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Saudi may return to Record-man oil market balancing Ronaldo puts role: Minister Portugal into last 16

THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 • 18 RAMADAN 1437 • Volume 21 • Number 6836 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Emir meets Oman Minister Brexit or not: UK New company to to hold key EU referendum today sell petroleum Reuters

LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron and his euroscep- products abroad tic opponents made final pitches for wavering voters yesterday on the eve of a defining referendum on European Union membership market and sell government-regu- with the outcome still too close lated products on its behalf”. to call. Cabinet endorses The session also approved two The vote, which echoes the rise draft law and sends it draft laws on the regulation of car of populism elsewhere in Europe and limousine rent and its executive and the United States, will shape to Advisory Council. statute. The bill included provisions the continent’s future. A victory related to conditions of licensing, for “out” could unleash turmoil conditions of the facility, and waiv- on financial markets and for- The Peninsula ing and abolishing the licence. The eign exchange bureaux reported facility is to write contracts with a surge in demand for foreign cur- the tenants according to the model rency from Britons wary sterling DOHA: The State Cabinet, in its prepared for this purpose by the may fall. “It’s very close; nobody weekly session yesterday, endorsed ministry. knows what’s going to happen,” a draft law for setting up a Qatari The draft executive statute Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with the Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of Cameron told yesterday’s Financial shareholding company for selling included provisions indicating the the Sultanate of Oman, Yousef bin Alawi bin Abdullah, and his accompanying delegation, last evening Times, with opinion polls show- petroleum products in the interna- activity and the license, conditions of at Al Bahr Palace, on the occasion of his visit to Qatar. Talks dealt with bilateral ties. ing the rival camps neck and neck. tional market. the facility, the license’s type, dura- The Cabinet endorsed a draft law tion, expiry, suspension, cancellation → See also page 13 amending some provisions of Decree and waiving and commitments of Law No 15 of 2007 on the regulation the licensee. of the marketing and sale outside One of the items on the agenda RAMADAN Qatar of products under govern- was about a draft decision to estab- Clampdown on erring recruitment firms ment regulation, and referred it to lish a committee in line with the TIMING the Advisory Council. provisions of law regulating tenders According to the provisions of and leases. The committee should be The Peninsula recruitment agencies, and to ensure recruiting workers from abroad for Today’s Iftar 6 : 30 pm the draft law, a Qatari shareholding chaired by the judge who is at the that manpower agencies comply with others. Tomorrow’s Imsak 3 : 05 am company, wholly owned by Qatar, rank of the head of the Court of First recruitment law. The law says that The Department had already shall be established and will be rep- Instance. DOHA: The Ministry of Administra- licence of manpower agencies can be warned the two agencies to bring resented by Qatar Petroleum. The The judge should be chosen by tive Development, Labour and Social permanently or temporarily revoked them to adhere to the contracts company, with the name “Qatar the Supreme Judiciary Council. Affairs has started a crackdown on by a ministerial decision for repeated signed with employers to recruit Petroleum for selling petroleum The committee should also have manpower agencies violating recruit- violation of the recruitment contract domestic workers. products” LLTD, will sell petroleum two other experienced member ment rules. signed by employer and the agency. The department urged peo- products that fall under government specialized in giving quick deci- The Recruitment Department at The Department said in a state- ple having financial claims against regulation and indicated in the law. sions attached with the reasons on the Ministry has permanently can- ment yesterday that the two agencies these agencies to appear before it The text of Article two of the all administrative dispute that pre- celled the licences of two recruitment violated the fourth paragraph of Arti- with needed documents within three >PAGE 15 Decree added amendment saying ceded signing a contract. agencies. The aim of the inspection cle (14) of the Ministerial Decree No months. “the company shall delegate Qatar campaign is to improve the per- (8) of 2005 regulating the condi- Petroleum as a representative to → Continued on page 3 formance, follow-up and control of tions and procedures for licensing → Continued on page 3 02 THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 HOME

QTA eyes more tourists at PM meets French Defence Minister Eid and Summer festivals

activities, but for ours it is the peak of past years through events organ- in our calendars, especially with the ised in collaboration with public and The Eid Festival arrival of the Eid Festival and Qatar private sector partners to reinforce and Qatar Summer Summer Festival 2016,” said Saif Al Qatar’s position as a preferred fam- Kuwari, Director of PR and Commu- ily tourist destination within the GCC. Festival expects to nication at QTA. “We have a lot of work coming up drive up regional He addressed the QTA’s third through the Eid and Summer festi- tourism numbers Annual Tourism Industry Ram- vals and I want to thank everyone for adan Ghabga, on behalf of Hassan coming together to prepare for these with a range of new Al Ibrahim, Chief Tourism Develop- two nation-wide events and show our attractions, cultural ment Officer, QTA. The event brought visitors that Qatar is a world –Class together QTA’s partners in the public hub with deep cultural roots,” said Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani with Minister events and brand and private sector and others at the Al Kuwari. The month long Summer promotions lined up Kempinski Marsa Malaz – The Pearl. Festival targets visitors from the GCC of Defence of the French Republic Jean-Yves Le Drian. Talks covered mutual cooperation between The Annual Tourism Industry with entertainment activities for fam- two countries as well as a number of regional and international issues of common concern. every year. Ghabga is one of many platforms for ilies in a festive, safe environment that the members of the tourism sector reflect their heritage. In 2015 the fes- to connect, exchange ideas and find tival featured shows to suit different new and innovative ways to develop age groups and tastes — from open-air By Fazeena Saleem the sector through partnerships. public displays, theatre and classical The Peninsula The Eid Festival and Qatar Sum- concerts to comedy, films and popular Ministries intensify raids on mer Festival expects to drive up Eastern and Western musical perform- regional tourism numbers with a ances. Qatar’s hospitality and retail range of new attractions, cultural sectors were engaged in ensuring the commercial outlets and hotels DOHA: The annual Eid and Summer events and brand promotions lined success of festivities. festivals have become major events up every year. Eid Al Fitr celebrations will be in promoting Qatar as a unique holi- The annual festivals aim to extend to all parts of the country as The Peninsula prices without permission from the on June 14 , included five hotels, and day destination, said a Qatar Tourism increase the number of inbound tourism hotspots presented a number competent authority, selling expired caught violations related to non-com- Authority (QTA) spokesperson. tourists in the long-term by build- of exciting shows, performances and products and missing descriptive pliance with health requirements “For most sectors in Qatar this ing sustainable events into Qatar’s activities throughout the Festival to labels on products in violation of arti- such as hygiene, storage and lack of period is the beginning of a lull in calendar, is building on the success visitors and residents alike. DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and cle (6) of law number (8) of 2008 on maintenance of sanitation. Commerce has detected 19 violation consumer protection. Some other violations were related out of 1,400 outlets targeted in raids The law prohibits the sale, dis- to setting up a tent and room without during the third week of Ramadan. play or promotion of fraudulent or seeking a permit from the Ministry, The campaign is part of Ram- corrupt products. A product is con- and having expired food, in addition adan initiatives under the theme sidered fraudulent if it is expired or to violations related to handlers. The “#Aqal_Min_Al_Wajeb,” the Arabic fails to meet standards. The ministry second inspection drive was on June 15 for “# the_least_we_can _do” tar- urges all consumers to report viola- and included four hotels, among them geted garment stores, vegetable and tions to the Consumer Protection and two were caught for violations related fruit shops, beauty salons, barbers, Anti-Commercial Fraud department. to cleaning cooling fans, and mainte- food warehouses in different part of Meanwhile, the Ministry of nance of refrigerators. the country. Municipality and Environment has Inspectors have also caught some The ministry has intensified conducted eight inspection drives expired cheese in two Hotels in Old inspection campaigns ahead of and including 29 hotels located in dif- Salata, some employees working during Ramadan in a bid to moni- ferent areas in the country. without health certificates, and the tor markets, commercial activities, Hotels under four and five stars violation was repeated in number of suppliers in order to crack down on category are located in areas such as hotels. Majority of violations in the violation of the law number (8) of Old Salata, West Bay, Dafna, Najma, hotels were related to expired food, 2008 on consumer protection and Legtaifiya, The Pearl, the Diplomatic hygiene, and the need to separate price manipulation. District, Ras Abu Aboud, and others. vegetables and fruit from the area QTA officials and partners during the third Annual Tourism Industry Ramadan Ghabga. Violations included increasing The first inspection drive began where meat and poultry is stored. HOME THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 03

QR4m raised to free Dana Alfardan’s The Beginning will be HIA’s official theme song

seven loan defaulters The Peninsula also be shown on board as part of the in-flight entertain- ment on Qatar Airways flights. Commenting during the event, Dana Alfardan said: “I am beyond privileged and honoured for my song ‘The Beginning’ to be HIA’s theme RAF has contributed DOHA: Dana Alfardan (pictured), a distinguished Qatari music, and this is truly a dream come true. As an artist, composer and songwriter, was recently it is always rewarding to have your work QR1m and remaining recognised at the HIA Airport Stakehold- recognised and I am humbled that my was donated by ers Appreciation Dinner, held at The St song will now have HIA as its platform. Regis Doha, with the announcement HIA is a symbolic location for Qatar philanthropists that her song, ‘The Beginning’, will be both within Qatar and the region, and in Qatar. The loan Hamad International Airport’s (HIA) offi- I look forward to a lengthy and fruit- cial theme music. The event, also titled ful partnership with them.” amounts of the ‘The Beginning’, highlighted HIA’s jour- This is an exciting time for both defaulters ranges ney over the years, including its official Dana Alfardan and also for her record inauguration as well as the launch of the label, with the debut of her latest album, between QR100,000 official music theme. Sandstorm, a classic cross over album to QR600,000. The music for ‘The Beginning’ was featuring a number of collaborations composed by Dana Alfardan, founder of with other artists including MAias Alya- DNA Records, Qatar’s first home grown mani, esteemed solo violinist which is record label that is based in both Doha now available on iTunes. Dana’s latest and London, with the musical piece album, Sandstorm, an impressive musi- The Peninsula performed by the Qatar Philharmonic cal showcase, that was two years in the Orchestra (QPO) in front of the iconic making, features eleven tracks, all com- Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF), Lamp Bear at HIA as well as next to the posed by Dana herself, and with a wide in collaboration with the Radio for the Holy Quran collected donations airport’s runway. range of musical influences covering DOHA: Sheikh Thani Bin Abdul- for the campaign. During the event, a special video genres including Latino, Baroque and lah Foundation for Humanitarian was also shown with footage of QPO Swing. Standout tracks on the album Services (RAF) has collected QR4m Sunday night. Famous Islamic Scholar Husain Aman Al Ali, In-Charge of the performing ‘The Beginning’ at various include Pride of a Nation, a musical trib- in donations through a single call- Dr Muhammad Al Awdi and Sheikh campaign. A Qatari youth is among locations around HIA. Dana Alfardan has ute to Qatar which is a great source of in radio programme to rescue seven Abdullah Al Nima attended the pro- them. He is in jail after failing to repay confirmed that through this exclusive pride for Dana; Layla, Dana Alfardan’s Qatari citizens for defaulting on loan gramme as Chief Guests to encourage QR400,000 due to loss in business. RAF partnership with HIA, ‘The Beginning’ musical ode to her daughter, who she payments. citizens and expatriates to support has included him in the case of urgency will played around the whole airport says is her greatest inspiration; will these RAF has contributed QR1m and the cause. as he was only breadwinner for an old including its lounges, lifts and the special video will songs in particular being key pieces on her latest album. remaining one was donated by The programme was held under widow mother at home. The ill-fatter philanthropists in Qatar. The loan a campaign entitled “Khairana Lahl- mother running from pillar to post for amounts of the defaulters ranges ina” (our fortunes for our people) the release of her son approached to RAF between QR100,000 to QR600,000. launched by RAF to collect dona- for help, said Al Ali. A 45-minutes programme ‘Abwab tions to repay the loans of defaulting So far, RAF has collected Cabinet discusses draft law on civilian honours Al Rahma’ (Doors for Mercy) was citizens. “RAF is still weighing cam- QR100,000 for this case. And it is organised by RAF in collaboration paign to collect donations to release still needed QR300,000 for repay- The Peninsula According to provisions of the bill, is published in the official gazette. The with the Radio for the Holy Quran to some more defaulters from jail on ment to help him release from jail for civilian honours are awarded via an Emiri Protocol Department at the Emiri collect donations for the campaign on urgency basis on social ground”, said the sake of old mother, said Al Ali. Emiri decision and come in the order Diwan is responsible for all the execu- of Sword of the Founder Sheikh Jas- tive powers related to the preparation DOHA: The Cabinet under the sim bin Mohamed bin Thani, Sash of of orders, their patents, keeping them Prime Minister and Interior Minis- the Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad and following up on them. Ministry of Awqaf ter H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, and Order of Al The cabinet also took the neces- Cloudy sky bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday took Wajba. An Emiri decision shall create sary procedures to issue a draft law designates the necessary measures to issue a other honours and specify their order. on protecting the privacy of personal draft law on civilian honours, after Whoever is awarded a civilian data, after reviewing the Advisory 136 mosques reviewing the recommendation of honour receives a patent signed by Council’s recommendation on the for I’tikaf the Advisory Council on the draft law. the Emir and the granting decision draft law.

The Peninsula

DOHA: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has designated 136 mosques for I’tikāf throughout the country. I’tikaf is an Islamic prac- tice about staying last ten days in Mosques during Holy month of Ramadan, devoting oneself to ibadah (worship of Allah) during these days and staying away from worldly affairs. I’tikaf will be performed only designated mosques, said a statement. The age of Mutakif (individual performing I’tikaf) should not be less than 15 years. Those below 15 years should be accompanied with their guard- ians. Children below eight years are not allowed to perform I’tikaf. The Ministry asked those plan- ning to perform I’takaf should maintain personal hygienic, pro- tect the belongings of mosques and avoid disturbing other worshipers. They were also asked not to hang clothes on walls and pillars Clouds covering skies in West Bay, yesterday. Pic: Baher A / The Peninsula of mosques and sleep and eat only at designated places.

Domestic workers’ contract Draft law on State Audit Bureau referred to Advisory Council → Continued from page 1 → Continued from page 1 The Department carries out periodic and surprise inspections of agencies recruiting domestic workers. The Recruitment Department is responsible for super- The Cabinet also approved establishing a committee vising manpower recruitment agency’s licences, their that coordinates between all parties working in Hamad activities, complaints against them and resolving the International Airport. The committee should be chaired issues between agencies and their customers. by the head of the Civil Aviation Authority and two other The Department urged employers, who have signed members from the parties involved. The committee is contracts with these manpower agencies to ratify charged with coordinating work in the airport to facili- the recruitment contract of the domestic workers by tate aerial transport activities. Recruitment Department of the Ministry. The Cabinet approved a draft law on the State Audit Earlier the meeting of committee regulating man- Bureau and referred it to the Advisory Council. The bill power agencies recommended to establish committee stipulates that the State Audit Bureau is an independent including representatives of the manpower agencies to regulatory authority that has a legal personality, directly set up mechanism to help to ease recruitment of domes- follows the Emir, has a budget annexed to that of the Emiri tic workers from abroad. Diwan, and aims to oversee funds of the state as well as In a meeting with businessmen in a seminar other entities under its jurisdiction. organised recently by Qatar Chamber, Minister of The bill included provisions related to entities under Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs the oversight jurisdiction of the State Audit Bureau, the H E Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi said the min- types of oversight the bureau handles and means of exer- istry has proposed to have an agreement with major cising them, review reports, investigation into financial labour exporting countries to provide the list of author- irregularities, and the formation of the bureau and its ised manpower agencies. staff system. The Cabinet also discussed a recommen- The committee regulating manpower agencies at dation by the Advisory Council on doing business and Qatar Chamber also discussed the possibility of ratify- commerce in Qatar through online stores. The cabinet ing work contract of the worker in their home country agreed to refer the recommendation to the specialised to avoid change in contracts. authorities to examine it further. 04 THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 MIDDLE EAST 25 civilians dead in IS stronghold in Syria

ally Russia. The Syrian government, 4 Palestinians Russia and a US-led coalition have Six children were all carried out air strikes against IS sentenced to among the 25 in Raqa. The Observatory said fresh raids, apparently by the coalition, civilians killed in also hit the city Wednesday. life for murder bombing raids on Raqa is Being Slaughtered JERUSALEM: Four Pales- Silently (RBSS) -- an anti-IS activist tinians were yesterday Raqa city. group which gathers news on atroc- handed life sentences ities in the city -- posted photos of for the killing of an Israeli what it said were the aftermath of couple as they drove in Tuesday’s strikes. the West Bank with their AFP They show a concrete balcony children last year, the hanging off the damaged facade of army said. a residential building as a large fire “The military court in engulfs a white minivan. Samaria handed two life BEIRUT: Warplanes bombed the The group has accused IS of sentences and another 30 Islamic State group’s de facto Syr- preventing civilians from leav- years to each of the four ian capital Raqa, killing at least 25 ing the city in order to use them members of the Hamas civilians, after the jihadists drove as human shields. mRBSS activist cell that carried out the pro-government forces out of their Abu Mohammad told AFP that Tues- attack in which Eitam and bastion in northern province. day’s wounded were struggling to get Naama Henkin were mur- Twin offensives aimed at sev- proper medical treatment as IS has dered in front of their ering the jihadists’ supply line from recruited most doctors in the city to children,” a statement the Turkish border to Raqa city treat its own fighters. read. The Palestinian Fighters of the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) stand inside a building near Manbij, in Aleppo Governorate, appear to have largely stalled as IS Raqa city was seized by IS in assailants were named as mounts a fierce defence using sui- early 2014 and regime forces were Syria, yesterday. Yahya Haj Hamed, Amjad cide bombers. expelled from the entire prov- Aliwi, Samir Kusa and Six children were among the 25 ince that year. Backed by Russian Tabqa airbase, they were driven back of rockets and other explosives to weapons and several soldiers”. Kerem Razek. civilians killed in bombing raids on warplanes, government forces re- late Monday in a jihadist attack that attack the army,” which was forced Washington-based analyst Fab- Raqa city on Tuesday, said the Syr- entered the province this month as killed 40 loyalists. A tribal militant to withdraw from its main outposts, rice Balanche said the pullback could ian Observatory for Human Rights. part of an offensive to retake Tabqa, who had fought alongside govern- he told AFP, using the Arabic acro- be attributed to a lack of “elite forces” Israel to curb “Dozens more were wounded, a key town on IS’s supply route from ment forces recounted how the army nym for IS. Pro-government website engaged in the battle. “At the first sui- some of them critically,” said the Turkey to Raqa city. had first been slowed down by mines Al-Masdar said the IS offensive had led cide attacks, they retreated,” he said. use of Facebook British-based monitor, adding they But after advancing to within planted by IS. to a “disastrous turn of events” and “a “The Syrian forces were spread too were likely carried out by regime seven kilometres (four miles) of “Then Daesh used a huge number disorganised retreat that left behind thin to be defendable.” for ‘terror’ JERUSALEM: Israel’s justice and internal secu- rity ministers yesterday ‘I’m not angry’ with Ban announced plans to pro- Egypt govt appeals on island deal pose legislation banning the use of Facebook to AFP the integrity and strength of the case control access to the Israeli port of advance “terror” and out- it presented to the Supreme Admin- Eilat -- have always been Saudi terri- over remarks: Saudi lawing incitement from istrative Court which has the right tory but were leased to Cairo in 1950 the Internet. CAIRO: Egypt’s government said yes- to rule on the case,” the prime min- following a request by Riyadh. Justice Minister Ayelet terday it had lodged an appeal against ister’s office said in a statement. “It It says the deal to transfer them Deputy Crown Prince Shaked and Internal Secu- a court decision to block the contro- will also present a dossier containing was based on a decree by since- rity Minister Gilad Erdan versial handover of two uninhabited documents and maps that will assist ousted president Hosni Mubarak. said in a joint statement Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. in resolving the case.” Cairo says Mubarak had even they had met earlier in “The government will present all The government argues that informed the United Nations about Reuters said without any detail that the the day with senior Face- the documents it has to demonstrate the islands -- which can be used to the matter in 1990. meeting “went well.” book executives who Salman kept Ban waiting for 45 were informed of their minutes before arriving with his intention. UNITED NATIONS: United Nations advisers and security detail. Also Shaked and Erdan said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon scheduled to attend the meeting was the legislation would aim yesterday met Saudi Arabia’s pow- Leila Zerrougui, the UN special rep- to make it illegal to pub- erful Deputy Crown Prince, who resentative on children and armed lish “offensive content” remarked that he was not angry with conflict who originally decided to such as “encouraging ter- the UN chief for briefly blacklisting blacklist the Saudi-led coalition. ror attacks, shaming, a Saudi-led coalition for killing chil- Zerrougui had vehemently insulting public officials dren in Yemen. opposed Ban’s decision to remove and slandering”. Mohammed bin Salman is in the Saudis from the blacklist, despite New York this week, mainly for Saudi threats that the United Nations meetings with business leaders, could face a fatwa declaring it anti- US to host Iraq after a visit to Washington and the Muslim, UN diplomatic sources said. US West Coast. A fatwa is a legal opinion used in donors amid Earlier this month the Saudis Sharia, or Islamic law. In Saudi Ara- threatened the United Nations with bia fatwas can only be issued by the Fallujah crisis retaliation, including massive fund- group of top, government-appointed ing cuts for Palestinian aid and other clerics and are sometimes commis- WASHINGTON: The United programs, if it did not remove the sioned by the ruling family to back States and key allies will Saudi-led Yemen coalition from a up its political positions. host a donors confer- list of countries that maim and kill The Saudis have denied pres- ence next month to raise children during armed conflicts, UN suring Ban, though they said the UN funds for Iraqi civilians officials said. report was inaccurate. driven from their homes Ban then withdrew the Saudis The UN report on children and by fighting. from the list pending a review of armed conflict said the coalition, The announcement cases the UN had analysed, though which began an air campaign in came yesterday even as he publicly criticised the Saudi pres- March 2015 to defeat Iran-allied Iraqi forces battled IS sure on him. Houthi rebels, was responsible for fighters to secure control On his way into the meeting, Sal- killing 510 children and wounding of Fallujah. man was asked if he was still angry 667, or 60 percent of such deaths The US State Depart- with Ban over the blacklisting. and injuries in the conflict last year. ment, which had already “I’m not angry,” he said. The coalition’s removal from the pledged $20m in extra Salman, who is also the king- blacklist prompted angry reactions funding for the UNHCR dom’s defence minister, did not from human rights groups, which this week, said the con- answer questions when he left the said that Ban, in the final year of his ference will be held in meeting. It was not clear what was second term, risked harming his leg- Washington on July 20. said, though one diplomatic source acy as UN chief.

