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QFB announces Al Gharafa reachch listing of all shares third round of on Qatar Exchange Emir Cup

SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 • 17 Rajab 1437 • Volume 21 • Number 6776 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Coddling the kid The Essence of Faster licensing Qatar wins gold medal at NY for healthcare Film Festival practitioners The Peninsula DOHA: The Essence of Qatar, a short film commissioned by Qatar some professionals seeking a licence Tourism Authority (QTA) has won to practice in Qatar. Such cases have the coveted gold medal at the New QCHP expects up to now come down significantly with York Film Festival, which recog- 140 percent rise in the implementation of the verifica- nises the world’s best work in TV tion system in collaboration with a and film. issue of licences in reputable international agency, said The film offers an immersive, the next five years. Dr Samar Aboulsoud, acting CEO of cinematic experience showcas- the QCHP. ing Qatar’s breathtaking cultural “We have been constantly heritage, exhilarating tourist updating the online system for reg- attractions and universal human istration and licensing of healthcare aspirations. By Mohammed Iqbal practitioners. This has made the pro- The three-minute film was The Peninsula cedures smoother and faster. Almost first released last November as all the procedures can now be com- part of the unveiling of the Qatar pleted online, including the booking German Chancellor Angela Merkel (right) and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu talk to a refugee Destination Brand, enhancing and of licensing tests and payment of family, while Davotuglu holds the family’s youngest child, as they visit the Nizip I refugee camp in accelerating efforts to promote DOHA: Licensing of healthcare fees. We are planning to go hundred Gaziantep, Turkey, yesterday. Merkel travelled to Turkey with the President of the European Council, the nation as a tourist destination practitioners in Qatar has become percent online in the near future,” Donald Tusk, to take stock of the EU-Turkey Refugee Agreement implementation. → See also page 17 abroad. faster and more efficient with the Aboulsoud told The Peninsula. QTA’s Chief Marketing and introduction and enhancements of “If all requirements are fully Promotion Officer, Rashed Al the online system and advanced pri- met, the practitioners’ licence can Qurese, said, “The unveiling of mary source verification process of be issued in two to three weeks after the Qatar destination brand was medical degrees and other related submission of the complete request,” a major milestone in our ongo- documents, says a senior official she added. However, one area where Display of unit price on goods must ing undertaking to establish of the Qatar Council of Healthcare delays could occur is verification of Qatar among the world’s top pre- Practitioners (QCHP) at the Ministry degree certificates and other doc- mium destinations. This New of Public Health. uments, depending on the source York Festivals award burnishes The number of licences issued countries. The Peninsula the prices of products in different using one of the following meas- our introduction of Qatar to glo- to healthcare practitioners in Qatar “We have been facing delays, sizes, volumes and quantities, the urements: If the item is measured bal audiences and we are delighted reached about 21,000 by the end of especially in countries hit by ministry said yesterday. by weight, the kilogramme or 100 and truly proud that our national last year and the QCHP, the regu- conflicts and political instabil- DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and The ministry has given six grammes is used as a unit. If meas- identity has inspired a gold-medal- latory body, is expecting a further ity. Sometimes it would take one Commerce has made it mandatory months to outlets to revise the price ured by volume, the litre or 100ml is winning film.” increase of up to 140 percent in the year or more to get the required for all leading retail outlets to declare tags and adjust their position to meet used as a unit. If measured by length, The film was created by lead- next five years, with an average feedback from the verifier uni- the unit price of goods, along with the new requirements. Initially, the new the metre is used and if measured by ing Doha-and London-based increase of 27 percent every year. versities or authorities there,” said selling price. rule will apply to all major outlets of surface area, the square metre is used film producers The Edge Picture The regulatory authorities ear- Aboulsoud. All retail outlets are required to 400sqm area or more. as a unit. Company. lier faced a major issue with fake display the unit price on tags so that The unit price is decided accord- or forged certificates submitted by → Continued on page 7 consumers can identify and compare ing to the nature of the product and → Continued on page 7 → Continued on page 4 02 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 HOME

FROM LEFT: Abdullatif Al Mahmoud, CEO of Dar Al Sharq Group, Izzaddin Abdurrahman, Executive Director of Advertising Department, Jaber Al-Harami, Deputy CEO for Printing, Publications and Advertising and Editor-in-Chief of Al Sharq newspaper, and Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi, Editor-in-Chief of The Peninsula at a ceremony held at Al Sharq premises recently to honour some of its outstanding employees. Dar Al Sharq honours outstanding employees

The Peninsula The award was granted in appreciation of their efforts and The award was contributions to increase the Group’s granted to three revenue last year, working jointly DOHA: Dar Al Sharq Group recently with the special publication section honoured three of its employees for employees in at Al Sharq newspaper. their outstanding performance and appreciation of The winners of the awards in recognition of significant contri- expressed their thanks and appre- butions to the Group. their efforts and ciation for the gesture and their CEO of Dar Al Sharq Group, contributions to commitment to exert more efforts to Abdullatif Al Mahmoud presented increase the Group’s achieve further success and excel- the Excellence Award 2015 to Izzad- lence for the Group and to retain its din Abdurrahman, Executive Director revenue last year. leading position at the national level of Advertising Department, Mustafa as major provider of media, adver- Fathi, Director of the office of the Edi- and Neegal Noronha, Manager, For- tisements and marketing services for tor In-Chief of Al Sharq newspaper eign Publications. all sectors in the country.

04 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 HOME Ministry to launch National Autism Plan by year-end

the National Autism Plan addresses In Qatar, as worldwide, more indi- concerns about rising rates of diag- viduals are being recognised as having New plan addresses noses and to develop tailored services, ASD, which affects the way individu- concerns about rising support and education to meet local als relate to people, situations and their needs. “The impact on families caring immediate environment. The term rates of diagnoses for children with autism is significant ‘Autism Spectrum’ is used because and to develop and we are committed to finding ways people are affected differently by tailored services to to improve the lives of these children this lifelong condition, and to varying and their families,” she said. degrees. WHO experts Dr Maria-Luisa meet local needs. The Qatar Autism Families Asso- Scattoni, Researcher at the Institute ciation of more than 200 parents of of Health in Rome, and Prof Helen children with autism have been an McConachie, Clinical Psychologist at important driving force behind the the Institute of Health and Society at By Fazeena Saleem National Autism Plan. Newcastle University (UK), highlighted The Peninsula The Chair of Qatar Autism Fami- the opportunities to improve services lies Association Fatima Al Sulaiti said, available in Qatar. “Even though autism is a lifelong condi- “International rates say that about tion, the right support at the right time one in 68 children has been identified DOHA: The Ministry of Public Health is can make an enormous difference to with ASD and in Qatar, our consul- set to launch a National Autism Plan by our children’s life.” tations showed the need for more the end of the year to support children Experts from WHO at the workshop services and support. Qatar has the with the disorder and provide them presented opportunities to improve potential to make a difference by align- with opportunities to lead a comforta- care and services for children with ing existing services and improving the ble life. Minister of Public Health H E Dr Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and accessibility of education and support Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari speaking their families, which they identified for these children and their families,” Minister of Public Health H E Dr Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari and other officials at a recently held workshop said that during their consultation visit to Qatar. the experts said. QF to open educational facility for children with autism disorder

The Peninsula

DOHA: Qatar Foundation for Education (QF) is set to open a pioneering educational facility dedicated to children who have been diagnosed with mild to mod- erate Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Renad Academy (RA) will open later this year and will be officially unveiled on September 18, however registrations to admit children to the school will open on May 1. The academy will provide an optimum learn- ing environment for young children aged three to five years, and classes will be delivered by highly quali- fied, specialised faculty and staff. The academy aims to inspire acceptance, trust and success, reflects QF’s ongoing commitment to help- ing students reach their full potential. Buthaina Al Nuaimi, President of Pre-Univer- sity Education at Qatar Foundation, said, “The key to progress is early intervention and creating a solid support structure for children to grow.” Dr Muhammad Waqar Azeem, Chair Department of Psychiatry Sidra Medical and Research Center, Chair of National Autism Working Group, Vice-Chair of WISH Autism Forum, and a member of the commit- tee working on the establishment of the school, said, “Renad Academy aims to help children with ASD reach their full potential, so that each child learns the skills needed to integrate into the community and become productive members of society.”

No official confirmation on Modi’s visit: Ambassador

The Peninsula

DOHA: Indian embassy said yesterday that there is no official confirmation from the Indian government until now about the expected visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Qatar. “Honourable Prime Minister accords high importance to the historically friendly relations and multi-dimensional cooperation between India and Qatar, and deeply appreciates the most gracious invi- tation of H H the Emir and H E the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior,” said Indian ambassador Sanjiv Arora. “As per normal protocol and practice, salient information on the dates and other aspects of the Prime Minister’s visit would be announced by Government of India’s Official Spokesperson shortly before the visit,” he added.

Honour at New York Festivals

Continued from page 1

The company in a glittering ceremony in Las Vegas this week was also awarded the title of Production Company of the year for an unprecedented tenth con- secutive year. A New York Festivals representative said, “The stand-out images and imagery in The Essence of Qatar earned more than one perfect score from our Grand Jury of international award-winning con- tent creators. When New York Festivals inaugurated the Event Venue category, it was with the purpose of recognizing this specialised genre of programming.” Phil Blundell, co-owner at The Edge, said: “ It’s a highly creative film which is pretty unconventional in its cinematic visual style, deliberately aimed at mak- ing an emotional impact with audiences around the world. So it’s particularly gratifying to hear that it has been recognised by the New York Festivals in this way.” To view the award-winning film, visit: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6erhNTjJYo HOME SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 05 QF kick-starts reading campaign in local schools

Foundation, said: “The purpose of aim to demonstrate how reading can these school visits is to spread the be fun through a series of interactive About 120 visits joy of reading amongst young peo- activities, such as storytelling ses- planned during the ple, demonstrating how it can be sions and educational games. This both educational and fun. We are will help establish a book-loving cul- first phase of reading delighted with the overwhelmingly ture in Qatar. awareness drive. positive response we have received As part of the initial phase, a QF from teachers, parents and children team recently visited the Malik Bin alike.” Anas Model Independent School for “Reading has an impact on every Boys, where students took part in a The Peninsula part of our lives. It is the foundation host of exciting activities. for future learning. By focusing on Huwaida Al Manai, Head of children first, we are hoping to help Learning Resources Centre at the Children participating in Qatar Foundation’s National Reading Campaign. inspire the next generation to reach school, said: “The partnership DOHA: Students from schools across their full potential and empower the between QF and local educational Qatar are being treated to a series of future leaders of tomorrow.” institutions to cultivate a culture of Campaign is extremely important Vending Machines in a number of The second phase of the programme engaging activities as Qatar Founda- As part of the year-round ini- reading among the community is an because it helps to motivate students schools across the country to allow will be rolled out in collaboration with tion (QF) kick-starts the first phase tiative QF, in coordination with the important step towards developing to read from an early age, while offer- children to exchange books. Mean- local stakeholders and partners. It will of its community-focused National Ministry of Education and Higher human capital in the country.” ing support to teachers in adopting the while, a Reading Truck will serve as a comprise activities and events that Reading Campaign (NRC). Education, plans to involve 120 Aisha Al Kuwari, Principal of Al best means to encourage our students mobile library, and campaign volun- target the wider public and involve the Fahad Saad Al Qahtani, President schools in Qatar in the campaign Obaib Independent Primary School to develop a love of reading.” teers will host immersive storytelling whole family including pop-up stores of Community Development, Qatar over the next few months. The visits for Girls, said: “The National Reading QF will install specially-created sessions and nationwide competitions. and public engagement activities. Students at QU-CPH hold yet another smoking cessation event

The Peninsula available at HMC Smoking Cessation commitment to preparing future well- Clinic. trained pharmacists in community Visitors performed tests on the outreach to provide not only advanced level of carbon dioxide in their blood healthcare treatment but also better DOHA: Students at Qatar Univer- then students explained negative health education and promotion.” sity College of Pharmacy (QU-CPH) impact smoking has on their health. CPH Alumni Chapter president recently held yet another smok- The booth also showcased a 3D dis- Oraib Abdallah said, “ Health aware- ing cessation event, as part of ‘Quit play showing the various types of ness activities is a vital component for Now’ awareness campaign. It aimed tobacco products and nicotine assess- helping smokers to quit and make to assist smokers in quitting the use ment tests. A kids area was set up to Qatar free from tobacco use. Such of tobacco and other smoking-related engage children in artistic activities initiatives as we strive to help build products. on awareness of the negative effects a healthier Qatar.” With collaboration with Hamad of smoking. President and third year CPH Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Tobacco CPH Dean Dr Ayman El Kadi said, student Amani Al Haddad said, “This Control Unit, Qatar Pharmacy Under- “Promoting a smoke-free society is event was a great opportunity to graduate Society (QPhUS) and QU an important initiative to help peo- educate the public on the negative Alumni Association CPH Chapter. ple lead healthier lifestyles.” effects of smoking. We look forward ‘Quit now’ is focused on target issues HMC Tobacco Control Unit sen- to participating in future events that related to smoking effects and preven- ior project officer Nadia Fanous raise awareness on important health Participants at the Qatar University College of Pharmacy’s recently-held smoking cessation event. tion measures, and various resources said, “ Such a partnership shows the issues.” 06 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 HOME 16 schools move to e-Nature semi-finals

from 60 private and independent Saad Bin Muath Primary Independent schools participated in the quarter School for Boys, Step One Interna- Nearly 200 students finals which took place over the past tional School, Al Andalus Elementary from 60 private and week at Newton International School Private School for Boys, Maymouna (NIS) Lagoon and Maymouna Inde- Independent School for Girls, Umm independent schools pendent Primary School for Girls. The Al Amad Primary Independent School participated in the semi-finals will take place on May 3, for Girls, Abu Hanifa Model Inde- quarter-finals. 2016 at Newton International School pendent School for Boys, Aljmailiya (NIS) Lagoon. Primary Independent School for Boys The 16 qualifying schools that and Al Shamal Primary Independent will progress to the semifinals are: School for Boys. Birla Public School, English Modern The quarter-final live rounds were The Peninsula School, Newton International School filled with enthusiasm and suspense (NIS) Lagoon, Stafford Sri Lankan as teams went head-to-head for the School, Shantiniketan Indian School opportunity to move on in the compe- Participating students along with officials of the Qatar e-Nature Live Schools Competition. Barwa Village, Al Khansaa Primary tition. Each team came well prepared, DOHA: Sixteen schools from across Independent School for Girls, Al Kara- eager to push the buzzer before the Qatar have qualified to the semi-finals ana Primary Preparatory Secondary other does to answer questions smartphone application. During the agree on the answer chosen. by Sasol, the Ministry of Education of the Qatar e-Nature Live Schools Independent Girls School, Al Shaqab about nature in Qatar, taken from competition, the teams worked closely In its third year, the Qatar and Higher Education, and Friends Competition. Nearly 200 students Primary Independent School for Girls, the award-winning Qatar e-Nature with each other, ensuring that they all e-Nature schools contest is organised of the Environment Centre. PHCC organises awareness lecture on breast & bowel cancer screening

The Peninsula

DOHA: As part of its continuous efforts to raise aware- ness the Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC) together with Al Hiba Group Qatar recently organ- ised a lecture on Breast and Bowel Cancer Screening chaired by Sheikha Leena bint Nasser bin Khalid Al Thani, the Breast Cancer Awareness Program Ambas- sador. Al Hiba Group Qatar is under the umbrella of Nasser Bin Khalid Al Thani Charity. The lecture held at Al Hiba Group, and attended by 75 women as part of PHCC’s continuous one-to-one series. The lecture was an open forum and discuss the importance of breast screening for women 45 years and above and bowel screening for women 50 and above, the risks and symptoms as well as preventa- tive measures. Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, Manager Cancer Pro- gram Division at PHCC, said, “We are particularly delighted to team up with Al Hiba Group who is ded- icated to humanitarian causes, including cancer and other diseases, irrespective of nationality or beliefs. Their achievements in the cause of health issues have been remarkable.” “I would like to take this opportunity to thank PHCC again for appointing me as their programme ambassador and for the honour of hosting this impor- tant lecture,” said Sheikha Leena. One of the highlights of the event was a testi- monial from Chef Aisha Al Tamimi, a breast cancer surviver who represented a real-life case study. In her testimony the celebrated chef, said: “From my experi- ence as a former breast cancer patient I have learned some important lessons and now have a deeper under- standing of the value and importance of breast cancer screening. Making the decision to undergo early med- ical tests enabled my early detection and consequently successful treatment.” She went on to say “I urge all ladies from the age of 45 to undergo breast cancer screening regularly. There is nothing to fear from mammography because knowing that you have potentially malignant tumours at an early stage, while it is still treatable and curable, is a lot better than learning about it when it is fatal.” PHCC’s ‘Screen for Life’ programme works in association with Qatar’s National Cancer Program in accordance with the country’s National Health Strat- egy 2011-2016. The core objective of ‘Screen for Life’ is to promote education, awareness and early detection by encouraging women aged 45 years or older with no symptoms to receive breast cancer screening and 50 years or older to undergo bowel cancer screening. Ministry of Economy to take part in National Exhibition for Student Research

The Peninsula

DOHA: As part of its efforts to raise awareness about intellectual property rights, the Ministry of Econ- omy and Commerce, in collaboration with Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, will take part in the 8th edition of the National Exhibition for Student Research. The exhibition is organised by the Ministry of Edu- cation and Higher Education and taking part today and tomorrow. The Ministry of Economy and Commerce’s par- ticipation in the event comes within the framework of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness about intel- lectual property rights and to familiarise the public with its services in this regard. HOME SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 07

Move to protect HMC holds first Collaborative Pharmacy meet consumer rights

The Peninsula sessions and workshops dedicated training, knowledge of the medica- opportunity for students to hear from Continued from page 1 to the role of pharmacists in patient tion-use process, skills and abilities, experts in the pharmacy field from Conference is for safety, medication safety, promoting pharmacists are uniquely qualified to across the world and for the faculty A study carried out by the Min- promoting patient safety through metrics and a variety fill the roles and meet the responsi- to collaborate with HMC and Robert istry revealed that retail outlets DOHA: The first Collaborative Phar- of other topical issues. bilities of medication safety leaders in Gordon University at this inaugural only display the prices of goods macy Conference – promoting patient safety through Dr Moza Al Hail, Executive Direc- hospitals and health systems.” conference. Patient safety is a key on sale without specifying the safety through pharmacy, technology pharmacy, technology tor of Pharmacy for HMC, said, “We The conference also proved to area of research currently being con- unit price, making it difficult for and research — was recently organ- are very proud to host the first col- be very valuable in further devel- ducted by QU-CPH and I am pleased consumers to compare between ised by Hamad Medical Corporation and research. laborative pharmacy conference in oping the knowledge and skills of to see several QU-CPH faculty mem- products. “The initiative comes (HMC) in collaboration with Qatar Qatar, reinforcing the importance of the pharmacy students and faculty bers actively participating in this as part of the Ministry’s efforts University College of Pharmacy and patient safety and providing a forum attendees. Qatar University - Col- important initiative”. to boost competition in the mar- Robert Gordon University School of for pharmacy students and profes- lege of Pharmacy (QU-CPH) Dean Prof Derek Stewart from Rob- ket and to protect the consumers’ Pharmacy (UK). international speakers from across sionals to learn from, collaborate Prof Ayman El-Kadi said, “The con- ert Gordon University School of right to compare between the Around 300 pharmacy profes- Qatar, the Middle East and North with, and be inspired by each other. ference gave students great insight Pharmacy in the UK added that the prices of products sold in different sionals and students attended the Africa region, the UK and the USA I am confident that lessons from the into the latest pharmacy practices conference was valuable in encourag- weights and sizes,” said a statement conference. were invited to share their exten- conference will continue to advance and demonstrated the importance ing collaboration between pharmacy yesterday. It shared the latest advances in sive knowledge and experience pharmacy practice in the region and of continuously striving for ways to professionals from a number of dif- All retail outlets will be pharmacy, and prominent local and with attendees through conference beyond. I believe because of their improve patient safety. It was a great ferent organisations. required to review the form and content of price tags currently in place, to include unit prices in addition to the selling price, name of the product and size. Selling Transparent system to deal price should be displayed against a yellow background while unit price should be displayed against a white with patient’s complaints background to enable consumers to easily distinguish between them. All retail outlets are to adhere to this system, regardless of the Continued from page 1 the licensing procedures from abroad using the methods currently adopted to dis- online system. The applicants are required to sub- play prices, either by placing price “Sometimes we may not get any response. mit the degree certificates and other documents tags directly on products or visibly Then we will have to rely on alternative methods online and if any forgery is detected at this stage, forward-facing on display shelves, to verify the certificates,” said Aboulsoud, adding the applicant will not be allowed to enter Qatar. said the Ministry. that professionals from several Arab countries are In some cases the forgery may be discov- The new rule will apply to still coming to Qatar. She said that the number of ered while the applicant is in Qatar or even after the majority of food and non- healthcare practitioners in Qatar is growing fast a licence was issued specially with the project food commodities, besides the with major expansions and several new projects of retrospective verification of those who are promotional and discount cam- being implemented in health sector. already licensed before the implementation of paigns, unless the overall cost “We are dealing with a huge number of prac- the verification system early in 2009. “Healthcare of the product is the same as the FROM LEFT: Don Mikel, Shingo Tsuda, Martin Reardon and Midori Mizuno during the titioners since QCHP is responsible for licensing practitioners engaging in such crimes will face unit price, added the statement. and monitoring of all healthcare practitioners stern action including blacklisting. Once black- ceremony to handover books to QIASS. It has exempted merchants and both in the private and public sectors. And their listed in Qatar, their names will be circulated in retail outlets from declaring unit numbers are growing fast,” said Aboulsoud. The other GCC states as well,” said Aboulsoud. prices in such cases, on the grounds number of licences issued to healthcare practi- QCHP has also introduced an efficient and Japan embassy presents books to QIASS that there would be no benefit in tioners increased by 37 percent between 2012 transparent system to deal with complaints from comparing between items if they to 2014, from 12,335 in 2012 to 17,000 in 2014. It patients about healthcare practitioners’ perform- The Peninsula donated books include Japanese language text- are packed and offered for sale further increased by 27 percent reaching about ance. “Every day we receive several complaints books, dictionaries and children’s books, and by considering the original unit 21,000 licences by the end of 2015. The growth from patients through various channels. We have also cover literature, culture, arts and contem- of measurement as a basis for rate is expected to reach 140 percent in the next also introduced an online system to receive com- porary novels. comparison. For instance, when five years, at the rate of 27 percent per year. plaints. A special committee at the Ministry looks DOHA: The Japanese embassy in collaboration The ceremony was attended Shingo Tsuda, cooking oil is displayed and The official said that incidents of using forged into all complaints and investigate them, in a with the Japan Foundation, has presented 97 Ambassador of Japan to Qatar, Martin Reardon, offered for sale in bottles of one- documents to obtain a medical licence in Qatar transparent and non-biased manner. We have books to the Qatar International Academy for Senior Director of QIASS, Don Mikel, Director litre capacities, there would be no have dropped due to a thorough verification taken action against several erring practition- Security Studies (QIASS) to strengthen further of Language School and Midori Mizuno, Japa- benefit in writing the litre price for system. Alicence-seeker can complete most of ers,” said Aboulsoud. understanding of Japan and its culture. These nese language Instructor. a second time on the price tag. 08 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 MIDDLE EAST Darfur votes to keep multi-state system

region into three states in 1994, and then employ in all of its elections. It’s the fal- later into five states, following years of sification of the will of the masses,” said Opposition cries foul fighting in which mainly non-Arab Jibril Bilal, a spokesman for the Justice disputing results and tribes took up arms against what they and Equality Movement (JEM), one of Dar- said was discrimination by the Arab-led fur’s two main rebel groups. 3.08 million turnout. administration. “These results are not real nor logical. Major rebel and opposition groups, We don’t acknowledge the referendum, who boycotted the government-arranged which most of Darfur boycotted,” he referendum, believe the splitting up of added. Reuters the region led to heavier Khartoum con- According to the United Nations, some trol and helped trigger renewed fighting 300,000 people have been killed in Dar- in 2003. But the state referendum com- fur since the conflict first began, while 4.4 KHARTOUM: The people of Sudan’s Dar- mission said yesterday that 97 percent of million people need aid and more than fur have voted not to reunite the states of voters chose to continue with the multi- 2.5 million have been displaced. the conflict-torn region, the commission state administrative system and that 3.08 The government presented the April overseeing a referendum said yester- million people of a total 3.21 million eli- 11-13 referendum as a major concession, day, but opposition groups said the poll gible voters had turned out, figures that while opposition groups say a vote should was rigged by the central government in opposition groups said were fraudulent. be held only after a political settlement Darfur referendum commission chief Omar Ali Jamaa (centre) holds a press conference in the Khartoum. “These results reflect the fraud the is reached to the intermittent 13-year The government split the western Sudanese government continues to conflict. Sudanese capital Khartoum yesterday. Dozens of Qaeda militants killed in Yemen clashes

Reuters

ADEN/KUWAIT: Dozens of fighters loyal to Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) were killed in clashes in southern Yemen yesterday, residents and a military source said, while a drone strike killed two others further north. The clashes at Al Koud near Zinjibar in the south- ern Abyan Province were between AQAP and army forces of Yemen’s internationally recognised govern- ment backed by local militias, referred to locally as the Popular Resistance. Since Yemen’s civil war began last year, AQAP has gained control over swathes of southern and eastern Yemen, creating a local government there and intro- ducing services. The war is between the Houthi movement and forces loyal to a former president on one side, against forces such as the Popular Resistance, backed by President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi and supported by a Saudi-led Arab coalition, on the other. Both sides in Yemen’s civil war, in which a tentative truce has been in place for weeks pending the result of peace talks under way in Kuwait, say they regard AQAP as a threat. The group has previously attacked both Hadi’s government and the Houthis. In recent weeks Hadi’s forces, backed by coalition air strikes, have pushed towards Zinjibar along the beach road from Aden. Al-Koud lies on that road only 5km from Zinjibar, long considered an AQAP strong- hold along with the town of Jaar about 15km to the north. A group of around 15 AQAP fighters escaped, the military source said, adding that two army sol- diers were also killed. Also yesterday, an air strike from a drone killed two men south of the Yemeni city of Marib suspected of belonging to Al Qaeda, local res- idents said by phone. “A drone fired two missiles at a car that had two men in it in Al Manain district south of Marib city, and the car was totally destroyed and the men were killed instantly,” one of them said. Arabs launch Thanks Turkey campaign

AA

ISTANBUL: Arab groups have launched a campaign to thank Turkey for its humanitarian efforts in the region, particularly towards Syrians. Led by the Arab Academic League and the Associ- ation of Renaissance Yemeni Turkish For Development, they met Friday in Istanbul to launch the Thanks Tur- key campaign with a three-day festival, which will include art exhibitions, music recitals and academic conferences. “We feel indebted to the Turkish people and the government due to their assistance in our current trou- bles,” spokesman Hamid Ahmar said. He highlighted Turkey’s welcome to more than 2.7 million Syrian refugees and development and educa- tion programmes across the Muslim world as examples of the country’s benevolence towards Arabs. This “unprecedented help” is being led by the Turk- ish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), an agency of the Prime Minister’s office. TIKA works in 140 countries and spends nearly $3.5bn a year. The agency provides safe water to around 3 mil- lion people across Africa as well as running cultural restoration and infrastructure projects in the Balkans, the Middle East and central Asia. MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 09

Syria Kurds and 23 dead in Syria regime to push for talks after govt air strikes deadly clashes AFP

and the main opposition group walked out of Geneva peace talks this week in protest QAMISHLI: Syrian regime offi- Shelling kills woman and at government attacks. cials and Kurdish representatives child near Douma while The Geneva talks aim to end a war were to meet yesterday for a sec- that has killed more than 250,000 peo- ond day of talks on ending deadly aerial raids over Aleppo ple, created the world’s worst refugee crisis, clashes in the northeastern city of claim 10 lives. allowed for the rise of the Islamic State Qamishli, a senior security source group and drawn in regional and major said. powers. Russia’s intervention in the con- A truce agreed on Friday held flict beginning late last year has swayed the through the night, an AFP corre- war in President Bashar Al Assad’s favour. spondent reported, and no gunfire Reuters The Britain-based Observatory, which was heard in the mainly Kurdish monitors the Syrian war through a network city, where control is split between of contacts, said the death toll in Douma, Kurdish militia and the Syrian northeast of the capital, was expected to army and its allies. BEIRUT: Syrian warplanes bombed the rise from 13 because more than 22 others The army and the Kurds have rebel-held town of Douma near Damascus were injured, some critically. coordinated on security in Hasa- and parts of Aleppo in the north yesterday, In a government-controlled camp near keh province against Islamic State killing 23 people, with the death toll likely Douma, shelling killed a woman and child, jihadists, but tensions have built to rise, the Syrian Observatory for Human and injured others, the Observatory said. up between the sometimes rival Rights said. There was also fighting near Bala in authorities. Mediators have struggled to get com- the southeast of Damascus between rebel The fighting in Qamishli began Firefighters battle a blaze that engulfed dozens of shops in the old part of the capital Damascus batants in Syria’s five-year-old war to groups and government forces with deaths on Wednesday with a scuffle at a yesterday. honour a February 27 cessation of hostil- occurring on both sides. checkpoint and was a rare out- ities deal to enable peace talks in Geneva In Aleppo, at least ten people were break of violence between the to proceed. Each side accuses the other of killed by bombs dropped from planes in two sides. violating the truce. an insurgent-controlled eastern neighbour- Fire rips through dozens of shops in According to the Kurdish Fighting has escalated around Aleppo, hood of what was Syria’s commercial hub security forces, the three days of Idlib, Latakia, Damascus over the past week before the civil war began in 2011. fighting have left 17 civilians, 10 Kurdish fighters, and 31 troops and Old Damascus Unesco heritage site allied militiamen dead. Government officials and AFP to other shops,” a senior civil said one shopkeeper after Sat- Kurdish representatives met at defence member in the market urday’s blaze, his head in his Qamishli’s army-controlled airport told AFP. hands. “This shop used to feed on Friday and agreed to observe a DAMASCUS: Syrian firefighters Speaking to the official SANA ten people who worked for me.” truce until a lasting settlement to yesterday worked to contain a news agency, the capital’s civil An AFP correspondent said the dispute is reached. fire that engulfed dozens of defence chief General Jihad the owner of the shop where “There will be a new meeting shops in the Asruniyeh market of Mousa blamed an electrical fault. the fire started was taken to today (Saturday) at Qamishli air- Old Damascus, a Unesco world An AFP correspondent said hospital with severe burns to port,” a senior security source in heritage site. The market is adja- at least 50 store fronts and ware- his head and hand. Firefighters Damascus said. cent to the famed Al-Hamidiyeh houses were damaged. tried to douse the flames from “They will discuss several souk in one of the world’s old- Syria’s economy has already within the souk’s alleyways and points, including an exchange of est cities. been devastated by the five-year from rooftops. Toy shop owner fighters held by each side and the “It began at 06:00 am in one war, with its foreign reserves Mohammad Ashqar said he had Kurds handing back control of the Residents and civil defence personnel inspect a damaged building after an air shop in the centre of the neigh- depleted and inflation soaring. restocked his store just two days neighbourhoods they took from strike on the rebel-held Tariq Al Bab neighbourhood of Aleppo. bourhood and then spread “Our livelihood has gone,” before the fire. the regime,” the source said. Israel jets escort unidentified planes

AFP “Given that the Cypriot air traffic control was late in providing Israeli air traffic control with the plane’s iden- tification, an Israeli Air Force jet intercepted the plane,” JERUSALEM: Israel scrambled fighter planes yesterday a ministry official told reporters, adding that the airliner to intercept an unidentified passenger aircraft entering had since returned to Cairo. its airspace and escorted it to land at Tel Aviv, the Israeli Last month, an EgyptAir domestic flight was hijacked military said. and forced to land on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, Israeli media reported that the aircraft turned out to where an Egyptian is currently in custody awaiting extra- be an Air Sinai flight from Cairo to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion dition proceedings. airport. And in what Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi “Earlier this morning, two Israel Air Force aircraft has acknowledged as a jihadist bombing, a Russian plane accompanied a foreign aircraft planning to land at Ben crashed in the Sinai Peninsula in October killing all 224 Gurion airport which did not identify itself when entering people on board. Israeli public radio said that in yester- Israeli airspace,” a military spokeswoman said. day’s incident the Air Sinai aircraft was flown by pilots “The aircraft landed safely at Ben Gurion airport as new to the route and unfamiliar with the usual radio iden- planned,” she added, without giving further details. tification procedure when approaching Israel. An Egyptian Aviation Ministry official said that the “The Egyptian company was asked to make the pro- pilot of the Boeing 737 had given the necessary notification cedures clear to its pilots,” the broadcaster said. to Cypriot authorities as he flew through their airspace News website Ynet, however, said the pilot’s radio but they were slow to pass it on to Israel. silence was “apparently due to a technical fault”.

