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QSTec production Kohli guides India facility to roll out to victory over by year-end Pakistan

SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 • 11 Jumada II 1437 • Volume 21 • Number 6741 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Earth Hour in Doha Emir condoles Renewal of post with Erdogan DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has sent a cable of condolences to President office boxes Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey expressing his condolences and sympathy for the victims of the until March 31 bombing in Istanbul yesterday. Emir condoles with Putin business users, and are available on an annually-paid subscription basis. DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim Subscribers should Q-Post has, therefore, advised bin Hamad Al Thani has sent a pay ‘reopening’ customers who have not renewed cable of condolences to Russian their P O Box subscription and they President Vladimir Putin express- fee of QR100 after wish to continue the service, to ben- ing condolences and sympathy for deadline without efit from the multiple options offered the victims of the flydubai plane guarantee of same by the company to renew their sub- crash in Russia. scription by March 31 in order to post box number. avoid discontinuation of the service. Subscription can also be 62 dead in renewed after March 31, 2016 but a “reopening” fee of QR100 is to be flydubai crash A combo picture of the St Regis hotel in West Bay yesterday before and after lights were switched The Peninsula paid. However, there wouldn’t be any off to mark the 10th Earth Hour from 8.30pm. Several government and private facilities and guarantee that the same post office landmark buildings in the city also joined the campaign by switching off or dimming their lights. box number would be re-allotted to DUBAI: A passenger jet operated Pic: Abdul / The Peninsula → See also page 3 DOHA: Post box subscribers who the subscriber, since after March 31 by budget carrier flydubai broke don’t renew their annual subscrip- the number can be transferred to apart while trying to land in high tions by March 31 risk losing the post another subscriber, said Q-Post. winds in the southern Russian city box address, Q-Post has said. Subscription renewal can of Rostov-on-Don yesterday morn- Q-Post said in a press statement be done at any of the 40 Q-Post Aljazeera to host IPI ing, killing all 62 people on board. that the yearly subscription for its branches or via Q-Post website Doha Port handled 15% post office box service is from Jan- (www.qatarposts.com) using a credit conference in Doha → See also page 19 uary 1 to December 31. card. more containers last year So the renewal of the subscrip- Alternatively, one can also use DOHA: Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Five die in Istanbul tion became due on January 1, 2016. the QNB website (www.qnb.com) or Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of However, it seems that many mobile app ‘Easylink’ under ‘utili- By Mohammad Shoeb over 530,000 containers of TEUs Directors of Aljazeera Media Net- suicide attack customers haven’t so far renewed ties to settle’. The Peninsula (20-foot equivalent units) were han- work, has said that hosting the their subscription. Meanwhile, Q-Post website says dled at the port in 2015, which was 65th edition of the conference of Q-Post said in a press state- that the main post office has 25,000 nearly 15pc higher than the previous the International Press Institute ISTANBUL/ANKARA: A suicide ment: “You may not be aware that electronically-operated post office DOHA: Despite a challenging busi- year. When it comes to handling of (IPI) here reflects “our deep belief bomber killed himself and four to receive mail in Qatar, you must boxes, which are the first of their ness environment and market Bulk/Break Bulk and General Cargo, in the importance of developing others in a central Istanbul shop- use a post office box (P O Box) kind in the world. volatility, Doha Port saw about 22 the year 2015 saw a sharp jump of close and strategic ties and part- ping and tourism district yesterday, address. These boxes are located in a These are fully computerized percent rise in container volume over 140 percent, the total reaching nership with global organisations wounding at least 36 people in the number of convenient places around electronic post office boxes. Else- handled in 2015 with the total vol- about 1.76 million freight tonnes concerned with the protection of fourth such attack in Turkey this the country and can be accessed where, there are more than 12,000 ume reaching 568,166 TEUs, up by against 731,045 tonnes in 2014. journalists and their rights, media year, reports Reuters. 24x7”. Post office box addresses conventional post office boxes at 17 100,555 TEUs compared to 461,863 freedom and media institutions”. are provided to both, personal and other branches across the country. TEUs in 2014. In terms of the number, → Continued on page 3 → Continued on page 6 → See also page 11 02 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 HOME

Qatar condemns bombing attack in Istanbul PM to patronise identity seminar

QNA is seeking to revive and promote Qatari heritage which contributes to Qatar’s Second strengthening the concept and value DOHA: Qatar yesterday condemned the explosion that took place in Istan- National Identity of our national identity”. bul, Turkey, and led to several casualties. Seminar starts He expressed gratitude to Al In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed condemnation Mulla for inviting Vodafone to be the of the attack and said such criminal acts were in contrast to the princi- tomorrow under exclusive partner and sponsor of the ples of Islam and humanity. Such acts also violate international laws, the the theme ‘The second edition of the seminar which ministry said, adding Qatar is fully behind any measures Turkey takes to marks fruitful partnership with the maintain peace and stability. Role of Educational centre. The seminar will discuss It also Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims and government Institutions in issues related to the preservation of and the people of Turkey and wished the injured a swift recovery. national identity and heritage. Promoting National In four sessions, participants will Identity’. focus discussions on topics related to ‘Language and identity’; ‘School cur- Chamber to host final phase of riculum and its impact on national identity’; ‘The role of demographic arbitrators programme today By Mohammed Osman changes in identity preservation’; and The Peninsula Dr Khalid Youssef Al Mulla (right), Executive Director, Qatar Heritage ‘Family and identity’. DOHA: The Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) will host and Identity Centre, and Mohammed Al Yami, Director, External Affairs, Experiences of some countries today the fifth and final phase of ‘Preparation and Qualification of Arbi- Vodafone Qatar, during the press conference yesterday. (Below) A such as like Turkey and Morocco in trators — Professional Certificate Programme 2016’, organised by Qatar section of the audience. Pic: Abdul / The Peninsula areas like education and identity and International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration in cooperation with DOHA: Under the patronage of multilingualism and identity will be the GCC Commercial Arbitration Centre (Dar Al Karar) under the theme Prime Minister and Interior Minis- presented by specialists from both ‘Show Trial Process’. ter H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser dimensions of these concepts in the stressed the importance of national countries. Issues such as the role of It includes a virtual practical trial to provide participants with an arbi- bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar’s Sec- minds of the youth. identity through Qatar National private schools in preserving national tration case along with documents for study by groups to be formed to ond National Identity Seminar starts “Being proud of our own identity Vision 2030,” said Al Mulla. identity will also be highlighted by communicate with each other. tomorrow under the theme ‘The Role and loyal to our beloved country does He expressed gratitude to the Pre- researchers. After that, participants will be divided into groups to discuss topics, of Educational Institutions in Promot- not mean that we become racist and mier for patronising the event for the The seminar is expected to come provide inputs and prepare notes. This step will be followed by the forma- ing National Identity’. reject others’ identities. second time and thanked Cultural out with recommendations to help tion of an arbitration tribunal from the audience and a show trial based on The two-day event is being “On the contrary, it would help us Village-Katara for constant support preserve and consolidate Qatar’s the analysis of facts to develop legal provisions and principles and explain organised by Qatar Heritage and positively interact with and become and Vodafone for full sponsorship of national identity under the current how to apply them to the facts until the deliberation and sentencing phase. Identity Centre and sponsored exclu- more open to other cultures and the event. demographic changes and multicul- The aim of this stage is to link the theoretical level to practical experience. sively by Vodafone Qatar. identities. Qatar has promoted and Al Yami said: “Vodafone Qatar tural status of the country. It will be held at Sharq Village and Spa. Qatar Cancer Society sets up ‘Hope The seminar will host eminent local and international scholars, academics and speakers and will Volunteer Team’ to enhance work highlight national identity which is a key element in any community in the DOHA: The Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) yesterday launched a ‘Hope Vol- era of globalisation and amid rapid unteer Team’ within its mission to enhance social and volunteer work as of changes and developments being the most important way to contribute to the advancement of the status of witnessed by today’s world, said Dr communities. Khalid Youssef Al Mulla, Executive QCS is keen to activate the volunteers’ role in the Qatari community by Director of the centre. attracting many young people who have creative energies and directing During a joint press conference them to do good and serve the needy, especially as it operates in one of the with Mohammed Al Yami, Director, most important sectors close to human health. External Affairs, Vodafone Qatar, at Dr Dera Mejeb Al Dosari, Chairman, Cultural and Social Committee, QCS, the Palm Tower on Thursday, Al Mulla and Head of the team addressed the event and praised the team, stressing stressed that “it has become neces- its young members’ keenness and readiness to consolidate efforts to sup- sary to highlight the concept of Qatari port QCS’s mission and noble objectives. identity, in particular, and the Arab- Such a programme shows that QCS has managed over the last period to Islamic identity in general. enhance a positive effect on attitudes towards cancer and push forward young “It is also important to instil people to support its mission and spread it among all segments of society. the physical and non-physical HOME SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 03

Scattered rains likely from tomorrow

The Peninsula But the temperatures are The Doha skyline before and during Earth Hour (below) yesterday. Pic: Salim / The Peninsula expected to drop again on Tuesday as a result of expected showers. The relative drop in temperature DOHA: There are chances of scat- is likely to continue until Wednesday tered rains from tomorrow evening and Thursday as the wind direction until late on Tuesday due to an will be northwesterly which could be extension of low pressure system, strong at times in some areas. says the weather bureau. The high winds could roil the sea In a special bulletin issued yes- and make it turbulent, warned the terday, the bureau said people should bureau. be cautious and avoid sea activities Meanwhile, in the routine fore- during the unstable weather. cast for today the bureau said the The skies will be partly cloudy seas could be high initially and wit- to cloudy with chances of scattered ness strong winds. rains. The rains could at times be Inland, the day will be hot and accompanied by thunder and high slightly dusty, with scattered clouds. winds. Day temperatures would likely Tomorrow, the wind will be to vary between 25 and 29 degrees southeasterly to southwesterly, C while the mercury will drop to moderate to fresh and could lead to between 15 and 19 degrees C. Qatar joins world for Earth Hour a rise in temperature above average In Doha, the maximum temper- — beyond 30 degrees C ,with dusty ature will be 29 degrees C and the skies in some places. minimum 19 degrees C. into darkness for 60 minutes from In a statement issued yesterday, dimming their lights. Guests at hotels 8.30pm to 9.30pm. Kahramaa stressed the need for inno- also joined the campaign. Several landmark Earth Hour is a global grassroots vative ways to achieve sustainable Faisal bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi, buildings and initiative first launched nearly 10 development. The national campaign director of public relations and com- GCC ‘medals success of ministry’s government and years ago by NGO WWF in 2007 in for rationalization of water and elec- munication at QTA said, “I feel proud Sydney, Australia. Since then, Earth tricity consumption, Tarsheed, is a that a big number of entities in tour- security awareness efforts’ private facilities Hour has become a worldwide phe- major initiative in this area. ism sector in Qatar has marked Earth plunged into darkness nomenon with more than 7,000 cities “Kahramaa’s participation in Hour. QTA is keen to achieve sustain- participating, this initiative basically aims at rais- able development , preserve natural The Peninsula Brigadier Abdullah Khalifa Al for 60 minutes from Government buildings, hotels ing awareness about the importance resources and reduce the impact of Muftah, Director, Public Relations 8.30pm to 9.30pm. and several private facilities in Qatar of saving energy, rationalizing con- tourism sector on environment. Envi- Department at the ministry, said in turned off or dimmed their lights for sumption and instilling the concept of ronment sustainability is a major a statement that “the ministry will an entire hour to show their commit- Earth Hour in our daily life. Ration- component of categorizing hotels- DOHA: The Ministry of Interior has continue its awareness efforts to ment to protect their planet and to alization of consumption becomes a an initiative we launched recently.” stressed that its winning of four spread awareness about its secu- raise an awareness of climate change. common responsibility for all,” said The Ministry of Municipality and medals means the success of its rity services”. The Peninsula Qatar General Electricity and Abdullah Al Jassim, Director, Pub- Environment , Ministry of Economy security awareness efforts. Among the ministry’s stra- Water Corporation (Kahramaa) led lic Relations and Communication, and Commerce and several other The Public Relations Depart- tegic goals is to spread security the campaign with various aware- Kahramaa. ministries and government enti- ment at the ministry won three and cultural awareness among all ness activities involving the public at Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) ties also turned off lights in their gold medals and one silver medal individuals. DOHA: Qatar joined the world yester- Katara Cultural village. All exterior and a number of its partners in pri- premises. Several landmark build- in a competition held as part of the The medals were won due to day to mark the 10th Earth Hour, with lights in hotels and buildings around vate and public sectors including ings at Corniche, West Bay and other GCC Radio & Television Festival in efforts by all departments at the several landmark buildings, govern- the village were turned off to mark hotels and tourism institutions took major locations also plunged into Bahraini capital Manama. ministry, the statement added. ment and private facilities plunging the occasion. part in the campaign by putting off or darkness for an hour. Car carrier freight tonnes rose to 2.71 million in 2015

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The car carrier freight tonnes in 2015 also increased to 2.71 million, up 9 percent compared to 2.48 million tonnes in 2014, according to the lat- est data released by Qatar Navigation (Milaha) in its Annual Report 2015. “The year 2015 was exceptional for the Port Services unit. Container volumes and general cargo volumes increased by 15 percent and 127 per- cent, respectively, compared to 2014. The main driver for the significant increase in overall volumes was continued government spending on from overseas) through the port dur- yard strategy. infrastructure and critical long- term ing 2015 declined to 560,487, down by “The Board of Directors (of projects,” said the report. about 7 percent from 603,065 in 2014. Milaha) continued to invest for long Doha Port is officially operated Milaha Port Services assumed terms in the company’s core mari- and managed by Milaha Port Serv- operational and management con- time shipping activities. ices company, a subsidiary of Qatar trol of Doha Port in February 2011, “In the first quarter of 2015, Navigation. and has created a one-stop shop Milaha Maritimes & Logistics, It is the main commercial port employing advanced technology and which delivers integrated trans- in Qatar that handles most types stream-lined procedures to improve port and supply chain solutions, of cargo (with the exception of liq- the cargo clearance process, includ- launched the first direct container uid bulk). Some of the major types ing customs, environmental and liner service between Qatar and of cargo handled though the port health activities. India,” Ali bin Jassim bin Moham- include fast-moving consumable A sophisticated short- and long- mad Al Thani, Chairman, Milaha, goods, food, meat, livestock, cars, term berth planning system has also told a recent annual general meet- machinery and equipment. There is been implemented resulting in mini- ing of the company. an exhaustive list of items sourced mal waiting time, if at all, for vessels “The non-stop service connects from different parts of the world. in the anchorage area. Doha Port with Nhava Sheva (Mum- When most items imported in The company is committed to bai), India’s largest container port. the country have witnessed a rise increasing Doha Port’s annual con- The launch was in response to the due to the growing population, the tainer throughput capacity to a remarkable growth in trade between number of livestock heads handled minimum of 750,000 TEUs through the two countries in recent years,” (largely sheep and goat imported improved operational processes and he added. Ooredoo unveils Samsung Gear VR

The Peninsula Ooredoo is among the first to offer users can play games, watch mov- the amazing new technology to its ies, socialise with friends and much customers at its shops in Landmark, more. City Center and Villaggio and eShop. Ooredoo is an official partner of DOHA: Ooredoo has announced the The Samsung Gear VR cost Samsung phones in Qatar, and the launch of the Samsung Gear VR, a QR399 and offers a LED display, wide strong connection between the two state-of-the-art virtual reality head- field of view, precise head-tracking companies means that customers can set for Samsung users. and low latency to bring virtual real- enjoy the latest devices and guaran- The Gear VR works seamlessly ity to life. teed authorised products. with selected Galaxy smartphones, With the number of active VR Details of Ooredoo’s plans, pric- enabling users to insert their phone users forecast to reach 171 million by ing and offers are available at www. into the headset and enjoy the expe- 2018, the Samsung Gear VR is 19 per- ooredoo.qa. For details about Sam- rience of virtual reality. cent lighter than the previous model, sung, visit: www.samsung.com/ae. The device, expected to see a high with a larger touchpad to give cus- Customers can find out prices for demand across the region, has only tomers easy and accurate control. the latest device launches – at http:// just become available in Qatar, and With the Samsung Gear VR, www.ooredoo.qa/eshop/. 04 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 HOME

HBKU research institutes to attend ARC’16

The Peninsula Hilal Lashuel from QBRI chairing the Insulin-resistant Arab Individuals in session on Health. Qatar; Cost Optimisation for Software Dr Ahmed Elmagarmid, Exec- Defined Measurement; and Big Data utive Director, QCRI, will share Analytics in Diverse Data Process- DOHA: Hamad Bin Khalifa Uni- insight from some of the universi- ing Platforms. versity (HBKU), a member of Qatar ty’s research projects in the field of Dr Omar El Agnaf, Acting Execu- Foundation for Education, Science, data science, and Dr Khalid Al Subai, tive Director, QBRI, will share insight and Community Development (QF), Executive Director, QEERI, will dis- from his research on ‘Biomarkers will play a significant role in this cuss HBKU research institute’s work for Parkinson’s Disease and Disor- year’s Annual Research Conference relating to Qatar’s environment and ders’, an area in which he continues (ARC ’16). energy grand challenges. to explore with the support of a Qatar Biomedical Research Dr Ahmad Hasnah, President, research grant from the New York- Institute (QBRI), Qatar Computing HBKU, said: “I am proud that so many based Michael J Fox Foundation for Research Institute (QCRI) and Qatar faculty members and students from Parkinson’s Research. Environment and Energy Research HBKU will showcase their works at Students from HBKU’s Juris Institute (QEERI) will come together the conference. Doctor law programme will assist for the first time at this major event “As a research university in Dr Clinton Francis, Founding Dean, from Tuesday to Wednesday at Qatar Qatar, HBKU is focused on academic HBKU’s Law School, in his pres- National Convention Centre. It is research degrees and pursuing inno- entation on ‘Crowd Inventing: An being held under HBKU’s auspices. vative, interdisciplinary research Innovation about Innovation’. HBKU will have a unified, size- that will address national priori- Conference participants are able presence at the conference, ties and foster major developments, invited to visit the university’s booth indicative of its consistent growth ultimately impacting national and in the Exhibition Hall to learn more and development into an important regional growth. about research being conducted at player in the research landscape of “QBRI, QCRI and QEERI are an the college, QBRI, QCRI and QEERI. Qatar. integral part of HBKU, so I’m proud Those interested in investi- Youth taking part in one of the activities during the three-day conference. Three of five parallel sessions that our three research institutes gating publishing opportunities on the first day will be moderated along with our college are part of may also meet representatives of by HBKU officials, with Dr Said Ahzi ARC’16.” QScience.com, the innovative and from QEERI chairing the session on Representatives from the univer- collaborative, peer-reviewed, online Energy and the Environment; Dr sity will present research, focusing publishing platform of HBKU Press, Mounir Hamdi, Dean, HBKU’s Col- on specialised areas such as Novel at the booth. EMPOWER 2016 concludes lege of Science and Engineering, Tri-Hybrid Desalination Plants; Those interested in attending chairing the session on Computing Characterisation of Circulating the conference are urged to regis- & Information Technology; and Dr MiRNAs in Insulin-sensitive and ter online at http://www.qf-arc.org/. Community Development (QF), gave be a continuous effort. It’s impera- participants an opportunity to tour tive that we keep youth motivated Participating youth some of QF’s partner universities, and engaged. benefited from including Carnegie Mellon Univer- “Since I was last here in 2012, the the opportunity to sity in Qatar (CMU-Q). conference has grown and become Students benefited from the more diversified. It makes me happy practise knowledge opportunity to practice knowledge to see how enthusiastic the partic- and skills they and skills they acquired in three days. ipants are and how they want to Participants also visited Qatar use science and technology to do acquired during Business Incubation Centre (QBIC), something amazing for their coun- three-day conference. Qatar Scientific Club (QSC) and took tries — they have a great sense of part in activities facilitated by the responsibility. United Nations Development Pro- “EMPOWER 2016 is a fine exam- gram (UNDP) at Hamad Bin Khalifa ple of how ROTA and QF are leading The Peninsula University (HBKU) Student Centre. the way and propelling youth into the Essam Heggy, Planetary Scientist, future,” he added. member of ESA-Nasa ROSETTA mis- EMPOWER 2016, in its eighth sion, facilitated the ‘Introduction to year, ended with Sponsors Awards DOHA: The third and final day formulating Space Mission’ workshop and a closing ceremony, which of Reach Out To Asia’s (ROTA) on the second day of EMPOWER 2016. included cultural performances. EMPOWER 2016 youth conference He said: “What’s important is EMPOWER 2016 was sponsored was held yesterday. the fact that EMPOWER takes place by Qatar Charity, Qatar Financial ROTA, a member of Qatar Foun- annually — it sends out a message Centre and Qatar National Conven- Hamad Bin Khalifa University will play a significant role in the Annual Research Conference (ARC ’16). dation for Education, Science and that empowering youth is and must tion Centre.

06 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 HOME

HMC uses ECMO to save life of young woman after car accident GCC Traffic Week teams honoured

The Peninsula dedicated team of highly trained clinicians to carry out high-risk This year’s event procedures, with care delivered by saw participation of clinicians 24 hours. more entities from DOHA: Hamad Medical Corpora- Dr Ibrahim Mohamed Fawzy tion’s (HMC) has introduced a highly Hassan, Director, Critical Care Cen- the private sector advanced technology that uses a tre, HMC, and Clinical Lead, ECMO, and civil society machine to take over the work of said its use was possible due to the lungs and the heart to save the the collaborative approach to care organisations. life of a young woman involved in a between HMC departments and sup- serious car accident. port from HMC’s partners, Guy’s and HMC, the first hospital system St Thomas’ NHS in the UK. This gave outside the US to achieve Joint Com- us the time to call in the ECMO team QNA mission International (JCI) Academic to prepare for the patient,” he said. Medical Centre accreditation for all “It is unusual to use ECMO on a its hospitals simultaneously, is one trauma patient but the team’s high- of the few healthcare systems in the level training allowed us to recognise DOHA: The Interior Ministry’s Traf- Middle East to use ECMO (Extra- that it would be invaluable in helping fic Department organised a ceremony corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) us save Seddiq’s life. The teamwork to honour delegations attending the which was utilised to save the life of and our ability to put the latest tech- 32nd GCC Traffic Week along with Majida Seddiq, 21. nology into practice was instrumental entities and companies participating GCC delegates attending one of the activities. Seddiq was struck by a car while in saving her life and has been recog- and supporting the event held under crossing the Corniche late at night nised by JCI as part of its assessment the theme ‘Your Decision Determines all participants to ensure the success said their participation reflected an participation of more entities from the and suffered multiple trauma inju- of HMC’s clinical standards and deliv- Your Fate’. of the events and increase awareness outstanding level of cooperation private sector and civil society organ- ries, including a severe brain injury ery of patient care.” The GCC Traffic Week concluded about road safety. among the GCC countries. isations in various activities, such as and multiple fractures. After being Dr Ibrahim said Seddiq was in yesterday. He also hailed the department’s More than 60 government and traffic exhibition, daily awareness treated in Trauma Intensive Care a critical condition having suffered The ceremony was organised at partnership with institutions and non-governmental entities took lectures, forums and workshops. Unit, she developed respiratory fail- life-threatening injuries and when Kempinski Hotel, in the presence of said it which reflected in active par- part in activities. The Traffic Depart- Activities blended fun with ure with a lung infection and a brain the ECMO team arrived at Hamad officials from the ministry. ticipation of government agencies, ment’s offices outside Doha also held awareness programmes, addressing haemorrhage that left her in a crit- General Hospital, she was close to Addressing the ceremony, Lt. institutions, companies, community awareness activities simultaneously. different categories of people, such as ical condition. cardiac arrest. Colonel Mohammed Radhi Al Hajri, organisations and youth clubs. Schools and entities visited Darb El- theatrical shows, competitions and The machine element of ECMO, After spending three months Director, Media and Traffic Awareness He also highlighted GCC delega- Saei, the main venue of the event. quizzes, lectures, a miniature Souq acting as the lungs or heart, ensures in rehabilitation, Seddiq has fully at the department, praised efforts of tions’ participation in activities and This year’s Traffic Week saw Waqif and a play area for children. the body gets enough oxygen by cir- recovered and is enjoying life at culating the blood outside the body home with her family. The new tech- while the patient is undergoing treat- nology and innovations like ECMO ment or recovering from serious and other treatments and services injuries. The ECMO system is availa- have been implemented across all Qatari woman donates QR5.3m for orphanage in Indonesia ble in a few centres around the world hospitals, enabling HMC to make a and requires a fully integrated and real difference to patient’s lives. The Peninsula 300 scribes, media organisations DOHA: A Qatari woman has to attend IPI global conference donated over QR5.3m to Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF) to build a big house for orphans in Sukajaya, Continued from page 1 the people what’s happening on the Indonesia. ground, including exposing corrup- The project ‘Sheikha Umm Khalid IPI is a global network of jour- tion and violation of human rights. for Orphans’ Care’ is being developed nalists, editors and media executives Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer said in an area of 10,000 square metres from nearly 100 countries from there is a possibility that the con- with a capacity to accommodate 350 across the world and is headquar- ference would back a resolution orphan children. tered in Vienna, Austria, having been mulling initiatives to be taken at The project is being executed by founded in late 1950. the global level to ensure the safety RAF in collaboration with a local Its mission is to defend media of journalists and bring criminals to partner Al Sila Charity Organisation in freedom, and free flow of news justice and ensure compensation for Sukajaya village of Prakerta province wherever they are threatened, said the victims. at West Java. Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer. Aljazeera Network is happy to be The foundation stone for the He said the conference will hosting this event in which 300 most project was laid last week. highlight major challenges facing prominent journalists and leading The launch ceremony was journalists, especially in areas of media organisations from around attended by Qatari Ambassador conflict and internally destabilised the world are taking part, Sheikh to Indonesia Mohamed bin Khater countries while they are trying to tell Hamad bin Thamer added. Al Khater; a RAF delegation

Officials attend the ground-breaking ceremony for the orphans’ house in Sukajaya.

led by Dr Ayed bin Dabssan Al facilities, said Dr Al Qahtani. opened last year,” said Al Sadi. “We Qahtani, Chairman and Director- It is not the first project if its have been looking for past several General, officials from Indonesian kind, as RAF has built several houses years to have an orphan house in our government and other dignitaries. for orphans in parts of Indonesia, he locality. The land was donated by The house will comprise nine added. The project is expected to be the heirs of Al Haj Mohamad Younis buildings, including a 14-classroom completed in 18 months, said Ali bin as per his will he had made before school, a big library, a computer Hussain Al Sadi, President, Al Sila his death. room and 16 fully-furnished Charity Organisation. “It was decided to build an residential rooms. It will accommodate 350 orphan house as there are a lot of The facility will also have a orphans from the village of Sukajaya orphan children. But the problem mosque, a health clinic, a big kitchen and neighbouring areas. was to find funds to built the facility. with dining hall. Three buses will “We executed several social We applied to RAF and got a positive be provided to serve the orphan and development projects with response. We were told that a Qatari children. The house will provide the help of RAF in several parts of woman has extended a helping hand complete services like education, the country. An orphan house with to build the facility,” said Bakhtiyar health, social and entertainment the capacity of 100 children was Naser, a local official. Northwestern University extends deal with QF

By Fazeena Saleem 10 years and gives a 20-year agree- 25 percent have gone to graduate The Peninsula ment,” he said. schools, that’s an amazing percent- NU-Q offers majors in journalism age and they have gone to the best (news and strategic communication) graduate schools,” said Dr Dennis. and communication (media indus- On introducing new pro- DOHA: The Northwestern Univer- tries and technology) in the context grammes, he said, “We are looking sity has extended its agreement with of a liberal arts curriculum that into mid-career education, almost Qatar Foundation (QF) for the Doha includes social sciences, humani- any professional wants to come back campus to offer journalism and com- ties and other fields. The campus also to school and learn something new munication programmes through the offers a Middle East Studies certifi- and change journalism or media or academic year 2027-2028. cate programme and one in media whatever subjects. It will be during With the renewal of the deal, and politics. weekends and evenings so people Northwestern University in Qatar It is also transforming the long- who work can take part. We also look (NU-Q) will continue its existing standing certificate programme in for some graduate programmes and programmes, research and service public relations to a broader one in master’s programmes.” activities. It also will develop mid- strategic communication. Faculty and students at NU-Q career and executive education NU-Q has 149 alumni and 207 engage in pioneering research about and is considering offering master’s students — 95 Qataris and 112 oth- news and media industries in the degrees, Dr Everette E Dennis, Dean ers. The faculty has 32 members. The Middle East and North Africa region, and CEO, told this newspaper. campus aims to increase the number media use among women and young “The old deal between North- of students to 300 and faculty to 40. audiences, media effects on national western University and QF is from “The new contract is more than identity, journalistic practices and 2008 to 2018, the new one takes a passing grade, it’s an affirmation digital literacy, among others. effect immediately, picks up the of what’s going on here. A total of NU-Q researchers build on the pending two years and goes for 149 students have graduated and research tradition of Northwestern another 10. three-quarters have gone into media University campus in the US — one “So the new agreement basi- industries, communication jobs, PR of America’s leading private research cally honours the old agreement, for firms or digital media firms. And universities.

08 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 HOME Q-Chem ‘committed to planting more trees’

Saad Rashid Al Muhannadi, CEO, Q-Chem, Yusuf Khalid Al Khulaifi, Director, Agriculture Affairs, Ministry of Municipality and Environment, delegates from the Mesaieed Industrial City, the ministry, Q-Chem management, employees and contractors pose for a group photo.

The Peninsula building. to meet and exceed 3.5 percent of The initiative supports the ‘One total land. Million Trees Campaign’ announced “The green belt was 1.7 percent in by the ministry during the COP18 2009 and was doubled with an addi- DOHA: Qatar Chemical Company conference in December 2012. tional 33,000 square metres in 2010, Ltd (Q-Chem) started this year’s As part of its commitment to Al Muhannadi said. ‘Tree Week Campaign’ on Thursday environmental protection and sus- “Q-Chem companies are now to encourage planting more trees tainability, Q-Chem took a decisive able to reuse much more water for around its plant premises in Mesaieed step towards planting hundreds of irrigation and increasing the number and maximise the reuse of treated trees on its plant site to increase its of planted trees from the native water. green belt, maximise the reuse of Qatari environment. Despite harsh Saad Rashid Al Muhannadi, treated water and use the trees as conditions, 75 percent of the trees CEO, Q-Chem, and Yusuf Khalid a natural barrier to the sand blown have been able to survive.” Al Khulaifi, Director, Agriculture from the surrounding dunes. Tree Week is an annual event, Affairs, Ministry of Municipality The plantation zone, referred to which started three years ago to and Environment, inaugurated the as the green belt, was a desert land increase the green belt. With 1,150 programme. in 2009, but has been turned into the trees having been planted in the The fourth annual campaign was green area. area in the past, the environment is co-organised with the Agriculture Q-Chem initiative contributes to most likely to change in the upcom- Department at the ministry which building a natural wind-blown sand ing years. provided trees. barrier and increases the reuse of “Q-Chem has always been Other delegates from the treated water for irrigation enthusiastic about its sustainable Mesaieed Industrial City, the min- “The Q-Chem premises in development, while not only pro- istry, Q-Chem management, Mesaieed Industrial City, which tecting our environment, but also employees and contractors partici- include Q-Chem and Q-Chem II plant enhancing it and its conditions for pated in planting 1,000 native trees facilities, succeeded in increasing the generations to come,” Al Muhan- Top officials planting a sapling at the event. at Q-Chem, near the administration green belt in the previous campaign nadi said. Shafallah to mark World Down Syndrome Day Maersk Oil Qatar Professor in STEM Leadership appointed

QNA Monday, along with an entertainment day for the students. The Peninsula of STEM education and other out- demand for exceptional Activities will also include a shoot- reach activities made him an obvious expertise in science and ing championship in collaboration with choice for this new professorship,” engineering to support DOHA: The Shafallah Centre for Children the National Shooting Federation for the said Dr Ann Kenimer, Interim Dean, emerging technologies with Special Needs will celebrate World Shafallah Centre students with ‘Down Syn- DOHA: Dr Hussein Alnuweiri (pic- TAMUQ. “He is an integral part of the he will explore further Down Syndrome Day, which falls on March drome’ on Wednesday. tured), Professor of Electrical and success of this campus and in achiev- through research and lead- 21 to raise the conscience of society about An awareness film on World Down Computer Engineering, Texas A&M ing our vision of being the premier ership in his new role. the importance of the day. Syndrome Day will be screened on inter- University at Qatar (TAMUQ), has provider of engineering education Lewis Affleck, Man- The celebration programme includes nal display screens and social networking been appointed as the first holder in the region, a valuable contrib- aging Director, Maersk Oil an awareness march in Villaggio on sites. of the Maersk Oil Qatar Professor- utor to knowledge internationally, Qatar, said: “The appoint- ship in STEM Leadership for the next and a valued resource to Qatar. We ment of the Maersk Oil two years. congratulate Dr Alnuweiri for this Qatar STEM Profes- Dr Alnuweiri was awarded the honour.” sor is another important position in recognition of his cut- Dr Alnuweiri recently deliv- milestone for the Dhia pro- ting-edge research and contributions capacity in science and engineering ered his inaugural talk on the future gramme. It will enhance to educational outreach to young teaching while inspiring the next of technology and the ‘Internet of understanding of how Qataris. generation of young engineers and Things’ in which devices, infra- teaching and learning The STEM professorship is part scientists in support of Qatar National structure and appliances become practices in the context of of the Dhia: Engineering Leaders Vision 2030 through practical skills increasingly interconnected to Qatar can promote greater partnership between Maersk Oil development programmes. enhance lives. success and participation Qatar and TAMUQ developing local “Dr Alnuweiri’s rich portfolio He highlighted the growing in STEM subjects in young people. STEM skills are vital for a strong knowl- edge-based economy and for developing the coun- try’s future scientists, engineers and entrepre- neurs. Maersk Oil Qatar is committed to Qatar for generations to come and through long-term sustain- able programmes such as Dhia, we are working to bring real meaningful ben- efits to Qatar in support of Qatar National Vision 2030. We are confident that Dr Alnuweiri and the Profes- sorship in STEM Leadership will contribute significantly to this field in the coming months and years.” Dr Alnuweiri joined TAMUQ faculty as profes- sor in 2007 and chaired its Electrical and Computer Engineering Programme from 2009 to 2014. An outstanding teacher and researcher, he has also carried out outreach and STEM activities at TAMUQ where he has produced over 70 journal papers, 180 conference papers, three book chapters, US patents and 12 research grants of about $9m. HOME SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 09

Deputy Emir and Premier send condolence cables to Turkey, Russia GCC Traffic Week teams honoured

DOHA: Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani has sent a cable of condolences to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressing his heartfelt condolences and sympathy over the victims of the terrorist bomb- This year’s event ing which took place in the centre of Istanbul yesterday, praying to Almighty Allah to grant the victims rest and bless the injured with a quick recovery. saw participation of The Deputy Emir also sent a cable of condolences to Russian President more entities from Vladimir Putin, expressing his heartfelt condolences and sympathy over the victims of the Flydubai plane crash at Rostov-on-Don airport while landing. the private sector Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser and civil society bin Khalifa Al Thani sent condolence cables to his Turkish counterpart Dr Ahmet Davutoglu and Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev. organisations. Minister visits Industrial Area and waste treatment facility QNA

DOHA: Minister of Municipality and Environment H E Mohamed bin Abdul- lah Al Rumaihi visited The Industrial Area yesterday. He toured the area and DOHA: The Interior Ministry’s Traf- reviewed ongoing construction plans. The Minister stressed the importance fic Department organised a ceremony of finishing construction work quickly and assured that all involved state to honour delegations attending the authorities will cooperate to get the work done. At the waste treatment facil- 32nd GCC Traffic Week along with ity in Mesaieed, he saw the process and the technology used to transform entities and companies participating waste into energy. The facility is the biggest of its kind in the Middle-East. Its and supporting the event held under design allows for expansion in the future to increase production. It is spread the theme ‘Your Decision Determines over an area of 3sqkm and can handle up to 2,300 tonnes of waste a day. Your Fate’. The GCC Traffic Week con- cluded yesterday. The ceremony was organised at Minister meets Saudi official Kempinski Hotel, in the presence of officials from the ministry. GCC delegates attending one of the activities. DOHA: Minister of Transport and Communications H E Jassim bin Saif Al Addressing the ceremony, Lt. Sulaiti yesterday met Dr Mohammed Saleh bin Taher Benten, President, Saudi Colonel Mohammed Radhi Al Hajri, Post Corporation, and discussed issues of common interest in the postal field. Director, Media and Traffic Awareness institutions, companies, community part in activities. The Traffic Depart- traffic exhibition, daily awareness at the department, praised efforts of organisations and youth clubs. ment’s offices outside Doha also held lectures, forums and workshops. all participants to ensure the success He also highlighted GCC delega- awareness activities simultaneously. Activities blended fun with Winter camping season until April 14 of the events and increase awareness tions’ participation in activities and Schools and entities visited Darb El- awareness programmes, addressing about road safety. said their participation reflected an Saei, the main venue of the event. different categories of people, such DOHA: The Ministry of Municipality and Environment has extended the He also hailed the department’s outstanding level of cooperation This year’s Traffic Week saw par- as theatrical shows, competitions 2015-2016 winter camping season until April 14. This year’s season began partnership with institutions and among the GCC countries. ticipation of more entities from the and quizzes, lectures, a minia- on November 1 last year and was scheduled to end on March 31. The minis- said it which reflected in active par- More than 60 government and private sector and civil society organ- ture Souq Waqif and a play area for try has issued 2,058 licences during this season. ticipation of government agencies, non-governmental entities took isations in various activities, such as children.

Cricket fun NU-Q lecturer’s film wins award at US festival

DOHA: A Northwestern University Qatar (NU-Q) lectur- The Qatar-based Ukrainian-American filmmaker and er’s film has won the Best International Film Award at the multimedia journalist’s first feature-length documentary DC Independent Film Festival in Washington DC. Jour- also received a Silver award at 2015 Spotlight Documen- nalism Lecturer Christina M Paschyn won the accolade tary Awards and a 2015 IndieFest Award of Merit — Special for A Struggle for Home: The Crimean Tatar, written and Mention. The film on the Crimean Tatar people, the Muslim- directed by her. Turkic indigenous population of the Crimean Peninsula.