36 dead in Sirte fight

GNA fighters taking part in an operation against IS jihadists in the city of Sirte, yesterday. At least 36 unity government troops were killed in clashes with Daesh militants in Sirte. MIDEAST THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 05 Fallujah nearly cleared but aid effort flounders

The northern and central parts of Fallujah have almost been cleared of Daesh. There are few IS fighters left, only in the Al Muallemin and Jolan areas: Al Saadi

AFP

BAGHDAD: Iraqi forces hunted jihadist fighters in their last Fallujah redoubts yesterday as tens of thou- sands of displaced civilians massed in overcrowded camps around the city. A month exactly after the offen- sive against the Islamic State group’s Displaced Iraqis from the Fallujah area rest in the shade at a camp near bastion was launched, progress on the military front exceeded expec- Amiriyiah in Fallujah yesterday. tations but so did the scope of the ensuing humanitarian crisis. Baghdad, a month ago. After an initial the Vietnam War in Fallujah, despite “The northern and central parts phase of staging operations to encircle huge numerical and technological of Fallujah have almost been cleared Fallujah, elite federal forces stormed superiority. of Daesh,” Lieutenant General Abdul- the city centre and were able to gain Iraqi forces who have been recon- wahab Al Saadi said. the upper hand relatively quickly. quering swathes of territory lost to IS “There are few IS fighters left, Abadi declared victory on June 17, two years ago had been expected to only in the Al-Muallemin and Jolan saying only small pockets of IS fight- face their toughest battle yet and IS neighbourhoods in the north of the ers remained after Iraqi forces raised fighters to defend their emblematic city,” said Saadi, the overall com- the national flag over the main gov- bastion to the death. mander of the Fallujah offensive. ernment compound in the city centre. After breaching the jihadists’ “The militants in Jolan are offer- Saadi and other Iraqi command- defences in the south of the city, Iraqi ing some resistance but we’re pushing ers have said government forces forces moved relatively rapidly and back and we’ve killed a number of controlled at least three-quarters despite persistent violence in north- them,” he said. Operations against IS of the city. Christopher Garver, the ern neighbourhoods the outcome of in northern Fallujah were being con- spokesman of the US-led coalition the battle appears in no doubt. ducted by the elite counter-terrorism assisting Iraqi forces, said Tuesday Tens of thousands of starving service and forces from the federal that by the US military’s definition, civilians, who had been living vir- and provincial police. only a third of the city had been tually besieged under IS rule in and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi cleared. US forces battling one of IS’s around Fallujah, fled their homes and launched the offensive against the previous incarnations in 2004 suf- filled hastily expanded displacement jihadist stronghold, 50km west of fered some of their worst losses since camps. Ramadan Thoughts

06 THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 The wisdom and benefits of fasting

BY Sheikh Salman Al Oadah the will and conditions a person to cope with difficulties in all aspects of his life. It helps to develop the very quality that only here is great wisdom in why fast- successful people possess, the quality of ing has been prescribed for us. We those people who can turn their desires might only be able to appreciate a into a reality by using skills and abilities fraction of this wisdom, the rest of that they have. Tit being beyond the scope of our knowledge. Fasting puts our passions and our vain Fasting strengthens our devotion to Allah desires in check Fasting brings to fore the reality of our This is why the Prophet gave the fol- subservience to Allah and it helps in our lowing advice: “O assembly of young submission to Him. This is why fasting has people, whosoever among you has the been made one of the pillars of Islam, so wherewithal to marry should do so, as it that Islam itself is incomplete without it. will help him to lower his gaze and safe- Fasting conditions the worshipper upon guard his chastity. And whoever is unable obedience and upon carrying out his reli- to do so should fast, because it diminishes gious duties. It sexual desire.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (5066) also reminds and Sahîh Muslim (1400)] him that he is The Prophet (peace be upon him) points the servant of out that fasting withholds a person from Allah Almighty responding to his passions. and of no one Some scholars have discussed this How can a person else. hadîth in conjunction with another, We see that where the Prophet (peace be upon him) abstain from food Allah orders His says: “Indeed, Satan circulates through the servants to eat descendant of Adam as blood circulates and drink – though at certain times, through the body.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (2039) they are lawful to so that if they and Sahîh Muslim (2174)] were to fast at Even though the phrase “…so restrict him at other times those times, they his circulatory paths by fasting” that is would be sin- that if people would only realize it in their are perfectly lawful for him at other times. licentiousness, and all ignoble, destruc- sometimes quoted along with this hadîth – and then go on to ning. This is the worship, their devotions would then have He abstains from these otherwise lawful tive traits. is baseless, the fact remains that fasting case for the two a far greater impact upon them. The state acts on account of Allah’s promise, in hopes does put our passions in check, and it is backbite people, `Id celebrations. of a believer should be that of a dutiful sen- of attaining Allah’s reward. It naturally fol- Fasting builds character quite possible that one way in which it does spread rumours, This is also the tinel standing at attention, whose hand is lows that he will abstain from sin, from Another benefit of fasting is that it so is by restricting Satan’s ability to circu- case for some- ever poised to action and who is ready to those acts that are prohibited to him at all develops our character by strengthening late within our persons, as stated by some tell lies, and en- one who fasts advance and go forth whenever he is com- times. A Muslim needs to understand that our willpower and bolstering our patience. scholars. What is more likely is that fasting consecutive manded to do so. The importance of our this is the whole idea behind fasting. How This is why fasting is sometimes referred keeps our compulsions in check by keep- gage in all sorts of days without worshipping Allah is one of the greatest can a person abstain from food and drink to as patience and Ramadan is sometimes ing us involved in a specific act of worship. other sins? breaking his objectives behind our fasting and behind – though they are lawful to him at other called “the month of patience”. This continuous connection with an act of fast at night. At all of our acts of devotion. Unfortunately, times – and then go on to backbite people, Allah says: “Seek help in patience and worship helps us to refrain from unlawful other times, by many Muslims fall short in their apprecia- spread rumours, tell lies, and engage in all in prayer.” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 45] acts, including those acts, like the forbid- contrast, the tion of this fact. Though they adhere to the sorts of other sins? Some commentators of the Qur’ân have den gaze, that incite our desires. worshippers performance of these acts of worship, their The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: said: “The word ‘patience’ here refers to are ordered to devotions are bereft of spiritual meaning “Whoever does not leave off false speech fasting. It means ‘Seek help in fasting and Fasting provides numerous and fast, so that if and consequently fail to have the desired and evil deeds, then Allah has no need of prayer’.” varied spiritual and physical benefits they were to eat effect of bringing about true devotion and his leaving off his food and drink.” [Sahîh This is because fasting forces us to Doctors have discussed the health ben- at those times, subservience to Allah. Al Bukhârî (1903)] exercise our willpower and practice efits of fasting and how it can help us in they would be We know that Allah has no need for us patience. Many of us need to constantly learning to manage our diets. At times, sinning. Fasting strengthens our fear of Allah and to leave off eating and drinking in any case, exercise our willpower to keep it strong. doctors even prescribe fasting for vari- We see the same thing when a pilgrim gives us self restraint even when we abstain from false words There is a psychological benefit in ous reasons. Without a doubt, these are enters into the sacred state of ihrâm. While Fasting conditions us upon the fear of and false deeds. What this means is that operation here. Researchers into the causes at most secondary benefits of fasting. The he is in that state, he is prohibited from Allah. This is why Allah says: “O you who fasting has not been prescribed because of success say that success requires three same can be said for the physical benefits certain things that he is commanded to believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as Allah needs us to do so, it has only been ingredients: of prayer, pilgrimage, and other aspects do at other times. In this and many other it was prescribed for those before you, so prescribed to assist us in restraining our- 1. Desire: All people wish to be strong, of formal worship. Still, the real reason ways, the worshipper continually reminds that you may guard against evil.” [Sûrah selves from false words and evil deeds. successful, and financially well of. Desires that a Muslim does any of these things is himself that he is the servant of Allah who Al Baqarah: 183] Therefore, if we do not abandon these like these exist for everyone. for the sake of worshipping and obeying complies with his Lord’s command and When a person fasts, whether it be a things, then to what avail is our fasting? 2. Strength or ability: Most people have Allah. He would do so even if there were who keeps to the limits set by his Lord. voluntary fast or an obligatory one, he is If fasting does not awaken in us this the mental and physical wherewithal and no health benefits. Indeed, were it proven This is a concept of great significance constantly reminding himself not to eat or consciousness, then it is to no purpose. the skills that they need to succeed if they to be injurious to his health, he would still drink This is We must work to cultivate this conscious- properly put their minds to it. do so. However, Allah never commands us in spite of the ness. Fasting needs to bring us to the point 3. Willpower: Strong willpower is one of to do anything that would harm us in the fact that eating where we can easily give up sinful deeds the greatest reasons for success in both this least except when the benefits of doing so and drinking like backbiting, spreading rumors, slander, world and the next. Fasting strengthens far outweigh the harm.

What the Prophet said

“The best of those among you is the one who learns the Quran and then teaches it to others.”

“Nothing is harder for Satan to bear than a person who recites the Quran.”

“The most honour- able and noble from among my Ummah are the memorisers of the Holy Quran and those who stay awake for worshipping. ASIA / PHILIPPINES THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 07 China uses fishing militia to expand sea claims: US

Natuna Islands in the South China between the two countries since Beijing employed its Sea last week, in actions slammed Jakarta launched a crackdown on by Beijing. illegal fishing in 2014. fishermen to help in “I think it’s a disturbing trend to In March, Chinese coastguards securing its territorial see Chinese fishing vessels accompa- rammed a Chinese boat detained near nied by coast guard vessels, used in a the Natunas and helped it escape as waters in the South way that appears to be an attempt to the Indonesians towed the vessel to China Sea. exert a claim that may not be legiti- shore. mate,” said the US official. And last month, the Indonesian “I do think that it does point to an navy opened fire on a Chinese trawler expanding presence of Chinese -- sort near the islands and seized the vessel. AFP of military and paramilitary forces -- Following last week’s con- and used in a way that is provocative frontation, the commander of the and potentially destabilising,” the US Indonesian navy’s western fleet said MANILA: China is using its fishing official added. the fishing vessel incursions were fleets with armed escorts to bolster Unlike several other countries in “structured”, indicating Beijing had A crew member of a reef-fishing vessel walking along the bow as it is achored at the port of Masinloc in maritime claims in disputed territory, the region, Indonesia has no over- “given its blessing”. Zambales province, after fishing near the Scarborough Shoal. a senior US State Department official lapping claims with China to islets “China protested because it thinks warned yesterday, calling China’s or reefs in the sea, but Beijing’s claim this area is theirs,” commander Ach- by the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, entitlements will push rival claimants control nearly all of the strategic and behaviour “disturbing”. to fishing rights near the Natunas mad Taufiqoerrochman said. Malaysia and Taiwan. into talks. reputedly resources-rich waters. The comments came after Indo- appears to overlap with Jakarta’s China has undertaken land-rec- The US State Department official The case was lodged by the Phil- “It is in China’s interest not to take nesian warships fired warning shots exclusive economic zone. lamation works in the Spratly Islands, said Washington hoped a pending ippines against China in 2013 to any action that would be provocative and detained a Chinese-flagged fish- Last week’s incident was only one of the South China Sea’s main ruling by a United Nations-backed tri- challenge Beijing’s “nine-dash line” and directly in contradiction to the ing boat and seven crew near the the latest in a series of skirmishes archipelagoes which are also claimed bunal on South China Sea maritime map through which it claims to ruling,” the US official said. Australia sends back Hong Kong activist 29 rescued from trafficking in Malaysia denies chance to Vietnamese migrants stand for election AFP agents and caretakers of the women, economy is a magnet for migrants -- it said. many of them illegal -- from around AFP It gave no further details on the Southeast Asia, including large num- KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police case of the 29 women. bers of Filipinos. AFP has said it would permanently set- have rescued 29 Filipinas who had But it said some individuals and Human trafficking generated an tle the bulk of the 30,000 boatpeople HONG KONG: Hong Kong pro- been trafficked into work in bars, the agencies were allegedly offering estimated $7 billion to $9.5 billion per who came ashore under the previous democracy activist Joshua Wong Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur work in Malaysia to people who enter annum as of 2004. SYDNEY: Australia has intercepted Labour governments of Julia Gillard denied yesterday the chance to said yesterday. as tourists, promising to convert them Human trafficking is thought to a boat of Vietnamese asylum-seek- and Kevin Rudd, most of which are stand for election after a court The women were rescued from to employment visas in exchange for be one of the fastest-growing activ- ers, officials said yesterday, as the still waiting to be processed. threw out his bid to lower the can- two bars in the town of Bintulu in the payment. ities of trans-national criminal government accused people-smug- “This will send an absolutely didate age limit from 21, as fears Malaysian state of Sarawak on June “The embassy reminds Filipinos organisations. glers of using the upcoming election unequivocal signal to the people- mount over China’s influence on 9 after the embassy brought reports to be vigilant and not to deal with It is condemned as a violation to drum up new business. smugglers that under a Labour the city. of trafficked women to Malaysian unlicensed individuals or purported of human rights by international Rhetoric around Canberra’s con- government, anyone who manages The 19-year-old, who became police, a statement by the embassy placement agencies, especially conventions. troversial immigration policy has to get to Australia on a boat will be the face of Hong Kong’s “Umbrella said. online, as they could end up being In addition, human trafficking ramped up ahead of July 2 polls, and able to stay here permanently,” Turn- Movement” for his role in the 2014 Also arrested during the raid trafficked,” it said. is subject to a directive in the Euro- Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has bull said. pro-democracy protests which were three Filipinos who served as Malaysia’s relatively developed pean Union. denounced a Labour opposition pledge “The people-smugglers are brought parts of the city to a stand- to allow illegal migrants already in starting to market again and we still, had expressed interest in Australia to stay permanently. know... they are marketing that there running for office amid concerns The Vietnamese boat was dis- will be, or could be, a change of gov- Beijing is tightening its grip. covered north of Australia this ernment in Australia and the way Residents of the semi-autono- month, with the 21 men, women and the opportunities to smuggle peo- mous city can vote from the age of children on baoard processed at sea ple to Australia will be open again.” 18, but can only stand for election and then flown home, Immigration Since the start of its “Operation from 21 -- something that Wong Minister Peter Dutton said. Sovereign Borders” in September has said is unconstitutional. “They claimed that they were 2013, the government has managed A Hong Kong court yesterday wanting protection. It was found to halt the flood of boat arrivals, and said the issue should be dealt with that they weren’t owed protection drownings, that characterised previ- by lawmakers. “What should be and they were returned back to Viet- ous Labour administrations. the proper choice of the minimum nam,” he said. Turnbull said since the con- age of candidature is obviously a Under Canberra’s tough meas- servatives came to power, 28 boats matter of political judgment for ures, asylum-seekers trying to reach carrying 734 people have been the legislature, but not one for Australia by boat are either sent back turned back with no successful the court to make in the name of to where they departed or to remote arrival in almost 700 days. remedial interpretation,” Judge Pacific island camps, where living Australia is the only country Thomas Au said in his judgement. conditions have been criticised. in the world to mandate the strict Wong was acquitted earlier While Labour backs the policy of enforcement of the detention of this month in another protest- turning back illegal boat arrivals, it asylum-seekers. related case. Giant panda gives birth to twins in China

AFP

BEIJING: A giant panda in China has given birth to two cubs, conservation authori- ties said, the first twins of the critically endangered species this year even though multi- ple births are common. Six-year-old Ya Li had the twin sisters last month at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in the southwestern province of Sichuan, it said in a statement. They weighed 144 grammes and 113 grammes each, said the statement on Monday. Ya Li was a twin herself, it added. China had 1,864 giant pandas in the wild, mainly in Sichuan, by the end of 2013, accord- ing to a government survey released last year. The country had 422 giant pandas in captivity at the end of 2015 and aims to bring the number up to 500 by 2020 in order to ensure sufficient genetic diversity among captive pandas, the official Xinhua news agency reported in January. Giant pandas have notoriously low libidos, frustrating efforts to boost their numbers. 08 THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 ASIA / AFRICA North Korea missile launch ‘a serious threat’

The launches and earlier nuclear Stoltenberg also decried North Nato official tests show continued defiance of Korea’s “provocative actions”. international warnings and a series of “I strongly condemn the launch condemns the UN Security Council resolutions and by North Korea of two ballistic mis- provocative action sanctions, which North Korea rejects siles,” Stoltenberg said in a statement. as an infringement of its sovereignty. “These repeated provocative of Pyongyang, Japanese Defence Minister Gen actions ... undermine international which undermine Nakatani said the second missile security and dialogue,” he said, calling international security reached an altitude of 1,000km, for North Korea to “fully comply with indicating North Korea had made its obligations under international law, and dialogue. progress. not to threaten with or conduct any “We don’t know whether it counts launches using ballistic missile tech- as a success, but North Korea has nology and to refrain from any further shown some capability with IRBMs provocative actions”. Reuters (intermediate range ballistic mis- The first missile was launched siles),” he said. “The threat to Japan from the east coast city of Wonsan, is intensifying.” a South Korean official said, the same SEOUL: North Korea launched Reclusive North Korea and the area where previous tests of interme- what appeared to be an interme- rich, democratic South are technically diate-range missiles were conducted, diate-range missile yesterday to a still at war because their 1950-53 con- possibly using mobile launchers. high altitude in the direction of Japan flict ended in an armistice, not a peace South Korea’s Yonhap news before it plunged into the sea, mil- treaty. The North regularly threatens agency, quoting a government itary officials said, a technological to destroy the Japan, South Korea and official, said the first missile dis- advance for the isolated state after the South’s main ally, the US. South integrated mid-air after a flight of several test failures. Korean President Park Geun-hye about 150km. Yesterday’s first launch The launch came about two denounced the test. was the fifth straight unsuccessful hours after a similar test failed, South “The North Korean regime must attempt in the past two months to Korea’s military said, and covered realise that complete isolation and launch a missile that is designed to fly 400km, more than halfway towards self-destruction await at the end of more than 3,000km and could theo- the southwest coast of Japan’s main reckless provocation,” she said. retically reach any part of Japan and A television screen broadcasts news coverage of a North Korean rocket launch, at Seoul station, yesterday. island of Honshu. Nato Secretary General Jens the US territory of Guam. Yellow fever vaccine shortage Two die in S Africa pre-election unrest as outbreak spreads in Congo AFP

Reuters in Kinshasa, between May 26 and June 4. JOHANNESBURG: Two people But there is no more vaccine left, have been killed and more than aside from a small number of doses left in 40 arrested in pre-election vio- KINSHASA: Democratic Republic of reserve in Kongo Central and some being lence in townships around South Congo has almost run out of yellow fever administered by a government agency at Africa’s capital Pretoria, police said vaccine in Kinshasa, in the same week that Kinshasa’s central hospital, airport and yesterday. the government declared an epidemic of river crossing with neighbouring Congo Police spokeswoman Nox- the disease in the packed capital and two Republic, health officials said. olo Kweza said two people were other provinces. Some local people have The agency is charging $35 for the doses killed on Tuesday night after shops complained they were denied immunisa- it administers, a hefty sum in a country were looted in Mamelodi township tion due to the shortage, despite queueing whose gross national income per person is in the wake of internal ANC pro- for a shot. estimated by the World Bank at $380 a year. tests linked to upcoming municipal More supplies have been promised, but Eugene Kabambi, the World Health elections. health officials in the impoverished coun- Organization (WHO) spokesman in Congo, Factional violence broke out try say they have to choose between the said that the International Coordinating late Monday over the ruling African high cost of flying them in, or a long wait Group on vaccine provision has promised National Congress (ANC) party’s for shipment by sea. Congo more than a million more doses. choice of a mayoral candidate in The mosquito-borne haemorrhagic “That requires either a cargo flight, in Pretoria for the hotly-contested virus is a major concern in Kinshasa, a which case it would come very quickly but vote on August 3. city of about 12 million people which has cost a lot, or if it’s by boat, it could take a “We have arrested more than poor health services, a humid climate few weeks,” he said. 40 people since yesterday and beloved of the insects and much stag- The Coordinating Group brings this morning for different crimes nant water where they can breed owing together the WHO and United Nations related to the protests,” Kweza to pour drainage. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) with the Inter- said adding that peace had been Health minister Felix Kabange said on national Federation of Red Cross and Red restored yesterday morning. People from Mamelodi scavenge parts from the charred remains of a bus that was burnt during Monday that 67 cases had been confirmed Crescent Societies plus the medical char- No details were released on the 3-day long protest in Mamelodi yesterday. in Kinshasa, Kongo Central and Kwango ity Médecins sans Frontières. how the two victims died. Police provinces and that over 1,000 more sus- The global stockpile of yellow fever said those arrested had been she is an outsider as she hails from unemployment and the dire con- rate of protests has been escalat- pected cases are being monitored. Five vaccine has already been depleted twice charged with violence, theft and Durban, a port city in the east of ditions in which many black people ing since 2004, However, Steven people have died from the disease. this year to immunise people in Angola, possession of stolen property. the country. still live. Friedman argues that the current The government and international Almost 18 million doses have been At least 20 buses were torched Senior ANC figures condemned “While the ANC is still popular wave of protests stretches back to health organisations vaccinated more distributed for emergency vaccination in Mamelodi on Monday dur- the violence, with party secretary in rural communities... the party the 1970s. than 2 million people, about half of them campaigns in the three African countries. ing protests sparked by the ANC’s general Gwede Mantashe blam- has lost significant support in the The rate of protests “rose dra- choice of Thoko Didiza as mayoral ing the destruction of property on largest cities,” Robert Besseling, matically in the first eight months candidate. “thuggery”. of risk advisers EXX Africa, said of 2012” and it was reported that Didiza, a former minister under Several deaths attributed to in an email. there 540 protests in the province the late president Nelson Mandela, tension between rival factions “Socio-economic grievances of Gauteng between 1 April and 10 was nominated by the ANC amid within the ANC have been reported will intensify ongoing political May 2013. deep local divisions over the pro- around the country in the run-up unrest.” In February 2014 it was posed candidates for Tshwane to the August elections. South Africa has been dubbed reported that there had been mayor, the municipality that The party, which led the strug- “the protest capital of the world”, “nearly 3,000 protest actions in includes Pretoria. gle against apartheid and has with one of the highest rates of the last 90 days – more than 30 a Some protesters complained ruled since 1994, could be dealt public protests in the world. day– involving more than a mil- that although she lives in Pretoria an electoral blow due to record It is often argued that the lion people”. Two tankers crash in Lagos amid rains

AFP

LAGOS: Motorists were stranded for hours on a main highway linking Nigeria’s economic hub, Lagos, with the rest of the country yesterday after two petrol tankers crashed dur- ing heavy rains. The busy dual car- riageway between the southwestern city and the capital of Oyo state, Ibadan, 130km away, was blocked both ways at Mowe, on the outskirts of Lagos. “The tankers and three cars were burnt following the incident,” Abiodun Baba- tunde, of the Ogun State Fire Service said. “There is no movement of vehicles coming in and going out of Lagos at the moment,” he said. PAKISTAN THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 09 Popular Sufi singer shot dead in Karachi

