014, and come as a new tun- Peter Lerner said the new tunnel had ning of April after crossing the border army intends to maintain its activi- said yesterday. The king- nel reaching into the Jewish state was death. A 21-year-old was also wounded been about 100 feet deep. fence into Israel, it said, adding he had ties against Hamas as it continues to dom said in April that discovered. Since the confrontations in artillery shelling in the area. The Lerner did not say how far into provided “a lot of information on the breach Israeli sovereignty and build about 50,000 Syrians broke out, Hamas and other militant shelling came after a night in which Israel the tunnel stretched or when it Hamas tunnel industry”. tunnels,” he said in a statement. were stuck in no-man’s groups have fired bullets and mortar air raids wounded four people, three was built, but confirmed the discov- The army also established a closed The border region has remained land, a three-fold increase rounds on at least 10 occasions, and of them children, medical and secu- ery was made by Israeli forces on the military zone around the small Israeli relatively quiet since 2014, despite since January when it the Israeli air force has carried out at rity officials said. Gazan side of the border. The army border town of Nahal Oz on Wednes- allegations by the army that Hamas imposed tough security least three bombing raids. The Palestinian attacks were tar- would continue to act along the dis- day, saying troops had been fired on is building new tunnels from the enclave checks at the Hadalat and Israeli tanks stationed on the bor- geting Israeli forces working near the puted border region. in the area. that could reach into Israel. Rokbane crossings. Bor- der have also fired multiple times at border fence searching for tunnels “We see Hamas are continuing to Although renewed violence has Most of the sporadic rocket fire der guards said that there what the army said were Hamas tar- crossing under the border, like those try and build this infrastructure into raised fears of a fresh conflict, sources from Gaza has been attributed to fringe were now in excess of gets. Yesterday afternoon, tank shelling whose destruction it cited as one of Israel and it is something we are not on both sides downplayed the danger. Islamist groups challenging Hamas’s 64,000 Syrians along the that followed a mortar attack from the the main achievements of the 2014 prepared to tolerate,” said Lerner. “Israel has no interest in escalation authority, although Israel holds Hamas frontier, including more Khan Yunis area in southern Gaza killed conflict. Israeli media have reported a major whatsoever,” Lerner said. responsible for all fire from the territory than 5,000 who arrived Zeina Al Amour, 54, according to the The flare-up has raised concerns technological advance in Israel’s ability Mustafa Al Sawaaf, former edi- and routinely responds with attacks in a 24-hour period last Nasser hospital that pronounced her over the fate of a ceasefire between to detect Hamas tunnels, with Prime tor at the Hamas-affiliated Palestine on its positions. week. “The number of ref- ugees has hit 59,000 at Rokbane and it’s rising,” the head of Jordan’s bor- der guards, General Saber Al Mahayra, said. Another 28 dead in air raids officer said that 5,000 others were massed at Hadalat, about 70km fur- ther west. Mahayra said on border camp for nearly 5,500 had arrived at Rokbane since last week, an influx he partly attributed to increased displaced Syrians fighting around Syr- ia’s second city Aleppo, where more than 280 Reuters Sarmada lies about 30km west of civilians have died in the city of Aleppo where a cessation recent weeks. of hostilities had brought a measure of relief. But fighting continued nearby AMMAN/BEIRUT: Air strikes on a and President Bashar Al Assad said he Iraq PM calls for camp housing Syrians uprooted by still sought total victory over rebels. war killed 28 people near the Turk- Heavy fighting was reported in respect of law ish border yesterday, a monitoring the southern Aleppo countryside near Baghdad: Iraqi Prime group said, and fighting raged in parts the town of Khan Touman, where Al Minister Haider Al Abadi of northern Syria despite a tempo- Qaeda’s Syrian branch Nusra Front is called yesterday for those rary deal to cease hostilities in the dug in close to a stronghold of Iranian- who want reforms to city of Aleppo. backed militias, a rebel source said. “respect the law” after Yemeni loyalist security forces pose as passengers disembark from a Yemenia aircraft coming from Jordan The Syrian Observatory for Rebels were attacking government protesters broke into Human Rights said the dead included positions around the town and gov- yesterday at the International Airport of Aden, as it is the first passenger plane landing after the airport the fortified Green Zone women and children and the death ernment forces carried out air attacks reopened after months of closure due to security issues. and stormed parliament toll from the air strikes, which hit a on the area, pro-Syrian government last week. Another dem- camp for internally displaced peo- television channel Al Mayadeen and onstration is planned ple near the town of Sarmada, was the Observatory said. Yemen foes discuss key issues in talks for Friday and protest- likely to rise. In the east of the country, Islamic ers may attempt to enter Footage shared on social media State militants captured the Shaer gas the Green Zone again, showed rescue workers putting out field, their first gain in the Palmyra but Abadi has signalled fires which still burned among charred desert area since they lost the ancient AFP the government delegation walked shelling of besieged third city Taez. security forces may take tent frames, pitched in a muddy field. city in March, according to rebel out in protest against the seizure of Mikhlafi said his negotiators had a harder line if they do White smoke billowed from smoulder- sources and a monitor.. an army camp by the rebels. submitted proposals to the UN envoy so. “Those who want ing ashes, and a burned and bloodied Amaq, an IS-affiliated news The talks entered their third week for implementing an April 11 ceasefire reform must respect the torso could be seen in the footage. agency, said Islamic State militants KUWAIT CITY: Yemen foes discussed yesterday, but there has yet to be a in Taez, where loyalist troops have been law,” Abadi said in tel- “There were two aerial strikes that killed at least 30 Syrian soldiers sta- major political and security issues breakthrough with delegations trading under rebel siege for months, trapping evised remarks. “Plans hit this makeshift camp for refugees tioned at Shaer and seized heavy yesterday in face-to-face negotia- accusations of violating the ceasefire tens of thousands of civilians. But rebel have been put in place who have taken refuge from fighting weapons, tanks and missiles. tions aimed at bringing an end to 13 that took effect on April 11. “We have spokesman Mohammed Abdessalam to protect the constitu- in southern Aleppo and Palmyra,” said Assad said he would accept noth- months of devastating war, the UN learned that ceasefire violations were said it was the government that was tional institutions and Abu Ibrahim Al Sarmadi, an activ- ing less than an outright victory in the envoy said. committed in the past two days and responsible for the flare-up in Taez. “The prevent what happened ist from the nearby town of Atmeh five-year-old conflict against rebels As the talks got underway in Kuwait this is a disturbing development,” Ould forces of aggression are blocking polit- recently from being who spoke to people near the camp. across Syria, state media reported. City, the airport in Yemen’s govern- Cheikh Ahmed told a news conference. ical discussions in Kuwait... by invoking repeated.” The premier’s Nidal Abdul Qader, an opposition In a telegram to Russian President ment-controlled second city of Aden The UN special envoy urged those false pretexts alongside a serious esca- speech came a day after civilian aid official who lives about Vladimir Putin thanking Moscow for reopened after months of closure due involved in the negotiators not to allow lation,” Abdessalam tweeted. he sacked Staff Lieuten- 1km from the camp, said around 50 its military support, Assad said the to security issues. Three joint working the ceasefire violations to impact the Taez lies on one of the fault lines of ant General Mohammed tents and a school had burned down. army was set on “attaining final vic- groups formed by the United Nations ongoing peace talks. He said a joint the conflict that has raged since March Ridha, the commander The White House said the vic- tory” and “crushing the aggression”. exchanged views on resolving the politi- UN-sponsored ceasefire monitoring last year between the rebels and the of special forces in the tims were innocent civilians who had Rebels also said government hel- cal and security issues, and the release of committee had been asked to investi- government and its allies in a Saudi- Green Zone. Ridha had fled their homes to escape violence. icopters dropped barrel bombs on prisoners and detainees, said UN envoy gate clashes on the ground and submit led military coalition. Mikhlafi warned kissed the hand of pro- “These individuals are in the most rebel-held Dahyat Al Rashdeen Al Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. detailed reports. that rebel shelling of Taez would “have test-organising cleric desperate situation imaginable, and Junobi, northwest of Aleppo, and near The teams were formed from mem- Earlier, the head of the Yemeni gov- serious consequences on the peace Muqtada Al Sadr when he there is no justification for carrying the Jamiyat Al Zahraa area, which bers of the warring delegations on ernment delegation, Foreign Minister process,” unless the international com- entered the Green Zone out military action that’s targeting saw a rebel ground assault pushed Wednesday when direct talks resumed Abdulmalek Al Mikhlafi, demanded munity honours its undertakings to during a sit-in in March. them,” spokesman Josh Earnest said. back on Wednesday. following a three-day interruption after action from UN mediators over rebel shore up the fragile ceasefire. The removal of Ridha may be a sign that security forces that stood by as demonstrators broke into the Green Zone, which is Conflict woes home to Iraq’s main gov- US aid ship docks with food ernment institutions as well as various embassies, will take action against for Sudan war zones them if they attempt to do so again.

AFP A brutal conflict erupted in the western Bahrain jails region in 2003 when ethnic minority rebels rose up against the Arab-dominated govern- three for life ment of President Omar Hassan Al Bashir. Some Dubai: A court in Bahrain PORT SUDAN: Dockers began unloading tens 300,000 people have been killed in the conflict sentenced three people of thousands of tonnes of food from a US aid and more than 2.5 million been displaced. Since yesterday to life in prison ship yesterday destined for war-torn areas of 2011, when South Sudan became independent, for involvement in unrest Sudan, witnesses reported. Khartoum has also been battling insurgencies in that injured a police The bulk carrier Liberty Grace docked in two areas on the border — Blue Nile and South officer in the kingdom, Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast with a cargo of Kordofan states. The food aid was also meant for the public prosecu- 47,500 tonnes of sorghum, a staple food in Sudan. tens of thousands of South Sudanese refugees tor said. Six others were Dozens of stevedores were unloading the who have arrived in Sudan fleeing war at home. handed 10 years in jail shipment onto waiting trucks. “It will take 14 More than 50,000 South Sudanese have fled each for their role in the days to unload” the entire shipment, said the into Sudan since January to escape the violence and unrest, General Prosecu- ship’s captain Peter Matesic. It was his third trip food shortages across the border. Two years after tor Ahmed Al Hammadi to Sudan with a cargo of food aid. it became independent, South Sudan descended said. The nine were tried A member of the crew said the vessel took 25 into a brutal civil war that has killed tens of thou- for attempted murder of days to reach Port Sudan from Houston, Texas. sands of civilians. police officers, possessing The food aid organised by the US Agency The shipment will meet food needs of “at explosives and partici- Damaged houses are pictured in the historical district in Diyarbakir, southeastern for International Development and the World least one million internally displaced people and pating in clashes in March Turkey, yesterday, following clashes between Turkish forces and Kurdish militants. Food Programme was to be delivered to several 200,000 South Sudanese for three months,” WFP 2014, Hammadi said. war-torn areas of Sudan but mainly to Darfur. Sudan chief Adnan Khan told reporters. ASIA / PHILIPPINES FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 05

Senator Poe Duterte facing rules out coup rumours quitting race in Philippines Reuters MANILA: Philippine Senator Grace Poe moved to quell rumours yesterday of her withdrawal from the country’s most of the past two decades, end- presidential race and vowed to win President Benigno ing violence there by forging close next week’s election and stop the “dis- ties with the rebels. He has vowed to turbing” rise of front runner Rodrigo Aquino has spoken offer communist leaders posts in his Duterte. out repeatedly in government. He has also raised deep Poe has seen her campaign eclipsed fears about the rule of law under his by a surge in popularity of the crime- recent weeks about presidency, promising to kill tens of busting Duterte, 71, mayor of Davao his concerns that thousands of criminals and pardon city in the south of the country, and himself for mass murder. called a news conference to shoot down Duterte could turn On some occasions while cam- speculation she would pull out and into a dictator. paigning Duterte has boasted about back Manuel Roxas, the chosen suc- wanting to set up a dictatorship, and cessor of President Benigno Aquino. praised Marcos, but other times said Duterte was top choice for 33 per- the opposite. cent of Filipinos in the latest Pulse Asia Vice-presidential candidate and son of the late dictator Ferdinand, Marcos Ferdinand Marcos Jr, reacts as AFP President Benigno Aquino, who survey published on Tuesday, with Poe is limited by the constitution to a sin- confetti rains during his “miting-de-avance” in Manila yesterday. on 21 percent. Roxas won 22 percent gle term of six years, has spoken out and moved into the top two for the first repeatedly in recent weeks about his time since June last year. He declared MANILA: Anti-establishment Phil- concerns that Duterte could turn into a the contest a two-horse race between ippine politician Rodrigo Duterte’s dictator. “Now that we are free, people Jail no barrier to political career him and Duterte, which has sparked rollicking ride to presidential favour- who act like dictators are the ones in rumours that Poe would bow out. itism has triggered warnings of a coup the lead,” Aquino said on Wednesday, “To those who are saying that I should he win next week’s election, as he warned the gains of democracy AFP sang their support. His father, former stronghold immediately upon standing should give way, what gives you the with opponents branding him a dic- were in jeopardy. provincial governor Andal Ampatuan, down as president, and was re-elected right to say that our choices should tator in the making. Senator Grace Poe, tied in second allegedly ordered his sons and their in 2013 despite the charges against her. only be limited to two candidates?” The Philippines has endured a place with administration candi- armed followers, to kill 58 people in She will win a third consecutive term said Poe, a former schoolteacher and tumultuous democracy since mil- date Mar Roxas about 10 percentage SHARIFF AGUAK, PHILIPPINES: November 2009 in an attempt to stop next week as she is running unopposed. adopted daughter of Philippine movie lions of people took to the streets to points behind Duterte, yesterday Walking off stage after a rock star- a rival’s election challenge. Meanwhile, siblings Joel and Mario stars. “I’m not a member of a syndi- overthrow dictator Ferdinand Marcos joined the growing chorus. “His own like performance and rapturous crowd Sajid Ampatuan was among 28 Reyes are running for mayor and vice- cate who enters into dealings. I will in 1986, with a succession of leaders words are a preview of what will reaction, Sajid Ampatuan oozes con- members of the extended clan charged mayor respectively of the resort town not sell out. I will not sell the dreams having to quell military unrest and one happen to our country. If you visit a fidence that he will be elected mayor with murder over the “Maguindanao of Coron even though they are in jail for of our countrymen.” president ousted in another uprising. dictatorship like North Korea, eve- of a southern Philippine town despite Massacre”, regarded as the worst allegedly masterminding the murder of Poe used a stronger tone than usual Duterte is enjoying a double- rything looks well. But many are facing charges of mass murder. outbreak of political violence in the a prominent environmentalist in 2011. and took aim at interior minister Roxas digit lead over his rivals ahead of hungry and too terrified to com- Ampatuan is among a bewilder- Philippines in which 32 journalists Another controversial figure is Rey for working in a failed government Monday’s presidential election, but plain,” Poe told reporters. ing array of politicians accused or were among the victims. Uy, facing charges for running a vigi- and said Duterte’s “disturbing” talk of he has created enemies with vows Ashley Acedillo, another coup convicted of major crimes who are Sajid spent more than five years lante death squad that allegedly killed extrajudicial killings had to be stopped. to embrace communist rebels and plotter-turned-lawmaker, said that running for office in Monday’s national in a Manila jail while on trial, along over 80 people as mayor of the small “It is not right that our choices be threats to abolish Congress or cre- a “military intervention” was likely elections, deepening concerns over with his relatives and about 100 oth- southern city of Tagum. He is cam- limited to a failing, callous and slow ate a revolutionary government that under a Duterte presidency. a “culture of impunity” in the Phil- ers who were also charged. paigning to win back his seat. government... or a government run by could rewrite the constitution. Duterte has gained support across ippines where powerful figures are One common theme among the Under the law, a person must be an executioner,” she said. “The moment he tries to declare all sectors of society by fashioning him- often above the law. candidates running this year while “convicted with finality” to be dis- The week ahead of the May 9 elec- a revolutionary government, that is self as an anti-establishment politician Among the others are two ex-pres- facing charges is that they come from qualified from running. Hence, even tion has been fraught by speculation also going to be the day he will be who can achieve quick fixes to deep- idents — one convicted of plunder and rich and powerful political families, someone convicted of a crime can still of shifting allegiances and a senator’s removed from office,” Senator Anto- rooted problems, such as crime and the other on trial for alleged vote fraud which can manipulate deeply corrupt run as long as he or she has an appeal allegations of financial wrongdoing nio Trillanes, a former navy officer poverty, according to analysts. and graft. One of the most infamous political and judicial systems. pending with the courts. by Duterte. His team dismissed the famous for leading failed military He has promised to end crime cases in previous elections was a con- One of the most prominent politi- An even more prominent crimi- moves as a “publicity stunt”. uprisings in 2003 and 2007, said. within six months of his presidency victed paedophile who twice ran for cians is Gloria Arroyo, who is enduring nal still enjoying a successful political Duterte received another boost “This guy has no respect for dem- by ordering security forces to go on a a seat in congress from behind bars a long trial for corruption and vote career is ex-president Joseph Estrada, when he won the endorsement of a ocratic institutions.” Trillanes said killing spree, as well as increasing the and won. Ampatuan, like the others, fraud that was allegedly committed who was convicted in 2007 of plunder major Christian sect, which is widely some in the military were “strongly salaries of soldiers and troops. insists he is innocent. when she was president from 2001 to during his time in power and sentenced considered as a bloc vote of 1.2 million averse” to Duterte’s long-standing He has been accused of running “My conscience is clean,” Ampat- 2010. Arroyo, who is suffering from a to life in jail. people. His commanding lead in opin- ties with communists, and that the vigilante squads in Davao that have uan, 33, said after the campaign rally in spinal illness, has been detained in a But Arroyo quickly pardoned him, ion polls has dismayed many business reaction “could be violent.” killed more than 1,000 suspected crim- his impoverished hometown of Shariff government hospital since she was and he was elected mayor of Manila chiefs, investors and diplomats who Duterte has ruled the major south- inals. At times he has boasted about Aguak, during which he sang on stage arrested in 2011. in 2013. Estrada is running for a sec- see him as a clown with no clear eco- ern city of Davao, which was one of his involvement but on other occasions alongside a minor television celebrity She initially won a seat in congress ond term and is regarded as a near nomic policies and a possible liability the communist hotspots, as mayor for denied any links to the death squads. as hundreds of voters screamed and representing her family’s provincial certainty to win on Monday. for the country.

Sri Lanka suspends Top singer tours disputed MPs after worst brawl in 12 years South China Sea islands

AFP of the artificial islands China has built AFP on outcrops also claimed by the Phil- ippines, according to the Global Times. “Buildings, roads, and lighthouses are COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s parliament BEIJING: One of China’s top folk beginning to take shape”, it said. yesterday voted unanimously to sus- singers is rocking her away across Pictures showed Song in uniform, pend two of its members for one week disputed territory in the South China microphone in hand, surrounded by with immediate effect over their Sea, serenading hundreds of troops hard-hatted workers on one side and involvement in the worst punch- and construction workers stationed military personnel on the other. up in the legislature in 12 years. there, media reported yesterday. The singer, who is said to hold the The two men, one from Prime Song Zuying, who has performed rank of rear admiral in the PLA, often Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s with the likes of Canadian superstar appears in the country’s New Year United National Party and the Celine Dion, is part of an all-sing- gala, considered the most watched other from an opposition faction ing, all-dancing People’s Liberation television programme in the world. loyal to former president Mahinda Army (PLA) entertainment tour of the The musical show by the 50 mem- Rajapakse, were held responsible Spratly Islands, reports said. ber troupe was the first of two in the for sparking Tuesday’s brawl. Footage of the troupe’s performance Spratlys. The performers arrived at The chamber descended into broadcast on Chinese state television the venue after a 40-hour trip aboard chaos after former army chief Sar- Chinese folk singer Song Zuying performing for workers and military personnel on Fiery Cross Reef located was the first to show the progress of China’s second-largest naval vessel, ath Fonseka said a 2006 bombing in the disputed Spratly Islands group in the South China Sea. construction on Fiery Cross Reef, one the Kunlun Shan. in Colombo was an inside job, enraging MPs loyal to Rajapakse who clashed with parliamentari- ans from the ruling party. One MP was hospitalised after North Korea readies for its biggest political show in years receiving a black eye while several others suffered minor injuries. Tues- day’s violence in the parliamentary chamber was the worst since a June AP enigmatic leader to step out of the But along with a heavy dose of North six previous congresses came under championed but many outside econo- 2004 attack on a Buddhist monk MP shadows of his father and grandfa- Korean-style pomp and theatre, the gath- Kim Il Sung, the late grandfather of mists believe is untenable because of by lawmakers from the then ruling ther and move more toward setting ering is likely to provide some insights Kim Jong Un and North Korea’s founder the heavy price the nuclear programme party. The monk was seriously injured. his own personal tone of leadership. into what Kim’s priorities are and who who died in 1994. The sixth congress brings in international sanctions. Fonseka, now a government PYONGYANG: Its capital has been North Korea has allowed in droves he wants to promote into the positions was used primarily as the stage to for- The country is now facing the legislator, told parliament the duly spruced up, the masses prepped of foreign media to make sure it gets a he needs to carry them out. mally announce that Kim Il Sung’s son, toughest UN sanctions in 20 years, December 2006 bomb attack for their rallies and leader Kim Jong global audience for what the govern- “The significance of the 7th Con- Kim Jong Il, would be his successor. imposed after its fourth nuclear test, blamed on separatist Tamil Tiger Un appears to be set to take centre ment clearly intends to be a showcase gress of the Workers’ Party of Korea The decision to hold a congress in January, and a rocket launch that rebels had been stage-managed by stage today when North Korea pulls of national unity and stability under is that it will be a turning point in our itself is telling — Kim Jong Un has pat- followed soon after. Another impor- the then president’s brother Gotab- back the curtain on what promises to Kim, despite the increased criticism and revolution,” Professor Song Dong Won terned himself more closely after his tant feature of the congress may be haya Rajapakse, who was defence be the country’s biggest political show tough new sanctions it is facing over of North Korea’s Academy of Social charismatic grandfather than his noto- who is appointed to, or dismissed from, secretary at the time. in years, if not decades: The first full its nuclear and missile programmes. Sciences said. He said the congress riously reticent father, who almost never key positions. Gotabhaya escaped the Decem- congress of its ruling party since 1980. On paper, the congress is the par- would present “the successes of the spoke in public. Many analysts expect Kim to ber 2006 bombing in Colombo What exactly is in store is anyone’s ty’s highest-level decision-making body, last 30 years” and a “brilliant plan for In content, the congress is likely replace the party’s old guard with unhurt, but it killed two members guess. North Korea has announced lit- though the real decisions are made by the ultimate success of our revolution.” to be filled with praises of Kim Jong younger elites loyal to him. He may of his military convoy. Former army tle more than the start date. But one Kim Jong Un and his inner circle. The The last time North Korea’s rul- Un and his dual policy of developing also formally elevate his younger general Fonseka himself was seri- thing is for sure: The congress is shap- delegates at the congress — who will ing party held a full congress was in North Korea’s nuclear weapons while sister, Kim Yo Jong, to a position ously wounded in a suicide bombing ing up to be a major opportunity for probably number in the thousands — will 1980. It has held other big meetings also building its domestic economy, a that would essentially make her his in April 2006. North Korea’s young and still largely be there more to endorse than debate. since — notably in 2010 and 2012. All sort of guns-and-butter strategy he has second-in-command. 06 FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 ASIA / AFRICA Bangladesh Islamist leader to hang for war crimes

responsible for setting up the Al Attorney General Badr pro-Pakistani militia, which killed top writers, doctors and jour- Mahbubey Alam said nalists in the most gruesome chapter jail authorities would of the war. Their bodies were found blindfolded with their hands tied and begin preparing for dumped in a marsh on the outskirts Nizami’s execution of the capital. The trial heard Nizami ordered once they received a the killings, designed to “intellec- copy of the verdict. tually cripple” the fledgling nation. He was convicted in October 2014 by the International Crimes Tribu- nal, which was established in 2010 AFP by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government and has sentenced more A woman is carried on a stretcher by medical personnel after she was rescued alive yesterday after being than a dozen opposition leaders for war crimes. trapped in the rubble of a residential house that collapsed during torrential rain in Nairobi’s suburb of Huruma. DHAKA: The leader of Bangladesh’s Rights groups say the trials fall top Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami short of global standards and lack is set to hang within days after the international oversight, while the Supreme Court yesterday upheld his Islamist militants. government says they are needed to Woman rescued six days after death sentence for war crimes. Hundreds of people who had cam- heal the wounds of the conflict. Motiur Rahman Nizami (pictured) paigned for the Islamist leaders to be “It will be for future generations was convicted of murder, rape and tried for their roles in the 1971 war to decide whether this (war crimes) Kenya building collapse orchestrating the killing of intellec- burst into impromptu celebrations law was passed to serve a special pur- tuals during the country’s 1971 war at a square in central Dhaka and in pose,” lead defence lawyer Khandaker of independence. the port city of Chittagong. Mahbub Hossain told reporters after He was tried by a controversial war “Justice has finally prevailed. We the court’s verdict on Thursday. AFP Her rescue came after a baby girl treatment and assessment of her inju- crimes tribunal set up by the govern- hope the government will now exe- Amnesty International called for was also found alive on Monday, more ries at Nairobi’s main Kenyatta National ment that has sparked deadly protests, cute him without wasting any time,” an immediate halt to Nizami’s execu- than 80 hours after the building col- Hospital. “I am glad we got her out with Jamaat and its ally the oppo- said Imran Sarker, a secular blogger. tion, citing concerns over the fairness lapsed on Friday night. safely and that is our determination, sition Bangladesh Nationalist Party Three senior Jamaat officials and a of the trials carried out by the tribu- NAIROBI: A woman was pulled alive Officials have so far confirmed a to pull out as many people as possi- (BNP) saying it is aimed at eliminat- key BNP leader have been executed nal. “Victims of past atrocities deserve yesterday from the rubble of an apart- death toll of 33 from the disaster, but at ble who are still trapped under the ing their leaders. since December 2013 for war crimes better than a flawed process,” said ment block that collapsed six days least 80 more people are believed to be rubble,” Masai said. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam despite global criticism of their trials. Jameen Kaur, the group’s campaigns ago when heavy rains hit Nairobi, missing and rescuers are now trawling He said rescuers decided to extend said jail authorities would begin pre- Jamaat said the charges against director for South Asia. causing floods and landslides in the the filthy river nearby for bodies. A total the search to Nairobi River “because paring for Nizami’s execution once Nizami, a former government minister, In 2013 the convictions of Jamaat Kenyan capital. of 137 people have been rescued so far. there is every indication that some they received a copy of the verdict. were false and aimed at eliminating officials triggered the country’s dead- There were cheers and shouted Pius Masai of Kenya’s National Disas- people may have drowned in the river “We’re satisfied. Now there is no the leadership of the party. Nizami liest violence in decades. Around 500 prayers from a crowd that had gath- ter Operation Centre said the woman after jumping out (of the building)”. bar to execute him unless he seeks took over as party leader in 2000 and people were killed, mainly in clashes ered at the site of the ruined six-storey was conscious and talking when she Seven-month old Delarine Saisi clemency from the president and played a key role in the victory of an between Islamists and police, and building when the woman, covered was found. He said he had been con- was found on Monday dehydrated but the president pardons him,” he said Islamist-allied government in the 2001 thousands of Islamists were arrested. with a blanket and lying on a stretcher, fident more people could be rescued without visible physical injuries in after the Supreme Court dismissed general election. Jamaat has called a nationwide was carried to a waiting ambulance. after several live rabbits were found what her father said was a miracle. the 73-year-old’s final appeal. The 1971 conflict, one of the blood- strike for Sunday to protest against She was hauled between thick con- in the rubble on Tuesday. But tragedy followed when the Security has been stepped up in iest in world history, led to the creation the court’s decision, although ana- crete slabs and a tangle of twisted metal “I told you the day we got nine girl’s mother was found dead late on Dhaka, already tense after a string of of an independent Bangladesh from lysts said violence was unlikely given after being located by rescuers who rabbits alive from this place I was Wednesday. Another seven people died killings of secular and liberal activists what was then East Pakistan. the extent to which the party’s sup- gave her oxygen while they contin- sure we will get more people alive,” in several areas of Nairobi after the and religious minorities by suspected Prosecutors said Nizami was port base has been weakened. ued efforts to extract her. Masai added. The woman is receiving heavy rains and floods hit on Friday.