Fans watch Pakistan vs India cricket match on a big screen outside the Grand Mall in Asian Town yesterday. Pic: Abdul Basit

WISE and QU hold workshop

The Peninsula

DOHA: The World Innova- tion Summit for Education (WISE), an initiative of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), partnered with Qatar University (QU) to present a workshop ‘Global Entrepre- neurship Education’. Hosted by QU’s Cen- tre for Entrepreneurship at QU, the event featured a panel discussion and an interactive ‘World Café’ style workshop, which pre- sented participants with the opportunity to interact with others, share experi- ences and explore ways to support entrepreneurial thinking and action. Through the event, WISE is equipping entre- preneurs with tools to diversify industries, sup- porting QF’s mission of unlocking human potential to help build a knowledge- based economy. The event reinforced the publication of a 2015 WISE Research Report, ‘Entrepreneurship Educa- tion: A Global Consideration from Practice to Policy Around the World’. 10 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 MIDDLE EAST

UN mediator Iraqi troops criticised for ‘fruitless’ fight IS to Syria talks AFP

GENEVA: A week of Geneva peace talks on Syria has proved fruitless, retake Hit a source close to the Damas- cus government said yesterday, blaming UN pressure to end the “Members of the terrorist Daesh five-year war. (IS) gangs have fled back into the “We have seen no progress Push to throw town centre,” the head of the local these past five days,” the source out jihadists council for Al Baghdadi district, told AFP, criticising UN media- from Iraqi city in Malallah Al Obeidi, said. tor Staffan de Mistura for urging Daboun said Iraqi aircraft Damascus to unveil a detailed Anbar province as and jets from the US-led interna- transition strategy. thousands stranded. tional coalition were providing air “Mr De Mistura does not have support. the right to put pressure on any- Al Asad military air base, which body. He is the mediator in the houses a large contingent of US and discussions and should not take other foreign military advisers, lies anybody’s side,” he added. AFP around 35 kilometres northwest of Earlier pro-government Syr- Hit. ian daily Al-Watan said the talks Iraq’s security forces launched a — held indirectly between the two final push against IS in Anbar’s pro- sides via the UN mediator — had BAGHDAD: Iraqi forces have vincial capital Ramadi late last year failed to produce “any significant launched a broad offensive to retake and established full control over the result.” the city of Hit from the Islamic State city last month. De Mistura conceded Friday Supporters of prominent Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada Al Sadr gesture during a sit-in on the streets near the group in the western province of Aid agencies have voiced con- he was “still detecting large dis- Anbar, a top commander said yes- cern over the fate of an estimated gates of Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, yesterday. tances” between the government terday. 35,000 civilians who have fled Hit and main opposition High Nego- Led by the elite Counter-Terror- and its surroundings in the run-up to tiations Committee (HNC) at the ism Service, forces from the police, the latest military offensive. talks, which are due to resume army and local tribal fighters were The International Committee of US service member dies in Iraq battle tomorrow. The opposition mean- making a final push to retake Hit, the Red Cross said late Friday that while were sanguine in their 145km west of Baghdad. thousands of freshly displaced peo- assessment, while criticising the “They have begun a broad oper- ple were stranded in areas where “manoeuvres” of the Damascus ation to liberate Hit and Kubaysa,” very little assistance is available. AFP service member in northern Iraq appropriate. The CNN news channel government delegation. Major General Ali Ibrahim Daboun, The organisation said it was able today as a result of enemy action,” it reported that the death occurred as “For the opposition, it was the head of the Al Jazeera Opera- to deliver aid for the first time on Fri- said in a statement. a result of a rocket attack on a base an opportunity to show its unity tions Command, said. day to around 12,000 people west BAGHDAD: An American mem- The coalition statement did not in Makhmur, an area around 70 kil- and willingness to participate Kubaysa is a smaller town a few of Ramadi. ber of the US-led coalition fighting specify the nationality of the killed ometres southeast of the main IS hub effectively in a peace process,” miles west of Hit, a key hub along “We don’t know how they man- the Islamic State group was killed in service member, but a Pentagon offi- of Mosul. said HNC representative Bassma the Euphrates that the jihadists have aged to survive. Repeated access is northern Iraq yesterday due to enemy cial confirmed to AFP the casualty It also said that a “small number” Kodmani. “In contrast we do not controlled since October 2014. crucial in order to help the remain- action, the coalition and a Pentagon was an American citizen. of other American troops were see any readiness on the other Daboun said Iraqi security forces ing thousands of people who official said. The global coalition against the wounded in the attack. side to do the same. We see many and tribal fighters had retaken a urgently need humanitarian aid,” “The Combined Joint Task Force- jihadist group comprises more than Makhmur lies within territory manoeuvres on their part. From cement plant west of Kubaysa and said Katharina Ritz, head of the ICRC Operation Inherent Resolve can 60 countries. The coalition said more controlled by the autonomous north- that standpoint I am not very opti- raised the Iraqi flag there. delegation in Iraq. confirm the death of a coalition information would be released as ern region of Kurdistan. mistic,” Kodmani said. 19 pilgrims killed in Saudi bus crash

AFP “Nineteen people were killed Sihli added. Millions of Muslims visit when the bus carrying them turned Saudi Arabia each year for the year- over on the Hijra road” between the round Umrah minor pilgrimage and RIYADH: At least 19 pilgrims died, coastal city of Jeddah and the holy the annual Haj pilgrimage. all of them Egyptian, and 22 were city of Madinah, Saudi Red Crescent Jordan said on Wednesday that injured early yesterday when their spokesman Khaled Ben Messaed Al 14 pilgrims died and another 36 bus overturned in western Saudi Sihli said. were injured in another bus acci- Arabia, authorities in both countries “All the bus passengers have the dent in southern Jordan near the said. same nationality of an Arab coun- Saudi border. The tourism ministry in Cairo try except the driver who is Asian,” The country’s civil protection said 19 Egyptian pilgrims and a child he said. service said the driver lost control of were killed and 15 were injured in the Another 22 people were injured the vehicle which turned over 320km accident. including some who were badly hurt, southeast of Amman. Iran and Turkey seek to boost ties

Reuters

ISTANBUL: Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif joined his Turkish hosts in Istanbul yesterday in condemning a suicide bombing by suspected Kurdish militants in a main shopping district that killed five people. Zarif, on a visit to bolster bilateral trade and discuss political differ- ences over the war in neighbouring Syria, said the bombing — which also injured 36 people — “displays the ugly face of terrorism”. Iran has been a strong strategic ally of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad since the start of the uprising Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Iran’s Foreign Minister against him, while Turkey has been Mohammad Javad Zarif in Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday. one of his fiercest critics, support- ing his opponents and giving refuge to rebel fighters. reporters in Istanbul. After the lifting IRNA in Istanbul. “We face common While Ankara and Tehran remain of international sanctions this year regional threats and of course have divided over the conflict in Syria, following a deal with Western powers different views regarding some issues Zarif and his Turkish counterpart to curb its nuclear programme, Iran that should be resolved through dia- Mevlut Cavusoglu said both sides has become the biggest economy to logue and negotiations.” wanted to mend a relationship that rejoin the global trading system since At a news conference after meet- could help establishment of peace the Soviet Union broke up more than ing Cavusoglu, Zarif said Syria’s and stability in the Middle East. two decades ago. Gains by moderate national unity and territorial integ- Turkey’s foreign ministry has allies of pragmatist President Hassan rity had to be respected. said the aim of the talks during Rowhani in Iran’s last month cru- “We strongly believe that as Zarif’s visit will be “current regional cial elections have raised hopes for neighbours of Syria, Iran and Tur- and international developments” as boosting foreign investment in Iran, key can work together to bring peace well as relations between the two a country with 80 million people and to Syria,” Zarif said. countries. some of the world’s biggest oil and Hopes of a breakthrough at the Zarif suggested business would gas reserves. “Iran and Turkey enjoy Syria peace talks in Geneva remain be high on the agenda. “We are many commonalities ... The leaders slim despite a more than two- seeking the best possible level of of Iran and Turkey seriously want week-old “cessation of hostilities” economic cooperation with Tur- to further develop economic ties,” and Russia’s pulling out some of its key after the nuclear deal,” he told Zarif told Iran’s state news agency forces. MIDDLE EAST SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 11 Suicide attack in central Istanbul claims five lives

of responsibility for the bombing, which two senior officials said could Police hunt for three have been carried out by the Kurdis- suspects, two from tan Workers Party (PKK), fighting for Kurdish autonomy in the southeast, Gaziantep near the or by an Islamic State militant. Syrian border. Both groups have targeted Tur- key in recent months. A PKK offshoot claimed responsibility for two sui- cide bombings in the capital Ankara Reuters over the past month, which killed a total of 66 people. And Islamic State was blamed for a suicide bombing in Istanbul in January which killed ISTANBUL/ANKARA: A suicide at least 12 German tourists. bomber killed himself and four oth- One of the officials said the ers in a central Istanbul shopping and bomber had planned to hit a more tourism district yesterday, wounding crowded location but was deterred at least 36 people in the fourth such by the police presence. attack in Turkey this year. “The attacker detonated the The blast sent panicked shoppers bomb before reaching the target scurrying into side alleys off Istik- point because they were scared of lal Street, a long pedestrian avenue the police,” the official said, declin- lined with international stores and ing to be named as the investigation foreign consulates, a few hundred is ongoing. metres from where police buses are Another official said investiga- often stationed. tions were focusing on three possible The attack will raise further suspects, all of them male and two questions about Nato member Tur- of them from the southern city of key’s ability to protect itself against Gaziantep near the Syrian border. a spillover of violence from the war There was no further confirmation in neighbouring Syria. A Turkish policeman stands of this. Armed police sealed off the Turkey faces threats from Kurd- guard on Istiklal Street, a major shopping street where half a dozen ish militants, whose insurgency has shopping hangout of Istanbul. ambulances had gathered. Forensic spread from the largely Kurdish teams in white suits searched for evi- southeast and who Ankara sees as Meanwhile, US and other European dence as police helicopters buzzed closely linked to a Kurdish militia in embassies had warned their citi- overhead. Syria, and from Islamic State fighters, zens to be vigilant ahead of Newroz Istiklal Street, usually thronged who have also recently targeted it. celebrations this weekend, a spring with shoppers at weekends, was qui- Germany shut down its dip- festival largely marked by Kurds eter than normal as more people are lomatic missions and schools on which has turned violent in the past. staying home after a series of deadly The site of the attack on Istanbul’s Istiklal Street yesterday. Thursday, citing a specific threat. There was no immediate claim bombings. Major attacks that shook Turkey

list of the worst bomb attacks in Tur- October 10, 2015: 103 people are killed synagogues, the British consulate and a branch key since 1982: and more than 500 wounded in twin suicide of the British multinational bank HSBC, leaving A bombings targeting a pro-Kurdish peace rally 63 dead, including Britain’s consul general, and in Ankara. hundreds wounded. The attacks are claimed by March 19, 2016: Four people are killed July 20, 2015: 34 people are killed and about Al Qaeda and a Turkish extremist group named and dozens injured in a suicide bombing on a 100 injured in a suicide bombing in the pre- the Islamic Front of Raiders of the Great Orient. famous Istanbul shopping thoroughfare, the dominantly-Kurdish town of Suruc near the March 13, 1999: Twelve are killed in a fire- Istiklal Caddesi. border with Syria. Turkish officials blame IS. bombing on an Istanbul shopping mall. The March 13, 2016: At least 34 people are killed May 11, 2013: A twin car bomb attack kills attack is claimed by the PKK, which later and dozens wounded in a car bombing near 52 people in Reyhanli near the Syrian border. retracts its statement. Ankara’s main Kizilay square. Ankara blames pro-Damascus groups. December 25, 1991: Explosives and fire- February 17, 2016: 29 are killed in a car February 11, 2013: 17 people are killed when bombs are hurled at an Istanbul department bombing targeting the Turkish military in a Syrian minibus explodes in Reyhanli. store, killing 17 people and injuring 23. The Ankara. The attack is claimed by a group call- July 27, 2008: Two bombings in Istanbul attack is blamed on the PKK. ing itself the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK) leave 17 dead and 115 wounded. The authori- September 6, 1986: A twin suicide bomb- but Turkish authorities say there was also a ties blame the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). ing claimed by Islamic Jihad kills 22 people at Syrian Kurdish link. September 12, 2006: Ten people, including a synagogue in Istanbul. January 12, 2016: Eleven German tourists children, are killed in a bomb blast in Diyar- August 7, 1982: A bomb at Ankara airport are killed and another 16 people wounded in bakir, the largest city in the mainly Kurdish followed by a gun battle leaves 11 dead and 63 a suicide attack by a Syrian bomber in Istan- southeast. The PKK denies involvement. injured. The attack is claimed by the Arme- A special operations trooper runs with a gun in hand as another stands guard near bul’s Sultanahmet district, the ancient tourist  November 15 and 20, 2003: Four sui- nian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia. the site of the suicide attack in Istanbul yesterday. heart of the city. cide car bomb attacks in Istanbul hit two (ASALA). Libya’s eastern govt warns against Al Qaeda franchise claims imposition of UN-backed cabinet attack on Algeria gas plant

Reuters built on consensus,” it said. Reuters Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has claimed several attacks It also warned local and international parties to across the region recently, including an assault on a resort work with the new government only after parliament in Ivory Coast on Sunday that killed 18 people it said was gave its approval. In eastern Benghazi on Friday, at least ALGIERS: Al Qaeda’s North Africa branch has claimed revenge for a French offensive against Islamist militants BENGHAZI: Libya’s eastern government has said that 500 people turned out at a demonstration against the responsibility for Friday’s rocket-propelled grenade attack in the Sahel. Algeria, emerging from its own 1990s war moves to impose a new UN-backed unity cabinet on the new government and in support of the army, which has on an Algerian gas plant operated by Norway’s Statoil with Islamist fighters that killed 200,000, has become country without a vote of approval by the eastern par- made major advances against Islamist groups in the city and BP as part of its “war on the Crusader interests eve- an important partner in the Western campaign against liament risked deepening the nation’s crisis. in recent weeks. One reason for deadlock over the unity rywhere”. Islamist militancy. The Opec nation is also a major gas The unity government-in-waiting has called for an government is the demand from some in the east that the The attack caused no casualties or damage but forced supplier to Europe. Attacks in the North African country immediate transfer of power, and its prime minister said army there and its commander, Khalifa Haftar, should the facility to be closed as a precaution, though state are rarer since it ended its civil war, but Al Qaeda in the in an interview broadcast on Thursday that it would move not be sidelined in a political transition. energy company Sonatrach said Algeria’s gas production Islamic Maghreb and fighters allied with Islamic State to Tripoli from Tunis in the “next few days”. The internationally-recognised eastern parliament had not been affected. “This operation has destroyed your are still active, mostly in the remote south and moun- Since 2014 Libya has had rival parliaments and gov- has repeatedly failed to vote to approve the unity govern- claims to have defeated ‘terrorism’ as you like to describe tains east of Algiers. ernments, one set based in Tripoli and the other in the ment, but a majority of its members signed a statement it,” the Islamist militant group said in a statement directed Algeria’s oil and gas infrastructure is heavily protected east. Both are backed by loose alliances of former rebels of support last month. at the Algerian government and Western oil companies. by the army especially since the 2013 Islamist militant and armed brigades which emerged amid the chaos that The United States and European powers cited that “Even if your Western masters believed you were in con- attack on the In Amenas gas plant, also operated by BP followed the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi five years statement when they declared on Sunday that the unity trol previously, how will you justify your position now?” Al and Statoil, during which 40 oil workers were killed. ago. cabinet was the “only legitimate government in Libya”. Western governments have been pushing for the unity French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he government to start work, saying it holds the best hope for had told Libyan Prime Minister-designate Fayez Seraj at ending Libya’s turmoil and tackling the growing threat a meeting in Tunis on Friday that France was “ready to posed by Islamic State militants. offer help for the security of the government”. The eastern government said in a statement on Fri- But a Western diplomat said there was no immediate day that while it supported the unity cabinet, any attempt plan for foreign military advisors to help the new gov- to impose it represented an “abuse of Libyan sovereignty ernment set up in Tripoli. and a lack of respect for the democratic process”. The unity government and the Tunis-based presiden- “It will deepen the Libyan crisis and the economic sit- tial council that appointed it have faced stiff opposition uation, increase division, and shatter the political accord from hardliners on both sides of Libya’s political divide. Rights situation in Egypt worries Kerry

Reuters oration in the human rights situation government this week to investigate in Egypt, including Egypt’s decision the NGOs, which were documenting to reopen an investigation of non- human rights abuses, comes against WASHINGTON: US Secretary of governmental organisations. a wider backdrop of arrests and State John Kerry said on Friday he In a statement, Kerry said intimidation of the political opposi- was deeply concerned by the deteri- the decision by the Egyptian tion, journalists, activists and others. File picture of the Algerian gas plant that was attacked by rocket propelled grenades on Friday. 12 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 OPINION

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL Turkey-EU migrant deal Beating the drums of war for peace

he European Union and Turkey have finally sealed a combat readiness. practices and ideology contradict component can be called ‘the deal to stanch the flow of migrants into Europe. The So it was a chance to bring their faith. Syria operation’, which overlaps leaders of 28 nations in the bloc and Prime Minister together troops from Islamic The final motive is that no one with the existing alliance against Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey approved the accord after countries with different military wants to be involved in fighting Da’esh which includes many West- two days of strenuous negotiations. The agreement doctrines for the first time in one against Iran, including the King- ern countries. Tseeks to return new asylum seekers who arrive in Greece from place, and this in itself is a great dom, but no one also wants to see The last meeting of this alli- Turkey and its main terms include disbursement of $6.6bn in achievement. It could be the start- Iran pursuing its ambitious aims ance was held in Brussels last aid to Ankara to help organisations look after the nearly three ing point for establishment of an in the region. February. Saudi is the main part- Islamic “Nato”. However it is mis- Perhaps the military manoeu- ner of this alliance but its agenda million migrants already in Turkey, promises of visa-free travel take to say the alliance is already vre in north Saudi, a few miles goes beyond fighting Da’esh to for Turkish citizens in most of Europe and the eventual restart fully formed, as there are many away from the Iraqi southern toppling Bashar Al Assad and of talks with Turkey on membership in the European Union. EU By Jamal Khashoggi things that need to be done before border (which unfortunately expelling Iran from Syria, to ena- president Donald Tusk said that all ‘irregular’ migrants would reaching this point. Managing to is dominated by Iran) could ble Syrians to enjoy freedom. be returned to Turkey from Sunday and for every Syrian refugee bring Egypt together with Tur- be a deterrent and end Iran’s Saudi believes that Bashar’s expelled, the EU would resettle one directly from Turkey. he closing ceremony of key in one place for around one adventures. regime and Iran are the main Ra’ad Al Shamal military month, despite their political dif- The principle of “preparation cause for the appearance of Turkey has been able to extract a string of political and manoeuvres last Thurs- ferences, has the ability to bring for war to restore peace” has sent Da’esh. financial concessions in return for taking for taking steps to stop day created majestic view them together again. a message to Tehran. The Saudi The fourth component of this the exodus of migrants to Europe. That the EU has agreed to Ton the desert sands of the north- As we are living in the Mid- Foreign Minister Adil Al Jubeir did policy, are the Ra’ad Al Shamal these conditions points to the intense pressure the bloc has been ern part of Saudi Arabic. The dle East region, where some well when he announced prior to manoeuvres. But it is not yet clear facing and the internal upheavals in many member countries exercises in which troops from states have collapsed and some the manoeuvres that “Iran is a whether some of the troops will against the migrants. German Chancellor Angela has already twenty countries participated have risen from oppression, per- neighbouring Muslim state which remain permanently there for any been punished for her pro-immigrant bias during the elections was also a rare moment that gath- haps we may witness events has long history and civilisation, possible developments or not! ered leaders of the participating that unite these countries faster and Iranians are friendly people Setting up the policy of deci- in three states where her party lost heavily, while leaders of countries around the Saudi King than expected. General Al Bun- but the policy adopted by Iran siveness in four pillars has helped some other European countries have been hurling abuse at the Salman. yan talked about “regular and after Khomeini’s revolution is hos- Saudi to use its relations and its immigrants. The exciting view, the sound of irregular wars” of which we have tile”. It is another Saudi message leadership position amongst At the same time, as Europe battles cannons, and the roar of tanks and many in process, and some others to Iran which may help in reduc- Islamic countries to bring together to resolve its worst migration crisis warplanes have made observers which may take place in future. ing the roars of cannons. different forms of governments since World War II, the deal has come wonder and imagine the features Such drills could also take place Ra’ad Al Shamal is one com- and trends. The good news about of war and peace in the region. for fighting Da’esh where Saudi ponent of four of Saudi’s modern this policy is the recent truce under fire from rights groups. It’s However we will be in no hurry Arabia, UAE and Turkey empha- policies collectively known as with Houthis in the border area heartening that hundreds of thousands because Saudi Arabia is not a sized their readiness to intervene “Saudi decisive policy”. One of with Yemen and this may lead to The deal in Europe are sympathising with the country known for adventures in Syria if a suitable situation was these components is the Arab-Gulf a comprehensive peace process. will stanch plight of migrants and thousands of but for decisive actions. created. Alliance fight in Yemen to restore The launch of peace talks in the flow of people took to the streets of European Some observers considered Some analysts thought that the the legitimate government and Geneva may bring peace and a capitals -- in London, Athens, the manoeuvres to be a hurried drill was to protect Saudi Arabia, end the situation created by the transition of power in Syria, if migrants Barcelona, Vienna, Amsterdam and gathering of ‘Islamic alliance the land of the two holy mosques, coup of the Houthis and former associated with diplomatic pres- troops’ preparing for interven- making it deserve the support of president Saleh, under the spon- sures, in the light of the agreement into Europe, several Swiss cities -- yesterday tion in Syria, while some others all Muslims. Saudi is leading the sorship of Iran. made between the US and Russia but fails to expressing support for migrants. In considered them to be a basis for region with noble aims. The second is the Islamic alli- to impose a ceasefire. protect their London, approximately 4,000 people a permanent Islamic army. A third The movement generated by ance for fighting terrorism, and From here, Haf Al Batin in joined a protest carrying placards with group of observers linked these the Kingdom actually has three officially announced by Deputy north Saudi Arabia, where the rights. slogans like “Refugees welcome here” manoeuvres with the alliance motives and all of them are polit- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Sal- manoeuvre took place I would like and “Stand up to racism”. Amnesty forces in Yemen but the official ically and morally right. The first man last December. to express my optimism and say statement issued by Saudi Arabia’s motive is ending the prevail- The alliance which is going to there is a light of peace at the end International has called the deal a chief of staff, General Abdulrah- ing chaos in some the region’s hold its first meeting this month, is of the tunnel- through the smoke “historic blow to human rights.” As man Al Bunyan commander of the countries. a kind of ‘operations coordination of cannons and roar of tanks there Amnesty has pointed out, it was signed exercise pointed out that the exer- The second is to defeat Da’esh, room’ to support and coordi- is a chance for a just peace. to protect the interests of the two cise was aimed at boosting the not just preventing it from expan- nate a war against terror in all signatories while the rights of asylum seekers have been ignored. unity of ranks, warding off the sion in the region, because it is not Islamic states. Each of the mem- The writer is a Saudi Arabian jour- The migrants issue will continue to divide Europe with dangers facing Arab and Islamic worthy of existence whether as an ber countries will contribute to the nalist, columnist, author and the General Manager and Editor-in- parties and leaders speaking in divergent tones. A consensus nations, maintaining security and ideology or as a state. Muslims are efforts of the war, in accordance stability, and raising the levels of the first to fight Da’esh because its with their capacities. The third Chief of Al Arab News Channel. is extremely difficult, with the anti-immigrant camps often gaining precedence over the pro-camps. We will have to wait to see how the agreement is implemented and its impact on asylum seekers. The European Union needs to educate migrants about the dangers and futility of their journey to Europe and the Swatting the Zika carriers middlemen must be stopped and punished so that lives are not put to risk. The Washington Post Janeiro, suggests the attack rate of fading political will and rapid can be manipulated to impede the is “disturbingly high,” and micro- urbanisation. disease. cephaly is just one of many risks. The crowded, poverty- stricken So far, laboratory trials have vidence is mounting that the So far, Central and South sections of cities in Latin Amer- shown that genetic material can be mosquito-borne Zika virus is America have been hardest hit, ica are a perfect setting for Zika’s altered to suppress mosquito pop- Ea potentially serious health but the United States’ Gulf Coast spread. The mosquitoes breed in ulations or make them less likely threat. While symptoms are typ- is vulnerable, too. small amounts of water and hide to ferry disease. Quote of the day ically mild, the consequences can There is no quick fix. The virus is in the shadows of homes. Many of More recent science has sug- be severe, such as microcephaly primarily transmitted by the bite of the most vulnerable people to Zika gested that a mosquito gene “drive” in infants born to women with the an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, infections are the poor, who have could be created that would pass No centre of terrorism will virus. The condition is character- the species that also spreads the less protection in screens or air down to generations of mosqui- ized by a small head and damaged dengue and chikungunya viruses. conditioning. In the United States, toes the characteristic of resisting reach its aim with such brain. The most direct response is vector mosquito control is the responsibil- a disease such as malaria. This monstrous attacks. Our According to Francis Collins, control, or fighting the disease- ity of a crazy-quilt of local districts, technique has enormous implica- director of the National Institutes carrying mosquito population. But which may not be up to the task of tions for entire ecosystems, and struggle will continue of Health, an NIH-funded study spraying pesticide can be labour- battling a major outbreak. research ought to be carried out with the same resolution showed that the virus can infect intensive and difficult. Aside from spraying, there are with the utmost care. It may not and kill human neural progenitor As Post reporters Nick Miroff other approaches, such as irradi- be the answer to this epidemic, but and determination until cells that give rise to the cerebral and Brady Dennis pointed out, a ating male mosquitoes to sterilize it is important to explore. Would terrorism ends completely. cortex, a crucial portion of the much-heralded international effort them, leading a population of the world be worse off if Aedes brain. in the 1940s and 1950s eliminated insects eventually to die off. And aegypti were genetically altered, Another study, involving Aedes aegypti from 18 countries in the age of genetic engineering has now and forever? A lot of human Ahmet Davutoglu women diagnosed with Zika dur- Central and South America, but brought new possibilities: babies might have a better chance Turkish Prime Minister ing their pregnancies in Rio de that success was reversed by years The tiny building blocks of life to be born healthy.

All thoughts and views expressed in these columns are those of the writers, not of the newspaper. All correspondence regarding Opinion page should be mailed to the Editor-in-Chief.

EDITORIAL TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR E-MAIL: [email protected] ADVERTISING TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] ASIA SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 13 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan bans smartphones for to elect new civil servants KAZAKHSTAN: Ex-Soviet Kazakhstan is set to enforce a ban on smart- phones in the workplace for police and government rulers today workers in an effort to prevent information leaks, according to a document to be aimed at avoiding a campaign that was itself leaked. later this year, when damage to the A government docu- Nazarbayev’s Nur economy becomes more visible. ment leaked to the media Otan party faces no Since then, the price of oil, Kaza- in the Central Asian state khstan’s main export, has risen from on Thursday said smart- real competition, less than $30 per barrel to more than phones would be banned and it should benefit $40. The tenge, which had earlier starting March 24 for lost half its value against the dollar on-duty police officers from a rebound in oil within just five months, has gained and civil servants given prices and the local more than 10 percent over the same “increasingly frequent time. cases of confidential infor- currency, the tenge. Political analysts unanimously mation leaking through predict that Nur Otan will win a the WhatsApp mobile majority in the Mazhilis. It has been application”. Britain’s Prince Harry meets with Nepal’s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Olialso at the latter’s office Reuters devoid of Nazarbayev’s opponents for more than a decade and routinely at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu, Nepal, yesterday. rubber-stamps laws drafted by the Man sentenced government. ALMATY: Kazakhstan’s ruling party In addition, Kazakhstan has to five years is almost certain to retain control never held an election judged free over the lower house of parliament and fair by Western observers. Prince Harry visits quake-hit Nepal SAN DIEGO: A former in a snap election today, but the vote Sunday’s vote may also draw crit- manager of a Singapore- may still play a part in deciding who icism, because it was preceded by based company servicing will succeed President Nursultan a crackdown on political activists AFP who helped in rescue efforts on his served alongside Gurkhas during my US Navy ships has been Nazarbayev. and media. first visit to the country, which cel- first tour of Afghanistan and I look sentenced to more than Nazarbayev’s Nur Otan party In January, an Almaty court ebrates 200 years of joint relations forward to visiting the communities five years in prison after faces no real competition, and it sentenced two activists critical of between Nepal and Britain. that have produced and supported pleading guilty to a fraud should benefit from a rebound in the government to prison terms for KATHMANDU: Britain’s Prince Harry, 31, met Nepal’s prime min- these extraordinary soldiers,” he said. scheme that overbilled oil prices and the local currency, “inciting discord” in Harry arrived in Nepal yesterday for ister K.P. Sharma Oli after his arrival The prince’s tour will also take the maritime branch by the tenge. Facebook comments. Last a five-day visit and said he hopes to and is scheduled to hold a meeting him to Bardia National Park in more than $34m. Harder to predict is the makeup month, the state anti-corruption “shine a spotlight” on resilience of with the country’s first female pres- western Nepal, famous for its tiger A US District judge of Nur Otan’s faction. Some of its 127 agency said it was investigating Nepali people recovering from last ident, Bidhya Bhandari, during the conservation efforts, according to a in San Diego ordered candidates for the 107-seat Mazhi- the head of the Kazakh journalists’ year’s devastating quake. weekend. The prince is set to visit statement on his official website. Alex Wisidagama to pay lis, the lower house, will have to drop union over suspected embezzlement “I pay my respects to those who heritage sites hit by a devastat- Harry also plans to undertake a $34.8m in restitution to out. In particular, all eyes will be on and tax evasion perished and hope to do what I can ing 7.8-magnitude earthquake last trek on the foothills of the Himala- the Navy. Nazarbaev’s daughter Dariga, who is However, an economic down- to shine a spotlight on the resilience April that killed nearly 9,000 people, yas as well as spending a night at a Wisidagama was the deputy prime minister and also on turn may complicate any political of the Nepali people,” Prince Harry with the country still reeling from the Gurkha soldier’s home. global manager of Glenn the party list as a candidate. If she transition. The price of oil remains said in his address at a reception held after-effects. A member of the Brit- “I look forward to exploring your Defense Marine Asia and leaves the government, Nazarbayeva more than 60 percent off its 2013 by Nepal’s government to welcome ish army for 10 years before retiring landscapes, celebrating your culture, the cousin of its top exec- could become the speaker of the peak. The weakness of the tenge has him yesterday evening. in June, he served along with Gur- and I hope to make many new friends utive, Leonard Glenn lower house, which would solidify led to a credit crunch and stressed “I want to show all those peo- kha soldiers in Afghanistan and will along the way,” the prince said. Francis. her position as a potential successor the finances of many companies that ple around the world who want to meet members of the brigade dur- “I cannot wait to get out and see Francis is awaiting to the 75-year-old president. have no foreign-currency revenues. help that this is a country open for ing his visit. all that this country has to offer.” sentencing after plead- Nazarbayev, who has led the “The Ice Age is still ahead,” business - so please come and visit The British army’s 2,500-strong Following the earthquake, Nepal ing guilty in one of the former Soviet republic since 1989 Anvar Saidenov, a former central again,” he said. The prince will meet Gurkha brigade is made up of sol- is desperate to revive tourism includ- military’s biggest bribery and brooks little dissent, called the bank chairman, told a financial con- with survivors of last year’s devastat- diers recruited in Nepal and has been ing its mountaineering industry, key cases. vote in January. The moved appeared ference this month. ing earthquake and Gurkha soldiers part of the military for 200 years. “I revenue-earners for the nation.

A cupboard of paper pandas Senate proposal not designed to prolong military rule: Thai Junta

Reuters committee of eight to ten “neutral persons”, junta member and deputy prime minister Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters. The military gov- BANGKOK: A proposal by Thailand’s ernment led by former army chief junta to make top military com- Prayuth Chan-ocha has said a gen- manders members of the Senate is eral election will take place in 2017. not designed to prolong its grip on A draft constitution unveiled in power, a junta spokesman said yes- January is being reviewed and will terday. be put to a referendum in July. It is The junta, or National Council the junta’s second attempt at a draft for Peace and Order, which came to after the previous charter was torn power after a May 2014 coup, said on up by the military following the coup. Tuesday a draft constitution should Members of the military- include a provision that would make appointed Constitution Drafting the top five military commanders and Committee will consider the junta’s its police chief members of the upper Senate proposal on Monday. house Senate. Thaworn Senniem, who helped The proposal has been widely lead protests that undermined the criticised, including by allies of the previous, civilian government which junta, who say the provision would led to the 2014 coup, said he was give the armed forces legislative transition for the country,” Winthai against the Senate proposal. control. said. “Peace and stability is at the “I don’t agree with letting military Junta spokesman Colonel Winthai forefront of our mind.” generals become senators,” Thaworn Suvaree (pictured) said the proposal The junta has argued the meas- told reporters. was not designed to prolong or assert ure is necessary to prevent future “If Senate members are to be military rule but to ensure a smooth coups and would be only for a post- unelected, they should come from a A Thai woman poses for photo with some of 1,600 paper made pandas on display during a flash mob democratic transition. election transition period. The rest of variety of professional groups. Mil- at Tha Phae Gate, in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand, yesterday. “The concept is to do this for five the appointments to the 250-mem- itary representatives should not be years in order to ensure an effective ber Senate would be made by a senators.” Facebook’s Zuckerberg meets propaganda czar in China charm drive

Reuters suggests warming relations between together top business executives “promote core socialist values” and population, numbering almost 700 due to tight government controls. Facebook and the Chinese gov- and the country’s ruling elite. China spread ideas, morals and knowledge million people. On Friday, Zuckerberg He has long sought to improve his ernment, even as Beijing steps up “hopes (Facebook) can strengthen that improve the quality of the nation posted an image of himself running company’s relationship with the Chi- censorship of and control over the exchanges, share experiences and and promote economic development. through smog in Beijing’s Tiananmen nese authorities, and now sits on the BEIJING: Facebook’s co-founder Internet. Liu, who sits on the Com- improve mutual understanding with Foreign companies in China, Square, past the portrait of the late advisory board of the School of Eco- and CEO Mark Zuckerberg met Chi- munist Party’s Politburo Standing China’s Internet companies”, Xinhua especially in media, face political Chairman Mao Zedong hanging over nomics and Management at China’s na’s propaganda tsar Liu Yunshan in Committee which is the apex of power quoted Liu as telling Zuckerberg. pressure from a range of regulations. the Forbidden City. elite Tsinghua University. Beijing yesterday as part of a charm in China, praised Facebook’s tech- Earlier this year, Beijing The country’s military newspaper The 31-year-old has achieved Zuckerberg began his remarks offensive in one of the few markets nology and management methods, introduced new rules on online pub- calls the Internet the most important celebrity status in China, one of the to the forum in Mandarin, speaking where the social network cannot be Xinhua said. lication, which analysts say may place front in an ideological battle against few markets where Facebook and about the promise of artificial intel- accessed. Zuckerberg was in Beijing for the further curbs on foreign Internet busi- “Western anti-China forces”. other foreign Internet platforms, ligence, particularly devices such The rare meeting, reported by China Development Forum, a govern- nesses trying to operate in China. China, the world’s second largest including Alphabet Inc’s Google serv- as self-driving cars and medical China’s state news agency Xinhua, ment-sponsored conference bringing Online content publishers should economy, has the biggest Internet ices and Twitter Inc, are not available diagnostics. 14 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Manila agrees to Japan’s last living falconer Sri Lanka vows 5 military base to fight global warming locations for US COLOMBO: Sri Lanka will have 10,000 environ- ment-friendly villages throughout the country ties had never been stronger. US by 2020 in its aim to fight Defense Secretary Ash Carter is set global warming, a minister The deal grants to visit the Philippines in April. said yesterday. Washington Searight also said the Pentagon Media Minister Gay- had told the US Congress of its inten- antha Karunathilleke said increased military tion to provide $50m to help build that on a proposal made presence in its maritime security in the region and by President Maithripala that the Philippines would get “the Sirisena, the Sri Lankan former colony lion’s share.” cabinet had agreed to through rotation of The funds are expected to go sign the ‘Paris Agreement’ towards improving radar and other on climate change. ships and planes for monitoring capabilities in the South It had also agreed to humanitarian and China Sea, where China’s pursuit of minimise the emission of territorial claims has raised US con- greenhouse gases and to maritime security cerns and those of rival claimants, formulate laws to estab- operations. including the Philippines. lish a commission relating In January, the Philippines said to climate change, Xinhua it had offered eights bases for US reported. use, including the former US air Japan’s last living traditional falconer, Hidetoshi Matsubara, watches his Bear Hawk eat wild bird meat Reuters force base of Clark and the former US Navy base at Subic Bay, and two in the mountains above Tendo city, Yamagata prefecture, Japan, yesterday. sites on Palawan island near the Thailand & India South China Sea. Philippines Defense WASHINGTON: The United States Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino agree to form and the Philippines have agreed on said Manila was pleased with the five locations for US military bases finalization of the locations. Joint Commission in the Philippines under a security US Assistant Secretary of State BANGKOK: Thailand and agreement inked amid rising ten- Daniel Russel said the deal would Dhaka seeks FBI help in heist probe India have agreed to sions with China in the South China speed US help in response to natural form a joint commission Sea, US officials said yesterday. disasters and facilitate moderniza- to handle security prob- The US State Department named tion of the Philippines armed forces. Reuters transferred to accounts in the Phil- investigation said that an FBI team lems between the two the five as Antonio Bautista Air Base, He said it came at an impor- ippines in one of the largest cyber was expected to visit the Criminal countries. Basa Air Base, Fort Magsaysay, Lum- tant time ahead of a ruling in a case heists in history. Investigation Department (CID) of The agreement was bia Air Base, and Mactan-Benito the Philippines has brought against The central bank governor police in Dhaka today. The CID was reached when the delega- Ebuen Air Base. China over its South China Sea DHAKA: Bangladesh has formally resigned on Tuesday, as details also coordinating with Interpol to tion of Thai Deputy Prime US Deputy Assistant Secretary of claims in the International Court of sought assistance from the US Fed- emerged in the Philippines that $30m track down the perpetrators. Minister and Defence Min- Defence Amy Searight said the deal Arbitration in the Hague. eral Bureau of Investigation to track of the money was delivered in cash “We are trying to find out what ister Prawit Wongsuwon was reached under the Enhanced On Thursday, the US Navy said down the cyber crooks who stole to a casino junket operator in Manila, type of security there was, what officially visited India on Defense Cooperation Agreement it had seen activity around a reef $81m from its central bank’s US while the rest went to two casinos. safety measures were taken, and March 17-18. Thai Defence (EDCA) signed last year that grants China seized from the Philippines account, the interior minister said “We sought the FBI’s assistance how the thieves penetrated the fire Ministry said that General Washington increased military pres- nearly four years ago that could be yesterday. when a group of FBI met with me for wall,” he said. The chief of Bangla- Prawit met Indian Vice ence in its former colony through a precursor to more Chinese land Unknown hackers breached investigating the central bank heist desh Nationalist Party, the largest President M Hamid Ansari rotation of ships and planes for reclamation in the South China Sea. the computer systems of Bangla- last month,” Interior Minister Asaduz- opposition party said on Saturday to discuss cooperation on humanitarian and maritime secu- Admiral John Richardson also desh Bank in early February and zaman Khan told Reuters. that if elected they would ensure security and economic rity operations. expressed concern that the Hague attempted to steal $951m from its An US embassy official in Dhaka real autonomy for the central bank. affairs as both countries Searight told the opening of the ruling, which is expected in late May, account at the Federal Reserve Bank told Reuters Washington stood “There will be no interference or would celebrate the 70th annual US-Philippines Bilateral Stra- could prompt Beijing to declare an of New York, which it uses for inter- ready to assist the government of influence from the political party,” anniversary of their diplo- tegic Dialogue in Washington that exclusion zone in what is one of the national settlements. Some attempted Bangladesh in its investigation. A Begum Khaleda Zia said at a party matic ties next year. Manila was a “critical US ally” and world’s busiest trade routes. transfers were blocked, but $81m was senior police official involved in the conference.