Sanjarani, a police officer said. groups have carried out major attacks Sabri was hit by five bullets and on Sufi mosques and shrines in recent Killing described as was declared dead at Abbasi Shaheed years, including the 2010 bombing of act of terror by police Hospital while a companion, named the Data Darbar shrine in Lahore that as a relative, Saleem Sabri, was in killed more than 40 people. likely for religious critical condition, a hospital source Sabri, the son of another legen- reasons. added. dary Qawwali singer, Ghulam Farid “It was a targeted killing and an Sabri who died in 1994, was a fixture act of terrorism,” Muqaddas Haider, on national television and regularly a senior police officer said, without performed on a morning show during AFP naming possible suspects. the ongoing Holy Month of Ramadan. Grisly mobile phone footage of In May 2014 he was asked by the scene of the crime shot by an a court to respond to blasphemy onlooker showed the singer’s head charges following the broadcast of KARACHI: One of Pakistan’s best slumped on his right shoulder and a a controversial song-and-dance rou- known Sufi musicians was shot pool of blood on the ground by the tine that was set to a Qawwali piece dead by unknown assailants riding driver’s side where he sat. about the wedding of the Prophet a motorcycle in Karachi yesterday, Sabri was a ‘Qawwal’, or singer of Mohammed’s (PBUH) daughter to triggering an outpouring of grief over ‘Qawwali’, which is a traditional form his cousin. what police described as an “act of of Islamic devotional music that is His killing was met with shock terror”. popular across South Asia with roots and condemnation. Neighbours con- Amjad Sabri, aged around 45, tracing back to the 13th century. gregated outside the singer’s home was travelling by car from his home The music is closely associated to offer condolences to his relatives, in the city’s eastern Korangi area to with Sufism, a mystical sect of Islam while TV channels broadcast record- a television studio, when a motorcy- that is viewed as heretical by hardline ings of his music in tribute. cle pulled up alongside the vehicle groups such as the Taliban. Karachi is frequently hit by reli- Pakistani security officials gather around the bullet-riddled car of Sufi musician Amjad Sabri who was killed and the attackers opened fire, Farooq The Taliban and other Islamist gious, political and ethnic violence. in an attack by unknown gunmen in Karachi yesterday. Afghanistan risks spike in violence: UN Girls grab top positions in Peshawar secondary exam Reuters

Internews Forward Public School (Girls), Hayata- KABUL: Afghanistan faces the risk of a new spi- bad, secured 936 marks to grab third ral in violence following a series of attacks on position. civilians in the last few months but on the bat- PESHAWAR: Girl students of different A total of 70,339 students appeared tlefield, security forces have been holding their private schools have clinched the top at the examinations, of which 56,247 ground, the top UN official in the country said. three positions in the Secondary School were declared successful with a pass The assessment by Nicholas Haysom, the UN Certificate (SSC) annual examinations of percentage of 79.97 per cent. Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Board of Intermediate and Second- The results were declared at a cere- Afghanistan, painted a mixed picture of the secu- ary Education, in Pakistan’s northwest mony at the BISE, Peshawar, which was rity situation some 18 months after international district of Peshawar. attended by the position holders and forces ended their main combat operations. The results were announced yes- their relatives. Board chairman Moham- While the bomb attacks that killed at least terday at the board offices. All the top mad Shafi Afridi was the chief guest. 22 people in Kabul and the northern province of three position holders are from the sci- Shafi Afridi said on the occasion that Badakhshan on Monday underlined how danger- ence group. The top 10 positions were several reforms had been introduced in ous Afghanistan remains, fears that the Taliban achieved by 14 students, among them the examination system and checking of would overwhelm security forces have not been only one boy. papers during the last few years. He said realised. Ali Shah GulalaiAmjad, a student of that efforts were afoot to introduce the However, Haysom said he was deeply con- Frontier Youth Academy, Hayatabad, best examination system to minimise cerned about violence against civilians, with Peshawar, got the first position with chances of cheating. attacks continuing during Ramadan. 1,042 marks out of the total 1,100. Two He said that the Peshawar board had As well as suicide attacks on targets rang- Nepalese relatives of 12 victims of a suicide bomb attack in Kabul grieve over their coffins students of the Peshawar Model School, started multiple choice questions check- ing from government officials and members of in Kathmandu yesterday. The Nepali security guards were among 25 people killed in Charsadda, Aleeza Gul and Maria Maq- ing through optical marks recognition the judicial system to foreign security contrac- bombings across Afghanistan Monday. sood stood second and third by securing machines, which would help in early tors, at least 200 people have been abducted on 1,039 and 1,038 marks, respectively. declaration of results. highways since the end of May. The humanities group was topped In Bannu, the students of science “There is a risk, in my view, that the conflict of potentially vital strategic infrastructure large areas of the strategic southern province by Abdul Basit, a student of Usmania group of different private schools may enter a new phase, which could see retalia- projects and said political stability was vital for of Helmand. Children Academy, NauthiaJadeed, clinched top three positions in the tory acts of vengeance and an escalating spiral the progress to continue. But they have not so far been able to take Peshawar, with 952 marks. annual SSC examinations as the BISE, of violence,” said Haysom, who is stepping down The Taliban, whose former leader, Mullah control of a province or major provincial centre Nadia Khan, a student of Agriculture Bannu, announced the results yesterday . from his post after four years in Afghanistan. Akhtar Mansour, was killed in a US drone strike and Afghan security forces, which faced severe University Public School and College, Mohammad Ibrar, a student of Faiz He also pointed to progress in several areas, last month, control more territory than at any pressure and heavy casualties last year, appear Peshawar, who got 938 marks was Model High School, LakkiMarwat, got including public finances, as well as the launch time since they were ousted in 2001, including to have strengthened their performance. declared second. MahnoorKhurshid of the first position with 1,036 marks. Taliban free abducted bus passengers

AFP

KANDAHAR: The Taliban have released more than two dozen hostages pulled from their vehicles on a highway in southern Afghanistan, officials said yesterday, a day after they were abducted by the militants. The passengers were kidnapped in Washer district of volatile Helmand province as they were travelling on a bus and two trucks from southern Kandahar to western Herat province on Tuesday. “There were 25 people taken by Taliban, all of them are released and will be sent to their homes,” Aqa Noor Kentoz police chief of Helmand told AFP. “The five last hostages were released this morning after tribal elders intervened,” he said. The majority of the hostages had been released Tues- day evening, Omar Zwak, spokesman for the governor of Helmand, told AFP earlier, with an army statement saying they were freed in an operation in Marja district. But the Taliban denied the claim, with spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi telling AFP they decided to free the hostages after they were found to be “innocent”. The insurgents had earlier said they were targeting Afghan government officials aboard the vehicles. Two dead in bomb explosion AP

KABUL: An Afghan official says a roadside bombing in the country’s east has killed a traffic policeman and a civilian. Deputy police chief of Nangarhar province, Abass Sadat, says the explosion took place in Jalalabad, the provincial capital, yesterday. He says the explosion also wounded two civilians. Sadat also says that the bomb was likely detonated by remote control and that it went off near a police checkpoint. 10 THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 VIEWS

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR MOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED [email protected]

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL Pyongyang’s provocation Israel may have a fig leaf of UN orth Korea’s latest ballistic missile launch is another brazen and provocative act by the reclusive communist state that should not go unpunished. respectability but it still fears BDS NPyongyang launched an intermediate-range missile yesterday to a high altitude in the direction of Japan before it plunged into the sea about two hours after a similar test failed. The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called committee will raise its pro- within the international commu- the test a “brazen and irresponsible act’. “The continued pursuit file within the organisation and Without the support nity. That Israel should be elected allow it to influence decisions on of the regional to monitor the application of inter- by the DPRK of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles will only issues relating to international law. national law is as preposterous as undermine its security and fail to improve the lives of its citizens,” Danny Danon, the country’s UN Western European appointing a career criminal to Ban’s spokesman said. The US too condemned the action. A White ambassador, was understandably and Others Group guard the crown jewels. Under no House spokesman said ‘the impact of these provocations will be elated after the election and had (WEOG) Israel’s circumstances can the UN expect to strengthen the resolve of the international community that has the audacity to claim that, “Israel candidacy to the rule of humanitarian law to apply such serious concerns with North Korea’s behaviour’. A Security is a world leader in international in Palestine when Israel does not law and in fighting terrorism.” chair the legal acknowledge that its occupation is Council meeting is likely to discuss the issue after the US and Japan Without the support of the committee stood illegal, and recognise the relevance requested a meeting. regional Western European and of the Geneva Convention over the There is no doubt that the missile launch will ratchet up tension By Dr Daud Abdullah Others Group (WEOG) Israel’s can- very little chance occupied Palestinian territories. in a region that is already tense. But despite the condemnations from didacy to chair the legal committee of succeeding. In In the circumstances, no one neighbours and the world powers, North stood very little chance of succeed- recent years, the EU should blame the Israelis for rel- Korea will prove too tough a truant to be ing. In recent years, the EU and a and a number of its ishing what is clearly a diplomatic The number of its member countries triumph. Not since it was admitted disciplined. The impoverished country member countries international acting individually have attempted, to the UN in 1949 has it ever headed has been under UN sanctions since hen Israel joined under the guise of combatting anti- acting individually any of the six permanent commit- community will 2006. In March, the Security Council the United Nations Semitism, to censure debate and have attempted, tees of the world body. Likewise, no have to come imposed harsh new sanctions on the on 11 May 1949 its criticism of Israel. It now remains one should blame the Palestinians, country after a string of provocative membership was to be seen whether Israel will use under the guise the victims of Israeli occupation, up with a new Wconditional on it fulfilling several its chairmanship of the UN’s legal of combatting for losing trust in the UN. After all, nuclear and missile tests. A country that strategy as is living in isolation and has scant regard requirements. Apart from being committee to promote similar rules anti-Semitism, to Israel was, and will always remain obliged to abide by the UN Charter, aimed at suppressing international a creation of the United Nations, for international laws is unlikely to be censure debate and North Korea it had to declare its borders publicly criticism and censure of its illegal created as it was by UN resolution tests another disturbed by more sanctions. And that and allow the Palestinian refugees policies and practices. criticism of Israel. 181 in the first place. leaves the international community, to return to their homes. Sixty-seven While Israeli officials have More than anything else, this ballistic especially the UN, groping in the dark years on, none of these obligations never attached any significance week’s election of Israel to head the missile. and with little options to make Kim has been carried out. Despite such to the scores of UN resolutions that UN’s legal committee has under- Jong-un see reason. glaring and ongoing contempt for condemn its actions, they have the government’s decision as an lined the futility of relying entirely The latest tests show that the international community wor- never concealed their fear of the “attack on local democracy.” on the organisation and its agencies. thy of the rogue state that it has international Boycott, Divestment With its privileged chairman- It is, in addition, a stark reminder North Korea’s missile programme could be advancing, a fact become, the UN has succumbed to and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Its ship of the UN’s legal committee, of the need to preserve the gains acknowledged by the US, despite previous doubts that the pressure from the Western Euro- success in the West has led countries Israel now has an opportunity secured by direct civil action such government in Pyongyang could be exaggerating about its nuclear pean and Others Group (WEOG) like France and Britain to criminal- to deal once and for all with yet as Boycott, Divestment and Sanc- capabilities. According to a US intelligence official, the last missile and elected Israel to chair one of ise calls for the boycott of Israel. In another long standing concern; its tions. Yes, it may take time to gather flew 250 miles or roughly a third of the way between North Korea its six permanent committees. October last year, France’s highest so-called “delegitimisation” by pro- momentum, but rest assured that and Japan. That’s a dangerous level of success, and the regime could As predicted, the move has pro- court of appeal upheld the con- Palestine campaigners. The central when it does, BDS will be a force voked widespread criticism, not viction of 12 Palestinian solidarity pillar of this strategy is to delegit- that is irreversible and unstop- try more until it achieves its targets. Pyongyang started a string only from the Palestinian Authority activists for calling for the boycott imise in turn those who dare to pable. Israel knows that to be the of demonstrations of its military might in January with its fourth but also from international non- of Israeli goods. criticise its policies. Hence, from case, which is why it is expending nuclear test and included the launch of a long-range rocket in governmental organisations, the In Britain, the pro-Israel Con- now on we can expect no short- so much time, energy and resources February. League of Arab States and the servative government recently age of debates on how to sanitise on trying to block the global move- Since sanctions have failed to produce the desired results, the Organisation of Islamic Cooper- unveiled plans to ban local coun- the occupation, redefine Zionism ment. It may have a fig leaf of UN UN and the international community will have to devise a new ation. Israel’s election to chair the cils, public bodies and even some and make any and every criticism respectability now, but it still fears strategy to address North Korean threats. Kim Jong-un is investing UN’s legal committee, they argue, university student unions from boy- of Israel an act of “anti-Semitism”. the peaceful BDS campaign more is an affront to the rule of law and a cotting companies that operate in If the UN allows itself to be than anything else in the world. heavily in nuclear programmes, which he finds as the best solution scandalous perversion of the world Israel’s illegal colony-settlements. hijacked for these purposes it might to silence his enemies. China, which is Pyongyang’s strongest ally, body’s founding principles. A spokesman for Labour Party as well bid farewell to whatever The writer is the Director of Mid- has been cooperative in addressing Pyongyang’s nuclear threat, but In London, a statement from leader Jeremy Corbyn described credibility and respect it has left dle East Monitor (Memo). at the same time has been reluctant to antagonize the regime of Kim the Arab Organisation for Human Jong-un. Beijing needs to take a tougher stance on its neighbour. Rights in the UK insisted that such condemnation was justified because Israel remains, after sev- eral decades, the illegal occupier of Palestinian and Arab lands and commits heinous crimes regularly, Quote of the day including the extra-judicial killing of Palestinians in the occupied ter- There would be no ritories and possibly war crimes and re-negotiation of a crimes against humanity. Not only that, but Israel also arrests Pales- package of measures that tinians arbitrarily; constructs illegal EU governments agreed settlements on occupied territory; with London in February engages in land theft; displaces the aimed at keeping Britain Palestinians forcibly; and refuses to allow the Palestinian people to in the 28-nation bloc. exercise their right to self-deter- mination despite repeated calls Jean-Claude Juncker from the UN Special Political and European Commission President Decolonisation Committee. Though largely symbolic, the election of Israel to the UN legal A file photo shows a banner during protest near Karmi Tzor Israeli settlement.

EDITORIAL TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR E-MAIL: [email protected] ADVERTISING TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] OPINION THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 11 How fake democracies damage real ones

By Brian Klaas The Washington Post

n 1991, Madagascar - a large island off the coast of southeast Africa known more for its lovable lemurs than the fate of its 27 million deeply impoverished Ipeople - held its first multi-party elections. The way it came to do so was somewhat unusual: a brash general effectively kid- napped the country’s leading politicians, locked them in the Panorama Hotel, and proclaimed that they could leave only after they agreed to allow political competition. Two days later, the Panorama Convention was signed. The elections took place as planned - and what’s more, the incum- bent lost and left power. It seemed like a new dawn for a country that had suffered for decades under the rule of a failed mil- itary strongman. Shortly thereafter, Madagascar was duly declared a full-fledged democracy - The EU’s chief observer of Madagascar’s 2013 election, Maria Muniz de Urquiza, speaks to the press outside a polling station in Antananarivo on October 25, 2013. receiving the same score as France - in an index that many political scientists con- sider to be the most accurate yardstick during elections - but remain depressingly dried up. Madagascar became an inter- it’s me”) famously attributed to the French Madagascar democratic provides powerful of regimes. Politicians, diplomats, and dim for the thousands of days in-between. national pariah. King Louis XIV, who embodied absolutist rhetorical ammunition to despots in other scholars all welcomed the country into The current system gives them little incen- But it didn’t take much to turn the switch rule. In the poem, Ramakavelo bemoans countries, helping them make their case the democratic world. In 2006, the Ameri- tive to get brighter because the West calls back on. Four years later, Madagascar held the degree to which his country has imper- for continuing to resist reform. After all, if can ambassador to the island declared that them “democracies” too easily. That, in turn, elections again. The country was quickly sonated Versailles by allowing powerful coups and corruption and drug-running Washington believed that “Madagascar degrades the value of democracy itself. reinstated in a preferential U.S. trade pro- kingpins and kingmakers to rule with- ministers are the hallmarks of so-called deserves its position among the community There are two dynamics at play here. gram, a decision prompted by “the nation’s out regard for the formal trappings of democracies, maybe authoritarianism of democracies in the world.” Indeed, even First, the inevitably low bar created by return to democratic rule.” Crucial foreign democracy. isn’t so bad. in 2014 and 2015, in the wake of seriously the on/off mentality creates an effect that aid flowed back in. But day-to-day interna- Before I left, the general asked me to In other words, mislabeling countries as flawed elections, the U.S. State Department I’ve previously called “the curse of low tional interest in the country plummeted. send him anything I wrote about him. In democratic can cause people to lose faith continued to herald Madagascar’s alleged expectations.” When undemocratic rulers Madagascar had done the bare minimum a vivid demonstration of the continued in the concept while amplifying the voice “return to democracy” after a coup d’état. get a diplomatic high-five just for hold- to be seen as a “democratically elected” dominance of personality as power in Mada- of unresponsive leaders eager to spread There’s just one problem: Madagascar ing a passable election, it creates a strong government, and that seemed to be good gascar, the mailing address he provided to an undemocratic gospel. This one-two incentive to continue doing only the bare enough. me read in full: “General Desiré-Philippe punch may help explain why the world minimum. The European Union called The elected government does not actu- Ramakavélo, Madagascar.” has become modestly, but steadily, less Madagascar’s 2013 election “free, fair, ally rule democratically, but its violations The problem with informal rule is democratic since 2006. and democratic,” even though millions of democratic principles are not considered simple: it allows bad governance. Mada- The solution is not simply to condemn The elections took place as planned were left off the voter rolls, illicit cam- “bad enough” to elicit international conse- gascar is one of the poorest countries in Madagascar and countries like it as pariah — and what’s more, the incumbent paign funding was used, and vote buying quences. As a result, elites in Madagascar the world not least because its corrupt - states. Madagascar’s president is no dicta- was rampant (a finding that the European and countries like it can have their cake albeit elected - politicians serve themselves tor, and some minor and modest progress lost and left power. Union even acknowledged openly in its and eat it too - ensuring that their infor- rather than their people. Though it has toward democracy has been made since final report). After the election observ- mal power networks remain king while tremendous mineral wealth and one the the 2013 elections. ers packed up and left, the international basking in international praise for a post- most tourist-enticing landscapes on the Instead, there needs to be a higher bar community took far less of an interest election “return to democracy.” planet, its GDP per capita is stuck below for what warrants the label of democracy. in the island. So long as the West sets an In April, Madagascar’s president $500. A third of the population is illiter- For countries like Madagascar that do not is not and has never been a democracy. absurdly low bar for what constitutes announced that the prime minister had ate. And it’s the only place on earth where deserve the label, aid and international Regular elections are held, but they are democratic elections and views those resigned, only for the startled prime min- outbreaks of the bubonic plague are a reg- acceptance should be tied to steady progress manipulated and riddled by vote-buying. as the endpoint of establishing democ- ister to inform the press that he had done ular occurrence. It is, unquestionably, one towards genuine democratic governance A national assembly exists, but it is deeply racy rather than its beginning, the light no such thing. His unconstitutional and of the worst tickets you can be dealt in the rather than being conditioned on hold- corrupt and unresponsive to the people. A of democracy around the globe will con- unwilling departure ushered in the island’s global lottery of birth. ing passable elections every few years. democratic constitution is on the books, but tinue to flicker. third prime minister in as many years. At Labeling such a country a “democracy” If no progress is made, it should not take those with informal power routinely ignore Second, when a country’s citizens live the same time, credible allegations arose is not just ridiculous - it’s downright dan- something so drastic as a coup d’état to it. As in so other many places around the in a “democracy” that holds elections but that several ministers had paid bribes to gerous. Lowering the bar for what deserves hammer home the lesson that undemo- globe, real power in Madagascar belongs doesn’t really give them a voice, the result secure their spots in the president’s cabi- to be called a democracy degrades public cratic governance between elections has to a small cadre of elites that rely on infor- is governance that doesn’t deliver. Even net. In May, the Minister of Public Service support for the concept. After all, if Mada- diplomatic consequences. mal personal networks to wield it. the best election doesn’t put food on the and Government Reform was discovered gascar really represented what a democracy Today, Madagascar’s people are mired There is more to democracy than elec- table, provide security, or ensure basic with 1,000 kilograms of drugs in his per- looks like, nobody would want to live in in poverty and political dysfunction two tions. True democracy requires the rule health care. If elections are all people have, sonal vehicle - rather a lot for recreational one. Over time, this only makes the false and a half years after the last elections, of law, a free press, and accountability but genuine democracy doesn’t take root, use. He has not been arrested, nor has he prophets of authoritarian strongmen or and with two and a half years to go until for elected officials, no matter how pow- they soon begin to resent the concept of resigned. military rule more appealing. the next ones. Amid the country’s eco- erful they may be. Madagascar has none democracy itself. These repeated embarrassment have Madagascar may be an island, but it is nomic and political stagnation, there are of the above. But far too often, we allow Perhaps for that reason, even the coun- prompted the general who originally ush- not alone in this risk. When tens of thou- persistent whispers of nefarious attempts counterfeit democracies like it to pass as terfeit democracy introduced in Madagascar ered in multi-party elections 25 years ago sands of Africans living in similarly sham to instigate a constitutional crisis in order the real thing. in the early 1990s didn’t prove especially to speak out. General Desiré-Philippe Ram- democracies were asked whether they were to force an early vote. That’s because the international com- durable. In 2009, in one of the more bizarre akavélo, a distinguished elder statesman satisfied with democracy in their country, Earlier this month, Senator Rene de munity treats democracy like a light switch: episodes in modern international poli- who has taken up writing political poetry only 965 out of more than 50,000 respond- Roland Lylison - a colonel who previ- a regime is either elected democrati- tics, the country’s sitting president Marc in his retirement, laments that the country’s ents replied that their countries were not, ously headed a paramilitary group - was cally (on), or it is “elected” in a blatantly Ravalomanana - a rags-to-riches yogurt elites tend to act like royalty once attain- in fact, democracies. Most accepted the arrested amidst rumors that he was plot- undemocratic sham contest (off). Elections kingpin - was overthrown in a coup d’état ing office, rather than as public servants premise that they lived in a democratic ting another coup d’état. Unfortunately, themselves are also frequently judged in a by Andry Rajoelina, a 34-year-old former constrained by democratic rules. During country, but lamented that fact: Four in because Madagascar’s people have been binary way - they’re either completely free radio disc jockey. The toppling of an elected my last meeting with him at his home in ten said that they were “not at all satis- told that they have democracy but believe and fair or they are not. The problem is that leader was, finally, enough for the diplo- Antananarivo, he shared his latest stanzas fied” or “not very satisfied” with this form it has failed them, some would welcome a most regimes in the world, like Madagas- matic community to flip the switch and with me. The title of the poem he read, La of governance. military takeover. That is the peril and the car, lie somewhere in between. Many may acknowledge that the country had lost its loi, c’est moi (“The law, it’s me”) is a refer- This erosion of support for democracy price of a system that conflates the act of emit some democratic light - particularly status as a democracy. International aid ence to the quip L’état, c’est moi (“the state, has a knock-on effect. Calling countries like voting with genuine democracy. Losing a nuclear weapon against climate change

Bloomberg consequences of climate change. That that greater energy efficiency and opened in the mid-1980s. And it has credit for the climate protection they Once the plants shut Diablo Canyon’s two reactors could more renewable power -- solar, wind been built to withstand an earthquake provide -- via a carbon tax or through down, relicensing be allowed to shut down is alarm- and the like -- will pick up the slack. much stronger than anything that inclusion in state energy portfolio and restarting them ome environmentalists are thrilled ing evidence that too little effort is But to the extent that these strate- fault could be expected to unleash. standards -- so that they can keep at Tuesday’s announcement of being made to reduce greenhouse- gies are used to replace clean nuclear Diablo Canyon now joins the list, generating clean power for many will be prohibitively Sthe planned closing of Califor- gas emissions. The climate-friendly power, they make zero progress already too long, of nuclear plants more decades. difficult. Allowing nia’s Diablo Canyon nuclear power electricity that the Diablo Canyon toward lowering carbon emissions. across the country that are slated to Once the plants shut down, reli- them simply to plant. They might want to reconsider: plant generates, which amounts to Diablo Canyon prevents the emission close (or already have) because they censing and restarting them will be Fighting climate change requires more about 9 percent of California’s power, of 6.8 million tons of carbon dioxide can’t compete with record-low nat- prohibitively difficult. Allowing them close may be nuclear power, not less. would be lost. annually. ural gas prices. Nuclear power is also simply to close may be satisfying to satisfying to some The losers in this plan, which Yes, a deal reached among the It’s true that Diablo Canyon stands expensive because reactors require a some environmentalists. But it is a environmentalists. is pending regulatory approval, plant’s operator, labor unions and a close to a geological fault line. But relatively large work force. wrong turn in the fight against cli- are all those who will suffer the few environmental groups stipulates the plant has operated safely since it The plants should be given full mate change.