Fear spreads as In harmony Indonesia and neighbours agree to Thai junta jails patrol waters after kidnappings online critics YOGYAKARTA: Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines are to launch a joint patrol in their waters after a recent surge of kidnappings by a radical Islamic AFP group, according to an agreement struck yesterday. The decision to patrol the Sulu and Celebes seas, which together form a key waterway between the three countries, comes just over a week after the southern Philippines-based Abu BANGKOK: The Thai junta’s fresh Sayyaf beheaded a Canadian captive. “We will undertake coordinated patrol arrests of online critics is spread- in the maritime areas of our common concern,” Indonesian foreign minis- ing paranoia across the country, ter Retno Marsudi said after a meeting initiated by Indonesia, and attended say rights activists, with eight peo- by foreign ministers and military commanders. The Sulu and Celebes seas ple being held for disparaging the are used as for the passage of 55 million metric tonnes of goods and over 18 regime on Facebook. million people per year. The three countries also agreed to set up a hotline The military government’s latest to communicate faster during emergency situations, improve coordination crackdown on dissent comes as it when giving assistance to people and ships in distress as well as intensify- prepares to put a charter it drafted ing information and intelligence sharing. to the public in August. The looming vote has stirred S African protesters set 17 schools ablaze Thailand’s turbulent political waters, with politicians from the toppled JOHANNESBURG: South African protesters torched 17 government schools government speaking out against during violent protests against the redrawing of municipal boundaries ahead the charter and handfuls of activ- of local elections this year, police and education officials said yesterday. The ists around the country defying protests started on Monday night in three neighbouring villages in the north- junta laws to demonstrate against ern province of Limpopo when residents blockaded streets with rocks, pipes Girls play guitars at the Mangyongdae Children’s Palace in central Pyongyang, North Korea, yesterday. the document, which they say is and burning tyres. Of the 22 schools that were attacked, two were destroyed deeply undemocratic. and 17 were damaged by fire, leaving 26,000 students without classrooms, But a fresh wave of fear was education ministry spokesman Elijah Mhlanga said. A small police station, a sparked last week after soldiers traditional chief’s office and a post office were also set alight this week dur- stormed the homes of eight activ- ing protests in Vuwani village, police spokesman Malesela Ledwaba said. The ists who police say were paid to run unrest later spread to the sprawling rural settlements of Levubu and Hlanga- Facebook pages that criticised and Africa’s Great Green Wall ‘could halt’ nani. Police reported the area was calm yesterday, as government officials mocked the junta. sought meetings with residents’ representatives. Villagers have been pro- The group was jailed and now testing against being moved into a different municipality under boundary faces trial in a military court for youth migration and extremism reforms ahead of the August 3 local government elections. sedition and violating Thailand’s computer crime act, two laws that China deploys first corruption inspectors carry tough sentences. Two of its members are also Reuters This could drive young people year, and has received pledges from BEIJING: China’s military has for the first time sent dedicated teams of corrup- charged with insulting the Thai across Africa into joining militant France and the World Bank. tion inspectors into its units, state media said yesterday, following a practice monarchy — a crime that carries groups, such as Boko Haram, or Critics of the project say it is a already established for civilian departments as part of President Xi Jinping’s war up to 15 years per offence. attempting to cross the Mediterra- top-down approach to development, on graft. Previously, corruption investigations in the People’s Liberation Army, the The group’s lawyer said the royal DAKAR: A project to plant a wall of nean to seek work in Europe, said dependant on external funding and world’s largest armed forces, were handled in a more ad hoc fashion. But under defamation charges were levied over trees stretching across Africa aims Camila Nordheim-Larsen of the UN management, yet organisations such reforms started last year the military now has a dedicated graft-fighting division. comments two of the activists made not only to halt desertification, but Convention to Combat Desertifica- as the Sahara and Sahel Observatory Xi has led a sweeping anti-corruption campaign targeting high-ranking offi- in a private Facebook chat, raising also to improve food security, create tion (UNCCD). (OSS) say the initiative has the back- cials in industry, government, and the military. The military is reeling from the concerns about the military’s sur- jobs, and offer young people an alter- “The Great Green Wall is about more ing of local communities. crackdown and has seen dozens of officers investigated, including two former veillance capabilities. native to migration and extremism, than just planting and counting trees, “This project comes from Afri- vice chairmen of the powerful Central Military Commission, Guo Boxiong and “We are all paranoid about this,” environmental experts said yesterday. it is about building resilience in com- can countries, and there is a will from Xu Caihou. The official Xinhua news agency said the new graft inspectors com- Winyat Chartmontree, who works The planned Great Green Wall munities and developing sustainable affected communities,” said OSS exec- pleted two days of training and had been organised into 10 teams who would with a team of human rights attor- would see a 7,000km strip of vegetation projects to give young people reasons utive secretary Khatim Kherraz. go to various units around the country. neys, said. “In the past there were reaching from Senegal in West Africa to stay,” she told the Thomson Reuters Around 15 percent of the wall of only rumours that the military could to Djibouti in East Africa, designed to Foundation in Dakar. trees has been planted, mainly in Sen- Congo oppn leader to run for president hack into people’s Line and Face- trap the sands of the Sahara, halt the “A lack of opportunity is driving egal, while villages in Burkina Faso, book messages. But this time there advance of the desert and restore 50 them away,” she said on the sidelines Mali and Niger have made progress KINSHASA: Moise Katumbi, a prominent opposition leader in Democratic was clear evidence.” million hectares of land. of a global conference where coun- in planting vegetation to be used in Republic of Congo, said he would run in November’s presidential election Human Rights Watch said the Some 60 million Africans could tries signed up to the initiative are medicine and for food, according to when incumbent Joseph Kabila is due to step down in accordance with the junta was using “draconian laws” be forced to leave their homes within presenting their national action plans. the United Nations. constitution. Kabila’s opponents say he is trying to cling to power beyond his to silence opposition. “These are five years as their land turns to desert, Presented to the African Union in “There is a mobilisation of local mandate and Katumbi’s declaration could heighten political tension, given laws that could be sending people while two thirds of the continent’s ara- 2005 by the then Nigerian president, people, who are at the heart of restora- that the president has yet to announce his plans. “I accept with humility away for a dozen years for a cou- ble land could be lost by 2025 due to the Great Green Wall initiative received tion work and choosing what they want this heavy responsibility,” Katumbi said in a statement posted on his offi- ple of Facebook posts,” said Brad growing desertification, according to $4bn of funding from signatories to the to plant,” said Nora Berrahmouni of the cial Twitter account, referring to his nomination for the presidency by three Adams, the group’s Asia director. the United Nations. UN climate deal agreed in Paris last UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. opposition coalitions in recent weeks. PAKISTAN FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 07 Police arrest 14 in ‘honour killing’ of teen

Associated Press reported. A graphic problem was highlighted recently in Saeed Wazir, the photo of the teenager’s charred remains the Oscar-winning film, A Girl in the quickly circulated online. It appeared River: The Price of Forgiveness. regional police chief as if the girl’s arms had been bound The documentary profiles a in Abbottabad, said before she was set on fire. 18-year-old woman who was beaten Saeed Wazir, the regional police and shot by father and uncle in Pun- the victim had helped chief in Abbottabad, said that the mur- jab province after she married a man one of her friends der was a “preplanned act” involving against their wishes. The woman, Saba, 14 village leaders. Wazir said the entire survived. Her father and uncle were secretly marry her village council had sanctioned the act to arrested but later freed, according to boyfriend. The bride send a message to other minors. “They HBO Documentary Films. said she must be burnt alive to make After he saw the film, Pakistani “didn’t obey her a lesson for other girls,” Wazir said. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed father’s will and did In act of defiance against Pakistan’s to end honour killings. Earlier this a love marriage at strict Islamic and paternal customs, year, Sharif’s political party, Pakistan Wazir said the victim had helped Muslim League-N, pushed through a court with a guy”. one of her friends secretly marry her women’s rights bill in Punjab province. boyfriend. The bride “didn’t obey her The legislation, strongly opposed by father’s will and did a love marriage the religious community, establishes at court with a guy,” Wazir explained. a 24-hour domestic abuse hotline and Washington Post After the new bride’s father found network of shelters offering housing, out, he requested that village elders first aid and counseling for women. investigate the matter. In many parts of Still, a horrific wave of abuse contin- Pakistan, females are expected to get ues. On Sunday, Punjab police arrested a PESHAWAR: More than a dozen lead- their father’s consent before marriage. man and charged him with killing wife, ers of a small village in northwestern The village elders called a local who was seven months pregnant, the Pakistan were arrested yesterday and meeting, which is referred to as a Jirga. Express Tribune newspaper reported. charged with burning a teenage girl to Under Pashtun culture in Pakistan and Using a club, the man apparently beat death because she helped one of her neighbouring Afghanistan, such gath- the woman to death after she refused to Members of a tribal council accused of ordering the burning to death of a 17-year-old girl are shown to the friends elope, security officials said. erings are often held to try to reach allow him to take a second wife. The crime, which is renewing atten- consensus on how best to resolve local media after they were arrested by police in Donga Gali, outside Abbottabad, Pakistan, yesterday. Also in Punjab over the weekend, tion on Pakistan’s horrific record of disputes. At times, the meetings also a man tossed acid onto a 37-year-old protecting women and children from stray into a form of street justice. her into the van, Wazir said. “Despite not immediately clear whether the have died in so-called honour killings woman, resulting in burns over 30 abuse, took place on the outskirts of According to Wazir, the village the requests and pleas from her par- new bride or her husband were also here between 2014 and 2015. Those percent of her body. Dawn newspa- Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elders tasked with investigating the ents, villagers forcibly brought her out punished. crimes involve revenge killings for per reported that the woman’s nephew province. marriage quickly discovered that the and set her afire while roping her to The case, however, represents a dishonoring a family, village or local is a chief suspect. The man apparently Khurram Rasheed, police chief for victim had helped her friend evade her the seat of the vehicle,” Wazir said. troublesome expansion of mob-like custom. wanted to marry one of the woman’s the northern district of Abbottabad, father’s will. The elders then decided Both the leader of the Jirga and tactics that women can face in Paki- About one-fourth of those cases daughters - his cousin — but was said yesterday that the charred body the victim needed to be punished for the father of the newlywed girl were stan when they disobey their parents involved the death of a minor. Though refused. “He was annoyed with his of 17-year-old Ambreen Riasat was not disclosing her role in the marriage. arrested, Wazir said. A dozen other or extended family members. most common in remote areas, hon- maternal aunt for turning down his found in a burned van in the tourist Several men then dragged the men who participated in the Jirga According to the Human Rights our killings still occur in Pakistan even marriage proposal,” Azhar Akram, a resort of Donga Gali on April 29, the teenager out of her house and tied were also charged, he added. It was Commission of Pakistan, 8,694 females in larger, more progressive cities. The police officer in Multan, told Dawn. Al Qaeda working Strange disease: Solar more closely with the Taliban: siblings puzzle doctors US military Internews facilities such as electricity, phone and gas. “People live a healthy and AP normal life here,” he said. The boys’ daily routine, their ISLAMABAD: At 4am, Shoaib and his father explained, is quite normal. WASHINGTON: Al Qaeda is work- two brothers rise with the first rays “The children wake up early and are ing more closely with the Taliban in of the sun, but towards sunset their energetic,” he said, adding that they Afghanistan, raising concern that energy levels deplete and by sundown attend classes at their seminary, play the militant group could bolster the they are left completely paralysed. cricket with their friends and spend fight against Afghan government The brothers, who live in Mian time with the family. forces, a spokesman for the US- Kundi village, nearly 15km from When they can, Hashim said, Nato mission said yesterday. Quetta, were born with a myste- they help him with livestock farm- “By themselves, we don’t think rious condition which forces their ing and tending to the sheep and that they pose a real threat, a real bodies into stillness as the sun goes goats. “They don’t really complain,” significant threat, to the government down every day. he said, adding that they enjoyed of Afghanistan,” Brig Gen Charles The boys aged one, nine and 13, doing everything. Cleveland, a spokesman for the mis- according to their father Hashim, were Shoaib, 13, and nine-year-old sion, told Pentagon reporters during born this way. “It wasn’t an anomaly Rashid are particularly keen about a video conference from Kabul. or habit formed later in life,” he said. their studies and idolise their Quran “But because we think that Al “From the very day they were born, teacher. According to their father, Afghan orphans play a game at the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitative Support for Afghanistan (PARSA), Qaeda is ... beginning to work more their bodies appeared to be depend- Shoaib wants to excel in religious stud- with Taliban, they can present a bit an NGO which supports vulnerable women and children, in Kabul yesterday, ent on sunlight.” ies while Rashid wants to become a of an accelerant for the Taliban. According to Pakistan Institute Hafiz-i-Quran. Despite the ordinar- They can provide capabilities and of Medical Sciences (Pims) Chancel- iness of their daily routine, the three skills and those types of things.” Prince secretly donated thousands lor Dr Javed Akram, this is the first brothers live in constant misery know- Nearly 15 years after the US reported case of such an illness across ing that their time is limited to late invaded after 9/11 to root out Al the world. “It is a challenging puz- in the afternoon as they know they Qaeda and oust its host, the Taliban, zle for medical science to solve,” said will start feeling drained as soon as Afghanistan remains a danger- to Afghan orphans: Charity Dr Akram, adding that their bodies the sun starts to set. ous country. Last fall, the head seemed to be synced to the move- Dr Akram claims that he has never of Al Qaeda, Ayman Al Zawahiri, ment of the sun. heard of this condition. “It is a pecu- announced that he was backing AFP women and children, according to its what project would need a boost, and Hashim, who works as a security liar disease which pushes children the new leader of the Taliban, Mul- executive director. I told her about this old building we guard at the Balochistan University of into a vegetative state after sunset,” lah Akhtar Mansoor. “Since that His donations, facilitated by Seat- wanted to turn into a training centre Information Technology, Engineering he explained. We have taken it up as time, we have seen more inter- tle philanthropist Betty Tisdale, have for Scout masters,” Gustavson said. and Management Sciences in Quetta, a research project.” He is currently action” between the two groups, KABUL: Prince was famous world- funded training for 100 Scout masters “After she went home, she sent a says when the villagers heard about working with a team of 40 doctors Cleveland said. wide for his music and extravagant now caring for some 2,000 children check for $15,000, completely unex- his sons’ condition, they started call- and researchers to figure out what is He estimated that there were outfits, but he was also a secret phi- including orphans, the charity’s Marnie pected. “She told me it comes from ing them “solar kids”. going on in the boys’ bodies. He hopes 100 to 300 members of Al Qaeda lanthropist in war-torn Afghanistan, Gustavson said. The musician’s secret Prince, he loves my work and I told However, Hashim explained, not to treat the children after making a in Afghanistan. “Although they quietly donating thousands to Scout interest in Afghanistan began after a him about your Scout programme, all of his children suffer from this successful diagnosis. have been significantly dimin- masters caring for young orphans, a visit to the country by Tisdale in 2010. but do not tell anybody.” peculiar illness. Hashim, who is mar- Pims has already sent blood ished, they do have the ability to charity said yesterday. Then 87, Tisdale, who died last After the initial gift, the singer con- ried to his first cousin, has three other samples and test reports to 13 inter- regenerate very quickly, and they The pop icon, who died suddenly last year, was well known for her work tinued sending donations of $6,000 children — two girls and a boy — who national collaborators, including the still do have the ability to pose a month at the age of 57, gave tens of thou- with orphans in Vietnam, arranging per year, she said. Tisdale’s charity unlike their brothers are not depend- Mayo Clinic and John Hopkins Medical threat,” he said. sands of dollars to Physiotherapy and for 200 to be airlifted out of the coun- HALO confirmed that the late bene- ent on the sun. Institute in the US, and Guys Hospi- The US-Nato coalition has Rehabilitative Support for Afghanistan try after the fall of Saigon during the factress had made donations to PARSA According to Hashim, his village tal in London. Hundreds of tests have around 13,000 international (PARSA), an NGO supporting vulnerable Vietnam War in 1975. “She asked me on behalf of Prince. is disease-free and has all the basic been carried out so far but to no avail. troops, including 9,800 Amer- icans, in Afghanistan. They are focused on training and assisting Afghan forces as they take on the insurgency largely on their own. Fall of Afghan highway reveals virulent power struggle Around 3,000 of the US troops are engaged in counterterrorism oper- ations against the Taliban, Al Qaeda and the Islamic State group. AFP and Kandahar last week fell under Tal- lifeline. “With Rahimullah there have up security in Uruzgan before news straddling drug-smuggling routes that The US conducted just under 100 iban control, raising security alarms. been a lot of complaints that he inten- of his dismissal spreads. is teetering on the brink of collapse as counterterrorism strikes against Al Their loss prompted a chorus of tionally gave up security posts... in an Rahimullah’s rise and downfall insurgents encircle Tarin Kot. Qaeda and IS militants in Afghani- allegations that they were deliberately effort to undermine (his superiors) and encapsulates the challenges Kabul’s The Taliban’s resurgence in the stan between January and the first TARIN KOT: The decision to sack an surrendered on the orders of Rahimul- to strengthen his own position,” said Western-backed government face in area is blamed in large part on what of March. During April, there were Afghan strongman accused of delib- lah Khan, a local powerbroker and Martine van Bijlert, co-director of the reigning in warlords and strongmen security officials and observers call just under 19 strikes, the major- erately handing over parts of a crucial deputy Uruzgan police chief. Afghanistan Analysts Network. sowing anarchy for private gain. Rahimullah’s Machiavellian manoeu- ity against IS and a few against Al southern highway to the Taliban has Rahimullah has since been sum- “But the cost of destabilising the It also reflects the struggle to secure vres to cling to power. Qaeda targets, he said. laid bare power struggles and tribal moned to Kabul and will be dismissed, area so overtly could be very high.” remote provinces such as Uruzgan, In recent months scores of out- He estimated that the strikes feuds within police ranks, worsen- multiple sources said, including General Fears loom that Rahimullah’s removal where Australian, Dutch and Ameri- posts fell in Khas Uruzgan, Charchino had reduced the number of IS oper- ing insecurity. Abdul Raziq, the powerful police chief could trigger a violent backlash from his can troops fought for years. and Dehrawud districts as rumours atives in Afghanistan to closer to Dozens of police checkpoints on the of Kandahar who is leading the fight Popalzai tribe which dominates secu- The fall of outposts is becoming a swirled of a government decision to 1,000, from earlier estimates of 160km highway connecting the provin- to wrest back control of the highway rity ranks. Sources inside the interior woefully familiar pattern in Uruzgan oust Rahimullah from his post, secu- up to 3,000. cial capitals of Tarin Kot, in Uruzgan, — a regional economic and military ministry in Kabul said they are beefing — a remote, mountainous province rity officials said. 08 FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 INDIA Over 74 percent turnout in Bengal polls