Trial postponed Kids get to see Turkish fighter plane cockpits

AA

ANTALYA: The Turkish Stars, the aero- batic demonstration team of the Turkish Air Forces, invited children inside the cockpit of one of the planes on the occa- sion of the 96th National Sovereignty and Children’s Day in Antalya yesterday. Four boy and four girls were given the opportunity to visit the planes. The commander of the fleet, Staff Lieutenant Colonel Senol Cetin, said: “Today is April 23. A gift from [Mustafa Kemal] Ataturk to children. On this occa- sion we get in touch with our inner child thanks to this beautiful day.” Ayca Kocaturk, 11, who participated in the event, said: “I will become a pilot and fly these planes. I will fly Turkish Stars’ planes.” Turkey marked the 96th anniversary of the first season of its Grand National Assembly yesterday, also celebrating Egypt’s ousted Islamist president Mohamed Mursi gestures National Sovereignty and Children’s Day. from behind bars during his trial at the police academy in Every year on this date, children from Cairo yesterday. The court postponed his trial. around the world come together in Tur- key to enjoy Children’s Day celebrations. 10 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 ASIA / PHILIPPINES Duterte pushes Australia investigates submarine tender leak

Reuters bids from French, German and Jap- A final decision had been Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and anese companies for an A$50bn expected at the end of the year but Kawasaki Heavy Industries are offer- ‘kill criminals’ contract to build 12 submarines. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s ing to build a variant of Japan’s Soryu Australia’s Federal Police con- recent gamble on a July 2 election has submarine. Germany’s ThyssenK- SYDNEY: Australian police are inves- firmed in a statement to the ABC that sped up the process and a winner is rupp AG’s is proposing to scale up its tigating how confidential information they had been asked to investigate, now expected to be announced by the 2,000-tonne Type 214 class subma- about the outcome of a tender process the broadcaster said. Police spokes- end of the month. rine. France’s state-controlled naval message for Australia’s next submarine fleet men were not available for comment. The contract is politically sensi- contractor DCNS has proposed a die- was leaked to the media, the Aus- The investigation follows an ABC tive as it will likely have an impact sel-electric version of its 5,000-tonne tralian Broadcasting Corporation report earlier in the week that said on thousands of jobs in the ship- Barracuda nuclear-powered subma- reported, yesterday. the Japanese bid had been “all but building industry in South Australia rine. Australia’s current Collins-class 100,000 criminals and dump so It is the second leak from within eliminated” from the tender process. state. Retaining votes in key elector- boats, is vying for a separate contract many in Manila Bay that the “fish the military acquisition project which No official announcement on the ates in that state will be critical for for a combat system for the subma- The drug pushers, will grow fat” from feeding on them. has come down to a race between outcome of the tender has been made. the government. rine with Lockheed Martin Corp. kidnappers, robbers, More than 50 million people in the mainly Catholic Asian nation find them all and are qualified to vote on May 9 with arrest them. If they Duterte holding a clear lead over four other candidates, including Aquino’s Seven soldiers Hostage drama survivors resist, kill them all: preferred successor. Analysts say Duterte Duterte’s profanity-laced campaign resonates in a chaotic, high-crime injured in Abu society with limited opportunities for a vast underclass working for a Sayyaf clash AFP tiny elite. The unrepentant candidate later told the envoys to “shut up” and steer clear of domestic politics, while Anatolia also grudgingly issuing an apology MANILA: Philippine presidential over the rape comments. candidate Rodrigo Duterte yesterday He has also vowed to hold direct renewed his vow to kill criminals as talks with China to resolve over- ZAMBOANGA CITY: At least seven the tough-talking favourite hit the lapping claims in the South China soldiers have suffered wounds in stump in the capital heading into Sea, in a reversal of Aquino’s pol- a fresh clash with a Daesh-linked the home stretch of a controversial icy of multilateral discussions with group in a troubled Philippines campaign. other claimants and international southern province where several Seen by fans and foes alike as a arbitration. Prior to the Manila rally, foreigners are reportedly being real-life “Dirty Harry” from a south- Duterte met with Eduardo Manalo, held. ern city made infamous by shadowy CM of the conservative religious Major Filemon Tan Jr., Armed vigilante death squads, the 71-year- group Church of Christ to seek the Forces’ Western Mindanao Com- old mayor of Davao is the surprise support of the influential organisa- mand spokesman, told reporters favourite in the race to succeed Pres- tion, known by its initials INC. that the soldiers were conducting ident Benigno Aquino. “I laid out my programme to road security operations when “The drug pushers, kidnappers, fight crime, illegal drugs and cor- they encountered an undeter- robbers, find them all and arrest ruption.... Should God will me to win, mined number of Abu Sayyaf them. If they resist, kill them all,” I will fight for the rights as well as the bandits in Tugas, a mountain- Five Indonesian sailors who survived an attempted hijacking arrive at a port in Tarakan, Borneo Island, he told about 2,000 people who religious freedom of millions of INC ous village in Patikul town, Sulu Indonesia, yesterday. The TB Henry and a barge called Christi were hijacked on April 15 by an armed cheered and shook their fists dur- members,” Duterte said in a state- on Friday morning. The wounded group with suspected links to Abu Sayyaf, The vessel had a 10 man crew and four Indonesian sailors ing a central Manila rally shortly ment. INC spokesmen confirmed Marines were airlifted to Zam- were taken hostage in the incident. after midnight. the meeting yesterday. The Duterte boanga City and rushed to the “Go ahead and charge me with meeting meant all four of the major military’s Camp Navarro General murder, so I could also kill you.” presidential candidates have met Hospital for treatment, he said. Duterte had earlier pledged to kill with the INC leader. Tan added that the encoun- ter occurred at 11.00am lasted an hour, and happened during a China chemical blaze put out after 16 hours search and rescue operation for kidnap victims. No report was made of Abu Sayyaf casualties as AFP news agency said yesterday. The Shanghai, Nanjing, Nantong, Suzhou the “enemies” retreated into the accident was at the premises of a and Wuxi, Xinhua said. ragged terrain and forest lush, company called Jiangsu Deqiao They initially had difficulty according to Tan. “There was no Storage, which is authorised to approaching the blast site because sighting of any hostages during the BEIJING: A fire caused by an explo- keep hazardous chemicals and fuel, the contents of destroyed chemical encounter.” sion at a facility storing chemicals reports said. storage tanks had spread over a wide The Abu Sayyaf has said it will and fuel that rocked the Chinese city Its parent is a Singapore-listed area, but were eventually able to curb execute foreign hostages if ransom of Jingjiang was finally put out yes- company called Hengyang Pet- the fire once an oil pipeline was shut demands are not met April 26. The terday, 16 hours after it started, state rochemical Logistics. Photos and off, it added. group is demanding $6m each media said. videos of the accident posted online Industrial accidents are common for Canadians John Ridsdel and The initial blast, which took place showed an enormous pillar of black in China where safety standards are Robert Hall, Norwegian Kjartan on Friday morning, recalled huge smoke towering above a blaze of often lax. Sekkingstad, and Filipina Marites explosions caused by improper stor- orange flames. Some 400 firefighters But the massive blast in Tianjin, Flor. The four were abducted from age of chemicals in the northern city were mobilised to fight the flames, which caused over $1bn in damages a resort on Samal Island in Davao of Tianjin last August, when at least fed by petrol storage tanks on the and left at least 165 dead, sparked province Sept. 21 last year. 165 people were killed and fears were site, the fire department under the widespread anger over a perceived The Abu Sayyaf is also believed raised of toxic contamination. Ministry of Public Security said on lack of transparency by officials Supporters of Philippine presidential front-runner candidate Rodrigo to be holding a Dutch national kid- No casualties in Jingjiang had yet its microblog. Many were brought about its causes and environmen- Duterte attend his campaign sortie in Manila, yesterday. napped more than three years ago . been reported, the official Xinhua in from the neighbouring cities of tal impact. Second Japan cabinet minister visits Tokyo war shrine

AFP

TOKYO: Japan’s justice minister visited a Tokyo war shrine yesterday morning to become the second mem- ber of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet attending its latest ritual, which has already angered China and South Korea. The Yasukuni Shrine honours millions of Japanese dead, including several senior military and political figures convicted of war crimes after World War II. “I paid respect in order to express my gratitude to the souls of those who fought for the nation and sacrificed their lives,” Mitsuhide Iwaki told reporters. His visit came a day after dozens of lawmakers, including Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi, made their pilgrimage to the leafy central Tokyo shrine for a spring festival. Their visits immediately drew angry reactions from China and South Korea, which see it as a symbol of Tokyo’s militaristic past. South Korea’s foreign ministry spokesman Cho June-Hyuck said in a statement that the shrine “beau- tifies the colonial past and war of aggression, and enshrines war criminals”. But Abe and other nationalists say the shrine is merely a place to remember fallen soldiers and com- pare it to burial grounds such as Arlington National Cemetery in the United States. Abe went in December 2013 to mark his first year in power, a visit that sparked fury in Beijing and Seoul and earned him a diplomatic rebuke from the United States, which said it was “disappointed” by the action. He made a ritual offering to the shrine earlier this week. Japan has taken steps over the past 18 months to improve relations with both countries and Abe has held summit meetings with their leaders. ASIA / AFRICA SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 11 Bangladesh professor hacked to death

AFP militants. Nahidul Islam, a deputy including a top cleric who is said to commissioner of police, said that have founded the group, were con- Siddique was the Siddique was involved in cultural pro- victed late last year for the murder of fourth professor from grammes, including music, and set up atheist blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider DHAKA: Unidentified attackers a music school at Bagmara, a former in February 2013. hacked to death a university profes- Rajshahi University to bastion of an outlawed Islamist group, Sakhawat Hossain, a fellow Eng- sor in Bangladesh yesterday, police have been murdered. Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh lish professor from the university and said, adding that the assault bore (JMB). a friend, said the slain teacher played the hallmarks of previous killings In February, a court “The attack is similar to the ones the tanpura, a musical instrument by Islamist militants of secular and handed down life carried out on (atheist) bloggers in popular in South Asia, and wrote atheist activists. the recent past,” Islam said, adding poems and short stories. Police said English professor sentences to two nobody had been arrested yet. Hundreds of students of Rajshahi Rezaul Karim Siddique, 58, was Islamist militants Homegrown Islamist militants University staged impromptu protests, hacked from behind with machetes have been blamed for a number of marching on the campus in batches as he walked to the bus station from for the murder of murders of secular bloggers and and shouting slogans, demanding the his home in the country’s northwest- another professor, online activists since 2013, the most arrest of the killers, local police chief ern city of Rajshahi, where he taught Mohammad Yunus. recent being in the capital Dhaka Humayun Kabir said. at the city’s public university. early this month. Police said Siddique was the “His neck was hacked at least Police said that in each of the fourth professor from Rajshahi Uni- three times and was 70-80 percent Mohammad Shamsuddin said. attacks unidentified assailants versity to have been murdered. In slit. By examining the nature of the Shamsuddin said police had not hacked the victim to death with February, a court handed down life A man holds a portrait of Bangladesh professor Rezaul Karim attack, we suspect that it was carried yet named any suspects but added machetes or cleavers. sentences to two Islamist militants out by extremist groups,” Rajshahi that the pattern of the attack fitted Eight members of banned Islam- for the murder of another professor, Siddique, who was hacked to death by unidentified attackers, in Metropolitan Police commissioner with previous killings by Islamist ist group Ansarullah Bangla Team, Mohammad Yunus. Rajshahi, yesterday. South Africa’s main oppn promises ‘honest govt’ Australia aims Reuters Yesterday the centre-right party, to track down which has positioned itself as a market-friendly alternative to the graft funds left-leaning ANC, promised the more JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s than 20,000 supporters crammed SYDNEY: Australia will main opposition the Democratic into the Rand Stadium an “honest crack down on corporate Alliance launched its election mani- government” that would create jobs corruption, Prime Min- festo yesterday in the economic hub and deliver services. “It is a referen- ister Malcolm Turnbull of Johannesburg, one of the key dum on the future of our country,” said yesterday, promis- areas it wants to wrestle from the leader of the party Mmusi Maimane ing to spend A$15m on ruling party in local polls in August. said referring to the Aug. 3 polls. boosting the capability of The party, which already gov- “The ANC governs as if black anti-graft agents to track erns one of the country’s nine lives don’t matter,” said 35-year-old down money at home and provinces, has chipped away at the Maimane, who became the DA’s first abroad. ruling African National Congress’ black leader a year ago as it looked to Graft has become a (ANC) large majority, growing its counter perceptions that it is a white politically charged issue share of votes to 22 percent from party and capture a larger slice of in Australia, with both the 16 percent in national polls in 2014. the black, working and middle class government and oppo- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits the Paektusan Hero Youth Power Station in Pyongyang, yesterday. The elections are set to be the vote. “We have seen an increase in sition promising to crack most fiercely contested in the 22 corruption. We have a president who down on multinational years since the fall of apartheid was found by the Constitutional tax avoidance and impose due to growing unhappiness over Court to have broken the Constitu- extra regulations on the North Korea fires submarine-launched corruption in government and per- tion and the law,” Maimane said. banking sector as the sistently high unemployment as The party’s mayoral candidates country heads toward an the continent’s most-industrialised took turns accusing the ANC-led govt early election - expected economy teeters on the brink of a of misusing state funds and failing in July. The announce- ballistic missile off east coast: South recession. A poll by Ipsos in March to grow the economy, saying its bid ment follows several found that 29 percent of the people to impeach the president in March corporate scandals. interviewed were planning vote for that was easily defeated by the ANC’s Reuters failure for unspecified reasons. its main nuclear test site, similar to the ANC, while 26 percent said they majority in parliament was proof the South Korea’s Yonhap news activity seen before the January test, would vote for the opposition Dem- ruling party put corruption ahead of Kuwait premier agency said the missile flew “for a a US North Korea monitoring website ocratic Alliance. the people. few minutes”, citing a government reported on Wednesday. to visit Japan SEOUL: North Korea fired a sub- source. South Korea and the United marine-launched ballistic missile The North first attempted a States, as well as experts, believe from May 11 yesterday off its east coast, South launch of the submarine-based mis- the North is working to develop a Korea said, amid concerns that the sile last year and was seen to be in submarine-launched ballistic mis- TOKYO: The Prime Minis- isolated state might conduct a nuclear the early stages of developing such a sile system and an intercontinental ter of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber test or a missile launch ahead of a weapons system, which could pose a ballistic missile (ICBM) putting the Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- ruling party meeting in May. new threat to its neighbours and the mainland United States within range. Sabah will pay an official The North fired the missile to the United States if it is perfected. North Korea is banned from visit to Japan from May 11, northeast from an area off its east However, follow-up test launches nuclear tests and activities that use the Japanese government coast at about 6:30pm South’s office were believed to have fallen short of ballistic missile technology under has announced. of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. the North’s expectations as its state UN sanctions dating back to 2006 During his four-day North Korea will hold a rare con- media footage appeared to have been and most recently adopted in March visit, the premier will meet gress of its ruling Workers’ Party in edited to fake success, according but it has pushed ahead with work to with Emperor Akihito and early May for the first time in 36 experts who have seen the visuals. miniaturise a nuclear warhead and hold talks with Japanese years where its leader Kim Jong Un South Korea’s military has said develop an ICBM. Prime Minister Shinzo is expected to proclaim the country it is on high alert over the possi- A senior US official said this week Abe. was a strong military power and a bility that the isolated North could that North Korea should take a les- The ministry said that nuclear state. conduct its fifth nuclear test “at any son from Iran which has agreed to the Japanese govt hopes The missile flew for about 30km, time” in defiance of UN sanctions roll back its nuclear programme in that this visit will further South Africa main opposition party Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi a South Korean Defence Ministry after setting off what it said was a an agreement with Western powers strengthen the friendly official said by telephone, adding hydrogen device in January. Satellite in return for lifting of major sanctions Maimane (centre) greets the crowd as he arrives to a campaign rally, relations between Japan its military was trying to determine images show that North Korea may but the North has shown no sign of yesterday, at the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg, ahead of August and the State of Kuwait. whether the launch may have been a have resumed tunnel excavation at entering into such a pact. municipal elections. Memories and pain for the missing a year after Nepal earthquake

Reuters Langtang village, obliterated by a huge that she was last seen walking down- “We want the tourists to come back.” rockfall that took the lives of 285 locals hill toward Langtang just before the Tomorrow’s Langtang memorial and foreigners. earthquake. Both of them and Dawn’s will be preceded by national com- They will be remembered at the brother Randy are in Nepal for the memorations on Sunday - the quake KATHMANDU: For survivors and memorial event where, starting at anniversary, and hope that at least anniversary by the Nepali calendar - at relatives of victims of a landslide 11:56am the name of each victim will her body can be found. the site of Kathmandu’s historic Dha- that struck with the force of half an be read out. “There was no question of “Because we need that closure,” rahara Tower that collapsed. There will atom bomb it is a time to grieve. For not coming back,” Zelandonii, 26, said said Khaled. “Sometimes I still get be a candlelit vigil that night and three witnesses to a fatal avalanche at the in the capital Kathmandu. these lightning-bolt thoughts - what days of national mourning. Mount Everest base camp, it is time Part of a group of people who if? And that’s not healthy.” But the commemoration will be to climb again. searched for loved ones or themselves Of 181 foreigners who died in low-key in a country where one in A year after the worst earthquake lived through the disaster, Zelandonii the earthquake or are still missing, seven people still live in makeshift in Nepal’s history struck at four min- survived an avalanche on the moun- 63 were in Langtang. Villager Kar- homes, mostly tin shelters that dot the utes to midday on April 25 last year, tain slopes above Langtang, but was tok Lama, 30, said locals had already countryside by the rubble of buildings the Himalayan nation is remembering stranded for days by the rockfall. Still marked the anniversary of the quake devastated by the quake. the 9,000 victims of the 7.8 magni- missing in the Langtang area is Amer- by the Tibetan calendar that they fol- For many Nepalis it’s been a lost tude quake and a second tremor 17 ican Dawn Habash, a 57-year-old yoga low. They said prayers in a hut because year of political bickering over a new days later. instructor from Augusta, Maine, who Langtang’s two gompas, or Buddhist constitution, a blockade of the Indian An earthquake survivor Ramesh performing a wheelchair stunt to Among those returning to Nepal was trekking in Nepal for the fourth temples, had been destroyed. border by its opponents and the failure entertain others at a shelter in Kathmandu, yesterday. Ramesh, who are adventurers like Australian pho- time. Son Khaled and daughter Yas- “Almost everyone from the vil- to spend $4.1 billion in aid to rebuild, worked as a guide, got trapped under the rubble but was rescued tographer Athena Zelandonii, who mine worked shifts to try and find out lage is back; people are rebuilding pledged by foreign donors. Tourism, after 12 hours. He was unconscious for four days and when woke up, is trekking again to attend a cere- about their mother after the earth- homes and hotels, and there is work which accounts for 9 percent of the his legs were gone. mony of remembrance tomorrow in quake - all they could find out was going on in the fields,” she told Reuters. economy, is down. 12 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 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] People demonstrate against the controversial transatlantic trade agreement TTIP in Hanover, Germany, yesterday. Organisations for environment and consumer protection say that the agreement gives more power to big corporations.

EDITORIAL North Korean test Islamists are huge masses orth Korea’s test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile is the latest in a series of flagrant violations of the UN Security Council resolutions needing more wise leaders Nby the reclusive communist state. Pyongyang has conducted umpteen such tests before, which invited international condemnations and rebuke from the United Nations, but the regime of Kim Jong-un has never thought of to make arrests and jails. the whole country is at a cross- putting an end to these provocations. Kim believes that conducting Many Islamists like Farajallah, roads. This is not a good way to Why did the Islamic who are fierce opponents of the evade politics and its requirements missile tests is the only way of showing his country’s military government, this time expressed to bargain and make concessions. movement in capability and scaring away his neighbours, though these tests their anger against their leaders The idea of “everything or impris- Turkey, Tunisia and don’t pose a huge threat to South Korea and other countries in the who are still under the influence of onment” is valuing the culture of region due to the military cooperation of these countries with the the culture of confrontations, con- imprisonment, and encourage tens Morocco succeed US which enables them to thwart any attacks. spiracies, sacrifices and detentions, of thousands of youth to show sol- and yet fail in There are conflicting reports about the success of the missile which is not good formula either idarity and resistance in prisons. for the movement or the nation. This is negatively affecting the per- other places? The test. North Korea called it a success, but South Korea refuted Regardless of whether “Polit- formance of the movement. answer is simple- the claim. According to the South Korean defence ministry, the ical Islam” is right or wrong, or The third reason is an obe- missile flew 30 kilometres but the By Jamal Khashoggi whether Arab societies need it dient culture and loyalty before they valued their launch in the Sea of Japan ‘was believed or not, there are wide audiences qualification, which is keeping ongoing success on to have failed’. This is not the first who believe in the mission of the innovators and skilled individu- the ground without Kim Jong-un Brotherhood movement, see it as a als away from leadership positions time Pyongyang’s claims have been ignoring the reality will continue contested. It has conducted a number of he recent closure of saviour and are ready to vote for it and paves the way for unqualified to be as the Muslim Brother- in any election. But the problem for individuals as long as they share of their countries. what it says were successful submarine- hood headquarters in these supporters is that the lead- same values and principles with the unpredictable launched ballistic missile (SLBM) tests, Amman by the Jordanian ers of the movement in some Arab traditional leaders. Gradually such and reckless but experts have always questioned authorities has revived countries, whose performances individuals become representatives the claim, saying the country is yet Tthe grievances of the Islamic move- are so poor, has led the movement of the movement in parliaments adopted an advanced ideology as before. to go beyond a “pop-up” test from a ment and reminded them of the from one crisis to another, harm- and different institutions and take compared to peers in the Eastern The world submerged platform. major setback of Egypt where the ing the movement itself and the part in making critical decisions. part of the Arab World. It is not cor- Muslim Brotherhood failed to hold whole nation. Whatever the situa- Why did the Islamic movement rect that it happened because its North Korea has been trying can only wait onto power. They gained power tion is, we have to acknowledge that in Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco suc- leader Ghannouchi lived in the UK nervously for desperately to acquire SLBM because after a long struggle and patience they represent a wide segment of ceed and yet fail in other places? for two decades. Not far from his that would give a huge boost to its for decades, and the worst thing society and in no way should they The answer is simple- they val- home in London there were many his next test. military capabilities and take them to a is that they were removed from be excluded or ignored, whether ued their ongoing success on the extremist Salafis who were calling new level, enabling deployment outside power and sent to jails. they are kept in detention or their ground without ignoring the real- for an Islamic Caliphate, Jihad and the Korean peninsula. Also, once it The good thing this time, unlike offices closed. ity of their countries. who fiercely stood against democ- acquires the SLBM, it will have the ability to retaliate in the event what happened after the setback Of course there are some excep- For instance in Turkey the racy, and many people may not be in Egypt, is that the incident in tions such as Erdogan in Turkey, political elites, including Islamists, aware that the ISIS ideology was of a nuclear attack, but a success remains distant in the current Jordan has opened the door for Ghannouchi in Tunisia and Ben- agree on civil state and democ- made there in the 1990s. Ghan- circumstances. Pyongyang’s tests and the UN reactions have self-criticism and a call for the kirane in Morocco. Comparing these racy, and jointly work to free the nouchi refused this and adopted perpetrated a vicious cycle. The UN has never been hesitant to accountability of leaders who successful experiences with those country from military domination. an advanced ideology which was slap new sanctions after the violations, but these sanctions have had pushed the movement into a who have stumbled shows a positive This gave the movement a politi- inherited from Tunisian civil soci- done little to deter North Korea from further military adventures. clash with the regime in Jordan. relationship between better political cal chance to manoeuvre, even at ety founded by its Mufti Al Tahir bin But the region always remains tense and the verbal war between The movement’s relations with the performances and keeping some the time of its founder Necmettin Ashour early last century. government moved from alliance, distance from the traditional Mus- Erbakan who was closer to the tra- I remember the first time I the leaders of North and South Korea has been exacerbating the to cold friendship, and then to the lim Brotherhood political style. And ditional Brotherhood approach. In became familiar with the term tension. Secondly, new sanctions rarely make an impact because current open disagreement. This the question is, “Why do Islamists order to suit the situation and rec- “Islamic leftist” was when I received Pyongyang lives in complete isolation, deprived of all benefits of made many leaders and activists become creative out of the Broth- tify their status, the party evolved some editions of a magazine, pub- modern development. from inside the movement criti- erhood movement box and become many times and was reborn with lished in Tunisia in the 1980s, and One positive fallout of Kim Jong-un’s missile adventures is that cize their historical leaders with stiff inside it?” new names. I met the publishers who preferred China, their best ally, is growing increasingly impatient and angry bitterness, for example the Sec- I will give my opinion here, In addition to this, the practice to call the magazine 15/21 as a ges- at these provocations. Beijing is keen to ensure that the 33-year- retary of the Islamic Action Front based on personal observations of democracy extended to the grass- ture combining the past and future: (IAF) Abdullah Farajallah. of the movement for quarter of a roots level, to the municipalities the 15th and 21st centuries. old Kim does not wield nuclear weapons. At the same time, China Farajallah published an article century, as well as discussions with and the selection of neighbourhood In Morocco we can’t ignore the doesn’t support actions that will lead to a regime collapse which on the website of Arabi21, accusing its supporters and its former leaders leaders, creating further chances charisma of the leadership of Abde- can only create chaos at its borders. the movement’s leaders of ignor- and independent individuals. The for members to become actively lilah Benkirane who never targeted Kim will continue to be as unpredictable and reckless as ing “a real crisis the movement was first reason could be that they gave involved in leadership activities and openly non-Islamist political oppo- before. The world can only wait nervously for his next test. facing” by considering the crisis to priority to the older generation of gain experience. Erdogan himself nents, but rather he criticised the be sedition, aiming scrutiny at the leaders due to the patience, sacri- was one of those. Erdogan became traditional Sheikhs of the move- movement which is now above sev- fices and resistance they showed famous when he became gover- ment. He became independent from enty years of age. He warned them in prisons. However, is it enough nor of the Istanbul Municipality Al Adl Wa Al Ihsane group, which away from turning the closure of to give them priority in leadership, and the same applies to his cur- was representing the traditional the headquarters into a decision while ignoring qualified and expe- rent colleagues. This has made form of Brotherhood movement, Quote of the day rienced members simply because the leaders in Turkey professional and presented himself as poli- they were not detained? Such tradi- politicians, not religious figures tician first and Islamist second, I have ... again demanded Brotherhood tional leaders took wrong decisions, or preachers. Leaders who deal acknowledging his loyalty to the that we have zones (in such as the ones who became disas- with development projects, with Monarchy and the State. Thus he literature is full of ters in Egypt in 2013, and in Jordan the daily demands of the people managed to gain support of a wide Syria) where the ceasefire speeches, memories in 2016. and make decisions- something range of Moroccan society includ- is particularly enforced and poems that The second reason is that the the Brotherhood movement failed ing the youth, who wanted someone and where a significant Brotherhood literature is full of to do in other places. who could tell them about employ- level of security can be glorify rejection speeches, memories and poems This free space gave Erdogan ment and living standards, and the that glorify rejection of tempta- a chance to present himself as King Mohammed VI. guaranteed. of temptations, tions, patience, and resistance in national leader, not only as a leader It is time to tell the Muslim patience, and prisons. But this should not be taken of a certain group, and he managed Brotherhood in the East that reform Angela Merkel resistance in as absolute fate, as imprisonment to compete with even the founder does not start with changing the German Chancellor is not an advantage and could also Erbakan, and later established a regime, but with the replacement of prisons. be escaping from taking respon- new party, replacing the old one. your traditional leaders who are still sibility at critical moments when The Tunisian movement far away from the political reality.

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Islamophobia works without Muslims. By Dr. Farid Hafez and Dr. Enes This can be demonstrated particularly in Bayraklı countries with small Muslim populations. Anatolia Although the facts tell us that Mus- lims have never been implicated in any kind of terrorist attacks in these coun- tries, the conspiracy of the “Islamisation slamophobia or anti-Muslim rac- of Europe” is abused by a number of high- ism is still not even acknowledged ranking politicians in these countries. as a crime or a motivation for hate- By far, it is not only some fringe crime in most European countries. right-wing politicians but also, in con- In fact we still face a continuing trast, mainstream politicians who have Iabsence of reliable and nation- as well abused Islamophobia. The far-right has as European-wide data on Islamopho- indeed benefited greatly from the public bic incidents. discourse and general alienation of Mus- In 2014, only five states of the 57 lims in the perception of many Europeans. Organisation for Security and Cooper- The report was able to show that all ation in Europe (OSCE) member states right-wing political parties have used officially reported on hate crimes against Islamophobia to mobilise voters and legit- Muslims, whereas civil society reported in imise their policies. A general effect of 21 countries. The European Islamophobia this is that an increasingly antagonistic Report (EIR) analysed Islamophobia in 25 language can be observed in political European countries in 2015. This is one debates in many countries. part of the gap, where the EIR attempts to No doubt three factors determined the make a contribution. The other aspect is debate on Islam and Muslims through- that there are still many people in Europe out Europe in 2015, whether in France, who refuse to even recognise that there where two terrorist attacks took place, is such a thing as Islamophobia or anti- or a country like Lithuania, which is far Muslim racism. from these incidents. To give an example: In Austrian daily In addition to the two terrorist attacks, Der Standard, an article was published the so-called refugee crisis represents a Thousands of participants of a rally called ‘Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West’ (PEGIDA) gather highlighting the main findings of the EIR. third pillar in the striking rise of Islamo- in Dresden, eastern Germany. Within the first 6 hours, there were 1,000 phobia in the political discourse. Regional comments. A day later, that figure grew to as well as national elections were debated more than 2,400. And unfortunately, we around these issues. as well as the Identitarian movement – interrogated by officials over whether dissemination of Islamophobic attitudes. could not find a single positive comment. The Paris terrorist attacks had far- a manifestation of the European New children would be taught to pray, whether The central role of the Internet not One commentator said: “Europe needs reaching policy implications, especially Right – are the two most famous social they were taught the Koran, what lan- only in the dissemination of prejudices another Prince Eugene”. For those of you in the field of countering violence and movements to be mentioned here. guage they spoke, if they would celebrate but also in the formation of Islamopho- unfamiliar with Prince Eugene of Savoy: extremism. Santa Claus and Christmas, and were bic attitudes can be seen in the Czech He was a general of the Holy Roman Impe- Since the Paris attacks, the public Institutional discrimination also told that they had to because this Republic. Here, the formation of the “Bloc rial Army who fought back the Ottomans has generally become more aggressive was part of Austrian tradition. Against Islam” emerged out of groups at the Siege of Vienna in 1683. towards Muslims. Not only in France has In the context of institutional dis- In fact and to the contrary, the edu- active in social media and active in local In his manifesto entitled “2083: A the number of attacks on mosques and crimination, research has repeatedly cational plan (66 pages) of the Viennese demonstrations against mosques. European Declaration of Independence”, Muslims risen enormously in quantity, but referred to the manner in which pupils, government nowhere mentions anything Anders Behring Breivik draws exactly on also the security apparatus has profited i.e. in the Irish education system, are about “Austrian values” or “tradition”, Counteracting Islamophobia this narrative of a perpetual historical war immensely by being highly subsidised. exposed to discriminatory enrollment not in a single sentence. between Christianity and Islam. Another After last November in Paris, public policies, impacting those from minor- Coming back to a central topic related post said: “The problem with Islam is that authorities, notably by raiding mosques ity faith/no-faith backgrounds. The media spreading Islamophobia to terrorism, it is also important not to it is a comprehensive totalitarian ideol- and Muslim associations and by target- Irish equality legislation allows for forget that Islamophobia may have an ogy with its own law”. We can clearly ing certain imams, have bolstered the educational institutions, primarily those The central element that helps to cre- impact on some individuals that leads see in these two examples the unques- by-now largely shared view that Mus- affiliated with a particular faith, to refuse ate this negative atmosphere is the media. them to more extremist views and ter- tioning negative framing and narrowing lims are a security issue in the country. entry to those students, who in essence, Media outlets all over Europe all too often rorist acts such as the one perpetrated down of the imagination of what these Assaults on Muslims and mosques, and do not belong to that faith – something engage in an “us vs. them” presentation by Anders Breivik – the Norwegian mass people call “Islam”. the Islamophobic discourse more gener- particularly problematic in the Irish of Muslim communities that incorpo- killer. ally, skyrocketed both after the Charlie context, as the vast majority of schools rates an alleged incompatibility between In contrast, Muslims should be sup- The conspiracy of an ‘Islamisation of Hebdo and the Bataclan attacks. This has remain under the patronage of the Cath- “Islam” and European values. ported in counteracting Islamophobia and Europe’ had deep implications for other coun- olic Church. It appears that Western values are thus must be seen as allies in the fight not tries as well. Despite the promise of a legislative associated mostly with the Christian faith, only against extremism but especially in Most notably, peaks in Islamophobia change in 2015, enrollment policies such while Eastern ones are connected to the the fight against racism in Europe. in Belgium correlated with the events in as these as well as a lack of national pol- Muslim faith. Positive examples of empowerment Paris. But also countries further away that icy over the wearing of headscarves at This binary of East vs West, translated are the Dutch initiative “Meld Islamofo- were unrelated to the Paris attacks were school provide a context wherein partic- into Islam vs Christianity, or “enlighten- bie!” or the Austrian “Dokustelle Muslime”, The European Islamophobia Report concerned. For instance, in Austria and ularly Muslim school goers are exposed to ment” and “progressiveness” vs “backward where people can register anti-Muslim the Czech Republic, the recorded num- institutionalised exclusionary practices. Islam”, strengthens identity constructions hate crimes. (EIR) analysed Islamophobia in 25 bers of harassment on the streets and This has to be addressed if the structural and narratives of a homogenised “us” vs We especially urge political parties to European countries in 2015. This is violations of Muslims have been rising. underpinnings that cater to Islamopho- “them”, and in consequence threatens increasingly take a stance against Islam- The fact that we are able to report this bia are to be challenged. an inclusive understanding of diverse ophobia in their societies, whether from one part of the gap, where the EIR may have only to do with a heightened In Austria, a Foreign Ministry report and multicultural European societies. right-wing politicians or discrimination attempts to make a contribution. The consciousness on the part of Muslims allegedly analysed the spread of extrem- Not only journalists and bloggers but in the private job market. other aspect is that there are still who seem to have become more active ism in private Muslim kindergartens. also web moderators and ordinary peo- Both civil society actors and states in talking about this discrimination, Although on a political level the Vien- ple have used the media and cyberspace should acknowledge the seriousness of many people in Europe who refuse after the debate over Daesh became nese governors denied the allegations of as a vehicle to spread fear and hatred this issue and develop concrete policies to to even recognise that there is such a omnipresent. the spreading extremism in Muslim kin- of Muslims. counter Islamophobia. First and foremost, The discourse on Daesh has also helped dergartens, a consequence of the debate Even in countries like Lithuania, where Islamophobia has to be acknowledged thing as Islamophobia or anti-Muslim political parties as well as new social was that officials undertook to profile Islamophobia, according to our research, as a crime and should be included in all racism. movements to organise. The rampantly kindergartens with Muslim personnel. is nearly absent, the Internet seems to national and European statistics through- Islamophobic Pegida and its branches Kindergarten personnel said they were play a pivotal role in the emergence and out Europe. As families wait, expedite efforts to retrieve remains of war dead

The Japan News/Yomiuri to collect remains systematically and law into effect will add momentum to an appropriate measure. In 2011, it unaddressed. Because DNA exami- effectively. The Health, Labor and Wel- the collection of remains. was revealed that remains collected nations are essential for identifying fare Ministry set aside ¥2.1 billion from in the Philippines by a nonprofit remains, the government is working this fiscal year’s budget to cover costs Bumps in the road organisation commissioned by the on a database of samples that can be eventy years have passed since associated with this undertaking. welfare ministry had been mixed tested. We hope a system in which these World War II ended, and the Returning remains to Japan has An especially important element of with remains of people other than samples can be smoothly compared Sfamilies of Japan’s war dead not progressed as well as hoped. Of 2.4 the law is the stipulation that greater Japanese soldiers. with DNA provided by relatives will are growing older. Efforts to find and million Japanese who died on foreign efforts will be made to study docu- Reflecting on this, the new law says quickly be put in place. retrieve remains of those who died battlefields or in Siberian internment ments stored at public records offices the government will designate a public About 230,000 sets of remains still Of 2.4 million in countries far from home must be camps after the war, the remains of 1.13 and other facilities overseas to col- corporation as a task force to handle lie in China, where remains cannot be Japanese who accelerated. million still rest at sites overseas. In lect information regarding where collection of the remains. The new cor- collected because anti-Japan senti- This month, a law to promote col- the past 10 years, the government has Japanese war dead are buried. It is poration is scheduled to be set up by ment has hampered this operation, died on foreign lection of the remains of the war dead collected only 28,000 sets of remains. clear that the conventional method people involved in groups for families and North Korea, a nation with which battlefields or in came into force. The law’s main points Many people are dissatisfied with of relying on the memories and other of the war dead. The welfare ministry Japan does not have diplomatic rela- are that it clearly positions retrieval the ministry’s efforts, saying they are information provided by fellow sol- will establish an expert panel to check tions. At present, there is no timeframe Siberian internment of these remains as “the responsibil- “not well planned.” diers has its limits. progress in these activities. for when remains might be collected camps after the war, ity of the state,” and sets a nine-year The law was passed as legislation Spelling out that the health, labor The government will soon settle from these countries. the remains of 1.13 period starting from this fiscal year as was proposed by lawmakers cooperat- and welfare minister will work closely on a basic plan encompassing these Families are ardently waiting for an intensive implemen-tation period for ing across party lines. We applaud the with the foreign minister and other specific policies, and will launch it this remains to be returned home. With million still rest at government efforts to find and repat- fact that the law promotes attempts to ministers to ensure smooth progress fiscal year. The new structure must their feelings in mind, we request that sites overseas. riate remains. make up for the inadequacy revealed in negotiations with governments function effectively. every possible effort be made to real- The law requires the government in efforts to date. We hope putting the of nations where remains lie is also Many problems remain ize their wishes.