Earth Hour in the Philippines Rights groups condemn China over missing journalist

AFP turned up to a seminar he was due Jia’s disappearance to an open letter to give on Thursday. “We are deeply published on the news website Wujie concerned by Chinese journalist Jia News earlier this month calling for Jia’s disappearance,” said Bob Dietz, Xi’s resignation. HONG KONG: Rights groups have Asia program coordinator for the The letter, which was rapidly condemned China after a Beijing- Committee to Protect Journalists. removed, was signed “Loyal Com- based journalist went missing, “If he is in police custody, officials munist Party members”, but little else linking his disappearance to an unu- must disclose where they are holding is known about its authorship. sual open letter calling for President him and why. If anyone else knows “His going missing is most likely Xi Jinping’s resignation. where he is, they should step forward related to the publishing of the let- Jia Jia, a freelance journalist, and clarify this worrisome mystery.” ter and perhaps the authorities’ has not been seen since Tuesday, his Under Xi, China’s ruling Com- implication of his involvement or lawyer said, without giving further munist Party has tightened controls knowledge of the letter,” Amnesty details. Amnesty International said over civil society, detaining or inter- China researcher William Nee said. a close friend of Jia told the group he rogating more than 200 human rights “Journalists and activists are disappeared some time after going lawyers and activists last year in forced all the time to ‘drink tea’ with through customs at Beijing airport what analysts have called one of the the authorities... but it generally when about to board a flight to Hong biggest crackdowns on dissent in doesn’t last this long,” he said, add- Kong. recent times. ing that officials usually try to extract A Filipino boy plays with available light from an amusement park ride during Earth Hour in Pasay city, “He went missing on the 15th,” Sophie Richardson, China direc- information during such meetings. south of Manila, Philippines, yesterday. Earth Hour is a global call to turn off lights for 60 minutes to lawyer Yan Xin said, citing the jour- tor for Human Rights Watch, voiced However, Jia’s lawyer Yan said his raise awareness of the dangers of global climate change. nalist’s wife. City University of Hong concern over Jia on Twitter. Both disappearance may not be connected Kong also confirmed that Jia had not Amnesty and the CPJ have linked to the letter. Myanmar’s ethnic rebels pin hope on new civilian president

AFP of ethnic minorities in the resource- a parliamentary vote last week. “The of president U Htin Kyaw,” said the rich borderlands. new government has offered hope not statement from the TNLA, Myanmar A recent surge of violence in only for our ethnic people but also National Democratic Alliance Army northeastern Shan state, which has the whole nation. It is an elected (MNDAA) and Arakan Army. YANGON: An ethnic rebel group hosted multiple rebellions over the government and they really know After a landslide win in the freest locked in conflict with Myanmar’s decades, has displaced more than the people’s wishes,” Mai Aik Kyaw election in generations last November, military is eager to broker peace with 6,000 people since early Febru- told AFP, adding that the outgoing Suu Kyi’s National League for Democ- the new civilian president, a spokes- ary, according to the UN’s Office for administration, led by retired army racy (NLD) party is carrying the hopes man said yesterday, as the incoming the Coordination of Humanitarian generals-turned-politicians, had of millions in a country beaten down government gears up to tackle the Affairs. failed to bring the peace it promised. by nearly half a century of repressive country’s long-running insurgencies. The fighting pits the military Two other ethnic militias military rule. Myanmar’s new leadership, against the Ta’ang National Liber- excluded from the army’s recent The incoming government has steered by Aung San Suu Kyi and her ation Army (TNLA), one of several peace talks also joined the TNLA in vowed to make peace a priority of presidential proxy Htin Kyaw, will rebel armies that did not sign a broad pledging support for the new presi- their administration and announced take office at the end of the month, ceasefire agreement pushed by the dent in a statement issued late Friday. plans on Thursday to create a new concluding a protracted power hand- government last year. “Our armies are ready to find a ministry for ethnic affairs. off from the outgoing army-backed On Saturday a TNLA spokes- real and better solution for ending But a crucial challenge will be government. man said its people are wearied by the civil wars, seeing through a peace smoothing relations with the mili- Htin Kyaw (left), newly elected President of Myanmar and Win Myint, One of their toughest tasks will the ongoing clashes and ready to process and rebuilding Myanmar with tary, which has retained a significant be snuffing out civil wars between work with the country’s new civilian the hope of national reconciliation wedge of political power and holds Chairman of the PyiThur Hluttaw, speaking after attending a union the national army and a patchwork leader Htin Kyaw, who was elected in by cooperating with the government the keys to securing a lasting peace. parliament session in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. ASIA / AFRICA SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 15 UN condemns Nigeria jails 14 foreigners for North Korea oil smuggling Lagos: A Nigerian court on Friday jailed 14 for- eign sailors from Russia, missile tests Ukraine, Philippine and Japan between two and five years for unlaw- ful dealing in petroleum condemned and expressed grave products in the country. concern at the ballistic missile The federal high court UN Secretary-General launches” and declared that North in Lagos found the sus- Ban Ki-moon said Korea “shall refrain from further pects guilty of illegally actions in violation” of UN resolu- transporting 1,738 tonnes the firing of the two tions. Two weeks ago, the Security of crude oil and some missiles was “deeply Council imposed its toughest sanc- 4,500 tonnes of petrol, tions to date on North Korea after also called gasoline, in troubling” and urged Pyongyang carried out its fourth their vessel MT Anukpet Pyongyang to halt nuclear test and fired a rocket that Emerald. Judge Ibrahim was widely seen as a disguised bal- Buba sentenced 11 of the “these inflammatory listic missile test. 14 foreigners to two years’ and escalatory The launches came a day after jail or alternatively pay a US President Barack Obama signed fine of two million naira actions,” his an order implementing the tough (10,000 dollars) each. Congolese independent presidential candidate Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko at a rally in Brazzaville yesterday spokesman said. sanctions outlined in the recent UN resolution, as well as new unilateral ahead of today’s presidential elections. US measures. Trial of former Japan’s UN Ambassador Moto- AFP hide Yoshikawa called the latest Ivory Coast first missile launches “very, very unfor- tunate” and said Pyongyang had Congo gears up for polls today lady on April 25 not received “the message” from UNITED NATIONS: The UN Secu- the council. Abidjan: Former Ivory rity Council yesterday strongly British Deputy UN Ambassador Agencies The former army chief is run- summons has indeed been sent to the Coast Simone Gbagbo will condemned North Korea after it test- Peter Wilson said “this is exactly the ning against incumbent President general,” inviting him to present him- go on trial in Abidjan on fired ballistic missiles, and ordered sort of thing that they should not be Denis Sassou Nguesso and faced self for an interview “upon reception”. April 25 accused of crimes Pyongyang to refrain from further doing.” “What we see yet again is police questioning last month after a Mokoko, who yesterday turned against humanity, defence actions that violate UN resolutions. the North Koreans defying the will BRAZZAVILLE: Congo Republic’s video emerged on the Internet alleg- 69, was a longtime ally of Nguesso lawyer Mathurin Dirabou Backed by China, Pyongyang’s of the international community and government has ordered the coun- edly implicating him in an attempted but on February 3 he announced his said. ally, the council said in a unanimous the Security Council,” he said. try’s two largest telecommunications coup. resignation as the president’s advi- Nicknamed the “Iron statement that “all these launches UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- providers to block all communica- Mokoko’s campaign organisers sor on peace and security, a post he Lady”, the 66-year-old were unacceptable” and “consti- moon said the firing of the two tions during a presidential election have dismissed as fake the video, had held since 2005. had already been sen- tuted a clear violation of UN Security missiles was “deeply troubling” today and again tomorrow, a govern- taken sometime in the early 2000s On February 8 he then tenced to 20 years in jail Council resolutions.” and urged Pyongyang to halt “these ment source said yesterday. and which appeared shortly after he announced plans to run against his last year for “attacking The statement was adopted dur- inflammatory and escalatory In addition to this, the presiden- held his first campaign rally on Feb- former boss for the presidency. state authority” for her ing a closed-door meeting called by actions,” his spokesman said. tial candidate general Jean-Marie ruary 13. The decision to block communi- role in violence which fol- the United States after North Korea Ban called on North Korea to Michel Mokoko in Congo-Brazzaville Congo’s military chief from 1987 cations, which the source said was lowed elections in 2010 test-fired two medium-range bal- comply with UN resolutions that bar said he had received a fresh police to 1993, Mokoko is currently special taken for reasons of security, will which her husband Lau- listic missiles, the latest in a string the country from developing missile summons to report to authorities on representative of the African Union cause inconvenience and possible rent Gbagbo lost. She was of provocative acts from the reclu- technology. North Korea has been hit the eve of the election, slamming Commission in the neighbouring alarm in a country where there are accused of a key role in sive regime. by five sets of UN sanctions since it what he termed a bid to torpedo his Central African Republic. few landlines and many rely on cell the post-election violence. Council members “strongly first tested an atomic device in 2006. hopes of standing. A police source confirmed that “a phone communication.

Kenya taps Drinking water woes Zimbabwe urges parents geothermal heat to boost power to stop child marriages

AFP Agencies prices. “The Act should make it an offence for a guardian or other per- son to enter into a lobola agreement KENYA: Zebra and antelope look or other customary arrangement on as clouds of white steam twist ZIMBABWE: When Oriditsi Tlou or ceremony in respect of a person into the air at Hell’s Gate, where got pregnant at age 15 last year, her under the age of 18,” Mnangagwa Kenya’s dream of providing cheap, grandmother Judith Mhlongo was told parliament. renewable electricity is becoming quick to demand damages and a Legislator Jessie Majome, a reality. bride payment from Tlou’s older who chairs the Justice, Legal and Just over a third of the 45 mil- boyfriend. Parliamentary Affairs Portfolio lion people who live in Kenya have Mhlongo, who was Tlou’s guard- Committee, said if the laws were electricity, and power cuts are fre- ian, said it made sense to demand amended, it would be up to the quent across the network, even in a bride price, or lobola, for a tra- courts to decide the appropriate the capital Nairobi. ditional marriage which allowed sentence for parents and guardians But Africa’s Great Rift Valley her to refurbish her home while her fixing these agreements. -- where the continent is gradu- granddaughter made the fast tran- Legal amendments about 10 ally tearing apart and the earth’s sition from schoolgirl to housewife. years ago set a maximum sentence crust thins -- runs through the For although Zimbabwe this for anyone accepting a bride price heart of Kenya, and access to hot year outlawed child marriage, many for an under-age girl at 10 years rocks below the surface has put a parents and guardians continue to but campaigners want this to be A girl collects drinking water at Dala river outside Yangon, Myanmar. One in 10 of the world’s population, wealth of geothermal power at its sanction under-age traditional mar- increased. fingertips. have no access to safe water, putting them at risk of infectious diseases and premature death. riages and withdraw rape charges in While some parents welcomed Since geothermal energy pro- exchange for a bride price but this the push for stiffer penalties, oth- duction began in Kenya in the is now putting them in the sights of ers such as Portia Ndlovu, a primary 1980s, the technology has evolved the law. school teacher, said the causes of to help make it a cleaner process. “I survive on a very small pen- child marriage must be tackled to The region’s underground is a sion. It would not have made sense make a real change. geothermal hotspot, harbouring to look after my granddaughter when Poverty is the driving force hot water sources and steam at WHO sends specialists to Guinea we all knew who was responsible behind child marriage in Zimba- 300 degrees Celsius (572 degrees for her pregnancy,” Mhlongo told the bwe. Parents often marry girls off Fahrenheit) that is piped up to the Thomson Reuters Foundation. young so they have less mouths to surface from depths of up to 2,000 A fresh push by Zimbabwean feed and bride payments are a fur- metres (6,500 feet). When the mix to tackle Ebola threat effectively government to tackle child marriage ther incentive. reaches the plant, the steam pow- could land guardians like Mhlongo “It’s a welcome move, but as long ers a generator turbine. in trouble in the southern African as families are hungry and older men Boosting electricity is a key Agencies deaths in Koropara and said mem- transmission on December 29. It nation where child marriage is rife. prey on young girls, the law alone priority for the Kenyan govern- bers of the same family were showing was on track to celebrate the end of An estimated one third of girls will not protect our children,” Ndlovu ment, which is aiming to triple Ebola symptoms WHO has sent a its 90-day heightened surveillance are married before the age of 18, told the Thomson Reuters Founda- production capacity by 2020 to statement yesterday in this regard period at the end of March. according to UNICEF. Child rights tion. Globally, some 15 million girls compensate for demand that is CONAKRY: The World Health and also informed that samples were Experts have long warned that campaigners describe child mar- are married every year. forecast to increase by 11 percent Organization deployed specialists taken from four people. “A mother more flare-ups are likely and have riage as a form of child abuse which Across sub-Saharan Africa, two annually. to southeast Guinea yesterday after and her 5-year-old son, relatives of urged health officials to remain ready deprives girls of an education, in five girls wed as children. The potential is immense. two new Ebola cases were confirmed. the deceased, confirmed positive for to respond to new cases. increases the likelihood of sexual Local activists opined that child There are more than a dozen The cases were announced just Ebola virus disease in lab tests,” WHO Nearly 4,000 people died before violence, and puts them at risk of marriages are still prevalent in the possible sites scattered through- hours after Sierra Leone heralded said. The two have been taken to a Sierra Leone was first declared free death or injury in childbirth. country and it has to be curbed out the Rift Valley which have the end of its recent Ebola flare-up, treatment facility, from transmission on November 7. In January this year Zimbabwe’s effectively. Putting an end to the an estimated potential of 10,000 again dashing hopes that the deadly WHO sent specialists including The West African outbreak of Ebola Constitutional Court ruled that no practice of child marriage is possi- megawatts (MW) -- four times disease was gone from West Africa. surveillance experts and contact has killed more than 11,300 peo- one in Zimbabwe may enter into any ble only by making public aware of the country’s current production The new cases occurred in tracers to N’Zerekore, and more spe- ple, mostly in Sierra Leone, Liberia marriage, including customary law its ill effects. capacity. Development of those Koropara, in the remote N’Zerekore cialists should arrive “in the coming and Guinea, since late 2013. The out- unions, before the age of 18. Officials when contacted said sites could make Kenya one of prefecture in southeast Guinea, days,” according to the statement. break has already been declared over But with child marriage still awareness classes have been tak- the world leaders in geothermal 1,000km from the capital, said The deadliest Ebola outbreak in in Guinea and Liberia but flare-ups entrenched in remote mining and ing place and the government gives energy. Last year, with the instal- Ibrahima Sylla, a spokesman for the history has killed more than 11,300 could still occur there too. farming areas, Vice President much importance to it. In view of lation two new production units national coordination for the fight people, mostly in Sierra Leone, Libe- However, WHO continues to Emmerson Mnangagwa told par- the increasing number of child at Olkaria, Kenya more than dou- against Ebola. ria and Guinea. Guinea, where the stress that Sierra Leone, as well as liament this week that amendments marriages the government plans bled its production of geothermal Guinea officials on Wednesday first cases were confirmed in early Liberia and Guinea, are still at risk of to legislation will now target par- to implement measures to tackle it energy to 609 MW. alerted WHO to three unexplained 2014, was declared free of Ebola Ebola flare-ups, largely due to virus ents and guardians who accept bride effectively. 16 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 PAKISTAN

Musharraf exit Traditional game Railways to start casts doubts on e-ticketing soon LAHORE: The Pakistan Railways (PR) will intro- duce Electronic Ticketing govt’s intent (E-ticketing) system dur- ing the current year, says Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique yesterday. appointments and started his polit- Talking to the media ical activities. persons, he said United The government’s The sudden softening of heart of Bank Limited had offered decision of allowing the PML-N towards Musharraf and its services regarding his immediate departure within a the E-ticketing; however, the former president few weeks of the apex court’s clear other A-class banks would to go abroad is direction to the Special Court (hear- be welcomed in case of ing his sedition case) to conclude the competitive charges. He negation of what case against the dictator as soon said Rs65m had been the ruling PML-N as possible, is seen by many as a spent on upgradation of had boasted in its result of some deal. PML-N sources the train and added that strongly deny this but a top official several modern facili- manifesto. under Musharraf’s rule has recently ties had been introduced. shared that nothing will come out of He also hinted that when Horsemen fight during Afghan national sport Buzkashi, yesterday. The ancient game is played between Musharraf’s trial. services and facilities two teams of horsemen competing to throw an animal carcass into a circle. “Don’t worry, it has been taken were provided, expendi- Internews care of,” the source quoted once tures also go up. The PR Musharraf’s blue-eyed. The source, had not increased fare of however, said that there was no the train and only some mention of the word “deal” in the concessions had been ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz statement. Doubts about some deal withdrawn. Sharif-led ruling PML-N in its 2013 or understanding are furthered by Concerns on US mission expansion dismissed election manifesto had taken the the repeated visits of General Mush- Heavy rains kill credit of foiling the “conspiracy” to arraf to different Karachi hospitals grant General Musharraf indemnity giving the impression that he had Internews “Expansion of the US Embassy is Islamabad to fulfil needs. 12 in Kashmir for imposing a state of emergency on serious health problems. a matter of bilateral interest and can- “Islamabad is a very strate- November 3, 2007 but it has violated While removing his name from not be dictated merely on hear-say,” gic place,” Barrister Zafarullah its own pledge by giving safe exit to the ECL, the government also did not the government maintains in its reply. contended. MUZAFFARABAD: Heavy the usurper of the Constitution. show any interest to counter-check ISLAMABAD: The federal gov- The Wattan Party had filed the However, the interior minis- rains killed at least 12 The government’s decision of from a board of independent doc- ernment has dismissed concerns petition in 2009 and asked the feder- try said the matter was taken up people including women allowing General Musharraf to go tors Musharraf’s claims about his surrounding provision of land for ation, through the cabinet secretary, with security agencies that have the and children in parts of abroad for apparent health reasons serious health issues. It was also sur- the proposed expansion of the US secretary for the foreign affairs min- mandate of vetting cases and giving Pakistan-administered is negation of what the PML-N had prising even for the apex court that Embassy in Islamabad. istry and the Capital Development no-objection certificates for land Kashmir, officials said boasted in its manifesto. the attorney general was not keen Deputy Attorney General Sohail Authority to explain why 18acre of given leased to foreign missions, yesterday, with land- Sneakily, the PML-N government to press the top court for preventing Mahmood submitted a one-page land should be sold to the US. international non-governmental slides and collapsed insists that Musharraf was allowed Musharraf from going abroad by not reply in the Supreme Court this The party had argued that US organisations, and multinational roofs blamed for most of to go abroad because of health rea- removing his name from the ECL. week on behalf of the interior min- mission in Islamabad currently has corporations, among others. the fatalities. Some 45 sons and that he would return within The episode of Musharraf’s exit istry in reply to a petition, filed by 38acre of land and there was no The ministry also termed allega- houses were reported a few weeks, but the former dictator is in sharp contradiction to what the Wattan Party representative Barrister need to allot an additional 18acre to tions of turning Pakistan into a proxy damaged in different upon reaching Dubai has report- PML-N’s top leadership has been Zafarullah, which objected to grant- it. Instead, it suggested that embassy of bigger power by allotting the land areas including Muzaf- edly cancelled his health-related stating in the past. ing the US mission more land. should be allowed to rent space in as flimsy. farabad, local disaster management official Zaheer-ud-din Qureshi said. The deaths came during rains on Friday First non-Muslim gets citizenship in NW Pakistan night with Muzaffara- bad, Bagh and Abbaspur, Haweli and Kotli areas the worst hit, he said. AFP Afghanistan, had recently applied for region to apply for citizenship. the recently announced policy, Arshad account for more than 90 percent of Poorly-built homes, citizenship after turning 18. Most of those people are Sikh said. the population. particularly in rural “Sheharyar has officially been followed by Christian and Hindu, he “All non-Muslims in (the tribal Christians make up around 1.6 areas, are most suscep- awarded citizenship and he now said. regions) can apply for citizenship and percent of Pakistan’s overwhelmingly tible to collapse during PESHAWAR: Pakistan has awarded a enjoys all rights that citizens of tribal “My son will now have an oppor- I may also do the same,” he added. Muslim population, with large settle- heavy spring rains. Severe Christian man from a troubled tribal regions enjoy,” senior local official tunity to apply for government jobs Like other minorities, Sheharyar ments across major cities and around weather hits the country region citizenship in a first for a non- Nasir Khan said. or to start his own business,” Arshad was previously living in Khyber on a 60,000 in the capital, Islamabad. every year, with hundreds Muslim, officials and his family said Sheharyar’s father Arshad Masih said, adding that minorities without “residential certificate”. Khyber is one of the seven semi- killed and huge tracts of yesterday. said he hoped the decision would domicile status did not enjoy equal Discrimination and violence autonomous tribal regions, which prime farmland destroyed Sheharyar Masih, a resident of the encourage the roughly 50,000 peo- rights. against religious minorities is com- have been facing the brunt of over in recent years. northwestern Khyber region bordering ple from religious minorities in the His son’s was the first case under monplace in Pakistan, where Muslims a decade-old war against terrorism.

Polio drive Preparing for ‘New Year’ PPP and PTI to contest gets 97% for Senate seat coverage Internews announced schedule for election to the Senate’s general seat from Islam- Internews abad. The seat fell vacant after the ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s appointment of Iqbal Zafar Jhagra Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek- of PML-N as the governor of Khyber ISLAMABAD: Polio workers i-Insaf (PTI) have decided to contest Pakhtunkhwa. yesterday reported 97 per cent election to a Senate seat from Islam- Babar said that PPP leader Raja coverage for children in 161 out abad on March 31 even though they Pervaiz Ashraf, as the general sec- of 164 districts of the provinces don’t have the numbers to win it. retary of the PPP-Parliamentarians, as they wrapped up their third PPP leader Farhatullah Babar had invited applications from aspir- nationwide vaccination campaign said the party in its meetings had ants. The applications should be in Pakistan. decided in principle that in future addressed to PPP Parliamentarians’ According to data released it would not leave the field open for President Asif Ali Zardari. yesterday by the National Emer- other parties and would contest all Interestingly, the party’s gency Operation Centre (NEOC) , elections, irrespective of the possible announcement for inviting appli- the campaign targeted approxi- results. PTI legislator from Islamabad cations did not say whether the mately 36.8 million children under Asad Umar said his party too would aspirants should submit certain the age of five across the Pakistan contest the election. He pointed out non-refundable amount with their and campaign was conducted suc- that PTI had also contested the elec- applications, which is a normal prac- cessfully in all the provinces. tions for the president of Pakistan and tice in almost all parties. In response A total of 35.19 million (97 per National Assembly speaker. to a question, Babar said he was not cent) children were vaccinated in a Afghan boys sell national flags ahead of Nowruz, in Kandahar, yesterday. The Election Commission aware if the party had received any campaign that stretched over four of Pakistan (ECP) has already application for the ticket. days, the NEOC statement said. Out of a total 3.57 million chil- dren recorded as un-vaccinated during the first visit, so far 2.61 million (73.15 per cent) had been Islamabad to have low-income housing scheme soon covered after a revisit on the catch-up day. Out of total 83,332 refusals recorded, 44 per cent have been covered after revisit and still Internews small-size plots in Sector I-15 on April on deputation. The NADRA officer, 8,000 residential flats in the sector. 000. On June 17, 2013, the CDA board refusals are 46,967 (0.13 per cent 14, through an open ballot. The ballot who has recently been deputed at the Each applicant had deposited decided to re-plan the sector. of the targeted children). A total is meant to decide the location of plots. IT department of the CDA, will ensure Rs1.4m for the flat. After failing to Under the new plan, the civic of 130,632 children were reported To overcome the allegations of transparent balloting of ballots using keep its promise to these investors, agency abandoned the idea of con- with zero routine dose during the ISLAMABAD: Pakistani capital fixed balloting, the Capital Develop- a software developed by the authority. the CDA announced it would refund structing flats and opted for the campaign. NEOC officials said that Islamabad’s civic agency has finally ment Authority (CDA) and the National Plots will be given in lieu of a resi- the amount paid. creation of plots. the campaign will be conducted on decided to accommodate plot allot- Database and Registration Authority dential flats scheme announced by the Some 4,000 applied for the refund The CDA increased the number different dates in Debondi tehsil in tees of a low-income residential sector (NADRA) have reached an agreement CDA, 11 years ago in the same sector. while the rest opted to wait. As per of plots from 3,454 to 7,738 each Killa Abdullah, Swabi, five tribal announced over a decade ago. under which the database agency In 2005, around 8,000 inves- the new announcement, each of the measuring 138 square yards, in the union councils (UCs) of DG Khan If all go as planned, nearly 4,000 would permanently depute one of its tors, mainly from the middle-income investors who decided to wait will sector which has now helped the civic and the Shawa and Spin Wam individuals, who invested in residen- senior officer at the Information Tech- group, deposited money with the civic now get a plot measuring 138 square agency accommodate those who were areas of North Waziristan. tial flats in the scheme, will be given nology department of the civic agency agency after it announced to construct yards as well as a refund of Rs300, promised flats. INDIA SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 17

Intensifying ‘Iron Fist’ Vice-president Poll panel to use deplores erosion IT applications in in role of editor IANS

NEW DELHI: Instances of edito- 5 state elections rial daring and adherence to high ethical standards in journalism have become few and far between, election management, it said. Vice President Hamid Ansari said “Samadhan is a public griev- yesterday. The ambit of IT ance redressal system which has “There was a time, not long applications would been conceptualised as a compre- ago, when newspaper editors were hensive system with multiple modes intellectual stalwarts who acted associate itself for receiving complaints (through as the brain trust of the coun- with national level online, toll free number 1950), email, try,” Ansari said, delivering the data compilation of mobile application, fax, post, SMS, inaugural address at a seminar online processing and tracking of on the ‘Role of Editors in Today’s electors, functioning complaints. An android application Media,’ organised by Rajya Sabha at polling stations for public grievance redressal sys- Television. tem has also been developed,” the “To uphold journalistic ethos and GIS technology. statement said. and values, an editor must ensure Suvidha is a single window sys- that the content is accurate and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Indian Air Force’s ‘Iron Fist’ exercise at Pokhran, yesterday. The tem for candidates and political relevant,” he said. parties to apply for permissions for event was attended by the President Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister Manohar Parikar, other That required the editor to be IANS meetings, rallies, vehicles, tempo- dignitaries and officers. impartial and independent, but rary election office, loudspeakers, there has been an erosion in the helicopters and helipads, and the poll role and the position of the editor panel has issued directions to give in recent years, he said. NEW DELHI: The Election Com- permissions within 24 hours. There was a blurring of bound- mission of India (ECI) will use Sugam is a vehicle management ary between an editorial and an IT applications such as ‘Samad- system with the facility of issuance Modi calls for rasing farm income advertisement, the Vice Presi- han’, ‘Suvidha’ and ‘Sugam’ for the of requisition letters for vehicles, dent said. upcoming assembly elections in capturing of vehicle details with In a rolling news environment, Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil address, mobile number and bank the speed in providing informa- Nadu and West Bengal between April details of owner and driver and IANS husbandry. Soil Health Card scheme, and the tion had become crucial, he said. 4, 2016 and May 16. transfer of vehicles from one dis- Diversification in farming activity Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana “However, the need to guar- “To make the election process trict to another district. will reduce the risk associated with were steps in this direction. antee accuracy is even more smooth, effective and transparent, The ECI has also informed about agriculture, he added. Modi also explained the benefits important in the information the Election Commission has aug- development of some more mobile NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Naren- Modi said India’s future had to be of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima frenzy we seem to be experienc- mented the use of IT applications. applications for enhanced facili- dra Modi yesterday called for raising built on the growth of agriculture and Yojana, and said it had been evolved ing. Our own recent experience New and upgraded technical tools tation for voters like Matdata - an farm income through diversifica- prosperity of its farmers and its vil- after wide ranging consultations. He has shown how erroneous reports are being used in election planning application for voters’ facilitation for tion in farming activities and urged lages and the union budget presented said the scheme was characterized exacerbate social and communal for monitoring the election process,” search in electoral roll and location all stakeholders, including states, to last month would have a far-reach- by minimum premium and maxi- divides.” There had been cases an official statement said. of polling station. take a resolve to double the income ing impact on these sectors. mum security. when news organisations aired It said the ambit of IT applica- Other applications include Mat- of farmers by 2022. He said the next revolution in On the occasion, the prime min- content whose veracity and ante- tions would associate itself with daan for poll day monitoring at Addressing farmers at the Kri- Indian agriculture had to be built on ister gave away the Krishi Karman cedents were doubtful - with national level data compilation of polling station, ELECOM for releas- shi Unnati Mela, he said the task of technology and modernisation and Awards for 2014-15 to states and disastrous consequences, he said. electors, functioning at polling sta- ing election news or press release, doubling farm income may be chal- the eastern part of India had the farmers. He also launched a mobile “While such content may, in tions, work allocation of officers on e-counting, for viewing counting lenging but was a worthy objective. maximum potential to achieve it. app “Kisan Suvidha” for farmers. the short run, increase visibil- duty, use of mobile application and trends and result, SMS Poll Monitor- Calling to “raise farm incomes “The government is working towards The mobile app will provide ity or serve preferred political technology, and GIS technology. ing System, for collection of various through diversification in farming this goal,” he said. information to farmers on subjects patronage, it eventually detracts These three applications have types of information through SMS activities”, he said farmers could also Modi said reduction of input such as weather, market prices, from the credibility of the press been deployed in the election going from presiding officer and sector opt for timber plantation along the costs was the first element towards seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and agri- and eats into the civil liberties,” states for facilitation and better officer. edges of their fields and begin animal raising farm incomes and said the culture machinery. the Vice President said. Rs 10m seized Five held after Muslim cow herders hanged in Jharkhand in West Bengal AFP district of the state early on Friday, indicate murder which stemmed had not found links to any Hindu largest religious minority, who make triggering angry protests by villagers from loot and robbery,” he said. The right-wing groups so far. up some 13 percent of the country ahead of polls who injured several policemen and victims, Mazlum Ansari and teen- Cow slaughter and the consump- 1.25-billion population, and some- blocked roads over police inaction. ager Imteyaz Khan, were heading tion of beef are banned in several times hostility brews between the IANS NEW DELHI: Police arrested five “Five suspects have been arrested to an animal fair in a nearby district states including Jharkhand. two groups over meat issues. A spate suspects for allegedly lynching and under several charges including mur- when they were allegedly lynched But beef has become a religiously of attacks on secular intellectuals and killing two Muslim cow herders who der. Three other suspects are on the and hanged by a mob. The area saw sensitive topic in the country, where Muslims suspected of killing cows KOLKATA: The Election Com- were found hanging from a tree in run, but police will find them and clashes between Hindus and Muslims the cow is described in scriptures as have heightened concerns of mount- mission yesterday said Rs1 crore Jharkhand, an official said yesterday. makes arrests soon,” Anil Kumar, a over eating beef three months ago. the “mother” of civilisation. ing intolerance under right-wing has been seized across districts of The bodies of two cattle trad- senior district administrator, said. But Kumar dismissed reports of The main players in the beef nationalist Prime Minister Narendra poll-bound West Bengal in the last ers were found hanging in Latehar “The post-mortem reports communal disharmony, saying police industry are Muslims, the country’s Modi’s two-year-old government. 18 days. The seizures were done by flying and static squads of the commission, an official of the poll panel said. “As part of our expenditure Sailing in serene lake Kerala parties face tough monitoring drives, Rs69 lakh has been seized from the districts by our flying squads in the last 18 days test in candidate selection on account of unauthorised carry- ing of cash, while Rs31.50 lakh was seized by our static squad in Kolk- IANS pruning in the coming week. ata from Burrabazar police station This committee has Vice Presi- area,” the election commission’s dent Rahul Gandhi, former defence joint chief electoral officer Amita- minister A K Antony, Chief Minis- bha Sengupta said. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ter Oommen Chandy, state Home “FIR has been lodged. We have Even a fortnight after the dates of Minister Ramesh Chennithala and moved the competent court and Kerala assembly elections were Sudheeran. investigation is pending,” he said. notified, neither traditional rivals, “Things would be settled in the He said that under the expend- LDF and UDF, nor BJP-led National coming week,” said Sudheeran. iture monitoring activities, 908 Democratic Alliance (NDA) have In the LDF, issues have surfaced flying squads were patrolling finalised their list of candidates to within the CPI-M, which is a bit sur- across 21 districts, while there the 140-member House. prising. The accepted norm is that were 624 static teams deployed to While the United Democratic the list of candidates is sent from the monitor poll expenditure. “Squads Front (UDF), led by Congress, has 14 district committee’s of the CPI-M would also be able to send pictures always been sluggish in announcing to the state committee and is given directly to the commission’s con- its candidates due to inter-party and the nod quickly. trol room and according to its order, intra-party squabbles over seat allo- It has not happened this time they (flying squads) would intervene cations, the Left Democratic Front with district committees struggling within 30 minutes if any commu- (LDF) tends to act with dispatch. to finalise their own lists. Angry nication regarding any violation of Kashmiri boatmen row their boats with the snow covered mountains in the backdrop of Dal Lake on The Communist Party of India- scenes were witnessed, for instance, the poll code is made to the squads the outskirts of Srinagar, yesterday. Marxist (CPI-M) and other LDF on Friday at the Alappuzha district from the control room,” he added. constituents have had three rounds committee meeting with leaders of talks so far, but have not been able unable to arrive at a consensus on to decide the candidates. some seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), The LDF, however, is expected hoping this time to open its account to finalise and distribute the seats SAR Geelani granted bail in sedition case in the Kerala assembly, last Sunday among its constituents. surprised many by releasing the “This time four new ‘par- first list of 22 candidates, but then ties’ have crossed over to the LDF. got bogged down. So distribution of seats is taking a IANS Garg granted bail to Geelani, and The court said “no fruitful pur- authority”, the court said. On Fri- On Friday, the national leader- bit longer, but everything will be asked him to furnish a personal pose would be served by keeping him day, Delhi Police told the court that ship of the BJP was unhappy with the resolved soon,” said a top LDF leader bond of Rs50,000 and one surety in judicial custody anymore pending the allegations against Geelani were state leaders, who were in New Delhi who did not wish to be identified. of like amount. The court took into further investigation”. grievous. Geelani, who was arrested to finalise the seat sharing within In the BJP, issues have surfaced NEW DELHI: A court yesterday note that Geelani has been in judi- He “shall not directly or indi- after police registered a case against NDA, for going public with the list. over seat sharing with its new ally granted bail to former Delhi Uni- cial custody since February 16 and rectly make any inducement, threat him for organising a meeting on Feb- State Congress president V M Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS), the versity professor S A R Geelani, who said that he was not required for fur- or promise to any person acquainted ruary 9 to mark the death anniversary Sudheeran has sent a ‘jumbo list’ party recently founded by Vellapally was arrested in February on sedition ther investigation in any manner and with the fact of the case so as to dis- of parliament attack convict Afzal of about 400 probables for 82 seats Natesan, a Hindu Ezhava leader and charges. the completion of investigation was suade them from disclosing such Guru, had moved a fresh bail appli- to its national leadership and now general secretary of Sree Narayana Additional Sessions Judge Deepak going to take time. facts of the court or to any other cation before the court on Wednesday. the election committee will do the Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam. 18 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 INDIA

450 pillars missing from India-Nepal open border to be replaced

IANS and monitoring of officials of the Sur- land” between the two countries. erected stretching to 180 km from became victim of the changing route install the GPS system in all the 8,553 vey of India and Nepal Armed forces, But at several places, land grabbers Gandak baraj in West Champaran to of rivers,” Mamgai said. boundary pillars along the border. are busy constructing the new pillars have encroached on it. “After the sur- Ghorasan’s Jamunia in East Cham- He said officials of both coun- This will ensure timely replace- along the officially demarcated line. vey, the SSB will clear the encroachers paran nearly 85 years ago. tries are meeting at Birganj in Nepal ment of pillars if they are damaged PATNA: After 450 border pillars were “During our ongoing survey that from the area along the border” Mam- “It is serious work with responsi- on March 21 to look at the issues aris- by a natural disaster or human inter- found missing along India’s open bor- began last year, 450 border pillars gai said. bility because missing border pillars ing out of the missing pillars and the vention. According to a confidential der with Nepal near Bihar’s east and were found missing with few of them Mamgai, who is heading a team have already caused anxiety for con- need to replace them. report sent by the field formations west Champaran districts, the Sashas- badly damaged in the ‘no-man’s land’ of surveyors from Dehradun, and is cerned officials on both side of the Last year it was agreed to install of security agencies to the Ministry tra Seema Bal (an armed border force) along the border of two neighbouring in Champaran at present said over border. The Survey of India is identi- global positioning system (GPS) in the of Home Affairs, a total of 1,451 bor- is moving to plug the gap. countries,” Manjul Mamgai, an official telephone that new pillars would be fying the exact location of the pillars. pillars. The two countries would set der pillars were “missing” while 1,282 New pillars would be erected of the Survey of India said. erected soon. ”Some border pillars were washed up 83 control points in their vicin- had been “damaged” along the India- soon. The SSB, under the supervision There is a 18.2metre “no-man’s In all, 1870 border pillars were away by heavy floods and others ity across the 1,880-km border and Nepal border.

Passing out parade Kerala couple Uttarakhand among dead CM asked to in Russia plane crash prove majority IANS

KOCHI: A couple from near against the party, they might be par- Perumbavoor in Kerala was among doned by the high command. the 62 people killed yesterday in a In sudden political Congress leader Randeep Singh plane crash in Russia’s Rostov-on- drama, nine Congress Surjewala accused Prime Minister Don city, officials said. legislators walked Narendra Modi and BJP president The FlyDubai Boeing 737-800 Amit Shah of trying to topple an from Dubai missed the runway as into the camp of elected government. The BJP rub- it attempted to land at 3.50am. the opposition BJP bished allegations of indulging in The couple — Shyam Mohan horse-trading and challenged the and his wife K A Anju, both aged 27 and demanded a chief minister to prove his majority. — worked in an ayurvedic resort vote division on the “Allegations of horse-trading in Russia and had left from here are ridiculous. The legislators of on Thursday. budget Congress have revolted against the C V Issac, a resident of Vengoal New recruits of the Central Reserve Police Force take part during the passing out parade in Humhama, functioning of Rawat and his dicta- in Perumbavoor, who reached the torial attitude,” BJP general secretary on the outskirts of Srinagar, yesterday. A total of 514 recruits were formally inducted into the CRPF after home of the Mohans said it was Kailash Vijayvargiya said. completing training in physical fitness, weapon handling, commando operations and counter insurgency. around 2pm that they got the tragic IANS Vijayvargiya, however, said the news of the air crash. Congress leaders, who have revolted “Both of them are trained against the chief minister, are not ayurveda nurses and their mar- those who can be bought for money. riage took place here on November DEHRADUN/NEW DELHI: Uttara- “Vijay Bahuguna is among the 2, 2014. It was their first visit (to khand Governor K K Paul yesterday rebel Congress leaders. He was the YSR Congress stalls Andhra house Kerala) after they both went to asked Chief Mi nister Harish Rawat chief minister of the state. What does Russia. They were here for a to prove his majority by March 28 Congress want to say? Do they mean month and they left for Dubai from even as the BJP sought dismissal of Vijay Bahuguna is for sale?” he said. IANS business. The state government filed a peti- here on Thursday afternoon,” said the minority Congress government He also challenged Rawat to Amid pandemonium, the speaker tion in the High Court, challenging the Issac. while opposition parties accused it prove his majority. “If voting could adjourned the house for 10 minutes. single judge’s interim order. A divi- Anju has been working in Rus- of horse-trading. have taken place in assembly yester- When the house re-assembled, YSRCP sion bench will hear the appeal on sia since 2011 and it was after their Rawat claimed he that he had a day (Friday), he would have known HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh continued its protest, forcing the Monday. marriage in 2014 that Mohan also majority and would prove it on the his strength. I challenge him to prove assembly was adjourned twice speaker to adjourn the house again. The government’s action in not joined her. floor of the house while the gover- his majority on any forum.” He also yesterday as opposition YSR Con- Roja sat on a silent protest since allowing Roja to attend the current Local legislator Saju Paul said nor accepted his recommendation to said the anti-defection law against gress Party stalled the proceedings, morning at the statue of Mahatma budget session triggered strong pro- that Mohan’s residence was in his dismiss rebel minister Harak Singh the rebel Congress leaders would not demanding that its legislator R K Roja Gandhi in the assembly premises. test from the opposition party, which constituency and he was reach- Rawat, who held the agriculture stand because the BJP had already be allowed to attend the session. Some other members of YSRCP lodged a complaint with Governor E ing there soon. portfolio. In sudden political drama moved a no-confidence motion The members of the lone oppo- were also seated with her to show S L Narasimhan. Chief Minister Oommen in the hill state on Friday evening, against the speaker. Viyajvargiya sition party, who were clad in black solidarity. The actress-turned-politician, Chandy said that he spoke to nine Congress legislators walked into also claimed to have the support dresses as a mark of protest, wanted The High Court of Judicature at who represents Nagari constituency Mohan’s father and has assured the camp of the opposition Bharatiya of 35 legislators in the 70-member Speaker K Sivaprasad Rao to respect Hyderabad for the states of And- in Chittoor district, was suspended all help to see how best the state Janata Party and demanded a vote assembly. “We have support of 35 the court order, which stayed Roja’s hra Pradesh and Telangana, had on from the assembly during the win- government can help the grieving division on the budget, a demand MLAs and are waiting for the gov- suspension from the house for one Thursday stayed the operation of the ter session for one year for allegedly families. rejected by the speaker. ernor’s response.” year. speaker’s order for Roja’s suspension. using “abusive” language against “I will speak to External Affairs Rawat also said that five of the “We are ready to form the gov- Raising slogans against the TDP The actress-turned-politician, members of ruling Telugu Desam Minister Sushma Swaraj seeking rebels were in touch with him and in ernment as well as to face fresh government, YSRCP members did however, was stopped from enter- Party (TDP) including Chief Minister her help to see what can be done,” case they regretted having revolted elections,” he said. not allow the speaker to conduct the ing the assembly on Friday. N Chandrababu Naidu. added Chandy.