month-long polls to the 294-member Sunil Lanba to legislature in the eastern state. The day belonged to As many as 170 candidates, includ- be Navy chief the voters from 51 ing 18 women, were in the fray. There were sporadic incidents erstwhile enclaves of irregularities with the opposition New Delhi: Vice Admiral in Cooch Behar, parties accusing the ruling Trinamool Sunil Lanba, the present Congress of resorting to malpractices commander in chief of including three since balloting began at 7 am. the Western Naval Com- centenarians, who But the day belonged to the vot- mand, will take over as were registered as ers from the 51 erstwhile enclaves in the navy chief from May Cooch Behar, including three centenar- 31, it was announced electors for the first ians, who were registered as electors yesterday. time. for the first time since the country’s The defence ministry Independence. said the appointment was Doddering and frail but neverthe- made by the government less beaming with pride, 103-year-old yesterday. Mohammed Asgar Ali - from the erst- Lanba, who will IANS while enclave of Mosaldanga in Dinhata succeed Admiral R K constituency - led three generations of Dhowan, joined the his family in casting their maiden votes. navy in 1978 and dur- Perhaps the oldest first-time voter ing his service spanning KOLKATA: Thousands of enthusi- in the country, Ali is one of the 9,776 nearly 38 years, has held astic people, including centenarians newly registered electors from the erst- a variety of command, from the erstwhile enclaves in Cooch while enclaves in Cooch Behar district. The 103-year-old Asgar Ali (centre) helped by his grandson Jamal Ali after casting his vote at a polling operational and staff appointments. Behar, cast their maiden votes in the Accompanied by his grandson Jamal station in Cooch Behar district, yesterday. sixth and final phase of the West Ben- Ali and son Bilal, Ali was brought in a His notable command gal assembly polls yesterday. special vehicle provided by the Elec- appointments include of Overall, more than 74 percent of the tion Commission to a booth at Mansab properly but now that I have voted, I enclaves and Khatemon Bewa of erst- Agreement was implemented last year. minesweeper INS Kaki- 58,04,019 voters exercised their fran- Seoragudi Primary School in Mosal- can die in peace,” said Ali. while Purba and Dakshin Mashaldanga Trinamool candidate from Cooch nada, frigate INS Himgiri chise in the first eight hours across 25 danga-over 700 km from Kolkata. Similarly, taking the huge leap in the enclaves, said Cooch Behar’s Addi- Behar’s Natabari Rabindra Nath Ghosh and as executive Officer of constituencies of Cooch Behar (nine) “Perhaps I have lived for so long same assembly seat are 103-year-old tional District Magistrate Ayesha Rani. landed in a controversy when he was aircraft carrier INS Viraat. and East Midnapore districts (16), to bring only to see this day. When I woke Haseem Ali Khandakar from the former The enclaves were swapped with caught on camera threatening a poll- Before taking over as flag the curtains down on the staggered up early in the day, I couldn’t stand Dakshin Mashaldanga and Kachua Bangladesh after the Land Boundary ing officer inside the polling booth. officer commanding in chief of of the premier western command. Kerala cops closing in Congress to hold CBI summons Rawat in graft case ‘democracy’ rally IANS house. The floor test never took place. appear for questioning”. The source on Jisha’s murderers New Delhi: The Con- The sting video was shot by a said CBI officials have also questioned gress will organise a “save Noida-based private TV channel, property developer-turned-journalist democracy” rally here on Samachar Plus, and released by Con- Umesh Kumar, who claimed to have today to make the pub- NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of gress legislators who crossed over to carried out the sting operation. “Umesh IANS union minister said he would inform lic aware about how Investigation (CBI) yesterday sum- the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party accepted he conducted the sting opera- the Rajya Sabha about what he saw. the Narendra Modi gov- moned ousted Uttarakhand Chief (BJP). The BJP had alleged that Rawat tion,” the source said. A rebel Congress But he refused to elaborate as the ernment is “damaging Minister Harish Rawat to Delhi for had tried to buy back the support of his legislator has also been questioned. Model Code of Conduct is in force institutions”, party leader questioning on Monday in a corrup- own lawmakers who rebelled against The source said he told the CBI PERUMBAVOOR: Even as the mur- now in Kerala. Jairam Ramesh said. tion case after he was shown in a him. Rawat has denied the allegation, that Rawat called him to his office der of a Dalit law student continued to Kumaramangalam said she would The rally is to be “sting” video offering bribes to buy saying he was being framed. and offered him Rs 2.5 crore and an rock the poll-bound state of Kerala, meet top police and government offi- addressed by former legislative support for his government, The union home ministry sent a important post if he supported him. police yesterday claimed that they cials to discuss the case. prime minister Manmo- officials said. CD of the video to the forensics lab- Another minister in the Rawat gov- are zeroing in on the culprits and the But these visits have sparked off han Singh, Congress The summon comes after the CBI oratory in Chandigarh to examine its ernment offered the same legislator Rs investigation is in its last stage. a massive row, with the ruling party president Sonia Gandhi on April 29 began probing the vide- authenticity. 10 crore for the support, the source said. Police believe that 27-year-old and the opposition parties trading and party vice president ographed “sting operation” allegedly A source in CBI said the foren- Uttarakhand is without an elected Jisha, whose mutilated body was found barbs. The hospital authorities have Rahul Gandhi. showing Rawat offering money to rebel sic report “confirmed” that the CD government after Rawat was dis- by her mother on April 28, was phys- also aired their displeasure, saying the Congress lawmakers to win their sup- was genuine and “undoctored”, after missed following a rebellion in the ically exploited as there were injury visits have been disturbing Rajeshwari. port during a floor test in the 70-member “which Harish Rawat was asked to ruling Congress. marks on her body. In his Facebook post yesterday, IRCTC denies Speaking to reporters yesterday, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Aluva (rural) Superintendent of Police alleged that Communist Party of website hacked Yatish Chandra said: “The probe has India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader V S entered the final stage as the ques- Achuthanandan was not honest while New Delhi: The Indian In lighter vein tioning of people in custody is going expressing his opinion after visiting Railway Catering and on and the case will be cracked.” Rajeshwari a few days back. Tourism Corp (IRCTC) yes- Opposition parties in Kerala have “A video clip of the mother com- terday denied that its been alleging that police have failed plaining to him (Achuthanandan) website, which is visited to make any headway in the case. about the local legislator and the local by around 22 lakh people Director General of Police T P Sen- ward councillor has gone viral, but a day, had been hacked. kumar said the probe is conducted he came out and blamed the state “IRCTC website by efficient officers, and is progress- government. For a few votes, he has was not hacked and is ing well and in the right direction. done this,” Chandy alleged. functioning properly. Pas- So far, six people have been taken The hospital authorities also com- sengers are also able to into custody, including two migrant plained that the unending stream of book tickets through the labourers. A group of 30 police offi- visitors has caused emotional distur- website,” Sandip Dutta, cials have been split into four teams to bance to Jisha’s mother. IRCTC public relations probe the case from different angles, “She has been with us since last officer, said. including for collecting and analys- Thursday. With lots of people visit- A joint committee ing scientific evidences. ing her from Tuesday, she is getting comprising officers from Meanwhile, several high-pro- restless as she is yet to come to terms IRCTC and CRIS (Centre file individuals visited Jisha’s mother with what has happened,” said a doc- for Railways Information Rajeshwari at a hospital where she has tor who is treating Rajeshwari. System) was set up fol- been admitted following the trauma Ernakulam district collector M lowing media reports that caused by her daughter’s murder. G Rajamanickam, who has opened the rail ticketing website Among those who visited a joint bank account in the name of was hacked and passen- Rajeshwari were union Minister for Rajeshwari and himself for those ger data stolen. Social Justice and Empowerment wanting to help Jisha’s family, also Thawaarchand Gehlot and National slammed the visitors. Women talk on steps outside their homes in Jodhpur. The ‘Blue City’ in Rajasthan is famed for blue- Women’s Commission chairperson In his Facebook post the district Singer Mika Singh painted walls in the old parts of the city that sits in the shadow of the Mehrangarh Fort. Lalitha Kumaramangalam. collector said the visitors came for After meeting Rajeshwari, the publicity and photo-ops. granted bail

New Delhi: Bollywood and Punjabi singer Mika Singh, accused in an 7 die as tents collapse 4 get life sentence in double murder case assault case, was yes- terday granted bail by a court here. in Ardh Kumbh Mela IANS media contingent covering the sen- been done in the case.” Metropolitan Magis- sational trial for the past five years. He sought more stringent action trate Sujit Saurabh granted Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal in such cases involving crimes bail to Mika and asked to IANS taken shelter under them. He said Nikam said he had not sought the death against women. furnish a personal bond of nearly 50 people were injured and MUMBAI: A special women’s court penalty for the accused since it was The incident, which left Mumbai Rs 20,000 and surety of a some were in critical condition. yesterday sentenced to life imprison- not the “rarest of rare cases”, there shuddering, happened outside the like amount. The police chief, however, said ment till death four youths charged was “no conspiracy” and they were Amboli Kitchen restaurant that Keenan, The court was hear- UJJAIN: At least seven people were four or five people were being treated with killing two men who tried to pre- not “pre-planned” murders. Rueben and their two female friends ing a private complaint killed and nearly 50 injured at the for serious injuries. The others were vent the molestation of their women Keenan’s father, Valerian Santos, had stepped out from after dinner. filed by a doctor alleging Ardh Kumbh Mela yesterday when discharged. “Things are under control friends five years ago. 57, expressed satisfaction over the ver- As they chatted outside the res- that the singer slapped some temporary structures collapsed now,” Madhukumar said. The rains According to prosecution the dict and said the two young victims taurant, one of the accused, Jitendra him during a live musical after strong winds and heavy rains, had stopped. accused Jitendra Rana, Sunil Bodh, had finally got the justice. Rana, started misbehaving and har- concert in Inderpuri area officials said. The police chief said the strong Satish Dulgaj and Dipak Tival had Keenan and Reuben were killed assing one of the two women. This was here in April 2015. The “Six people died after they were storm coupled with lightning and attacked Keenan Santos, 24, and his when they tried to prevent harassment objected to by Keenan and Reuben singer was charged with buried under the collapsed structures,” rains hit the Undasa area around friend Rueben Fernandes, 29, on the and molestation of their two women and they chased him away, the pros- voluntarily causing hurt Ujjain police chief V Madhukumar 5 pm, uprooting tents installed for night of October 20, 2011 after the two friends with whom they had gone out. ecution said. and wrongful restraint, said. He said a woman pilgrim was pilgrims. tried to stop them from harassing their “However, this is just the begin- Enraged, Rana returned a short which he has denied. “I among the dead. “She apparently died IT and Transport Minister Bhoo- woman friends outside a restaurant ning... The battle is not over, they might while later with three associates armed am grateful to the Honbl’e after she was struck by lightning.” pendra Singh, who is also the in charge in Andheri. appeal in the higher courts and we with sticks and choppers. court for granting me bail Ujjain’s BJP MP Chintamani of Sinhastha Kumb Mela, earlier said Special judge Vrushali Joshi pro- have to wait,” Santos told the media. They brutally attacked both Keenan today. I am a law abid- Malviya said two or three temporary the woman had “died apparently due nounced the sentence on the four in Former chief minister Prithviraj and Reuben even as the horrified girls ing citizen and always be structures crashed following heavy to electrocution as snapped power the presence of their family mem- Chavan expressed happiness over screamed for help from passers-by, the one,” Mika tweeted later. rains as hundreds of devotees had lines fell on her due to the winds”. bers, the kin of the victims and a large the verdict saying that “justice has police said in the chargesheet. UK / EUROPE FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 09 Sadiq Khan set to become Muslim mayor in London

AFP concerned about issues such as the high cost of housing and transport. The vote in London “Muslim or non-Muslim, it doesn’t was taking place ... matter for the community,” said LONDON: London was on track to 57-year-old Koyruz Zoman, a Muslim become the first EU capital with a on the same day cook from Whitechapel in the ethni- Muslim mayor as voters went to the as regional polls in cally diverse East End. polls yesterday after a bitter campaign “Whoever comes in, we want what between Prime Minister David Cam- Scotland, Wales and they’ve promised.” eron’s Conservatives and the opposition Northern Ireland. The vote was taking place on the Labour party. same day as regional polls in Scotland, Labour lawmaker Sadiq Khan, a Wales and Northern Ireland, which are former government minister and son expected to leave the balance of power of a bus driver from Pakistan, is tipped southwestern suburb of Richmond. in those regional devolved adminis- to beat Conservative multimillionaire The campaign to replace Conserva- trations broadly unchanged. environmentalist Zac Goldsmith in the tive Boris Johnson in City Hall has been The elections are a key test for race to run the British capital. ugly, with Khan forced to deny support Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, the Both men voted shortly after polls for Islamic extremists and Goldsmith veteran socialist elected in September. opened: Khan in his multi-ethnic con- rejecting claims of playing on voters’ The party has been convulsed by stituency of Tooting in south London, religious prejudices. a row over anti-Semitism that has and Goldsmith in his leafy, affluent But many Londoners are more resulted in the suspension of a Labour MP, a former Labour London mayor and several activists. SNP to tighten its hold A poor showing in the polls, which include 124 local authorities across Eng- SCOTLAND: In the Scottish Parliament, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s land, would embolden Corbyn’s critics A combination of image (left) Conservative mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith and wife Alice, and Labour pro-independence party is looking to tighten its hold on power as it seeks on the moderate wing of the party. party candidate Sadiq Khan and his wife Saadiya, as they leave after casting their votes in London, yesterday. to build support for a second vote on leaving the UK following a failed ref- Cameron will also be hoping for a erendum on the issue in 2014. good result, however, as he grapples If Britain votes to leave the European Union but Scotland votes to stay in, with deep splits in his party ahead of However, experts caution that turn- Khan has dismissed attempts to link religion was not as important as Khan’s Sturgeon says that would be a pretext for her Scottish National Party (SNP) the June 23 referendum on Britain’s out will be key. him with Islamic extremists as “des- modest background, saying: “His fam- to demand another independence referendum. membership of the EU. Both men come from different perate stuff”, but Cameron repeated ily have known struggles. He probably In Wales, polls put Labour on course to retain their dominance in the Twelve candidates are standing backgrounds. Khan, 45, grew up in the claims in angry clashes with Cor- would fight harder for a fairer London.” Welsh Assembly, with Conservatives and nationalists Plaid Cymru vying for mayor of London but polls point social housing and worked as a human byn in parliament. Evening Standard newspaper for second place. In Northern Ireland, delicate balance in the power-shar- to a straight fight between Khan rights lawyer before entering politics, “It’s been the nastiest campaign,” endorsed Goldsmith as he spent last ing executive also looks set to continue. and Goldsmith, with the former while Goldsmith, 41, is the son of the said Leeanne Collaco, human resources day of campaigning in on a 24-hour between 12 and 14 points ahead. late tycoon financier James Goldsmith. manager from Whitechapel. She said tour of the city.

Poland dissolves council combating Merkel urges leaders to protect EU borders racism AFP which saw more than a million peo- In previous years, many migrants lessen the poverty that drives many Court seeks arrest ple arrive on its shores last year. landing in Italy have headed on to other of them to leave home. In Austria, Norbert Hofer of the countries—but with Austria planning to “The important thing is to invest of Putin-linked AFP far-right Freedom Party is expected reinstate border controls at the Bren- in Africa,” Renzi said. But he added ROME: German Chancellor Angela to win a presidential run-off on May ner pass, Rome fears it could be stuck that Germany and Italy were in dis- Russians Merkel yesterday urged European 22 after romping to victory in the first hosting masses of new arrivals. agreement over how to fund the plan, WARSAW: Poland’s rightwing gov- leaders to protect EU borders or risk round on an anti-immigration platform. Renzi lashed out at Austria yesterday with Germany against using eurobonds MADRID: A Spanish judge ernment dissolved a state council a “return to nationalism” as the conti- Merkel told a press conference , describing Vienna’s position as “anach- to offer finance to African countries. wants two senior Rus- designed to combat racism in a nent battles its worst migration crisis with Renzi that Europe’s cherished ronistic”. “This is wrong attitude even if Renzi was hosting European Com- sian officials with links to move condemned by the centrist since World War II. freedom of movement is at threat, there is a migrant crisis,” he said. mission leader Jean-Claude Juncker, the Kremlin arrested so opposition and the EU member’s As Italian Prime Minister Matteo with ramped-up border controls in Italy is pushing for Nato naval EU President Donald Tusk and Euro- they can be questioned ombudsman amid a spike in racially Renzi kicked off two days of talks in response to the crisis raising ques- patrols off Libya in time for the sum- pean Parliament chief Martin Schulz in court about suspected motivated attacks. Rome with Merkel and senior EU offi- tions over whether the passport-free mer people-smuggling season, and a for more talks, ahead of a conference money laundering and “The council proved to be rather cials, the German leader said Europe Schengen zone can survive. deal with Libya on the model just con- on the future of the EU. criminal association. inefficient,” government spokesper- must defend its borders “from the Med- With over 28,500 migrants arriving cluded with Turkey. Merkel, whose country took in National court judge son Rafal Bochenek told reporters iterranean to the North Pole” or suffer since January 1, Italy has again become Renzi stressed the need for “a strat- more than a million asylum-seekers Jose de la Mata Amaya in Warsaw, adding that other “more the political consequences. the principal entry point for migrants egy for Africa” to stem the influx from last year, yesterday insisted on the has issued international efficient” civic institutions would Support for far-right and anti- arriving in Europe, following a contro- there. He wants EU aid for African need to “respect the human dignity” arrest warrants for Nikolai assume its responsibilities. immigrant parties is on the rise in versial EU-Turkey deal and the closure countries that have seen large num- of immigrants and to “share the bur- Aulov, deputy director of The council was set up three several countries on the continent of the Balkan route up from Greece. bers of migrants set off, in a bid to den” of the influx. Russia’s federal drug con- years ago by the previous Civic trol agency, and Vladislav Platform liberal adminstration, Reznik, a member of par- the arch-rivals of the current Law liament’s lower house for and Justice (PiS) government that Germans the main Kremlin party. won October’s general election in a A new journey Both men are viewed campaign dominated by anti-refu- as allies of President gee rhetoric and welfare promises. doubtful on Vladimir Putin. “It’s shameful. The council is absolutely necessary amid increas- TTIP pact ing number of racially motivated Acting Irish PM attacks and rising xenophobia,” Poland’s Ombudsman Adam Bod- Kenny to seek nar told reporters. AFP Last year, state prosecutors re-election today launched 1,500 probes into cases of alleged discrimination and racially FRANKFURT: Germans are grow- DUBLIN: Acting Irish motivated hate crimes compared ing increasingly wary of a vast prime minister Enda to 60 such cases in 2009. EU-US trade pact currently under Kenny is to seek re-elec- Notably, prosecutors in the negotiation, an opinion poll showed tion in parliament today southern city of Wroclaw are inves- yesterday, as Chancellor Angela in a vote that is likely to tigating an anti-Semitic act that saw Merkel said she hoped for a deal end ten weeks of political members of a far right group burn by year-end. deadllock in Europe’s fast- an effigy meant to represent a Jew, Some 70 percent of Germans est growing economy. triggering a wave of condemnation polled by the dimap institute for Kenny has failed to across Poland. broadcaster ARD said the Trans- win re-election three Bodnar said he sees a “direct atlantic Trade and Investment times since a February link” between Europe’s worst migra- Partnership (TTIP) deal would 26 vote ousted his coa- tion crisis since World War II and bring “mostly disadvantages”, up lition government, but the rise in hate crime. “The fears from 55 percent in a similar poll last week he secured the spread by certain political parties in June 2014. agreement of second about refugees are feeding into racist People watch as cruise ship ‘Viking Sea’ arrives in Greenwich, southeast London, Britain, yesterday. For 79 percent of those ques- largest party, Fianna Fail, comments on the Internet, and this London welcomes the ship that holds up to 930 guests for an official naming ceremony on the Thames. tioned, consumer rights were the to abstain to facilitate the has not been firmly condemned” The vessel is the largest cruise ship to be renamed in London. biggest worry, ARD said. formation of a minority by public figures, Bodnar added. Only 17 percent saw “mostly government. advantages” in the deal, against 31 percent just under two years ago. The poll covered 500 people Ireland police representing a cross-section of the arrest 14 Portuguese police bust Russian gang population, ARD said. Merkel, meanwhile, reiterated her government’s official position, DUBLIN: Northern Ire- saying that she would “do every- land police arrested 14 AFP clubs Benfica, Sporting and Braga and footballer Alexander Tolstikov, a The gang operates by marking thing to conclude the negotiations”, men on suspicion of Irish although they are not directly part of source close to the investigation said. and buying football clubs in financial preferably by the end of 2016. Republican Army (IRA) the probe, named after the traditional The suspects will appear before distress through a complex network But German Economy Minister membership following an Russian multi-layered nesting dolls. a judge, the source added. of holding companies registered in Sigmar Gabriel warned last month IRA funeral featuring a LISBON: Portuguese police have “Active since at least 2008, this Prosecutors have also indicted offshore tax havens, Europol added. that negotiations on the free trade military-style procession rounded up a Russian mafia gang criminal network is thought to be a a fourth suspect as well as the club “Once clubs are under the control deal “will fail” if the US refuses to beside an Irish flag- suspected of buying cash-strapped cell of an important Russian mafia itself and its management company as of the Russian mafia, the large scope make concessions. draped coffin. football clubs and using them for major group, directly responsible for laun- part of an investigation into “corrup- of financial transactions, cross-bor- “The Americans want to hold Officers yesterday money-laundering operations, law dering several million euros across tion, money-laundering and criminal der money flows and shortcomings fast to their ‘Buy American’ idea. made arrests after the officials said. numerous EU countries,” mostly from association”. in governance allow clubs to be used We can’t accept that,” he said. funeral for 36-year-old More than 70 police swooped on criminal activities committed outside Europol said red flags were raised to launder dirty money,” it said. France has also hit out at the Michael Barr in the North- four clubs including Uniao de Leiria, the continent, Europe’s policing agency by the “high standards of living” of This happened mainly through pact, with President Francois Hol- ern Ireland border town as well as 22 homes and businesses in Europol said in a statement. the suspects, who imported “large over—or under-valuing players on lande saying this week that Paris of Strabane, a power base “Operation Matrioskas” , Europol and Police arrested three leaders of amounts of cash from Russia to Por- the transfer market, television rights would reject it “at this stage” because for rival factions of the Portuguese law officials said. Leiria’s management company includ- tugal,” detected by law enforcement deals and betting activities, the Por- his country opposes “unregulated outlawed IRA. Police also raided First Division ing its chairman, Russian former coach probing the case for more than a year. tuguese police said. free trade”. 10 FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 VIEWS

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected] Russian military cadets carry a giant replica of the Soviet Flag of Victory during the Immortal Regiment march devoted to the 71st anniversary of the end of World War II in central St Petersburg, Russia, yesterday.

EDITORIAL Egypt’s war on media South Sudan facing unsteady he optimism that the Arab Spring will provide democracy and free speech in their country seems to be a nightmare for the Egyptian people after future after civil war Ta dangerous escalation in the security campaign targeting protesters and even journalists. Two “I have two homes, one in Nai- of its people. days before World Press Freedom day on May 3, police raided By Addis Getachew robi and the other is South Sudan,” “The state wealth in South Press Syndicate in Cairo and detained a number of journalists. Anatolia the businessman said. “I was living According to the Sudan is owned by political and Officials described the police action at the Syndicate the first is South Sudan when the violence UN’s refugee military elites, which was the cause in its 75-years of history and called for the sacking of Interior started. I ran away from my coun- agency, the of the war in the first place,” he Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar for his role in the incidents. try to seek shelter in Kenya, my said. “There is no state structure The crisis between journalists and the security forces he creation of a transi- second home. UNHCR, around 2.4 for equitable wealth distribution.” tional government in South “Now that peace has returned million have been He also warned that the glo- escalated against the backdrop of mass demonstrations on April Sudan after more than two I can’t wait to go back home. My bal dip in oil prices would further 25 protesting the maritime demarcation agreement between years of fighting promises relatives were affected greatly by displaced within hamper redevelopment. Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Handing over the control of Tiran and Ta glimmer of hope for more than the fighting. I can’t wait to meet South Sudan relies on its north- South Sudan’s Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia has evoked widespread protest in 3 million people displaced by the them again.” ern namesake for exporting oil, the country and the Interior Ministry had ordered security forces to violence. In the same district of the Ken- borders by the which contributes the bulk of gov- prevent scribes and photographers However, aid workers, officials, yan capital, Ngouth, a 22-year-old conflict while UN ernment revenues. Oil production academics, politicians and refu- student who asked that only his fell to 135,000 barrels per day dur- from covering the events. Even the figures from April The new crackdown gees who spoke to Anadolu Agency surname be used, was equally ing the war and the government state-run newspaper Al Ahram said the struggle to get the country optimistic. show more than pays $25 per barrel to Sudan in fees will jeopardise the condemned the raid in an editorial back on its feet is likely to be a long “Peace in South Sudan -- that is for transporting its crude. future of the nation warning that the ministry will not one, with rebuilding the economy what we have all been praying for,” 930,000 living Mohamed Ibrahim Kabag, a which is struggling succeed in its pernicious goals of and forging a stable political sys- he said. “It is up to us the youth to as refugees in Sudanese economist, said the inter- for stability. shutting up freedom of opinion tem topping a long list of priorities. build South Sudan. My country is Ethiopia, Sudan, dependence of the two economies and expression. The return to capital Juba last not like Kenya or other nations in would aid South Sudan’s recovery. week of rebel leader and former dep- Africa. We are young. I can’t wait Uganda and Kenya. He added: “If regional countries, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, an uty president Riek Machar -- now to go back home and rebuild my The UN says 6.1 including Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya ex-army chief, who rose to power after dismissing the country’s returned to his position in govern- country.” and Sudan, put aside their conflict first democratically-elected government led by Mohamed Mursi of ment -- was heralded as the first step Refugee workers, however, million need of interest to dominate the market Freedom and Justice Party, the political arm of Muslim Brotherhood, towards reconstructing the world’s temper this optimism with hard humanitarian aid. and resources of South Sudan and was a ‘hero’ for thousands of Egyptians when he started crackdown youngest nation.On the day of his reality. deal more wisely with the situa- against Islamists killing more than two thousands on the streets. But return, Machar resumed his role “Following the return to Juba tion in South Sudan, they can get under President Salva Kiir, whose of their leader, Riek Machar, South more benefits [than with] the cur- even the secularists who actively supported Al Sisi in his campaigns accusations of a coup attempt in Sudanese refugees were literally rent competition.” now accuse him of running an ultra-authoritarian regime that has December 2013 led to the war that euphoric about prospects of peace trends continue, the influx for 2016 Lual Acuek, a South Sudanese violently suppressed all opposition since toppling Mursi in 2013. A saw tens of thousands killed and in their country and also about is set to be far higher.” lawmaker and the managing direc- military general can never tolerate dissident voices, the vital part of a millions flee their homes. their return,” Sulaiman Momodu, Uganda continues to play a vital tor of the Ebony Center for Strategic vibrant democracy. That is what Egypt is experiencing now as Al Sisi According to the UN’s refu- UNHCR spokesman for Ethiopia’s role in South Sudan, having sent Studies, said: “South Sudan’s eco- has swiftly turned his guns towards secularists and journalists who gee agency, the UNHCR, around Gambella region, told. The region troops to fight on the side of the nomic recovery at this point only criticise him. 2.4 million have been displaced borders eastern South Sudan and government during the war and depends on the agenda of the tran- within South Sudan’s borders by has seen a huge influx of people providing the country with up to sitional government. This is not the first time scribes are being treated with iron fists by the conflict while UN figures from over the last two years. 80 percent of its food. “The government must there- the Al Sisi government. Journalists from the Qatar-based Aljazeera April show more than 930,000 liv- “It does not mean, however, the To the north, Sudan is one of fore plan viable long-term strategies, channel, including the award-winning Australian Peter Greste, were ing as refugees in Ethiopia, Sudan, refugees are expecting to go right the main routes for international drawn from the expertise of finan- imprisoned for more than 400-days alleging that they were working Uganda and Kenya. The UN says to where they came from straight aid to South Sudan, is helping feed cial savvies, to pull the country out for the banned Muslim Brotherhood, a charge which was challenged 6.1 million need humanitarian aid. away,” Momodu added. hundreds of thousands of refugees, from this economic mess. by the channel. The new incidents clearly indicate that the ex-general, Lam Akol Ajawin, chairman of “You have to remember that particularly in the northern Upper “If Machar and Kiir can agree to the main opposition party Demo- some of them have lost their loved Nile and Unity states. forge unity and work together, put who also faces criticism from the public because of the struggling cratic Change, said reuniting the ones and most of them have been Machar, who was sworn in as forward a constructive economic economy and various other issues, is trying to suppress the media ruling Sudan People’s Liberation traumatised. They cannot just first vice president on April 26, has plan, they can move the country with gag orders, like the one regarding the probe into the killing of Movement -- which split during immediately go; there are issues recognised the work that needs to out of the crisis it is in.” an Italian student who was tortured before his death allegedly by the conflict into factions led by Kiir that need to be resolved -- you have be done before South Sudanese Another major hurdle facing the the security forces. Hundreds of supporters of deposed president and Machar -- would be the central to have reconciliation and you have refugees can return home. Juba government is its relationship Mohamed Muris have been sentenced to death in mass trails, which test of the transitional government. to have development activities. “The new government will dis- with its northern neighbour Sudan. drew widespread criticism from the UN and human rights group. The Akol, who has been named agri- “The mood among refugees is cuss together with the UN about Since independence, relations have culture minister in the transitional one of jubilation over the return of what should be done,” he told sup- been tense with mutual accusations renewed crackdown on political opponents, activists and media will government, warned that the “deep their leader… they have even been porters in Juba two days after he of support for rebels and frequent jeopardise the future of the nation which is struggling for stability. mistrust and rivalry” between Kiir slaughtering cows and celebrating took his official oath. economic rows, mostly over oil and Machar could undermine the ever since.” He added: “It requires inter- revenue. transition. In Uganda, Momodu’s coun- vention by the new government, Khartoum lost around three- “The war is the outcome of terpart Charles Yaxley said the the UN and the international com- quarters of its oil revenue when a deadly cocktail of personal initial hope that August’s peace munity to repatriate people to their South Sudan split from Sudan but ambition, state failure, high-level deal between Kiir’s government places of origin.” its control of the pipelines to the Quote of the day corruption and neglect of serv- and Machar’s rebels would lead South Sudan gained independ- Red Sea gives it a huge say in the ice delivery to the people, political to a fall in the number of refugees ence from Sudan in July 2011 after south’s economic welfare. manipulation of negative ethnicity arriving in Uganda had faded. what was then Africa’s longest-run- According to Sudanese political A vote to leave EU and failure to transform a revered “Continued militia activities, ning civil war and leaving the new analyst Salah Aldoma, President would make the UK less liberation movement into an particularly in Jonglei and East- state with the bulk of the coun- Omar Bashir’s administration sided attractive as a destination accountable ruling party,” he told. ern and Western Equatoria have try’s oil reserves. The economy now with Machar’s rebels during the for Japanese investment. “If the two men failed to rec- prompted large numbers of South lies in tatters. Productivity plum- South Sudanese conflict. oncile and continue to fight for Sudanese to flee to Uganda in 2016,” meted during the conflict, further “The normalisation of relations power, then things are likely to he told. impoverishing what remains one with Khartoum will be one of the get out of hand again and noth- “Our initial planning figures for of Africa’s least developed nations. most difficult challenges for the new ing will change.” 2016 anticipated around 35,000 Abebe Aynete, a senior transitional government,” he told Refugees who fled the fighting South Sudanese refugees seek- researcher at the Ethiopian For- Foreign Minister Ibrahim Shinzo Abe are understandably upbeat about ing safety in Uganda during the eign Relations Studies Institute, Ghandour welcomed the forma- Japanese Prime Minister their future prospects. In Nairobi’s course of 2016. However, with close said the transitional administra- tion of the transitional government Zimmerman estate, Patrick Aguer to 30,000 having arrived already tion needed to focus on utilising the and promised Khartoum’s full sup- was eager to return home. [this year], it is clear that if current country’s resources for the benefit port for the peace agreement.