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. 14 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 PAKISTAN

Oppn rejects Up in ‘arms’ Pakistan to get $50m from IDA PM’s system to buy vaccine ISLAMABAD: The Inter- national Development Association (IDA) has to probe graft approved a credit of $50m for Pakistan for procurement of vaccines get their point across as the govern- for infectious diseases, ment had done nothing to counter including polio, for chil- We don’t have any allegations made after the Panama dren under two years of personal enmity leaks. age. He explained that the prime The National Immu- with PM. We want to minister’s speech had made mat- nisation Support Project improve the system. ters more confusing and raised (NISP) is supporting more doubts about his family. “It is the country’s Expanded Only an international time to address the Panama Papers Programme on Immuni- revelations, not to go for counter sation (EPI), which aims forensic audit can Supporters of Mumtaz Qadri, a police guard who was executed last month for killing former Governor allegations.” When contacted to to immunise all children settle this issue: respond to Sharif’s pledge to resign if of Punjab province over a blasphemy law comment, gather during a protest in Lahore, yesterday. against the eight vac- Opposition leader proven guilty by the Panama Papers They demanded the government to implement Shariah in the country and declare Qadri a martyr. cine-preventable diseases probe, MuttahidaQaumi Movement tuberculosis, poliomyeli- leader Farooq Sattar said the first tis, diphtheria, pertussis, mistake made by the ruling Paki- tetanus, hepatitis B, hae- Internews stan Muslim League-N and Sharif mophilus influenza type-b was to address the nation without Petrol imports set to hit record high (Hib) and measles. any consultations. The project, approved He added that this gave the this week, will increase ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties in opposition the chance to debate the the provincial govern- Pakistan have rejected the mecha- issue. From Imran Khan’s Pakistan this month amid rising demand ments’ capacity for nism announced by Prime Minister Tehrik-e-Insaf, Mehmood Qureshi rigorous monitoring and Nawaz Sharif to investigate allega- said the party had no issues if the effective implementation tions of corruption and tax dodging investigations were conducted in a Internews the previous high of 511,185 tonnes sales increased to 137,206 units in of the programme, includ- against his family. Bilawal Bhutto’s transparent manner. registered in October 2015. July-March as compared to 105,344 ing strengthened vaccine Pakistan People’s Party rejected “After the new developments in Sales stood at 448,000 tonnes in in the same period last fiscal year. logistics and deployment Sharif’s proposed mechanism for an the National Assembly, I will advise February 2016. During July-March Honda sold 601,764 bikes during the of qualified technical and investigation into the Panama Papers the opposition to come to the same KARACHI: Petrol imports by Paki- 2015-16, around 4.2m tonnes of pet- period as compared to 464,839 a year managerial personnel. revelations involving his family a day table to constitute a unanimous stan are likely to touch a record rol were sold, which was 26 per cent ago. The import bill of power genera- after the premier announced it. Terms of Reference [for the probe],” high this month, crossing 400,000 higher than 3.32m tonnes in the same tors grew 43pc year-on-year to $1.3bn According to the party, an he said. Leader of the Opposition tonnes. Thus far the highest import of period of last fiscal year. in July-March FY16 from $934m. Taliban claim address to the nation Friday night in the National Assembly Khurshid 382,000 tonnes of oil was recorded Keeping in view the demand- UmairNaseer of Topline Secu- by Sharif further strengthened the Shah said that he would apologise in July 2015. supply situation, the OCAC would rities said oil sales increased 9pc killing of Sikh arguments of his opponents instead to Sharif if the allegations made Officials here say the surge in firm up the plan for petrol imports year-on-year and 13pc month-on- of clearing the first family’s position. against him regarding the Panama imports is being caused by consum- for May shortly, Fazil said. month in March 2016 to 2m tonnes lawmaker “There was no clear line in leaks proved to be false. ers switching to petrol because of Imports of cars (mostly used on the back of record sales of motor the speech. I am sorry to say but “We don’t have any personal lower prices and scant availability ones) rose 26pc to $234m in July- gasoline (MOGAS). During July-March PESHAWAR: The Paki- the speech fell short,” said Sen- enmity with the prime minister. We of compressed natural gas (CNG). March FY16 from $185m in the same FY16, oil sales rose 5pc to 16.7m stani Taliban have claimed ator Saeed Ghani. “The terms of want to improve the system,” said Higher sales of cars, motorcycles period last fiscal year while bike tonnes driven by growth in white oil the killing of a Sikh law- reference mentioned by the prime Shah. “Writing a letter to the chief and rickshaws, and rising imports imports jumped 108pc to $2.56m (MOGAS and diesel). MOGAS regis- maker in the country’s minister in his speech are not justice of Pakistan is not the solu- of generators have also pushed up from $1.2m. Arrivals of completely tered strong growth due to sharp drop northwest. Militant acceptable. The PPP will not support tion. Only an international forensic demand for petrol. Oil Companies knocked-down (CKD) and semi in petrol prices and increased pur- spokesman Mohammad any move which does not specifi- audit can settle this issue.” According Advisory Council (OCAC) CEO Ilyas- knocked-down (SKD) kits went up chasing power. The govt has reduced Khurasani said yesterday cally address the Panama Papers’ to Jamaat-e-Islami chief SirajulHaq, Fazil said that in March 2016 petrol by 9.6pc to $386m in the last eight petrol prices by 11pc year-on-year that the group had killed allegations.”According to Ghani, the there were many questions at this sales rose to a record 553,253 tonnes months compared to $352m a year as of March 2016, which has also Sardar Suran Singh and speech had provided the prime min- stage, “but now that the opposition (of which 142,000 tonnes were pro- earlier, while kits imports for bikes resulted in lower price differential would continue to attack ister’s opponents an opportunity to has come together on this issue.” duced by local refineries), breaking rose 19pc to $76m from $64m. Car between petrol and CNG, Fazil said. supporters of the “evil system,” referring to the government. Gunmen on a motor- cycle killed Singh as he was heading home Friday Declaration of assets by senators throws up surprises night. The lawmaker, from the country’s Sikh minor- ity, was an adviser to the Internews Kingdom and United States. On Rehman Malik also of the PPP, has no have liabilities of Rs82.47m, includ- and cash in banks amounting to chief minister for minor- one page of his statement, Saiful- business in or outside the country, but ing advance rent of Rs4.18m taken for Rs155.7m. ity affairs in the Khyber lah claims that he has immovable owns property worth 2.5m pounds his house in Karachi which is valued He has four vehicles worth Pakhtunkhwa province. property worth Rs275m in Pakistan, in London and a sports car worth at Rs3.5m. Rs27.7m, while he and his spouse have ISLAMABAD: Like previous years, whereas on another page the value of 27,000 pounds. He did not receive Senator Qayyum has property in a house in Lahore valued at Rs45m rich senators in Pakistan have his movable and immovable property any remittance from abroad during Chakwal, a large tract of agricultural and six acres of land in Islamabad 1% of funds in apparently quoted confusing and mis- is stated as merely Rs75m. He has 15 the year and had no investments in land in Rahim Yar Khan, a house in worth Rs14.5m. He also gave Rs61.51m matching figures in their statements bank accounts in the country, con- the country. Islamabad valued at Rs10.23m and in charity during 2014-15. Punjab to be of assets submitted to the Election taining Rs5.12m. Without any house, vehicle or fur- investments, cash, prize bonds and a The PPP’s Senator Babar Awan Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for The senator, who belongs to the niture, the only asset Malik and his car worth Rs45.84m. has property worth Rs20m in Spain spent on trees the last fiscal year. prominent Saifullah family, has wife own in the country is 500 grams Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has and several others worth Rs133.62m Senator Osman Saifullah of investments worth Rs30m and other of gold ornaments. He has no cash in no business in the country or abroad, in Pakistan. He has Rs25m in fixed LAHORE: Chief Minister Pakistan People’s Party, one of the assets of Rs40.38m. hand, but there are Rs330,612 in his but he received the final instalment deposits and around Rs110m in banks. Shahbaz Sharif has intro- two members of the house whose His wife has property, shares in two bank accounts. of Rs115m out of Rs500m given to his His law firm is valued at Rs2.59m duced a policy under names have been highlighted in the various companies, cash and money Pakistan Muslim League-N son several years back. and five vehicles and agricultural which one percent of the Panama Papers, claims to have only in bank accounts worth Rs244.88m. Senator Abdul Qayyum, a retired lieu- However, Dar has made a huge machinery worth Rs11m. There are funds allocated for any Rs6m abroad - in four bank accounts The other senator named in tenant general and former chairman investment of Rs325.74m in govern- 13 properties owned by his wife and development project in in Egypt and one each in the United the Panama leaks, former minister of the Pakistan Steel Mills, claims to ment bonds apart from investments children, worth Rs45.04m. Pakistan’s most populous province Punjab should be spent on plantation of trees. This was stated by Environment Protec- Bitter result tion Department Deputy Sindh decides to raise force Director NasimurRehman Shah on the occasion of the Earth Day observed for polio workers’ protection across the globe to raise awareness about the need to protect environ- ment from degradation. Internews The sources said Chief Minister Qaim Shah Shah said the EPD had asked the senior hierarchy in the police and was ensuring that enough provincial home ministry to quickly work on trees were planted in the the plan. vicinity of industrial areas KARACHI: The government in Pakistan’s south- “It has to be done quickly as the present to mitigate the effect of ern Sindh province has finally decided to form police force has little training and is more effi- air pollution caused by a well-trained police force exclusively to guard cient in routine crimes than guarding thousands factories. polio volunteers as had been envisaged a cou- of volunteers in hostile conditions,” said an offi- International Union for ple of years earlier, but the idea was dropped for cial in the home ministry. Conservation of Nature inexplicable reasons. Earlier, the chief minister had temporarily (IUCN) Pakistan vice pres- Officials in the Sindh government say the formed a 700-men-strong dedicated police force ident Malik Amin Aslam gory incident of Wednesday in which seven headed by a senior superintendent of police with stressed the need for pre- policemen guarding polio teams were killed by a single mandate to provide security to polio serving existing forests gunmen on motorcycles in Orangi Town pushed teams. and trees. the government to rethink the idea of establish- He had asked the inspector general of police He said this was ing the force. The force will require policemen in Sindh police to arrange for 50pc personnel of especially important in with commando training with specific assign- the force each from Karachi and the rest from major cities where green ment to safeguard the unarmed volunteers who the province and arm them with sophisticated spaces were vulnerable stroll streets and do their job knocking every weapons and vehicles. to mega-infrastructure door in their areas. However, the order could not be complied development schemes. “The idea was originally floated two years with and all such public claims were readily for- Punjab govt’s policy of ago and had impressed the chief minister but gotten. “The problem then was that the police planting 100 saplings A woman receives medical treatment after eating poisonous sweets at a local then it was dropped without citing any rea- force was short of personnel to raise a dedi- for every tree cut as a hospital in Layyah district of Punjab province, Pakistan, yesterday. Seventeen people son,” said an official. “The very reason might cated squad. Such a force could only be viable result of its development died after eating poisonous sweets. be related to provision of huge funding required if we recruit it afresh like a new scheme,” said projects was inadequate. to raise such force.” an official. INDIA SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 15

President unveils House to take up GST & Enemy Property bills Khongjom war monument in main agenda of this session,” a par- Legislative business likely to be The possibility of the two camps ups in his party. liamentary ministry statement said taken up in Rajya Sabha include the reconciling are remote as the con- ”All these certainly seem to slam Manipur Another parliament yesterday. Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order frontation is at the very top level, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and washout looms over “Apart from ratification of Pres- (Amendment) Bill, 2016 (passed by with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) therefore, reconciliation between BJP idential rule in Uttarakhand under the Lok Sabha); the Appropriation determined to take on Congress pres- and Congress does not appear likely,” IMPHAL: President Pranab Uttarakhand and, Article 356 of the Constitution, two Acts (Repeal) Bill, 2016 as passed ident Sonia Gandhi for “influencing the Samajwadi Party leader said. Mukherjee yesterday inaugurated Ishrat Jahan issues. ordinances, that is, the Uttarakhand by Lok Sabha; the Enemy Prop- changes” in the Ishrat Jahan affidavit, In fact, the sentiment among non- the Khongjom war monument at Appropriation (vote on account) Ordi- erty (Amendment and Validation) while the Congress too finds fault with Congress and non-BJP parties is that the place where the last battle nance, 2016 and the Enemy Property Bill, 2016 (passed by the Lok Sabha no less than Prime Minister Narendra the confrontation between the ruling of Manipur’s independence was (Amendment and Validation) Sec- and referred to select committee of Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. party and the opposition camp has got fought against the British army IANS ond Ordinance, 2016 are also on the the house); and the Whistle Blowers “We do not see any harmony. The further aggravated. in 1891. agenda,” the statement added. Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015 acrimonious mood will thus prevail “It has become a pattern. Every The war memorial has been The Lok Sabha may also take up (passed by Lok Sabha). even in both houses in parliament. time on the eve of the parliament built at the Kheba hillock in the Sikh Gurudwaras (Amendment) The other bills likely to be taken You can expect washout of another sessions, Congress and BJP instead Thoubal district along the India- NEW DELHI: Important legislation, Bill, 2016, which was passed by Rajya up include the Indian Medical Coun- session,” former Samajwadi Party MP of reaching out to each other try to Myanmar border, just over 30km including the Goods and Services Sabha; the Factories (Amendment) cil (Amendment) Bill, 1987; the Right to Shailendra Kumar said here. raise the level of confrontation. The from Imphal. Tax (GST) Bill, Enemy Property Bill, Bill, 2014; the Electricity Amend- Fair Compensation and Transparency Kumar’s pessimism is not isolated casualty is the smooth functioning “It is a historic day since the Railways Appropriation Bill and ment Bill, 2014; and the Lok Pal and in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and as many sitting lawmakers — from both of parliament,” a member of Odi- last battle for (Manipur’s) inde- Afforestation Fund Bill, besides the Lok Ayuktas and other related laws Resettlement (Amendment) Bill, 2015 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha — too feel sha-based regional party Biju Janata pendence was fought at the same ratification of President’s Rule in Utta- (Amendment) Bill, 2014. (passed by Lok Sabha and referred to that scenes of pandemonium would Dal said. ground where we are assembled. rakhand, are on the agenda of the The respective standing commit- the joint committee), among others. be repeated once again and the much- Congress has decided to stick to its After conquering several places in parliament session beginning tomorrow. tees have submitted reports in the last With the Congress set to corner required Goods and Services Tax (GST) aggressive posture on Uttarakhand. east, west and south India in two “Financial business, including three mentioned bills. the government over the dismissal Bill will continue to remain stalled. Anand Sharma, the party’s deputy decades, the (British) mercantile discussion on demands for grants of Other key bills lined up in the of the Uttarakhand government and Moreover, the ruling party has leader in Rajya Sabha, where the gov- company ruled the vast country. various ministries in Lok Sabha and Lok Sabha are the Insolvency and the ruling BJP intending to strongly also stepped up attack on former ernment is in minority, has already The Union Jack flag was hoisted working of some ministries in Rajya Bankruptcy Code, 2015; the Benami counter it over “faulty” investigation home minister P Chidambaram moved a notice for passing of a resolu- in many parts of the country,” Sabha, consideration and passing of Transactions (Prohibition) Amend- in cases related to Ishrat Jahan and alleging that his decision to alter tion, criticising the Narendra Modi-led Mukherjee said. the Railways Appropriation Bill, 2016, ment Bill, 2015, and the Consumer Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Purohit, the affidavit on Ishrat Jahan was government for imposing President’s “Queen Victoria made an and Finance Bill, 2016, constitutes the Protection Bill, 2015, among others. the session looks set for a washout. probably at the instance of higher Rule in the state. announcement in 1857, saying that henceforth there would be no more annexation but small states would be protected by the British paramount.” However, the princes of India committed to Manipur led by Tikendrajit revolted and the Britishers despatched three army columns from Tamu in then Burma (Myanmar), Cachar fighting global warming and Kohima in undivided Assam.

IANS lifestyles and sustainable consump- Panel to study tion” and for climate justice, both of which are in the agreement’s pre- traffic during amble. “We must chalk up our action UNITED NATIONS: Pledging the plans to implement the Paris Agree- odd-even phase II India’s commitment to fight glo- ment based on these two features,” bal warming, Environment Minister he said. Prakash Javadekar signed the historic “If we continue with unsustain- NEW DELHI: Taking cognizance Paris climate change agreement on able consumption patterns, we will of reports of heavy traffic during Friday calling it “the triumph of col- require three planets,” he warned. odd-even phase two, the Delhi lective wisdom” in the global race to “But we don’t have three, we have only government yesterday formed a save the planet. one planet, which people call mother six-member panel to study the rea- The key element of the agreement earth. We must, therefore, take care son for more vehicles on the roads. that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- of this one mother earth.” Delhi Transport Minister Gopal moon called “the covenant with the Earlier in an interview he had Rai said it has been observed that future” is a global effort to keep the attributed sustainable lifestyles and more number of vehicles are plying rise in global temperatures below 2 climate justice finding a place in the on Delhi roads during the odd-even degrees centigrade compared to the preamble to Prime Minister Narendra Part Two. The School of Planning pre-industrial era level. Modi’s forceful advocacy. and Architecture (SPA) in its pri- After a parade of 175 leaders - presi- Javadekar solemnly reiterated Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar signs the Paris Agreement mary report also said that traffic dents, prime ministers, princes, ministers India’s commitment to reduce its on climate change at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan, New York, on Friday. has increased on the city roads. and ambassadors - signed the agree- emissions intensity — the amount ”To analyse the traffic situa- ment, the largest number of nations of carbon output per unit of gross tion in the city, I have ordered to ever to sign such a pact at one time, Ban domestic product (GDP) — by 35 per- from the atmosphere. proceed, he said. “There cannot be energies. “Competitiveness concerns constitute a six-member commit- declared, “When I look out at the hori- cent, to build up the non-fossil fuel Javadekar reminded the devel- an action holiday of five years.” should not over shadow our common tee. This committee will also assess zon, I see, more clearly than ever, the power generation capacity to 40 oped countries of their responsibilities. He also raised the issue of barri- resolve to build a sustainable future,” the side effect of keeping schools outlines of a new and better world.” percent, and to undertake a massive “Developed world must take enhanced ers being placed by developed nations he said adding that he did not want open during the phase and of the Speaking at the signing ceremony, afforestation effort that will absorb targets for the pre-2020 period,” which in the way of adoption and prolifer- to name any countries because of the hot summer in contributing to more Javadekar made a plea for “sustainable 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide are required for the agreement to ation of technologies for renewable solemnity of the occasion. cars on the city roads,” Rai said.

Odisha reports 37 deaths due Kanhaiya to Modi: Stop making false promises and start working to sunstroke IANS said people don’t want false promises In his trademark fiery speech, he “We don’t need political parties, but a government to improve its function- or ‘jumlas’ in the name of ‘Stand Up demanded a complete end to caste- public revolution. For how long will ing, the JNUSU leader warned that if BHUBANESWAR: There was India’, ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’ or communal politics inspired by the the sufferings of the masses continue? the youth don’t get jobs, the public will no respite from the blistering sun communal-casteist politics, but need RSS and said the students’ strug- The sun will rise,” Kanhaiya Kumar said not give a second chance to the BJP. yesterday as 18 places in Odisha MUMBAI: JNU student leader Kan- education, jobs and development. gle was not to grab votes, but to save expressing hope for better days. “This is the era of OLX (buying-sell- recorded temperatures of over 40 haiya Kumar yesterday launched a “Ours is a politics of social justice, democracy, ensure social justice and “I have full respect for the PM. He ing website), do something soon, or degrees Celsius, officials said. scathing attack on Prime Minister helping the masses of the country. The empowerment of the people. has travelled around the whole world, people will pack you off.” The government received Narendra Modi, and demanded that students and workers of the country “Our fight is not against any par- but has no time to visit Marathwada. Referring to the government’s reports of 37 deaths due to sun- the government stop “jumlas” (false are getting united. That’s why the ticular caste or religion, but opposed to Can he bear the scorching heat of plans to launch bullet trains, he said stroke yesterday, but has so far promises) and start “working” as pub- Modi government is so scared,” said the entire caste system. Even animals Marathwada? This government is not it was free to do so, but simultane- confirmed the death of only two lic patience was wearing out. the president of the Jawaharlal Nehru are being divided on communal lines. serious about drought or the plight ously should improve the inhuman due to sunstroke — in Angul and Addressing a huge students’ rally University Students’ Union (JNUSU), as You stop your communal-caste poli- of farmers, but more concerned conditions of millions of commuters Balangir. in Tilak Nagar area, Kanhaiya Kumar the audience cheered and applauded. tics, we shall end our agitation,” he said. about IPL,” he said. Calling upon the in Mumbai’s suburban trains. Western Odisha continued to suffer in the scorching sum- mer, with Tatilagarh recording 48 degrees Celsius, followed by Talcher at 46.8 and Sonepur at 46 In solidarity with rabbits Trinamool faces action degrees Celsius. Eight places recorded temper- atures above 45 degrees Celsius, while state capital Bhubaneswar over morphed photo registered 41.5 degree Celsius, the Met department said. Special Relief Commissioner IANS O’Brien called it his “favourite”. Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra said But much to his dismay and the government has received the Trinamool’s embarrassment, reports of 73 deaths due to sun- O’Brien’s “favourite” picture turned stroke while 24 cases were KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress Rajya out to be “photoshopped”, as the BJP being inquired into by district Sabha member Derek O’Brien yes- came up with the “real picture”— that collectors. terday caused embarrassment to his has Rajnath Singh offering sweets to ”Out of this, two deaths due party after it was revealed that he Prime Minister Narendra Modi. to heat stroke were confirmed. A had showed a photoshopped picture The Trinamool subsequently sum of Rs.50,000 as compensation in his bid to prove close links between admitted that the picture was pho- would be provided to the families CPI-M and BJP leaders. Both the BJP toshopped and removed it from its of the deceased from the State Dis- and the CPI-M threatened legal action. website. “Two videos & 6 pics were aster Response Fund (SDRF),” said Addressing a press conference, shown at our press conference. We Mohapatra. O’Brien played two videos of Con- removed one pic immediately when ”We have written to the central gress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi’s our research team learnt it was pho- government to consider heat stroke speeches and four pictures that toshopped,” the Trinamool said in its deaths as a disaster. However, it included one that showed union official Twitter account. has been classified as a state spe- Home Minister Rajnath Singh offer- O’Brien subsequently in a video cific disaster. Hence Rs50,000 Activists of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) demonstrate the torture faced by rabbits ing sweets to former CPI-M general message on his Facebook admitted compensation is being provided in laboratory experiments during a protest in New Delhi, yesterday. secretary Prakash Karat. it was a mistake and sought to “end out of the SDRF,” he said. Pointing to this particular picture, the chapter”. 16 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 EUROPE / UK

US President Obama urges UK youth to reject cynicism driven by

towards them by TV and Twitter, and Prince Philip he lauded both the European Union The US President and Nato for sustaining peace and on a visit to Britain, prosperity in Europe after centuries AFP of war and strife. addressed a town “Think about how extraordinary hall meeting that is: For more than 1,000 years this WINDSOR: Normally the US Secret attended by around continent was darkened by war and Service is pretty strict about Pres- violence. It was taken for granted. ident Barack Obama getting in 550 young people It was assumed that was the fate of non-armoured cars with non-expert at Lindley Hall in man,” Obama said at Lindley Hall in drivers, but they made an exception. London. “We see new calls for iso- On Obama’s arrival at Windsor London. lationism, for xenophobia,” Obama Castle, the president and First Lady said. “When I speak to young people, Michelle Obama —code names “Ren- I implore them, and I implore you, to egade” and “Renaissance”—were reject those calls to pull back.” picked up from their Marine One hel- Reuters Joking about Britain’s colonial icopter by Queen Elizabeth II and her past, Obama cited a “tea incident” 94-year-old husband Prince Philip, and said that the British had burned who was in the driver’s seat. down his house —references to the Obama and the prince, formally LONDON: US President Barack 1773 Boston Tea Party protest and to known as the Duke of Edinburgh, Obama implored young British peo- the burning of the White House in got in the front of the Range Rover ple yesterday not to pull back from the 1814 by British troops. while the queen and First Lady sat world, a day after sparking a row by But he stressed that the two in the back. bluntly telling Britain it should remain nations had put their quarrels behind “I have to say, I have never been in the European Union to preserve its them to ensure a more stable and driven by a Duke before,” Obama remaining global clout. freer world. later joked. “I can report that it was Obama angered critics of the EU Obama’s intervention over EU very smooth riding.” on Friday by warning that Britain membership was welcomed by Prime This is Obama’s fifth trip to Brit- US President Barack Obama delivers a speech at an event in central London, yesterday. would be at “the back of the queue” Minister David Cameron but it was not ain as president, and he hinted at for a trade deal if it left the club - one immediately clear how far British vot- how much he has enjoyed meeting of the strongest U.S. interventions in ers will hear or heed Obama’s caution of William Shakespeare, Obama Obama’s warning over trade —interests,” former British finance the country’s longest-serving mon- the affairs of a western European over the consequences of leaving the answered 10 questions from the youth was especially sensitive in Britain minister Norman Lamont, a supporter arch who has greeted US presidents democracy since the Cold War. EU in a June 23 referendum. audience on issues ranging from the because opponents of the EU have of a British exit, wrote in the euro- since Harry Truman. “The queen has Speaking to about 550 invited A YouGov poll showed that while peace in Northern Ireland to the rights argued that the world’s fifth largest sceptic Daily Mail newspaper. been a source of inspiration for me,” British young people at a “town hall” British voters think Obama has done of non-binary gender individuals. economy could prosper by striking But some of the participants in Obama said. event yesterday, Obama sought to a good job as US president, 53 percent While Obama’s warning about bilateral deals if it cut itself free from Obama’s youth meeting were posi- “She’s truly one of my favourite pitch a more optimistic message to felt it was inappropriate for Obama to the prospects of a post-Brexit trade what they cast as a failed German- tive about Obama’s intervention. people.” young Britons, who are considered to express a preference on how Britain deal with the United States led tele- dominated experiment in European “It was fair, it was true, it is some- The two couples had lunch be more pro-European, if less active, should vote, while 35 percent said it vision news broadcasts in Britain, EU integration. thing that needs to be talked about together at Windsor, the queen’s voters than their parents. was appropriate. membership was not raised during “His meddling stems not from for some of us that haven’t decided weekend residence located west of Obama said he wanted young After a visit to the Globe theatre the question-and-answer session that his concerns for Britain or, indeed where to go,” said Abdirashid Fidow, London, to mark her 90th birthday, people to reject the cynicism piped to mark 400 years since the death lasted over an hour. Europe, but from his own —America’s a 25-year-old charity worker. which was on Thursday. London Mayor gets a befitting reply on US President’s criticism

AFP supporting Britain’s EU membership “including on the weekends when I’m where you can put busts, otherwise ceremony, to British embassy in to remove the likeness of Churchill during his visit to Britain, Johnson, going to into that office to watch a bas- it starts looking a little cluttered,” Washington,” Johnson, who has was taken before Obama took office. who is fighting to leave the bloc, ketball game”. “I love Winston Churchill, Obama explained. penned a biography of Churchill, “Let’s focus on facts,” said Cameron’s suggested the bust symbolised “the love the guy,” Obama added. Johnson created a storm in Sun wrote. “Some said it was a snub to spokeswoman. The White House has LONDON: Barack Obama hit back at part-Kenyan president’s ancestral dis- His predecessor George W. Bush newspaper by repeating allegations Britain. Some said it was a symbol of also dismissed previous such claims Boris Johnson after London’s mayor like of the British empire”. had another bust of Churchill in the about bust of Churchill, Britain’s World the part-Kenyan president’s ances- as “completely false”. It said in a 2012 suggested the US president had At a press conference with Prime Oval Office but, as the US’s first Afri- War II leader, while arguing that Obama tral dislike of the British empire, of post on its website that former prime removed a bust of Winston Churchill Minister David Cameron, Obama can-American president, Obama should not interfere in the June 23 vote which Churchill had been such a fer- minister Tony Blair had loaned Bush from the Oval Office because of anti- insisted he actually saw a bust of decided he wanted one of Martin on Britain’s EU membership. vent defender,” he added. a Churchill bust for Oval Office which British sentiment. Churchill located outside his private Luther King, he said. “On day one of Obama’s admin- Downing Street shot down John- was removed on the day of Obama’s In an article criticising Obama for office in the White House every day, “There’s only so many tables istration it was returned, without son’s comments, saying the decision inauguration.

Germany rejects Labouring against reforms Nato’s new deterrent raising retirement age to 70 may include bigger

AP Black Sea presence

BERLIN: Germany’s labour Reuters minister rejected suggestions by conservatives, including the finance minister, that the retire- ment age should be raised to as SOFIA: - Turkey, Bulgaria and late as 70. Romania may expand the Nato Finance Minister Wolfgang alliance’s maritime presence in the Schaeuble recently suggested that Black Sea as part of a broader strat- working time should be coupled to egy to deter Russia, Nato’s deputy rising life expectancy. The youth chief said. wing of his Christian Democrats Nato is looking to counter Rus- separately said the retirement age sia’s military build-up in Crimea, should gradually rise from 67 to 70 which Moscow annexed from starting in 2030. Ukraine in 2014, and in the Black Germany decided a decade ago Sea, which is strategically impor- to raise the retirement age from 65 tant for both East and West given to 67. That was never popular with its energy reserves and closeness to supporters of the center-left Social Demonstrators hold flares at Place de la Republique during the Nuit Debout (“Up All Night”) movement the Middle East. military spending, Nato is setting Democrats, the junior partners in in Paris. The “Nuit Debout” demonstrations began in March in opposition to the government’s proposed “There are some very valuable up small eastern outposts, forces conservative Chancellor Angela labour reforms in France. discussions under way among the on rotation, regular war games and Merkel’s government. allies who live on the Black Sea ... of warehoused equipment ready for a more closely integrating their naval rapid response force to deter Rus- forces and operations,” Nato’s Dep- sia. That force includes air, maritime uty Secretary General Alexander and special operations units of up to Vershbow (pictured) said in a visit 40,000 personnel. Climate hazards will hit Europe yearly: Study to Sofia, mentioning the three Nato Worried since the seizure of allies by name. Crimea and pro-Russian rebel The US-led alliance is con- operations in eastern Ukraine that cerned by what it sees as a Russian Moscow could exert pressure on AFP also include wildfires, river floods humanity will be able to curb the extremes will evolve during the 21st strategy to try to block Nato from Poland or destabilise the Baltic states and windstorms, the study found. greenhouse gases driving danger- century,” Forzieri said at a meeting moving about by air, land and sea - perhaps by fomenting unrest in “This should be a warning to gov- ous global warming. of the European Geosciences Union by positioning surface-to-air mis- their Russian minority populations ernments and institutions tasked with The world’s first global climate in Vienna, where he presented the sile batteries and anti-ship missiles - the West wants to bolster defences VIENNA: By mid-century, pockets preparing solutions and adaptation pact—forged in Paris in December findings. in Kaliningrad, the Black Sea and in on its eastern flank without provok- of southern Europe will face at least strategies,” said lead author Giovanni and signed on Friday by 175 countries Part of the problem is simply the Syria. ing the Kremlin by stationing large one severe climate hazard every year Forzieri, a scientist at the European in New York—calls for capping tem- different yardsticks used to measure Nato already patrols the Black forces permanently. of the scale now occurring only once Commission’s Institute for Environ- peratures at “well below 2 C”. each threat: temperature for heat- Sea, but Vershbow said that by the Nato says it respects a 1997 a century, according to a new study. ment and Sustainability in Ispra, Italy. But scientists say that at current waves, water depth or area affected time Western leaders meet for a Nato agreement with Moscow to avoid And by 2100, Europe’s entire The projections, he said, were rates of fossil fuel consumption, Earth for floods, time periods for drought. summit in July, allies could have “an deploying substantial combat forces Mediterranean seaboard will be based on climate models which may be on track for an increase of 4 Working with a dozen specialists enhanced presence” in the area as on Russia’s borders. confronted annually with extreme assume Earth’s surface temperatures C, or higher. from research centres across the con- part of plans to move troops on rota- However, the Kremlin’s envoy to droughts, coastal floods or heat- will rise by about two degrees Celsius To date, studies projecting the tinent, Forzieri and a team created a tion into the Baltics and Poland. Nato sees the alliance’s plans as a waves, said the study, published in above the pre-Industrial Era bench- frequency of future climate hazards unified “climate hazard index”. “We need to consider a more threat to its security and has warned the journal Climatic Changes. mark by mid-century. have looked at them by category, such Heatwaves and drought are the persistent Nato military presence in there will be no improvement in Some hotspots will be hit every This is roughly half-way between as flood or drought. biggest threats, with coastal flooding the region, with a particular focus on the worst East-West tensions since year by two or more such formerly the most optimistic and most pessi- There was no “comprehensive and wildfires also a serious concern, our maritime capabilities,” he said. the Cold War until Nato withdraws one-in-hundred-year hazards, which mistic scenarios for how quickly picture on how multiple climate the data showed. Backed by a big increase in US its forces. EUROPE SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 17 Merkel visits refugee camp on Turkey trip

“Welcome to Turkey, the country handling the Syrian refugee crisis. that hosts the most refugees in the But Hungary’s Prime Minister The aim of the visit world,” read a huge banner hanging Viktor Orban said the EU had “sold is to promote the over the entrance to the camp, which out to Turkey” and the consequences hosts some 5,000 people in row upon were “impossible to predict”, adding: €6bn deal to return row of white and beige prefabricated “The security of the European Union migrants arriving houses. cannot be in the hands of a power The aim of the visit is to promote outside the EU.” on Greek shores to the €6bn($6.7 billion) deal to return The success of the deal, which Turkey, which has migrants arriving on Greek shores to sharply reduced the number of peo- Turkey, which has come under fire ple crossing from Turkey to Greece, come under fire from from rights groups, the UN refugee was also called into question, with rights groups. agency and some EU leaders. the International Organisation for The funds are aimed at helping Migration (IOM) saying the numbers Turkey improve conditions for the 2.7 were “once again ticking up”. million refugees it is hosting. Merkel has said the Turkey visit is AFP Diplomatic relations are strained a chance to take stock of the imple- following President Recep Tayyip mentation of the migrant deal and Syrian children welcome German Chancellor Angela Merkel (third left), President of European Council Donald Erdogan’s warning that the deal to discuss next steps, as well as evalu- curb the migrant flow to Europe ate conditions on the ground for those Tusk (fourth left) and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu during a visit to a refugee camp on the Turkish- NIZIP, TURKEY: German Chancel- would fall through if the EU did not who have fled the devastating five- Syrian border in Gaziantep, yesterday. lor Angela Merkel visited a refugee keep up its end of the bargain by year war in Syria. camp on the Turkish-Syrian border allowing visa-free travel for Turk- Judith Sunderland, Human Rights by refugees” in Turkey, repeating The European leaders are expected expression, will not be subject to any yesterday, kicking off a high-stakes ish citizens. Watch’s acting deputy director for claims it had documented Syrians to visit a child protection centre before political bargaining. This message visit aimed at boosting a month-old The bloc promised to present a Europe, said that instead of “touring being shot at by Turkish soldiers. retiring for talks and winding up with must be heard by President Erdogan.” migrant deal plagued by moral and visa recommendation on May 4 if a sanitised refugee camp”, the del- “We have schools and hospitals, a joint press conference with Turkey’s His comments came as Turk- legal concerns. Ankara complies with its side of the egation “should go to the detention life is good here,” Mohamed Tomos, 49, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. ish scholars and journalists, who Merkel, accompanied by Euro- accord, but there has been grow- centre for people who were abusively who fled Damascus with his wife and Many in Europe will be watching have criticised the state’s policies on pean Council head Donald Tusk and ing unease in Europe over fears that deported from Greece”. four children and now lives with them closely to see if the delegation takes a Kurds and Syria, stood trial in Istanbul European Commission Vice President security concerns are being fudged to Amnesty International on Friday in Nizip 2, told reporters. stand against the deterioration of rights. accused of betraying the state. Frans Timmermans, headed to Nizip fast-track Turkey’s application. also urged the European delegation “But we want to know what our Tusk set the tone for a confronta- The cases have sounded alarm 2 camp near Gaziantep after touch- US President Barack Obama hailed not to “close their eyes to the cata- future holds. If the war ended today, tional visit on Friday, when he insisted bells over the growing restrictions on ing down in the country’s south-east. Merkel’s “courageous” leadership in logue of human rights abuses faced tomorrow I would go to Syria,” he said. “our freedoms, including freedom of free speech under Erdogan.