Shah: Criticism Yoga camp Insecticide bottle found of country not in Mani’s death probe acceptable IANS speculation that he may not have died a natural death. IANS Mani allegedly consumed liquor in the company of some friends in his CHALAKKUDY: A day after chem- outhouse near Chalakkudy in Thris- NEW DELHI: The BJP yesterday ical tests revealed the presence sur district where he took ill. invoked the issue of ‘nationalism’, of an insecticide in the body of Police had then registered a case as its two-day National Executive actor-singer Kalabhavan Mani, of unnatural death and sealed his began in the national capital and Kerala Police yesterday searched outhouse. Officials on Friday said the categorically stated that the party his 30-acre farmhouse near Cha- chemical test revealed the presence was not going to tolerate criticism lakkudy in Thrissur district and of the insecticide ‘Chlorpyrifos’. of the country in the name of free- found a few bottles — one of which The probe, after the new devel- dom of expression. is believed to be that of the toxic opment, is now being headed by “The Left parties and the material. Mani, 45, who acted in 200 Inspector General of Police M.R. Congress are questioning our com- films in Malayalam and other lan- Ajithkumar. mitment to freedom of expression. guages, was admitted to a hospital The team has taken statements Criticism of the party, leader and in Kochi on March 4. Said to be suf- from numerous people as well as government is fully permissible but Yoga enthusiasts attend free Yoga camp organised by Baba Ramdev (unseen), in Bangalore, yesterday. fering from a liver ailment, he died actors like Sabumon and Jaffer criticism of the nation shall not be Hundreds of yoga enthusiasts performed sun salutations, Pranayama (breathing exercise) and Asanas two days later. Idukki who was with Mani, the day acceptable,” union minister Ravi After his death, hospital author- he fell ill on March 4. Sabumon and (body Postures) in order to raise awareness among the people for happiness, harmony and good Shankar Prasad quoting party ities reported the presence of a Jaffer Idukki had earlier said they left health adds life to years. president Amit Shah as saying. chemical in the body, leading to the farmhouse quite early. Shah took a dig at the Left par- ties for accusing the government of suppressing freedom of expression. “Those who worship Maoism and follow Stalin are talking about Several cities celebrate Earth Hour 2016 by switching off lights freedom of speech and expres- sion,” he said. Shah also spoke on the recent controversy of chant- IANS In Mumbai several government which turns 10 this year. This year, the lanterns were distributed to slum lights of his official residence Oako- ing “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, which and private buildings, public land- WWF is also promoting ‘clean and kids from Dharavi. Reports of lights ver in Shimla. erupted after MIM leader and Lok marks as well as common citizens green country’ with multiple solar being switched off were received from In Chennai, Col Sanath Gopinath, Sabha member Asadudduin Owaisi contributed to ‘cooling’ the Earth energy reforms following the Paris other major cities in Maharashtra like head of the Tamil Nadu state office of refused to say it. “Chanting ‘Bharat MUMBAI/SHIMLA/CHENNAI: Thou- by switching off lights for an hour Climate Conference in December 2015. Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, the WWF, said: “This time we decided Mata Ki Jai’ is in the country since sands of people across the country between 8.30pm and 9.30pm. Mumbai-based NGO Young Envi- Aurangabad and Nashik. to reach out to young people directly. the days of independence. So, after joined the global community by Those who participated included ronmentalists organised a cyclothon Elsewhere in the country, “We did not approach any gov- 68 years of freedom, the country switching off extra lights in private several celebrities, film and television at daybreak yesterday and closed Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister ernment organisation. The idea is will debate whether it should be and government buildings yesterday stars, industrialists and common peo- with a carnival at Bandra’s coastal Virbhadra Singh supported the Earth to create awareness in the minds of chanted or not?” he asked. evening to mark Earth Hour 2016. ple in the global initiative of the WWF Carter Road where solar and paper Hour campaign by switching off the young people. EUROPE / UK SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 19 62 killed as flydubai jet crashes in Russia

0050 GMT with 44 Russian nation- place and it was raining hard at als, eight Ukrainians, two Indians and the time of the crash. Russian out- The plane was one Uzbek as passengers, the airline let LifeNews said the plane had been making its second said. They comprised 33 women, 18 circling the area trying to land for two men and four children. hours because of the poor weather. attempt to land when A foreign ministry source in Russian President Vladimir Putin it missed the runway, Madrid said that two crew members expressed his condolences to the fam- erupting in a huge were Spanish and one Colombian, ilies of the victims after being briefed while Cypriot diplomats in Russia on the crash by his transport and fireball as it crashed. told news agencies that the pilot was emergency situations ministers. . from Cyprus. Other flights were diverted to Authorities in Kyrgyzstan con- Krasnodar airport, 300km south of firmed one of the flight attendants Rostov-on-Don. AFP was from the Central Asian country, Following the crash, a criminal while reoports said the other two investigation was opened to deter- crew members were from the Sey- mine whether any safety regulations chelles and Russia. “We are currently were violated and if negligence played ROSTOV-ON-DON: A flydubai pas- contacting relatives of the passengers any part in the disaster. senger jet crashed in southern Russia and crew who were on board and we “Different versions for what hap- early yesterday, killing all 62 people are offering any help we can to those pened are being worked through, on board as it tried to land in bad affected,” it said. among them a mistake made by the weather in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Footage aired on local media crew of the plane, a technical problem officials said. The plane, which came showed a huge fireball engulfing a onboard, difficult weather conditions from Dubai, was making its second wide area after the plane went down. and other factors,” Investigative Com- attempt to land when it missed the The authorities took more than an mittee spokesman Vladimir Markin runway, erupting in a huge fireball hour to get the blaze under control, told Russian news agencies. as it crashed, leaving debris scattered the emergencies ministry said. The airline, which is based in the across a wide area. Russian state media later showed United Arab Emirates, said it had put its The airline issued a statement pictures of rescue workers combing “emergency response” procedures into saying “flydubai regrets to confirm through scattered debris in the driving action and that it would be “working that flight FZ981 crashed on land- snow, with the emergencies minis- closely with all the authorities involved” ing and that fatalities have been try saying over 700 rescuers and 100 in a statement posted on its website, An emergency team and investigators work at the crash site of the FZ981 flight at the airport of Rostov- confirmed as a result of this tragic vehicles had been deployed. which had been changed to a sombre On-Don, Russia, yesterday. accident.” Russia’s Investigative Investigators confirmed that the black-and-grey colour scheme. Committee confirmed that all on plane’s two black boxes had been Boeing said it was aware of the of its planes was hit by a bullet as it jet crash in 2014 that killed Total oil resort to Saint Petersburg was brought board were killed. recovered. They said the plane had incident. “We’re aware of reports landed in Baghdad airport in January giant’s boss Christophe de Margerie down by a bomb in the Sinai Peninsula. “There were 55 passengers and “skimmed the ground and broke into coming out of Russia and our team is 2015, prompting multiple companies on take-off in Moscow one of a string All 224 people on board, the seven crew members on board. They several pieces”, with fragments of the currently gathering more details,” the to suspend flights to the Iraqi capital. of incidents. The last major aviation vast majority of them Russian, were are all dead,” investigators said. Boeing 737 reportedly scattered up to plane manufacturer said on Twitter. No one was hurt. tragedy involving Russia was in Octo- killed, with the Egyptian branch of the The passenger jet took off from 1.5km from the crash site. Based at Dubai airport, the air- Russian airports have a patchy ber last year, when a passenger jet on Islamic State group claiming respon- Dubai at 1820 GMT and crashed at A strong wind warning was in line has a strong safety record, but one safety history with the fatal private its way from Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh sibility for the attack.

Spain bullfight Breivik hearing Paris attacks suspect ends with plea to ease prison charged in Belgium conditions Reuters blew themselves up. It may also be an opportunity to Reuters disrupt other militant cells which Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Rey- BRUSSELS: Salah Abdeslam, the nders said were certainly “out there” OSLO: Mass killer Anders Behring prime surviving suspect in Novem- and planning further violence. Breivik’s prison conditions should ber’s Paris attacks, answered “We’ve won a battle against the be eased because the “mental fra- questions from Belgian investiga- forces of ignorance but the struggle gility” he displayed at a hearing tors yesterday a day after his arrest isn’t over,” Belgian Prime Minister show his human rights have been but will fight extradition to France, Charles Michel said. breached, his lawyer told a Nor- his lawyer said. Interpol issued an advisory to wegian court. Belgian prosecutors said ensure border guards were ready to The Nazi-inspired Breivik has Abdeslam and a second man seize fleeing accomplices. A Belgian, taken Norwegian authorities to arrested with him on Friday had 31-year-old Mohamed Abrini, is still court, accusing them of inhuman been charged with “participation on EU police agency Europol’s “Most and degrading treatment in prison in terrorist murder”. Wanted” list after being caught on in violation of the European Con- “He is cooperating with Belgian CCTV with Abdeslam in a car head- vention on Human Rights since he justice,” his lawyer Sven Mary told ing to the French capital two days massacred 77 people in a bomb- reporters outside the judicial police before the attacks. ing and shooting rampage in 2011. headquarters, adding that Abdeslam, The arrest raises questions about Spanish bullfighter Andy Cartajena sticks in a ‘banderilla’ during a bullfight held on the occasion of The case has raised dismay, bedridden after being shot in the leg the intelligence capabilities of the Las Fallas Festival at the bullring of Valencia, eastern Spain, yesterday. and some laughter, among Nor- during his capture, admitted being security services and the size of wegians taken aback by Breivik’s in Paris on November 13. network Abdeslam could call on to complaints of cold coffee and His elder brother was among the conceal him for four months before microwaved meals he said were suicide bombers involved in gun and he was found just a few hundred “worse than waterboarding”. bomb attacks that night that killed yards from his parents’ home in the The microwaved meals, which 130 people. down-at-heel, North African quarter British minister’s resignation Breivik referred to by the name of Mary added that the 26-year- of the borough of Molenbeek. their Norwegian producer Fjord- old French national, who was born A man using false papers in the land, was one favourite on social and raised in Brussels in a Moroc- names of Amine Choukri and Monir and traditional media, in contrast can immigrant family, would refuse Ahmed Alaaj was also charged with set to sharpen EU debate with the grave atmosphere of Brei- the extradition demanded by French terrorist murder. As Choukri, he was vik’s trial four years ago. President Francois Hollande, who documented by German police at On the final day of the hear- was in Brussels during Friday’s Ulm in October when he was stopped ing, Breivik’s lawyer argued that operation. Legal experts said his in a car with Abdeslam. A man in the Reuters commentators said. are enacted in order to meet the fiscal his client had displayed “mental challenge was unlikely to succeed, house was charged with belonging to Cameron and Osborne are both self-imposed restraints that I believe fragility” in court, a sign he said but it would buy him more time to a terrorist organisation and he and a urging Britons to vote to remain in the are more perceived as political rather that Breivik’s human rights had prepare his eventual defence. woman were charged with conceal- EU in a June 23 referendum but many than in the national economic interest.” been violated. French and Belgian leaders have ing criminals. LONDON: British Prime Minis- Conservative lawmakers and activ- Responding, Cameron said he “He is completely alone and hailed his arrest, several days after While it is unclear exactly where ter David Cameron was forced into ists favour a “Brexit”. The issue has was “puzzled and disappointed” by says he is a national socialist and Brussels police stumbled on his fin- Abdeslam has been since he called a hasty cabinet reshuffle yesterday riven the party for decades. Duncan Smith’s decision to leave the other things that, to normal people, gerprints during a raid that turned two acquaintances in a panic in the after the dramatic resignation of a In his resignation letter, Duncan Cabinet post he has held since 2010. are completely absurd,” Oeystein violent, as a turning point in clari- hours after the attacks and asked senior minister that threatens to Smith—a former Conservative party His office announced that Duncan Storrvik told the court, which was fying who planned and ordered the them to drive to Paris and bring him widen divisions over Europe within leader—cited cuts to disability ben- Smith’s post had been filled by former moved to the gym hall of Skien Paris attacks, in which all the iden- home, it appears he was in the Bel- the ruling Conservative party. efits outlined in Osborne’s annual Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb, who prison, where Breivik is held, for tified assailants were shot dead or gian capital all or most of the time. The rancorous departure of Work budget last week, which also included wants Britain to stay in the EU. security reasons. “Breivik’s mental and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan tax cuts for richer households. He The bitter tone of the letter was fragility must be taken into consid- Smith, a leading campaigner for Brit- complained about pressure from the reminiscent of a speech made by sen- eration as a breach of the (human ain to quit the European Union, also Treasury to cut welfare payments. ior minister Geoffrey Howe when he rights) convention. This is the heart deals a blow to the political ambitions Duncan wrote: “I am unable to quit Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet in of the matter,” he said in his clos- of finance minister George Osborne, watch passively whilst certain policies 1990 over Europe. ing argument. Scottish lawmakers seeUK becoming detached from EU

Reuters The dossier drawn up by the the EU,” the report says, adding that Scottish lawmakers regret the devolved Scottish parliament’s Euro- Scotland should be careful not to be lack of “genuine debate about the pean and External Relations Committee “pulled to the periphery”. value of EU membership”, the report aimed to assess implications for Scot- The report also warns that reform said, saying the campaign was too EDINBURGH: Britain will become land of Britain’s referendum on EU of social benefits and free movement negatively centred on the risks of increasingly detached from European membership in June. within the EU agreed between Brit- Britain leaving. An Ipsos Mori poll last Union even if it votes to stay in the “If the UK decides to remain in the ish Prime Minister and other EU leaders month showed 62 percent of Scottish bloc in a June referendum, accord- EU, the committee feels certain that could result in less immigration to Scot- voters would support EU member- Salah Abdeslam’s lawyer Sven Mary speaks to the press after meeting ing to a report released by a Sottish the UK’s relationship with the EU will land - whose population is ageing more ship compared to 55 percent across his client at the Federal Police building in Brussels, yesterday. parliamentary committee yesterday. be one of increasing detachment from rapidly than elsewhere in the UK. Britain. 20 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 EUROPE Greece scrambles to implement migrant deal

day earlier in the week. Tsipras also insisted that human With over 40,000 migrants rights would be respected. “We will Hundreds of security already in Greece, the debt-hit coun- not make any concessions” in that and legal experts try could not take on this new task area, he said. are set to arrive in without major assistance from its The United States called the European partners, including the agreement brokered by EU and Turk- Greece to help with immediate deployment of 2,300 ish officials “an important step” and the task, described experts, Greek Prime Minister Alexis was confident it “will be implemented Tsipras said. in full accordance with EU and inter- as “Herculean” by “Four hundred experts in asy- national law.” the head of the EU’s lum, 400 interpretors and translators Around 4,000 people including and 1,500 security specialists,” said women and children have drowned executive arm. Tsipras, detailing the assistance to crossing the Aegean Sea from Tur- be sent to manage the migrant deal key to Greece in flimsy smugglers’ approved at an EU summit on Friday. boats, including 400 this year alone. In practice, the actual return of The deal also envisages major aid AFP migrants to Turkey will begin from for Greece, where tens of thousands April 4, according to German Chan- of refugees are already trapped in cellor Angela Merkel, a key backer of dire conditions after Balkan coun- the scheme. tries shut their borders. ATHENS: Greece yesterday scram- For every Syrian refugee expelled As of yesterday, Greek authorities bled to begin the massive task of from Greece, the deal calls for the EU said there were 47,500 migrants in Tens of thousands of refugees camping at a railway station near Idomeni, Greece, yesterday. implementing an historic EU-Turkey to resettle one refugee directly from the country, of which 8,200 were on migrant deal aimed at stemming the Turkey. “This is a Herculean task fac- the islands and some 10,500 massed flow of refugees fleeing war and con- ing us,” European Commission chief at Idomeni, on the closed border with flict in the Middle East. Jean-Claude Juncker has said. Macedonia. US views deal as ‘important step’ A key part of the agreement In total some 4,000 border offi- In the squalid border camp that a will take effect from today when cials and other experts will be needed Greek minister described as “ a mod- all migrants arriving on the Greek to carry out the agreement that will ern day Dachau”, refugees pondered islands will be designated for return cost the EU up to €300m ($338m) the reports of the new EU migrant AFP issued to the media. and migrants in the region,” he added. to Turkey, a Greek government offi- over six months. deal and what step they should take “We commend language in the However, the United Nations and cials told reporters. The assistance includes experts next. Having come from Damascus, agreement affirming that all refugees rights groups fear the deal could vio- Hundreds of security and legal who can address the concerns of 30-year-old Mohammed says he’s deserve access to protection and which late international law that forbids the experts are set to arrive in Greece rights groups who fear the scheme ready to take a bus to Athens and WASHINGTON: The United States makes clear the agreement will be mass deportation of refugees. to help with the task, described as could fail to protect the rights of those enroll in the European programme. views a deal by Turkish and EU lead- implemented in full accordance with Apart from shutting down ille- “Herculean” by the head of the EU’s refugees, mainly from Syria and Iraq, But another Syrian refugee Yas- ers to curb the influx of migrants into EU and international law.” gal smuggling, Kirby said other key executive arm. to seek asylum. mine says she will continue to wait Europe as an “important step,” the “We commend Turkish efforts in actions must include “rapid registra- Ahead of the deadline, authorities Amnesty International has callled at the Macedonian border. State Department said. generously hosting more than 2.7 mil- tion and processing of asylum claims, reported around 1,500 people have the deal a “historic blow to human “They can’t prevent us from joining “We strongly endorse action to shut lion refugees from Syria,” Kirby said. humane handling of migrant returns, crossed the Aegean Sea to Greece’s rights.” But EU officials have stressed our husbands who were able to enter down the illegal smuggling operations “United States views as an impor- quick provision of promised support islands in the past 24 hours, more that each application for asylum will Germany this summer, “ the former that prey on and exploit vulnerable tant step the agreement reached to Greece and Turkey, and solidarity than double the day before and com- be treated individually, with full resident of Aleppo said surrounded migrants,” State Department spokes- between EU and Turkey on responding among EU member states in meeting pared with just several hundred per rights of appeal and proper oversight. by her two children and two sisters. man John Kirby said in a statement to the unprecedented flow of refugees their commitments.” Risk of nuclear war in Europe growing: Russian ex-minister

Reuters 1998 to 2004 and now head of a Mos- and Poland and a US lawmaker. However, the United States and cow-based think-tank founded by the Nato’s secretary general Jens Nato say the shield is designed to pro- Russian government. Stoltenberg has warned Russia of tect Europe against Iranian ballistic While Russia and the United States intimidating its neighbours with talk missiles and is neither targeted at Rus- BRUSSELS: The East-West standoff have cut their nuclear arsenals, the about nuclear weapons, publicly voic- sia nor capable of downing its missiles. over the Ukraine crisis has brought pace is slowing. As of January 2015, ing concerns among Western officials. “It can be assured that once US the threat of nuclear war in Europe they had just over 7,000 nuclear war- Ivanov blamed a missile defence deploys its missile defence system closer than at any time since the heads each, about 90 percent of world shield that the United States is setting in Poland, Russia would respond by 1980s, a former Russian foreign min- stocks, according to Stockholm Interna- up in Europe for raising the stakes. deploying its own missile defence ister warned yesterday. tional Peace Research Institute. Part of that shield involves a site system in Kaliningrad,” Ivanov said. “The risk of confrontation with “We have less nuclear warheads, in Poland that is due to be operational referring to Russia’s territory in the the use of nuclear weapons in Europe but risk of them being used is grow- in 2018. This is particularly sensi- Baltics. In remarks, Ivanov also said is higher than in the 1980s,” said Igor ing,” Ivanov said at a Brussels event tive for Moscow because it brings US Europe and Russia have little chance Ivanov, Russia’s foreign minister from with the foreign ministers of Ukraine capabilities close to its border. of a broader reconciliation.

Podemos seeks to bridge splits as coalition A phase of the launch of the Russian Soyuz TMA-20M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, yesterday. talks eyed Grandfather among 3 new AFP MADRID: Pablo Iglesias, the crew join space station charismatic leader of Spain’s far- left Podemos party, sought to bridge potentially damaging divi- sions that have emerged just as it AFP said Williams, in a call to friends engages in high-stakes post-elec- and family gathered back on Earth, tion coalition talks. which was broadcast by NASA TV. Podemos had already been By the end of his half-year shaken by a series of resigna- BAIKONUR: Three new crew mem- trip aboard the ISS, Williams “will tions, and the crisis came to a head bers joined the International Space become the American with the most this week when Iglesias fired the Prince Charles (second from right) meets women from the families of missing persons of the war between Station, including a US grandfather cumulative days in space —534,” party’s number three Sergio Pas- Kosovo guerrillas and Serb security forces, in Pristina, Kosovo, yesterday. who is poised to enter record books NASA said. cual due to “poor management,” during his time there, NASA said. Williams is also now the first prompting fears of a rift at the top The Russian spacecraft carry- American to be a three-time, long- of the grouping. ing the astronauts docked at 0309 term ISS resident, the US agency Pascual is close to Inigo Erre- Britain’s Prince Charles pays GMT yesterday some 407km above said. The rocket took off in windy jon, the party number two who the Pacific Ocean, off the western conditions from Russia’s space base has been Iglesias’ right-hand man coast of Peru. in Kazakhstan. since Podemos was founded in tribute to Kosovo war missing Just over two hours later, crew- The craft is decorated with a January 2014. mates Oleg Skripochka and Alexey portrait of the first man in space, Podemos came third in the Ovchinin of Russia, plus Jeff Wil- Soviet hero Yuri Gagarin, whose December elections with 65 seats liams, a US grandfather of three who pioneering orbital flight was made out of 350, giving it considera- AFP Honouring themes of peace and ethnic Albanian civilians. is a veteran of long-duration space nearly 55 years ago, on April 12 1961. ble clout in subsequent coalition reconciliation, Charles and Camilla At a brief meeting with a group missions, floated into the orbital out- The previous US record for talks—so much so that it blocked began their tour in Croatia and vis- of relatives who welcomed the Brit- post after hatches were opened to most cumulative days in space was recent attempts by the Socialists ited Serbia and Montenegro, before ish royal couple, Charles was asked allow their entry. set by astronaut Scott Kelly earlier to form a government in a parlia- PRISTINA: Britain’s Prince Charles the final stop in Kosovo. to help increase international pres- “Welcome to @Space_Station! this year. He spent nearly a year in mentary vote of confidence. yesterday paid tribute to those miss- More than 13,000 people were sure on Serbia to reveal what it might Hatches are opened and the crew space and returned to Earth earlier The gridlock is such that new ing since the 1998-1999 Kosovo war killed in Kosovo, where pro-inde- know about the fate of the missing. onboard grows from 3 to 6 mem- this month with a total of 520 days elections could be held in June if no and to Nato-led peacekeepers killed pendence ethnic Albanian guerrillas Almost 17 years after the war, some bers,” NASA tweeted. in space. power-sharing agreement is found. there, on the last leg of a week-long fought the Serbian forces of late 1,600 people, mostly have still been According to NASA, the trio The all-time record for cumu- Speculation is rife that Balkans tour. strongman Slobodan Milosevic. unaccounted for. Charles also visited orbited the earth four times in their lative days spent in space is held by Podemos is divided over what to Accompanied by his wife Camilla, Serbian troops were eventually headquarters of Nato-led peacekeep- approximately six-hour journey to Russian cosmonaut Gennady Pad- do now, and militants fear that a Charles laid a wreath at the monu- forced to leave the former province ing force, where he took part in a the ISS. alka, who racked up 879 days over rift between Errejon and Iglesias ment to missing persons and joined a by a three-month Nato-led air cam- ceremony at the monument for more “Can’t believe we just left the his career and wrapped up his final would be damaging for the party ceremony also attended by Kosovo’s paign aimed at stopping Milosevic than 100 international soldiers killed planet and we’re here already,” mission in September 2015. at this sensitive time. outgoing president Atifete Jahjaga. regime’s brutal crackdown against on the mission in Kosovo. AMERICAS SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 21

Hillary’s Asian-American outreach director leaving campaign

Reuters The departure of Lisa Changad- “HFA (Hillary for America) will Vermont who is her main rival for and around 9 percent of the state of that the Asian-American elector- veja comes ahead of Democratic be filling my position with another the Democratic nomination to the Washington, which holds its Demo- ate will double to 12 million voters nominating contests in states with the person committed to this outreach November 8 presidential election. cratic caucus on March 26. by 2040. highest proportion of Asian Ameri- as soon as possible.” Asian Americans and Pacific Asian Americans have also been Changadveja joined the Clinton WASHINGTON: The director of Dem- can voters, like Washington later this Neither Changadveja nor the cam- Islanders form about 6 percent of the among the fastest-growing ethnic campaign in September, according to ocratic presidential candidate Hillary month and California in June. paign immediately returned requests US population, a figure that does not groups in the United States, on occa- her LinkedIn page. Clinton’s Asian American and Pacific “I will be leaving Hillary for for comment. include people of mixed race, accord- sion outstripping the growth in the She previously served as the Islander outreach efforts is leaving America as I have recently accepted Minority communities have been ing to the US Census Bureau. Latino population, according to the LGBTQ and AAPI director for Ready the campaign for a position with the a new job at the Colorado Democratic key voting blocs for the Clinton cam- They make up nearly 15 percent Census. for Hillary, a Super PAC that supported Colorado Democrats, according to an Party,” Changadveja wrote in an email paign, helping her rack up wins over of the population of California, which A study by the University of Cal- a Clinton run for the presidency, email. dated March 18. Bernie Sanders, the US senator from holds its nominating contest in June, ifornia, Los Angeles last year found according to the page. Cruz picks up Romney’s vote in Republican battle

Romney did not offer any praise to win 81 percent of the remaining for Cruz, who emerged as a favorite delegates to reach a majority, accord- Mitt Romney said a of the party’s most ardent conserva- ing to the Cook Political Report. It is vote for Cruz in tives after clashing with party leaders impossible for Kasich to reach 1,237 in Washington. Romney did not say delegates, according to the nonpar- Utah’s caucus whether or not he would campaign tisan election tracker. on Tuesday was with Cruz. Romney said Kasich has a “solid Trump responded quickly. “Mitt record” as a governor and he would the best way to Romney is a mixed up man who have voted for him in Ohio last prevent Trump from doesn’t have a clue. No wonder he Tuesday. lost!” he wrote on Twitter. Other Republican leaders have locking down the Romney has emerged as one of struggled to choose between Trump nomination. the most prominent critics of Trump, and Cruz. Cruz has won the endorse- the businessman and former reality ment of only two of his fellow TV personality who has emerged as Republican senators, for example, a surprise front-runner in the battle while only one has endorsed Trump. Agencies to secure the Republican nomina- “If it was truly an anyone-but- tion. Romney, who lost to Democratic Trump mindset that had taken hold, President Barack Obama in 2012, we would’ve seen a much more called Trump a “fraud” and a dan- aggressive move to Cruz and we WASHINGTON: Republican Mitt gerous demagogue who would lose to haven’t,” a senior Senate Republican Romney said he would vote for US Hillary Clinton, the Democratic Party aide said on condition of anonym- Senator Ted Cruz of Texas in Utah’s front-runner, in November. ity. “Most members truly don’t know presidential nominating contest, but Republicanism, Romney wrote, which one is worse.” the party’s 2012 election standard- adding that Trump has encouraged Meanwhile, a report from New Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz poses for a photo with supporters during a campaign event at bearer stopped short of an official racism, misogyny and violence. “I am York said that Fox News renewed its endorsement as he urged voters to repulsed by each and every one of bitter dispute with Republican pres- Arizona Christian University in Phoenix, Arizona, yesterday. deny the nomination to front-run- these,” he wrote. idential frontrunner Donald Trump, ner Donald Trump. Trump has continued to notch accusing him of harboring a “sick “Donald Trump’s vitriolic attacks and verbal assaults,” it said. of her eyes, blood coming out of her In a Facebook post, Romney said victories in the state-by-state nom- obsession” with prominent news against Megyn Kelly and his extreme, The row ignited in August, when wherever.” Trump this week again a vote for Cruz in Utah’s caucus on inating process as Republicans have anchor Megyn Kelly and waging sick obsession with her is below the Kelly moderated the first debate of the trained his sights on Kelly, whose Tuesday was the best way to prevent failed to unite behind Cruz or Ohio a campaign of crude verbal abuse dignity of a presidential candidate who presidential campaign cycle. prime-time show The Kelly File is the Trump from locking down the nomi- Governor John Kasich, the only against her. wants to occupy the highest office in The billionaire Trump, who is in second-most watched programme on nation, which would give opponents other candidate left in the race. At The strongly worded riposte is the land,” Fox News said in a statement pole position for the Republican nom- American cable TV news. a chance to select another candidate this point, those who oppose Trump the latest episode in a simmering, issued yesterday. ination for the White House, reacted to “Highly overrated & crazy @meg- at the party’s July convention. say their best bet at this point is to months-long feud between the influ- “Megyn is an exemplary journal- tough questioning from Kelly by insin- ynkelly is always complaining about “The only way we can reach an prevent him from securing the 1,237 ential television channel and Trump, ist and one of the leading anchors in uating she treated him unfairly. Trump and yet she devotes her shows open convention is for Senator Cruz delegates he needs before the con- who took time out of his sched- America—we’re extremely proud of “She gets out and she starts asking to me.” he tweeted. Trump, who has to be successful in as many of the vention in Cleveland. ule to fire off three tweets calling her phenomenal work and continue to me all sorts of ridiculous questions,” called for Muslims to be banned from remaining nominating election as Cruz is unlikely to win the nom- out “crazy” Kelly, America’s most- fully support her throughout every day Trump told CNN after the debate. “You entering the US, regularly posts mes- possible,” Romney wrote. ination outright as he would need watched female news anchor. of Trump’s endless barrage of crude could see there was blood coming out sages from others who denigrate Kelly.

Cuba honours Dead whale US makes new arrest Venezuelan leader with in UN bribery case medal Reuters Julia Vivi Wang, Reuters 55, was accused of NEW YORK: US prosecutors unveiled charges against a China- paying a bribe of HAVANA: Cuba honored Venezue- born woman involved with two $500,000 to buy lan President Nicolas Maduro with organisations focused on the United its highest state honour in an act of Nations as part of an ongoing inves- Antiguan diplomatic defiance two days before US Pres- tigation into a scheme to pay bribes positions for her late ident Barack Obama is due for a to a former UN General Assembly historic visit to Havana. president. husband. Cuban President Raul Castro Julia Vivi Wang, 55, was accused pinned the medal, known as the in a criminal complaint filed in fed- Order of Jose Marti, on Maduro eral court in Manhattan of having “serious misunderstanding about the in a show a solidarity between paid a bribe of at least $500,000 to case.” He declined further comment. socialist allies that have stood buy Antiguan diplomatic positions UN-focused media organisation, together against the United States for her late husband and another and International Organisation for Onlookers gather near a dead whale (Balaenoptera edeni) in Puertecito beach, Oaxaca State, Mexico. since Maduro’s predecessor, the Chinese businessman. South-South Cooperation (IOSSC), late Hugo Chavez, came to power The bribe was solicited and which described its mission as in 1999. facilitated by John Ashe, a former advancing the United Nations’ Maduro paid repeated hom- UN ambassador from Antigua and development goals. Lorenzo was age to Chavez and former Cuban Barbuda and who was General president at both organisations leader Fidel Castro, the president’s Assembly president from 2013 to before his arrest. brother, as well as to the inde- Daughters of celebrated Ukrainian 2014, the complaint said. According to the complaint, pendence heroes of each country, He was among six people the $500,000 bribe was solicited Simon Bolivar and Marti, names charged in October for participating and sought by Ashe and Lorenzo that serve as a rallying cry against in a scheme that involved the pay- beginning in 2012 to allow Wang’s interference from foreign powers. pianist found dead in Texas home ment of more than $1.3m in bribes husband and the unnamed Chinese “This strength of Marti, of a dig- to Ashe by Chinese businessmen, businessman to secure positions in nified and steadfast Cuba that stands including Ng Lap Seng, a billionaire a Hong Kong investment office Anti- tall, I will take with me to the people Reuters Their mother, 31-year-old Sofya been cooperative in this investiga- Macau real estate developer. gua was opening. of Venezuela in recognition of their Tsygankova, underwent surgery at tion. He is not considered a suspect The latest arrest followed the Lorenzo told US authorities that heroism,” Maduro said. a local hospital, police said. She will at this time.” Police earlier said there guilty plea of one of the defendants, Wang and her husband sought the Chavez emulated and be held for mental evaluation once were no signs of forced entry into the Francis Lorenzo, a suspended deputy positions because they would help befriended Fidel Castro, coming DALLAS: The two young daugh- she recovers from her injuries, police home and that they were investigat- United Nations ambassador from the them make money by helping others to the aid of a Cuban economy in ters of Ukrainian pianist Vadym Commander David Babcock said. ing the case as a double homicide. Dominican Republic, who agreed to to obtain citizenship by investing in collapse after the fall of the Soviet Kholodenko were found murdered Babcock police do not see any A cause of death had not been cooperate with US authorities. a country and by arranging for busi- Union by providing oil on favora- inside their home in a Fort Worth, immediate threat to the community determined. Police said the children Wang, who was arrested on ness deals, the complaint said. ble terms. Fidel Castro resigned in Texas, suburb, and his estranged wife and are not searching for a suspect. had not been stabbed. Thursday and is also known as Some of the money was intended 2008, when his younger brother sustained multiple stab wounds in the Kholodenko had an appointment “The loss of my children will be Vivian Wang, was charged in the to pay off Antiguan officials, the took over. Since Chavez died in incident, local police said. to pick up the children on from his with me forever. But I would like to complaint with money laundering complaint said including its then- 2013, Maduro has continued to Police in Benbrook said estranged wife’s home, he said. say that I feel the support of the Fort and conspiracy to commit money prime minister, who was not named aid Cuba with Venezuelan oil in Kholodenko, 29, is not considered a “Once he arrived there, he found Worth community and all people who laundering. She was released on a in court papers. Baldwin Spencer, exchange for missions by Cuban suspect in the deaths of his daugh- the mother in an extreme state of dis- are sending me messages all over the $1.5m bond. who was prime minister at the time, doctors and nurses in the South ters, Nika, 5, and Michela, 1, who were tress and discovered the children in world,” Kholodenko said in a state- Raymond Wong, her lawyer, could not be reached for comment, American country. discovered in their bedrooms. their state,” Babcock said. “He has ment yesterday evening. said he believed prosecutors had a but has denied related allegations. 22 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 AMERICAS

Rousseff knew Impeachment about bribery scheme: Senator crisis rattles Reuters

SAO PAULO: A senator accused of involvement in Brazil’s biggest divided Brazil corruption scandal said President Dilma Rousseff and her predeces- sor Lula were both aware of it and tried to block prosecutors from Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva, 70, whom investigating, Veja magazine said she enlisted to try to save her lead- yesterday. Rival street protests ership from a crisis aggravated by a In an interview with Brazil’s by Rousseff’s deep recession. weekly news magazine, Senator “We won’t accept a coup in this Delcidio do Amaral said Rousseff’s enemies trying to country,” said the gray-bearded successful presidential campaigns drive her from power Lula, addressing a crowd of sup- in 2010 and 2014 were financed and supporters porters from the back of a truck in with money from the graft scheme. Sao Paulo. Amaral was the leader of the alleging an Rousseff had named Lula, a ruling Workers’ Party (PT) in the attempted coup have hero of the Latin American left, as Senate and a close Rousseff ally her new chief of staff. But on Friday until he was arrested in November rocked Brazil a high court judge barred him from on charges of attempting to bribe in recent days. taking up the post, despite govern- a former executive of state-run oil ment appeals. company Petrobras in exchange Rousseff and Lula are accused for his silence in the investigation.. of conniving to put him in the cab- He left the party this week Followers of Partido de los Trabajadores Party demonstrate to show their suppport to Brazilian President AFP inet post, which would make him after agreeing a plea bargain, one immune from criminal prosecution Dilma Rousseff, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. of several such deals that prose- over corruption allegations. cutors use to advance their probe. The day also saw the first session impeachment had failed. That gave the in 2015 to mask a deep recession. Lula be remanded in custody—a A spokesman for former RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil’s deepen- of a new congressional committee impression that Brazilians supported The newly installed congressional potentially dramatic development in president Lula said Amaral was ing political crisis laid bare sharp charged with drawing up a motion impeachment or were neutral,” said impeachment committee said it a tense political climate. a defendant trying to get legal divisions in Latin America’s biggest on whether to impeach Rousseff over political scientist Luis Felipe Miguel expected to reach a decision within Moro “can order his detention, but benefits, and that he did not economy yesterday as President a separate corruption case. of Brasilia University. a month on whether to recommend he would have to be able to show that have evidence of what he told Dilma Rousseff risked impeachment Police said 270,000 people “Now we have seen that is not the removing the president. there is evidence to justify it,” said law the magazine. Both Rousseff and and her once-popular predecessor joined street rallies in support of case,” he added, quoted by the state Lula is charged with accepting a expert Carlos Goncalves of Sao Paulo Lula have repeatedly denied any “Lula” faced a criminal lawsuit. Rousseff, while organisers put the news service Agencia Brasil. luxury apartment and a country home Catholic Pontifical University. wrongdoing. Rival street protests by Rouss- turnout at 1.2 million. No major inci- Recent polls showed however as bribes from executives implicated in “It could be justified for example According to the senator, Lula eff’s enemies trying to drive her from dents were reported. that Rousseff’s popularity rating a multibillion-dollar corruption scam on the grounds that Lula could try to negotiated the appointment of power and supporters alleging an That was far fewer than the three is about 10 percent and that 60 at state oil company Petrobras. influence the obtaining of evidence in directors at Petrobras on behalf attempted coup have rocked Brazil million that police estimated at anti- percent of Brazilians would support The high court decision against the case,” Goncalves said. of political parties and was aware over recent days, just months before government rallies last Sunday, but impeachment. Lula sends the case back to the desk of In Sao Paulo about 50 people of how the parties used their it hosts the Olympics in August. analysts said the counter-mobili- Rousseff is accused of Sergio Moro, an anti-corruption judge protesting against the government influence over the company for Government supporters mobi- sation still helped the government. manipulating government accounts in the southern city of Curitiba who were camped out in the major Paulista campaign financing via kick-backs lised yesterday as pressure mounted “Previous attempts to get people to boost public spending during her is leading the Petrobras investigation. avenue, where police cleared earlier from contractors working for the on Rousseff, 68, and her predecessor out into the street to protest against 2014 re-election campaign, and again Prosecutors have demanded that gatherings. state oil firm.

Lufthansa reports near miss with Virginia man pleads guilty to trying to join Islamic State drone over Reuters Joseph Hassan Farrokh, 28, a US charged in January with helping Far- Convictions for IS -related activity group with his wife. citizen from Woodbridge, Virginia, rokh join the militant group by driving by Americans have become more fre- An Ohio man pleaded guilty on Los Angeles admitted that he attempted to fly to him partway to the airport and by quent in recent months as more than to urging people to join IS through Jordan in January in order to cross introducing Farrokh to someone he 80 cases brought by US prosecutors social media, and an Arizona man WASHINGTON: A Virginia man into Syria and fight for IS, in a plea believed to be an IS recruiter—but since 2013 work their way through was convicted by a jury of helping his Reuters pleaded guilty in US federal court to agreement hearing at the US District who was actually an FBI informant. federal courts. roommates attack a “Draw Moham- trying to join Islamic State (IS) in Syria Court for the Eastern District of Vir- Elhassan has not yet entered a plea Farrokh is the fourth American to med” cartoon contest in Texas last earlier this year, becoming the fourth ginia, in Alexandria. in his case, but he planned to eventu- be convicted of attempting to support year. Farrokh is one of five people LOS ANGELES: The pilot of a American this week to be convicted An acquaintance of Farrokh, ally join Farrokh in Syria to fight with IS, IS, when a Mississippi man pleaded accused of trying to join IS in the past Lufthansa passenger jumbo jet of attempting to support the group. Mahmoud Elhassan, 25, was also according to Farrokh’s plea agreement. guilty to trying to join the jihadist year and a half. reported a drone aircraft nearly collided with the airliner on its landing approach to Los Angeles International Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. International Day of Happiness Rescued Cubans say The close encounter between the four-engine Airbus A380 and drone occurred at at an altitude of nine others died 5,000 feet as the unmanned air- craft passed about 200 feet over the Lufthansa flight 22.5kmeast of the airport, the FAA said. AFP Amid the US-Cuba diplomatic No evasive action was taken thaw, migrants from the com- by the airline crew, and the plane, munist-ruled island have voiced Lufthansa Flight 456, safely made MIAMI: Cubans rescued at sea off concerns it will prompt Washing- its landing minutes later without Florida say nine others died trying ton to drop its “wet foot, dry foot” further incident, according to FAA to reach the United States in a make- policy of automatically giving resi- spokesman Ian Gregor. shift boat, the Coast Guard said. dency to Cubans who make it onto The FAA alerted the Los Ange- The 18 survivors, plucked from US soil. les Police Department’s air support the waters west of Marco Island by The Coast Guard’s Captain Mark division. The number of passen- a cruise ship, claimed they left Cuba Gordon urged people not to make gers and crew aboard the plane 22 days ago and that their colleagues the journey, saying tragedy was all was not reported by authorities, perished at sea during the danger- too common for those attempting to nor was the flight’s origin. ous crossing of the Florida Straits, cross the 150 km Florida Straits with US Senator Dianne Feinstein the Coast Guard said in a statement. no safety or navigation equipment. of California, who has introduced Word of the deaths comes as US “Immigration policies have not legislation to require new safety President Barack Obama prepares changed and we urge people not to features on drones, pointed to the to head to Cuba today for a historic take to the ocean in unseaworthy close call as an example of the visit highlighting the restoration vessels,” he said. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (third left) designates Angry Bird Red as Honorary hazards posed to commercial avia- of relations between Havana and “It is illegal and extremely tion by unregulated drone activity. Ambassador for Green next to Jason Sudeikis (left), Josh Gad (second left) and Maya Rudolph at the Washington. Obama will become dangerous.” “This is one more incident United Nations General Assembly Hall during the celebrations of the International Day of Happiness, the first sitting US president to visit Those rescued were taken to the that could have brought down an in New York. Cuba since Calvin Coolidge arrived cruise ship’s next port of call in Coz- airliner, and it’s completely unac- on a battleship in 1928. umel, Mexico. ceptable,” she said in a statement. Federal regulations generally bar drone aircraft and model air- planes from flying higher than 400 feet or within 8km of an airport Republican lawmakers to join Obama’s Cuba visit without first contacting air traf- fic control and airport authorities. Operators also must keep their drones away from other aircraft Reuters lawmakers told reporters. Besides Flake, Republicans of policy win, either domestically or in the Senate, mostly members from and groups of people. Republican congressional lead- making the trip include House of Rep- internationally. Normalising relations states like Kansas where agriculture The FAA has received at ers have made opposition to President resentatives members Mark Sanford, with Cuba would be a significant for- is a significant industry, have pub- least 42 reports of drones flying Barack Obama’s easing of the Cuban Tom Emmer and Reid Ribble, as well eign policy legacy for Obama. licly backed increased Cuban trade unsafely near LAX, the nation’s WASHINGTON: A small group of trade embargo a hallmark of their for- as Senator Mark Heller, congressional Many Republicans see the or fewer restrictions on travel. second-busiest airport, since April Republican lawmakers will join Pres- eign policy. But an increasing number sources and lawmakers said. All of the embargo as contrary to their party’s Supporters of Obama’s policy 2014, according to a Los Angeles ident Barack Obama’s historic trip of party members, drawn by the eco- representatives confirmed their par- pro-business tenets and believe the say the total number of Republican Times analysis last fall of federal to Cuba today, underlining growing nomic benefits of scrapping the cold ticipation, except for Heller, whose government should not tell citizens supporters in the House and Senate data released by Feinstein. divisions in the party over the future war-era embargo, are lining up to office declined requests for comment. where they can travel. reaches several dozen. Some mem- The data shows nearly 200 of the United States’ trade embargo back the White House. But other lawmakers confirmed his “It’s about Americans’ freedom bers say they want to see how election pilot reports of close encounters against the island nation. “This is the right policy. He’s travel. and embracing engagement rather plays out before speaking publicly. involving drones in California At least five Republicans, all done the right thing,” said Republi- Republicans backing Obama’s than isolation as a way of changing The US embargo on Cuba, first alone during the past two years, known for favouring normal trade can Senator Jeff Flake, an outspoken policy cut against the grain of the other governments,” Sanford said in imposed in 1960, can be lifted only the most of any state, according relations with Cuba, will make the proponent of closer ties with Cuba party’s establishment thinking that a Facebook post. via a majority vote in Congress, which to Los Angeles Times . trip, congressional members and who is going to Havana. seeks to avoid giving Obama any kind At least 15 of the 54 Republicans is now controlled by Republicans.