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yet so much of the focus is on those pock- By Megan Rowling & Tom ets of the DRC where you do have that Esslemont humanitarian need. Then you have the Reuters big peacekeeping bit of it. The result is that the development bit gets squeezed and so does the governance N officials,aid workers and bit,including all the work that needs to be government representatives done on the rule of law... to give the people are expected to examine of the DRC the confidence that it is mov- ways of overcoming the ing in the right direction. biggestU obstacles to the delivery of aid Holmes: We still need to go more local, in conflict and disasters at the first-ever in terms of strengthening local capacity World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul and mentoring local NGOs and encourag- later this month. ing local civil society. But there are limits to Convened by UN Secretary-General that,because in conflict situations, locals Ban Ki-moon, the summit comes as aid are sometimes part of the problem - often officials warn of ever-growing human- intimidated by the (warring parties) and itarian needs due to crises ranging from can’t therefore act so well. Syria’s conflict to more extreme weather We need to overcome the humanitar- and rising seas as the planet warms. ian-development divide...it’s dead easy to Ahead of the May 23-24 meeting, say and extremely hard to do. the Thomson Reuters Foundation inter- But we need to get away from situa- viewed the head of the UN Office for the tions where the humanitarians go in and Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stop the worst, and then the money dries (OCHA), Stephen O’Brien,and his pred- up, we disappear again, and the underly- ecessors Valerie Amos (2010-2015), John ing causes have not really been tackled, Holmes(2007-2010) and Jan Egeland (2003- and we’re back again in three or five years 2006) on the changing face of humanitarian doing the same thing. response. I think we are still not technologi- cally innovative enough. The system is Q: Which parts of the humanitarian so busy fighting fires that... the capacity system need the most urgent reform? to do research and development, and to UN humanitarian chief and Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien (centre), sits with Syrian refugees during O’Brien: There is a need for us to work make use of IT innovations and some- a visit to Al Zaatari refugee camp in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, near the border with Syria on September 19, 2015. very hard to wards collective outcomes, how to mobilise all those clever people meaning getting more multi-year program- in Silicon Valley or Silicon Roundabout ming, more multi-year financing and not to volunteer their services, to provide just meeting immediate needs, but also some apps which could really start to climate change it is probably going to be speed, with so many crises and working being a leader in the areas where you see more medium- to long-term needs. fix some of our problems — not enough every year. So this mass movement of peo- with so many different stakeholders, you change is needed. Get time to ask your- How do we empower local people, of it has happened. ple as a result of that. have to have a sense of what motivates all self and others: “What are we not doing working more collectively,in collabora- Egeland: Principles, protection and Holmes: In terms of more and more those different actors —and how you can that we should be doing now?” tion with local NGOs and others? But at proximity. The humanitarian principles intense (weather) events, actually bring about change and reform the same time there has to continue to be have to be promoted and defended more. what we always said would happen is in a very crowded environment. accountability/transparency. I find them attacked, politicised, milita- happening ... At the same Holmes: Go and see for yourself what’s Amos: If you look at protracted cri- rised. Where we are failing is not assistance, time, this is being dwarfed by what is going on, talk to the people who are actu- I think we are still ses... you need a way of thinking about it’s protection — where we keep people happening on the conflict ally involved in it, and suffering it. Because them which goes beyond the humanitarian. alive but we don’t defend them. side. We used to say 70 percent of only then do you understand it, only then not technologically Look at places like Democratic Republic of (On proximity) It’s true that there are humanitarian aid went to the can you talk about it with authority, and Congo (DRC) or Somalia, where human- too many aid workers in capital cities, in victims of conflict, and now I think it only then can you have the right influence innovative enough. itarian interventions have gone on year easily reached places, and in the places is 80 percent that you need on the rest of the system, on The system is so busy after year after year. where the cameras are easily at hand. Egeland: Longer-term we are going donor governments and on public opin- You cannot say that the DRC is not in We are still unpredictable in being there to have this lethal cocktail of natural dis- ion because you’re speaking from real fighting fires that... the need of humanitarian assistance — and according to needs. asters, weak and bad governance, and knowledge. internal strife that will make humani- Talk to the difficult people but also talk capacity to do research Q: What will drive humanitarian tarian work extremely challenging and to them privately. It’s all very well denounc- and development, needs in the next 20 years? extremely important, and where we will ing them publicly, and sometimes they need O’Brien: We ... know that even with need to be very principled and high-qual- that. But if they think you are just grand- and to make use of mitigation measures on climate change, ity in our work. standing for the sake of it, they don’t take Convened by UN Secretary-General we will still have climate effects, we will much notice of you. IT innovations and Ban Ki-moon, the summit comes as still have natural disasters. Q: What single piece of advice would Egeland: It is the basic leadership somehow to mobilise all aid officials warn of ever-growing Amos: I think these conflicts will con- you give to future OCHAchiefs? dilemma, really. You have to try to set the tinue. (And) I think it is the complexity of O’Brien: The only thing I can say is be agenda yourself, not let everybody else set those clever people in humanitarian needs due to crises climate-related disasters. So you have a aware there aren’t enough hours in the day. your agenda. ranging from Syria’s conflict to more country which will have a conflict in one Amos: Your focus has got to be on get- There are so many actors, there are Silicon Valley or Silicon part, which is affected by a climate-related ting the best out of people — so there has so many voices, there are so many com- Roundabout to volunteer extreme weather and rising seas as shock, which is ongoing, where you might to be clarity of vision. It has to be ashared peting demands that, in the end,one the planet warms. have a drought every five years and now vision. becomes too much (an) administrator of their services. it is every other year, and as a result of When you are working at that kind of response to others’ priorities instead of I cancelled my home Internet — and got more connected

a way I’d never been before. access to all the high-speed Internet and space to stay organized and think neighbourhood, and I’ve hosted a I wondered who I would call if I I want. But when the workday is done, about my goals for the future. I’ve found few bonfires and potlucks in my back had car trouble on the highway, or my online options are coffee shops, that my feelings of stress and anxiety yard. Slowly but surely, I am making what would happen if I had a medi- the library or a friend’s house. So I use have diminished significantly. connections and building up a social cal emergency. I imagined waiting in my time online more wisely, keeping When I get bored, I turn to other network in a city where I started with the hospital room by myself, without track of all the Internet “errands” I need activities such as reading, taking a few friends or connections. Every time I binged a friend or cousin to accompany me. to run the next time I am connected. walk around my neighbourhood or Being alone can be uncomfortable. on social media, I I didn’t have much of a social life, I’ve been living without a home listening to podcasts I’ve downloaded That’s why we see so many people star- either. I found myself spending late Internet connection for nearly a year, onto my iPod. ing at their smartphones while waiting felt an emptiness: nights scrolling through Facebook and I can’t imagine going back. Don’t The quality of my alone time has in line at the grocery store or even at Where had all those and Instagram, peering into the lives get me wrong — I love Facebook as deepened, and my home has become a stoplight. of others. much as the next person. I maintain an intimate space where I can seek At a time of excess stimulation and hours gone? What Every time I binged on social media, a blog; I use online dating sites; I fall sanctuary from the outside world. I connectivity, it has become increasingly did I have to show I felt an emptiness: Where had all those for clickbait and silly YouTube videos. indulge my creative side more often hard to find solitude. Social networks By Carmella de los Angeles for them, and why hours gone? What did I have to show I’m addicted to checking my email. But by painting, using Photoshop and writ- and the vast expense of the Internet Guiol for them, and why was I wasting time unlike many Americans, I no longer ing poetry. allow us to feel close to people even was I wasting time The Washington Post this way? It took me a while to realise do these things from the comfort of If I feel lonely, I call a friend or when we were are physically far away, this way? It took me that this online voyeurism was giving my home. leave my house. I’ve also sought out which is great in moderation. We need me a false sense of human connection. Living without the Internet has more connections with people who still need time and space to ourselves. a while to realise When my roommate moved out last changed how I relate to both the online are physically close, rather than rely- In a new city, it was easier for me that this online l most two years ago, I moved summer, she took with her the WiFi and offline worlds. When I am home, ing on faraway friends. to hide away at home with my cat and voyeurism was from my hometown of Miami connection that was in her name. And I don’t have the option of filling my I find myself reaching out to stran- my computer than it was to reach out Ato Tampa. In Miami, my entire I decided not to sign up for service on spare time with mindless web-surfing. gers more often — asking the woman to the world around me. giving me a false family lives within a few blocks of each my own. My devotion to my trusty flip I can’t hide from the fact that I am truly in my Zumba class if she wants to grab Cutting off the Internet has allowed other; I can’t go to the grocery store phone meant that I would have no Inter- alone, and I am happier because of it. a drink, for example, or chatting with me to foster new connections with the sense of human without running into someone I know. net capabilities at home. Not being constantly connected to the barista at my local coffee shop. people around me, while also deep- connection. In Tampa, I was unnervingly alone in I work at an office where I have the Internet has given me more time I’ve made some friends in my ening my relationship with myself.

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 FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 AMERICAS

Court suspends Massive wildfire forces more evacuations Rousseff

Flames fanned south from Fort have been destroyed, Alberta Premier impeachment McMurray, the main city in Canada’s Rachel Notley said. The weather forecast oil sands region on late Wednesday Temperatures hit 31 degrees Celsius architect has called for cooler night. Officials issued mandatory evac- (88°F) on Wednesday. But on Thursday uation orders for the Anzac, Gregoire morning, Environment Canada fore- temperatures and Lake Estates and Fort McMurray First cast a high of 19 degrees Celsius (66°F) AFP possible rain, offering Nation communities. with a 30 percent chance of rain. The hope in Alberta that Officials on the scene were forced average high in the area is 15 degrees to evacuate a make-shift emergency Celsius. BRASÍLIA: A Brazilian Supreme controlling the blaze operations centre for the second time A government forecast map of Court justice yesterday suspended could become easier. in less than a day. potential fire intensity still showed Eduardo Cunha, the senior law- Authorities said there had been no some areas around Fort McMurray at maker at the center of efforts to known casualties from the blaze itself, class 6, the highest level. impeach President Dilma Rouss- but fatalities were reported in at least In the early hours of the evacua- eff, citing his attempt to obstruct a Reuters one vehicle crash along the evacua- tion on Tuesday, fire blocked the only probe into his alleged corruption. tion route. Thousands bunked down for route south to major cities, so thou- The speaker of Brazil’s lower the night in arenas, hockey rinks and sands of evacuees drove north, where house of Congress is the architect oil work camps that were often short there are oil sands facilities but few of the impeachment drive which is ANZAC, ALBERTA: A massive wildfire of fuel and food. major settlements, and no route out expected to see Rousseff forced to near Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada, Fire also threatened the airport, except back through the burning city. step aside from office. that has grown to five times its initial and web cam images showed black Wildfire raging through the town of Fort McMurray. Late Wednesday, the regional gov- Despite facing criminal charges size has spread south, forcing more smoke engulfing the area late Wednes- ernment fielded questions on Twitter including bribery and hiding money evacuations yesterday after 88,000 day evening. Officials confirmed that from frightened evacuees north of the in Swiss bank accounts, Cunha has people fled the city in the nation’s a hotel north of the main terminal had efforts to help employees and evac- per day of capacity was offline. city, asking when they would be able to survived months of attempts by energy heartland. caught fire, but as the sun rose on Thurs- uees and protect pipelines affected Hot, dry, windy weather has made drive south, and whether areas north prosecutors and a congressional com- The weather forecast has called day new images of the airport showed production and helped boost the price the massive wildfire all but impossi- of the city were safe. mittee to see him brought to justice. for cooler temperatures and possible no obvious damage. of crude. ble to control. The entire city of Fort “We haven’t forgotten about you A master backroom political rain, offering hope that controlling the Major oil sands facilities were not in Austrian consultancy JBC Energy McMurray was ordered to evacuate on and you’re safe,” said the government operator, he is widely seen as the blaze could become easier. the path of the flames, but companies’ estimated that some 500,000 barrels Tuesday, and some 1,600 structures on Twitter. key to getting the impeachment pro- ceedings green-lighted by the lower house in April and sent to the Sen- ate, which will vote on opening a trial and suspending Rousseff on Cheerful faces Hillary might have next Wednesday. But the man Brazilians refer to as a real-life Frank Under- wood—the corrupt US politician to testify on emails in the hit Netflix series “House of Cards”—appeared finally to have been brought down by Justice Teori AFP of seven former State Department offi- Zavaski. cials about the private email system The ruling reflected concerns on Clinton used for much of her elec- the Supreme Court that with Rous- tronic correspondence while secretary seff suspended and replaced by her WASHINGTON: A federal judge has of state. vice president, Michel Temer, Cunha said Hillary Clinton may be required They include Cheryl Mills, who would have moved up to first on the to testify about her private email sys- was Clinton’s chief of staff at the presidential succession list. tem while secretary of state as part of State Department; Huma Abedin, Zavaski said in the ruling “there a freedom of information act lawsuit her former deputy chief of staff; and is not the least doubt that the suspect brought by a conservative watch- Bryan Pagliano, the State Depart- does not meet minimum personal dog group. It was the latest twist in ment employee who reportedly set requirements for fully exercising the a long-running email saga that con- up the email system. functions of speaker of the cham- tinues to dog Clinton as she runs for Clinton’s use of a private server for ber of deputies at this time.” president as the presumptive Dem- both official and private correspondence “That qualifies him even less ocratic nominee. came to light in 2015 during Republi- so for substituting as the president Judge Emmet Sullivan gave go can-led congressional investigations of the republic,” the justice said. ahead for Judicial Watch to take tes- into her handling of a militant attack Prosecutors had long asked for timony from several of Clinton’s close on US mission in Bengazi, Libya. Cunha to be brought to trial in the aides when she was secretary of state. The assault in 2012 left the US Supreme Court—which handles “Based on information learned dur- ambassador and three other Ameri- all high-ranking politicians— Students on the street in front of Republica Argentina school celebrate after Paraguay’s Education ing discovery, deposition of Mrs Clinton cans dead. The FBI has since launched but the court was said to be wary Minister Marta Lafuente resigned in Asuncion, Paraguay, yesterday. They had set a 48-hour deadline may be necessary,” Sullivan said in an a criminal investigation amid Republi- of suspending Cunha while the for Lafuente to resign, following her involvement in a series of corruption scandals. order granting Judicial Watch discovery. can charges that use of the unsecured impeachment battle was in full The order authorises depositions system endangered national security. flow in the lower house. Republicans grapple on whether to back Trump

Reuters Still others said they might vote in the the presidential bid of former Florida bar Muslims from entering the country general election for Hillary Clinton, the Governor Jeb Bush, said he was lean- as a way to combat terrorism. likely Democratic nominee. ing toward voting for Trump because Republican former presidents Bill Achtmeyer, the Boston-based he could not support Clinton. George H W Bush and George W Bush WASHINGTON: Republican lawmak- founder of consulting firm Parthenon “I’m not there yet, but I don’t have do not plan to endorse anyone in the ers, operatives and donors grappled Group, was among those considering a lot of choice,” Beightol said. White House race this year. The par- with whether to support Donald Trump, a possible vote for Clinton. In most US elections cycles, party ty’s presidential nominee in 2012, Mitt who effectively clinched his party’s “If she is able to move to the centre insiders quickly coalesce around can- Romney, will not attend the Repub- presidential nomination this week and think as creatively and thought- didates once they have effectively sewn lican National Convention in July, an after his two remaining rivals, Ted fully as her husband (Bill Clinton) did up the nomination. But Trump’s bom- aide said. Romneydelivered a blister- Cruz and John Kasich, dropped out ... boy, I would have a hard time, based bastic rhetoric, unorthodox campaign ing attack on Trump in March. of the White House race. on what I know, not voting for Hillary and his lack of experience in govern- The party’s 2008 nominee, US Sen- As Trump sought to rally the versus what Trump is espousing,” said ment have left the party divided. ator John McCain of Arizona, has said US President Barack Obama delivers remarks at Northwestern High fractured party behind him, many Achtmeyer, who has donated $200,000 He has vowed to deport illegal he would support the eventual nomi- School in Flint, Michigan. prominent Republicans got behind to Republicans over the last decade. immigrants and build a wall along the nee, “who is now presumptively Donald the reality TV star and real estate devel- Another Republican donor, David Mexican border. Trump,” said McCain’s Senate cam- oper, while some weighed their options. Beightol, who raised money this year for He has also said he would temporarily paign spokeswoman, Lorna Romero. Flint crisis may take two Brazil lawmakers NYC lawmakers set to impose years to fix: Obama propose bill to 5-cent charge for plastic bags AFP adding that “working with the state shield WhatsApp and the city, filters are now availa- ble for everyone in the city.” AP and perhaps to start bringing their enacted in 2009, has led to a 60 per- But Obama did caution residents Reuters own. And that, they say, might help cent drop in bag use. WASHINGTON: US President Barack about drinking unfiltered water and keep the bags from filling landfills and Former New York mayor Michael Obama visited crisis-hit Flint, Mich- the scale of the problem the rust belt blowing into trees and waterways — Bloomberg first proposed a plastic bag igan, where he sipped filtered water city faces in replacing lead tainted BRASILIA: A Brazilian congres- NEW YORK: Every minute of every as they now do constantly in the city. charge in 2008, but the idea failed to to prove it was potable but warned piping. sional commission recommended day, without thinking, thousands of Some New Yorkers interviewed said attract support from the City Coun- poisonous lead pipes may take two “It might take a year,” he said. “It a bill that forbids authorities from New Yorkers accept disposable plas- they weren’t sure how they would adapt, cil. The current bill was introduced in years to replace. might take two years. It might take blocking popular messaging appli- tic bag from shops and supermarkets . especially in a city where most people 2014 and has been amended to slash More than 8,000 children are more.” cations, just two days after a judicial The city’s sanitation department esti- are shopping on foot rather than by car. the per-bag fee from 10 cents to 5. believed to have drunk contaminated Republican and Democratic pres- order left 100 million Brazilians mates that 10 billion bags a year are “A lot of times I leave work, if I’m “Everyone knows that plastic bags water in the hardscrabble northern idential candidates have used Flint without Facebook Inc’s WhatsApp. tossed in the trash — roughly 19,000 on the way home, I don’t have time to are a problem,” said Councilman Brad city, which has become a focus of the crisis to trade barbs about the size, A Brazilian judge had over- bags per minute. have a bag with me,” said Pat Tomasso. Lander, a Brooklyn Democrat and bill 2016 election campaign. role and failings of local and federal turned a 72-hour suspension of the Now, city officials are poised to Todd Killinger, 47, who works in sponsor. “They blow everywhere. They “I want everybody in the city of governments. application used by roughly half the test whether a 5-cent charge can wean advertising, said it’s a good idea. “After never biodegrade. They’re made of Flint to know that you should have your The contamination began after a population of the South American New Yorkers from the convenient but a time I think people will switch and petroleum. And we don’t need them.” child checked,” Obama said during a decision in 2014 to shift Flint’s water country, triggering popular outcry environmentally unfriendly sacks. bring their own bags but initially not Opponents say the fee essentially meeting with a group of government source from the Detroit River to the over its second judicial suspension The City Council is scheduled to so much,” he said. amounts to a new tax on a heavily officials responding to the crisis. Flint River as part of cost-cutting in only five months. vote on a bill that would require most If the law is enacted, New York City taxed population. Asked if a glass of water in front measures ordered by state Gover- A congressional commission merchants to charge customers at least will join more than 150 other munic- “I’m tired of my constituents being of him was from Flint, he used the nor Rick Snyder, a Republican who investigating cyber crimes proposed a nickel for each bag. Technically, the ipalities that have passed ordinances nickeled-and-dimed all the time,” said opportunity to show that filtered water has consistently resisted calls to quit. removing messaging applications, fee isn’t a tax. Stores will get to keep either to ban single-use plastic bags Councilman Steven Matteo, a Staten is safe to drink. “Generally I haven’t Experts believe the chemical- such as WhatsApp, from a bill that the money they collect. or to charge a fee for them. Island Republican who plans to vote been doing stunts, but here you go,” laced Flint River water corroded lead regulates suspension of websites and Supporters are hoping the extra Officials from Washington, DC, against the bag fee. “It’s going to give he said as he took a sip. “Just con- pipes, allowing large amounts of the other applications used for crimes charge will force New Yorkers to testified at a New York City Coun- my constituents another reason to shop firms what we know scientifically.” poisonous element to leach into the such as drugs and arms trafficking. think twice about accepting a bag cil hearing that their 5-cent bag fee, in New Jersey.” “Filtered water is safe,” he said, city’s water. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

PAGE | 14 QE 9,748.78 -106.07 PTS PAGE | 14 Tesla accelerates DOW 17,639.11 -12.15 PTS US orders recall to hit target of FTSE100 6,117.25 +5.23 PTS of up to 40m more 500,000 cars yearly BRENT $45.08 +$0.30 Takata airbags

FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 • 29 Rajab 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Mideast carriers see highest Minister meets Djibouti envoy rise in passenger demand

March performance shows a moderate slowdown on the year-on-year growth rates recorded in January (7.2% ) and February (8.6%) even after adjusting for the leap-year impact in February.