Poroshenko Obama due today in Germany as names Poland’s thousands protest trade deal reformer as economic adviser

AFP with Chancellor Angela Merkel As the crowd moved through and other European leaders—was Hanover in cold weather, one banner AFP intended to lend momentum to flag- reading “Don’t give TTIP a chance” ging efforts to see the world’s biggest featured the image of a bull tagged HANOVER: Tens of thousands of trade pact finalised this year. “privatisation” and a cow branded KIEV: Ukrainian President opponents of a proposed transatlan- On a visit to London yesterday, “democracy”. A mock coffin was Petro Poroshenko appointed the tic trade deal poured onto German Obama sought to address sceptics’ emblazoned with the words “Democ- architect of Poland’s successful streets yesterday on the eve of a visit fears, admitting some past trade racy killed by money”. post-Soviet privatisation drive as by US President Barack Obama. agreements had “served interests of Dieter Berlin, a pensioner, his economic adviser and repre- A loose coalition of trade unions, large corporations and not necessar- attended the rally, waving a banner sentative to the cabinet. environmentalists and consumer ily of workers in the countries that reading “No GMOs on our plates” Leszek Balcerowicz’s selec- protection groups in the northern city participate in them”. referring to genetically modified tion and the naming of Slovakia’s of Hanover said they drew a crowd of The Trans-Atlantic Trade and foods. Berlin said he had turned out former finance minister Ivan Mic- 90,000 to a march and rally outside Investment Partnership (TTIP) has over fears of a race to the bottom los as joint chief adviser to Prime the city’s opera house. Police mobi- run into major opposition, not least with free trade. “We want to keep our Minister Volodymyr Groysman sig- lised a large force to keep the peace in Germany, where critics have raised educational standards, not adopt the nals an effort by Poroshenko to Protesters demonstrate against Transatlantic Trade and Investment and put attendance at 35,000. the spectre of eroding ecological and American educational system. And reaffirm commitment to tighten Partnership free trade agreement ahead of US President Barack Obama’s trip—to open an indus- labour market standards and con- we want to hold onto our environ- measures prescribed by the IMF. Obama’s visit in Hanover, Germany, yesterday. trial technology fair and hold talks demned secrecy shrouding the talks. mental standards too,” he said. Ukraine last week emerged from a prolonged political crisis, that paralysed the government and froze release of Western loans, Germany urges with appointment of Poroshenko’s Oil spill fears in Italy; officials monitor situation protege Groysman following resig- media to hand over nation of Arseniy Yatsenyuk. But the biggest government Panama Papers to AFP from waters off Genoa, raising fears of the barriers erected on the river gave infrastructure. Further heavy rain shakeup since Ukraine’s Febru- it could end up polluting holiday way yesterday morning after heavy was forecast for Saturday evening. ary 2014 pro-EU revolution also prosecutors beaches on a stretch of coastline that overnight rain, raising fears tonnes Genoa mayor Marco Doria said cast aside finance minister Natalie straddles the border with France just more crude could reach the sea. the large slick and several smaller Jaresko—who arranged a crucial ROME: Italian authorites said yes- as the tourist season begins. After declaring a local state of ones spotted by fishermen and coast- debt restructuring deal and cham- Reuters terday they were monitoring a The oil is believed to have come emergency, Genoa’s port authority guards had presumably been caused pioned IMF-backed policies. two-kilometre long oil slick off the from a pipeline leak at a refinery and the government said that back- by last Sunday’s incident. However, Jaresko’s depar- country’s Riviera coast but said the located at Bussala, an outlying sub- up floating barriers in the mouth of The leak sent large quantities of ture and promotion of Groysman BERLIN: Germany’s federal risk of a new spill into the Mediter- urb of Genoa, on April 17. the river had done their job. oil into the Polcevera but the com- left some economists anxious that states appealed to media outlets ranean was under control. The refinery’s owner, Iplom, “The situation is delicate but pany claimed to have contained it Poroshenko may become hostage to let prosecutors examine the The slick, which was 500 metres insisted that the leak into the Polcevera under control,” said Graziano Del- within hours and to have since made to the interests of a handful of pow- full detail of the Panama Papers wide, was moving slowly westwards river was contained within hours. One rio, the minister for transport and good progress in extracting it. erful tycoons. that revealed how offshore firms are used to stash the wealth of the world’s rich and powerful. The scandal broke when Ger- man newspaper Sueddeutsche Dutch students open world’s Work of wonder Zeitung said it had received a cache of 11.5 million leaked doc- uments from Panama-based law first pop-up drone cafe firm Mossack Fonseca and then shared them with more than 100 international news outlets and the AFP and project leader Tessie Hartjes said. International Consortium of Inves- The drone, nicknamed Blue Jay, tigative Journalists (ICIJ). which resembles a small white flying Sueddeutsche Zeitung said saucer, flies to a table and hovers as it would not give the documents THE HAGUE: The world’s first cafe it takes a client’s order, who points to officials as it would violate using the tiny domestic unmanned to the list to signal what they would principles of source protection aircraft as servers has opened in a like. “The blue eyes of the first drone and freedom of press. German Dutch university. load” up by scanning the list to reg- Bundesrat, the legislative body The pop-up drone cafe will be ister the order, said Hartjes. “Once representing 16 federal states, serving up all weekend as part of it’s fully loaded, then the order is passed a resolution calling on celebrations for the “Dream and ready. And another one comes with Sueddeutsche Zeitung and the ICIJ Dare” festival marking the 60th the order in a cup in the grip.” to hand over the documents. Tax anniversary of the Eindhoven Uni- The cafe is offering four differ- administration in Germany is han- versity of Technology. ent non-alcoholic cocktails, which dled by the federal states. The 20 students behind the are either bright blue or green—the “If the data sets from ‘Panama project, who spent nine months same colour as the drone’s “eyes.” Papers’ are not made accessible, developing and building the auton- The drinks are picked up and then we cannot draw any conse- omous drone, aim to show how such carried by a set of pinchers under- quences,” Peter-Juergen Schneider, small inside craft could become an neath the drone, in a bid to show Lower Saxony’s Finance Minister, essential part of modern daily life. that these aerial machines could said. Governments around the “It has potential as a useful tool be used to carry out delicate mis- The port of Salerno, south of Italy, shows new maritime terminal designed by Iraqi-British architect globe are investigating possible for human kind. We see it as the next sions such as delivering medicines Zaha Hadid. The building will be inaugurated tomorrow. But Zaha Hadid died of heart attack in Miami financial wrongdoing by promi- mobile phone. You choose and you or even helping to track down bur- last month before the port could be inaugurated. nent individuals and corporations. programme it like you want,” student glars, he said. 18 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 AMERICAS

Ex-Hillary staffer Trump cries of refuses to testify ‘rigged’ system before Congress AP

WASHINGTON: A lawyer for for his losses former Hillary Clinton staffer who helped maintain her private email server has told Congress that his cli- turnout and reinforce his appeal ent will not appear before Senate to voters who feel disenfranchised. committees investigating the matter. The Republican The “rigged” system argument is a The Senate Judiciary and frontrunner’s foot- convenient scapegoat, shifting the Homeland Security commit- stomping has served blame for any future potential losses tees had renewed their request and lost delegates away from a cam- to question Bryan Pagliano about as a rallying cry to paign that has been outmaneuvered the server after news broke that boost turnout and despite its front-runner status. the Justice Department, which is Trump has won more states than also investigating the server, had reinforce his appeal his rivals, yet his team has been offered him immunity. to voters who feel badly outplayed by Texas Senator Committee leaders had told Ted Cruz in ensuring that supportive Pagliano that the immunity grant disenfranchised. delegates make it to the Republi- should relieve any concerns he had Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump signs autographs at a campaign rally in Waterbury, can national convention in July in about being prosecuted if he tes- Cleveland. Pennsylvania, one of five Connecticut, yesterday. tified and they requested that he northeastern states voting Tuesday, appear before them. He had refused AP has an especially confusing dele- the 1,237 delegates needed to win the build bridges with party leaders. in Hollywood, Florida, even as Trump’s to speak to lawmakers last year, gate system. nomination outright on the first ballot “What he’s slamming is the sys- team was trying to make amends. invoking his Fifth Amendment right The primary winner will emerge at the convention. The Texas senator tem. He’s saying the system is rigged. In a private meeting with Republi- against self-incrimination in declin- with 17 delegates. But 54 delegates then hopes he can win the nomination And the system is rigged. It’s rigged in can officials, Manafort tried to assure ing to answer questions about the HARRINGTON, DELAWARE: Don- can vote for whomever they want. on subsequent ballots when more and all 50 states where they have differ- them that Trump was on their side and server and email setup. ald Trump keeps hammering away The ballot will feature 162 poten- more delegates are freed to vote for the ent rules and ... don’t take into account prepared to fundraise for the party. He But Pagliano’s attorney, Mark at Republican insiders even as cam- tial delegates, but it will offer no candidate of their choice. modern presidential campaigns,” Man- stressed that the candidate had had MacDougall, said in that Pagliano paign aides are gingerly courting information about whom they sup- Trump has been relentless in his afort said. some “very good” conversations with would continue to “respectfully those same officials. port. That means voters who haven’t criticism of the delegate system, slam- Manafort added that Trump Priebus and said the campaign hoped to decline” their invitation. “The system is all rigged,” Trump consulted with the campaigns about ming party “bosses” and calling out the wanted to work with Priebus to change work closely with state leaders to build MacDougall stressed that said at a Delaware rally as he looked their rosters will be in the dark. Republican National Committee and the system for the next election. “That’s its general election campaign. Pagliano had “not waived his rights ahead to the state’s primary on Tues- Trump’s argument would only its chairman, Reince Priebus. where things are getting confused,” he In Delaware, Trump’s supporters under the Fifth Amendment as a day. “That’s why we have to win big. grow stronger if he were to win the But earlier in the week, at a Flor- said. “He’s saying we’ve got to change said the billionaire is right to be angry matter of fact or law,” though he That’s why on Tuesday, everyone has majority of votes in Pennsylvania ida resort where Republican officials rules so the next time, when people at the delegate process. “It’s not demo- did not give details about the grant to go out and vote. We have to win — opinion surveys show him with a gathered to discuss the presidential vote, their vote counts.” cratic,” said Paul Eugstenberg, a retired of immunity. “With all appropri- big because the system is rigged.” significant lead — yet emerge with nominating process, Trump cam- Nonetheless, frustration with pilot from Dover. “This should be decided ate respect, whether and when a It may seem counterproduc- fewer delegates than Cruz. paign aide Paul Manafort brushed Trump’s attacks on the RNC and the by the voters. It should not be decided at citizen may assert a constitutional tive, but Trump’s foot-stomping has Cruz’s strategy is to force a con- off the idea that Trump’s rheto- integrity of the nomination process the convention. They have to fix this. This right is not up to your legal staff,” served as a rallying cry to boost tested convention by denying Trump ric was making it more difficult to were widespread at the party meeting is not how this should work.” MacDougall wrote.

Judge allows CIA Planting a better tomorrow interrogation Ecuador quake death lawsuit to proceed toll rises to 646

Reuters Reuters Tremors are expected to continue for several weeks. With close to 7,000 buildings SEATTLE: A US judge refused destroyed, more than 26,000 people to dismiss a lawsuit against the QUITO: The death toll from Ecua- were living in shelters. Some 14,000 former military psychologists who dor’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake last security personnel were keeping developed CIA’s interrogation pro- week has risen to 646 people, Presi- order in quake-hit areas, with only gramme during George W Bush’s dent Rafael Correa said during a TV sporadic looting reported. presidency, handing a major vic- broadcast yesterday. Survivors in quake zone were tory to a group of men who said Last Saturday’s quake, the worst receiving food, water and medicine they were tortured in secret pris- in nearly seven decades, injured from the government and scores of ons abroad. around 12,500 people and left 130 foreign aid workers, though Correa has US District Court Judge Jus- missing along the country’s ravaged acknowledged that bad roads delayed tin Quackenbush’s decision to Pacific coast. aid reaching some communities. allow the case to proceed was a “These have been sad days for Correa’s leftist government, fac- step forward in the campaign to the homeland,” a visibly moved Cor- ing mammoth rebuilding at a time of hold individuals accountable for rea said during his regular Saturday greatly reduced oil revenues for the a programme that the American television broadcast. OPEC country, has said it would tem- Civil Liberties Union said resulted Several strong tremors and more porarily increase some taxes, offer in torture of at least 119 men from than 700 aftershocks have contin- assets for sale and possibly issue United Nations diplomats plant Dogwood tree at tree planting ceremony in the UN Food Garden on 2002 until it was ended in 2008. ued to shake the country since the bonds abroad to fund reconstruc- The ACLU filed the lawsuit the occasion of Earth Day and signing of the Paris agreement on climate change at the United Nations major quake, sparking momentary tion. Congress will begin debate on last October on behalf of Sulei- Headquarters in New York. panic but little additional damage. the tax proposal on Tuesday. man Abdullah Salim, a Tanzanian abducted by the CIA and Kenyan security forces in Somalia in 2003, Mohamed Ahmed Ben Soud, a Lib- No signs of yan captured in a US-Pakistani Rousseff will appeal to trade blocs over ouster raid the same year, and Gul Rah- man, an Afghan national who died trauma in Prince in CIA custody from hypothermia AP Speaking to reporters, Rousseff corruption, diversion of public funds, her administration to maintain gov- caused by dehydration and expo- said both the Mercosur and Unasur nor do I have accounts abroad or any ernment spending to shore up flagging death: Police sure. Civil liberties group argued trade blocs have democracy clauses accusations of money laundering.” support. Her critics contend that also that former US Air Force psychol- that she will invoke if there should be She said even some members of hid deficits that contributed to coun- ogists James Mitchell and Bruce NEW YORK: Brazilian President what she charged would be “a rupture the opposition are beginning to sup- try’s worst recession since the 1930s. AFP Jessen encouraged CIA “to adopt Dilma Rousseff said she will appeal in democracy” in her country. port her, not necessarily because they Rousseff has defended such fis- torture as official policy” and made to South American trade blocs if she She warned her opponents that agree with her policies, but rather cal maneuvers as common practice millions of dollars. It added that the is removed from office, blasting the her impeachment would have “seri- because they see the impeachment in Brazil. She insists the accusations CHANHASSEN, UNITED STATES: programme used methods as star- push to impeach her as a coup and ous consequences for Brazilian political push as a threat to Brazil’s democracy. are a flimsy excuse by the traditional There was no evidence of trauma vation, beating, sleep deprivation, a naked attempt by Brazil’s elite to process.” “There is no judicial basis for The impeachment proceedings ruling elite to grab power back from on Prince’s body when he was forced nudity and water dousing to snatch power back from her Work- this process of impeachment,” Rouss- against Rousseff stem from allegations her left-leaning Workers’ Party, which found unresponsive in an eleva- break the will of prisoners. er’s Party. eff said. “I am not accused of crimes of that illegal accounting tricks allowed has governed for 13 years. tor at his huge compound or any indication the late music icon com- mitted suicide, US authorities said. Fans massed outside the superstar’s Paisley Park studio Dog kills California baby in For the precious drop complex are looking to an autopsy to resolve the mystery around the sudden loss of their idol. apparent accident: Police But medical officials cautioned it could be weeks before they can conclusively say what killed the enigmatic, award-winning musi- Reuters which bit the baby, causing trau- cian, whose death at 57 plunged matic injury,” said Nguyen. the entertainment world into grief. “The parents were able to sepa- Prince was found dead on rate the dog from the baby and they Thursday, a week after he was SAN DIEGO: A dog lying in bed with rushed him to the hospital but they hospitalised for flu-like symptoms. a San Diego couple and their infant were not able to save him,” he said. There have been reports the inci- boy was startled by the mother and Nguyen, who called the death dent may have been triggered by bit the child to death, police said. an “accident,” declined to say where an overdose of an opioid-based The parents were watching tel- the baby was injured and said police painkiller. evision with their 44kg American are waiting for medical examiner’s “We have no reason to believe Staffordshire terrier-Great Dane mix report on the exact cause of death. at this point that this was a sui- and their 3-day-old boy, said Ser- The dog was taken into custody cide,” Carver County Sheriff Jim geant Tu Nguyen of San Diego police by San Diego County Animal Services. Indigenous Guatemalan women carry a banner as they arrive in Guatemala City, Guatemala, to attend Olson told a packed news confer- child abuse unit.“The mom coughed Any dog that bites a person is placed in a rally to raise awareness of water consumption and call for legal protection of water resources. ence, stressing the investigation unexpectedly and it startled the dog, quarantine by animal control. was ongoing. AMERICAS SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 1917 Guatemala deploys troops to border with Belize

tensions between the two Central “deeply concerned” by the reports of American nations. The State Depart- the boy’s death. It expressed condo- Guatemala has made ment issued a statement to “urge calm lences to his family. claims over more and restraint by both sides.” “We urge calm and restraint by Guatemala has made claims both sides, and we call for a full inves- than half of Belize’s over more than half of Belize’s terri- tigation of the facts surrounding this territory dating back tory dating back 150 years to when its tragedy,” the statement said. 150 years, when its small neighbour was a British colony Belize’s Prime Minister Dean Bar- known as British Honduras. row, in a recorded audio message, neighbour was a Tensions between the two have said he met Guatemalan President British colony known long been simmering despite agree- Jimmy Morales on the margin of a ment to try to resolve the territorial UN meeting in New York to com- as British Honduras. dispute in the International Court plain that the Guatemalan measures of Justice (ICJ) following separate “escalate tension to an utterly unac- referendums. They ratcheted up dra- ceptable degree.” Barrow said both matically, when a shooting incident agreed “there is an immediate need AFP occurred that each country said hap- to de-escalate tensions.” pened on its side of the border. He added that an “impartial” According to Guatemala, a Belize investigation into the shooting by the patrol shot and killed a 13-year-old Organisation of American States (OAS) GUATEMALA CITY: Guatemala has Guatemalan boy walking home from was being carried out. deployed 3,000 troops to its disputed field labour, and wounded his father Belize was also asking the US to border with Belize following a shoot- and brother. send forensic experts to help recre- ing incident that killed a Guatemalan Belize rejected that version and ate the circumstances of the shooting teen, Defence Minister Williams Man- said one of its patrols came under incident, he said. silla said. fire from Guatemalan civilians and Although Belize became inde- Guatemalan soldiers patrolling at Peten department, near the border with Belize, Guatemala. “It is a preventive measure, it is responded in “justifiable self-defence.” pendent in 1981, Guatemala did not a declaration of war,” Mansilla told Each side accuses the other of a not recognise it for another dec- reporters in northern Guatemala, where preceding series of other acts of vio- ade because of its territorial claims, Guatemala and Belize have border area in the past two decades. became Guatemala’s leader in Janu- he was overseeing the deployment. lence, and fears are rising over the prompting Britain to keep a small mil- issued separate statements accus- The heightened border dispute is ary after pulling off a surprise victory The United States expressed militarisation along the border. itary presence in its former colony as ing the other of a number of violent the first foreign policy challenge for in an election to replace his prede- concerned over the sudden spike in The State Department said it was a deterrent until five years ago. acts against its forces or citizens in the Morales, a former TV comedian who cessor felled by a corruption scandal.

Going green without cars Raid on law Request for Apple to unlock firm linked to second iPhone dropped Panama Papers Reuters after Apple pressed it to say what methods it had tried. AFP Prosecutors had been chal- lenging a February 29 ruling by US NEW YORK: The US Justice Depart- Magistrate Judge James Orenstein PANAMA CITY: Panamanian ment dropped its effort to force holding he did not have the authority authorities launched a new raid on Apple Inc to help unlock an iPhone to order Apple to disable the security an address linked to the law firm in a drug case in New York after of an iPhone seized in a drug probe. at the heart of the Panama Papers someone provided authorities the The case predated the govern- scandal, local media reported. passcode to access the device. ment effort to force Apple to help Prosecutors focused on organ- In a letter filed in federal court access the phone of Rizwan Farook, ised crime “carried out a raid on a in Brooklyn, New York, prosecu- one of the two killers in the San Ber- storage property of firm Mossack tors said that investigators used nardino massacre, which left 14 Fonseca,” La Prensa newspaper that passcode to access the iPhone people dead and 22 wounded. said, publishing a photo of people at issue, and as a result “no longer While the Justice Department putting documents into a vehicle. needs Apple’s assistance.” dropped that bid after a third party Prosecutors confirmed that a The letter marked a sudden end provided a way to access the San raid “was under way” but did not to a closely watched case, in which Bernardino phone, it continued provide further details. the Justice Department had been appealing Orenstein’s ruling. After the raid, Mossack appealing a ruling by a federal mag- FBI Director James Comey said A man stands next to bikes during the Day Without Cars in Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia. Fonseca said it was “ready to coop- istrate judge holding that he could the method used on San Bernardino A municipal decree prohibits use of private cars and motorcycles one day in a week, in an attempt erate with investigations under not force Apple to assist authorities. iPhone 5c would not work on other to reduce pollution levels and to promote the use of public and alternative means of transportation. way” and that the contents of the The case gained further signif- models, including the iPhone 5s, the storage area was “information” icance after prosecutors in March type in the Brooklyn case. prosecutors already had from an dropped a similar effort to force The phone belonged to Jun Feng, earlier inspection. Apple to help access an iPhone used who has pleaded guilty to partici- The firm stressed in the state- by one of the shooters in December’s pation in a methamphetamine ment that it was shredded paper San Bernardino killings, after a third distribution conspiracy, which pros- 8 of a family shot in head in Ohio awaiting recycling. party provided a way to crack it. ecutors are continuing to investigate. It was the second raid in as Justice Department spokes- Unlike the phone used in San many weeks on Mossack Fonseca woman Emily Pierce said the cases Bernardino, Feng’s phone had an AP and two other children were not hurt. Reader said that authorities had in Panama. On April 12, the same have “never been about setting a older operating system, iOS 7, which Authorities didn’t release the vic- met more than 100 relatives and prosecutorial unit swooped on the court precedent; they are about is not protected under the same tims’ names but said they’re members friends of Rhoden family at a church. firm’s main offices for a search that law enforcement’s ability and need encryption technology, which is why of the Rhoden family. Investigators DeWine dismissed a report that lasted 27 hours. to access evidence on devices pursu- Apple could access it. PIKETON, OHIO: Authorities urged said none of the deaths appeared the people authorities questioned Officials said after that first ant to lawful court orders and search Apple has some 70 times before residents to be cautious in this part self-inflicted, so they believe at least included a person of interest. raid that no evidence was uncov- warrants.” the Brooklyn case emerged helped of rural southern Ohio heading into one assailant is at large. The Pike County Sheriff’s Office ered to support charges. They An Apple spokesman declined authorities access data on iPhones, the weekend as the search contin- Officials say whoever is respon- and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal added that the firm kept its records comment. Previously, the company according to court filings. ued for whoever fatally shot eight sible for the killings should be Investigation are investigating the on more than 100 servers located had argued in court that prosecu- The company changed its stance members of a family at four differ- considered armed and dangerous. slayings. Pike County asked for the at different addresses. tors had not provided any evidence after the New York magistrate ent properties. A motive for the slayings isn’t bureau’s help. The first three homes Mossack Fonseca is a dis- to bolster their claim that they had invited them to argue whether the Investigators interviewed more known, authorities said, but they where bodies were found are within a creet law firm based in Panama exhausted other methods to get data Justice Department was stretching than 30 people hoping to find leads urged surviving members of the couple miles on a sparsely populated and founded by two local, well- from the phone. Apple said it was not the very general All Writs Act, which in the deaths of the seven adults and Rhoden family to take precautions. stretch of road, while the eighth body, connected lawyers specialised even clear that they had asked the compels help executing warrants, to 16-year-old boy whose bodies were Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader that of a man, was found in a house in creating and fronting offshore suspect and his associates. include more active assistance. found in homes southwest of Piketon. also recommended area residents be father away. companies for the world’s wealthy. Though officials said the pass- Apple said prosecutors were All victims were shot in the head, extra wary. Authorities didn’t release any Forty years of its digital code had just come to light, the going too far, especially since Con- authorities said, and it appeared “This really is a question of pub- information on what kind or how archives were handed to a pair of development marks the second time gress had more recently limited what some were killed as they slept, lic safety, and particularly for any of many weapons might have been German journalists who organised the federal government has dropped communications providers could be including a mother in bed with her the Rhoden family,” Attorney Gen- used or whether anything was miss- a worldwide media investigation a contentious fight over the extent compelled to do. Magistrate Oren- 4-day-old baby nearby. The infant eral Mike DeWine said. ing from the homes. of the documents they contained. of its power over private companies stein agreed.

Mayor shot to death; gang Mexico blast toll rises to 28

links suspected Reuters The massive explosion took place Executive Officer Antonio Carrillo on Wednesday afternoon at the facili- told Reuters that the company had MEXICO CITY: Prosecutors in ty’s chlorinate 3 plant in the Gulf state declared force majeure on one inter- central Mexico say a mayor and of Veracruz, sending a black cloud of nal contract in the wake of the blast. two companions were shot to COATZACOALCOS, MEXICO: Mex- smoke hundreds of metres into air He said Mexichem would have a death, and they say the mayor ican state oil giant Pemex said that and giving off a smell of ammonia. better idea of the impact of the blast likely had links to a criminal gang. the death toll from a petrochemical The blast occurred at a vinyl on the company in the coming weeks. Chief prosecutor of Mexico plant blast in the oil hub of Coatza- petrochemical plant that is a joint In February, a fire killed a worker state says Mayor Juan Antonio coalcos had risen to 28, in the latest venture between Pemex’s petro- at the same plant, the latest in a litany Mayen of Jilotzingo town was fatal accident to befall the belea- chemical unit and majority owner of safety disasters that have plagued killed on a highway by an armed guered company. Mexican plastic pipe maker Mex- Pemex. group traveling in a pickup truck. In a statement, Pemex said it had ichem. Pemex operates the larger In 2013, at least 37 people were Prosecutor Alejandro Gomez identified 25 bodies and that three petrochemical complex where the killed by a blast at its Mexico City said two other people were killed more were still unidentified. It added plant was located, known as Pajaritos. headquarters, and 26 people died in and another two were wounded that 18 people remained hospitalised. The plant produces some 900 a fire at a Pemex natural gas facil- in the attack on a pair of cars car- Pemex has said the accident was tonnes a day of vinyl chloride mon- ity in northern Mexico in September rying Mayen, other local officials caused by a leak, but has not fully omer, also known as chloroethene, 2012. and bodyguards. He said over 100 explained what happened. an industrial chemical used to pro- A 2015 fire at its Abkatun Perma- spent shell casings were recovered The firm said it would continue to duce plastic piping. The joint venture nente platform in the oil-rich Bay of Residents of the Allende community march holding banners with from the scene of attack in a rural scour blast site, but that progress was had forecast sales of $260m this year. Campeche affected oil output and images of missing workers of Pemex’s Pajaritos petrochemical plant, in area of Mexico state. slow, given the scale of the damage. Earlier on Friday, Mexichem Chief cost the company up to $780m. Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz State, Mexico.

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 26o C Maximum: 36o C

FAJR 03.44 am ZUHR 11.32 am MAGHRIB 06.03 pm HIGH TIDE 05:30 - 18:45 Partly cloudy to cloudy with chance of scattered SHOROOK 05.04 am ASR 03.01 pm ISHA 07.33 pm LOW TIDE 00:30 - 11:45 rain.

20 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 MORNING BREAK

ONLINE CHART BUST People with sleep Vehicle of creativity issues more likely to www.thepeninsulaqatar.com get injured at work

MOST READ Reuters

Israeli fighters scramble to intercept 1 undeclared airliner OTTAWA: Obstructive sleep apnea, which Qatar in competitive position in gas wakes people many times a night when 2 market: Al Attiyah their airways become blocked, could also raise the risk of getting hurt during the day Leaders expect record turnout at work, a small Canadian study suggests. 3 at Turkey’s first EXPO Of more than 1,200 sleep clinic patients, those with sleep apnea were twice as likely as others to suffer a work- place injury and three times more likely TWEET OF THE DAY to have one that was related to failed vig- ilance - such as tripping, falling or getting burned - the researchers report in the journal Thorax. Patients with sleep apnea tend to get very fragmented sleep, noted senior study author Najib Ayas. “A lot of times people may not remember being woken up, it’s like someone going in there and shaking them awake many times per hour,” said Ayas, an associate professor of medicine at the University of British Colombia in Van- People look at a replica of a "Transformer", made by a fan, in Shangqiu, Henan Province, China, couver. All 1,236 patients had come in to yesterday. According to local media, the owner took a year to build the replica, which is made of be screened for obstructive sleep apnea; vehicle components and weighted about 17 tonnes. 994 were diagnosed with the condition and 242 were not. The researchers ana- lyzed data on workplace injuries for the entire group over the previous five years collected by WorkSafeBC, a worker’s com- pensation provider. The records showed South Africa to relocate 80 rhinos that 111 patients experienced occupational INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY injuries in the past five years, represent- ing about 9 percent of the group. People with sleep apnea were twice Reuters in traditional medicine, can sell we want to get the rhinos out of as likely as those without the condition for around $65,000 per kilogram, Africa but we need to put some rhinos Kritsant to have experienced workplace injuries: according to estimates by conser- into a safe deposit box.” The rhinos lertsattayathorn Just over 5 percent of people without sleep vationists. will be repatriated to their natural from Thailand with apnea got injured, while nearly 10 percent JOHANNESBURG: Wildlife groups Around 1,300 rhino were killed African habitat once the population Troppies after of those with sleep apnea suffered injuries plan to relocate 80 rhinoceros from illegally in Africa last year. If the numbers have grown and levels of winning the final at work. Patients with sleep apnea were South Africa to Australia in a bid to project is successful, more rhinos demand for animal horn falls, the of Asian Snooker nearly three times more likely to suffer prevent them being hunted to extinc- could be flown to other “safe havens” groups said. Conservationists and championship in an injury that was related to vigilance or tion, one of the project’s leaders said in Texas and Florida. “Poachers will private game reserve owners have Doha. attentiveness, including those caused by on Friday. Poaching is on the rise in go where it is easy to poach. It is eas- criticised the South African govern- Photo by @basitqu falls, exposure to heat or electricity, car Africa, driven by demand from China ier to poach rhinos in Africa than in ment for not doing enough to protect crashes and slipping or tripping. and Vietnam where rhino horn, used Australia or America,” “It’s not that rhinos from poaching syndicates. Shakespeare’s death anniversary marked Iconic Vespa turns

AP 70 this week

LONDON: If all the world's a stage, AFP been realised and then some. With William Shakespeare is its architect. the company still dealing with the The playwright died 400 years ago damage done to its production yesterday, but remains the world's facilities by World War II bombing, most famous writer, living on through MILAN: Design classic and symbol Piaggio asked one of his engineers, endlessly reinterpreted plays and glo- of the "dolce vita", the Vespa turns Corradino d'Ascanio, to create a bally known characters, including the 70 this weekend and Italy's most motorcycle that would be both easy tormented prince Hamlet and the celebrated scooter is buzzing along to produce from the materials at star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet . nicely after tripling sales in the last hand and inexpensive for consumers. The long-dead Bard is one of Brit- decade. It was on a Vespa that Gre- The simple brief proved inspired, ain's leading cultural ambassadors, gory Peck pursued Audrey Hepburn as did the choice of d'Ascanio, who and the anniversary of his death on in "Roman Holiday", the 1953 film never made any secret of the fact April 23, 1616, is being marked across that helped make the marque syn- that he found the motorbikes of the Britain with parades, church services onomous internationally with the time uncomfortable, cumbersome and — of course — stage perform- Roman capital. and dirty. ances. After all, the play's the thing. But it was actually in Florence The engineer addressed each (That's just one of scores of phrases that the wasp-shaped two-wheeler issue one by one and the result was that Shakespeare has given the Eng- was born, Enrico Piaggio having a scooter with a revolutionary design lish language). registered the patent in the Tuscan that remain barely untouched to this US President Barack Obama took capital on April 23, 1946. Seventy day. It was an instant success. From a break from political talks in London years later, more than 18 million sales of 2,284 in 1946, annual pro- to tour Shakespeare's Globe Theatre models have been sold and Piag- duction increased to nearly 20,000 yesterday, listening to Hamlet's "To be gio's objective of reinventing the within two years, and to 60,000 in or not to be" soliloquy and admiring family aeronautical company has 1950. the open-air venue — a recreation Chinese performers stand outside the house where William Shakespeare was born during celebrations to of the theater, built in 1599, where many of the Bard's plays were first mark the 400th anniversary of the playwright's death in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Britain, yesterday. performed. The president met a Globe troupe that has taken "Hamlet" on a two- Dromgoole said. "There's no partic- of the Parthenon. In the playwright's electro group offering unique inter- year tour to almost 200 countries. ular drive within his work to say, this home town of Stratford-upon-Avon, pretations of early music" and named They've performed Shakespeare's has to be worshipped or this has to the Royal Shakespeare Company is for the tragic children in "Richard III." tragedy on a tennis court in Kabul, be believed. He presents life, and he mounting a stage extravaganza Sat- Tourism body Visit London is pro- Afghanistan, in a Syrian refugee presents life with wit and brilliance urday with performances by stars moting ShakeSpeak, a smartphone camp in Jordan and at the UN Gen- and enchantment — but it's life. And including Judi Dench, Benedict Cum- app that allows users to text like the eral Assembly in New York. everybody understands life." berbatch, Ian McKellen — and even Bard by auto-completing some of his Dominic Dromgoole, the Globe's The Globe has also erected Prince Charles, who is slated to make famous phrases. Type "to be" and it artistic director, said the world tour screens along the River Thames a brief appearance as a performer in fills in the rest: "or not to be, that is has taught him that Shakespeare this weekend, showing short films the televised show. the question." "is a great aid to communication. of excerpts from all 37 of Shake- Across the country there is more Nowhere is Shakespeare's pres- He's a great way of helping people speare's plays, filmed in the locations — much more — taking place to cel- ence more palpable than in London's to encounter one another, and dis- where they were set: "King Lear" at ebrate a writer whose influence pops Bankside, south of the Thames. The cover similarities and also discover the White Cliffs of Dover, "The Mer- up in unexpected places. In Trafalgar district where the Bard once worked differences." chant of Venice" in the canal-crossed Square on Saturday, visitors can listen is enthusiastically embracing his A file picture of Vespa's scooters of different colours. "I think he has no agenda," Italian city; "Timon of Athens" in front to Princes in The Tower, "a costumed legacy. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 22 QE 10,396.25 +29.32 PTS PAGE | 26 DOW 18,003.75 +21.23 PTS KidzMondo Doha Draghi may prove a FTSE100 6,310.44 -71.00 PTS and UCC sign short-lived boost to agreement BRENT $45.11 +$0.02 company bonds

SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 • 17 Rajab 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Doha oil meet outcome not to impact market: QNB

the oil market. Market experts had in the freeze agreement, the outlook As the proposed production freeze A production freeze expected a deal for stabilisation of for oil supply is unlikely to change was largely irrelevant for oil markets, production at January levels, per- materially. the failure to reach an agreement in that excludes Iran haps until October. The deal was Second, the production freeze Doha also had little impact on the out- would not materially expected to exempt Iran, which had was proposed at January levels, look. Indeed, markets shrugged off the just returned to international mar- when output among the producers lack of an agreement fairly quickly alter the outlook for kets following the lifting of sanctions involved was already at historic with oil prices closing unchanged on oil supply, QNB said in January. But the meeting ended highs. Since then, total production the following trading day. without a deal as producers said by Russia and OPEC (excluding Iran) This might have been partly due yesterday. they needed more time to reach an has fallen by nearly 500k b/d. There- to strikes in Kuwait, which are dis- agreement. fore, a freeze at January levels still rupting oil production. “In our view, the failure to reach leaves these countries significant But there is also a growing con- an agreement in Doha does not sig- scope to raise output. viction in financial markets that a The Peninsula nificantly change the fundamentals of Third, a production freeze would rebalancing is underway, providing the market. The oil market is rebal- give a lifeline to US shale producers support to oil prices. ancing itself thanks to supply cuts if it resulted in a strong rebound in The adjustment of oil markets to DOHA: The outcome of Doha summit among high-cost US shale producers oil prices. Low prices are driving US lower prices is gathering pace. It is not on oil production freeze is not going and robust demand growth,” QNB shale producers out of the market by just restricted to the supply side in the make any major impact on the mar- noted in its ‘economic commentary’ making their business unviable. Since US, but also visible on the demand ket fundamentals. A production freeze yesterday. its peak in April 2015, crude oil pro- side, which is proving robust despite that excludes Iran would not materi- The proposal to impose an oil duction in the US has fallen by nearly all the uncertainty around the out- ally alter the outlook for oil supply, production freeze that excludes Iran 500k b/d. A strong rebound in prices look of the global economy. the QNB said yesterday . would not have changed the oil mar- 370k barrels per day (b/d) since Jan- Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs would enable some shale companies As a result, QNB expects oil prices Some of the world’s major oil ket dynamics for three reasons. First, uary and its production is expected expects the rest of Opec plus Rus- to return to profitability, delaying and to continue their gradual recovery, producers met in Doha on April 17 Iran is the main growth country for to continue rising, eventually adding sia to collectively add only 243k b/d potentially derailing the rebalancing with an average price of $41 per bar- to discuss possible steps to support oil production. It has already added a total of 600k b/d by June. on average in 2016. Unless Iran joins in the market. rel in 2016.