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 21o C Maximum: 29o C

FAJR 04.22 am ZUHR 11.42 am MAGHRIB 05.47 pm HIGH TIDE 03:15 - 15:30 Strong wind and high seas at first. Partly cloudy SHOROOK 05.39 am ASR 03.08 pm ISHA 07.17 pm LOW TIDE 10:15 - 21:00 and slight dust and hazy to misty by night.

24 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 MORNING BREAK

ONLINE CHART BUST Tokyo Tower during Earth Hour Film director Jan Nemec www.thepeninsulaqatar.com dies at 79

MOST READ Reuters

UN Chief commends Qatar for brokering 1 release of Djiboutian prisoners in Eritrea PRAGUE: Czech film director Jan Nemec (pictured), one of the most Qatar ranks 36 in happiness report talented members of the Czech 2 “New Wave” of filmmakers, who rose to world acclaim in the 1960s, Dubai flight to Russia crashes while landing; died on Friday after a long illness, 3 61 on board dead local media reported. He was 79. Nemec proved his skill already with his 1964 feature debut, “Dia- monds of the Night,” - a tale of two TWEET OF THE DAY Jewish boys escaping from a trans- port during the Nazis’ attempt to wipe out all European Jewry, the Holocaust. After his second film, “A Report on the Party and the Guests,” from 1966, was considered offensive by the country’s then-Communist rul- ers, Nemec was prohibited from further film work and moved to television. A complete ban came after A combination of pictures shows the Tokyo Tower before (left) and after its lights were switched off for the Soviet-led troops invaded the Earth Hour in Japan, yesterday. former Czechoslovakia in 1968 and Nemec smuggled out his footage of tanks rolling the streets of Prague. He left the country in 1974, but unlike Milos Forman, one of his “New Wave” contemporaries, never found much success abroad. Nemec returned home after INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY Cambodia a canvas for North the fall of Communist rule in 1989 and made several films, getting mixed reviews. He was recognised by the state by the late President Vaclav Havel, Nemec’s cousin. Korea’s grand masters But true to his firebrand nature, Nemec in 2014 protested against the current President Milos AFP The mural, epic in scale and intri- to Pyongyang for its envoy. The North's Zeman’s policies by returning the cate in detail, covers an area larger nemesis, South Korea, has also dramat- medal he was awarded by Havel. Doha lights off than eight tennis courts and reflects ically increased its business presence in Nemec’s eccentric craft is still #EarthHour. Pic by the sweeping grandiosity for which Cambodia and its embassy in Phnom recognised by film scholars. Abdul Basit CAMBODIA: In a vast parking lot out- Pyongyang's artists are renowned. Penh remains a haven for North Korean “Jan Nemec is for me the direc- side Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat But this is no socialist realist tribute defectors to aim for. tor of the longest, or at least the temples complex stands a new museum to North Korea's 'Dear Leaders'. But Cambodia's relations with the most expensive moving shot in a built by North Korea, part of a lucra- Instead the paintings portray the North remain strong even as Pyongyang Czech film, the opening scene of tive charm offensive by a hermit state battles of the fearsome Khmer Empire deepens its pariah status with nuclear ‘Diamonds of the Night’,” Zdenek ABC & Warner Bros to make more exporting its monumental art to a hand- at the apogee of its power in the 11th and missile tests that triggered a fresh Holy, dean of the FAMU film acad- ful of foreign allies. and 13th centuries and the construc- round of tough UN sanctions earlier this emy in Prague, told Reuters. episodes current season "When people come here some- tion of Angkor Wat. month. “I have never forgotten it, nor times they cannot believe their eyes," That a closed, hardline communist "Those family connections are not have I forgotten other iconic scenes beams Yit Chandaroat, of the Angkor state might choose to build a museum to be underestimated on the North from his films.” Bloomberg deals that let cable subscribers Panorama Museum, which opened in honouring a feudal Southeast Asian Korean side in terms of the affection binge-watch shows they missed, December after a construction proc- dynasty -- and foot the $24 million that the Kim family have for Cambodia as they do on Netflix Inc. ess shrouded in secrecy. price tag -- may initially appear sur- specifically," Adam Cathcart, a North Media companies like Time "They really feel like they are back prising.But Cambodia has long belonged Korea specialist at Britain's Leeds Uni- NEW YORK: Walt Disney Co.’s Warner and Fox have signaled in the time of Angkor", he added, refer- to a select and somewhat motley band versity, said. ABC network reached an agree- that they are rethinking sales of ring to the world heritage site which of North Korean allies. The museum is also more than ment with Warner Bros that will shows to Netflix. comprises the remains of the different When the country's late King Noro- a friendly gesture. It is the latest in a increase the number of current- Investors are concerned they capitals of the Khmer Empire, dating dom Sihanouk was toppled in a 1970 growing portfolio of artworks that Man- season episodes viewers can may be jeopardizing the long- from the 9th to the 15th centuries. coup, North Korea's founding leader sudae has built overseas. watch on demand. term health of the TV industry Behind him stands the museum's Kim Il-Sung offered him sanctuary. With 1,000 artists on the books the The deal is the first of its for lucrative short-term deals piece de resistance, an enormous And when Sihanouk returned studio is often described as the world's kind for Time Warner Inc.’s with the streaming service, 360-degree panorama that 63 North after the bloodletting of the Khmer largest. It churns out propaganda pieces TV studio. Networks and pro- which along with Amazon.com Korean painters from the state-owned Rouge era, he kept a retinue of North and has long been the been the only ducers are working together to Inc. is taking viewers away from Mansudae Art Studio toiled away on for Korean bodyguards for the remainder outlet allowed to produce portraits of increase audiences by striking regular TV. more than a year. of his reign and gifted his birth home the Kim dynasty. Iconic superheroes Batman & Superman yields unlikely female hero

AFP story... But I also think it's so impor- go as Superman, three years after tant for girls -- and boys -- to have "Man of Steel" saw him pitted against a female, strong superhero to look the planet Krypton's villainous mil- LOS ANGELES: "Batman vs Super- up to." itary commander, General Zod. "It's man: Dawn of Justice" sees two Starring Ben Affleck as Gotham's a tough outing for him, because it's iconic superheroes do battle on the Dark Knight and Henry Cavill as the against a psychological enemy as big screen but a female character -- Caped Crusader, the characters' first opposed to a physical enemy, like Zod Wonder Woman -- is the real role big screen pairing sets up the com- was," the 32-year-old said of the new model for youngsters, star Gal Gadot ing "Justice League" and "Wonder film."We see him make mistakes, and said yesterday. Woman" movies. we see him grow from those mistakes The 30-year-old former Miss Fearing the actions of a god-like and learn from them." Israel said ahead of the March 25 US superhero left unchecked, Goth- Affleck, 43, who has already release of the hotly anticipated block- am's formidable vigilante takes on directed critical and commercial buster that she had never planned Metropolis's revered savior, while the hits "The Town" and "Argo," revealed to be an actress and felt grateful to world wrestles with what sort of hero he had felt "emboldened" watching be telling her character's "amazing it really needs. And with Batman and director Zack Snyder work and would story." Superman at war with each other, a consider making a big-budget super- "I have a four-year-old daugh- new threat quickly arises, putting hero movie in the future. ter and she adores princesses. At the mankind in greater danger than it The actors were asked how they same time she would tell me 'the has ever known. deal with the kind of intense fans princess, she's so weak.' She falls Warner Bros opened its Los who tend to come with starring roles asleep, the prince will come and save Angeles studios to the world's media in comic book conversions, and their her and kiss her and he's the hero," Friday, showcasing its stellar cast, sometimes unrealistic expectation Gadot told reporters in Los Angeles. which also features Jesse Eisenberg levels. "It's certainly strange and "So I am so happy I'm going to be as the eccentric villain Lex Luthor unnerving to be criticized for a part Actors dressed up as Superman (left) and Batman during the season inauguration of the Madrid Warner the one who's going to tell the Wonder and Amy Adams as Superman's love you haven't yet been able to screw amusement park in San Martin de Valdeiglesias, near Madrid, Spain. Woman story. It's such an important interest Lois Lane. It is Cavill's second up," joked Eisenberg. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

PAGE | 27 QE 10,425.97 +134.64 PTS PAGE | 28 Qatar takes part in DOW 17,602.30 +120.81 PTS UBS bonus pool surges Arab Chambers FTSE100 6,189.64 -11.48 PTS 14% as European Union meet BRENT $41.20 -$0.34 rivals cut awards

SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 • 11 Jumada II 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

QSTec production facility QFCA clarifies on ‘integration’ issue The Peninsula QFCRA as already set out in the Law No. 13 of 2012 on the Issuance of the QCB Law and Regulation of Financial Institutions and build on the common areas to roll out by year-end between the QFCRA and the QCB, which will enhance DOHA: In response to an article published by The the collaboration between both parties. Under the Peninsula entitled: “QFC to be integrated with QCB bill, the QCB Governor will continue to be the Chair- and SJC” on 7 February 2016, the Qatar Financial Cen- man of the QFCRA. By Sachin Kumar in a statement yesterday. Located in the tre Authority (QFCA) clarified that the article creates The QFC is not a free-zone. It is an onshore plat- The Peninsula north of Qatar in Ras Laffan Industrial misunderstanding and conjecture regarding the finan- form for investors to establish companies in Qatar. Over 3,000km of City (RLIC), QSTec’s facility will run two cial regulatory framework in Qatar and the QFC, as The QFC will remain so under the bill, which will electrical cable is polysilicon trains with a capacity to pro- a business and financial centre. further clarify this principle and reflect relevant and DOHA: Qatar Solar Technologies’ duce 8,000 metric tonnes per year of The QFCA would like to correct the record as fol- appropriate international best practices that are also (QSTec) polysilicon production facility, installed at QSTec. high grade polysilicon. lows: In 2013, the Qatar Central Bank (QCB), working adopted in other financial centres, including those the largest polysilicon plant in Middle He said that safety is a top priority closely with QFC Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) and that are freezones. The judicial system of the QFC East and North Africa (MENA), is in the on the site with 93 percent of the facil- Qatar Financial Markets Authority, released a joint Stra- maintains its independence and impartiality. The bill final stages of construction and the project is a very proud moment for ity construction completed and over tegic Plan for Financial Sector Regulation. strengthens links with the Supreme Judicial Council first large polysilicon plant is set to roll all involved as we witness this enor- 31 million man-hours of construction Promoting regulatory co-operation among the to further promote the QFC’s efficiency, especially in out later this year. Polysilicon is a key mously complex manufacturing facility without a single lost time incident. Over three regulatory authorities is a primary goal of this relation to enforcement of orders. ingredient used in over 90 percent of come to life and see QSTec’s polysili- 3,000km of electrical cable is installed strategy, said the QFCA CEO. The QFCA CEO was The bill, being a draft law at this stage, is currently the world’s solar modules. con transformed by our partners into at QSTec in addition to a network of misquoted and did not mention that the QFCRA going through the legislative review and approval “We are gearing up to move the solar modules and technologies for use pipes that is over 200km long. will be integrated with the QCB. He explained that processes. The QFCA CEO explained that the bill, plant from construction stage into the throughout the world,” said Dr Khalid K the proposed QFC law (“bill”) will reflect the exist- when announced, will aim to enhance existing col- production phase. This phase of the Al Hajri, Chairman and CEO of QSTec →Continued on page 26 ing regulatory arrangements between QCB and the laboration between the mentioned entities. 26 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 BUSINESS Structural reforms key to boosting Europe’s growth: QNB

The Peninsula prices and wages, keeping infla- remote given that banks are unlikely tion low and making it difficult for to take up the full amount offered in The aim of easier the ECB to meet its 2 percent infla- the current window. monetary policy was tion target. Additionally, the ECB has With the ECB’s monetary fire- DOHA: Monetary policy has done downgraded its outlook for growth, power waning, the region may need much of the heavy lifting for Europe’s to raise inflation and mainly on concerns about the slow- to adopt a more expansionary fiscal economy during its intermittent support growth. down in the global economy. policy to support economic recovery recovery from 2009, but, going for- How successful will the ECB be in the short term. ward, a more expansionary fiscal in meeting its aims? The size and Fiscal policy could prove far policy and structural reforms are €20bn to €80bn) and scope. Finally, breadth of the package could prove more powerful in boosting aggregate needed to boost Europe’s growth, a new series of targeted long-term helpful in achieving its targets. But the demand than monetary easing in a QNB noted in its weekly ‘economic refinancing operations (TLTROs) was prospect of further ECB easing seems world with low, even negative, interest commentary’ yesterday. announced. limited now for four reasons. rates. For the medium term, structural In response to falling inflation and These will give banks access to First, the ECB’s President, Mario reforms are needed to raise produc- lagging growth, the European Cen- cheap borrowing, with rates poten- Draghi, has stated that no further cuts tivity and increase growth potential. tral Bank (ECB) introduced a range of tially as low as the deposit rate (-0.4 to interest rates are expected. This is Such policies could include easing measures on 10 March, cutting percent) if banks meet criteria to lend probably to protect banks, whose infrastructure spending, training interest rates and expanding its quan- the money on to the economy. profitability is negatively impacted programmes to integrate the influx titative easing (QE) programme. The The aim of easier monetary pol- by negative rates. of refugees into the European labour measures were impressive in scale icy was to raise inflation and support Second, the size of the ECB’s market and addressing high non-per- and scope, but the markets response growth. The Euro Area fell into defla- asset purchases in relation to GDP is forming loans, which are hampering has still been mixed. tion in February with year-on-year already very large, similar to the Fed’s bank credit growth. The ECB took a number of steps inflation at -0.2 percent. This was third QE programme. To sum up, the latest dose of eas- on March 10. The deposit rate was mainly caused by falling oil prices, Third, the QE programme aims ing from the ECB is sizeable and could cut by 10 basis points to 0.4 percent which should only have a temporary to reduce long-term bond yields, prove helpful in raising growth and while other policy rates were cut by impact on inflation. but these are already quite low. The inflation. However, it also probably 5 basis points. However, the ECB expressed con- German 10-year yield is 0.32 per- signals that the ECB is running out of Additionally, the QE programme cerns that low inflation could become cent while the Italian yield is 1.37%. tools to support the economy. Mon- was expanded in volume (monthly more persistent. It could lead to com- Finally, the possibility of introducing etary policy has been helpful, but it asset purchases were increased by panies and workers setting lower another large-scale TLTRO seems cannot cure all economic ills. QsTec production facility in final stages of construction

Contiuued from page 25 solutions to its customers. QSTec’s capital said in a press conference held last week. Hajri. “The strong solar Research & Develop- Construction utilised 15,000 tonnes of investment in its polysilicon plant, Solar- SolarWorld is Europe’s and the USA’s ment base that has been developed in Qatar by steel and 100,000 cubic metres of concrete. World and Centrotherm stakes are valued at largest manufacturer of high quality solar Qatar Foundation, QEERI (Qatar Environment & The company has 1.2 million square metres over $1.3bn. modules and exports its products across the Energy Research Institute), QSTP (Qatar Science of land in RLIC which will allow for future “QSTec has a vision to become a world world. Centrotherm is the world’s leading & Technology Park) and others already offer a expansion along the solar value chain to ulti- leader in integrated solar solutions, from supplier of manufacturing equipment and great many opportunities for QSTec,” he added. mately produce high quality solar modules research and manufacturing to supply-chain technology for the solar and semiconduc- The Ras Laffan facility is home to and technologies in Qatar. and investments, and is prepared to harness tor industries. QSTec’s largest solar installation project, QSTec has steadily been expanding its the full potential of solar for the benefit and “In line with the Qatar National Vision already installed which generates 1.1 meg- presence within the global solar industry. It’s prosperity of all,” asserted Dr Al Hajri. 2030 we are producing solar technologies awatts of solar energy. The solar farm strategic investments in the world renowned “QSTec will continue with its expan- and solutions locally and exporting prod- provides energy to QSTec’s administration German solar companies by acquiring 29 sion strategy locally and internationally by ucts and knowledge globally. QSTec and its buildings and is just one of many sustaina- Khalid K Al Hajri, QSTec’s Chairman percent shares and being the largest single increasing its solar industry development partners are bringing additional research ble technology solutions utilised in this state shareholder in Solar World and acquiring 50 within the technology and manufacturing opportunities across the value chain of the of the art plant. and CEO, during a press conference percent shares equity in Centrotherm, ena- sectors and we value cooperative partici- industry to Qatar and we are committed to held at QSTec’s building yesterday. ble the company to provide solar technology pation with others for its achievement,” he using research as our guiding force,” said Al Pic: Baher Amin QIB recognised as ‘Best Islamic Bank in Qatar’

The Peninsula readers of Islamic Finance News. The perpetual Sukuk was issued Islamic finance issuers, investors, under the “Mudaraba” structure with non-banking financial intermedi- agreed expected profit for the first six aries and government bodies were years. While the issuance does not have DOHA: Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), invited to participate by casting their a maturity date it can be called back by Qatar’s leading Islamic Bank, has votes. With a record-breaking 30,000 the Bank at the end of 6 years and has been recognised by the Islamic Finance votes placed in 2015, the Best Banks been recognised as Additional Tier 1 News for being the ‘Best Islamic Bank Poll reflects the views of a large, ded- capital. The deal is the first in Qatar to in Qatar’ and for the ‘Best Deal of the icated audience which voted QIB as meet these standards, and enhanced Year - Regulatory Capital’ in relation the Best Islamic Bank in Qatar. the Bank’s capital adequacy ratios and to its QR2bn Sukuk deal. Additionally, the “Best Deal of supported business growth. The Annual Islamic Finance News the Year - Regulatory Capital” recog- Founded in 1982 as the country’s Best Banks Poll recognizes the best nition was in response to QIB’s June first Islamic financial institution, QIB providers of Islamic financial serv- 2015 Sukuk issuance. QIB issued the is the largest Islamic bank in Qatar, ices across a series of markets and first Basel III & IFSB Compliant addi- with a 41 percent share of the Islamic sectors as voted directly by the tional Tier 1 perpetual Sukuk in Qatar. sector and 11 percent overall. QNB receives ‘Best Retail Bank in Qatar’ award from The Asian Banker magazine

Officials pose for a group picture.

The Peninsula event in the global retail banking excellence amongst the world’s lead- agenda, where regional and global ing retail financial institutions as elite retail bankers can come together well as the undisputed performance and enjoy unprecedented network- benchmark of the best retail banks in DOHA: QNB has been recognised as ing opportunities. an increasingly fierce marketplace. the “Best Retail Bank in Qatar” by the According to The Asian Banker, As a leading provider of strategic Asian Banker Magazine. The prestig- QNB received the highly competitive intelligence on the financial services ious award was received during The award after successfully undergo- industry, The Asian Banker facilitates Asian Banker’s International Excel- ing all the stringent valuation for the awards programs known for their lence in Retail Financial Services International Excellence in Retail rigor, impartiality and transpar- Awards 2016 ceremony, held recently Financial Services Programme. ency. QNB is a previous recipient of in Hong Kong. The award is a true testament to these distinguished awards, gaining The awards ceremony was held the excellence of QNB’s retail serv- such recognitions as “Best Transac- in conjunction with The 15th Annual ices, given that the programme is tion Bank in the Middle East & Africa”, Excellence in Retail Financial Serv- considered the most prestigious, “Best Direct Bank”, “Best Cash Man- ices Convention. The convention is comprehensive and anticipated agement Bank in Qatar”, and “Best considered an important financial Awards Programme that recognises Trade Finance Bank in Qatar”. BUSINESS SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 27

Hon Hai and Greek bailout banks agree on Sharp credit line review talks to close deal Bloomberg

TOKYO: Hon Hai Precision postponed Industry Co has reached a basic agreement with Sharp Corp’s banks over a 300bn yen ($2.7bn) Fund lenders and among the EU credit line, according to the Yomi- and IMF institutions. uri newspaper, potentially clearing Government officials The talks, which resumed earlier a hurdle toward a takeover of the said that during the this month after a break in Febru- Japanese electronics maker. ary, were focused on finding ways Under the agreement, Sharp latest round of talks to cover an estimated fiscal gap of 3 would be able to borrow from the IMF opposed key percent of GDP by 2018, although the its main banks, Mizuho Finan- pension proposals. IMF initially put the figure at 4.5 per- cial Group Inc and Mitsubishi UFJ cent and Athens at 1 percent. Financial Group Inc, if it suffers Easter falls on March 27. Accord- losses from potential liabilities or ing to sources close to the talks EU needs new investments, the Yomi- lenders have been more lenient dur- uri said, without giving the source The Qatari delegation led by QC Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani (second Reuters ing the review than the IMF, which of the information. The banks are has said that Greece will need far right) at the conference. also considering waiting for about bigger debt relief than euro zone a month on Sharp’s repayment of partners have been prepared to about 510bn yen in loans due at the ATHENS: EU and IMF inspectors envisage. A meeting of euro zone end of March if talks with Hon Hai assessing Greece’s bailout progress finance ministers in April will be Qatari delegation takes part in are prolonged, according to the will leave Athens today and return crucial for Greece, which is also newspaper. after Catholic Easter, sources close to dealing with a huge migrant crisis. Sharp spokesman Yoshifumi the talks said, dashing Greek hopes The government, which has Seki declined to comment, while that the review could be concluded a parliamentary majority of just Arab Chambers Union meet calls to Mizuho and MUFG went as early as the end of March. three seats, has pledged to trim unanswered Saturday. Louis Woo, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras its pension budget by 1 percent of a spokesman for Foxconn Tech- wants to wrap up the bailout review GDP this year but wants to avoid The Peninsula achievements over the past decades Committee and Council. nology Group, Hon Hai’s parent swiftly and start talks on debt relief cutting pensions for a 12th time to achieve its objectives and fulfill its The meetings witnessed the company, said in an e-mail that to restore confidence in the country’s since 2010 to plug the estimated role in activating the Arab free trade amendment of the Union’s Statute “there is no update from our side.” economy and convince Greeks that fiscal hole. zone agreement and boosting inter- within a new perception based on a The credit line would move their sacrifices are paying off after Government officials said that DOHA: Qatar Chamber (QC) took Arab trade and investments. proposal submitted by Qatar Cham- forward a more than 600bn yen six years of austerity. during the latest round of talks the part in the 120th Session of the A number of meetings were held ber of Commerce and Industry. takeover that has been stalled But the discussions, which if IMF opposed key pension proposals, General Union of Arab Chambers of on the sidelines of the conference, After taking proposals of Kuwait almost since Sharp’s board agreed concluded successfully will also such as hiking social security con- Commerce, Industry and Agriculture including the Advisory Committee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to it last month. Within hours, unlock more bailout funds, have tributions, and wants to lower a tax held in Muscat. of the General Union of Arab Cham- the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) Foxconn said it would postpone dragged on for months due to exempt threshold for low-income The Qatari delegation was led bers of Commerce, Industry and and Federation of Egyptian Cham- finalizing the deal after new infor- disagreements over fiscal tar- earners. It has also turned down a by QC Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Agriculture and the Committee of bers of Commerce, the new statute mation provided by Sharp included gets, pension cuts and tax reforms plan giving tax evaders incentives Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, Arab- Foreign Chambers of Com- of the Union was adopted and it shall about 300bn yen in potential liabil- between Athens and its European to disclose hidden income, as part of QNA reported. The meeting aims at merce Affairs along with the Union’s be effective after six months from the ities for restructurings and layoffs, Union and International Monetary efforts to boost tax revenues. enhancing the Union’s successes and Financial Committee, Executive date of the 120th Session. people familiar with the matter said at the time. Earlier this week, Fox- conn again said it would delay the agreement in order to review Sharp’s performance in the current quarter, Commercial Bank launches Enterprise Mobile Banking App for SMEs asking the Osaka-based company and its auditor for the latest financial results, said people with knowledge of the matter. The Peninsula with the business customer in mind. Commercial Bank Credit Cards, Oore- Banking on-the go via the Enter- By combining the best in technol- Foxconn’s lawyers and bankers Commercial Bank understands doo and Kahramaa bills all from the prise Mobile Banking App is not only ogy with a strong desire to help our have sorted through the contin- that operating businesses in the palm of their hands without having time efficient but cost efficient too by customers succeed, we are the mar- gent liabilities and concluded most cost-efficient way is crucial to to visit a branch in person. offering services at a lower cost than ket-leading provider of high-quality earlier this month they will likely DOHA: Commercial Bank has SME customers’ underlying profits. Commercial Bank recognises that if they were completed in a branch. No digital and mobile experiences for not require major changes in the announced its industry-first The mobile app is designed to help SME owners can be extremely busy, subscription or registration fees apply businesses through our new Enter- board-approved deal, people innovation allowing small and business customers save time and and so the Enterprise mobile banking and App users benefit from unlimited prise Mobile Banking App.” familiar with the matter have said. medium-sized enterprise (SME) cus- money by making day-to-day bank- app has been designed to empower free local transfers, 70 percent off on “We are always looking for ways The Taiwanese company is taking tomers to manage their most frequent ing transactions and keeping track of company employees to make certain fees for transfers in Emirati Dirhams, to provide the most secure, easy to extra precautions with the peri- banking transactions, anytime, any- their accounts through a secure dig- transactions. Current authorised sig- 50 percent off on fees for other GCC use, and convenient digital services od’s financial results because of where, through the Enterprise Mobile ital banking experience, at a time and natories can download the app from transfers and 35 percent off on fees for all our valued customers. The new the last-minute notice about the Banking App. place that’s convenient for them. their mobile phone app store and for all other international transfers. Enterprise Mobile Banking App fol- liabilities, the people said. The enterprise mobile banking It allows customers to view easily register directly through the Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi, Commer- lows in the successful footsteps of Sharp’s board chose Fox- app is the latest in a long line of dig- company account balances, view app. New members of staff can also cial Bank CEO, said: “Commercial Commercial Bank’s Retail Internet conn’s bid over a competing offer ital achievements from Commercial the status of cheques, request new be registered as authorised signato- Bank is proud to continue our dec- and Mobile Banking services that have from Innovation Network Corp. Bank and is the first of its kind in the cheque books, make local and inter- ries in order to enact transactions ades-long history of innovation into saved our customers time in 2015 by of Japan, a government-backed region to offer SMEs a Mobile Bank- national transfers, transfer funds using a secure but simple registra- the digital age and be the pioneers of offering more than 70 fully automated investment fund that planned to ing App that is specifically designed between company accounts, and pay tion procedure. Internet and mobile banking in Qatar. services,” he added. pay about 300bn yen. HSBC to name successor to chairman Flint next year

Bloomberg board after coming under pressure from shareholders unhappy about a slump in shares. The bank added Axa SA CEO Henri de Castries and former LONDON: HSBC Holdings Plc said it leader of Diageo Plc Paul Walsh as plans to nominate a successor next independent non-executive directors year for chairman Douglas Flint, in November, replacing long-stand- who along with Chief Executive ing members of the board that are Officer Stuart Gulliver make up the stepping down. longest- serving duo at the helm of Deputy Chairman Simon Rob- a major European bank. ertson, 75, and Rona Fairhead, the The search has started, though 54-year-old chair of the bank’s the exact timing will depend upon North American arm, are retiring Officials handing over the keys. “identifying and securing the at the bank’s annual meeting April appropriate candidate,” and Flint 22. Safra Catz, co-CEO of software will remain as long as necessary to maker Oracle Corp., left at the end RJTC buys 11 new Tadano cranes amid demand “ensure a smooth transition,” the of last year. London-based company said in a Since 2011, Gulliver and Flint notice of its annual general meet- have announced more than 87,000 ing. The next chairman will “lead the job cuts, exited more than 80 busi- The Peninsula establishes a strong foothold to meet Kohari continued, “Our relation Group said, “Qatar Tractor & Equip- process for selecting the next group nesses and reduced the bank’s the demands of the advancing infra- with Qatar’s most trusted industry ment Co endeavors to ensure that our CEO in due course.” sprawling global footprint to 71 structure in Qatar. leader, Taleb Group, withstands due customers are provided with world- HSBC has previously committed countries and territories from 88. Adel Kohari, Chief Executive to their strong product and service class transportation and haulage to appointing an external candidate Alongside most other European DOHA: Road Junction & Transport Officer of JTC said, “We’re doing quality along with their unparalleled solutions combined with highest lev- from outside the bank, who would banks, the executives have been Company (RJTC), a subsidiary of Jas- business in one of the region’s fast- industry knowledge which helps RJTC els in customer care. assume a non- executive rather than struggling to grow profitability faced sim Transport & Stevedoring Kuwait est growing economy that in the past offer equipment rental solutions to “Our business relation with RJTC executive role. Scotland-born Flint, with record-low interest rates, mis- and a major player in the Equip- few years has witnessed some of the our clientele’s growing needs and thus allows us to meet the growing demand 60, joined as finance director of conduct fines and rising compliance ment Rental industry in Qatar has most massive investments in the con- making our business relationships a for our equipment. Our objective is to Europe’s largest bank in 1995 before and regulatory costs. The shares purchased 11 new Tadano cranes, struction industry. The Qatar market natural fit for us.” expand our reach and to work closely being named executive chairman in have fallen 16 percent this year. of 110 tonne and 80 tonne capacity is rapidly investing in infrastruc- RJTC have earned the confidence with reputed clients in Qatar while 2010. Oxford-educated Gulliver, 57, The pair weathered U.K. law- respectively, from Qatar Tractor & ture growth in addition to drawing of clients across all industry sectors extending personalised solutions sup- started at HSBC in 1980 and excelled makers’ criticism of their leadership Equipment, a part of the Taleb Group. in investments from around the and this addition of new cranes will ported by our extensive industry and as a trader, rising through the ranks last year after fresh details from files Purchase of these cranes is pri- world. RJTC’s purchase of new cranes boost the strong existing relationship. product knowledge”. Road Junction & to become CEO in 2011. leaked in 2008 showed the bank marily to meet the mid-range crane helps us to be hands-on to meet the Also, commenting on the growing and Transport Company (RJTC) provides The board’s senior independent helped drug cartels and arms deal- demand in Qatar. The new purchase increasing clientele demands.” sustained partnership between the professional, high quality and cost director Rachel Lomax is leading the ers launder money on their watch, is a part of the several initiatives Highlighting the long-stand- two companies, Mohammed Taleb effective equipment rental services for search for Flint’s replacement. while advising customers on how to scheduled for RJTC as the company ing association with Taleb Group, Al Khauri, Managing Director, Taleb both public and private sector. HSBC has been revamping its evade tax. 28 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 BUSINESS UBS bonus pool surges 14% as rivals cut awards

ing it the only major European trading revenue and costs tied unprofitable year. decisions reflect our commit- in 2015 compared to 5.94m lender to award bankers with to restructuring plans, UBS At Barclays Plc, total com- ment to deliver competitive francs in 2014, according to The bonus pool higher compensation. posted the strongest profit pensation costs decreased 6 compensation for excellent the annual report. The lender swelled to 3.5bn The bonus pool swelled since 2010. percent to £8.3bn ($12bn) in performance, Ann Godbehere, didn’t disclose compensation francs ($3.6bn) to 3.5bn francs ($3.6bn) from “It’s easier to keep pay- 2015, while the bonus pool who leads the pay committee of Andrea Orcel, who heads 3.06bn francs, the Zurich- ing high performers well if dropped 10 percent. The in UBS’s board of directors, the investment bank, and from 3.06bn based bank said in its annual you can afford to increase London-based bank’s secu- said in the report. “The per- Juerg Zeltner, president of francs, the report on Friday. the bonus pool,” said rities business swung to its formance award pool also wealth management. Chief Executive Officer Andreas Venditti, an ana- first quarterly loss in at least reflects the reduced impact The Swiss lender said Zurich-based Sergio Ermotti (pictured), lyst at Vontobel. “When a two years in the three months on our results of expenses for it has cut deferral rates for bank said in its 55, remained the highest bank is cutting, employees through December, as CEO Jes provisions relating to litiga- performance awards for paid member on the group who aren’t vital to the suc- Staley seeks to shrink the unit tion, regulatory and similar employees “at the lower end annual report. executive board, with a cess of the business, have to and boost profitability. matters,” she said. of the” scale to help raise the total compensation of 14.3m take an even larger hit.” A drop in legal costs Ermotti’s bonus included share of cash compensation. francs, up 28 percent from Deutsche Bank, which helped UBS deliver a net 1m francs in undeferred Its rival Credit Suisse, 2014. His bonus jumped 37 houses Europe’s largest income of 6.2bn francs in cash awards after a similar which is shrinking the secu- percent to 11.5m francs. investment bank, said ear- 2015, a 79 percent increase payment for 2014 was rities unit to focus on wealth Bloomberg UBS’s disclosure comes lier this month that it cut over the previous year and its scrapped. UBS’s executive management, will publish its after lenders across Europe its bonus pool to €2.41bn best performance since 2010. board members received annual report next week. CEO slashed their bonus pools, ($2.7bn) after posting its Full-year revenue increased 93.4m francs in aggregate Tidjane Thiam has already with Deutsche Bank AG first annual loss since 9.3 percent to 30.6bn francs, total compensation for 2015, said he will take a bonus cut ZURICH: UBS Group AG, and Credit Suisse Group AG 2008. The lender’s co-CEO with the return on tangible according to the annual to reflect the bank’s perform- which cut its securities unit cutting variable pay by 11 per- John Cryan, who scrapped equity, a measure of profita- report. ance in 2015, with variable to focus on wealth manage- cent. While some of Europe’s dividends and announced bility, at 13.7 percent, up from UBS Chairman Axel pay slashed by more than ment, raised its bonus pool largest lenders posted losses plans to eliminate thousands 8.2 percent in 2014. Weber, 59, received 30 percent at divisions that by 14 percent in 2015, leav- in 2015, hurt by a slump in of jobs, forecast another “Our compensation compensation of 6.03m francs “underperformed” last year. Former Toshiba Maersk Drilling CEO boss grilled over falsified ready to buy used rigs financial report Bloomberg The Maersk group, a shipping an oil conglomerate that is also TOKYO: A former Toshiba pres- Denmark’s biggest company, last ident has been questioned by year generated $8 billion in cash Japan’s markets watchdog and COPENHAGEN: Maersk Drilling is flow. Group CEO Nils Smedegaard may face criminal charges over looking into buying used oil rigs to Andersen has said he’s looking for his alleged involvement in a falsi- take advantage of low prices and the takeover opportunities, though he fied earnings scandal, reports said financial clout of its parent, AP Moe- has so far identified Maersk’s oil yesterday. ller-Maersk A/S. exploration and terminal units as The company has been roiled Claus Hemmingsen, the divi- the main potential buyers. by a profit-padding scandal, in sion’s chief executive officer, says “The funding situation for the which bosses for years systemat- the market collapse has created Maersk group is in place, so if we ically pushed their subordinates to new opportunities and means Mae- went into talks with a seller we cover-up weak financial figures. rsk Drilling may shift away from a would be able to do so with secure Hisao Tanaka was quizzed by pattern over the past two decades financing,” Hemmingsen said. “That the Securities and Exchange Surveil- of only expanding through new rigs. also makes us a more solid partner lance Commission (SESC), according “We’re looking at what’s happen- for clients because they know we to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK ing with asset prices and a lot will have the Maersk group behind us. and other news reports. come up for sale in 2016 and 2017,” We won’t disappear overnight or The watchdog suspects Tan- the CEO said in an interview at the run away from our responsibility aka and two other former Toshiba company’s headquarters outside of and there are currently some com- presidents were aware of falsified Copenhagen. “At the moment, it’s panies in the industry about whom Officials at the awards function. profits in its personal computer hard to read the market, and know you can’t say that.” section but did not step in, NHK for sure if it’s time to buy, but there Mark Mey, chief financial officer said, quoting unnamed sources will be units with good quality we at Transocean Ltd. (the world’s biggest close to the case. IBPC honours Joy Alukkas with would be interested in.” offshore driller by market value), said Tanaka is believed to have “Over the last 15 years we have this month there are currently “fan- denied any wrongdoing, NHK said, built our own rigs and that has been tastic prices” for distressed assets. He’d adding that the SESC is examining a good strategy because we could get be surprised if there aren’t transac- whether to seek criminal prosecu- ‘Business Excellence Award 2016’ the technology we wanted,” Hem- tions in the next 12 months, though he tion of the three on suspicion of mingsen said. “But there are others declined to comment on what role his falsifying financial reports in vio- out there who own quality units that company would play, in an interview lation of the Financial Instruments could come up for sale.” with Bloomberg. and Exchange Act. The Peninsula chain spread across 11 countries MD, Joyalukkas Group. The plunge of crude prices since Maersk Drilling would only be SESC could not be reached Sat- around the world. Joy Alukkas’s other The Business Excellence Award the middle of 2014 has battered interested in buying rigs within its two urday for comment. Toshiba — a business interests include; Money was presented to Joy Alukkas, offshore drillers, which have been main segments: ultra harsh environ- vast conglomerate that makes Exchange, Malls, Fashion & Silks Chairman & MD, Joyalukkas Group caught in a double whammy of col- ment jack-up rigs or ultra deepwater everything from rice cookers to DUBAI: Visionary entreprenuer retail, Realty and Luxury Air Charter. by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mabarak Al lapsing demand from oil companies floaters, Hemmingsen said. nuclear plants — is expecting Joy Alukkas was honoured with the “Every recognition is heart- Nahyan, UAE Minister of Culture, and a glut of new vessels that have The latter category is currently a huge loss of about 710bn yen ‘Business Excellence Award 2016’ at warming and being honoured with Youth and Social Development at the inflated supply. Charter rates for the hit the hardest as “oil needs to be a ($6.4bn) for the year to March with a gala event organised by the Indian the Business Excellence Award by the event conducted Dubai World Trade most advanced rigs have dropped by fair bit above $50 a barrel for that sagging global demand also con- Business & Professionals Coun- esteemed IBPC makes me feel very Centre on March 17, 2016. more than two-thirds and the down- market to get traction,” he said. tributing to its financial woes. cil (IBPC) the only representative special. I am an Indian who owes my Brand ‘Joyalukkas’ today is a turn will probably last until 2018, Meanwhile, the market for ultra- The embattled firm said Friday organisation of Indian Business & success to the UAE and its visionary household name across the world, making it “by far the worst down harsh environments in the North Sea that its US units are cooperating Professionals in Dubai. leaders, the IBPC also works towards thanks Joy Alukkas’s vision and cycle in the history of offshore drill- “needs an oil price around the cur- with American authorities over Joy Alukkas is considered the the interests of Indian Businesses commitment to excel and con- ing,” according to a March 16 note rent level or perhaps slightly higher.” alleged accounting irregularities. man with the midas touch, he has and Professionals in the UAE, which stantly innovate. For someone who from Pareto Securities AS. Brent crude traded slightly above In a statement released on Fri- grown his business from a single means they play an important role has rarely –if ever –based his deci- Several drillers including Sead- $40 a barrel on Friday. The CEO says day, Toshiba said that “several” of jewellery showroom to multi-bil- in helping business men like me sions on the modern management rill Ltd. are struggling with heavy he has no regrets about the compa- its US subsidiaries have been asked lion dollar global business empire in many important aspects of my tools such as graphs, scales and pro- debt loads and have either com- ny’s strategy to position itself in what for information by the US Depart- in a short span 29 years. His flag- business interests. I thank all the jections, Joy Alukkas‘s meteoric rise pleted or are working on a financial he describes as “the heavy end of the ment of Justice and Securities and ship business is Joyalukkas Jewellery, office bearers of IBPC for this hon- is a role model of entrepreneurial grit restructuring. That’s not an issue for industry,” where break-even prices Exchange Commission. which is today a 120 plus showroom our,” said Joy Alukkas, Chairman & and intuitive enterprise. Maersk Drilling. are higher.

