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Friday 24 March 2017 | 25 Jumada II 1438 www.thepeninsulaqatar.qa Volume 22 | Number 7110 | 2 Riyals

Emir condoles with Concern over UK Queen and PM QNA

EMIR H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad new food Al Thani yesterday sent a cable of condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Theresa May on the victims of the attack which took place labelling rule near the British Parliament, wishing speedy recovery to the injured. The Emir expressed his strong con- Huda N V demnation over this criminal act, The Peninsula Arabic nutrition stressing the State of Qatar's solidarity with the friendly United Kingdom in everal importers and labelling was made the face of extremism and terrorism. retailers say they find compulsory recently The Deputy Emir H H Sheikh it hard to comply with for imported food Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and recent rules related to Prime Minister and Interior Minister Arabic labelling for items. Under the Police boats patrol the river Thames near the Houses of Parliament in London, yesterday. H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Simported food products and new labelling Eight people have been arrested in London and Birmingham over the terror attack at Khalifa Al Thani have also sent sim- have sought a relaxation. the British parliament. ilar condolences. Arabic nutrition labelling system, each was made compulsory recently dietary elements for imported food items. Under in the food item the new labelling system, each IS claims responsibility for London attack dietary elements in the food should be specified item should be specified along along with the with the calories in Arabic lan- calories in Arabic London assault including grievous bod- garden," Iwona Romek, a former he tried to drive into a crowd at guage. This is intended to help AFP ily harm, possession of offensive neighbour of his told the Birming- high speed in a shopping area in consumers choose food based language. weapons and public order ham Mail. Masood was named the port city of Antwerp. on the contents, dietary needs ritish police yesterday offences ranging from 1983 to after armed police arrested eight That was the third incident and calculate the calories. Qatar, since the market here is identified the man who 2003. However, it said Masood people in raids in London and Bir- in a week in Europe after Lon- Some of the retail chains not that big,” manager of a Bkilled three people in a had never been convicted of any mingham in central England, an don and a weekend attack at revealed to The Peninsula that leading regional retail group rampage outside parliament as terrorism offences. area where he had lived. Paris's Orly airport, and came a they had to stop import of var- told The Peninsula. a 52-year-old with a string of "(He) was not the subject of A defiant Prime Minister day after the first anniversary of ious products due to mandatory “Earlier the authorities had convictions but none for terror any investigations and there was Theresa May told parliament the Brussels suicide bombings nutrition facts labelling in Ara- made it mandatory to have an offences. no prior intelligence about his that Britain would not be cowed that killed 32 people and were bic language. Many products Arabic ingredients list printed The Islamic State (IS) group intent to mount a terrorist by the attack. "An act of terror- also claimed by IS. are reportedly held up at ports on food products. We complied claimed the assailant behind the attack". Some media said ism tried to silence our Hundreds of extra police as requirements are not met. to that and started sticking deadliest attack on British soil in Masood, reportedly a married democracy," May told a packed were on patrol in London as “Many of the products printed list as per requirement. 12 years was one of its "soldiers" father-of-three, was believed to House of Commons, which stood officers worked around the clock imported from the Europe and Now with the Arabic nutrition acting on a call to target coun- have worked as an English for a minute's silence in remem- to piece together what happened US have nutrition labels on label made necessary, it would tries in the US-led coalition teacher and had given that as his brance of the victims. "We are not in the deadliest attack in Britain them, however, they are usu- mean more than one sticker on fighting the jihadists. occupation when he rented the afraid and our resolve will never since four suicide bombers killed ally in English. They cannot one piece of a product,” he Police named him as Eng- car used in Wednesday's bloody waver in the face of terrorism." 52 people on the city's transport print Arabic nutrition labels on added. lish-born Khalid Masood and rampage. "He was a nice guy. I Just hours after she spoke, system in July 2005. their product covers, just for → Continued on page 2 said he had convictions for used to see him outside doing his Belgian police arrested a man as → See also page 7

Citizens urged Anti-IS offensive Syria peace talks to abide by US travel rules restart in Geneva Geneva told reporters after his meeting THE official source at the AFP with Syrian President Bashar al- Department of Consular Assad's representatives. Affairs at the Ministry of For- N-backed Syria peace "We hope we will be start- eign Affairs urged Qatari talks resumed in Geneva ing substantive discussions citizens travelling to the United Uyesterday, with little tomorrow." Ramzy's boss, UN States who are carrying lap- hope of a breakthrough and the mediator Staffan de Mistura, tops, tablets, cameras, DVD emboldened regime seen as was wrapping up a diplomatic players and electronic games unlikely to make concessions. tour of the key powers shaping devices must keep them in UN deputy special envoy the conflict, which included their luggage in order to avoid Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy met sep- trips to Moscow, Riyadh and any consequences at airports. arately with government Ankara. De Mistura is due back US authorities have banned negotiators and the main oppo- in Geneva on Thursday evening electronic devices from A view of the destroyed street as the Iraqi counter-terrorism unit advances towards the sition High Negotiations to take charge of the negotia- cabin baggage, which they Yabasat neighbourhood during their ongoing offensive to push Islamic State (IS) militants Committee (HNC) at hotels in the tions which have yielded little can be shipped with luggage, out of Mosul, yesterday. Swiss city. "We have started in four previous rounds. said the statement. Mobile today preliminary talks," Ramzy → See also page 3 phones and medical devices are permitted, the source added. Rain and thunder QTA grants licences to hold 75 exhibitions forecast today Raynald C Rivera Sector Strategy to attract triple the number organise and deliver quality exhibitions THE Meteorology Depart- The Peninsula of business events tourists coming to the and events. In 2015, QTA launched Qatar ment has forecast thundery country by 2030,” said Ahmed Al Obaidli, Business Events sub-brand to promote rains today associated with he Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) Director of Exhibitions at Qatar Tourism the country as a leading destination for strong winds. A cloudy has granted licences this year for 75 Authority (QTA). business meetings, events and weather is forecast, with Texhibitions and this number may Speaking at a press conference to exhibitions. chances of scattered rains, still increase with the country's thrust on reveal the details of the upcoming Qatar “As Qatar’s Business Events Sector has thundery at times, accord- business events as a core tourism sub- Motor Show, Al Obaidli underlined the developed over the years, we have ing to the daily weather sector, a senior official of Qatar Tourism importance of the business events sector worked tirelessly with our partners in the chart issued by the Depart- Authority (QTA) has said. saying it has contributed 5.3% to Qatar’s private sector to provide the latest, most ment yesterday. “The Business Events Sector forms an non-hydrocarbon GDP. exciting and engaging experiences to Temperature in Doha would important part in growing the country’s QTA has been working to facilitate the Qatar’s residents and visitors,” said Al hover between 21 and 25 economy and has been identified as a pri- growth of business events in Qatar by Obaidli. Ahmed Al Obaidli during the press degrees Celsius. ority pillar in the Qatar National Tourism working with the private sector to → Continued on page 2 conference. Pic: Abdul Basit/The Peninsula 02 HOME FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017 Emir greets President of Pakistan

QNA

mir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Esent yesterday a cable of congratulations to Presi- dent of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain, on his country's National Day. Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani also sent a similar cable. Qatar slams H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hammadi (left), Minister of Education and Higher Education, and Secretary-General of Qatar's Foreign Ministry, Dr Ahmad bin Hassan Al Hamadi (third left), cutting the Sinai blast cake with Shahzad Ahmad, Ambassador of Pakistan, at a reception for Pakistan National Day at The Ritz- Carlton on Wednesday evening. Ibrahim Fakhroo, Director of Protocol at the Foreign Ministry, is also seen. QNA RIGHT: The Pakistani envoy hoisting the National Flag at the Embassy premises. Pics: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula atar yesterday expressed its strong Qcondemnation and denunciation over the explo- Pakistan Embassy marks National Day sion which took place in the middle of the Sinai Peninsula, killing a number of Egyptian Amna Pervaiz Rao Flag hoisted National Day messages from their objective within a short Wahed Ali Al Hammadi, and Sec- officers and soldiers. The Peninsula Pakistani President Mamnoon span of seven years," said the retary General at the Foreign In a statement yesterday, Shahzad Ahmad, Hussain and Prime Minister President. Ministry, Dr Ahmad Hassan Al the Ministry of Foreign Affairs akistani expatriates Pakistani Nawaz Sharif. The guests were “Let us express our firm Hamadi were also present. reaffirmed Qatar's firm stance living in Qatar cele- Ambassador to later treated to a traditional resolve to continue nourishing The ceremony began with rejecting violence and terror- brated their country’s Qatar, hoisted the Pakistani breakfast. the legacy and heritage the National Anthems of Qatar ism regardless of the motives 77th National Day yes- National Flag at the The President in his message bequeathed to us by our found- and Pakistan. It was followed by or reasons. terday. The highlight embassy premises acknowledged the formidable ing fathers and by following in a brief speech by Pakistani Pof the day was a flag-hoisting yesterday. threats and challenges faced by their footsteps make our coun- Ambassador Shahzad Ahmad ceremony at the Pakistani the country and reiterated the try a cradle of peace, progress who welcomed the guests and NAMA joins Embassy and a grand reception nation’s resolve to never give in. and stability,” he added. highlighted the historical signif- hosted by the embassy at The Pakistanis expressed “On this day, seventy seven years Pakistan Embassy hosted a icance of March 23. Ritz-Carlton. their solidarity and ago, the Muslims of the subcon- grand reception to mark the During his speech, he partic- Agriteq 2017 With the national anthem love for their tinent through their collective National Day on Wednesday ularly thanked Emir H H Sheikh playing in the backdrop, Shah- homeland. will expressed unshakeable evening. The reception was Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for The Peninsula zad Ahmad, Pakistani resolve to carve out a separate attended by a large number of providing an excellent atmos- Ambassador to Qatar, hoisted the National Day all over the world homeland for themselves Qatari dignitaries, members of phere to the diplomatic staff AMA Center is partic- National Flag at the embassy on March 23. On the occasion, wherein they could fashion their the Diplomatic Corps and prom- from Pakistan to enable them to ipating in ‘Agriteq premises early in the morning in Pakistanis expressed their soli- lives in accordance with their inent Pakistani expatriates. perform their duties with dignity. N2017’. It presented the presence of dozens of com- darity and love for their own tradition, values and cul- Minister of Justice H E Dr A cake-cutting ceremony fol- three projects run by youth munity members. homeland. ture. Through their indefatigable Hassan Lahdan Saqr Al Mohan- lowed the speech. and exhibited their prod- Pakistani embassies and After the flag hoisting, Sadia struggle, unparalleled commit- nadi was the chief guest. Minister The guests were treated to a ucts— perfume, spices, Pakistan cultural and commu- Gohar, Head of Chancery at ment and with the blessings of of Education and Higher Educa- host of traditional Pakistani cheese, and other food items. nity organisations celebrate Pakistan Embassy, read out the Allah Almighty they achieved tion H E Dr Mohammed Abdul dishes.

Qatar teams Al Muraikhi in Belgium Arabic labelling tedious top Arab Open Robotics for retail outlets

Continued from page 1 Championship here. But it is a tedious task,” he Retailers point out that said. Authorities had stressed The Peninsula many companies would not that food consignments that do disrupt their production line not meet the requirements atar teams have topped for a small market. However, would be cleared from ports the overall champion- if the requirement was made after the required labelling con- Qship at the 10th Arab for the whole region, compa- ditions are fulfilled by the Open Robotics Championship nies would also be forced to importers. which took place in Doha comply with the requirements. “There would be some 10 to between March 19 and 21 with As of now, no other GCC coun- 25 individual product in a car- contestants from 12 Arab try has made the Arabic ton. Each consignment would countries. nutrition labelling mandatory, have many more such cartons. Qatari teams occupied they say. So if we are doing it here, we advanced positions in the six “Since Qatar market is will need extra man power and areas of competition where small, most of the companies work time allocation,” lamented the Qatari Smart Robotics cannot interrupt the production the official. team was placed in the sec- line. If it was a requirement of Another retail chain repre- ond position in the FLL and all the GCC countries, they sentative also stressed that the the Jordanian team Robo would have lent in,” said an products which do not meet the Stars in the first place and official at one of the oldest requirements, even if cleared Machine Masters team from Qatar-based retail chains. from the ports cannot be sold the UAE in the third place. “In fact, as it became diffi- here. Fawzia Abdulaziz Al Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met yesterday with Dirk cult to get clearance from the “Even if the authorities Khater, Assistant Undersec- Achten, Secretary-General, Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during his visit to Belgium. ports, we had to stop import of release the product based on retary for Educational Affairs The Minister also met Vice-President of the European Parliament, Ryszard Czarnecki. many assorted products, some conditions, to sell them at the Ministry of Education including frozen foods, juice we need to place the required and Higher Education con- and other items. Officials had labels and meet the specifica- gratulated the winners for the informed that we could put the tions,” said head of buying of a outstanding performance. sticker once the product arrives major retail group here. Addressing the closing ceremony at Qatar National UN official praises Qatar Convention Center on Wednesday, Al Khater said Qatari teams have shown Qatar Motor Show from April 18 excellent performance in all for supporting refugees Continued from page 1 categories. Artificial intelli- gence is one of the latest Al Obaidli expressed an optimistic outlook for the future of the disciplines that being taught Sharjah refugees in the Arab region and asylum. He pointed out that the sector with the increase in the number of exhibitions. in developed countries and QNA abroad. GCC countries are among the Qatar has made tourism as a priority industry with its many Qatar has paid much attention The UNHCR official told countries, which support the ref- contributions to the economy including on economic diversifica- to this field in terms of curric- he United Nations High Qatar News Agency on the side- ugees and are ranked among the tion, job creation, and stimulating various industries. ulum and providing with Commissioner for Refu- lines of the International top 20 donor countries in the Organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Fira Qatar, necessary support for estab- Tgees (UNHCR) Regional Government Communication world, noting in this regard the Qatar Motor Show will be held from April 18 to 22 at the Doha lishing laboratories at Representative to the GCC Forum which concluded in growing cooperation with the Exhibition and Convention Center featuring more than 20 exhib- Independent schools, said Al Countries, Khaled Khalifa yes- Sharjah yesterday that Qatar is UN organisations recently to itors including some of the leading international automotive brands Khater. terday said the government of distinguished by an on-the- meet challenges. Kuwait has that will exhibit top sports, luxury and mid-range automotive mod- Arab youth have proved Qatar is one of the largest donor ground presence of a large hosted three conferences to sup- els. “Organising events such as QMS in partnership with the private their innovative abilities in area governments, which cooperates number of its non-governmen- port Syria, which raised nearly sector is part of Qatar Tourism Authority’s strategy to develop of artificial intelligence, said with international institutions tal organisations in terms of $7bn, he said, adding that the home-grown expos that attract international visitors, and that Mariam Al Awadi, Chairperson and international organisations number and quality of perform- United Arab Emirates plays a cultivate home-grown talent capable of hosting large-scale events,” of the Organizing Committee. providing relief and support for ance in various countries of pioneering role in this field. said Al Obaidli. FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017 MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA 03