All thoughts and views expressed in these columns are those of the writers, not of the newspaper. All correspondence regarding Views and Opinion pages should be mailed to the Editor-in-Chief. 12 THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 INDIA 20 satellites launched at one go 94 dead in atmosphere, while another aims to lightning strikes provide services for amateur radio The rocket blasted operators. in four states off from the southern “Each of these small objects that you are putting into space will carry NEW DELHI: Lightning spaceport of out their own activity, which is inde- strikes and storm-related Sriharikota carrying pendent of the other, and each of incidents in northern and them will live a wonderful life for a eastern India have killed satellites from the finite period,” Indian Space Research 94 people, officials said US, Germany, Canada Organisation (ISRO) chairman A.S yesterday. Kiran Kumar told the NDTV news The deaths were and Indonesia, the network. reported from the four most in a single Indian The business of putting com- states of Bihar, Uttar mercial satellites into space for a fee Pradesh, Jharkhand and mission. is growing as phone, Internet and Madhya Pradesh since other companies as well as coun- Tuesday at the start of the tries seek greater and more high-tech monsoon season in the communications. region. Fifty-three people, AFP India is competing with other mostly farmers, homeless international players for a greater people and those out- share of that launch market, and is doors, were killed after known for its low-cost space pro- being struck by lightning Bystanders watch as Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) satellite CARTOSAT-2, along with 20 SRIHARIKOTA: India successfully gramme. Among the 20 satellites in Bihar, disaster manage- launched a rocket carrying 20 satel- launched on Wednesday were 13 from other satellites, is launched from Sriharikota, yesterday. ment official said. lites yesterday, setting a new national the US including one from a Google- Most of the deaths record as its famously frugal space owned company and two from Indian people’s lives,” Modi tweeted. said Lele, a senior fellow at the New In 2013 India sent an unmanned were reported from in agency looks to grab a larger slice of universities. Expert Ajay Lele said the lat- Delhi-based Institute for Defence rocket to orbit Mars at a cost of just and around state capital the lucrative commercial space mar- Prime Minister Narendra Modi est test was a “quantum jump” for Studies and Analyses. Lele said he $73 million compared with NASA’s Patna, as well as districts ket. The rocket blasted off from the said the launch was a “monumental India which has “made its presence expected ISRO to form a public- Maven Mars mission which had a like Aurangabad, Rohtas southern spaceport of Sriharikota car- accomplishment”, although it trails felt even more now by displaying its private partnership to outsource $671 million price tag. and Nalanda. rying satellites from the US, Germany, Russia’s 33 record launched in 2014 promising market potential”. its growing commercial activity in The successful mission was a In Bihar, 22 people Canada and Indonesia, the most in a and NASA’s haul of 29 the year before. “India is attracting key foreign another three to four years. Last source of immense pride in India, sustained serious burn single Indian mission. “Our space programme has time players, most importantly the US, month India successfully launched its which beat rival China in becoming injuries. Fifteen more Most of the satellites are intended and again shown the transformative in the space market thanks to its first mini space shuttle as it joined the the first Asian country to reach the were people died in to observe and measure the Earth’s potential of science & technology in cost-effectiveness and credibility,” global race to make reusable rockets. Red Planet. lightning and house col- lapses during squalls in the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh while 10 people died in Jharkhand Moving in the rain Cabinet approves mobile state. Sixteen deaths were also reported from the Madhya Pradesh state, radio waves auction officials said. ACB Court AFP stakeholders, was deferred with the matter being referred to the telecom grants bail watchdog. Telecom bodies have expressed to Bhujbal NEW DELHI: The government concerns over a possible move to of Indian Prime Minister Naren- collect licence fee and spectrum MUMBAI: A Special Anti- dra Modi yesterday approved a usage charges on revenues earned Corruption Bureau Court mega auction of mobile phone from trading airwaves, saying it yesterday granted bail radio waves, hoping to scoop about would amount to double taxation. to former Maharash- $85bn from the sale of licenses in The battle for spectrum among tra Deputy Chief Minister the world’s second-largest market. India’s top eight mobile phone car- Chhagan Bhujbal and his The new mobile radio wave riers, including market leaders nephew Sameer Bhu- spectrums on auction are seen as Vodafone, Bharti Airtel and Idea, has jbal in various land scam crucial for companies competing in been fierce with each vying to roll cases. However, the two the lucrative but cut-throat Indian out high-speed broadband services. accused will remain in market. The auction will hand the right- judicial custody in con- “This may be the largest ever wing government much-needed nection with a multi-crore auction in the history of the country,” revenue as it attempts to reform the money laundering case said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. economy. India is the world’s sec- filed against them by the More than 2,300mhz of spectrum ond-largest mobile phone market by Enforcement Directorate. would be available for auction across users after China. The government “They were produced seven bandwidths and based on also said Wednesday it had put in before the court and Boys shelter from rain as they travel on a cycle rickshaw in Allahabad, yesterday. their reserve price, the government place a special financial package granted bail on a surety is looking to mop up $85bn against for the textile and apparel sector, a of Rs 50,000 each,” the $17.6bn received last year. move aimed at helping to reboot an Special Public Prosecu- But a decision on spectrum economy beset by legal barriers and tor Pradeep Gharat told usage charges, which has divided regulatory excesses. mediapersons. 34% turn out as polling ends Jaitley to visit peacefully in Anantnag Call to protect rhinos China for AIIB meet IANS IANS turnout was recorded against 40 turnout was recorded during the NEW DELHI: Finance Min- per cent during the 2014 general first one hour. ister Arun Jaitley will leave elections,” the state’s Chief Electoral But the morning’s shy trickle GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal yesterday asked today on a five-day official Officer Shantmanu said here. of voters gradually changed into the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police to take all pos- visit to China to attend the ANANTNAG: Polling in Jammu and He said 117 polling stations had small queues in rural areas even as sible measures to protect the one-horned rhinos. The Chief Minister held a Asia Infrastructure Invest- Kashmir’s Anantnag assembly con- been set up in the constituency while the turnout in urban areas was still high-level meeting with the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents ment Bank (AIIB) meeting stituency yesterday ended peacefully 13 polling stations were installed out- very low. Peace prevailed in the town of Police of Jorhat, Golaghat and Nagaon districts that encircle the National and seek investment into and nearly 34 percent voter turned side the constituency for migrant and adjoining areas though militants Park at Kaziranga, and asked them to make every effort to protect the rhinos. India, the government out was recorded as both men and voters. “Counting of votes will start at and separatists had asked people not “Whatever measures need to be undertaken will be adopted for pro- announced yesterday. women of the area came out to exer- 8am at Degree College Anantnag on to vote.“Voting continued at all the tecting the rhinos and Kaziranga National Park, the World Heritage site. The finance ministry cise their franchise. June 25”, Shantmanu told reporters. polling stations smoothly through We will take advice from international experts on protection of rhinos,” said in a statement that “Polling ended peacefully in When voting started at 7am, the day and there has been no mil- Sonowal said, appealing to everyone to protect the rhinos. “To save the pride Jaitley would participate Anantnag assembly constituency fewer people lined up outside poll- itancy related incident anywhere,” of Assam, we will extend all possible support to you to stop it from extinc- in the first annual meeting today where 33.84 per cent voter ing stations. A mere four per cent the official said. tion,” he told the officials. of the board of governors of AIIB on June 25-26. New train Now Swamy seeks Subramanian’s removal service in Bihar

inaugurated IANS of Swamy as he wanted to be Finance Jaitley’s economic adviser Arvind end any speculation over Swamy’s what extent should we attack those, Minister. Subramanian of Washington DC.” fresh attack. the discipline and constraint of whose NEW DELHI: Railway Swamy had publicly attacked He also wondered why the core “The government has full con- offices prevent them from respond- Minister Suresh Prabhu RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, say- economic sectors could not perform fidence in Arvind Subramanian,” ing and this has happened more than yesterday inaugurated a NEW DELHI: After his no-holds ing he was “mentally not fully Indian” in the two years rule of the Narendra Jaitley said answering a query at a once,” he said. new train service via video barred attack on the RBI Gover- and also written to the Prime Min- Modi government and said: “Now PTs media briefing. “Arvind Subramani- Asked why the government did conferencing from Dana- nor, BJP MP Subramanian Swamy ister demanding that he be denied (Patriotic Tweeples) can understand an’s advice to the government from not defend the RBI governor when pur to Saharsa in Bihar. yesterday picked on a new tar- an extension. Last week, Rajan why our core economic sectors could time to time has been of great value. Swamy attacked him, Jaitley said: The new train will get -- demanding the removal of announced that he was not taking not perform last two years. Trojan In fact, the presentation made on “The party (BJP) had distanced itself cover a distance of 241 Chief Economic Advisor Arvind a second term. Yesterday, Swamy horses galore in MoF/ Finance Institu- textile and garment sector is also from the remark at that time as well.” kilometre in six hours five Subramanian. However, Finance created a flutter with his tweets tions.” “Was AS (Arvind Subramanian) prepared in active consultation with Jaitley, in response to another minutes. Prabhu said that Minister Arun Jaitley came out in demanding sacking of Subrama- deposing before US Congress Com- him,” Jaitley said. question, said it was for the BJP to the new train will improve strong defence of the noted econ- nian. “Who said to US Cong on 13/3/13 mittee against India as a US citizen or Jaitley went a step further and decide if there should be any action the socio-economic con- omist while the BJP distanced the US should act against India to Indian? Does any PT know?” asked if politicians should attack against Swamy. BJP national secre- ditions of the region. itself from Swamy’s remarks. defend US Pharmaceuticals interests? Subramanian had taken charge officials who cannot respond to alle- tary Shrikant Sharma said the party Apart from flagging off The Congress termed Swamy Arvind Subramanian MoF (Ministry of as chief economic advisor to finance gations. “The party has said it doesn’t does not agree with Swamy. “It is his the new train, services on the ‘undeclared spokesperson’ of Finance)!! Sack him!” ministry in October 2014 succeeding share Swamy’s view. I will also add personal opinion and BJP doesn’t have three other lines in Bihar Prime Minister Narendra Modi and “Guess who encouraged Con- Raghuram Rajan. one more fact from the point of view anything to do with this. We don’t were also extended. noted that Jaitley was the real target gress to become rigid on GST clauses? Both the BJP and Jaitley sought to of discipline of Indian politicians... to agree with it,” Sharma said. EUROPE THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 13 Politicians make final appeals to voters Putin slams Nato Cox was killed outside a library in her Yorkshire constituency last week. She for ‘aggressive’ The stakes are high had been an outspoken supporter of as the vote is final— migrants. Friends and family planned activities to hold a celebration of Cox’s life in unlike an election in cities around the world yesterday, which the results can which would have been her 42nd MOSCOW: President be reversed in the birthday. Vladimir Putin yesterday “I apologise for the timing and slammed Nato for ratch- next term. I apologise for the fact that it was eting up its rhetoric and able to be used by those who wish us aggression close to Rus- harm,” said Farage. “But I can’t apol- sia’s border and warned ogise for the truth.” that Moscow was being AP “This was a photograph that all forced to increase its mili- newspapers carried, it is an example tary capacity. of what is wrong inside the European “Nato is stepping up Union,” he said. its aggressive rhetoric LONDON: Campaigners on both sides The reach of EU into every aspect of and its aggressive actions of the crucial vote over whether Brit- life has made the issues at stake more close to our borders,” ain should remain in the European complex than in a general election Putin told lawmakers. “In Union crisscrossed the country yes- and prompted all sorts of groups, from these conditions we are terday, their last day to win support scientists to CEOs, to register their opin- obliged to dedicate spe- from the undecided. ions on whether to stay or go. cial attention to resolving Prime Minister David Cam- The stakes are high as the vote tasks connected with (FROM LEFT) Carwyn Jones, First Minister for Wales; Kezia Dugdale, leader of Scottish Labour Party;Jeremy eron outlined his vision for a future is final— unlike an election in which heightening the defence Corbyn, leader of Labour party; and London Mayor Sadiq Khan pose after a final rally in favour of remaining with Britain retaining its place in the the results can be reversed in the next capabilities of our 28-nation bloc, bristling at the notion in the EU, in Central London, yesterday. term. However, the vote is not legally country.” that the country would be headed in binding, and Parliament would have the wrong direction if it stayed in. whirlwind tour of England as he partners across the Channel,” John- Nigel Farage, a “leave” cam- to vote to repeal the law that brought He flatly rejected the charge that the pushed for a British exit — or Brexit. son said. “It’s time to speak up for paigner and leader of the UK Britain into the EU in the first place. Spanish minister institution is moribund. Touring the Billingsgate Fish Market, democracy, and hundreds of millions Independence Party, resisted fresh A vote to leave would invoke “We are not shackled to a corpse,” Johnson mugged for the cameras of people around Europe agree with calls to apologise for a poster show- Article 50 of the Treaty on European faces calls to Cameron told the BBC. “You can see with fish in hand — a not-so-subtle us. It’s time to break away from the ing hundreds of migrants making Union, which allows a member state the European economy’s recovery. It’s reminder that this is an island nation failing and dysfunctional EU system.” their way across Europe along with to withdraw. The article has never resign over leak the largest single market in the world.” — and one very proud of its independ- Voters go to the polls today after the words “Breaking Point.” been invoked and it would trigger a The most notable figure in the ence and self-assurance. a campaign that has been unusually The poster, labeled racist and mis- period of uncertainty during years MADRID: Spain’s inte- “leave” campaign, former London “It’s time to have a totally new heated, even by the lively standards leading by opponents, was unveiled of negotiations on the relationship rior minister faced calls Mayor Boris Johnson, kicked off a relationship with our friends and of British politics. hours before Labour lawmaker Jo between the EU and the UK. to resign yesterday over a conversation leaked four days before elections in which he and an anti- fraud official appear to discuss ways to incrimi- Hollande warns Brexit would Britons dash to swap nate his political rivals. In the conversation published by daily Pub- pound before EU vote lico, Jorge Fernandez Diaz be irreversible decision and the head of Catalo- nia’s anti-fraud office go Reuters was split fairly evenly between euros through potential leads Reuters single market for trade in goods and Fico, who met the French leader in and dollars. For Tuesday alone, cur- or probes that could be services a major issue. Paris yesterday, and by Polish Prime rency sales in Post Office branches launched against pro- Hollande, in his starkest warn- Minister Beata Szydlo during a visit were up 49 percent from a year ago, independence politicians. ing to date on the consequences of to Berlin. LONDON: Britons have flocked to and 381 percent higher online. PARIS: French President Francois Brexit, said: “There would be a very “We hope very much that the swap their pounds for euros and “Despite the surge in demand, Hollande yesterday warned that if serious risk of Britain losing its access British want to remain in the EU. But US dollars in the days running up the Post Office confirms that it has French govt Britons voted to leave the European to the single market and everything irrespective of the result, our position to the European Union referen- ready availability of euros for pur- Union it would be an irreversible that goes with the European eco- is clear: the European Union should dum, according to foreign exchange chase in its branches and online,” it gives go ahead decision that could seriously jeop- nomic area. Everyone needs to be develop further,” Szydlo told a joint bureau companies yesterday. said in a statement. It did not specify ardize Britain’s prized access to the well aware of this.” news conference with German Chan- Most forecasters expect the the reason for the surge in demand. to Paris march bloc’s single market. While Norway is part of the single cellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. pound will fall sharply if there is a Marks and Spencer Bank, which Amid a flurry of contacts between market via a trade deal it has with the Hollande, who also met Swedish vote to leave the EU today, which offers foreign exchange services in PARIS: France’s Social- EU capitals to prepare for the con- EU, fellow non-EU member Switzer- Prime Minister Stefan Lofven yes- would weaken the spending power M&S department stores and online, ist government yesterday sequences of today’s referendum, land only has access to parts of the terday and spoke over phone with of British holidaymakers abroad. said its foreign currency sales were gave the go-ahead for a Hollande said he would visit Berlin single market. European Council President Don- Sterling’s value has fluctuated about normal for the time of year. Paris march against its next week to prepare joint initiatives European Commission Presi- ald Tusk and Dutch Prime Minister wildly based on results of opinion Shifts in value of sterling in the hotly-contested labour to relaunch Europe, whatever the out- dent Jean-Claude Juncker added his Mark Rutte, said there would prob- polls, which suggest the referendum run-up to referendum have caused a reforms, reversing a ban come of the British vote. own warning, saying there would ably be more summits of EU leaders result is too close to call. headache for British companies that announced just hours “If the choice is to leave the EU ... be no re-negotiation of a package than the one already scheduled for Britain’s Post Office said overall trade in other countries, but espe- earlier. that would be irreversible,” Hollande of measures that EU governments June 28. currency sales in its branches and cially for money transfer companies. “After tough talks with said. “No is no, there is no middle agreed with London in February “We’ll have to take initiatives to online were up 74 percent year- Azimo also said its Thursday sus- the interior minister, the ground and we’ll have to draw all aimed at keeping Britain in the bring hope back for European people. on-year since the weekend, while pension of operations was because union and student organi- the consequences.” 28-nation bloc. Today, doubts are creeping in eve- Travelex said online currency orders uncertainty around the vote made it sations obtained the right The economic consequences of Hollande’s call to relaunch rywhere, populism, nationalism are increased 30 percent from June 14 impossible to guarantee the safety of to demonstrate,” Philippe the vote are key to the outcome of the Europe, Brexit or no, was echoed by taking over,” French Foreign Minister to June 21. customers’ money. Martinez of the far-left referendum, with access to the bloc’s both Slovak Prime Minister Robert Jean-Marc Ayrault told parliament. Separately, money transfer com- Azimo, Transferwise and other CGT union told a news pany Azimo said it would suspend money transfer companies have conference. operations on the day of the refer- halved the 5-6 percent in spread He called the U-turn endum until the currency market that banks charge for purchases a “victory for the unions settles down tomorrow. of euros or other major currencies, and for democracy”. The ‘Out’ campaign 1 “While we can’t say for sure, it’s leaving them exposed should ster- government had earlier People in Ireland highly possible that this surge (in ling weaken 10 percent or more, as cited security concerns point ahead on demand for foreign currency) is due many bankers have predicted it will in denying permission to the uncertainty being fuelled (by) on a vote to leave the EU. for the march scheduled eve of EU vote tomorrow’s vote,” said David Swann, Sterling rose yesterday, hovering for today, drawing fire wait and watch from across the political Travelex head of pricing for the UK, below a five-and-a-half month high Europe and the US against the dollar, as investors made spectrum. Reuters The Post Office and Travelex said fewer bets against the pound just a Anatolia tear up this longstanding British- Britons’ demand for foreign currency day before the referendum. Irish arrangement. No-one knows precisely how LONDON: The campaign for Brit- many people regularly travel across ain to leave European Union holds LONDON: People in Ireland will be the Irish land border to work and a one-point lead over the “In” watching outcome of Britain’s EU study. The Dublin-based Institute of camp ahead of today’s member- In current affairs referendum far closer than most International and European Affairs ship referendum, according to a international observers. Despite sep- (IIEA) estimates there are at least survey published by polling firm arating from the UK nearly a century 30,000 daily commuters, but the Opinium on yesterday. ago, the Republic of Ireland remains British-Irish Chamber of Commerce Opinium said the campaigns closely intertwined with its nearest says the figure is at least 60,000. were effectively running neck and geographical neighbour. A Brexit would turn Irish land neck as the online poll put sup- The two countries share a vast border into a frontier with a non- port for “Leave” at 45 percent and trading relationship, exchanging EU member state, possibly requiring “Remain” at 44 percent, with the over €1bn ($1.13bn) worth of goods passport controls between Northern remaining 9 percent of respond- and services every week, according Ireland and the Republic. ents still undecided. to Ireland’s Department of Foreign These concerns were voiced by “This puts the two campaigns Affairs and Trade. UK Prime Minister David Cameron. in a statistical dead heat with each There is also a strong social “If we vote to stay in we know what side being within the margin of connection. Tens of thousands of situation is. We know that Common error of the other despite a larger families are separated by the open, Travel Area works; we know it can than usual sample,” Opinium said unmarked land border that runs continue and everyone can have con- on its website. between the Republic and North- fidence in that. “If we were to leave The poll was based on 3,011 ern Ireland. Thousands more live and, as the Leave campaigners want interviews conducted between across the Irish Sea in Great Britain. make a big issue about our borders, June 20 and 22. That close bond between the then you’ve got a land border between Opinium’s previous poll, pub- two countries is reflected in a 1923 Britain outside the EU and the Repub- lished on Saturday, had put the two agreement—predating EU by dec- lic of Ireland inside the EU. camps level at 44 percent, based ades — that allows British and Irish “Therefore you can only either on polling between June 14 and 17. citizens to live, work and vote in each have new border controls between Prime Minister David Cameron other’s countries. the Republic and Northern Ireland and his eurosceptic opponents But with Republic of Ireland or, you’d have to have some sort of made final pitches for wavering remaining an EU member irrespec- checks on people as they left Belfast voters yesterday on the referen- A woman reads a newspaper at the underground station in London with a ‘vote remain’ advert for tive of referendum result, many have or other parts of Northern Ireland to dum, with the outcome still too the BREXIT referendum, yesterday. expressed concern that Brexit would come to the rest of UK.” close to call. 14 THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 AMERICAS Colombia and FARC rebels reach ceasefire deal

a war that has killed more than But analysts say security improve- 220,000 people and displaced mil- ments over the last dozen years mean After more than lions of others. Colombia has already reaped the ben- three years of “We have arrived with success efits of the so-called ‘peace dividend’. at an agreement on the bilateral and Bancolombia said in a recent report fraught negotiations, definitive ceasefire and end to hos- a formal deal will likely only add 0.3 the agreement tilities,” both sides said in a statement percent growth annually. read to media in the Cuban capital. Agreement on virtually all of at peace talks in The accord will be signed today in the items of the peace talks agenda Havana marks the Havana by President Juan Manuel San- in Cuba has already been reached, penultimate step to tos and Revolutionary Armed Forces of including such thorny issues such Colombia, or FARC, rebel leader Rod- as land reform and participation by ending a war. rigo Londono, better known by his nom former rebels in Colombia’s political de guerre Timochenko. life. The two sides have not yet agreed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, on terms for overall implementation Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of a peace accord and how a national Reuters and Chilean President Michelle referendum on the deal will be organ- Bachelet will attend the ceremony, ized, however. the two sides said. Santos has promised that any final Santos said this week the gov- accord would be put to the Colombian BOGOTA/HAVANA: Colombia’s gov- ernment and the rebels will complete people in a plebiscite. He has come ernment and leftist FARC rebels said negotiations by July 20. The ceasefire, under fire in the past week for com- yesterday they had reached agree- which includes terms for the FARC’s ments about what he says will be the ment on a definitive ceasefire that demobilisation and laying down of consequences if country returns to war. would end hostilities in the long- arms, does not begin until the final The FARC called a unilateral The spokewoman of the Colombian delegation for the peace talks with the FARC guerrillas, Marcela Duran est-running conflict in the Western deal is signed. ceasefire nearly a year ago and the Hemisphere. Half-way through his second term government responded by halting air (left) reads a statement at the Convention Palace in Havana, yesterday. After more than three years of and staking his legacy on a peace strikes on rebel camps. sometimes fraught negotiations, the deal, the 64-year-old president has said Negotiators missed a self-imposed The group of about 8,000 combat- United States and European Union. demanding land reform has been agreement at peace talks in Havana it would add as much as two percentage deadline for signing the final accord ants, down from 17,000 in its heyday, The FARC that grew out fighting with the successive gov- marks the penultimate step to ending points annually to economic growth. in March. is considered a terrorist group by the of a 1960s peasant movement ernments ever since. Trump calls Hillary ‘world-class Rubio seeks Weather helps crew re-election liar’ in latest attack to Senate battle wildfires