QIB main sponsor of ADFIMI QFB announces listing of all shares on QE development forum

The Peninsula A listing prospectus approved by of the Qatari economy and in partic- the QFMA and Fatwa of the bank’s ular the banking sector.” The Peninsula Shari’ah supervisory board are “QFB, with a clear strategy, highly available on QFB’s website www. experienced team, and solid share- DOHA: Qatar First Bank LLC (QFB), qfb.com.qa. The prospectus offers holder base, strives to maintain its DOHA: Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), Qatar’s leading Islamic Bank, yesterday a leading Shari’ah compliant com- interested investors full details about role as a trusted advisor for high- announced that it is the main sponsor of the ADFIMI International Devel- pany in Qatar offering investment the listing and the bank. QFB will net-worth individuals, corporate and opment Forum. The forum, held under the auspices of Qatar Central Bank opportunities and innovative finan- be organizing a press conference on institutional clients and a gateway to (QCB), will take place during April 25-26, at the Ritz Carlton in Doha under cial solutions, has announced the Tuesday at 10:00 am to announce business opportunities in Qatar, the the patronage of QCB Governor H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani. listing of the bank’s shares on Qatari this milestone. region and global markets.” Al Marri ADFIMI, which stands for Association of National Finance Development bourse on April 27. The announce- Al Rayan Investment LLC acted added. Institutions in Member Countries of the Islamic Development Bank, started ment follows approval from the Qatar as the sole listing advisor along with Ziad Makkawi, Chief Executive its operations back in 1987 to support sustainable economic development Financial Markets Authority (QFMA), international legal counsel Pillsbury Officer, QFB said: “QFB’s listing rep- across the region. QFB stated yesterday. Winthrop Shaw Pittman L.L.P. and resents another significant milestone At the upcoming forum, representatives from central banks, Develop- The listing of QFB will be in the local legal counsel Sultan Al-Abdulla& in the Bank’s quest to grow, expand ment Finance Institutions (DFIs) and academia will discuss how practices Banking and Financial Services Sec- Partner. its offerings and provide a ‘Signature and policies, especially following the recent global financial crisis, have tor with a symbol QFBQ. The guiding Commenting on the milestone, of Excellence’ to its clients.” shaped the current economic climate and suggest a path forward. The forum trading price for the first day will Abdulla bin Fahad bin Ghorab Al Abdulla bin Fahad bin Ghorab Al Makkawi added: “Last year will also examine how the work of DFIs can be used to complement the pol- be QR 15 per share with a fluctu- Marri, Chairman of QFB. Marri, Chairman of QFB, said: “This was a ground-breaking year for the icies set by central banks. ation of limit of 30 percent up or is a significant achievement for Qatar bank. We confirmed our strategy “As one of the premier Islamic banks in the world, QIB is proud to sup- down which will be permitted only and QFB. It is the first listing of a and streamlined our businesses to port ADFIMI and the wider Islamic banking industry. This event has gathered for the first day of listing. However, the first independent Shari’ah com- Qatari entity licensed by the QFC, and offer innovative Shari’ah compliant a distinguished group of professionals from around the globe, and we are price fluctuation on the second day pliant financial institutions licensed the first listing for a private entity in solutions ranging from corporate & pleased to be part of this important discussion on the future of financial and thereafter will be permitted by by the Qatar Financial Center Reg- six years. institutional banking, private bank- policy, as well as providing support through our sponsorship” said Bassel 10 percent up or down as is the case ulatory Authority, on September 4, It marks the next step in Qatar’s ing & wealth management, treasury Gamal, Group QIB’s CEO. for all other listed companies under 2008. The Bank’s authorized capital efforts to reactivate Qatar’s stock & investments, as well as alternative the QE rules. amounts to QR2.5bn and the issued market and encourage the participa- investments with a focus on private QFB was established as one of and paid up capital is QR2bn. tion of the private sector in all aspects equity and real estate.” Hanover fair Fixed broadband subscriptions surge in Qatar

Experts believe that fibre to home subscriptions in Qatar for free. With the upgrade, all 50Mbps By Sachin Kumar will continue to register high growth in coming home fibre plans received a double speed increase The Peninsula years because of a host of advantages this tech- to 100Mbps, while existing 100Mbps plans were nology offers to the consumers. boosted to 300Mbps – the fastest home fixed line Fibre to home provides high speed internet connection ever offered. speed to the customers along with TV and tele- With a 300 Mbps speed, customers can down- DOHA: Penetration of fixed broadband has seen phone connection at reasonable rates. Ooredoo is load a two-hour, standard-definition movie (1.5 a surge in the past four years, showing a robust also aggressively expanding Fibre to home across gigabytes) in less than 40 seconds and a two-hour, growth in Qatar’s telecom sector. Fixed broad- Qatar. The company has invested over $1bn in creat- high-definition movie (5 GB) in 2.2 minutes. Since its band subscriptions jumped from 326,681 in 2011 ing fibre network and fixed and mobile connectivity launch, Ooredoo’s Fibre network has transformed to 459,221 in 2014, showing a rise of 40 percent. across Qatar. the broadband internet market but also the digital Among the different types of fixed broadband Ooredoo’s fibre network is available across entertainment industry in Qatar. subscriptions, fibre to home subscriptions have Qatar, with more than 260,000 homes and busi- Rising population in Qatar is a major factor witnessed the highest growth. nesses currently benefiting from fast Internet and behind jump in fixed broadband subscriptions. The Cooffe 4.0 system makes coffee at the exhibition booth These subscriptions grew from 31,705 in 2012 next generation services. The population in Qatar jumped from 1.7 million of Kuka at Hanover fair in Hanover, Germany, yesterday. The to 165,909 in 2014, reflecting a growth of over 400 The company has recently launched a major at the end of 2011 to 2.23 million at the end of 2014, world’s biggest industry fair Hanover Messe will be opened by percent, according to the Ministry of Transport and speed upgrade for Fibre customers, boosting its top- according to the Ministry of Development Plan- US President Obama today. Communications data. level packages to deliver the fastest Fibre speeds ning and Statistics. 22 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 BUSINESS Sloanes Real KidzMondo Doha and UCC sign agreement

always looking to work with partners The Peninsula to construct innovative developments Estate to invest that bring prosperity to the com- munity,” said Glyn Thomas, Chief Operating Officer, at UCC. DOHA: Edutainment theme park “We are pleased to shake hands KidzMondo Doha has signed a part- with KidzMondo Doha for adding a QR10m in Qatar nership agreement with UrbaCon UCC establishment to the edutain- Trading & Contracting (UCC), a Qatar ment city’s rich variety of entertaining based international construction serv- activities for children. ices company. Through its partnership Through this fruitful partnership, international investment solutions with UCC, KidzMondo Doha is carry- young visitors will be able to engage globally. Sloanes’ in-house finance ing on its practice of collaborating with in parallel activities for design, pro- Company opens team will also provide private off- the premier establishments in various curement, and construction, through new office in shore banking, wealth management, industries and disciplines, emanating a business model that is driven by Doha as part of its international mortgage for expats from its vision of providing the best commitment to excellence,” he said. and local Qataris as well as tradi- educational and entertaining expe- With its partnership with UCC expansion plans in tional financial service products. rience to children, said the company. and other leading institutions in their the Middle East. Apartments to a wide selection of “We are excited to be contin- respective fields, KidzMondo Doha is listings are available from duplexes, uously growing our KidzMondo reaffirming its sense of flexibility and student accommodations, beach establishments through increas- adaptability as an edutainment park properties, penthouses and Towers ing the scope of our partnerships that intends to customise and include with prices starting from QR250,000. with distinguished organisations brands that people can relate to and The Peninsula Dan Strutt, General Manager for that span a full spectrum of fields, associate with closely, thereby cre- Sloanes Qatar, said: “Qatar is an industries and activities,” said Nabil ating a comfortable environment for important growth market for us, R Barakat, General Manager of young minds to thrive in. and having our presence here fur- KidzMondo Doha. KidzMondo Doha is regarded as DOHA: Sloanes Real Estate Brokers, ther solidifies our aim of providing “Our latest partnership with UCC, the “city of education and entertain- a UAE-based firm dealing in luxury real estate consumers with outstand- a leading grade-one licensed builder ment,” and features an interactive Officials of KidzMondo and UCC after signing the agreement. properties, has announced its plans ing value and service. Sloanes Real and contracting company, will give kid-sized city developed for and man- to invest over QR10m in Qatar with Estate Brokers has an excellent rep- our young visitors the chance to aged solely by children, between the educational environment. The city development amongst others, while the opening of a new office in Doha utation, strong leadership and very indulge in yet another rewarding and age of 2 and 14. has been designed to provide a fun- unlocking imagination and crea- as part of its expansion plans in the talented agents, and we look forward educational activity at KidzMondo The self-sufficient city, with its filled and holistic learning experience tivity in children and empowering Middle East. to our continued business growth.” Doha, which further enriches their own economy and currency (Kidlars), in order to support physical and men- them with knowledge, essential Sloanes is a boutique agency “The fact that Sloanes has experience at our indoor edutainment includes over 80 real-life simulation tal growth in youngsters as well as skills and life-lessons that will help focusing on renting, selling, and expanded operations in two coun- theme park,” he said. activities across diverse business help them boost their self-esteem and them become well-versed individuals managing high-end real estate prop- tries in just one year demonstrates “In line with our mission of build- environments, and allows children confidence. and prepare them for the professional erties in Qatar and in the region. our commitment to bring high-end ing on UCC’s foundations and core to dress up and role-play realis- The activities will support social, world of adults with confidence and Sloanes also operates in Dubai and real estate solutions closer to our cli- values of quality and trust, we are tic tasks in a safe, interactive and artistic, creative and cognitive courage. Jeddah and offers properties in Saudi ents around the region, particularly Arabia, the UK, Turkey, Germany, in Doha,” added Strutt. France and Spain. Sloanes Qatar also announced The company’s new office in its participation at this year’s biggest Qatar has been set up in the iconic real estate event, Cityscape Qatar, Mozambique admits to having $1bn of hidden debt Tornado Tower in Doha. This office to be held here from April 26 to 28 in Qatar is Sloanes’ third in the at the Doha Exhibition and Conven- region, following its successful tion Centre. expansion into Jeddah and Saudi As part of its new office opening The IMF learned of the undisclosed borrow- in excess of $1bn of external debt guaranteed by Arabia earlier this year. celebrations, the company will offer Reuters ing last week but Mozambique’s Finance Minister the government had not previously been disclosed Its operations in Qatar will be led GoPro Hero4 to three lucky visitors. Adriano Meleiane initially dismissed the sugges- to the Fund,” IMF mission chief for Mozambique by seasoned real estate profession- Every guest visiting stand G01 will tion, speaking only of “some confusion”. Michel Lazare said in a statement. als who have collective experience stand a chance to win the game, as Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosario “The Fund and Mozambique will continue of more than 100 years. all they need to do is unlock a door JOHANNESBURG: The International Monetary then flew to the United States earlier this week to to work together constructively to evaluate the The company will focus on that houses the GoPro cameras. Fund said yesterday that Mozambique has admit- meet with IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde macroeconomic implications of this disclosure selling, renting and managing, Though each guest will be presented ted to having over $1bn of undisclosed debt and the and a finance ministry team worked with the IMF of information and identify steps to consolidate high-end real estate properties to with 100 keys, there will be only one two sides were now evaluating the implications of Mozambique staff to explain the borrowing. financial stability, debt sustainability and enhance residents of Qatar as well as offer lucky key that can open the door. this disclosure. “The authorities acknowledged that an amount governance,” the IMF’s Lazare said. BUSINESS SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 23 Top real estate firms to showcase projects at Cityscape

master developer of The Pearl-Qatar, will two-story lobby backed by four stories of glass A large number of showcase a variety of retail and residential overlooking the pool and beach. It is perfectly properties in different districts of The Pearl- located between Aventura Mall, Bal Harbor residential projects from Qatar, specifically Qanat Quartier, Viva Shops, and Miami and Fort Lauderdale Inter- different developers in the Bahriya, Porto Arabia and Medina Centrale. national Airports. Sloane’s Real Estate, a broker launching The London property market will also be country and outside will in Qatar, will be showcasing its residential well represented during the show through a be showcased during the project, The Piazza, a 14-floor tower providing vast variety of residential developments by an integrated living experience and offering renowned real estate developers and brokers. three-day show. studios, one, two and three bedroom apart- Trafalgar Properties will be offering a flat 15 ments, along with a health club, swimming percent discount to Cityscape Qatar visitors pool, and 24 hour maintenance and security. for their Royal Wharf project, a series of high The Peninsula The project is located in the distinctive quality waterside apartments with stunning Fox Hills in Lusail City which extends across panoramic views that are conveniently located an area of 38 square kilometres and includes The Qanat Quartier project of UDC. at Royal Docks E16, and once completed the four exclusive islands, 19 multi-purpose development will consist of 3,385 homes in DOHA: Cityscape Qatar 2016 will bring residential, mixed use, entertainment and barbecue area, children’s play area and a dis- Group (Ezdan), United Development Company total. Turkish exhibitor, Gap insaat Yatirim ve together buyers, investors and industry commercial districts. Al Bandary Real Estate tinctive garden. (UDC), and John Taylor during Cityscape Qatar Dis Ticaret A.S., has confirmed that its latest experts who are armed with the latest indus- (Al Bandary) is also showcasing a number of Gold Bay Real Estate with its Cube’s Tower, 2016. From a regional and international per- project, Tarlabasi360 Project located at Tak- try trends and market outlook for 2016-17. A residential projects during Cityscape Qatar is also offering investment opportunities spective, Manazil Real Estate from the UAE sim/Istanbul to form a livable residential area large number of residential projects from dif- 2016. Al Khessa Gate which is located opposite for those looking for luxurious lifestyle and will bring in its Terhab Hotel & Towers in befitting Istanbul. The exhibition is expected ferent developers in the country and outside to Lusail City is one of their developments. The quality living in Qatar. Located in Lusail, the Jumeirah Village Triangle, Dubai, for inter- to attract thousands of visitors. will be showcased during the three-day show project provides 700-stand-alone villas start- property consists of 120 apartments which all ested investors and buyers. Cityscape Qatar 2016 will take place from scheduled to open on April 26. ing from 509 square meters with numerous have direct beach access. Those developers For extended luxury and lifestyle, KGR Tuesday, April 26 to Thursday, April 28, at the The United Development Company (UDC), facilities including a hypermarket, a shopping will also be joined by an extensive list of lead- Real estate Broker is presenting The Ritz-Carl- newly opened Doha Exhibition and Conven- leading Qatari shareholding company and the mall, commercial plots, a swimming pool, a ing local exhibitors including Ezdan Holding ton Residences in Miami, USA, an impressive tion Center (DECC).

Quick-Wins holds seminar on leadership development

Quick-Wins officials and participants at the seminar.

The Peninsula Officials and employees of Doha Bank at the award ceremony.

DOHA: Quick-Wins, a leading regional management consulting firm, held Doha Bank honours long-serving employees a seminar titled ‘Leadership Development and Qatar Vision 2030: Chal- lenges and Strategies’, which was attended by a number of senior officials from government and private sector organizations. The event featured prominent experts in leadership development and The Peninsula the 2016 Long-Service Awards, including six retiring employees are our most valuable asset, and one of strategy such as Larry Samuel Domingo, Oussama Mansour, Daria Ofman employees. The honorees included Farooq Ahmed our biggest strengths as an organization has been and Ramy Farouk. Fazel Ahmed and Raisuddin Siddiqi Shamimuddin the presence of a large pool of dedicated, long- Shady Gabr, Director of Business Development at Quick-Wins, said: “This DOHA: Doha Bank yesterday recognised and hon- Siddiqi – who each completed 35 years of service term employees who work tirelessly to ensure the event is a great opportunity to meet officials from the government and pri- oured its long-serving employees in a ceremony with the Bank. Bank’s success,” said Dr R Seetharaman, CEO of vate sectors, discuss the challenges they face in developing local leadership hosted at its Head Office in West Bay. The employ- “As a team-driven organisation, Doha Bank puts Doha Bank. “Hosting this ceremony today is our capabilities and share a glimpse of what we have to offer to the Qatari mar- ees were recognised for completion of 10, 15, 20, a lot of emphasis on creating a culture where every way of saying ‘thank you’ to these employees for ket. Through our expert teams, alliances and partnerships, we believe we 25 and 35 years of service. staff member feels connected to the company and their loyalty and commitment to Doha Bank over can significantly contribute to the realization of Qatar Vision 2030, espe- A total of 87 staff members were honoured at has a stake in its success. We truly believe that our so many years,” he added. cially when it comes to human development.” The event started with a presentation by Lawrence (Larry) Samuel Domingo, an expert in leadership development of young executives in the GCC. Larry’s presentation focused on Transformation Through Leadership. World Bank’s $150m Larry agrees with President Eisenhower’s definition of Leadership as “the art Ooredoo hosts Business and aid for Ecuador of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” He also believes, as Bill Gates, that as we look ahead into the next QNA century, leaders will be those who empower others. Human Rights Forum guests Larry went on to highlight the importance of transformational leader- ship in effecting change in organisations. According to Larry, leadership is WASHINGTON: The World Bank not restricted to senior positions in organizations. A transformation leader is allocating $150m to Ecuador is anyone in the organization who works with employees as a team to iden- The Peninsula to help the country deal with the tify the required change, create a vision, motivate and inspire others to consequences of the powerful realize this vision. 7.8-magnitude earthquake that Oussama Mansour, a prominent expert in leadership development in DOHA: Qatar gives special care for struck the country last week. The the region, CEO of Profiles International Middle East, gave a presentation the protection and promotion of funding provided by the World on “Building Strategic Leadership Pipeline Towards Qatar Vision 2030.” He human rights and freedoms, said a Bank will serve to support emer- focused on ten pillars of leadership for successful realisation of Qatar Vision senior official at the Ministry of For- gency recovery and forms part of 2030. One important pillar of leadership is that it should be from within the eign Affairs at an international forum the multi-lateral loan package that organization, or what he called “inside-out approach”. He believes the lead- here yesterday, which was supported Ecuador has activated to assist its ership should be from within the organization, knowing the culture and by Ooredoo, Qatar’s leading telecom people. values of people he/she is about to lead. “Leadership is not a job title”, he said. service provider. Sheikh Khalid bin Jassim Al Thani, Director of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry, said: Malabar Gold festive collection “This UN forum has given us the chance to emphasise that the State Ooredoo officials and guests at the function. of Qatar pays special attention to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. We The event brought participants event, as part of our wider support have given our full attention and par- and Ministry officials together to dis- for the execution of the 2030 Qatar ticipation to this event, and hope to cuss key topics, as well as offering National Vision.” see positive results and partnerships visitors from overseas the chance to Ooredoo has pledged its com- in the future. Thank you to Ooredoo learn about Qatar’s traditional hos- mitment to the UN Sustainable for their cooperation in organising pitality. During the dinner, Manar Development Goals (Global Goals). the gala dinner and for supporting Khalifa Almuraikhi, Senior Manager As well as a dinner and presen- Qatar’s human rights development of Community Relations for Ooredoo, tation, Ooredoo organised an Arda strategy.” presented an update on some of the dancing show for guests - the tradi- Sheikh Khalid was speaking at company’s award-winning CSR initi- tional sword dance that is a key part a gala dinner hosted by Ooredoo for atives, as well as highlighting its work of Qatari culture. conference guests of the UN Work- on a number of national and interna- The UN Asia Regional Forum on ing Group on Business and Human tional partners. Business and Human Rights gath- Rights’ first UN Asia Regional Forum Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad bin ered representatives of governments, this week. The Forum, which took Nasser Al Thani, Chief New Busi- business, industry associations, place from April 19 to 20, gave par- ness Officer, Ooredoo, and Deputy civil society organisations, investor ticipants the opportunity to find out Chairman, UN Working Group on groups, international and regional about the implementation of the Business and Human Rights, said: bodies, and national human rights Malabar Gold & Diamonds, has launched the latest collection of jewellery specially designed for the Guiding Principles on Business and “Ooredoo is a company created institutions for the event. festive season in gold, diamonds and precious gems to celebrate this festive season. Indian Film actress Human Rights in the region. for and by the people of this coun- Key topics at the forum included Kareena Kapoor Khan unveiled the collection jewellery in the presence of MP Ahammed - Chairman, Present were distinguished try. We see a strong connection the rights of migrant workers, human guests, including Dante Pesce, Chair- between good business and sup- rights defenders, rights of women in Malabar Group, Shamlal Ahamed - Managing Director - International Operations, Asher O - Managing man, UN Working Group on Business porting human development, and we a business context; and indigenous Director - India Operations, and invited guests at an event held in Oman. and Human Rights. are proud to help such an important peoples’ rights.

BUSINESS SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 25 Chinese firms accelerate in race toward driverless future

Wednesday in Beijing an electric car to roll out commercial autonomous that can park itself and be summoned vehicles for motorways from 2018, The Boston to its owner’s location via smartphone. while mass production of driverless Consulting Group And late last year Baidu tested city cars is projected to begin in 2025. China’s first locally designed driver- Baidu, meanwhile, says it will forecasts that global less vehicle, a modified BMW, with a launch self-driving buses by 2018, sales of driverless 30km ride through the streets of Bei- which will operate on fixed routes in jing. Despite China’s relatively late select cities in China. Like Google, cars will reach 12 entry to the field, analysts believe the Internet giant already owns million by 2035, with the country could become a key mar- detailed roadmaps and has expe- ket for driverless vehicles thanks to a rience in electronic security, and a more than a quarter more favourable regulatory and con- company spokeswoman said it had sold in China. sumer environment. had “very positive feedback” from the The Boston Consulting Group government. (BCG) forecasts that global sales of But analysts are more cautious, driverless cars will reach 12 million by predicting slow-moving autonomous AFP 2035, with more than a quarter sold in vehicles will not appear in towns until China. Vehicles which automatically at least 2020. Production costs were adjust their routes in response to real- still too high to make a robot taxi fleet time traffic information could solve viable, BCG’s Mosquet said. “There are BEIJING: Chinese manufacturers and chronic gridlock in China’s major cit- still many questions to be resolved” Internet giants are in hot pursuit of ies, BCG’s Xavier Mosquet said. before fully autonomous vehicles their US counterparts in the race to “If they believe this would ease can be put into public use, said Jer- design driverless cars, but the route traffic, Chinese authorities will do emy Carlson, a senior analyst for IHS. to market is still littered with potholes. all they can to promote the develop- He pointed to “chaotic traffic situ- While Google has been working ment of this technology and then its ations” on roads shared with cyclists on autonomous vehicles for at least use,” he said. and pedestrians, and less-than-ade- six years, with the likes of BMW, Volvo Public concerns over the safety quate infrastructure. Technology will and Toyota in its wake, more recently of driverless cars are far lower than be the first to see solutions, he said, Chinese businesses have entered the elsewhere, according to a survey by but that still left regulation and issues Li Zengwen, a development engineer at Changan Automobile, removes his hands from the steering wheel race, from Internet search giant Baidu Roland Berger consultants in 2015, around liability and insurance to be to manufacturer Changan. which found 96 percent of Chinese while the car is on self-driving mode during a test drive on a highway in Beijing, addressed. Last week, ahead of the Bei- would consider an autonomous vehi- For some, there are moral dilem- jing Auto Show opening on Monday, cle for almost all everyday driving, giant Uber, or its Chinese rival Didi, you want to think about taking the With a ready market, China may mas as well. “If you have someone two self-driving Changan cars made compared with 58 percent of Ameri- can deploy huge fleets of robot taxis. driver out of the equation. Mobility soon become the top location for com- jumping out in front of an auton- a mountainous 2,000km journey cans and Germans. “The real payoff for truly driver- on demand is hugely popular here.” panies to refine driverless technology. omous car, does the car have to from Chongqing in the southwest to In a country notorious for acci- less technology will come when cars In the Roland Berger survey, 51 Swedish manufacturer Volvo, choose between killing that person, the capital in the country’s first long- dents, the promise of better safety on the road are no longer owned by percent of Chinese car owners said owned by China’s Geely since 2010, or swerving and crashing and kill- distance autonomous vehicle test. through autonomous technologies people, but are owned by fleet man- they would prefer to use robot taxis this month announced plans to test ing the passenger?” asked Robin Zhu, Another Chinese Internet giant, could also be appealing. The ultimate agement services,” said Bill Russo, rather than buy a new vehicle them- drive up to 100 of its vehicles on Chi- senior analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein. LeECO, is also venturing into auton- prize, say analysts, will be when mass managing director of the consul- selves, compared with 26 percent of nese roads this year. “If your car could choose to kill you, omous technologies, unveiling transport firms such as taxi-hailing tancy firm Gao Feng. “That’s where Americans. Changan, a partner of Ford, is set would you get in it?” US insists European banks Wind farms near California can now deal with Iran

AFP “Unfortunately, there seems to be water,” spokesman John Kirby said. some confusion among foreign banks He said the purchase had come and we want to clarify that as much after Iran met its obligations under as we can,” Kerry admitted. the nuclear accord implementa- NEW YORK: The United States And, he promised, if banks have tion process. And he added: “This insisted on Friday that foreign banks questions about the remaining sanc- material had already been removed should feel free to do business with tions targeting Iran’s missile program from Iran, ensuring it would not be Iran after Tehran’s compliance with and sponsorship of militant groups, used to support the development of a nuclear deal with world powers. “they should just ask.” a nuclear weapon.” Secretary of State John Kerry Zarif welcomed the statement. The heavy water purchase downplayed fears that Asian or “Iran has implemented its part of immediately came under attack in European banks could fall afoul of the bargain,” he said. “And we hope Washington as another concession Washington’s continuing sanctions that with this statement ... that we to Tehran and a crack in the wall against Iran’s non-nuclear activities. see serious implementation of all barring Iran from the US financial And, as Kerry met with Foreign the JCPOA benefits that Iran should system. “Once again, the Obama Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif for derive from this agreement,” he administration is handing Iran’s rad- the second time in a week, Washing- added, referring to the deal. ical regime more cash,” declared Ed ton itself agreed to buy 32 tonnes of Separately US officials said they Royce, chairman of the House for- Iranian heavy water. would spend $8.6m to buy Iranian eign affairs committee. These parallel moves in support heavy water, even as the nuclear deal “US purchase of this sensitive Electric energy generating wind turbines are seen on a wind farm in the San Gorgonio Pass area, near of non-US trade with Iran will enrage came under sustained attack from material goes well beyond what is President Barack Obama’s domes- critics in both countries. required by the nuclear agreement.” Palm Springs, California. San Gorgonio Pass is one of the largest wind farm areas in the United States. tic critics, who argue he has already Hardliners in Tehran argue that House Speaker Paul Ryan did ceded too much ground to Tehran. President Hassan Rowhani has been not mince his words. “This pur- “I want to emphasise we’ve tricked into surrendering control of chase — part of what appears to be lifted our nuclear-related sanctions Iran’s nuclear programme without the administration’s full-court press as we committed to do,” Kerry told getting much in return. And in Wash- to sweeten the deal — will directly Fiat Chrysler reporters, sitting alongside Zarif in a ington, Obama’s critics claim he plans subsidize Iran’s nuclear programme,” New York hotel. “And there are now to allow an unreformed Iran access to he said. “It’s yet another unprec- France to lead €4bn recalls 1.1 million opportunities for foreign banks to do US finance despite the separate sanc- edented concession to the world’s business with Iran,” he said. tions remaining in place. leading state-sponsor of terrorism.” cars & SUVs for Kerry said that this included The State Department defended But a US official said the trans- cash injection for EDF roll away issue those banks that are holding an esti- the heavy water deal. “This trans- action did not break any rules. mated $55bn in frozen Iranian assets, action provides US industry with a “Regardless of whether or not this is who have been nervous about return- critical product, while also enabling in US dollars, this licensed transac- WASHINGTON: Fiat Chrysler ing the funds even after the deal. Iran to sell some of its excess heavy tion is limited in scope,” he said. AFP been expected by early May, would Automobiles NV said on Friday now take “several weeks”. Union that it is recalling more than 1.1 sources said it could take “two to million cars and SUVs worldwide three months”. because the vehicles may roll away PARIS: France said late on Friday “EDF is a group that is already in after drivers exit. The carmaker Shell Eco-Marathon that it would lead a €4bn capital debt—increasingly in debt — and it said the recall is linked to as many increase for power company EDF, is vital that we bring this debt under as 41 injuries because drivers mis- months after agreeing a similar cash control,” Levy said in an interview takenly believed they had placed injection for the other pillar of its with the Figaro newspaper. the vehicles in park before exiting. nuclear industry, Areva. After hours of talks, the board gave The recall covers the 2012- EDF, which is 85 percent owned the green light to raising four billion 2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler by the French state, also pledged to euros ($4.5bn) of capital through a 300 sedans and 2014-2015 Jeep cut millions more in costs and sell “market operation” to be carried out Grand Cherokee sport utility vehi- off assets in a bid to reduce its huge by the beginning of next year. Paris cles. About 811,000 vehicles in the pile of debt. will inject €3bn, though where it will United States are affected, along The electricity giant has been hit get the cash is unclear, following a with about 52,000 vehicles in Can- by weak European electricity prices similar capital increase for Areva in ada; nearly 17,000 in Mexico and and hefty investments, notably its January backed by the French state. almost 250,000 vehicles outside plans to help build Britain’s contro- In exchange, EDF will redouble North America. versial Hinkley Point nuclear plant its debt-cutting efforts, targeting cost The US National Highway Traf- at a projected cost of £18bn ($26 bn). reductions of at least a billion euros fic Safety Administration (NHTSA), On Friday, the company again in 2019 compared to 2015 — well which upgraded its probe into postponed its final decision on above original plans for 700 million the issue in February, said that its whether to continue with the project, euros of savings over three years. “investigation of the shifter in these in which the China General Nuclear The group also plans to raise 10 vehicles showed it is clearly a safety Power Corporation is also a partner. billion euros from selling off gas, issue that has led to hundreds of Chairman and CEO Jean-Ber- coal and oil interests. The meas- crashes and dozens of injuries. nard Levy told the board he would ures are designed to help EDF better Fiat Chrysler said it will update first consult with EDF’s works coun- plan for the future, including pay- the vehicles to automatically pre- A file picture of participants checking their vehicle during the opening of Shell Eco-Marathon Europe cil, as demanded by trade unions ing for the maintenance of 58 French vent them from moving, under 2015 in Rotterdam. Hundreds of students and school teams from Europe and Africa will compete in who have questioned the project’s reactors and its takeover of the reac- certain circumstances, even if London, from June 30 to July 3, 2016 in the Shell Eco-Marathon. feasibility. A source close to the tor arm of struggling nuclear giant the driver fails to put the vehicle group said the decision, which had Areva. in park. 26 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 BUSINESS China’s gold miners scour globe for acquisitions

the most on overseas gold assets since domestic resources, and the future, for acquisitions. We want to establish 2011. Overseas deals by companies the hope lies overseas. If Chinese our presence in the Australian capital Bigger groups based in mainland China in 2015 mining companies failed to grasp market and get the investor commu- including Zijin Mining quadrupled from the year before to the opportunity in this round of the nity to support more acquisitions.” $483m according to data compiled by commodity downturn, it will be a big Zhaojin Mining Industry Co, the Group Co, Zhaojin Bloomberg. Bigger groups including failure.” Zijin fell 1.6 percent in Hong fourth-biggest producer by domes- Mining Industry Co Zijin Mining Group Co, Zhaojin Mining Kong on Friday, cutting this year’s tic output, reckons the gold price is and Shandong Gold Industry Co and Shandong Gold Group gain to 22 percent. at the bottom of the current cycle, Co have led a wave of domestic con- Gold prices remain well below opening a window of opportunity Group Co have led solidation that’s amounted to $5bn of the 2011 high of $1,921 an ounce, and over the next couple of years for a wave of domestic takeovers in the past five years. China is timing its interest as estab- acquisitions. China is the world’s biggest pro- lished western miners look to offload “Now the price is at the bottom, consolidation that’s ducer and user of gold and started a assets. Spot gold traded at $1,246.68 we want to perform some finan- amounted to $5bn of price fixing in Shanghai this week an ounce in London on Friday. cial investments,” Chairman Weng as it attempts to establish a regional Better stock valuations are Zhanbin told a conference in Hong takeovers in the past benchmark and bolster its influence “partly because more and more Kong this month. “We have been five years. in the global market. With limited Kong this month. investors including Zijin to acquire Chinese companies are aggres- executing our plan from the second domestic resources and growing Gold has rallied 18 percent in first-tier assets,” Chairman Chen sively looking at opportunities, and half of last year. We could combine demand, Chinese companies are 2016, snapping three years of losses, Jinghe said in an e-mailed response looking around overseas to buy or our management and technologi- looking to snap up overseas assets as investors scale back expectations to questions. Zijin has accounted consolidate assets,” according to Pan cal advantage with good resources Bloomberg as prices rebound after touching the for US interest-rate rises and finan- for most of China’s outbound gold Guocheng, chief executive officer of globally in order to build our global lowest in almost 6 years in December. cial-market turmoil spurs traditional investment, last year purchasing China Hanking. Predominantly an presence. When it comes to interna- “A healthy gold price environment haven demand. It’s been one of the a 50 percent stake in Barrick Gold iron ore and nickel producer, Hank- tional M&A, we still have a long way to always spurs activity, but maybe a best performing commodities amid Corp.’s Porgera operation in Papua ing is planning to conduct an initial go, but now is the time for us to plant BEIJING: China’s gold miners plan bigger factor is the coming-of-age of a downturn that has seen the larg- New Guinea for $298m. public offering for its gold projects our seeds,” he said. to extend the biggest buying spree in gold companies in China,” said Peter est miners slash costs and sell assets “Global mining giants are facing in Australia. Shandong Gold Group Co., China’s four years as the nation seeks greater Grosskopf, Chief Executive Officer to weather a broader rout in metals various challenges amid a commod- “We are very aggressively and No. 2 producer by output, is also seek- clout in the global bullion industry. of Sprott Inc, the Canadian money prices. ity downturn, this will largely reduce actively looking for good, high-qual- ing to expand overseas to feed rising The prospect may be helping drive manager that made its name invest- Zijin Mining, China’s biggest gold their competitiveness and willing- ity gold assets which are going to add local demand, its general manager, up the price of assets from Australia ing in gold. “They are acquisitive, all company by market value, sees more ness for M&A, which will be a good additional value to our existing port- Li Guohong, said in an interview in to the US. the Chinese companies are. As they opportunities in the current cycle. opportunity for Zijin and other Chi- folio,” Pan said in an interview in Shanghai. Its focus is both across the Some of the country’s top pro- start to look overseas that will be a “Global mining companies are sell- nese investors,” he said. Hong Kong this month. “We’ll focus on One Belt One Road region—covering ducers say they want to build on last bigger factor for M&A than the gold ing high quality assets right now, “Chinese mining companies’ the IPO first. As soon as that is com- Asia, Europe and Africa—and North year’s spree, when the nation spent price,” he said in an interview in Hong so this is a rare chance for Chinese domestic development is limited by pleted, then we’ll be in better shape America, he said.