Bahrain sentences UN: 400,000 three to death on terror charges

DUBAI: A Bahrain court sen- trapped in west tenced three people to death and 14 others to lengthy prison terms on charges they estab- lished a terrorist cell with the Mosul's old city intent of killing policemen, Al Wasat, an independent Bah- raini news website, reported Geneva Under siege yesterday. Also yesterday, AFP AFP reported that a former pho- Around 600,000 tographer for the news bout 600,000 peo- people, including agency was released in Bah- ple remain in the 400,000 who are rain after being held for more areas of west Mosul "trapped" in the Old than 24 hours. AFP said held by the Islamic City under siege-like Mohammed Al Shaikh is not State (IS) group, conditions, remained facing charges, but that he includingA 400,000 who are in the 60 percent of was being held for his work "trapped" in the Old City under west Mosul still under for the news agency. It says Civilians fleeing the city of Mosul sit under the rain yesterday as Iraqi forces advance in their siege-like conditions, the UN IS control, says Bruno the government declined to said yesterday. massive operation to retake the second city from the Islamic State group. renew his press credentials Geddo, who "They are desperate for food. in August. Al Shaikh was represents the UN They are panicked," Bruno from IS fighters in the west of the under IS control, but that number remaining and facing hunger and taken into custody at Bahrain Geddo, who represents the UN refugee agency in city after taking back the east. was constantly changing as peo- possible death, or risk shelling International Airport on refugee agency in Iraq, told Iraq. IS overran large areas north ple fled. and sniper fire to leave. Wednesday, following a trip reporters in Geneva by phone and west of Baghdad in 2014, but So far, about 153,000 people Geddo said an increasing abroad. from a transit centre for dis- because it is still raining heavily Iraqi forces have since regained have fled western Mosul since number were leaving, with many placed people near Mosul. and the temperatures at night in much of the territory they lost. February 19, he said. telling UNHCR staff on the out- 10 soldiers dead He said people arriving at the particular drop significantly," he The Iraqis recaptured its He said between 8,000 and side that they prefered "to take Hammam Al Alil transit centre said. eastern sector and launched a 12,000 people were arriving at the risk of dying while I stand a in Sinai bombings about 20km south of Iraq's sec- "It is very, very limited what major operation to recapture the transit centre each day, many chance to be free and safe again ond largest city described the they can eat," he said, adding west Mosul — the most-popu- malnourished. with my family." CAIRO: Ten Egyptian soldiers desperate situation they left that people were surviving pri- lated urban area still held by IS Medical charity Doctors Since October, around were killed in two roadside behind. marily on a little bread and — on February 19. Without Borders also reported 340,000 people have fled all bombings as they clashed "There is a shortage of fuel, water, and many were eating just They have retaken a series that it treated children for parts of Mosul, but 70,000 have with Islamic State group of food, of electricity. People once a day. His comments came of neighbourhoods from the "severe malnutrition" after they returned to the eastern part of jihadists in the Sinai Penin- have resorted to burning furni- as Iraqi forces, which launched jihadists. Geddo said around escaped from Mosul. the city, leaving about 270,000 sula, the military said ture, old clothes, anything they a massive operation to retake 600,000 people remained in the Those stuck in the Old City displaced, according to UNHCR yesterday. Fifteen jihadists can use to keep warm at night, Mosul in October, gain ground 60 percent of west Mosul still had to choose between figures. were also killed in the fight- ing, the military said in a statement, without saying when the incidents took place. The military said the Syrian troops besiege IS stronghold in Aleppo clashes broke out when sol- diers raided "an extremely dangerous" jihadist hideout. Beirut strategic IS-held town of Tabqa with military advisers form the power to the area and a military Deir Hafer with Raqqa It said soldiers found a cache AP in Raqqa province, which bor- US-led coalition, landed Tues- airfield nearby. province. of explosives and bombs ders Aleppo. day night in the near Tabqa The SDF statement said the The Observatory also ready for use as well as gre- yrian government forces are That airlift marked a deep- with their equipment and vehi- aim of the operation is to cap- reported intense clashes in the nades and ammunition. besieging the last Islamic ening US involvement in Syria's cles, and have already secured ture the town, its dam and the central province of Hama, where SState stronghold in the conflict ahead of a looming bat- a wide area. power stations. It called on all insurgent groups spearheaded northern province of Aleppo, tle for the extremist group's de "It has become a military civilians to stay away from IS by al-Qaida's branch in Syria Sandstorm delays weeks after launching an offen- facto capital, the city of Raqqa. base to launch our operations on positions and young men to join launched a wide offensive cap- Saudi film festival sive to retake the entire province, The airlift was part of what the west bank of the river until the anti-IS force. The Syrian turing dozens of villages and state media and an opposition Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon eventually liberating all the Central Military Media says Syr- towns over the past two days. monitoring group reported described as a large, high-prior- countryside of Raqqa," the state- ian troops launched the Deir The Al Qaeda-led Levant RIYADH: The launch of Saudi yesterday. ity offensive to secure the area ment said. Hafer siege late Wednesday after Liberation Committee said its Arabia's main film festival has The push on Deir Hafer around Tabqa and the associated Tabqa lies 45km west of capturing nearby areas. fighters captured three more vil- been postponed to next week comes as US aircraft ferried Syr- Tabqa Dam. Raqqa. The Islamic State group The opposition's Britain- lages last morning. The charity due to a sandstorm, organis- ian Kurdish fighters and allies The US-backed Syrian Dem- controls the town as well as the based Syrian Observatory for group Save the Children said the ers said yesterday. The behind IS lines to spearhead a ocratic Forces said in a statement Tabqa Dam on the Euphrates Human Rights says Syrian troops Hama fighting has displaced opening of the fourth Saudi major ground assault on the Thursday that its fighters, along River which supplies electric have now cut the road linking 10,000 people. Film Festival, slated to run from March 23-28 in the Gulf coastal city of Dhahran, was suspended after a the storm Gaza rejects hit the kingdom earlier this Uganda at breaking point as S Sudan refugees pour in week. The festival will now open on Monday and run for proposed court six days. This is the third con- Kampala ple now sheltering there. Uganda cannot handle Africa's neighboring South Sudan's civil secutive annual film festival Gaza City AP The UN has called it the largest refugee crisis alone," war began in late 2013. More in Saudi Arabia after a hiatus Anatolia world's fastest-growing refugee Grandi said. "The lack of inter- than 1.6 million have fled the of seven years. ganda is at a "breaking crisis. More than 570,000 refu- national attention to the country overall. point" as almost 3,000 gees have arrived from South suffering of the South Sudanese The unprecedented surge in Saudi Arabia halts THE Gaza Strip's Administra- USouth Sudanese refu- Sudan since July — and the people is failing some of the refugee arrivals since fighting tive Court yesterday gees pour into the country number could pass one million most vulnerable people in the broke out in South Sudan's cap- Brazil beef imports overturned an earlier deci- every day, the United Nations by the middle of this year, the world when they most desper- ital in July has placed sion by Palestinian President refugee chief and Uganda's joint statement by UN. chief ately need our help." "enormous strain" on public DUBAI: Saudi Arabia has Mahmoud Abbas to establish government said yesterday, Filippo Grandi and Uganda's The refugees — more than services and infrastructure, stopped beef and poultry a Palestinian Supreme Con- calling for international help government said. 60 percent of them children — Uganda's Prime Minister imports from four Brazilian stitutional Court. to support over 800,000 peo- "We are at breaking point. have been arriving since Ruhakana Rugunda said. companies over concerns "We hereby overturn the about food safety after accu- decision to establish a consti- sations that individuals had tutional court and annul all been bribed to allow sales of the decision’s ramifications," rotten and salmonella-tainted a statement issued by the Natural habitat US-Israeli teen arrested over meats. Following a two-year administrative court read. investigation of Brazil’s meat- “Our decision is based on bomb threats to Jewish centres packing industry, police have the fact that President Abbas’ accused more than 100 peo- four-year [presidential] term ple, mostly health inspectors, expired in 2009," it added. “In Jeruslaem of a resurgence in anti-Semitism of taking bribes for allowing light of this fact, Abbas lacks Reuters and forced the evacuation of many the sale of rancid products, the legal authority to issue centres, including some with day falsifying export documents such a decision." man was arrested in Israel care for young children. or failing to inspect meat- The statement went on to yesterday on suspicion of In the United States, a former packing plants. assert: "With this ruling, any A making dozens of hoax journalist was charged in St Louis judgment that is issued -- or bomb threats against Jewish com- on March 3 with using fake email UAE sentences will be issued -- by the pro- munity centres in the United States, accounts to threaten to bomb Jew- posed constitutional court Australia and New Zealand over the ish sites while posing as his Indian for spying will not be legally binding.” past three months, police said. ex-girlfriend. But he was not The Palestinian Author- Sources familiar with the case believed to be responsible for the ABU DHABI: A UAE court has ity, of which Abbas serves as gave the suspect’s age as 19 and said majority of threats. sentenced an Indian expat to 10 chairman, has yet to respond he is Jewish and holds Israeli and Israeli police said FBI agents years in prison followed by to the Gaza court’s move. US citizenship. A police spokesman participated in the probe in Israel deportation for espionage, local Abbas caused a stir in said the suspect’s motives were still that led to Thursday’s arrest. The press reported. An Abu Dhabi April of last year when he unclear to investigators. suspect, who was not immediately appeals court found an abruptly announced a deci- US federal authorities have identified, was taken to a court in unnamed man guilty of "shar- Arabian Oryx are seen at the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary sion to establish a Palestinian been investigating a surge of threats central Israel for a remand hear- ing sensitive information about constitutional court. Hamas, in Um Al Zamool, near the United Arab Emirates' against Jewish organisations, ing. “We believe he is responsible movements of military ships" for its part, opposed the deci- border with Saudi Arabia, yesterday. The sanctuary including more than 100 bomb for the wave of calls, bomb threats, with an unspecified country, sion, saying the court would stretches over an estimated area of 8,900 sq km threats in separate waves over the made to Jewish community centres according to the Gulf News daily. be dominated by members of and currently hosts nearly 155 of the species, which past three months against Jewish in the United States,” the police The United Arab Emirates last Abbas' Fatah movement -- were reintroduced into its natural habitat in the UAE community centres (JCCs) in doz- spokesman said, naming Australia year sentenced an Indian citi- with which Hamas has been in a five-year conservation plan. ens of states. and New Zealand as other coun- zen to five years in prison for at odds since 2007. The incidents have stoked fears tries he allegedly targeted. spying for his country. 04 ISLAM FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017 Honour your father and mother

Abu Amina Elias Our duties to our parents slam commands us to honor our extend even after their parents, to obey them, to respect their opinion, and to be kind in death. One of the best general to our family members. ways to honour our parents One of the most important con- when they are gone is by Icepts for family life in Islam is known being kind to their friends. as “upholding family ties” (silat ar- rahim). The Quran and Sunnah contain many injunctions calling us to behave well with our family members, even if they are unbelievers, and scholars have Allah will maintain relations compiled these into many works dem- onstrating the importance of strong with those who are good family relations. to their families and He will In fact, Allah will maintain relations cut off those who sever with those who are good to their fami- relations with their families. lies and He will cut off those who sever relations with their families. Abu Huraira reported: The Messen- ger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon mercy and say: My Lord, have mercy to be good to them despite having been grateful to Me and to your parents, for said: Then strive in their service. him, said: upon them as they brought me up when cut off by them. (Sahih Bukhari 5645) to Me is the final destination. (Sahih Bukhari) Verily, Allah made the creation and I was small. (Surat Al Isra 17:23-24) Our duties to our parents extend (Surat Luqman 31:14) In another narration, the Prophet when he finished, the womb said: At this We must be good to our parents even after their death. One of the best Allah again said: We have enjoined (PBUH) said: Then return to your par- place, I seek refuge in you from those even if they are unbelievers and com- ways to honour our parents when they upon man to be good to his parents. His ents and treat them with good company. who sever me. Allah said: Are you not mand us to commit sins. are gone is by being kind to their friends. mother carried him with hardship and (Sahih Muslim) pleased that I keep good relations with Allah said: If they strive to make you Abdullah ibn Umar reported: The gave birth to him with hardship, and his Mu’awiyah ibn Jahima reported: A those who are good to you and I will cut associate with Me that of which you have Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings gestation and weaning is thirty months. man came to the Messenger of Allah, off whoever severs relations with you? no knowledge, then do not obey them be upon him, said: The best act of right- He grows until, when he reaches matu- peace and blessings be upon him, and The womb said: Yes, my Lord. Allah said: but accompany them in this world with eousness is that a man should maintain rity and reaches the age of forty years, he said, “O Messenger of Allah, I intend Then it is for you. Then the Prophet appropriate kindness and follow the way good relations with his father’s loved ones. he says: My Lord, enable me to be grate- to join the expedition and I seek your (PBUH) said: Recite the verse if you wish: of those who turn back to Me. (Sahih Muslim 2552) ful for Your favor which You have advice.” The Prophet (PBUH) said: Will you then, if you were given author- (Surat Luqman 31:14-15) Our supplications for Allah to for- bestowed upon me and upon my par- Do you have a mother? ity, spread corruption in the land and In other words, even if our parents give them and have mercy on them will ents and to work righteousness of which He said yes. The Prophet (PBUH) sever your family ties? (47:22) wage jihad (jaahada) against us to make benefit them even as they are existing You will approve and make righteous said: Stay with her, for Paradise is Severing family relations is an act us worship idols, we should not obey in the grave. for me my offspring. Verily, I have beneath her feet. (Sunan Annasa’i) of “corruption” (fasad) that is the hall- them in this particular matter but we Abu Huraira reported: The Messen- repented to You, and verily, I am of the Hence, our duty to our mothers is mark of the disobedient and sinful. should still accompany them kindly and ger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon Muslims who surrender to You. not optional or recommended. It is an Healthy family ties begin with “right- obey them in reasonable matters. him, said: Verily, Allah the Exalted will (Surat Al-Ahqaf 46:15) obligation and Allah has forbidden us eousness towards parents” (birr The Prophet (PBUH) demonstrated raise the status of his righteous servants For this reason, the Prophet (PBUH) from neglecting our mothers and our al-walidain). Allah has commanded us this behaviour in the best way after some in Paradise and they will say: O Lord, (PBUH)declared that our mother is the parents in general. in many verses to be excellent to our members of his family turned against what is this? Allah will say: This is due most deserving of our good company, Al Mughirah ibn Sha’bah reported: parents and has indicated the impor- him for preaching Islam. Despite their to your child seeking forgiveness for you. even before our father. The Messenger of Allah, peace and bless- tance of this deed by stating it in hostility, he maintained good relations (Musnad Ahmad 10232) Abu Huraira reported: A man asked ings be upon him, said: Verily, Allah has association with the pure worship of with them to the best of his ability. Each particular parent has served the Messenger of Allah, peace and bless- forbidden you from neglecting your duty Allah alone. Amr ibn Al ‘As reported: I heard the us in a special way that only natural ings be upon him, “Who is most to your mothers. (Sahih Bukhari) Allah said: Worship Allah and asso- Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings fathers and mothers can provide. deserving of my good company?” The It should be clear to us now how ciate nothing with Him and be good to be upon him, saying publicly and not We should realise that our fathers Prophet (PBUH) said: Your mother. important it is to obey our parents and parents. (Surat Annisa 4:36) secretly:Verily, the relatives of my father have served us so much that we can never The man asked, “Then who?” The treat them well. Conversely, disobedi- Say: Come, I will recite what your are not my allies. Verily, only Allah and fully compensate them. It would only be Prophet (PBUH) said: Your mother. ence to parents is among the worst Lord has made sacred to you. He com- the righteous believers are my allies. Yet, possible to fully repay our fathers if we The man asked again, “Then who?” major sins in Islam. mands that you do not associate they have the bonds of kinship and I will found them as a slave and set them free, The Prophet (PBUH) said: Your mother. Abu Bakrah reported: The Messen- anything with Him and to be good to uphold their family ties. which is practically impossible. The man asked again, “Then who?” The ger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon your parents. (Surat Al An’am 6:151) (Sahih Bukhari 5644) Abu Huraira reported: The Messen- Prophet (PBUH) said: Your father. him, and he said: Shall I not tell you Allah commands us not even to say Upholding family ties does not mean ger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon (Sahih Bukhari) about the worst enormities? They are “uff!” to our parents, which is a very minor simply returning good behaviour when him, said: No child can compensate his The mother’s rights over us are so three: idolatry against Allah, disobedi- word of annoyance. Our respect for our our family members are good to us. father unless he finds him as a slave, great that the Prophet (PBUH) once told ence to parents, and false witness. parents should be impeccable in every Rather, truly upholding family ties means buys him, and sets him free. (Sahih Mus- a man not to join the military expedi- (Sahih Bukhari) circumstance to the best of our ability. to behave well with them no matter what lim 2787) tion so he could return to his parents If the Prophet (PBUH) has associ- Allah said: Your Lord has decreed they do to us. Such is the great honor a father and serve them, specifically his mother, ated disobedience to parents with that you worship none but Him and be Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Mes- deserves, yet the mother deserves even for Paradise is under her feet. idolatry and falsehood, the worst sins good to your parents. Whether one or senger of Allah, peace and blessings be more due to the great sacrifices and pain Abdullah ibn Amr reported: A man in Islam, then this tells us that disobe- both of them reach old age with you, do upon him, said: The one who keep good she endured during childbirth. came to the Messenger of Allah, peace dience is not a sinful deed we should not say to them a word of annoyance relations with his family is not the one who Allah said: We have enjoined upon and blessings be upon him, asking per- take lightly. We ask Allah to bless our and do not repel them but rather speak recompenses the good done to him. man care for his parents. His mother mission to strive in jihad. The Prophet parents, to forgive them, to have mercy to them a noble word. Lower to them Rather, the one who keeps good relations carried him in weakness upon weak- (PBUH) said: Are your parents alive? upon them, and to assist us in fulfilling the wing of humility for them out of with his family is the one who continues ness and his weaning is in two years. Be He said yes. The Prophet (PBUH) our duties towards them.

A Muslim should The concept of moderation in Islam try his best to be moderate in all of his Imam Mohamed Baianonie In an Arabic dictionary, the behaviours, a person will be extreme in one of these aspects, spend, are neither extravagant affairs, and he should term Wasat has three meanings. exactly in the middle which is the then the body will not function nor stingy, but hold a medium keep away from he most prominent char- The three meanings are: to be farthest point from each properly and the person will not (way) between those (extremes)." acteristic of the Muslim moderate, to be in the middle, extreme." live a normal life." (Al Furqan, Verse 67) extreme practices TUmmah is that they live and to be the best. Therefore, Imam Ibn Taymiyyah said, Imam Shaatibee said: "All Allah has also ordered us to be and making extreme their lives and practice their when Allah describes the Mus- "Islam as a religion is the mid- matters of Deen and its obliga- moderate in our food and drink. statements. Deen in the most moderate and lim Ummah as a nation that is point among all other religions. tions came to man in the most He says, what could be translated balanced way. Wasat, Allah means that we are The Muslims believe in the mes- moderate way, so that man could as, "And eat and drink but do not Alaah the Almighty says in moderate, we are an Ummah sengers of Allah in a moderate apply those obligations without waste extravagantly, certainly He Prophet (PBUH) to inquire about the Noble Quran:, "Thus We have that is in the middle, and that we way. For example, they do not severe hardship or too much (Allah) does not like the extrava- how much the Prophet (PBUH) made you (Muslims) a Wasat are the best nation. go to extremes in their beliefs leniency. All of those obligations gant." (Al 'Araaf, Verse 31) worshiped. When the men were nation, that you be witnesses Atawasoot in an Islamic about the Prophets (peace be were very well-balanced, which The Prophet (PBUH) taught informed, they considered the over mankind and the Messen- sense means that the Muslim upon them) as the Christians do, requires those who practice them his companions to be moderated amount of worship to be insuf- ger Muhammad be a witness should try his best to be moder- nor do they put the messengers also be very moderate." in what they say and what they ficient and said: "Where are we over you." (Al Baqarah, 143) ate in all of his affairs, and he at such a low status, as do the So we find that there are do. The Messenger sall in comparison with the Prophet In this verse, Allah says He should keep away from extreme Jews. The Muslims always stand many Quranic verses and Allahu`alayhi wa sallam always (PBUH) while Allah has forgiven has made this Muslim Ummah, practices and making extreme in the middle when it comes to Ahadeeth of the Prophet (PBUH) made sure that he and his com- his past sins and future sins." One an Ummah of Wasat. And No one statements. all matters of Deen." that have ordered us to be mod- panions always behaved of them said: "As for me, I shall has the right or authority to The best way for a Muslim to Imam Ibn Al Qayyim said: erate and balanced. They also moderately. And whenever any offer prayer all night long." change the Ummah's status of behave is in moderation. In try- "Always encourage people to forbid us from extremism in all of his companions went to the Another said: "I shall observe Wasatiyyah. ing to explain the importance of take a moderate stand, because matters of life or religion. I will extreme with a sincere intention fasting continuously and shall In the same verse, Allah indi- moderation, Imaam Ibn Al it will rescue you from transgres- mention some of these to increase their reward, he used not break it." Another said: 'I cates to us what the objectives Atheer said: "Every good man- sion. So we find the middle evidences. to condemn them and not remain shall abstain from the woman of Wasatiyyah are. They are ner has two extreme and bad position between two extremes Allah has ordered us to be silent. This is because the and shall never marry." The "That you be witnesses over sides. For example, generosity, to be the most balanced and just, moderate when we spend. He Prophet (PBUH) knew that it Prophet (PBUH) came to them mankind and the Messenger a good and moderate behaviour, where a person will find all the says, in what could be translated contradicts with the character- and said, "Are you the ones who Muhammad be a witness over comes between two bad behav- benefits and comforts of this as, "And let not your hand be tied istics of Wasatiyah-moderation said such things? By Allah, I fear you." And no one has the author- iors, on one side stinginess and worldly life and the Hereafter. (like a stingy person) to your in the knowledge and practice. Allah more then you do, and I am ity to change the objectives of on other side overspending. Furthermore, even the human neck, nor stretch it forth to its In this way the Messenger sall most obedient and dutiful among Wasatiyyah. Braveness, another good and body cannot live normally with- utmost reach (like the squan- Allahu`alayhi wa sallam is a wit- you to Him, but still I fast (some We will go over three points. moderate behavior, comes out the benefits of moderation. derer of money), so that you ness over his Ummah with what days) and I don't fast (other days), First we will go over the mean- between two bad behaviors on If a person is moderate when become blameworthy and in he conveyed and raised them I pray at night and I also sleep ing of Wasat, second what it one side cowardness and on sleeping, waking, eating, drink- severe poverty." ( Al Israa, Verse with. Let's mention some of these (meaning he does not pray all means for us to be witnesses over other side carelessness. So ing, exercising, in staying away 29). Ahadeeth. night), and I married, and who- mankind, and third what it humans have been ordered to or mixing with others, then the In another verse, Allah says Imam Bukhari reported that ever does not follow my Sunnah means for the Messenger to be a avoid all bad behaviors; by stay- body will function properly. in what could be translated as, three companions came to the (way of life) does not belong to witness over us. ing away from two bad However, if a person goes to an "And those, who when they houses of the wives of the me." FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017 ASIA 05 Prasad urges parties to Showing sympathy respect public mandate

New Delhi Voting system higher than the margin of vic- IANS tory," Prasad said. That EVMs have He said the use of EVMs has ismissing allegations passed many a made booth capturing near of misuse of Elec- scrutiny since their impossible as not more than five tronic Voting introduction in the votes can be cast in a minute in Machines (EVMs), year 2000. An EVM an EVM. levelled by some has several Clearing doubts over man- Dopposition leaders after the advantages over ufacturing of EVMs, Prasad said elections in five states, Union paper ballots. There that EVMs are manufactured Law and Justice Minister Ravi are no invalid votes in exclusively by two state-owned Shankar Prasad yesterday said firms in India -- Bharat Elec- an EVM: Official EVMs don't make or break for- tronics Ltd and Electronics tunes, but voters do. Corporation of India Ltd -- for Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik gives the final touches to a sand sculpture on Puri Beach, "EVMs don't make or break The EVMs are security reasons. yesterday, the day after an attack in London. fortune. Voters do," Prasad said, manufactured He added that the logic while replying to a debate in the exclusively by two given by some members that Rajya Sabha over electoral state-owned firms in voting machines are not used reforms that began on India -- Bharat by several advanced countries Wednesday. Electronics Ltd and does not hold water as the so- "When we (BJP) lost elec- Electronics called advanced countries may MP hits air steward 25 times with slipper tions in Bihar, and Delhi, the Corporation of India not always be right in every EVMs were fine. But now that respect. Mumbai "What did he say, that I hit represents a constituency in the Ltd -- for security we have won (in Uttar Pradesh), "Why didn't you ask as to AFP him with my hand? I hit him 25 western state of Maharashtra, reasons. the EVMs are faulty. What kind why we are using Aadhar, which times with a slipper," an unre- then got into a heated argument of standard is this?" Prasad was initiated by the UPA gov- n Indian politician bra- pentant Gaikwad said in video with senior flight attendant. asked the opposition leaders. ernment, though it is not being zenly admitted yesterday footage posted on its Twitter "(The steward) said 'I will "If we were powerful Prasad said that EVMs have used by many countries includ- Athat he hit a steward on page and aired on Indian news complain to (Indian Prime Min- enough to effect changes in passed many a scrutiny since ing England and Japan? When an Air India flight 25 times with channels. ister Narendra) Modi', so I hit EVMs, we could have done this their introduction in the year would we stop seeing ourselves his slipper during a row over a Indian media reports said him," said Gaikwad. "Should I in Bihar, and certainly in Delhi, 2000. as inferior to them?" he said seat. Gaikwad claimed he had a busi- have to listen to this abuse?". to win assembly elections," he "An EVM has several advan- yesterday. Ravindra Gaikwad, an MP ness class ticket but that Air Politicians from other polit- added. tages over paper ballots. There On the issue of procuring in India's lower house for the India put him in an economy ical parties roundly condemned The Minister, from the are no invalid votes in an EVM. voter verifiable paper audit trail Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena seat for yesterday morning flight Gaikwad's actions while a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Between 1962 and 1999 elec- (VVPAT) machines, Prasad said party, claimed that the attend- to India's capital. spokesman for Air India said the said all parties must learn to tions, the number of invalid they would be brought in a ant had insulted him first on the After first complaining to an airline was investigating the respect the public mandate. votes in many cases used to be phased manner. Pune to New Delhi flight. air hostess Gaikwad, who incident. Abe dragged deeper into school scandal Sunken Sewol ferry