AFP Clinton launched her own assault on fund—doing favours for repres- the Republican, calling him a “dan- sive regimes, and many others, in Reuters AP terrain and vegetation that has not gerous” businessman whose lack of exchange for cash,” he alleged of burned in decades, he said. plan to bring back jobs threatened to her tenure as America’s top diplomat. Weather also helped on the rug- NEW YORK: Donald Trump went return America into recession. Trump claimed that her “dis- WASHINGTON: Former Republi- ged coast west of Santa Barbara. Fog on a blistering offensive against Hil- Trump’s speech, which he read graceful” foreign policy had cost can presidential candidate Marco LOS ANGELES: Cooler, wetter moved into the area scorched by a lary Clinton yesterday, calling her a from a teleprompter, signalled a new America “thousands of lives and Rubio said yesterday he would weather gave at least some tempo- blaze that began more than a week “world-class liar” who is unfit to run for tone in his battle to win the election trillions and trillions of dollars” in seek re-election to his US Senate rary help yesterday to crews battling ago, and most mandatory evacua- president and savaging her record on in November, toning done his offen- reference to her support for the inva- seat, reversing a pledge not to run dangerous wildfires in Southern Cal- tions were called off. With the more trade, foreign policy and immigration. sive remarks against Muslims and sions of Afghanistan and Iraq. and saying the prospect of a Don- ifornia, while other blazes across the than 12-square-mile fire almost fully The Republican White House reaching out to independent voters. “In just four years, secretary ald Trump presidency worries him. West were on the move. surrounded, firefighters shifted focus hopeful, who has denounced Clinton’s He said the stakes could not be Clinton managed to almost sin- The first-term Florida senator Improved weather in the after- to battling hot spots within contain- $42m war chest as “blood money,” higher, painting himself as an inno- gle-handedly destabilise the entire said the Senate can be frustrating math of a severe heat wave allowed ment lines. launched his assault on the polariz- vative thinker who would protect Middle East,” he added, calling the but said it is also a place where firefighters to make progress against Elsewhere in the West, firefight- ing presumptive Democratic nominee working Americans from a system Islamic State extremist group a threat policy advances can be made and two fires in the steep San Gabriel ers were bringing in more help after after weeks of disastrous headlines rigged against them by career pol- because of her decisions. one that can act to counteract the Mountains 20 miles northeast of Los a forest fire near the Colorado-Wyo- have fueled speculation that his con- iticians, such as Clinton. He alleged that the US ambassa- power of the White House. Angeles. Some evacuations below ming line exploded in size and forced troversial campaign is unravelling. Trump attacked Clinton as a dor to Libya, Chris Stevens, who died “But as we begin the next in the foothill city of Duarte were campers to evacuate. “Hillary Clinton may be the most “world-class liar” who “perfected in an attack on the consulate in Beng- chapter in history of our nation, being lifted, but the calm was not The blaze grew to about 5 square corrupt person ever to seek the pres- the politics of personal profit and hazi in 2012, was one of the victims there’s another role for the Senate expected to last. miles overnight from about 1 square idency,” he said in a speech at Trump theft” and who lacked the judg- of her decisions. “He was left help- that could end up being its most “We will have stronger winds, so mile, fire spokesman Chris Barth SoHo, his five-star hotel in Manhattan ment to be America’s first woman less to die as Hillary Clinton soundly important in years to come: The it could push the fire,” incident com- said. It was reported on late Sunday to shouts of “Trump, Trump, Trump” commander-in-chief. slept in her bed,” he said. “Her deci- Constitutional power to act as a mander Mike Wakoski said. in a heavily forested area with no from supporters. “She ran the State Depart- sions spread death, destruction and check and balance on the excesses He expected gusts of up to 25 permanent residents. Trees killed by His attack came one day after ment like her own personal hedge terrorism everywhere.” of a president,” Rubio said. mph in the afternoon and evening, a beetle infestation were fueling the posing additional problems for hun- flames north of Denver. dreds of firefighters attacking the Campers and those staying in flames. A fleet of helicopters and cabins were told to evacuate because Pennsylvania air tankers and other resources are of heavy smoke, high winds and Irreparable loss helping fight the fires totaling about spreading fire. It was not clear how seven-and-a-half square miles. many people fled. Congressman “They’re starting to make good In southwest Utah, officials progress, but there’s a lot of line to evacuated about 100 people on convicted in put in, and it’s in a real inaccessi- Tuesday as a wildfire moved down ble area,” Wakoski said. “It’s very a rocky slope toward the mountain racketeering case hard for the firefighters to engage town of Pine Valley. The blaze was the fire safely, but they are out there about a square mile but moving dan- doing so.” gerously close to homes in difficult AP No homes have been lost, terrain, officials said. though flames have come close at In eastern Arizona, firefighters times. More than 700 homes were expected to keep a wildfire spanning PHILADELPHIA: A veteran ordered evacuated earlier this week, some 67 square miles from mov- Pennsylvania Congressman was but it was not immediately clear ing any closer to a rural town. The convicted in a racketeering case how many were cleared for return flames threatening the community that largely centered on vari- yesterday. of Cedar Creek made no signifi- ous efforts to repay an illegal Near the Mexican border, a wild- cant movement in the last 24 hours $1m campaign loan related to his fire that forced the evacuation of thanks to sparse vegetation. unsuccessful 2007 mayoral bid. some 600 homes about 40 miles Residents of Cedar Creek, two US Representative Chaka southeast of San Diego grew to just mountain communities and sur- Fattah was found guilty of all over 10 square miles and was only rounding areas have been told to counts against him, including partially contained. prepare to evacuate. Gov. Doug racketeering, fraud and money Falling temperatures, ris- Ducey declared a state of emergency laundering. His lawyers argued ing humidity and cloud cover has to free up state funds to help. that the schemes were engineered helped, said Captain Kendal Bor- In central New Mexico, more without Fattah’s knowledge by two Family and friends of Jovan Galan Mendoza, who died in a shootout involving Federal Police officers tisser of the California Department evacuees were expected to return political consultants who pleaded during a demonstration of teachers, mourn him during his wake in Oaxaca, Mexico, yesterday. of Forestry and Fire Protection. But home as firefighters inch closer to guilty in the case. firefighters still must deal with rough snuffing out a massive wildfire. The Democrat had been in Congress since 1995 and served powerful House Appropriations Committee. But lost the April pri- mary and bid for his 12th term. His US Senate votes down proposal to expand FBI powers current term ends on January. 2. Fattah had little reaction to the verdict, but he kept a smile on his face as he conferred with his law- Reuters himself the opportunity to bring the the FBI’s authority to use so-called obtain the actual content of elec- uncertain, given its alliance between yers afterward. He will remain free measure up for consideration again National Security Letters, which do tronic communications. libertarian-leaning Republicans on bail. A judge set sentencing for as soon as later this week. not require a warrant and whose very The legislation would also make and tech-friendly Democrats that October 4. Fattah told reporters: The legislation would broaden existence is usually a secret. permanent a provision of the USA has blocked past efforts to expand “Well, it’s a tough day, but I do want WASHINGTON: The US Senate type of telephone and internet records Such letters can compel a com- Patriot Act that lets the intelligence surveillance. to thank the jurors for their serv- yesterday voted down a Republi- FBI could request from companies pany to hand over a user’s phone community conduct surveillance Privacy groups and civil liber- ice.” He said he will confer with his can-backed proposal to expand the such as the Google unit of Alphabet billing records. Under the Senate’s on “lone wolf” suspects who do not ties advocates accused Republicans lawyers on the next step. Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Inc and Verizon Communications change, FBI would be able to demand have confirmed ties to a foreign ter- this week of exploiting the Orlando Prosecutors said Fattah routed secretive surveillance powers after Inc without a warrant. Opponents, electronic communications transac- rorist group. That provision, which the shooting to build support for unre- federal grant money and nonprofit shooting at an Orlando club last week. including some major technol- tion records such as time stamps of Justice Department said last year had lated legislation. funds through his consultants to The measure followed the Senate’s ogy companies, have said it would emails and the emails’ senders and never been used, expires in Decem- Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon pay back the illegal loan. His wife, rejection on Monday of four meas- threaten civil liberties and do little recipients, in addition to some infor- ber 2019. Democrat, criticized Senate Repub- Philadelphia TV news anchor ures that would have restricted gun to improve national security. mation about websites a person visits The bill had been expected to nar- licans for “pushing fake, knee-jerk Renee Chenault-Fattah, took a sales. During yesterday’s vote, Senate The legislation before the Senate, and social media log-in data. rowly pass but it fell two votes short solutions that will do nothing to leave after her husband’s indict- Republican leader Mitch McCon- filed as an amendment to a crimi- It would not enable the FBI to of the required 60. prevent mass shootings or terrorist ment and then quit in February. nell switched his vote to ‘no,’ giving nal justice funding bill, would widen use national security letters to Representatives was also attacks.”

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 33o C Maximum: 40o C

FAJR 03.15 am ZUHR 11.36 am MAGHRIB 06.30 pm HIGH TIDE 05:45 - 19:30 Hazy at places at first becomes hot daytime SHOROOK 04.45 am ASR 02.59 pm ISHA 08.00 pm LOW TIDE 02:15 - 11:45 with slight dust and some clouds, relatively humid by night.

16 THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 MORNING BREAK

ONLINE CHART BUST Plans to harness waves Elementary, Sir Ian! www.thepeninsulaqatar.com to clean up the seas

MOST READ AFP

Russian warplanes attack Aleppo 1 areas with chemicals NETHERLANDS: The Dutch inventor of a ground-breaking project to remove mil- lions of tonnes of plastics floating in “great garbage patches” in the oceans yesterday 36 Libyan troops killed in Sirte unveiled his first prototype to help clean up the seas. 2 clashes with Islamic State Boyan Slat’s innovative idea -- first drawn on a paper napkin when he was still in high school -- seeks to use ocean currents to gather up the mass of bottles, plas- 25 civilians killed in raids on tic crates and other detritus sullying the planet’s waters, instead of going out on an 3 Syria IS bastion Raqa: monitor army of boats to haul it in. “All those plastic objects, big things like bottles, crates, etc will be cut down to micro pieces over the next few decades if we don’t do any- thing about it,” he said. Eight million tonnes of plastics enter the oceans every year, much of which has accumulated in five garbage patches, with the largest in the TWEET OF THE DAY Pacific between California and Hawaii. His idea is a 100km long V-shaped barrier made up of large buoys which floats British actor Sir Ian McKellen near a statue of writer Arthur Conan on the ocean, trailing a three-metre (nine-foot) long curtain from its arms into the water. The aim is to stop the plastic as it bobs along, gathering into one place so it Doyle’s characters Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson in front can then be gathered up into a container and taken for recycling. A smaller 100- of the British Embassy in Moscow, Russia, yesterday. metre prototype unveiled yesterday will be taken out into the North Sea today. Human flights to Mars at least 15 years off

Reuters is not as much now as the Apollo pro- astronauts to Mars in the mid-2030s and mental challenges as well as deep- gramme had,” ESA Director-General and businessman Elon Musk, head of space radiation. Woerner would like to Jan Woerner said, referring to the US electric car maker Tesla Motors, says see a cluster of research laboratories on DARMSTADT: Dreaming of a trip to project which landed the first people he plans to put unmanned spacecraft the moon, at what he calls a “moon vil- Mars? You’ll have to wait at least 15 on the moon. on Mars from as early as 2018 and have lage”, to replace the International Space years for the technology to be devel- Woerner says a permanent human humans there by 2030. Station when its lifetime ends and to oped, the head of the European Space settlement on the moon, where 3D The ESA’s Woerner said it would test technologies needed to make the Ageancy (ESA) said, putting doubt on printers could be used to turn moon take longer. A spacecraft sent to Mars trip to Mars. That could be funded and claims that the journey could happen rock into essential items needed for the would need rockets and fuel powerful operated by a collection of private and sooner. two-year trip to Mars, would be a major enough to lift back off for the return public bodies from around the world, he “If there was enough money then step toward the red planet. trip and the humans would need pro- said in an interview at the ESA’s Oper- we could possibly do it earlier but there US space agency Nasa hopes to send tection from unprecedented physical ations Centre. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

PAGE | 18 QE 9,919.41 +0.09 PTS PAGE | 19 VW chief tells DOW 17,798.41 -31.32 PTS Stocks and British shareholders sorry for FTSE100 6,261.19 +34.64 PTS currency gain on eve emissions scandal BRENT $48.77 -$1.08 of referendum

THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 • 18 RAMADAN 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Saudi may return to oil market balancing role: Minister

global market, the country’s energy cut production to support oil prices We just have to wait for the sec- A smaller-than-expected drop for The Kingdom’s oil minister indicated in comments pub- and allow the market to balance itself ond half of the year and next year to the US, the world’s biggest consumer lished yesterday. without interference. see how that works out,” he added, of crude, adds to market concerns policies are rooted “Despite the surplus in global oil Oil has risen to $50 a barrel, up 85 according to the newspaper. about a global oil supply glut. in responsibility, production and lower prices, the focus percent from a 12-year low reached in Meanwhile, oil prices fell back Oil prices had risen earlier yester- of attention remains on countries such January as supply outages in Nigeria beneath $50 yesterday after official day as traders reacted to expectations and Saudi Arabia is as Saudi Arabia which, due to its stra- and Canada reduced the need to prop data showed US crude stockpiles of a drop in stockpiles -- in addition seeking to maintain tegic importance, will be expected up prices. had fallen by a smaller amount than to a weaker dollar, unrest in Africa’s to balance supply and demand once At its most recent meeting, in June, expected, traders said. biggest crude producer Nigeria and that balance while market conditions recover,” Energy the Organization of the Petroleum Around 1630 GMT, Brent North uncertainty over Britain’s EU refer- also giving heed to Minister Khalid Al Falih (pictured) Exporting Countries (Opec) made Sea crude for delivery in August was endum result. moderate prices. was quoted as saying by state oil com- no change to its pump-at-will out- down 75 cents at $49.87 a barrel, wip- The greenback was down against pany Saudi Aramco. put policy. ing out earlier modest gains. its main rivals in trading Wednes- “The Kingdom’s oil policies are Yesterday, the Houston Chronicle US benchmark West Texas Inter- day, making dollar-denominated rooted in responsibility, and Saudi newspaper quoted Falih as saying the mediate for August delivery slid 62 oil cheaper for holders of other Reuters Arabia is seeking to maintain that global supply glut “has disappeared”. cents to $49.23 compared with Tues- currencies. balance while also giving heed to Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed “The question now is how fast day’s close. The dollar faced renewed pres- moderate prices for producers and bin Salman. you will work off the global inven- The US Department of Energy sure after Federal Reserve boss Janet DUBAI: Saudi Arabia, the world’s consumers,” Falih said in the state- Saudi Arabia, Opec’s de-facto tory overhang,” Falih told the said the country’s commercial crude Yellen again warned of the economic largest oil exporter, may return to ment on Aramco’s website. He made leader, effectively abandoned its newspaper. stockpiles last week dropped by dangers of Britain voting to leave its role of balancing oil supply and the comments in the United States swing producer role in 2014 when it “That will remain to put a cap on 900,000 barrels, less than the 1.5 the European Union in Thursday’s demand after the recovery of the where he is accompanying Saudi led Opec’s policy shift by refusing to the rate at which oil prices recover. million forecast by analysts. referendum. QFB and Novus Aviation Capital partner in aircraft lease deal

The Peninsula Aviation Capital has closed over 400 lease and financing agreements val- ued at $8bn and has executed aircraft DOHA: Qatar First Bank (QFB) and transactions with over 40 major air- Novus Aviation Capital, one of the line companies. world’s long standing and fastest Commenting on the transac- growing aircraft leasing platforms, tion, Safwan Kuzbari, President and have invested in the global aircraft CEO of Novus Aviation Capital, said: leasing industry through the indirect “We are very pleased to be partner- acquisition and lease of two 2011 vin- ing with Qatar First Bank on another tage Boeing 737-900ER single-aisle landmark aircraft transaction and aircraft to Indonesia’s Lion Air. look forward to further developing The transaction will pay for the our relationship on other attractive Investment in two B737-900ERs, the yielding aircraft assets.” largest variant of Boeing’s hugely suc- Novus Aviation Capital acted Qatar Islamic Bank and Jaidah Equipment officials after signing the agreement. cessful Next Generation (“NG”) series will provide strategic investors with as sole arranger for both the finan- which is the current production fam- recurring and sustained income ciering and leasing elements of the ily for the B737. streams.” Makkawi added. deal, with QFB exclusively involved Ziad Makkawi (pictured), CEO of Makkawi continued: “Our focus in the Islamic financing part of the Qatar Islamic Bank partners QFB, said: “We are delighted to have since the listing of the bank’s shares transaction. provided our clients, who have shown on the QSE was on generating Earlier in May, QFB announced a strong interest, with this attractive steady income and offering shari’ah the development of a pioneering investment. The transaction is in line compliant structured products. This open architecture private bank- with Jaidah Equipment with our strategy to diversify QFB’s attractive investment fulfils these ing platform, which is set to offer revenue sources. We see opportuni- objectives as the aviation indus- Shari’ah-compliant products ties in the aviation industry as it has try has maintained a stable and including financing, private bank- The Peninsula collection of products and services whose primary activities include historically generated relatively pre- sustainable growth path in com- ing services, innovative investment designed specifically for small and transportation, construction, con- dictable returns over the medium to parison with alternative investment solutions, as well as family office medium enterprises (SMEs). tracting, Rentals, trading, service, long term, something the market is benchmarks.” services covering trusts, foundations, DOHA: Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), Through its Aamaly programme, logistics, or manufacturing. in search off.” The lease agreement will be advisory, real estate planning, and Qatar’s leading Islamic Bank, QIB aims to foster the growth of Commenting on the agreement, “The outlook for the leased air- managed by Dubai-based Novus statement consolidation. This is in announced yesterday that it has SMEs, thus helping to diversify the Ayman Ahmed, Managing Director of craft type, the B737-900ER, is very Aviation Capital, a specialist in air- line with QFB’s commitment to offer entered a strategic partnership with country’s economy in line with Qatar Jaidah Equipment, said: “Our part- favorable which has positive impli- craft sourcing, trading, leasing and shareholders and clients the chance Jaidah Equipment. Under the terms National Vision 2030. nership with QIB will simplify the cations for the preservation of its other related services. With a cur- to grow, manage and protect their of the deal, QIB will be the preferred “We are pleased to be partner- process for acquiring and financing market value, and more importantly rent portfolio of around $3bn, Novus wealth and assets. financing partner for the Qatar-based ing with Jaidah Equipment. This new new commercial vehicles, trucks, equipment dealer. Senior executives relationship enhances the value of cranes, concrete pumps and heavy from both organisations gathered at QIB’s Aamaly programme and makes equipment, making it more conven- the Bank’s corporate headquarters in it easier for SMEs to expand their ient than ever for our customers to Doha for the official signing, with Tarek businesses in the growing Qatar obtain the equipment they need.” Saudis to let foreigners buy listed debt instruments Fawzi, General Manager of Wholesale market,” said Tarek Fawzi – General Jaidah Heavy Equipment is a divi- Banking representing QIB and Manag- Manager of Wholesale Banking, QIB. sion of locally-based Jaidah Group, Reuters direct investment by foreign institu- investment in debt, as it changed ref- ing Director Ayman Ahmed signing on The Fleet and Heavy Equipment one of Qatar’s oldest companies. The tions in June 2015, Riyadh last month erences to “shares” in the rules into behalf of Jaidah Equipment. Financing proposition, which fea- largest equipment supplier in Qatar, announced steps including the abo- “securities”. Access to debt instru- Under the agreement, custom- tures competitive rates, offers SMEs the company provides equipment and DUBAI: Saudi Arabia plans to let lition or easing of ceilings on foreign ments could increase the interest of ers of Jaidah Equipment who would a convenient way to finance the pur- support to clients in construction, foreign institutional investors buy buying of stocks and a reduction foreign asset managers in Riyadh’s like to purchase new equipment are chase of vehicles for commercial use. infrastructure, logistics and ware- exchange-listed debt instruments in the minimum amount of assets securities exchange. It only had about entitled to use the Bank’s attrac- The programme features quick turn- housing, power generation, transport as part of reforms intended to draw which institutions must have under half a dozen listed bonds and sukuk tive Fleet and Heavy Equipment around, flexible down payments, and municipal applications. Jaidah more foreign money into its markets, management. at the end of last year, exchange data financing scheme. QIB’s Fleet and and variable instalment options on Equipment offers a complete range of the Capital Market Authority (CMA) Yesterday, the CMA confirmed shows, but authorities have said they Heavy Equipment Financing pack- financing of up to 48 months. equipment from the world’s leading said yesterday. that amendments to its regulations it will encourage more issuance and age was introduced last year as part Financing is also available to brands, including Komatsu, Bobcat, After opening its equity market to had proposed on Monday would allow trading of Saudi corporate debt. of the Bank’s Aamaly programme, a legally-registered companies in Qatar UD Trucks and Isuzu. 18 THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 BUSINESS Emissions scandal: VW chief says sorry to shareholders

emerged VW had installed emissions- was Herbert Diess -- who is in charge cheating software into 11 million of the VW brand. Volkswagen is still far diesel engines worldwide. Listed companies are required to from drawing a line Volkswagen is still far from draw- disclose information that could affect ing a line under the scandal, with the market prices immediately. under the scandal, costs of the affair still incalculable But VW complied with its disclo- with the costs of the while it remains unclear if VW’s own sure obligation only on September 22, affair still incalculable. internal investigation will pinpoint the 2015, prosecutors said, four days after major culprits behind the scam. US regulators went public that they And the auto giant, which owns were charging the company for emis- 12 brands ranging from Volkswagen sions cheating. AFP and Porsche to Audi and SEAT, still The allegations struck at the heart faces a myriad of regulatory fines of shareholders’ misgivings, as they and lawsuits from customers and have since early on in the scandal also HANOVER, GERMANY: The boss shareholders. accused management of dragging of embattled German auto giant Shareholders are expected to their feet in informing them about the Volkswagen yesterday issued an apol- use the AGM in the northern city of scam, which led to a stunning 40-per- ogy to angry shareholders over the Hanover to let off steam at the way cent drop in the company’s share price emissions cheating scandal that has management has handled the affair. last autumn. plunged the group into an unprece- Two days ahead of the meeting, The stock has since recovered Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller addresses shareholders during the German carmaker Volkswagen dented crisis. prosecutors provided more fodder somewhat, but is still 26 percent Facing an annual general meet- to the irate shareholders when they below the levels before the scandal shareholders’ annual general meeting in Hanover yesterday. ing for the first time since the scandal said they were investigating former broke last September, and the com- erupted in September, Matthias Muel- VW boss Martin Winterkorn for pany’s finances also remain weak. out by the US consultants charged to regain their trust, Mueller said the interview on Tuesday that the car ler said: “On behalf of the Volkswagen having allegedly manipulated the After it was forced to set aside 16 with the probe, Jones Day. crisis could eventually prove to be giant could abandon diesel engine Group and everyone who works market by holding back informa- billion euros ($18 billion) in provisions Nevertheless, a number of share- “beneficial”. technology in the wake of the scandal. here, I apologise to you shareholders tion about emissions cheating at to cover the costs of the affair so far, it holder lobby groups are demanding “The crisis has also opened doors. “We have to ask ourselves for your trust in Volkswagen being the car giant. sank to a net loss of 1.6 billion euros, special enquiries into who should be It forced us to strengthen and speed whether... we want to spend more betrayed. A second former member of the its first loss in two decades. held responsible for the affair, argu- up overdue changes, and to set new money on the further development “This misconduct goes against board was also under probe, pros- Giving an update of the company’s ing that Jones Day is not sufficiently priorities. To turn this crisis into an of diesel,” Mueller told the business everything that Volkswagen stands ecutors said, without giving the internal investigation into the affair, independent. opportunity has been my goal from daily Handelsblatt, promising that VW for,” he added nine months after the individual’s name, but a Volkswagen chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch said Seeking to reassure sharehold- the beginning,” he said. would take a “fundamental” look at start of the “Dieselgate” affair, when it spokesman told AFP that the suspect some 550 interviews had been carried ers of management’s commitment Mueller hinted in a newspaper the issue.