Bundesbank boss flays ECB ‘bazooka’ Energy rating labels to be reviewed

AFP effects,” said Weidmann. and ramping up a huge stimulus pro- The Bundesbank, hailed for its gramme amid doggedly low inflation fiscal prudence in post-war Ger- and subdued growth. many, is the largest shareholder in Weidmann also warned against BERLIN: The president of Germany’s the ECB and even on taking up his the concept of “helicopter money” Bundesbank yesterday criticised the position in 2011 Weidmann used the whereby the ECB would seek to inject latest package of stimulus measures occasion to urge a return to return to money directly into households to by the ECB including slashing rates “normal” monetary policy. boost spending to avert deflation. still further, warning against “reck- He further warned at the time ECB head Mario Draghi last week less” moves and unintended fallout. there was a danger of unforeseen said the concept was on the surface In an interview with German effects in keeping in place for too “very interesting” albeit the bank had journalists Jens Weidmann indicated long exceptional support measures yet to look into it closely. he was “not convinced” by the effi- for banks. “Helicopter money is not manna cacy of an unprecedented barrage “Financial market bubbles can from heaven. On the contrary, it of stimulus measures to jumpstart come about which, if they burst would make a huge hole in cen- the eurozone economy. “The pack- can complicate the work of central tral bank balance sheets,” said age decided on did not convince me banks,” said Weidmann, who previ- Weidmann. overall,” said Weidmann. ously served as economics adviser to “At the end of the day, euro- “I have always drawn attention to German Chancellor Angela Merkel. zone states and taxpayers would the fact that the longer the effect of an “Rather than reckless experi- have to pick up the tab,” Weidmann ‘ultra-relaxed’ monetary policy lasts ments on monetary policy it would declared, saying that ballooning the the weaker (that effect) becomes, be more sensible to take a break,” he money supply via quantitative easing Weidmann told reporters from the suggested. was not a “panacea” as “it does not Energy rating labels on refrigerators at a store in Brussels. A European project plans to revamp the Funke Mediengruppe media group. The ECB surprised financial mar- replace necessary reforms in coun- energy consumption labelling scheme to rebuild customer trust after the Volkswagen emissions scandal “The more you speed things up kets after cutting its main interest tries and does not resolve growth with an improved rating system partly based on digital labels. the greater the risk of secondary rate to zero percent for the first time problems in Europe”. BUSINESS SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 29

CEOs pay top dollar for ‘Ovation of the Seas’ meeting China’s leaders

This year, the NPC approved the economic management skills. country’s new five-year plan, which The organisers denied AFP’s Participants are will guide economic and social pol- request to attend, saying that media invited to make icy to 2020, and attendees are “keen participation was “invite only”. to hear from the horse’s mouth” what Attendees have lauded the country “donations” to the the document means for the nation’s following past sessions. “China is now elite event starting at ailing economy, said the long-time firmly committed to implementing a participant, who asked not to be new growth strategy,” wrote Stephen 1m yuan ($155,000) named in order to speak frankly Roach, the former chairman of Mor- and ranging upwards about the event. gan Stanley Asia, after the 2013 from there, according Even though the panels and meeting. “The debate is over.” speeches are of questionable value, But the debate is still going on, to documents. CEOs “fork out a lot of money to be with policymakers struggling to there”, he said. “This year in partic- decide how they will implement ular is the best attendance list I’ve the painful reforms analysts say are ever seen”. necessary to ensure the economy’s AFP When the forum started in 2000, long-term health. In the meantime, only 19 “delegates” attended, accord- pressures to resort to old-style stim- ing to that event’s website. But 16 ulus to boost short-term prospects years later, following the interna- mount as growth slows. The newest cruise ship of the Meyer dockyard called ‘Ovation of the Seas’ sails into the harbor of BEIJING: The China Development tional financial crisis and China’s On its website, CDRF describes Forum this weekend may be the transformation into the world’s itself as a “think tank on public pol- Hamburg, Germany. The cruise liner will undergo final completion works at the ‘Blohm + Voss’ shipyard most important economic summit second-largest economy, the invita- icy issues” dedicated to “furthering after two years of construction. you have never heard of. The CEOs tion-only event has become a Who’s equitable development in China”. of companies ranging from Facebook Who of global power brokers. The organisation is funded by dona- to Rio Tinto gather in Beijing with top Return attendees include Inter- tions from within China and abroad, academics and politicians for a pay- national Monetary Fund Director it says, and was “initiated” by the to-play event promising audiences Christine Lagarde and the CEOs Development Research Center of with China’s top leadership. of major global companies such as the State Council, which formulates French wheat exporters to lose out even Participants are invited to make Royal Dutch Shell, Siemens, Boe- economic and social policy for the “donations” to the elite event starting ing and IBM. Former US secretary of government and the Communist Par- at 1m yuan ($155,000) and ranging state Henry Kissinger, who played a ty’s central leadership. as Egypt tries to settle fungus dispute upwards from there, according to key role in establishing diplomatic Most of the CDF events take place documents. For 3m yuan, the com- ties between Washington and Bei- at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in panies are allowed to name a panel jing, is there. Beijing, where China’s leaders receive discussion and “nominate speakers But even by previous stand- visiting heads of state. During the Reuters with cheaper Black Sea origins. But few traders are offering and panellists”. ards, this year’s RSVPs stand out. meeting, according to promotional But the on-off trade with Egypt, French supplies after the rejection in Proceeds go to “relevant research Outspoken libertarian and PayPal co- materials provided to attendees, Vice the world’s top wheat importer, since December of a cargo of French wheat projects and administrative expenses founder Peter Thiel has made time to Premier Zhang Gaoli “personally late December capped French sales sparked a row over what policy was of the conference”, which is organised hear from the world’s most powerful meets with invited overseas dele- PARIS: Even if Egypt can end a pol- during its peak export period - leav- applied for grain fungus ergot. Signs by the little-known China Develop- Communist Party. And Facebook’s gates to solicit their views”. icy dispute over wheat imports soon, ing little time for exporters to find that Egypt is moving back towards ment Research Foundation (CDRF), a Mark Zuckerberg announced his They will also have the chance it will be too little, too late for French alternative destinations in a well- an internationally recognised ergot proxy for one of the Communist gov- presence in the country that bans his to hear speeches from the country’s exporters struggling to offload stocks supplied world market. standard were seen as too late. ernment’s planning agencies. website, with an ingratiating photo- finance and commerce ministers, and after a disappointing marketing year Forecasters currently see French Consultancy Strategie Grains cut “Other forms of donation are graph of himself jogging, maskless, Premier Li Keqiang receives attend- that highlighted the country’s reli- soft wheat exports outside the EU in its forecast for French sales to Egypt open for discussion,” the documents through a smog-wreathed Tianan- ees in the Great Hall of the People. ance on North Africa. 2015/16 falling below last season’s 11.4 this season by a quarter to 750,000 say, with one previous attendee sug- men Square. The meetings “are stupefyingly The European Union’s biggest million tonnes, despite the fact the tonnes, reflecting widespread sen- gesting participants can pay extra to Despite, or perhaps because of, dull but they do represent what’s wheat grower, which usually sells record harvest yielded an extra 3 mil- timent that France is unlikely to sell be seated near top leaders. the participation of so many of the happening in policy and you can about half of its production abroad, is lion tonnes to sell this marketing year. much more than the 600,000 tonnes The forum, which is in its 17th world’s most powerful people, rela- read the body language”, said Anne having trouble clearing a record 2015 “The fact is France will struggle booked so far. year, directly follows the annual tively little is known about what goes Stevenson-Yang, a China expert and harvest, which is forecast to lead to now to go beyond 11 million tonnes in A recent run of sales to Morocco meeting of the National People’s Con- on at the China Development Forum. co-founder of investment advisers its biggest end-of-season stockpile in exports,” Alexandre Boy of consultancy and some deals to Asia have bol- gress (NPC), China’s rubber stamp Press coverage is largely limited J Capital Research. Given the star 17 years. Exports have gathered pace Agritel said. stered French exports. But exporters legislature, and is pitched as an to Chinese-language outlets, includ- power and the crucial size of Chi- since the middle of the July-June sea- French wheat has continued to say France needs to sell more ear- opportunity for leaders of the finan- ing many state-run media, which in na’s market, the unnamed regular son, in keeping with the tempo of pick up some sales to Egypt, including lier in the season, even if this means cial and business world to learn about the past have portrayed delegates’ participant said, CEOs feel “this is recent years that has seen France start 120,000 tonnes booked on Wednes- offloading grain at lower prices to vie the parliament’s achievements. presence as evidence of Beijing’s something I have to attend”. the export campaign slowly compared day by government buyer GASC. with Black Sea suppliers.

Big banks need Energy fair Key Indian equity indices tougher audits: US regulator jump to two-month highs

NEW YORK: US banking IANS companies’ bottomlines. supvervisors should beef up their Lupin lost 16.1 percent at oversight of large banks beyond Rs1,558.90, Coal India lost 6.7 per- stress tests with deep-dive audits cent at Rs297.65, Sun Pharma lost and greater use of outside examin- NEW DELHI: A third straight week 6.0 percent at Rs815.90, HDFC lost ers, a top regulator said on Friday. of gains for two key Indian equity 2.7 percent at Rs1,127.65 and Asian Under a “full-scope” exam, indices led them to close on Friday Paints lost 2.4 percent at Rs874.90. a team of regulators would con- at a two-month-plus high as foreign Among the various sectors, con- verge on the largest US banks to funds continued to pour in money struction gained the most with 4.99 pull ledgers, check whether loan to pick stocks and the mood getting percent, banking followed with 3.90 payments are on time and “sys- further lifted by a dovish stand of the percent, information technology tematically review a cross-section US Federal Reserve. with 3.03 percent, engineering and of bank portfolios,” said Thomas The sensitive index (Sensex) of capital goods with 2.78 percent and Hoenig, vice chair of the Federal the BSE that had closed the week metals with 2.63 percent. Deposit Insurance Corp. before at 24,717.99 points rose 234.75 On the other hand, pharmaceu- Such exams, intended to points, or nearly 1 percent, during the ticals lost the maximum, down 6.71 uncover problems like the profu- week to eventually close at 24,952.74 percent, followed by financial 2.54 sion of bad mortgages at the heart points. The Nifty of the National percent, paints 2.32 percent and of the 2008 financial crisis, are Stock Exchange gained 94.15 points energy 0.18 percent. routine at smaller banks, but not or 1.25 percent at 7,604.35 points. Foreign funds were net investors at the biggest ones, he said. “Shorts also were seen being in Indian equities during the week, A visitor at the stand of facility manufacturer Enbreeze at the ‘New Energy Husum’ fair in Husum, Hoenig, speaking at a confer- unwound as markets geared up for pumping in over Rs.3,300 crore, data Germany. The organisers expect about 10,000 visitors from Germany and other countries. ence at the Federal Reserve Bank a shortened week ahead, due to Holi, with National Securities Depository of New York, said the Fed’s use of Good Friday holidays. Recovery in Ltd showed. In fact, in March thus stress tests, which analyse banks’ Pharma sector post government’s far, these funds, have invested a net ability to withstand a theoretical ban on FDC drugs also helped broad of Rs.11,166 crore in equities. severe economic crisis, was help- market sentiments,” said Anand “Nifty prices traded back and ful but not sufficient to protect the James of Geojit BNP Paribas. forth during the week within the system. Birla to start digital wallet services “Banks’ gains were limited as range 7,400-7,600 points,” as per “Supervisors of these firms finance ministry meets bankers on an analysis by Edelweiss, adding have become overly reliant on March 21 as part of cleaning non- that the crucial support for the week bank models, model valida- Bloomberg Aditya Birla Group’s financial serv- in the US, but with a distinction — cus- performing assets. Meanwhile, rupee ahead are placed at 7,510-7,400 and tion reviews, stress tests, and ices division, said. “We are sitting tomers can get interest on the money also continued its strengthening resistance at 7,620-7,780. updates from bank manage- on a massive gold-mine of oppor- they leave there. against the US dollar, testing 66.5.” “If prices break below 7,405 ment as a substitute for records tunity in terms of the customer base Deposits in payment banks, capped Among the top five advances points, we expect the prices to test review and hard questioning to MUMBAI: Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd, we can reach,” he said in Mumbai. at Rs100,000 ($1,486), are guaranteed during the week, four are in state 7,250 on the downside. But a sus- draw conclusions regarding a which won a licence last year to set Conglomerates of Birla and fellow by the RBI. The banks need to have a sector. This apart, three of them were tained break above the high would firm’s condition,” he said. up a non-lending bank in India, will billionaires Mukesh Ambani and Dilip minimum capital of 1 billion rupees, banking stocks. indicate more upside towards 7,740.” “Full-scope examinations start its digital wallet services by the Shanghvi were among the 11 entities according to RBI rules published on BHEL gained 9.4 percent at Meanwhile, foreign exchange delve into the quality of portfo- end of 2016 as it prepares to tap one to win a license in August to establish November 27. The promoters will have Rs113.35, ICICI Bank gained 7.7 per- reserves went up by $2.54bn to lios and their implications for of the world’s fastest growing smart- so-called payment banks that can’t to contribute at least 40 percent of the cent at Rs230.35, GAIL gained 7.2 $353.40bn on March 11, the RBI’s long-term resilience. A full-scope phone markets. lend and can only invest a depositor’s total paid-up capital. Idea Cellular’s percent at Rs364.15, State Bank of weekly statistical statement showed. exam is a point-in-time analysis of The company controlled by money in the safest government secu- customer base is bigger than that of India gained 5.9 percent at Rs191.05 According to the Reserve Bank of a bank’s full balance-sheet qual- billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla rities. The permits were part of efforts Axis Bank Ltd., India’s third-biggest and AXIS Bank gained 5.7 percent India, the total reserves on March ity and management competence.” plans to take advantage of about by policy makers to cut the nation’s non-state bank, Srinivasan said. Bir- at Rs435.95 The losers included a 11 stood at $353.40bn, up from Hoenig, who has previously 180 million customers of its wire- addiction to cash, increase efficiency la’s payment bank plans to offer “sachet host of pharmaceutical stocks after $350.86bn on March 4, 2016. supported breaking up the larg- less unit Idea Cellular Ltd and of regular lenders and widen access to size” financial products and services the government banned nearly 350 Out of the total forex, the foreign est US banks, also took a swipe at other clients of an empire span- banking. Payment banks, which earn a that appeal to low-income customers drugs that were not only popu- currency assets stood at $329.99bn the Fed’s reliance on regulators ning mutual funds to insurance, small commission on each transaction, who currently may not own insurance lar and available off-the-counters, on March 11, up from $327.47bn on who are stationed at large banks. Ajay Srinivasan, chief executive of function a lot like PayPal Holdings Inc or invest in mutual funds, he said. but were adding significantly to the March 4. 30 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 BUSINESS

Wall Street investors Blow to ‘Abenomics’ stimulus policy watch dollar movements

share prices. Many investors had in turn lifting energy shares. been concerned over the dollar’s “After we get through this two- Many investors had strength, as it can crimp exports, day hiccup, the knee-jerk to the been concerned over earnings and economic growth. policy move, I would expect the dol- Between September 17 and mid- lar to resume its rally,” said Michael the dollar’s strength, February, the dollar had risen more O’Rourke, chief market strate- as it can crimp than 2 percent against a basket of gist at JonesTrading in Greenwich, major currencies, as the US Federal Connecticut, who highlighted the exports, earnings and Reserve embarked on a tighter pol- difference in U.S. interest rates ver- economic growth. icy while other central banks were sus the ECB and Bank of Japan. easing. “Our policy rate is going one way, But the S&P 500 has rallied about theirs is going the other way, that 9 percent off its February 11 low to spread is going to continue to widen, Reuters pull the index into positive territory no matter what.” for the first time this year, fueled in But Thomas Lee, managing part- part by a drop in the dollar, which ner at Fundstrat Global Advisors in has fallen more than 3 percent over New York, expects the dollar to con- NEW YORK: US stock market the last three weeks. tinue to weaken as he believes it is investors will be watching currency The dollar’s losses accelerated more tied to inflation than central markets next week for signs that the this week in the wake of the Fed’s bank policies. recent, related trends of a weaken- policy statement on Wednesday, With dollar strength and oil People crossing a street in Tokyo. Japanese blue-chip firms announced wage hikes far below last ing dollar and a strengthening stock which cut projections for the number weakness a headwind for equities in market will continue. of interest rate hikes this year in half. 2015, Lee feels the reversal of those year’s increases, a blow to “Abenomics” stimulus policy at a time when fears of a deepening global After a historically bad start to The dollar suffered its biggest two- moves should be a benefit for stocks. slowdown and jittery markets are denting business sentiment. the year, the Dow and S&P 500 both day drop in six weeks following the “We can build upon the gains moved into positive territory this announcement. from here,” said Lee. “If inflation week, in part on expectations that That drop helped propel sharp is getting stronger, the U.S. dollar a 3-week move down by the dollar gains in oil prices, back above the should weaken even more and that could buoy corporate profits and $40 mark for the first time this year, is an even bigger support for stocks.” With a short trading week ahead Turkey’s central bank seen keeping of the Easter holiday, volume is expected to be light as markets move closer to the Good Friday holiday, rates on hold as Basci’s term ends when the final reading on fourth- quarter gross domestic product is released. Reuters next week, after a presidential aide there was a chance of a cut to the Other economic data scheduled suggested such a move was possible. upper band. for release include February dura- Economists have said the central The central bank actively controls ble goods and several manufacturing bank is overdue for a rate hike, cit- the corridor between its lending and surveys. Investors will be looking for ANKARA: Turkey’s central bank is ing stubborn inflation. Its refusal to borrowing rates by tweaking the vol- signs of improvement after regional expected to keep rates on hold for the raise interest rates has sparked con- umes of money available at each rate, manufacturing surveys for New York 13th month running when it meets cern it may be yielding to pressure such that a cut or a hike at one end of and Philadelphia this week came in next week, a Reuters poll showed, in from President Tayyip Erdogan, who the corridor need not mean average above expectations. what is due to be Erdem Basci’s last has repeatedly railed against the high borrowing costs change. Therefore, While regional Fed surveys on meeting as governor before his cur- cost of borrowing. an upper band cut would likely be their own can be considered minor, rent term ends. All but one of 26 analysts sur- symbolic more than anything else, when taken as a whole they give Basci’s future is uncertain, and veyed by Reuters said they expected one banker said, as the central bank investors a good idea of “whether markets are waiting to see whether the bank’s benchmark interest rate to would still be able to keep the aver- we are off that bottom in terms he will be reappointed for another stay at 7.5 percent. But seven predicted age cost of funding stable. of manufacturing,” said Quincy five-year term after April 19. a cut in the overnight lending rate, the Still, that symbolism may not be Krosby, market strategist at Pru- While the main rate may stay on upper band of the central bank’s rate lost on markets. “If the central bank dential Financial in Newark, New hold, there is growing speculation corridor, currently at 10.75 percent. cuts its upper rate, many people will Jersey. “We want to see if it contin- the central bank could cut the upper On Thursday, Erdogan adviser accuse it of giving in to political pres- Traders working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. ues across the country.” band of its interest rate “corridor” Cemil Ertem told broadcaster NTV sure,” the banker said. China Merchants Group joins race to buy Baltic Exchange: Officials

Reuters was founded in 1744, would give the one of the group’s units, which are ICE and Platts. Last October, sources government-controlled firms more companies, China Cosco Shipping Chinese conglomerate ownership of listed in various locations such as said the London Metal Exchange efficient as economic growth slows. Corporation. China Merchants still the industry’s benchmark indices Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore. (LME) had made an approach to buy That deal placed China Merchants’ faces competition from SGX and - which could be further commer- A Baltic spokesman said the the Baltic. estimated assets worth 624bn yuan others such as the LME, which was LONDON: State-run conglomerate cialised - and greater access to the exchange “to date hasn’t commented Clearing houses and exchanges ($96bn) and Sinotrans & CSC assets bought by Hong Kong Exchanges and China Merchants Group has made an multi-billion dollar freight deriva- on the identity of anyone involved in are all looking for a way to distin- of about 109bn yuan under one roof. Clearing in 2012 for $2.2bn. informal bid to buy London’s Baltic tives market. the process and declines to comment guish themselves at a time of growing The two sources said China Mer- The Baltic is owned by around 380 Exchange, becoming the latest con- It is the latest Chinese company on whether or not the Baltic is in dis- regulatory scrutiny and weak com- chants Securities was willing to pay shareholders, many from the shipping tender for the business that has been to look at shipping and commodities cussion with CMG (China Merchants modities markets. Buying the Baltic a premium above other bidders to industry. It produces daily benchmark the hub of the global shipping market targets in Europe, aiming to take advan- Group)”. would allow any of those entities to acquire the Baltic. Separate sources rates and indices that are used across for centuries, two sources said. tage of a market downturn that has On February 26 the privately diversify their activities into freight. had previously estimated the deal the world to trade and settle freight The approach was made by the pushed down valuations of some firms. held Baltic Exchange confirmed it China Merchants Group is among could be worth about £84m ($118m). contracts. group’s subsidiary China Merchants China Merchants Securities, which is had received a number of “explora- the country’s biggest conglomerates, Other Chinese firms looking at Last month Baltic Exchange chair- Securities, according to the sources, listed in Shanghai , did not respond to tory approaches” after the Singapore with interests spanning ports, ship- targets in Europe include COSCO, man Guy Campbell wrote to the who declined to be identified as the repeated requests for comment. Exchange Ltd (SGX) revealed it was ping and financial services. last month named by Greece as the company’s wider members, com- matter is not public. “They are the lat- A spokesman for China Merchants seeking to buy the business. In December, Chinese author- preferred bidder for its biggest port, prising around 650 companies that est (suitor) and certainly, with such a Group in the Chinese city of Shenzhen Both statements came a day after ities approved its acquisition of Piraeus. Since then, COSCO has include the shareholders, and said no massive group, it shows how this is said he was not aware of any bid for Reuters exclusively reported the Bal- state-run logistics group Sinotrans merged with fellow state firm China formal offer had been received, add- heating up,” one source said. the Baltic Exchange, adding if there tic had held talks with SGX and other & CSC Holdings Co, part of efforts Shipping Group to create one of the ing that discussions “may very well An acquisition of the Baltic, which was a bid it would be processed by potential buyers including CME Group, by Beijing to make sprawling world’s biggest commercial shipping lead nowhere”.

Outlook bleak for retailers in HK Host of advisers jostle for $85m fees from LSE-Deutsche Boerse deal

Reuters On the Deutsche Boerse side, is unusual. When Royal Dutch Shell Perella Weinberg Partners, BofA Mer- announced its $70bn takeover of rill Lynch, Deutsche Bank and HSBC British energy company BG Group will clamour over roughly $45m. in April 2015, only three banks were LONDON: It took a staggering 11 Lead advisers are likely to take involved in the transaction. banks and 30 named bankers to seal the lion’s share of the fees. Many of Nine banks shared the spoils the $30bn tie-up between Deutsche the banks and advisers named on when Glencore took over Xstrata Boerse and London Stock Exchange the roster were added as the deal in 2012, while seven handled the Group (LSE). The roll call was included unfolded. When news of the poten- merger of Holcim and Lafarge and in Wednesday’s announcement of the tial merger first broke, only Robey related asset sales. That the deal was deal to create a European trading pow- Warshaw and Perella Weinberg Part- between financial markets operators erhouse to see off competition from ners were named as advisers. could well be a factor, say sources. U.S. rivals. But the list would be longer Advisory boutique Robey War- “All these banks were brought still if it included the lawyers, PR advis- shaw is fast becoming the go-to bank in at the very end to preserve confi- ers and accountants that will no doubt for UK Plc. It has advised on three of dentiality. But they are all important claim a slice of the fee bonanza. the largest ever deals involving Brit- customers, so if we could please them The 11 banks will be fighting for ish companies in the past year. with some league table credits, why an estimated fee pot of $85m, accord- Deutsche Boerse’s main adviser not do it?” said one source speaking ing to Freeman Consulting/Thomson is Andrew Bednar, of fellow boutique on condition of anonymity. Reuters estimates. Acting for LSE, Perella Weinberg. Bednar and his And, the deal is not done yet. A Barclays, Goldman Sachs, JPMor- firm led the talks for New York Stock takeover battle for LSE could yet A view of British designer Victoria Beckham’s new store in Hong Kong. According to Hong Kong gan, RBC Capital Markets, Societe Exchange on its ill-fated attempted ensue. NYSE owner Intercontinental tycoon Li Ka-shing, Hong Kong’s economy is in a worse state than it has been for over 20 years, and Generale , UBS and boutique Robey merger with the German bourse in Exchange has already said it might the outlook remains bleak for retail sales. Warshaw could share up to $40m in 2011/12. Even for a potential $30bn make a rival bid for LSE, while CME fees, according to the estimates. deal, the large number of advisers Group is actively considering bidding. BUSINESS VIEWS SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 31

Gloom deepens in Growing Chinese debt leaves VW hometown after Angola with little spare oil ‘Dieselgate’ scandal

By Andreas Cremer has sued VW for up to $46bn for Reuters violating environmental rules and extended its inquiries to cover bank fraud law, while a flood of private and investor lawsuits has HEN Martin Win- swept in. Then this week, Ger- terkorn dropped many’s KBA motoring regulator by to order some said it was holding up a recall of new glasses in the VW Passats that is intended to WVolkswagen company town make them comply with emis- of Wolfsburg, he was “visibly sions regulations. dejected”, according to his opti- This is a painful setback for cian. But the visit wasn’t last VW, which in November touted September, when Winterkorn had its simple emissions fix for 8.5 just quit as the German carmak- million cars in Europe as a pre- er’s chief, it was this week. cursor to pulling out of the crisis. Six months into the “Dieselgate” Even Moody’s, which still has affair surrounding VW, the mood a relatively positive opinion of in Wolfsburg - where almost half Volkswagen compared with its the population works at its giant fellow credit rating agencies, is car factory or in related businesses prepared for things to get worse. - is as gloomy as Winterkorn’s, and “The emissions issue is likely to shows little sign of recovering. have a number of adverse effects Volkswagen remains mired on Volkswagen’s future earnings in the scandal over its rigging of and cash flows, which may only US exhaust emissions tests, fac- become visible over time,” Matth- ing a barrage of lawsuits and ias Hellstern, managing director grappling with a stalled German of Moody’s corporate finance vehicle recall. With workers fear- team in Frankfurt, told Reuters. ing for their jobs and the dive in Earlier this month Winterko- The headquarters of the Angolan state oil company Sonagol in Luanda. VW’s fortunes hitting Wolfsburg’s rn’s successor, Matthias Mueller, municipal finances, few people warned workers gathered in see any light at the end of the Wolfsburg that the scandal would By Libby George than half, to fewer than 10. Part of that was three to six cargoes each month. tunnel. inflict “substantial and pain- Reuters because more has been going to Western oil In March, it got two or three and in April This appeared to include ful” financial damage. Gauging majors such as Total, Chevron and BP due six, but some of that may reflect delays in 68-year-old Winterkorn when he the full extent of this would take to the price fall. meeting commitments under continuing visited optician Ehme de Riese on years, he added. No one foresaw the price collapse when contracts which it will have to make up for March 14. “Winterkorn was visibly At the same time, the com- NGOLA has found itself with a the contracts were written, said Readul later in the year. Traders and analysts said dejected,” de Riese told Reuters. pany’s powerful labour leader dwindling amount of crude to Islam, analyst with Rystad Energy. “There between Sonangol’s preexisting problems and “He is haunted by the question of warned that the extent of possible sell as more of its oil flows to were no clauses in the contract about what the precipitous drop in oil prices, the situation what will happen to his life’s work job cuts would depend “decisively” China for debt repayment, leav- happens to the profit sharing when prices looked difficult. Last month it said its net and to the Volkswagen company.” on the level of US fines. “Should ing little revenue for anything dropped so low.” But another drain on Ango- debt to foreign oil companies had risen 41 Winterkorn was on a fleeting the future viability of Volkswagen from oil sector development la’s oil was a fresh round of prefinancing percent year-on-year in 2015 to $7.8bn and visit - de Riese said the engineer be endangered by an unprec- Ato health care in one of Africa’s largest oil from China that more than doubled the it expected this year to be “very difficult”. has moved to Munich since the edented financial penalty, this exporting nations. number of cargoes sailing east as repayment President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, scandal ended his long career at will have dramatic social conse- Following a trend also seen in Iraq, Kaza- from February. The deal, struck with Chi- who has ruled Angola for 36 years since the firm which has its headquar- quences,” works council chairman khstan, Russia and Venezuela, Angola has tied na’s state-run Sinochem Group in December, shortly after independence from Portugal, ters in Wolfsburg. De Riese runs Bernd Osterloh told more than up more of its output in pre-financed deals to involved as many as six cargoes per month, asked China for a debt repayment freeze three branches in Wolfsburg, and 20,000 workers. bridge a drop in income due to the 70 percent on top of three to five already earmarked late last year, as the debt-to-gross domes- supplies glasses to half of VW’s People in Wolfsburg are fall in oil prices in the past 18 months. The price for fellow Chinese firm Unipec. tic product ratio hit around 46 percent. executive board. As such, he fears also worried about VW’s failure slump means the Western oil majors which The deals with China by the MPLA The finance ministry is negotiating a that heavy penalties could force to agree with US authorities on manage the fields and platforms that help party that has ruled Angola for almost four new loan with the World Bank, but spend- VW to scale back operations in how to fix rigged US cars. Another Angola export 1.8 million barrels per day are decades financed infrastructure and also ing is already 40 percent lower than two the town, which lies about 200km concern is a risk of internal strife also taking more oil in return for their invest- helped secure an important new outlet to years ago and cuts to rubbish collection west of Berlin. at VW headquarters as managers ment and services. make up for declining US demand due to the and water sanitation have spread disease To boost morale, he has spent and labour bosses start hammer- Countries with oil often use it as collat- shale revolution. But its oil-backed debts are in a country six places from the bottom of €30,000 ($34,000) on pro-VW ing out a new wage contract next eral for loans, and during a previous oil price now estimated to have ballooned to $25bn. the World Bank’s index of inequality. newspaper advertisements and month for 115,000 workers in collapse, in 2008, the process helped to tide The December agreement was shrouded The government forecasts a budget badges which are plastered all western Germany. many over until better times. But this time in secrecy; traders said it involved at least deficit of around 5.5 percent of gross over his central branch on the Nevertheless, bookings by most experts say the rout $5bn in advance financing to be repaid with domestic product in 2016, based on oil Porschestrasse, Wolfsburg’s main temporary VW staff, whose jobs will continue until at least oil, while some said it could have aimed at prices of $45 per barrel; Brent crude this shopping street which is named are less secure than those on next year. restructuring older debt. year has thus far peaked at $41.48 and after Ferdinand Porsche - crea- open-ended contracts, are fall- As recently as five Roderick Bruce, principal energy analyst analysts say it could be subdued all year. tor of the iconic VW Beetle. ing, he said. Also, executives from years ago, just over half of for West Africa with IHS, said in principle Last week, ratings agency Moody’s Not all is bad. Deliveries some local component suppliers Angola’s 50-60 monthly the lower the oil price, the more crude it placed the country’s credit rating under across the VW group swung back opted not to attend the Detroit cargoes went toward pay- costs to service debt. “That’s an increasing review, threatening a downgrade further into growth in January and Febru- auto show, an industry fixture, ing oil majors, with as few amount of crude that can’t be sold to directly into junk territory. Angola’s oil woes are not ary, helped by incentives to buyers, in January. as four to five cargoes going fill government coffers,” Bruce said. Existing unique: Iraq has built up debts of over $2 after falling for the first time in The Wolfsburg car factory to pay back prefinanced contracts meant Angola had only one cargo billion to oil majors after it said budget needs years in 2015. But the feeling employs about 60,000 people in Angola has tied up deals, leaving the country’s to sell on the spot market in February, traders meant it could not hand over increasing among businessmen and work- a town of about 125,000. Cover- state oil company, Sonan- said, crimping its ability to generate cash when volumes of crude; Venezuela has billions ers is that things now look even ing an area three times the size of more of its output in gol, with as many as two needed and ability to set prices for its term of dollars in oil-backed Chinese loans while worse than in December, when Monaco, the plant built 815,000 pre-financed deals to dozen to sell on the mar- buyers. Russia and Kazakhstan borrowed heavily three months after the revelations cars last year. VW has started to ket or to term buyers with A source close to Sonangol said it still from oil traders Vitol and Glencore. With a of the test rigging, VW finally held reduce temporary jobs, mainly in bridge a drop in income ongoing contracts. had some flexibility to sell oil directly on the limited amount of other assets to leverage, its first news conference on the production, at some of its German due to the 70 percent Through a series of market. It could get other loans, or refinance there is little room for manoeuvre. “Probably, crisis. factories and plans to cut 3,000 conversations with at deals to limit the amount of crude paid to there is no way out of this dilemma for many Since then, the US government office positions by the end of 2017. fall in oil prices in the least six oil traders, Reu- lenders, the source said, and had already countries,” one source familiar with the past 18 months. ters found the number dropped some contracts with term buyers situation said, adding they would have to had been cut by more who had not prefinanced them to keep back learn to live with less oil to sell. Loans get scarcer for US developers trying to finish projects

By Sarah Mulholland Real estate investors are bracing for of the total in 2015. Three years ago, altera- equity stake at 425 Park — can still get a loan, Bloomberg repercussions as loan costs start climbing, tions and renovations accounted for more Lapidus said. threatening to drag down the value of their than half of construction projects. That means Even as commercial-property values holdings and raising the risk of defaults. there will be a lot of new space to fill. show signs of cooling, well-funded buyers Credit for commercial-property owners was Property owners are facing a host of gunning for high-quality assets are pulling ENDERS are getting stingier when it already contracting at the end of last year as challenges. Overbuilding in some areas, the off record-setting deals. Anbang Insurance comes to funding risky US real estate banks reported tighter underwriting stand- protracted slump in oil prices, a strong dol- Group Co, a Chinese insurer that acquired developments, putting pressure on ards for property financing across the board, lar eating into tourism, declining stock values New York’s Waldorf Astoria for $1.95bn last landlords in need of fresh funding according to the Federal Reserve’s senior loan and slowing growth in China are all weighing year, has agreed to acquire Strategic Hotels Lto keep their projects afloat. Banks are pro- officer survey, released in January. on landlords. At the same time, the Federal & Resorts Inc, owner of 16 US hotels, from ceeding with caution as the specter of slowing A construction boom in places such as Reserve is raising interest rates for the first Blackstone Group LP for about $6.5bn. Real estate economic growth rattles financial markets Manhattan and Miami in the past several time in nine years. Those without Anbang’s deep pockets are investors are and shakes investor confidence in a six-year years has led to a glut of high-end resi- The confluence of those events is spook- are having a harder time. Developer Bauhouse bracing for recovery that’s helped lift property values dential condos and hotels. Those types of ing lenders, said Robert Lapidus, a partner at Group is fighting to hang on to a plot of land on to records. deals are the most likely to hit snags, said L&L Holding Co., the New York-based real Manhattan’s east side after defaulting on about repercussions Lenders are going to be more selective Peter Sotoloff, chief investment officer at estate investment company he founded with $147m in loans, according to a US Bankruptcy as loan costs and discriminating as the year progresses, Mack Real Estate Credit Strategies. The David Levinson. The developers are build- Court filing. The firm planned to build a 90-sto- said Mark Myers, the head of the commer- investment firm, which provided affiliates ing a 670,000-square-foot tower at 425 Park rey condominium tower at the site. start climbing, cial real estate business at Wells Fargo & Co, of developer Related Cos with $275m for Ave, a project they started last year without a A dysfunctional commercial-mortgage threatening to drag the largest US commercial-property lender. Miami condo projects in recent months, is single tenant in place. The company secured bond market is compounding problems for “We’re getting late in the cycle,” Myers said. picking its spots carefully, he said. $556m in debt to fund construction in June. landlords. Wall Street firms, stymied by vola- down the value of “If the economy continues to grow ever so In New York City, the value of construc- “Between then and now, the world has tility and new regulations, are backing away their holdings and slowly, demand for commercial real estate tion projects initiated last year reached changed,” Lapidus said. “Financing a spec- from underwriting loans to be packaged into will continue to grow ever so slowly. To the $40.9bn, up from $26.7bn in 2014, accord- ulative office building would be a little more securities. Issuance of new CMBS has slowed, raising the risk of extent that the economic climate goes in the ing to the New York Building Congress. The difficult today.” Borrowers with a strong track prompting Bank of America Corp analysts defaults. wrong direction, it’s going to have an impact surge is being driven by a wave of ground-up record that aren’t highly leveraged — L&L to cut their issuance forecast for 2016 by as on demand for commercial real estate.” development, which accounted for 76 percent and their partners have a roughly 55 percent much as 30 percent to $55bn. 32 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 BUSINESS

BACK TO BUSINESS sight From Oscars to tuna cans, tin gets Moody’s changes more expensive as mines quit outlook on Saudi banks to negative By Joe Deaux Bloomberg By Arif Sharif and remain strong because of the Matthew Martin banks’ lean cost structures and Bloomberg zero corporate tax, it said. MART phones, cars and a “Tightening liquidity — as prolonged mining slump public-sector deposit inflows are creating tighter sup- and corporate profits moder- plies of tin, a metal used OODY’S Investors ate — will likely expose banks mostly as solder for elec- Service changed its to greater funding volatility in trical circuits. Demand outlook for Saudi line with regional pressures,” Sfor tin remains strong from all sorts Arabia’s banks to Khalid Howladar, a senior credit of manufacturers, from makers of Mnegative from stable on the officer based in Dubai, said in food cans and building materials to expectation that bad loans the report. “However, we expect iPads and Oscar statuettes. will rise over the next 12 to 18 the local impact to be manage- At the same time, big export- months because of low oil prices able and funding structures to ers like Indonesia and Myanmar are and a decline in government remain relatively stable thanks shipping less, following a three-year spending. to a broad and growing depos- slump that discouraged investment Non-performing loans will itor base.” in mines and smelters. Supplies in rise to about 2.5 percent of total Saudi Arabia’s central Workers apply Dolores brand labeling to tuna cans at the Grupo Pinsa processing plant in Mazatlan, Mexico. 2016 will be the smallest relative loans over the period, from a bank does not think further to demand in almost two decades, “very low average 1.4 percent in measures to boost liquidity industry forecasts show. Tin on the low of $13,085 on January 14. Prices are Institute. Robin Bhar, an analyst at supplies for other base metals. Glo- September 2015,” Olivier Panis, a are necessary after increas- London Metal Exchange has surged up more this year than any other base Societe Generale, forecast another bal aluminum production will exceed vice president at the ratings firm, ing the loan to deposit ratio last into a bull market, after prices in Jan- metal tracked by the exchange. Soci- shortfall next year, because prices demand by 667,000 tonnes this year, said in a statement on Wednesday. month, Abdulaziz Al Furaih, uary were at their lowest since 2009. ete Generale SA, in a report e-mailed remain below the cost of production. according to researcher Harbor Intel- Banks will also remain exposed Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency Unlike most other base met- March 16, said the cash price for tin Anything less than $17,000 would ligence. Copper is headed for a surplus to loan defaults owing to their vice-governor, told Al Riyadh als, which face global surpluses this will reach $18,000 next year, citing ris- mean more reductions because 15 of 253,000 tonnes, according to Bar- “persistently high single-party newspaper. year, tin output won’t keep pace with ing demand and reduced supply from percent to 20 percent of production clays Plc. exposures,” the analyst said. SAMA, as the central bank is demand, according to Minsur SA, a unprofitable mines. can’t make a profit at that price, said The slowing economy in China may Saudi Arabia’s economic known, told banks last month that Peru-based producer. While economic As recently as January, the Juan Luis Kruger, the chief execu- limit the shortfall for tin. While global growth will slow to 1.5 percent in they can lend the equivalent of 90 growth is slowing in China, the biggest outlook wasn’t so bullish. While tive officer of Lima-based Minsur, supply probably declined 8 percent last 2016 and 2 percent in 2017, well percent of their deposits, up from consumer, reduced production has sent Indonesia, the top exporter, had the world’s third-largest producer. year, consumption of the metal fell 3 below the 3.4 percent growth an earlier limit of 85 percent. tin inventories tracked by the LME to a banned ore shipments in 2013 to spur CPM Group, a researcher, estimates percent and was forecast to remain flat estimated for 2015 because “The current situation is very seven-year low this month. Customers investment in its domestic smelting the industry’s average cost is about in 2016, according to the International of the impact of lower crude stable and reassuring and we at metals wholesaler Phoenixx Interna- industry, that loss of supply had since $14,800, though it may be as low as Tin Research Institute. prices, according to Moody’s. don’t think that we have reached tional Resources LP in Pittsburgh are been made up in part by increased $12,000 in Indonesia. Half of tin demand comes from Banks’ loan growth will slow to a stage that forces us to use other locking in prices two months before shipments from Myanmar, which “The biggest factor for pushing the the electronics industry, and most of between 3 percent and 5 per- options,” Al Furaih was cited as delivery rather than risk paying more went from the world’s 12th-biggest market into deficit is going to be that that manufacturing occurs in east- cent in 2016, from 8 percent in telling the newspaper. later, something they haven’t done producer of mined metal to No. 3 by supply will be fairly weak,” said John ern Asia, where demand growth has 2015 and 12 percent the previ- The world’s largest oil since 2014. last year. Myanmar’s output jumped Davies, London-based head of com- been threatened by slowing econo- ous year, it said. exporter is seeking to revive its “People are jumping in to grab 11-fold from 2012 to 24,000 tonnes in modities research at BMI Research. mies in China and Japan, according Still, capital buffers of Saudi economy and stimulate credit some, saying they think it’s a good 2015, according to the World Bureau While the emergence of Myanmar to Peter Kettle, the manager of mar- banks are likely to remain as the slump in oil revenue and price,” said Phoenixx President Brian of Metal Statistics. as a supplier was a surprise to eve- kets at ITRI in London. “solid,” with the sector’s aver- government spending strain Helsel, who has been trading tin for But more tin from Myanmar hasn’t ryone over the past two years, there “There is still a need for more age tangible common equity the banking system. The three- almost two decades. “Based on the been enough to compensate for pro- aren’t any more sources of tin that can confidence in the outlook for demand ratio remaining stable at about month Saudi Arabia Interbank fundamentals, I think the bottom of duction cuts, including from major be tapped at current prices, especially and the world economy in general 15.7 percent at the end of 2016, rate rose to 1.77 percent on the tin price should be now in.” mines in China. Demand will exceed with the ban on ore exports limiting before anyone gets very excited, and compared with 15.4 percent in Wednesday, the highest in about Tin for delivery in three months on output by 13,000 tonnes this year, the supplies from Indonesia, the largest it might be a bit difficult for tin to go September 2015, Moody’s said. seven years, according to data the LME rose as high as $17,150 a tonne biggest deficit since 1995, according producer after China, Davies said. in one direction while everything else Profitability is also likely to compiled by Bloomberg. on Friday, up 31 percent from a six-year to the International Tin Research Tin is defying the trend of rising is going the opposite way,” Kettle said.