Tokyo native Shinto religious values AFP and has made insulting com- lifted after three years ments about Chinese and controversial nationalist Koreans. Donggeochado anniversary approaches of educator said under oath The complex scandal has AFP one of the country's worst- Ayesterday he had received also drawn in Abe's hawkish ever maritime disasters. a donation for his school from defence minister and dominated outh Korea's sunken Almost all the dead were Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo parliamentary deliberations for Sewol ferry emerged schoolchildren and it is Abe despite the premier's weeks. Sfrom the waters yester- thought that nine bodies still repeated denials in an intensi- Kagoike's testimony day, nearly three years after unaccounted for may be fying political scandal that has prompted a media frenzy with it went down with the loss of trapped inside the sunken gripped the country. five networks broadcasting it more than 300 lives and dealt ship. Raising the ferry intact The nationally televised tes- live. a crushing blow to now- has been a key demand of the timony by Yasunori Kagoike He was summoned by law- ousted president Park families of the victims. came as his purchase of govern- makers after his claim last week Geun-hye. Several relatives watched ment land at a huge discount has that Abe's wife Akie handed him Television pictures the much-anticipated oper- dominated media coverage for Yasunori Kagoike, head of Moritomo Gakuen School, arrives at $9,000 in cash in his office in showed one side of the ation unfolding from a boat weeks. a parliamentary session for his testimony, in Tokyo, yesterday. 2015 and said the money was 145-metre-long vessel, its near the site. Abe, whose high approval from her husband. white structure rusted and About 450 workers are ratings have taken a hit, has involved in the land deal. ity given his steadfast denials. Kagoike offered no proof in filthy, above the waves involved in painstaking repeatedly denied giving Analysts have said that there Kagoike operates a kinder- parliament, but said he vividly between two giant salvage efforts to lift the ship, which Kagoike money and on more would likely be nothing illegal garten in the western city of remembers the day when she barges. has a displacement of 6,825 than one occasion offered to in such a donation, but if proven Osaka that inculcates pupils with visited his kindergarten to The complex operation -- tonnes but is now estimated resign if he was found to be it could damage Abe's credibil- pre-World War II nationalist and deliver a speech. one of the largest raisings of to weigh between 8,000- an entire ship ever attempted 8,500 tonnes including the silt -- comes as the third piled up inside. Cambodia jails Indonesian rebel dead in police raid man over death Jakarta "The suspect was not being State sympathisers in Reuters cooperative and tried to ram his Indonesia. of govt critic car into a police vehicle so he Four people were killed in ndonesian police killed a sus- was immobilized by an officer," Jakarta last year when militants Phnom Penh pected radical and detained national police spokesman Rik- launched a gun and bomb attack AFP Ithree yesterday during a wanto said in a statement, in the heart of the city. It was the counter-terrorism operation in adding that a firearm was seized first attack in the region claimed A CAMBODIAN court yes- an industrial area just hours from the scene. by Islamic State. terday jailed a former soldier away from the capital Jakarta. The official added that the Indonesia has stepped up its for life for the brazen day- Indonesia has been on high man was suspected of being part counter-terrorism operations, time shooting of a strident alert over a recent resurgence of the Jemaah Ansharut Daulah rounding up dozens of sus- government critic, a killing in radicalism inspired by the (JAD), an umbrella organisation pected radicals across the Part of the damaged Sewol ferry between two barges that stunned the kingdom's Islamic State. Officials said one on a US State Department "ter- country, and called on other after being raised during a salvage operation at sea off hemmed in rights community. suspect died on the way to hos- rorist" list that is estimated to countries to boost cooperation the southwestern island of Jindo, yesterday. Oeuth Ang, an unem- pital after being shot. have drawn hundreds of Islamic and intelligence-sharing. ployed ex-soldier who calls himself "Meet to Kill", shot Kem Ley in the head while his victim was having a morning coffee at a Phnom Penh pet- Widespread food shortages loom in North Korea rol station in July. He had told the court he shot Kem Ley over a property Seoul population had "crucial, unmet" Mishra, UN Resident Coordina- Around 18 million North per day, far below Pyongyang's deal that went bad which saw AFP needs. tor for North Korea. Koreans, or 70 percent of the target 573 grammes. him hand the activist $3,000 Around 41 percent -- 10.5 Securing funds for humani- population including 1.3 million There were "complex, inter- -- more than double Cambo- hronic food shortages and million people -- were under- tarian programmes in the under-five children, depend on twined" reasons for the high dia's average annual wage. malnutrition are wide- nourished, it said, citing figures nuclear-armed country, which the government-run Public Dis- malnutrition rates in the North, Supporters of Kem Ley Cspread in North Korea, a from the International Food Pol- is subject to multiple sets of UN tribution System for rations of the document added, including have cast doubt over the UN-led report said, as a senior icy Research Insitute's 2016 sanctions for its weapons and cereal and potatoes. unfavourable land and weather apparent motive. official appealed to donors not Global Hunger Index, which missile programmes, "has his- But most people do not con- conditions for food cultivation Delivering the ruling, to let political considerations get ranked it 98th out of 118 torically been very challenging", sume a sufficiently diverse diet as well as a lack of quality seeds, Judge Leang Samnath said in the way of humanitarian countries. Mishra said. for healthy development, the fertiliser and equipment. Oeuth Ang, 44, was "sen- assistance. North Korea is "in the midst "I appeal to donors not to let report said. The North has periodically tenced to life imprisonment The "Needs and Priorities" of a protracted, entrenched political considerations get in the Between July and Septem- been hit by famine, and hundreds for premeditated murder and assessment by the Humanitar- humanitarian situation largely way of providing continued sup- ber last year, the report said, of thousands of people died in the possession of a gun without ian Country Team, a group of UN forgotten or overlooked by the port for humanitarian assistance average monthly public rations mid-1990s, a period known in the permission". agencies and NGOs, said that the rest of the world", said Tapan and relief." fell to 300 grammes per person country as the "Arduous March". 06 ASIA FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (centre) guides President Mamnoon Hussain during a Pakistan Day military parade, in Islamabad, yesterday. CENTRE: Chinese troops march as they take part in the parade. RIGHT: Pakistani jets perform aerobatic manoeuvre. Military parade marks Pakistan Day celebrations

Alliance Islamabad General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the strengthened ties with nuclear- Chinese officials urging Pakistan military to penalise it for failing Reuters chief of Pakistan's military. armed Pakistan in recent years. to do more to improve security to do enough to curb Islamist Pakistan President Pakistan President Mam- Islamabad considers China to help CPEC work. militants destabilising the region. Mamnoon Hussain hinese, Saudi and noon Hussain said it was the first an "all-weather friend" and in China has long pressed Paki- Also yesterday, President said it was the first Turkish troops for the time Chinese troops participated recent years the countries have stan to do more to rein in Islamist Mamnoon is ready to hold talks time Chinese troops first time joined the in a parade in a foreign country, grown even closer on the back militants, saying they have con- with India on all issues, includ- participated in a parade Pakistan Day parade terming it a "historic event", with of the $57bn China-Pakistan nections with extremists and ing Kashmir, as he opened an in a foreign country, in the capital Islama- the two countries embarking on Economic Corridor (CPEC), a separatists in China's unruly far annual military parade to mark Cbad yesterday, in a sign of building vast infrastructure Beijing-funded network of road, western region of Xinjiang. the country's Republic Day. terming it a "historic deepening ties. together. rail and pipelines that will link The United States also has a Hussain accused India of event", with the two Before Pakistan showed off Soldiers from Saudi Arabia, western China with Pakistan's strategic relationship with Paki- endangering peace by violating a countries embarking long-range rockets, tanks and a long-time Pakistan ally, also Arabian Sea port of Gwadar. stan, but the ties appear ceasefire in the disputed region of on building vast other military hardware, armed joined the parade, as did a mili- The militaries of the two transactional at times, with Kashmir, which is split between infrastructure together. Chinese troops marched past tary band from Turkey, another countries have in recent years Washington periodically cutting Pakistan and India and has been Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and largely Muslim nation that has also increased cooperation, with off funding for the Pakistani the cause of two of their wars. Two Malaysians rescued China respects Philippines' rights over Benham Rise

Beijing believed China had conducted issue had been "hyped up". "China would continue to from Abu Sayyaf group Reuters survey missions deep into the "China fully respects the dedicate itself to "appropriately Southeast Asian nation's 200 Philippines' maritime area rights handling" maritime issues," the Manila "The reports are still hina and the Philippines nautical mile exclusive economic over the Benham Rise. On this ministry said. Reuters sketchy, but we have reasons do not and will not have a zone in the Benham Rise, which point, there has not been, is not China, is however, involved to believe the Abu Sayyaf are Cdispute over Benham Rise, sits off the Philippines' east coast. at the moment and will not be a in a dispute with the Philip- hilippine militants took behind the attack." China's Foreign Ministry said China has already dismissed dispute between China and the pines over ownership of islands two crew captive from a In the nearby Sulu archipel- yesterday, referring to a vast those concerns, saying its ships Philippines," the ministry said. in the South China Sea, even as Pcargo ship yesterday, only ago, troops rescued two area the United Nations has were simply passing through the "China and the Philippines both countries have dramati- hours after soldiers rescued two Malaysian captives in waters off declared to be part of the Phil- waters there. had worked very hard over the cally improved relations since Malaysians held for about eight Pata island, said Major General ippines' continental shelf. In a further statement car- past year to improve relations, the Philippine President Rod- months on a southern island, Carlito Galvez Jr, commander Earlier this month the Phil- ried on its website, China's and China set great store on rigo Duterte took office last officials said. of the Western Mindanao ippine defence minister said he Foreign Ministry said the whole this," it added. year. The vessel was on its way Command. to General Santos City on the "The two, who were among southern island of Mindanao five Malaysian tugboat crew from the central Philippines seized by militants in July last Thailand seeks when gunmen in three speed year off the Malaysian state of China & Nepal discuss military drill boats intercepted it, a coast Sabah, were weak and "in sickly guard commander said. state" when rescued," he added. Kathmandu new head for "Two Filipino crew, the The small but violent Abu AFP ship's captain and chief engi- Sayyaf, based in the southern Buddhist temple neer, were taken captive," Philippines, is known for kid- hina's defence minister Lieutenant-Commander Alvin nappings, beheadings, met his Nepal counter- Bangkok Dagalea said. bombings and extortion. Cpart yesterday pushing Reuters ahead plans to hold joint mili- tary exercises, a move likely THAILAND'S government closely watched by India as Bei- is trying to get a new abbot jing boosts its influence in the appointed to head the coun- region. try's biggest Buddhist temple, "We have been discussing whose former leader is wanted joint military exercises with for money laundering, an offi- China... the minister was posi- cial said yesterday. tive about it," Nepal's Defence Police pulled back from a Minister Bal Krishna Khand said three-week siege of the after the meeting. Dhammakaya temple this Khand said that dates for the Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan arrived at month after failing to find Phra drills -- the first ever between Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, yesterday. Dhammachayo in a search China and Nepal -- were yet to that was frustrated by monks be set. Mount Everest -- and would Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal and devotees in one of the big- An army source, who asked focus on disaster response. Dahal. gest challenges to Thailand's not to be named, said the exer- Chang Wanquan's three day The prospect of drills will junta since a 2014 coup. Malaysian seaman Abdurahim bin Sumas is carried by cises may be dubbed trip to Kathmandu -- the first by likely rattle India, which is often "Thailand's National military personnel to a waiting helicopter at a military "Sagarmatha Friendship" -- a Chinese defence minister in 15 accused of playing "big brother" Office of Buddhism had pro- hospital in Jolo, Sulu, yesterday. referring to the Nepali name for years -- will include talks with to its tiny neighbour. posed to religious authorities that a monk with no affilia- tion to the temple should now be appointed to lead it, "the head of the government office, Pongporn Pramsaneh, Taliban capture Sangin district Australian airline jet said. "This would help with an Kandahar Most of Helmand is already For years Helmand was the in emergency landing investigation into the temple's AFP estimated to be under Taliban centrepiece of Western military assets and in the process of control, with the capital Lashkar intervention in Afghanistan, only Sydney disrobing Dhammachayo". aliban fighters captured Gah -- one of the last govern- for it to slip deeper into a quag- AFP "The monk in chief should the strategic southern dis- ment-held enclaves -- also at mire of instability. be someone the society can Ttrict of Sangin yesterday, the risk of falling to the Taliban's The Taliban effectively con- regional Australian airline jet made an emergency land- rely on for unbiased action officials said, another setback repeated ferocious assaults. trol or contest 10 of the 14 ing yesterday after the pilot was forced to shut down an and judgment". for Afghan forces in opium-rich "Our forces have retreated districts in Helmand, the dead- Aengine, barely a week after a propeller fell off another The proposal on chang- Helmand province ahead of the from government offices, liest province for British and US plane mid-flight. ing the leadership was made Spring fighting season. including the police headquar- troops over the past decade and "The Regional Express (Rex) plane carrying 23 to the most senior monk in The capture of Sangin, ters and the governor's office in blighted by a huge opium har- passengers was heading to Sydney when a warning light the Pathum Thani province, where US and British forces suf- Sangin," Helmand governor's vest that helps fund the came on in the cockpit, with the pilot managing to safely where the temple is located. fered heavy casualties until it spokesman Omar Zwak said. insurgency. return to the town of Dubbo," the carrier said. The temple's current act- was handed over to Afghan per- "But we are preparing to The Pentagon has said it "We were about 10 minutes out of Dubbo and all of a sud- ing abbot is Dhammachayo's sonnel, marks the culmination take it back." would deploy some 300 US den there was this big loud noise and a shaking of the deputy, Phra Dattajivo, but of the Taliban's year-long offen- Taliban spokesman Zabihul- Marines this spring to Helmand, aeroplane," passenger Tim Evans said. police last week said they sive to seize the district and lah Mujahid also said that where American forces engaged "It is not possible to tell at this stage whether the cause is were investigating him for underscores their growing insurgents had overrun the dis- in heated combat until they from foreign object ingestion or from engine failure," Rex said. using temple money in stock strength. trict centre. pulled out in 2014. dealing. FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017 EUROPE 07