Barwa Bank names winners Low mortgage rates of Thara’a savings draw boost US home sales The Peninsula to nine-year high DOHA: Barwa Bank announced the names of the 9th round of draw winners for Thara’a, its Shari’ah Reuters Britain’s referendumon European compliant savings account, at Union membership on Thursday. the Bank’s headquarters. Wadha But the PHLX housing index rose Mohamed A F Alnoaimi, Kadi WASHINGTON: US home resales 0.55 percent. Shares in the nation’s Salem S A Almarri, and Abdulaziz rose in May to a more than nine- largest homebuilder, D.R. Horton Inc, Abdo A H Al Amari, each won a year high amid low mortgage rates, gained 0.29 percent while Lennar cash prize of QR10,000. pointing to sustained housing market Corp rose 0.93 percent. Also, a cash prize worth strength that should keep the econ- Despite rising for three straight QR5,000 was awarded to Moham- omy on solid ground. months, existing home sales remain med Humaid S Albadi, Noora Rashid The fairly strong existing home constrained by a shortage of homes E S Al Enazi, Alawi Abdulkadir Alju- sales report on Wednesday added to available for sale. neid, Muna Hammamm M Al Fahad, retail sales and international trade The dearth of properties is keeping An employee introduces Sharp Corp’s RoBoHon, a humanoid communication robot-shaped mobile phone, Ali Hilal E Al Sharim, SamerAlabdul- data in painting an upbeat picture home prices elevated, sidelining some at a Sharp showroom in New Taipei City, Taiwan, yesterday. razzak, and Mohammad Sayab Khan of the economy in the second quar- first-time buyers. The median house Ferozuddin Khan. The draw was ter. A sharp slowdown in job growth price soared 4.7 percent from a year conducted under the supervision of in May had cast doubts on whether ago to a record $239,700 last month. a representative of the qualitative growth was picking up after almost The rate of increase has, however, license and market control depart- Industrial robot sales growth plunges stalling in the first quarter. slowed from last year’s brisk pace. ment at the Ministry of Economy and “The housing market recovery is Demand for housing is being Commerce. Thara’a offers account truly back on track ..., which should driven by historically low mortgage holders the chance to benefit from Reuters accounted for more than a quarter robots but are keen to develop their reinforce confidence that the eco- rates, improving household formation cash rewards up to QR1m, a first for of the 248,000 robots sold. capabilities. nomic recovery is moving in the as some young adults find employ- Islamic banks in Qatar. “The positive sales figures are Chinese home appliances maker right direction,” said Millan Mul- ment and older Americans move into Totalling QR3m, Thara’a cash being driven by highly automated Midea launched a bid last week for raine, deputy chief economist at TD smaller and cheaper homes. rewards are distributed on both MUNICH: Global industrial robot emerging countries, and by regions German industrial robot maker Kuka. Securities in New York. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate monthly and biannual basis to cus- sales growth slowed to 12 percent in that are already highly developed European industrial robot sales The National Association of averaged 3.60 percent in May, the tomers holding a minimum balance 2015 weighed by a sharp fall in top economically,” the IFR said. rose 10 percent, led by Germany, the Realtors said existing home sales lowest level since May 2013, accord- of QR10,000. On a monthly basis, buyer China, data from the Interna- Robot sales more than doubled in IFR said. Sales rose 15 percent in the gained 1.8 percent to an annual rate ing to mortgage finance firm Freddie there are 7 winners per draw for tional Federation of Robotics (IFR) Mexico, where the global automotive Americas, although just by 3 per- of 5.53 million units last month, the Mac. Home resales are likely to the cash prize of QR5,000, as well showed yesterday. industry has made large investments cent in the US. In Asia they rose by highest level since February 2007. increase in June. A separate report as four winners per draw for the The figure was less than half the in plants to make cars for export to 16 percent. April’s sales pace was revised from the Mortgage Bankers Associ- cash prize of QR10,000. Additionally, 29 percent advance seen in 2014 but the United States and South America. South Korea was the world’s sec- down to 5.43 million units from the ation showed mortgage applications twice-a-year there are four win- revised up from a previous IFR esti- The Chinese market is still dom- ond-biggest robot market, followed by previously reported 5.45 million increased 2.9 percent last week. ners per draw for the cash prize of mate of 8 percent due to more data inated by foreign robot makers but Japan, the United States and Germany. units. Economists had forecast sales “The extended run of extraor- QR25,000 prize, 2 winners per draw from national associations. the IFR said domestic robot makers The five accounted for three-quarters rising 1.1 percent to a 5.54 million- dinarily low mortgage rates is for the cash prize of QR50,000 and Growth in robot sales in China were making inroads, increasing of all sales of industrial robots. unit pace in May. Sales were up 4.5 clearly bringing trade-up buyers one winner per draw for the grand slowed to 17 percent from 56 percent their market share to 31 percent from The automotive industry was still percent from a year ago. back into the market,” said Mark prize of QR1m. Rewarding 102 win- but the country, hungry to automate 25 percent in 2013. the biggest buyer of robots, account- US financial markets were lit- Vitner, a senior economist at Wells ners in total with cash prizes up to production as wages rise and still lag- Chinese producers still largely ing for more than a third of sales. But tle moved by the report as investors Fargo Securities in Charlotte, North QR3m. ging in its robot-worker ratio, still make low- to mid-range industrial growth was just 1 percent. nervously awaited the outcome of Carolina. Mobile money to power Africa’s financial growth: Study

AFP That’s key for a continent where group’s report said. said the BCG report, “mobile bank- rising consumer classes and Africans’ affluent consumers as the UK -- and the banking system is as yet hugely The “high cost to serve and low ing will be their first experience with increasingly optimistic outlook, will they “are very optimistic and eager underdeveloped, but where strides have margins of traditional bank accounts financial services.” translate to over 1.1 billion consum- to spend”. PARIS: Mobile phones and rising con- already been made in mobile banking. in Africa” are the main reasons for the Most Africans currently use ers by 2020, the group said -- “more Of the more than 11,000 peo- nectivity in Africa will give rise to a In Kenya, for example, the mobile oversight. mobile phones to transfer money but than the populations of Europe and ple surveyed between February and new market in mobile financial serv- money system has nearly 18 million However, sub-Saharan Africa also to prepay utilities and purchase North America combined”. March 2015, 88 percent said they were ices, creating explosive opportunities users thanks to the M-Pesa service leads the world in mobile money small items, as well as make debit- “The concept of a middle class is optimistic about the future. for business on the continent, research run by British telecom giant Voda- accounts, according to the World card transactions, BCG said. taken from the Western society model In Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria, has found. fone’s subsidiary Safaricom. Bank. The survey of 11 countries in sub- and has led to confusions when we more than 90 percent said they were The Boston Consulting Group In Ethiopia, Africa’s second most “While just 2 percent of adults Saharan Africa found that four in 10 talk of Africa,” said Lisa Ivers, direc- optimistic. According to the survey, (BCG) estimated that in three years, populous country and one of its fastest worldwide have a mobile money Africans access the Internet using a tor of the BCG bureau in Casablanca. 85 percent also agreed with the state- 250 million Africans without access growing economies, mobile phones account, 12 percent in Sub-Saharan smart phone, while three-quarters use “The African socioeconomic real- ment “It seems like every year there to traditional banking services “will are now being used to push an elec- Africa have one,” the Bank said in a a computer to get on the web. ity is vastly different across African are more things I want to buy”. have mobile phones and a monthly tronic payment service by phone separate study based on 2015 data. Since 2013, the number of Afri- countries and from more established Domestic companies have started income of at least $500”. called M-Birr. That number is projected to cans with access to the internet has markets,” she said. to tap into this by merging consumer That could translate to projected This is all good news for Africa, grow now that more than 50 percent grown by 8 percent. “But that absolutely doesn’t lessen demand and web access. revenues of $1.5 billion (1.3 billion where a mere 25 percent of Africans of Africans over the age of 15 own a In Ivory Coast, access to the Inter- our confidence over the potential of Jumia, Africa’s version of Ama- euros) from mobile financial services, have a regular bank account because mobile phone and since mobiles are a net has gone from 200,000 in 2008 to the African domestic consumption.” zon.com, sells a wide range of the group said in a report released on “financial service providers haven’t low-cost way to reach a huge market. 8 million in 2016 thanks to 3G. The group projected that by 2020, products and offers a mobile pur- Tuesday. made the continent a priority,” the “For most of these consumers,” This connectivity, coupled with Africa will be home to twice as many chasing app. BUSINESS THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 19

QE INDICES SUMMARY QATAR STOCK EXCHANGE QE Index 9,919.41 0.00 % QE Total Return Index 16,048.95 0.00 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,860.13 0.09 % QE All Share Index 2,759.27 0.16 % QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 2,664.24 0.26 % QE All Share Industrials 3,064.13 0.32 % QE All Share Transportation 2,469.86 0.39 % QE All Share Real Estate 2,520.76 0.78 % QE All Share Insurance 3,980.19 1.09 % QE All Share Telecoms 1,099.55 0.40 % QE All Share Consumer Goods & Services 6,395.83 0.50 %

QE MARKET SUMMARY COMPARISON 22-06-2016 Today 21-06-2016 Previous day Index 9,919.41 9,919.32 Change 0.09 94.07 % 0.00 0.96 YTD% 4.89 4.89 Volume 3,135,188 4,631,131 Value (QAR) 108,731,444.72 174,772,435.80 Trades 2,148 2,354 Up 14 | Down 26| Unchanged 03

WORLD STOCK INDICES Index Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low All Ordinaries 5349.529 -3.724 -0.07 5489.8 4762.1 Cac 40 Index/D 4395.73 28.49 0.65 4607.69 3892.46 Dj Indu Average 17829.73 24.86 0.14 18188.8 15370.3 Hang Seng Inde/D 20795.12 126.68 0.61 21794.84 18278.8 Iseq Overall/D 6284.75 30.95 0.49 6791.68 5611.89 Karachi 100 In/D 38149.26 -266.05 -0.69 39039.67 29785 Nikkei 225 Index 16065.72 -103.39 -0.64 18951.12 14865.77 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2132.82 1810.1

EXCHANGE RATE Currency Buying Selling US$ QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 UK QR 5.3167 QR 5.3920 INTERNATIONAL MARKETS - A LIST OF SHARES FROM THE WORLD Euro QR 4.0844 QR 4.1427 COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME CA$ QR 2.8249 QR 2.8809 NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED Swiss Fr QR 3.7724 QR 3.8261 Yen QR 0.0345 QR 0.0352 A C C-A/D 1567.1 10.85 13866 Escorts-A/D 207.45 25.25 3963443 Kanoria Chem-B/D 65.2 -2.5 30610 Tinplate-B/D 79.4 -3.25 148990 Aus$ QR 2.7053 QR 2.7596 Aban Offs-A/D 211.3 -3.65 218501 Eveready Indu-/D 257 -0.5 9318 Kg Denim-B/D 79.95 -3.55 65568 Ucal Fuel-B/D 112.25 -2.45 10317 Ind Re QR 0.0535 QR 0.0545 Ador Welding-B/D 274.25 -3.4 1993 F D C-B/D 175.6 -2.95 3452 Kopran-B/D 51.05 -0.85 23857 Ucal Fuel-B/D 112.25 -2.45 10317 Pak Re QR 0.0345 QR 0.0352 Aegis Logis-B/D 121.6 -0.45 76041 Federal Bank-A/D 55.5 -1.2 437941 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 409.55 17.15 10334 Ultramarine-B/D 129.8 -1.6 5829 Alembic-B/D 37 -0.25 40306 Ferro Alloys-B/D 4.65 -0.05 35890 Lloyd Metal-B/D 27.3 0 8841 Unitech P -A/D 6 -0.06 14897192 Peso QR 0.0776 QR 0.0791 Alkyl Amines-B/D 346.1 5.7 4141 Finolex-A/D 416.3 2.15 4360 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 4.95 0.09 73892 Univcable-B/D 81.85 -0.8 3327 SL Re QR 0.0245 QR 0.0250 Alok Indus-A/D 4.61 0.07 8145612 Gail-A/D 374.9 -7.2 97785 Lumax Ind-B/D 702.15 -10.25 16833 Uppergsugar-T/D 343.7 -23.35 157304 Taka QR 0.0460 QR 0.0469 Apollo Tyre-A/D 148.45 -0.35 92321 Galada Power-B/D 16 0.01 1416 Lupin-A/D 1464.6 15.1 60824 Nep Re QR 0.0334 QR 0.0341 Asahi I Glass-/D 150.6 -2.9 11404 Gammon India-T/D 16.09 -1.77 771055 Mangalam Cem-B/D 286.9 1.75 4334 LONDON SA Rand QR 0.2456 QR 0.2504 Ashok Leyland-/D 99.8 -2.35 866452 Garden P -B/D 39.2 3.55 593306 Maral Overs-B/D 28.85 -0.2 24294 Ballarpur In-B/D 15.7 -0.1 206921 Godfrey Phil-B/D 848.65 -9.25 6237 Mastek-B/D 144 -0.35 16024 3I Group/D 555.5 9 367816 Bata India-A/D 531.3 -6.3 165048 Goodricke-B/D 164.15 3.35 91968 Max Financial-/D 503 -1.05 179802 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2821 -80 443230 GOLD AND SILVER Beml Ltd-A/D 846.85 -11.3 28466 Goodyear I -B/D 517 -4.3 4054 Mrpl-A/D 65.55 -0.15 54866 Barclays/D 180.05 -0.3 25920882 Bh Electronic-/D 1263.5 -21.2 28277 Hcl Infosys-B/D 38.9 -1.15 253269 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 32.45 5.15 64350 Bp/D 386.711 4.45 9848075 GOLD QR148.6747 per gramme Bhansali Eng-T/D 19.9 -0.1 14635 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 18.25 0.35 1664388 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 32.45 5.15 64350 Brit Am Tobacc/D 4264 16.5 1068037 SILVER QR2.0233 per gramme Bharat Bijle-B/D 923 11.05 9176 Himat Seide-B/D 235.2 3.75 144219 Nahar Spg.-B/D 118.45 -1.85 93450 Bt Group/D 426.604 0.35 5296839 Bharatgears-B/D 81 3.4 2340 Hind Motors-T/D 4.82 0.08 49634 Nation Alum -A/D 41.2 -0.75 96389 Centrica/D 214.3 0.6 5158777 Bhartiya Int-B/D 501 -17.5 8061 Hind Org Chem-/D 16.6 -0.3 14803 Navneet Edu-B/D 93.6 0.1 6376 Gkn/D 285.95 1.7 870932 Bhel-A/D 122.6 0.75 409383 Hind Unilever-/D 859.6 -12.5 45936 Neuland Lab-B/D 852.9 33 58720 Centrica/D 214.3 0.6 5158777 Bom.Burmah-B/D 403 4.9 17490 Hind.Petrol-A/D 925 -5.9 30026 Nrb Bearings-B/D 113.4 0.15 1856 Gkn/D 285.95 1.7 870932 Gulf mixed before Bombay Dyeing-/D 46.3 -1.9 2019393 Hindalco-A/D 122 -1.25 1162332 O N G C-A/D 218.25 0.85 702087 Hsbc Holdings/D 443.9 4.1 11938215 Camph.& All-B/D 521 1 1623 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1238.2 0.45 174373 Ocl India-B/D 602 -16.95 1050 Kingfisher/D 364.206 -1.2 1019467 Canfin Homes-B/D 1124.85 -23.25 2421 I F C I-A/D 25.35 -0.3 482525 Oil Country-B/D 29.65 0.15 2065 Land Secs Grou/D 1185 0 737305 Brexit vote; Egypt Caprihans-Xc/D 80 -0.1 6520 Idbi-A/D 69.85 -0.9 656453 Onward Tech-B/D 70.35 1.85 1550 Legal & Genera/D 233.3 3.5 6770764 Castrol India-/D 374.95 -1.6 45799 India Cement-A/D 102.45 -1.25 171674 Orchid Pharm-B/D 38.25 -0.45 44456 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 69.88 -0.45 78479725 Century Enka-B/D 228.3 -2.2 67333 India Glycol-B/D 96.95 -5.8 77475 Orient Hotel-T/D 26.5 0.3 4362 Marks & Sp./D 361.5827 -2.6 1641060 resumes downtrend Century Text-A/D 636.8 -15 390296 Indian Card-B/D 257.15 -6.25 14808 Orient.Carb.-T/D 511 5.55 32268 Next/D 5480 15 115117 Chambal Fert-B/D 68.8 -0.75 87427 Indian Hotel-A/D 129.9 -0.5 100179 Orient.Carb.-T/D 511 5.55 32268 Pearson/D 879 14.5 880122 Chola Invest-A/D 933.5 -5.5 1207 Indo-Tcount-T/D 947.25 -12.2 24258 Oudh Sugar-B/D 114.65 -5.35 116083 Prudential/D 1319.5 10 1711325 Chowgule St-T/D 15.4 -0.55 3875 Indusind-A/D 1089.05 -1.85 26026 Patspin India-/D 9.29 -0.11 5754 Rank Group/D 238.2 0.4 23331 Reuters Cimmco-B/D 74 -1.2 9028 J.B.Chemical-B/D 237.75 -2.2 18387 Punjab Chem.-B/D 200.45 -0.4 8496 Rentokil Initi/D 184.29 -0.4 1193538 Cipla-A/D 483.5 0.65 365944 Jagatjit Ind-X/D 80 -0.5 7663 Radico Khait-B/D 92.15 3.8 184256 Rolls Royce Pl/D 631 0 984793 City Union Bk-/D 110.2 2.2 39342 Jagson Phar-B/D 38.95 -0.8 10543 Rallis India-A/D 218.1 2.4 85357 Rsa Insrance G/D 485.65 11.5 1124738 Colgate-A/D 883.5 0.75 28837 Jamnaauto-B/D 172.35 3.25 154099 Rallis India-A/D 218.1 2.4 85357 Sainsbury(J)/D 244.6 -0.9 2189909 DUBAI: Gulf stock markets were mixed in narrow Container Cor-/D 1340 7.9 4409 Jbf Indu-B/D 210.9 1.05 51105 Reliance Indus/D 432.95 -15.2 124075 Schroders/D 2616 18 75932 ranges and moderate volumes yesterday, with investors Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 375 -5.9 1020 Jct Ltd-B/D 4.94 -0.13 2415037 Ruchi Soya-B/D 21.65 -0.2 41101 Severn Trent/D 2244 8 182643 cautious before Britain’s European Union referendum. Dcm Shram Ind-/D 146.8 -9.4 17760 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 7.67 -0.13 6263 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 615.75 -34.4 109603 Smith&Nephew/D 1155 4 421179 Egypt resumed sliding after it broke major technical Dhampur Sugar-/D 104.5 -2.6 142491 Jik Indust-B/D 0.68 -0.03 10001 Salora Inter-B/D 45.35 2.25 9650 Smiths Group/D 1139 6 250926 support earlier this week. Dr. Reddy-A/D 3103.1 53.6 43015 Jindal Drill-B/D 179.75 -5.1 12777 Saur.Cem-B/D 66.85 -1 24164 Standrd Chart /D 564.9 10 2755443 Saudi Arabia’s index dropped 0.3 percent. Some banks were weak, with Saudi Hollandi Bank down E I H-B/D 110 -1.7 1320 Jktyre&Ind-A/D 86.95 -1.55 97517 Savita Oil-B/D 589 -0.6 1293 Tate & Lyle/D 623 -2 367417 2.8 percent. Saudi Basic Industries, the Gulf’s larg- E.I.D Parry-A/D 227 -5.1 114643 Kabra Extr-B/D 103.35 0.6 1831 Sterling Tool-/D 481.6 14.45 2102 Tesco/D 165.6773 1.45 5844450 est listed petrochemical producer, added 0.3 percent Eicher Motor-A/D 18771.5 41 2081 Kajaria Cer-A/D 1163 -18.5 1708 Tanfac Indust-/D 33.7 0.45 2060 Unilever/D 3175 19.5 715322 as oil prices rose. Electrosteel-B/D 18.5 -0.3 48586 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 417.5 -9.1 48629 Thirumalai-B/D 287.8 -1.55 11929 United Util Gr/D 958.5 4 706209 Arabian Pipes jumped its 10 percent daily limit for Emco-B/D 26.05 -0.7 9198 Kalpat Power-B/D 249.3 -3.6 7885 Til Ltd.-T/D 251.45 -2.55 4454 Vodafone Group/D 215.5 0.95 20840125 a second straight day in its heaviest trading since early Escorts Fin-B/D 4.94 0.54 225095 Kalyani Stel-T/D 185.8 -5.95 42631 Timexgroup-T/D 41 0.15 379565 Whitbread/D 4105 -3 308704 2005. In Abu Dhabi, Union National Bank jumped 4.4 percent in a second day of strong gains, after Arqaam Capital said in a note on Tuesday that following the proposed merger between National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Stocks and British currency gain on eve of referendum Gulf Bank, “we expect UNB to be next”. It said Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank might offer a substantial premium to UNB shareholders in a merger; ADCB shares rose 2.8 percent on Wednesday. NBAD, investors grew more optimistic pronounced in Europe. Europe’s The dollar slipped 0.1 per- which soared earlier this week, rose a further 1.7 per- Part of it is gradually Britain would vote to remain in FTSEuroFirst index of 300 leading cent against the yen to 104.66 cent while FGB fell 1.6 percent. The main Abu Dhabi the European Union in its refer- shares was up 0.8 percent , Ger- yen, and the euro rose 0.6 per- index edged down 0.1 percent. more and more the endum today. many’s DAX was up 1.1 percent, cent to $1.1306. Dubai’s index climbed 1.0 percent with Dubai Parks risk from Brexit being Riskier markets also drew France’s CAC 40 up 0.9 percent For the latest Reuters news and Resorts, the most heavily traded stock, surging 4.1 support from Federal Reserve and Britain’s FTSE 100 up 1.1 on the referendum including full percent to 1.54 dirhams. removed, something Chair Janet Yellen’s comments percent. Sterling rose around 0.4 multimedia coverage, click. The company is in an uptrend before the opening that started last on the US economy on Tuesday, percent against the dollar, climb- Fed chief Janet Yellen said of its first theme parks later this year in Dubai, but the when she virtually ruled out a July ing above $1.47 and edging back on Tuesday the risk of Brexit was stock now exceeds the 1.47-dirham median target price week when we saw interest rate hike. towards Tuesday’s $1.4781. The something that needed watching of three analysts surveyed by Reuters. the polls changing Wall Street stocks gained 1 pound has risen 5 percent since “very carefully”, but she added Qatar’s index was flat, although Qatar International percent so far this week although dropping to a three-month low of that the central bank’s ability to Islamic Bank added 2.3 percent in unusually heavy trade. around. the mood was cautious, with the The MSCI’s all-country world $1.4010 today. raise interest rates this year may Cairo’s main stock index dropped 1.3 percent to potential for new opinion polls to stock index rose 0.6 percent for a “Part of it is gradually more hinge on a rebound in hiring. 7,156 points. It has been technically bearish since it swing markets. 2.6-percent gain so far this week. and more the risk from Brexit Yellen continued her testi- broke earlier this week below its April and May lows, Reuters The Dow Jones industrial Betting patterns with book- being removed, something that mony in front of the USHouse triggering a head & shoulders pattern pointing down average rose 20.48 points, or 0.11 makers have shown a re-opening started last week when we saw Financial Services Committee to the 6,700 point area. percent, to 17,850.21, the S&P 500 of the gap in favor of “Remain” the polls changing around,” said on Wednesday, with investors lis- Asec Company for Mining sank 2.8 percent after gained 5.04 points, or 0.24 per- after the murder last week of a Charles St-Arnaud, (pictured) tening for clues about the central reporting that it swung to a consolidated loss in the first NEW YORK: Stocks and sterling cent, to 2,093.94 and the Nasdaq pro-EU lawmaker appeared to senior strategist and economist bank’s thinking on the state of the quarter from a year-earlier profit. Its parent company rose while safe-haven assets gold Composite added 19.69 points, or derail the “Leave” campaign. at Nomura Securities Interna- economy and the timing of inter- Qalaa Holdings sank 6.3 percent. and bonds slipped yesterday, as 0.41 percent, to 4,863.46. Stock market gains were more tional in London. est rate hikes. 20 THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 BUSINESS VIEWS