Minister of Transport and Communications H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti met Djibouti’s Ambassador to Qatar Momen Hassan. They discussed relations between the two friendly countries in the fields of The Peninsula transportation and information and communication technology, and means of further enhancing them.

for domestic travel (3.7 percent). points to 77.4 percent. Key routes “While in line with long-term within Asia, across the Pacific and DOHA: Middle East carriers experi- trends, demand growth in March rep- to the Middle East grew strongly in enced a 12 percent rise in international resented a slow-down compared to the opening months, although Asia to passenger demand in March compared January and February. It is premature Europe routes lagged behind. Higher layoffs push US jobless claims up to same month last year, which was to say whether this marks the end of European carriers saw March the highest increase among regions, the recent very strong results. We do demand climb 5.5 percent over March according to the International Air expect further stimulus in the form 2015. Capacity rose 5.4 percent and Reuters week ended April30, the Labor Depart- to 258,000 last week. Transport Association (IATA) latest of network expansion and declines in load factor edged up 0.1 percentage ment said. Last week’s increase was Prices for US government debt report. travel costs. However, the wider eco- points to 80.8 percent, highest among the largest since February of last year. slightly pared losses after the data, The association yesterday nomic backdrop remains subdued,” regions. The largest routes, including “We are assuming the move in while the US dollar edged up against announced global passenger traf- said Tony Tyler (pictured) , Director between the UK and Germany, and WASHINGTON: The number of Amer- claims is largely technical. By all a basket of currencies. US stock futures fic results for March showing that General and CEO, IATA. to and from Spain, have seen strong icans filing for unemployment benefits accounts, businesses cannot find the were trading higher. demand (measured in revenue pas- March international passenger growth this year. It is too soon to know rose more than expected last week, skilled labor they need,” said Chris Rup- The latest claims data has no bear- senger kilometers, or RPKs) rose 5.3 demand rose 6.2 percent compared how the terrorist attacks in Brussels posting the biggest gain in more than a key, chief financial economist at MUFG ing on April’s employment report as it percent, compared to the same month to March 2015, which was a decline will affect demand. year, but the underlying trend contin- Union Bank in New York. falls outside the survey period. That last year. IATA represents nearly 260 compared to the 9.1 percent increase Middle East carriers experienced ued to point to a strengthening labour Economists polled by Reuters had points to a fairly robust labor market airlines comprising 83 percent of glo- in February. Airlines in all regions 13.6 percent increase in capacity and market. forecast initial claims rising to 260,000 despite a report on Wednesday show- bal air traffic. recorded growth. Total capacity load factor dropped 1.1 percentage Another report yesterday showed a in the latest week. Jobless claims have ing hiring by employers in the private March performance shows a mod- climbed 6.9 percent, causing load points to 76.5 percent. 35 percent surge in planned layoffs by now been below 300,000, a thresh- sector last month was the weakest in erate slowdown on the year-on-year factor to slip 0.5 percent percentage North American airlines’ traffic US-based employers last month. Most old associated with healthy labor three years. Though the ADP National growth rates recorded in January (7.2 points to 78.5 percent. climbed 0.7 percent in March com- of the announced job cuts were con- market conditions, for 61 consecu- Employment Report showed a slow- percent) and February (8.6 percent) Asia-Pacific airlines’ traffic rose pared to the year-ago period, the centrated in the energy sector, which is tive weeks, the longest stretch since down in services industry hiring last even after adjusting for the leap-year 6 percent in March compared to the slowest pace since April 2013. Car- reeling from low oil prices that have hurt 1973. The four-week moving average month, an Institute for Supply Manage- impact in February. Demand for inter- year-ago period; however, capacity riers here have been concentrating profits. Initial claims for state unem- of claims, considered a better measure ment survey showed employment in national traffic grew significantly increased 7.8 percent, which caused their efforts on the larger and stronger ployment benefits increased 17,000 to of labor market trends as it irons out the services sector increased in April more quickly (6.2 percent) than that load factor to slide 1.3 percentage domestic markets. a seasonally adjusted 274,000 for the week-to-week volatility, rose 2,000 for a second straight month. Gannett bid for big newspaper tie-up rejected ExxonMobil launches venture for low-cost carbon capture AFP it believes to be in the best interests of the company and its sharehold- ers, Gannett’s opportunistic proposal AFP chief executive Chip Bottone in a state- understates the company’s true value ment. FuelCell Energy is a specialist WASHINGTON: The owner of the and is not a basis for further discussion.” in fuel-cell technology, which con- group that includes The Los Angeles Dearborn added that the company verts waste gases into energy. Times rejected a takeover bid by rival believes “our standalone strategic plan NEW YORK: Oil giant ExxonMobil The company believes it has devel- Gannett to create a national newspa- will generate shareholder value in said it was starting a new venture that oped a solution to combining carbon per powerhouse, saying it undervalues excess of Gannett’s proposal.” could make carbon-dioxide capture capture and fuel-cell technology in the publisher. Tribune Publishing group was spun a more economically attractive way a way that could pay for itself with The $815m bid “understates the off the larger Tribune Co. in 2014, and to fight global warming. power generation. The power plant company’s true value and is not in the has been examining options such as the ExxonMobil said its new agree- exhausts would be delivered to the best interests of our shareholders,” said sale of the coveted Los Angeles daily. ment with FuelCell Energy aims to fuel cell, which would use some of the a statement from Tribune Publishing, Earlier this year, it lost a bid for the develop technology for capturing car- exhaust for generating power while which owns the big Los Angeles news- Orange County Register after US anti- bon-dioxide emissions from power concentrating the carbon dioxide, paper as well as the Chicago Tribune, trust officials objected to its merger plants using fuel cells. making capture easier. Baltimore Sun, Orlando Sentinel, Hart- with The Los Angeles Times, claiming The idea is that the fuel cells The process would also eliminate ford Courant and other dailies. it would have too much dominance in could generate the additional elec- around 70 percent of smog-pro- The offer announced last month southern California. tricity needed for the carbon-capture ducing nitrogen oxides from power The Gannett Co Inc headquarters in Tysons Corner, Virginia. would combine the big metropolitan Gannett last month said its Trib- process, eliminating at least part of plants, according to Bottone. The cap- dailies with USA Today and its more une offer had been rejected in private what has been seen as a burdensome tured carbon dioxide is then stored than 100 publications around the digital. “Tribune Publishing is in the and significantly accelerate our con- talks, but went public with its bid in cost in the process. “Carbon capture underground. The two companies United States. early stages of a compelling transfor- version of content to revenue through an effort to win over the board. Gan- with carbonate fuel cells is a poten- said the initial target of the venture Tribune Publishing chief executive mation, with a well-defined strategic an enhanced digital strategy,” Dear- nett last year became the latest media tial game-changer for affordably and is to prove initial estimates that the Justin Dearborn said the company was plan to drive increasing monetization born said. conglomerate to break itself apart, efficiently concentrating carbon diox- technology could save one-third of carrying out its own strategic plan to of our important brands, capitalize on “While the board is always open to splitting off its television operations ide for large-scale gas and coal-fired the costs from conventional carbon- adapt the company’s newspapers to the global potential of the LA Times evaluating any credible proposal that into a new firm called Tegna. power plants,” said FuelCell Energy separation technology. 14 FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 BUSINESS

Alibaba revenue QE index lost 437.40 points last week soars but new

The Peninsula Financial Services sector led traded accounted for 15.16 percent and Tele- From the 44 companies listed, ventures value with 33.66 percent of the total. coms sector accounted for 11.93 percent. shares of 38 saw trading yesterday. Market cap fell Consumer Goods and Services sector From the 44 listed companies six ended From these 11 gained, 26 closed lower hit profit 4.14% to reach about accounted for 20.72 percent. Indus- the week higher, while 36 fell and two and one remained unchanged. DOHA: Qatar Exchange’s (QE) bench- tries sector accounted for 18.84 percent unchanged. Among the top losers were Ooredoo mark index lost 437.40 points, or 4.29 QR526.76bn as and Real Estate sector accounted for Widam Food Company led trad- whose share declined by 3.37 percent Reuters percent, during the past trading week compared to about 11.32 percent. ing value the week accounted for 13.23 to QR86, Qatar Insurance lost 3.10 per- compared to the previous week when Banking and Financial Services percent of the total. Qatar First Bank cent to QR75.10, Vodafone Qatar fell the exchange closed trading at 9,748.78 QR549.53bn at the sector led traded volume with 39.1 (QFC) accounted for 6.6 percent QNB 2.73 percent to QR11.42 and Doha Bank points yesterday. end of previous week. percent of the total. Real Estate sector accounted for 6.02 percent, reports decreased by 2.58 percent to QR35.85. BEIJING: Alibaba Group Holding Trading value during the week accounted for 18.31 percent. Industries QNA. The Banking and Financial sec- Ltd, China’s biggest e-commerce decreased by 24.88 percent to reach sector accounted for 15.68 percent and On daily basis, the index dropped tor index was dropped 1.03 percent company, said fourth-quarter sales about QR1.32bn compared to about Consumer Goods and Services sector 106.07 points, or 1.08 percent yester- to 2,645.6 points, while Consumer rose 39 percent after its core online QR1.76bn. 21,986 transactions as compared to accounted for 12.22 percent. day compared to Wednesday. Goods and Services sector index fell shopping business grew, but profit Trading volume decreased by 30.06 27,518 transactions. Banking and Financial Services The volume of shares was down to 0.12 percent to 6,415.66 points. The fell for the first time as it spent on percent to reach about 42.5 million Market cap during the week fell by sector led traded number of transac- about 7.39 million from about 8.83 mil- industrial sector lost 0.33 percent to ventures like food delivery. shares, as against about 60.76 million 4.14 percent to reach about QR526.76bn tions past week with 34.79 percent of lion on previous day and the value of 3,029.57 points and Insurance sec- Net income excluding extraor- shares, while the number of transac- as compared to about QR549.53bn at the total. Industrials sector accounted shares decreased to about QR252.43m tor decreased 2.32 percent to 4,144.87 dinary items, Alibaba’s preferred tions fell by 20.10 percent, to reach the end of previous week. Banking and for 18.85 percent. Real Estate sector from about QR298.39m on Wednesday. points. measure for earnings, shrank 1.4 percent to 7.6bn yuan from the previ- ous year, as the company continued to invest heavily in new but shak- ier businesses. Investors welcomed the higher- US orders recall of than-expected revenue, sending the firm’s American Depository shares up 3.7 percent to $78.60 by 1435 GMT (9:35 a.m. ET). up to 40m more “Whatever they are doing must be working, and most importantly it’s a sign that the Chinese consumer may not be weakening quite yet,” Takata airbags said Gil Luria of Wedbush Securities. But, not all of Alibaba’s busi- nesses looked rosy. Its online finance affiliate Ant Financial Services AFP the issue in the United States. Group, one of founder Jack Ma’s The latest was a 17 year old Texas crown jewels in his e-commerce teenager who died from injuries sus- empire, recorded a net loss in the tained on March 31, after her 2002 quarter. That business has spent WASHINGTON: US auto safety Honda Civic collided with another car, heavily on its intense competition regulators on Wednesday ordered Jap- activating a defective Takata airbag. with WeChat Payment, one of the anese manufacturer Takata to recall “The science clearly shows that world’s largest payments systems between 35 and 40 million more air- these inflators become unsafe over and owned by Alibaba arch-rival bags installed in US cars, in a push time, faster when exposed to humidity Tencent Holdings Ltd. Ant, which for the replacement of dangerously and variations of temperature,” said houses the massive Alipay online explosive inflators. NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind. payment platform, is now valued The decision came after the Rosekind pointed out that the pre- at $60bn and is gearing up for an National Highway Traffic Safety vious recalls had already covered those IPO, despite the fact it is now los- Administration concluded that the inflator models specifically responsi- ing money. inflators are prone to ruptures that ble for the known incidents. Ma has often said he is aim- Mark Rosekind, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), announces have been tied to 11 deaths worldwide, The new recall, which will involve ing for a mainland listing for Ant, and adds to nearly 29 million Takata tens of millions of cars of a broad range an expanded recall of up to 40 million Takata airbags, at NHTSA headquarters in Washington. but for a company to list in China, airbags already recalled. of makes and models, covers addi- it must have three years of annual The announcement represented an tional Takata inflator types that do profits. Alibaba executives said on acceleration of planned recalls over not include a desiccant that absorbs The first airbags covered in the new Rosekind said. vehicles,” the company said. Thursday the finance firm is still the next three years as evidence of the moisture. recall will be those in hot and humid In a statement Takata said it agreed It also stressed that all of its new profitable on an annual basis. reason behind the exploding inflators It will be phased in over the next climates which would have shorter to the expanded recalls, but it down- inflators come with dessicant that mit- Alibaba’s revenues rose to became more clear. three years, with the priority on those lifespans — generally the southern part played the possible dangers in the cars igates against the heat and humidity 24.2bn yuan ($3.7bn) in the quar- Investigators have tied accidents with the highest risk, based on the age of the United States — along with the covered by the new action. effects. The Takata case constitutes ter ended March 31 from 17.4 billion in which airbag inflators ruptured, of the inflators and their exposure to oldest airbags in service in any region. “Takata is not aware of any rup- the largest ever safety recall in US his- yuan a year earlier, beating the aver- sending shrapnel into car drivers and high temperatures and humidity. “This recall schedule ensures the tures, in the field or in testing, in the tory, the NHTSA said. age analyst estimate of 23.22bn passengers, to the deterioration of the NHTSA testing found that the serv- inflators will be recalled and replaced inflator products in vehicles that Last year the agency slapped yuan. Gross merchandise volume inflators’ ammonium nitrate propellant ice life expectancies of Takata inflators before they become dangerous, giv- would be covered by this new order, Takata with a record $200 million fine (GMV), or the total value of goods under high humidity and fluctuating could vary from six years to 25 years, ing vehicle owners sufficient time nor is Takata aware of any new data for providing inadequate and inaccu- transacted on its platforms on China heat conditions. More than 100 inci- depending on the heat and humidity to have them replaced before they or scientific analysis that suggests any rate information about the problem retail marketplaces, rose 24 per- dents and 10 deaths have been tied to conditions. pose a danger to vehicle occupants,” substantial risk with respect to such airbags to regulators. cent to 742bn yuan. BT to invest £6bn Yahoo takes hit with Tesla accelerates to hit target on broadband and of 500,000 cars yearly mobile upgrades loss of AT&T contract Reuters AFP

AFP

LONDON: Britain’s biggest tele- SAN FRANCISCO: Yahoo’s struggling coms provider BT said it is prepared Internet business took a hit with the SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla is speeding to spend £6bn on rolling out more loss of a long-time contract to man- the timeline for building half a million super fast fiber and 4G mobile in age the Internet portal and search for cars annually as it steps up produc- the next three years, provided the US telecommunication giant AT&T. tion to meet growing demand for its regulator allows it to retain con- AT&T confirmed that it is switching electric vehicles. trol of its networks. to Synacor to manage its att.net por- Hot demand for a new, more Regulator Ofcom wants to tal and applications including search, affordable Model 3 led the company improve broadband access for Brit- ending a business tie it had with Yahoo other strategic options. The company to shave two years off its timeline for ish households and has threatened for 15 years. “While this transition reported a net loss of $99m in the first building a combined total of 500,000 to break up BT, a former monop- will occur over one to two years, it quarter, compared with a $21m profit vehicles, combining Model S, Model oly group, if it does not ease its grip is another step as we integrate the a year earlier. Revenues slumped to X, and Model 3, each year and make on the Openreach network that is entertainment and services our cus- $1.09bn compared to $1.23bn in same the new target date 2018. used by rivals as well as BT’s own tomers want,” AT&T said in an email period a year earlier. “Increasing production fivefold customers. response to an inquiry. “This deal does US telecoms giant and AT&T rival over the next two years will be chal- BT said it was ready to lift its not impact email addresses. The deal Verizon has emerged as a leading con- lenging and will likely require some target for super fast broadband to 12 pertains to other web functions.” tender to take over Yahoo as other big additional capital, but this is our goal A Tesla Model S with version 7.0 software update containing Autopilot million premises by 2020, including Synacor, which is based in New names reportedly drop out, accord- and we will be working hard to achieve features is seen during a Tesla event in Palo Alto, California. 2 million of the fastest connections, York state, said in a release that it ing to US financial media. it,” Tesla Founder and Chief Execu- from 10 million after it reported expected the contract to bring in $100 Although Yahoo is one of the best- tive Elon Musk (pictured) said in a wise is another question.” a better-than-expected 6 percent million in revenue annually after it known names on the Internet, used by letter released with a quarterly earn- Long-term ramping of Tesla pro- rise in full-year earnings. was fully implemented in 2017. around a billion people, it has fallen ings report. duction would likely involve building However, it said it wanted “We are thrilled that AT&T will be behind Google in web searches and Musk affirmed the company’s plan factories on other continents, partic- reassurance from Ofcom about using our managed portal services, been steadily losing ground in online to deliver 80,000 to 90,000 new vehi- ularly Europe and Asian, to reduce the amount of control it keeps on mobile apps, and advertising solutions advertising. In February, Yahoo said cles this year, and said it was on track costs of getting vehicles to custom- investment and returns from the in this important initiative to deepen it was cutting 15 percent of its work- to begin deliveries of its keenly awaited ers, according to Musk. network. engagement with their customers,” force and narrowing its focus as it Model 3 late next year, which at around In its quarterly results, Tesla said The regulator is pushing for full Synacor chief executive Himesh Bhise explored “strategic alternatives.” $35,000 will be priced at about half revenue in the past quarter climbed structural separation of Openreach. said in the release. Yahoo Chief Executive Marissa the cost of its Model S. to $1.6 billion in a 45 percent increase “We expect we can make a fair Yahoo did not respond to a request Mayer (pictured) has simultaneously Tesla received more than 325,000 from the same period a year earlier, return on this investment, so we are for comment. been working to revive growth and orders for its Model 3 during the Musk theorised that the number while the company’s net loss narrowed calling on Ofcom to give us some The loss of AT&T business was made priorities of what she refers to first week it began taking deposits, of cars cranked out by Tesla, powered 34 percent to $75m. “Our financial confidence that our shareholders likely unwelcomed news at Yahoo, as “Mavens” — mobile, video, native despite never paying for advertising by batteries made in Gigafactory built performance improved as well,” Musk are going to make a fair return,” which is in the process of trying to advertising and social media. or endorsements, according to the in partnership with Panasonic, could said in the letter. Chief Executive Officer Gavin Pat- sell the company as part of a spin-off Mayer left Google to take the company. “This implies about $14bn ramp to a million by the year 2020. Tesla shares climbed more than terson said. of lucrative shareholdings in Chinese Yahoo helm in 2012. Yahoo averted in future sales, making the Model 3 “We actually believe that Fremont three percent to $230 in after-mar- The £6bn spending plan also Internet colossus Alibaba. a proxy battle for control of the com- introduction the biggest consumer and the Gigafactory could scale to a ket trades that followed release of the includes improving 4G mobile Yahoo reported a loss in the first pany with a compromise last week product launch ever,” Musk said. “Since million,” Musk said, referring to the earnings report, regaining ground lost coverage to more than 95 percent quarter of this year as the strug- that adds four new board members, then, reservations have continued to Tesla plant in the Northern Califor- during the day after word spread that of the country’s geography by gling Internet pioneer continued to including a hedge fund chief who has grow to surpass even our expectations.” nia city of Fremont. “Whether that is it was losing two key executives. 2020. court potential buyers and examine been critical of management. BUSINESS VIEWS FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 15

Petrobras boomtown US bullet train proposals turns desolate as oil billions vanish favour more private cash

Sabrina Valle and for a refinery in South America, Carlos Caminada according to John Auers, executive Bloomberg vice-president at Turner Mason & Co, an engineering firm in Dallas. But with political meddling, graft and bad management, “costs can ocated just 30 miles east of Rio spiral out of control,” he said. de Janeiro’s bustling Copac- In an April 22 regulatory filing, Labana beach, Itaborai looks Petrobras said an internal audit like many oil boomtowns after the had uncovered irregularities in the bust — except the deserted stores purchase of goods and services for and empty glass towers that loom its refinery projects. The company over this town of 220,000 speak has said that it’s cooperating with of some bigger cataclysm than the the Carwash investigation and that collapse of crude prices. it’s taking legal steps against peo- “They said this would be the new ple and companies that may have oil city,” says Jefferson Costa, one harmed its reputation and finances. of scores of migrants from Brazil’s The damage to both has been impoverished north lured here by a considerable. Petrobras has multibillion-dollar petrochemical reduced its planned five-year project that was supposed to create capital budget to $98.4bn from a more than 100,000 jobs. Work on peak of $236.5bn four years ago. the complex, known as Comperj, has The company is now worth about stopped, and unless new investors a seventh of its market value in materialise, the single refinery now mid-2008. Some of the investors standing may never produce a sin- who bought stock in a record-set- gle drop of fuel. “It’s empty inside,” ting $70bn public offering in 2010 says Costa, a plumber who lost his are suing the company for issu- job six months ago when construc- ing false statements, overstating tion came to a halt. “People say it asset values and accepting bribes will become a large warehouse.” — claims that Petrobras disputes. Comperj has become a symbol Marcelo Odebrecht, the former A high-speed Acela train leaves Washington’s Union Station for New York and Boston. of pervasive corruption at Brazil’s chief executive officer of Brazil’s state-run oil producer, Petrobras. largest engineering and construc- A sprawling investigation by fed- tion company, was sentenced to eral police and prosecutors dubbed 19 years in prison in March for Operation Carwash has revealed allegedly coordinating 109m By Robin Respaut such headaches. “All the rules relating to pub- massive graft, implicating con- reais ($31m) in bribes to secure Reuters lic engagement start the day you take public struction conglomerates, banks, contracts for Comperj and other funding,” said Wendy Meadley, chief strat- oil-service providers, shipbuilders Petrobras projects. In a statement, egy officer for North American High Speed and politicians. About 2 percentage Odebrecht’s defense lawyer vowed Rail Group’s project in Minnesota. With pri- points of the 3.8 percent contraction to appeal the judgment. The CEOs t took years of lawsuits and political vate financing, she said, opponents “can’t in Brazil’s gross domestic product of other Brazilian builders have battles for California to finally break make thousands of public records requests last year can be attributed to the also been jailed. ground last year on the nation’s first and run the project over.” High-speed rail effects of the scandal on the com- The ripple effects from the bullet train, which aims to connect San The company said last year it would seek advocates had hoped pany and its suppliers, according scandal are being felt elsewhere. Francisco to Los Angeles by 2029. money from Chinese investors. Now, it said the line, supported by to estimates from Tendencias, a Sete Brasil Participacoes SA, an IHigh-speed rail advocates had hoped it is considering two foreign partners for the consulting firm based in Sao Paulo. oil-rig provider created to supply the line, supported by more than $13bn in $4.2bn project, which seeks to connect the more than $13bn in Court documents related to the Petrobras, filed for bankruptcy state and federal money, would inspire sim- twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul to state and federal money, Carwash probe show that contracts last month. That in turn caused ilar government-financed projects. Instead, the internationally renowned Mayo Clinic at Comperj were rigged by a car- National Oilwell Varco Inc, the larg- its many delays have left rail groups wary of in Rochester, Minnesota, by 2022. would inspire similar tel of 16 companies, which made est maker of oilfield equipment in accepting public funds for projects they are Texas Central is paying for engineering government-financed continual changes to the project to the US, to remove $2.1bn from its proposing in three other states. studies with $75m from Texas investors, $40m projects. Instead, its boost illicit gains. Kickbacks from order backlog for 15 floating rigs Companies in Texas, Minnesota and from a state-backed Japanese development the companies were divided among it had agreed to supply for Sete. Nevada all plan to tap private cash from fund and about $130m in design work from many delays have left top Petrobras and construction Conceived as a seven-plant investors globally, with help from foreign two firms. The Dallas-to-Houston rail line is rail groups wary of executives and political campaign complex, Comperj is now down train makers and governments eager to projected to cost $12bn and be completed by managers. Petroleo Brasileiro SA, to a single, 165,000-barrel-a-day export train technology. 2021. In Nevada, privately financed XpressWest accepting public funds as the Rio-based oil producer is fuel refinery. And that will only The projects would rely plans to link Las Vegas to Southern California. for projects they are formally known, didn’t respond come online if Petrobras can find on partnerships with Jap- Started by Las Vegas developer Marnell Com- proposing in three other to requests for comment. an outside investor to pony up at anese or Chinese firms panies, the company formed a joint venture In 2008, then-President Luiz least $2bn, says Roberto Moro, the that face saturated train last fall with a consortium of Chinese firms, states. Inacio Lula da Silva donned a white company’s head of engineering. markets at home. infusing $100m into the project expected to Petrobras hard hat for a rally in Even under a best-case scenario, “The United States is break ground as soon as this year. Xpress- Itaborai. Standing next to a bull- Comperj won’t be operational until the Holy Grail of deploy- West officials declined to comment. dozer, he told the assembled crowd 2023. In the meantime, a palpable Companies in Texas, ment for Japan, China, Some experts remain skeptical that bullet trends also make private financing for infra- that machines would soon swarm gloom has descended upon Itaborai, France, Germany and trains can work without government money structure projects easier to secure. Interest Comperj’s empty construction site. whose ambitions to reinvent itself Minnesota and Spain,” said Tim Keith, to finance initial legs of construction. rates at historic lows have created global By then, the budget for the com- from an orange-growing area into Nevada all plan to Texas Central CEO. Rail lines are generally profitable once in demand for stable, long-term investments, plex had already swelled to $8.4bn, an oil-industry hub depended on tap private cash from California’s example operation, said Jim Steer, director of UK-based igniting interest in infrastructure projects more than triple the $2.5bn ear- Comperj. Several residential and shows that taking tax- high-speed rail research organization Green- from banks and major investors, such as marked in 2004, when the project business towers built to accommo- investors globally, payer money opens the gauge 21. But operating profits are unlikely pension funds. The number of institutional was first approved. It has already date an expected influx of Petrobras with help from door to political and legal to be enough to repay massive construction investors in infrastructure, such as roads, drained more than $14bn. employees and service workers, challenges that can drag costs. “No private party is actually going to airports and rail, more than doubled since Shortages of skilled labour along with a mall with room for foreign train makers out planning, bidding and stump up the kind of money needed to cre- 2011, according to Preqin, an alternative and suppliers typically add 30 150 stores and a movie theater, are and governments approvals for years, pri- ate these things,” said Steer. investments research firm. “There’s a lot percent to 40 percent to the tab mostly vacant. eager to export train vate rail advocates said. Supporters of the new rail lines said inves- of money swimming around the world that Companies now see a tors can expect solid returns based on ticket doesn’t know where to go,” said Dr. Alex- technology. quicker — even cheaper sales and profits from high-end real estate ander Metcalf, president of TEMS, Inc., a — path by largely avoiding developments near stations. Current economic transportation consulting firm. Unloved business that’s saved big oil from low energy prices