NEWS BYTES London attacker was British-born Defections boost Macron Eight arrested in French presidential race Police arrested eight PARIS: French presidential election frontrunner Emmanuel people at six locations Macron saw his lead in the polls bolstered by news yesterday in London and that two members of the government were deserting the offi- Birmingham in the cial Socialist Party contender to back the 39-year-old centrist. investigation into The defections included one major catch—Defence Min- ister Jean-Yves Le Drian, a Socialist Party grandee who has Wednesday’s attack been both a close ally and friend of outgoing President Fran- that Prime Minister cois Hollande for nearly 40 years. Theresa May said was His position was confirmed by a Harris Interactive poll of inspired by a warped more than 6,000 voters which showed Macron coming first Islamist ideology. in a first round of voting on April 23 and then trouncing far- right leader Marine Le Pen in the two-way runoff on May 7. The second defection was that of Thierry Braillard, a London junior sports minister. Earlier this week, biodiversity minis- Reuters ter Barbara Pompili, another junior member of the Socialist leadership which has been in power since 2012, also switched he attacker who killed allegiance to Macron rather than back the official Socialist three people near par- candidate Benoit Hamon. liament before being shot dead was British- Le Pen to visit Moscow today born and was once Tinvestigated by MI5 intelligence Members of Parliament stand for a minute's silence yesterday to pay tributes to those killed MOSCOW: French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen will visit Moscow today, Russian news agencies quoted officers over concerns about vio- in an attack at Westminster, in London. lent extremism, Prime Minister a senior Russian lawmaker as saying. Theresa May said yesterday. when the investigation allowed. children,” said May. Leonid Slutsky, head of the lower house of parliament’s Islamic State claimed The dead were two members A minute’s silence was held Queen offers foreign affairs committee, said he had personally invited Le responsibility for the attack in a of the public, the stabbed police- in parliament and in front of Pen to meet Russian lawmakers. statement issued by its Amaq man and the attacker. police headquarters at 0933 sympathy to Last year Le Pen, one of the frontrunners in France’s news agency, but it gave no US tourist Kurt Cochran was GMT, in honour of the victims - presidential election, said she, US President Donald Trump name or details and it was not named as one of the dead in a 933 was the shoulder number victims and Russian President Vladimir Putin “would be good for clear whether the attacker was Facebook post by family mem- on the uniform of Keith Palmer, world peace.” directly connected to the group. ber Shantell Payne. the policeman who was stabbed BRITAIN’S Queen Elizabeth Le Pen, leader of France’s National Front party, has taken Police arrested eight people “With a heavy heart I must to death. May was in parliament sent her condolences yes- a foreign policy line strongly supportive of Moscow. While at six locations in London and pass the sad news of our beau- at the time of attack, a short dis- terday to those affected by most mainstream political groups in Europe condemned Birmingham in the investigation tiful brother, father, husband, tance away from the spot where the attack on the British Russia over its role in the Ukraine conflict, Le Pen has said into Wednesday’s lone-wolf son and friend Kurt Cochran, he the attacker was shot. She was parliament conducted by a that the European Union provoked the crisis by threaten- attack that May said was inspired could not overcome the injuries whisked away as the chaos lone assailant. ing Russia’s interests. by a warped Islamist ideology. he received in the London ter- erupted. “My thoughts, prayers, About 40 people were injured ror attacks,” Payne wrote. A minister was widely and deepest sympathy are German state poll a test for Merkel of whom 29 remain in hospital, Westminster Bridge and an praised for trying to resuscitate with all those who have seven in critical condition, after area around parliament were Palmer, walking away from the been affected by yester- BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party faces a the incident which resembled IS- cordoned off early yesterday and scene with blood on his hands day’s awful violence,” she first election-year test against resurgent leftwing challeng- inspired attacks in France and forensic investigators examined and face. A crowdfunding page said in a statement. ers when voters go to the polls on Sunday in the tiny region Germany where vehicles were the scene where the attacker hastily set up to raise money for The Queen was due to of Saarland. driven into crowds. was shot. The bridge re-opened Palmer’s family attracted close open the new headquarters Although the state on the French border is home to just “What I can confirm is that yesterday afternoon. to £78,000 pounds ($97,600) of London’s police force one million people, the poll there is seen as a first litmus test the man was British-born and The casualties included 12 within five hours. yesterday but will now do in the battle between Merkel and the resurgent Social Dem- that some years ago he was once Britons, three French children, “This kind of attack, this so at a later date. ocrats under new leader Martin Schulz. investigated by MI5 in relation two Romanians, four South lone-wolf attack, using things The centre-left SPD—having long languished in the to concerns about violent Koreans, one German, one Pole, from daily life, a vehicle, a knife, French Foreign Minister Jean- shadow of the “Queen of Europe”—has been gripped by extremism,” May said in a state- one Chinese, one American and are much more difficult to fore- Marc Ayrault travelled to London almost giddy optimism under Schulz, 61, the folksy and plain- ment to parliament. two Greeks, May said. stall,” Defence Minister Michael to show solidarity and met some spoken former European Parliament president. “He was a peripheral figure “A terrorist came to the place Fallon told the BBC. of the other students who were The SPD has gained around 10 points nationally since ... He was not part of the current where people of all nationalities Three French high-school on the trip and their families at a Schulz took over in January with a social justice platform and intelligence picture. There was and cultures gather to celebrate students aged 15 or 16, who were hotel near the hospital where the a bold vow to end Merkel’s almost 12-year reign in Septem- no prior intelligence of his intent what it means to be free, and he on a school trip to London with injured were being treated. He ber’s general election. or of the plot,” she said, adding took out his rage indiscriminately fellow students from Brittany, told reporters the lives of the three The “Schulz mania” has particularly drawn younger vot- his identity would be revealed against innocent men, women and were among the injured. youngsters were not in danger. ers to the veteran workers’ party, which was founded more than 150 years ago, putting it neck-and-neck with Merkel’s conservative bloc—both nationally and in Saarland. Four-party Police arrest man trying to McGuinness laid to rest coalition emerge DERRY, UNITED KINGDOM: Former Irish Republican Army commander turned peace negotiator Martin McGuinness in Dutch drive into crowd in Belgium was buried yesterday, his supporters giving him the funeral of an Irish chieftain. Parliament Brussels plates has tried to drive at high thanks,” he tweeted. McGuinness, who resigned as Northern Ireland’s deputy AFP speed into the Meir (shopping Meir is the main shopping first minister in January, died on Tuesday aged 66. The Hague street). A man in camouflage street in Antwerp’s historic cen- The Irish flag of green, white and orange—a traditional AFP elgian police arrested a was taken away,” Muyters told tre and is mostly pedestrianised. symbol of the aspiration for an Irish Republic and an act of man yesterday after he a news conference. It is one of the most important defiance against British rule—adorned his coffin as it was car- THE new Dutch Parliament Btried to drive into a crowd “The pedestrians had to shopping areas in the country. ried out of his home in his native Derry in Northern Ireland. met for the first time yesterday at high-speed in a shopping area jump aside,” he said. With soldiers deployed at since last week’s elections, as in port city of Antwerp. “My gratitude on behalf of key sites, Belgium has been on Swiss to deport ETA activist to Spain a four-party coalition govern- The man was of north Afri- all Antwerp to the soldiers who high alert since March 22 last ment appeared to be emerging can origin and used a car with have intervened, the police year when suicide bombers ZURICH: Switzerland has agreed to extradite to Spain a from fierce behind-the-scenes French registration plates, Ant- services and the special inter- attacked Zaventem airport and woman convicted there of supporting the Basque sepa- haggling. werp police chief Serge Muyters vention force,” Antwerp mayor Maalbeek metro station that left ratist group ETA, rejecting her claim that she was tortured Offering condolences to said. Bart de Wever tweeted. 32 people dead and more than into confessing while in Spanish custody, Swiss justice offi- their colleagues in the British The incident came a day Prime Minister Charles 320 wounded. cials said yesterday. parliament following after an attack on the British Michel said the government was Belgium suffered a further Swiss authorities arrested the woman, who was not Wednesday’s attack in Lon- parliament killed three people “following this situation as it shock in August when a identified, in Zurich last April. She had been living under an don, the new MPs took oath plus the attacker, as well as after develops” in the Flemish-speak- machete-wielding man shout- assumed name in Switzerland since 2009. of office after leaders from the first anniversary of the Brus- ing northern city. ing “Allahu akbar” (God is The woman had fled Spain that year after a court sen- four potential coalition part- sels attacks in which 32 people “We continue to be vigilant. greatest) attacked two police- tenced her to six years and nine months in jail for supporting ners met together for the first died. Our security services did an women in the industrial town ETA, a sentence that was reduced this year to 3-1/2 years, time for exploratory talks. “A vehicle with French excellent job in Antwerp, of Charleroi. Switzerland’s Federal Office of Justice said in a statement. It emerged the Groen- Links party, led by the young, charismatic Jesse Klaver, is prepared to continue negoti- ations to possibly join a Former Russian lawmaker shot dead in Ukraine government with outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his Liberal VVD party. Kiev fired back and wounded the gun- in the killing as “absurd.” It was also confirmed that AP man. Both were hospitalised but Russian Foreign Ministry far-right, anti-Islam Freedom later in the day the gunman died. spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Party (PVV) of Geert Wilders— ormer Russian lawmaker Ukrainian President Petro said, the “killer regime” in Kiev “will whose party came second in Denis Voronenkov was Poroshenko said Voronenkov’s do its best to make sure no one will with 20 seats—is excluded Fshot and killed in Kiev yes- killing “clearly shows handwrit- ever know truth about what hap- from the current talks. Most terday in what Ukrainian ing of Russian special services pened.” She added Russia was party leaders had vowed president described as an “act of shown repeatedly in various shocked to hear Poroshenko’s accu- before the elections not to state terrorism” by Russia, an European capitals in the past.” sations without evidence and as work with him, put off by his accusation the Kremlin rejected. In a statement Poroshenko Ukrainian police were inspecting incendiary rhetoric. Voronenkov, who testified to described the victim as a key the crime scene. The VVD won the most Ukrainian investigators and crit- witness who gave testimony Poroshenko said it wasn’t seats to emerge biggest party icised Russian policies after his about “Russian aggression” to accidental that Voronenkov’s in the parliament with 33 move to Kiev last fall, was shot the Ukrainian authorities. killing came the same day as fire MPs—putting it in pole position dead by an unidentified gunman Russian President Vladimir that erupted at a Ukrainian mil- to try to form the next govern- near a hotel in Kiev. Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry itary arsenal in Kharkiv region, ment which needs 76 seats to The assailant also wounded Peskov, in a statement dismissed which Ukrainian officials said reach a majority. Voronenkov’s bodyguard, who the claim of Russian involvement was caused by sabotage. A file photo of Denis Voronenkov and his wife Maria Maksakova. 08 VIEWS FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

EDITORIAL Driven by terror s Prime Minister Theresa May spoke in the House of Commons yesterday, the details and gravity of the attack in Westminster Astarted unfolding. The terrorist had targeted democracy and freedom near one of the oldest Parliaments in the world. Members of the British Parliament could be seen expressing their outrage Investment in Africa: through their speeches that were a mix of grief and condemnation. Conservative MP James Cleverly fought back tears as he spoke about his friend PC Keith Palmer who was stabbed to death by the assailant outside Westminster. Cleverly knew Palmer There’s room for everyone for 25 years and both had worked together in the Army. The grief of Cleverly and the criticism of May are a cockpit of the Cold War, it turned into a to foreign banks, bondholders and the only two aspects that highlight the egregious action Rosa Whitaker lucrative playground for armies of West- IMF. of the assailant. The assault on one of the most visible Al Jazeera ern development “experts” and aid What African governments want are symbols of London has to be seen in terms of the contractors. partners who are in it for the long haul magnitude of its travesty. That the number of deaths African economies needed assist- and can deliver the best return on was not very high and the terrorist could not inflict ance, but the assistance came with investment. more damage that he might have intended to is a strings reflecting donor interests and The greater the competition for redeeming factor. However, that he was successful in ideologies. infrastructure contracts, the better, so killing three persons including the unarmed guard hina is not “moving relentlessly long as the selection process is trans- outside Parliament earned the terror attack the noto- across Africa”. Despite what Peter Springboard for African countries parent and merit-based. Caution is riety its perpetrator and the brains behind the assault Navarro, head of US President Don- For many in Africa, China has been a wise, but it is wrong to always view wished. ald Trump’s National Trade Council refreshingly different China through a Cold War lens. In fact, As expected, the Islamic State claimed responsi- has written, that China is “locking development partner. many Chinese companies have proved bility saying the attack was carried out by one of its Cdown strategic natural resources, locking up Their overall reluctance more than willing to forego the tradi- ‘soldiers’. The Islamist terror group is being mauled emerging markets and locking out the United to tell others how to tional forms of bid-sweetening and in its strongholds in Iraq States”, experience on the ground tells a dif- order their affairs - rent-seeking. and Syria. Such lone- ferent story. unless those affairs wolf attacks like the one China is competing aggressively for influ- Enormous opportunities in London on Wednesday ence and market share in Africa, but, in doing Uganda is among those countries point to a proclivity so, it is empowering African countries to chart Most importantly, Africa in Africa that are taking a transfor- towards desperation of their own course, pick their own partners and is now better placed than mative people-centred approach the group that is respon- insist on their own priorities. ever to set its own agenda. towards China on infrastructure The attack in sible for slaughtering and It is naive to think that China’s motives The world is waking up development. London reinforces maiming tens of thou- in Africa are purely altruistic - any more Sino-Hydro for example, which is to the fact that, with its the fear that sands and making than those of the West. Beijing sees African building a dam in Uganda, has spent millions homeless. commodities and consumers as essential to youthful, rapidly urbanising more than $100m in three years work- Europe will have Sleeper cells and individ- the long-term dynamism of its own population, Africa stands ing with local companies, while ensuring to contend with ual sympathisers are economy. that its workforce is well-trained and to be the next great driver more terror. trying to keep the killing To secure access to those commodities largely Ugandan. Sino-Hydro is also machine of Baghdadi’s and simultaneously grow African markets for of global demand and building hospitals and schools as part of group running as it faces Chinese goods and services, China is deploy- growth. To get there, the the project. a multinational assault in ing its state-owned enterprises to win African continent has enormous China Harbour Engineering Cor- pockets of the Middle infrastructure contracts, supplemented by its poration, which won the bid to build East. banks to fund them. infrastructure gaps to fill. the Ugandan leg of the East African Reports emerged Those gaps themselves standard gauge railway, has com- early last evening of Bel- Self-serving purposes? represent enormous mitted to helping Uganda establish gium police arresting a The rewards promise to be substantial. opportunities. Who enjoys and train a 15,000 strong Army driver for trying to run down people with his car in a The McKinsey Global Institute projects that Corps of Engineers, build a national busy area of Antwerp. European cities have been tar- by 2025, African household consumption them and on what terms is polytechnic, and invest in steel gets of terror attacks over the last few years with Nice and business-to-business (B2B) spending at the discretion of African sleepers produced locally from in France, Brussels in Belgium and Berlin in Germany could reach $5.6 trillion. That is equivalent decision makers. Ugandan iron ore. seeing scores of dead. Nice and Berlin saw large vehi- to nearly a third of current US gross domes- All of these agreements have taken cles mowing down dozens in crowded areas. tic product. place under strict anti-corruption meas- The London attack took place on the first anni- China has its eyes on Africa’s economic ures, independent audits and versary of the carnage in Brussels. The security takeoff and is investing heavily in the infra- touch on Taiwan or Tibet — is generally environmental protection policies. apparatus in major world cities will have to be on structure needed to make it happen. In applauded in Africa. Most importantly, Africa is now their toes and take extra preparations on such days December 2015, President Xi Jinping pledged Of course, China has made mistakes better placed than ever to set its when terrorists love to make headlines. Though most $60bn in new loans, exports credits, invest- in Africa. In their haste to get projects own agenda. The world is waking British officers do not carry a weapon, the presence ment funds and grants. completed competitively, contractors up to the fact that, with its youth- of an unarmed police guard who was killed by the The conservative calculations of Deborah have imported their own labour rather ful, rapidly urbanising population, assailant outside Parliament raises pertinent ques- Brautigam at the SAIS China-Africa Research than hiring and training locally. Africa stands to be the next great tions about the level of security in sensitive zones. Initiative, show that between 2000-2014, Cutting corners on construction, driver of global demand and Chinese financiers had already channelled they have acquired a reputation for growth. $86.3bn to African governments and state- shoddy workmanship. In bidding on To get there, the continent has enor- owned enterprises. A figure equivalent to the projects, companies have taken advan- mous infrastructure gaps to fill. Those total global exposure of the US Exim Bank as tage of the fact that Beijing, until gaps themselves represent enormous of 2016. recently, at any rate, has not been opportunities. Who enjoys them and on QUOTE OF THE DAY It is equally naive to say that China is addressing corruption with much vig- what terms is at the discretion of African solely motivated by an aggressive desire to our. The US Foreign Corrupt Practices decision makers. lock out the US and others from Africa’s min- Act gives US companies a reputational Blanket smears of any ethnic group Turkey is in full erals and markets, in the manner of Britain’s edge in this regard. are always unacceptable. Proclaiming East India Company in the 18th and 19th The primary concern of many that China is “locking out the United solidarity with the centuries. African leaders is equitable and States” is overly simplistic and simply United Kingdom If mercantilist, colonial-style domination inclusive growth through successful not true. against terrorism really were China’s primary motive, you can industrialisation. They are not inter- On the contrary, the US would do be certain that most Africans, mindful of a bit- ested in mortgaging their peoples’ well to work with, rather than that threatened ter past, would resist it fiercely. futures on grand schemes that don’t against, those investing in this great international Of course, size and wealth asymmetries pay for themselves because they continent. peace and security. put African countries at a disadvantage were ill-conceived and poorly when dealing with major powers like implemented. The writer was the Assistant US Trade Rep- China and the US. Much of what should have been resentative for Africa under Clinton and Bush administrations. She is known as one Recep Tayyip Erdogan Regrettably, the removal of colonial yokes spent on making them work was pock- of the architects of the African Growth and Turkish President did not liberate African nations to set their eted instead, in kickbacks and pay-offs. own agendas. The continent not only became It’s a great way to surrender sovereignty Opportunity Act (AGOA). FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017 OPINION 09 The futility of secrets in the age of technology

heresy or, put in another way, Andrew Mitrovica truth-telling. The Washington Post ‘Pandora’s box can’t be resealed’ But on this score, at least, Baer is right to suggest that, once opened, the Pandora’s box can’t be ne of the jobs of so-called intelligence resealed. officers is to collect and carefully Rather than being shunned and consider the facts and to offer sound, silenced, Manning and Snowden sober advice, devoid of hyperbole. have become celebrated martyrs. This is the deliberate, often mundane Clearly, the threat of jail for O“connect the dots” side of intelligence-gathering life, permanent exile, even the that rarely, if ever, receives any popular atten- prospect of execution, didn’t pre- tion or exposure. vent brave men and women of By that espionage industry standard, former CIA conscience such as Manning, officer and establishment media darling, Robert Snowden and, long before them, Baer, abandoned any sense of sobriety in response to Daniel Ellsberg, ultimately to the disclosure by WikiLeaks of previously hush-hush choose the truth over continuing diplomatic cables penned by various State Depart- to serve the governments they ment apparatchiks in 2010. once served. In a column for the Financial Times at the time, In commuting Manning’s grim Baer donned what amounted to — metaphorically prison sentence, I believe Presi- speaking — a “the end is nigh” placard because Julian dent Barack Obama finally Assange and crew had made public a trove of secret understood the futility, indeed diplomatic dispatches that offered an unvarnished, if the immorality, of slowly killing a somewhat salacious, glimpse into the less than diplo- young woman because she matic world of international diplomacy. People hold signs calling for the release of imprisoned WikiLeaks whistle-blower Chelsea Manning in decided that Americans and the “We cannot … put the toothpaste back in the tube; San Francisco, California. world should also know truths the credibility of the State Department as a reliable that some bureaucrats, some- interlocutor has evaporated, and no doubt for a long unflattering cables about all sorts of powerful people. the ability to compromise Apple and Android where happened to brand a time. While it figures out how to contain future dam- And today we know that the principal architects of devices and hack into ubiquitous tools connected “secret”. age,” Baer wrote, “we have to reassure our friends any grievous damage caused to American “credibil- to the internet — smartphones, televisions and The next Manning, Snowden or that we can keep a secret, especially those that are ity” are, unquestionably, that churlish, incompetent computers. Ellsberg is surely out there; ready, vital to their survival.” lout Donald Trump and the “dangerous imbecile” On cue, a CIA spokesperson - channeling Baer - willing and able to show us the George W Bush — not Chelsea Manning. trotted out the tired rhetoric that the revelations “secrets” we need and, I dare say, ‘American credibility’ Of course, since 2010, vast amounts of official “equip our adversaries with tools and information to have the right to see. Not done wailing that the supercilious, insular secrets have been revealed — courtesy of Manning, do us harm”. world of diplomacy and perhaps the world itself was Edward Snowden and company. Not surprisingly, the “harm” such nefarious The writer is an award-winning inves- hurtling towards extinction, Baer compounded this Every disclosure is accompanied by a now famil- “tools” could inflict on hundreds of millions of unsus- tigative reporter and journalism absurdity by warning that WikiLeaks had caused iar Baer-like bout of state-sanctioned hysteria about pecting citizens who watch TV, use phones or laptops instructor. “incalculable” damage to “American credibility”. the inherent destructiveness it poses to existing insti- wasn’t addressed by the CIA’s flack. A cavalry of other spooks, politicians, and pundits tutional norms and practices. Ironically, the source of the mass leak most likely promptly and enthusiastically joined Baer in a fren- These tantrums are not only predictable, but came, reportedly, from within the CIA. While the zied, apocalyptic chorus not only to decry the instructive. The histrionics are a palpable reflection precise motivation behind this latest leak remains criminally irresponsible spilling of so many cher- of the following fact: the smug community of spies, unclear, the effect of it was to confirm, yet again, that ished secrets, but also to make equally dire bureaucrats and politicians has belatedly and grudg- the powers-that-be no longer unilaterally get to predictions about the consequences of that supposed ingly recognised that its provenance over secrets is decide who owns and can be privy to information criminality. Turns out, Baer et al ought to have taken being repeatedly and successfully challenged by stamped “secret” in the self-serving, amorphous a big chill pill. Lo and behold, several years later, the actors inside and outside bureaucracies, seemingly name of national security. world is still spinning on its axis. beyond their control. You could, I suppose, call this impulse the D-RING ROAD Diplomats are, no doubt, still writing oodles of With every subsequent revelation, the traditional democratisation of secrets in a technological age POST BOX: 3488 notion that secrets must remain secrets in order to when those secrets can be downloaded on to a flash keep state machinery functioning “to keep us safe” is drive in, well, a flash. DOHA - QATAR losing its potency and, arguably, is becoming a silly In this context, it’s the shocking audacity of the [email protected] Clearly, the threat of jail anachronism. leakers to circumvent or, perhaps more accurately, for life, permanent exile, Many secrets, I suspect, are declared secrets not to disregard the primacy of the well-entrenched even the prospect of to shield you and me from the bad guys - whoever “chain of command” that is considered truly danger- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OFFICE execution, didn’t prevent they may be at the moment — but to inoculate spies, ous, not necessarily the information they choose to TEL: 4455 7741 / 767 bureaucrats and politicians from exposure, embar- share with you and me. FAX: +974 4455 7758 brave men and women rassment and censure. Usually, it’s their hides that As such, Manning and Snowden needed to be of conscience such as are at stake, not ours. crucified swiftly. Manning was imprisoned for MANAGING EDITOR Manning, Snowden and, years in solitary confinement, while Snowden TEL: 4462 7505 Democratisation of secrets has, in effect, been banished indefinitely into long before them, Daniel Recently, more proof of this parochial instinct exile. DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Ellsberg, ultimately to became apparent after WikiLeaks unveiled a The explicit intent behind these blunt acts of ret- TEL: 4455 7769 choose the truth. cache of CIA documents purportedly detailing ribution was to re-establish the supremacy of the the agency’s cyberwar tactics that may include secret keepers and to prevent future outbreaks of LOCAL NEWS SECTION TEL: 4455 7743