Dividend tax scandal: Gazprom prepares cold reception How bank majors for US super-cooled gas short-changed Germany

By Matthias Sobolewski pursue banks for any rebates received Reuters through this loophole. Lawmakers on a special par- liamentary committee convened in February are investigating the erman banks exploited practice and whether the govern- a legal loophole that ment responded quickly enough allowed two parties to to close the loophole. Industry claim ownership of the experts say the practice had been Gsame shares, the financial watch- going on for decades and had cost dog will tell lawmakers this week, the state billions of euros. in schemes that could have cost the Officials from the regulator state billions of euros in tax over will appear before the commit- many years. tee on Thursday. Finance Minister This double ownership allowed Wolfgang Schaeuble and three both parties to claim tax rebates. It predecessors dating back to 1998 has provoked public anger in Ger- will appear in the coming months many and is an embarrassment for and will likely face questions on the Berlin government, which has who profited from Cum Ex deals campaigned for years to root out and why the authorities let them tax evasion around the world. continue until 2012. The loophole was closed in “Cum Ex” deals were known 2012, with the means of claiming by state officials to be problem- People in front of the Gazprom company building in Moscow, yesterday double ownership banned. But an atic more than a decade ago but analysis of documents related to the finance ministry accepted a a lawmakers’ investigation - seen banking industry plan to change by Reuters but not publicly availa- the law — a plan which opened By Oleg Vukmanovic , Nina Chestney European gas markets,” Fatih Birol, exec- France’s Engie and Germany’s Uniper, a ble - suggests the finance ministry another loophole, documents and Dmitry Zhdannikov utive director at the International Energy unit of E.ON. may have missed a chance to end seen by Reuters show. The docu- Reuters Agency said recently, as US and other sup- Cheaper oil prices have helped lower the practice several years earlier, ments, which track the conception plies fight to gain access. Russian gas prices, and that has spurred instead accepting a banking lobby in 1997 of the rule changes, through But Gazprom, for now, appears confident demand, with Gazprom deliveries to Europe proposal that allowed it to continue. the drafting process, to a final law it can see off the challenge and even raise and Turkey up 20 percent in the first quarter. The finance ministry told Reu- passed in 2007, show the ministry iquefied natural gas (LNG) from its European market share, which stood at “Russian gas is low cost and will remain ters that it had done all it could to picked up and eventually imple- the United States is set to do battle 31 percent in 2015, helped by declining out- below U.S. gas prices,” said Claudio Descalzi, end what it regarded as a crimi- mented the proposal. in Europe but Russia’s Gazprom is put in Europe, primarily in the Netherlands chief executive of Italy’s Eni , the biggest nal practice. A document has been presented setting the stage, preparing a cold and Britain. buyer of Russian gas in Europe. Such schemes centred around to the parliamentary committee, reception for the super-cooled gas As US producers crank up exports, And Gazprom seems willing to fight for “short sales” — the sale of borrowed dated May 21, 1997, from Deutsche Lset to cross the Atlantic. more than a dozen LNG cargoes have been greater share of the EU market given dwin- shares. A bank would loan out the Bank’s tax department to industry A weakened rouble has lowered exported, yet so far just one has reached dling sales in former Soviet states and still stock in a way that made both lobby group, the Federal Associa- Gazprom’s production costs by a fifth while Europe as other markets offer better returns. distant prospects of piping gas to China, the bank and the eventual buyer tion of German Banks (BdB). In it, its profits on dollar-denominated gas sales “Longer term, Asia will remain more according to Poland’s Centre for Eastern appear briefly to be simultaneous Deutsche proposes an extra levy to to Europe last year doubled in rouble terms. attractive for US gas. No US businessman in Studies. owners of the shares. This allowed make up for any tax shortfall cre- Gazprom has managed to increase the right state of mind - being already heav- European gas hub prices stand at around both parties to receive a dividend ated by such Cum Ex transactions, sales despite a push by the European Union ily indebted and having put all his assets as 35 pence/therm currently. A fall to 21 pence tax rebate. but with one significant exception: to curb Russian energy imports, using collateral with banks - will deliver gas to would hurt Gazprom’s margins but more The financial watchdog BaFin foreign banks and clients would not discounts, renegotiation of unpopular oil- Europe at a loss,” Gazprom’s Deputy Chief critically would make it unprofitable for US estimates “a small double-digit be included. linked contracts and gas sales via auctions. Executive Alexander Medvedev told Reu- supplies to cross the Atlantic. number” of German banks were Deutsche said this week that it Spurring Gazprom’s charm offensive ters last week. As much as half the production capacity involved in such schemes, but has had not participated in an organ- is a looming showdown However, Gazprom has been wrong of US LNG players could be shut-in during not named them. Many Germans ised Cum Ex market but could not as a wave of US gas is before. A few years ago it was similarly scep- the summer and at other times if Gazprom have been particularly angered rule out that its clients had engaged set to reach Europe’s tical about the threat posed by the rise of simply keeps flowing gas to Europe at cur- that Commerzbank — bailed out in in such transactions. shores beginning next US shale gas and oil. Chief Executive Alexei rent rates, said analyst Stephen O’Rourke at the financial crash and still partly The Deutsche Bank proposal year. US exporters led Miller at the time said unconventional gas consultancy Wood Mackenzie. state-owned — has said it used the was taken up by the lobby group. by Cheniere Energy are was expensive to produce and would not be Gazprom has 100 bcm per year of spare arrangement. The German federal finance expected to have 83 bil- a game changer in the global energy market. production capacity at its disposal, or Commerzbank said there had office wrote to its superiors at the lion cubic metres (bcm) That was a serious miscalculation and roughly a quarter of Europe’s annual needs, been “some violations” but said it finance ministry on October 6, of gas ready for sale by proved costly as Gazprom was forced to according to the Oxford Institute of Energy had not been involved in “system- 2005, saying: “The legislation pro- A weakened 2019. That’s about 20 shelve development of one of the world’s Studies. And like Saudi Arabia has done in atic participation in such business”. posed by the Federal Association rouble has lowered percent of Europe’s cur- largest gas fields, Shtokman, as shale rapidly oil, Gazprom has shown it can use its mar- The debate over the so-called of German Banks is ... fully suita- rent annual gas needs. wiped out US needs for gas imports. ket dominance to squeeze its competitors. “Cum Ex” trades has gained fresh ble for governing the problematic Gazprom’s production That threatens to Russian President Vladimir Putin sub- After Lithuania opened its Independence momentum following a German cases of short-selling”. costs by a fifth while exacerbate already sequently urged Gazprom to rethink its LNG import terminal at the end of 2014, for regional court ruling in February In 2007, the amendment pro- its profits on dollar- significant global gas long-term export policy to take advantage example, Gazprom cut prices to Lithuania that found there was no legal basis posed by the lobbyists became oversupply, with new of rising demand in Asian markets. and has held an auction for the Baltic states for the double claiming of rebates, law. This allowed banks to con- denominated gas producers squaring up But as the company’s pivot to Asia drags, in a bid to boost consumption. even before it was banned in 2012. tinue using such trades for another sales to Europe last against established play- Gazprom has looked to bolster demand in Estonia also took more gas from Rus- Public prosecutors have embarked five years, so long as their clients ers for market share and Europe through discounting and renegotiat- sia earlier this year, taking advantage of on more than a dozen investigations involved were foreign — for exam- year doubled in driving prices lower. ing its 25-year, oil-linked supply deals. After Gazprom prices that were down by some in Frankfurt, Munich and Cologne to ple a hedge fund in London or Paris. rouble terms. “We are at the start years of tough negotiations, it has reached 45 percent, data from grid operator Eler- of a new chapter in deals with long-term buyers including ing showed. Investors cheer Nigeria currency float but won’t rush back yet

By Karin Strohecker the economy, a fiscal adjustment and so on,” Aberdeen Asset Management. “You need (a Africa’s biggest oil exporter saw its Reuters said Jonas David, emerging market specialist yield) somewhere between 15-20 percent to economy shrink by 0.36 percent — its worst at UBS Wealth Management in Zurich. make this attractive.” performance in a quarter of a century - and “But in the near term, things will get Foreigners held $5.4bn of Nigerian bonds economists predict the contraction deep- worse before they get better.” A slide into in September 2013 but dumped most of them ened in the second quarter due to fuel and igeria’s swift one-step move to a float- recession after the economy shrank in the after the country was ejected last year from FX shortages. ing currency has been welcomed by first quarter of the year and a fresh spike in JPMorgan’s GBI-EM index - the most widely “It will be at least 12 months before we Ninvestors but most nonetheless will inflation are among issues investors will want used emerging debt benchmark. A country see any green shoots,” said Yvonne Mhango, stay away until Africa’s biggest economy to wait out, said David, together with confir- cut from the index needs to wait at least 12 Sub-Saharan Africa Economist at Renais- shows signs of recovering from damage mation that the new regime is functioning months before re-inclusion. sance Capital in Johannesburg. “The pain has inflicted by the 16-month old exchange rate properly. But the bond market’s size, liquidity and to cut in full through the economy.” peg. Nigeria this week finally ditched the peg Once that happens, focus will shift to fun- turnover all made it attractive to foreign An average naira rate of 270 per dol- that had throttled foreign exchange markets, damentals such as returning the economy investors, said Samir Gadio, Head of Africa lar this year implies a fall in Nigeria’s dollar Investors, local businesses led to widespread capital flight and caused to growth — key for a country of 180 mil- Strategy FICC Research at Standard Char- GDP to $400bn from $481bn in 2015, Ren- and international its first quarterly economic contraction since lion where some 46 percent live in poverty. tered Bank, noting that Lagos’ $150m daily aissance Capital estimates. All this is set to the 1990s. Inflation too is running at the highest in turnover was next only to South Africa’s on hit the local population and firms hard, but lenders had called for a Investors, local businesses and interna- more than six years — it hit 15.6 percent in the continent. foreign companies operating in Nigeria have devaluation for months as tional lenders had called for a devaluation for May — already above the central bank’s 12 Nigeria’s bourse has avoided the same also suffered. “(Naira devaluation) will lead months as the government burned through percent interest rate. fate, as index provider MSCI has retained it in to a consumer recession, a collapse in prof- the government burned hard currency reserves to preserve the naira The currency devaluation is likely to push its frontier equity indexes with a sizeable 12.4 its in companies,” said Robert Marshall-Lee, through hard currency after a steep oil price tumble tore apart its inflation north of 20 percent in the second percent weight. But local stock exchange data investment director at Newton Investment finances. But while investors welcomed the half of the year, meaning authorities will need shows foreigners’ share dealings are down 66 Management. reserves to preserve the float as the right first step, most plan to watch to ramp up interest rates if they want to lure percent from a year earlier. While Marshall-Lee predicts an “ugly naira after a steep oil Nigeria from the sidelines anticipating more back foreign money to bond markets. While the market has surged about 8 per- market” for the next couple of years, he says price tumble tore apart its pain in store. “Right now you have negative real interest cent this month in anticipation of foreigners’ stronger companies such as Guinness Nigeria, “It is positive, it is a more credible and rates, so investors will not be enamoured with return, fund managers, eyeing an ominous Nigerian Breweries or lenders Zenith Bank finances. flexible exchange rate regime in the long- buying Nigerian bonds given where inflation combination of rampant inflation and slow- and Guaranty Trust Bank will probably run, you will see an external rebalancing of is or where it is headed,” said Kevin Daly at ing growth, may not rush back. weather the storm. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 00 PAGE | 23 NobodyNob is scared Messi fires of England, Argentina into says Shearer Copa final

THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 • 18 RAMADAN 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar Record-man Ronaldo puts Portugal into last 16

Star forward nets a double to rescue his country in his 17th game at Euro finals

AF P

LYON: Cristiano Ronaldo scored two trade- mark brilliant goals yesterday to go into European Championship history and res- cue Portugal in a 3-3 draw with Hungary that took them into the last 16. The 31-year-old opened his account in style with a deft backheel flick on 50 minutes, then a bullet header 12 minutes later to twice equalise at the Stade de Lyon. The result left Hungary on top of Group F. Portugal squeezed through as one of the best third-place finishers but now face a tough match against Croatia. The Real Madrid ace became the first player to score at four European champi- onship finals and his 17th match in a Euro tournament was also a record. Cristiano Ronaldo scores the third It was his 128th appearance for Portu- goal for Portugal during their gal, further extending the record he set last Euro 2016 Group F match against Saturday, as he made a record 17th appear- Hungary at Stade de Lyon in Lyon, ance at Euro finals. France yesterday. Following their draws with Iceland and Austria, Portugal’s captain had been feel- ing the pressure. He threw a TV reporter’s microphone in a lake on the morning of the game in Lyon. Portugal fail to clear a corner. But the pass in from Ronaldo, put Portugal level served to galvanise Hungary’s resolve. But he delivered when it mattered 37-year-old Gera belted a low left-footed on 42 minutes. Dzsudzsak drilled a free-kick off the as Portugal equalised three times in a drive into the bottom-right corner which The game burst into life with four wall, but pounced on the rebound and his topsy-turvy match -- not one for the gave Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio no goals in the opening 20 minutes of the left-footed shot deflected off Nani, past Rui faint-hearted. chance on 19 minutes. second-half. Patricio, into the far corner on 55 minutes Hungary captain Balazs Dzsudzsak At the other end, a save from Hungary Hungary regained the lead just two for a 3-2 lead. matched Ronaldo by netting two second- goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, who has made minutes after the break when Dzsudzsak’s There was, however, no denying half goals as the Mighty Magyars took first grey sweatpants the must-have fashion well-struck free-kick took a slight deflec- Ronaldo. place in Group F winners. back home, saved a swirling Ronaldo free- tion off the Portugal wall on 47 minutes. Just moments after coming on, Ricardo With three draws, Portugal advance as kick on 29 minutes. The stage was set for Ronaldo. Queresma fired in a corner and Ronaldo third behind Iceland. Nani had the ball in the Hungary net The Real superstar made sure he would drove his header past Kiraly on 62 minutes. Hungary took the lead in sweltering five minutes from the break, but his effort leave the Stade de Lyon with two records By now it was end-to-end stuff as Hun- conditions at the Stade de Lyon when vet- was ruled offside. when he flicked his shot past Kiraly on 50 gary’s attacking midfielder Akos Elek hit eran midfielder Zoltan Gera unleashed a The Fenerbahce forward was not to be minutes to make it 2-2. the woodwork on 64 minutes as it stayed thunderbolt. There was nothing on when denied and his crisp finish, after a lovely But Portugal’s second equaliser only 3-3 at the final whistle. Iceland beat Austria 2-1 to set up England clash

AP It was fortunate to see Austria defender Aleksandar Dragovic miss a penalty in the PARIS: Iceland, the smallest 37th and was then forced to nation at the European Champi- defend for most of the second onship, delivered the feel-good half. story of the tournament by beat- Austria equalized in the ing Austria 2-1 yesterday. 60th through substitute Ales- Iceland’s victory, which sandro Schoepf and dominated came with virtually the last kick the final stages, only to be hit by of the game, means the team a classic counter-attack in the has qualified for the round of last seconds as almost the entire 16. There it will meet England team piled forward. in Nice on Monday, a prospect Traustason slid in at the far described as a “dream” by cap- post to bundle the ball into the tain Aron Gunnarsson. net, and was buried by a heap Iceland’s forward Jon Arnor Ingvi Traustason of Iceland players, substitutes sealed the win in the fourth and officials. Dadi Bodvarsson (left) minute of injury time. Having The whole squad cele- celebrates with team- drawn its first two matches at brated in front of their fans in mates after scoring the Euro 2016, the victory secured joyous scenes after the final first goal of the match Iceland second place in Group whistle. during their Euro 2016 F behind Hungary. The Austrians arrived at group F match against Iceland took the lead the Euros as potential dark Austria at the Stade de through Jon Dadi Bodvarsson horses after going unbeaten in France Stadium in Saint- in the 18th minute at Stade de qualifying, and failed to live up Denis, near Paris yesterday. France. to their billing. 22 THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 SPORT

Save the Dream takes Qatar to fly to Switzerland children to Copa game

The Peninsula everywhere, often very close to us. for training camp in August “The clinic in Pasadena had an important symbolic value for us and for the families of the children who LOS ANGELES, US: Save the Dream attended. It was for us an oppor- has given children from underpriv- tunity to understand how we can World Cup Qualifying: ileged communities in Los Angeles, provide long-term help, in terms California, the chance to play soccer of empowering and supporting the ‘Al Annabi’ to also and experience the thrill of attend- work of local NGOs, youth organisa- play four friendlies ing a Copa America match. tions and other expressions of local In partnership with the Southern civil society,” he said. ahead of their tie California Youth Soccer Organi- Joe Supe, Executive Director of against Iran zation (SCYSO) and the Villa Park Southern California Youth Soccer Community Center, Save the Dream Organisation (SCYSO) said: hosted a soccer clinic, including “We were delighted to cooperate inspirational sessions, for 100 Lat- with Save the Dream and help reach ino boys and girls from 8-12 years many children from underprivileged of age. communities. These kids can learn The Peninsula The following day, the children a lot from sport, strengthen self- attended a Copa America match, esteem and respect for the others. which saw Mexico defeat Jamaica We trust this clinic is just the begin- 2-0, cheering for positive values of ning of a solid future cooperation for DOHA: Qatar Football Associa- sport. the good of our kids in Los Angeles tion (QFA) yesterday confirmed the Recent articles have emphasised and many other cities.” national team’s final training camp that many children in Southern Cal- To coincide with the activities, will be held in August ahead of the ifornia, and elsewhere in the US, are representatives of Save the Dream next phase of the 2018 FIFA World unable to participate in organised held bilateral meetings with the Cup qualifying matches. soccer, due to the financial cost. LA Galaxy Foundation, the LAFC The training camp will be held in Speaking about the initiative, Foundation and several NGOs that Zurich from August 10 to 20. Massimiliano Montanari, Exec- assist children through sport and Fareed Mahboob, the national utive Director of Save the Dream education. team manager, said: “The dates of noted that: Save the Dream is a joint ini- the next training camp have been “For more than two years, Save tiative of the International Centre finalised. All arrangements are in the Dream has fully committed itself for Sport Security (ICSS) and Qatar place. We are now approaching a very to take a ball, and with it, educa- Olympic Committee (QOC) with the Qatar will hold the final training camp in August in Zurich, Switzerland. important phase of our preparations.” tional opportunities, to the outskirts support of Ooredoo, the technology Mahboob said the ‘Al Annabi’ will of the world. These outskirts are partner. play four friendlies in August. Qatar on the 24th of the same month. Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani said that a slot on club rosters reserve for GCC have listed a friendly against Iraq on The aforementioned games will Regional development will be at the players, we have to discuss such August 8 followed by the training be played before Qatar flies out to heart of future plans. points at the highest level of the game camp in Zurich. Tehran for their 2018 FIFA World Cup The QFA President urged GCC in the region. We must follow the way Qatar will also play a friendly qualifying game against Iran on Sep- football bodies to work on grass- Asian and global football has devel- during their training camp in Switzer- tember 1. roots level to ensure that Asian oped,” he said. land The game will be played against Qatar have Iran, South Korea, game moves forward. “Harnessing “I will be making more proposals Spanish side Real Betis as part of their China, Uzbekistan and Syria in their the talent in GCC is the way forward,” when we sit down for key meetings of La Liga Challenge . Group. The team is being coached by Sheikh Hamad said in a statement. the Gulf Football Federation,” he said. Al Anabi will play another Daniel Careno since May last year. “I have underlined this point a few “It is in the interest of all bodies friendly against Jordan on August 18 M e a n w h i l e , Q F A times in the past,” he said. “We are that we develop regional football with followed by a match against Thailand President Sheikh Hamad bin considering the possibility of adding serious intent,” he said.