US oil output continues to fall Turkey needs Commodities: Metals shine tighter fiscal on China and weak dollar and monetary policies: IMF AFP commodity markets can be a very globe has boosted the appeal of powerful phenomenon.” precious metals since they are all Precious metals soared this week non-interest-bearing assets”. Reuters on the struggling US currency. The European Central Bank opted LONDON: The prices of industrial The dollar flagged as poor Thursday to maintain its loose mon- and precious metals forged higher US economic data reinforced the etary policy but pledged more easing ISTANBUL: Turkey needs tighter this week, aided by Chinese demand view that the Federal Reserve will to stimulate growth if needed. fiscal and monetary policies to hopes, rebounding oil and the weak- remain cautious about raising inter- At the same time, fading Chinese rein in domestic demand and ening dollar. est rates. demand concerns have also been bring down inflation until struc- Aluminium surged on Friday to The US central bank had imple- “helpful” for silver prices, according tural reforms deliver results, the a seven-month high at $1,655 per mented its first hike in almost a to Razaqzada. International Monetary Fund (IMF) tonne—not seen since last September. decade back in December, signalling “Chinese demand fears have said on Friday. Nickel soared to five-month the start of a rate-tightening cycle. receded in recent times owing to an The global lender also said peak at $9,585 per tonne, and zinc “Precious metals are surging improvement in data there,” he said. the main risk for Turkey is an hit $1,958 per tonne — scoring its best across the board, with silver and now “This has been especially help- acceleration of capital outflows, level in eight months. platinum looking particularly bull- ful for silver, which, as well as being while priority should be given to Copper, lead and tin had rallied ish,” added City Index analyst Fawad a precious metal, has many indus- boosting domestic savings and on Thursday to one-month pinnacles. Razaqzada. trial uses.” the participation of women in the “China is turning the corner and “The pressure has been build- By Friday on the London Bul- labour force. ... economic data supports that,” said ing for precious metals like silver to lion Market, the price of gold rose to Tighter fiscal and monetary William Adams, head of commod- explode higher in recent months. $1,243.25 an ounce from $1,227.10 policies should be implemented ity research at metals research group “The significantly weaker dollar a week earlier. Silver advanced to to contain domestic demand until Fastmarkets. has helped to underpin several buck- $17.19 an ounce from $16.17. structural reforms show results, Sentiment brightened as a string denominated commodities of late. On the London Platinum and Pal- the IMF said in a statement fol- of upbeat data from China and rising “The US currency has depreciated ladium Market, platinum increased to lowing its Article IV consultations, oil prices fuelled hopes for the global because of receding expectations $1,028 an ounce from $986. where IMF experts assess a coun- economy and commodity demand. about the pace of interest rate rises.” Palladium grew to $611 an ounce try’s financial and economic state. China’s economy, meanwhile, A struggling greenback makes from $568. On the London Metal “(IMF) Directors generally grew 1.1 percent in the first quarter dollar-denominated commodities Exchange, copper for delivery in saw a need for a tighter monetary of this year compared with the pre- cheaper for buyers using stronger three months rose to $5,050 a tonne stance to bring down inflation,” it vious three months. That, however, currencies. from $4,806.50 a week earlier. said. Inflation remains one of the marked a slowdown from 1.5-percent That tends to stimulate demand Three-month aluminium most pressing problems for Prime expansion in the last quarter of 2015. and send prices higher. increased to $1,655 a tonne from Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s gov- Adams added that metals Gold rose Thursday to a five- $1,550.50. Three-month lead ernment, which has consistently demand could also be powered week high at $1,270.47 per ounce, advanced to $1,794 a tonne from failed to meet its target of 5 per- An oil pumpjack near Tioga, North Dakota. US oil production higher by restocking. helping to push sister metal silver to $1,726. Three-month tin climbed to cent. Consumer prices rose 7.46 “The big question is whether con- an 11-month peak at $17.69. $17,365 a tonne from $17,222. Three- continued to fall last week as weak prices and brimming percent year-on-year in March sumers then come in to restock—and Platinum and palladium scaled month nickel gained to $9,265 a stockpiles hit domestic producers, government data showed. The and the central bank has forecast whether equity and bond markets their way to multi-month heights. tonne from $8,935. Three-month Department of Energy’s report for the week to April 15 showed annual inflation will be at 7.91 per- start to correct as well,” he said. Razaqzada added that “extremely zinc increased to $1,931 a tonne from a 24,000-barrel fall in production to 8.95 million barrels a day. cent at year-end. “A restocking cycle in the loose central bank policy across the $1,876.50. The central bank has refrained from tightening policy, raising concern that it is caving in to pres- sure from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has repeatedly railed Draghi may prove a short-lived boost to company bonds in Europe against high interest rates. Erdogan, who favours consumption-led growth, says that high interest rates cause inflation, a stance that is at Bloomberg comments cooled the market surge, Merrill Lynch index data. The gains each corporate issue, and will look odds with orthodox economics. which began a month earlier when the slowed this month, and the notes have at notes with maturities ranging from Turkey’s new central bank ECB first said it would widen stimulus lost 0.2 percent since yields fell to an six months to 30 years. It won’t buy governor, Murat Cetinkaya, measures to include company bonds. about one-year low on April 7. bonds issued by banks. trimmed the upper band of the BRUSSELS: Mario Draghi’s (pic- “We’ve had such a big rally in such The European Central Bank’s June Still, the recent market gains bank’s interest rate “corridor” at tured) boost to European corporate a short period of time that chasing entrance into the market may still be have stoked memories of a similar his debut meeting this week, a bonds may end as quickly as it began. returns here makes no sense,” said enough to spur further gains, given rally about a year ago, which quickly move some saw as a sign of looser The European Central Bank on Thurs- Geraud Charpin, a portfolio man- the size of its potential purchasing turned into losses amid signs of infla- policy to come. “The economy day announced wider-than-expected ager at BlueBay Asset Management power, said Gordon Shannon, a port- tion. Draghi offered investors little remains vulnerable to external criteria for a debt-buying program, in London, which oversees $58 billion. folio manager at TwentyFour Asset reassurance, saying they should “get shocks and the main risk for Tur- sparking a drop in credit risk and “There are already signs it’s running Management, which oversees £6bn used” to volatility because very low key remains an acceleration of giving a second wind to the biggest out of steam.” ($8.6bn). The bank’s list of eligible interest rates can exacerbate price capital outflows,” the IMF said. corporate-bond rally in more than Charpin said he is short credit bonds includes notes from the local swings. Investors ended the year with However, Deputy Prime Min- three years. Some money manag- using both derivatives and cash units of companies based outside the losses from investment-grade corpo- ister Mehmet Simsek said that ers are beginning to ask whether the bonds because he expects the ECB’s euro area. It also covers debt ranked rate bonds in euros for the first time rapprochement with the European gains can last given the challenges the purchases will be smaller than investment grade by only one credit- since 1999, Bank of America Merrill Union was reducing Turkey’s risk central bank faces buying significant anticipated and outweighed by new rating company. Lynch index data show. premium and foreign fund invest- amounts of debt in an illiquid market. issuance. The central bank will also “Even though we’ve come a long “We’re in the same situation as ments have started to flow back. “Expectations for what the make bonds even harder to trade and way, I think spreads will grind tighter last year and the question is, will That is already helping the lira ECB will actually deliver still seem it isn’t going to be a buyer when inves- as the buying starts,” Shannon said. investors heed the lesson?” said Wolf- currency and is expected soon to stretched,” said Alex Temple, a Lon- tors most need to sell, for example, “The ECB has to show they’re there to gang Kuhn, head of euro fixed income be reflected in both inflation and don-based fund manager at ECM during a rout or outflows, he said. step in when spreads bounce back. I at Aberdeen Asset Management Plc, economic activity, he said. The IMF Asset Management, whose parent The central bank has stoked con- Euro notes from investment-grade don’t think they will allow there to be which manages about 291 billion said external imbalances continue Wells Fargo Asset Management over- cern about its ability to buy corporate non-financial companies returned 1.6 any kind of a rout.” pounds of assets. “There may be vol- to accumulate, pointing to large sees $480bn. “The easy money was debt by noting that the securities are percent last month, the most since The central bank will consider atility, and liquidity is so bad, that it foreign exchange “mismatches” made in March.” “not very liquid or large.” The April 7 July 2012, based on Bank of America buying as much as 70 percent of means moves could be quite violent.” in the non-bank corporate sector. BUSINESS SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 27

Copper mine glut puts Oil majors’ $100 hangover hurts brakes on LatAm’s clean-power boom profit as cost cuts fall short

By Vanessa Dezem and the country. Alcobendas, Spain- Javiera Quiroga based Acciona wants to have 1 Bloomberg gigawatt of renewable energy capacity by 2020. Compounding the glut is the mining slump. Too much copper HE global copper slump is and slowing global demand sent helping to tap the brakes the metal to a seven-year low in on Latin America’s fastest- January, and several big produc- growing renewable-energy ers including BHP Billiton Ltd and Tmarket. Chile, the world’s biggest Anglo American Plc have reduced copper producer, has been adding operations in Chile. The country’s solar panels and wind turbines for total production in the first two two years to supply power-thirsty months of the year were 6.7 per- smelters that process ore from cent lower than the same period remote mines in the sun-baked in 2015, according to the National northern desert. But with metal Statistics Institute. prices half what they were five More than 70 percent of years ago, output fell and energy planned spending on new pro- demand slowed. That’s com- duction is either frozen or under pounding an electricity glut in a review, and investments over the self-contained power grid thou- next decade may reach $40bn sands of miles from population at most, less than the $110bn centers in the stick-shaped South expected in 2012, according to American country. the National Society of Mining, “The first boom of clean energy known as Sonami. The organiza- is over,” said Carlos Barria, a tion now estimates the industry’s former chief of the government’s electricity needs will rise by 54 A burning funnel of the Romanian central oil platform, on the Black Sea, near the shore of Constanta City, Romania. renewable-energy division who percent in the next decade, down is now a professor at the Pontifi- from a forecast of 80 percent in cia Universidad Catolica de Chile 2014. By Rakteem Katakey capital spending, taxes and royalties paid Companies are doing whatever it takes. University in Santiago. “We are “Consumption is still grow- Bloomberg by producers. Total is reducing the speed of its service going to see fewer new projects.” ing, but not at the same pace as After rising every year from 2010 to boats in Angola to save petrol, renegotiat- While solar installations will before,” said Alvaro Merino, man- 2014, Shell’s costs fell 15 percent last year, ing maintenance contracts in Congo, using triple this year, reflecting projects ager at Sonami. That’s altered the according to Barclays. BP’s dropped 19 per- fewer transportation vessels in Brunei and financed before the electricity- economics of new power plants, HE world’s biggest oil compa- cent. That’s not been enough to counter the has stopped using a storage tank in Indo- price slump, banks have pulled especially those unable to secure nies, set to report their worst rout in oil prices. nesia to save the French company about back on financing, which means long-term contracts to supply quarterly earnings in more than BP is expected to post an adjusted loss for $5m, Chief Financial Officer Patrick de la the number of new panels in 2017 customers. a decade, are finding their cost- the first time since the Gulf of Mexico oil spill Chevardiere told analysts in July last year. will plunge by 66 percent, accord- “To finance solar energy in cutting efforts haven’t matched in 2010, when it reports first-quarter results “The companies need to do more of ing to Bloomberg New Energy Chile now is a hard thing to do, the decline in crude prices over on April 26, according to analyst estimates the same over an extended period,” said Finance. For wind turbines, the because most of them are in the Tthe past two years. While producers have compiled by Bloomberg. Shell, reporting on Iain Armstrong, a London-based analyst slump will happen sooner, with north,”said Rodrigo Violic, head been deferring projects, eliminating jobs May 4, is likely to post its weakest adjusted at Brewin Dolphin Ltd, which owns Shell installations dropping 62 percent of project finance at the Santiago- and freezing salaries, the process will take profit in more than a decade. and BP shares. “Companies are sharing in 2016, after developers added based lender Banco Bice. “From three years to complete, according to Bar- ExxonMobil Corp, the world’s biggest oil helicopters and tug boats in the North Sea. 900 megawatts in the previous now on, not all projects will get clays Plc’s Lydia Rainforth. In the meantime, company, will report the lowest quarterly It shows how far down the track they had two years, BNEF estimates. financing contracts.” profits are being hammered. profit in more than two decades on April 29, gone in over-spending and over-engineer- Most of the new capacity has The government is still push- “A lot of work still needs to be done on according to analysts estimates. Chevron is ing projects.” Brent crude averaged $35.21 been built in the northern region ing ahead. It wants to reduce costs,” Rainforth, a London-based oil sec- estimated to report a second consecutive a barrel in the first quarter, the lowest in of a country that stretches more carbon emissions, and is target- tor analyst, said by phone. “It’s a reflection loss the same day. Total SA’s first-quarter almost 12 years. It traded at $45.65 on the than 4,200km along the Pacific ing 70 percent of its power coming of how much costs had piled up and how adjusted net income is predicted to be the ICE Futures Europe exchange in London Ocean from Peru to the South- from clean sources by 2050, a long a process this is.” lowest since 2001. at 4:35pm on Friday. ern Ocean of Antarctica. There seven-fold increase. “In two years For producers from Royal Dutch Shell Plc The extent of the work facing oil-major The impact of weaker prices is being are no transmission lines to con- of government we have doubled to Chevron Corp reeling under the threat of CEOs can be seen at BP. While the British compounded by lower profits from refin- nect electricity generated for the the number of renewable energy credit-rating downgrades, slashing costs is producer’s boss Bob Dudley was one of the ing, a business that has been bailing out mining industry — which uses a parks under construction,” Energy the surest way of protecting balance sheets. first to prepare for the downturn, it still took oil majors over the past couple of years. third off Chile’s energy — to the Minister Maximo Pacheco said in Still, reversing course is proving pain- BP most of 2014 and 2015 to identify where Global refining margins dropped to power grid serving the more-pop- an interview in his office in San- ful after $100 oil persuaded companies to costs could be cut, with full implementa- $10.50 a barrel in the first quarter, 31 ulated areas in the central part of tiago. “Almost half of all projects pump money into expen- tion only coming this year, Rainforth said. percent lower than a year earlier and 20 the country, or further south. that we are building are from sive areas in search of The London-based company said in Feb- percent lower than the preceding quar- Spot electricity in Chile clean sources.” new deposits, hire more ruary it had reduced annual cash costs by ter, according to BP’s data. tumbled last year to $104 per As of February, there were people and rent rigs and $3.4bn compared with 2014 and expected Oil prices rose for 10 of the 11 years megawatt hour, down 34 per- 52 clean-power plants under services at record rates. them to be about $7bn lower in 2017. A BP until 2012 and averaged above $80 a bar- cent from 2013, Energy Ministry construction in Chile, with total Productivity suffered. spokesman declined to comment further. rel every year from 2010 to 2014. In those data show. Prices in the regulated capacity of 2.8 gigawatts. About Shell, Europe’s big- Shell plans to reduce operating expend- years, the companies were flush with cash market also are falling, fulfilling 4.7 gigawatts of new capacity gest oil company, had iture by $3bn in 2016 after cutting it by $4bn and they expanded, even as productiv- a pledge by the government to will be added over the next three operating costs of $14.70 last year. The company declined to com- ity languished. Shell, BP and Total’s oil reduce power costs. As recently years, according to New Energy a barrel last year when ment beyond reiterating that it has options and natural gas output per employee in as October, as more wind and Finance. For producers from Brent crude averaged to further reduce spending should condi- its upstream division dropped in many solar plants came online, electric- The country still has supply Royal Dutch Shell $53.60, Barclays said in a tions warrant it. ExxonMobil and Chevron of those years as costs blew up, accord- ity was being auctioned at $79.30. bottlenecks. It can’t easily move report last month. That’s declined to comment. ing to a Morgan Stanley report this month. “There is overcapacity in the power from hydroelectric plants Plc to Chevron Corp more than double the Total is targeting spending on operating its “Oil companies haven’t usually been north of Chile, and the prices are in the south to copper mines in reeling under the $6-a-barrel cost in 2005, exploration and production business of $6.50 good at controlling costs and allowed going down,” said Rafael Mateo, the north. Even as renewable the last time oil averaged a barrel of oil equivalent this year, after cut- them to bloat out in the years of high oil chief executive officer of the sources expanded in the north, threat of credit-rating in the $50s, according to ting that to $7.40 last year from $9.90 in 2014, prices,” said Philipp Chladek, a London- energy unit at Acciona SA, which the electricity couldn’t be deliv- downgrades, slashing the report. BP Plc’s oper- according to a company presentation in Feb- based analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. already has a wind farm in Chile ered to other parts of the country ating expense was $10.40 ruary. Total Chief Executive Officer Patrick “It feels like many oil companies haven’t and is building solar projects in in times of drought. costs is the surest way last year compared with Pouyanne told reporters in Paris that action really bought in to the lower for longer, of protecting balance $3.60 in 2005, according taken to reduce costs would allow the com- at least by actions. Most people still seem sheets. to Barclays. The operat- pany to fully fund its dividend from cash flow to believe that oil will rebound to $60 or ing costs don’t include at an oil price of $60 a barrel. above before long.” SunEdison and Peabody bankruptcies have some similarities

By Liam Denning coal as it later was to finance solar. In 2006, in particular, are still grappling with the rooftop solar portfolio for almost $1bn — a Bloomberg Peabody was able to sell 35-year convertible thorny problem of how to finance projects huge price for a business that didn’t even bonds at virtually zero spread to Treasuries that require big upfront investments with long fit with TerraForm’s objectives. SunEdison — and the price shot up from there. payback horizons in an inherently deflation- went on to replace several directors at Ter- Now that both companies have ended up ary business. raForm who objected, prompting a lawsuit UNEDISON going bankrupt barely a in bankruptcy court, it doesn’t mean the end There’s been plenty of ingenuity on this from activist David Tepper. week after Peabody Energy probably for either of their industries. Sure, Peabody’s front. For example, a year before it announced The timing mismatch between upfront counts as some sort of cosmic joke. industry definitely faces more structural chal- the ill-fated attempt to buy Vivint, SunEdi- investments and returns has shown up in Despite their differences, though, their lenges on emissions regulations. But chapter son launched TerraForm Power, one of two other ways. Vivint, for example, touts a Snear-simultaneous crashes share some com- 11 doesn’t equal liquidation — almost half the listed yieldcos it controlled. Yieldcos capital- retained value metric when it updates inves- mon causes — and lessons to be learned. coal mined in the US comes from bankrupt ised on investors’ heightened appetite for cash tors every quarter. It’s commonly used by One concerns corporate hubris and its companies, according to Wood Mackenzie. distributions in an environment of ultra-low solar leasing companies that show consist- Now that both companies great enabler, cheap capital. Back in July — The industry must shrink, but given it still interest rates. For companies like SunEdison, ent losses on a GAAP basis and is essentially less than a year ago — SunEdison announced supplies 30 percent of the world’s primary they were a great way of getting paid up front a calculation of the net present value of have ended up in the deal that finally unraveled it, to buy Viv- energy consumption, that will take a while. for long-term development projects by sell- expected income from the panels they deploy. bankruptcy court, it int Solar. At the time, SunEdison’s stock was The renewable energy sector, in contrast, ing them to a captive subsidiary enjoying easy But like all such models, it lives and dies by trading at almost 12 times trailing revenue has the wind and the sun at its back when it access to capital. The old win-win, as it were. its assumptions. And one in particular looks doesn’t mean the end for but was rated a “buy” by almost 90 percent comes to regulatory and technology trends — The problem is that yieldcos, similar to very suspect: That customers will, at the end either of their industries. of the analysts covering it, according to data albeit not always consistently. And like Peabody, master limited partnerships in the pipeline of their 20-year contract, sign up for another compiled by Bloomberg. With that kind of while SunEdison’s descent into Chapter 11 will sector, have long come with a promise of high decade at 90 percent of the cost of their previ- blank check, who wouldn’t go out and build mean pain for its investors and creditors and growth, too. When that is thrown into doubt, ous contract. To which the obvious response is: an empire? probably doom some planned projects, it won’t the investors back away, eroding the yieldco’s Show me a piece of technology worth 90 per- Peabody, along with other coal miners, sink solar power altogether. As solar equipment ability to buy its parent’s projects at a premium. cent of its original value 20 years later. That’s did much the same. They geared up to feed manufacturer First Solar can attest, there can TerraForm demonstrated another risk especially so when you consider the whole China’s never-ending appetite for coal to be life after a boom and bust. in the yieldco structure: Potential conflict of notion of solar power displacing traditional power its electricity and feed its steel mills. But the industry can’t shrug off Sun- interest. To help SunEdison swallow Vivint, energy rests squarely on the idea that the tech- The market was then just as willing to finance Edison’s failure, either. Solar developers, TerraForm was roped into buying the latter’s nology keeps getting better and cheaper. 28 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 BUSINESS

BACK TO BUSINESS sight Microsoft needs to hang up its Earnings engine conks out in Nasdaq’s worst own smartphones for good week since February

By Shira Ovide Microsoft’s solution has been to By Oliver Renick this week — a level it’s crossed Bloomberg wait until next year. And then the Bloomberg 40 times since the start of 2015 next year. And the next. It makes and a key threshold where JPMor- sense in theory this time. With the gan Chase & Co says more buyers latest version of Windows, it is eas- could step in. ID you know Microsoft ier to reuse software that developers ISAPPOINTING earnings The S&P 500 couldn’t hold makes smartphones? are making for Windows computers reports erased $68bn 2,100 in November, either, a con- It does! But it for Windows smartphone apps. But Dfrom shares of Netflix cern for bulls worried history will shouldn’t anymore. It success is far from guaranteed. And Inc, Microsoft Corp and Alpha- repeat. Back then, it jumped 13 has been almost two then what? Windows smartphones bet Inc and sent the Nasdaq 100 percent from a summer low to years since Microsoft will have more apps, but they will Index to its biggest weekly drop peak at 2,109.79 in the span of 10 Dbecome a smartphone company by still have to compete with a zillion since February. weeks. This year, the benchmark’s buying pieces of cellphone pioneer Android phones and iPhones in a Netflix saw its stock fall the 14 percent rally since Feb. 11 also Nokia. The $9.5bn deal was Steve smartphone market in which growth most among the trio after rat- occurred in a 10-week period. Ballmer’s 137th attempt to make is all but gone. tling investors with forecasts for “The S&P has gone nowhere Microsoft relevant in consumer com- Yes, the history of Microsoft is weakening subscriber growth in the past year and the market puting beyond PCs. a lesson in the value of persistence. overseas. The Los Gatos, Califor- keeps running into a valuation Before then, Microsoft’s smart- Microsoft spent billions of dollars nia-based online video provider ceiling at about 2,100,” said David phone strategy was similar to on businesses like Xbox and Bing, slid 14 percent, the largest drop Lafferty, the Boston-based chief Google’s tactics with Android. Micro- and in hindsight those investments since September. Concerns about market strategist for Natixis Glo- soft made a version of Windows were worthwhile. Microsoft stuck a turnaround plan sent Microsoft bal Asset Management. His firm software that it licensed to handset with what seemed like a bad idea down 7 percent while Google’s manages $966bn. “Every time we specialists such as Samsung. Almost with its Surface laptop-slash-tab- parent declined 5.4 percent on get to that level it sort of tops out.” no one bought Windows phones. let, and it morphed from a silly idea margin concerns. Lagging tech stocks are one The idea behind the Nokia deal into a nice business with technol- The three stocks accounted of the few traits that distinguishes was to borrow from Apple’s busi- unintentional. Microsoft CEO Satya thousands more the next year — the ogy that has been copied by Apple. for 80 percent of a 1.5 percent the current rally from the rebound ness model. If Microsoft took control Nadella decided last year to tar- equivalent of Alaska Air’s workforce The path to success is much harder retreat in the Nasdaq 100, the last fall. The Nasdaq has added 13 of Nokia’s capabilities in making get Microsoft smartphones at niche — to get the company’s smartphone in smartphones. biggest decrease since it lost 6 percent since February 11, trail- smartphones and combined them markets including business users and business to barely break even. The phone business is almost percent in the week ending Feb- ing the S&P 500’s advance. That’s with Windows software, the com- Windows fanboys and to stop trying Microsoft’s accountants decided the immaterial financially, at less than 4 ruary 5. The Standard & Poor’s the opposite from the August-to- pany would have a better chance to to make them a mass-market product. inherited Nokia parts had declined in percent of Microsoft’s revenue. The 500 Index added 0.5 percent. November period, when the Nasdaq find a foothold in mobile. Or so the That wasn’t so much a strategy shift value by $7.6bn, triggering a charge company has enough money to keep “There was a nice run-up index topped the S&P benchmark thinking went. as a recognition that Windows smart- that dragged Microsoft to its largest spending forever on smartphones and in many of these kind of names by 4.5 percentage points. To nearly everyone, buying Nokia phones weren’t selling in masses. loss ever . see if they catch on. But that’s not the last year, but when you have that Earnings in other industries to go big in the smartphone business Nadella inherited a Nokia deal he The tiny number of users who Microsoft Nadella says he wants. He kind of rally you’re more likely helped mitigate losses in the seemed like a bad idea from the start. initially didn’t like. But Microsoft is own Windows smartphones know has ditched other projects — such as to have a reaction to negative stock market. Johnson & John- It makes even less sense now. squarely his company now, and it’s they’re actually pretty good. But a digital mapping initiative, enter- news,” Lisa Kopp, head of tra- son exceeded profit expectations Microsoft on Thursday disclosed time for him to quit wasting executive Microsoft should know the quality of tainment programming for Xbox and ditional investments at U.S Bank and Bank of America Corp jumped that it sold 2.3 million of its Lumia- attention and shareholder money tilt- a product doesn’t guarantee comput- a Web banner ad operation — that Wealth Management in Minne- 7.9 percent this week after saying branded smartphones in the three ing at smartphone windmills. ing dominance. (Cough, Macintosh.) weren’t essential so Microsoft could apolis, Minnesota, said by phone. it slimmed down its costs through months ended March 31. That works The smartphone business has Microsoft has long been caught in a focus on what it does best. “It does affect sentiment as peo- pay cuts and employee firings. out to an average of roughly 26,000 been all headaches for Nadella, with chicken-and-egg smartphone prob- Nadella has doubled down on ple look at these.” Energy producers also bolstered each day of the quarter, worldwide. little strategic promise down the lem. Small sales numbers mean few making its consumer and business While earnings at S&P 500 the S&P 500 to its weekly gain, General Motors sold more vehicles line to compensate for the pains. For companies make apps for Windows software like Office work great on companies are exceeding ana- rallying 5.2 percent. during the same period, and cars and a time, Microsoft was losing money on phones, which makes the phones less other companies’ smartphones. The lyst estimates by 4 percent on “It comes back to earnings,” trucks cost a bit more than phones. every smartphone it made before the appealing, which holds down sales, success now means Microsoft should average, the spotty results from said Lafferty “Earnings are up Microsoft has 2 percent share of the devices even left the factory. which makes companies like Snap- pull down the curtain for good on its mega-cap tech stocks are tak- relative to expectations but are smartphone market — less than it had Just months after he took the CEO chat and Uber less likely to build homegrown mobile devices. RIP, Win- ing a toll on the broader market. stalled and people don’t want to before the Nokia takeover. job, Nadella had to fire 12,500 peo- Windows phone apps, or to treat them dows smartphone. Almost no one will The S&P 500 couldn’t hold 2,100 pay for flat earnings.” Small sales aren’t wholly ple hired from Nokia , then he fired as low-priority projects when they do. miss you when you’re gone.

I cannot put a figure on the total cost of the scandal Capital -- which some analysts have estimated at about $30 Matthias Mueller, Chief billion -- but there is no reason to believe the 2015 Executive Officer, Comment loss would lead to job cuts. Volkswagen AG

TOP TWEETS BLOGS AND VIEWS Name in the Market Dealogic @Dealogic Wealth Adviser This week #European US M&A SUMMARY 2015 VS 2016 High Yield #bonds total $6.1bn, the high- est since the week of April 20, 2015 ($9.2bn) #ECB #markets #euro A controversial type of mutual- #USD fund fee called a 12b-1, in which Moody’s InvestorsSvc @ dollars are subtracted from fund MoodysInvSvc Credit impact will assets to compensate brokers and increase across sectors other distributors, is losing favor. globally with signing of Paris Agreement

Deutsche Bank @ DeutscheBank MoneyBeat #USA: “We expect a very soft quarter for real GDP growth due to low activity in the The world has 30 banks so big and manufacturing sector”. #JosephLaVorgna, #US complicated that they must hold Economist extra capital to make them safer, IIF @IIF the so-called globally systemically important banks. Only six of the We expect the oversupply of oil to decline slowly world’s systemically important underpinning a gradual banks have share prices that trade rise in prices above book value. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 33 PAGE | 34 Spurs finish strong Nadal, Nishikori to send Grizzlies set up blockbuster close to exit final in Barcelona

SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 • 17 Rajab 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar Al Gharafa reach third round of Emir Cup

Al Kharaitiyat edge Qatar SC while late goals help Al Khor to 2-1 victory over Mesaimeer

The Peninsula

DOHA: Former winners Al Gharafa marched into the third round of the Emir Cup football tournament after a 1-0 win yesterday, when they proved too good for Muaither, the Qatargas League title holders at Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha yesterday. Their Slovak star Vladimir Weiss struck a beauty in the 52nd minute after a dull first half, and the Al Gharafa attack made sure the same is good enough to take them to the next stage. At the same venue, Mahmoud Saad netted one in the 26th minute to knock Qatar Sports Club out of the prestigious tournament. Al Kharaitiyat carried the Al Shamal goalkeeper Hassan Ebrahim Mohamed (left) leaps for the ball momentum forward and Qatar SC could not find an equaliser. while Al Wakrah player Waheed Mohamed Tahiri (centre) and Haitham Al Wakrah beat Al Shamal 2-1 Abdulaziz Rashid Ansari of Al Kharaitiyat dribbles the ball during their Emir Cup clash against Qatar Mohammed Abdulraheem vie for the same during their Emir Cup 2016 in a penalty shootout at Suhaim SC at Al Arabi Stadium yesterday. Pic by: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula football match played at Suhain bin Hamad Stadium yesterday. Bin Hamad Stadium after both Pic by: Kammutty VP / The Peninsula teams failed to score until the final whistle. minutes without any goals being Al Wakra, Al Kharaitiyat, Qatar SC what is the final tournament of the EMIR’S CUP FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT Al Khor also booked their place added. But Al Khor’s South Korean and Mesaimeer were placed from season. in the third round of the tourna- striker was right on target in the nine to 14th spots on the final points Tough tasks await the QSL sides ment when they beat Mesaimeer 2-1 79th minute and Breiki made sure table of the Qatar Stars League who have a golden opportunity to YESTERDAY’S RESULTS through late goals netted by N Al their team stays safe after scoring (QSL). go and win at least one piece of sil- Breiki and Heedo Park. Mesaimeer a goal in the 83rd minute. With top four sides – Al Rayyan, verware this season. Al Kharaitiyat (Mahmoud Saad -26’) beat Qatar SC 1-0 took an early lead when S Nasser Last Monday, Muaither beat Al El Jaish, Al Sadd and Lekhwiya – The Emir Cup is considered as Al Gharafa (V. Weiss - 52’) beat Muaither 1-0 made no mistake in his kick in the Shahaniya 4-1 in a penalty shoot- not to be seen in action until the the biggest football tournament in Al Wakra beat Al Shamal 2-1 on a penalty shootout 32nd minute and the game was out while Al Shamal edged Al latter stages of the event, the pres- the country and the grand finale Al Khor (Heedo Park - 79’, N. Al Breiki - 83’) beat Mesaimeer(S. Nasser - 32’) 2-1 dragging towards the final few Markhiya 3-1. Al Gharafa, Al Khor, sure will be on the bottom sides in will be played on May 20. Lekhwiya hope for a repeat show against Al Rayyan in Qatar Cup

The Peninsula those would definitely boost their title and will be relied upon to pull the they are tired. But sometimes being in hopes heading into today’s semi-final strings in the centre of the park. competition keeps you ready and it of the Qatar Cup. The Red Knights have had an could be the opposite but I don’t want In fairness to Rayyan, head inconsistent season that culminated to concern myself with this. We will DOHA: Qatar Stars League (QSL) coach Jorge Fossati has fully uti- in them finishing fourth – their lowest put our best team forward and hope champions Al Rayyan will be look- lised his squad in recent weeks and ever position in the QSL. Since being for the win.” ing to carry their momentum forward given fringe players an opportunity promoted to the top division of Qatari “Al Rayyan has a lot fans and this with a comprehensive win today while to impress. He did, however, play a football in 2010, Lekhwiya had never is good for football in Qatar and I hope the defending champs Lekhwiya will full-strength side against improving finished outside the top two until this our fans come as well and create a focus on retaining the title as the two Al Sadd – and that match ended 2-2 season. good atmosphere for the game,” said teams meet in the Qatar Cup semi- after the Wolves scored two late goals Djamel Belmadi, the head coach the forty-year-old. final at Al Sadd Stadium today. to grab a point. of Lekhwiya is hoping his side repeat Despite some glimpses of their Al Rayyan, who claimed the QSL The Uruguayan tactician is opti- what they did last season and go on best form, including an eight-game title with five games to spare, have not mistic about his team’s chances ahead to win the Qatar Cup, “Tomorrow is a winning run, Lekhwiya have endured won a match since lifting the Falcon of the crunch encounter against very big game against the champions something of a transitional year. And Shield. Lekhwiya on the other hand Lekhwiya. in Qatar, in a competition we already it’s one which could end with them have been prioritising the AFC Cham- “We are training to play a very won last year. And if we want to get to failing to claim silverware for the first pions League in recent months and tough team. We know in the cup you the final we have to get past this dif- time in their short history. Al Rayyan Coach Jorge Fossati Lekhwiya Coach Djamel Belmadi could easily have dropped out of the have to win or there is no future. ficult and strong game.” If Lekhwiya are to lift the Qatar top four had Umm Salal’s form been We are optimistic about ourselves “At this time we have many differ- Cup, they’ll need midfielder Youssef slightly better at the business end of because we are training well. I feel Rayyan’s main man this season from another team. I am very happy ent circumstances and I don’t want to Msakni to be on top form. The Tuni- the season. our team is really strong again. I have has been Rodrigo Tabata. The talis- that he has this interest and now most talk about the league as this is a dif- sian international has been the The QSL champions are not in great respect for the other team but manic number ten has been pivotal of the people in Qatar and the region ferent competition and we are facing driving force behind Lekhwiya’s best the best form after winning 20 out we will go into this match with the in the final third and currently tops are recognizing his talent. But he is the champions. And of course we had moments this season. Another vital of 21 matches to march to their first same winning mentality,” he said dur- the scoring and assist charts. completely focused on the next game a very big game in Uzebekistan and player for Lekhwiya is Nam Tae Hee. title since 1995. They were everyone’s ing the pre-match press briefing. If Tabata can regain his best form, and even if he has the best offer in the now we have a very big game against The South Korean is a creative force favorites to claim a memorable treble, “We beat them (Lekhwiya) in there’s no reason why Rayyan can’t world he will focus only on the game. Rayyan,” added the Algerian tactician for Djamel Belmadi’s men and has including the Qatar and Emir Cups, the first and second leg of the QSL. go on to lift the Qatar Cup for the first He is our captain and his head is in the at the press conference yesterday. adapted well since the departure of but their poor show in the later part In football history plays no part, the time since 2012. game,” added the 63-year-old. Speaking about his teams fitness Vladimir Weiss. of the league would seriously affect wins are in the past and tomorrow is Tabata has attracted a lot of inter- Another key player for Rayyan ahead of the semifinal Belmadi added, Al in all, today’s semi-final seems the players’ confidence. On the other the present and in the next match we est from other teams in the region, “It is Victor Caceres. The Paraguayan “Sometimes they believe that if some to be an evenly poised affair and the hand, Lekhwiya will take the facts will write a new page in history,” Fos- is no surprise to me that a player like midfielder has been an unsung players rest and then they are ready fans at Al Sadd Stadium can hope for and figures into consideration and sati added. Tabata with his quality has an offer hero for the Lions this season and other times if they play a lot then a fascinating encounter. 30 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 SPORT

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Italian rider Valentino Rossi QEC Endurance Ride in action during the MotoGP second Qualifying race of the Spanish Grand Prix at the Jerez racetrack yesterday.