BUSINESS NEWS SECTION Belarus is the latest thorn in Putin’s side TEL: 4462 7535 SPORT NEWS SECTION and other indirect subsidies, goodies came at the hadn’t worked for six month or more — a Soviet-inspired TEL: 4455 7745 Leonid Bershidsky cost of hewing close to the Kremlin’s course. revenue-boosting measure. Bloomberg But Lukashenko was mostly fine with the The regime has a history of violently suppressing protest, ONLINE SECTION arrangement, sharing Russian President Vladimir but this year sweeping violence was out of the question TEL: 4462 7501 Putin’s autocratic instincts and tendency to see because it would disgust potential European partners. [email protected] political opposition as enemies to be suppressed. He Lukashenko had the protest leaders briefly detained and sus- elarussian President Alexander also knew Belarus’s state-dominated economic pended the offending decree. It’s not clear whether this will PUBLIC RELATIONS Lukashenko is caught in the model wouldn’t survive broader exposure to have a dampening effect on further protests, scheduled for crossfire of a much larger battle. Europe. the coming weekend. Some opposition leaders are hopeful TEL: 4455 7613 He’d like closer ties with the Then Russia annexed Crimea in March, 2014, that the regime is beginning to stumble. [email protected] European Union and weaker which sparked sanctions from the EU and the US “We are witnessing a systemic crisis,” one of them, Bones with Russia, but the drift appears to Lukashenko refused to back Putin’s move, fearing Nikolai Statkevich, a retired colonel and former political pris- ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT be drawing popular protests driven by his small country would be next in line. When Mos- oner, told the anti-Lukashenko website Belorussky Partisan. TEL: 4455 7837 / 780 growing dissatisfaction with his repressive cow tried to punish the EU with counter-sanctions, “Russia used to pay for all the fun, but now it cannot keep FAX: 4455 7870 policies and failed management of the Belarus was hardly in lockstep, happily serving as a paying more, and more is constantly needed because the effi- [email protected] economy. fake country of origin for many European products. ciency of this kind of economy is falling. Russia demands Lukashenko, whom Condoleezza Rice Last year, Belarus failed to agree with Russia on the more and more in exchange, and giving it up is already dan- CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT once shortsightedly called Europe’s last price of gas and paid only half what the Russian gerous for Lukashenko’s personal power.” TEL: 4455 7857 dictator, has always had more trouble state supplier, Gazprom, demanded, accumulating Lukashenko is increasingly paranoid. On Tuesday, he [email protected] than, say, Ukrainian leaders in trying to more than $500 million in debt — about six weeks’ announced that his security forces had detained “several play Russia and Europe economic output. dozen” armed militants who had gotten into Belarus from SUBSCRIPTION & DISTRIBUTION against each other. His In January, Lukashenko signed a decree allow- their training camps in Ukraine and perhaps Poland and TEL: 4455 7809 / 839 regime was dependent on ing the citizens of 80 countries, including Europeans Lithuania. The fighters, he claimed, had been trained and FAX: 44557819 Russia for cheap natural gas and US citizens, to enter Belarus without visas for funded by his opponents who had fled the country for East- five days. This was an attempt to raise tourist reve- ern Europe. [email protected] nue in a shrinking economy. But the Kremlin The accusations against Eastern European states could be responded by putting out a terse statement and set- the beginning of another pendulum swing away from Europe The accusations against Eastern ting up border checkpoints. and toward Russia. Losing a known quantity like Lukashenko All thoughts and views European states could be the Anti-Kremlin European politicians, for their would be a disaster for the Kremlin, especially if he’s expressed in these columns beginning of another pendulum part, noticed with approval that Lukashenko replaced by a pro-European leader. But Russian money can- appeared to be in a liberalising mood. “Visa no not keep putting out Lukashenko’s fires indefinitely; the are those of the writers, not swing away from Europe and longer needed to visit Belarus,” former Swedish tactic failed Putin in Ukraine in 2014. of the newspaper. toward Russia. Losing a known Prime Minister Carl Bildt tweeted last week. “As fas- Further developments in Belarus are worth watching to quantity like Lukashenko would cinating as unknown. And obviously much to see.” see what lessons Putin has drawn from Ukraine, and whether All correspondence be a disaster for the Kremlin, There is, however, a flip side to liberalisation. popular discontent can thwart him again. regarding Views and Last week, thousands of people — large numbers for Opinion pages should be especially if he’s replaced by a notoriously passive Belarus — took to the streets The writer is a Bloomberg View columnist. He was the founding pro-European leader. throughout the country to protest against a Lukash- editor of the Russian business daily Vedomosti and founded the mailed to the enko decree that imposed a tax on people who opinion website Slon.ru. [email protected] 10 AMERICAS FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017 Judge orders trial for former Argentina president

Buenos Aires The charge corruption. She has branded the ica’s third-biggest economy. A center-right rival of Kirch- AFP probes politically motivated. Mid-term legislative elec- ner, lawmaker Felipe Sola, Kirchner is accused of In the case now going to trial, tions in October pose a test for argued she should only be tried judge yesterday ordering the central Bonadio impounded a million dol- center-right leader Macri, who if shown to have had personal ordered Argentina’s bank to sell dollar lars in Kirchner’s assets last year. succeeded Kirchner in Decem- relations with the investors former president futures at artificially She and her late husband and ber 2015. Tens of thousands of involved. He said the case looked Cristina Fernandez low prices, causing predecessor Nestor Kirchner had striking teachers and other like a “hunt” against the de Kirchner (pic- Argentina to lose testy relations with Britain and workers have staged mass pro- ex-president. tured)A to stand trial on charges the United States during their 12 tests against him in recent weeks. Political tension is high with hundreds of millions. of financial mismanagement. She denies any years in power. They are demanding pay a series of scandals implicating It is the first of several cases Macri took over vowing to rises and protesting job cuts and Macri as well. wrongdoing. against the combative 64-year- drag Argentina out of recession price increases undertaken as He is under investigation by old leftist leader to go to trial. and boost its foreign ties. part of Macri’s economic prosecutors for alleged conflicts A string of cases targeting Kirchner’s defenders say she But Kirchner’s court appear- reforms. One of his first moves of interest linked to his family’s Kirchner and her rival, current should not be prosecuted for a Judicial Information Center. ances during recent months of after taking office was to devalue business affairs. President Mauricio Macri, are mishandled economic policy. But He also called to trial Kirch- judicial investigation have the Argentine peso. Last year the so-called “Pan- clouding Argentine politics ahead the accusation cited in the court ner’s former economy minister brought her back to the public That affected the worth of ama Papers” tax haven leaks of mid-term elections later this ruling alleges that her and two Axel Kicillof and Alejandro eye. Crowds of supporters have the state dollar investments revealed he had links to an off- year. other defendants’ actions Vanoli, who was head of the cen- rallied outside court in her sup- made under the previous shore company. Kirchner is accused of order- amounted to “fraudulent admin- tral bank at the time, on the same port, reminding Argentina of her government. He has denied wrongdoing ing the central bank to sell dollar istration” of state funds. charges. capacity to generate a media Kirchner has alleged that in all the cases. futures at artificially low prices, Federal judge Claudio Bon- A further 12 defendants face spectacle with those who still hail businessmen who later became Bonadio is an open critic of causing Argentina to lose hun- adio ordered a court to set a trial as alleged accomplices. her as a champion of the poor. officials in Macri’s administra- Kirchner, who in the past tried dreds of millions. She denies any date for her trial, in a ruling Kirchner faces separate The trial comes at a delicate tion themselves invested in the to have him dismissed from his wrongdoing. released by the High Court’s investigations into alleged time for Argentina, Latin Amer- dollar futures in question. post.

Marking Day of the Sea Tillerson alias emails from ExxonMobil era prove elusive

New York 2015 by State Attorney General series on this account, it was not AFP Eric Schneiderman. possible to produce emails It is investigating whether between September 5, 2014 and mails sent under a pseu- ExxonMobil had adequately November 28, 2014. donym by current US informed investors and the gen- The issue was limited to the ESecretary of State Rex Till- eral public of potential financial Wayne Tracker account, accord- erson when he was CEO of risks posed by the need to limit ing to the letter. ExxonMobil, and which are the use of fossil fuels to fight glo- Schneiderman said in mid- sought by a court, cannot be bal warming. March that Tillerson used this produced, lawyers for the oil The probe established that email address between 2008 giant said. Tillerson had used a personal and 2015 to communicate with According to a letter dated account under pseudonym other group leaders on a number March 21 and sent yesterday by Wayne Tracker for a number of of issues including those linked ExxonMobil to a section of years, in addition to his official to climate change. media, these emails, sent under corporate email account. Wayne A spokesman for ExxonMo- the name Wayne Tracker, can- is his middle name. bil said “many of the emails not be recovered for the period As Wayne Tracker account from the secondary account from September 5, 2014 to was classified as non-personal, (Wayne Tracker) were also November 28, 2014. it was “exempted from the sus- available from Tillerson’s pri- Sailors take part in events commemorating the Dia del Mar (Day of the Sea) in La Paz, The letter is addressed to pension of the ordinary course mary account or from email Bolivia, yesterday. Dia del Mar refers to the day on which Bolivia lost its access to the sea Supreme Court of the State of ‘file sweep,’” the letter said. accounts of employees he com- to Chile during the 1879-1883 War of the Pacific. New York as part of an investi- Attorneys for ExxonMobil municated with, which were on gation opened in November said that after several search litigation hold.” California Senate Democrats oppose Gorsuch's nomination regulator to Washington colleagues to do the same.” The Judiciary panel is Brown of Ohio, Tammy Baldwin along with former colleagues AP Shortly before Schumer’s expected to vote in next two of Wisconsin, Elizabeth Warren and judges supporting him and vote on strict announcement, Pennsylvania weeks to recommend Gorsuch of Massachusetts and Ed Markey advocacy groups like Human Senator Bob Casey, who faces re- favourably to full Senate. Though of Massachusetts have declared Rights Campaign that have methane rule he top Democrat in the election next year in a state Gorsuch is expected to eventually their opposition. opposed him. Senate said yesterday he Trump won, also announced his be confirmed, the process on Sen- No Democrat has yet pledged The nominee received glow- Los Angeles Twill oppose the nomination opposition. Casey said he had ate floor is less assured. to support the judge, but Senator ing GOP reviews but complaints Reuters of Judge Neil Gorsuch to serve “serious concerns about Judge Some Democrats have already Joe Manchin of West Virginia said from Democrats that he concealed on the Supreme Court and Gorsuch’s rigid and restrictive said they want to try to block the he is open to voting for him. his views from American public. CALIFORNIA’S air pollution encouraged other Democrats to judicial philosophy, manifest in nomination. That means Senate McConnell could also change Sen- Gorsuch, a federal appeals court regulator is due to hold a vote reject President Donald Trump’s a number of opinions he has Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, ate rules to confirm Gorsuch with judge in Denver, refused repeated on methane emission regu- choice, setting up a showdown written on the 10th Circuit.” will have to round up 60 votes to a simple majority in 100-member attempts to get him to talk about lations that it says would be with majority Republicans. The opposition from the two proceed to a confirmation vote, body, and appears prepared to issues of the day. But he did tell the strictest in the United “I have concluded I cannot Democrats came after two days including eight Democrats. take that step if necessary. Senator Dianne Feinstein, who States in controlling the sec- support Neil Gorsuch’s nomina- of hearings in which Gorsuch It’s unclear if he will have The panel will hear from worried that Gorsuch would vote ond-most prevalent tion,” New York Senator Chuck emerged unscathed and with those votes. Democrats Jeff American Bar Association, which to restrict abortion, that “no one greenhouse gas in the Schumer said on the Senate floor. solid Republican support in the Merkley of Oregon, Kirsten Gil- has already given him a unani- is looking to return us to horse and atmosphere. “My vote will be no and I urge my GOP-led Senate. librand of New York, Sherrod mous “well qualified” rating, buggy days.” The new standards, pro- posed by California Air Resources Board, would tighten efficiency requirements Fund-raising activity in production and transporta- Brazilian companies tion of natural gas, and also for some oil-handling equipment, and would mandate prompt repair of discovered leaks, said can outsource any job Dave Clegern, a spokesman for the board. The regulations are Brasilia year recession, its worst ever. expected to pass today's vote Reuters Unions say it will make by the board, people familiar employment more precarious with the process said. he lower house of the Bra- and increase ranks of 12 mil- In October 2015, massive zilian Congress passed a lion unemployed. Its backers Aliso Canyon natural gas leak Tbill yesterday to allow say Brazil’s labour laws, which forced thousands to evacuate companies to outsource any date from 1950s, do not take in Los Angeles’ Porter Ranch job, a first move that was into account work conditions area. It took nearly four fiercely opposed by unions to in the age of internet and cause months to plug and has been reform the country’s outdated high labour costs that make estimated to have had a larger labour laws. Brazilian companies uncom- climate impact than the 2010 The bill, approved 231-188 petitive in a global market. Deepwater Horizon oil spill. after heated debate, also “The modernisation of our The vote comes shortly extends to nine months from labour laws with outsourcing and after President Donald Trump three the maximum duration temporary work will create a proposed major cuts to Envi- of temporary work contracts, new employment environment ronmental Protection Agency’s a more flexible rule that will in the country and generate jobs,” budget and as Senate prepares lower costs for employers. the bill’s sponsor Laercio Oliveira to vote on repealing a rule lim- President Michel Temer’s of Social Democratic Party said. Monica Restrepo, President of Colombia Hematology Foundation poses during a Carlos iting methane venting and government sees the bill as a The bill was opposed by Vives guitar auction in Bogota, Colombia, yesterday. Money from the auction will be used leaking on federal and tribal key measure to create new jobs leftist opponents led by the to support people affected by forest fires in Chile. lands. and help pull Brazil from a two- Workers Party. FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017 CLASSIFIEDS 11

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CONCEPTIS SUDOKU

08:00 News 13:14 Mythbusters 13:50 Life At Vet 13:00 Welcome To The 08:30 AJEats 14:02 How Do They Do University Ronks 09:00 Al Jazeera World It? 14:45 Gator Boys 15:00 Bunk'd 10:30 Inside Story 14:26 Food Factory 15:40 Stranger Among 15:25 Kirby Buckets 11:00 News 14:50 Strangest Weather Bears 15:50 Sunny 11:30 The Stream On Earth 16:05 Stranger Among Bunnies 12:00 News 15:38 What Could Bears 15:55 The Zhuzhus 12:30 101 East Possibly Go 16:35 Tanked 16:20 Miraculous Tales 13:00 NEWSHOUR Wrong? 17:30 In Search Of The Of Ladybug And 14:00 News 16:26 Food Factory King Cobra Cat Noir 14:30 Inside Story USA 18:25 Biggest And 16:45 Elena Of Avalor 15:00 Crude Harvest: Selling 17:14 Mythbusters Baddest 17:10 Stuck In The Mexico's Oil 18:02 How The Earth 19:20 National Parks Middle 16:00 NEWSHOUR Works New Zealand: 17:35 Teen Beach 17:00 News 18:50 What Could Fiordland Movie 17:30 The Stream Possibly Go 20:15 Tanked 19:25 The Next Step 18:00 newsgrid Wrong? 21:10 Stranger Among 19:50 Austin & Ally Yesterday's answer 19:00 News 19:40 Mythbusters Bears 20:15 Star Darlings 19:30 Rewind 21:45 Food Factory 21:35 Stranger Among 20:20 Shake It Up Conceptis Sudoku: Conceptis Sudoku is a number- 20:00 News 22:10 How The Earth Bears 20:45 Backstage placing puzzle based on a 9×9 grid. The object is to 20:30 Inside Story Works 22:05 Biggest And 21:10 Liv And Maddie place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so 21:00 NEWSHOUR 23:00 The Unexplained Baddest 21:35 Cracke that each row, each column and each 3×3 box 22:00 News Files 23:00 National Parks 21:40 Dog With A Blog contains the same number only once. 22:30 The Cure 23:50 What Could New Zealand: 22:05 Best Friends 23:00 In Search Of Putin's Possibly Go Fiordland Whenever 23:55 22:30 CROSSWORD Russia Wrong? Gator Boys Jessie BABY BLUES

NOVO — Pearl SHOWING AT VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER Life (2D/Horror) 10:15am, 12:30, 2:45, 3:30, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30, 11:10 & 11:45pm Power Rangers (2D/Action) 10:45am, 1:00, 1:15, 3:45, 6:15, 8:30, 8:45 & 11:15pm Beauty And The Beast Kong (2D/Fantasy) 10:00am, 10:30, 12:20, 2:40, 5:00, 5:40, 7:20, 9:40pm & 12:00midnight Kong: Skull Island (2D/Action) 10:30am, 1:00, 3:30, 6:00, 8:30 & 11:00pm Barbie Video Game Hero (2D/Animation) 10:00, 11:35am, 1:10, 2:45 & 4:20pm Sleepless (2D/Thriller) 6:00, 8:00, 10:00 & 11:55pm Logan (2D/Action) 10:15am, 3:00, 7:35pm & 12:00midnight The Belko Experiment (2D/Action) 1:00, 5:35 & 10:10pm El Qerd Beytkalem (2D/Arabic) 10:00am, 12:00noon, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00pm & 12:00midnight Autobahn (2D/Action) 10:15am, 12:15, 2:15, 4:15, 6:15, 8:15, 10:15pm & 12:15am Beauty And The Beast Kong (2D IMAX/Fantasy) 11:00am, 1:30, 4:00, 6:30 & 11:30pm Life (2D IMAX/Horror) 9:00pm Yesterday’s answer MALL

Barbie Video Game Hero (2D/Hindi) 2:00 & 3:30pm Katama Rayudu (2D/Telugu) 5:00pm Alamara (2D/Malayalam) 3:00pm Beauty & The Beast (2D/Family) 2:30, 5:15 & 7:30pm Power Rangers (2D/Action) 4:45, 7:00 & 9:15pm Autobahn (2D/Action) 7:30 & 11:30pm Life (2D/Horror) 9:15 & 11:30pm El Qerd Beytkalem (2D/Arabic) 9:45pm Phillauri (2D/Hindi) 11:15pm

LANDMARK

Beauty & The Beast (2D/Family) 2:15 & 6:30pm Power Rangers (2D/Action) 2:30, 5:00 & 7:15pm Barbie Video Game Hero (2D/Hindi) 2:30 & 4:30pm Yu-Gi-Oh: The Dark Side of Dimension (2D/Animation) 4:30pm Autobahn (2D/Action) 7:00 & 9:30pm Life (2D/Horror) 8:45 & 11:00pm El Qerd Beytkalem (2D/Arabic) 9:00pm Katama Rayudu (2D/Telugu) 11:00pm Alamara (2D/Malayalam) 11:30pm

ROYAL PLAZA Beauty & The Beast (2D/Family) 2:15, 5:00 & 9:00pm Yu-Gi-Oh: The Dark Side of Dimension (2D/Animation) 2:30 & 4:45pm Yesterday’s answer Barbie Video Game Hero (2D/Hindi) 2:00 & 3:30pm Power Rangers 4:30, 6:45 & 9:00pm El Qerd Beytkalem (2D/Arabic) 7:00pm Sheperds & Butcher (2D/Crime) 7:15pm ALL IN THE MIND Life (2D/Horror) 9:15pm Alamara (2D/Malayalam) 11:15pm Autobahn (2D/Action) 11:15pm Phillauri (2D/Hindi) 11:15pm

ASTEROID, ASTRONAUT, ASTRONOMY, ASIAN TOWN ASTROPHYSICS, ATMOSPHERE, BLACK Veeram (Malayalam) 3:15 & 6:00pm HOLE, CAPSULE, COSMOS, Alamara (Malayalam) 12:45, 3:15, 5:45, 8:15, 10:45pm & 01:15am COUNTDOWN, CREW, Phillauri (Hindi) 12:30, 5:30 & 10:45pm EXPLORATION, FLIGHT, GALAXY, GRAVITY, Katama Rayudu (Telugu) 12:45, 3:30, 6:15, 9:00 & 11:45pm LAUNCH, LIGHT YEAR, Angamaly Diaries (Malayalam) 1:00, 3:30, 8:15, 10:45pm & 01:15am METEOR, MISSION, MODULE, MOON, NEBULA, ORBIT, PLANET, PULSAR, ROXY ROCKET, SATELLITE, SOLAR SYSTEM, Beauty & The Beast 2:00, 4:30, 7:00pm Kong Skull Island 2:00pm SPACECRAFT, SPACE Katama Rayudu (Telugu) 2:00, 5:00, 8:00 & 11:00pm STATION, STAR, Power Rangers (Action) 2:00, 4:40, 7:20 & 10:00pm SUPERNOVA, TAKEOFF, Alamara (Malayalam) 4:30, 7:15 & 10:00pm TRAJECTORY, UNIVERSE, VELOCITY, VOYAGE. Phillauri (Hindi) 9:30pm & 12:10am BUSINESS Friday 24 March 2017