Children pose for a group photo after attending a soccer clinic in Los Angeles hosted by Save the Dream in association with Southern California Youth Soccer Organization (SCYSO) and the Villa Park Community Center, recently. QSL: Congo striker Pukkila joins Al Kharaitiyat

The Peninsula coach came to his decision, he is an Scenes from Al Rayyan’s practice session ahead of the Futsal outstanding player and has great Intercontinental Cup at Ali bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena, yesterday. technical capabilities. Photos: Kammutty VP/The Peninsula Saadi added that the new player DOHA: Nasser Al Saadi, Deputy will be a strong addition to the rest Head of football at Al Kharaitiyat of the squad, and that the the team Sports Club confirmed that the club needs further improvement in prep- We will give our best, says Al Rayyan’s Mohsen has signed the Congolese striker Jer- aration for the new season, which emy Pukkila. will be more difficult and tougher. He joins the team in the Al Saadi pointed out that three 2016/2017 season from Chinese local players have joined Al Kharaiti- The Peninsula Inter Movistar. The Spanish giants committed to give their best.” Al club Guangzhou as a replacement yat from Lekhwiya. are one of the top sides in the world, Rayyan will wait for the final day FUTSAL for Burkana Yahia Kebe, who left the “These players are Khalid Rad- having dominated the game for before announcing their squad for INTERCONTINENTAL CUP team after the completion of the last wan and Lacina Diaby and Adel sometime. the five-day tournament. season. Badr. There are some players who DOHA: Al Rayyan’s Amr Mohsen yes- “We will give our best. It is a Al Rayyan’s first game will be Al Saadi in a statement to the are candidates to join the team, but terday pledged to give his best for a high profile event and we have been played at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Hamad Al Attiyah Arena. Qatar will QSL site stated that the contract with yet again nothing is confirmed. positive result in the opening game of preparing with a great deal of con- Arena. be represented by Al Rayyan. the Congolese striker comes in coor- “In the coming days will we the Futsal Intercontinental Cup that centration,” Mohsen said. The June 24n to 29 event brings Other teams in the event include dination with the coach Amar Osim, will resolve all pending proce- kicks off tomorrow. Qatar’s goalkeeping coach Tarek together eight of the world’s best fut- Inter Movistar, FC Barcelona Lassa, who chose from among several of dures, including engagements before Qatar’s Al Rayyan are one of eight Hilmi said: “I thank the coach for sal teams who will do battle for top Carlos Barbosa, Magnus Futsal, Tasi- the attackers who were candidates traveling to the foreign training teams in the tournament. Al Rayyan giving me this opportunity to play honours at two venues – the Aspire sat Daryaei, Dynamo Moscow and to join the team. After watching the camp in Slovenia which will be held launch their campaign against Spain’s for Al Rayyan. Everyone has been Ladies Sports Hall and the Ali bin Benfica. player with his former team the from 13th to 30th August,” he said. RSF: Soul Riders clinch volleyball title as junior futsal starts

The Peninsula The two tournaments form beat the Legends 3-0. The sec- the former. The evening hosted Action from the part of Aspire Zone Founda- ond day also witnessed strong three more matches that led to a tion’s (AZF) Ramadan Sports performances, as team Brazil 25-22 win for QPM in its match men’s volleyball Festival (RSF) and will see a trumped Back Street Boys with against Ladies Stallions Busters, event at Aspire DOHA: The Men’s Volleyball combined 24 teams go head- a 10-3 win, while Al Assateer while Carrefour B emerged vic- Zone’s Ramadan tournament in Aspire Zone’s to-head from Monday 29 June lost a closely fought match with torious in their match against Sports Festival. Ramadan Sports Festival (RSF) to Friday 24 June when the win- Black Star that ended with a 4-2 Carrefour A with a 25-20 concluded on Tuesday, as team ners of each tournament will be win for the latter. Team Golden win. In the final match of the Soul Riders took home the crowned champions at Aspire also put on a solid performance, evening, TWS passed their com- tournament title, followed by Dome. winning its game against team petitor Aspetar Active Girls with W League in second place and The junior futsal tourna- Immortal with a score of 12-3, ease, achieving a 25-4 win. Qatar University in third. ment got under way with a while Barcelona beat Al Aziz- The second day of the tour- On the other hand, the jun- stunning 29 goals from the iya with a score of 8-2. nament hosted a 25-15 win for ior futsal and ladies’ volleyball eight teams competing in the The RSF also witnessed the TWS in its match against Qatar tournaments got off to high first four matches of the com- launch of the ladies’ Volleyball Aces, a 25-8 win for QVIB in its scoring starts as both compe- petition. In the first match of tournament, which opened with match against Carrefour A, a titions welcomed some amazing the evening, team Brazil won a one-sided match between 25-3 win for Aktor its in match opening fixtures at the Aspire against team Samba with a Hyper Spikers and Charms against QPM and a 25-11 win for Dome. score of 3-2, while Al Asateer that resulted in a 25-12 win for Hyper Spikers against Zyrens. SPORT THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016 23

Doha set to Record-breaker Messi fires open first NBA store in the ME Argentina into Copa final AFP NEW YORK: The NBA and a Qatari fashion company said clear of Gabriel Batistuta’s mark of yesterday they will partner in Captain scores a 54 goals. opening the first NBA Stores US coach Jurgen Klinsmann, in the Middle East during the magical goal to take meanwhile, said his team had showed 2016-17 league season. his tally to 55 goals Argentina “too much respect” after a The initial two stores will display which saw them finish with be located in Doha, Qatar with for his country in 4-0 zero shots on or off target. additional ones to follow later rout over the US “I think in general we had too in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the much respect,” Klinsmann said while United Arab Emirates. hailing Argentina as the “number one The shops will bring bas- team in the world.” ketball fans in the region access AFP “I told the guys there’s nothing to the widest range of league to be ashamed of. We have to learn souvenirs ever available in the and move forward,” Klinsman said. Middle East, including shoes HOUSTON: Lionel Messi became “We have to keep our heads up and and jerseys. Argentina’s all-time record goal swallow it. But Argentina are a spe- “This long-term project scorer as the two-time world cham- cial team.” cements the NBA’s commitment pions outclassed the United States 4-0 Argentina will now face either to grow our footprint across the to reach the Copa America Centenario Chile or Colombia in Sunday’s final Middle East,” said NBA vice final here on Tuesday. at East Rutherford, New Jersey -- their president of global merchan- Messi curled in a magnificent third major final in three years after dising Vandana Balachandar in 32nd-minute free-kick to take his reaching the finals of the 2015 Copa an interview. total to 55 goals as the United States’ America and 2014 World Cup. Lionel Messi (left) of “As the demand for the NBA campaign ended with an emphatic A disastrous start for the United Argentina interacts with a continues to grow in the Middle defeat in front of a 70,858 crowd at States saw the hosts fall behind after fan who ran onto the field East, our partnership with Al Houston’s NRG Stadium. only three minutes when they gifted prior to the start of the Mana Fashion Group will allow The five-time World-Player-of- possession to Messi on the edge of second half during a 2016 us to provide a comprehensive the-Year now has five goals in this the area. Copa America Centenario assortment of NBA merchan- Copa America as he aims to lead The Argentina captain instantly semi-final match against dise while bringing the official Argentina to their first major title in spotted that Lavezzi was unmarked NBA shopping experience to our the United States at NRG 23 years. and lofted a first time pass through to fans in the region.” Stadium on Tuesday. The Barcelona superstar also the China-based midfielder to head More than 400 NBA- created Argentina’s opening goal for home. branded retail locations Ezequiel Lavezzi and was involved Argentina might have doubled worldwide include a new flag- in the build-up for their third, scored their lead five minutes later, when scored again. The second goal almost record-equalling effort and Argen- remaining 40 minutes became an ship shop in New York, three by Gonzalo Higuain in the 50th Ever Banega backheeled to pick out came on 22 minutes when Messi tina were 2-0 up. exercise in damage limitation for other stores in Manila and minute. Messi then laid on the pass Marcos Rojo, who crossed for Messi, released Higuain with a quick free- Klinsmann introduced Borussia the Americans. The hosts earned another set to open in Cebu, for Higuain’s second four minutes only for the Albiceleste skipper to kick into the penalty area, only for Dortmund teenager Christian Pulisic a brief respite from the onslaught Philippines in August. from time. shoot over. Geoff Cameron to snuff out the dan- at half-time for the ineffective Wond- when play was held up after Lavezzi “We’ve been playing well from Messi was again on the prowl ger with a desperate tackle. olowski but within five minutes it was injured himself falling over a hoard- day one and we deserve to be in the in the 14th minute, seizing upon But just after the half-hour mark 3-0. Once again, the US coughed up ing, but Argentina were quickly back final,” said a delighted Messi, dedi- another American mistake to burst the US defense buckled, Messi causing possession in midfield and from the in control. cating his goals tally to the work of clear from near halfway before firing panic on another foray before being left flank Lavezzi picked out Higuain The only surprise was that it took his team-mates. a shot which Brad Guzan managed to bundled over with a crude challenge in the penalty area. Higuain’s first shot until 86 minutes for Argentina to grab “I’m happy to have the record, and gather safely. by Chris Wondolowski, who was was saved by Guzan, but the Napoli their fourth, Messi pouncing on yet I’m happy to play with the teammates With Argentina monopolizing promptly booked. striker was on hand to tap in the sim- another US mistake to burst into the that have made it possible. I owe it possession, it was only a matter of From the ensuing free-kick, Messi plest of rebounds. box before squaring for Higuain to to them,” said Messi, who is now one time before the South Americans stepped up to curl in his magnificent With hope ebbing away, the finish with aplomb.

SCOREBOARD Jadhav leads India to series SCOREBOARD INDIA WEST INDIES AUSTRALIA McIlroy withdraws K L Rahul b Madziva 22 J Charles c Smith b Starc 0 U Khawaja c wkpr Ramdin b Gabriel 17 M Singh c Maruma b Tiripano 4 victory over Zimbabwe A Fletcher c Marsh b Starc 9 A Finch c Samuels b Brathwaite 16 from Rio Games A Rayudu c Chigumbura b Cremer 20 D Bravo c Smith b Hazlewood 15 S Smith (run out) 78 M Pandey (run out) 0 S Samuels c Marsh b Faulkner 125 G Bailey c Pollard b Benn 34 over Zika fears K Jadhav c Chigumbura b Tiripano 58 AFP Tiripano struck back for Zimbabwe D Ramdin b Starc 91 M Marsh (not out) 79 M S Dhoni b Tiripano 9 at the death as he removed Jadhav K Pollard c Marsh b Boland 20 G Maxwell (not out) 46 AFP A Patel (not out) 20 and Mahendra Singh Dhoni to fin- C Brathwaite b Boland 7 Extras (B-3, LB-4, W-6) 13

ish with impressive figures of 3 for D Kulkarni (not out) 1 J Holder c Marsh b Faulkner 1 Total (for 4 wkts in 48.4 overs) 283 HARARE: Kedar Jadhav’s brisk half- 20 from four overs, but Axar Patel’s LONDON: Golfing great Rory Extras (LB-1, W-3) 4 S Narine (not out) 1 Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-35, 3-99, 4-221. century proved the difference as 20 not out from 11 balls gave India a McIlroy (pictured) delivered Total (fpr 6 wkts in 20 overs) 138 India held off a spirited Zimbabwe final tally of 138 for six. Extras (LB-4, W-9) 13 Did not bat: M Wade, J Faulkner, M Starc, S a blow to Ireland’s hopes of an Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-27, 3-27, 4-76, in the third Twenty20 international Vusi Sibanda marked his return Total (for 8 wkts in 50 overs) 282 Boland, J Hazlewood. Olympic medal yesterday when 5-93, 6-122. at Harare Sports Club yesterday to from injury with a boundary-laden Fall of wickets: 0-1, 2-29, 3-31, 4-223, 5-247, Bowling: J Holder; 2-0-20-0; S Gabriel; 9-1- he said he would not be going to Bowling: Chatara 4-1-34-0; Tiripano clinch the series 2-1. 28, and with Zimbabwe’s middle 6-269, 7-274, 8-282. 43-1; C Brathwaite; 9-0-62-1; S Benn; 10-0- the Rio Games over fears of the

4-0-20-3; Madziva 4-0-32-1; Chibhabha In a low-scoring game that went order all chipping in the hosts took Bowling: M Starc; 10-1-51-3; (3w); J Hazle- 47-1; S Narine; 10-0-49-0; (3w); K Pollard; Zika virus. 4-0-19-0; Cremer 4-0-32-1. down to the final ball, the value of the game down to the last over. wood; 10-3-40-1; J Faulkner; 10-0-56-2; S 5.4-0-42-0; (3w); A Fletcher; 3-0-13-0. “After much thought and Jadhav’s 58 from 42 balls on a slow Seamer Barinder Sran was deliberation, I have decided to ZIMBABWE Boland; 10-0-69-2; (3w); M Marsh; 5-0-36-0; Result: Australia won by six wickets pitch was clear when none of the tasked with defending 21 runs from withdraw my name from con- (1w); A Finch; 3-0-16-0; G Maxwell; 2-0-10-0; Next match: June 24: West Indies vs South C Chibhabha c Chahal b Sran 5 Zimbabweans managed more than the final six balls, and looked to have sideration for this summer’s H Masakadza lbw Patel 15 28 and India shaded the game by just bottled it when Timycen Maruma (2w). Africa (Kensington Oval, Barbados) Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,” V Sibanda lbw Kulkarni 28 three runs. hit him for six and then four, with the 27-year-old four-time major P Moor c Mandeep Singh b Chahal 26 Jadhav arrived at the crease the second boundary coming off a champion said in a statement. M Waller c Bumrah b Kulkarni 10 with the tourists struggling on 27 for no-ball. “After speaking with those three after they had lost the toss and However Sran allowed only a closest to me, I’ve come to real- E Chigumbura c Chahal b Sran 16 been asked to bat for the first time single from the next three deliveries, Australia down WI to ise that my health and my family’s T Maruma (not out) 23 on the tour. Zimbabwe had blown leaving Elton Chigumbura needing health come before anything else. Extras (LB-8, W-3, NB-1) 12 hot and cold throughout the series, eight runs from the final two balls. “Even though the risk of Total (for 6 wkts in 20 overs) 135 winning the first game in thrilling The Zimbabwe allrounder struck reach Tri-Series final infection from the Zika virus is Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-57, 3-60, 4-86, fashion before losing the second by the first ball for four, but could not considered low, it is a risk none- 10 wickets, but it was soon appar- repeat the feat off the final delivery theless and a risk I am unwilling 5-104, 6-135. ent that they were up for the decider. and so Zimbabwe finished on 135 for to take. Bowling: Sran 4-1-31-2; Kulkarni 4-0-23- However, Jadhav added 49 for six. India had left more than a dozen AFP match tomorrow with the winners “I trust the Irish people will 2; Bumrah 4-0-23-0; Patel 4-0-18-1; the fourth wicket with Ambati Ray- of their first-choice players at home, to face the Aussies in Sunday’s final. understand my decision. The Chahal 4-0-32-1. udu, who made 20, and went on to which offered an opportunity for less Smith and Marsh steadied Aus- unwavering support I receive reach his fifty in just 38 balls. Donald experienced players to impress. tralia’s effort following the loss every time I compete in a golf tour- BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Aus- of three early wickets with a 122- nament at home or abroad means tralia displayed the composure run fourth-wicket partnership that the world to me,” added McIlroy, and assurance of world champi- set the World Cup-holders back on who was present at the Euro 2016 ons to chase down a target of 283 course. match between his native North- Konta topples Kvitova in Eastbourne and advance to the final with a six- However, when Smith was run ern Ireland and Germany in Paris wicket victory over the West Indies out for 78 in the 42nd over, any hopes on Tuesday. in the seventh match of the Tri- the West Indies had of claiming the The decision by McIlroy – the Britain’s Johanna Series One-Day International Series victory that would have eliminated latest of several major winners to Konta returns at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Australia were extinguished by announce they would not go to the against Czech Tuesday. Maxwell. Games despite it returning to the Republic’s Petra Marlon Samuels’ first-ever Displaying his full range of unor- quadrennial sports extravaganza Kvitova during their hundred against Australia and a thodox shots, he crashed five fours for the first time since 1904 – left women’s singles record-breaking partnership with and two sixes off just 26 balls to ban- the Olympic Council of Ireland third round match at Denesh Ramdin lifted the West ish any lingering anxiety among his (OCI) dejected. the WTA Eastbourne Indies to a competitive 282 for eight teammates in the dressing room. “The OCI is extremely dis- International batting first. Marsh was left unbeaten on 79, his appointed not to be taking Rory tournament in But half-centuries by captain mature knock going a long way with us to Rio,” read a statement Eastbourne, Steven Smith and all-rounder Mitch- towards fulfilling a lot of the prom- from the Council. Replacing McIl- yesterday. Konta ell Marsh, together with a quickfire ise that has been expected of him in roy will probably be his Ryder Cup unbeaten 46 from Glenn Maxwell Australia’s middle-order. team-mate and fellow North- won 5-7, 6-4, ensured that the target was reached “We knew it was challenging tar- ern Irishman Graham McDowell 6-0 to reach the with eight balls to spare. get but we always backed ourselves alongside the higher-ranked Shane quarter-finals. West Indies and South Africa will to get home,” said a delighted Smith Lowry, who led the US Open going now meet in the last preliminary after the match. into the final round last Sunday. 24 THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016

Nobody is scared of England: Shearer

Reuters

PARIS: England’s per- formances at Euro 2016 so far will leave none of their opponents scared at the prospect of a knockout clash with the country, according to former striker Alan Shearer (pictured). After a goalless draw with Slovakia on Mon- day, England finished second behind Wales in Group B and will now face the second-placed team from Group F, comprising Hungary, Iceland, Portugal and Austria, in the last 16 in Nice on Monday. Shearer, who captained England, believes the Ireland’s Robbie Brady (centre) scores the changes which manager Roy Hodgson has been making winning goal against Italy during their Euro to his line-ups in the group stages are a major problem. 2016 Group E match played at the Stade “Hodgson says he does not fear anyone in the knock- Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, France yesterday. out stages, which is fair enough, but I do not see any teams being scared of playing us either,” Shearer told the BBC. “I don’t think Roy knows his best XI, or his best sys- tem, and that is where we are struggling. Whoever we are up against, we are going to have to improve... we are going to have to click in front of goal pretty soon or the worst will happen.” Brady heroics take Ireland England are still unbeaten, having won one and drawn two of their games so far, but they have scored just three goals. They are now in the toughest half of the draw with the likes of hosts France and World Cup winners Ger- many, although they could first face a less glamorous team in the last 16. into Euro knockouts “The standard at this expanded finals is not very high and some of the weaker teams will make it. A lot of them are defensive-minded,” Shearer said.

Ireland had to win the match at the Spain next Monday, Italy coach Antonio to worry Darren Randolph but they needed The 85th minute stunner Stade Pierre-Mauroy against an Italian side Conte made eight changes to his side. only eight minutes of the second half to already assured of first place in Group E The roof was closed at the stadium, a come close again. sets up a last-16 tie and got the win they needed to set up a decision which had the effect of raising This time the AC Milan wing-back Trouble in stadium at against hosts France last-16 tie against hosts France. the noise levels but also helped to protect Mattia De Sciglio crossed from the left Before Brady struck, Sirigu, standing a shocking pitch from further deteriorat- and Juventus striker Simone Zaza, with in for Gianluigi Buffon in the Italian goal, ing before it is replaced for the knockout his back to goal, hooked his shot just over. Czech-Turkey match made a superb save to deny Daryl Mur- rounds. The momentum began to slip away AFP phy while Hategan twice waved away Irish The surface may not have lent itself to from Ireland after Sirigu turned away a AFP penalty appeals in the first half. flowing football but Jeff Hendrick showed Murphy strike from a difficult angle and Coach Martin O’Neill made four great technique to fashion a shooting captain for the night Seamus Coleman’s changes to the side that lost 3-0 to Belgium opportunity on his left foot that flew inches follow-up effort was blocked. LENS: Turkish fans threw flares on the pitch during LILLE: Robbie Brady struck with just five last weekend in Bordeaux as Ireland looked wide from 20 metres out early on. Italy substitute Lorenzo Insigne then their country’s win over Czech Republic at Euro 2016 on minutes remaining as the Republic of Ire- for their first win over Italy in a competi- Murphy, who had never scored for Ire- curled a shot against the post and the last Tuesday, putting the side at risk of new UEFA sanctions. land claimed a dramatic 1-0 win over Italy tive match since the 1994 World Cup in the land in 21 previous appearances stretching 16 looked to be slipping away from Ireland At least three flares landed on the pitch following in Lille yesterday to reach the knockout United States. back nine years, came closest to breaking as Wes Hoolahan was denied by Sirigu the second goal in the 65th minute of the 2-0 win. Tur- phase of Euro 2016. James McClean and Daryl Murphy the deadlock in the first half with a header when left with just the goalkeeper to beat key were punished after their fans set off flares during Brady’s goal arrived just when it looked started while it was all change in central from Brady’s 21st-minute corner that was on 84 minutes. their Group D defeat by Spain last Friday. as if Ireland were heading out due to a defence with Richard Keogh and Shane tipped over by Sirigu. But Hoolahan was the source of the At the end of the first half there was trouble between combination of Italy goalkeeper Salva- Duffy chosen to partner one another. Italy threatened as Ciro Immobile shot winning goal only a minute later as his Turkish fans and stadium stewards after a firecracker tore Sirigu and Romanian referee Ovidiu With top spot in the group sewn up and narrowly past from 25 yards. cross from the right found Brady steam- exploded in the Turkish section of the crowd and stew- Hategan. with one eye on their last-16 tie against It had taken 43 minutes for the Azzurri ing in to head home. ards move in to find the fan responsible. Belgium qualify as Ibrahimovic bows out

Reuters

NICE: Belgium went through to the last-16 at Euro 2016 yester- day when Radja Nainggolan’s late strike gave them a 1-0 win over Sweden, who were knocked out after scoring only once in three games. Sweden’s elimination meant the end of forward Zlatan Ibrahi- movic’s international career as he had announced the day before that he would stop playing for his coun- try once the tournament was over. Ibrahimovic hooked the ball into the net in the 63rd minute but the goal was disallowed. Their hopes of qualifying ended when Nainggolan scored with a majes- tic strike from outside the area in the 84th minute. Belgium finished second in Group E with six points, behind winners Italy, and will face Hun- gary in their last-16 match, while Sweden finished bottom with one point. Ireland finished with four Sweden’s forward Zlatan points and qualified as one of the best third-placed teams, by beat- Ibrahimovic acknowledges Sweden’s goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson dives unsuccessfully to avoid a goal scored by Belgium’s Radja Nainggolan during their ing Italy 1-0. the crowd. Euro 2016 group E match played at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice yesterday.