By Javier Blas production and exploration units: low oil and Still, the strength of the chemicals busi- petrochemicals such as ethylene were 82 per- Bloomberg gas prices. Effectively, cheap energy translates ness isn’t enough to end the pain of low energy cent higher in the first quarter than a year into cheap raw materials and higher margins. prices for the major oil companies. earlier. “Petrochemical has been doing very well, Exxon’s first-quarter profit was the low- As oil and gas prices start to rise, petro- actually,” Total CFO Patrick de la Chevardi- est since March 1999, before it merged with chemical margins are likely to fall back. Yet oil ig Oil is suddenly Big Chemical. For ere said last week. Mobil Corp. executives believe the strength of their chem- years, the business of turning gas Take Exxon Mobil. In the first quarter, the Shell’s net income was the lowest since icals businesses is deeply rooted. Demand for and crude into the chemicals used chemicals business accounted for almost 75 early 2009, after oil prices plunged from $150 plastics in emerging markets remains strong to make everything from plastic bags percent of the $1.8bn the company reported in a barrel the previous year to about $40. despite the slowdown in economic growth Bto paint has been a mostly unloved corner of profit. From January to March, it made $1.36bn The chemicals business has taken the as more people move into the ranks of the the world’s largest oil companies. Now, it’s producing chemicals such as ethylene and pro- baton from oil refining and trading, which middle class. Today, with most major shining, cushioning companies from Exxon pylene. During the same period it lost $76m performed strongly last year. While both busi- Perhaps more importantly, companies like oil companies losing Mobil to Royal Dutch Shell from the worst pumping oil and gas. nesses are still doing well, refining margins Shell and Exxon have invested in new plants energy price slump in a decade. Two years ago, when crude traded above fell significantly in the first quarter from the — or re-tooled existing ones — to profit from money in their production “Chemicals are coming back on to the radar $100 a barrel during the first quarter of 2014, same period of 2015. the abundance of a byproduct of the US shale and exploration units, screen,” Simon Henry, chief financial officer the chemicals business accounted for less than At other major oil companies, including boom known as ethane. Rather than con- petrochemicals have at Shell, Europe’s largest oil company, said. 13 percent of Exxon’s income as the oil and gas Total and BP, the trend was similar — if not as sume more expensive refined products such In good times, when high oil and gas prices business delivered $7.8bn in profits. extreme — during the quarter. Chevron, which as naphtha as feedstock for petrochemicals, become one of the deliver billions of dollars in profits, the chem- In a show of how much oil producers are shares its chemicals business with Phillips 66 they’re using cheaper ethane directly. biggest — if not the ical business is largely a footnote in the profit relying on their petrochemical units today, in a joint venture, benefited less. In mid-2014, Exxon started building a multi- and loss account. Today, with most major oil Jeffrey Woodbury, vice-president of inves- “Strong petrochemical was the stand- billion-dollar chemical plant in Baytown, Texas, biggest — sources of companies losing money in their production tor relations at Exxon, called the company’s out feature of the earnings, consistent with which will use ethane as its main raw mate- income. and exploration units, petrochemicals have chemicals business the “highlight” of the first a trend from other Big Oil names this quar- rial. Shell is using ethane for about two-thirds become one of the biggest — if not the big- quarter. ter,” Alastair Syme, an oil analyst at Citigroup of its chemical business in the United States, gest — sources of income. Shell earned $377m from chemicals in in London, said in a note to clients. moving away from naphtha. The petrochemical business is getting a lift the quarter, compared with total adjusted net Shell said the margins in Asia from turn- “That has driven the better results for us,” from the very same factor weighing down the income of $1.55bn. ing naphtha — a product of oil refining — into Shell’s Henry said. 16 FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 BUSINESS

QE INDICES SUMMARY QATAR STOCK EXCHANGE QE Index 9,748.78 1.08 % QE Total Return Index 15,772.87 1.08 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,810.42 0.62 % QE All Share Index 2,728.17 0.96 % QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 2,645.6 1.03 % QE All Share Industrials 3,029.57 0.33 % QE All Share Transportation 2,460.08 0.72 % QE All Share Real Estate 2,406.13 0.85 % QE All Share Insurance 4,144.87 2.32 % QE All Share Telecoms 1,094.24 3.23 % QE All Share Consumer Goods & Services 6,415.66 0.12 %

QE MARKET SUMMARY COMPARISON 05-04-2016 Today 04-05-2016 Previous day Index 9,748.78 9,854.85 Change 106.07 84.18 % 1.08 0.85 YTD% 6.53 5.51 Volume 7,394,488 8,831,391 Value (QAR) 252,426,200.65 298,389,462.96 Trades 3,923 4,726 Up 11 | Down 26 | Unchanged 01

WORLD STOCK INDICES Index Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low All Ordinaries 5344.527 8.935 0.17 5418.3 4762.1 Cac 40 Index/D 4320.84 -3.39 -0.08 4607.69 3892.46 Dj Indu Average 17651.26 -99.65 -0.56 18351.4 15370.3 Hang Seng Inde/D 20449.82 -76.01 -0.37 21794.84 18278.8 Iseq Overall/D 6041.63 23.27 0.39 6791.68 5611.89 Karachi 100 In/D 35941.47 623.91 1.77 35440.37 29785 Nikkei 225 Index 16147.38 -518.67 -3.11 18951.12 14865.77 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2134.72 1810.1

EXCHANGE RATE Currency Buying Selling US$ QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 UK QR 5.2454 QR 5.3197 INTERNATIONAL MARKETS - A LIST OF SHARES FROM THE WORLD Euro QR 4.1377 QR 4.1952 COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME CA$ QR 2.8122 QR 2.8672 NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED Swiss Fr QR 3.7552 QR 3.809 Yen QR 0.0337 QR 0.0343 A C C-A/D 1390.05 -12.7 15616 Eveready Indu-/D 238.2 -3.65 9690 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 344.3 14.3 53929 Ucal Fuel-B/D 104.1 -0.6 3195 Aus$ QR 2.7014 QR 2.7556 Aarti Drugs-B/D 485.05 20.55 31336 F D C-B/D 178.7 -2 2394 Kalpat Power-B/D 203.25 -3.2 2901 Ucal Fuel-B/D 104.1 -0.6 3195 Ind Re QR 0.0542 QR 0.0553 Aban Offs-A/D 213.55 4.65 637731 Federal Bank-A/D 49 0.15 826589 Kalyani Stel-T/D 163.4 -1.1 33442 Ultramarine-B/D 122.1 -0.8 5504 Pak Re QR 0.0344 QR 0.0351 Aegis Logis-B/D 114.55 2.45 60063 Ferro Alloys-B/D 4.29 -0.56 116080 Kanoria Chem-B/D 61.5 -1.6 19404 Unitech P -A/D 4.49 -0.05 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Labs-T/D 74.5 -0.35 5935 Bp/D 359.25 -3.3 9561093 GOLD AND SILVER Bh Electronic-/D 1146.85 1.05 14933 Goodyear I -B/D 498.25 2.25 1863 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 330 -0.3 6811 Brit Am Tobacc/D 4169 27.5 517614 Bhansali Eng-T/D 18.4 -0.2 35576 Hcl Infosys-B/D 39.9 -0.95 236811 Mah.Seamless-B/D 205.9 5.4 11576 Bt Group/D 454.2977 14.9 17844311 GOLD QR150.4927 per gramme Bharat Bijle-B/D 1069 -11.25 5696 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 18.7 0.7 1471235 Mangalam Cem-B/D 268.1 -7.2 18327 Centrica/D 206.3 -24.9 40583686 SILVER QR2.0498 per gramme Bharatgears-B/D 83.35 3.2 1706 Himat Seide-B/D 239.05 -1.25 76245 Maral Overs-B/D 27.35 -0.15 3411 Gkn/D 274.5 0.8 2849441 Bhartiya Int-B/D 539 -1 5253 Hind Motors-T/D 5.11 0.06 23538 Mastek-B/D 150.2 0.4 29433 Hsbc Holdings/D 436.3 -0.35 9289106 Bhel-A/D 122.85 3.05 586388 Hind Org Chem-/D 16.65 -0.15 12541 Max Financial-/D 359.2 -4.8 2129 Kingfisher/D 357.8 -3.8 2142216 Bom.Burmah-B/D 390.45 -2.45 5909 Hind Unilever-/D 851.15 -2.45 45022 Mrpl-A/D 67.4 -2.1 168786 Land Secs Grou/D 1140.4 7 346292 Bombay Dyeing-/D 49 -0.05 94506 Hind.Petrol-A/D 820.4 -10.5 63809 Nahar Spg.-B/D 101.3 -1.8 8310 Legal & Genera/D 219 0 3769026 Camph.& All-B/D 597.75 3.75 3289 Hindalco-A/D 90.5 -0.8 1721976 Nation Alum -A/D 42.65 -1 321526 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 64.646 -0.12 39032041 Saudi and Egypt Canfin Homes-B/D 1192.05 -41.9 11166 Hous Dev Fin-A/D1163.85 32.85 175575 Navneet Edu-B/D 87.4 -0.45 5209 Marks & Sp./D 410.1 -2.9 1536285 Caprihans-Xc/D 93.1 -1.3 1793 I F C I-A/D 24.1 -0.15 585362 Nepc India-T/D 1.42 -0.01 1991 Next/D 5295 145 393031 bourse rebound Castrol India-/D 411.55 22.95 511491 Idbi-A/D 66.35 -0.45 676845 O N G C-A/D 210.85 0.25 275930 Pearson/D 792.5 8 608845 Century Enka-B/D 212.3 3.2 116674 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 367 13.75 26898 Onward Tech-B/D 69.45 0.45 1312 Prudential/D 1312.5 0.5 1071479 Century Text-A/D 609.05 6.75 188692 India Cement-A/D 89.55 -0.25 270101 Orchid Pharm-B/D 41.45 1.7 223518 Rank Group/D 242.5 -1.1 27773 Chambal Fert-B/D 61.55 -1.45 55135 India Glycol-B/D 88.95 3.7 21144 Orient Hotel-T/D 22.25 -0.05 8853 Rank Group/D 242.5 -1.1 27773 Reuters Chola Invest-A/D 878.5 3.15 106571 Indian Hotel-A/D 105.4 -0.8 8216 Orient.Carb.-T/D 472.5 3.5 1024 Rentokil Initi/D 178.8 0.4 409038 Cipla-A/D 541.2 7.85 89574 Indo-Tcount-T/D 982.5 33.6 12334 Orient.Carb.-T/D 472.5 3.5 1024 Rolls Royce Pl/D 616.665 -28 3738999 City Union Bk-/D 96 -0.35 4467 Indusind-A/D 1043.15 3.05 34550 Oudh Sugar-B/D 76.1 3.5 128487 Rsa Insrance G/D 480.4 10.9 1520382 Colgate-A/D 847.8 3.85 15821 J.B.Chemical-B/D 245.6 0.3 5229 Punjab Chem.-B/D 162 1.8 4443 Sainsbury(J)/D 262.6 -5.2 3283105 DUBAI: Banking stocks helped Saudi Arabia’s index Container Cor-/D 1348.9 -26.75 5590 Jagatjit Ind-X/D 71.25 -3.35 1275 Radico Khait-B/D 89.25 1.15 679246 Schroders/D 2463 10 75808 rebound from a two-week low yesterday after the gov- Dcm Shram Ind-/D 127 5.1 3957 Jagson Phar-B/D 33.6 0.05 1222 Rallis India-A/D 194.4 0.9 237780 Severn Trent/D 2237 17 411809 ernment ended builder Saudi Binladin Group’s ban on Dhampur Sugar-/D 89.35 4.55 265779 Jamnaauto-B/D 141.4 1.4 33116 Rallis India-A/D 194.4 0.9 237780 Smith&Nephew/D 1130 -34 1707052 bidding for state contracts, potentially easing the strain Dr. Reddy-A/D 2931.05 -1.8 20053 Jbf Indu-B/D 216.25 -0.45 21993 Reliance Indus/D 411.9 5.9 67707 Smiths Group/D 1086 4 454185 on a company heavily in debt to local lenders. E I H-B/D 102.35 0.45 6591 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.31 0 12850 Ruchi Soya-B/D 24 -0.85 118569 Standrd Chart /D 508.7 0.9 2434510 Saudi’s main index rose 1.1 percent, its first gain in six sessions trimming losses since hitting a 16-week E.I.D Parry-A/D 219.85 -4 110726 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.91 -0.02 267947 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 486.85 -19.05 3496 Tate & Lyle/D 597.5 7 155504 high on April 25 to 3.1 percent. Eicher Motor-A/D19687.45 -59.05 27128 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 7.7 -0.23 15593 Saur.Cem-B/D 63.95 0.95 52264 Tesco/D 160.55 0.5 8077853 Binladin, which was barred from new government Eimco Elecon-T/D 340 0.1 1355 Jik Indust-B/D 0.78 -0.03 1800 Sterling Tool-/D 515 10.75 1487 Unilever/D 3087.5 4.5 352808 contracts last Septmber after a deadly crane accident, Electrosteel-B/D 18.3 -0.15 79679 Jindal Drill-B/D 159.2 2.8 26242 Thirumalai-B/D 235.1 2.2 10317 United Util Gr/D 946.5 8 294751 has now received a royal decree permitting it to bid for Emco-B/D 26.35 -0.25 2689 Jktyre&Ind-A/D 80.8 -0.35 80159 Til Ltd.-T/D 307.6 -3.1 3070 Vodafone Group/D218.5222 0.6 11650011 state contracts again, a Binladin executive said, declin- Escorts Fin-B/D 3.96 -0.12 5000 Jmc Projects-T/D 228 2.3 14418 Timexgroup-T/D 34.35 -0.05 20919 Whitbread/D 3831 -16 110367 ing to be named because of briefing rules. Escorts-A/D 164.75 -1 108478 Kabra Extr-B/D 88.05 -0.55 1576 Tinplate-B/D 64.8 -1.35 57560 A travel ban imposed on the company’s top manag- ers has also been lifted, the executive said. National Commercial Bank and Al Rajhi Bank were among the biggest gainers, rising 1.6 percent and 1.3 percent respectively. “Binladin is a big borrower and worries about the US and Europe shares rise with oil prices; dollar gains company had been pressuring the banking sector,” said Mazen al-Sudairi of Riyadh-based Al Istithmar Capi- tal. “There is less risk associated with Binladin now.” The banking sector index, which represents about Reuters as a huge wildfire near Canada’s held at 5 percent. Firmer oil prices points, or 0.06 percent, at 395.99. barrel. US crude was last up $1.05, a third of the bourse’s total market capitalisation, rose oil sands region and escalating also lifted shares of major European The Dow Jones industrial aver- or 2.4 percent, at $44.83 per barrel. 1.3 percent. tensions in Libya stoked concerns oil producers, while encouraging age was last up 49.38 points, or The US dollar rose against a Overall, the building and construction sector accounts among investors of a near-term European earnings updates from 0.28 percent, at 17,700.64. The S&P basket of currencies for a third for 7.9 percent of total lending among Saudi banks, cen- NEW YORK: US and European shortage in supply. firms including telecoms group BT 500 was last up 4.74 points, or 0.23 day as traders closed out profit- tral bank data shows. stock markets recovered yester- The rally in crude prices helped and oil company Repsol helped percent, at 2,055.86. The Nasdaq able bets against the greenback The petrochemical sector, the bourse’s second-largest day after a rebound in oil prices lift the S&P energy index 1.4 percent, prop up the stock market. Composite was last up 8.53 points, before Friday’s US jobs report. The behind banking, was also supportive. It rose 2.4 percent boosted energy shares, with making it the lead gainer among The gains in the S&P 500 stock or 0.18 percent, at 4,734.17. dollar index, which measures the as Brent crude oil jumped 3.5 percent to $46.16. Brent some strong European earnings the 10 major S&P sectors. Investors index came after two straight days Europe’s broad FTSEurofirst greenback’s value versus six cur- is up by nearly two thirds since January’s 12-year low. reports also supporting stocks in awaited monthly jobs data today, of losses, while the gains in Euro- 300 index was last up 0.31 per- rencies, rose to its highest level in In Egypt, Cairo’s benchmark index rose 1.4 percent, the region, while the dollar rose which is expected to show nonfarm pean shares came after four days cent at 1,306.8. a week of 93.862 after falling to its rallying from a three-week low as telecoms stocks helped ahead of today’s US employment payrolls likely rose by 202,000 in of losses. MSCI’s all-country world Brent crude was last up 89 lowest in over 15 months on Tues- to end a four-session losing streak. data. Oil prices jumped 2 percent April and the unemployment rate equity index was last down 0.24 cents, or 1.99 percent, at $45.51 a day of 91.919. CLASSIFIEDS FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 17

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44582257 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] SPORT FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 19 Al Attiyah draws first blood in Jordan

2016 Jordan Rally – positions after SS1 Reigning MERC champion from 1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Skoda Fabia R5 3min 22.2sec Qatar enjoys slight 2. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT)/Killian Duffy (IRL) Skoda Fabia R5 3min 31.7sec advantage over 3. Husam Salem (JOR)/Nancy Al-Majali (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 3min 38.7sec compatriot Al Kuwari 4. Khalid Al-Suwaidi (QAT)/Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) Ford Fiesta R5 3min 40.4sec after the opening 5. Khaled Juma (JOR)/Faris Al-Tal (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII 3min 42.4sec super special stage 6. Meshari Al-Thafiri (KWT)/Emad Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 3min 45.9sec 7. Rodolphe Asmar (LEB)/Joseph Matar (LEB) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 3min 49.4sec 8. Rashid Al-Nuami (QAT)/Nicola Arena (ITA) Subaru Impreza 3min 49.5sec The Peninsula 9. Abdullah Al-Kuwari (QAT)/Adel Hussein (QAT) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 3min 52.6sec 10. Khalifa Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Savvas Laos (CYP) Subaru Impreza 3min 54.9sec ABDALI, JORDAN: Qatar’s Nasser 11. Asem Aref (JOR)/Musa Djiyerian (JOR) Renault Clio 4min 04.3sec Saleh Al Attiyah and his French co- 12. Vedat Diker (TUR)/Erdal Oral (TUR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 4min 06.5sec driver Matthieu Baumel held a small advantage after the opening Abdali 13. Ihab Al-Shorafa (JOR)/Hazem Attiyat (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 4min super special stage of the Jordan Rally 08.8sec yesterday. 14. Rakan Al-Rashed (SAU)/Jarkko Kalliolepo (FIN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 4min Driving a Skoda Fabia R5, the 14.3sec defending regional champion beat Abdulaziz Al Kuwari of Qatar in action at the opening Abdali super special stage of the Jordan Rally yesterday. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari by 9.5 seconds 15. Lina Hadadi (JOR)/Barkev Shadian (JOR) Subaru Impreza 4min 20.5sec to reach the end of the first section of leg one with the bragging rights. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari. “There are maybe to be a fascinating tussle for MERC 2 from the start by Prince Feisal Al-Hus- Jordan and I have been very impressed,” Today, teams tackle 10 special Thousands of spectators witnessed five new stages. We have to push. I have honours. Current MERC 2 champi- sein, chairman of Jordan Motorsport, said Rakan Rashed, who settled into stages, split into two repeats of spe- the action in Amman’s new downtown to put Nasser under pressure. We rarely onship standings remain provisional in the presence of a number of visit- 14th overall. cials at Ma’in, Syagha, Rama, Bahath district, as the organising Jordan Mot- see him under pressure. My goal for pending the outcome of fuel sample ing VIPs. “I spoke to Nasser before the start and Suwayma. With service not per- orsport took the action to the centre the next two days has to be to attack.” checks taken by the FIA at the Kuwait Al Attiyah, Al Kuwari, Lina Hadadi, and he told me the stages were not in mitted at the Dead Sea until after the of the capital before heading down to The Jordanian crew of Husam Rally in March. Husam Salem, Meshari Al-Thefiri and a class of the Middle East. He told me fifth of the timed tests, it will be imper- the Dead Sea region for the weekend. Salem and Nancy Al-Majali set the The Jordanian quartet of Khaled Rakan Al-Rashed had earlier attended they were world class. That made me ative that drivers do not inflict damage “I finished second here last year third fastest time of 3min 38.7sec in a Juma, Asem Aref, Ihad Al-Shorafa and a pre-event Q&A session on the podium really think that I needed to be careful. on their cars over the early competi- but second is like being last as far as Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX to claim Lina Hadadi held fifth, 11th, 13th and that had been beamed live around the Of course, I want to finish and I don’t tive kilometres. The five specials are I am concerned,” said a determined the early initiative in what promises 15th overall. Cars were flagged away region. “This is my first time here in want to make any mistakes.” then repeated in the afternoon. Al Kharaitiyat eye ‘upset’ win against QSL champs Al Rayyan

The Peninsula “I think we have the making of an interesting clash,” he said. Al Rayyan coach Jorge Fossati said: “We must start aggressively and con- DOHA: Al Kharaitiyat will be eye- tinue in the same fashion. This is a ing an ‘upset’ win against Qatar Stars huge event.” League (QSL) champions Al Rayyan on He added: “We need a strong Saturday when the two sides clash in performance all the way. We did the Emir Cup quarter-finals. really well in QSL but this is another Al Kharaitiyat coach Amar Osim event and we need to play with same said yesterday: “This is a different game. intensity.” I hope my players rise to the challenge “I hope we can pull this off and and do well.” move on. Al Kharaitiyat are a dangerous He added: “Everyone saw how well side with good players,” Fossati said. Al Rayyan played in the QSL season. “But we beat them twice in QSL. I We will try to play our best football and have to say those were difficult wins. I hope my players deliver the goods We respect them as a side. They have and show great spirit.” done well. “I think we played well in the pre- “We need to focus on our game and vious round when we beat Al Arabi. Jorge Fossati, coach of Al Rayyan, addressing the media, ahead of the look what we need to do. This is not the We have been fairly competitive this Emir Cup quarter-finals, at the Al Sadd Club yesterday. RIGHT: Amar time to talk about certain losses (like event,” Osim said. Osim, coach of Al Kharaitiyat. in Qatar Cup last week),” Fossati said. “Al Rayyan will come with full Pictures by: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula “We will make a final assessment force but my players are motivated when the season ends, not now,” he said. Jorge Fossati (right), coach of Al Rayyan, with player Abdul Majeed, during since this is the biggest football event “If we play with heart and spirit, Osim confirmed he will miss the “This is not the time to talk about in Qatar,” Osim said. we can do anything,” he said. services of influential Kebe. my contract with Al Rayyan,” he said. yesterday’s press conference.