PAGE | 15 BRENT PAGE | 15 10,445.24 20,706.61 7,330.72 $47.80 QDB wins Qatar’s +49.26 PTS +45.31 PTS +5.29 PTS -0.24 Retaj Group SME Supporter 0.47% 0.22% 0.07% plans to invest award QE DOW FTSE100 in Indonesia Dow & Brent before going to press

Dubai Duty Free sees US home Economic reforms $2m sales hit from sales surge in February electronics ban New York Reuters Dubai Reuters Slump in sales ew US single-family The estimate is based home sales jumped to ubai International on sales of electronics Na seven-month high in Airport's duty free to US-bound February, suggesting the operator estimates passengers, excluding housing market recovery that it will lose mobile phones and continued to gain momentum about $2m in sales accessories. despite the challenges of high Dthis year from the ban on car- prices and tight inventories. rying most electronic devices The Commerce Depart- on United States-bound flights, Electronics larger ment said on Thursday new a senior executive said than a mobile phone home sales increased 6.1 per- yesterday. will be banned from cent to a seasonally adjusted Under new security meas- passenger cabins on annual rate of 592,000 units China's Premier Li Keqiang (right) shakes hands with Australia's shadow Foreign Minister ures announced this week, direct flights to US. last month, the highest level Penny Wong (left), as Australia's Opposition Leader Bill Shorten looks on, at Government electronics larger than a since July 2016. House in Canberra, yesterday. Australia urged China to press ahead with economic reforms mobile phone will be banned January's sales pace was as Premier Li Keqiang began a trade-focused visit amid growing fears of a US slide towards from passenger cabins on devices in electronic gadgets, revised up to 558,000 units protectionism. direct flights to the United state that electronics larger from the previously reported States from airports in eight than a mobile phone -- includ- 555,000 units. New home Muslim-majority nations, ing laptops and tablets -- must sales have now recouped a including the United Arab be stowed with checked bag- sharp drop suffered in Emirates, starting tomorrow. gage on US-bound passenger December. Economists polled "We estimate that the ban flights. by Reuters had forecast new Vietnam leads in infrastructure race will cost us around $2m in rev- Emirates, the only airline home sales, which account enue for the year," Dubai Duty operating direct flights to the for about 9.7 percent of over- Makati/Hanoi upgrade water and sanitation expand more than 6 percent Free's Chief Operating Officer United States from Dubai, will all home sales, gaining 0.7 Bloomberg facilities. Vietnam, among the until 2019, among the top per- Ramesh Cidambi told Reuters allow passengers to hand over percent to a rate of 565,000 fastest-growing nations in the formers this decade. in an emailed statement. electronic devices at boarding units last month. New home t may be one of the smallest world, is boosting infrastructure Its challenges are formida- The estimate is based on to minimise disruption, Pres- sales, which are derived from economies in Asia, but Viet- to lure more foreign investors ble. Vietnam needs about $480 sales of electronics to US- ident Tim Clark told Reuters building permits, are volatile Inam is among those leading as it positions itself as Asia's next bn through 2020 for infrastruc- bound passengers, excluding on Wednesday. on a month-to-month basis the infrastructure race. Tiger Economy. ture including 11 power plants mobile phones and accesso- However, analysts warn and subject to large revisions. Vietnam's public and private "The government knows with total capacity of 13,200 ries, for 2016 and if the ban that travellers, especially those Sales were up 12.8 percent sector infrastructure investment that if they want to compete for megawatts and about 1,380 kil- runs until the end of the year. who want to use laptops to compared to February 2016, averaged 5.7 percent of gross investment, low wages aren't ometers of highways, according US officials have said the ban work during flights, could showing the housing market's domestic product in recent enough," said Eugenia Victorino, to the government. Just last is indefinite. switch to airlines and airports resilience. Sales last month years, the highest in Southeast an economist at Australia & New week, Prime Minister Nguyen Dubai Duty Free made not affected by the new were likely partially buoyed Asia and compares with 6.8 per- Zealand Banking Group in Sin- Xuan Phuc ordered the trans- $1.85 bn in total sales last year, regulations. by unseasonably warm cent in China, according to the gapore. "They need port ministry to speed up plans Cidambi said. Griffiths said he does not weather. Asian Development Bank. Indo- infrastructure good enough to to attract more private invest- The chief executive of expect a significant impact to Most economists see a nesia and the Philippines spend entice companies to put up fac- ment for infrastructure as the Dubai Airports, Paul Griffiths, Dubai airport's passenger limited impact on housing less than 3 percent, while Malay- tories. The development has state budget can only meet a had earlier told DubaiEye numbers, while Clark said that from higher mortgage rates sia and Thailand spend even less been fairly spread out, with air- third of the financial need. radio that the ban on electron- Emirates will monitor the because a tightening labor at under 2 percent. ports and roads being built The share of private invest- ics covers goods sold in the commercial impact. market is improving employ- The ADB estimates that across the country." ment in infrastructure spending airport, including duty free Britain followed the United ment opportunities for young emerging economies in the Those efforts are paying off. in Vietnam may be less than 10 stores. States by introducing a simi- adults. The market for new region will need to invest as Foreign direct investment percent, said Rana Hasan, ADB The regulations, prompted larban on Tuesday, though the houses is benefiting from a much as $26 trillion through surged to a record $15.8bn in director of development eco- by reports that militant groups UK restrictions do not include shortage of properties for 2030 to build transport net- 2016, and the economy is fore- nomics. In India, the private want to smuggle explosive the UAE. sale. works, boost power supply and cast by the World Bank to sector plays a bigger role. Oil up from four-month lows; inventories curb recovery

London remains well below this year's Information Administration producers who said they would Reuters high above $58, hit shortly after showed US inventories jumped Market upbeat cut. January 1 when the deal between by a bigger-than-expected 5 mil- Barclays bank offered London-based Barclays bank il prices rallied from four- the Organization of the Petroleum lion barrels last week to 533.1 a more upbeat offered a more upbeat assess- month lows yesterday but Exporting Countries and non- million. assessment, saying the ment, saying the latest oil price Othe recovery was cautious Opec states to curb supplies by While Opec has broadly met latest oil price weakness would not last into the with investors concerned that 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) its commitments to reduce out- second quarter. The bank fore- weakness would not Opec-led supply cuts were not came into effect. put, non-Opec producers have yet cast a modest recovery. last into Q2,2017. yet reducing record US crude "I think today's strength is to fully deliver on pledged cuts "We see a rebound to the high inventories. temporary," said Tamas Varga, and US shale oil producers have $50 and $60 range in Q2 as Brent crude, the international analyst at London broker PVM Oil been pumping more oil after Data showed US inventories draw and the market benchmark for oil, was trading at Associates, saying sentiment was crude prices recovered from last inventories jumped readies for the peak driving and $51.02 a barrel by 1112 GMT, up still under pressure from high year's drop below $30. Greg McK- by a bigger-than- demand season," the bank wrote 38 cents on the day and rebound- inventory levels and climbing US enna (pictured), chief market expected 5 million in a note to clients. It said inven- ing from yesterday's slide to production as US shale produc- strategist at futures brokerage barrels last week. tories held by industrialised $49.71, it lowest level since Nov. ers added rigs. AxiTrader, said Opec was "under- nations would be eroded by the 30 when Opec announced plans Global stockpiles have risen writing the investment plans and He said oil prices could fall end of the second quarter, slid- to cut output. US light crude was even with Opec-led cuts. Yester- returns of their competition in US further due to US output and a ing to Opec's target level of the up 36 cents at $48.40. Brent day, data from the US Energy shale oil". lack of compliance by some five-year average. FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017 BUSINESS 15

Nakilat assumes QDB wins Qatar’s SME Supporter award management of LNG Mesaimeer The Peninsula prices on government revenues, the budget allocation for fund- he Business Year (TBY), ing SMEs has held steady, The Peninsula a global publishing positioning QDB as the main house and research contributor to the flourishing akilat has assumed full firm on emerging entrepreneurship environment ship management and economies, has in Qatar. Noperations of Q-Flex Tawarded Qatar Development After the successful releases LNG carrier Mesaimeer from Bank (QDB) as "Qatar's SME of three editions, TBY has STASCo (Shell Trading and Supporter." returned to Doha in partnership Shipping Company Ltd) with The award was received by with the Ministry of Economy & effect from yesterday, as part Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, Commerce to produce The Busi- of the planned and phased CEO of QDB, who previously ness Year: Qatar 2017, the most transition announced on held an interview with TBY to comprehensive publication on October 19, 2016. talk about the bank's financing the Qatari economy. With a cargo carrying capac- scheme for SMEs and its role in This year’s edition, which ity of 216,312 cubic meters, the development of the private features interviews with senior Mesaimeer is wholly-owned sector in Qatar. executives and government offi- by Nakilat and chartered by The award recognises QDB’s cials across all sectors, will be Qatargas. The vessel built in abundant support for Qatar’s published in early 2017 and will South Korea by Hyundai SME sector. For 2017, the bank contain the views and insights Heavy Industries was deliv- has launched a unique scheme of over 150 business leaders. In ered in March 2009 and has for financing SMEs and will tar- addition to such interviews, the Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa (centre), CEO of QDB receiving the award. been in service ever since. get 25 projects in a startup phase. publication will feature sector Mesaimeer is the sixth In addition, QDB has pro- analyses, focus articles, and con- investment forums, and events. first-hand access to the people business in the world’s most wholly-owned LNG vessel that vided funds and support for tributions from foreign The Business Year (TBY) is a and ideas shaping business and dynamic economies. TBY’s inter- will come under the manage- entrepreneurs establishing busi- dignitaries discussing Qatar's leading research firm and pub- policy throughout the world. viewees, readers, and partners ment of Nakilat Shipping Qatar nesses in Qatar through its economic future. The publica- lisher of annual economic Each country-specific edition comprise an international net- (NSQL), bringing total number subsidiary, the Qatar Business tion will be widely distributed resources on national econo- contains a comprehensive range work of thought-leaders who are of vessels managed by NSQL Incubation Center (QBIC). both locally and internationally mies. Present in over 25 of interviews and analysis, offer- helping to define the future of to 14, comprising of 10 LNG Despite the impact of low oil at major economic conferences, countries, TBY provides ing an inside look at doing the global economy. and four LPG carriers. Retaj Group plans to invest in Indonesia Top LNG buyers form The Peninsula alliance to push for r Agus Hermanto, Indo- nesian Deputy Speaker of Dthe House of Represent- flexible contracts ative and its members met Vice Chairman and Managing Direc- Seoul tor of Retaj Group Dr Reuters ayayayayayayNew alliance Mohammed bin Johar Said Al AyayayayayayA painful period of Mohammed and its Retaj Group he world’s biggest lique- high LNG prices Management. fied natural gas (LNG) before 2014 left The meeting discussed about Tbuyers, all in Asia, are Asian importers the plan of Retaj Group to invest clubbing together to secure scrambling to in Indonesia particularly relat- more flexible supply contracts contain losses and ing to investment in Hotels and in a move which shifts power led to the first talks Hotel Hospitality. According to to importers from producers as Dr Mohammed Johar, Retaj Officials at the event. oversupply grows. between India, Hotels and Hospitality is a Qatari Korea Gas Corp (KOGAS) Japan, South Korea, real estate and hospitality com- Dr Agus welcomes the planned in 2015," he added. Dr Agus opportunity for Qatar as a pros- said yesterday it had signed a China and Taiwan pany with a total of 10 hotels investment Retaj Group in Indo- added that Indonesia has made perous nation with a abundant memorandum of understand- about joint operating in Qatar, Turkey, the nesia. He added that the progress in its bureaucracy and financial resources," he added ing in mid-March with Japan’s purchases. Comoros, and Saudi Arabia. potential economy of Indonesia structural reforms agenda aimed According to Indonesian JERA and China National Off- He added that Retaj Hotels is encouraging as currently the at raising economic growth. It Embassy's Minister Counselor, shore Oil Corp (CNOOC) to was established in Doha in 2004 16th largest economy in the has adequate legal instruments Boy Dharmawan, earlier Indone- exchange information and flexibility, such as having the and focuses on real estate devel- world. that support the development of sian Deputy Speaker of the House “cooperate in the joint procure- right to re-sell imports to third opment and project "Seeing Indonesia with a foreign investment. of Representative held a meeting ment of LNG.” parties, something they are not management, real estate serv- market of 250 million middle Indonesian Envoy to Qatar, with Deputy Speaker of Advisory Together, the three compa- allowed to do currently under ices, and the hospitality business. class people getting stronger, Muhammad Basri Sidehabi Council and CEO of Ooreedoo nies purchase a third of global so-called destination Retaj Hotels operates according and cannot be separated from stated Indonesia can be strate- International Group. The visit to LNG production, giving them a restrictions. to Islamic principles and has the market 600 million divided gic partner of Qatar in helping Qatar produces fruitful outcome strong hand to challenge “We have created a plat- banned alcohol and smoking at into 10 countries joined in promoting Qatar's ambition to in term of bilateral relation par- restrictive contract terms that form to share, discuss and solve its hotels. The company refers ASEAN Free Trade Area and the be a truly world-class player. ticularly investment cooperation have squeezed buyers’ finances. our common issues such as tra- to its hotels as “Islamic hotels". ASEAN Economic Community "Indonesia offers vast economic between two countries. Influential buyers’ clubs are ditional LNG business practices, largely unheard of in commod- including destination restric- ity markets where it is the tions,” said JERA spokesman producers who wield power, Atsuo Sawaki. China Southern enforcing production quotas to The alliance of three big UK retail sales rebound in February manage prices. A painful period buyers across three countries of high LNG prices before 2014 will put pressure on exporters in talks to sell left Asian importers scrambling such as Qatar, Australia and London National Statistics (ONS) said in post-referendum resilience, to contain losses and led to the Malaysia. They prefer to have stake to AFP a statement. signs that it had been fading first talks between India, Japan, clients locked into fixed supply Expectations had been for a meant that this release proba- South Korea, China and Taiwan contracts which run for decades American Air ritish retail sales much smaller increase of 0.4 bly attracted more attention about joint purchases. and make buyers take fixed rebounded strongly last percent, after a revised drop of than usual.” Several joint LNG-buying amounts of monthly volumes Beijing Bmonth despite Brexit jit- 0.5 percent in January. The pound jumped to a one- deals have been set up since irrespective of demand, with no Bloomberg ters, official data showed “Markets reacted favoura- month peak at $1.2527 on then but none approach the right to re-sell surplus supplies yesterday, sparking a spike in bly to the release, with the growing hopes of an interest scale of the latest agreement, to other end-users. hina Southern Airlines the pound. pound rising fairly sharply,” said rate hike. which is the first involving the The LNG market is under- Co, Asia’s biggest car- Retail sales rallied 1.4 per- Capital Economics analyst Paul Better sales of goods across game’s biggest players. going huge changes as the Crier by passengers, is in cent in February after a drop in Hollingsworth. the board were behind the Feb- Under yesterday’s agree- biggest ever flood of new sup- advanced talks to sell a stake January when rising food and “Indeed, with consumer ruary increase, with the ment, the buyers aim to extract ply is hitting the market, with to American Airlines Group fuel prices weighed on con- demand having been the key exception of food sales which concessions from producers volumes coming mainly from Inc, according to people sumer spending, the Office for driver of the economy’s stagnated, ONS said. that would give them supply Australia and the United States. familiar with the matter. The negotiations focus on an investment of about $200m by Fort Worth, Texas- based American in China QSE index jumps 49.26 points; stocks in Gulf see small gains Southern’s Hong Kong-listed shares, said the people, ask- ing not to be identified as The Peninsula/ Reuters climbed 0.7 percent as the pet- climbed 2.2 percent after it sold Dubai and the first equity instru- company in the Gulf, Agility, talks are confidential. rochemical sector regained some its ownership stake in a Dubai ment to list since an jumped 3.2 percent. Egypt’s The sale likely would take ost stock markets in the of the previous session’s heavy development project, One Palm, exchange-traded fund in June index climbed 1.2 percent with place through a private place- Gulf made small gains losses, after Brent oil bounced to Omniyat Properties, its part- 2016, traded at $1.17 on its first trading volume nearly doubling ment, one of the people said. Myesterday, recovering from a four-month low hit on ner in the scheme. The value of day on NASDAQ Dubai, up from from the previous session as for- Bringing in the world’s larg- some of the week’s losses, but Wednesday. the sale was not disclosed. its initial public offer price of eign funds were net buyers of est carrier as a partner will trading volumes remained very Saudi Kayan Petrochemical DSI said the transaction was $1.11. Volume was tiny. equities, exchange data showed. help the Guangzhou-based low. rose 1.3 percent.The insurance an important milestone in its Abu Dhabi’s index added 0.3 The top two gainers in that airline expand its network Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) sector, which has been very vol- turnaround and capital restruc- percent but saw its lowest daily index were private equity firm through code-sharing as it index advanced 0.5 percent with atile in recent days, also firmed turing plan initiated in the fourth volume since mid-December. Qalaa Holdings, which jumped adds more destinations. The 70 percent of traded shares gain- with all but four of the 35 listed quarter of 2016. Dana Gas rose 2.3 percent. 6.8 percent, and investment firm tie-up will help American ing. The index gained 49.26 insurers advancing. A 1.1 percent decline in Kuwait’s index, which had EFG Hermes, up 4.2 percent. strengthen its presence in a points to close at 10,445.24 yes- Buruj Cooperative Insur- shares of heavyweight Emaar jumped 2.0 percent on Wednes- The benchmark index in market that predicted to sur- terday. Islamic lender Masraf Al ance jumped 9.3 percent and Properties dragged on Dubai’s day, added a further 0.3 percent Oman added 0.3 percent to 5,635 pass the US to become the Rayan was the top performer, was the top performer on the index, which fell 0.4 percent. with trading volume staying very points yesterday while the index world’s biggest in terms of climbing 2.8 percent. exchange. ENBD REIT, the second real high. in Bahrain increased 0.6 percent passenger numbers by 2024. The Saudi stock index Dubai builder Drake & Scull estate investment trust to list in The largest logistics to 1,376 points. 16 SPORT FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017