Rossi stuns rivals with 52nd Abdulla Mubarak Rashed Al Khaili, winner of the 100km endurance ride, organised by Qatar Endurance Committee (QEC), reaches the career pole finish line at Endurance Village in Sealine, Mesaieed on Friday.

The pole was Rossi’s first since last SPANISH GRAND PRIX GRIDS The nine-time world year’s Dutch round in Assen and his 52nd in the top category. MOTO GP champion beats It was also the 37-year-old’s first pole 1. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 1:38.736, 2. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha) at 0.122, 3. Marc Mar- in Jerez since 2005. The Italian has won Spaniards Lorenzo and quez (ESP/Honda) 0.155, 4. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 0.844, 5. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Su- six times in 16 starts at the southern cir- Marquez to pole in their cuit in the top flight. zuki) 0.845, 6. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Suzuki) O.852, 7. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 0.942, 8. Pol home MotoGP race The nine-time world champion, Espargaro (ESP/Yamaha Tech3) 0.984, 9. Hector Barbera (ESP/Ducati Avintia) 1.006, 10. Cal who is 33 points behind Marquez and Crutchlow (GBR/Honda LCR) 1.145, 11. Andrea Iannone (ITA/Ducati) 1.318, 12. Loris Baz (FRA/ 12 adrift of Lorenzo, has now qualified Ducati Avintia) 1.448 on the front row for three successive Reuters races -- the first time he has done that MOTO2 since 2009. 1.Sam Lowes (GBR/Kalex) 1:42.408, 2. Jonas Folger (GER/Kalex) at 0.028, 3. Sandro Cortese (GER/ Italian Andrea Dovizioso will line Kalex) 0.031, 4. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Kalex) 0.072, 5. Tom Luthi (SUI/Kalex) 0.127, 6. Lorenzo up fourth for Ducati in Sunday’s race, Baldassarri (ITA/Kalex) 0.163, 7. Alex Rins (ESP/Kalex) 0.220, 8. Simone Corsi (ITA/Speed Up) Abdulla Mubarak Rashed Al Khaili receives his trophy from Mohamed JEREZ: Italian veteran Valentino Rossi round four of the season, followed by 0.245, 9. Alex Marquez (ESP/Kalex) 0.256, 10. Luis Salom (ESP/Kalex) O.364, 11. Luca Marini (ITA/ Kahtan Al Manhali, Head of finance at Qatar Equestrian Federation. stunned his Spanish rivals Jorge Lorenzo five Spanish riders. Kalex) 0.476, 12. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Kalex) 0.498 BELOW: The winner of the 80km endurance ride, Mohamed Khalid and Marc Marquez by seizing pole posi- Britain’s Cal Crutchlow, 10th for Al Qashouti receives the trophy from Hamad Khayareen, General tion for their home MotoGP race in Jerez LCR Honda, was the only non-Spanish MOTO3 Manager of QEC . yesterday. or Italian rider in the top 10. 1. Nicolo Bulega (ITA/KTM) 1:46.223, 2. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) at 0.213, 3. Jorge Navarro (ESP/ Rossi’s fastest time of one minute The session started late after final Honda) 0.455, 4. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Mahindra) 0.457, 5. Niccolo Antonelli (ITA/Honda) 0.482, 38.736 seconds pushed Yamaha team free practice was delayed because five 6. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Honda) 0.604, 7. Joan Mir (ESP/KTM) 0.739, 8. Juanfran Guevara (ESP/KTM) mate and reigning world champion out of the 10 Michelin tyre fitters were 0.744, 9. Romano Fenati (ITA/KTM) 0.849, 10. Jakub Kornfeil (CZE/Honda) 0.908, 11. Aron Canet Lorenzo back to second place, 0.122 laid low by sickness. It meant it took slower, with Honda’s championship twice as long to prepare the bikes for (ESP/Honda) 0.931, 12. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/KTM) 1.048 leader Marquez third. the final free practice.

QMMF Racing Team’s Xavier Simeon negotiates a curve during a Di Grassi test ride at the Losail International Circuit in this file photo. builds Formula E lead

AFP Qatar Cup Fan Zone

PARIS: Lucas di Grassi clinched launched at Katara his third win of the Formula E sea- son at the inaugural Paris street circuit race yesterday to stretch his lead at the top of the drivers’ The Peninsula chance to win prizes by sharing standings. their pictures on social media, along Di Grassi claimed his second with the chance to buy tickets for the straight victory after triumphing tournament, starting at QAR 10. at Long Beach earlier this month, KATARA: Qatar Stars League offi- Speaking at the launch, Al albeit in anti-climactic fashion as cially launched its fanzone at Katara Sadd winger Hassan Haydoos said the safety car was deployed for the on Thursday evening ahead of the that he is looking forward to the final few laps following a crash much anticipated Qatar Cup which competition. involving China’s Ma Qing Hua. kicks off today. “The Qatar Cup is an important The City of Light provided a Al Rayyan captain Rodrigo competition not only for the fans but spectacular backdrop for Satur- Tabata was joined by Al Sadd players the players to, the Fan Zone is a great day’s seventh leg of the 11-race Saad Al Sheeb and Hassan Haydoos. way to find out about the competi- Simeon finds speed and confidence at championship with a 1.93-kilome- The interactive fan zone offers tion and enjoy the activities on offer,” tre circuit around Les Invalides, fans of football to take part in a host he said. notably the site of Napoleon’s of fun, family friendly activities with Al Rayan take on Lekhiwya Spanish Grand Prix, Simon struggles tomb. a distinctive emphasis on healthy at Al Sadd stadium, (KO 7.15pm) in French Prime Minister Manuel living. The QSL starts also took part opener and the second semifinal Valls, who was down on the start- in the activities and had an opportu- will kick off at 7.15 tomorrow, when ing grid ahead of the race, called nity to have a photo with the famous El Jaish take on Al Sadd at the same The Peninsula of his home crowd on the iconic Jerez in qualifying. I will try to fight for a staging such events “the best Qatar Cup trophy. venue. The winners will then play circuit. A variety of issues with his spot in the first two rows and if we response to the threat of terror- The Katara Fan Zone will run on the April 29 final at same venue. bike cost him time and speed. But achieve that, we can also have a very ism”, with the race coming just from 5pm-9:30pm every day until Kick off will be at 7.15pm and tick- the 28-year-old Spaniard is deter- good race. I want to thank the team, five months after the Paris ter- April 26. Fans will also have the ets are now available via QSL.com.qa JEREZ: Qatar’s QMMF Racing Team mined to push on and find a solution because now I can really enjoy riding ror attacks that left 130 dead and rider Xavier Simeon had a satisfy- for his problems, in order to move up the bike, which is good for my confi- many more injured. ing day and caused big smiles and on the starting grid and to put on a dence and for the next races to come,” Pole-sitter Sam Bird suffered a round of applause in their team good show today. he added. a poor start and Di Grassi, also garage when he stormed to fourth Commenting on his achievement, Simon clocked took 1.44,038 to a winner at November’s race in place in the second free practice ses- Simeon who clocked 1.43,188 to be finish his best lap and said: “It was a Malaysia, jumped ahead of the sion for the Spanish Grand Prix on placed sixth, said: “I am very happy difficult first day. We have problems Briton almost immediately before Friday afternoon, which put him in today, because I had exactly the same in the fourth sector of the track and seizing control. sixth position in the combined clas- good feeling for the bike that I had at in the fast turns. The bike becomes A series of fastest laps from sification of the day. the last race in Texas. This means we unsettled and jumps too much. It also the Brazilian increased his lead, The 26-year-old from Brussels, made a big step with the bike, which vibrates a lot and it is very difficult to but there was a fierce fight behind Belgium, had found a good feeling is really positive. It also means that ride altogether. We improved a little him for second between Jean-Eric with his Speed Up prototype immedi- I can ride the way I like and I can with the softer tyre option, but we still Vergne, Bird and Sebastien Buemi. ately and is now full of confidence for push without taking all the risks of have to find more speed and I hope While Di Grassi cruised to the qualifying on Saturday and the race this world.” we can find a set-up that allows us chequered flag, Vergne secured his on Sunday, since he can push to the “Now the task is to stay focused to be more competitive, with faster best result of the season in second limit without taking too many risks. and to continue to ride well. But we and more consistent lap times. I want with Buemi, who started eighth, It was another story for team- can be very satisfied with the way to climb up in the classification and finishing third after Bird lost three Al Rayyan captain Rodrigo Tabata with young fans at QSL Fan Zone mate Julian Simon, who had to settle the first day went and I hope we achieve a good position on the starting places when he spun five laps from for a disappointing 22nd place in front can improve further when it counts grid, which I know we are able to do!” the end. at Katara. SPORT SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 31

Bayern made to wait for historic Iheanacho brace lifts Man City fourth straight Bundesliga title

Newcastle United AFP bounce back to draw Manchester City striker 2-2 to Liverpool Kelechi Iheanacho goes around Stoke BERLIN: Bayern Munich must wait City’s goalkeeper Jakob another week to claim an historic Haugaard (left) to score fourth consecutive Bundesliga their fourth goal during title although Saturday’s 2-0 win AFP the English Premier at Hertha Berlin left them seven League match at the points clear with three games left. Etihad Stadium in Bayern could have had the Manchester, north west league wrapped up in the capital LONDON: Teenager Kelechi Ihea- England, yesterday. had second-placed Dortmund not nacho scored twice as Manchester won 3-0 at VfB Stuttgart. City tuned up for their Champions That result means Pep Guardi- League semi-final with Real Madrid ola’s Bavarians will secure the title by sinking Stoke City 4-0 in the Pre- if they beat Borussia Moechengla- mier League yesterday. dbach at Munich’s Allianz Arena Iheanacho, 19, struck twice within next Saturday regardless of other 10 second-half minutes, adding to results. goals by Fernando and Sergio Aguero, “We have everything in our to lift City, who host Madrid in the first own hands and that was a bit step leg of their last-four tie on Tuesday, towards the title,” beamed Guar- back above Arsenal to third place. diola, adding that Dortmund’s win Elsewhere, Rafael Benitez’s New- had maybe done Bayern a favour. castle United came from 2-0 down to “Perhaps it’s not such a bad draw 2-2 at his former club Liverpool thing, it means we’ll become Ger- -- whose French centre-back Mama- man champions at home.” dou Sakho has failed a drugs test -- to No other team has ever won inch to within a point of safety. four consecutive league titles in “A big team must always be Germany’s top flight. focused on both competitions -- Pre- Bayern took the lead at Ber- mier League and Champions League,” lin’s Olympic Stadium when Mario said City manager Manuel Pellegrini. Goetze’s pass found Vidal in space. “Every big team must do it every year. The Chile midfielder drilled “Kelechi Iheanacho is an impor- home his shot from 22 metres, tant young player with a lot of future. which took a deflection on it’s He scores lots of goals, but he is not way past Berlin goalkeeper Tho- just a penalty-box player. I am sure mas Kraft on 48 minutes. that his role in this team will be very conceded four goals in three succes- Adam Lallana bending in Liverpool’s Willian were also on target for Chel- ENGLISH PREMIER Brazil winger Douglas Costa important.” sive games, slip to 10th. second goal on the half-hour. sea, with Tommy Elphick hitting back doubled Bayern’s lead with a With an eye on Madrid’s visit, Pel- With Sakho watching from the But Papiss Cisse brought the for the home side. LEAGUE RESULTS breath-taking strike from the right legrini kept Belgian playmaker Kevin stands after the revelation that he visitors back into the game with a Meanwhile, Dusan Tadic scored flank which looped over the Her- LONDON: Collated English Premier De Bruyne on the bench at the Etihad is being investigated by European 48th-minute header before Jack Col- twice, in between headed goals tha goalkeeper on 79 minutes. League results yesterday: Stadium and rested captain Vincent governing body UEFA over a dop- back drove in a deflected 66th-minute from Shane Long and Sadio Mane, But this was a far from pol- Aston Villa 2 (Westwood 45+1, 85) Kompany altogether. ing violation -- reported to concern leveller to take Newcastle to within a as Southampton won 4-2 at relegated ished performance from Bayern, Southampton 4 (Long 15, Tadic 39, 71, Fernando broke the deadlock a weight-loss drug -- Liverpool were point of fourth-bottom Norwich City bottom club Aston Villa, for whom ahead of Wednesday’s Champi- Mane 90+4) with a header from Jesus Navas’s pegged back by Benitez’s Newcastle and prevent seventh-place Liverpool Ashley Westwood scored twice. ons League semi-final, first-leg, 35th-minute corner and top scorer at Anfield. closing on the European berths. Leaders Leicester City can take Bournemouth 1 (Elphick 36) Chelsea 4 at Atletico Madrid. Aguero added a second from the pen- “I’m really pleased because of the “It’s not our best day,” Klopp said. another step closer to a fairytale title (Pedro 5, Hazard 34, 90+1, Willian 71) They managed just six shots on alty spot after Ryan Shawcross had passion and fight they showed. A draw “Usually we should win a game in this triumph on Sunday when they wel- Liverpool 2 (Sturridge 2, Lallana 30) goal, compared to Hertha’s nine, fouled Iheanacho. is fine for us at the moment,” Beni- situation but have to accept it. come Swansea City to the King Power Newcastle 2 (Cisse 48, Colback 66) despite the hosts being restricted Pablo Zabaleta teed up Iheanacho tez said. “It was an intensive game. Nobody Stadium. Manchester City 4 (Fernando 35, to just 26 percent possession. to slot in City’s third goal in the 64th “It’s a bigger step because we can understands why Newcastle are in the But should Claudio Ranieri’s men Aguero 43-pen, Iheanacho 64, 74) Dortmund, who will face the minute and the Nigeria international keep believing. Every game now for relegation zone.” slip up again, a week on from their 2-2 Stoke 0 Bavarians in the German Cup final sealed the win by gathering Wilfried us is massive. I have the Geordies and Eden Hazard, last year’s Player of draw with West Ham United, second- Playing today on May 21, made Bayern wait a lit- Bony’s pass and rounding substitute the Scousers on my side.” the Season, scored his first two league place Tottenham Hotspur can take Leicester vs Swansea (1515 GMT) Sun- tle longer to have their title win goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard to score. Daniel Sturridge chested down goals of the campaign -- a year since advantage at home to West Brom- derland vs Arsenal (1305 GMT) confirmed with a comprehensive City move back above Arsenal, a high ball and swivelled to fire Jur- his last -- as outgoing champions wich Albion on Monday. Playing on Monday win at Stuttgart. who visit struggling Sunderland today, gen Klopp’s side in front inside two Chelsea won 4-1 at Bournemouth to Borussia were 2-0 up at the while Mark Hughes’s Stoke, who have minutes, with his England colleague climb to ninth. Pedro Rodriguez and Tottenham vs West Brom (1900 GMT) break after Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa netted early on, then 17-year-old Christian Puli- sic scored for the second week Boateng looking running. Just before half-time he tapped Bale rescues Ronaldo-less Real at Rayo forward to coach home after Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s shot from outside the area was blocked by Stuttgart’s Poland goal- Ancelotti’s arrival keeper Przemyslaw Tyton. AFP Mkhitaryan made it 3-0 when FOOTBALL: LA LIGA at Bayern Munich he fired home after Kagawa’s cross to striker Adrian Ramos, in for the injured Pierre-Emerick Aubam- MADRID: Gareth Bale struck twice AFP eyang, was blocked by Tyton on to inspire a Real Madrid fightback It was 2-0 inside 15 minutes as 56 minutes. from two goals down to win 3-2 at shocking Real defending from a cor- Wolfsburg’s miserable league Rayo Vallecano and move top of La ner allow Miku to sweep home his BERLIN: Germany defender Jer- form continues as they are now Liga yesterday. eighth goal of the season. ome Boateng says he is relishing six Bundesliga games without a Without the injured Cristiano Madrid have now won the last 16 the prospect of playing under Carlo win after crashing 2-0 at home to Ronaldo, Real’s title hopes looked in meetings between the sides stretch- Ancelotti at Bayern Munich next Augsburg. Iceland striker Alfred tatters when early goals from Adrian ing back 16 years, but Rayo could season. Finnbogason, on loan from Olym- Embarba and Miku put Rayo 2-0 in have been out of sight but for a fine “I’m looking forward to what’s piakos, scored his sixth league goal front. flying save from Keylor Navas to pre- coming our way,” said Bayern’s in ten games, with a minute gone, However, Bale’s powerful header vent Bebe’s long-range effort finding Boateng, who has been sidelined then set up Turkey international halved the deficit before half-time the top corner. by a groin injury since January. Halil Altintop on 57 minutes. and he fired home the winner nine In the absence of Ronaldo, Bale The 27-year-old says he has The defeat sees Wolfsburg drop minutes from time after Lucas took responsibility to drag Madrid heard from Germany team-mates to tenth in the table while Augs- Vazquez had equalised early in the back into the game as he rose highest Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos, who burg are now five points clear of second period. to power home Toni Kroos’s corner both played under Ancelotti at Real the relegation places. Cologne are Real now lead Barcelona and 10 minutes before half-time. Madrid, how good the Italian is. up to ninth after backing up their Atletico Madrid by two points, but Madrid suffered another blow World Cup winner Boateng 3-2 comeback win over Mainz they can move back in front at the before the break, though, as Karim is excited, having heard Ance- with a 4-1 thumping of Darmstadt top of the table when they host Benzema limped off with a knee lotti, who will replace Manchester as French striker Anthony Mod- Sporting Gijon and Malaga respec- injury making him a serious doubt City-bound Pep Guardiola, has a este and winger Marcel Risse both tively later on Saturday. to travel to Manchester in midweek. similar style to Jupp Heynckes, scored twice.Hanover have only a “He is very happy to make the Vazquez replaced the French- who steered the Bavarians to the mathematical chance of avoiding difference,” Real coach Zinedine man and it was the diminutive 2013 treble of Champions League, relegation after Japan interna- Zidane said of Bale. winger who brought Real level in German Cup and Bundesliga titles. tionals Hiroki Sakai and Hiroshi “When we needed him he was unusual fashion as he powered home “He (Ancelotti) is very calm, Kiyotake scored in their 2-2 draw phenomenal. He scored two, but a header from Danilo’s cross six min- likes to talk to the players and is with 10-man Ingolstadt. even without speaking about the utes into the second half. good at dealing with them,” said Ingolstadt played for 70 min- goals, he played very well.” Rayo struggled to contain the Boateng, who is set to play at June’s utes with ten men after French Ronaldo was missing for the wave upon wave of Madrid attacks European championships in France. defender Romain Bregerie was first time in La Liga this season due that ensued as Vazquez just failed to “And of course, not many peo- sent off for hauling down Hano- to a thigh injury, while Zidane also connect with Bale’s cross before Jese ple get one past him tactically.” ver midfielder Felix Klaus. left Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric Rodriguez fired straight at Juan Car- The 56-year-old Ancelotti is Alfredo Morales and Moritz on the bench with one eye on their los with just the goalkeeper to beat. one of the few coaches to have Hartmann had hosts Ingolstadt Champions League semi-final, first However, it was fitting that Bale won more Champions League 2-0 up with only 25 minutes gone. leg at Manchester City on Tuesday. was the man to decide the game as titles than Guardiola. The Span- Defender Sakai fired home However, the visitors got off to he pounced on a loose pass midway iard lifted the trophy twice with on 58 minutes before midfielder a terrible start as they struggled to inside the Rayo half and surged for- Barcelona in 2009 and 2011, Kiyotake made sure Hanover deal with the difficult conditions ward before striking low and hard while Ancelotti has done it three claimed a point with the equal- caused by a torrential downpour in past Juan Carlos for his 18th goal of times: in 2003 and 2007 with AC iser eight minutes from time. On the Spanish capital. the season. Milan, then in 2014 with Real. Friday, Pierre-Michel Lasogga Embarba tapped home the Rayo had the chance to snatch Having won 2-0 at Hertha Berlin struck twice as Hamburg eased Real Madrid’s Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale (right) celebrates with opener from close range after a point in stoppage time, but Miku’s on Saturday, Bayern will win the their Bundesliga relegation fears Bebe’s determined run and cross shot was deflected over as Madrid teammate Lucas Vazquez after scoring his team’s third goal against Bundesliga title for a record fourth with a 2-1 victory at home to Wer- had opened up the Madrid defence registered their ninth consecutive Rayo Vallecano during their Primera’s Division Liga match at the year running if they beat Borussia der Bremen, who remain stuck in with just seven minutes gone. La Liga win. Vallecas Stadium in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. Moenchengladbach. the bottom three. 32 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 SPORT Martial helps United to reach FA Cup final

French forward Coach Flores future scores crucial stoppage-time winner against Everton overshadow Watford’s bid for Cup glory AFP

AFP

LONDON: French forward Anthony Martial scored a nerveless stoppage- time winner as Manchester United LONDON: Quique Sanchez Flores will ignore mounting speculation about edged Everton 2-1 at Wembley yes- his future as the under-fire Watford manager tries to save his job with a vic- terday to reach their first FA Cup final tory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals today. since 2007. Flores’ team are looking to reach their first FA Cup final for 32 years, Martial set up Marouane Fellaini but reports that Watford’s owners are unhappy with their poor recent form to score against his former club in the threaten to cast a shadow over the big day at Wembley. 34th minute, but after United goal- Manchester United striker Anthony Martial (left) celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Despite securing Premier League survival and enjoying a fine Cup run, keeper David de Gea had superbly FA Cup semi-final match against Everton at Wembley Stadium in London yesterday. Flores’ hold on his position suddenly appears tenuous after just three league saved a penalty from Romelu Lukaku, wins in 2016. Chris Smalling’s 75th-minute own Hornets owner Gino Pozzo is not averse to changing managers, with goal looked to have sent the semi- former Atletico Madrid boss Flores his fifth appointment in the space of 12 final to extra time. having represented his last hope of Martial had blazed over, by the time Referee Anthony Taylor pointed months when he was hired last year to replace Slavisa Jokanovic, who had Martial, however, had other ideas, salvaging Everton’s season. the latter powered to the left-hand to the spot, but Lukaku’s firm penalty led Watford to promotion from the Championship. the £36m close-season signing from Everton skipper Phil Jagielka byline and cut the ball back for Fel- towards the bottom-left corner was But the 51-year-old Spaniard insists he has tuned out the rumours to Monaco charging into the box and overcame a hamstring injury to start laini to trundle a shot home at the brilliantly palmed wide by De Gea. focus on how to beat Palace and set up a final clash against Everton or Man- finishing coolly to preserve manager at centre-back, but the absence of near post. United were rattled and Everton chester United, who meet in the other semi-final on Saturday. Louis van Gaal’s hopes of ending a Seamus Coleman obliged midfielder But although United seemed to looked to capitalise, with Tom Clev- “This is the time to talk about Watford, to talk about Watford fans and difficult season by orchestrating Unit- Muhamed Besic to slot in at right-back have set up semi-permanent camp erley slamming Lennon’s cross wide how important this match is for this club,” Flores said. ed’s first FA Cup success since 2004. in a defence that quickly found itself in the opposing half, Lukaku had and then crossing for Lukaku to head “It is not the time to talk about me. I can just transmit to the Watford fans United will be favourites in the under examination. spurned two clear chances for Ever- over.United might have won a pen- that I am completely focused and happy. May 21 final, when they will encoun- With Wayne Rooney dictating the ton before his side fell behind, with alty of their own moments later, when “I have an amazing family, amazing kids, I am happy with my profes- ter either Crystal Palace or Watford, play from a deep midfield role and a one effort cleared off the line by Fellaini’s close-range effort was pre- sion and I am completely happy with Watford fans. and Van Gaal will also hope that Mar- front three of Martial, Marcus Rash- Rooney and the other comfortably vented from crossing the line by the “This conversation is about this match and Crystal Palace. The only thing tial’s late strike serves to give his side ford and Jesse Lingard flitting around blocked by De Gea. The Belgian’s aim diving Jagielka’s right arm, but Tay- I am worried about is this match.” a lift in their quest for Champions like mosquitoes, United created a did not improve in the second half. lor did not see it and within minutes Flores’ fall from grace is surprising after he was widely praised in the League qualification. stream of chances before unsurpris- After exchanging passes with Everton were level. In the third and first half of the season for quickly establishing Watford as a competitive But while Van Gaal can look for- ingly taking the lead. Aaron Lennon, Ross Barkley was final minute of stoppage time, Martial force in their first season back in the top flight. ward to a return trip to England’s Everton goalkeeper Joel Rob- just about to shoot from the left-hand charged infield from the left, played a While publicly he remains confident, he is surely aware his job secu- national stadium next month, his les had already saved from Lingard, edge of the six-yard box when Timo- one-two with substitute Ander Her- rity could rest on winning Watford’s first FA Cup semi-final since 2007, so beaten counterpart Roberto Mar- Rashford and Rooney, while Marcos thy Fosu-Mensah came through him rera and then steered home to send it was no surprise Flores rested Ben Watson, Etienne Capoue, Odion Ighalo tinez faces a bleak future, the FA Cup Rojo had glanced a header wide and to take the ball. the United end into raptures. and Troy Deeney for a 3-1 defeat at West Ham in midweek. “I always work until the last moment,” Flores added. “I am not the type of person who thinks about what will happen in the future, I am always liv- ing in the present. “Now what I know is that it is one month until the end of the season and I want to enjoy it. Not to be afraid of anything. No fears. I want to try to enjoy it.” Guardiola hoping to sign off in style Watford have lost four of their five previous FA Cup semi-finals, with their only victory coming against Plymouth in 1984 in the golden era of boss Graham Taylor and pop star owner Elton John. Palace are back at this stage for the first time since 1995 and will be AFP become the first German club to win the title. We just need one more win,” They managed just six shots on encouraged by the presence on the bench of their manager Alan Pardew, four straight league titles. beamed Guardiola. goal, compared to Hertha’s nine, who famously scored the winner when they shocked Liverpool in the 1990 Gladbach, who are fifth in the The Spaniard, who will win the despite the hosts being restricted to semi-final to reach their only FA Cup final. table, shocked Bayern 3-1 at home 20th title of his career as a manager just 26 percent possession. The south Londoners also have recent Wembley success against Wat- BERLIN: Pep Guardiola is relishing when the sides last met in Decem- if Bayern lift the Bundesliga trophy, “The game was very unpleasant ford to encourage them after a 1-0 win in the 2013 Championship play-off the prospect of signing off his three ber and are fighting for a Champions pointed out that Dortmund’s 3-0 win for us, things were difficult before final, but their woeful league form in 2016 is far more significant. years as Bayern Munich coach by League place next season. at Stuttgart gave Bayern a chance to the break,” said Guardiola, who will Palace are still not completely safe from relegation after a 2-0 loss at steering the Bavarian giants to a his- Bayern have dominated Ger- clinch the title at home. coach Manchester City next season. Manchester United in midweek left them with only one win from their last toric fourth straight Bundesliga title many’s top flight each season since “Perhaps it’s not such a bad thing, “The first goal from Arturo was 18 league games. next weekend. Guardiola’s predecessor Jupp Hey- it means we’ll become German cham- very important for our self-confi- And Pardew acknowledges the preparation for Wembley has hardly The Bavarians’ 2-0 win at Hertha nckes steered them to the 2013 treble pions at home,” he said. dence and our game, after that we been ideal. Berlin on Saturday in the capital left of Champions League, Bundesliga and “I hope that we put in a good didn’t give away any goal chances.” “We’re squeezing games in; the run we’ve had, this is our fourth game in Guardiola’s side seven points clear of German Cup titles. performance next week and will be Mario Goetze revealed Guardiola 12 days. That’s a tough run, when you’ve got a semi-final, the biggest game second-placed Borussia Dortmund Goals by Chile midfielder Arturo German champions.” had given the players stern words at in this club’s history for a while,” Pardew said. with three games left. Vidal and Brazil winger Douglas But this was a far from polished half-time in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. “It’s going to be a tight game. We are two well-matched teams. If Bayern beat Borussia Costa in Berlin sealed Bayern’s win. performance from Bayern ahead of “The trainer got stuck into us all “When we’re in full flow we have the edge on them. But their front two Moenchengladbach at Munich’s Alli- “We have everything in our own Wednesday’s Champions League a bit in the half-time break,” said (Deeney and Ighalo) can do such damage they can make up for any defi- anz Arena next Saturday they will hands and that was a big step towards semi-final, first leg at Atletico Madrid. Goetze. ciency they have defensively.” EPL: Wenger targets strong finish to troubled Arsenal campaign

AFP everything in every game. “We go treatment of Wenger. “Arsene is a to shoulder the burden of scor- to Sunderland, who are fighting not brilliant manager. I can understand ing goals despite playing as a lone to go down so that will be a battle and the frustration that they’ve slipped striker. we have to prepare for that.” up by not winning this year. But he “Everyone was brainwashed into SUNDERLAND, United Kingdom: Wenger may decide to delay Jack keeps getting this stick year in, year thinking he couldn’t play up front on Arsene Wenger has warned his Arse- Wilshere’s comeback from injury out,” Allardyce said. his own,” Allardyce said. nal players to expect a battle against because he anticipates a fierce chal- “It’s a bit unfair on a man who’s “I think he’s probably played more relegation-threatened Sunderland- lenge from Sunderland as they fight arguably got the best record as a regularly for us than he has for any today as he targets a strong finish to to avoid relegation. manager that Arsenal have ever had. club in recent years and most of those a troubled campaign. Wilshere has not played all “It is the generation we are living have been up front on his own which The Gunners saw off West Brom- season because of a leg fracture in. There is a generation of support- I’m glad to say has born 16 goals in all wich Albion on Thursday, although in pre-season and time is running ers who are so well informed on what competitions. the 2-0 victory, courtesy of two Alexis out for the midfielder to be back in we should and shouldn’t be doing as “Sixteen goals is one of the rea- Sanchez goals, was achieved in front action before England’s Euro 2016 managers. sons why we’re still in with a shout. of thousands of empty seats as fans squad is picked. “It is all the outside influences on The reason we haven’t been in with a stayed away to show their frustration “At the moment I do not know them and it reflects in their opinion shout is because we have been con- at Wenger’s failure to deliver a title if I will take him on Sunday or not. which changes rapidly when you don’t ceding too many goals.” challenge. And should I take him I cannot plan win just a few games. Meanwhile, Joey Barton kept With third-placed Arsenal 10 whether he will play a part in the “Now it becomes this manager is Burnley on course for a return to the points behind leaders Leicester City game,” Wenger said. no good. We don’t want him anymore, Premier League as the former Man- and five adrift of second-placed “If I don’t take him this weekend I let’s get rid of him. chester City star’s free-kick sealed a Tottenham Hotspur, Wenger is will take him the next certainly.” “But it’s a fact of life that we are 1-0 win at Preston. mostly focused on qualifying for the In contrast to Wenger’s difficul- fast becoming like the continen- Sean Dyche’s side moved back Champions League via a top-four ties with supporters disillusioned by tals: Get a job, do a job, lose a job get to the top of the Championship with finish rather than catching the title their team’s failure to win the title another one. It is the way it is going. just two games remaining after contenders. since 2004, Sunderland manager Sad isn’t it?” Barton struck in the sixth minute “We want to finish as high as pos- Sam Allardyce has the full backing Allardyce has targeted at least of a hard-fought Lancashire derby sible,” Wenger said. of their fans despite his team’s peril- three victories from their final five at Deepdale. Barton’s set-piece “You never know what happens ous position. games if Sunderland, who would deflected off Alan Browne’s head in front of you, there could still be The two men have often clashed climb out of the bottom three with a and looped past Preston goalkeeper Munich’s coach Josep Guardiola during the German Bundesliga twists and turns. in the past, but their relationship has draw or win today, are to retain their Chris Kirkland and that was enough match against Hertha BSC at the Olympia Stadium in Berlin, Germany, “I don’t know where we will fin- improved recently and Allardyce place in the Premier League. to extend Burnley’s unbeaten run to yesterday. ish but we have to give absolutely is saddened by the supporters’ That means Jermain Defoe has 21 league games. SPORT SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 33