Pedro Caixinha coach Al Gharafa brace for ‘tough test’ against of Al Gharafa. Al Sadd in Emir Cup quarter-final clash

The Peninsula and we must beat Al Sadd to reach semi-finals. “The Al Gharafa fans are with us and we must do well for them,” Caix- DOHA: Al Gharafa are aware of inha said. the challenge that awaits them on Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira Saturday when they take on former said: “This is an important stage of champions Al Sadd in the quarter- the tournament. We have the desire finals of the Emir Cup. to win. We need the right kind focus Al Gharafa coach Pedro Caix- and I believe my players are ready.” inha said yesterday: “We respect our He added: “Every game is different opponents. It will be a tough chal- and every game needs different han- lenge for us. But my team can get a dling. We will be treating this game good result.” as the final.” He added: “Al Sadd have a great “Let the best team win,” Ferreira team and outstanding players like said. “ Al Sadd will play to win. We Xavi in their ranks. We will try not are ever so eager to defend the title to give them chances to create goal- we won last year,” he said. scoring opportunities.” Al Sadd player Musab Al-Khader Caixinha said Al Gharafa must said: “It will be a tough game for both rise to the challenge. teams. We wish to bring our A-game “The time has come to win big to the pitch. We are used to winning Jesualdo Ferreira, coach of Al Sadd, addressing the media at Al Sadd matches,” Caixinha said on Thurs- titles and we must work hard towards day. “We have our own way of playing that goal.” Club yesterday. Brazil coach Dunga names youthful squad for Copa America

AFP the Copa America Centenario in the Barcelona superstar Neymar is not duo David Luiz and Thiago Silva and The list contains seven players eligi- midfielder Rafinha Alcantara. Barce- United States in June, with the country in the squad of 23 after his club said the Real Madrid left-back Marcelo had ble to feature in the under-23 squad that lona’s Daniel Alves, Zenit St Petersburg having one eye on the Rio de Janeiro they would only release him for the already been ruled out but Dunga also will be chosen for the Olympics, includ- forward Hulk, Wolfsburg midfielder RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil coach Dunga Olympics in August. Olympics football tournament. left the likes of Kaka, Oscar and PSG ing PSG defender Marquinhos, Monaco Luiz Gustavo and Willian of Chelsea yesterday named a youthful squad for As announced last month, Others such as Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas out of his final squad. defender Fabinho and Barcelona are survivors of the 2014 World Cup. 20 FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 SPORT IAAF Diamond League: Doha ready for blockbuster start to new season

Olympic champions Taylor, Merritt and Kemboi to spice up men’s competitions as Qatari hopes rest on Barshim, Haroun, Ogunode and Balla at Qatar SC Stadium

By Fawad Hussain The Peninsula

DOHA: Top athletes including sev- eral world and Olympic champions will line-up at today’s season-open- ing IAAF Diamond League with one eye on the 2016 Olympic Games that are just three months away. The Qatari capital, which is open- ing the 14-meeting series season for the seventh consecutive year, will stage eight competitions each for both men and women athletes at the state-of- the-art track inside the Qatar Sports Club Stadium. Eleven reigning world champions will lead a field of 38 past and current champions besides 80 medal winners. “It will be a big day for the athletes,” the Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) President Dahlan Al Hamad, accompa- nied by the International Association FROM LEFT: Olympic champion Christian Taylor, Qatari sprinter Femi Ogunode, IAAF President Sebastian Coe, QAF President Dahlan Al Hamad, Jamaican sprinter Veronica Campbell of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Pres- Brown, and the Netherlands sprinter Dafne Schippers during a press conference at Intercontinental The City Hotel in Doha yesterday. Pic: Kammutty VP/The Peninsula ident Sebastian Coe, told a crowded press conference in Doha yesterday. “We have all witnessed the way “This year that curtain-raiser holds Asian U-20 record last year clocking track was rewarded with Diamond season, more athletes will find them- the IAAF Doha Diamond League, a more significance than in some years AYANA FACES CHERUIYOT 44.29, the eight fastest perform- Race Trophies in 2010, 2011 and 2012. selves in the running for Diamond Race prestigious event held since 2010 in because, as the athletes know all to IN 3,000M RACE ance of the year. In a non-scoring Another is Dafne Schippers, who glory. Qatar, has progressed over the years,” well, the denouement of the season is 800m race, two-time Asian cham- won the world 200m title last summer “The Diamond League has achieved he added. the Olympic Games,” Coe said. pion Musaeb Abdulrahman Balla of with a sterling 21.63 run, a perform- a lot since it was created in March 2009,” “We have set high standards in Reigning Olympic champions sprinter Femi Ogunode will be among Qatar is looking to kick off his out- ance that elevated the 23-year- old Coe said. “It is athletics’ most lucra- organising such an important and Christian Taylor, Aries Merritt and the favourites in the men’s 200m. door campaign with a fast time to Dutchwoman all the way up to the No. tive circuit with prize money totalling prestigious sporting event in previ- Ezekiel Kemboi will be among the “I’m calm. I’m not anxious about make amends for his unfortunate 3 position all-time. over $8m. The Diamond League is also ous years and we aim to continue at stars in the men’s events today. competing here, I’m in my home coun- race at the World Indoor Champi- “I’ve heard that it’s a very nice track, broadcast annually to over 120 coun- the highest possible level. As 2016 is Taylor, also a four-time winner try. I trust in myself and believe in onships final. The highlight of the and it’s very nice to be able to com- tries. It provides athletics with its most an Olympic year, with the Games in of the series’ Diamond Race Trophy myself, so there is no pressure,” said women’s competitions is expected to pete against these very fast women,” important focus outside of our major Rio, we are confident that Doha Dia- in the triple jump was itching to kick the Qatari sprinter who also holds the be a clash between world champions Schippers said. championships.” mond League will offer the athletes off the season. Asian record in the 200 at 19.97. Almaz Ayana and Vivian Cheruiyot. “We’ll see what happens tomorrow.” an ideal start.” “I love competing, I love getting Besides Ogunode, London Olympic Ayana, who raced to 5,000m gold The structure of the IAAF Diamond DOHA MEETING The IAAF President was confident points, I love being on top of podiums medallist Mutaz Barshim, also a 2014 at last year’s World Championships in League follows the successful format of another blockbuster start to the Dia- so I try to do what I need to do to put me world indoor champion will have the Beijing, and Cheruiyot, the 10,000m of the first six seasons. EVENTS mond League season. in that place,” the 25-year-old Amer- top position in his sights in the high victor, will face off in the 3,000m, tra- Athletes are battling for qualifi- Men’s events “Doha hosted the first ever Diamond ican star told reporters. jump competition. ditionally one of the strongest events cation marks and team places in the 1 - 200 metres League meeting in 2010 and has since There will be a lot at stake for the In the 400m, local eyes will fall on at the Doha competition. run-up to the Olympics, and will then 2 - 400m held the honour to host the curtain home fans as well as Qatari hopes are latest hot prospect, 19-year-old Abdale- Cheruiyot’s triumph in Beijing was look for revenge or defend their newly 3 - 1500m raiser of the main international sea- high in several events. lah Haroun who took silver at the World the fifth at a World Championships for won reputations in their post-cham- son,” said Coe, who replaced Lamine After equaling his own 9.91 Asian Indoor Championships in March. the 32-year-old Kenyan whose previ- pionship campaigns. 4 - 3000m steeplechase Diack as IAAF President last August. record in the 100m last month, star A prodigious talent, Haroun set an ous season-long consistency on the This year, the IAAF Diamond 5 - 110m hurdles League has introduced a new points 6 - High jump format for the 2016 season. 7 - Triple jump From 2016, the points system will 8 - Discus be changed to state that athletes fin- Women’s events ishing in the top six will all win points. 1 - 100m At the finals, all points will be dou- bled as usual. 2 - 800m In all six previous seasons of the 3 - 3000m/5000m series, athletes could win Diamond 4 - 400m hurdles Race points at any given meeting by 5 - Pole vault finishing in the top three in their Dia- 6 - Triple jump mond Race discipline. 7 - Shot put In the IAAF Diamond League 8 – Javelin Finals in Zurich and Brussels, points are doubled. The athlete with the most Points Diamond Race points at the end of the 1st place: 10 DR points season wins the Diamond Trophy. 2nd place: 6 DR points If two or more athletes are tied on 3rd place: 4 DR points points at the end of the season, the 4th place: 3 DR points athlete with the most victories wins 5th place: 2 DR points the Diamond Trophy. 6th place: 1 DR point Female athletes having a light moment during their visit to the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha ahead of the Diamond league Meeting. With more points up for grabs this Coe calls for athletics to be ‘more entertaining’

AFP watch events,” Coe told reporters at a press way social media is used to bring the compet- He also said athletics should consider conference in Doha. itors into the lives of spectators, I think Nordic extending its season, which currently runs “Our activity is athletics but our business sports has definitely done that very well. from May to September. is entertainment,” he added. “If you look at the younger audiences which “We are never going to die, we are a strong DOHA: Athletics must become “a lot more Coe cited the example of winter sports, are now watching winter sports at the Olym- sport, but I think we can be much better. entertaining” and follow the lead set by bas- which have brought in several new competi- pic Games, that’s actually a younger cohort “I don’t think we have kept up with other ketball and winter sports to attract younger tions in recent years, including 10 new events than in the summer games. sports in the way we access younger people,” fans, Sebastian Coe (pictured) urged yesterday. at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. “There are things we can learn from. said Coe. Today’s meeting in Doha is the open- The world athletics chief, speaking in Doha These included the Luge relay, women’s “If you look at the way the NBA, NHL have ing outdoor event of an Olympics season but 24 hours ahead of the opening Diamond League ski jumping and snowboard parallel slalom. really pushed the envelope on social media, comes at a time when athletics is under a cloud meeting of the season, said his sport needed to Coe also pointed to the NBA, which has that’s been quite innovative.” and dealing with the latest doping allegations. adapt and use new formats and engage with attracted hundreds of millions of fans on He added: “We have to be on our game Despite that, a strong field of some 80 cur- its audience more on social media. social media including Twitter, Facebook and on this.” The IAAF president also re-affirmed rent and former Olympic medallists will be “We have to make our sport a lot more enter- Instagram. recent claims that changes could be made to competing in Qatar, including Kenya’s Asbel taining and a lot more innovative for younger “If you look at the way a lot of winter sports speed up the format of the Olympics and World Kiprop, the Netherlands’ Dafne Schippers and people, that means the speed with which they are presented... crowds are entertained and the Championships. Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown. SPORT FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 21 Barshim eyes glory in Games year

the whole nation to get behind Team continued with Barshim through- Qatar’s athletes and celebrate their Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim in action. out his career and helped him again The poster boy of incredible feats. The Olympic Dreams through the beginning of this season Qatar athletics has film series will profile each team and when cramp during a crucial part of athlete, and explore the highs, lows, the competition prevented him from overcome a tough motivations and dreams of Qatar’s retaining his World Indoor title in Port- beginning to win Olympians on their journeys to Rio. land in March. Barshim’s inspirational journey “You’re going to get injured, things medals including to becoming one of the world’s best are going to go bad - it’s not how many a bronze at 2012 athletes opens the film series. times you fall but how many times Olympic Games The 25-year-old graduate of Doha’s you get up. Whatever happens, I make Aspire Academy for Sporting Excel- sure the next day I’m coming to the lence holds the second highest jump in track. I’m going to work for it,” he said. history of 2:43m, a mere two centime- Barshim’s full focus is now on Rio The Peninsula tres short of Cuban Javier Sotomayor’s 2016 and chasing his lifelong dream of 23 year old world record. winning the coveted Olympic gold. This The 2014 World Indoor Champion will be no easy feat with the standard DOHA: In just three months, arguably and London 2012 Olympic bronze med- of high jump currently the strongest one of Qatar’s most successful-ever allist will return to his second Olympic it has ever been and multiple athletes athletes, Mutaz Barshim will line Games as one of the favourites for capable of taking gold and even break- up in the high jump as the greatest the Olympic title, which would make ing the world-record. sporting event in the world begins. him Qatar’s first-ever Olympic Cham- However, in the style of a true Barshim shares his captivating story pion. Despite all these achievements, champion, Barshim is not focusing ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics in Barshim’s potential was not clear when on the rest of the field. a new ‘Olympic Dreams’ film series he first started out in the sport: “I think my biggest rival in Rio found exclusively on the Qatar Olym- “It took me a long time to come is myself. It’s very easy to lose focus pic Committee’s (QOC) social media good. I was bad for a really long time. thinking about different stuff around channels http://bit.ly/1QRUAxO. I’d go to training and I was bad. The you. I don’t do that. I focus on myself, Over 10,000 athletes from 206 next day I’d come and I was even trying to beat myself, trying to improve nations will descend on Rio de Janeiro worse. The next day – worse again. selected from thousands of other unique bond that has led to a hugely you don’t need to prove anything to myself every day. If I beat myself there, for South America’s first Olympic I think I was just so stubborn and I young, aspiring athletes to attend the successful partnership. nobody now. You already did it,’’ I think that’s it,” he said. Games. A global TV audience of 4.8 was patient and I always came back prestigious Aspire Academy at the age “My coach is a very crazy guy. I Barshim recalled. Having experienced the magic billion will share the raw emotion, no matter what happened. I made a of 13, a factor that he feels played a used to hate him and now I love him. However, his career has not been of an Olympic Games once already, intense drama and unrivalled pride choice because I wanted to do the high crucial role in his later success. We have a very good relationship, like without its setbacks and a stress frac- Barshim explains what makes the as athletes stretch themselves to the jump,” Barshim said. “Aspire for me is like a second father and son. We understand each ture to his back meant that he almost sporting event so special. absolute limit of their ability and show- Barshim puts his patience down home. We were like family and they other. I can just look him in the eye and missed the London 2012 Games. “The Olympics is the greatest sports case the very best of humankind in to the guidance of his father, himself taught us everything and provided understand what he wants. We’ve got “It was a really big injury. I couldn’t event in the universe. It doesn’t mat- the true spirit of Olympism. a successful athlete in race-walking everything we needed - the sports to combine like one person in order even jog and it was a month before ter which nation you are, which kind Among them will be the biggest who captured his son’s interest in education, sports psychology, train- to achieve greatness,” Barshim said. the Olympics and it was really bad. of sport you love or not, everybody’s team that Qatar has ever sent to an athletics by taking him with him to ing camps, medical care, coaches. I And, together, greatness is what I think I got the green light to com- engaged, everybody’s supporting. It Olympic Games since their debut in practice as a child. think it was a very big step for my they have achieved with Barshim pete like 10 days before the Olympics. doesn’t matter if you’ve never seen Los Angeles 1984. A total of 34 athletes “My father always told me your career when I came to Aspire. It was collecting Qatar’s fourth Olympic I wasn’t sure if I was going to go or sport in your life. will compete across six sports – ath- time is coming, be patient, focus on really, really helpful,” Barshim said. bronze medal at London 2012 before not,” Barshim said. “You’ve got a nation’s hope behind letics, swimming, shooting, handball, what you’re doing. As long as you keep It was the Qatar Athletics Federa- his ground-breaking season in 2014 Yet the injury meant that Barshim your back. It’s just great. I love it,” equestrian and table tennis. doing your best every day, it’s just a tion’s (QAF) appointment of Stanislaw that saw him write himself into the savoured the Olympic experience all Barshim said. Barshim will kick off As they finalise their preparations matter of time. And he was right. You Szczyrba as coach of the national team record books and spark a social media the more, ‘the moment I stepped on his outdoor season today in the IAAF to compete in the most important can’t rush greatness. If you want to be that took Barshim to the next level, trend #ThingsBarshimCouldJumpOver. the field, I thought if it’s my last jump- Diamond League Doha at Qatar Sports competition of their young lives, the great, you have to take your time. Only improving his personal best from 2:14m “2014 was an amazing year. I ing day, let it be. I’m going to make it. Club, where he will go head to head QOC has launched a #YallaQatar a few people know that,” Barshim said. to 2:31m in just one year between 2009 got back to my coach and I was like, I gave it all I have and I got a medal with three Olympic and two world public support campaign across its It wasn’t long before Barshim’s and 2010. Whilst their relationship got ‘coach we made history’. And he was so I’m really happy.’ medallists in an incredibly strong social media channels to encourage raw talent was identified and he was off to a rocky start, they now share a like, ‘yeah we made history. It’s done, It is that fighting spirit that has competition.

The opening leg of the Expanding season beyond September 2016 IAAF Diamond League series commences at Qatar Sports Club Stadium at can take Asian athletics forward: Coe 6:00pm today

By Rizwan Rehmat The Peninsula “I am delighted to see the athletes who are in Doha.

There are so many champions competing here. The Olympic DOHA: Expanding the track and field season beyond September and man- year starts here. My particular thanks to H H the Emir Sheikh aging a new TV deal could take Asian athletics forward in a major way, IAAF Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. I met the Minister of Sport H E President Sebastian Coe said yesterday. “We talk about the development Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali this morning and we of the sport in Asia all the time. One of the potentials I see of developing the discussed a wide range of topics. I met H E Sheikh Joaan bin sport in Asia is actually to extend our season,” Coe, 59, said in an interview Hamad Al Thani. I thank him for his support and his plans to with The Peninsula yesterday. “I have for sometime felt that in create healthy sports competition here in Qatar. I also met essence our season in athletics - I am not talking about road, I am not talk- Dr Thani Al Kuwari, the Secretary General of Qatar Olympic ing about marathon, but I am talking about track and field - is effectively Committee. I thank Mr Dahlan Al Hamad, the Qatar Athletics made to last till September,” the cel- ebrated retired British athlete said. Federation President, for his “I think anything we can do to extend our season and take our ath- drive and vision for promot- letes to different areas of the world can help expand our sport and actu- ing our sport. In 2010, we saw ally help them in their profile because from May to September the world is one of the best World Indoor focusing on them. “The world should be focusing on Championships held in Doha.” them more during the period which is not made for them. We have to cre- Sebastian Coe, ate experiences for young people,” he explained. President IAAF “I think Asia has the potential for that. We have also spoken about the potential of linking Oceania with the Asian tour because there are challenges Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF) President Dahlan Al Hamad (left) is for the Oceania athletes to remain fit seen walking with IAAF President Sebastian Coe in Doha yesterday. IAAF Diamond League Calendar 2016 and compete and often to qualify for QAF Secretary General Mohammed Jassim Al Kuwari is also seen. Doha QAT 06th May 2016 championships in August and Septem- Shanghai CHN 14th May 2016 ber and in February and March. Rabat MAR 22nd May 2016 “So actually (we are) building a is passionate about track and field. They “I don’t think a federation can make sure young people are seeing their Eugene USA 28th May 2016 programme. I know the continental have done well for our sport and some command athletes to compete when heroes as often as possible,” he said. presidents have sat down and discussed of the best middle distance runners it doesn’t actually suit them to com- “But I think it’s not a good thing Rome ITA 02nd June 2016 this as well. Actually finding a TV part- have come from Morocco,” Coe said. pete,” Coe said yesterday. that we force an athlete that they have Birmingham GBR 05th June 2016 ner could help grow the sport in both “I wanted to see Diamond League “I was an international athlete and to compete. I think we need to create Oslo NOR 09th June 2016 continents,” Coe said. expanded to Africa and when the first I chose my races very carefully in the structures and sometimes financial Stockholm SWE 16th June 2016 When asked about IAAF’s Diamond opportunity came we went to Rabat,” build up to championships. incentives for them to feel they could Monaco MON 15th July 2016 League breaking new ground with their Coe said. “But I think there has to be an over- put this (their appearances) into their London GBR 22nd/23rd July 2016 first ever leg in Rabat, Morocco, later Coe, who replaced Lamine Diack as whelming principle and that is we need programmes. Lausanne SUI 25th August 2016 this month, Coe said he couldn’t be hap- IAAF President last August, said IAAF to encourage the athletes to compete “But I don’t think we should ever Paris FRA 27th August 2016 open pier to find new audiences in Africa. does not believe in forcing athletes to as often as they can and to accept that intervene and tell them the way to get Zurich SUI 01st September 2016 “I am looking forward to being compete at any event they don’t feel public really gets excited about big com- to major championships,” Coe said in Rabat. Morocco is a country that like going to. petitions and head-to-heads. And to yesterday. Brussels BEL 09th September 2016 22 FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 SPORT Real edge past City to set up all-Madrid final

UEFA CHAMPIONS Meek Man City cry Own goal from LEAGUE RESULT out for Guardiola Fernando helps Paris: UEFA Champions League result Zidane side qualify on Wednesday: guidance for the May 28 Semi-final second leg At Madrid final against Real Madrid (ESP) 1 (Fernando 20-og) AFP Atletico Madrid Manchester City (ENG) 0 Real Madrid win 1-0 on aggregate Played on Tuesday At Munich, Germany LONDON: Manchester City’s meek AFP Bayern Munich (GER) 2 (Alonso 31, exit from the Champions League Lewandowski 74) Atletico Madrid (ESP) following Wednesday’s 1-0 semi- 1 (Griezmann 54) final second leg defeat by Real Madrid suggested that incoming Aggregate score 2-2. Atletico win on MADRID: Real Madrid will face head coach Pep Guardiola cannot away goals Atletico Madrid in the Champions arrive quickly enough. League final for the second time in While Fernando’s first-half own three years after overcoming Man- will be hoping for a repeat when they goal at the Bernabeu was all that chester City 1-0 in their semi-final face Diego Simeone’s men in Milan separated the teams, City barely laid second leg on Wednesday. on May 28. a glove on Zinedine Zidane’s men, Brazilian midfielder Fernando “It is another final. It has been very registering just two shots on tar- deflected Gareth Bale’s cross into his difficult to get there,” Madrid defender get over the 180 minutes of the tie. own net after 20 minutes at the San- Sergio Ramos -- whose 93rd-minute Manuel Pellegrini, who Guardi- tiago Bernabeu for the only goal of the header sent the previous final against ola will replace, argued that there tie after the first leg ended goalless. Atletico into extra time -- told BeIN Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez, Mateo Kovacic, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Raphael Varane celebrate had been nothing between the Fernandinho came closest to tak- Sports Spain. with fans after the Champions League semi-final second leg match against Manchester City at the Santiago sides, but players, fans and pun- ing City to their first ever Champions “We have shown we know how dits were united in expressing their Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, on Wednesday. League final when his shot clipped to win a final and we are going to try frustration. the outside of the post a minute before and do it again.” City went “out with a whimper”, half-time. City’s performance over the two Real enjoyed in the only goal of the in the final,” said Zidane. Real were were in the last four for the first time. according to the back-page head- Real beat Atletico 4-1 after extra legs left much to be desired, but goal- game. “We could easily be in the final given a huge boost before kick-off as That inexperience looked to be tak- line in The Times, while the Daily time in Lisbon two years ago to win keeper Joe Hart claimed the difference but they managed the game well,” he Cristiano Ronaldo made his return ing hold as City enjoyed decent spells Mail’s Martin Samuel said that the the competition for a 10th time and between the sides had been the luck told BT Sport. “They’ve beaten us with after a three-game absence due to a of first-half possession without trou- team were “sleepwalking” under a very lucky goal but it is what it is.” thigh injury. bling the Real defence. Pellegrini. City manager Manuel Pellegrini’s By contrast, City were dealt a mas- However, they came within inches Analysing the match for BT time at the club will come to an end sive injury blow inside 10 minutes when of finding the crucial away goal just Sport, the former Manchester United without European glory as he will be captain Vincent Kompany was forced before the break when Kevin De Bru- defender Rio Ferdinand said: “If replaced at the end of the season by off once more with a muscle prob- yne picked out Fernandinho and the you’re going to go out, you want Pep Guardiola. lem in an injury-disrupted campaign. Brazilian midfielder’s low driven shot to go out all guns blazing, fighting. And the Chilean lamented his side’s Ronaldo was looking to equal his clipped the outside of the post. “You want to think, ‘We’ve lack of creativity to cause Madrid prob- own record of 17 Champions League The goalmouth action was all in given it everything we’ve got, we’ve lems over the two legs. goals in a season, but sent his first City’s box early in the second period thrown the kitchen sink at it.’ I don’t “We worked very well the whole chance well over the bar with a header as Hart denied Luka Modric and Ron- think they’ll be able to go home or game and that is why Real Madrid from Dani Carvajal’s cross. aldo twice before Bale’s looping header go into the changing room and say couldn’t create chances, but after that However, Madrid got the luck they came back off the bar. that. And that’s the disappointing you need creativity and players who needed to swing the tie in their favour Yet, out of nothing City nearly thing.” can make the difference in the last with their next attack as Bale was played snatched the goal they needed a minute City goalkeeper Joe Hart chose third and we lacked that.” in on the right of the City box and his from time when top scorer Sergio Ague- his words more carefully, but the Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane intended cross spooned up off Fern- ro’s first serious effort of the tie dipped annoyance was visible on his face now has the chance to repeat his Cham- ando and into the far corner to leave onto the roof of the net. during a televised post-match pions League success as a player with Hart helpless. Despite a frantic finale, though, interview. Real in 2002 in his first season in charge The difference in European pedi- Madrid continued their record of not “We just didn’t have that little as a coach. gree between the clubs couldn’t have conceding a goal at home in the Cham- bit more,” said the England goal- Gareth Bale celebrates scoring the first goal for Real Madrid against “In a semi-final you always have been starker as Madrid were playing pions League this season to progress keeper. “Did we do enough to win Manchester City. to suffer, but we’ve achieved our place in their 27th semi-final, whilst City to their 14th European Cup final. the game? I don’t know.” Frustration manifested itself on the pitch, too, as lone striker Sergio Aguero, starved of any kind of serv- Bale seeks more ice, dropped deeper and deeper in search of the ball. Champions ‘Ibra’ could return to AC Milan: Agent City’s top scorer this season with 28 goals, the Argentina inter- national mustered just two shots League glory -- both off-target -- during the tie AFP Pogba would be tempted away from and has now gone five Champions recently-crowned champions Juve by League games without registering AFP Chelsea this summer, but added: “At an effort on target. least not right now.” Record signing Kevin De Bruyne, MILAN: Paris Saint-Germain’s Zlatan And he believes Balotelli, who inspiration behind the quarter-final Ibrahimovic could consider a return has yet to resurrect his rollercoaster victory over Paris Saint-Germain, MADRID: Gareth Bale believes he to AC Milan in Serie A, according to career at fallen Italian giants Milan, struggled to influence proceed- has turned a corner at Real Madrid the Sweden striker’s agent in a report would have been a match for Bar- ings after being moved to the left after leading the Spanish giants to yesterday. celona icon Lionel Messi if he only flank to accommodate Yaya Toure, their second Champions League Ibrahimovic is set to leave the had the same attitude to his career whose lumbering performance was final in his three years at the club. French champions at the end of the as Ibrahimovic. described as “woeful” by The Daily Bale’s effort was deflected by season, with reports claiming the Balotelli has only recently returned Telegraph. Brazilian midfielder Fernando into 34-goal striker could be headed for to competition amid an injury-hit cam- Having fallen foul of Guardi- his own net to hand Madrid a 1-0 England’s Premier League. paign but although earning plaudits ola during his time at Barcelona, win on the night and on aggregate Ibrahimovic’s agent Mino Raiola for a string of composed perform- the hulking Ivorian is expected to over Manchester City to set up a told men’s magazine GQ Italia that ances, the former World Cup striker form part of a close-season clear- final date with local rivals Atletico the Swede could return to Italy where is set to be excluded from Italy’s Euro out at the Etihad Stadium. Madrid in Milan on May 28. he also starred for Juventus and Inter 2016 squad by coach Antonio Conte Raheem Sterling, City’s other The Welshman scored as Milan. later this month. big-money attacking signing for this Real beat Atletico 4-1 after Extracts appear on gazzetta.it, “If he (Balotelli) had the same atti- season, along with De Bruyne, was extra-time in the final two which quoted Raiola as saying: “Ibra tude as Ibrahimovic, Messi would have given only half an hour to make a years ago to seal a successful could return to Italy, to Milan.” had a few less Ballon d’Or awards,” difference and when he won a free- Paris Saint-Germain’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates first year in Madrid. In what is seen as a veiled ref- he suggested. kick in a promising position wide However, he endured a diffi- erence to recent reports linking Raiola’s diverse portfolio of after scoring a goal during their French Cup semi-final football match on the left, De Bruyne wasted it by cult second season and was even Ibrahimovic to a 75m euros-per- players means he is regarded as against Lorient (FCL) at Moustoir Stadium in Lorient, western France going for goal. abused his own fans after miss- season deal in China, Raiola, in an authority by many watchers in this April 23, 2016, file picture. But at least in Aguero, De Bru- ing a series of chances when Real direct extracts from the magazine of the sport, while considered a yne, Sterling and the injured David bowed out to Juventus at the semi- interview, added: “Ibra is a player pariah by several top coaches and “In Italy, a club owner doesn’t own paid tribute to the “managerial” and Silva, Guardiola possesses the nim- final stage last season. who is capable of some amazing managers -- among whom Sir Alex anything. All he has is 60 salaries to “strategic” skills of Manchester Unit- bleness of thought and foot in attack “I feel like I’m maturing,” Bale tricks. Even turning down many Ferguson, who has crossed verbal pay. If the team wins, they’re heroes ed’s owners the Glazer family. upon which he has built success told BT Sports. millions to go to AC Milan. He has swords with the multilingual Dutch and if they lose they’re to be hung out “The Glazers at Manchester United with Barcelona and Bayern Munich. “My Spanish is getting better and still not decided.” agent before the Scot’s retirement to dry,” said Raiola. “It’s the fans who didn’t put one pound into the club, but City have been the top-scoring I’m integrating more with the team. Raiola also represents Juventus from football. run things.” they brought in managerial skills and Premier League team in all three “It is difficult the first few years, midfielder Paul Pogba and Liver- And he rated the clubs in Italy’s Despite former run-ins with Fer- strategy,” he said. of Pellegrini’s seasons at the helm, but once you get past that mark then pool’s on-loan AC Milan striker Mario Serie A,the majority of whom do not guson, especially following Pogba’s “They inherited a team in the abyss but although he loudly espouses it does get a bit easier. Balotelli. own their own stadiums, as bottom decision to walk away from Old Trafford and now they have their heads well attacking football, victories often “I feel like I’ve turned a corner He dismissed claims highly-rated of the class. to Juventus on a free transfer, Raiola above water.” owe more to flashes of individual in that sense now. I’m enjoying my brilliance than a cohesive, identi- football here.” fiable attacking strategy. Bale was denied his first Cham- There is also work for Guardi- pions League goal of the season as ola to do in defence, particularly as UEFA credited the only goal of the Tottenham closing in on Wembley move, says FA chief captain Vincent Kompany’s physi- tie to the unlucky Fernando. cal vulnerability -- he succumbed And he said reaching another to the 33rd injury of his eight-year final justified his decision to resist AFP White Hart Lane home in north Lon- 2018/19 season. They could play Cham- “I think we’re a long way down City tenure in Madrid -- is becom- lucrative offers to return to the Pre- don is just 13 miles (21 kilometres) from pions League games at Wembley next the path on reaching an agreement. ing a serious concern. mier League last summer to make Wembley, could play their Champi- season as White Hart Lane’s capacity I think there’s some discussion about Neither Nicolas Otamendi nor his mark in Madrid. ons League matches next season at is set to be reduced from its current whether they’ll play their Champions Eliaquim Mangala, both acquired “It doesn’t matter who scored LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur are a England’s national stadium, with the maximum of 36,284 in order to help League games there at Wembley next at lavish expense, have convinced, -- whether it’s an own goal or what- “long way” towards reaching an agree- club having already qualified for the building work on the new stadium. year but I don’t know much about that. but Guardiola’s work with Javi ever,” he added. ment that will allow them to play home tournament. “We are certainly in discussion “On the full season, I think we’re Martinez -- a holding midfielder “The reason I came here was to games at Wembley Stadium in 2017/18, Tottenham are building a £400m with Spurs that they should come quite close to a deal,” he said. turned centre-back -- at Bayern win the Champions Leagues. I’ve got Football Association chairman Greg 61,000-capacity ground adjacent to in for the full season when they’re Dyke also said Tottenham’s London shows that he has the patience one already and I’ve got the chance Dyke said yesterday. White Hart Lane and hope to move rebuilding their stadium,” Dyke told rivals Chelsea could also play home for defensive grunt work on the to win another one now. Dyke also suggested Spurs, whose into the new ground at the start of the Sky Sports News. games at Wembley in the near future. training ground. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 20 PAGE | 22 Doha ready to Real edge past kick off Diamond City to set up League season all-Madrid final