The helmets of Torro Rosso's Russian driver Daniil (extreme left), Haas F1's Danish driver Kevin Magnussen (second left), Sauber's Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson (third left) and Sauber's German driver Pascal Wehrlein are displayed in Melbourne ahead of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix. The season's first Grand Prix will be held on Sunday. Faster F1 car means bigger, stronger drivers for 2017 Melbourne Ricciardo seeks AP

enault driver Niko Hulkenberg end to 37-year has the kind of name that sounds like big could be his thing. Aussie drought In Formula One seasons past, muscle bulk hasn't really been the AFP Rkey requirement for drivers, with work on endurance being the focus of training in the aniel Ricciardo called his gym. The new regulations in F1 have made strong support at the the cars bigger and faster, prefacing an era DAustralian Grand Prix that has the drivers and fans more excited "kind of overwhelming" yester- than usual, and so the pilots have to follow day, but said it gave him extra suit. motivation to become the race's "The cars are like driving a very fast and first Aussie winner in 37 years. spectacular roller-coaster and it's a lot more The 27-year-old from Perth, demanding than before," Hulkenberg said Western Australia, is lining up ahead of the season-opening Australian Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton for his sixth crack at the race in Grand Prix. "Now you have to wrestle these speaks during a press conference in Melbourne on Sunday, after cars! Melbourne yesterday (left). Hamilton's placing fourth last year, his best "The tires allow you to push harder every helmet is also seen (inset). performance yet. lap, so you can exploit and be on the limit. Ricciardo is seeking to It's a lot more work and a lot more demand- become the first domestic ing. There's a lot that's new, but the game is driver to win the Australian race still the same." since it became part of the Lewis Hamilton has worked out the world championship calendar game, winning three drivers' titles, so he's in 1985. more than ready to up the ante. Alan Jones was the last Aus- "As racing drivers in general you want tralian to win his home Grand to drive the quickest cars in the world and I Prix in 1980, when he was also think you always want to go faster," the Mer- the last Australian to win the cedes driver said. world title. "The cars are faster than what they were But Ricciardo, the Red Bull last year. The challenge of exploiting that driver with the neon smile who speed with your car on the track is a great Hamilton calls for more women finished third in last year's challenge and it's more in the direction of world championship, said he how F1 should be in the sense of the physi- in particular, to handle the extra load. Dan- isn't burdened by national cality side of it." iel Ricciardo finished third in the season in 'dude' dominated paddock expectations. Hamilton, who won back-to-back titles standings for Red Bull last year, behind the "It's not a weight on my with Mercedes in 2014 and '15 and narrowly two Mercedes. Melbourne "Not electric and not Honda," he shoulders," Ricciardo said at the missed out to teammate Nico Rosberg last He's put in extra work to ensure he's Reuters quipped, drawing a murmur from official media conference season, considers himself as much an ath- stronger physically, knowing that it could reporters yesterday. yesterday. lete as a driver. make a serious difference. And while he's no here are "too many dudes" in the Most Formula One fans will wish "It means more work, for "F1 should be the most physically hulking ball of muscle, he's noticeably big- paddock at Formula One races for a more competitive series this year sure. This week is easily the demanding sport in terms of all the driving ger than he was in 2016. Tand the series needs to improve after Mercedes swept the drivers' and busiest F1 week of the year for series," he said. "In previous years that hasn't "It's more physical this year," he said. access for women, Mercedes driver constructors' championships for the me. been the case — it hasn't been to the level "We've all done our work in the offseason Lewis Hamilton said yesterday. last three seasons running. "But it's all positive support, that we train to, is relatively easy for us to — it's been fun to put more emphasis on the In the leadup to Sunday's Austral- The only serious on-track rivalry it's kind of overwhelming actu- do — now you have to really push the bound- training." ian Grand Prix, the three-times has been between Hamilton and his ally. I'm surprised so many aries, which I like." Fernando Alonso is one of the veterans champion Briton, and other leading now-retired team mate Nico people are getting behind me The F1 rule changes means wider tires, of the circuit, having won back-to-back titles drivers, were asked for their wish- Rosberg. and the event. greater aerodynamics, bigger fuel loads and for Renault in 2005-06 and having stints at lists for the championship and Hamilton won 10 of 21 races last "It won't last forever." increased downforce, which have made the McLaren, Renault and Ferrari after that and Hamilton had little hesitation cham- season, including the last four in suc- In 2014, Ricciardo crossed cars heavier but also significantly faster. before he rejoined McLaren. He's had two pioning a more inclusive track-side cession, but was still runner-up the line second behind Mer- The tires, which are 25 percent wider, tough seasons, finishing 17th and 10th, so he environment. behind German champion Rosberg, cedes driver Nico Rosberg, but have more grip and are more durable, ena- doesn't mind doing the extra gym work as "A Miami race and more ladies in who has been replaced by former Wil- cruelly he was disqualified for bling drivers to push harder through the long as his car grows with him. the paddock," the 32-year-old said at liams driver Valtteri Bottas. breaching fuel rules. corners. Even though Mercedes dominated "I'm incredibly motivated and I can't wait the pre-race media conference. A raft of technical changes, includ- "It's demanding, it is a tir- under the previous regulations, Hamilton to see what kind of racing this new shake- "More access for the women, ing fatter tyres and aerodynamic ing week, but it's pretty cool to was a big advocate for the changes. up of the sport will bring," he said. more there's too many dudes in the enhancements, have raised hopes see so many people supportive "Doing drastic changes kind of spices it challenging to drive — from a driver's point paddock." rivals can bridge the gap with the Sil- of me and the event... it's pretty up," he said. "I have never seen the fans so of view this is exactly what we were look- Hamilton was more for turning ver Arrows. much just a bit of extra motiva- excited about a season as they are this sea- ing for in the new regulations. I really hope back the clock when it came to the Bookmakers are less convinced, tion for me," Ricciardo said. son ... we don't know where the cars and this will translate to good battles on track." series' power units, however, agree- with many installing Hamilton as "I don't see it as pressure in teams are, so more of these kind of experi- ing with Red Bull driver Daniel unbackable favourite to win a fourth terms of, if I don't win on Sun- ences would be welcome." Ricciardo's wish for no more "electric world title and also the race at Albert day, I know they're not all going Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes-Benz engines" in Formula One. Park on Sunday. to leave the track and say I'm Motorsport, said Hamilton and his team- The current generation of quieter Hamilton has deflected the hype hopeless and never come back. mate Valterri Bottas were in prime shape to and more fuel-efficient V6 turbo onto Ferrari, which had fast lap times "They want to see me do make the most of the changes. hybrid power units, while technolog- and impressive reliability during win- well and that's how I see it, "It's an exciting time for them because ically impressive, have failed to win ter testing. pretty much. I think at the (pre- these new cars are a real physical challenge," over some fans who miss the noisier He said he would relish a title fight race) drivers' parade on Sunday, he said. "Both felt from testing that the V8 engines. from Ferrari's four-times world cham- I'll see that and feel it and get G-Forces are enormous and they are Hamilton was less sold on pion Sebastian Vettel this season. me jacked up for the race." embracing the new challenge." McLaren driver Fernando Alonso's "It's interesting to see, Sebastian Ricciardo has won four Four-time world champion Sebastian ironic suggestion that teams be given is usually a lot more hype," Hamilton races from 109 GPs, but he said Vettel expects his '17-edition Ferrari to be "equal engines". said, eliciting a half-smile from the a win in Australia would top the fastest car he's driven. The 35-year-old Alonso was frus- German sitting a metre away from him them all. "For us, what really gives us a good feel- trated with the poor performance of at the media conference. "If anyone could win just ing is cornering speed — I think we're back the Honda-powered McLaren cars "I can tell he's trying to keep a lid one race, they would always say to the level we've been 10 years ago, maybe during winter testing, having already on it. their home (race)," he said. a bit faster," he said. "Nice to have the feel- endured two bleak seasons since "More teams and more drivers up "I would love to. I'm pre- ing that you're in the fastest cars that you've Williams' Brazilian driver Felipe returning to the team in 2015. the front fighting for wins, that's what pared, we have all done our ever driven." Massa takes part in a press "I don't agree with that one," Ham- racing is all about. I'm hoping that's work in the pre-season and we Vettel is among the drivers who have conference yesterday. ilton said of Alonso's wish. the case." feel like we're coming in as well been working on neck and shoulder strength prepared as possible." FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017 SPORT 17 Qatar's Al Behaih w ins gold at Al Gharafa through to GCC Special Olympics Winter Games Handball Club Cup semis Doha Al Noor on a single point and Al Sharjah bot- Vienna delight regarding the victory and QNA tom without points. QNA the performances of Qatari athletes The Qatari side will face Al Ahli in the so far. l Gharafa secured their place in the last match of the group stage today. Group atar's Hamad Jaber Al Behaih He also added that the success semifinals of the 37th GCC men hand- winners will face the second-placed team won the gold medal in the was a result of the support of Pres- Aball club cup winners championship from Group B. Some key players are Qspeed skating 222m event at ident of Qatar Olympic Committee thanks to a 24-19 win over Al Sharjah in the expected to be rested for the Friday match the Special Olympics World Win- H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al second round of the group stage. ahead of semifinals. ter Games in Vienna, Austria. Thani. Al Mulla also said that was The match was good overall with Al Following their draw against Al Ahli in He finished the race in 54.429 a testament to the ability of Qatari Gharafa assuming control of the most part the other match, Asian champions Al Noor seconds, 0.3 seconds ahead of people to excel in all fields. He of it despite recurring attempts from the UAE must score a big win against Al Sharjah and Jamaica's Dave Oddman. The Qatari thanked members of the delega- side to return to the game. hope for Al Gharafa win against Al Ahli if champion expressed his delight at tion for the effort they have put in Al Gharafa ensured their semifinal berth they are to stand any chance of qualifying winning gold and dedicated the win so far, and praised the athletes as after Bahrain's Al Ahli and Saudi side Al Noor for the semifinals. The tournament is played to the Qatari people. of Qatar Special Olympics Amir Al well for their strong drew their match earlier today to give Al in one-round league format, with the group Meanwhile, Executive Director Mulla expressed his performances. Gharafa the top place on four points from stage set to conclude on Saturday and teams two wins ahead of Al Ahli on three points, take Sunday off. Al Kharaitiyat and Podolski smashes Germany Sharjah draw in Doha friendly winner to sign off in style The Peninsula atar Stars League (QSL) side Al Kharaitiyat Dortmund International Team-mates throw Germany's registered a 2-2 draw with Arabian Gulf AFP friendly results midfielder Lukas Podolski in the air QLeague side Sharjah FC in a friendly game after the friendly football match played as the Thunders ramp up their preparations for At Usti-nad-Labam, Czech ukas Podolski signed in Dortmund, western Germany, on their round 24 clash against Al Ahli. Republic off his Germany career Wednesday. Podolski signed off his Goals from Mahmoud Saad and Moroccan Czech Republic 3 (Horava 48-pen, Lin style on Wednesday Germany career in style, smashing striker Rachid Tiberkanine ensured that the game smashing home the winning Jankto 64, Krmencik 79) Lithuania 0 ended honors even. home the winning goal. goal with his trusty left boot At Nicosia The tie which took place on Wednesday to seal a 1-0 friendly victory Cyprus 3 (Mytidis 56, Katedaris 62, evening at Al Kharaitiyat’s training ground saw over England. Christofi 66) Kazakhstan 1 (Nuserba- the majority of the squad play a part in the game. It was only fitting that jev 29) One noticeable absentee for Ahmad Al Ajlani’s the Galatasaray forward, At Dortmund side was defender Mohammed Abdurahman who who joins Japan's Vissel Germany 1 (Podolski 69) England 0 sat out of the tie after suffering a minor injury. Kobe next season, should Speaking on the result, Al Kharaitiyat’s head At Edinburgh claim his 49th goal on his of football Mansour Moussa added; “The game Scotland 1 (Naismith 35) Canada 1 130th -- and final -- inter- against Sharjah was a useful exercise for the club, national appearance. (Aird 11) the match means that we are at full fitness ahead Podolski captained the of three decisive games to end our QSL season.” world champions to their James Ward-Prowse, Nathan The Thunders are currently tenth in the QSL first win over old rivals Eng- Redmond and Michael standings with a tally of twenty five points from land on home soil since 1987. Keane all made their debuts twenty three games. The 31-year-old received for the visitors. a standing ovation in Dort- Germany coach Joachim mund after a pre-match Loew also experimented by presentation to mark his starting just three 2014 Media mogul Eisner 13-year international career. World Cup winners in Toni After his winning goal lit Kroos, Mats Hummels and up an otherwise dull friendly Podolski. in Portsmouth on 69 minutes, Podolski A fourth, Sami Khedira, came off to more thunder- dropped out hours before takeover talks ous applause with six kick-off with a swollen minutes to go. ankle. Before kick-off England Striker Timo Werner, 21, London manager Gareth Southgate earned his Germany debut AFP paid tribute to the victims of after scoring 14 goals for RB firing wide. Podolski tested and the City midfielder had Falkirk, capitalised on a mix- Wednesday's London "ter- Leipzig this season. England goalkeeper Joe another late chance. up in the hosts' defence. he billionaire former chairman of US enter- ror" attack and said there Keane fired over in the Hart, while Eric Dier forced Meanwhile, in Edin- Aird also had a chance tainment giant the Walt Disney Corporation was no question of cancel- early stages as England ter Stegen, in for injured burgh, Scotland had to come to make it 2-0 but volleyed Tis in talks to buy English fourth-tier club Port- ling the match. made a bright start and Manuel Neuer, into a diving from behind to snatch a 1-1 wide in the 26th minute, smouth, the south coast side has confirmed. Southgate, who took the Adam Lallana's powerful save on 52 minutes. draw with lowly Canada in with Scotland manager Gor- Following a report in The News, Portsmouth's brave decision to drop Man- shot hit the post with 30 But Podolski steered the their friendly international don Strachan not fielding his local newspaper, that American media mogul chester United star Wayne minutes gone. friendly Germany's way with at Hibernian's Easter Road strongest side. Scotland, Michael Eisner was looking to complete a takeo- Rooney from his squad, Podolski fired over Ger- the superb winner on 69 ground on Wednesday. however, saw Steven Nai- ver, the Portsmouth Supporters Trust, which owns fielded a new-look side who many's best first-half chance minutes. In what was a warm-up smith equalise 11 minutes the club, said in a statement issued Wednesday. had the better of the Ger- after being set up by Man- A Kroos pass found for Scotland's potentially before half-time when he The News said Eisner, 75, was eager to become mans in the first half. chester City's Leroy Sane. replacement Andre Schuer- decisive 2018 World Cup turned a stray shot from involved in English football, while the FT said West Bromwich Albion's With half-time rle, who laid the ball off for qualifier against Slovenia at debutant Tom Cairney into Thursday that talks were at an "advanced stage". Jake Livermore came in for approaching Dele Alli forced Podolski, whose bullet shot Glasgow's Hampden Park on the visitors' net. Portsmouth won the FA Cup as recently as 2008 injured Jordan Henderson Germany goalkeeper Marc- off his left foot gave Hart Sunday, it took the hosts just But Canada -- 117th in when they were a Premier League club. while Leicester's Jamie Andre ter Stegen into a reflex no chance from 25 metres 10 minutes to fall behind. the rankings compared to But following their relegation from the lucra- Vardy took Harry Kane's save as it stayed goalless at out. Canada, 50 places below Scotland's 67th -- more than tive top flight in 2009, they were hit with points place up front. the break. The goal breathed life the Scots in the FIFA world held their own in a match penalties for repeatedly falling into administration Gary Cahill captained Germany took control at into the hosts and only a rankings, went 1-0 up when where boos rang out from under a succession of foreign-based owners and the team as part of a back the start of the second half good save denied Sane after Fraser Aird, a midfielder disappointed Scotland fans this contributed to their falling down the league three while with winger Julian Brandt a storming run into the area with Scotland's second-tier at full-time. pyramid with several relegations. Johnson rolls as McIlroy and Spieth stumble at Match Play

Austin first round-robin matches at Aus- Grillo today. Woodland beat Grillo Furyk halved, while Brooks Reuters tin Country Club. 3&2. Koepka was lights out with the McIlroy, who reached last Twice major champion Spi- putter in a 6&5 trouncing of fel- orld number one Dus- year's semi-finals, fell 2&1 to Dane eth never led against Tanihara, low American Kevin Kisner. tin Johnson rolled and Soren Kjeldsen while Japan's who has 13 career titles overseas. Day, last year's winner, WRory McIlroy and Jor- Hideto Tanihara, making his first The American played his last nine walked off the course after six dan Spieth stumbled, while Jason appearance at the tournament, holes in three over, hitting only holes, revealing to reporters that Day left to be with his ailing routed Spieth 4&2. one green. he was leaving to be with his mother in Wednesday's opening Kjeldsen was 1-down with five "I knew if I brought my 'A' mother, who is having lung can- day of the WGC-Dell Match Play to play but rattled off four succes- game, I could probably compete cer surgery today. in Austin, Texas. sive birdies, knocking his last four against him," said Tanihara. "I The event is comprised of 16 Johnson won the first three approaches inside nine feet, with wanted to see how a top player four-player groups who play holes and was 5-up after nine the last three inside four feet. would play and I was just looking round-robin matches from holes and steamrolled Webb "I played well. If I had played forward the whole day." Wednesday through Friday with Simpson 5&3. anyone else, I might have won. Next up for the Texan is a clash the winners of each group "When you get up real early, Soren played great," said with Japan's Yuta Ikeda on Thurs- advancing to a single-elimination Dustin Johnson tees off during round one of the World you just want to keep the momen- McIlroy. day and Ryan Moore today. Moore bracket at the weekend. Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play in tum on your side," said Johnson. Northern Irishman McIlroy halved his match with Ikeda. Players receive one point for Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spi- will play Gary Woodland on Japan's Hideki Matsuyama a win and a half-point for a halved Austin, Texas on Wednesday. eth were surprise losers in their Thursday and Argentine Emiliano and U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Jim match. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017

GRAND PRIX OF QATAR: SCHEDULE TODAY 13:00-13:15 - Qatar Superstock 600 - Superpole 1 13:25-13:40 - Qatar Superstock 600 - Superpole 2 13:55-14:25 - Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup - Free Practice 2 15:35 - Qatar Superstock 600 - Race 1 (12 laps) 16:40-17:10 - Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup - Qualifying 18:00-18:45 - MotoGP - Free Practice 2 19:00-19:40 - Moto3 - Free Practice 3 19:55-20:40 - Moto2 - Free Practice 3 20:55-21:40 - MotoGP - Free Practice 3

TOMORROW 14:25 - Qatar Superstock 600 - Race 2 (12 laps) 16:00 - Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup - Race 1 (14 laps) 17:00-17:45 - MotoGP VIP Village Pit Lane Walk 17:20 / 17:30 - Medical Inspection / Track Inspection 18:00-18:40 - Moto3 - Qualifying 18:55-19:40 - Moto2 - Qualifying 19:55-20:25 - MotoGP - Free Practice 4 20:35-20:50 - MotoGP - Qualifying 1 21:00-21:15 - MotoGP - Qualifying 2

SUNDAY 13:50 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup - Race 2 (14 laps) MotoGP riders pose for a family portrait at the Losail International Circuit ahead of Sunday's Grand Prix of Qatar. 14:45-15:30 MotoGP VIP Village Pit Lane Walk 15:50-16:10 - Moto3 - Warm Up 16:25-16:45 - Moto2 - Warm Up 17:00-17:20 - MotoGP - Warm Up 18:00 -Moto3 - Race (18 laps);

Former champ Lorenzo opts 19:20 - Moto2 - Race (20 laps);