Sharks exorcise demons and eliminate Kings Spurs finish strong to send

Agencies NHL WC QUARTER-FINALS Grizzlies close to exit

LOS ANGELES: Brent Burns said he rarely dwells on 2014. That was again in the third. when the San Jose Sharks collapsed “We were chasing the lead all the Spurs seek fourth win NBA PLAY-OFF RESULTS in the Western Conference quarter- time pretty much every game, with finals against the Los Angeles Kings. the exception of game one when we in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference “The only time I really think scored first and we were chasing the series as injuries At Detroit about it is when I’m asked a ques- lead the rest of the way,” Kopitar worsen Grizzlies woes Cleveland 101 Detroit 91 tion (about it),” Burns said. “It’s been said. “You just can’t do that.” (Cleveland leads series 3-0) a totally different year. It’s been a Goaltender Martin Jones -- a great group.” former King -- made 19 saves for At Atlanta Joonas Donskoi scored twice, San Jose. including the go-ahead goal in the The Kings’ Jonathan Quick Agencies Boston 111 Atlanta 103 third period, and the Sharks elimi- stopped 22 shots. (Atlanta leads series 2-1) nated the Kings from the Stanley Cup Donskoi scored on a wrist shot play-offs with a 6-3 victory on Friday for his first goal of the series at 1:08 Western Conference at Staples Center. Donskoi slammed of the first period for a 1-0 San Jose MEMPHIS: Despite lopsided wins by At Memphis home the winner at 3:58 of the third lead. San Antonio in the first two games San Antonio 96 Memphis 87 as the Sharks won the Western Con- The Sharks had a chance to of the Western Conference open- (San Antonio leads series 3-0) ference quarterfinal series 4-1 and increase the margin for 1:44 early ing-round playoff series against the exacted revenge from Los Angeles in the first with a 5-on-3 advantage injury depleted Memphis Grizzlies, after the Kings erased a 3-0 deficit after Dustin Brown followed Luke Spurs guard Manu Ginobili knew Fri- Anderson. Allen joined 6-6 Vince by winning the final four games of Schenn to the box for tripping Jones, day night would be different. Carter, 6-7 Barnes, 6-9 Zach Ran- their first-round series in 2014. but the Kings prevented them from The Grizzlies - who began los- dolph and 6-2 Jordan Farmer in the This wasn’t much easier, the scoring. ing players at an alarming rate with starting five and the strategy worked. Sharks said, but the result was However, Chris Tierney, on an 30 games left in the regular sea- “I thought our guys played their entirely different. assist from Brent Burns, made Los son -- refused to go quietly in their tails off,” Joerger said. “It got away “If you look throughout the Angeles pay at 11:21 with his first goal first home game in the series, which from us there late, but I’m really, series, we had to work to get any of the series to make it 2-0. was played before a sellout crowd of really proud of the effort we put forth kind of balance against this team,” In the second period, a tip-in by 18,119. San Antonio led by only two and how we performed. We shot 50 said Pavelski, who tied his career Matt Nieto pushed the margin to 3-0 points with 4:38 to go, but finished (times) in the paint, we just, unfortu- high of five goals in a series. “There at 4:05. For Nieto, it was his first goal strong behind Kawhi Leonard for a nately, only scored 22 of those.” were I don’t know how many open of the series. 96-87 victory at FedExForum. Zach Randolph finished with 20 nets we had where their defense San Jose got another chance to Leonard scored 32 points and points -- the majority of those com- were making saves right from Game increase the deficit when Patrick LaMarcus Aldridge added 16 for the ing in the paint -- and 11 rebounds to 1. They were making some good Marleau was awarded a penalty shot Spurs, who can clinch the best-of- lead the Grizzlies. Barnes also had a plays. There were some good saves after getting hooked on a breakaway seven series with a win Sunday, also double-double with 17 points and 11 on both sides, but definitely it was by Jake Muzzin at 5:31 of the second, at FedExForum. boards. a great team breakthrough tonight but Quick stuffed it. “Game 3 is always huge (in a play- Memphis outrebounded the Spurs, and we stayed with it.” Shortly after, Los Angeles off series) and they knew it,” Ginobili 48-39, but shot only 41.5 percent. The Pavelski added a goal at 12:24 launched its comeback. said. “They were aggressive. They Grizzlies also struggled from long of the third as San Jose advanced Kopitar was credited with a goal went to the boards.” range going 4 of 18. The Spurs made to the second round, where it meets that took two fortuitous bounces. After being dominated by the 12 of 26 3-pointers, including six from Anaheim or Nashville. That series Drew Doughty fired a rocked that Spurs in the first two games of the Leonard. is tied 2-2. glanced off Dwight King and then off series -- losses of 32 and 26 points in Leonard also added five blocks Melker Karlsson scored an the skate of Kopitar for the center’s San Antonio -- the Grizzlies competed and four steals. “What he did today empty-netter with 22 seconds left second goal of the series and reduce from the outset. Memphis trailed by was incredible,” Ginobli said. “And it in the third. San Jose’s lead to 3-1. Carter sliced it only one at the half and led 71-70 was not only the 32 points (on 11-of- Logan Couture and Brent Burns to a goal when he fielded a pass from entering the fourth quarter. 22 shooting), but the five blocks and each had three assists for San Jose. Muzzin and bounced a shot off the A JaMychal Green layup, off an (four) steals. He takes from a very Second-period goals by Anze top of the crossbar and into the net alley-oop pass from Xavier Munford, good team to a great team.” Kopitar, Jeff Carter and Kris Ver- at 11:26. Versteeg tied the score with gave the Grizzlies a 73-70 lead to start Leonard, who played a game- steeg rallied the Kings from a 3-0 3:24 left in the second. the final quarter, but the Spurs recov- high 42 minutes, downplayed his deficit, but the Sharks seized the lead But the rally would go for naught. ered. San Antonio scored nine straight contributions. Kyrie Irving (right) of the Cleveland Cavaliers tries to get a shot off past for a 79-73 advantage with 8:03 left “I just came out and aggressive and never trailed again. When Mem- and made my first couple of shots,” he Tobias Harris of the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter of their phis trimmed the lead to 83-81 on a said. After being held to 11 first-quar- NBA Eastern Conference quarter-final game played at the Palace of Matt Barnes tip-in with 4:38 left, the ter points in Game 2, the Grizzlies Auburn Hills on Friday in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Spurs used an 8-2 run -- capped by scored 18 in the opening quarter and a short turnaround by Leonard -- to trailed by eight entering the second. pull away. Leonard had five points Despite falling behind by 13 trimmed the Spurs’ lead to one (44- 3-pointers. The Spurs shot slightly during the run. early in the second, the Grizzlies 43) at halftime. better (44.7 percent), but were 6 of 12 “I give them a lot of credit,” said rallied behind reserve guard Lance “The whole game was more phys- from long range. Leonard, who was Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. “The Stephenson, whose energy and accu- ical (than Game 2 in San Antonio),” 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, had 14 purpose they came with, the pride racy allowed Memphis to go on a 10-0 said Spurs forward Boris Diaw. “They points in the first half. they showed and the mental tough- run and trim the advantage to 34-31. played more aggressive and more Memphis, which shot 32.6 per- ness (the Grizzlies displayed) for 48 Stephenson assisted on an Anderson physical. We were expecting that. It cent in Game 2, shot 41.5 percent in minutes. We did a good job fighting dunk and followed with back-to-back was not going to be an easy game and both halves. it from time to time ... I thought their jumpers during the run. it wasn’t.” “I felt like we played well enough Joonas Donskoi right of the San Jose Sharks breaks in past Drew game plan was great and I thought The Spurs were unable to pull Memphis outscored the Spurs, to win the game,” said Carter, who their effort was even better.” away in the final seven minutes of 25-18, in the second quarter after started at forward for the Grizzlies. Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings during the fifth game of the In an attempt to shake things up, quarter and the Grizzlies briefly took being outscored in the first nine quar- “We laid it all out there. That was the Western Conference First Round in the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger chose to lead -- all of 16 seconds -- on two ters of the series. thing we wanted to do -- come out Play-offs at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on Friday. start a small lineup, inserting 6-foot-4 free throws by Barnes with 3:05 to The Grizzlies shot 41.5 in the and play hard from the start to fin- The Sharks won the game 6-3 to win the series. guard Tony Allen for 6-10 center Chris go. A layup by Barnes at the buzzer opening half and missed eight of nine ish and see what happens.”

Blue Jays’ Oakland extend winning streak to six games Colabello gets

Agencies inning backed the combined suspension MAJOR LEAGUE four-hit pitching of Josh Tomlin BASEBALL ROUND-UP and three relievers as Cleveland AFP defeated Detroit. TORONTO: Chris Coghlan hit Byrd’s second home run of the a three-run homer, Sonny Gray against Twins starter Kyle Gibson season came on the first pitch of NEW YORK: Toronto Blue Jays pitched seven innings and Oak- -- a two-run single in the first and the inning by Justin Verlander, first baseman Chris Colabello has land extended its winning streak an RBI triple in the third. Loba- who also served up a home run been suspended for 80 games after to six games. ton raised his average 157 points ball to Carlos Santana to open the testing positive for an anabolic Gray allowed six hits, three to .300. game. steroid, Major League Baseball walks and three runs while Gio Gonzalez earned the vic- Verlander fanned 10 Indi- said on Friday. striking out seven as Oakland tory, allowing three runs (two ans, marking the 30th time in his Colabello tested positive for improved to 7-0 in road games earned) with eight strikeouts in career he has reached double dig- dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, this season. six innings. its in strikeouts. but said in a statement he doesn’t Right-hander Ryan Madson Yankees 6, Rays 3 know how he came to fail the test. pitched the ninth to earn his sev- Jacoby Ellsbury stole home MLB RESULTS “On March 13, I got one of the enth save of the season. to score the tying run in the fifth scariest and most definitely the Cubs 8, Reds 1 inning and added a two-run dou- NY Yankees 6 Tampa Bay 3 least expected phone calls of my Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez ble in the eighth as New York entire life,” Colabello said. “I was Washington 8 Minnesota 4 homered, and Jon Lester allowed defeated Tampa Bay. informed by the Players Associa- Oakland 8 Toronto 5 one run over seven innings as the It was the second career steal tion that a banned substance was Chicago Cubs defeated the Cincin- of home by Ellsbury and the first Cleveland 2 Detroit 1 found in my urine. nati Reds 8-1 on Friday night at straight steal of home by a Yan- Chicago Cubs 8 Cincinnati 1 “I have spent every waking Great American Ball Park. kee since Derek Jeter in May 2001 NY Mets 6 Atlanta 3 moment since that day trying to Chicago (13-4) is off to its best at Baltimore. It also was the first Boston 6 Houston 2 find an answer as to why or how? start since 1970. time Tampa Bay allowed a straight Philadelphia 5 Milwaukee 2 The only thing I know is that I Nationals 8, Twins 4 steal of home in team history. White Sox 5 Texas 0 would never compromise the Jose Lobaton had two hits and Ellsbury entered the game Kansas City 4 Baltimore 2 integrity of the game of baseball. three RBIs and Danny Espinosa after center fielder Aaron Hicks Colorado 7 LA Dodgers 5 I love this game too much! I care had two hits and two RBIs as the injured his shoulder attempting to Pittsburgh 8 Arizona 7 too deeply about it. first-place Washington beat last- make a diving catch in the fourth. Seattle 5 LA Angels 2 “I am saddened more for the place Minnesota. Indians 2, Tigers 1 impact this will have on my team- San Francisco 8 Miami 1 Oakland Athletics third baseman Chris Coghlan hits a three run home run in the Lobaton, a backup catcher, Marlon Byrd’s tie-breaking San Diego 4 St Louis 1 mates, the organization and fans had two hits in his first two at-bats leadoff home run in the seventh second inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday. of the Toronto Blue Jays,” he added. 34 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 SPORT

Murray hints Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to German tennis Kenyan stars set to player Philipp Kohlschreiber at potential during the ATP Barcelona Open “Conde de Godo” tennis tournament in steal the spotlight Davis Cup Barcelona yesterday. Nadal won 6-3, 6-3. absence at London Marathon

AFP AFP LONDON MARATHON: OVER 40 KENYANS IN ACTION

LONDON: Kenya’s finest runners LONDON: Andy Murray has hinted aim to restore their country’s tar- controversies and former marathon he might opt not to play for Davis nished reputation when they battle world record holder Kipsang this Cup holders Great Britain in their for supremacy in the London mar- week launched a vigorous defence of quarter-final in Serbia later this athon today. his country’s athletes ahead of what year after it was announced the More than 40 Kenyan athletes he hopes are more positive headlines tie will take place on clay. have tested positive for banned sub- after the 26.2 mile (42.2km) race. Murray led Britain to their first stances over the past five years and “Sport is not special, it’s just Davis Cup success in 79 years with the east African nation’s government like life,” Kipsang told the Daily victory over Belgium in Novem- moved to avoid a potential ban from Telegraph. ber, but their hopes of retaining the the Rio Olympics by passing a new Kipchoge is bidding to become title would be severely damaged if law earlier this week to make dop- the first man to retain the London the former Wimbledon champion ing a criminal offence. Marathon title in almost a decade, decided not to play. With athletics already in tur- but he will face a strong challenge The Scot has a hectic schedule moil after the recent Russian doping from world-record holder Kimetto, with the French Open, Wimble- scandals, the sport could do with who is back to form after a knee don and US Open joined on the Nadal, Nishikori set an uplifting story or two and this injury. New York marathon winner calendar this year by the Olym- weekend’s race in the British capi- Stanley Biwott, also from Kenya, pic Games in Rio, and both he and tal should provide suitably diverting and world champion Ghirmay Ghe- Serbia’s world number one Novak drama. breslassie of Eritrea could also pose Djokovic could withdraw from the Kenya boasts the three quick- a threat. Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele tie in Belgrade scheduled for July est runners in the men’s elite race in should also be in contention as he 15 to 17. Dennis Kimetto, Wilson Kipsang and continues to improve following a Murray will have already up blockbuster final last year’s winner Eliud Kipchoge, serious Achilles problem. converted to the grass-court sea- while the two quickest women, Mary In the women’s event, two-time son with Queen’s and Wimbledon Keitany and Gladys Cherono, both winner Keitany is seen as a poten- high on his agenda, while the the final four games of the match hail from the country. tial winner as she returns to the form Olympics and the US Open take TENNIS: BARCELONA OPEN to seal his place in the final. None of that group have been of 2012 when she broke the national place on hard courts, meaning The Spanish star “Of my last six matches perhaps implicated in any of the doping record in London. he could play three consecutive downs Kohlschreiber it was the one where I had least competitions on three different The 14-time Grand Slam cham- rhythm,” added Nadal. surfaces. to continue his pion is now just one win away from “I missed a lot more on my back- Asked if the decision to play perfect start to the matching Argentine legend Guill- hand, but I overcame that well and their Davis Cup tie on clay could European clay-court ermo Vilas’s record of 49 clay-court (am) very happy to be in the final Valverde looking for potentially alter his commitment, titles. again.” Murray replied: “Potentially. I need season However, Nadal will have to end Paire had beaten Nishikori in to see how my body is first. Nishikori’s hot-streak of 14 consec- their two most recent meetings in “I leave now to go away next utive wins in Barcelona as he swept Nishikori’s homeland in Tokyo and more success in Liege week to Madrid, it’s pretty much aside French sixth seed Paire 6-3, in a five-set thriller at the US Open full on through until the Olympics AFP 6-2. last year. for the next few months. Neither Nadal or Nishikori have However, Nishikori rarely looked “It is a number of surface even dropped a set in the Cata- troubled after breaking to lead 3-2 AFP changes in a very short space lan capital this week and Nadal is before a second break sealed the first of time, so you never know how BARCELONA: Top two seeds Rafael expecting a stiff test if he is to win a set 6-3. the body is going to react or how Nadal and Kei Nishikori will face ninth title in Barcelona. Both players struggled on serve it’s going to pull up after those each other in the final of the Barce- “It will be a very difficult match early in the second, but three breaks LIEGE, Belgium: Alejandro Val- changes. lona Open today after comfortably against one of the best players in the in the first four games put Nishikori verde (pictured) will be looking to “I’ll just have to see how my easing past Philipp Kohlschreiber and world without doubt,” he told Span- 3-1 in front and he went on to seal his take another step towards Ardennes body is. Hopefully I’ll be fine, but Benoit Paire respectively in yester- ish TV station Teledeporte. 14th straight win in Barcelona in just Classics immortality when he lines it’s going to be a tough few months day’s semi-finals. “I have to be prepared and give over an hour on court. up for Liege-Bastogne-Liege today. and I think all the players are Nadal continued his perfect start my best.” “I love Barcelona, I’m very com- The 35-year-old Spaniard will aware of that right now. to the European clay-court season Nadal needed just one break fortable playing this tournament. It’s be the man to beat in Belgium dur- “The more surface changes having won the Monte Carlo Masters to take the first set, but had to be been great this three years and I hope ing ‘La Doyenne’ (the oldest) having that are put in there makes it that last week with a 6-3, 6-3 win over patient in the second as he fended I can play a very good match tomor- claimed a record fourth victory bit more tricky.” Kohlschreiber. off a break point before winning row,” said Nishikori. in the midweek Fleche Wallonne, the second of the three Ardennes Classics. Last year Movistar’s Valverde followed up his Fleche victory with a Kerber reaches Stuttgart final with gritty win third success at Liege -- two behind Belgian great Eddy Merckx -- as well and few would bet against another double, even if the man himself is AFP was last year, maybe even a Angelique Kerber from Germany in action less confident. bit more. against Petra Kvitova from Czech Republic Valverde’s main aim this season “I love winning here -- is to finish in the top three at next during their semi-final match for the WTA tennis and hate to lose.” month’s Giro d’Italia and he is wary tournament in Stuttgart, Germany yesterday. STUTTGART: Australian In a duel of left-handers, of putting his participation in that Open champion Angelique Kerber raced out to a 4-1 lead event at risk during the Liege slog. Kerber reached the final with two early breaks and “I’ll be at the start of Liege- of Stuttgart’s WTA indoor although Kvitova, the 2014 Bastogne-Liege with real hopes of clay-court tournament with Wimbledon champion, pulled winning but without putting my Giro a gritty 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 semi- things back to 5-4, the Ger- participation at risk,” said Valverde. So too will the pair that finished final win over Petra Kvitova man won the first set. Kvitova “They say the weather will get just behind him at Fleche, Etixx yesterday. used her only break of the worse, it will be tough for everyone. team-mates Julian Alaphilippe and Kerber, the defending second to level before Ker- “But I’ll start with the advantage Dan Martin. champion in Stuttgart, needed ber established control early of having won the Fleche. I hope it Frenchman Alaphilippe was sec- just over two hours to seal her in the third to build up a com- doesn’t rain.” ond to Valerde at both Fleche and win after Kvitova recovered manding 5-2 lead to then win Rain would make the road sur- Liege last year and second again in from losing the first set to win the match. faces slippery and increase the risk Huy on Wednesday. the tight second. Kerber, the In today’s final, Ker- of crashes, not least in a hectic finale At just 23 years of age, Alap- second seed here, dug deep ber will play either top seed that has been changed slightly this hilippe is a star in the making and in the third by making the Agnieszka Radwanska of year. sure to enjoy great success in the majority of her first serves Poland or qualifier Laura Ahead of the final grind up to the Ardennes and may be El Imbatido’s count to seal the win. Siegemund. Siegemund has finish in Ans, near Liege, the final biggest rival. And Alaphilippe, who “The great support from fought her way to the final categorised ascent on the 253km says his legs are feeling good after a the public here was the key,” by taking out seeded players course is no longer the Cote de San tough start to the season, is already beamed Kerber after her win. Simona Halep and Roberta Nicolas 6.5km from the finish. focused on Liege. “I can feel the same Vinci in the second round and Instead there will be a brutal “The weather will be difficult, energy from the crowd there quarter-finals respectively. 600m cobbled climb just 2.5km from we’ve been told. You have to remain the finish with an average gradient of well-placed and think about saving 10.5 percent, the Rue Naniot. energy,” he said. With a fast descent both into Martin is another playing down and off Rue Naniot the potential for his chances in Liege, which he won Pouille to face calamity is greatly increased, but so in 2013, saying that Valverde was too too are the opportunities to make strong at Fleche despite he and Alap- a solo attack stick, something that hilippe working together. It’s expected Verdasco in final has only happened once in recent to be not only cold but there may also years when Kazakh Maxim Iglinsky be snow. Outside of those, Australian -- since banned for testing positive Simon Gerrans, winner in 2014, and AFP 72nd in the world, reached the for drugs -- chased down and left for the likes of Spanish veteran Joaquim round of 16 at Monte Carlo last dead Italian Vincenzo Nibali. Rodriguez, Frenchman Romain Bar- week as he opened his clay- Nibali will be in the field as he det and Italian Domenico Pozzovivo, court season leading up to the too prepares for the Giro, although the latter pair both impressive in BUCHAREST: French hope French Open, which starts in he was far from his best form in the Trentino, could all have their say. Lucas Pouille reached an ATP Paris in late May. Giro del Trentino this week, finish- But one rider unlikely to be mix- top-level tour final for the first In the final in Bucharest ing down in 21st overall, more than ing it with the potential winners is time in his career thanks to a he will meet Fernando Ver- six minutes behind Spanish winner Tour de France champion Chris 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 win over Feder- dasco, who defeated fellow Mikel Landa. Froome, whose best previous result ico Delbonis of Argentina in Spaniard Guillermo Garcia- Lo Squalo (the shark) will be in Liege was 36th and who will be Bucharest yesterday. Lopez 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 in the expected to challenge Valverde, helping Polish team-mate Michal The 22-year-old, ranked other semi. though. Kwiatkowski. SPORT SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 35 GCC Sports Medicine Conference kicks off in Doha

The Peninsula

DOHA: The first GCC Sports Medicine Conference organised by Aspetar, the orthopaedic and sports medicine hos- pital, organised in partnership with the Health Ministers’ Council for GCC States began yesterday. The two-day conference brings together leading multidisciplinary experts and professionals in the field of sports medicine from across the GCC to participate in a range of presentations, panel discussions and workshops on modern approaches to sports medicine and best practice in their respective countries. Participants will also discuss the latest developments in the field of sports medicine, and consider new ways to enhance collaboration and information sharing to support con- tinued, rapid progress at a regional and international level. In his welcoming remarks, Dr Mohammad Ghaith Al Kuwari, Act- Professor Dr. Tawfik bin Ahmad Khoja, Director General of the Health Ministers’ Council for GCC States, speaking at the First GCC Sports Medicine Conference in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: ing Director General of Aspetar, said, “Organising this conference reflects Dr Mohammad Ghaith Al Kuwari, Acting Director General of Aspetar, speaking at the First GCC Sports Medicine Conference. Aspetar’s profile the GCC reference cen- tre in sports medicine. It also provides to enhancing sports performance.” interest in sports medicine in the GCC sports medicine. Working closely covered the history and key mile- a range of others. The conference will the ideal platform to share expertise Professor Dr. Tawfik bin Ahmad region. There is no doubt that Asp- with sports medicine professionals, stones in the development of sports continue until Sunday evening, and amongst members of Olympic com- Khoja, Director General of the Health etar – an important GCC institution Aspetar can play a pioneering role medicine in the GCC, as well as top- cover further topics including sports mittees from the region in a range of Ministers’ Council for GCC States, said: – is ideally placed to assume respon- in enhancing physical activity in the ics including approaches to preventing surgery, multidisciplinary care, sports disciplines including surgery, rehabilita- “This conference should serve as a sibility for organising this conference, community.” sudden cardiac death in athletes, the rehabilitation, sports and exercise sci- tion, injury prevention and approaches springboard for generating further based on its extensive expertise in Sessions from the first day Aspetar athlete-screening model and ences, and more.

VALERO TEXAS OPEN SCORES Steele stretches lead at Texas Open LOS ANGELES: Leading scores yesterday in the second-round of the weather-disrupted Valero Texas Open in San Antonio my eyes kind of lit up,” said Steele, (Darkness halted play, round to American fires six who had a three-shot lead over Aus- resume Saturday. USA unless tralian Stuart Appleby and Americans noted): birdies to counter Scott Langley and Charley Hoffman. 134 Brendan Steele 64-70 two bogeys and a Appleby also signed for a 70, Lan- 137 Scott Langley 69-68, Stuart gley carded a 68 and Hoffman posted Appleby (AUS) 67-70, Charley double-bogey at the a 71. Hoffman 66-71 15th to post a two- Hoffman had closed within one 138 Ricky Barnes 68-70, Patrick stroke of Steele’s lead with an eagle Reed 65-73, Ryan Palmer under par 70 in the at the par-five second -- his 11th hole 68-70, Jon Curran 70-68, Mark second round of the day, but bogeyed two of his last Wilson 69-69, Kang Sung (KOR) four holes to drop into a tie for second. 71-67, Peter Malnati 67-71 For the second straight day dark- 139 Luke Donald (ENG) 69-70, ness halted play before the round was Brandt Snedeker 70-69, complete -- the result of the weather Spencer Levin 69-70 AFP delay of more than three hours on Thursday. Steele had surged to the lead at eight-under through 13 holes when SHENZHEN LOS ANGELES: Brendan Steele made play was halted on Thursday. the most of a rain-softened TPC San On Friday morning he returned to INTERNATIONAL Antonio Oaks course on Friday to par his last five holes in a first-round SCORES stretch his lead to three strokes in 64 that left him with a one-shot lead. the weather-hit Texas Open. “You always want to keep going 131 Lee Soo-Min (KOR) 66-65 Steele, whose only PGA Tour title when you’re feeling good,” he said. 134 Joost Luiten (NED) 68-66 came in the Texas Open in 2011, fired “The ball was going a long way yes- 135 Richie Ramsay (SCO) 69-66 six birdies to counter two bogeys and terday in the afternoon,” Steele said Brendan Steele takes his shot out of the bunker on the third hole during the second round of the Valero 136 Lee Slattery (ENG) 70-66, Scott a double-bogey at the 15th to post of his sizzling start. “It was nice and Texas Open at TPC San Antonio AT&T Oaks Course in San Antonio, Texas yesterday. Hend (AUS) 71-65 a two-under par 70 in the second warm and really good conditions. 137 Paul Dunne 68-69 (IRL), Bran- round. “So to come out this morning don Stone (RSA) 67-70, Bradley His 10-under total of 134 matched early, a little bit colder, and try to re- after rounds of 75 and 77. Americans Brandt Snedeker and nine-under 204 at the $1.25m event Dredge 70-67 (WAL) the tournament’s 36-hole low set by gather that momentum was a little The trio sharing third were one Spencer Levin on 139. Meanwhile, sanctioned by the Japanese and Asian 138 Nacho Elvira 70-68 (ESP), fellow American Ben Curtis in 2012. bit tough.” shot in front of a group of seven on India’s Shiv Kapur fired a two-under- tours. Overnight leader Ichihara, Alexander Levy 66-72 (FRA), “I always feel good here. “The The halfway cut was projected to 138 -- South Korean Kang Sung and par 69 to grab a one-stroke lead from chasing a maiden career victory in Tommy Fleetwood 69-69 (ENG) course sets up really well for me and it fall at even-par 144. Among those des- Americans Ricky Barnes, Patrick Japan’s Kodai Ichihara at the Pana- Chiba, southeast of Tokyo, finished in 139 Matteo Manassero (ITA) 70-69, kind of plays into my strengths, which tined to miss it was five-time major Reed, Ryan Palmer, Jon Curran, Mark sonic Open after Saturday’s third regulation to lie one adrift with Aus- Alvaro Quiros (ESP) 70-69, Gary is usually driving the ball. champion Phil Mickelson on 148. Wilson and Peter Malnati. round.After 14 straight pars, Kapur tralia’s Marcus Fraser -- the current Stal (FRA) 68-71, Ross Fisher “So to see it play a little bit softer Defending champion Jimmy It was a further stroke back carded back-to-back birdies on 15 Order of Merit leader -- a further shot (ENG) 70-69 this week and with a little less wind, Walker was also headed for the exit to England’s Luke Donald and and 16 to reach the clubhouse at back after a 67. Qatar off to winning start at GCC Junior Women Handball

The Peninsula

DOHA: Hosts Qatar started their cam- paign in the inaugural GCC Junior Women Handball Tournament 2016 on a high note defeating Bahrain 22-8 in the opening match at Women Sport Hall at Aspire Dome on Fri- day. Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary General, Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari, Sheikha Naeema Al Ahmad Al- Sabah, the Chairwoman of GCC Women Sport Organising Committee, Sheikh Sul- tan Homaid Al-Hossani, the Chairman of GCC Handball Organising Committee and Dr. Ahlam Al Mane, the Qatar Women Sport Committee (QWSC) Chief attended the event’s opening ceremony. QWSC is hosting the event in collab- oration with QOC and Qatar Handball Association (QHA) under the supervi- sion of the GCC Women Sport Organising Committee. The week-long event is bringing together Action from the inaugural GCC Junior Women Handball Tournament at Qatar Women Sport Committee (QWSC) Hall against Bahrain in Doha on Friday. The hosts won 22-8 in three GCC countries, including hosts Qatar, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates. the opening match held at the QWSC Hall at Aspire Dome on Friday. RIGHT: Qatar coach gestures during the match. 36 SUNDAY 24 APRIL 2016 Lertsattayathorn reigns supreme in Doha

The 27-year-old from Thailand wins his maiden Asian Snooker Championship

By Armstrong Vas The Peninsula

DOHA: Kritsanut Lertsattayathorn long name has proved quite a handful for snooker organ- isers and players around the globe when it came to getting it right. In Qatar too, it was no different. But for the 27-year-old Thai it did not mat- ter much, all that mattered from him was winning the Asian Snooker Championship and did it with aplomb. “It was a great win, a win which will change the course of my career,” said the soft spoken cueist. “I am happy that I won. It was the first time I was playing in the final and I finished on a winning note. I have reached the semi-final Mohammed Mubarak Al Ramzani, President of Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation stage of many championship but never made it to the final. Qatar prove to be a lucky mas- (QBSF), Mubarak Hamad Al Khayarin, President of Asian Snooker Federation and other cot for me,” he added. officials pose for a group picture during the victory ceremony of the Asian Snooker “I am looking forward to playing on the championship aat QBSF Academy in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: Kritsanut Lertsattayathorn Professional Circuit,” said Lertsattayathorn, of Thailand, the winner of the Asian Snooker Championship. Mohamed Shehab of UAE who will get a two-year professional tour card finished as runners-up. The Peninsula / Abdul Basit from World Snooker. Yesterday at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation (QBSF) Academy the to toil hard for victory, posting stunning wins by then bounce back to win the next two to diminutive Lertsattayathorn known by his over Mohammed Asif of Paksitan and Pan- make it 2-1. knick name ‘Thorn’ maintain his consistent kaj Advani of India in the quarter-finals and Shehab, won the fourth frame, thereafter run to win the continental championship. semi-finals respectively and in the final the Lertsattayathorn asserted himself to pocket Lertsattayathorn, who hit the purple patch Thai had a relatively easy passage. the next four frames to win the best-of-11 in the Qatar championship overcoming players Lertsattayathorn having done all the hard frames final 6-2. much higher in the ranking hierarchy, contin- work in the last two rounds, overcoming the Lertsattayathorn picked up the $1,750 ued in the same vein to register a comfortable top seeds Advani and Asif, was in no mood prize for the maximum break of the tourna- 6-2 win over Mohamed Shehab of UAE in the to relax. ment. The champion also took home $3,500 11-frames final. For the last two days, Lert- He seemed to be overawed by the situa- and the runner-up $1,750. The losing semi- sattayathorn, who is knick name ‘Thorn’ had tion losing the first frame to his UAE opponent finalists collected $500 each.

Qatar down Lebanon to win Asian We turned pressure into positive energy, Rugby Division III Championship says Featherstone

The Peninsula The Peninsula season’s champions Lebanon in the final at the Aspire Warm up and purpose built rugby track on Friday DOHA: The Qatar National Rugby evening after a 12-12 dead lock at team annexed the 2016 Asian Rugby DOHA: Qatar rugby title winning the break. Championship Division III with a captain Tom Featherstone says the Reflecting on the loss after well-taken 25-19 victory over last host nation were under pressure the match Lebanon’s lock and season’s champions Lebanon in the going into the final match of the vice captain Mounir Finan said: final at the Aspire Warm up and pur- Asian Rugby Division III Champi- “Full credit to the Qatar team and pose built rugby track after a 12-12 onship against Lebanon but were the Federation. It has been a great dead lock at the break. able to withstand the pressure. event but unfortunately tonight The Lebanese Phoenix team led “It’s a great feeling to beat Leba- was not our night. At the end it 6 -0 after ten minutes of play thanks non in front of our home supporters. was most probably our discipline to captain and goal kicker Karim There was a lot of pressure on us to that cost us the match. We made Jammal who landed two easy pen- win but we turned that pressure into several mistakes and we took alty goals. positive energy. Full credit to Leba- chances that we shouldn’t have. However a fundamental infringe- non who could have easily won but I We also had three yellow cards ment (tripping) by Lebanon’s am glad and proud of my boys were which in the end proved to be a Mohammad Turk saw them reduced never stopped working. It’s easy to big factor.” to 14 men and the host nation wasted slip off your guard when you trail- Scorers: Qatar 25: Tries: Paul no time capitalizing on the sin bin ing but we never gave up. We were Beard, Mathew Uffindall, Malcom which saw Paul Beard pouncing on determined to take the match. Thank Reid, Jamie Frost. Conversions: Beard a loose ball and running ten meters to you to all our friends, family and (1) Penalties: Beard (1) claim the first try of the match (6-5). supporters,” Featherstone said while Lebanon 19: Tries: Martin Wahbe. Beard could not convert his own talking to reporters. Conversions: Karim Jammal (1) Pen- try however Jammal’s radar boots The Qatar National Rugby team alties: (3) extended the visitors lead when Qatar annexed the 2016 Asian Rugby Awards Finals best player: Tom infringed in their quarter and in front Championship Division III with a Featherstone (Qatar) and Rakan of the posts. well-taken 25-19 victory over last Mutawaa (Qatar) Jammal’s third penalty kick gave Qatar team winners of the 2016 Asian Rugby Championship Division III at Aspire Dome on Friday. the Phoenix a four point buffer (9-5) half way through the opening half. Action from the 2016 Asian Rugby With all the pressure on Qatar now Championship Division III at Aspire chasing the game, they had to lay the by 3 points. Instead of staying level lead 19-12. Play in the ensuing stages night for Beard with his boots con- Dome on Friday. foundation for a win. headed and playing to their set pat- was fairly patchy and defenses held tinued as another missed conversion After some neat sets of play and terns Phoenix tried to play Qatar’s but it was Qatar who crossed over went begging. wide passing, Qatar crossed over for game which proved detrimental as next thanks to Malcolm Reid. Leb- Lebanon threatened in patches their second try of the match cour- time and time again they came up anon maintained the lead as Beard but never looked like breaking down tesy of centre man Mathew Uffindall. empty-handed. was unable to level the scores (19-17). the Qatar’s defense again as they set Beard’s conversion was successful Qatar was presented with oppor- Thriving on pressure Lebanon off in search of five points to upstage giving the home side the lead for the tunities to further extend the lead responded with a series of storming the home team in the closing stages very first time (12-9). which could have made an impact drives up field and long kicks but just of the match. Qatar then continued to display on the scoreboard but instead made when it seemed they could breach the As the clock ticked on, frustration courage and showed great intent as forced errors and recklessly gave easy Qatar defense a pass went astray with was set in the minds of the visitors they managed to impose themselves penalties allowing Lebanon’s centre the try line in sight. who were playing catch up rugby. The on the match even though they had Jammal to lock the score 12-12 at the With 15 minutes remaining on pressure proved to be too much for to contend with a few strong plays by break. the clock, Qatar forwards drove the Lebanon’s Firas El Chami who was the visitors to reverse the flow of the The early second-half play was defense which gave flanker and fast penalized and given a yellow card . match. fast and furious with Lebanon scor- man Jamie Frost the opportunity to The penalty kick by Beard found its After holding the upper hand in ing their first try through Martin stretch over for his first try of the mark and Qatar was able to extend the opening eighteen minutes Leba- Wahbe. The ever ready boot of Jam- tournament. That put his team in the the lead by six points. The final score non started to feel the pinch of trailing mal was right on target stretching the lead once again (22-19). The horror Qatar 25 Lebanon 19.