The US central bank’s inflation and employment goals Capital have essentially been met and it would be prudent to edge interest rates higher. Inflation net of the oil price St. Louis Fed President Comment shock is reasonably close to target. James Bullard

TOP TWEETS BLOGS AND VIEWS Market Talk KPMG@KPMG Private Equity Beat Mid-stage #fintech deals heat up in 2015, NAME IN THE MARKET: EURO AREA CREDIT MOMENTUM showing the strong- est performance in 5 quarters EIG Global Energy Partners joined the growing ranks of Deutsche Bank@ energy-focused private equity DeutscheBank firms writing down the value of investments in their portfolios as #China’s market lower oil prices take their toll. economy treatment politically and econom- ically sensitive

Standard & Poor’s @ standardpoors HEARD ON THE STREET #Metals & #Mining #capex fell by 22% in 2015 and is likely to Things are brightening up for bank drop by another 20% stocks. Banks are stepping up share this year repurchases. J.P. Morgan Chase has Reuters Business @ increased its buyback authorization ReutersBiz by $1.88bn, or 29% above what was approved last year by the Fed With stocks out of their deep hole, investors Reserve. Bank of America will add will be watching cur- $800m to its authorization, a 20% rency markets next increase. week www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 38 PAGE | 39 Bromell fires Rio Hamilton on warning with pole as new-look indoor sprint gold format flops

SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 • 11 Jumada II 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar Caridade fires Al Khor to win over Mesaimeer

five points. Meanwhile, champions Al last game and yesterday we played for our players and it rivals Euro- Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan take on third placed El Jaish well with 2 young players,” added the pean leagues.” as part of a titanic double header Frenchman regarding the importance Elsewhere, last season’s champi- Action from Kharaitiyat share between the QSL’s top 4 sides. of youth talent at Jaish. ons Lekhwiya take on Al Sadd at the the Qatar Stars spoils in one-all draw El Jaish are third in the table El Jaish have played eight games Al Sadd Stadium today in a battle for league match with forty points, only one point in the month and this makes Lam- the Qatar Cup places. between Al behind second placed Lekhwiya. ouchi change his teams around so Al Sadd are currently in fourth Gharafa and The Soldiers have a packed sched- that the players remain fresh. place with thirty-nine points only Al Kharaitiyat The Peninsula ule this month as they just defeated “It will be a good game and an two points behind rivals Lekhwiya. at Al Gharafa Uzbekistan’s Nasf on Wednesday open game. Al Rayyan are hungry for A win in this match could help The Stadium and will strap on their boots once this game and the reason I change Wolfs leap into the second spot in the yesterday. again as they face Al Rayyan in the my players around is because I don’t league. DOHA: A goal at the stroke of half QSL. want them to be tired,” added the Jesualdo Ferrieira, Al Sadd’s time from Madson Formagini Car- Sabri Lamouchi, the head coach 44-year-old. coach is looking forward to specta- idade helped Al Khor to edge of El Jaish is counting on his team Al Rayyan, the champions with cle which will excite the fans. Mesaimeer in Round 23 of the Qatar to put a good performance against games to spare will use this match as “We will face the champions of Stars League (QSL) while Al Gharafa Rayyan after a disappointing loss to preparation for the upcoming Emir the last season in a tough game. I and Al Kharaitiyat played a one-all Al Arabi last week. Cup. hope the fans will come and join us. draw. “Facing Al Rayyan means you’re The Lions had a stalemate in their Both teams have the highest level of Yesterday playing at the home facing the champions. We played in last game against Qatar Sports Club. professionalism in the league.” stadium, Al Khor struck at the fag the AFC Champions League and now Coach, Jorge Fossati claims that He also highlighted the fact that end of the first half and held on to we need to focus on the QSL. We play his team is not relaxing even after big games like these are vital for the the lead till the end. many games in a small period. We winning the title,. league. The Brazilian midfielder only goal didn’t have luck in our last game and “In the last game each player “When big teams play big of the match helped Al Khor to col- we are working hard to make things was covering more than ten kilom- matches the level of the league will lect full points. go in our favour.” eters and one player even covered improve and I hope this game will Al Khor now have 28 points while “We like to give young players thirteen. This is not a team that is exceed expectation for all the fans,” Mesaimeer are at the bottom with just chances. Salah Al Yahri played in our relaxing. This is a normal work rate added the Portuguese tactician. Confident Tamimi looking for first title on home soil

The Peninsula the opening round if he is to harbour SQUASH: QATAR CIRCUIT 3 any ambitions of adding to the trio of PSA World Tour titles he has picked up this season. DOHA: Qatar’s number one player of 2016. Germany’s Jens Schoor has Abdulla Mohammed Al Tamimi Despite his tendency to reach the reached the final in three of his last will be keen to maintain the same latter stages of the events he partici- four events on the PSA World Tour, form which helped him win the Life pated in, Fathi is currently enduring winning one of those at the PSA Time Atlanta Open when he opens a barren spell as far as silverware is Valencia Open three months ago. The his campaign in the Qatar Circuit 3 concerned, with his last success com- 28-year-old has 10 years of profes- tournament which begins at the Kha- ing in August 2014. sional experience and has an outside lifa International Tennis and Squash However, the 22-year-old bene- of chance of taking the crown if he Complex here today. fits from being the top seed in Qatar plays up to his potential. Schoor will The World No.61 broke his title and, with plenty of experience under begin his tournament against a qual- duck last time out at the Life Time his belt despite his tender years, will ifier in round one. Atlanta Open with a dramatic 3-2 vic- certainly be a contender to capture Meanwhile four players made it tory over Chris Hanson and the Qatar the title. Fathi is set to face a quali- to the main draw from the qualifying will be eyeing silverware for the first fier in the first round. round matches held yesterday. time on home soil. Mohamed Reda, the PSA Men’s Sixteen players will fight it out Carlos Cornes Ribadas lies Player of the Month for November, in the main draw matches starting between Al Tamimi and a place in represents Fathi’s biggest compet- today. the quarter-final where he will meet itor for the crown and the duo are For the hosts, the trio of Syed either Karim El Hammamy or Tayyab seeded to meet in the final. Reda won Azlan Amjad, Umair Zaman and Aslam. the pair’s only professional encoun- Abdulwahab Al Ishaq failed to make Egypt’s Karim Ali Fathi takes ter thus far back in 2014 but has a it past the qualifying rounds. the favourite tag as he renews his number of tough potential fixtures Lance Beddoes defeated Amjad attempts to lift a 10th career PSA in his side of the draw, with a pos- 11-3, 12-10, 11-7. In another match, World Tour title. sible quarter-final meeting against Iker Pajares Bernabeu got the better The World No.43 reached the fellow Egyptian and seven-time PSA of Zaman 11-8, 11-9, 11-6. semi-final stage of the Qualico Mani- World Tour title winner Mazen Gamal The third Qatari player in the toba Open a week ago, adding to the on the horizon. qualifiers, Abdulwahab Al Ishaq went runner-up finish he achieved at the He will need to progress beyond down fighting to Carlos Cornes Rib- Oregon Open in his first tournament compatriot Shehab Essam though in adas 11-6, 11-9, 11-6.

QATAR CIRCUIT 3 QUALIFICATION RESULTS Lance Beddoes [1] bt Syed Azlan Amjad 11-3, 12-10, 11-7; Mohd Syafiq Kamal [7] bt Sean Conroy 11-4, 11-6, 4-11, 6-11, 11-7; mmar Altamimi [4] bt Sandeep Ramachan- dran 11-8, 11-6, 11-4; Ahmad Al-Saraj [8] bt Abdullah Al Muzayen 9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 12-10; Khawaja Adil Maqbool [3] bt Dani Pascual 11-6, 11-8, 16-14; Ben Grindrod [6] bt Abbas Maniar 11-5, 11-6, 11-4; Iker Pajares Bernabeu [5] bt Umair Zaman 11-8, 11-9, 11-6; Carlos Cornes Ribadas [2] bt Abdulwahab Al Ishaq 11-6, 11-9, 11-6; Lance Beddoes [1] bt Mohd Syafiq Kamal [7] 11-5, 12-10, 11-6; Ammar Altamimi [4] bt Ahmad Al Saraj [8] 12-10, 11-5, 6-11, 11-8; Khawaja Adil Maqbool [3] Ben Grindrod [6] 11-5, 11-9, 11-6; Carlos Cornes Ribadas [2] bt Iker Pajares Bernabeu [5] 7-11, 3-11, 12-10 11-5, 11-6 TODAY’S MATCHES [1] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) vs Khawaja Adil Maqbool Kush Kumar (IND) vs [6] Piedro Schweertman (NED) [5] Ivan Yuen (MAS) vs Lance Beddoes Ammar Altamimi vs [4] Jens Schoor (GER) [3] Abdullah Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) vs Carlos Cornes Ribadas Karim El Hammamy (EGY) vs [8] Tayyab Aslam (PAK) Qatar’s Abdulla Mohammed Al [7] Mazen Gamal (EGY) vs James Huang (TPE) Tamimi Shehab Essam (EGY) vs [2] Mohamed Reda (EGY) 34 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 SPORT

Kohli guides India to Qatar U19 training in Spain victory over Pakistan

Earlier, Ahmed Shehzad and SCOREBOARD Hosts recover Shoaib Malik played useful cameos from three early to guide Pakistan to 118 for five, a PAKISTAN score which looked competitive on Sharjeel Khan c Pandya b Raina 17 a tricky surface. jolts to register a Ahmed Shehzad c Jadeja b Bumrah 25 Put in to bat on a moisture-laden comfortable win over pitch that saw heavy rains through Shahid Afridi c Kohli b Pandya 8 arch-rivals the day, Pakistan openers Sharjeel Umar Akmal c Dhoni b Jadeja 22 Khan (17) and Shehzad (25) played Shoaib Malik c Ashwin b Nehra 26 cautiously at first and then lost their Sarfraz Ahmed (not out) 8 AFP wickets as they tried to accelerate. Mohammad Hafeez (not out) 5 Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Suresh Raina looked Extras (B-2, LB-3, W-1, NB-1) 7 dangerous in their opening spells on a Total (for 5 wkts in 18 overs) 118 KOLKATA: Cool-headed Virat Kohli track that provided turn and bounce, Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-46, 3-60, 4-101, scored an unbeaten half century but the Pakistan batsmen did well to 5-105. A goalkeeper of the Qatar U19 deflects a ball during a training session in Spain yesterday. Coached by

as India cruised to a comfortable show patience. Bowling: Nehra 4-0-20-1; Ashwin 3-0- Oscar Cano, Qatar juniors are preparing to defend their AFC Asian U-19 title they won in October 2014. six-wicket victory over arch rivals Fresh from his match-winning 12-0; Bumrah 4-0-32-1; Jadeja 4-0-20-1; Pakistan at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens exploits against Bangladesh, skipper Raina 1-0-4-1; Pandya 2-0-25-1. in the World Twenty20 yesterday. Shahid Afridi (8) promoted himself Pre-tournament favourites India to number three but the boom was INDIA put their campaign back on track missing from his shots this time Rohit Sharma c Malik b Amir 10 after suffering a shock loss against around.The hard-hitting batsman Shikhar Dhawan b Sami 6 New Zealand in the tournament could only find a single boundary Virat Kohli (not out) 55 Aspire Academy U13 wins opener, extending their jinx in major in his scratchy 14-ball stay as he Suresh Raina b Sami 0 tournaments against Pakistan. walked back amid loud cheers from Yuvraj Singh c Sami b Riaz 24 Chasing 119 on a track that the capacity crowd. Umar Akmal and seemed dual-paced, India lost their Shoaib Malik then stitched together M S Dhoni (not out) 13 top three batsmen early only to see a crucial 41-run stand that helped Extras (LB-3, W-7, NB-1) 11 Tri-Series football tourney Kohli and Yuvraj Singh put together Pakistan put up what seemed a Total (for 4 wkts in 15.5 overs)119 a 61-run, fourth-wicket partnership respectable score. Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-23, 3-23, 4-84. to help the hosts canter home in 15.5 Akmal (22), whose 16-ball knock Bowling: Amir 3-1-11-1; Irfan 2.5-0-25- overs in a game reduced to 18 overs was studded with a boundary and a The Peninsula a side because of rain. six, was caught behind off Ravindra 0; Sami 2-0-17-2; Afridi 4-0-25-0; Malik Kohli (55 not out) and Yuvraj Jadeja’s left-arm spin. 2-0 22-0; Riaz 2-0-16-1. combined caution and aggression to DOHA: Aspire Academy’s U13 team blunt the Pakistan bowling attack, ended the Tri-Series football season which seemed to miss left-arm spin- India’s Yuvraj Singh plays a shot during the World T20 cricket of 2015-16 on a winning note. ner Imad Wasim, who made way for match against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata Playing at home, the U13 team Mohammad Sami. yesterday. won the Aspire Academy Tri-Series Sami did make an impression by football tournament while Chonburi sending back Shikhar Dhawan and FC and Malmo FF both returned home Suresh Raina in his opening over to with a title of their own, earning the be on hat-trick but Pakistan’s four- U14 and U15 titles, respectively. pronged pace attack had no answers Commenting on the tournament, to Kohli’s batting. Mats Engqvist, Director of the youth Yuvraj (24) fell to Wahab Riaz, academy at Malmo FF, said: “This but Kohli, who was joined by cap- is Malmo FF’s second Tri-Series tain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the participation, building on the par- finale, was in cruise control as his ticipation of our U19 teams in the Aspire Academy U13 players celebrate their win. 37-ball knock was laced by seven previous season. The performance boundaries and a six. of the opponents has been of a very Dhoni (13 not out) swiftly joined high-level, and resulted in a series has been very well organised. The management philosophies and tac- the party as he hit a six to level the of closely-fought matches and well- matches have been tough, and the tics from around the globe and the scores and then hit the winning runs deserved overall victories for all opponents have presented a very opportunity to play against opposi- in front of a raucous crowd. participating teams”. good quality of technical gameplay. tion from some of the world’s most From his part, Witthaya Lao- I am really proud of Chonburi FC’s established footballing countries hakul, Director of Chonburi FC, said: performance in the tournament”. helps the Academy’s players develop “This is our first participation in the The Tri-Series competitions play their talent and fulfil their potential. Aspire Academy Tri-Series tourna- a major role in the development of It is a vital part of Aspire Mahrez stretches Leicester lead ment, and our experience has been Aspire Academy’s student-athletes. Academy’s commitment to ena- wonderful. The facilities here are Giving teams from the Academy bling the sporting success of its world-class, and the tournament exposure to different playing styles, student-athletes. Chonburi FC is a Thai foot- AFP while third-place Arsenal remain 11 ENGLISH PREMIER ball club based in the province of points off the pace despite winning Action from Chonburi, and competes in the Thai 2-0 at Everton. LEAGUE the Aspire Premier League. Malmo FF is a Elsewhere, Cesc Fabregas scored Academy Swedish football club based in the Chelsea 2 (Fabregas 45+3, 89-pen); LONDON: Riyad Mahrez’s 17th goal two equalisers, the second an 89th- Tri-Series city of Malmö, and competes in the West Ham 2 (Lanzini 17, Carroll 61); of the season sent Leicester City minute penalty, as West Ham United tournament. Allsvenskan (All-Swedish) League. eight points clear at the Premier were prevented from climbing to Crystal Palace 0 Leicester 1 (Mahrez In recent years, the Tri-Series 34); Everton 0 Arsenal 2 (Welbeck League summit as Claudio Rani- fourth place in a 2-2 draw at outgo- tournament has brought some of the 7, Iwobi 42); Watford 1 (Deeney eri’s men won 1-0 at Crystal Palace ing champions Chelsea. world’s finest youth teams together to 86) Stoke 2 (Walters 18, Joselu 51); yesterday. The result left Slaven Bilic’s side West Brom 0 Norwich 1 (Brady 50) compete against the student-athletes The Algerian winger tucked in fifth place, a point below Man- currently enrolled at Aspire Academy. away a cross from Jamie Vardy in the chester City. Playing today Doing so provides unique opportu- 34th minute to earn Leicester a third After losing out to Palace goal- Manchester City vs Manchester nities to support the development of successive 1-0 victory and bring a keeper Wayne Hennessey in an United (1600 GMT), Newcastle local players, aligning with Aspire staggering title triumph a step closer. earlier one-on-one at Selhurst Park, vs Sunderland (1330 GMT), Academy’s vision to be recognised Second-place Tottenham Hot- Mahrez put Leicester ahead by steer- Southampton vs Liverpool (1330 as the world’s leading sports acad- spur can trim Leicester’s lead back to ing in Vardy’s low, drilled cross from GMT), Tottenham vs Bournemouth emy for the development of youth five points if they beat Bournemouth, the left. (1600 GMT) athletes by 2020.

Qatar Karate Open Championship

Action from the Qatar Karate Open Championship at the Al Sadd Indoor Arena in Doha yesterday. The one-day championship took place in the senior, junior, youth and grassroots categories and in 10 events including Kata and Kumite. SPORT SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 35 Man United, City face ‘do-or-die’ derby

bigger and the matches that you have FOOTBALL: ENGLISH Coach Klopp eyes Van Gaal side hopes to play are not so big (many). PREMIER LEAGUE “I think then it is seven points and special finale to to bounce back in we have to play then eight matches. English Premier Then it’s very sharp to recover from next game and then see which team that gap. has the most points. debut season League after “It is still possible, but I think it’s “I think that a derby is always elimination from difficult then. Because West Ham dangerous, regardless of the position United is also in front, so it is not only of both teams. If it’s in the Premier SOUTHAMPTON, United King- Europa League City but West Ham United also.” League it’s doubly dangerous. dom: Jurgen Klopp has targeted a Blackening United’s mood yet “It’s hard because they have good special end to his first season in further is the knowledge that City’s players. United have a very good charge of Liverpool as the Reds AFP fans are rubbing their hands together squad. It doesn’t matter which (play- head to Southampton today in in anticipation of a Champions ers) play or in which way they play; buoyant mood. League quarter-final against Paris they’re always a dangerous team. March has been an excellent Saint-Germain after reaching the “It’s a target (to finish above month for Klopp’s side, who have MANCHESTER, UNITED KING- tournament’s last eight for the first United), but it’s not the most impor- responded positively since ending DOM: Following Thursday’s Europa time in their history. tant thing. The most important thing February with a League Cup final League elimination by arch foes No longer the “noisy neighbours” is to finish first, then you’re above all defeat on penalties against Man- Liverpool, Manchester United’s contemptuously dismissed by former other teams.” chester City. supporters find themselves in the United manager Alex Ferguson, City City captain Vincent Kompany Premier League wins over grip of an unfolding nightmare as have emerged as a genuine force in has been ruled out after suffering City and Crystal Palace have been today’s derby trip to Manchester City the Sheikh Mansour era and victory yet another calf injury -- his 14th in accompanied by the sweet sen- approaches. for them today would strengthen the eight years -- in Tuesday’s 0-0 draw sation of a Europa League last 16 The 3-1 aggregate loss to Liver- perception that they have usurped with Dynamo Kiev, while fellow cen- victory over bitter rivals Manches- pool left the FA Cup as the only trophy United as Manchester’s biggest team. tre-back Nicolas Otamendi faces a ter United. United can win this season and if they And yet for all City’s European fitness test after being forced off in It means Klopp has a European lose to local rivals City at the Etihad exploits, they remain a bundle of the same game with a dead leg. quarter-final against his former Stadium, they will be seven points contradictions in the league, having Midfield trio Kevin De Bruyne, club Borussia Dortmund to look below the Champions League places failed to record back-to-back vic- Samir Nasri and Fabian Delph will forward to in April, but first comes with only eight games of the season tories since October, and know that also be absent, although Pellegrini the task of finishing this month remaining. defeat would seriously compromise revealed that they are due to return to unbeaten. Failure to qualify for the Champi- their own hopes of a top-four finish. action with the club’s under-21s dur- Liverpool’s last trip to South- ons League would complete an abject The title seems an even more ing the international break. ampton brought arguably their season for United, prompting their unlikely objective, with leaders Leices- United have injury problems of best away performance of the under-fire manager Louis van Gaal ter City 12 points above them, having their own, with midfielder Ander season, with a 6-1 victory in the to admit that the derby is a game that played a game more, but manager Herrera a doubt due to a groin injury League Cup quarter-finals in his side simply have to win. Manuel Pellegrini refuses to accept and captain Wayne Rooney, left- December. Asked if the match was ‘do-or- that his side’s challenge is over. back Luke Shaw and defender Phil Since then, Klopp’s side have die’ in terms of United’s Champions “In football when you have a Jones all still sidelined. But winger- struggled for consistency, but they League qualification hopes, Van Gaal mathematical chance, you cannot turned-right-back Antonio Valencia have won their last three league Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart (right) congratulates team-mate replied: “I think so, yes. We are now think you cannot do it,” said the Chil- is in contention after making his first matches, scoring 11 goals and con- four points behind, so you have to ean, whose side are seeking a third appearance after five months out Eliaquim Mangala following a UEFA Champions League last 16, second ceding just once in the process. win. consecutive home win over United. with a broken foot as a half-time sub- leg match against Dynamo Kiev at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, It means that they go into the “Otherwise the gap is bigger and “It’s a winning mentality: win the stitute against Liverpool. northwest England, on Tuesday. weekend in eighth place, seven points from the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot. England meet-up “Could we do something spe- cial this season? The only thing I not a break for Benitez and Allardyce vow can say is that I hope so,” Klopp said. “We have not always been per- coach Neville fect over the last few weeks, but we have been more than OK. We have not to open old wounds to carry on in this way. AFP “If we collect enough points, then we have to see what will happen. For now, there is only MADRID: Valencia coach Gary Nev- AFP Rovers, took exception to an ‘it’s all managed, but he’s obviously addicted Southampton to think about, and ille (pictured) has rebuffed England over’ gesture from Benitez when to management like I am. then we have a two-week interna- manager Roy Hodgson’s claim that his Liverpool side took a 2-0 lead “You could not get any better than tional break.” the upcoming international break in a Premier League game in 2009, him in the market to bring in now. It’s The creative spark of Philippe could come as a relief to the former NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM: while the Spaniard issued an angry a big capture for them because of what Coutinho attracted plenty of atten- Manchester United captain after a Newcastle United manager Rafa Ben- response to claims from Allardyce he’s done and achieved in the game.” tion after his excellent run and difficult few months in his first man- itez and Sunderland counterpart Sam that the 55-year-old had little to Former Real Madrid and Chel- finish brought the away goal that agerial role. Allardyce played down their personal do with the Reds’ Steven Gerrard- sea boss Benitez was also keen to effectively took Liverpool past Neville will fulfil his commit- differences as they prepare to lead inspired Champions League final downplay the personal aspect of his United in the Europa League on ment as an England coach by leaving their sides in the most important win 11 years ago. home debut in the dugout, as he bids Thursday. Spain to meet up with Hodgson’s Tyne-Wear derby for over a quarter Allardyce, who was sacked by to build on a positive display in his However, Dejan Lovren also men for friendlies against Germany of a century. Newcastle in 2008 after just eight first match in charge, a 1-0 defeat at deserved credit for a solid and and the Netherlands after Sunday’s The Black Cats travel to St James’ months in charge, insists that is all league leaders Leicester City. commanding display in central game against Celta Vigo. Park today aiming to record an now water under the bridge. “(My relationship with Allardyce) defence. When asked about Neville’s pre- unprecedented seventh consecutive The 61-year-old claims it was his is fine, he is professional and I am Lovren has not always con- dicament, Hodgson said he hoped “it victory in a rivalry spanning more attempt at mind-games to unsettle his professional,” Benitez said. vinced since his move from will be a nice little break” from the than 117 years, and one which takes rival, who he has beaten three times “We know this is a massive game Southampton to Liverpool in 2014, daily demands at Valencia. their own international commit- on added significance as the North- in their 12 previous meetings. for the city and for the fans and it but appears to be growing in confi- Neville has overseen just three ments. However, with Neville only East neighbours fight for Premier Benitez has emerged victori- gives us a chance to end the run of dence under Klopp’s management. wins in 15 La Liga games since taking under contract at the Mestalla until League survival. ous in seven of those, and Allardyce defeats we’ve had in this fixture.” “What can I say about Dejan charge in December and was sent to the end of the season, the move has The clubs are separated by just said: “There was the time when we Defeat for either side will leave Lovren? I heard about before I the stands as Valencia bowed out of been criticised locally as a further a point on either side of the relega- had our conflict and we had our them facing a difficult task to avoid came here, and I saw in his eyes the Europa League on away goals to signal that he sees his future back tion zone, with Benitez taking charge differences. relegation, raising the stakes to levels when I came here, that he was not Athletic Bilbao on Thursday. in England. of the second-from-bottom Mag- “We both went to the papers not seen since the clubs met in a sec- in the best situation,” Klopp said. “I don’t know about refreshing, “Maybe it’s been used against me pies for the first time at home since and aired our differences. I always ond tier play-off semi-final in 1990 “Sometimes for players, that’s I don’t know if it’s the right word. It by the fans or people like yourselves, he replaced Steve McClaren earlier thought joining in the mind games won by Sunderland. the good thing with a complete won’t be a break either. It’s some- asking the questions, but it’s been a this month. was a good thing. “For me, it’s probably the biggest change -- that you can start really thing we agreed many months ago three or four-month commitment,” A sell-out 52,000 crowd will pro- “Why does everyone seem to Tyne-Wear derby ever because of new, and that’s what he did. when I came to Valencia,” said he added. vide a passion-filled backdrop, with think only the top managers at the what is at stake,” Allardyce added. “Now everybody can see what Neville. “I’m totally committed to Valen- the strained relationship between the top clubs could play mind games? I “This is absolutely the worst sea- he is capable of. Dejan is in a good Neville insisted his decision to cia, I think I’ve proven that. managers adding further spice to a played them like everyone else and son to get relegated from the Premier way.” go away with England was based “The thing that will be more fixture in which Sunderland boast an found it very entertaining. League because of the financial Left-back Alberto Moreno will on the fact that only eight sen- refreshing for me will be to win eight-game unbeaten record stretch- “I have to say I was surprised implications of missing out on the be assessed before Sunday’s match, ior players will remain in Valencia against Celta Vigo, and then to win ing back four and a half years. with Rafa’s appointment at Newcas- money from the league’s new TV having missed the 1-1 Europa during the two-week break due to the eight remaining matches.” Allardyce, then at Blackburn tle on the basis of the clubs he has deal.” League draw at Old Trafford with a hamstring injury sustained dur- ing training the previous evening. Southampton’s need for victory is just as great as Liverpool’s with Ronald Koeman’s side positioned Sporting collapse leaves Atletico title bid in tatters one place above Klopp’s with only goal difference separating the two teams. Victory at Stoke last time out ended a run of three successive AFP clear at the top when they travel to European games this season. And And there was no stopping Griez- Castro missed a glorious chance defeats and Koeman is in no doubt Villarreal today. Simeone hinted at his frustration at mann’s effort from the resulting to make it 2-1 four minutes from time his side need a repeat of they are to Third-placed Real Madrid can having to play at early on Saturday, free-kick as he curled the ball over when he smashed Sanabria’s unself- maintain their hopes of qualifying also close the gap on Atletico to a whilst Barcelona and Real Madrid the wall and into the top corner. ish square ball off the bar in front of for next season’s Europa League. MADRID: Sporting Gijon scored twice point when they host Sevilla. aren’t in action till Sunday. Simeone looked to hold out for the an open goal. “We knew our situation before in the final 11 minutes to land a huge “We were always clear that the “I don’t like to look for excuses. three points as he withdrew his three Of further concern for Atletico the Stoke City game. It was a must- blow to Atletico Madrid’s La Liga title objective of the club is to be in the I’m happy that we are premium, we most attacking players in Griezmann, was that opportunity came about as win game and I think the same challenge with a 2-1 win yesterday. top three,” said Atletico boss Diego play at four o’clock and they see us in Angel Correa and Luciano Vietto after Jose Maria Gimenez pulled up with a is for this weekend, because we Antoine Griezmann’s stunning Simeone. China,” he added ironically. the break. hamstring injury making him a doubt know the position in the table,” first-half free-kick put Atletico in “That is what we are working Griezmann retained his place up However, for once Atletico’s for the first-leg of their Champions Koeman said. front. towards. This defeat goes against any front and was once again Atletico’s defensive resilience let them down. League quarter-final away to Barce- “We know the points and if However, Atletico felt the after aspiration to be champions.” only serious goal threat as he opened Sanabria fired a warning shot lona on April 5. we’re still fighting for Europe I effects of their efforts in seeing off Simeone named a youthful side the scoring just before the half hour when he struck the post from a free- With Simeone having made all think we have to win. PSV Eindhoven after extra-time and with an average age of 23 as he made mark. kick 12 minutes from time. three substitutions, the visitors had to “We spoke to the players about penalties in the Champions League five changes from the team that Sporting had reason to feel hard But presented with a similar see out the final few minutes with 10 the schedule and this is the last one in midweek as Antonio Sanabria and started against PSV on Tuesday. done by as Pablo Perez looked to have opportunity a minute later, the Par- men. And they couldn’t do it as Sana- before the international break and, Carlos Castro turned the game around Atletico have often felt they have taken the ball before making contact aguayan rifled a free-kick through bria again burst down the left and this of course, if you get a win against in the final stages. been prejudiced by the schedul- with Saul Niguez on the edge of the the Atletico wall to leave Jan Oblak time his low cross was converted at Liverpool that makes a big step Barcelona can now move 11 points ing of their La Liga fixtures around area. unsighted. the far post by the relieved Castro. forward.” SPORT SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 36

Ravens defender Walker dies of Cavs, Thunder clinch play-off crash injuries

AFP spots, Warriors thump Mavs MIAMI: Baltimore Ravens corner- back Tray Walker died on Friday from injuries sustained in a motor- cycle accident in Florida, the NFL team said. Irving leads Cleveland NBA ROUND-UP “We are grieving the loss of a special young man. #RIPTray- to win over the Magic Walker” the Ravens said in a as Westbrook stars posting on their Twitter account Oklahoma City Thunder as the North- that included a picture of the for Oklahoma City west Division clinched a play-off 23-year-old player. berth with a 111-97 victory over the Walker’s agent Ronald Butler lowly 76ers in Philadelphia. told US media that Walker was AFP Westbrook delivered his league- pronounced dead at 5 pm Eastern leading 13th triple-double of the time at Jackson Memorial Hos- season with 20 points, 15 rebounds pital, less than 24 hours after he and 10 assists. suffered head injuries in a dirt “I come out and compete every bike accident not far from where LOS ANGELES: The Cleveland Cav- night at a high level and try to keep he attended high school at Miami aliers and Oklahoma City Thunder my energy up for my teammates,” Northwestern. clinched NBA play-off berths on Fri- Westbrook said. “I think it’s fun to Hours earlier, Butler had told day as reigning champions Golden see where we’re playing the right way. ESPN that Walker was “fighting State continued to roll toward the It’s fun for our guys to see everybody for his life”. post-season with a win at Dallas. happy playing the right way.” Walker, a fourth-round pick In Orlando, Kyrie Irving scored 26 Durant added 26 points, 13 in last year’s NFL Draft, played points and added five assists to lead rebounds and six assists, scoring at in eight games for the Ravens last the Cavaliers to a 109-103 victory over least 20 points for the 54th straight season and competed mostly on the Magic. game. special teams kicking plays, con- Irving, who had 33 points on Enes Kanter scored 16 points tributing one solo tackle from Wednesday in a victory over Dal- and Steven Adams had 12 points and scrimmage. las, scored 10 points in the decisive 11 rebounds for the Thunder, who He had dedicated his rookie fourth quarter as the Cavs overcame improved to 47-22. NFL campaign to his father, who a big night from Magic guard Victor They are third in the Western Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (right) and JR Smith celebrate in the fourth quarter of their NBA game died of a heart attack in Novem- Oladipo. Conference behind the Golden State against the Dallas Mavericks at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Friday. ber of 2014. Oladipo scored a career-high Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs. Thursday’s accident remains 45 points, but only six in the fourth The Warriors improved to 62-6 under investigation. period. with a 130-112 triumph over the Dal- “We’ll be fine,” he told ESPN. Detective Dan Ferrin of the Cleveland superstar LeBron las Mavericks. “They’re playing really well right now Miami-Dade Police Department James, back after resting one game, The Warriors avenged one of their and we have an opportunity to go in, said Walker was riding his dirt had 18 points, eight assists and seven six defeats this season -- a loss in Dal- and it’s going to be a tough test for bike on a road when he collided rebounds as the Cavs improved their las on December 30 when reigning us,” he said. with an SUV. East-leading record to 49-19. NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen There was unwelcome injury Police said Walker wasn’t They made their playoff spot offi- Curry was sidelined with a minor news for the New Orleans Pelicans wearing a helmet and his dirt bike cial, but coach Tyronn Lue said there injury. in their 117-112 loss to the Portland did not have lights. was no time to celebrate. This time Curry scored 31 points, Trail Blazers. Ravens coach John Harbaugh “We thought we were going to Klay Thompson scored 39 and made The Pelicans, ravaged by inju- offered a warm tribute to the make the play-offs, so it wasn’t really 10 of 15 from three-point range as the ries this season, saw star forward young player. a big deal to clinch,” Lue said. “We Warriors warmed-up for their mar- Anthony Davis depart with a left knee “Tray was a young man with a have bigger things ahead of us.” quee matchup with the Spurs in San injury late in the first half, after scor- good and kind heart,” Harbaugh Russell Westbrook and Kevin Antonio yesterday. ing 10 points. CJ McCollum scored 30, said in a statement.” Durant again led the way for the The showdown between the two including a go-ahead three-pointer He was humble and loved eve- best in the West, neither of whom has with a minute left, and Damian Lil- rything about being part of the lost at home yet this season, will see lard added 33 to lift the Trail Blazers, Ravens’ team. NBA RESULTS the Warriors without Australian big who led by as many as 20 points in He loved his team-mates, the Cleveland 109 Orlando 103 man Andrew Bogut. the first half but came under pres- practice and the preparation, and He departed at halftime with a left sure from a Pelicans team that got 30 that showed every day. Oklahoma City 111 Philadelphia 97 big toe injury. points apiece from Jrue Holiday and He was coachable, did his Detroit 115 Sacramento 108 Coach Steve Kerr said Bogut Ryan Anderson. most to improve and worked to Toronto 105 Boston 91 wouldn’t play on Saturday and in a Pelicans reserve center Kendrick become the best. I’ll never forget Houston 116 Minnesota 111 nod to the fatigue his players are feel- Perkins was ejected with less than that smile.” Portland 117 New Orleans 112 ing added: “If I had any guts, I’d sit eight minutes to play for hooking his Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green (right) goes to the basket Quarterback Joe Flacco offered Golden State 130 Dallas 112 everybody.” forearm around the neck of a driving against Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki of Germany in the first condolences to Walker’s family. Curry, however, said the Warriors Lillard, bringing him to the ground in half of their NBA game in Dallas, Texas, on Friday. “Tray was a young man who Phoenix 95 LA Lakers 90 would be ready to go in San Antonio. a “clothesline” foul. was full of energy and promise,” Flacco said in a statement released on Friday. “This is very hard to wrap my head around, and I am devastated. Colts to honour Manning with statue, retired number As a parent,” he said. I cannot imagine what his family is going through right now. All of my thoughts are with them,” Reuters Panthers, returned to Indianapolis Manning, Indianapolis decided to face Manning, who missed the 2011 he added. for an emotional news conference the future with Andrew Luck out of Colts season after several neck sur- Jimmy Smith, another cor- with owner Jim Irsay, who made the Stanford. geries, moved on and signed with nerback who worked closely with announcement. “It was a tough, emotional day Denver where he won his record fifth Walker during the season, said NEW YORK: Retired quarterback “It’s good to be up here with Pey- four years ago. But I’m glad to be NFL Most Valuable Player award and he was heartbroken for Walker’s Peyton Manning (pictured), cut loose ton,” Irsay told a packed room of back,” said Manning, who will cel- set a slew of single season and career family. by Indianapolis four years ago after reporters at team headquarters. “It ebrate his 40th birthday next week. passing records. “He was a tremendous young he lost a season to injury, will have seems like a short four years ago we “I can’t tell you how honored and “We temporarily went in different man with so much potential, and I his Colts’ uniform No. 18 retired and were up here on a difficult day.” humbled I am by that two pieces of directions,” said Irsay. “It was always will miss him,” Smith said. a statue of him erected outside the That news conference marked news,” he said about his retired jer- strange watching 18 out there without “Tray had a hard shell, but stadium, the NFL club said on Friday. the Colts’ decision not to bring Man- sey number and the statue outside the horseshoe on his helmet,” Irsay once you broke through that, you Manning, who crowned his ning back. Lucas Oil Stadium. “It was my honor said about the Colts’ logo. found a person who was learning record-setting, 18-year career by Instead, armed with the number and privilege to play for this organi- “I think I speak for all Colts fans how to become a man and was helping the Denver Broncos win last one pick in the NFL Draft due to the zation for 14 years. that we kind of feel like he’s ours,” so eager to be a great person and month’s Super Bowl over the Carolina 2-14 mark logged in the absence of “I’ll always be a Colt.” he added. professional.” Winnik shines as Washington Capitals pummel Predators

Agencies NHL RESULTS the season at 3:06 of the third period as the Blackhawks built a 3-0 lead. NHL ROUND-UP Buffalo 3 Ottawa 1 Oilers 2, Canucks 0 Washington 4 Nashville 1 After losing eight of their previ- NEW YORK: Daniel Winnik scored Chicago 4 Winnipeg 0 ous nine games in their final season his first two goals as a member of the Colorado 4 Calgary 3 at Rexall Place, the Edmonton Oilers He made a move to his forehand Capitals, Evgeny Kuznetsov had three took another step toward repairing before tucking a backhand shot past Edmonton 2 Vancouver 0 assists and Washington defeated the the damage by winning their second Flames goalie Joni Ortio. Nashville Predators 4-1 on Friday game in a row at home. Ducks 4, Bruins 0 night. Alex Chiasson scored for the Sen- The Oilers dumped the Vancou- Goalie Frederik Andersen stopped TJ Oshie added his career-high ators (33-31-8). Craig Anderson made ver Canucks 2-0 on Friday, two days 38 shots in his second shutout of the 22nd goal of the season for the 31 saves. after upsetting the St Louis Blues with season to lead the Anaheim Ducks Capitals. Blackhawks 4, Jets 0 a 6-4 score-line. to a 4-0 rout of the Boston Bruins on Sabres 3, Senators 1 Left winger Andrew Ladd Avalanche 4, Flames 3 Friday night in front of 16,707 at the Sam Reinhart had a goal and an stung his former teammates with a (shootout) Honda Center. assist to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a third-period goal and the Chicago Mikkel Boedker scored the game- Ryan Kesler, Rickard Rakell, 3-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators Blackhawks posted a 4-0 victory over deciding goal in the shootout to lead Hampus Lindholm and Jamie McGinn on Friday. the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night. the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-3 win scored for the Ducks (39-22-9), who Nicolas Deslauriers and defense- Ladd, dealt to Chicago just before over the Calgary Flames at the Scot- moved within four points of the first- Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon (right) and Calgary Flames man Zach Bogosian also scored for the trade deadline in late February, iabank Saddledome on Friday. place Los Angeles Kings and three the Sabres (29-33-10). Chad Johnson took a pass from captain Jonathan Boedker was the lone player to ahead of the San Jose Sharks in the defenceman Deryk Engelland battle for the puck during the third period made 32 saves. Toews and slipped in his 20th goal of score in the shootout. Pacific Division. of their NHL game in Calgary on Friday. SPORT SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 37 Gymnasts start arriving in Doha for World Challenge