21:00 - MotoGP - Race (22 laps);

for step-by-step approach WORLD CHAMPIONS MOTOGP 2016: Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) Rizwan Rehmat goals in the new season, Former world champion Jorge Lorenzo of Team Ducati in action during a free practice 2015: Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha) The Peninsula Iannone said: “Recover- session at the Losail International Circuit yesterday. ing the gap, and adjusting 2014: Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) ormer world the bike and getting it to 2013: Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) champion Jorge my style. We believe we 2012: Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha) Lorenzo hopes to have a lot of potential and 2011: Casey Stoner (AUS/Honda) build up pace we want to reduce the 2010: Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha) with his red gap." 2009: Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) FDucati bike when he steps The Suzuki Ecstar star out for the season's first added: "At the moment it’s 2008: Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) race at this week's Grand difficult because from the 2007: Casey Stoner (AUS/Ducati) Prix of Qatar. test we don’t have a great The affable and yet feeling; we didn’t get to a MOTO2 feisty Spaniard knows the good compromise. The 2016: Johann Zarco (FRA/Kalex) switch from the blue of pace isn’t bad but isn’t so 2015: Johann Zarco (FRA/Kalex) Yamaha to the red of close to the top four or five. 2014: Esteve Rabat (ESP/Kalex) Ducati is a pleasing thought I hope to improve and fight but not so easy to at the top.” 2013: Pol Espargaro (ESP/Kalex) manage. British Independent 2012: Marc Marquez (ESP/Suter) Lorenzo, a three-time Team rider Cal Crutchlow, 2011: Stefan Bradl (GER/Kalex) premier class champion, who took two stunning vic- 2010: Toni Elias (ESP/Moriwaki) was just recently reminded tories last season, is 2009: Hiroshi Aoyama (JPN/Honda) by Ducati predecessor pleased going into the new 2008: Marco Simoncelli (ITA/Gilera) Andrea Iannone to expect season after showing 2007: Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Aprilia) a tougher transition in the impressive form in pre- way the Spaniard rides. season testing. Note: 250cc category until 2009 After initially struggling “We’ve been quite leading to a crash on the GRAND PRIX OF QATAR: FACTS AND FIGURES at Sepang testing in Janu- pleased. At the moment 7th lap in Qatar last year, MOTO3 ary, Lorenzo produced it’s proving difficult to tweeted yesterday: "I hope #The MotoGP grid for 2017 consists of 19 riders who have previously 2016: Brad Binder (AFS/KTM) improved times at the find the right balance but you all enjoy it as much as competed in the class, together with the addition of four ‘rookies’. 2015: Danny Kent (GBR/Honda) # Qatar testing less than two we’ve been quick at every we do. Good luck and a Out from last year are: Eugene Laverty, Stefan Bradl and Yonny 2014: Alex Marquez (ESP/Honda) Hernandez. weeks ago. track, which is good for safe year to all 2013: Maverick Vinales (ESP/KTM) “It’s a new era for me me and the team," competitors." #Joining the grid in 2017 are five riders who have all been grand prix 2012: Sandro Cortese (GER/KTM) so I’m really looking for- Crutchlow said. Valentino Rossi's new winners in the smaller categories: Karel Abraham, returning to MotoGP after ward to starting. Step by "I don't think a motor- team-mate at Yamaha, a year in the WorldSBK championship, and the following rookies: Johann 2011: Nicolas Terol (ESP/Aprilia) step and little by little, cycle racer is ever Maverick Vinales was rar- Zarco, Sam Lowes, Alex Rins and Jonas Folger. 2010: Marc Marquez (ESP/Derbi) that’s how the preseason uninjured…we’re always ing to go after his #There are 10 Grand Prix World Champions on the full-time MotoGP 2009: Julian Simon (ESP/Aprilia) has been going and here in trying to be 100% fit, but impressive runs in pre- entry list in 2017. These 10 riders have won a total of 29 World Champion- 2008: Mike Di Meglio (FRA/Derbi) Qatar we made a big step when you throw yourself season testing. ships titles between them; a new record for the full-time MotoGP entry list. 2007: Gabor Talmacsi (HUN/Aprilia) #Nine of the riders on the list have won races in the premier-class. forward, but more on one off these things as often as Fastest in every test Note: 125cc category until 2011 lap," Lorenzo said looking I did last year you’re never and immediately at home #Twenty riders on the MotoGP entry list have had race victories in ahead to the week at Losail quite fully fit however hard on the Yamaha, the young at least one of the three classes of International Circuit. you try! Spaniard said: “At the Grand Prix racing, with a combined "So our main goal "But it was nice to have moment it’s only been pre- total of Grand Prix victories of 434. before the race is to a winter off for some fam- season but we’ve found a # The oldest rider on the improve the pace little by ily time, and now it’s great good setup in all tests, on MotoGP full-time entry list is Valen- little. The first day in to be back. March gets your all tracks. So we’ll just try tino Rossi, who celebrated his 38th 1 Qatar GP Venue: Losail Mar 26 European races Sepang was a little bit of a brain in racing mode," he to bring that into the sea- birthday in February. 2 Argentina Rio Hondo Apr 9 shock because I was used 31-year-old added with his son. We improved the bike # The youngest rider is Alex 3 U.S. Austin, Texas Apr 23 12 to being competitive from trademark smile. a lot over winter! The rid- Rins who will be 21 years 108 days 4 Spain Jerez May 7 8 the beginning and it takes Curtchlow, who expe- ing style change from old when he lines up on the grid in 5 France Le Mans May 21 9 Qatar. time, but on the final day I rienced problems with Suzuki to Yamaha isn’t so 6 Italy Mugello Jun 4 5 10 made a big step and was electronics during the race, different.” 7 Catalunya Barcelona Jun 11 11 quite competitive," the 8 Netherlands Assen Jun 25 29-year-old added. 9 Germany Sachsenring Jul 2 14 7 6 13 "Here in Qatar we’ve 10 Czech Republic Brno Aug 6 been much better so that 18 11 Austria Spielberg Aug 13 makes me optimistic for 4 12 UK Silverstone Aug 27 the future," the Spaniard, with 44 MotoGP wins, said World races at the season's first press conference. "But you never know what can happen," Lorenzo said during his testing at 15 3 1 Losail International Circuit. "It depends on the condi- tions and lot of (other) 17 things. The tyres will be important to us," he added. Meanwhile, Team 2 Marc Suzuki Ecstar’s new recruit Márquez ESP 16 Iannone, 27, was lightning World Champion 2016 fast at Sepang testing MotoGP bikes are seen 13 San Marino Misano Sep 10 16 Australia Phillip Island Oct 22 though the Italian struggled lined up at the Losail 14 Aragon Alcañiz, Spain Sep 24 17 Malaysia Sepang Oct 29 for a bit of pace at Phillip International Circuit ahead of 15 Japan Motegi Oct 15 18 Valencia Cheste, Spain Nov 12 Island. Sunday's Grand Prix of Qatar. When asked about his Source: MotoGP Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS SPORT FridayFriday 242 March 2017

PAGE | 16PA PAGEG | 17 PAGE | 18 Hamilton calls for JohnsonJo rolls as McIlroy Former champ Lorenzo more women in 'dude'e' and Spieth stumble opts for step-by-step dominated paddock at Match Play approach India call up Iran edge Qatar in Doha battle Iyer as cover for

Chinthana Wasala The Peninsula injured Kohli

sian giants Iran Bengaluru yesterday retained Reuters their top position by beating Qatar ndia have called up uncapped batsman 1-0 in their 2018 Shreyas Iyer for the fourth and final FIFAA World Cup qualifying ITest against Australia as cover for cap- game at Al Sadd Stadium. tain Virat Kohli who has not recovered Mehdi Taremi struck the fully from a shoulder injury. only goal of the match in the Kohli damaged his right shoulder 52nd minute as the visitors - when diving to save a boundary on the coached by Carlos Quieroz first day of the penultimate Test in Ranchi - picked up their second win and was off the field during most of Aus- against Iran in recent months. tralia's first innings in the drawn game. Forward Karim Ansari's The 28-year-old did come out to bat neat through ball found at his usual number four position and took Taremi in ample space inside the field for Australia's second innings. the Qatari box. The Persepo- There is no suggestion he has yet been lis striker made no mistake ruled out of the winner-takes-all fourth with his finish as the ball Test in Dharamsala. slipped past the Qatar "Shreyas Iyer is joining the squad as goalkeeper. back-up," an Indian cricket board (BCCI) Iran now have 14 points source told Reuters. from six games whereas sixth- India's batting mainstay Kohli has placed Qatar - coached by scored only 46 runs in his five innings Jorge Fossati - have only 4 against Australia after scoring a double points after six games. century in each of the previous four series. Korea are in second spot The decision to call up Iyer has more (10 points) followed by third- Iran's goalkeeper Alireza Safar Beiranvand (left) and Milad Mohammadi (second right) to do with the difficulty involved in flying placed Uzbekistan (9 points) out a last-minute replacement to Dhar- defend as Qatar's Rodrigo Tabata (second left) tries to score during the World Cup 2018 Asian zone World Cup and Syria (8 points) in fourth amsala, which is situated in the Himalayan Asian qualifier played at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha yesterday. Iran beat Qatar Qualifying Results place. China are in fifth spot foothills. 1-0. BOTTOM: Players vie for the ball procession during yesterday's game. Pictures: Salim with 5 points. GROUP A Iyer, 22, was Mumbai's highest scor- Matramkot In a game of fumbled up  China 1 (Yu Dabao 34) South ing batsman in the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy chances, Qatar striker Rodrigo to deny Iranian forward Korea 0 and struck an unbeaten 202 in a first-class Tabata yesterday missed a Sardar Azmoun. Syria 1 (Omar Kharbin 90+1-pen) match for India A against Australia last couple of chances to score Earlier yesterday, China month. Uzbekistan 0 when his booming free-kicks beat South Korea while Syria The four-match series is level at 1-1 Qatar 0 Iran 1 (Taremi 52) narrowly missed the Iran stunned Uzbekistan 1-0 in two going into the decider which starts goalpost in the first half. Group A matches. tomorrow. Fellow striker Sebastian In Group B Asian Zone GROUP B Soria failed to connect with his qualifying matches, Iraq  Thailand 0 Saudi Arabia 3 header off a Tabata free-kick fought back for a 1-1 draw (Mohammed Al Sahlawi 25, Tanaboon in the 26th minute of the against Australia while Japan Kesarat 84 OG, Salman Almuwashar Bangladesh match. crushed the UAE 2-0. 92) Despite the misses Qatar Saudi Arabia yesterday Iraq 1 (Yaseen 76) Australia 1 add Mehedi for goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb pre- eased past Thailand 3-0 in (Leckie 40) sented a good exhibition in the another Group B match. UAE 0 Japan 2 (Kuba 13, Kunno game - he twice produced Qatar take on Uzbekistan Sri Lanka ODIs 51) quality saves before half-time on March 28. Dhaka AFP Games star Ponor heads into Doha finals angladesh yesterday included teen- age off-spinner Mehedi Hasan to Btheir one-day international line-up Fawad Hussain won silver medal in the Mel- Qatari gymnast Jana collecting a total of 14.750 for a three-match series against Sri Lanka, The Peninsula bourne leg of the contest last Elkeky in action during points followed by Armenia’s an official said. month continued his fine the second day of 10th Davtyan Artur who got 14.716 The 19-year-old was part of the squad omania's triple Olym- form to finish the men’s par- FIG Artistic World Cup points. Australia’s Christo- that defeated Sri Lanka at the weekend pic gold medallist allel bars qualification on top at the Aspire Dome pher Remkes came in third in Colombo to draw the two-Test series RCatalina Ponor along with a sizzling show that yesterday. position with a tally of 14.416 1-1. with rising Chinese stars Zou secured him a huge tally points. Mehedi and several other Test spe- Jingyuan and Liu Tingting 16.166 points. Romania’s Marian Dragu- cialists have returned home since the grabbed second day’s hon- Pablo Braegger of Swit- lescu, Ferhat, Stephens Clay historic win, which was Bangladesh's ours at the 10th FIG Artistic zerland finished second with (Australia), Heikki Saarenketo 100th Test since their elevation to full sta- World Cup with sparkling 15.033 points. Arican Ferhat Heikki (Finland) and Felix tus 17 years ago. performances at the Aspire claimed third spot after Remuta (Germany) also qual- Mehedi has played seven Tests since Dome yesterday. securing 14.933 points on a ified for the final. making his debut against England last year The day marked the end day in which he also quali- A total of five titles will be but is yet to feature in a limited-over game. of qualification rounds with fied for the final of men’s decided today with the men Chief selector Minhajul Abedin said the finals, spread over two vault event. The 24-year-old competing in floor exercise, team management felt an off-spinner days, getting under way Turkish sensation also pommel horse and rings would work against Sri Lanka's left- today. finals. The female athletes handed batsmen in the ODI series opener Ponor, 29, who won three Qualification will compete for gold medals in Dambula tomorrow. gold medals in 2004 Olym- in vault and uneven bars. "The composition of the Sri Lanka pics, sailed into the final of results (Top 3) Stars who will be seen in team suggested that we would need an women’s balance beam after WOMEN’S BALANCE BEAM action in the finals today extra off-spinner in the series," he said. accumulating 13.766 points. Liu Tingting (China) 13.933 points include Hungary's 2012 Lon- Mehedi will join the 16-man Bangla- However, she was sur- don Olympics gold medallist desh squad already in Sri Lanka. Catalina Ponor (Romania) 13.766 passed by teenager Tingting Krisztian Berki and Rio The three-match ODI series will be Emily Little (Australia) 13.233 who displayed an impressive Games bronze medallist Yan followed by two Twenty20 internation- performance in the qualifi- MEN’S PARALLEL BARS Wang of China along with als next month. cation round. Zou Jingyuan (China) 16.166 Uzbek veteran Oksana Chus- The 16-year old Chinese Pablo Braegger (Switzerland) 15.033 ovitina and Little. Bangladesh Squad topped the round with 13.933 Arican Ferhat (Turkey) 14.933 Chusovitina, 41 was hop- points while Australia’s Emily MEN’S VAULT ing to do well in the women’s Mashrafe Mortaza (Capt), Tamim Iqbal, Little secured third position Le Thanh Tung (Vietnam) 14.750 qualified for the finals of two Thanh (Vietnam) and Davtyan vault final today. Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur with a total 13.233 points. Davtyan Artur (Armenia) 14.716 events – floor exercise and Artur (Armenia) also qualified “It’s going to be a tough Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Huan Luo (China) Emma Christopher Remkes (Australia) 14.416 pommel horse on the open- for the final of men’s parallel competition but I will do my Mahmudullah Riyad, Mosaddek Hossain, Nedov (Australia), Uctas Sanli MEN’S HORIZONTAL BARS ing day of the event on event. best to earn a good position,” Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin (Turkey), Zsofia Kovacs (Hun- Xiao Ruoteng (China) 14.433 Wednesday. In the men’s vault quali- the veteran Uzbek told Ahmed, Subashis Roy, Sanjamul Islam, gary) and Ana Derik (Croatia) Mitchell Morgans (Australia) 14.100 Meanwhile, Marcel fication, Vietnam’s national reporters after qualifying for Shuvagata Hom, Nurul Hasan and Mehedi also qualified for the final. Tin Srbic (Croatia) 14.100 Nguyen (Germany), Tomas champion Le Thanh Tung the final of women’s vault Hasan. Earlier, Jingyuan who Dinh (Lithuania), Phuong reigned supreme after yesterday. 20 MORNING BREAK FRIDAY 24 MARCH 2017

PRAYER TIMINGS

FAJR 04.18 am Canadian band to enthrall Doha audience SHOROOK 05.34 am Fazeena Saleem ZUHR 11.40 am MAGHRIB 05.49 pm The Peninsula ASR 03.08 pm ISHA 07.19 pm Canadian band will enthrall the Doha audience tonight WEATHER TODAY with a mix of pure oral tra- dition and contemporary o o composition of Francoph- oneA music at the Katara – Drama 21 C 25 C Theatre. Minimum Maximum The concert by ‘Les Portageux’ is organised as part of the Journées de la Francophonie in Qatar and to mark the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation. The three member, Les Portageux come from Quebec, Canada, and they will play around 20 songs of live and rhythmic music. Also rhythm created by tapping, known as one of the main features of the Canadian Francoph- one music will be showcased. “Our goal is to share about our his- tory and the francophone culture, in some of our songs,” said Julie Cossette a member of Les Portageux, addressing a press conference yesterday at Marri- The Les Portageux band from Quebec, Canada speak with members of the local media about their concert ott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel. which is part of the francophone week in Qatar. FROM LEFT: Yanic Boudreau, Julie Cossette and Stéphane Doyon. “We play folk and traditional mix of Irish tunes with French songs that Pic: Qassim Rahmatullah / The Peninsula we are inherited from as our ances- language won’t be a barrier in enjoy- second time said, “Traditions and cul- “In the old time there was only tors came to Canada from France 300 ing their concert. tures across the regions are definitely woods and forest in Canada. They years ago. We have our own twist “The music will make you bit different, but the exchanges at the need to cut trees and bring them to Expected thundery rain associat- ed with strong wind. Partly cloudy which is a little bit country and folk dance on your chair, it will be really musical level is interesting. Music in make camps. As musicians we try to to cloudy with scatter rain, maybe side to it,” she added. entertaining and we will explain the terms of the energy and beats is uni- carry our traditions, luckily today we thundery at places at times. Julie will be on vocals, as well as play sings as we will sing only in French,” versal, you don’t need to essentially carry it to the Middle East,” said Julie. jaw harp, banjo and fiddle. Her colleague said Julie. Les Portageux performed understand the language but can be The concert by ‘Les Portageux’ will HIGH TIDE 02:30 - 14:30 LOW TIDE 09:45 - 19:45 Stéphane Doyon will be playing guitar in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait as part of musically connected.” be held at Katara – Drama Theatre Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department and doing the famous feet tapping and their tour to the region to coincide with The name ‘Les Portageux’ mean- (building 16) tonight between 7am and Yanic Boudreau will play fiddle, banjo the 150th anniversary of Canada’s ing to carry something in local 8.30pm. The event is free and open to and sing during the concert. Confederation. Canadian language, which also sym- the public. Seats can be reserved by Although the songs will be in Sharing their experience in the bolize that in the ancient days people registering through Events.registra- French, the band members promise region, Yanic who is in Qatar for the in Canada used to cut wood and carry. [email protected] .

Serbia returns Mall of Qatar brings excitement precious stolen with premiere of Pirates shows violin to France Belgrade The Peninsula AFP

fter the success of the release of NEARLY two years after it the first show Pulse, Mall of Qatar was stolen from a Paris home, Ais thrilled to premiere Pirates a violin worth €300,000, today and tomorrow at 7:30pm and found in Serbia, will soon be 9:30pm, taking place at Mall of Qatar’s back with its owner after it was Oasis – the heart of the mall and an handed over to French author- exciting and engaging destination for ities in Belgrade, France’s visitors of all ages. embassy said yesterday. The MOQ Live theatre crew will The precious instrument bring a new one-of-a-kind free show disappeared from a house in for audiences in the mall, consisting of Paris in the northern 19th spectacular talent and costumes. Pirates arrondissement in a burglary will see ‘Jack’ and the ‘Sea Turtle’ team on June 8, 2015. The thieves up and win against the Kraken Queen, also took clothes and jewelry, as she rises up from the depths of the but the violin was most val- ocean with her tentacles enveloping the uable object. ship, rescuing the pirates and the ship It was made by Filippo from sinking into the sea. Fasser, a renowned Italian The Oasis extensive lighting, sound A still from the show Pirates. luthier who provide key infor- and water features will all come together mation to French investigators to create an awe-inspiring show that will families and all our visitors with mem- set to take place on our Oasis stage. We which solved the case. transform Mall of Qatar to a world-class orable experiences” said Rony Mourani, invite everyone to come to Mall of Qatar Barely a month after the theatre. General Manager, Mall of Qatar. “This is and join the adventure to the depths of burglary the luthier from “At Mall of Qatar we want to provide just one of many exciting theatre shows the seas. Brescia, in northern Italy, received an email from a mys- terious correspondent, a Serb who wanted to have a violin Josoor launches certificate assessed. The sender attached photographs of the instrument. Fasser got in contact with one and diploma programmes of his Parisian colleagues who then alerted the owner. The Peninsula industry of MENA region with the Contacted by their French skills they need to deliver a suc- counterparts, Serbian police osoor Institute launched the cessful 2022 FIFA World Cup™ and identified sender of the email, second cohort of its flagship help build a legacy for the region. who was from Prijepolje, a Jprofessional certificate and The programmes are organised small town in the country. diploma programmes, marking the and delivered in partnership with The violin was found in a week with a series of engaging Georgetown University, University search of unidentified Serb’s presentations, seminars and panel of Liverpool and Leeds Beckett house in September 2015 and, discussions. The “Football and University. From the organisation after following Serbian pro- Sports Management” and “Major and management of large-scale cedures in such cases was Events Management” welcomed events to understanding the world eventually released to French over 80 delegates who joined the of football, these programmes pro- The team of Josoor Institute. authorities in Belgrade. programmes for the year. vide delegates with a unique At a ceremony to hand Josoor Institute is a centre of learning opportunity with insights Association, Qatar Stars League, Aspire, Qatar National over the instrument on, Ser- excellence for sports and events from partner universities’ world- Bank, Qatar Foundation, Saudi Arabia Football Associ- bia’s Interior Minister Nebojsa industries, inspired and developed class delivery teams. ation and Tunisian Football Federation. The cohort also Stefanovic and French by Supreme Committee for Deliv- The 2017 cohort welcomed includes 20 senior sports science students from Qatar ambassador to Belgrade, ery & Legacy (SC). Its flagship delegates from Qatar, Saudi Ara- University. This year’s programmes host a great diver- Christine Moro, praised their certificate and diploma pro- bia, Tunisia and Bahrain coming sity in delegates with a strong female presence. countries’ police cooperation, grammes are designed to equip from a range of organisations The programmes also welcomed delegates from 29 according to an embassy talents of sports and events including the SC, Qatar Football different nationalities including 45 Qatari nationals. statement.