FRIDAY MAY 6 2016 • 29 Rajab 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Khan aims verbal Djokovic, Murray jab at Trump cruise into Madrid Khan ready for ‘dream’ quarter-finals Reuters

AFP LOS ANGELES: England’s Amir Khan sparked loud roars of laughter showdown with Alvarez ahead of his WBC middleweight title fight with Mexican Saul “Canelo” MADRID: World number one Novak Alvarez on Saturday when he aimed Djokovic racked up his 30th win a light-hearted verbal jab at Repub- of a dominant season with a 6-2, the now retired Floyd Mayweather lican presidential candidate Donald 6-1 destruction of Spain’s Roberto and Manny Pacquiao. Trump. Bautista Agut to reach the Madrid British boxer faces “It’s my time and I’m going to grab “You never know, this could be Masters quarter-finals yesterday. a daunting battle it with both hands,” Khan told a press the last fight for me and Canelo here, Defending champion Andy Mur- conference. that’s if Donald Trump becomes ray also sealed his place in the last against the Mexican “It’s been my dream to get a big president so ...,” Khan said before eight with a 6-4, 6-2 win over 16th in Saturday’s fight fight like this in Las Vegas and I’m not breaking off with a chuckle dur- seed Gilles Simon. going to let it go. ing a news conference at the MGM Djokovic is playing in Madrid “Come this fight you’re going to Grand in Las Vegas on Wednesday. for the first time in three years, see the best Amir Khan. Canelo’s a As the entire room erupted with but hasn’t taken long to adjust to AFP tough guy. He’s strong but we’re going loud guffaws, cheers and whistling, the different conditions in the alti- to be ready for what he brings to the Khan went on to say: “You never tude of the Spanish capital as he table,” added Khan, who is 31-3 with know. You have to all tune in come has reached the quarters for the 19 knockouts. Saturday.” loss of just nine games. LOS ANGELES: Amir Khan insisted on Khan, who is of Pakistani descent, Challenger Khan, a Muslim “After a long game at 2-2 in Wednesday he is ready for the fight of also referenced the US presidential boxer with a 46-1-1 record includ- the first set, I managed to break his life when he steps up two divisions election campaign rhetoric of likely ing 32 knockouts, was speaking his serve. It was a flawless perform- to take on Mexican world middleweight Republican nominee Donald Trump, during the final news conference ance after that, everything worked champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in who has vowed to bar Muslims from before Saturday’s showdown at the very well,” said Djokovic. Las Vegas this weekend. entering the United States while prom- T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “I didn’t give him too much time. Boxer Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez from Mexico (left), Bernard Hopkins, Oscar The British boxer, who normally ising to build a wall on the US-Mexico Khan made his comments I think I used the variation of the boxes at welterweight, faces a daunting border. De La Hoya and England’s Amir Khan (right) pose together with the the same day that Trump became shots, opening up the court, flat, battle against the hard-hitting Alva- “Who knows? This could be the last WBC Middleweight belt during their final press conference at the the last man standing in the race down the lines, and slices. rez on Saturday in a fight which many fight for me and Canelo in Las Vegas MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on Wednesday. Alvarez and Khan for the Republican US presiden- “Today the way I played gives believe is a risk too far for the 29-year- if Donald Trump becomes president,” will fight for the WBC Middleweight title on Saturday at the T-Mobile tial nomination as the American’s me a lot of satisfaction. I’m just hop- old from Bolton. joked Khan, a Muslim. Arena in Las Vegas. sole remaining rival, John Kasich, ing I can continue playing this well However Khan insists he is relish- World Boxing Council middle- ended his campaign. tomorrow.” ing the prospect of star billing after weight champion Alvarez (46-1, 32 Khan. “I’m very happy with the work I’ve done and I’m confident I can go in Trump has made his party’s The Serb will continue his quest enduring years of frustration trying knockouts) meanwhile said he was con- that I’ve done -- he’s a very fast, elu- there and break him down,” Alvarez establishment uneasy with his for a fifth title of the season against unsuccessfully to land a bout against fident his power would be too much for sive, tricky fighter. I know the work said through an interpreter. abrasive tone. Milos Raonic or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga today. Murray extended his impres- sive record over Simon to 14-2, but SCOREBOARD wasn’t pushed as hard as he often has been in the past by the French- New setback in Pakistan’s DELHI DAREDEVILS RISING PUNE SUPERGIANTS man as he didn’t even face a break RR Pant b Dinda 2 AM Rahane (not out) 63 point in just over an hour-and-a- SV Samson† c R Ashwin b Boland 20 UT Khawaja st Samson b Mishra 30 half on court. The two-time Grand Slam KK Nair c Perera b Bhatia 323 SS Tiwary c Billings b Imran Tahir 21 champion will face Tomas Ber- search for head coach JP Duminy run out (Rahane/Dhoni) 34 MS Dhoni c Billings b Imran Tahir 27 dych in the last eight after the Czech SW Billings c Rahane b Bhatia 24 NLTC Perera (not out) 14 got the better of David Ferrer 7-6 CR Brathwaite c Perera b Boland 20 Extras (LB 1, W 7, NB 3) 11 (10/8), 7-5.

P Negi (not out) 19 Total (3 wkts) 166 “After the first six or seven games

AFP I really started to hit the ball well,” J Yadav run out (Tiwary) 1 Did not bat: GJ Bailey, R Bhatia, SM Boland, R said Murray. Ashwin, AB Dinda, M Ashwin Mohammed Shami (not out) 2 “I served well throughout the Extras (LB 1, W 6, NB 1) 8 Fall of wickets: 1-59, 2-104, 3-146 match. It was a good performance.” KARACHI: Pakistan’s search for a Total (7 wkts) 162 Murray pounced on a series of Bowling: J Yadav 4-0-25-0; CR Brathwaite new national coach hit a fresh road- Did not bat: A Mishra, Imran Tahir Simon errors to seal the only break block yesterday as officials said their 2-0-17-0; Mohammed Shami 3.1-0-50-0 (1nb, of the first set in the final game. Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-48, 3-65, 4-110, 5-137, top pick, Australia’s Stuart Law, turned 1w); A Mishra 4-0-28-1 (2nb, 1w); JP Duminy However, the Scot was far more 6-138, 7-143 down a job widely seen as one of the 1-0-9-0; Imran Tahir 4-0-26-2 (1w); P Negi dominant in the second as his power toughest in international cricket. Bowling: AB Dinda 4-0-34-1 (1nb, 1w); NLTC 1-0-10-0 and variation from the back of the Perera 1-0 -9-0; SM Boland 4-0-31-2; R Ash- The post was left vacant after Player of the match: AM Rahane (Rising court allowed him to race into a 3-0 win 4-0-34-0 (3w); R Bhatia 4-0-22-2 (2w); Waqar Younis resigned following Pune Supergiants) lead before breaking again to seal Pakistan’s disastrous World Twenty20 M Ashwin 3-0-31-0 his place in the last eight. in India last month, where they tri- “Normally against Gilles it’s umphed in only one of four matches always a complicated match because before crashing out. Pune Supergiants down of the way he plays,” added Murray. The job is complicated by the rela- “He always makes it very diffi- tively low pay and Pakistan’s security cult. There are a lot of long rallies, issues, while attempts to build relation- Delhi Daredevils in IPL but because of the conditions, it ships with volatile national players are was a bit faster, I was able to get a Former Australian player Stuart Law, has turned down the Pakistan often hampered by its high turnover. lot more free points on my serve.” The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) offer to be the new coach of the national team. Rafael Nadal, who could meet formed a two-man committee -- com- Agencies promoted Saurabh Tiwary (21 off 18) Murray in a repeat of last year’s prising ex-captains Wasim Akram and Bob Woolmer (2004-07), Geoff Law- through the Ashes that same year. posted another sizeable stand for the final, continues his quest for a fifth Ramiz Raja -- to conduct the search. son (2007-2008) and Dav Whatmore Pakistan also talked to England’s second wicket. Then, MS Dhoni arrived title in Madrid and record 50th on They shortlisted Law and his fel- (2012-14). Peter Moores, Australian Tom Moody with a license to swing and play his clay when he faces American Sam low countryman Dean Jones, England’s The board’s budget for the head and South Africa’s Paddy Upton, but DELHI: The calming presence of natural game in the final stretch of Querrey. Andy Moles and South African Mickey coach salary is reportedly $16,000 to all turned down the offer. Ajinkya Rahane made sure that the game. He hit 27 runs off 20 balls World number six Kei Nishikori Arthur. $20,000 per month -- much less than Former Pakistan players Aaqib Rising Pune Supergiants register a with the help of two sixes and a four. continued his fine form on the clay “We had shortlisted four foreign- similar positions elsewhere. Javed and Mohsin Khan have refused comfortable seven-wicket win over The finishing touches was given in Spain to reach the last eight with ers but... Law has excused himself as Meanwhile foreign coaches balk to apply, alleging favouritism in the an in-form Delhi Daredevils side at by hard-hitting Sri Lankan all-rounder a 6-4, 7-5 win over 10th seed Rich- he is committed with the Australian at touring a country where interna- process. Feroz Shah Kotla yesterday. Thisara Perera (14 off 5), even as ard Gasquet. team as batting coach and will not be tional cricket has been suspended Javed resigned as United Arab The win also revived Mahen- Rahane hit the winning runs with Nishikori lost out to Nadal in available before September this year,” since an extremist attack on the Sri Emirates coach last month and is dra Singh Dhoni’s team’s campaign a four. Earlier, Rising Pune Super- the final of the Barcelona Open two a PCB official, who did not wish to be Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009. now involved with the Pakistan Super in the 2016 Indian Premier League giants restricted Delhi Daredevils to weeks ago and will meet controver- named said. While Jones has no experience League’s Lahore franchise. (IPL). They are now on sixth position 162 for seven. sial Australian Nick Kyrgios in the The PCB wants to fill the post before of coaching an international team, Mohsin had an interim stint in with six points from nine matches, as Delhi got off to a poor start losing quarters after registering his first Pakistan’s all-important tour of Eng- Moles had stints with Hong Kong, 2012 and under him Pakistan beat against Delhi’s 10 from eight matches. the early wicket of Rishabh Pant, the win over Gasquet in seven attempts. land beginning in July, where they Kenya, Scotland, New Zealand and then world number one England 3-0, Chasing a 163-run target set by hero of the last match against Gujarat Kyrgios dug deep to battle past play four Tests, one Twenty20 and Afghanistan. but lost the one-day series. Delhi, Rahane (63 no. off 48) and their Lions with a brilliant half-century, Uruguayan clay-court specialist five one-day internationals. Arthur successfully coached his The only local coach in the run- new recruit Usman Khawaja (30 off after being put in to bat on a slightly Pablo Cuevas 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3. A final decision is expected by native South Africa for five years ning is paceman Mohammad Akram, 27) posted a patient 59-run open- two-paced pitch. In the women’s Madrid Open, the today. (2005-2010) before migrating to a former Pakistan bowling coach who ing stand to give a solid foundation. The home side’s ploy to open with only remaining seed Simona Halep Pakistan has had four foreign Australia. also served at the national cricket After the departure of the Aus- Sanju Samson and Pant didn’t work as was victorious in an all-Romanian coaches in the past: Richard Pybus He was appointed Australia’s academy in Lahore. sie talent, who had a productive Big pacer Ashok Dinda clean bowled Pant quarter-final against Irina-Came- (two tenures in 1999 and 2002-03), coach in 2013 but was sacked mid-way Bash season, Rahane in company of with a length ball in the third over. lia Begu 6-3, 0-6, 6-1.

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 27o C Maximum: 38o C

FAJR 03.32 am ZUHR 11.31 am MAGHRIB 06.09 pm HIGH TIDE 03:45 - 17:00 Hazy at places at first becomes hot during the SHOROOK 04.55 am ASR 02.59 pm ISHA 07.39 pm LOW TIDE 10:15 - 23:30 day with slight dust and some clouds.

24 FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 MORNING BREAK

ONLINE CHART BUST Jodie Foster gets For those who dare star on Hollywood www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Walk of Fame MOST READ AFP Saudi govt lifts project bidding ban 1 on Binladin: Report LOS ANGELES: Two-time Oscar winner London looks set to elect Muslim mayor Jodie Foster was awarded a star on Hol- 2 lywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame — and revealed she was banned from the glitzy Saudi busts Islamic State fighters in Makkah thoroughfare as a child. 3 The veteran actress was presented with the 2,580th star on the walk by long- time friend Kristen Stewart outside the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in the heart TWEET OF THE DAY of Tinseltown late on Wednesday. “I grew up probably ten blocks from here, off Cahuenga, and had to pass this street every day as I was on my way to school,” she told fans, some of whom had been waiting six hours to catch a glimpse of the star. “And my mother said if she A glass sightseeing platform in Shilinxia scenic spot in Pinggu District of Beijing. The sightseeing ever found us on Hollywood Boulevard, platform, which hangs 32.8 metres out from the cliff, is claimed to be the largest glass sightseeing we shouldn’t bother coming home.” platform in the world. Foster, 53, is best known for play- ing FBI agent Clarice Starling opposite Anthony Hopkins’ serial killer Hannibal Lecter in Jonathan Demme’s 1991 horror- thriller The Silence of the Lambs. She won a best actress Oscar for that role, having picked up her first Acad- emy Award, also for best actress, for The Long-form journalism Accused three years earlier. Her other credits during a more than four-decade career range from Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver in 1976 to 2002’s Panic Room — in which she starred with lives — on mobile Stewart — and sci-fi blockbuster Elysium. Follow us on Foster said she’d always dreamed of receiving the honour but was waiting for Snapchat the opportunity to celebrate her star “as a AFP piece of work.” The researchers 40 percent—even though readers director”. Foster has directed three films, defined long-form articles as those may not stay with articles as long, Open Snapchat and with Money Monster, a hostage thriller, of 1,000 words or more. the researchers said. scan the Snapcode due for release on May 13. The found that the “engaged Pew found that while Facebook Foster paid tribute to her mother, Eve- WASHINGTON: If you thought long- time” — scrolling, clicking or tapping drives more traffic, Twitter tends to to add The Peninsula lyn, who suffers from dementia and was form journalism would die from the — was about twice as great with news bring in people who spend more time account. unable to attend the ceremony. “But there shift to mobile news, think again. stories that are 1,000 words or longer with content, either for short or long have been many other mothers in my life... A Pew Research Center study compared with shorter pieces. articles. Facebook referrals drive women that are proud of you for all that released yesterday found consum- The total “engaged time” with more than 80 percent of visits from you have done,” she said. ers spend more time on their phones the long-form articles averaged 123 social media sources, while Twitter with long-form news articles than seconds, compared with 57 seconds drives about 15 percent, according with shorter ones, and that the elu- for short-form stories, according to to the study. sive notion of “engagement” increases the research by Pew in collaboration The researchers found that with word count. with the John S. and James L. Knight regardless of the source or the length Janet Jackson expecting first child at 49 The study contradicts a widely Foundation. of a story, news articles online have a held belief that people’s attention The researchers found that the short shelf life: 82 percent of interac- spans for news articles decrease gap between short- and long-form tions with short-form articles begin AFP sites ET and E! News both said that Wednesday posted on social media a when they read articles on their engagement time is not differentiated within the first two days after pub- she was pregnant. E! News, quot- snippet of her dancing with the hash- smartphones. by the time of day or the “pathway” lication, and the same is true for 74 ing an unnamed source, said that tag #DammnBaby. “These findings suggest that on taken to get to the news story. But percent of long-form articles. she was in her second trimester and Jackson is often discreet in her small, phone-sized screens, the pub- there were factors within the two The researchers used data pro- NEW YORK: Pop superstar Janet Jack- had been seeing a fertility special- personal life and did not immedi- lic does not automatically turn away categories that made a difference. vided by the analytics firm Parse. son is expecting her first child at age 49, ist for some time. ately publicise her 2012 marriage to from an article at a certain point For both story lengths, reader ly on 117 million anonymized phone reports said late on Wednesday. Natural pregnancies are less Al Mana. in time — or reject digging into a spend the longest average in the late interactions with 74,840 articles The younger sister of Michael common for women when they enter Michael Jackson had three chil- longer-length news article,” said night and morning hours, the study from 30 news websites in Septem- Jackson stunned funs last month by their late 40s, but in vitro fertiliza- dren after frequently reported efforts Amy Mitchell, direct of journalism concluded. People spent more time ber 2015. halting a global tour and saying that tions can extend the age range. to try to start a family. research at Pew. with an article when arriving there The data “cuts across a mix of she and her husband Wissam Al Mana A representative for Jackson did He had two children with Debbie “Instead, the average user tends from an internal link, compared to general and subject-specific news were “planning our family”. not immediately respond to a request Rowe, who worked at his derma- to stay engaged past the point of an email, external website, search or sites, legacy and digital-only sites Jackson, who turns 50 on May for comment. tologist’s office and married him, where short-form reading would end, social media. and sites with large national audi- 16, did not offer further details at But in perhaps a wink of con- and a third through an undisclosed suggesting that readers may be will- Social media sites drive the larg- ences, as well as those with smaller, the time. But the celebrity news firmation, Jackson earlier on surrogate. ing to commit more time to a longer est share of traffic for news—around niche user bases,” according to Pew.

China bug declared Face-to-face This mobile game can world’s longest insect help fight dementia BEIJING: A bug over half a metre long discov- ered in southern China has been declared the IANS pieces of a missing map. The way world’s longest insect, state media said. players navigate will be anonymously A stick insect measuring 62.4 centimetres tracked and sent to the researchers. found two years ago in the southern province People with dementia can face of Guangxi has broken the record for length LONDON: A newly developed real challenges with navigation, and amongst the world’s 807,625 known insects, smartphone game that tracks how it is a problem that can occur early on the official Xinhua agency said. The previous the brain navigates may help scien- in the condition. However, scientists record-holder was a Malaysian 56.7-centime- tists determine what goes wrong in still do not have reliable data on how tre-long stick insect discovered in 2008 and now the brain for people with dementia. navigational abilities can change in on display in London’s Natural History Museum. The "Sea Hero Quest" game can the healthy brain across life. Tipped off by locals about a huge beast half ultimately lead to early detection of “Playing the game for just a few a metre long but as thick as a human index fin- dementia as navigation problems minutes will provide this completely ger, scientist Zhao Li had been on the hunt for may indicate onset of the disease. anonymous data to help improve our the bug for six years before he finally glimpsed “Playing the game will help our understanding of navigational cog- and captured one. “I was collecting insects scientists understand in detail how nition. We’ll create a benchmark to on a 1,200-metre-tall mountain in Guangxi’s our brains navigate space, and help help determine what goes wrong in Liuzhou City on the night of August 16, 2014, to build the largest crowd-sourced the brain for people with dementia,” when a dark shadow appeared in the distance, database on human spatial naviga- the statement said. which looked like a tree twig,” Zhao said. “As tion,” Alzheimer’s Research UK that “Available for Apple and Android I went near, I was shocked to find the huge teamed up with Deutsche Telecom phones and tablets, Sea Hero Quest insect’s legs were as long as its body,” he added. and scientists from University Col- is an innovative way of rising to our The bug has been dubbed Phryganistria chin- lege London and the University of greatest medical challenge. Playing ensis Zhao in his honour, and a paper about it East Anglia, said in a statement. for just a couple of minutes provides A member of the Star Wars fan club, dressed as a Stormtrooper, talks to a girl outside a will soon be published. More than 3,000 varie- The game, available for free in what would normally take scientists ties of stick insects have been discovered so far, hospital’s emergency ward during Star Wars Day celebrations in Monterrey, Mexico. both iOS and Android phones, requires hours to achieve in conventional Xinhua said. players to navigate courses to find study recruitment,” it added.