The Peninsula world together through sports” Al Hitmi added. Al Himi also stressed that the tournament A gymnast was not to achieve such success without the support of Media who played a key role in pro- prepares for DOHA: The Qatar Gymnastics Federation’s moting for the tournament in particular and the upcoming (QGF) preparations for 2016 FIG Artistic Gym- for Gymnastics in General in the state of Qatar. 2016 FIG nastics World Challenge Cup are in full swing The players of Kazakhstan and Armenia Artistic as gymnasts started arriving in Doha for the arrived in Doha to participate in the event Gymnastics showpiece event at Aspire Dome from March and began their training sessions at Aspire World 24 to 26. Academy . Challenge The event will feature the participation of The list of participating gymnasts includes Cup at Aspire 33 countries including; China, Cuba, Argen- China’s Zou Kai who claimed three gold med- Academy. tina, Armenia, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Brazil, als at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Costa Rica, Croatia, Finland, Great Britain, He also won two more gold medals and one Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games. Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Malaysia, Brazil’s Diego Hypolito will also be seen Norway, New Zealand, Portugal, Romania, in Doha during the event. The Brazilian star Slovenia, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, Vietnam gymnast won two bronze medals in World and hosts Qatar. Qatari sports. For his part, Al Hitmi, Chair- Cups in Japan 2011 and China 2014. The QGF signed the sponsorship contracts man of Organising Committee extended his On the other hand, the Women’s com- with the sponsors and partners recently on appreciation to sponsors and partners for the petitions will feature the participation of the sidelines of the press conference held at support to event. Romania’s Catalina Ponor, Larisa Iordache Best Western Hotel to brief media on the lat- Al Himti lauded the contribution of the and Diana Bulimar. est arrangements for the event. sponsors in the success of world challenge Switzerland’s Giulia Steingruber, Ilari- Ali Hitmi (pictured), President of the Qatar cup and said “signing the contracts with the aKäslin, and Stefanie Siegenthaler will also Gymnastics Federation inked the sponsorship sponsors and partners came days before the compete in the three-day event. contracts with Aspire Academy, Dana Water event as the Federation is keen on maintaining The State of Qatar will be represented by Company, Best Western Hotel and Look Adver- the level of success, the event used to reach.” three players including Farah Tariq, Mahmoud tising Company. “Hosting the World Challenge Cup for the Al Saadi and Ahmad Al Dayani. The officials of sponsoring companies said 9th year in row is reflect the trust of Interna- Ali Himi wished the Qatari players can that they are keen on participating in such an tional Gymnastics Federation in the abilities of qualify to the finals of their disciplines as he event as it features the participation of word’s the Qatari organisational abilities. The event stressed that those gymnasts have acquired top gymnasts. The also stressed that hosting will help us achieve the vision of the Qatar the necessary experience to do so after spar- the world challenge cup will help develop the Olympic Committee which is bringing in the kling at regional and international levels. SA look to bounce back Struggling SL face Gayle against Afghanistan storm in first major test AFP

MUMBAI: South Africa will be gunning to get their bid for a first Sri Lankan captain international trophy back on track when they take on Afghanistan today West Indies batsman Mathews upbeat after a dramatic last-over loss to ahead of tough clash Chris Gayle relaxes England. on the sidelines The Proteas are desperate to today with West of team’s training shed their chokers tag but on Friday Indies opener in session in Bangalore showed scant evidence of the mettle yesterday. required to win a major tournament supreme form as England successfully chased their Shahzad is their best chance of doing imposing total. some damage to South Africa’s frag- South Africa looked in the driv- ile bowling attack when they meet AFP ing seat after posting 229-4 but slack in the day match at the Wankhede. bowling and a commanding 83 by South Africa have never won a Joe Root helped England set the world cup in T20 and 50-over cricket record for the highest run-chase in but were one of the favourites com- BANGALORE: Troubled champions World Twenty20 history. ing into this tournament due to their Sri Lanka will need to tame a ram- Faf du Plessis’s side gave away formidable batting line-up and third pant Chris Gayle as they face the West 26 extras, while fast bowler Dale spot in the world rankings. Indies in the first major test of their Steyn conceded 23 runs in just the Since their readmission in 1991 defence of cricket’s Twenty20 tro- second over, as Eoin Morgan’s Eng- after the apartheid-era ban, the phy today. land reached 230-8 with only two Proteas have been the nearly men The Jamaican, who lit up the balls to spare at Mumbai’s Wankh- of world tournament cricket, falling first World T20 in 2007, showed his ede Stadium. agonisingly short of finals on sev- powers remain undimmed when he “Unfortunately the extras let us eral occasions. smashed a 47-ball century to lead the down too much. Too many wides and Duminy 31, admitted Friday’s West Indies to victory over England that’s something we need to look at,” Super 10 Group One defeat meant on Wednesday. all-rounder JP Duminy (pictured) South Africa were now under the Sri Lanka, on the other hand, told reporters afterwards. cosh. “There’s a long way to go in this winners of the last World T20 in Duminy, who finished on 54 not tournament and we obviously as a Bangladesh two years ago, have been out, said however there were “pos- team are now under the pump and badly weakened since the retirements itives” to take from South Africa’s we have to pretty much win every batting performance, which also game,” he said. of star batsmen Kumar Sangakkara of the 20 overs of every match at included half-centuries from Quin- TEAMS and Mahela Jayawardene. WORLD T20: SL VS WI this World T20, to set the side up for ton de Kock and Hashim Amla. TEAMS Sri Lanka (from): Angelo Mathews Slumping to eighth in the T20 PREVIEW victory. “It’s a quick turnaround, Afghan- (captain), Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha rankings, Sri Lanka are also in tur- “Once you bat 15 overs we are istan coming on Sunday and we have South Africa (from): Faf du Plessis Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal, Tillaka- moil after changing their coach and someway near to the target (either) to make sure that we prepare well for (captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, ratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Shehan captain in recent weeks and following Captain Angelo Mathews, who we are setting or chasing,” said the that game,” added the left-handed Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Jayasuriya, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan a disastrous showing at the Asia Cup. replaced injured veteran bowler West Indian coach. batsman. AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Sri Lanka were given a morale Lasith Malinga as skipper on tour- He said the 36-year-old, who Afghanistan, the only non-Test Chris Morris, David Miller, Aaron Phang- iso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Perera, Sachithra Senanayake, Dasun booster with victory over lowly nament eve, was upbeat, saying his hit the format’s first international side left in the competition, will be Dale Steyn, David Wiese Shanaka, Milinda Siriwardana, Lahiru Afghanistan in their first Super 10 side was capable of “doing anything” century in 2007, should be placed looking to be no pushovers dur- Thirimanne. outing on Thursday, when veteran if they worked together. alongside great Viv Richards on the ing Sunday’s clash. Skipper Asghar Afghanistan (from): Asghar Stanikzai West Indies (from): Darren Sammy opener Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed “No matter who you play, you list of destructive batsmen from the Stanikzai’s team, who have to play (captain), Amir Hamza, Dawlat Zadran, (captain), Samuel Badree, Sulieman 83 off 56 balls. have to be positive. We aren’t look- Caribbean. all their matches away from their Gulbadin Naib, Hamid Hassan, Karim Benn, Carlos Braithwaite, Dwayne But they face a much tougher test ing too far ahead, if we click we can The West Indies are one of the war-torn home, defied the odds Sadiq, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Bravo, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, in Gayle who unleashed a succession do anything,” he said. weakest teams in Test cricket but they to cruise through the preliminary Shahzad, Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ali Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Ashley Nurse, of sixes during the West Indies’ stun- West Indies coach Phil Simmons remain a force in the shortest format, round before losing by six wickets Zadran, Rashid Khan, Samiullah Shen- Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Marlon ning six-wicket win over the English has sounded a warning to opponents, winning the T20 in 2012 and ranked to Sri Lanka. wari, Shafiqullah Shafiq, Shapoor Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Evin Lewis. side. saying he expected Gayle to bat in 15 second in the world. Destructive opener Mohammad Zadran, Usman Ghani Bangladesh duo suspended for illegal action

AFP They were ordered to undergo tests in committee, the statement added. Bang- the Indian city of Chennai to determine if ladesh face an uphill task to make the their actions breached rules designed to semi-finals of the World T20 for the first eradicate chucking. time after losing their opening match to NEW DELHI: Bangladesh’s World “Independent assessments have found Pakistan on Wednesday. Twenty20 hopes were dealt a major the bowling actions of Bangladesh’s Ara- Their next game is against Australia Bangladesh’s World Twenty20 blow on yesterday when Arafat Sunny fat Sunny and Taskin Ahmed to be illegal in Bangalore on Monday while they must hopes were dealt a major and Taskin Ahmed were suspended from and, as such, both the bowlers have been also face New Zealand and India in the blow on yesterday, when bowling for illegal actions, the Interna- suspended from bowling in international group stages. The ICC launched a crack- Arafat Sunny and Taskin tional Cricket Council announced. cricket with immediate effect,” the ICC down against suspect actions in 2014, Ahmed were suspended from Off-spinner Sunny and fast bowler said in a statement. The Bangladeshi team which resulted in several leading bowl- bowling for illegal action, the Ahmed were reported by the umpires would be allowed to call up two replace- ers being suspended, including the world’s ICC announced. during a preliminary World T20 match ments during the tournament subject former number one-ranked spinner Paki- against the Netherlands last week. to approval from the event’s technical stan’s Saeed Ajmal. 38 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 SPORT

WORLD INDOOR ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS Bromell fires Rio warning with M e n 60m final: 1. Trayvon Bromell (USA) 6.47sec 2. Asafa Powell (JAM) 6.50 3. Ramon Gittens (BAR) 6.51 4. Xie Zhenye (CHN) 6.53 5. Su Bingtian (CHN) 6.54 world indoor sprint gold 6. Mike Rodgers (USA) 6.54 7. Marvin Bracy (USA) 6.56 8. Kim Collins (SKN) 6.56

The 20-year-old US Shot put: athlete continues his 1. Tomas Walsh (NZL) 21.78m 2. Andrei Gag (ROM) 20.89 terrific form while 3. Filip Mihaljevic (CRO) 20.87 former fastest man 4. Konrad Bukowiecki (POL) 20.53 in the world Asafa 5. Jonathan Jones (USA) 20.31 6. Germán Lauro (ARG) 20.24 Powel falls behind Hepathlon (after four of seven events) 1. Ashton Eaton (USA) 3,564 points 2. Kurt Felix (GRN) 3501 AFP 3. Oleksiy Kasyanov (UKR) 3420 4. Curis Beach (USA) 3337 5. Adam Sebastian Helcelet (CZE) 3333

PORTLAND: Rising American sprint Women star Trayvon Bromell swept to victory 60m hurdles final: in the men’s 60 metres to cap a day of 1. Nia Ali (USA) 7.81 high drama at the World Indoor Ath- 2. Brianna Rollins (USA) 7.82 letics Championships on Friday. 3. Tiffany Porter (GBR) 7.90 Bromell, who won a bronze 4. Andrea Ivancevic (CRO) 7.95 medal in the 100m at last year’s 5. Angela Whyte (CAN) 7.99 World Championships in Beijing, gave 6. Alina Talay (BLR) 8.00 another demonstration of his talent to come home in 6.47sec, stunning 7. Serita Solomon (GBR) 8.29 pre-race favourite Asafa Powell of The USA’s Trayvon Bromell (right) wins the 8. Kendra Harrison (USA) 8.87 Jamaica. gold in the 60 meters event at the IAAF The 20-year-old, who made World Indoor Athletic Championships Pentathlon worldwide headlines in June last in Portland, Oregon on Friday. The Pre- Final standings: year when he clocked an astonish- race favourite, Asafa Powell of Jamaica 1. Brianne Theisen-Eaton (CAN) 4,881 points ing 9.84sec at the US trials, just edged (centre) was placed second. 2. Anastasiya Mokhnyuk (UKR) 4847 out Powell with Ramon Gittens of Bar- 3. Alina Fyodorova (UKR) 4770 bados third in a photo finish. 4. Barbara Nwaba (USA) 4661 “It was a great race. I know those 5. Györgyi Farkas-Zsivoczky (HUN) 4656 guys are great competitors so I said Bromell’s victory was the final act Barbara Nwaba before powering home Germany’s Kurt Felix (3,501) and Ole- ahead of compatriot Brianna Rollins 6. Kendell Williams (USA) 4586 to myself ‘When I hear the gun go off, of a thrilling first full day of competi- to win in 2min 9.03sec as Mokhnyuk ksiy Kasyanov of Ukraine with 3,420. in 7.82sec. 7. Morgan Lake (GBR) 4499 you got to go, you got to power out,” tion at the Oregon Convention Center. faded badly. Meanwhile, American athletes American-born British runner Tif- 8. Katerina Cachova (CZE) 4403 said Bromell. Earlier the home crowd had wit- The Canadian’s husband - Olym- dominated with gold medals in the fany Porter won bronze. 9. Makeba Alcide (LCA) 4368 “I’m just here to have fun, run my nessed a nerve-jangling finish to the pic and world decathlon champion women’s long jump and women’s 60m New Zealand’s Tom Walsh won 10. Georgia Ellenwood (CAN) 4324 race, run my event as best I can as women’s pentathlon, where Cana- Ashton Eaton - roared support from hurdles. the shot put gold medal after produc- long as I can and have fun with the da’s Brianne Theisen-Eaton snatched inside the track as she came down the Olympic champion Brittney Reese ing a season best throw of 21.78m to Long jump sport.” gold with victory in the final event, the home straight to claim a memorable won the long jump at the death, pro- easily defeat his rivals, none of whom It was an agonizing loss for Jamai- 800m. win before embracing her at the fin- ducing a last-gasp leap of 7.22m to were able to break the 21-meter 1. Brittney Reese (USA) 7.22m can veteran Powell, who had looked Theisen-Eaton’s hopes of winning ish line. overhaul Serbia’s Ivana Spanovic, who barrier. 2. Ivana Spanovic (SRB) 7.07 to be in ominous form after twice a first gold medal in a major cham- Eaton meanwhile remained well- had seemed poised to win gold after Walsh registered four throws 3. Lorraine Ugen (GBR) 6.93 clocking 6.44sec in the early rounds pionship had looked to be over after placed to secure an unprecedented leading with a jump of 7.07m. Britain’s longer than 21m, and saved his best 4. Janay DeLoach Soukup (USA) 6.89 on Friday. she trailed by more than 100 points to hat-trick of indoor gold medals when Lorraine Ugen took bronze with a best for last. 5. Brooke Stratton (AUS) 6.75 “I’m happy with a medal but I’m Ukraine’s Anastasiya Mokhnyuk head- the heptathlon concluded yester- jump of 6.93. “I’d been holding back all day and 4. Janay DeLoach Soukup (USA) 6.89 not overly excited because if I’d run ing into the race. day. The reigning world and Olympic In the 60m hurdles, Nia Ali suc- I just decided to let it go,” said Walsh, 5. Brooke Stratton (AUS) 6.75 a 6.44 in the final I would have won But Theisen-Eaton blasted clear champion leads the heptathlon after cessfully defended her 2014 Indoor the bronze medalist at the 2014 World the gold medal,” Powell told reporters. of the field in a duel with American four events with 3,564 points, ahead of crown with victory in 7.81secs, just Indoors. Serena battles past Radwanska to reach Indian Wells final

Reuters Williams improved to 23-1 at Indian Wells, where she won in 1999 and 2001, before taking a self- imposed 14-year exile from the event INDIAN WELLS: Serena Williams amidst allegations of racial abuse overcame a sluggish start to forge from fans after sister Venus with- past Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 7-6(1) drew minutes before their semi-final and move into the final of the BNP showdown. Paribas Open on Friday. Some 15 years later, she is feel- The world number one, who will ing the love. play Victoria Azarenka for the title, “I had a lot of support, I heard a Spain’s Rafael Nadal hits a return to Kei Nishikori of Japan during was 4-2 down in the opening set and lot of ‘Go Serenas’ and that was kind the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Friday. not moving freely in the semi-final at of cool,” Williams added. Indian Wells. “This year has been great. It feels However, after the American so great to be supported. It’s been a found her rhythm she claimed four great comeback here in Indian Wells, Nadal rolls over Nishikori straight games to take control of the so I’m excited about that.” set, then continued her run in the sec- Williams will play 13th seed and ond to win the opening three games 2012 champion Victoria Azarenka in AFP speculation that he is on a down- before her Polish opponent fought the final after she beat Czech Repub- ward spiral. He has won 14 career back. lic’s Karolina Pliskova 7-6(1) 1-6 6-2 Grand Slam titles but none in the Radwanska displayed the kind of in the other semi-final. past 18 months. tennis that will see her rise to number Despite service troubles, includ- INDIAN WELLS: World number “I feel I am strong mentally and two in the world rankings tomorrow, ing five double faults in the opening five Rafael Nadal survived an early I have the right energy,” Nadal said. rallying to win the next three games set, and a poor second set, Azarenka attack to defeat Japan’s Kei Nishikori “I am able to fight for every ball and to get the set back on serve. found her way past the 18th seed to 6-4, 6-3 and reach the Indian Wells I now believe in myself the whole The Pole even had a chance to give herself a chance at a second title semi-finals on Friday. match.” win just her second career set against of the year and a return to the world’s The swashbuckling Spaniard Nadal had just two aces but Williams when she broke the Amer- top 10. is looking for another stamp in his he took care of his serve Friday ican to lead 6-5, but could not close “It definitely was a tough battle,” championship passport, having by winning 62 percent of his first- out on serve. Azarenka said. already won the joint ATP and WTA serve points. He broke Nishikori four Williams then snuffed out any “I’m glad I stayed strong and Tour hardcourt tournament in 2007, times. hopes Radwanska had of claiming a stayed cool and calm and tried to find 2009 and 2013. He closed out the 93-minute first victory over the American, win- a way in the third set to take control. “I beat a top 10 player and that is match with a forehand down the ning seven straight points to take the something that is important for my line that Nishikori stumbled after tiebreaker 7-1 and improve to 10-0 in WTA-ATP INDIAN WELLS RE- confidence,” Nadal said after the win but came nowhere near getting a their head-to-head battles. SULTS over Nishikori, ranked sixth in the racquet on. “I think it was really good for me world. “He started so quickly,” Nadal to have a match like that and I think Men - Quarter-finals “Tomorrow is another opportu- said of Nishikori. “Then he started that’s the reason ‘Aga’ is doing so well, Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Jo-Wilfried Tsonga nity for me to play against another to miss some of his first serves and because she never gave up,” Williams (FRA x7) 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/2) top player.” I was returning his second serve so told reporters. The Nadal-Nishikori contest well.” “I was up so much in the sec- Rafael Nadal (ESP x4) bt Kei Nishikori (JPN x5) kicked off a star-studded quarter- Nadal improved to 8-1 lifetime ond and she just came back and was 6-4, 6-3 final day at Indian Wells featuring against Nishikori and avenged a loss determined more than ever, so it was Women - Semi-finals four of the world’s top 10 players. in their most recent meeting last year really good to play well against her Serena Williams (USA x1) bt Agnieszka Rad- Nadal next faces world number at Montreal. tonight. wanska (POL x3) 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) one Novak Djokovic who defeated Nadal and Djokovic are nearly “I could have played three sets but Victoria Azarenka (BLR x13) bt Karolina Plisko- Serena Williams of the US reacts after beating Agnieszka Radwanska of France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (7/2), even in their 47 head-to-head meet- I figured I should at least do 1,000 va (CZE x18) 7-6 (7/1), 1-6, 6-2 7-6 (7/2). ings, with the Serb owning a 24-23 percent right now. That’s what I tried Poland in their semi-final round match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis Nadal is also hoping to put to bed edge. to do.” tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA on Friday. SPORT SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016 39 Hamilton on pole as new-look format flops

AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX The reigning world QUALIFYING RESULTS champion eyes a Qualifying Q3: victorious start to 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:23.837 Formula One season 2. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) 1:24.197 Down Under 3. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:24.675 4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:25.033 5. Max Verstappen (NED/Toro Rosso-Ferrari) 1:25.434 AFP 6. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:25.458 7. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso-Ferrari) 1:25.582 8. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull-TAG Heuer) 1:25.589 MELBOURNE: World champion Eliminated in Q2: Lewis Hamilton sped to his 50th career pole position at the Austral- 9. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India-Mercedes) 1:25.753 ian Grand Prix yesterday as Formula 10. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Force India-Mercedes) One’s new-look qualifying format 1:25.865 fizzled out in an embarrassing anti- climax. 11. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams-Mercedes) Hamilton picked up where he left 12. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren-Honda) off in the last championship season 13. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren-Honda) as he destroyed his rivals, including Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, 14. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) to claim pole for today’s race in 15. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Renault) Melbourne. The three-time champion led Eliminated in Q1: almost throughout as he progres- 16. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber-Ferrari) sively improved his lap time over the three qualifying stages to clock a best 17. Felipe Nasr (BRA/Sauber-Ferrari) time of one minute 23.837 seconds. 18. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Red Bull-TAG Heuer) “They were some sexy laps,” Lewis Hamilton takes 19. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) grinned Hamilton afterwards, thank- part in a promotional ing his team for their work on the car. event at the fan zone 20. Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/Haas) before the qualifying He will start inside Rosberg on 21. Rio Haryanto (INA/Manor-Mercedes) the race grid with the Ferrari pair stage yesterday. Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen 22. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Manor-Mercedes) unable to match his scorching pace and both starting off the second row. But the new elimination quali- British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes fying format petered out in the final AMG GP in action during yesterday’s qualifying stage minutes with Vettel, Raikkonen and for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at the Rosberg not bothering to improve F1 qualifying can be changed Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia. The 2016 their times in the final minutes, bring- ing matters to a premature halt. Formula One Grand Prix of Australia will take place Hamilton has registered the fast- today. est times in all three practice sessions for Bahrain, says Ecclestone and qualifying to be the undenia- Kvyat was the first major casualty The last eight for Q3 were Ham- ble favourite for his 44th GP win on of the qualifying shoot-out when he ilton, Rosberg, Vettel, Carlos Sainz, Sunday. missed out in the first cut. Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Max Verstap- Reuters of the championship in Bahrain on and approved by the International The German team has ruled For- “Hard to tell (what happened),” pen and Felipe Massa. Hamilton was April 3, Ecclestone replied “Yes”. Automobile Federation but Ecclestone mula One for two years, winning 32 Kvyat said. “It doesn’t feel great to 0.6sec quicker than Vettel in Q2. “This idea was the (governing) stressed it was not what he had pro- of the 38 races. start the season this way. We have to Vettel briefly led the timesheets FIA’s,” added the 85-year-old, who posed or wanted. Manor Racing’s Pascal Wehrlein learn from today.” but Hamilton quickly reasserted com- LONDON: Formula One needs to is not in Australia for the race. “I had another idea. My idea was was the first man eliminated under Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen in mand, reeling off a lap half-a-second change its new qualifying format “If we can get them to agree to to leave the old qualifying alone and the new knock-out qualifying for- a Renault was the first casualty of quicker than the German with 1:24.133 after it fell flat at yesterday’s Austral- change and we agree to change, whoever won the previous race, or mat, which whittles down the field the second part, followed by Jolyon and then scorching to his 1:23.837. ian season-opener and tweaks can be we can change it. Or if we get all finished second or third down to 10th, at 90-second intervals. Palmer, his English team-mate and Ricciardo was the first driver made before the next race in Bahrain, the teams to agree with us, we can would have time added to their qual- He was next followed by his Indo- F1 rookie. knocked out in Q3, followed by Toro according to the sport’s commercial change it.” ifying time,” he said. nesian team-mate Rio Haryanto, who McLaren Honda’s Jenson But- Rosso’s Carlos Sainz, Felipe Massa supremo Bernie Ecclestone. Ecclestone caused a furore before “You just add the times on. Qual- went into qualifying with a three- ton didn’t even try to improve on his in his Williams and Dutch youngster The new format, based on rac- the season started by saying Formula ifying would stay as it was in the old place grid penalty for his pit lane lap time and was already out of his Max Verstappen in the other Toro ers being progressively eliminated One was the worst it had ever been, days, which is what I’d like...and it crash in final practice. McLaren as the clock ticked down, Rosso, leaving Mercedes and Ferrari during the sessions rather than at comments that earned him a rebuke would have changed the grid com- Hamilton went quicker, clocking as he was knocked out along with to fight it out. But Ferrari duo Vettel the end of each, was intended to add from Daimler chief executive Dieter pletely so at least for two thirds of the 1:25.351 -- nearly a second faster than his team-mate and two-time world and Raikkonen stayed in the garage excitement but instead took away any Zetsche, whose Mercedes team are race you’d get a lot of racing.” last year’s pole time -- to clinch his champion Fernando Alonso. along with Rosberg, resigned to the suspense with no cars on track in favourites to dominate for a third suc- Ecclestone said the first phase of place in the second phase of qualify- Red Bull’s Australian racer Dan- fact that they couldn’t better Hamil- the final minutes. Asked by Reuters cessive season. the new qualifying had worked, with ing as the field began to thin. iel Ricciardo fought off an imminent ton and creating the awkward early whether the format should and could The new qualifying format was plenty of activity unlike in the past, Red Bull’s Russian driver Daniil threat to stay in contention for Q3. finish. be changed before the second round agreed unanimously by the 11 teams but the last part had not. Kim Sei-Young grabs Day takes lead LPGA lead in Phoenix at Bay Hill

AFP the par-5 sixth. AFP Then he closed out the round GOLF: LPGA FOUNDERS by banging in a 36-foot birdie putt CUP at the ninth. MIAMI: Australia’s Jason Day fired “My goal was to be patient out LOS ANGELES: South Korean Kim the 36-hole lead five times in her a bogey-free seven-under par 65 on there but still aggressive with the Sei Young had two eagles in a six- career, going on to win three of those Friday to take a two-shot lead over lines I was taking,” Day said. under par 66 on Friday to grab a events in 2015. Henrik Stenson after two rounds “Today I hit some phenomenal two-stroke lead over American Brit- Lang teed off on 10 and took sole of the Arnold Palmer Invitational drives to set up some great irons tany Lang at the LPGA Founders Cup possession of the lead at 14-under at Bay Hill. into the greens. Played the par-5s in Phoenix, Arizona. par with her fourth birdie of the day, Last year’s PGA Championship great and his a couple huge bombs Kim and Lang, who had dueled at the par-four third hole. winner has his eyes firmly set on out there.” for the lead early on Thursday, again She gave a shot back with her back-to-back major titles with the Stenson was eight adrift when found themselves battling in the sec- only bogey of the day at the sev- Masters looming in three weeks at he teed off later in the day, but ond round, trading the lead before enth, finishing with a 68 that left Augusta National. climbed p the leaderboard with Kim emerged in front with a 36-hole her on 131. World number three Day bird- a 66. total of 15-under 129. “I hit a ton of good shots,” Lang ied three par-5 holes and followed “It’s motivating,” Stenson said It was Kim’s second eagle of the said. “It was tough with the wind at up his opening 66, which put him of starting so far back. “You can’t day, at the par-five 15th, that put her times. The key was just patience, one stroke ahead when the round let it be frustrating that you’re eight in front for good. knocking a few in there and getting began, with another impressive shots back. Her second shot with a five-iron some confidence early.” round at the Orlando layout leaving “He played great, and you’ve was on line all the way, leaving her American Jacqui Concolino and him on 13-under 131 for 36 holes. just got to go and do the same, and with a seven-footer for the eagle. Italy’s Giulia Sergas shared third on “It’s great to be there,” said Day, I managed to do that,” added Sten- “I feel not bad because, before 132. Concolino carded a 64 and Ser- who led by five strokes when he son, who made five of his seven the first round, I was like uncomfort- gas signed for a 68. finished his round. “Definitely way birdies on the back nine. able because I couldn’t trust myself,” They were one stroke in front of above average. I had it on a string England’s Justin Rose also said Kim, who also had three bird- South Korean Ji Eun-Hee (67) and around here the past two days. I’m signed for a 66 that left him three ies and a bogey. “After this round, I American Gerina Piller (68). very happy with the way I’ve gotten shots back on 134. got confidence.” First round leader Lee Mi-Hyang around this course.” After a rollercoaster first round Kim had reason to feel good who scorched the Wildfire Golf Club Day, who began his round off that included two eagles and a dou- about her game after opening with a course with a 10-under par 62 on the 10th tee, sank a two-foot birdie ble-bogey, Rose was pleased to birdie then rolling in a 25-foot eagle Thursday, couldn’t keep up the tor- putt at the par-5 12th, tapped in for notch six birdies without a bogey. at the second hole. rid pace and signed for a three-over birdie at the par-5 16th after miss- “Yesterday was a colorful “Hole two, I got the second shot par 75. That left her in a group of 15 ing a 17-foot eagle bid and dropped scorecard,” Rose said. “Today, a 200 to the pin. I pick up the five- players sharing 25th on 137 that also a 37-foot birdie putt at the par-3 little bit more solid.” wood, try the shot because it’s included world number one Lydia Ko 17th. Day, Stenson and Rose will downwind. I have to make it stay in of New Zealand and South Korean The Aussie dropped his tee off together on Saturday as Jason Day of Australia hits his tee shot on the third hole during the third the bowl because the greens are very great Pak Se-Ri -- who said on approach inches from the cup to organizers send the field off in firm. So it was good work,” she said. Thursday that 2016 would be her round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard at Bay set up a birdie at the fourth, sank a threesomes from both the first Kim has held at least a share of last competitive season. Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida yesterday. 12-foot birdie putt at the fifth and and 10th tees in an effort to beat added a three-footer for birdie at expected inclement weather. 40 SUNDAY 20 MARCH 2016

A minute’s silence in memory of Tunisian rider Gattouchi QMMF Racing Team hard at work without rewards

The Peninsula Out rhythm was in fact slower than yesterday.” “Now we have to analyze carefully what we have tried DOHA: QMMF Racing Team so far in order to put the best riders Julian Simon and Xavier possible package together for Simeon and their crews put in qualifying, so we can return to a hard day of work for the sec- good lap times, go at least as ond practice of the Qatar Grand fast as we did during the tests Prix, but didn’t get rewarded here last weekend and fight for with better lap times. a position within the front run- Saud Al Attiyah, Chairman of Losail Circuit Sports Club, Vito Ippolito, FIM President, Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna Chairman, Abdulrahman Abdulatif Al Simon took his chances ners in the race.” Mannai, QMMF President, Qatari riders, QMMF Racing Team staff and other officials observe a minute’s silence in memory of Tunisian rider Taoufik with a radically different set- “We worked at our max- Gattouchi who died following injuries he suffered after a deadly crash during the Pre Practice Sessions on Friday night. Gattouchi was involved in a up of his Speed Up prototype, imum, but we didn’t take the multi-rider accident at the Losail International Circuit during the Pre Practice Sessions of a supporting event of the 2016 MotoGP World Championship. only to learn that the changes best of all decisions with didn’t improve his speed. The today’s set-up. We will try Spaniard and his ream will again tomorrow,” he added. now analyze all the set-up Xavier Simeon who fin- changes carried out so far in ished 25th in 2.00,742, said: the Qatar test and in Grand “I am very disappointed Prix practice in order to come with today’s result, because up with the best possible solu- I was hoping to make a big Star Lorenzo grabs season’s tion for the crucial qualifying improvement and it didn’t session yesterday. happen. We didn’t improve Simeon continued to strug- our lap times and this means gle to find the right feeling for that we are very far from the his bike with new tyres. Even top.” though his lap times with used “We put new tyres in and first pole under lights tyres were fairly competitive, still had our usual problem. he will try again tomorrow to With used tyre, my lap time find a way to get the maximum was not so bad, but not good Team), Spain’s Dani Pedrosa (Respsol out of his bike for one hot qual- enough to score a good result. Honda Team), compatriot Hector Bar- ifying lap. One day things are good, the Defending MotoGP bera (Avintia Racing), Pol Espargaro Tunisian rider dies after crash Julian Simon who fin- other day they aren’t and we champion a step ahead (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Britain’s ished in 23rd positions, said: need to understand why.” Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) completed The Peninsula ‘track-side medical care’ “To tell the truth, we ran into “We have to stay focused of others who fill up a the top-10 grid positions. before being airlifted to a few problems today. We and we have to continue to star-studded line-up British Bradley Smith (Monster Hamad Medical Corpora- tried a completely different believe that we can improve. Yamaha Tech) and Scott Redding (OCTO DOHA: Tunisian rider tion (HMC), the statement set-up, with major changes We will try other things tomor- at today’s racing Pramac Yakhnich) rounded up the last Taoufik Gattouchi (pic- released by Losail Circuit to the rear of the bike, but it row and hope to get a little extravaganza two positions in the qualifying for top tured) died following a Sports Club (LCSC) said. turned out that we couldn’t more towards the front before 12 riders who had lined up for action in multi-bike crash during The unfortunate crash improve our lap times at all. the race starts,” he said. what was the second qualifying of the a support race at the sea- took place on Friday night, night. son’s opening round of the the first day of official free “I am happy to start the champion- MotoGP World Champion- practice in MotoGP, Moto2 The Peninsula ship in pole position. I’m glad to be the ship, organisers said yesterday. and Moto3 sessions held under lights man with the most pole positions in the The crash took place on turn 3 dur- at Losail International Circuit. history of the championship. The com- ing lap 10 of the 15-lap of the Losail “Following an incident during this petition has been running for so many 600 Cup, a support event for amateur evening´s (18th March) Losail 600 Cup DOHA: Defending world champion years so it’s a great feeling,” Lorenzo riders, a statement released by organ- support race at the Losail International Jorge Lorenzo last night underlined his after qualifying yesterday. isers said. Circuit, it is with great sadness that we intentions in 2016 by grabbing the pole Second-placed Marquez said: “The The race was immediately ‘red have to report the passing of Tunisian position ahead of today’s first Grand Prix funny thing is that I didn’t see the flag flagged’ following the crash. rider Taoufik Gattouchi,” a statement of the season. in the last lap. I did one more lap at 100 The 49-year-old was given released yesterday said. The Movistar Yamaha giant powered percent and I thought I got the pole posi- his Yamaha bike with purpose with seal tion. But that lap wasn’t within the time. the top position on the grid at the Grand I am happy with the result and the bike.” bike. Today Lowes will be looking to add practice with his new team. But when it Prix of Qatar, the season’s first race. Vinales, who will also start from the to his five previous podium finishes in mattered the Italian was able to produce Clocking a top speed of 333.1km/h, front grid, said: “I am going to try to do the intermediate class. Throughout the a 1’59.509 and end 0.457s back on pole. Lorenzo posted a time of 1’54.543 to seal well in the race. We know it’s going to be weekend Lowes has been quick over mul- Earlier in Moto3 class, Italian rider his pole position under lights. difficult. I am feeling good on the bike tiple laps as well as one offs, frequently Romano Fennati of Sky Racing Team It is Lorenzo’s 36th pole in MotoGP and I also believe that I can go down in setting his best times at the end of longer VR46 powered to the season’s first pole class and 62nd overall. the lap time. I will try my best to get a runs. Completing the front row is Alex position, finishing ahead of Belgium’s Arch-rival Marc Marquez, the Repsol good result in the race.” Rins (Paginas Amarillas HP 40), setting Livio Loi (RW Racing GP BV). Honda Team star, finished 0.091 seconds Earlier in qualifying 1, Crutchlow a 1’59.354 on his third lap. Fennati clocked a time of 2’06.131 in slower than Lorenzo to take the second and Smith topped the charts to book The Spaniard was unable to improve the dying seconds of the 11th and final spot on the front grid. their berths in final qualifying ahead of after he suffered a bike crunching crash lap around the 5.38km Losail Interna- Exhibiting good form throughout the today’s Grand Prix of Qatar. at Turn 2, his Kalex tumbling through the tional Circuit. week so far, Maverick Vinales completed Crutchlow clocked a time of 1’55.291 gravel after losing the front. It was just the second pole of his long the Spanish 1-2-3 by grabbing the third to finish ahead of Smith who was just His team worked feverishly to repair career in the lightweight class. Fenna- spot for Team Suzuki Ecstar. Vinales is 0.199 seconds slower. the bike, sending him back out with just ti’s first pole came at the Japanese GP in Valentino Rossi of Movistar Yamaha MotoGP in action just 0.095 seconds slower than Lorenzo. Earlier in Moto2, Germany’s Jonas five minutes remaining. 2015 where he finished 28th in the race. during the qualifying stage of the Qatar Grand Prix Italian Andrea Iannone (Ducati Folger grabbed the pole position with a Reigning Moto2 World Champion, Reaching a top speed of 224.1km/h, yesterday, at the Losail International Circuit in Doha. Team) was fourth fastest on the night, new record time of 1’59.052. Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) wrestled Fennati clearly looked in command as clocking a time of 1’54.693 on his Ducati. The Dynavolt Intact GP rider was one his way up to fourth on his last lap, only he completed his 11 laps. Iannone was 0.150 seconds behind 12 names to finish below the 2-minute 0.065s off a front row start. Loi, riding for RW Racing GP BV, pro- Lorenzo. mark in the Moto2 qualifying. No defending Moto2 champion has duced his best time of 2’06.178 on his Nine-time world champion Val- Folger’s previous pole came at the ever taken victory in the opening race of 12th lap from a session of 15 laps. Rossi, Yamaha confirm entino Rossi - who signed a two-year French GP in 2014, starting on the front the year, the Frenchman aims to change South Africa’s Brad Binder (Red Bull extension with Yamaha earlier yester- row a further three times in 2015. that today. KTM Ajo) powered his KTM bike to third day - completed the top-5 with a time Britain’s Sam Lowes - who rides Fifth was Franco Morbidelli (Estrella spot on the grid with a time of 2’06.245 2-year contract extension of 1’54.815. for Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 - finished Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS), the Italian ini- registered on the 12th lap. Binder was Italian Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati 0.072s behind the German on his Kalex tially struggling during testing and just 0.067 seconds slower than Fennati. The Peninsula and the following seasons. “I am very happy to announce that COMMERCIAL BANK GRAND PRIX OF QATAR Yamaha and I have extended our contract and will continue MotoGP Qualifying Nr. 2 Classification DOHA: Yamaha will continue working together in MotoGP its relationship with nine-time for the next two years,” Rossi 1: Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 1’54.543 World Champion Valentino said in a statement released 2: Marc Marquez (SPA) Repsol Honda Team +0.091 Rossi, it was announced yes- yesterday. 3: Maverick VIñales (SPA) Team SUZUKI ECSTAR +0.095 terday. “I am very satisfied with 4: Andrea Iannone (ITA) Ducati Team +0.150 Rossi, 37, will remain a part this decision, because it has 5: Valentino Rossi (ITA) Movistar Yamaha MotoGP +0.272 of the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP always been my plan to com- 6: Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Ducati Team +0.420 team‘s rider line-up for the pete in motor sports for as long 7: Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team +0.535 MotoGP World Championship as I can be competitive and find 8: Hector Barbera (SPA) Avintia Racing +0.622 season of 2017 and 2018, details it enjoyable at the same time,” 9: Pol Espargaro (SPA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 +0.759 showed yesterday. the Italian added. 10: Cal Crutchlow (GBR) LCR Honda +0.809 Rossi has had a very spe- “Ever since I returned to 11: Bradley Smith (GBR) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 +0.871 cial bond with his beloved Yamaha in 2013 I have felt like I 12: Scott Redding (GBR) OCTO Pramac Yakhnich +0.965 YZR-M1 starting from his first am home again and this showed race with Yamaha at Welkom in the results. I get great enjoy- Moto2 Qualifying Classification Circuit, South Africa, in 2004, ment out of working with my 1: Jonas Folger (GER) Dynavolt Intact GP 1’59.052 which ended in an iconic win. crew and the rest of the Movis- 2: Sam Lowes (GBR) Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 +0.072 The combination of ’the tar Yamaha MotoGP team. 3: Alex Rins (SPA) Paginas Amarillas HP 40 +0.302 Doctor‘ and the YZR-M1 has “Their support for me has gone from strength to strength known no limit and I want to 4: Johann Zarco (FRA) Ajo Motorsport +0.367 since and together they secured thank them sincerely for that. 5: Franco Morbidelli (ITA) Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS +0.457 four titles and 53 Grand Prix I‘m feeling greatly motivated to wins over 10 seasons. keep riding my YZR-M1 for the Moto3 Qualifying Classification With 15 brilliant podiums best results possible, this year 1: Romano Fenati (ITA) SKY Racing Team VR46 2’06.131 and four strong Grad Prix vic- and the following two seasons. 2: Livio LOI (BEL) RW Racing GP BV +0.047 tories in the last year, Yamaha “I also want to say a big 3: Brad BInder (RSA) Red Bull KTM Ajo +0.114 is confident in their partner- ‘Thank You’ to my fans, who are 4: Fabio Quartararo (FRA) Leopard Racing +0.268 ship with Italian star Rossi and always behind me every step of Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo of Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team (right) steers his bike during the 5: Jorge Navarro (SPA) Estrella Galicia 0,0 +0.317 looks forward to being a seri- the way, making the races extra qualifying stage of the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix yesterday at the Losail International Circuit. ous title contender for 2016 special,” he said.